Champions Online Chief Creative Officer, Jack Emmert gives us an exclusive look at how one of the most important cities in the Champions Online universe came to be.

As promised, today we have an exclusive look at the story behind Millennium City written by Jack Emmert, Chief Creative Officer at Cryptic. For those of our readers living in Millennium City ... errrr Detroit, say hi to Dr. Destroyer for us!

For more information about Millennium City, check out the official Champions Online website.

In July, 1992, one of America's greatest industrial cities, Detroit, ceased to exist.

The criminal mastermind Dr. Destroyer had hatched a new plan for world domination from his secret lair under the streets of the Motor City. He had erected a tractor beam that would drag asteroids down onto the planet and pound the world's population until all embraced Dr. Destroyer. He expected the heroes, as always, to rally together to foil his plot, so he employed dozens of mercenary supervillains across the world to distract the heroes from noticing the doom falling from the sky.

Earth's champions saw through Dr. Destroyer's ruse and split up into several teams to stop Dr. Destroyer. Some tackled the asteroids, others the supervillains. And a few brave souls sought out Dr. Destroyer himself. A group of teenage heroes, from Detroit's nearby Ravenswood Academy, stumbled across Destroyer's underground labs and quickly called for help. The ensuing combat sparked a conflagration that rushed through Detroit. Thousands evacuated as Dr. Destroyer and his minions battled dozens of superheroes. Neighborhoods burned. Buildings collapsed. Streets buckled.

When defeat was imminent, Dr. Destroyer determined that he would not fall into the hands of his masked opponents. The superheroes would not win this day. When asked to surrender, Dr. Destroyer croaked from behind his armor, "Not to the likes of you. If Destroyer must fall, he will fall to his own hand, not to that of his enemies." With those words, Dr. Destroyer activated his deadliest weapon, an orbital bombardment cannon. The resulting blast consumed Destroyer, the heroes, and a large part of Detroit. The city was devastated. Around 60,000 civilians lost their lives.

The President made his way to the ruins of the Renaissance Center and declared that the city would be rebuilt, that it would serve as a beacon of hope, and a symbol of perseverance. America's government, corporations, and people turned towards recreating Detroit into a city for the 21st century. Millennium City was born.

Millennium City now stands as one of the United State's most important cities. Though its population doesn't rival New York City or Los Angeles, Millennium City's economy outpaces even Detroit during the height of the automotive industry. Most high-tech corporations and financial institutions have relocated to Millennium City; perhaps most important, America's biggest superhero team, the Champions, makes its home in the rebuilt Renaissance Center.

The battle with Dr. Destroyer cost the lives of many superheroes. Over a decade has passed and a new generation of heroes is making itself known on the world stage. Each of them is needed desperately to face the challenges that Millennium City faces, for the city has a dark side...

VIPER, the world's most dangerous terrorist organization, is planning something nefarious.

The robotic henchmen of Dr. Destroyer, the Destroids, are now assaulting the Millennium City museum. Something must have activated them as they slumbered, secure in their secret storage location.

The prisoners of the Millennium City jail have rioted and broken out. The police are barely controlling the situation.

The flashy Cult of the Red Banner appears to be just another crime organization that has taken hold of Chinatown. But, various mystics have sensed that there is something far more deadly lurking beneath their colorful appearance.

The docks of Westside have long been an eyesore for Millennium City.

And, of course, many superheroes suspect that other secret labs of Dr. Destroyer wait to be discovered. Since Dr. Destroyer's body was never found, it's possible that he still lives, lurking somewhere beneath the streets.

The city is full of challenges and thrilling experiences. Players will find adventures unlike any other in Millennium City -- one of Champions Online's most exciting locales.

Jack Emmert
Chief Creative Officer
Champions Online