US, July 28, 2009 - Los Gatos, Calif., and Brisbane, Calif. - IGN's FilePlanet, IGN Entertainment's popular game download site, today announced that it has partnered with Atari, Inc., one of the world's most recognized videogame publishers, and Cryptic Studios
, a leading developer of massively multiplayer online games, to host the open beta for the highly anticipated MMORPG, Champions Online. The open beta runs from August 18th until August 26th, 2009. This means that thousands of fans will be able to take super heroic MMO play to the next level before the game goes live on September 1st, 2009.
Beginning on Wednesday, August 5th, the open beta client will be available to preload on a first-come, first serve basis at
http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/champions-online/. FilePlanet.com will host the open beta client for North America, EU, Australia, and New Zealand. The site will be giving away 50,000 open beta keys.
Players can get into the open beta by visiting FilePlanet.com to sign up for a limited number of spots or by pre-ordering Champions Online through IGN's Direct2Drive, starting August 3rd.
"Everyone on the team is ecstatic about bringing the game into the open beta test phase," said Bill Roper, executive producer on Champions Online. "And with a great partner like IGN getting it out to eager players, we know it's going to be an incredible event."
"We have a very passionate MMORPG audience at FilePlanet and IGN, and there is a tremendous amount of excitement around Cryptic Studio's fresh take on the genre with Champions Online. We anticipate a very popular beta test and pre-order program," said Jamie Berger, SVP Consumer Products and Technology.
Powered by the groundbreaking Cryptic Engine, Champions Online brings super heroism to the MMORPG with fast-paced, epic combat. A boundless character creator takes the experience to the next level: players can create any superhero they can possibly imagine from thousands of possible costume pieces. But that's only the beginning. Players can even choose the appearance of their powers, from the color to where it emanates from. To complete the player's vision, the unique Nemesis system allows the player to craft their hero's arch- enemy. The richly detailed Champions universe and an experienced Cryptic Studios team devoted to deliver a great gaming experience; Champions Online is set to be the next premier massively multiplayer online role playing game.
ABOUT CRYPTIC STUDIOS
Based in Los Gatos, CA, Cryptic Studios is a leading developer of massively multiplayer online games committed to delivering the next level of MMO gameplay. Cryptic develops AAA titles for PC and consoles, including Star Trek Online and Champions Online. For more information on Cryptic Studios, please visit the official website at:
www.crypticstudios.com.ABOUT INFORGRAMES ENTERTAINMENT AND ATARI
The Infogrames group, including the Atari brand, is a global producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and all interactive game platforms including consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony Computer Entertainment, advanced smartphones, Personal Computers, web and online. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries through an international distribution network and direct to consumers via
www.atari.com.Atari's extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, Test Drive, V-Rally, My Horse & Me, Backyard Sports franchise, Total Annihilation, Outcast etc.), publishing properties (The Witcher, Legendary, Race Pro etc.), international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons, Jamie Oliver etc.) and classic games covering the entire history of the video game industry (Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids etc).
ABOUT IGN'S FILEPLANET
IGN'S FilePlanet is a video game download service that provides free game patches, mod files and media downloads (game demos, trailers) to its users. FilePlanet was launched and is run by GameSpy, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, and is one of the most visited video game download sites on the internet. For more information, visit
www.fileplanet.com.
