Online game maker Cryptic Studios said its most recent MMORPG, the Atari-published Champions Online, has garnered over 1 million created superhero characters, but the size of the subscriber base is unclear.

Cryptic is the studio that created the MMORPGs City of Heroes and City of Villains, NCsoft-published superhero properties that are still in development by other studios. Atari acquired Cryptic earlier this year as part of the publisher's stronger focus on online gaming.

While Cryptic and Atari said the game has surpassed 1 million created characters, the companies did not reveal exact subscriber numbers. Players are able to create multiple characters per account using the game's robust character creation system.

On NPD Group's September PC game retail charts, Champions Online ranked third, following the top game Aion, a new MMRPG from NCsoft, and Electronic Arts' The Sims 3. Champions Online launched September 1 this year.

The superhero MMO genre is becoming increasingly crowded, with Sony Online Entertainment developing DC Universe Online, due next year for PlayStation 3 and PC, and Marvel Universe Online from Gazillion Entertainment, which signed a 10-year licensing agreement with comic book publisher Marvel.