Champions Online, DDO free-to-play golden

It has been nearly four years since Cryptic Studios released its last original product--City of Villains--but that dry streak is about to come to an end. Today, the Atari subsidiary announced that the PC edition of its massively multiplayer online role-playing game Champions Online has gone gold in the lead-up to its September 1 launch. An Xbox 360 edition of the game is expected to arrive later this year.

Originally part of 2K Games' product portfolio, Champions Online moved to Atari after the publisher purchased Cryptic in December.

Tracing its roots back to the now-canceled Marvel Universe Online, Champions Online features myriad character customization options, ranging from body structure to costumes to superpowers. The MMOG was bumped to September from its announced July window after Cryptic decided additional development time was necessary.

Champions Online isn't the only major PC MMOG release that will occur during the first part of September. Turbine said today that Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited has gone gold in advance of its September 9 launch. Those enrolled in the DDO VIP program will gain access to the expansion beginning September 1.

In addition to adding new content, the update splits DDO's current subscription model, letting players forgo a monthly fee but still purchase add-on packs, items, and other services a la carte through the new DDO Store. Alternatively, gamers can continue to pay a subscription fee, granting them full access to the online game.

For more on both games, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Champions Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online.