Cryptic Studios, developer of the semi-popular superhero MMO, City of Heroes/City of Villains, has found a publisher for their next foray into multiplayer spandex crime fighting, Champions Online, in 2K Games.  In a press release, 2K announced today that they would be “the North American and international publisher for (the) highly anticipated massively multiplayer online (MMO) action game, Champions Online.”  This marks 2K’s first venture into the risky, Warcraft-dominated MMO world, and the third MMO to appear on the 360 (The first two being the forgettable Phantasy Star Universe and the flawed Final Fantasy XI.)  With the upcoming DC Universe MMO rumored to be a PS3 exclusive, Champions will give Microsoft a direct competitor to Sony’s version of Gotham City, Metropolis, and, of course, Gorilla City.  

Champions will be based on the pen & paper RPG of the same name, of which I am a passing fan.  Regardless, I’m extremely excited about the game in general (City of Heroes with the controls of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance – How can you go wrong?), and even more jacked that it’s being published by a major outfit with the financial muscle to properly support it.  We’ll se if my enthusiasm is warranted when the game drops sometime next winter.


The press release follows:

2K Games to Publish Cryptic Studios’ Upcoming MMO Champions Online™

    NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that it will be the North American and international publisher for Cryptic Studios’™ highly anticipated massively multiplayer online (MMO) action game, Champions Online™, being developed for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft* and Games for Windows®. Champions Online is scheduled for release in spring of 2009.

    “2K Games is excited to work with such a talented group as Cryptic Studios,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Given their stellar pedigree and amazing grasp of the MMO genre, we are confident that Champions Online will deliver an innovative and exciting action MMO experience to gamers.”

    Cryptic Studios, based in Los Gatos, CA and established in July 2000, is one of the leading independent developers of massively multiplayer online games for Windows PC and current generation systems. As an independent, employee-owned company, Cryptic is committed to delivering high quality, innovative cross platform MMO gameplay. Cryptic is best known as the creator of the award-winning City of Heroes® and City of Villains™ MMO titles. Based on the popular Champions™ pen-and-paper RPG, Champions Online will give players the power of total customization for their hero experience while they explore a vast comic book universe.

    “2K Games is a terrific publishing partner for Champions Online,” said John Needham, CEO of Cryptic Studios. “Cryptic is proud that Champions Online will be 2K’s first MMO title and we look forward to working together towards a tremendous launch next year.”

    Champions Online is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information, log onto www.champions-online.com

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