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Champions Online open beta starts August 18 [update]

by Justin McElroy on Jul 29th 2009 3:30PM

[Update: Cryptic Studios has clarified that the open beta for Champions Online will be open to everyone who pre-orders the game, not just those who do so through Direct2Drive. Also, subscribers to FilePlanet will be able to download the game client ahead of the official launch, and have an opportunity to snag one of 50,000 beta keys that will be offered by the site.]

Sure, it's an exciting headline if you've been jonesing to join legions of other adults as they pretend to have super powers, but it does come attached to a couple of caveats. For one, the Champions Online beta will only be running until August 26, scarcely enough time to get our tights broken in.

Also, you won't be able to get entrance to the beta unless you pre-order the game through IGN's Direct2Drive service beginning on August 5. Maybe that's not a problem for you, but if that's a deal breaker (ladies), you'll be sitting on your latex-gloved thumbs until the game launches for real on September 1.

Source

Tags: beta, champions-online, cryptic-studios, direct2drive, mmo, open-beta

Reader Comments (27)

I applied for this a few days ago, really looking forward to starting The Adventures of Hemroid Man.

So wait, to get into the open beta you have to preorder it?

But the open beta only runs for 8 days and ends a week before the game launches?....

That's a really short beta...

On a side note, I will probably be buying this regardless, any fellow Joystiqers doing the same?

And if so want to hook up all on the same server or something?

Normally I like to try these before I buy but since I have to buy before I try then... uhh... yeah. Might have to pass on this.

Eh, technically thats a lie. Fileplanet is going to give away keys, other contests are giving keys away, and there's other ways to get into it.

What Justin should of said, is that preorders GUARANTEE entrance into the open beta.

Yeah but you have to pay for a subscription first and there's a 99% probability that it will only be open to residents of the US & Canada.

I'm getting it for sure. I'm in the closed beta.

I don't understand why people are so adverse to preordering it. I know if you Preorder from Best Buy, you just pay $5 and then you don't have to pick up the game. I've preordered many MMOs and have done the same thing. Perhaps some Best Buys are different though. I'd assume you can do the same thing with Game Stop.

They want you to preorder it through Direct2Drive, which means you're probably paying the full price up front with no refund whatsoever. Bigger commitment for what could be a complete disappointment.

I don't really like how MMOs always offer an open beta for preorderers, but it's hardly ever worth it.

I really wanted to get City of Heroes when that first came out. By the time I upgraded my PC enough to play it, the game wasn't worth playing anymore. This is the same situation. It looks awesome, but I need a new PC before a do any gaming in that market.

"you'll be sitting on your latex-gloved thumbs "

Please don't use language like that...

I have been in the closed beta for the past few weeks and I really enjoy the game ALOT. I totally recommend it. I played WoW for 5 years and finally kicked the habit a few months ago. It is alot different then your standard MMO. It is heavily action based with no magic/mana problems and very little cooldowns. But by far, the best part of the game is the character creation is OUTSTANDING. Its amazingly good. If you are looking for a totally different action oriented MMO, I highly recommend it. If you guys have any questions about the game, feel free to repond back.

"I have been in the closed beta for the past few weeks and I really enjoy the game A LOT"

fixed

/ich bin ein Grammar Nazi

LOL thanks Moptimus Slime :P

I agree with ya, my NDA brother.

I played COH and this seems to fix a lot of issues that I personally had with it. This is probably the only MMO I'll play until the Old Republic. Then I'll have to decide...

I'm done with WoW I tell ya. FINISHED!

..... STOP TALKING INSIDE MY HEAD THRALL!

I guess Superhero MMOs are the new Fantasy MMOs?

Just like Justin Mcelroy, always posting drivel without knowing what he is talking about... There are various outlets you can preorder at to get into the beta. Also most of these periods for games are no longer than two weeks. This is not to count the fact that various sites have been giving out keys, with one site giving out 10,000 last week.

I honestly think Justin's day goes like this:

1. Post something from digg a week ago
2. Think up fanboy anti ps3 blurb
3. Gargle some wow
4. repeat.

yeah, that article was totally teh biased against the PSTripleTrey

Just read it backwards! It's a conspiracy, I tell you!

This game is so, so awful. Been in beta for a year now, it's never gotten any better unless they're waiting to patch in the fun. You folks want a game that isn't WoW, check out EverQuest 2.

Sadly, I must agree. Been playing in Closed Beta for months, and it's just not that engaging. Weird UI issues that never get fixed, and the models look like oiled-up action figures, IMHO. Not interesting enough to get me to give up any City of Heroes time for this.

I'm actually very tempted to Boot Camp my MacBook Pro to play this. Sounds like a hell of a lot of fun.

This news is incorrect! You can get access to open beta by preordering from: best buy, gamestop, amazon.com...

Also, the date for open beta is Aug 17th..

http://www.champions-online.com/node/105985

http://champions-online.com/node/98965

I totally agree with you 110% AsherR, I can't frakking wait for Old Republic!!

That's a deal breaker, ladies!

Do you guys even know what a beta is? It has nothing to do with trying before buying. It is, in this case, to test on a larger scale to make sure there is no major issues before release. At this point the developer is fairly confident that this is ready to go gold, but real world tests are there just in-case there is a gotcha. If you want to try before you buy, wait until they have a 14 day trial or something.
Get a grip people, it is only a game...

Unfortunately, me and many others have not been able to play the open beta as of yet. I am horrified to say that I have never encountered so many problems with patching in any Open Beta before. I am just hoping the hassle is worth it. So anyhow dont worry about missing out folks, looks like we may miss the event anyhow, till Cryptic can figure out whats wrong (although they say the problem is solved which in itself shows lack of customer honesty).

Breaking News

Champions Online open beta starts August 18 [update]

Reader Comments (27)

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:39PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:39PM Huey2k2 said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:40PM Huey2k2 said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:50PM phobic99 said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:08PM DevilSei said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:45PM McWilly said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 5:05PM AsherR said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 6:39PM Ignatius said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:42PM Jeremy White said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:48PM StormEagle said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 3:58PM Courtney said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:00PM Aquaryon said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:03PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:10PM Aquaryon said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 5:01PM AsherR said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:01PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:06PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:13PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:27PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:34PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 5:02PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 4:37PM Freak mojo said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 5:01PM Shiroi98 said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 5:14PM Aquaryon said

Posted: Jul 29th 2009 5:16PM jynxycat said

Posted: Jul 31st 2009 1:33PM Mopo said

Posted: Aug 17th 2009 9:41PM (Unverified) said

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