My immediate thought: “Cool, now Kay can roll her own characters on her own account …”

So, big announcement from NCSoft today about “City of Heroes Freedom” (CoHF?).  Let’s break it down:

Announcing City of Heroes Freedom and Issue 21: Convergence!

City of Heroes Freedom™will be launching later this year and will be the new name for City of Heroes®. City of Heroes Freedom redefines City of Heroes based on the cornerstones of content, rewards, and choice. With City of Heroes Freedom, you will get the freedom to play and pay as you choose. Join the future of City of Heroes in City of Heroes Freedom. Freedom is the future!

Blah, blah, blah … okay, okay, what does it mean?

Content

In City of Heroes Freedom, dive into new stories and features right away and enjoy more of them in the future. Freedom kicks off with a new free update, Issue 21: Convergence, and increases the pace of quality, high-energy content with regular new Issues, monthly signature story arcs, new weekly in-game store items, and high-level Incarnate Trials. 

Which we’ve already had, I think.  What’s “increased” about the pace of content?

Issue 21 packs in the First Ward co-op zone, gripped in mystical conflict, as well as the Time Manipulation Power Set, the IDF and Defense Costume Sets, and the Underground Incarnate Trial. Signature story arcs, free with VIP players’ subscriptions, let you fight alongside iconic Heroes and Villains in story arcs that make a difference in the City of Heroes universe.

Ooookay. Hope there’s a FAQ down there somewhere, since a bunch of that still doesn’t make any sense.

Rewards

Current City of Heroes subscribers will continue as a VIP players in City of Heroes Freedom, gaining more features, services, and rewards in addition to what they have already received. Some rewards begin today, as all current City of Heroes subscribers will accrue 400 Paragon Points per month starting on their first billing cycle after July 1, 2011 . At the launch of City of Heroes Freedom, you will be able to use Paragon Points to purchase new costumes, Power Sets, and hundreds of new items from the in-game Paragon Market. The new Paragon Rewards program also rewards all levels of loyal players with new bonus content that you select, including exclusive rewards for VIP players.

Hmmm. Okay. Current subscribers get additional cool stuff (so as to encourage us to stay subscribers, one assumes).

Choice

Pay for the content and features that you want. Choose to play for free, or become a VIP player and command VIP service. With City of Heroes Freedom, you don’t have to buy the game or pay a monthly fee to play. You can download the game and play for free for as long as you wish. If you upgrade to VIP player status, you will unlock a bounty of content and benefits. You can also buy a variety of content and services from a new in-game store.

We will be giving you more information on the above features over the next few months, but in the meantime, an overview of Issue 21: Convergence, as well as a City of Heroes Freedom fact page and a statement by Brian Clayton, Executive Producer and General Manager at Paragon Studios are available for you to peruse!

Okay, I will have to peruse. But, basically, it sounds like you’ll have:

1. Free Players, who get the basic game, and can pay for additional stuff.
2. Subscribers (“VIPs”) who get extra “content and benefits” for their sub.

Basic hybrid model. Interesting (and, I think, preferable to going totally F2P).

City of Heroes® Freedom FAQ

Q: Why is City of Heroes® moving to a hybrid model?

A: Simply stated, it’s the right time. We’ve been planning this transition to Freedom for well over a year now.  We believe this opportunity is the best way for us to provide more value to our devoted player base than ever before, as well as grow our leadership position in the super-powered hero online gaming space. Over the past few years, MMO players have been enthusiastically embracing “choice”. By making the transition now, we’re putting our stake in the ground as a leader in the industry, helping to define the future of the MMO gaming space.

I.e., it’s been the trend, and for good reason.  It’s hard to get someone to commit, out of the box, to a subscription fee.  On the other hand, micropayment games can get annoying depending on how frequently you get dunned for them.

Q: I am currently a subscriber to City of Heroes. What does this change mean for me?

A: All current City of Heroes subscribers will automatically be upgraded to VIP accounts when City of Heroes Freedom launches. When City of Heroes Freedom launches, you will continue to enjoy all of the subscription benefits and content you enjoy today, as well as brand-new exclusive rewards, features, and services. Additionally, beginning on July 1, 2011, you will earn 400 Paragon Points each month. When City of Heroes Freedom launches, you will become a VIP player, and you will start with a tidy sum of Paragon Points to spend in the new in-game Paragon Market.

How much is 400 PP?  No idea — how long is a piece of string?

Q: What are Paragon Points?

A: Paragon Points are a form of currency that you will use to purchase items and services from the Paragon Market. You can purchase Paragon Points through the Paragon Market or our partners. VIP players automatically get a 400 Paragon Point bonus per month as part of their subscription.

I.e., virtual money that they can get partners to work with.

Q: What is the Paragon Market?

A: The Paragon Market is a new in-game store where you can purchase costumes, powers, items, and game services or features without ever having to leave the game.

Q: Will booster packs be available from the Paragon Market?

A: Super boosters and booster packs will no longer be available for sale when City of Heroes Freedom launches. The costumes, powers, emotes, and auras from super boosters and booster packs will be available for sale individually or as part of different bundles in the Paragon Market.

Well, that makes sense.  Bundles are a natural outgrowth here from booster packs.

It will be interesting to see what VIPs get that F2Pers have to pay for, and what both groups have to pay for.

Q: What will happen to the game servers?

A: All 15 existing global servers will be available in City of Heroes Freedom. We are also adding a new server exclusively for VIPs.

Still think they’ll have to consolidate servers eventually.  Heck, I want them to, just clear up some ghost towns. Although maybe that will change some with F2P.

