Champions Online open beta dated, preorder bonuses detailed
by Kyle Horner 
Jul 25th 2009 at 9:00AM
Filed under: Betas, New titles, News items, Champions Online
Looking over the preorder bonuses, which you can find after the break, there's some tough choices to be made. If you're the type of person who doesn't like to wait any longer than they have to, then you'll need to go with Gamestop in order to get early access. In addition to that ever-so-tempting early access, GameStop customers will have the chance to "battle an alien menace" and collect exclusive in-game items -- sounds like a world event to us.
However, Amazon is offering both three exclusive in-game items (Harlequin Headpiece, Black Knight Helmet, and Grenade Chest Strap) as well as five extra Cryptic points to be used for what we're assuming are cosmetic purchases. There's also Best Buy and Wal-Mart variations to consider, so choose wisely. We've got them listed after the break with links to the product pages for your convenience.
- GameStop
Receive access to the Early Start Program. Battle an alien menace, collect exclusive items, and join the early start weekend to get a jump on the action! GameStop customers also receive the exclusive Insectoid Airfoil costume piece and Experimental Anti-Graviton Generator flight travel power at character creation for an early boost in mobility. - Wal-Mart
Exclusive Limited Edition Package with collectible lenticular cover that includes an exclusive zone map, iron-on decal and an additional ten in-game micro-transaction dollars! Check online and in-store for more details and other potential offers. - Best Buy
Get the fun and functional Lil' Champ Pack. These persistent pets are iconic, knee-high characters from the Champions universe! Best Buy Customers receive their own Lil' Champ. In addition, Lil' Champ owners also receive a functional damage resistance item. Best Buy preorder customers will also receive access to the Early Start Program and head start weekend. - Amazon
The High Roller Pack is perfect for players who insist on the finest accoutrements for their avatar. With three unique, exclusive apparel options (harlequin headpiece, black knight helmet, grenade chest strap), and an additional five in-game microtransaction dollars, you'll have plenty of options to push your "High Roller" look. - All Champions Online preorders receive guaranteed access to the Champions Online open beta test on August 17, exclusively offered by IGN.com. Additionally, all retail purchases include 30-days of free play and five in-game micro-transaction dollars.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
wolfgangpg said on 9:19AM 7-25-2009
I went with Gamestop, but I sorta wanted the Vanity pet from Best Buy.
Reply
wildwinds said on 9:21AM 7-25-2009
Some euro-love would be nice. No special offers for us poor suckers in the UK :(
Reply
wildwinds said on 9:23AM 7-25-2009
A glimmer of hope for UK customers actually... http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/6080087/Champions-Online/Product.html
Seems like we didn't get forgotten after all! YAY!
Xugu Madison said on 11:19AM 7-25-2009
Amazon UK are showing pre-order bonuses on their site, too: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atari-27871-Champions-Online-PC/dp/B0024FA6EY/
Currently lists (from the pre-order centre):
"Early Server Access before the game's launch
Exclusive digital items including:
- Harlequin Headpiece: An upbeat and amusing accessory for the hero who doesn't take crimefighting too seriously.
- Retro Jetpro: Golden age design meets cutting edge astrodynamics to assist airborne heroes in soaring to new heights."
primetime said on 10:16AM 7-25-2009
Flight over fight any day of the week!
Reply
derella said on 10:26AM 7-25-2009
There will be a sub. It's mentioned on their website that every copy includes 30 days of free game time.
Reply
MrGutts said on 10:32AM 7-25-2009
Wait a damn sec, where are the digital downloads pre-orders?
Reply
TommyB said on 10:54AM 7-25-2009
The fact that they are completely ignoring all EU (except the UK), is very disappointing.
Also some digital preorders would be nice.
Reply
Digest said on 2:08AM 7-26-2009
I guess because its hard to pull off a new MMO in our current state of econmic turmoil they just wanted to be on the safe zone. And adding RMT would be an excuse if it didn't turn out to be as what they are expecting. So I guess theres always a Plan B when launching a NEW mmo.
