Information for HERO/Champions Fans About The Champions Online MMO

[Steve Long]

Let's start with the official Cryptic Studios press release:

CRYPTIC STUDIOS ANNOUNCES CHAMPIONS ONLINE

Developers of City of Heroes™ Franchise Have Acquired Champions IP and Are Set to Deliver MMORPG With Billions of Customization Options

LOS GATOS, CA – February 20, 2008 – Cryptic Studios™, one of the leading independent developers of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), announced today Champions Online™, their first ever self-developed and self-published MMORPG. Champions Online, based on the popular pen-and-paper Champions RPG, will give players the power of total customization of their hero experience while they explore a vast universe of richly detailed 3D environments. Champions Online is slated for release in Spring 2009.

Cryptic Studios also announced today that it has acquired the Champions intellectual property (IP) from Hero Games. First published in 1981, the Champions role-playing game is one of the first RPGs to forgo the traditional dice-rolling system of character generation in favor of a point-based system. Cryptic Studios has licensed back to Hero Games the rights to produce Champions RPG books, and the sixth edition of the HERO System and Champions, set to release in 2009, will include rules on how to recreate Champions Online characters and scenarios.

“We thought carefully about which IP to select for our next game,” said Jack Emmert, chief creative officer of Cryptic Studios. “I’ve been playing the Champions RPG since it first came out and I love both the rich history and wide array of compelling characters which made this an obvious choice for Cryptic Studios.”

“I am very excited to be working on Champions,” said Michael Lewis, president of Cryptic Studios. “We have a powerful development team, a better engine, more resources, and a vision for a new kind of MMO experience. Bringing the operating side of the business in-house enables us to be more efficient, get our developers even closer to the customer, and ultimately make a better game and long-term experience.”

Champions Online is all about total customization – it will offer a near infinite amount of character customization so that all players will have a unique game experience. Gamers will be able to create their hero’s name, back story, costume, powers and abilities as well as design their own personal arch-enemy and his or her back story, which will guarantee a truly unique experience.

“Champions Online brings a lot to the table. Gamers have literally billions of options to create their own fully customized hero,” Emmert said. “Couple that with the unique character generation system and tons of beautiful, expansive environments in which to roam, and Champions Online is going to be unlike anything MMO fans have seen before.”

For more information on Champions Online and Cryptic Studios please check out the feature story in the March issue of Game Informer magazine on newsstands now, www.crypticstudios.com, and www.champions-online.com to view character profiles, gameplay trailers, and forums.


# # #

About Cryptic Studios:
Cryptic Studios™, Inc., based in Los Gatos, CA, and established in July 2000, is one of the leading independent developers of massively multiplayer online games for the PC and next generation consoles. Cryptic Studios is an independent, employee-owned company committed to delivering the next level of unparalleled fantasy experience and bringing MMOG fans closer than ever to living out their online virtual life. Cryptic is best known as the creator of the award-winning City of Heroes® and City of Villains™ MMO titles. In Champions Online, the latest massively multiplayer online role-playing game from Cryptic, gamers will create a hero, completely customized to exact specification and ready to fight evil villains in a stunning 3D graphical world. For more information on Cryptic Studios, please visit www.crypticstudios.com

[Steve Long]

So that’s the main scoop, straight from the horse’s mouth! But here are a few additional tidbits that I think will help explain the Champions Online MMO (“COMMO”) deal to current Hero/Champions fans.

1. What’s happened here is that Cryptic has bought the Champions and Dark Champions intellectual property — the characters, setting, history, events, and so on.

2. Cryptic has not bought the HERO System rules. The Champions Online MMO is not a “HERO System MMO.” You will not be using the HERO System to build your characters in the MMO, or anything like that. Under the terms of our agreement with Cryptic, COMMO will use many HERO System terms for its powers, abilities, and so on, but it does not use the HERO System rules.

3. Cryptic has not bought any of the rest of our IP (such as the Turakian Age, the Terran Empire, or Tuala Morn).

4. Under the terms of our agreement, Cryptic has licensed back to DOJ the right to produce Champions RPG supplements, though it has the right to approve those supplements. As part of the deal we get to use their artwork. This makes at least a few color books possible going forward, though when we implement a change like that has not yet been decided.

5. Because Cryptic now owns the Champions/Dark Champions IP, they can change it or tweak it as they deem fit so that it suits an MMO. For example, I’ve seen their illustration of Defender. It looks nothing like any incarnation of Defender ever published by Hero Games. Similarly, I’ve seen their Dr. Destroyer. I’d bet that a Champions fan would realize it’s Dr. Destroyer, but he doesn’t look exactly like the Dr. D in CKC. The needs of an MMO are often different from the needs of an RPG, so Cryptic’s going to change things as needed.

However, that being said, Cryptic has no desire to run an RPG company; they have plenty of their own fish to fry. There’s a huge range of information about the Champions Universe that Cryptic generally isn’t concerned about since it has no direct impact on COMMO. Therefore I don’t expect any problems on this front. As we keep publishing Champions supplements we’ll be changing things as needed to reflect Cryptic’s vision of the Champions Universe, but that doesn’t mean our own views are going to get shoved aside — it’s a big sandbox to play in and Cryptic only needs part of it for an MMO. For example, Dr. Destroyer looks a certain way in COMMO, and that will be reflected when he makes an appearance in books — but it doesn’t mean we couldn’t come up with three or four more suits of armor for him as part of the RPG. So far we’ve had an excellent working relationship with the guys at Cryptic, many of whom are long-time fans of Champions, and I have no doubt that will continue as we move forward.

