Cryptic Studios recently released the Nemesis Confrontation for Champions Online. The ZAM staff sat down with Bill Roper to get the latest on this event and what's next for the CO universe.

In the current state of MMO fandom, content updates are expected, anticipated, and (when they arrive) often celebrated. New content means new adventures for established players and the possibility that the fresh patches will bring more new players into the fold.

According to the developers at Cryptic Studios, their latest addition to Champions Online, dubbed the Nemesis Confrontation, has been well-received and expands the content in the game even further. The ZAM staff sat down with Bill Roper to get the latest on this event and what’s next for the CO universe!

ZAM: Your Nemesis Confrontation event went live on November 24th, how has it been received thus far? Is it pretty easy for most players to get into and enjoy the content?

Bill Roper: We’ve received great reviews from our community on Nemesis Confrontation. It focuses on supporting our players that want more for both end-game content and play that centers on groups. Using the Nemesis system as a catalyst for this, we also allow players to share their villainous creations with each other and bring a new random twist into the Lair structure. Nemesis Confrontation is the first step in us combing existent game systems with new technology to create compelling new content and challenges.

ZAM: There have been quite a number of new events being produced by your team over the last few weeks – between Blood Moon and the Nemesis Confrontation – how many more are you planning before the end of the year?

Roper: In December, we’re going to be launching an event that takes advantage of new technology that allows players of any level to fight side-by-side against a common enemy. This is huge because it allows us to balance an encounter for a number of heroes regardless of their level. The event will be based around traditional winter holidays and has some until now, unseen rewards that are very unique!

ZAM: There are plenty of new perks, powers, and gear associated with the new content – how do they fall as far as their power level compared to other powers already in the game?

Roper: Since Nemesis Confrontation is designed to be a level 40 experience, the rewards are definitely at the top end of the power scale. The rewards we’re working on for our event in December are designed to be less concerned with pure power and more with providing different options, temporary upgrades, and looks for players.

ZAM: Besides the loot, what is waiting for players in the Nemesis Confrontation? Can you give us a quick gameplay style rundown?

Roper: As a 5-hero Lair, Nemesis Confrontation is focused on team play. Each hero starts in their own separate area of the lair and must work their way to a central location where they join up with the rest of their team. Once the threat here is neutralized, a series of tests await them where they face off against their Nemeses. After defeating these 5 arch-enemies, the team moves into a final confrontation against Shadow Destroyer. The lair takes about 1 – 1.5 hours to complete and has its own rewards and perks associated with it, including costume some awesome costume unlocks.

ZAM: In the scheme of the storyline, how does the Nemesis Confrontation fit in? How does the Shadow Destroyer compare with Doctor Destroyer? Why is this “the greatest enemy humanity has ever known?”

Roper: Nemesis Confrontation is a huge 5-Hero lair that combines the UNITY and Nemesis systems. Once heroes hit level 40, they can start doing end-game content which is driven from the UNITY headquarters in Millennium City. Players that have already been going through this Omega content are familiar with UNITY missions, but a new twist has been added in that something is happening that involves the various Nemeses of the most renowned heroes (you) in the world.

The lair is built around new technology that allows us to bring in all of the Nemeses and put them together in a single map. And, of course, you’ll need to also deal with the evil mastermind that put this entire plot together – Shadow Destroyer.

On a parallel Earth, known as Multifaria, the man we know as the superhero Defender took a very different path in life. In Multifaria, he is one of the greatest villains to ever live. Just as our Defender, he was born James Harmon IV, heir to Harmon Industries and the Harmon fortune. However, unlike our James Harmon, he worships dark gods trapped in the Qliphothic Realms. His goal is to cross into our universe and gain enough power to free his gods and destroy all of creation.

ZAM: What kind of future events do you have planned? Can you give us a sneak peek?

Roper: In December, we’re launching an event that features new technology that allows players of any level to fight side-by-side against a common enemy. This is important for us because it allows the balancing an encounter for a number of heroes regardless of their level. The event will be based around traditional winter holidays and has some incredibly unique and new rewards.

Moving forward, we have other new systems on the drawing board that will allow players to investigate and find their own crimes to combat, as well as a few other surprises to really extend the life and fun of the game. These updates are all designed to be usable by heroes of all levels so that we reach the highest number of players possible with our work. And of course, we’re coming up with more Nemesis-based missions and encounters.

ZAM: Where are you taking powers next? We’ve seen the emergence of the “Celestial” power set – what’s next on the horizon?

Roper: Next we’ll be focusing on existing power sets and individual powers as opposed to creating all-new sets. We’re getting Gadgeteering ready for test on our Public Test Shards, and then we’ll be tackling some of the individual powers that players have made the most noise about.

ZAM: From the community side of things, a lot of players have been commenting on how there isn’t much to do once you hit the level cap in Champions Online. Do you feel like that’s an accurate statement?

Roper: While there’s no way we could have the massive amount of end-game content a product that’s been out for five years has, I don’t believe there’s nothing to do when you hit the level cap. There are daily mission chains, three repeatable lairs, PvP, and crafting. You can also help your friends with missions using the Crossover system and still gain rewards.

ZAM: What are you doing to alleviate these woes? Is there a master plan on how to re-engage end game players?

Roper: I feel that we launched with a reasonable foundation of end-game content that we’ve built upon over the past three months. We’ve added into the different end-game systems more and more since the game went live and we will continue to do so in the months ahead.

ZAM: Is there anything else you’d like to tell the ZAM readers and Champions Online community?

Roper: We’re very proud of the work that we’ve done since we launched three months ago and we’d love to have people come and see the changes we’ve made. We have an incredible community and all of us are looking forward to continuing to work with them to make the game bigger and better.