Recently a classmate has joined me in Champions Online, and he brought a friend with him. My character was level 25, and their characters had just barely finished the intro. So what did we do? We teamed up, the lowbie shared their missions. We were just having fun. The game did not stop me from playing with them.
What does the game do that allows you to play with whoever you want?
A) You can scale up/down to the leader's level. If the leader is level 11, everyone can go down, so that the game is properly challenging.
B) Missions can be shared, even if the person is not yet eligible or has already done the mission. They get a shared version of the quest, which allows them to do the quest, and turn it in for a reward. Many quest rewards also allow you to get tokens for special shops instead.
Yup, the game has leveling, but its more as a way to guide you through the storyline and as a way to limit growth so you can experience the game.
Also I recommend everyone having a similar travel power. If you're flying, go all flying, or all acrobatics, or all speed/tunneling (with that in mind, I don't recommend tunneling).
Overall, the experience is a lot of fun, just like any game you play in a group, it is what you make of it, but Champions Online, makes it easier for you to make it fun.
Showing posts with label Champions Online. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Champions Online. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Going Back to Champions Online - part 3
So I created another character a Glacier Archetype (tanky/control). Glaciers are meant to freeze/trap certain enemies while getting a lot of aggro and taking a lot of damage.
One thing I noticed from my typical build is that she needs to auto more (this is true of many builds that don't focus on cost reduction or having more energy). There are some levels along the way that you get choices in power, you get to pick whichever advantages you want for the power, and though your super stats are set, the talents you can pick from the super stats are also yours to choose.
In other words, its like picking a class. All the class roles are there, and for $5 you can get a different one. Making a character without pay for items is actually easy, since MOST of the outfit choices are free. Overall, for just trying out the game, you can play it for free for pretty cheap, and what they do sell are either things to help players who sometimes play alone (sidekicks), who don't play often enough to keep up with friends (XP boosts), and costumes/powersets (which are not needed to play the game).
The interesting thing is the random grab bags. I haven't bought one yet, because I'm not sure what is in them, and whether I should bother at all, since I have gold. So if anyone has done those, please let me know.
One thing I noticed from my typical build is that she needs to auto more (this is true of many builds that don't focus on cost reduction or having more energy). There are some levels along the way that you get choices in power, you get to pick whichever advantages you want for the power, and though your super stats are set, the talents you can pick from the super stats are also yours to choose.
In other words, its like picking a class. All the class roles are there, and for $5 you can get a different one. Making a character without pay for items is actually easy, since MOST of the outfit choices are free. Overall, for just trying out the game, you can play it for free for pretty cheap, and what they do sell are either things to help players who sometimes play alone (sidekicks), who don't play often enough to keep up with friends (XP boosts), and costumes/powersets (which are not needed to play the game).
The interesting thing is the random grab bags. I haven't bought one yet, because I'm not sure what is in them, and whether I should bother at all, since I have gold. So if anyone has done those, please let me know.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Going Back to Champions Online - part 2
I created a new custom character (custom as in powerset) and leveled her up to level 9. A few things from where they were 3 years ago. The game makes the story much more about what YOU are doing. New cutscenes help strengthen that concept.
The Qular invasion intro is much leaner. The positive is that they also bridge the gap between invasion and helping out the city much cleaner and have it make more sense than before. Overall that starting storyline is simply better than it was at launch.
Pre-level 10, the game is very much like the CO of old. You get your powers and what not, but the introduction to gear is done in the powerhouse, with a gift of 3 pieces of primary gear. Even unlocking things with the token system is a better choice (you earn tokens as random drop or as quest rewards).
Tokens allow you to purchase costume pieces, unique travel powers (that can NOT be bought) and gear (if none of the costumes/travel powers interest you). I tried doing a quick search (no more than 30 seconds invested) and I was unable to find images of what the costumes look like. This means that its more of a gamble than the C-store purchase, but I don't believe these are available anywhere else.
Powers also reinforce being used within a single set or origin set (there are crossovers with the elements for example). I built a wind/lightning hybrid, where the idea is that the wind is a natural power and the lightning comes from a special powersuit they have. I ended up picking up a powerform that enhances both crushing (wind) and electric damage, which is great considering the combination I have going.
Coming at 10 is something I experienced with my other character, which is customizing his powers based on what their superstats are. This makes for interesting choices on both the stat level and the role level. You can still customize your powers with things that are particularly good for tanking (it generates more threat), but I wish that ability would change based on your role instead (so that it would do less threat if you were in an offensive position).
But the main issue with the game for many people is how much of it is behind a pay wall. To this point I can agree with the fact that the best parts of the character creator (custom build, travel powers, costume pieces) are not available for free. Despite that, the majority of costumes are free, and there are plenty of travel powers that are free.