6. Going forward, we’re going to create Champions supplements that will help Cryptic in its production of the game. We’re going to cover subjects it would like to see covered, create things it would like to see created, and otherwise try to dovetail our goals for Champions the RPG with their goals for Champions Online. This helps us because we get to use their art (minimizing production costs) and can produce books that will hopefully be of interest (and thus sell to) fans of COMMO who aren’t fans of ours (yet!). It also allows us to have more of an impact on COMMO than it would if we just left it all to Cryptic.

7. When we come out with a new edition of CHAMPIONS for the 6E rules, or perhaps a distinct COMMO RPG book, we’ll include information about how to create your COMMO character using the HERO System rules, probably with a bunch of plug-and-play prebuilt powers to boot. But just to make sure we’re clear, COMMO does not use the HERO System rules in any way. I can build World Of Warcraft or Everquest characters with the HERO System too, but they’re not based on HERO either. ;)

Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, I’ll conclude by saying how excited all of us here at Hero Games are to be working with Cryptic on this project. Not only is it going to be an awesome MMO based on our way cool Champions Universe, it’s a chance to expose the HERO System to a much broader audience than ever before. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming newcomer to the site, making them feel at home, and helping them learn the game.

[Bazza]

Congrats Hero Games on the deal. :thumbup: :cheers:

Already there are COMMO people interested in Champions/Hero System. As Mr Burns might say, "Ex-cellent!"

[First Hero]

I like the look and feel of this universe already :D

[Ghostwalker]

This sounds great and while I've heard some unhappy sounds from others about the IP sale, the most important thing is that this shows a continuing growth of Hero/DOJ/Champions etc which is the most important thing.

I've been playing this for 15+ years and I'm looking forward to the next 15, both online and on paper!

[Sean Waters]

...and there is always the interesting possibility of 6th edition being used to dovetail a little more closely with TCOMMO (pronnounced 'T'Komo': sounds Vulcan :))

I hope this is going to be a real boost for the paper game, bringing in a lot of new blood. Congratulations to Hero, Long Live Champions!

[Checkmate]

I'm pretty excited about this. As an avid RPG'er and MMO'er I think this will be really good for both sides. I wonder if this means we can get a Champions comic book with our subscription like they did with CoH?

The only thing that would have made this announcement better was if Obsidian Studios* was involved.




*I say this because Obsidian Studios was started by Chris Avellone who wrote my all time favorite Champs supplement: Underworld Enemies.

[Sean Waters]

http://www.champions-online.com/game_features

Sorry. Just need to go and change my pants...

[voodoo54]

So that’s the main scoop, straight from the horse’s mouth! But here are a few additional tidbits that I think will help explain the Champions Online MMO (“COMMO”) deal to current Hero/Champions fans.

1. What’s happened here is that Cryptic has bought the Champions and Dark Champions intellectual property — the characters, setting, history, events, and so on.

2. Cryptic has not bought the HERO System rules. The Champions Online MMO is not a “HERO System MMO.” You will not be using the HERO System to build your characters in the MMO, or anything like that. Under the terms of our agreement with Cryptic, COMMO will use many HERO System terms for its powers, abilities, and so on, but it does not use the HERO System rules.

3. Cryptic has not bought any of the rest of our IP (such as the Turakian Age, the Terran Empire, or Tuala Morn).

4. Under the terms of our agreement, Cryptic has licensed back to DOJ the right to produce Champions RPG supplements, though it has the right to approve those supplements. As part of the deal we get to use their artwork. This makes at least a few color books possible going forward, though when we implement a change like that has not yet been decided.

5. Because Cryptic now owns the Champions/Dark Champions IP, they can change it or tweak it as they deem fit so that it suits an MMO. For example, I’ve seen their illustration of Defender. It looks nothing like any incarnation of Defender ever published by Hero Games. Similarly, I’ve seen their Dr. Destroyer. I’d bet that a Champions fan would realize it’s Dr. Destroyer, but he doesn’t look exactly like the Dr. D in CKC. The needs of an MMO are often different from the needs of an RPG, so Cryptic’s going to change things as needed.

However, that being said, Cryptic has no desire to run an RPG company; they have plenty of their own fish to fry. There’s a huge range of information about the Champions Universe that Cryptic generally isn’t concerned about since it has no direct impact on COMMO. Therefore I don’t expect any problems on this front. As we keep publishing Champions supplements we’ll be changing things as needed to reflect Cryptic’s vision of the Champions Universe, but that doesn’t mean our own views are going to get shoved aside — it’s a big sandbox to play in and Cryptic only needs part of it for an MMO. For example, Dr. Destroyer looks a certain way in COMMO, and that will be reflected when he makes an appearance in books — but it doesn’t mean we couldn’t come up with three or four more suits of armor for him as part of the RPG. So far we’ve had an excellent working relationship with the guys at Cryptic, many of whom are long-time fans of Champions, and I have no doubt that will continue as we move forward.

6. Going forward, we’re going to create Champions supplements that will help Cryptic in its production of the game. We’re going to cover subjects it would like to see covered, create things it would like to see created, and otherwise try to dovetail our goals for Champions the RPG with their goals for Champions Online. This helps us because we get to use their art (minimizing production costs) and can produce books that will hopefully be of interest (and thus sell to) fans of COMMO who aren’t fans of ours (yet!). It also allows us to have more of an impact on COMMO than it would if we just left it all to Cryptic.

7. When we come out with a new edition of CHAMPIONS for the 6E rules, or perhaps a distinct COMMO RPG book, we’ll include information about how to create your COMMO character using the HERO System rules, probably with a bunch of plug-and-play prebuilt powers to boot. But just to make sure we’re clear, COMMO does not use the HERO System rules in any way. I can build World Of Warcraft or Everquest characters with the HERO System too, but they’re not based on HERO either. ;)

Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, I’ll conclude by saying how excited all of us here at Hero Games are to be working with Cryptic on this project. Not only is it going to be an awesome MMO based on our way cool Champions Universe, it’s a chance to expose the HERO System to a much broader audience than ever before. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming newcomer to the site, making them feel at home, and helping them learn the game.

