D.C. Heroes (Update)
D.C. Heroes is the canceled sixth expansion to U.B. Funkeys.
Planned Content
The D.C. expansion was initially going to consist of two distinct waves of licensed figures, each one based on heroes and villains from D.C.'s comic book universe. Wave 1 of the expansion was planned to feature Batman, Joker, the Flash, and Superman. The second wave was to be released some time after, featuring Wonder Woman, Mr. Freeze, Aquaman, and Green Lantern, presumably having their game rooms featured inside the previously established wave's zones. All four of the Wave 1 figures were gong to have distinct locations based on iconic D.C. settings; for instance, Batman would feature a Gotham City map, which would presumably house his game room.
Like the Speed Racer set, the characters would be featured in multiple rarities, but unlike the previous licensed set which only changed the figure's facial expressions and added glossy or glittery finishes, D.C.'s figures would feature various outfits and forms that the characters displayed in the source material, ranging from Joker's red-hooded costume to the Flash being mid-run, surrounded by bolts. Some figures, such as Superman, would come with cape accessories; because D.C. was planned to be released before Paradox Green, this would have made this expansion the first to feature physical accessories for the toys themselves.
Arkadium developed a number of games that the D.C. expansion would have used for its released figures. The zones for the expansion also reportedly made it to an early design concept phase, but did not make it much further.
Zones
- 4 unnamed D.C. zones
Funkeys
Cancellation
D.C. was, by Jeff's words, difficult to work with. One of the demands set by D.C. was to feature unique transitions showcasing any D.C. Funkey replacing the current playable character, as they did not want to imply that other characters- be it U.B. or other playable D.C. heroes- were turning into one another. Implementing unique animations for each character being placed on the hub was apparently a very difficult process to work with. D.C. further intervened with the designs of the figures, which is a likely reason as to why many of the renders and prototype figures for this update's characters showcase many drastic facial redesigns.
While the D.C. update was still in production during the development of Hidden Realm- hence an unfinished CGI commercial showcasing the two updates simultaneously- complications between Radica and D.C. compounded on the game's increasing pressure to maintain its sales figures led to the update's complete cancellation. It is unknown who- if anyone- owns the surviving physical prototypes of the figures showcased at conventions.
Trivia
- Not counting the base game, this update would have featured the most new zones in any update, as each character in wave 1 would feature in a unique mini-zone based on their home turf.
- If each zone were counted separately, each would have only 1 to 2 Funkeys, making them the least populated zones in the game. Counting all of the zones as one would ironically make them the most populated zones by the release of wave 2, surpassing Funkeystown's total of 7 tribes and tying with Royalton Racing Complex's original planned total of 8 (if counting Tach).