I see it like this, you can play the game for free, and if you get to the point where you feel you are having fun and want to invest more in the character, then you are able to do so. Playing the game to completion is not only possible without paying, the only reason to pay is because you feel that the game is something you want.
For those who are now used to this model, getting a custom build for a silver account will cost $50 (this will be a permanent unlock of allowing custom build choices only), most travel powers cost a bit over $5 (becomes available for every character), and most powersets cost about $12 (powersets also are for every character).
I'll be going back and building a character using a powerset to talk more about that and powers in general in the next installment.
The Qular invasion intro is much leaner. The positive is that they also bridge the gap between invasion and helping out the city much cleaner and have it make more sense than before. Overall that starting storyline is simply better than it was at launch.
Pre-level 10, the game is very much like the CO of old. You get your powers and what not, but the introduction to gear is done in the powerhouse, with a gift of 3 pieces of primary gear. Even unlocking things with the token system is a better choice (you earn tokens as random drop or as quest rewards).
Tokens allow you to purchase costume pieces, unique travel powers (that can NOT be bought) and gear (if none of the costumes/travel powers interest you). I tried doing a quick search (no more than 30 seconds invested) and I was unable to find images of what the costumes look like. This means that its more of a gamble than the C-store purchase, but I don't believe these are available anywhere else.
Powers also reinforce being used within a single set or origin set (there are crossovers with the elements for example). I built a wind/lightning hybrid, where the idea is that the wind is a natural power and the lightning comes from a special powersuit they have. I ended up picking up a powerform that enhances both crushing (wind) and electric damage, which is great considering the combination I have going.
Coming at 10 is something I experienced with my other character, which is customizing his powers based on what their superstats are. This makes for interesting choices on both the stat level and the role level. You can still customize your powers with things that are particularly good for tanking (it generates more threat), but I wish that ability would change based on your role instead (so that it would do less threat if you were in an offensive position).
But the main issue with the game for many people is how much of it is behind a pay wall. To this point I can agree with the fact that the best parts of the character creator (custom build, travel powers, costume pieces) are not available for free. Despite that, the majority of costumes are free, and there are plenty of travel powers that are free.
I see it like this, you can play the game for free, and if you get to the point where you feel you are having fun and want to invest more in the character, then you are able to do so. Playing the game to completion is not only possible without paying, the only reason to pay is because you feel that the game is something you want.
For those who are now used to this model, getting a custom build for a silver account will cost $50 (this will be a permanent unlock of allowing custom build choices only), most travel powers cost a bit over $5 (becomes available for every character), and most powersets cost about $12 (powersets also are for every character).
I'll be going back and building a character using a powerset to talk more about that and powers in general in the next installment.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Going back to Champions Online - part 1
Champions Online is the MMO that people seem to forget exists, but still has a group of people playing it. I go back every so often to spend my built up gold on shiny costumes and play around with the character editor.
They've revamped quite a few things, and I'm starting to wonder if I can even play the game with my older characters from 3 years ago. They have this thing where they give you a quest that kinda fixes where you are and what you should be doing, especially if you are low level. Whole zones seem to have been retooled, while keeping the same shape. So I have a great deal of exploring to do. I have a bit of an off week from school, having finished some work ahead of time, and I figured, I'd spend it in Champions Online.
Consider this a 3 year progress report.
First impressions from hopping back on to CO, is that they do an excellent job telling you everything you missed from 3 years ago. They have a nice comic book style set of pages that pop up, they tell you to check out the new stuff, and they also tell you that gear has been revamped, and that new stuff you get will wildly outclass your old stuff. And so far, it is slightly better. They redid the gear system, so you have only a primary and secondary slot.
Along with powers you can specialize starting at level 10 (think a talent system) that is actually based on your primary and secondary stats. This means that an Ego hero will have talents that are different from a Strength hero. Overall, quite a bit of depth has been added to the characters.
As a free to play game, I have trouble rating this, so imagine my review is coming from someone who wants to sub into the game (this gives access to all stories and some costumes as well as custom power sets. The thing is that all of this can be "bought" if you want your silver account to have access to certain benefits without having to keep paying a monthly fee.
Where CO seems to really be trying to define itself is with costumes and powersets. Some costumes can ONLY be unlocked by playing the game, and others require money. They also have a billion and a half new movement powers which I greedily bought. Quite a few are to fit specific characters that I have made (in particular the Phoenix Flight).
The game is still fun, and they even have a new system I'll be checking out which is a sort of Dungeon Finder. Except it has different categories with different rewards. I'll get to those later. The main thing is, is that the game is similar but different. It has progressed leaps and bounds in what it can do, and might be worth another look to people who like making characters and running around with super powers.