So does that mean that when DOJ redoes Champions for 6th edition that characters like DR. D and Defender will have to conform to Cryptic's character depictions?

[voodoo54]

http://www.champions-online.com/game_features

Sorry. Just need to go and change my pants...

This is awesome!:thumbup:

[Steve Long]

o does that mean that when DOJ redoes Champions for 6th edition that characters like DR. D and Defender will have to conform to Cryptic's character depictions?

Absolutely. In fact, some of that sort of thing you'll see in books due out this year -- for example, when we publish Champions Beyond, it'll be chock-full of Cryptic art depicting the Qularr, the Elder Worm, and so on. Most of that sort of thing has never been seen, so we can "dovetail" the MMO and the RPG immediately, to the enrichment of both.

Whether, and to what extent, we'll start switching depictions of existing characters, is an issue yet to be decided. But at the very latest, when we launch a new Champions and Champions Universe in mid-late 2009, the Cryptic vision for things will be the controlling one. They own the IP; that's their privilege. It would be kinda hypocritical of me to think otherwise, since I gleefully tossed CLOWN and whatever else I didn't like out the door back in 2002. ;)

[Steve Long]

I wonder if this means we can get a Champions comic book with our subscription like they did with CoH?

I believe they're thinking of something along those lines, but really that's a question you'd have to put to Cryptic directly for a full answer.

[SAVeira]

Absolutely. In fact, some of that sort of thing you'll see in books due out this year -- for example, when we publish Champions Beyond, it'll be chock-full of Cryptic art depicting the Qularr, the Elder Worm, and so on. Most of that sort of thing has never been seen, so we can "dovetail" the MMO and the RPG immediately, to the enrichment of both.

Whether, and to what extent, we'll start switching depictions of existing characters, is an issue yet to be decided. But at the very latest, when we launch a new Champions and Champions Universe in mid-late 2009, the Cryptic vision for things will be the controlling one. They own the IP; that's their privilege. It would be kinda hypocritical of me to think otherwise, since I gleefully tossed CLOWN and whatever else I didn't like out the door back in 2002. ;)
So they could bring back CLOWN if they wanted? (Please do not hurt me :slap:)

[Lord Mhoram]

I've never played an MMO before, this will be my first. I'm looking forward to it.

[GamePhil]

So they could bring back CLOWN if they wanted? (Please do not hurt me :slap:)

Yes indeed, but one of the exciting options is: so can you! Well, one of them, anyway, in the form of your Nemesis. I love that.

OK, maybe not so cool in the case of Clown. I imagine a villain with lots of disabling and other really annoying Powers to make your life miserable when you fight him...

[GamePhil]

I notice that on the news page it says you sold Champions and Dark Champions IPs to Cryptic, and that you have the license to continue producing Champions. I'm assuming you also have the license for Dark Champions, right?

Also, should this be a sticky?

[Spence]

So does that mean that when DOJ redoes Champions for 6th edition that characters like DR. D and Defender will have to conform to Cryptic's character depictions?

Absolutely. In fact, some of that sort of thing you'll see in books due out this year -- for example, when we publish Champions Beyond, it'll be chock-full of Cryptic art depicting the Qularr, the Elder Worm, and so on. Most of that sort of thing has never been seen, so we can "dovetail" the MMO and the RPG immediately, to the enrichment of both.


Personally, IMO I don't really see a problem here. While I have always been more than satisfied with the books as is, and have never really needed that much artwork, it has been a recurring issue on the boards for years. Looking at the pics of Defender and Dr. D on the COMMO site and I think they look good. While they may change the color schemes on some, in the end I think this will add that dash of color that many of you out there have been looking for in the books. Covers at first and maybe some on the inside as well.

In my mind I can see a Champions 6th guide that has two versions. One a COMMO game guide for character creation and a intro to the CU world and two a Hero guide that is basically the same but addressing Hero System chargen plus converting COMMO to Hero/Hero to COMMO.

From my little corner of the Universe this looks win/win to me.

[Zed-F]

Will sales of COMMO impact DoJ in any way (e.g. bring in revenue) other than to bring more people into contact with the RPG system?

[TheRealVector]

Congratulations are in order!! This sounds like a good move for the company.

Since I never actually use the Champions setting it won't affect my game all that much.

[Willpower]

I heard about this, about a week or so ago from a friend on the inside. Though, he wasn't sure if the MMO would use the Hero System for character creation or not. Though, I am still excited for the game, my excitement now comes simply because it will be another Superhero MMO and CoH, though good, has about hit as much as it can without a huge update.

I would have rather had an MMO with the Hero rules and a different universe, than an MMO with the Champions Universe and different rules. Really it is the rules that makes the game. The universe is ok, but is a little vanilla and not much different than any other superhero unniverse out there. I mean actually, the CoH universe is just as exciting and actually more unique than the Champions Universe. I'm not taking anything away from the CU, it is good, and I will like fighting the likes of Viper and Dr. Destroyer, but without the rules behind it, it's gonna seem like I'm just fighting CoH versions of those characters, and not the real thing.

Though past all that, I figured, this would be the case from the start, so its not much of a surprise. Though, I didn't figure Hero would SELL them there universe, I thought they would license it instead. Maybe this is why Cryptic wanted this in the first place though, as Marvel and DC would never sell their IP to Cryptic. The reason I figured this would be the case is because it would be really hard to maintain balance in an MMO using the Hero System without a GM to help keep things balanced. I mean they could easily implement a rock solid campaign guideline system, and not let people get around it, but the Hero System is so flexible that even with that it would be easy to get around those guidelines and make exceptionally powerful characters. The only way you MIGHT be able to keep it balanced is if each character created was looked over and approved by a real person, and that would be both, way too expensive, and no one would want to wait for character approval.

