Last week we reported the purchase of Cryptic by Atari, and it seem that both of the parties were satisfied with the purchase. But now the condition seems to has been changed. Gamespot is reporting that 2K games will no longer champion Cryptic Studios' superhero-themed MMORPG Champions Online following Atari's acquisition.
The details are as below:
When Atari announced its acquisition of Cryptic Studios last week, it answered the question of who would publish Star Trek Online. However, it raised doubts about the publisher of the Los Gatos, California-based shop's other massively multiplayer project, Champions Online for the PC and Xbox 360. The recent purchase of Cryptic by Atari seems to have changed and reshaped that original business relationship.
With none of the parties commenting, the publishing status of Champions Online lingered in purgatory for a week. Today, though, 2K parent Take-Two Interactive gave a definitive answer on the publishing question--in the negative. "We no longer intend to publish the MMOG Champions Online due to Atari's acquisition of Cryptic," said Take-Two president Ben Feder in a post-earnings conference call with analysts.
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With Atari now firmly ensconced in the publisher's seat, it remains to be seen whether or not Champions Online will stick to its previously announced spring 2009 release date. On the one hand, the game only bore a general "2009" release window when mentioned in the Atari acquisition announcement. On the other, Cryptic has ramped up work on the project, enlisting famed Diablo and Hellgate: London cocreator Bill Roper to work on the project.
We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Resources:Gamespot
