Champions Online 360: No “huge” wait over PC version, says Roper

May 1st, 2009 @ 09:19
By Patrick Garratt

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Champions Online will be one of 360’s first MMOs, Cryptic design boss Bill Roper has told VG247, and has promised there won’t be a “huge gap of time” between the PC version on June 14 and the console SKU.

“I do, I really do, and we’re really excited about that,” said the exec of the chances of being one of the first MMOs on the Microsoft system.

“I think the consoles are ripe for having a really great MMO, and I think the players have got to be really excited about that. The platform has matured, the connectivity has matured enough to where the time to do it, really, is now. We’re just looking forward to getting it done.”

Roper said a date wasn’t fixed the the superhero game’s 360 version, but that it is being full developed alongside the PC title.

“I don’t have a date, I don’t have a window, because we haven’t been given any separate requirement for that, but I don’t think it will be a huge gap of time for when it follows,” he added.

“It’s not going to be a year later, or something like that. We spin builds every day, QA makes sure everything’s still working, the engine works great on 360, all the server stuff works well. We still make sure everything works.

“For the most part we put a lot of focus on the UI. That, of course, is one of the biggest features: that it plays and feels really good on consoles.”

The 360 version has been pushed back thanks to both wrangling between Atari and Microsoft on the game’s console launch, Roper said, and the fact Cryptic’s focused on the PC SKU because it has more control over its launch.

“We’ve been putting a lot of focus on the PC version because we have a lot of control about how that releases, when it releases, requirements, all those kind of things. There’s always a lot of things to get worked out when you’ve got big companies working with each other. There’s obviously a lot of stuff for Atari and Microsoft to hammer out in terms of bringing an MMO to the consoles, and 360 specifically.”

To date, 360 has been very sparsely populated with MMOs, the only “traditional” examples being FFXI and Phantasy Star Universe.

Roper was talking in a phone interview yesterday.

But is the console ready for an MMO?

I think it's ready. Just like he said I agree completely with those points. I just hope this is a sign that we will have it before 2010 on X360.

I loved City of Heroes. This game looks really good.

I still wonder if MMOs will ever catch on for consoles. There are a few coming out this year for PS3/360, so i guess we will see soon enough

No Thanks to XBOX live fees + MMO fee

champions online looks to be a good game imo

Whether you are a Silver Member or a Gold Member on Xbox Live it is a completely seperate fee. How many morons still think this, christ! You can play an MMO on Xbox 360 and just have Silver Membership, you will just pay the monthly fee for the game. If you have Gold Membership you are paying $49.99 a year for your subscription for online gaming and other goodies but this does not interfere with your monthly subscription with the game in any way nor does it need it. Get Informed People! This is something that we found out about years ago when Final Fantasy 11 was nearing release so do some research!

I have to admit that Champions Online is looking like its going to be a good imo.

Now in my own opinion you have to admit that DC Universe Online is looking like its shaping up to be the better MMO :P

I already know there seperate fees.. Watch who your callin a moron cause you jump to conclusions a little to fast.  Who wants to pay monthly for xbox live, then another $15 for the MMO.  Yes you can play as a silver member who who the heck wants to be silver

By then I think the game will be pretty much irrelevent though. I think huxley has a much better chance.. Although I might just think that because is an MMOFPS on the shooterbox360. Although Champions online is being published by a good company, Atar-

Nevermind