City of Heroes going free-to-play later this year

News by Stephany Nunneley-Jackson Former News Editor

Published on June 21, 2011

NCsoft has announced City of Heroes will be going free-to-play later this year, and the MMO's name will be changed to City of Heroes Freedom.

According to the announcement, the game will be based on "the cornerstones of content, rewards, and choice," and the new model will kick off with a new free update, Issue 21: Convergence.

The new content will increase the game's pace and the new model also promises regular new Issues, monthly signature story arcs, new weekly in-game store items, and high-level Incarnate Trials.

Issue 21 will also include the First Ward co-op zone, as well as the Time Manipulation Power Set, the IDF and Defense Costume Sets, and the Underground Incarnate Trial.

Current City of Heroes subscribers will continue as a VIP players gaining "more features, services, and rewards in addition to what they have already received."

Some of these rewards will even start today, as all current City of Heroes subscribers will accrue 400 Paragon Points per month starting on their first billing cycle after July 1, 2011.

At Freedom's, folks will be able to use Paragon Points to purchase "new costumes, Power Sets, and hundreds of new items from the in-game Paragon Market." The new Paragon Rewards program also rewards all levels of players with bonus content and exclusive rewards for VIP players.

There's an FAQ over on the official website for the MMO, which if you are a player, you should really check out.