Atari and Cryptic Studios are proud to give superhero fans the game they've been craving as Champions Online for PC has gone gold. Based on the award-winning Champions pen-and-paper role-playing games and powered by the groundbreaking Cryptic Engine, Champions Online taps into a rich universe of heroes and villains with unparalleled intrigue and adventure.
Cryptic Studios – creators of the award-winning City of Heroes and City of Villains MMOs – has taken the massively multiplayer role-playing game genre to new heights with Champions Online. The experience begins with Champions' immensely powerful character creation and customization tool, which enables players to fashion truly unique superheroes by choosing from thousands of costume pieces, body types, powers, and character appearances. Players can then modify their choices with an array of configurable sliders and color options, resulting in a completely individualized hero.
No superhero, however unique, can be complete without a super villainous Nemesis or two. With Champions Online's powerful customization tools, players can also design the perfect Nemesis to oppose their superheroes. These ultimate adversaries appear throughout a hero's career, sometimes issuing challenges, other times ambushing their heroic foe. Champions Online brings epic superheroism to the MMORPG genre with depth that challenges the most experienced online gamers, while its fast-paced action promises to engage new entrants to the online superhero universe.
Be among the first to experience this one-of-a-kind online superhero gaming universe by taking part in the open beta, exclusively run by IGN's Fileplanet. Players can access open beta by registering at Fileplanet. Additionally, this thrilling title is available for pre-order at Wal-Mart, GameStop, Best Buy, Direct2Drive, and Amazon. Gamestop and Best Buy preorders even have the opportunity to join in a special Early Start Program.
Champions Online promises to redefine online gaming with the power comic book fans have been craving. The only question is... What hero will you be?
Champions Online releases on Windows PC this September.
You know a good superhero will protect the world from evil villains who seek to destroy it. But do you really know your superheroes? Atari and Cryptic have released Champions Online’s powerful hero profiles. We've included an overview of each of the heroes, and will release more in-depth details for each hero as the launch date draws near!
Amphibian
Since that last explosive encounter with Stingray, Amphibian has relocated to Vibora Bay where he sometimes guest lectures at Sinclair University. He still carries the hope that he might run into Stingray again someday and save her from her own emotional torment.
Although he can fight, and quite well, he prefers peaceful solutions. He regularly patrols the coast, saving the lives of people threatened by boating accidents or storms. He saves them as he couldn’t save his parents, and finds some peace in it.
Defender The world does not know James Harmon IV leads a secret life as the noble Champion known as Defender. Most people think of James only as a shiftless, womanizing playboy who’s taken his daddy’s place at the reigns of defense manufacturer Harmon Industries, and credit young Harmon’s success to family money, good looks, and natural charisma. But Harmon doesn’t particularly care what people think of James Harmon IV, as long as he is free to do good in the world as Defender.
He has recently finished testing a new and improved suit of armor, and is now using it in the field. A servo-musculature system gives him super strength, jet boots allows him to fly, and powerful micro-generators create a multitude of different energy blasts. Micro-computers in his suit control life support functions, communications and protection against environmental extremes.
Defender is absolutely fearless, and will take on any mission to combat evil. He takes his role as a hero seriously, and always acts as a role model. His attitude and achievements have inspired millions, and his charity drives have funded countless causes. A truly noble spirit, Defender's strict moral code prevents him from taking another's life.
Although Defender is a decisive leader and a bold, courageous warrior, he is somewhat shy and awkward socially. He has begun a tentative romance with his mystically-powered Champions teammate Witchcraft, and it may give him the confidence he needs to be more outgoing.
Dr. Silverback When he battles villains, he does it with intellect, not force. The amazing gadgets he built in his lab, help him. He also has a tremendous network of contacts throughout the world and has become an expert at gathering information. When he must go into battle, he always takes his tangleweb gun, which incapacitates villains without harming them.
He is the go-to guy for the Champions when they have a scientific or technological challenge. He’s also a favorite with media because of his ability to explain scientific principles with charm and flair.
Dr. Silverback is an outspoken and incredibly dynamic superhero. He generally doesn’t go up against supervillains alone, but instead uses his superhuman intelligence to save the day.
Gadget Boy Gadget Boy is one of the smartest, and loneliest, people on the planet. He’s an absolute technological wizard and a dedicated superhero.
These days you’ll most often find him hanging around Monster Island and working with his friend, and fellow genius, Takashi Toru to decipher Qularr technology.
Ironclad Although not human, Ironclad is happy on Earth. He is kindhearted and noble, and always sympathetic to those in need. When he's not battling evil, he often donates his time and awesome strength to help build clinics and shelters to the poor, or help with rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters.
Ironclad's armor and sword are trophies from his years in the Malvan gladiatorial pits. The armor is a relic from Malva's ancient, star-spanning empire, and is decorated with the flame motif common in Malvan art. It was given to Ironclad as a gift by the Phazor, the absolute ruler of Malva, in honor of his many victories. The sword Ironclad wrested from the hands of the Phazor's champion in epic combat. He continues to use these trophies as a symbol of his freedom from gladiatorial slavery and to show that he will always triumph over his foes.
