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Champions Online pushes release date back
It looks like the message of "Don't release it until you're done" has been heard loud and clear in the MMO industry - at least by the crew over at Cryptic Studios, anyway. This morning Tara "IronAngel" Jennings announced that they have decided to push the release date for Champions Online back from July 14th to September 1st to allow for more development time on their highly-anticipated upcoming superhero MMO.According to Bill Roper, Design Director and Executive Producer for the project: "It is critically important for an MMO to be as good as it possibly can be at launch. 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. 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." Frankly, we're thrilled that Cryptic is opting to take more time to polish the game to a mirror shine first. We also hope that this heralds a new mindset from all MMO companies; don't release until it is done.[Via Twitter]
Champions Online wants you under its Sorcerous spell
If you've been disappointed by the lack of information in regards to Magic origin characters for Champions Online, you're in luck! Cryptic has released a tantalizing new video that we're sure will those who have plans for creating a magic-based character. In this new video titled Sorcery, we're treated to a first look of some of the magic-based powers in play - and they look sweet! Like we really needed a reason to be any more excited about Champions Online, eh?If you're curious, the video is behind the cut for your shiny viewing pleasure. Now if you'll pardon us, we've got some magic super-hero backstory brainstorming to do!
The Daily Grind: Who will your nemesis be?
Yesterday, I got a request on Twitter from Karlmageddon, asking for a Daily Grind based on Champions Online, as he 'can't wait for that game!' As many of the team here at Massively are in the same 'can't wait' boat, we're only happy to oblige! As was recently featured, Champions Online's Nemesis System allows you to build your very own personalized supervillain enemy. This morning we're going to ask a question that we've kicked around here on several occasions - just precisely what is your nemesis going to be like? Our head honcho, Shawn, said that while he's not exactly sure what he'll do, his nemesis "would have something to do with ice and cold and snow, because [he hates] the cold." Kyle, staff writer and graphics go-to guy, says "for my first character, and his/her Nemesis - I'll probably make an evil cybernetic shark. He'll be a bulging hulk of muscle and metal, armed ideally with lasers for added deadliness and humor. I may call him Blast Shark, Gazer Fish or Killo-Whale. In the event of the last name, he will of course no longer be a shark." Me? I'm going to see if there's something approaching a velociraptor in there somewhere, since we all know they're just waiting to wipe out humanity. How about you? What's your Champions Online nemesis going to be like?
Champions Online console launch will be delayed
It would appear that Bill Roper has confirmed what many suspected might happen in terms of the release of Champions Online. According to an interview on Eurogamer, Champions Online will release to PC first, with the console release following at some time after initial launch. With other MMOs having the same apparent problems with regard to launching on consoles, it's no real surprise that this has happened with Champions Online. Most of the developers we've spoken to have discussed the difficulty of patching to consoles with the same speed that you can patch PC games; a crucial issue if you intend to allow all platforms the ability to play together.In the interview Roper discusses the changes to the game's UI from the original console-friendly model to a more PC-specific variant. Apparently the plan now is to release both games with completely different UI models to take advantage of the different platform types. What this overall delay and reoptimization will mean for the eventual release date for Champions Online's console version - and the ability for console players to play with their PC friends - is anyone's guess. We're just hoping that it doesn't wind up in the (seeming) vaporware category like many of the other promised-and-not-delivered console MMOs to date.
The Daily Grind: What beta are you dying to get into?
With all the games in beta right now, there's a huge list going here at the Massively offices of what betas everyone wants in on. There's Jumpgate Evolution, Champions Online, Darkfall, Fallen Earth, and more coming into beta all the time - almost all of which have our interest right now. The coin-tosses in the virtual massively offices to see who lands which invites will be fast and furious, but to bring us to our question today... With so many interesting titles coming up, we know we can't be the only ones excited about all the new games coming. What beta - or betas - are you really hoping to get in to?
Get Champions Online swag and beta keys at New York Comic Con
Cryptic Studios will be showing off Champions Online at New York Comic Con (which takes place in February from the 6th to the 8th) and they want you to know that you will be handsomely rewarded if you are able to pay them a visit. Not only will there be new playable demos to explore, but fans will also be treated to swag, and the possibility of beta keys. The beta keys will be awarded to contest winners, but we've got no idea what the contests might be, so you'd best brush up on your feats of strength, eye-laser marksmanship, and flight dexterity, just to be safe. Here are the details for Cryptic Studios at NY Comic Con:Cryptic Meet and Greet: Saturday, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Room TBD*Champions Online/Star Trek Online Panel: Saturday 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Room 1A24 (view never before seen footage of STO)MMO Round Table: Saturday 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Room 1A24 *Check in at the Cryptic booth (#1341) for the super-secret room location. Oh, and if you happen to be looking for a job in the games industry, it sounds like Cryptic might have some folks at the show on the lookout for new recruits, so make yourself known!
