Champions Online Goes Free-to-Play

Atari and Cryptic Studios have announced that their superhero MMORPG Champions Online has officially gone free-to-play, allowing gamers worldwide to don a costume and a cape without paying a subscription fee. Along with the announcement, we’ve also been treated to a new “Free For All” trailer:

Additional details below:

ATARI AND CRYPTIC STUDIOS LAUNCH CHAMPIONS ONLINE: FREE FOR ALL
Free-to-Play Update Now Available Worldwide
London, United Kingdom – January 25, 2011 Atari Europe, one of the world’s most recognised videogame publishers, and renowned MMO developer Cryptic Studios have announced today the immediate availability of Champions Online: Free for All.
Champions Online: Free For All is a free to play update to Champions Online and features additional premium content for purchase. Adventure Packs, items, powers and costume pieces can be selected a la carte inside Cryptic’s innovative C-Store. Additionally, current players may continue subscribing as Gold Members, while new players may also optionally upgrade to Gold status, which unlocks most of the game’s content and includes extra features for a set price of £10.34 per month.
“We’re thrilled to finally be able to launch Champions Online: Free for All,” said John Needham, CEO, Cryptic Studios. “The Champions team has put an incredibly amount of effort into making Free for All an amazing free-to-play MMO every gamer can enjoy at no cost.”
Champions Online has been lauded since its launch for the nearly limitless options it gives players. The Free For All launch offers even more:
‘¢ Play Everything With the exception of special Adventure Packs, all the content in Champions Online: Free For All is available to every player. Once a player enters a location within the MMO game world, nothing is off-limits!
‘¢ Unlimited Play Time Play as much as you like, as long as you like, at absolutely no cost. No subscription or credit card required.
‘¢ Your Own Hero, Your Own Story Become a hero, encounter his or her Nemesis, and advance to maximum level at no cost.
‘¢ Play Your Way Utilize the optional web-based and in-game C-Store to purchase gameplay upgrades or additional premium content.
Champions Online brings epic heroism to the MMORPG genre with depth that challenges the most experienced online gamers, while its fast-paced action engages new entrants to the online superhero universe. Join with Defender and the legendary Champions to stop Dr. Destroyer and his minions in the ultimate showdown between good and evil.
To learn more about Champions Online: Free for All, and to begin downloading and playing right now at no cost, please visit: http://www.champions-online.com/
ABOUT ATARI, SA
Atari group is a global creator, producer and publisher of interactive entertainment. Atari’s brands and content are available across all key traditional and digital distribution touch points, including browser-based and social online platforms, PC, consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, and advanced smart phones (i.e. iPhone, Android and RIM devices). Divisions of Atari, SA include Cryptic Studios, Eden Studios, Atari Interactive, Inc. and Atari, Inc.

Atari benefits from the strength of its worldwide brand and its extensive catalogue of contemporary classic game franchises (Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Lunar Lander®), original owned franchises (Test Drive®, Backyard Sports®, Deer Hunter®), MMO games from Cryptic Studios (Star Trekâ„¢ Online, Championsâ„¢) and third party franchises (Ghostbusters®, Rollercoaster Tycoon®, Dungeons and Dragons®). Atari also leverages the power of its franchises to deliver movies and merchandise to consumers around the world. For more information please visit: www.atari.com
ABOUT CRYPTIC STUDIOS
Based in Los Gatos, CA, Cryptic Studios is a leading developer of massively multiplayer online games committed to delivering the next level of MMO gameplay. Cryptic develops AAA titles for PC and consoles, including Star Trek Online and Champions Online. For more information on Cryptic Studios, please visit the official website at: www.crypticstudios.com. Cryptic word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Cryptic Studios, Inc.a