So Congrats Hero... Though, don't get me started with Hero 6.

[rjcurrie]

Will sales of COMMO impact DoJ in any way (e.g. bring in revenue) other than to bring more people into contact with the RPG system?

Given that it says that Cryptic has bought the IP from Hero Games, I suspect cash is going into Hero Games' bank account as part of the deal. Hero Games also gets to use art from Cryptic's artists in Champions books. On the other hand, Cryptic nows owns the Champions Universe and books in that universe will require their approval.

It was mentioned at the seminar the other day that Cryptic approached Hero Games about this deal, not the other way around, so it wasn't like Hero Games put the IP for sale in a desperate move to raise cash, so I expect the deal was a fair one.

[rjcurrie]

I heard about this, about a week or so ago from a friend on the inside. Though, he wasn't sure if the MMO would use the Hero System for character creation or not. Though, I am still excited for the game, my excitement now comes simply because it will be another Superhero MMO and CoH, though good, has about hit as much as it can without a huge update.

I would have rather had an MMO with the Hero rules and a different universe, than an MMO with the Champions Universe and different rules. Really it is the rules that makes the game. The universe is ok, but is a little vanilla and not much different than any other superhero unniverse out there. I mean actually, the CoH universe is just as exciting and actually more unique than the Champions Universe. I'm not taking anything away from the CU, it is good, and I will like fighting the likes of Viper and Dr. Destroyer, but without the rules behind it, it's gonna seem like I'm just fighting CoH versions of those characters, and not the real thing.

Though past all that, I figured, this would be the case from the start, so its not much of a surprise. Though, I didn't figure Hero would SELL them there universe, I thought they would license it instead. Maybe this is why Cryptic wanted this in the first place though, as Marvel and DC would never sell their IP to Cryptic. The reason I figured this would be the case is because it would be really hard to maintain balance in an MMO using the Hero System without a GM to help keep things balanced. I mean they could easily implement a rock solid campaign guideline system, and not let people get around it, but the Hero System is so flexible that even with that it would be easy to get around those guidelines and make exceptionally powerful characters. The only way you MIGHT be able to keep it balanced is if each character created was looked over and approved by a real person, and that would be both, way too expensive, and no one would want to wait for character approval.

So Congrats Hero... Though, don't get me started with Hero 6.

Well, you've got to remember that Champions Online is not CoH with a Champions skin. Cryptic Studios no longer owns any part of Coh/CoV and no longer has any part in its development. This is a whole new engine and I expect a whole new approach to the concept of a superhero MMO that builds upon Cryptic's experiences with CoH/CoV. After all, since they are now competing with CoH/CoV, they are going to want to outdo it.

[Steve Long]

I'm assuming you also have the license for Dark Champions, right?

Yes, of course. It's just easier not to have to say it every time. ;)

[gojira]

http://www.champions-online.com/game_features

Sorry. Just need to go and change my pants...

Yeah it's a bad day for being productive online. Gonna have to close the browser pretty soon. :(

[Willpower]

Well, you've got to remember that Champions Online is not CoH with a Champions skin. Cryptic Studios no longer owns any part of Coh/CoV and no longer has any part in its development. This is a whole new engine and I expect a whole new approach to the concept of a superhero MMO that builds upon Cryptic's experiences with CoH/CoV. After all, since they are now competing with CoH/CoV, they are going to want to outdo it.

I know, I wasn't meaning that Viper or Dr. D WOULD be CoH characters. What I was meaning was that, I have seen and fought like a billion Hulk Clones in CoH and though they look like the Hulk, and are big strong guys, its still not the same as if I was fighting a Hulk, built perfectly to match using any of the Marvel RPG rulesets. I was just meaning the same would hld true here for people like Dr. Destroyer. He may look like him, have his name and everything, but looking at his charactersheet, you can see some of what he is capable of. Like throwing 2 HUGE EB's at you at once. They may try and mimic this in the Online game, but it won't have the Hero Rules backing it up, so it'll feel off somehow.

[GamePhil]

Yes, of course. It's just easier not to have to say it every time. ;)

I'm nothing if not picky :D

[casualplayer]

Strong move on Cryptic's part. That way if anything in Champions Online resembles CoH too closely Cryptic can point to the HERO material that inspired that aspect of the game, show that it preceeded CoH and preempt any nasty legal shenanigans. :sneaky::thumbup: Here's hoping HERO got a nice influx of loot also.

[Spence]

Strong move on Cryptic's part. That way if anything in Champions Online resembles CoH too closely Cryptic can point to the HERO material that inspired that aspect of the game, show that it preceeded CoH and preempt any nasty legal shenanigans. :sneaky::thumbup: Here's hoping HERO got a nice influx of loot also.

Hadn't thought of that.

[Willpower]

Yeah it's a bad day for being productive online. Gonna have to close the browser pretty soon. :(

Wow, I do have to say the game looks good. The new Defender costume looks awesome... Actually, it looks a lot like my armored character does. He didn't have a full helmet either, AND used an energy sword. Though, if the villain in one of the screenshots is supposed to be Dr. Destroyer, I am sorely disappointed in Cryptic's depiction of him.

[Super Squirrel]

Fighting VIPER... fighting Elder Worms... I'm going to faint.

I'm going to make sure to get Omnipresent as a Hero as soon as you can register them. I wish there was a way to reserve names in advance.

[Steve Long]

Though, if the villain in one of the screenshots is supposed to be Dr. Destroyer, I am sorely disappointed in Cryptic's depiction of him.

