February 22, 2008 - When
Cryptic Studios announced it was developing a brand new superhero
MMORPG, we had just one question: Why make a new game when you already
have City of Heroes? While City of Heroes has been a success, it is
also showing its age. Cryptic wanted to create an MMO fit for the new
generation of PC and console gaming. The Champions universe (based on
the tabletop RPG) is the perfect fit for what Cryptic hopes to
accomplish with its newest endeavor.

For those reading this who aren't nerds, Champions is a popular
paper-and-pen role-playing game. Since the first edition of the
Champions tabletop game was released in 1981, the HERO role-playing
system has since evolved into one of the most respected around,
primarily for its robust character creation system. Champions Online
takes many of the ideas of the tabletop game and reshapes it to fit the
needs of a massively multiplayer online game. The essence of the
tabletop game remains as the character creation system is expected to
be one of the deepest we've seen in a videogame.

Though Cryptic is remaining, well, cryptic about the details of
character creation, a few details have been revealed. Champions
Online's motto is "total customization." Along with fully customizable
costumes, you'll also be able to put your own creative stamp on your
characters' powers. This includes selecting the appearance of your
powers. Want the Crimson Commando to have a red force field and an
energy blast that's a jet of hot flames? You can do so with Champions
Online. If the character creation system is anything like the tabletop
game, you will also be able to select specific advantages and
limitations for your powers to turn a set of common base powers into
something unique to your character.

Champions Online takes the character creation a step farther by having
you also design your hero's arch nemesis. You choose your adversary's
name, powers and costume. Remember, a foil is often the reflection of
his or her darker half. Whoever you create will torment you throughout
your superhero career.

Cryptic promises thousands of heroes will be online at one time, each
with their own arch nemesis (along with many other enemies and
threats). Those thousands of PCs and NPCs won't be crowded into a
single city. Instead, Cryptic is tapping into the vast Champions
universe for its MMO. You may live in futuristic Millennium City, but
you'll travel to Canada, the moon, the underwater city of Lemuria, and
the mystical dimension Qliphotic. Make sure your passport is up to date.




That has got to sting.



The
Champions universe aged and evolved over its 27-year history. Cities
have been destroyed. Organizations have come and gone. Villains and
heroes have died (and stayed dead). That's certainly an element Cryptic
Studios plans to exploit in Champions Online. While classic villains
such as Doctor Destroyer, Mechanon and the evil organization VIPER will
likely remain constants in the universe, major events will occur that
will have a lasting effect on the online community. The game world you
enter in 2009 won't be the same one you're playing in come 2012.

How will you handle the numerous enemies that threaten the universe?
With real-time action-oriented combat, of course. Gone is the MMO
staple of single-button "automated" combat. You won't have to worry
about lengthy recharge times or even a hint of waiting for your turn
either. The action is going to be fast and, according to Cryptic, will
require you to use tactics to defeat tougher enemies.

There's still quite a lot to be learned about Champions Online, but it
appears Cryptic Studios is on the right track. Champions Online ships
in spring 2009 on PC and Xbox 360.

For more on Cryptic's upcoming MMO, check out the official site at www.champions-online.com.