Illustrating even more of the wildly-colored costumes and powers that players can sport, developer Cryptic has released another batch of Champions Online screenshots. A menacing gunslinger in a bright yellow trench coat and red bandanna--why not!

The super-powered MMO hits PC on September 1, and Xbox 360 later this year.

New details on the projects being handled by City of Heroes veterans Cryptic Studios emerged out of studio owner and publisher Atari today via financial documents.

First up was word that the Xbox 360 version of the super-powered MMO Champions Online will arrive by the end of the year, at some time between September 1 and December 31. The PC edition of Champions Online is due to launch on September 1.

Next, Atari confirmed that the next MMO out of Cryptic, Star Trek Online, is expected to launch no later than March 31, 2010. No platforms were mentioned, though the company has previously said that STO is coming to "both console and PC formats."

Finally, the company teased that Cryptic is working on a "series of new games based on Atari's existing and historically successful IPs," but offered no further information.

Developer Cryptic Studios continues to illustrate the environments and various attacks of the upcoming super-powered MMORPG. In this batch, we've got glowing purple hands, see-through tentacles, and a huge four-armed dude that is also pink. Once slated to hit in July, the Champions Online will now hit PC on September 1. No date yet for the console edition, though the company has stated that it's coming later.

Champions Online developer Cryptic Studios has announced that the superhero MMO has been delayed until September 1 to add features and a spot of polishing.

"It is critically important for an MMO to be as good as it possibly can be at launch," said executive producer Bill Roper, mere weeks after a launch date of July 16 was given.

"Through our constant dialogue with our vocal and supportive community of beta testers, we quickly realized that in order to implement certain features that we all considered important the development of Champions Online would require more time."

The undated console release planned for later has presumably also been put back.

Champions Online's swinging travel power might let Nick live out his Spider-Man fantasies, but it doesn't have a patch on the superhero MMO's totally tubular tunneling.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Decide for yourself whether you'll be a tunneling titan or a swinging soppy date when Champions Online arrives July 14 on PC, with a console release planned for later.

Cryptic Studios' superhero MMO Champions Online is to be released for PC on July 14, DarkZero reports from a press event held by publisher Atari in London today.

Apparently, the date wasn't meant to be announced until May 8, as sites like IncGamers have pulled their reports, but let's distract from that with new screenshots.

There's no update to Atari's previous announcement that Champions Online would be coming to "consoles"--with only an Xbox 360 version confirmed so far--after the PC.

This is a Champions trailer I can get behind. Ever since Treyarch's Spider-Man 2, I've come to appreciate a solid slinging mechanic. While I haven't personally demoed this feature in Cryptic's game, it's certainly a fresh idea for an MMO ability--though it does definitely look better when there are actual buildings around to swing from.

Champions Online hits the PC sometime later this year, with an Xbox 360 release expected later on.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

As the still-vague "spring" release of Champions Online draws ever closer, developer Cryptic has stepped up with a constant stream of new screenshots from the MMO. Our latest glimpse of the game includes Lovecraftian monsters, robots, and hey, zombies! Champions Online will launch on PC first, with a console edition coming later.

In catching up on Cryptic-released screenshots of Champions Online, one thing is apparent: orange glowing beams are definitely considered "in season" within this particular superhero universe.

Champions Online hits the PC this spring, with an Xbox 360 release supposedly coming later on.

Cryptic Studios has confirmed that it recruited players for the now-underway Champions Online closed beta from super-powered rival City of Heroes and other PC MMOs.

Rumors of such practices emerged via Massively earlier this week, after the official City of Heroes website warned players and forum-goers of solicitations from "another game company trying to lure you to their competing product."

While Cryptic Studios was initially involved in the creation and upkeep of City of Heroes, the company later sold its stake in the franchise to publisher NCsoft. Cryptic then revealed Champions Online a few months later, and was later bought by Atari.

"I'm certain this wasn't meant to be a malicious attack on a competing product, nor did anyone intend to steal players, violate user agreements, kill babies... Read more

According to developer Cryptic, these screenshots from the upcoming MMO Champions Online (PC, Xbox 360) offer a "brief glimpse of action in Canada." Okay, they're probably referring to the snowy shot later on in the gallery, but who can tell?