I know he was depicted in the magazine, so I suspect he's used in the screenshots on the MMO's site. I won't claim his new look would be my first choice either, but it's Cryptic's say and they have good reasons for making the change that will be revealed in time. :eg:

[StGrimblefig]

Go read his "Villain Profile" (http://www.champions-online.com/villains/doctor_destroyer) at the COMMO web site. The last couple of paragraphs might give some insight.

I think the consept art looks better than the screenshots, though.

[Zed-F]

Given that it says that Cryptic has bought the IP from Hero Games, I suspect cash is going into Hero Games' bank account as part of the deal. Hero Games also gets to use art from Cryptic's artists in Champions books. On the other hand, Cryptic nows owns the Champions Universe and books in that universe will require their approval.

It was mentioned at the seminar the other day that Cryptic approached Hero Games about this deal, not the other way around, so it wasn't like Hero Games put the IP for sale in a desperate move to raise cash, so I expect the deal was a fair one.
I was just wondering if it's a one-off payment or an ongoing payment. Now that I think of it, though, I wouldn't be surprised if an official answer on specifics of a business deal is unlikely to be forthcoming.

[JohnTaber]

I've never played an MMO before, this will be my first. I'm looking forward to it.

Either have I...I am also worried about whether I will want to play it on PC or Xbox 360. My PC is a little underpowered so I might be in the market for an Xbox 360 when the game nears release.

[SAVeira]

Either have I...I am also worried about whether I will want to play it on PC or Xbox 360. My PC is a little underpowered so I might be in the market for an Xbox 360 when the game nears release.
Honestly, I am hoping for a Wii release. :eek: What, it is a good gaming platform and the Wii control would make really fun. Since that is not likely to happen, I am hoping for it will come to the PS3. My wife like the games that are exclusive to the PS3; and I would hate to have to buy a Xbox as well. :D

[Willpower]

I know he was depicted in the magazine, so I suspect he's used in the screenshots on the MMO's site. I won't claim his new look would be my first choice either, but it's Cryptic's say and they have good reasons for making the change that will be revealed in time. :eg:

It's actually growing on me a LITTLE bit. I checked out the profile shots, and he looks better and a bit more like Hero's Dr. D when he has his cape on. Though he doesn't look as all powerful as Hero's version does. I think its because when I see Hero's version I imagine him bigger.

[Silverbullet]

So Steve,
On the RPG side, does this mean the future Dark Champions 6th ed book will go back to being a "dark, iron-age comics" kinda book and then we'll get a "Modern Hero" book...?

Just curious...:cool:

(maybe no the place to ask...)

[glenrm]

Congrats!

Only one real question when is the beta?

[Spence]

Fighting VIPER... fighting Elder Worms... I'm going to faint.

I'm going to make sure to get Omnipresent as a Hero as soon as you can register them. I wish there was a way to reserve names in advance.

That was pure evil.........









You just had to say it.....








Now I will have to live with the realization that by the time I can play, my heroes name will have been swiped by some lowly upstart.....:mad:....grrrrrrrr






:nonp:

[Super Squirrel]

That's what I'm wondering too.

I need to know when I need a second Hard-Drive, more RAM, and Windows VISTA by.

[JohnTaber]

Honestly, I am hoping for a Wii release. :eek: What, it is a good gaming platform and the Wii control would make really fun. Since that is not likely to happen, I am hoping for it will come to the PS3. My wife like the games that are exclusive to the PS3; and I would hate to have to buy a Xbox as well. :D

Right now the site and magazine say Xbox 360 and PC but I would also LOVE a Wii version...I am a big Nintendo fanboy. ;)

[lapsedgamer]

I haven't played video games for about fifteen years, and I've never been interested in the online gaming thing, but I might be to try this. Hopefully, this game will bring some new blood to the pen and paper games so they don't totally die out with the current generation. Congratulatons to Mr. Long and the entire DOJ staff.

[Goryus]

That's what I'm wondering too.

I need to know when I need a second Hard-Drive, more RAM, and Windows VISTA by.

Just FYI, there's a dev post over on the COMMO forums indicating that it won't require Windows Vista.

[Super Squirrel]

Just FYI, there's a dev post over on the COMMO forums indicating that it won't require Windows Vista.
In that case I need a second HD, more Ram, and Windows XP. I'm running on Ubuntu. :)

[Steve Long]

Now that I think of it, though, I wouldn't be surprised if an official answer on specifics of a business deal is unlikely to be forthcoming.

You are wise, young Jedi. ;)

[Steve Long]

On the RPG side, does this mean the future Dark Champions 6th ed book will go back to being a "dark, iron-age comics" kinda book and then we'll get a "Modern Hero" book...?

Things like that have yet to be determined. Contrary to the gloom-and-doom predictions of some elsewhere on this board, it's not our intention to do nothing but reprint existing books for 6E. ;)

[Rockhoof]

In that case I need a second HD, more Ram, and Windows XP. I'm running on Ubuntu. :)


No, just more RAM and a second HD... Wine should do just fine.

[lemming]

I'd already been planning on putting together a new gaming system for next spring. Nice that I'll be able to keep it as XP though.

[Silverbullet]

Things like that have yet to be determined. Contrary to the gloom-and-doom predictions of some elsewhere on this board, it's not our intention to do nothing but reprint existing books for 6E. ;)

Nor did I ever think, as such... Looking forward to it, I must say!:celebrate

[shadowcat1313]

I like it, this sounds like a great idea...


ok, who wants to start writing up the Rikti to save time later?

[rjcurrie]

I like it, this sounds like a great idea...


ok, who wants to start writing up the Rikti to save time later?

There won't be any Rikti. That's a CoH thing and Cryptic no longer has any stake in CoH.

