City of Heroes is a 3-D superhero-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The game is set in Paragon City, a modern day metropolis full of super powered villains, alien invaders and underground monsters. Players take on the roles of Paragon City's superhero defenders and will be able to create their own hero, choose statistics, skills, and powers and design their own superhero costume

"We're delighted to have City of Heroes in our publishing family," said Robert Garriott, CEO of NCsoft's Austin, Texas subsidiary. "The online world has been waiting for a game based on comic book-styled superheroes. Cryptic Studios has assembled a team of incredible talent to deliver a game that will have far-reaching appeal."

"NCsoft is exactly what we were looking for in a publishing partner," said Cameron Petty, Cryptic Studios(tm) CEO. "The company has a proven track record in launching subscription-based online games in a global market. NCsoft also has a clear understanding of online content development and we're excited about working with them to make City of Heroes the best it can possibly be."

Plans for a City of Heroes public beta test will be announced later this year. NCsoft and Cryptic Studios will be showing City of Heroes at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, May 22-24. More information about City of Heroes can be found at http://www.cityofheroes.com/