Champions Online hits the PC this spring, with an Xbox 360 release coming later on. Thanks to lotus2133 for the screen tip.

City of Heroes co-developer Cryptic Studios has confirmed that its next super-powered MMO will launch on PC before the promised Xbox 360 and possible PS3 edition hit.

"All I know is it's coming out first on the PC," design director and Flagship Studios veteran Bill Roper told Eurogamer. "We really, really want to bring it out on console, the consoles are just hungry and perfect for an MMO, and we've done a lot of work to ensure that there's nothing to prevent us from doing that...It's an area beyond my control."

While once slated for June, Champions Online is now set to launch within the vague spring timeframe. Officially, the game has only been announced for PC and Xbox 360, though publisher Atari lists the MMO as coming to "consoles."

Champions Online, the new MMO from City of Heroes developer Cryptic Studios, is now scheduled for a June launch according to publisher Atari.

Atari did not mention whether the launch will be simultaneous across the game's planned platforms, the Xbox 360 and PC.

Marked by a traditional comic book art style, Champions' main bullet-point is its character customization, allowing players to write their own backstories and create an arch-nemesis that will follow them throughout their heroic careers.

A beta for the game will begin this spring. Signups are still open at the official website.

Following the failure of Flagship Studios and Hellgate: London, former Blizzard Entertainment director Bill Roper has joined Cryptic Studios, the MMO developer announced today.

Roper will serve as Design Director on Champions Online, Cryptic's new massively multiplayer online superhero title based on the Champions role playing game.

Said Cryptic Studios CEO John Needham, "Bill brings a ton of creative energy to the Cryptic office and we're thrilled to have him join our team. His years of gaming and online experience are huge assets to all of our projects, and Bill will assist us in furthering our studio's vision to create innovative, exciting MMO gameplay."

City of Heroes and Star Trek Online developer Cryptic Studios today opened registration for the closed PC beta of its superpowered MMO Champions Online.

Those seeking to role-play the virtual life of a super hero can apply for beta access on the game's official site, with the PC-only beta slated to begin in mid-November.

"This closed beta is an exciting step in the evolution of Champions Online," said Cryptic creative officer Jack Emmert. "All of us here in the Cryptic offices have been playing the game for a while now, and we're excited to invite others in to have as much fun with Champions Online as we've been having internally."

Champions Online is scheduled to launch on PC and "current gen consoles" in spring.

More screenshots from Cryptic Studios' upcoming Champions Online (PC, 360) have appeared, providing a glimpse of the superpowered MMO due out next spring from the City of Heroes (PC) creator.

A new trailer for Cryptic Studios' Champions Online (PC, 360) has arrived, showcasing various gameplay elements in the upcoming comic hero MMO.

Published by Take-Two, Champions Online is expected to hit both the PC and Xbox 360 next spring. For more on the title, be sure to check out our E3 2008 preview.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Well, shucks. I'm not much for MMOs—my last oft-played MMO experience was years ago with CCP's Eve Online (PC)—but Cryptic Studios' Champions Online (PC, 360) might change all that.

Inspired by George McDonald's 1982 tabletop game, Champions Online marks developer Cryptic's second foray into the comic book MMO genre, following 2005's City of Heroes. The pervasive comic look of that game has seen an overhaul in Champions, with the comic shading and dark outlines around character silhouettes... Read more

Take-Two Interactive today announced that it will be handling publishing duties for Champions Online, the next MMO from City of Heroes (PC) developer Cryptic Studios. While Cryptic has been tight-lipped about the game's console release, Take-Two specified that the MMO will hit Xbox 360 in addition to PC next spring.

Expect more details on Champions Online to arrive next week during the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit.

Developer Cryptic Studios today unveiled three new screenshots for its upcoming superhero MMO Champions Online, which the company asserts will offer "near-infinte" customization options.

Champions Online is in development for PCs and unspecified consoles, and due for release in the spring of 2009.