I've always liked Champions Online, and quite frankly, they've only improved with time. Though some people will say its more of the same, I don't particularly hate this kind of gameplay. Instead I find it a great form of abnegation.
A few other notes, the game can be hard to solo. It is important to pick up defensive powers and to shield the big attacks. Playing with a friend is more fun, but then again, that's always true. I've been wanting to find a friend to play with, but most people are committed to their games already. I'll update later with my experiences rerolling a character from level 1.
They've revamped quite a few things, and I'm starting to wonder if I can even play the game with my older characters from 3 years ago. They have this thing where they give you a quest that kinda fixes where you are and what you should be doing, especially if you are low level. Whole zones seem to have been retooled, while keeping the same shape. So I have a great deal of exploring to do. I have a bit of an off week from school, having finished some work ahead of time, and I figured, I'd spend it in Champions Online.
Consider this a 3 year progress report.
First impressions from hopping back on to CO, is that they do an excellent job telling you everything you missed from 3 years ago. They have a nice comic book style set of pages that pop up, they tell you to check out the new stuff, and they also tell you that gear has been revamped, and that new stuff you get will wildly outclass your old stuff. And so far, it is slightly better. They redid the gear system, so you have only a primary and secondary slot.
Along with powers you can specialize starting at level 10 (think a talent system) that is actually based on your primary and secondary stats. This means that an Ego hero will have talents that are different from a Strength hero. Overall, quite a bit of depth has been added to the characters.
As a free to play game, I have trouble rating this, so imagine my review is coming from someone who wants to sub into the game (this gives access to all stories and some costumes as well as custom power sets. The thing is that all of this can be "bought" if you want your silver account to have access to certain benefits without having to keep paying a monthly fee.
Where CO seems to really be trying to define itself is with costumes and powersets. Some costumes can ONLY be unlocked by playing the game, and others require money. They also have a billion and a half new movement powers which I greedily bought. Quite a few are to fit specific characters that I have made (in particular the Phoenix Flight).
The game is still fun, and they even have a new system I'll be checking out which is a sort of Dungeon Finder. Except it has different categories with different rewards. I'll get to those later. The main thing is, is that the game is similar but different. It has progressed leaps and bounds in what it can do, and might be worth another look to people who like making characters and running around with super powers.
I've always liked Champions Online, and quite frankly, they've only improved with time. Though some people will say its more of the same, I don't particularly hate this kind of gameplay. Instead I find it a great form of abnegation.
A few other notes, the game can be hard to solo. It is important to pick up defensive powers and to shield the big attacks. Playing with a friend is more fun, but then again, that's always true. I've been wanting to find a friend to play with, but most people are committed to their games already. I'll update later with my experiences rerolling a character from level 1.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Gone for a Lifetime (membership)
I think the most disappointing thing for me is that even playing F2P games, I can't seem to get my friends to play. They would rather be doing something else, in a game they have to pay for. Oh well. So I keep trying to play some of these games, but my motivation goes away every time I try.
Champions Online specifically is more fun, and nicer on the eyes. The menus are especially improved. I'm not sure if I'll ever explore a different MMO unless I know I'll have friends playing. I refuse to invest time if I can't have my friends there.
League of Legends is a great deal of fun, but I'm getting to the point where I need to have someone to team up with. I dipped my toe into rated solo matches, only to realize that bad players are there too.
I tried some solo games for my schooling: namely Sid Meier's Pirates!, Tropico 3, and Age of Empires II. I really am not interested in these kind of sim games. I can see where learning them can benefit how I do things in other games though.
Going through my stats, I found that my number 1 post is for Blood Elf Porn, followed by my WoW in decline post and finally my A Small Voice post where I stated that I was done with Blizzard (I got Warcraft 3 for Christmas last year, so I have been playing that, but to be fair I'm not bothering with forums, and it doesn't seem to be part of the new Battle.net).
I must say that Full Sail University is fun. I'm trying to connect with my classmates, which is hard in an online only environment. I kind of wish I was attending the campus classes. I have a great deal of ideas about games floating in my head, and I'm working hard to find a way to put it on paper in such a way that I could communicate it with others. A great deal of what I'm learning, I already knew, from self study (and reading blogs like Tobold's, Greedy Goblin, and PvD), and others are hitting me hard in the head (leaving me wishing I had a live teacher).
So that's what I've been up to. If you've been waiting for me to come back, then say hello, otherwise, I'll catch you guys later!
Champions Online specifically is more fun, and nicer on the eyes. The menus are especially improved. I'm not sure if I'll ever explore a different MMO unless I know I'll have friends playing. I refuse to invest time if I can't have my friends there.
