Champions Online: Free for All has drawn hundreds of thousands of players to the virtual world, increasing Champions Online's online concurrent user, unique login and revenue totals by over 1,000 percent!

As a special thank you to all current, new and returning players, we created a special, free XP boost available for pick-up inside the Champions Online game in the C-Store's Bonus tab. The boost increases the speed at which a player gains experience for completing missions and defeating enemies. Players just need a free account or a Gold Membership and they may then claim the free boost either inside the Champions Online game or even on the web C-Store, located here: http://www.champions-online.com/store

Atari Europe, and 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.

"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."



To learn more about Champions Online: Free for All, and to begin downloading and playing right now at no cost, visit: http://www.champions-online.com/

Atari Inc and renowned MMO developer Cryptic Studios, have announced that the Free-to-Play update to the superhero MMORPG Champions Online will be available worldwide on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

Champions Online: Free For All also 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 $14.99 per month.

"It's a genuine pleasure to be able to announce our release date for Champions Online: Free for All," said John Needham, CEO, Cryptic Studios. "On January 25, 2011, any gamer or would-be superhero can play within the ever-improving world of Champions Online for no cost."

Champions Online has been lauded since its launch for the nearly limitless options it gives players. The completely free to play Free For All update offers even more:

Atari Inc., one of the world's most recognized videogame publishers, and renowned MMO developer Cryptic Studios have announced today that the superhero MMORPG, Champions Online™, will be free to play beginning Q1 2011. Players will be able to download and enjoy the game at absolutely no cost.

Champions Online free-to-play will also feature 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 $14.99 per month.

"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."

Champions Online has been lauded since its launch for the customization options it gives players. The switch to free-to-play gives players even more control over their gameplay:

· 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.

The Champions Online free-to-play closed beta test begins on November 9, 2010 and will be made available to a subset of current players, with potential openings for new users.
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.