Audio details and more character customization in the latest Ask Cryptic
It looks like character customization is still the source of many of the most burning questions for followers of Champions Online, and another handful of these are answered in the latest "Ask Cryptic" feature. We find out that, although there are a number of crazy costume elements like tails, fins and claws, that is all they are intended to be for now -- costume elements. No wicked tail-strikes for the time being, but they haven't ruled this sort of thing out entirely, so keep your flippers crossed.Another community member asked about the audio in CO, and whether it is an important part of development for Cryptic Studios. In response, they say that they have just tripled the size of their audio team, which roughly translates to "Hell yes audio is important!". Signature villains have unique voices, and ambient sounds and music are being paid particular attention to. The final question asked if the biggest villains (like Foxbat) would have their own musical themes; although it doesn't look like they had planned it before, they certainly sound interested in incorporating it now. Check out the full answers to these questions and a bunch more at the Ask Cryptic page.
Take a video tour of Cryptic Studios
In what is said to be only the first installment of a new video-podcast series, Cryptic Studios have invited all of us to peak over their shoulders and see some of the members of their team at work. The video, titled "Day as a Dev", introduces us to the Production Team. Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert recaps the three titles that the studio is working on: Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and one unannounced super-secret game. Most of the developers we meet in the video are part of the large Champions team, but all three games are represented.It's always nice to get this sort of behind-the-scenes look at the development process for an anticipated game, and to see how the different aspects come together to make up the whole picture. We also get to see how Bill Roper is doing in his new role at Cryptic as Design Director for Champions Online. However, we're going to have to award the "best quote" to Randy Mosiondz: "It's a challenging job, but at the end of the day, I make video games, and what's more, a super-hero video game, so there's nothing wrong with that."
Big Download taps into Champions Online
We give em' two big thumbs-up, and we hope you don't think super-hero and villain MMOs are overplayed. One very cool thing about Champions Online is that Hero Games will develop a tabletop version in tandem with the MMOG. The pen and paper ruleset will borrow heavily from the design-direction in Champions Online. You won't make any throw-away character sheets. Whatever character you play in the MMOG will be available to create and play in the pen and paper arena. But enough about the roll hacks. That's long ways down the road, and our sister site Big Download is slowing it down for those looking to catch up. Their Champions Online feature, is a retrospect that details how it all came about: In it they delve into the mastermind and find out why Jack Emmert and Cryptic Studios decided to develop the comic property. Emmert's candidness might surprise you. The feature also details the bios and back stories behind some of the caped and masked crusaders from the Champions Online Universe.
Check out the Champions Online stars in comic form
Some brand new and very awesome concept art is being shown at the Champions Online website. This is a bit different from some of the previous stuff though: you get to see the heroes and villains of CO in the way that heroes and villains are meant to be seen -- in comic form.The characters on show are the heroes Defender and Ironclad, and villains Doctor Destroyer and Menton, and the frames of the comics depict their origins. A forum thread has been provided for any feedback on the artwork, and so far it is overwhelmingly positive. The character causing the most divided opinions is Menton, whose exposed and enlarged brain seems to leave people on both sides of the fence. For the record, we think you look fine Menton -- now please don't mess with our free will.
Part two of Champions Online dev's game design discussion
Following up on a piece earlier in the month on "Breaking the Wall" and getting into game design, Champions Online developer 'Heretic' has posted part two of this series, which looks "Beyond the Wall" -- once you've broken into the field, what next? The article chops the game designing process into four steps: vision, design, implementation and iteration.The vision is the first step in game design, and involves determining the basic principles of the game -- from things like the genre, to what will make it different to other games, and various rules that the game will be designed around -- but none of this should touch on how the principles will actually work.
Ask Cryptic answers custom animations query
This week's Ask Cryptic is kind of all over the place. While there may not be a nicely organized cohesion to the questions and answers, there are some very cool new bits of information. Last week the community finally got their answer on the subject of custom animations. That is: tweaking and adding personality to your typical energy blasts and martial attacks. The verdict was unfortunately no, as that something of that nature would be far too time consuming for the animators to tackle. This is true, animation -- the high quality kind -- takes quite some time to get just right.