League of Legends is a great deal of fun, but I'm getting to the point where I need to have someone to team up with. I dipped my toe into rated solo matches, only to realize that bad players are there too.
I tried some solo games for my schooling: namely Sid Meier's Pirates!, Tropico 3, and Age of Empires II. I really am not interested in these kind of sim games. I can see where learning them can benefit how I do things in other games though.
Going through my stats, I found that my number 1 post is for Blood Elf Porn, followed by my WoW in decline post and finally my A Small Voice post where I stated that I was done with Blizzard (I got Warcraft 3 for Christmas last year, so I have been playing that, but to be fair I'm not bothering with forums, and it doesn't seem to be part of the new Battle.net).
I must say that Full Sail University is fun. I'm trying to connect with my classmates, which is hard in an online only environment. I kind of wish I was attending the campus classes. I have a great deal of ideas about games floating in my head, and I'm working hard to find a way to put it on paper in such a way that I could communicate it with others. A great deal of what I'm learning, I already knew, from self study (and reading blogs like Tobold's, Greedy Goblin, and PvD), and others are hitting me hard in the head (leaving me wishing I had a live teacher).
So that's what I've been up to. If you've been waiting for me to come back, then say hello, otherwise, I'll catch you guys later!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Gold Members get $5 free
Champions Online appended their matrix to include that Gold members get a 400 point stipend. That's $5 real world value. This brings it inline with other F2P games that also have a monthly option. Lifetime members get this stipend since they are Gold Members.
How long until that $5 pays you back? 60 months or 5 years. Not too shabby...
How long until that $5 pays you back? 60 months or 5 years. Not too shabby...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Champions Online, F2P Changes, continued
Some more F2P changes, posted 10 days ago on the forums, sorry I'm late with this info, but I've been busy with school.
Passive abilities are getting changed to scale with your Super Stats. The difference here is that certain passives before, required a specific stat. This meant that if you wanted to use Invulnerability, you would have to have really high strength to make it useful. Now you can have the stats you usually use as your Super Stats (two stats that increase the functionality of your powers). This means that builds can actually be more consistent throughout.
Holds are being changed. I'd explain how holds worked before, but it was all rubbish and difficult to understand. Now hold strength is a consistent thing, and hold resistance will apply a direct reduction to a hold (12 seconds to 6 seconds to 3 seconds) on each subsequent cast, and then full resistance for awhile.
Also some new powers:
"Archery: Gas Arrow: Creates a Gas Cloud at your targets location, causing AoE Toxic damage over time to targets in the cloud.
- Darkness: Void Horror: Summons a single controllable pet made of shadow energy.
- Darkness: Summon Shadows: Creates 3 beings of shadow energy that fight your foes for a short while.
- Darkness: Void Shift: Blink out of existence for a moment and lunge at your target.
- Fire: Fire Shield: Fire now has access to a block power of its own! This block can apply Clinging Flames to nearby attackers.
- Ice: Avalanche: You rain down large chunks of ice on your foes.
- Munitions: Steady Shot: An additional Energy Builder for the Munitions Framework, Steady Shot utilizes a well-aimed single pistol to attack your foes.
- Sorcery: Pillar of Poz: Creates a column of magical energy, knocking your foes away from you.
- Sorcery: Hex of Suffering: Your target pulses with magical energy, taking damage and dealing damage to foes near your target.
- Sorcery: Vala's Breath: Heals friends in an area around your target.
- Telekinesis: Ego Blade: A melee Energy Builder that utilizes Ego/Id blades.
- Electricity: Lightning Storm: You repeatedly bring down lightning strikes upon your enemies.
- Force: Force Snap: Creates a burst of Force energy just behind your target, Knocking them toward you.
- Force: Force Geyser: You create a geyser of Force energy under your target, Knocking them up into the air.
- Force: Crushing Wave: A maintained 50 foot cone attack that repels your enemies.
While all of these are subject to change pending testing, these powers should all make it to the Live servers come Free to Play launch."
Passive abilities are getting changed to scale with your Super Stats. The difference here is that certain passives before, required a specific stat. This meant that if you wanted to use Invulnerability, you would have to have really high strength to make it useful. Now you can have the stats you usually use as your Super Stats (two stats that increase the functionality of your powers). This means that builds can actually be more consistent throughout.
Holds are being changed. I'd explain how holds worked before, but it was all rubbish and difficult to understand. Now hold strength is a consistent thing, and hold resistance will apply a direct reduction to a hold (12 seconds to 6 seconds to 3 seconds) on each subsequent cast, and then full resistance for awhile.
Also some new powers:
"Archery: Gas Arrow: Creates a Gas Cloud at your targets location, causing AoE Toxic damage over time to targets in the cloud.
- Darkness: Void Horror: Summons a single controllable pet made of shadow energy.
