Cryptic Studios announced that it has sold the intellectual and proprietary rights to both the City of Heroes and City of Villains franchises. The successful MMO series will now be owned part and parcel by NCsoft.

NCsoft Corp, the world´s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, today announced the formation of a new development studio in Mountain View, California. The announcement comes as the company begins a renewed push to further develop the City of Heroes property, which is now 100 percent owned by NCsoft. Previous to today, ownership of the intellectual property (IP) was split between NCsoft and Cryptic Studios, the original developer of the project.

The new studio will be built around key members of the City of Heroes team from NCsoft and Cryptic Studios including the art, programming and design team leads.

"We´re happy to announce that NCsoft has acquired full ownership of the City of Heroes IP," said Brian Clayton, NCsoft executive producer and manager of the new studio. ¡°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 soon be announcing formal plans for the City of Heroes IP, which will include expansions and sequels to the popular comic-book inspired massively multiplayer online (MMO) game.

Click here to read the NCsoft Official Press Release.

Click here to read the Cryptic Studios To all current and former City of Heroes players, including Special Thanks to Players.

Click here to read the FAQ about the City of Heroes and City of Villains sale

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