Champions Online Release Date Announced

Atari and Cryptic Studios fired over a press release this afternoon announcing that Champions Online will launch on July 14th, 2009.
ATARI AND CRYPTIC STUDIOS ANNOUNCE SHIP DATE FOR CHAMPIONS ONLINE ON PC

Who:

Atari, Inc., one of the world's most recognized videogame publishers, and Cryptic Studiosâ„¢, a leading developer and publisher of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), announced today Champions Online for PC systems will be available worldwide July 14, 2009.

What:

On July 14, European and North American gamers will be able to pick up their copy of Champions Online and dive into a massive world of super powered heroes, villainous Nemeses, ancient gods, underwater civilizations, alien invasions, and much, much more!

From Cryptic Studios, the creators of the acclaimed City of Heroes and City of Villains, comes one of the most exciting new MMOs of 2009... Champions Online! Powered by the groundbreaking Cryptic Engine and based on the award winning Champions setting from the HERO System of pen & paper role playing games, Champions Online taps into a rich and established universe of heroes, villains, and intrigue.

Champions Online takes the MMO genre to new heights with fast paced, (real time) action combat. This high flying action delivers a heroic feeling unlike anything experienced in another MMORPG, while the total customization of character creation takes the experience to the next level. Choose from thousands of costume pieces, body types, and modifications for a level of personalization never before imagined. Create unique power sets to break outside the prison of class archetypes players can even choose the appearance, and style of their powers to complete their vision.

While players transform into the ultimate hero, the Nemesis system lets Champions Online's powerful customization tools craft an enemy of the extreme opposite, a villain of nightmares. This ultimate adversary will appear throughout a hero's career, and even form diabolic supergroups to bedevil other players throughout the universe.

Champions Online brings epic heroism back to the MMORPG genre, with depth to challenge the most experienced online gamers and fast paced action to engage new entrants to the genre. Champions Online promises to redefine online gaming, now the only question is. What hero will you be?

When:

The game will be available at retailers worldwide starting July 14, 2009.

Where:

For more information, please visit www.atari.com and www.champions-online.com

Why:

Champions Online brings to living color one of the most beloved tabletop RPGs of the last century. More customizable than any superhero game to date, Champions Online truly provides players with limitless character creation options. Be any superhero you can dream!
While we're on the subject, there are also some new screenshots and a new trailer available on Voodoo Extreme.