Cryptic bringing Champions Online to PCs, consoles

Disintegration of Marvel Universe Online hasn't stopped the City of Heroes developer from crafting a new superhero MMORPG.

Earlier this week came the news that Marvel Universe Online was canceled. The revelation was unwelcome for Xbox 360 owners hungry for a massively multiplayer online role-playing game offering cross-platform play with Vista-equipped PCs. It also upset fans of the stillborn game's developer, Cryptic Studios.

Luckily, after not-so-much ado, comes word that the unraveling of the Marvel Universe Online project hasn't stopped Cryptic from chugging ahead with a console MMORPG. The same Game Informer cover which bestowed the final titles of Aliens: Colonial Marines and Red Faction: Guerrilla also revealed an all-new project from Cryptic, Champions Online.

Like a combination of Cryptic's two other MMORPGs, City of Heroes and City of Villains, the game will let players be both superheroes and supervillians within the same virtual realm. Though details on the project are thin, Game Informer did confirm that Champions Online is "taking on PCs and consoles." (Emphasis added.)

Although no specific platforms were mentioned, given Cryptic's work on Marvel Universe Online, a 360 version is definitely possible. It's also worth noting that at last year's E3 Media and Business Summit, City of Heroes publisher and IP owner NCsoft announced it was working on an MMORPG project for the PlayStation 3.

GameSpot will have more details on Champions Online when it becomes available.

34 Comments

  • King_Wii

    Posted Mar 24, 2008 6:53 pm PT

    I have to agree with gameric6: Sexy_Yofu super heroes are general origonal only one game so far has them... CoX, and hey Cryptic did a WONDERFUL job with it so I say lets see round two (heck its like a sequal just with a new name).

    As for The game it looks realy good, and if you've gone to the offical website you'll see some neat stuff. I like the concepts of having your own super villian tied to your character and though they didn't mention it I hope I can continue to be a villian myself (Woot CoV!!) but hey Champions looks great and I can't wait to get my hands on it +1 for Cryptic in my mind!

  • gameric6

    Posted Mar 10, 2008 9:18 am PT

    Since its coming out for PC and Console it will probably feel dumbed down for those used to COX and other PC MMORPG's.

  • Grimmbro

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 4:43 pm PT

    Sexy_Yofu, you're kidding right?? A new trick..I know, they should make a MMORPG with elves and orcs in it. That must be a new idea Hardly explored yet. Considering the success of all the one idea MMORPGs out there, I'm happy if Cryptic wants to expand Superhero themes. I even made a superhero Orc CoH

  • Royas

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 3:11 pm PT

    Hero Games has been talking about a Champions computer game off and on since the early '80's. Nothing came of it under the old management, dare I hope that it is now becoming a reality? I'd give the game a try just based on the original franchise, my absolute favorite pen and paper RPG ever.

  • Sexy_Yofu

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 2:19 pm PT

    ENOUGH WITH THE SUPER HEROES. Cryptic only has one trick. Make something NEW for crisake.

  • Sick3r

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 1:56 pm PT

    Better be able to use a Keyboard and Mouse. If they allow that, i'll play this, but still only if their is no paid subscription.
    How about this Idea: If you already have GOLD membership you dont have to pay at all. And if you have Silver, you have to pay to play. If they did that, i'd fall in love

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 11:08 am PT

    @theembassy
    HERO Games is supposed to have a really, REALLY big announcement on Monday; maybe this is it.

    @DFalcon999
    Why would they be mad? They sold off COH/COV, and this is a chance to start anew, to do everything they wanted to do in COx but couldn't (the alpha version of COH didn't have AT's - it was far more flexible that what we have now, but was too easy to actually "gimp" yourself). Besides, competition is good, and when this launches COx will be incredibly mature and even better than it is now.

    At least its not yet another swords and elves game *yawn*

    @twilightson
    Check out HERO system sometime - its the complete opposite of COH, yet even more customizable/flexible. The rulebook for 5th edition is nearly 600 pages worth of stuff - its highly complex, detailed, and to be honest its incredibly amazing stuff (if you're into that).

  • twilightson

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 11:02 am PT

    I think that it will most likely be just a current CoH/CoV game in another world. So for those that like CoH and CoV there will be no real reason to change, and for those that do not like those games will have no reason to try it.

  • theembassy

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 10:25 am PT

    Since they did not mention the pairing, I do wonder is they have clearance to use the "Champions" RPG license owned by Hero Games? 'Twould be interesting!

  • stillereize

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 10:21 am PT

    Wonder how long it will take before this is canceled? Based on Shadowrun's failure, to put it lightly, it seems Microsoft is going soft on any cross platform ventures.

  • DFalcon999

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 10:17 am PT

    quote "chakan2

    Is this based on the Champion's pen and paper RPG? If so, this could rock. If not, snooze, I've aliens to kill. "

    Most likely, as I remember Statesman (one of the heads of Cryptic) saying he used to play it.

