Champions Online lifetime subscribers get to share the love
by Eliot Lefebvre 
Oct 3rd 2009 at 12:00PM
Filed under: Super-hero, News items, Casual, Champions Online
There was no shortage of people excited about the prospect of lifetime subscriptions for Champions Online, and for fans of the game it's probably already paid off with interest. But, needless to say, some of the more financially-savvy members of the community were probably wondering how Cryptic would deal with the fact that it was no longer going to be getting a monthly payment from its lifetime subscribers.
Apparently, the answer is that they're making it even easier for Champions Online's lifetime subscribers to share the love. This morning, all those with a lifetime subscription received three free buddy passes in their mail - each one good for 14 days of free play time. It's a smart move on Cryptic's part, and it's also a wonderful opportunity for the very vocal lovers of the game to get more new players interested and invested in the game.
If you were one of the subscribers who took the option while it was offered, your friends, family, and (in extreme cases) pets can get a chance to get on-board with the game. On the other hand, if you haven't tried the game and know a lifetime subscriber, this is the perfect chance to get in and see what all the noise is about.
[ Thanks, Pete! ]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DylanGrissom said on 12:11PM 10-03-2009
Sounds like a good idea to me. If anyone has a buddy pass I wouldn't mind taking out of your hands. I've been dying to play this game but I don't want to play fifty bucks for something I may not like.
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Nick said on 12:13PM 10-03-2009
Very cool, as someone who is interested in this game it would be nice. Sadly no one I know plays the game. BUT! This is the first step in the direction of a 14 day free trial which is more than enough time for me to decide if this game is worth it too me. (I think I'll like, since I am a big fan of CoX)
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mysecretid said on 12:06AM 10-04-2009
@T
Hahahaha! Give yourself a shake, man!
The guys were wondering if they'd like the game, I gave them my personal opinion and added a link in case they decided to try it out and were confused by the customization options.
Everything else, you brought in with you.
mysecretid said on 1:55PM 10-03-2009
Well, the people who drink Haterade are out in full force right now, because this game had the audacity not to live up to their personal expectations at launch (or because they're nursing old grudges against Cryptic, Jack Emmertt, or Bill Roper).
BUT
I think Massively called it right here, recently. If you like super-hero comics, then Champions Online is hella fun, despite its flaws.
Given the fact that Cryptic seems to be patching and fixing at the average rate of one patch every two or three days, I have little doubt this game will only get better with time. Cryptic isn't just talking about fixes, they're making them happen. More to be done, of course, but the game's still fun in the meantime.
Your biggest hurdle will be the lack of a manual. Lot's of customization options, but still no official reliable guide for what the stats and powers can mean, gameplay-wise. DEX, for example, doesn't affect damage avoidance, but rather, your chance to critically hit.
For a breakdown of what stat pairs are best for each power framework, check the link below. CON should always be your third favored stat, because CON = raw hit points, and you'll need them to survive at lower levels.
Unofficial guide is on the CO forums right here:
http://forums.champions-online.com/showthread.php?t=30182
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T said on 2:23PM 10-03-2009
You do realize that no matter how much proselytizing you do, you're still not going to be paid, right? I understand wanting to defend a game you enjoy, but your post comes across as almost desperate in its need to convince others. I felt like I just went to a used car lot and got assaulted by one of the salesmen.
Jaiyeson said on 2:11PM 10-03-2009
Lmao, zealots can recruit more to the cult.
You could only sign up for the lifetime subscripstion before the actually launch of the game. Who the heck would sign up for that? I mean at launch the game wasnt even the one you played in Beta. I do not think C/O will be able to keep its head above the water for the long run with the minority of players who like only super hero MMO's etc. Being how atm there isnt much competetion in the genre they can get away with a crap mmo for a little while. Cause many people will ignore the horrible reviews for this game and give it a shot will move on within 2 weeks.
C/O needs to appeal to a wider audience then it has now. One way not to do that is to have a very unbalanced and grindy game. I expect hic ups in launch games. Laggy servers, ques, broken quest here and there, an over powered class or 2. But I expect the overall game play to be rewarding and fun and without filling like I am a game tester for a company.
C/O doesnt get the WoW excuse. WoW is 5 years old and going on 6 years. WoW came out in a market with barely any competition. WoW was Blizz's first MMO. WoW set a standard. C/O comes out from a team who has created MMO's before. They have plenty of data and research etc at their hands to not have the major flukes of the games of years past. As a consumer with choices I want to spend my money on a product that does what it claims to do. The only thing C/O has going for it is an epic creation system but after that its all down hill.
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Samael said on 2:37PM 10-03-2009
Actually a lot of people signed up for the Lifetime subs. I did too. But I will not defend this game where it is lacking. Content is severely lacking in this game. Its not for everyone. It is good in the good parts.
here are the keys I received, if anyone wants to try it out go ahead.
