14 DAY TRIAL // Cryptic are now working on an MMOG titled Champions Online, which aims to bring superheroes, Arch-nemesis and fully destructible environments to the players. Sounds familiar? I bet it does because Cryptic were previously working on Marvel Universe Online. As that project got canned everybody thought heroes-and-villains MMOG's would be out of fashion for a while at Cryptic HQ. But they decided that the best way to deal with failure is to succeed in very similar circumstances. Or, in this case, very similar intellectual properties.
Cryptic, that have also been involved with making another superpowered MMOG in City of Heroes/City of Villains, are now working on the Champions intellectual property. It was the first tabletop game that focused on points instead of dice rolls to determine a character's stats and powers. It also sports an impressive customization level, where the player can determine not only his character's powers but also his weaknesses, his archenemies and his appearance down to the color of the cape or the shade of the boots. Cryptic have declared they intend to maintain this level of personalization within their MMOG as it would bring something unique to the table. As one of the reasons for the downfall of Marvel Universe Online was DC Comics' insistence on strict adherence to the original universe, it seems only appropriate for Cryptic to now focus on a game that clearly empowers the developers to play around with characters, powers, settings and appearance.
One of the development blogs at Cryptic's website mentions the intentions of the team to do away with the traditional MMOG fighting system, based on long recharge times and auto attacks, and to introduce a system that challenges the player to think strategically about using his powers while introducing to combat the adrenaline rush that usually is associated with fighting games. While details are scarce at the moment, it might be an added attraction for players that are bored by usual MMOG fighting. If they manage to get it right. It does also help that Champions Online will be geared towards PvP, another area where the MMOG market needs improvement. The developers also promise a world in which cities can be destroyed, heroes and villains are born and actually die as time moves forward.
Although details are still sketchy as to exactly how things are going to be implemented in Champions Online, it is shaping up to be a challenger to City of Heroes. Let's hope we'll see more news rather sooner than latter.