Seeking a permanent home and comrades in the fight against villainy, Ironclad joined the Champions. He works well with his teammates, but his great strength and resilience give him an overinflated sense of confidence. He doesn't think anything can really hurt him, and that belief sometimes causes him to be reckless.
Ironclad's ship was destroyed when he crash-landed on Earth, and he's accepted that he may be stranded here for the rest of his life. He is extremely curious about Earth culture, and is slowly learning about humans and their ways. Unfortunately, most of his information comes from television and the Internet.
Recently, Ironclad has been concerned about a rise in activity on Monster Island. His mighty strength and armored body may not be enough to stop VIPER's plans there. New allies may be needed.
Justiciar Justiciar has left his free spirit past behind to become a capable leader and businessman. He works hard and plays hard, and inspires his teammates with his quiet determination and loyal spirit. He's soft-spoken almost to the point of being taciturn, and avoids getting involved in interpersonal disputes.
He never forgets a kindness, but never forgives a disservice, either. If he feels someone needs to be "taught a lesson," he will wait for weeks, or even months, until he finds the perfect moment.
Justiciar has recently become concerned with an upswing in VIPER activity in a remote area of Canada. He's meeting with members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Force Station Steelhead to get a better grasp on the situation so he can determine what needs to be done to keep Canada safe.
Kinetik It took some convincing, but Kinetik has now joined the Champions as their fifth member. In some ways, he’s still uncertain of his worth within the group. He knows he’s good at one-on-one fights, but he’s not sure how much use he’ll be to the Champions when they go up against larger groups. On his own, however, facing down one or two villains, he’s absolutely sure of his abilities to succeed. It’s ironic, since he’s actually a wonderful tactical addition to the Champions and he’s slightly overconfident in one-on-one encounters – at least when it comes to major supervillains.
He is a genuinely good person, and a pretty laid back guy. He’s very proud of his part in defending Millennium City, and he’s very protective of all its citizens. He does have a soft spot for his best friend, Sapphire, though. He’s pretty sure she doesn’t need his protection, but he’s always there for her.
Mayte Sanchez She is one of the most ethical and tenacious superheroes you will ever meet. Thanks to her own experiences with PTSD, she’s very grounded and a wonderful mentor for younger superheroes, like her buddy Sapphire. She prefers to fight hand to hand, but will use a variety of guns when necessary. While her abilities are impressive, she has a tendency to overestimate how much damage she can take, which gets her in trouble from time to time.
Sapphire Of all the Champions, Sapphire is certainly the most outgoing. These days she’s still a superstar, but her musical career definitely comes in second to her superheroing career.
Initially, Sapphire was a bit of a show off when fighting, tossing in extra flashy moves that looked good. As she became more confident and secure, she toned down the flash and focused more on developing her abilities. Ironically, that same superstar status that makes people question her abilities as a superhero has actually provided her with more experience than any other Champion. Everywhere she goes, bad guys attack her either for the notoriety of being able to say they’ve fought her, or for the chance to get an autograph.
She outgrew her crush on Defender over the years and has become great friends with Witchcraft. She’s delighted that her teammates have found love with each other, although she is somewhat envious. She’d like to find her Mr. Right. Or at least her Mr. Cuddly.
(She has been receiving a lot of letters from a secret admirer – all right, not so secret – promising to steal her the biggest sapphire in the world and asking her to become Empress of the Night, but while amused she’s pretty sure she doesn’t wish to become Mrs. Foxbat.)
Witchcraft Witchcraft is the quietest member of The Champions, preferring to remain in the background while Defender or other, more outspoken members of the team grab the spotlight.
Her reclusiviness is partly because she is gentle and soft-spoken by nature, but also because she feels she has been "tainted" by her family's evil ways; and therefore isn't worthy to be a superhero. At times her self-doubt causes her to hesitate when she should act decisively.
Being a member of The Champions has helped Witchcraft start to gain some confidence in herself and her abilities. She's found a friend and a partner in Defender, and their tentative romance could help Witchcraft blossom into the hero she has the potential to be.
Witchcraft is a naturally gifted spellcaster. While many of her spells are weak, she has a talent that few can match. As her skills and confidence grow, so will her power – some members of the Trismegistus Council predict that someday Witchcraft will be one of the greatest spellcasters on Earth.
The Circle of the Scarlet Moon is eager to reclaim Witchcraft's power, and continues to pursue her. The coven's machinations make Witchcraft's life difficult, but even worse for her is the murderous ire of her twin sister, who has rejected the teachings of the Circle and struck out on her own as the supervillain Talisman.
Talisman will stop at nothing to destroy Witchcraft, and Witchcraft has decided it is her sad responsibility to put a stop to her sister's evil deeds. Recently, Witchcraft has received reports that Talisman has been seen in the Southwest Desert. She'll need allies to find out what her sister's nefarious plans are.