Champions Online is a subscription based superhero-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game by City of Heroes/Villains developer Cryptic Studios based on the Champions license.

Game Informer’s preview revealed that the game is being developed for Microsoft Windows and the Xbox 360. The game’s rules will be based loosely on the HERO System ruleset. It is now in the beta stage of development.

The game will be action-oriented, and one can use a gamepad to perform actions. Attacks will be mapped to the four buttons, while defensive actions, like block, will be mapped to a shoulder button.

Successful attacks and blocks will increase a power meter, which can unlock more powerful actions, which can be accessed by holding the left trigger to reveal a different button map. In addition, the game will be nearly HUD-less.

The game will feature a robust character creation like City of Heroes, including the ability to edit a hero’s movement; for instance, a wolf-like hero may opt to leap on all fours rather than on two, a robot may select robotic, jerky movement rather than humanoid, and a mentalist may opt to float inches above the ground rather than walk.

The player may also edit the manifestation of their powers, including color and form; for instance, a heat ray may resemble flames or a force field may have a color specified in the editor.

Sounds cool right!

Champions Online Specs

Developer(s) Cryptic Studios

Publisher(s) Atari

Engine Game Tech

Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360

Release date(s) September 1, 2009 (PC)

Genre(s) Superhero MMORPG

Mode(s) Multiplayer

Rating(s) ESRB: T (Teen)