E3 2002: City of Heroes preshow report

NCSoft, publisher of the amazingly popular Lineage: the Blood Pledge, will be showing its upcoming superhero MMORPG City of Heroes at this year's E3. Developed by Cryptic Studios, the game will allow you to take up the role of a costumed superhero enlisted in Paragon City's defense. Paragon City is the equivalent of DC Comics' Metropolis, or a science-fiction New York City--a fantastic cityscape, the peak of modern civilization, but also a target for malign entities. Home to many normal humans, as well as a sizable number of paranormals, Paragon City is currently resettling in the aftermath of an attack by an interstellar invasion force known as the Rikti. The superheroes of Paragon City must now defend the populace as the city is rebuilt and police the areas of the city that are no longer under government rule.

You will be able to create superheroes with a wide variety of different backgrounds and power sources, including mutants, those with magical powers, and those who derive their abilities from advanced technology. An assortment of varied powers have already been announced or revealed, including super strength, invulnerability, invisibility, flight, ice and fire control, and super speed. In addition to customizing each hero's abilities and powers, you will be able to custom-design your hero's costume, with enough variables available to create thousands of possible combinations. While you will not be able to control villains in the original release, you will be able to join up with other heroes for a number of purposes, including the formation of permanent bases and teams.

We interviewed City of Heroes game designer and Cryptic Studios cofounder Jack Emmert 2862499for our preview last month, and he gave us the first word on what the game will entail. We anticipate being able to play an early build of the game at E3, and we'll be sure to bring you hands-on impressions and the latest media.