The Beta release for Artix Entertainment's MMORPG HeroSmash is scheduled to launch April 28th, 2011, and will be open to all players.

The Alpha test-phase of the game was open for three months exclusively to members of the existing Artix Entertainment games. The game content was tested by over 200,000 players. The Beta release will open the game to the public, allowing all players to create an account and play the game. This release will introduce 4 new areas, dozens of new monsters, and hundreds of new in-game items including superpowers that were not available during the Alpha test-phase.

At the start of the Alpha Phase 3 test-phase of the game, Artix Entertainment started a contest where players could submit videos of themselves in costume acting as a Super Villain or Hero for a chance to be immortalized in HeroSmash as a quest giver, trainer, or shop keeper NPC. Starting with the HeroSmash Beta release, winners of the Who Wants to be an NPC? YouTube contest will be put in-game as NPCs.

The HeroSmash game is unique from anything else seen in Artix Entertainment’s games. The characters are drawn in an original “vinyl” art-style and the game features real-time cooperative multiplayer combat. Players will be able to team up or fight solo to defeat monsters, complete quests and explore the player-driven storylines.

There will be over 50 super powers available though in-game shops, quest rewards, and monster drops. Each character will only be able to equip 6 super powers at a time, but when not in combat, players can switch out which super powers they have equipped. Decked out in super battle armor and armed with a unique combination of super powers, players will be able to engage in ground and air battles, like real comic book heroes!

HeroSmash characters are fully customizable. Players will be able to choose their characters’ physical appearance, battle armor, as well as a unique combination of 6 super powers to create the ultimate Super Villain or Hero.

"Many AE team members are lifelong comic book and superhero fans, so having the chance to build our own super-game is a dream come true,” says Tony Deller, lead game designer for HeroSmash. “We're very pleased with the fun style and attitude our artists are bringing to HeroSmash and it's evident from our players' responses that they're enjoying it as well."