It's no secret that DC Universe Online has been a steady success since its launch in January 2011. It is also no secret that its visuals are looking a bit outdated, as developers Daybreak and Dimensional Ink's MMO is on the docket for a next-gen visual upgrade. Unfortunately, it is now looking like DC Universe Online's update may have hit a speed bump, as reports indicate the title may not receive its new coat of paint until 2023 at the earliest.
At the 2020 investor presentation for Enad Global 7, it was confirmed two of Daybreak's titles, DC Universe Online and The Lord of the Rings Online, would be receiving significant "visual and technical updates" for both new consoles and PC. Initially, DC Universe Online was meant to get the upgrade treatment by Q4 of 2021 but has apparently been delayed significantly with no reason given. Some have surmised this upgrade to DC Universe Online has been put on hold to make way for a supposed MMO based on the Marvel Universe that is also being developed by Dimensional Ink.
Currently, Daybreak and Dimensional Ink's recent investor meeting briefly mentioned that DC Universe Online will receive a "graphics upgrade and the largest expansion content to date." However, the timeline has now changed to 2023, while The Lord of the Rings Online's own visual expansion still has no specific date but was previously slated for 2022. Many assumed this was to coincide with the launch of Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV series next September. It remains to be seen if The Lord of the Rings Online will instead be pushed to a late 2023 or 2024 timeline.
An upgrade to the visuals of DC Universe Online has certainly been a long time coming, as fans are surely begging for the game to look a little easier on the eyes. Many MMOs go years without any graphical upgrades so this situation isn't exactly all that uncommon in the genre space.
However, if the update comes around in 2023 it will have likely been over 12 years since that game's launch. That is quite a while to have spent without any graphical overhauls. After the DC Universe Online went free-to-play way back in October 2011, the number of people who jumped onboard skyrocketed. This visual upgrade may bring back some players who have been lost along the way.
No doubt fans of DC Universe Online will be frustrated by this delay, especially if it has been put on hold because of the development of a rival comic company's game. Here's hoping that by the time 2023 has been rung in, fans won't have to wait too long to see their favorite MMO with a new coat of paint.
DC Universe Online is currently available for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Source: PCGamesN