City of Heroes: Freedom -- Free 2 Play! - Games

[img]http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/11/june/freeeeeeeedom.jpg[/img] [h2]LAUNCHING LATER THIS YEAR[/h2] City of Heroes Freedom, [b]launching later this year[/b], will be the new name for the award-winning super-powered massively multiplayer online game, City of Heroes. City of Heroes Freedom redefines City of Heroes based on the cornerstones of content, rewards, and choice. With City of Heroes Freedom, you will get the freedom to play and pay as you choose. Freedom is the Future [release][h2]Subscription Differences[/h2] There are three types of users [list]Free[/list] [list]Premium - Returning members[/list] [list]VIP - Pay Per Month[/list] [IMG]http://i54.tinypic.com/2n7jtpz.jpg[/IMG] [/release] [release][h2]The Paragon Rewards Program[/h2] Current players of City of Heroes have enjoyed the Veteran Rewards program for years. Under that program, players received new bonuses for every three months they subscribed to the game. With the launch of City of Heroes Freedom, Paragon Rewards will replace the Veteran Rewards program. Paragon Rewards gives you credit for every single month you are a VIP player, not every three. In addition, purchasing Paragon Points for use in the Paragon Market will improve your Paragon Rewards standing. You'll be able to select from all the rewards that you to could find in the Veteran Rewards in the Paragon Rewards program and new rewards exclusive to the Paragon Rewards program, as well. [b]If you were a City of Heroes subscriber previously, you will find all of your previous Veteran Rewards intact, even if you are not a VIP player.[/b] All City of Heroes Freedom players will be able to use the Paragon Rewards program to select from rewards that include costume parts, powers, auras, badges, account wide enhancements and services, and repeatable monthly rewards. [/release] [release][h2]FAQ[/h2] [b]Q:[/b] I am currently a subscriber to City of Heroes. What does this change mean for me? [b]A:[/b] All current City of Heroes subscribers will automatically be upgraded to VIP accounts when City of Heroes Freedom launches. When City of Heroes Freedom launches, you will continue to enjoy all of the subscription benefits and content you enjoy today, as well as brand-new exclusive rewards, features, and services. Additionally, beginning on July 1, 2011, you will earn 400 Paragon Points each month. When City of Heroes Freedom launches, you will become a VIP player, and you will already a sum of Paragon Points built up for the store. [b]Q:[/b] Will booster packs be available from the Paragon Market? [b]A:[/b] Super boosters and booster packs will no longer be available for sale when City of Heroes Freedom launches. The costumes, powers, emotes, and auras from super boosters and booster packs will be available for sale individually or as part of different bundles in the Paragon Market. [/release] [h2]Launch Day Content/Media[/h2] [b][u][h2]New Zone: First Ward[/h2][/b][/u] [IMG]http://i55.tinypic.com/4jlg1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/1z1btac.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i51.tinypic.com/23h6gqo.jpg[/IMG] [h2]New Giant Monster: Seed of Hamidon[/h2] The Seed of Hamidon roams the warped skies of First Ward [IMG]http://i52.tinypic.com/33lp45d.jpg[/IMG] [h2]New Incarnate Trial: The Underground[/h2] [IMG]http://i55.tinypic.com/2en9o1v.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i55.tinypic.com/33b3iuh.jpg[/IMG] [h2]New Power Set: Time Manipulation[/h2] Time Manipulation is a new primary power set for Defenders, and a secondary power set for Controllers, Corrupters, and Masterminds. It's available free to all VIP players. Channel potent temporal energies to alter the very forces of time to help your allies or devastate your foes. [IMG]http://i52.tinypic.com/2vci1k7.jpg[/IMG] [h2]New Costume Sets: IDF and Defense[/h2] [IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/2rorpzd.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i52.tinypic.com/be60kw.jpg[/IMG] [h2]New Starting Experience[/h2] Galaxy City is under attack, and you are thrown immediately into the middle the it. A new co-op tutorial orients you in the world of City of Heroes, testing you with the moral choices that will determine your future as a Hero or a Villain. [IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/2007nv4.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/acua0p.jpg[/IMG]

can't join super groups? siiggggghhhhhh

They just fucked free players in the ass didnt they? And hell even prem players dont get full shit. Just play Champions Online, you can actually do stuff there.