[Super Squirrel]

No, just more RAM and a second HD... Wine should do just fine.
Um. I'll believe that when I can get Civ 4: Beyond the Sword to run on Wine without any issues.

[Haerandir]

Man. Just when I thought I was out, they puuullled me back in...

I just cancelled my CoH subscription last month due to MMO-burnout... I should be tanned, rested and ready when COMMO beta rolls around, though... ;)

[Yansuf]

Will it be Macintosh friendly?

[Steve Long]

Yansuf -- it's being produced for the PC and one of the consoles (Xbox 360 IIRC). Nothing for Mac AFAIK.

[SAVeira]

It seems that Microsoft has finally realized that the Canada $ is worth about the same of the US $, and lower the Xbox 360 price here. Link (http://kotaku.com/358892/xbox-360-gets-a-price-drop-in-canadahttp://)

Interesting how there is this Champions Online MMO announcement for the PC and XBox 360. Does Microsoft must know about us horde of Canadian gamers. :D

[gojira]

If you don't have a 360 yet, wait. Rumors are Microsoft is going to introduce an improved model soon (April-ish).

[Enforcer84]

http://www.champions-online.com/game_features

Sorry. Just need to go and change my pants...
Hey, hold the door...I need to as well.

[Enforcer84]

Things like that have yet to be determined. Contrary to the gloom-and-doom predictions of some elsewhere on this board, it's not our intention to do nothing but reprint existing books for 6E. ;)
as a doom and gloomer, that makes me happy.

[Tim]

Okay, Who do we have to sell our soul to, to get into the Beta?

And I do hope you are going to be able to use the same Costume creator (or at least very close) as in CoX.

*dances happy dance*

[archermoo]

Okay, Who do we have to sell our soul to, to get into the Beta?

And I do hope you are going to be able to use the same Costume creator (or at least very close) as in CoX.

*dances happy dance*

My understanding is that it will be CONSIDERABLY more detailed. :)

[Mastermind]

How does Champions Online plan to compete with the WoW juggernaugt?

[GamePhil]

How does Champions Online plan to compete with the WoW juggernaugt?

I doubt that it does. WoW is the D&D of MMO's (three acronyms at once!), I don't know how anyone is going to compete with it. Not that it would bother me if CO crushed it, mind you.

What it can do is get enough of the gigantic pie to be successful, which doesn't require toppling anyone else. If there is a more specific answer to the question, though, I'd suggest it's on the CO site over at Cryptic Studios, you might post the question there if it hasn't already been asked.

[James Gillen]

Though past all that, I figured, this would be the case from the start, so its not much of a surprise. Though, I didn't figure Hero would SELL them there universe, I thought they would license it instead. Maybe this is why Cryptic wanted this in the first place though, as Marvel and DC would never sell their IP to Cryptic. The reason I figured this would be the case is because it would be really hard to maintain balance in an MMO using the Hero System without a GM to help keep things balanced. I mean they could easily implement a rock solid campaign guideline system, and not let people get around it, but the Hero System is so flexible that even with that it would be easy to get around those guidelines and make exceptionally powerful characters. The only way you MIGHT be able to keep it balanced is if each character created was looked over and approved by a real person, and that would be both, way too expensive, and no one would want to wait for character approval.

That is a good point, actually.

JG

[James Gillen]

My understanding is that it will be CONSIDERABLY more detailed. :)

That's enough reason to get it right there. CoX is the best thing I've seen for that, but it still seems to be missing something.

JG

[Steve Long]

Okay, Who do we have to sell our soul to, to get into the Beta?

That I don't know about yet; beta is a ways off. At the very least I am hoping we can get some Beta keys from Cryptic and give them away here on the Hero site through some sort of raffle or something.

Or bribery. I'm always open to bribery. :eg:


And I do hope you are going to be able to use the same Costume creator (or at least very close) as in CoX.

That's another one I don't know about for sure, probably that's a question you should direct to Cryptic. However, I find it hard to believe that they'd be creating this game that's years better than CoH and not include as part of the general improvements an even better costume creator. My understanding is that it will have something even better.

[robertep]

<-----Role "bribery" 16-

3d6=5 ..... Did I mange to Bribe you Steve?

[SAVeira]

Or bribery. I'm always open to bribery. :eg:
We should talk. :winkgrin: The Canadian $ is pretty strong right now.

[Spence]

Okay, Who do we have to sell our soul to, to get into the Beta?



Hey!....

You're only allowed to sell your soul once :tsk:

[Haerandir]

Hey!....

You're only allowed to sell your soul once :tsk:
Not if you're Archimago. Tim, are you actually Archimago in disguise?

[Spidey88]

Heck - though I'm really looking forward to playing the game, what I'm really interested in is the opportunity to do some voice acting for it. I've been on multiple radio shows and more than one Bioware game already here in Edmonton - but the chance to be one of the characters I've known for years from the Champions stable? THAT would be truly awesome.

(You should hear my "BWA-HA-HA-HAAA!");)

[archermoo]

Hey!....

You're only allowed to sell your soul once :tsk:

John Constantine managed it. :eg:

[shadowcat1313]

Character Voice Ideas:

Foxbat:
I get this image of Foxbat as a really whiney kind of guy, and Pee Wee Herman
or Gilbert Godfried comes to mind


Dr Destroyer:
James Earl Jones
Bruce Dern

[rjcurrie]

Character Voice Ideas:

Foxbat:
I get this image of Foxbat as a really whiney kind of guy, and Pee Wee Herman
or Gilbert Godfried comes to mind


Dr Destroyer:
James Earl Jones
Bruce Dern

What about Bruce Campbell voicing Foxbat?