- Darkness: Summon Shadows: Creates 3 beings of shadow energy that fight your foes for a short while.
- Darkness: Void Shift: Blink out of existence for a moment and lunge at your target.
- Fire: Fire Shield: Fire now has access to a block power of its own! This block can apply Clinging Flames to nearby attackers.
- Ice: Avalanche: You rain down large chunks of ice on your foes.
- Munitions: Steady Shot: An additional Energy Builder for the Munitions Framework, Steady Shot utilizes a well-aimed single pistol to attack your foes.
- Sorcery: Pillar of Poz: Creates a column of magical energy, knocking your foes away from you.
- Sorcery: Hex of Suffering: Your target pulses with magical energy, taking damage and dealing damage to foes near your target.
- Sorcery: Vala's Breath: Heals friends in an area around your target.
- Telekinesis: Ego Blade: A melee Energy Builder that utilizes Ego/Id blades.
- Electricity: Lightning Storm: You repeatedly bring down lightning strikes upon your enemies.
- Force: Force Snap: Creates a burst of Force energy just behind your target, Knocking them toward you.
- Force: Force Geyser: You create a geyser of Force energy under your target, Knocking them up into the air.
- Force: Crushing Wave: A maintained 50 foot cone attack that repels your enemies.
While all of these are subject to change pending testing, these powers should all make it to the Live servers come Free to Play launch."
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Life Time Subscriptions Return!
Champions Online is giving access to their life-time subscription service. This can be bought now, and will translate to the Free to Play change the same way current Life-Time subscribers will be. This also allows access to Life-time only costume pieces, an exclusive pet and title. Furthermore, you get a special color on your Forum Posts name.
More details will be made available later. This costs $299 and includes the price of the game (since the game will be free soon enough). This means that a new lifer, can simply purchase the life-time sub from Cryptic now, and not have to go to the store to get the game first.
I wonder how many people will prefer to have a life time gold membership, instead of purchasing things a la carte for their Silver Membership? In the long run, if you want to have everything, the Life-Time Subscription would be best.
More details will be made available later. This costs $299 and includes the price of the game (since the game will be free soon enough). This means that a new lifer, can simply purchase the life-time sub from Cryptic now, and not have to go to the store to get the game first.
I wonder how many people will prefer to have a life time gold membership, instead of purchasing things a la carte for their Silver Membership? In the long run, if you want to have everything, the Life-Time Subscription would be best.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Champions Online: Consolidated Q & A
Over here to check it out. One of the key answers that I read was that Gold members are distinguished from Silver by how much they can customize. I think I stated this in my last post, but most of the fun in Champions Online is from making your ideal super hero.
Still, many people make similar power choices, and archetypes are repeatedly stated as not being all from the same power set (though early ones will be predominantly of one power set).
If anything, I think they will get more people playing. It might also give them the incentive to pump out more adventure packs and power sets. Both of these are "free" to Gold members, and paid for by Silver members. This can cause Silver members to pay, and Gold members to keep their accounts active.
Still, many people make similar power choices, and archetypes are repeatedly stated as not being all from the same power set (though early ones will be predominantly of one power set).
If anything, I think they will get more people playing. It might also give them the incentive to pump out more adventure packs and power sets. Both of these are "free" to Gold members, and paid for by Silver members. This can cause Silver members to pay, and Gold members to keep their accounts active.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Champions Online: State of the Game
Well Tobold pointed out real quick that Champions Online is going F2P. But they are also pushing through several improvements to the game. I'll try to go over all the benefits of being either Silver (free) or Gold (paid) member.
First of all, if you are a lifetime subscriber you get Gold for free. Essentially, you are in the same boat you are in now, and perhaps a bit better off. If you are paying a monthly fee, you can keep paying and play the game the same way. If you are not paying for Champions Online, playing F2P will be best for you. I think some people who are Gold will switch to Silver, as the restrictions would not be enough to keep them from enjoying the game.
So with those claims made, lets review what the main difference is for not paying a monthly fee.
As Silver your main limitations (or perhaps advantages) are:
They are reworking the opening tutorial, and the progress and narrative of the first 10 levels or so into a more streamlined experience (their claim, I'll post about it when it happens). The other question is, if you still need to buy the game to start playing it (and if you get a free month of Gold). I posted the question in the forums, and I'll let you guys know if I get a response.
Are all these changes final? Actually no, they are going to start a F2P beta in November, and this isn't slotted to come out until the first quarter of 2011. Some things might still change, regardless of all that, is that as it is right now, if you don't care about changing the color of your powers, priority login and or making a customized power set, then Silver will be your best choice.
