DC Universe Online delayed until early 2011

Today brought disappointing news for comic book fans hoping to don virtual capes in DC Universe Online. This morning, Sony Online Entertainment announced that the DC Comics-inspired massively multiplayer role-playing game's launch had been pushed back from this November until early 2011. The delay of the MMORPG, the first to launch on both the PlayStation 3 and PC, was attributed to SOE's desire to fine-tune the title with feedback from the upcoming beta test.

"As the game heads into external beta testing, this extra time will allow us to address community feedback in a meaningful way," said SOE president John Smedley in a statement. "When we get deeper into external beta, we'll be able to share more information regarding the new launch date."

DC Universe Online's beta begins next week, with those who have VIP key cards and those who registered on the game's beta registration page getting priority access. Additionally, anyone who preorders the game by November 15 is guaranteed access to the beta by November 30. Starting October 7, SOE will post instructions on how to qualify for and redeem a beta key at the following (currently inactive) URL: www.dcuniverseonline.com/betakey.

In other news, SOE announced that due to popular demand, it will be releasing a collector's edition of DCUO with all the same extras as the PC CE. These include a Batman statue, a limited-edition Art of DC Universe Online art book, a DCUO Legends Issue #0 comic book with a Jim Lee variant cover, a DCUO Prestige comic presentation of the DCUO backstory, and the limited-edition Jim Lee-drawn poster version of the Issue #0 comic book variant cover.

Set within the DC Comics world, DC Universe Online will let players create a superhero or villain and fight alongside or against iconic comic book characters, such as the Joker, Batman, Superman, and others.

For more on DC Universe Online, check out GameSpot's most recent preview.