Champions Online Going Free-to-Play This Month

The promised free-to-play option for Cryptic's superhero MMORPG Champions Online will launch on January 25, it was revealed today.

Free-to-play users will be able to play for as long as they please without buying the game or subscribing. However, they'll face numerous restrictions and will have to pay if they want to experience certain content. Those who choose to pay the $14.99 monthly 'Gold' subscription fee won't face these limitations. Both groups of players can buy assorted microtransaction goodies, including more bits for character customisations.

Alternatively, if you have $299 kicking around you can buy a lifetime Gold subscription, as the option returned last year--curiously costing $99 more than when first introduced.

The timing of this announcement is doubtless intended to take a little wind out of DC Universe Online's sails, as Sony Online Entertainment's DC Comics universe MMORPG launched today with big-name characters including Batman, Superman and Lex Luthor.

Thanks to Shacker 'Onward, to futility!' for the tip-off and smile-inducing Shackname.