First published in 1981, the Champions role-playing game is one of the first RPGs to forgo the traditional dice-rolling system of character generation in favor of a point-based system. Cryptic Studios has licensed back to Hero Games the rights to produce Champions RPG books, and the sixth edition of the HERO System and Champions, set to release in 2009, will include rules on how to recreate Champions Online characters and scenarios.

Champions Online is all about total customization -- it will offer a near infinite amount of character customization so that all players will have a unique game experience. Gamers will be able to create their hero's name, back story, costume, powers and abilities as well as design their own personal arch-enemy and his or her back story, which will guarantee a truly unique experience.

Lemuria is a kingdom torn asunder by civil war. A conflict, brewing for thousands of years, has finally come to the surface with the return of the ancient Lemurian gods and their demands for loyalty. Players must navigate the politically fraught waters of Lemuria and avoid its myriad monsters while attempting to prevent the use of an ancient doomsday weapon.

Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios' Champions Online is now the longest running Superhero MMO in video game history, surpassing City of Heroes/Villains, which originally held the title.

Champions Online launched in late 2009, bringing an action-focused superhero MMO to the market as City of Heroes/Villains began winding down. Since then, the game has flourished over the last eight and a half years and is now home to over 12 million Champions. Last year, Champions Online was named the longest running active Superhero MMO, according to 2017’s Guinness World Records Gaming.

“This honor, in large part, is due to our fans,” said Cryptic Studios CEO, Stephen D’Angelo. “We could not have reached this incredible milestone without your continued support and we are very thankful you have shared our love of being a hero. We look forward to continue supporting Millennium City and all its heroic inhabitants in the future, and we hope players enjoy our latest event.”

Still Standing (runs from April 26 through May 3) brings a celebration to the heroes of Champions Online, offering both external and in-game events to engage in detailed below:

• Save the Earth! – Champions must travel to a space station, high above Millennium City, and battle with their own personal Nemesis to save the world.
• Double XP – For the week of the celebration, Champions can enjoy double the experience as they fight their way to new levels of power.
• Origins Costume Contest – Calling all players! The team is offering the chance to win original Champions Online concept art for players willing to compete by showing off their interpretation of their hero’s very first costume.
• Players will also be able to unlock a brand new Cosmic Cape and Inner Power Aura during the event.

Features:

• Play Everything – With the exception of special Adventure Packs, all the content in Champions Online: Free For All is available to every player. Once a player enters a location within the MMO game world, nothing is off-limits!
• Unlimited Play Time – Play as much as you like, as long as you like, at absolutely no cost. No subscription or credit card required.
• Your Own Hero, Your Own Story – Become a hero, encounter his or her Nemesis, and advance to maximum level at no cost.
• Play Your Way – Utilize the optional web-based and in-game C-Store to purchase gameplay upgrades or additional premium content.
• Hi-Octane Excitement: Champions Online delivers furious, fast-paced encounters previously reserved for action and fighting games. No more boring auto attacks and lengthy recharge times. Champions Online combat is instantaneous — and electrifying!
• Brains required: Every enemy and super-powered threat in Champions Online has its own unique abilities and combat specialties. Use your head — or wind up dead!
• Bring friends, make friends: The Champions Online universe will be jam-packed with thousands of heroes, facing thousands of threats. Join up with other heroes, create your own superteam, and prepare to take on the ultimate threats!
• Total customization, at your fingertips: Choose from hundreds of different costume pieces, colors and body types to create your character's one-of-a-kind costume and look. There are billions of possible combinations, and in a universe brimming with the fantastic and the unforgettable, you can still be completely unique!
• Your powers, on your terms: There are a multitude of astonishing powers to choose from in Champions Online, and its flexible character creation system gives you total control over your hero's abilities. You can even pick the appearance of your powers. Do you want purple force fields? Green fire blasts? Jet black claws? In Champions Online, you decide!
• Keep your enemies close: Every hero must have an archenemy. In Champions Online, you design your character's supreme adversary, choosing a name, powers and costume for a superpowered foe to bedevil your hero throughout his or her career.
• Bigger and better: Vanquish evil, and your successes will be rewarded with costume pieces to enhance your powers and abilities. Then customize the appearance of those rewards to your vision of your hero's look and abilities!
• Endless exploration: The battle against evil in Champions Online rages across the world into outer space and alternate dimensions. No other MMOG offers players the chance to explore such diverse realms — from the shining skyscrapers of Millennium City and the frozen wastes of Canada to the interstellar gladiatorial arena on the moon, the hidden underwater city of Lemuria and the foul mystical dimension known as Qliphotic.
• Evil most foul: Battle supervillains, aliens, giant monsters and secret, sinister organizations. Doctor Destroyer is launching new plans to conquer the world. VIPER lurks in the shadows, seeking chances to strike at humanity. The ancient Lemurians are plotting a return to power. And Mechanon won't stop until it has wiped all organic life from the planet. Can you stop these heinous threats to humanity?
• Make your mark: The story of Champions Online is constantly changing, continually evolving. Villains are defeated. Heroes rise and fall. Cities transform. Your actions may decide the future!