The writer for Champions Online is awesome
Yet another 'Meet the Team' article has gone up on the Champions Online official website. This time around we meet the man responsible for making the the story for Cryptic's upcoming superhero MMO -- John Layman. The most important thing to know about Mr. Layman is other than being able to weep ultra-luminous tears he's also an bonafide comic book writer. His works include Marvel Zombies vs Army of Darkness and House of M: Fantastic Four, which were both great reads. We're expecting some very entertaining writing in Champions Online, especially from a guy who got to write a character like Ash.When Jack Emmert said that Cryptic wanted to push the importance of story and character in CO, he wasn't exaggerating. The act of hiring John Layman speaks a lot for what we can expect from the sure-to-be-crazy world of Champions Online. He wrote a scene with a zombie Howard the Duck chomping the brains out of Ash for crying out loud -- we mean, come on! This game had better have a great story.
First Champions Online wallpapers appear
If you're looking to spruce up your old wallpaper with some of the nifty Champions Online artwork then head on over to Cryptic's official website for the game. The two new -- as well as first -- official wallpapers feature the Defender and Doctor Destroyer and coming in a variety of resolutions. The only downside is that there are no resolutions offered for those using a wide screen monitor. We understand that wide screen is in the minority, but we like to be loved to you know Cryptic -- especially on a cold April morning like this one.All right enough of that, we'll just remain hopeful that in the future our wide screen needs won't be forgotten.
New 'Ask Cryptic' talks class balance
Behold, a new 'Ask Cryptic' is here to appease all who have been awaiting it! It is again time for Cryptic to answer community questions about Champions Online -- this week is especially interesting as we've gotten some fairly insightful answers. Everything from how Cryptic is adapting the Chapions paper and pencil IP to whether or not players can expect custom power animations and the reason why is discussed. Of course, the most interesting question ends up being about the biggest problem facing a game like Champions Online -- class balance. With an open system where players can grab any type of powers they like, a lot of thought has been and is being put into making the game as balanced as possible.
The Digital Continuum: Superhero standoff
Lets face it, the superhero genre is a bit of a niche right now in massively online games. That's not to say it doesn't have lots of potential, but there is certainly a more limited user base to garner steady subscriptions from than, say, fantasy. Ever since Marvel Universe Online got canned, the future was starting to look a bit murky for fans of the super-powered MMO -- at least until recently.
Cryptic Studios hires new suit
Another juicy bit of news floated our way from Cryptic Studios, following a week of non-stop juicy morsels. They've announced that they've hired Ed Roffman to take over the position of chief financial officer effective immediately. Roffman has a long history on the financial side of the industry, working with Activision for much of the 1980's and several smaller software companies since then. He should be a strong asset on the Cryptic executive team.The hiring of a new CFO (a new position for the Los Gatos developer) is only further confirmation of Cryptic Studios' aspirations to become an independent development powerhouse. Champions Online will be the first title developed and published by Cryptic, so it's crucial that they have the appropriate financial oversight to really see this project all the way through. And with current speculation that they're also working on at least two other original titles as well, this need is only going to be amplified with time.[Via Gamasutra]
GDC08: Jack Emmert on Cryptic's success (and failure)
Yesterday morning, Cryptic Studios' chief creative officer, Jack Emmert, talked to attendees at GDC about Cryptic's successes (and failures) with City of Heroes (and other games). He was surprisingly frank, starting things off with a list of CoH's strengths and weaknesses. For strengths, he cited character customization, fun moment to moment game play, Flight/Superspeed/Superjump, plenty of character slots, no loot. For weaknesses, he told the crowd about how the game had few goals outside of leveling, its lack of PvP, the repetitiveness of the instances, the lack of an end-game, the lack of guild mechanics, no loot. Whether you love Cryptic's City of... games or hate them, read on for a discussion of where they went wrong and where they went right.
Jack Emmert explains Cryptic's Champions choice
When the news hit that Cryptic Studios' next massively game would be Champions Online, a lot questions cropped up about what we could expect from the game. One of the biggest questions or the only question for some players -- is why? Jack Emmert explains in the first developer blog post on the new official CO website. In the end, it wasn't anything surprising that made Jack stand up and say, "Lets do Champions." It was something incredibly logical and a bit nostalgia-fueled as well, but in a good way.
Broomfield, CO Apple Store opening this weekend, too
I think it's safe to declare today as "Apple Store News Day." First Toronto's on the map, then Zürich and now a store I've been waiting for: Flatiron Crossing Mall in Broomfield, CO. I just received the email from Apple about the grand opening, the prizes, the glitz and glamor... The store's grand opening is happening this weekend, May 6th at 10:00 am. T-shirts will be given to the first 1000 (geeks) through the door, and that "Digital Lifestyle Collection" sweepstakes is going on as well. The prizes are the same as the ones in the Toronto store that Dave mentioned: an iMac, an iPod nano, a Canon digital camera, a Sony Handycam CCD-TRV138, and an HP inkjet printer.I'm going to try and make the opening myself, but I'll need to recruit a fellow Mac geek with a car. If you make it to the opening, send us a link with some pics or a report. Enjoy!
