NCsoft Releases City of Heroes and City of Villains Update, Adding Depth with New Crafting System and Auction Houses
Friday 4th May/... BRIGHTON, NCsoft® Europe and Cryptic Studios have released the newest update to City of Heroes® and City of Villains delivering greater depth to players with the inclusion of an innovative crafting system and auction houses. The update, "Issue 9: Breakthrough", free to current subscribers, also includes new high-level adventures with the new Statesman Taskforce and an update of the super-taskforce and an update of the Hamidon Encounter.
The City of Heroes franchise recently celebrated its third birthday, during which time the game has seen eight free major content expansions and the addition of the companion game, City of Villains to create one of the most popular and robust, comic-book based PC games on the market. The content delivered in Issue 9 rounds-out the game's features, providing players the chance to develop their crafting skills and use loot earned in battle.
The new invention system, available for both heroes and villains, allows players to craft custom made, high-powered enhancements as well as unique costume pieces and temporary powers. Players collect loot in the form of salvage and invention recipes found after defeating enemies and completing missions to create the super-enhancements and other items. This allows players to develop crafting skills to go along with their combat abilities.
Players who create items using the new invention system can either use them to enhance their characters or take them to the game's new consignment markets to share with other players while earning valuable currency. For heroes, Wentworth's Fine Consignments have opened their doors throughout Paragon City where newly crafted items can be put up for auction. Villain craftsmen can take their items to the black market auction in trucks placed throughout the Rogue Isles.
"The new systems added to Issue 9 should give players a lot to do outside of combat," said Matt Miller, Cryptic Studio's lead designer for City of Heroes and City of Villains. "Now players can be craftsmen along with being heroes or villains, and earn a living by custom building items and taking them to the consignment market for sale. This is a big component to making the 'City of' world a deeper and richer experience."
Issue 9 also adds high-level missions to the game with the Statesman's Task Force where heroes can gain major rewards for protecting Paragon City from the forces of evil and Lord Recluse. Additionally, the end-game raid challenge, the Hamidon Encounter, is now available for villains and has been revamped for heroes so new tactics will be needed to defeat one of the games' greatest threats.
Players can join in the City of Heroes and City of Villains adventures via the "Good Versus Evil Combined Edition" game pack which is available at retailers across Europe. The "Good Versus Evil Combined Edition" includes complete City of Heroes and City of Villains games, as well as a set of exclusive in-game bonus items. Customers receive the first month of play free and both games can be played for the single monthly subscription price of £8.99 / 12.99. Also available at retail is the "Good Versus Evil Combined Edition" with additional bonus 15 day time card; an ideal solution for players without a credit card and increasing free play up to 45 days.
For more information about City of Heroes Issue 9 go to http://eu.cityofheroes.com
About NCsoft Europe
NCsoft Europe (NC-E) is headquartered in Brighton, England and is part of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation, the world's leading developer and publisher of online games. NCsoft has already successfully established itself in North America, Japan, Taiwan, China and Thailand. NC-E began operations on 1st September 2004 and serves as a central hub for all NCsoft sales, marketing and distribution operations in Europe, via its European distribution network. NC-E launched Lineage® II in November 2004, City of Heroes® on 4th February 2005, Guild Wars® on 28th April 2005, City of Villains on 31st October 2005, Auto Assault® on 13th April 2006, Guild Wars Factions on 28th April 2006 and Guild Wars Nightfall on 27th October 2006. More information about NCsoft Europe can be found at http://eu.plaync.com.
NCsoft, the interlocking NC logo, PlayNC, Lineage, Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall, Auto Assault and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. Jumpgate and NetDevil are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetDevil, LTD. City of Heroes, City of Villains and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cryptic Studios, Inc. and NCsoft Corporation. Cryptic Studios is a trademark of Cryptic Studios, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.