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Champions Online pushed to September

  • By Brendan Sinclair, Tom Magrino, GameSpot
  • Posted May 18, 2009 10:43 am PT

Cryptic Studios' superhero MMO game stuck in phone booth an extra month and a half to implement key features.

Last week, Atari CEO Jim Wilson told GameSpot that the publisher won't be exhibiting at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, even though the June 1-4 trade show was slated just in advance of its big Ghostbusters and Champions Online launches. This weekend the immediate need for hype on one of those titles slackened, as the official Web site of the superhero-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game was updated with news of a delay.

Now with customizable robot pants and alien skin conditions.

Now with customizable robot pants and alien skin conditions.

While Champions Online's original July 14 launch date was announced less than a month ago, Atari has already rethought that schedule. The publisher now expects the Cryptic Studios game to arrive September 1, and the game's beta-testing phase will be extended as a result of the delay.

"Through our constant dialogue with our vocal and supportive community of beta testers, we quickly realized that in order to implement certain features that we all considered important the development of Champions Online would require more time," explained executive producer Bill Roper on the site. "So that's what we're going to give it. Cryptic has a proven track record of releasing solid games and we want to maintain that with Champions Online."

An Xbox 360 edition of the game, which was announced prior to Champions Online being dropped by Take-Two and picked up by Atari, is also planned for release. However, Atari has not given it a release window as of yet.

Tracing its roots back to the now-canceled Marvel Universe Online, Champions Online features myriad character customization options, ranging from body structure to costumes to superpowers. GameSpot recently sat down with Cryptic for an extensive look at the superhero-themed MMOG, covering topics ranging from players' custom archvillains to the various superpowers.

For more information, check out the rest of GameSpot's previous coverage of Champions Online.

28 Comments

  • xNinjaKingx

    Posted Jun 30, 2009 1:19 pm GMT

    1 thing to say O_O GJ at the push back it gives more time for a nice finish and polish and give users/players time to get what they need to play it when it first comes out. i need to upgrade my comp so i nao go time to finish upgradin and play =) and this gives more time to addd more content GJ cryptic hope i enjoy this seein how its the first time im gonna play one of ur games

  • francisthompson

    Posted Jun 17, 2009 3:09 pm GMT

    @geigerdolylwodd

    Yes it will have cross plattform, but even if it didn't it would be different from CoV/H because it is real time combat, not the typical mmo click that button to do said attack, in this a head shot is a head shot, no matter what level your agility is

  • Gezquester

    Posted May 20, 2009 3:42 pm GMT

    I hope I get into the beta, even if its 2 days before launch! *fingers and toes crossed*

  • RavageGT

    Posted May 18, 2009 10:49 pm GMT

    Wise decisions FTW

  • CreatureRising

    Posted May 18, 2009 5:53 pm GMT

    A wise move on the Pushback. But I dont like the Monthly Fee could it possibly placed with our Xbox Live Bill?

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted May 18, 2009 5:49 pm GMT

    Is this game going to be crossplatform compatible betwixt 360 and PC? If not then what will separate this from say...City of Heroes/Villains?

  • Zloth2

    Posted May 18, 2009 5:28 pm GMT

    Plus games sell awful in July/August anyway, so why not delay it a bit? More free time for the beta testers!

  • ultralesus

    Posted May 18, 2009 5:04 pm GMT

    Take as long as you like Cryptic... I have high hopes for this game. I loved City Of Heroes and hate fantasy. So a Superhero MMO is the only thing I can enjoy. I'm hoping this game is going to be awesome and I don't mind waiting if they need time to polish. Whatever makes the game better.

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted May 18, 2009 4:32 pm GMT

    Oh well, best release it when it's ready. I think they rather not pull a AoC.

  • jazilla

    Posted May 18, 2009 3:54 pm GMT

    still needs a bunch of work. i think even september is pushing it. its a fun game. prob is that its going up against dc online which will kill it.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted May 18, 2009 3:32 pm GMT

    Yeah, Def needs some more polish time. The core game is good, But the mechanics of it need to be ironed out. Just my opinion of course.

  • umbrae

    Posted May 18, 2009 3:14 pm GMT

    I haven't logged in for a while, but this is a good thing. And its true many of the beta testers are vocal.

  • fat_angelino

    Posted May 18, 2009 3:11 pm GMT

    LOL Bill Roper... Im staying away....

  • terryjameboy

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:35 pm GMT

    its understandable but ugh...i was soo looking forward for this in july

  • slappylad

    Posted May 18, 2009 1:25 pm GMT

    Im also B/T the game, it isnt too shabby, but I agree it needs some extra time to tuneup accordingly.

  • Ardus

    Posted May 18, 2009 1:11 pm GMT

    As someone who has beta tested this game, I've got to say this is a VERY wise decision.

  • joeyfine

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:57 pm GMT

    Come please be good!

  • Azwethinkweiz89

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:55 pm GMT




    At least they're gonna make sure the game is as best they can. History has shown that no MMO had a "prefect" start.

  • nurse_tsunami

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:45 pm GMT

    I am glad that they are waiting to release it until its ready rather than pushing it out and then trying to patch it later. I don't like MMOs that have a "second beta" with their retail customers.

  • happyfatman021

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:27 pm GMT

    Definitely gonna be awesome, can't wait. And combatsoldier, they're apparently still planning to release it for 360, they just don't have a release date yet. I hope so, I would much rather play it on 360.

  • ASG_ posted May 18, 2009 12:14 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ASG_

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:14 pm GMT (hide)

    This is gonna tank.
    Even they know it's gonna tank.

  • King_Jeremy_77

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:14 pm GMT

    Gonna be fun!

  • combatsoldier

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:11 pm GMT

    damn. First it was cancelled as a 360 mmo as well. So I finally became use to the idea of a pc exclusive. Now I have to wait till september. However I suppose its good cause I want and am expecting a masterpiece out of this baby. Cant Wait!

  • Moop25

    Posted May 18, 2009 12:08 pm GMT

    Better for it to come out later than now and end up like crap.

  • arc_salvo

    Posted May 18, 2009 11:58 am GMT

    This is good news. Very very good news. If you're in the Beta, you'd know why this is a great decision on Cryptic and Atari's part. Now if only EA and Flagship Studios had done this with Hellgate London, and NCSoft and Destination Games had done this with Tabula Rasa.

    I commend Cryptic and especially Atari for this decision. It's rare to see a publisher actually care about the quality of a game rather than mindlessly shoving an unfinished game out the door in a cheap attempt to make profits which end up suffering because the game they push prematurely to launch either sucks, or feels so unfinished and full of bugs that the customer feels insulted, and spreads bad word of mouth which reduces sales.

  • neo-rtsd

    Posted May 18, 2009 11:50 am GMT

    I just hope it's better then City of Heroes.

  • oblivionknight0

    Posted May 18, 2009 11:26 am GMT

    I'd rather a game get pushed back than to be rushed for a release. Here's to hoping everything gets sorted out. Can't wait to play it once it comes out.

  • chappy_man

    Posted May 18, 2009 11:24 am GMT

    not my thing

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