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Players miffed over Champions Online's "kitchen sink patch" and Vibora Bay
It's an awkward time for Champions Online. After the last State of the Game post by Chronomancer, things were looking up. The latest patch was slated to fix Lemuria (colloquially known as Lagmuria, due to the extreme system hiccups), add more power to various power frameworks, nemesis changes, the addition of team looting, and changes to the crafting system. Furthermore, the same State of the Game post announced that Champions would be getting its first expansion -- Vibora Bay. However, with the deployment of the "kitchen sink" patch, most gamers have experienced more lag in all zones, some characters are locked in Lemuria, unable to log in, and there are issues with the crafting systems. If all of that wasn't bad enough, Cryptic Daeke has confirmed that Vibora Bay will be a "paid expansion" which will add more content for levels 37 to 40 -- a move which has sent many members of the community into what can only be described as "a frothing rage."
The Bleak Ones cast a fishy shadow over Champions Online
There's definitely a loose Cthulu influence in Champions Online's Bleak Ones, but in a way that we're digging. So if you read this recent villain profile on the ancient Lemurian gods, don't feel like you're alone in noticing references like, "And when you die, we will bring you home. We will gather you to us. We will devour your souls in the ever after. You shall be our sustenance." Hah, and they call us crazy!Well when the time comes to fend off these fishy foes, between our alliteration and determined gnashing of teeth we will ascend triumphantly to the mountaintop of victory! Or in other words, we can't wait to kick some fish people butt. But until that opportunity presents itself, we'll have to sate ourselves with lore and concept art that can be found within our gallery.%Gallery-17946%
Champions Online's healthy obsession with giant monsters, concept art
New screens and a comic art page have been released for Champions Online. The comic page gives a nice quick non-textual narrative on the fall of Lemuria, while the two new screens are full of robotic love.When Cryptic isn't designing giant flaming gorillas into their game, we guess they're designing giant flaming... robots? Well, aside from the slightly worrisome obsession with fire, they have our complete support in this noble venture. As a giant-things addendum, the intricate sense of scale Champions Online seems capable of is a highly promising feature of the newew Cryptic tech. Although when considering the developer's other upcoming MMO, it really does make a lot of sense.We've added the new images to our gallery, so feel free to take a peek at what's shaping up to be a visually arresting superhero MMO.%Gallery-17946%
Champions Online and the Bronze King of Lemuria
Since the first moment we saw the three-faced figure in Champions Online's Lemuria screens, we know he was of vast importance. As it turns out, that guess was quite right.Known as the Bronze King, he is a magical construct made from sacrificed minds of the last wizened Priest-king and his priests of old. He was a just and proper ruler for many years, but as magic in the world waned, so did his sanity. Now a magical puppet of current Lemurian King Arvad, the Bronze King is of no threat to Lemuria or the world. If, however, Arvad's magic leash were to be loosened, the entire world would be in danger.We're assuming that's when a group of daring superheroes swoops in to save the day and reaps the rewards.
Ask Cryptic: Lemuria includes sharks, laser beams and water powers
In what we expect is a final bout of news on the Champions Online zone Lemuria, a new Ask Cryptic has appeared on the official website and its focus is firmly centered on the underwater zone. We now know that Lemuria will be a high-end zone focused on players experiencing the civil war between good Lemurians and those looking to once again worship the Bleak Ones for power to overthrow the surface world.In less story-driven answers, it appears as though those looking for water-themed costumes will have plenty to choose from. However, water-based powers aren't going to be happening due to the graphical requirements. Maybe Aquaman wannabes will get their watery comeuppance sometime in a future post-launch update, although it may be a long wait.
Champions Online dev Randy Mosiondz on storytelling and gameplay
Writing for Examiner.com, Daniel Nations recently interviewed Champions Online lead designer Randy Mosiondz about the balancing act between providing guided gameplay and exploration. The interview also touches upon Champions Online's gameplay across different environments. Namely, Mosiondz explains a bit about the challenges that players will face in the underwater area of Lemuria with its full 3-D movement capabilities, and how some player powers will be modified for use underwater. Also a nice touch is that the discussion heads into his roots as a writer for pen and paper games. Mosiondz explains the differences in storytelling between pen and paper games and MMOs, and why it can be tricky to bring a story with lasting consequences to a massively multiplayer online game. Check out the Champions Online developer interview over at Examiner for more about what the Cryptic Studios super-hero title will offer.
Curious concept art in Champions Online zone profile for Lemuria
Does this Shark cannon shoot sharks, or does it shoot a deadly laser? Or... does it shoot sharks with lasers attached to their heads? It's deep questions like these that permeate our thoughts each and every day here at Massively. Well that and, "When's the beta?" which is almost as important as shark gun related inquiries. Truly, these are questions for the ages.For Championites who love to devour every little bit of lore and information regarding Champions Online, Cryptic has gone and posted a nice piece on the history and people of Lemuria. Take a look at our gallery for a peek at a few environments, including what we can only assume is a temple to a fishy god of the old world.%Gallery-17946%
Giant three-faced underwater monster in latest Champions Online screens
Whatever's going on in that screenshot above, we'd wager that those superheroes royally pissed off that giant monster with not one, not two, but three faces. You don't even want to know what else is going on in the other screenshots.Now look, if we had all sorts of superpowers you could bet we wouldn't care too much if we stepped on the toes of a crime boss or an alien bent on world domination -- but a three-faced underwater monster? Sorry, but you can count us out of that scuffle. Well, unless you give us a few more levels to work with, then maybe we could deal with it proper-like, you know?Three more beautiful screens of the underwater zone Lemuria await you nary a click or two away.%Gallery-17946%
Champions Online video delves deep into the waters of Lemuria
We've been waiting for the first video featuring Lemuria to -- pardon the pun -- surface, and now we're happy to report that it's here! On top of the visually stunning fly through of Champions Online's mid-level underwater zone, IGN also has an interview with Bill Roper that covers a good amount of ground concerning the first questions that popped into our head when Lemuria was originally revealed.Namely, Roper answers our burning questions on fire-based powers underwater and breathing mechanics. A pill developed by the in-game faction called UNTIL will allow heroes to breath with ease and for the sake of fun. Who wants to resurface every five or ten minutes, anyhow?And as for the water-unfriendly powers, Cryptic is simply taking the "this is a comic book-based world" approach and not messing with anything. However, travel powers apparently aren't going to work underwater, which makes sense. We only hope there's some way to compensate people who spend some time underwater. Giving out a water propeller backpack after completing the first few quest chains couldn't hurt.
Lemuria revealed in newest Champions Online screens
Three new Champions Online screens showing off the underwater zone of Lemuria have been released into the wild. It seems as though Cryptic was saving some of the more visually astonishing locales for later on, because by all accounts Lemuria is stunningly beautiful -- and we've only seen four still images of it so far. And of course, yes, we'll have to refrain from fully judging how good the zone looks until we get to see it in motion. Still, we've got high hopes.If you're interested in reading up on the latest there is to know about Champions Online, take a look at our official developer blogs as well as news feed on the game. It's like a daily dose of vitamins, only these vitamins can give you superpowers.%Gallery-17946%