Edit:
Got my answer pretty quick:
First of all, if you are a lifetime subscriber you get Gold for free. Essentially, you are in the same boat you are in now, and perhaps a bit better off. If you are paying a monthly fee, you can keep paying and play the game the same way. If you are not paying for Champions Online, playing F2P will be best for you. I think some people who are Gold will switch to Silver, as the restrictions would not be enough to keep them from enjoying the game.
So with those claims made, lets review what the main difference is for not paying a monthly fee.
As Silver your main limitations (or perhaps advantages) are:
- no customized power sets: You get Basic Archetypes (8), and purchasable Gold Archetypes (coming later, these are automatically available to Gold Members, it is more cost effective to do one time purchases for these). These are predetermined power sets. You can only customize where you spend your advantages. The Archetype examples they gave were "The Blade" or "The Brute". Since choosing if you are a Brick or a Striker is based on what advantages you choose, it is not exactly like picking a class.
- Only 2 character slots: You can purchase more. Gold members start with 8 and can not only purchase more, they can EARN (having a Gold account for over 200 days, and 1 for each character that reaches 40) more, which Silver members cannot.
- Need to pay for Adventure Packs: although like other F2P games, it might be better to be able to do the one time purchase. This will depend on the cost of the adventure packs.
- Not all costumes available at start: There are over 3,000 costume pieces available. There are then Gold Costumes that Silver will have to purchase, as well as Premium Costumes that both have to purchase. Again, it might be better to just be a Silver player and purchase these costume pieces as you need them.
- No Bonus Costume Slots: Except for the Super Group bonus, Silver members must pay for additional Costumes. Gold Members earn costumes at 15, 30, SuperGroup and by being a Gold member for 300 days (as well as purchasable).
- Only 1 bag slot: 3 more purchasable. This may end up being cheaper as a one time purchase.
- Not all Travel Powers Accessible: They have Basic and Gold Travel powers, this is once again a situation where the one time purchase is better.
- No Power tinting: Only Gold Members can change the colors of their powers. Not purchasable.
- Auction House limited: Silver members can only post 5 items at a time. Gold can post 10 at a time. The ability to post more at a time is available to both Silver and Gold members.
- Temporary Limitations for Chat, Mail and SuperGroup CREATION: for the first 20 hours there are some chats and mail can not be done and the rate (or amount) you can send is limited, and SG creation is not available for the first 20 hours of Silver Accounts.
- Forum limitations: Silver members can read all forums, but can only post in certain areas.
- Customer Service: Silver members only get Knowledge base type help. Gold Members get live support (they say free, but you are paying $15 a month for it).
- No priority Login: Only Gold members get priority login.
They are reworking the opening tutorial, and the progress and narrative of the first 10 levels or so into a more streamlined experience (their claim, I'll post about it when it happens). The other question is, if you still need to buy the game to start playing it (and if you get a free month of Gold). I posted the question in the forums, and I'll let you guys know if I get a response.
Are all these changes final? Actually no, they are going to start a F2P beta in November, and this isn't slotted to come out until the first quarter of 2011. Some things might still change, regardless of all that, is that as it is right now, if you don't care about changing the color of your powers, priority login and or making a customized power set, then Silver will be your best choice.
Edit:
Got my answer pretty quick:
Hey Pangoria,
When Champions Free-to-Play launches, a retail copy will not be required. Players can download the client for free.
Because physical retail copies are still in circulation and digital clients will continued to be offered at places like Steam and D2D, we're going to try and price that client at $14.99. It will also still include 30-days of free gameplay, which will functionally become 30-days of Gold Membership. So, if you buy the box or a digital client when Champions Free-to-Play launches, you pay the same price as one month of Gold Membership and you get one month of Gold Membership out of it. That seemed like the most elegant solution.
To reiterate, a box will not be necessary. You can still download the free client and either play as a Silver Player free of charge or elect to subscribe and become a Gold Member.
I hope that answers your question.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
;heroicsit
Friday, September 24, 2010
Free Champions Online Giveaway!
MMOSanctuary is doing a Champions Online giveaway. Here is the contest page. Why not give it a try and get a free Champions Online game! Open to anyone, anywhere in the world! (or so they say!)
All you have to do is register, then go back to their contest page. You start off with enough points after registering to enter the contest. If you are already a member and have additional points, you can register more times!
Now, there is only 5 entrants right now (I'm one of them), I figured, why not have MORE people signing up for a free copy! So go for it! Especially if you've been on the fence about this game, give it a free go! Contest ends late October (details on their page).
All you have to do is register, then go back to their contest page. You start off with enough points after registering to enter the contest. If you are already a member and have additional points, you can register more times!
Now, there is only 5 entrants right now (I'm one of them), I figured, why not have MORE people signing up for a free copy! So go for it! Especially if you've been on the fence about this game, give it a free go! Contest ends late October (details on their page).