- CCTBKJEFRD9YWXJ3J78ECMU9Y
- CCTBKNHWG469BVGH473LFRGBJ
- CCTBKVDL8PGBB3M9BUWTQJULR
Have fun!
kasapina said on 3:27PM 10-03-2009
Thanks samael, I used the second one. Much appreciated.
dudemanjac said on 4:39PM 10-03-2009
My game's not laggy.
I have fun everytime I log in.
I anticipate playing more while I'm at work.
I have run into very few quest bugs.
Cryptic seem commited to stamping out bugs at every turn.
Not a week goes by without something being fixed.
Content has been added and more is on the way.
The game can't please everyone. I don't know what perfect jewel some ppl are expecting but I look forward to playing this game for a long time. If I felt like I had wasted my $200 bucks, I'd be the first to rail against it. I don't know you ppl so I have no reason to be shamed for rolling the dice on something like that. Hell, I wouldn't be shamed to tell ppl I know it was a bust. It's only money. I'll make more.
Sente said on 8:57PM 10-03-2009
I signed up for the lifetime sub, even before I had played any of the game in Open Beta. Why? Because Cryptic is so far the only game company that has created an MMO that I have been subscribed to more than a year.
It was a vote of confidence that they are likely to create an MMO that would fit how I like to play. And I am not a comic book superhero fan - just like the gameplay.
CO, despite its flaws, has been quite good so far I think. It is certainly not for everyone, nor does it try to be that. My guess is that they have probably not done much better than their target for success (100K subscribers), otherwise we would likely had seen a press release about that.
The financial report for Atari's 2nd quarter, which should be released close to the end of this month, would likely share some more insight into how well the game has been doing, at least when it comes to initial sales.
bluemeep said on 11:29PM 10-03-2009
Dude, do you even remember the WoW launch? The queues? The crashing? The whole brouhaha with Penny Arcade revoking their Game of the Year statement? Any of that ring a bell?
Jaiyeson said on 2:28AM 10-04-2009
@bluemeep
lol hey "dude" do you not remember me posting about how WoW had a rough launch and Champions not getting that excuse for their horrible excuse for a launch/game?
About reviews on WoW... lol till this day WoW old school, BC, and Lich King all had great reviews by and large. Go look up some old school reviews on vanilla WoW. Rating of 8 to 10 out of 10 on avg. WoW helped the MMO community take another huge step foward as did Everquest and Ultima etc. Champions has very few inovative or revolutionary ideas to bring to the table. Thats why WoW and said others get their pass. They did it first and set a standard. You know who else will probbally get the innovative pass? The new Star Wars MMO ::crosses fingers:: Something completely new and awesome to expand on what MMO's are today.
Now if you are not aiming at revolutionary but just trying to make a solid MMO i.e. Aion. Then thats ok to. But when you make a game that actually takes a step backwards and is not sure what it wants to do with itself then you just become a joke and the sales will show it via la champions. I really want to see how many people canceled their subcriptions to C/O when Aion and Fallen Earth came out in their first week.
Jason said on 3:30PM 10-03-2009
Thanks Samael!
Got in with one of your keys
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Pingles said on 4:02PM 10-03-2009
The only game where I would have benefited financially from a lifetime subscription is WoW. I don't think I've been in any MMO for longer than 6 months since then.
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JP said on 4:52PM 10-03-2009
Curiously, most mmos will offer a free month for buddy codes that turn into actual subs. By offering it strictly to the LT subs, Cryptic has avoided this revenue loss. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Sorry, I know the fanbois want to defend everything CO, but these are not the signs of an out-the-gate success.
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Duulin said on 9:02PM 10-03-2009
Hi Folks,
If anyone has a spare key they could share I would greatly appreciate it. I've been debating buying this game for some time and have yet to take the plunge. Please email diastikar AT hotmail DOT com if you are willing to share a key.
Thanks so much!!
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emn84 said on 5:47AM 10-04-2009
If anyone else has a key,id be very interested, please email me
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exemplarmachineknight said on 9:24AM 10-04-2009
I don't have much money to throw around but enjoyed CoH/CoV. Any chance any lovely persons could throw a key my way to see if i really should plop down the scratch for the game?
exemplarmachineknight AT gmail DOT com
Thanks!
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Stark1 said on 12:47PM 10-04-2009
I sent you a key exemplarmachineknight.
And to people that can do nothing but bash the game, do you have nothing better to do? If you are actually subscribed as of now then fine but if you aren't, please go away. We have enough criticism on the official forums where at least some of it is actually constructive.
jmtech3 said on 3:17PM 10-04-2009
I am also very interested in trying it before i buy it. if anyone would be so generous to give me a key... jmtech3 AT gmail DOT com
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