City of Heroes, City of Villains IPs sold to NCSoft

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 6th 2007 at 6:25PM }

Independent developer Cryptic Studios has announced the sale of its intellectual and proprietary rights to super-powered MMO duo, City of Heroes and City of Villains. NCSoft, having acted as publisher for both franchises, will be taking ownership and will further license Cryptic's technology for future games. If all goes according to plan, both parties hope to make the transition invisible to currently playing saviors and psychopaths.

In a separate FAQ, Cryptic notes that this sale of two cities was prompted by the studio's desire for "complete creative freedom" and resources to delve into new titles and worlds. No changes to existing accounts are foreseen, as Cryptic believes the franchise is "in good hands at NCSoft." In fact, many of the same hands will still be involved, with NCSoft offering Cryptic members employment and forming a team dedicated to providing new content for each title. Seemingly content with what it accomplished with City of Heroes and City of Villains, Cryptic likely made a wise decision by letting NCSoft maintain the game while it explores new territory. Bring on City of Morally Ambiguous Freaks, None of Whom Resemble Marvel Characters (Especially Not Wolverine)!

Tags: City-of-Heroes, City-of-Villains, CityofHeroes, CityofVillains, NCSoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jonah Falcon @ Nov 6th 2007 6:37PM

In other words, Cryptic had enough with CoH and wants to do something new, and gave it to the publisher (NC Soft).

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Nov 6th 2007 6:48PM

Theirs is better becauses it uses the phrase "sale of two cities."

RPGJock @ Nov 6th 2007 6:57PM

AWESOME, COH/COV 2 TO THE PS3. It could be an action brawler with MMO trappings. I always felt the game didn't belong on the PC and it should have been a console title and now it has the chance to be.

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Nov 6th 2007 6:59PM

My god! You found the way to get a niche product out to a niche audience, completely destroying any attempt at profit!

I love it!

RPGJock @ Nov 6th 2007 7:08PM

You are right, putting an established MMO onto s consoles never works out. "looks at Final Fantasy XI, Everquest Adventures, Phantasy Star Online"

And of course no one would be interested in a superhero MMO. "looks at Marvel and DC MMO development"

Silly me....

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Nov 6th 2007 7:28PM

Ahem, FF and PS were never "established MMO"s. They were single player only until they had their MMO versions on consoles.

EA... I don't know anything about. Is it even an MMO?

Don't get me wrong, I loved City of Heroes when I played the beta. I just think that putting this aging game on the PS3 with its limited user-base will not work out.

B1gC72 @ Nov 6th 2007 10:31PM

i thought the same thing when i saw this. we probably will see City of Heros/Villians, in some form, on the PS3 sometime in the future. maybe with updated graphics and all the expansions (if it had any).

how successful it will be is a whole horse of a different color since it does play towards a niche audience like nimblewick pointed out. i have actually never played a console MMO now that i think about it, well unless you count Animal Crossing which is a pseudo offline MMO (if that makes any sense whatsoever lol). so who knows. mouse and keyboard support could make it comparable to PC, if that's the difference maker.

Killjoy @ Nov 6th 2007 7:05PM

Probably has to do with the fact that Cryptic is developing one of the two "official" superhero MMOs (Marvel one, if i recall correctly). This way, there won't be any conflicting interests between the two products.

Shockgamer @ Nov 6th 2007 7:21PM

And with the new skeleton crew established, City of Heroes begins the winter of its life.

drhazard @ Nov 6th 2007 7:32PM

They've been operating under a skeleton crew for a looong time. Hell, for the longest time, they only had one animator! If more people are able to get behind this, it can only be good things for the game.

Shockgamer @ Nov 6th 2007 7:32PM

Like anybody on the PS3 would want to play in generic superhero world with generic superheroes when they can be in Metropolis fighting alongside Superman and Batman.

Like wise with 360, New York, Spider-man nad Wolverine.

Also, you know your arguement is in trouble when you have to reference Everquest Online Adventures as a success.

Shockgamer @ Nov 6th 2007 7:35PM

Like anybody on the PS3 would want to be in a generic city with generic superheroes when they could be in Metropolis fighting along side Superman and Batman.

Likewise for the 360, New York, Spider-man and Wolverine.

Also, you know your case is in trouble when you have to reference EQOA as a "success."