I think Jones as Destroyer would be a bit too cliche. I think you want someone more Germanic

[L. Marcus]

. . . I'm swedish. I've got a deep voice.

Where does the line start?

[korovan]

I just hope the character creation process is as flexible as is being touted. One of the things that always bugged me about CoH/V was how you were forced into choosing from certain Archetype options based on a team-role: Ranged, Melee, Support, etc... in other words, it was imposssible to build a nimble martial artist who also had a ranged attack, or a high flying energy blaster who was also nigh invulnerable, or a brick with healing powers, or.... anyway, you get the idea. I really hope CO doesn't do that.

[archermoo]

I just hope the character creation process is as flexible as is being touted. One of the things that always bugged me about CoH/V was how you were forced into choosing from certain Archetype options based on a team-role: Ranged, Melee, Support, etc... in other words, it was imposssible to build a nimble martial artist who also had a ranged attack, or a high flying energy blaster who was also nigh invulnerable, or a brick with healing powers, or.... anyway, you get the idea. I really hope CO doesn't do that.

My understanding is that the current concept is that Archtypes will alter the cost of the available powers, but all Archtypes will have access to all powers.

[musasino]

Woohoo, I hope you're right!

I'm hoping for a 'points based' character creation system (my favorite part of HERO)... Freedome Force (1 & 2) did a good job of it, in its character creation and growth system.

[Ocelot]

http://www.champions-online.com/game_features

Sorry. Just need to go and change my pants...

Pssh. It says "brains required." I'm out.

[Shiva13]

since I gleefully tossed CLOWN and whatever else I didn't like out the door back in 2002. ;)

A fact that I am and will remain eternally greatful for!

[Dr. MID-Nite]

What about Bruce Campbell voicing Foxbat?

I think Jones as Destroyer would be a bit too cliche. I think you want someone more Germanic

Max Von Sydow maybe?

Rob

[L. Marcus]

. . . He dead. :(

Edit: No, he's not. Bergman's the one who died.

[Legatus]

. . . He dead. :(

Edit: No, he's not. Bergman's the one who died.

He's busy. I am alive and available and German!

"Now everybody must obey or die!"

Does that qualify me?

And Steve: Great Job!:thumbup:

[Querysphinx]

Okay. This looks nifty, but what happens to the paper and dice version of Champions when (not if, when) Cryptic ultimately decides to yank the IP from hero. Right now no one seems to think it will happen, but no one ever get married thinking they're going to get divorced, either. Will Hero be allowed to develop a new IP for their superhero product, or will they have to stop putting out superheroic games altogether?

It will be an amazingly sad day when the game that started out as Champions and became Hero will no longer be able to use the name it was born with.

[rjcurrie]

Okay. This looks nifty, but what happens to the paper and dice version of Champions when (not if, when) Cryptic ultimately decides to yank the IP from hero. Right now no one seems to think it will happen, but no one ever get married thinking they're going to get divorced, either. Will Hero be allowed to develop a new IP for their superhero product, or will they have to stop putting out superheroic games altogether?

It will be an amazingly sad day when the game that started out as Champions and became Hero will no longer be able to use the name it was born with.

At the very worst, Hero wouldn't be able to use the name Champions and would not be able to use the old Champions material. They could still publish "Super Hero" (or whatever they decided to call it) with a new superhero universe. Darren specifically said this at the DunDraCon announcement.

[SylvanSnake]

Hi. I am new to these boards and I thought I would make a few comments. I played Champions for quite a while and liked the system very much, I think it was 3rd edition when real life stuff happened and my friends who I used to play it with graduated high school, a few went off to college and I couldn't find another group to join since.

Anyway, my fascination with Super RPGs continued, I dabbled in a few other systems BESM, GURPS Supers, Heroes Unlimited.. I still think Champions was the best and offers the best character creation options there is.

I was pretty excited when City of Heroes launched, the first Super MMO. I was a bit disappointed in the power selection options though. Not "generic" enough. I really was hoping to have actual power creation in the game. If I want a character that has both blue fire blasts and green ice blasts, I should get it :p

Anyway I'm hoping Cryptic makes Champions MMO a lot more customizable and keep the COH costume creator (but continue improving it). And of course vast improvements on the travel powers system without that speed suppression they added would be really nice.

I really hope Cryptic impresses me with this one. And if the game is successful, perhaps there will be a new wave of players to the RPG and I'll find a group as well :)

[TygerLily]

Hi SylanSnake and welcome to the boards! If you haven't located it yet, there is a Player Finder forum where you can see if other hero players are in your area. Maybe you can get lucky and find a group even before the COMMO comes out :)

[archermoo]

Okay. This looks nifty, but what happens to the paper and dice version of Champions when (not if, when) Cryptic ultimately decides to yank the IP from hero. Right now no one seems to think it will happen, but no one ever get married thinking they're going to get divorced, either. Will Hero be allowed to develop a new IP for their superhero product, or will they have to stop putting out superheroic games altogether?

It will be an amazingly sad day when the game that started out as Champions and became Hero will no longer be able to use the name it was born with.

Well the contract includes a license for DoJ to publish RPG materials in perpetuity. So before Cryptic could "pull the license" from DoJ they would have buy that license back from them. I believe that Darren's general description of the terms were that it included an "obscene" sum of money.

Personally I find it interesting that there are so many people that assume that Steve, Darren and the rest of the owners of DoJ are stupid and/or bad businessmen. Do people really think that these kind of things never occured to them? :confused:

[archermoo]

At the very worst, Hero wouldn't be able to use the name Champions and would not be able to use the old Champions material. They could still publish "Super Hero" (or whatever they decided to call it) with a new superhero universe. Darren specifically said this at the DunDraCon announcement.