[QUOTE=Louis;30697516]They just fucked free players in the ass didnt they? And hell even prem players dont get full shit. Just play Champions Online, you can actually do stuff there.[/QUOTE] I do agree that the free accounts are crap, however i feel that this game is much better than Champions Online gameplay wise and i will be playing it upon release of the free to play version.

They got butthurt that CO was getting more players so they copied CO. What will become Free to Play next, Half Life 2?

[QUOTE=TheGronk;30699570]They got butthurt that CO was getting more players so they copied CO. What will become Free to Play next, Half Life 2?[/QUOTE] I thought City of Heroes is handled by the same developers as Champions Online? v:v:v

[QUOTE=TheGronk;30699570]They got butthurt that CO was getting more players so they copied CO. What will become Free to Play next, Half Life 2?[/QUOTE] *cough* TF2 just went F2P, so that isn't that ridiculous *cough*

[QUOTE=RikohZX;30702442]I thought City of Heroes is handled by the same developers as Champions Online? v:v:v[/QUOTE] Both games are made by Cryptic, just commissioned to different publishers.

[QUOTE=RikohZX;30702442]I thought City of Heroes is handled by the same developers as Champions Online? v:v:v[/QUOTE] *shrug*

[QUOTE=RikohZX;30702442]I thought City of Heroes is handled by the same developers as Champions Online? v:v:v[/QUOTE] City of Heroes was originally handled by Cryptic Studios, but sometime after the announcement of Champions Online there was a falling out. Paragon Studios was created and now they run the game. [editline]26th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=TheGronk;30699570]They got butthurt that CO was getting more players so they copied CO.[/QUOTE] :doh:

I think City of Heroes plays alot better than Champions. It starts alot faster though so maybe that was just the influence it had on me since I didn't play Champions too long. From what I've heard though I wouldn't consider DC:Universe Online until it goes free. But anyway, I won't be playing. I like the idea of a free option, but with one so gimped as this there's no real point playing. If you wanted to get premium later so you could play the game you'd have to reroll your character to not be shit. [editline]27th June 2011[/editline] Oh also scratch that "starts alot faster" thing. They are now implementing a new starting area so it's irrelevant, but aswell as that it looks like the standard instanced starting zone like CO had. Which is the problem I had with CO's start.

City of Heroes is significantly better than Champions online will ever be. Glad to see that it's going free now.

Read only forum even for premiums? Haha

Downloading this right now, how the hell do people make amazing dragons like this? [quote=dragons!][img_thumb]http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/3444/dragonsgkl6.jpg[/img_thumb][/quote] I hope it isn't as bad as Champions Online. Either gunna make a dragon or a mech or something.

[QUOTE=Nifae;30740884]Downloading this right now, how the hell do people make amazing dragons like this? I hope it isn't as bad as Champions Online. Either gunna make a dragon or a mech or something.[/QUOTE] Remember, it's not out yet.

What worries me is the fact of Free2Play Players lacking Broadcast chat. That's the primary way of finding teams.

[QUOTE=Chilblain;30768518]What worries me is the fact of Free2Play Players lacking Broadcast chat. That's the primary way of finding teams.[/QUOTE] iirc there's a menu for players looking for teams (and I'd rather have that than World spammers)

Actually can't wait for this, P2P had always put me off.

I guess I'm premium then. Can I still play my old characters?

[QUOTE=DeandreT;30847163]I guess I'm premium then. Can I still play my old characters?[/QUOTE] I'd assume so, it's says plus slots that were unlocked.

I just reactivated my account and still have my characters. All of them were offline for about 2000 days. Lucky for me, I can afford paying for a subscription. I enjoy this game way more than WoW.

Wait what the fuck they made it so you get epics at LEVEL 20 NOW? That was the whole reason I got both my hero and villain 50, and now I pretty much got nothing out of it since I had like several level 20s on my account.

I must say, recently I've been playing a lot of City of Heroes. I know I'm pretty much speaking to the choir here, but I definitely think that this game is worth the monthly fee. It's just a shame that the Free2Play accounts are pretty much glorified trial accounts.