Reply
Xugu Madison said on 11:21AM 7-25-2009
I don't see a problem with a mixed-payment system, as long as the for-money items are cosmetic only. 3D designers and artists need paying, and if they want to offer items that wouldn't otherwise be made, in exchange for money, they're welcome to do that. I'm unlikely to buy, but that's their problem.
If they're not cosmetic only, then I think it'll be thanks but no thanks.
Reply
Sente said on 2:46PM 7-25-2009
So you are against a game which may offer stuff on top of a subscription fee, that are not mandatory for game play or required to be bought if it would affect game play?
What is the issue with it then? An "F2P" which only uses micro-transactions for payment has not really an upper limit on how much you pay - that is up to you. So the potential cost should not be an issue.
The lower cost limit is higher of course with a subscription-based game than an "F2P" game, but that will always be the case, regardless of which subscription-based game it is.
Their direction for using micro-transactions seems to go in a similar direction to that of City of Heroes/Villains, which in practice has an upper limit on how much you can spend in an account. So they could still be cheaper than an "F2P" game.
While I would rather see a more clear separation of what goes to what (e.g. separate operational costs from new development) if there is some fixed fee to be paid for an MMO I do not mind if they start to diversify the price tags in some way.
More money from _some_ subscribers mean that they presumably can be successful and invest more money into the game with slightly less subscribers than would be needed to be successful with only a subscription fee.
If you want to play the "greed card", I would suggest a more appropriate target would be to hunt down Blizzard, since they most likely could lower their subscription fee substantially and still make a good profit - but they do not. And they also still make you pay extra for some additional services on top of the subscription fee.
Reply
Leshrac said on 11:53AM 7-25-2009
All you guys bitch and moan about how the UK is ignored, how Australia is ignored, how EU is ignored.............its a US gaming company, if you want exclusive and preferred treatment you need to get some of your own development companies on your own dirt. I am so sick of hearing about how everyone is screwed outside of the US, tough shit. Made in the US for the US, we just let you ride the coattails.
Reply
Samael said on 12:20PM 7-25-2009
Spoken like the American people always hate. Even Rome burnt.
nevin said on 12:59PM 7-25-2009
Last time I looked, Cryptic (and pretty much most American companies) were in business to make money.
Ignoring the EU's 495 million population would be about as smart as Leshrac sounds.
Drago Dracini said on 2:46PM 7-25-2009
People like you are why people hate america.
CCon99 said on 4:32PM 7-25-2009
Don't take this asstard as speaking for everyone in the US. I happen to think Cryptic/Atari are digging the games grave with their premature launch, leaving out EU and Asian markets again, and not having separate servers at launch. Those official forums are going to be a very interesting place come August 17th.
Neil said on 12:22PM 7-25-2009
They will ignore EU at their own risk. :) Before Blizzard came along, MMOs like Everquest and such offered poor support for EU. Blizzard, with WoW, have shown that there is a very large market that are willing to pay up.
Reply
Drago Dracini said on 2:45PM 7-25-2009
now I have to decide if I get 15% off it from work(Gamestop) or pay full price for a vanity pet... or the black knight helmet... T.T this sucks.
Reply
Mark said on 7:59PM 7-25-2009
Without wanting to state the obvious..but there are NO separate EU/US providers for this game we will all be playing together.. so although it may cost a little more you can order from US sellers and get those pre orders you want and be safe in the knowledge that you could use them on this side of the pond.
This isnt like most MMO's where Us play on one set of servers and EU play on another.
Reply
wolfgangpg said on 10:28AM 7-26-2009
as peon47, they thought the game would be out by now. They are in massive crunch mode. They basically have a month left. I fully expect a fairly decent size patch after installing the game. The disc will go to press and they (like all MMOs) will continue to work.
They probably couldn't spare Bill or Jack for a week to be at Comic-Con. It would have been nice, but it is crunch time for them.
With all of the Nerd Rage these days -- I wouldn't want to show off something that might have bugs or feature incomplete and read the Nerd Rage for the next 4 weeks.