  • chakan2

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 10:05 am PT

    Is this based on the Champion's pen and paper RPG? If so, this could rock. If not, snooze, I've aliens to kill.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 10:04 am PT

    I just want PS3 Home to launch ....

  • DFalcon999

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 9:49 am PT

    Quote "dukerav

    Cool I suppose, but why didnt they just have both heroes and villains in one game, instead of making two separate games, in regards to CoH and CoV."

    Because it would have taken even longer to finish the whole package? The all-in-one game would have come out the same time as CoV and probably lack a LOT of the enhancement CoH and CoV gained via player suggestion.

    I'm somewhat glad Cryptic has announced a new project but WHY do they persist in making something to challenge their own original creation (CoH/CoV)? Are they really that pissed off at those developers who remained with the game or something?

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 9:08 am PT

    this is what was needed. Thiis is precisely why they cancelled Marvel Universe Online! Imagine servers filled with Wolverines and Hulks.

    IF this is truly a superhero/villain MMO my heart leaps for joy... in the Manliest way possible.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 8:42 am PT

    sounds better than a marvel one. marvel superheroes in an mmo soudns bad to me

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 7:34 am PT

    I'm with mad_mercenary - sounds great, but don't expect me to dig further into my pockets after i've bought the game and a Live subscription. That's lame..... I can understand paying for PC games, as the online service is "free", but since we pay a subscription for Live, having to pay more just to play a game will be too bitter a pill to swallow, no matter how good the game may be...

  • runstalker

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 7:13 am PT

    Imagine their superb City of X character creation system built from the ground up for next-gen spec.

  • mad_mercenary

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 5:45 am PT

    Sounds sweet.
    Like most MMORPG's, will there be a subscription-based pay?
    I'd hate to have to keep paying for Xbox Live, then STILL have to pay a rate for the game...

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 5:29 am PT

    Sounds good. I was looking forward to Marvel. With that project being cancelled, maybe this can make me happy instead.

  • dukerav

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 3:06 am PT

    Cool I suppose, but why didnt they just have both heroes and villains in one game, instead of making two separate games, in regards to CoH and CoV.

  • zero9167

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 11:19 pm PT

    cool

  • peoplekiller1

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 11:13 pm PT

    good this will probably be better than that marvel universe would be anyway.

  • Lord_Bloodwar

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 10:48 pm PT

    Ditto Chakahiro94--Um how young are you all? Hasn't anyone here ever played a table top roleplaying game before? Look at the quote in the article. "the game will let players be both superheroes and supervillians within the same virtual realm". Doesn't sound like Everquest to me. Sounds like Champions the table top roleplaying game, you know, the one where you use a piece of paper, pencil, dice and your imagination. Fantastic super hero game from the 80's and 90's. Count me in when this game comes out.

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 10:44 pm PT

    O_O

    If Champions Online uses even half of what HERO system offers (Champions is a pen and paper role-playing game using HERO system) then it'll offer a level of customization that will literally blow City of Heroes (and to be honest even the Elder Scrolls games) out of the water. They will very literally need to offer a "beginner" and "advanced" mode in character creation.

  • ivanfred

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 9:41 pm PT

    Champions as in Champions of Norrath?!?"

    no norrath is the everquest universe which is owned by sony. its just the title for their new mmorpg

    Darn, I wanted a Champions of Norrath game for PS3. However, Champions Online sounds interesting.

  • roryk666

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 8:49 pm PT

    "MoreCowbell6924

    Champions as in Champions of Norrath?!?"

    no norrath is the everquest universe which is owned by sony. its just the title for their new mmorpg

  • haesuse

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    with a flood of MMORPG's at the moment, and i mean flood, there is losely a dozen of them announced, something tells me that a spin-off on something you already made just to fill in a gap of canceled game with something similiar is not a good move.
    crypitc sure knows the genre but i'll be watching this one cautiously as it unravels!

  • falcon11

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 8:04 pm PT

    I think it will be great! City Of Heroes was awesome! Its good to have a different genre of MMO. Comon to my ps3 please! PC gaming is to expensive to keep up with.

  • TigerGuy06

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 8:03 pm PT

    I always wanted to try the CoH and CoV games, but I never really got around to it. If this type of game comes to the 360, will most certainly check it out. I have been a fan of superheroes and supervillains for as long as I can remember. I'll definitely track this game's progress.

  • alberto2045

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 7:47 pm PT

    so wait if you have windows vista and you have an xbox you can both play in one same server

  • MoreCowbell6924

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 7:27 pm PT

    Champions as in Champions of Norrath?!?

  • NandoSupes

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 7:13 pm PT

    awesome I like CoH alot.

    I can't wait for what Champions Online is all about,and I hope it comes to the PS3.

  • Keeg-O

    Posted Feb 13, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    Seems like something worth following. I have never played City of Heroes but it sounds fun. Cryptic is doing the smart the jumping on this after Marvel Universe Online was dropped.

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