NCsoft Takes Control Of The City Of Heroes News

Presumably a response to Cryptic Studios efforts on Microsoft's forthcoming MMO Marvel Universe Online, NCsoft today announced that it has secured complete ownership of the City of Heroes brand and established a new North Californian studio to oversee a 'renewed push' for the brand.

Employing key members of the City of Heroes team from NCsoft and Cryptic Studios, Brian Clayton, NCsoft executive producer and manager of the new studio claimed: "We're happy to announce that NCsoft has acquired full ownership of the City of Heroes IP," before adding, "Our plans are clear. We are now in a position to make a major reinvestment in the City of Heroes product line. With our existing Cryptic and NCsoft team as the core, we will be able to run our current service without any interruption to our players, expand our studio to deliver triple-A content, and take City of Heroes to new heights."

NCsoft will shortly announce new plans for the franchise, which promises to include new expansions and sequels to the popular superhero MMO.

Matt Miller, Lead Designer on the City of Heroes project and formerly with Cryptic Studios said, "We're thrilled to be bringing the CoH franchise to the next level. And we couldn't be more pleased to be working completely under the NCsoft banner. We feel that City of Heroes' best days are in front of it."