Cryptic Studios announced today that players can now sign up for a chance to participate in the first closed beta for Champions Online, an action massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) slated for release in the spring of 2009. This PC specific beta begins in mid-November 2008 and players sign up by visiting www.champions-online.com/preview_application.

“This closed beta is an exciting step in the evolution of Champions Online,” said Jack Emmert, chief creative officer for Cryptic Studios. “All of us here in the Cryptic offices have been playing the game for a while now, and we’re excited to invite others in to have as much fun with Champions Online as we’ve been having internally.”

Champions Online gives players the power of total customization for their hero experience while they explore a vast comic book universe. Gamers create their hero’s name, back story, costume, powers and abilities as well as design their own personal nemesis and his or her back story, which will guarantee a truly unique experience.

The game is said to be coming to Xbox 360 in the future, although we haven’t heard anything in this respect for a while now.