If they want to let people play the free version, why did they make it WORSE than the Champions Online free version?

[QUOTE=KigJow;31513492]If they want to let people play the free version, why did they make it WORSE than the Champions Online free version?[/QUOTE] They're worried that "If we give the free players too much the subscribers will begin to complain" However, you can purchase a ton through the shop and the Paragon Rewards system will grant you benefits for just earning a certain number of tokens. For example, earning 13 Paragon Reward Tokens in total will grant you access to the Mastermind and Controller archetypes for Free and Premium accounts. They also said that they're trying to keep Subscription as a more favourable option. To be honest it seems they're making free accounts glorified trial accounts.

And I thought the Champions Online F2P was bad.

Here's a list of rewards for Free and Premium players that can be obtained through the Paragon Rewards program. [quote]Paragon Reward Tier 1 Permissions Unlocked by: Creating an account or already having an account. Free Player Receives the following: • Limited Costume Options/Unlimited Costume Preview • 2 Character Slot Tokens • No Super Groups • Cannot use Invention Origin enhancements • Limited Chat Channels (No access to: tell, broadcast, global and request) • No Mission Architect • Limited Drops (Only small inspirations, no salvage, no recipes) • No Trading • Influence Cap (25,000,000) • No Merits • Cannot access the Auction House • Limited Inventory • No access to Incarnate content, powers and drops. Paragon Reward Meter Tier 2 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Trustworthy badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Join Supergroups • Supergroup Chat • Additional Chat Channel (Tells) • Trading • Increased Maximum Influence (500,000,000) • Increase Inventory Size (+2 Salvage & Vault, +1 Recipe) • Email Access • Play Mission Architect (no rewards) Paragon Reward Meter Tier 3 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Loyal badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Access to all Chat Channels (Global, Broadcast and Request) • Increased Maximum Influence (1,000,000,000) • Increased Inventory Size (+3 Salvage & Vault, +1 Recipe) Paragon Reward Meter Tier 4 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Steadfast badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Earn Reward Merits • Earn Vanguard Merits • Increased Inventory Size (+3 Salvage & Vault, +1 Recipe, +1 Auction House) • Increased Maximum Influence Cap (2,000,000,000) • Play Mission Architect w/ Rewards • Medium Inspirations Drop • Lifetime Auction House License. Paragon Reward Meter Tier 5 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Addicted badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Access to Mastermind Archetype • Access to Controller Archetype • Increased Inventory Size (+3 Salvage & Vault, +2 Recipe, +1 Auction House) Paragon Reward Meter Level 6 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Abiding badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Lifetime access to Mission Architect • Increased Inventory Size (+3 Salvage & Vault, +1 Recipe, +1 Auction House) Paragon Reward Meter Tier 7 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Purposeful badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Lifetime access to the Invention System • Increased Inventory Size (+3 Salvage & Vault, +2 Recipe, +1 Auction House) Paragon Reward Meter Tier 8 Permissions Unlocked By: Earning the Radiant badge from the Paragon Rewards Program meter. All Players Receive the Following: • Large Inspiration Drops • Increased Inventory Size (+3 Salvage & Vault, +2 Recipe, +1 Auction House) • VIP ONLY: +150 Paragon Points to monthly VIP stipend. [/quote] In other words, if you have a high enough status as a Veteran, you will gain almost all the privileges a VIP has. The only things you can't do as a Tier 8 Premium are, if I'm reading right, are: -Form a Supergroup -Form a Chat Channel -Use the Incarnate System -Create Praetorian characters, play Praetorian content and use the Morality System (Purchaseable) -Use the Epic Archetypes (Peacebringers, Warshades, Arachnos Soldiers and Widows) (Purchaseable) -Edit Bases (Oh, and you might gain limited access to Inventions at an earlier reward level, but I'm not sure.)

Can't wait for this. I used to play this years ago at a friend's house, so I'm excited to finally own it for myself. IMO, City of Heroes > Champions Online.

The Freedom VIP preview has just hit live. I'll try and snag a picture or two for you guys if I can.

Finally, I was waiting this for long time.