14 DAY TRIAL // Atari, as the publisher, and Cryptic Studios, as the developer, have announced that their superhero based MMO Champions Online is set to become free to play for all those interested beginning with the first quarter of 2011, following the lead of other titles like Lord of the Rings Online.
The base game will be offered by the two companies at no cost, allowing players to experience the entire game world and develop their characters, but Champions Online will also have an in game C-Store, which will allow those players who like the game to spend in order to get as deeper experience.
More content like adventure packs, character items, combat powers and costume pieces can be bought with real world money and will make the in game experience easier for players who lack time but do have money to spend on Champions Online.
Those who have subscriptions at the moment can continue to pay the monthly fee to become Gold members of the MMO, a status that allows them access to the entire game.
New comers who experience the free to play Champions Online can also choose to move up to a Gold status.
The free to play model will get a beta stage starting with November 9.
John Needham, the Chief Executive Officer of Cryptic Studios, has stated, “Transitioning Champions Online to the free-to-play model is a great opportunity to reach a whole new audience of PC gamers that view subscription fees as a barrier to entry.
He added, “By taking care of our current subscription-based community and welcoming the addition of new players through free-to-play, Champions Online is poised to build upon its success and to establish a new leadership position as the first free-to-play superhero MMO.”
The move is designed to help populate the game world and open Champions Online up to more gamers who might me attracted by its theme, with Atari and Cryptic Studios hoping that a significant number of them would be interested in what they see and will pay to get items or Gold status.