Friday, September 10, 2010
Looking back at the Champions Online Anniversary
Found an excellent article on Massively about CO. Thought I'd share it.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Naming your Champion
When you create a Cryptic account, you are asked for a few things: An Account name that is used to log-in, your e-mail, a password (to be used in conjunction with your account name), and a Handle (which is what most people out there are calling the @accountname), your birthday, and verification of humanity (captcha).
So, when I tell people that my Champions Online account name is @Pangoria, I'm actually talking about my Handle. So lets get our naming suggestions cleared up, and actually call it @Handle from now on (I'm as guilty of furthering this misconception as others).
Monday, September 6, 2010
Champions Online, Anniversary and Supergroup
The anniversary has been good fun, and a few people according to the chats are planning on purchasing the game based on the experience of playing it during the free period.
According to Tobold, Direct2Drive is going to be selling CO for $6. I do encourage people to pick this game up, the creativity of costumes is boundless, and costume sets are often as cheap as $3.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Champions Online - State of the Game Aug. 24th
So an update is coming soon for CO, which will bring with it, such excellent things as: Supergroup improvements, an updated Renaissance Center (the main hub of Millennium City) , many new emotes, a harder difficulty setting, costume unlock fixes, and more tights!
They had planned to release a pet update, but they weren't satisfied with the results, so they'll be holding back on it for now. They are also doing a 1-week promotion to celebrate their 1 year anniversary. So I invite everyone to try this game again for FREE (unrestricted to boot!) from Sept. 1st to Sept 7th (ends 3am PST). You can go to their website and sign up and download the client now, if you want to get a head start! (and as always they have their unlimited demo that you can play within the starting crisis zone).
To top it off, they also have another Adventure Pack coming out at the end of September/early October, called the Demon Flame. The best part about these adventure packs is that they scale, so you can go in there at any level and have some awesome fun. They are very cohesive, and give you a little story line each.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Movement in Games
One of the most important aspects of playing a game is feedback. When you press a button, you see something happen, and witnessing the actions that play out on the screen, you learn how to react to situations that crop up in the game.
One of the first types of feedback you get in a game, is moving your character. Whether it is a 2d game or a WASD computer game, one of your first interactions is movement. Left, right, jumping, turning, back and forth. You mouse over an object, and the icon changes to reflect an action that can be taken. You come into range of an enemy and a button lights up. You click on something, and it glows, letting you know that your interaction was successful.
Because of all of this, one of the most important things any game must do, is to ensure that movement in their game is fun, fluid, and fancy (I needed another f word).
One of the biggest issues that repeatedly comes up with video games, is the "underwater level". Adventure games tend to run across this the most, since they usually have different types of levels to help vary the landscape of their games (the mountain level, the ice level, the fire level, etc etc.). Movement in the underwater areas, are usually tedious and un-fun, yet developers have been putting it in for years now, as if their version was the best one ever.
With MMOs in particular, the move important type of feedback is actually the chat box. The biggest complaint I heard from people who liked WAR? The chat box!
My complaint about Champions Online is the chat box. Again, my feedback to talk to others is hindered!
What is the most important aspect of a video game to you?
One of the first types of feedback you get in a game, is moving your character. Whether it is a 2d game or a WASD computer game, one of your first interactions is movement. Left, right, jumping, turning, back and forth. You mouse over an object, and the icon changes to reflect an action that can be taken. You come into range of an enemy and a button lights up. You click on something, and it glows, letting you know that your interaction was successful.
Because of all of this, one of the most important things any game must do, is to ensure that movement in their game is fun, fluid, and fancy (I needed another f word).
One of the biggest issues that repeatedly comes up with video games, is the "underwater level". Adventure games tend to run across this the most, since they usually have different types of levels to help vary the landscape of their games (the mountain level, the ice level, the fire level, etc etc.). Movement in the underwater areas, are usually tedious and un-fun, yet developers have been putting it in for years now, as if their version was the best one ever.
With MMOs in particular, the move important type of feedback is actually the chat box. The biggest complaint I heard from people who liked WAR? The chat box!
My complaint about Champions Online is the chat box. Again, my feedback to talk to others is hindered!
What is the most important aspect of a video game to you?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Auction Expired
So for the first time in Champions Online, I've had my auction expire. It did take a while, so I suppose that I either was charging too much, or someone just wasn't looking for it.
One of the best things about all the items you get in CO is that you can use them to get raw materials for your crafting. Now this is very necessary, since "disenchanting" the items into mats, gives you skill points, and you need those skill points every time you change specialties.
If you do decide to switch, you at least "remember" all of your designs etc., and you can go back anytime... you'll just have level the crafting back up, which, for enough money, can be done while getting resources.
