“Champions Online is a great addition to Atari’s line-up,” said John Needham, CEO of Cryptic Studios. “After considerable anticipation and excitement, we are thrilled to present Champions to fans and gamers worldwide, and look forward to seeing what players create with the game’s limitless customization options. We are already hard at work developing new content and updates that will expand the Champions Online world even further.”

Here’s a description of the game:

Champions Online brings epic heroism back to the MMORPG genre with depth that will certainly challenge the most experienced online gamers, while its fast paced action promises to engage new entrants to the online superhero universe. Enter a world where the diabolical genius Dr. Destroyer has returned to wreak havoc. After he single-handedly destroyed the city of Detroit, many thought he had perished in the colossal explosion, but he is back to inflict his evil plans on the unsuspecting world. Join with Defender and the legendary Champions to stop Dr. Destroyer and his minions in an ultimate showdown of good versus evil.

Cool. For more, hit up the game’s official website.

Cryptic this week, announced that development on Champions Online for the Xbox 360 is nearly complete, but that Xbox Live isn’t ready to support an MMO. With DC Universe preparing to launch on PSN, we discuss MMO’s on consoles and how Microsoft and Sony are moving to support this über-popular genre. Next up, we take a look at statements made by an EA exec predicting a PS3.5 and Xbox 560 rather than true next-gen hardware updates to the popular consoles.

The Battle Cry of the Week goes to Sony for giving North America a Rock Band demo and Europe a full copy of Gran Turismo with the PSP Go, Trials HD the insane XBL motocross title, Fieldrunners, the ridiculously cool tower-defense game, heading to the PSP Go, and leaked game footage ruining the element of surprise in upcoming games.

Remember to sound off below or post a video comment to our Youtube channel and each week will pick our favorite to become the next Member Battle Cry! Stay sharp.

-iPod compatible mp4 download-

-Audio only download-

Then we tear into the main course with a look at the various Activision news that’s been floating this week; including getting spanked by Double Fine in the Brutal Legend countersuit and their partnership deal to get exclusive sections in various retail stores. Next up, we take a look at the new Batman: Arkham Asylum demo and discuss our thoughts on the game’s potential and what this will mean for comic book-based games.

The Battle Cry of the Week goes to Ben Heckendorn for his latest mod-project: Bill Paxton Pinball, Dark Void for chumping out and being pushed back to next year, Crytek for the very real possibility of being uprooted from their homeland if the German violent game ban becomes law, and Activision CEO Bobby Kotick for gleefully becoming one of the most hated figures in gaming.

Remember to sound off below and each week, we’ll pick a new comment to become the next Member Battle Cry! And, for those of you with a cam and a youtube account, record yourself reading your Battle Cry and embed the youtube vid in the comments, you might find yourself appearing on a future skirmish of EpicBattleCry! Stay brutal my friends.

-iPod compatible mp4 download-

-Audio-only download-

Both the lifetime and the six month subscription will guarantee you access to Star Trek Online‘s beta and an exclusive “art deco costume set”, whatever that means. The lifetime subscription will also feature an even more exclusive “retro future (?) costume set”, a unique mirror universe outfit for Star Trek Online at that game’s release, an in-game action figure and eight additional character slots.

Champions Online is set to fly onto store shelves September 1 in the US and September 4 in Europe.

Go check em out.

Yeah, we know Champions Online was recently pushed back, but that doesn’t stop us from craving its sweet, sweet love and prospect of online awesomness. Thusly, we present several new screens showcasing said awesomness for your viewing pleasure.

Awesome.