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Champions Online releases September State of the Game letter
Champions Online is two years old this month (yep, really), and Cryptic executive producer Rob Overmeyer has taken to the intarwebs to pen a lengthy State of the Game manifesto. The first half of the piece is basically a recap of the game's last few months, and touches on everything from Aftershock to player hideouts. The second portion of the letter focuses on upcoming content patches and also mentions the anniversary event (which is basically a social gathering featuring dev appearances). Upcoming content includes Comic Series 2: Whiteout, a new mini arc, and team missions called alerts that will scale to your level. Overmeyer has more to say, of course, and you can read all about it at the official Champions website.
Champions Online adds housing via new hideout feature
Cryptic Studios is adding another feather to its player-generated content cap via a new Champions Online feature called the hideout. As per the Champions website, "every hero should have a place to call home," and hideouts are "themed environments that allow you to choose and customize your own bit of Champions Online real estate." In other words, welcome to the superhero version of player housing. Each hideout is an account-wide perk with a variety of customizable features (including access to a tailor and a Socrates crime computer terminal). Hideouts also come in four flavors: the basement, cave, moon, and Sanctum varieties. Head to the official Champions website to read more about each option and find out how to unlock hideouts on your account. Also, don't forget to check out the video preview after the break.
Champions Online issues state of the game letter, launches Aftershock Issue 5
We've got double the Champions Online treats for you folks today, as Cryptic has released the June state of the game letter as well as the next issue in the ongoing Aftershock weekly comic series. We'll start with a quick run-down of the state of the game letter. Hideouts will soon be added to the game, giving heroes a place to call their own. The Telekinesis power set review is almost finished, and players should be on the lookout for a mid-July release. A good deal of new items have been added to the C-Store, and Cryptic has also announced that July's additions to the store will follow a fantasy theme, while August's will focus on sci-fi and technology. There's much more to the letter that we simply don't have room for, so head on over to the official site for the full state of the game announcement. Next we come to Aftershock's Issue 5, titled Dark Tower. In this issue, CO players must infiltrate a tower belonging to the nefarious Kings of Edom in order to save Luther Black and the last remaining UNTIL soldiers from a diabolical fate. It's a battle against time, as our heroes must succeed before the arrival of the Kings of Edom themselves, lest the very fabric of the Qliphothic Realm unravel with them trapped inside. Will our heroes survive? Find out in Aftershock, Issue 5.
You're free to play these free-to-play games through Steam
The Steam service just launched a slate of five free-to-play games, available from its client like any other Steam offering. Spiral Knights, Forsaken Worlds, Champions Online: Free for All, Global Agenda: Free Agent, and Alliance of Valliant Arms are now available for download through Valve's service. So why get these F2P clients from Steam instead of just downloading the versions that were previously released through their own websites? Well, for one thing, each game will offer exclusive in-game content to Steam players this week, starting tomorrow in Spiral Knights and ending Sunday in AVA. Furthermore, these games will all support Steam's existing microtransaction backend, making the purchase of in-game content as easy as the impulse-buy of TF2 items. Bye, money!
Cryptic reveals new Devastator archetype video
There's a new heavy weapons-based archetype coming to Champions Online, and Cryptic has unleashed a new trailer to whet your appetite. The Devastator looks to be something of a melee powerhouse if the one-minute clip is any indication, and viewers will be pleased to know that the video is crammed full of dastardly violence, mighty swings of a rather large battle axe, and enough over-the-top villainous atmosphere to fill a year's worth of comic books. The new archetype debuts in today's patch, and you can check out the full trailer after the cut. While you're at it, why not partake of the Devastator discussion on the official Champions Online forums?
Reminder: Champions Online goes free-to-play today
If you've been waiting to try out Champions Online, today is the day to do it. Officially renamed Champions Online: Free-for-All, the game is now free to play for anyone with a PC and an internet connection. Naturally, those who opt for the free "Silver" membership are subject to a few restrictions while those with a paid "Gold" subscription have access to more in-game features like extra costume pieces and adventure packs. Silver members can pay for some of these items a la carte, though certain features are restricted to Gold members. Still confused? Check out the Champions Online FAQ for more info on the differences between Gold and Silver membership. Anyone interested in trying the game out, just head over to the Champions Online website and sign up. Nobody create a hero named Spider-Dude, though. We call dibs on Spider-Dude. Dibs.
