14 DAY TRIAL // Champions Online, the Cryptic-created and Atari-published super hero-oriented MMO, is set to arrive on September 1 and the developers and publishers are trying some interesting tactics to get players to sign up for the long term with the game, rather than getting a subscription for only one month that can be constantly extended.
Cryptic has unveiled a life time subscription, which costs 200 dollars, bringing a costume set, called Retro Future, a Foxbat action figure that can be used in the game and a new type of outfit, which can be employed in Champions Online.
Those who opt for the life time subscription get access to the online beta stage for the next MMO that Cryptic is putting together, Star Trek Online. The beta stage is expected to be launched early in 2010 and the full game will be introduced before the end of that year.
Champions Online is also delivering a six-month subscription, priced at 60 dollars, which offers access to the above detailed beta and the art deco costume. The two offers are only available to players before the official launch of the game.
Champions Online is a MMO based on an old pen and paper super hero-oriented system and Cryptic, which has also worked on City of Heroes, promises that players will be able to customize their heroes thoroughly before choosing the life of a paragon of goodness or of a villain in a fully detailed world set to evolve as the players evolve themselves and that can be shaped by the choices they make. The PC version of the game is now pretty much done and Cryptic is also working on an Xbox 360 version of Champions Online.
Recent MMOs launched, from Hellgate: London to Tabula Rasa, have been less than successful and others, like The Matrix Online, have been closed down. Let's hope that Champions Online has a little more success.