Champions Online Going Free-to-Play Next Year

Superhero MMO going free-to-play next year.

Champions based MMO "Champions Online" will be transitioning to a free-to-play model in Q1 2011 according to publisher Atari.

The free-to-play model will make the game available to all for free, premium content in the form of items, adventure packs, and costumes will be available via the Cryptic Store. A subscription or "Gold status" will still be present in the game but optional. Purchasing a subscription will unlock a majority of the extra content and include bonus items exclusive to subscribers.

"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," said John Needham, CEO of Cryptic Studios.  "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."

A closed beta giving players a glimpse of the upcoming changes will begin November 9th, 2010. Initial beta testers will be chosen from current subscribers with public applications opening up at a later date.

Champions Online launched in September 2009 for the PC. An Xbox 360 port was in development but confirmed canceled earlier this year.