Moving on....
The benefits of inviting a friend to Champions Online are as follows:
As soon as your friend or family creates an account, he or she becomes your recruit. You'll both receive an exclusive in-game action figure!
You will be linked automatically in the friends list, and be able to teleport to each other anytime! (This doesn't end, and is a permanent gift for recruiting your friend)
For the first 15 days, you'll get 5% bonus Experience, 5% bonus Resources (money), and 5% bonus Damage.
For each recruit that purchases Champions Online, you get an extra costume slot, and the first two converts gives you a bonus item. One is a powerhouse teleporter, and the other one takes you to the nearest transport location (helicopters that take you to another zone).
Every recruit gives you 400 cryptic points ($5 value) and every two gets you a free 30 days.
It does seem like they want people to bring their friends into the game. I'm not sure how effective this is, but it does seem to cover something that each type of player would want as a reward.
One of the best things about all the items you get in CO is that you can use them to get raw materials for your crafting. Now this is very necessary, since "disenchanting" the items into mats, gives you skill points, and you need those skill points every time you change specialties.
If you do decide to switch, you at least "remember" all of your designs etc., and you can go back anytime... you'll just have level the crafting back up, which, for enough money, can be done while getting resources.
Moving on....
The benefits of inviting a friend to Champions Online are as follows:
As soon as your friend or family creates an account, he or she becomes your recruit. You'll both receive an exclusive in-game action figure!
You will be linked automatically in the friends list, and be able to teleport to each other anytime! (This doesn't end, and is a permanent gift for recruiting your friend)
For the first 15 days, you'll get 5% bonus Experience, 5% bonus Resources (money), and 5% bonus Damage.
For each recruit that purchases Champions Online, you get an extra costume slot, and the first two converts gives you a bonus item. One is a powerhouse teleporter, and the other one takes you to the nearest transport location (helicopters that take you to another zone).
Every recruit gives you 400 cryptic points ($5 value) and every two gets you a free 30 days.
It does seem like they want people to bring their friends into the game. I'm not sure how effective this is, but it does seem to cover something that each type of player would want as a reward.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
State of the Game: July 20
Just a quick link to Champions Online, State of the Game address. Cool stuff in the horizon!
Some cool things are an updated Ren Center, and new costume options (coming free with the update).
Some cool things are an updated Ren Center, and new costume options (coming free with the update).
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Champions - More Fun than Before
Time is passing, and Champions Online is becoming more and more fun. Now, I still don't play as often as I'd like (with having to use my wife's computer and all, since it doesn't run will on Linux, and even if it did I'm down to only 1gb of RAM), and so my highest level toon is 18 (about to hit 19). One good thing about this experience, is that I got to try out the Serpent expansion zone on a low level hero.
Now to get to it, I had to talk to an UNTIL agent over by the Helicopter that takes you to the Desert and Canada. He gives you a mission to go visit UNTIL headquarters. Once there, I got the mission to go to the Jungle in Africa, and I went to a helicopter inside UNTIL HQ, and that took me to the new zone.
The first zone there is pretty small. I did a few steps of the mission, nothing out of the ordinary. I was pretty much by myself, since I imagine many people are higher level than me, or haven't figured out how to get there.
Aside from a new zone to explore, the game is becoming more fun as I tweak the UI, and get accustomed to navigating the world. The AH has an icon on the map now (which I might have pointed out before), and searching for an item is easier.
My favorite thing is how an auction can stay in there indefinitely. Often times, I'll post several things and come back a couple of weeks later to find everything sold. When you log in, you get your money automatically, and you can even check your mail from the website, to know if you have money coming.
I like the website integration, in that I can mail someone from outside the game, and they get the message in the game.
Now to get to it, I had to talk to an UNTIL agent over by the Helicopter that takes you to the Desert and Canada. He gives you a mission to go visit UNTIL headquarters. Once there, I got the mission to go to the Jungle in Africa, and I went to a helicopter inside UNTIL HQ, and that took me to the new zone.
The first zone there is pretty small. I did a few steps of the mission, nothing out of the ordinary. I was pretty much by myself, since I imagine many people are higher level than me, or haven't figured out how to get there.
Aside from a new zone to explore, the game is becoming more fun as I tweak the UI, and get accustomed to navigating the world. The AH has an icon on the map now (which I might have pointed out before), and searching for an item is easier.
My favorite thing is how an auction can stay in there indefinitely. Often times, I'll post several things and come back a couple of weeks later to find everything sold. When you log in, you get your money automatically, and you can even check your mail from the website, to know if you have money coming.
I like the website integration, in that I can mail someone from outside the game, and they get the message in the game.
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