Heroes of Newerth (HoN) is a free-to-play session-based, multiplayer, action-RPG, operating under a new model designed to both expand the HoN community and enhance the game play for its existing dedicated fan base. The game mechanics and style of play will remain intact; however, existing player accounts and new accounts will be separated to create a smooth transition as novice players enter the game.

After nearly two years and over 100 updates, its massively popular session-based, multiplayer, Action-RPG Heroes of Newerth (HoN) will usher in its 100th hero this Friday, March 2nd. The hero – a telekinetic warrior dubbed Kinesis, will be commemorated by S2 Games with a week-long $100,000 player appreciation event and celebration.

The event kicked off yesterday with the launch of a daily drawing giveaway for packages of in-game currency (Gold Goblin Coins) valued at over $100,000. One thousand $10 prize packages will be given out each weekday as well as another one thousand $50 prize packages over the course of the coming weekend. Once a player logs in and wins a game of matchmaking, he or she will be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will then be chosen randomly from that pool of eligible participants. The event will conclude with a grand prize giveaway of 100,000 Gold Goblin Coins for one lucky player who logs game-time and wins at least one match each and every day throughout the week.

S2 Games will also be giving away hundreds of promotional copies of their 100th hero through Heroes of Newerth’s official social media outlets - Facebook and Twitter. Following the hero’s release this Friday, March 2nd, the developer will host a very special S2 vs. The Community event, where North American and European players will have the opportunity to play head to head in exhibition matches with S2 Games staff, including the HoN Hero Design and Balance Team. Every time the community beats the developer at their own game, everyone who played a game that day (12:00am-11:59pm EST) is one step closer to winning an account symbol, silver coins, and a brand new Alternate Avatar.

In addition to Gold Coin giveaways and event prizing, players can also take advantage of double Silver Coin matchmaking and mega-sale prices on all non-Early Access heroes. Heroes of Newerth players new and old are invited to take part in this week’s 100th hero celebration complete with giveaways, prizes, and so much more. Visit the official website for full event details and follow along all week via HoN’s official social media channels by liking on Facebook or following on Twitter @heroesofnewerth.

There are now three account types under the new free-to-play model:

• Basic – The standard, free account new players will receive upon sign up.
• Verified – Basic accounts that have been upgraded through a show of commitment to their account, by either purchasing Goblin Coins or surpassing a certain threshold of play time.
• Legacy – Paid user accounts that existed prior to the free-to-play model.  These accounts receive a lifetime of free access to all HoN heroes and are able to play in Verified Only games, to ensure that experts and beginners are separated.  Legacy accounts can no longer be purchased.

Basic and Verified accounts will have access to a rotating pool of 15 free heroes while Legacy accounts will have free, permanent access to all heroes after a short waiting period as initial access to a newly released hero is limited. Basic and Verified accounts can choose to purchase a new hero upon release, which permanently adds it to their personal pool of heroes. Legacy accounts may choose to purchase early access to the hero at that time before it is released to them for free.

To ensure that all HoN players have a positive gameplay experience, each account type will have a different level of access to the matchmaking system.  Players with Basic accounts are only eligible to participate in one mode of matchmaking which assigns them to All Pick games.  Verified and Legacy accounts are eligible to queue up in matchmaking for Verified Only games allowing them to play in higher quality games with more experienced players. This system creates a level playing field so Legacy and Verified players can be confident the matches they participate in will be high quality games.