Champions Online is a fantasy MMORPG developed by Cryptic Studios and released by Atari. The games is rated T for Teen and it was released on September 1, 2009, supporting only Microsoft Windows platforms.

The story takes place on Planet Earth on which evil organizations like: VIPER, ARGENT and PSI are trying to control the world. But that is not all… alien creatures or Teleios, (a mad scientist) who is building an army of clones, are also trying to rule over the planet.

The most dangerous enemy is still Doctor Destroyer, another evil scientist who destroyed Denver in 1992, and who is now trying to take over the world. This is the time when superheroes must stand and fight!http://www.champions-online.com/about_champions

Champions Online requires an active account and a monthly subscription fee of $15.00 to be paid in order to play. It also requires a computer capable to meet the following requirements:

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows XP with SP2, Windows Vista or Windows 7;
• CPU: 2.5GHz Single Core Processor or higher;
• RAM: 1GB or more;
• Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or ATI Radeon X700 and better;
• HDD: 5GB;
• DirectX: 9.0c.

Recommended System Requirements

• OS: Windows XP with SP2 or Windows Vista or Windows 7;
• CPU: Intel E8400 Core2Duo or higher;
• RAM: 2GB or more;
• Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 or ATI Radeon HD 3850 and better;
• HDD: 5GB or more;
• DirectX: 9.0c or better;

Champions Online requires an active account, the game installed on your personal computer and a monthly subscription fee paid. In order to install the game you can either use your retail copy of the DVD or you can download it from the official website. If you have the DVD, here is what you should do:

1. Insert the DVD into your drive;
2. The installation wizard should automatically start, but if it doesn’t, then the Autoplay function is disabled;
3. Click on My Computer;
4. Click on your DVD Drive;
5. Click Setup.exe;
6. Check the TOS section;
7. Choose the installation path and make sure you have at least 5GB off free space on you HDD;
8. Click OK and wait until the installation is finished.

Champions Online requires DirectX 9.0c or higher, which is included on the DVD. If you don’t have the retail DVD, you can download the game directly from the Internet:

1. Go to http://www.champions-online.com/download;
2. Click on Download Now;
3. Choose the location where you want to save the downloaded files;
4. Install the game-client and follow the instructions in order to download the entire game;
5. This process can take a little while, depending on your Internet connection.

You will also need an active account to play the game:

1. Go to the official sitehttp://www.champions-online.com/
2. Click on Register Now,
3. Insert the Cd-Key;
4. Fill in the required fields with you information’s;
5. After the account is created, make sure you check your email address to confirm it.

In order to play Champions Online, after you install the game on your computer and set up your account, on the official website, you have to create your character. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to join the game using a unique hero: http://www.champions-online.com/game_features

Selecting your Power Framework: It is the first step and the most important. You will have to decide what type of combat you would like to use, and what powers should your character know. Every Power Framework has a small description of its features, and if you played this game before you can customize a unique Power Framework by mixing the available Frameworks available in the game. The Power Frameworks available in Champions Online are explained at step two.

Choosing your gender: This step will allow you to choose the gender of your hero: male or female. No matter what your hero’s gender will be; the game-play is not affected; therefore you can choose anything you like since this is only an aesthetical feature.

Choosing your character’s face: Another aesthetical option which allows you to customize your character’s face. You can choose from a list of pre-defined models or if you wish you can create a unique face by adding different features or modify them as you like.

Choosing your character’s body: Is a step similar to the previous one, but this time you can customize your body parts. By selecting Custom Body you can manipulate all the details of your body parts.

Choosing your character’s costume: A costume is very important to a superhero. Therefore you will be able create a unique costume for your character during this step. First you will have to select the costume model. Every part of the body can be covered with parts of the costume: head, hands, lower body, arms, etc...All you have to do is to select the part of the body you want to work on and then from a menu, select the model, pattern, etc…You can change the design too!

After you finished picking a model you can select the colors for each costume part, and if you want a randomized costume just push the Random button.

Choosing your character’s name: As soon as your character has a costume you have to name it. This is the last step. Think of a ingenious name that will define your hero, write a little story about him if you like and hit I’m done button to start playing.

Champions Online players can choose from different Power Frameworks when they create their characters. A Power Framework will define your hero’s skills and will help you decide, what your role in a party is. Make sure you read the entire description provided by the game, in order to understand what each Power Framework does and what are their weak or strong points.http://www.champions-online.com/manual#powers Here is a list with the Frameworks you will be able to choose from:

Might - Is a power that will grant players heavy but slow attacks, which will knock down their targets. It is the power preferred by tanks.

Electricity - Is a power used by players who prefer to stand in the back of the party and attack their opponents with bolts of electricity. Is an offensive power that can hit one or more enemies.

Fire - Is also an offensive power used to set everything on fire, including enemies. Starting impressive fires on everything around you will increase your character’s power being able to draw it from the burning objects.

Ice – A superhero with this power will be able to freeze enemies in place or attack them with explosive ice. In a party your character must focus on holding back the enemies by freezing them while the other players attack them.

Force – Can be used in any role and it helps you creating impressive energy shields around you or your team-mates, or just attack your opponents in order to push them back

Archery– Is used by players who would like to support a party and will allow them to attack using bolts with different effects: stun, push back etc…

Gadgeteering – Is an interesting Framework that allows players to use different gadgets they have at their disposal . Pets, missiles, cannons, etc...will help a Gadgeteer to take any role in a party.

Munitions – Superheroes mastering this power will know everything about guns. Stating with pistols and ending with rocket launchers, they can use them all.

'Power armor – Is used by players who would like to switch from defensive to offensive roles. This Power grants a special suit capable to provide different weapon systems or just increase the defense of the wearer.

Dual Blade – Is allowing the player to dual-wield weapons that can inflict major damage if they are used with the special moves this Framework unlocks.

Single Blade – This power can be used if you intend to fight with a two-handed weapon. It is a devastating Framework because the weapon you use has increased damage.

Fighting Claws – Is unlocking the access to swift strikes, which will create bleeding wounds to the target.

Martial Arts – If you enjoy using martial arts moves instead of weapons and gadgets, this is the Framework for you. It will provide increased agility in order to avoid incoming attacks.

Telepathy – Will allow you to heal your friends or attack your enemies with the power of your mind. You can send them to sleep or just distract them in a critical moment.

Telekinesis – Is a Framework that will let you control objects near you and can be used as a defensive or offensive power.

Darkness – Using powers from another dimension your superhero can drain life from his opponents, which will be given to him.

Sorcery – With this Framework you will be able to summon minions to help you during a fight, or, in you are in a party you can create circles of powers to protect yourself or your team-mates from incoming attacks.

Supernatural – Is a power that will allow you to command animals, buff them or just drain health from your opponents. It can be used in a defensive or aggressive mode.