NCsoft opens new Californian studio

More City of Heroes games are due from NCsoft, but the MMO firm will no longer be just the publisher of the games – it has opened a new development studio in North California to work on the games.

The move comes following the purchase of the City of Heroes IP from original developer Cryptic Studios.

It’s not just the property that’s moving over either, as the new studio will be built around the original art, programming and design team leads from the game.

“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.”

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.”

NCsoft confirmed it will soon be formally announcing plans for the series – which includes expansions and sequels to the comic book-inspired MMO.