Yup. That that they would have an "obscene" sum of money to launch it with. :D Were it to ever happen. Which seems unlikely. Successful MMOs frequently try to get a Pen and Paper RPG published based on their game. Cryptic already HAS that before their MMO even launches. One that quite a number of people at Cryptic are big fans of. What motivation could they have to pull the license from DoJ?

The only ones I can think of are:

They'd rather have someone else publish a Champions RPG. Seems unlikely.

They'd rather not have a Champions RPG at all. Seems even less likely.

[Lord Fyre]

Yup. That that they would have an "obscene" sum of money to launch it with. :D Were it to ever happen. Which seems unlikely. Successful MMOs frequently try to get a Pen and Paper RPG published based on their game. Cryptic already HAS that before their MMO even launches. One that quite a number of people at Cryptic are big fans of. What motivation could they have to pull the license from DoJ?

The only ones I can think of are:

They'd rather have someone else publish a Champions RPG. Seems unlikely.

They'd rather not have a Champions RPG at all. Seems even less likely.

If anything the opposite seems likely, they would want to exploit the name recognition that Champions already has. This would be things like using art (concept or screenshot), MMO locations, etc. in the P&P vesion of Champions.

[archermoo]

If anything the opposite seems likely, they would want to exploit the name recognition that Champions already has. This would be things like using art (concept or screenshot), MMO locations, etc. in the P&P vesion of Champions.

Which is in fact the plan. :)

[Heroic Avatar]

I use to play champions and the Hero Ruleste a long time ago... its great to be back.

And Steve is pretty dang cool. He has been replying regularly to the forums at the MMO site as well as PMs there as well...

[Bazza]

Personally I find it interesting that there are so many people that assume that Steve, Darren and the rest of the owners of DoJ are stupid and/or bad businessmen. Do people really think that these kind of things never occured to them? :confused: I'm the opposite. The management of DoH is good management, they have survived in the fickle industry called publishing, particularly RPG publishing. Over that same time, many other businesses have gone out of business, and the industry has gotten smaller.

Reiterating: DoJ's management are clever and wise businessmen. Here's to many more years of Champions and Hero System books.

[Silverbullet]

What about Bruce Campbell voicing Foxbat?

I think Jones as Destroyer would be a bit too cliche. I think you want someone more Germanic


I would think the obvious choise would be Jürgen Prochnow...

http://imdb.com/name/nm0001638/

[GamePhil]

As long as either Darren does Dr. Silverback, or maybe one of the three people who I've heard play Grodd so well in Derek's Challenge of the Superfriends game (Derek's actually one of them, I don't know the screen names of the other two), it should work out.

Ok, Grodd's not necessarily a good role model for Silverback, but if you can do a villainous ape I figure you should be given a shot at doing a heroic one.

[Steve]

One thing that puzzles me about the whole Cryptic deal is why it's structured as a sale of the IP with a perpetual license back to DoJ. Why was it not done simply as a straight licensing deal? Champions is the crown jewel of DoJ's IPs, so it seems overly complex and unnecessary, unless I'm missing seeing something. :confused:

[JmOz]

I would guess Cryptic insisted after loosing the Marvel licence they don't want to invest/loose on a licence again, but that is only a guess

[Rigel]

Champions is the crown jewel of DoJ's IPs, so it seems overly complex and unnecessary, unless I'm missing seeing something. :confused:
Is that really true? I guess I am a bit unusual in that my first big exposure to Hero System was playing a fantasy Hero game that lasted for a few years. What sold me on the system was its generic nature. I would say that DoJ's crown jewel is the Hero System, not the Champions Universe. Obviously, the name Champions itself has a great legacy and name recognition, but the universal Hero System is the big appeal to me.

[James Gillen]

. . . I'm swedish. I've got a deep voice.

Where does the line start?

"Ya, I'm Docter Destroyer, I'll be takking over de vorld, ya..."

[James Gillen]

I would guess Cryptic insisted after loosing the Marvel licence they don't want to invest/loose on a licence again, but that is only a guess

That's basically what Steve implied in his comments.

JG

[L. Marcus]

"Ya, I'm Docter Destroyer, I'll be takking over de vorld, ya..."I vill krush you, but first de applikation must pass trough de bureaucracy . . . Vill 2013 be good for you?

[Steve Long]

Why was it not done simply as a straight licensing deal?

Cryptic has no interest in licensing an IP or answering to anyone else, and I don't blame them one bit. They want to own whatever they're working on outright and in full to avoid all the hassles that come from not doing so. It's totally logical.

Licensing it back to us was a mandatory part of the deal, though. We certainly wouldn't have sold them the IP outright with no ability to produce RPGs for it -- or at least not for the same amount of money. Thus it works out well for both of us.

[Lord Fyre]

Cryptic has no interest in licensing an IP or answering to anyone else, and I don't blame them one bit. They want to own whatever they're working on outright and in full to avoid all the hassles that come from not doing so. It's totally logical.

I suspect that their recent issues with the Marvel Comics Group (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Entertainment) left a bad taste in the collective mouths.

[James Gillen]

I suspect that their recent issues with the Marvel Comics Group (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Entertainment) left a bad taste in the collective mouths.

Anything dealing with Marvel these days does.

JG

[GamePhil]

Anything dealing with Marvel these days does.

JG

Now, now, I have met people that actually liked Civil War. I'm not one of them, mind you.

[Lord Fyre]

Now, now, I have met people that actually liked Civil War. I'm not one of them, mind you.

Contact Mythbusters! The idea that some people actually like Marvel's Civil War just stretches credibility too much.

[Mojo_Bones]

Now, now, I have met people that actually liked Civil War. I'm not one of them, mind you.
I think they were talking about the American civil war. They were either reenactors, history buffs or they liked collecting the chess set pieces.