Cryptic Drops Xbox 360 Plans for Champions Online

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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Cryptic Drops Xbox 360 Plans for Champions Online


Cryptic Studios has dropped plans to develop an Xbox 360 version of the superhero MMOG Champions Online [http://www.amazon.com/Champions-Online-Pc/dp/B0024FA6EY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1278962224&sr=1-1], saying its efforts are totally focused on the PC edition of the game.

Originally planned for release on both the PC and Xbox 360, Champions Online would have been one of the few MMOGs available to console gamers, a potentially huge and yet almost entirely untapped market. Cryptic COO Jack Emmert said back in August 2009 [http://www.vg247.com/2009/08/28/ms-foot-dragging-on-360-mmos-is-baffling-says-cryptic-boss/] that the 360 version of the game was "ready to go" but while the PC edition came out in September, it looks like console clobberin' time is over before it even began.

The first hint of trouble came earlier this month when it was revealed that Executive Producer Bill Roper had wrote [http://forums.champions-online.com/showpost.php?p=1497546&postcount=1], "100% of our focus is on making the current PC product the best it can be. There are no current plans for a console version of Champions."

It's a bit surprising that this kind of information would be revealed in such a casual and off-handed manner, as several follow-up posters noted, especially since it had been planned for the 360 right from the start. Of course, it's still possible that the game could end up there someday - the "no current plans" caveat leaves the door open - but unless Champions Online grows into a major mainstream success, gamers who want to don a cape and punch out bad guys for fun will have to use a mouse and keyboard to do it.

via: GamesIndustry [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/cryptic-abandons-champions-online-for-consoles]


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Baby Tea

Just Ask Frankie
Sep 18, 2008
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So it went from 'Ready to go' to 'not planned' in less then a year?
Something's rotten on the planet Wormulon.

I was interested in seeing how the console version of this would play out, but I guess that interest is squashed now.
Oh well...there is always rumors to look forward to.
 
Feb 13, 2008
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I think that Champions was very rushed, as it shows in the gameplay. CoH took a good few episodes to get into a good game, and over that time they made a number of very foolish (imho) decisions.
Cryptic seems to suffer from Molyneux syndrome where they want to fit the world in a shoebox, and then start panicking when the sides start to split.

See also: Auto Assault, Dungeon Runners, Tabula Rasa.
 

Jared

The British Paladin
Jul 14, 2009
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I dont think its a bad idea...I thik when it comes to MMos they should firmly stay in the realms of PCS...

That way, they can be developed further as PCs advance. COnsoles can only do so much
 

scotth266

Wait when did I get a sub
Jan 10, 2009
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BU-BU-BU-WHUH!?!?

I haven't played Champions Online myself, but if it's anything like CoH, I have to wonder how this is going to work out. Not to mention I didn't exactly hear CO being showered with praise when it was on the PC...
 

NamesAreHardToPick

New member
Jan 7, 2010
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A lot of my friends play CO on PC, it's not a big deal but the game is pretty good.

My brother bought a 360 specifically because of the Champions Online announcement, and was jonesing for a console MMO so hard he got back into FFXI, then bought a PS3 for Demon's Souls and WKC.
It's at least some closure to know that Champs has been officially canned on 360.

@Microsoft: what's the point of putting your console online if you aren't going to do MMOs? get your pants off your head.