Q: Will VIP players play with Free players?

A: Yes, although we have taken several steps to make sure that our VIPs have the choice for how they want to play, including creating a new VIP-only server.

Hrm. So what will distinguish the VIP-only server from the hoi-polloi servers?  Will we be able to transfer characters there for free?  Why would we, aside from our sense of specialness?

Q: What happens to my Veteran Rewards? Will I continue to earn new Veteran Rewards?

A: We are replacing the Veteran Rewards with the Paragon Rewards program, a rewards program superior in every way with Veteran Rewards, to add new rewards, features, and choices. The Paragon Reward program unlocks new exclusive rewards on top of the existing Veteran Rewards. All subscribers keep their Veteran Rewards and badges, even if they choose to play for free. We will have more information to share about that in the coming months.

Interesting.  More “hooks” to stick with the game.

I’ve really liked the Vet Rewards.  Some of them are goofy-useless, but others make a real (if not overwhelming) difference at early levels (Nemmie Staff/Blackwand, Sands of Mu, etc.).

Q: What is the difference between a Reward Token and a Paragon Point?

A: Reward Tokens can be redeemed to unlock free in-game benefits. They are earned as part of your monthly VIP player subscription or as a bonus for purchasing Paragon Points. Paragon Points can be used to purchase items through the new in-game Paragon Market.

Wait … we get Paragon Points and Reward Tokens, and we get Reward Tokens from being a VIP (but also Paragon Points) or from buying Paragon Points, and maybe the Reward Tokens as part of the Veteran Awards and …

Dammit, NCSoft, your player currencies are as freaking confusing as your in-game currencies.

(It’s explained a bit more here. Still will need to see it in action.)

Q: What will happen with the issue game content system? Will there still be free issues?

A: City of Heroes Freedom lets Paragon Studios continue to support free issue launches and major seasonal events that expand the lore of the City of Heroes universe. City of Heroes Freedom will feature numerous free updates. In fact, we are inaugurating City of Heroes Freedom with a new issue, Issue 21: Convergence! We plan to share additional information about issues as launch day approaches.

Q: What new game content will we see when City of Heroes Freedom launches?

A: Issue 21: Convergence will launch alongside City of Heroes Freedom. Issue 21 packs in the First Ward co-op zone, gripped in mystical conflict, as well as the Time Manipulation Power Set, the IDF and Defense Costume Sets, the Underground Incarnate Trial, the new Seed of Hamidon zone event, and over 60 new missions.

Cool.

Q: Are there any incentives to maintaining my subscription or reactivating my subscription before City of Heroes Freedom launches?

A: Current subscribers and former subscribers that reactivate their accounts earn 400 Paragon Points per month beginning July 1, 2011. Any active subscriber also earns Reward Tokens in our new Paragon Rewards program.

So, yes.

Part of me thinks I’ll just stick with the subscription, but it sounds like Kay can do some fun F2P stuff (and buy trinkets if she so desires, as she does in Wizards 101).

Q: What content will Free players receive?

A: A Free player can achieve maximum character level (Level 50) in the game and can choose from among eight Archetypes (classes). Free players can create up to two characters (total) and play as Heroes in Paragon City™ or Villains in the Rogue Isles™. Free players can join in most Task Forces, Strike Forces, Trials, and raids. However, certain content and rewards are reserved for VIP players only.

Free players are restricted from certain systems within the game (alignment change, Day Jobs, Mission Architect, and so on), and they will not receive any live support unless they upgrade to VIP player status. They can still access self-help support. View the Free player benefits in the Freedom player choice side-by-side comparison.

Hmmm.  So, F2Pers basically get the game as of four or five issues ago, with severe limits on character slots.  That’ll probably be the biggest heartburn for Kay.

Q: What additional content will VIP players get?

A: A VIP player will enjoy the same benefits as a current City of Heroes subscriber and much more! In addition to the regular Issue content updates, VIP players will receive new monthly Signature Story Arcs as well as full access to Incarnate Trials and Going Rogue expansion content. VIP players have high priority status in any server queues, access to live in-game support, and one free server transfer per month.  VIP players also receive 400 Paragon Points each month and earn exclusive rewards in the Paragon Rewards program.
View the VIP player benefits in the Freedom player choice side-by-side comparison.

Coolness.  Plus — a free server transfer a month.  Hmmmm.

Q: If I am a subscriber now, what will happen to my account if I choose to become a Free player when City of Heroes Freedom launches?

A: Current City of Heroes subscribers who choose to become Free players will retain access to tons of content, however some Issue content will be reserved for VIP players, including power sets, costume sets, etc. One notable difference is that Free players will be limited to two character slots total, plus any character slots directly purchased or earned through Veteran Rewards. All existing characters will be saved and reenabled if a player subscribes as a VIP player.

View the Free and Premium player benefits in the Freedom player choice side-by-side comparison.

So not a good option for folks with alt-itis.

Now, if we look at that side-by-side …

Side-by-Side Comparison*

Character Features	Play for Free	Premium Players	VIP Players
Archetypes	8	8+	14
Maximum Level	50	50	50
Power Sets	100+	100+	150+
Costume Pieces, Auras	Thousands	Thousands	Thousands+
Content Features
City of Heroes Going Rogue™	Purchasable	Purchasable	Included
First Ward Zone Access	Included	Included	Included
First Ward Missions	Purchasable	Purchasable	Included
Social Features
Super Groups	Not available	Can join	Can join or form
Chat Channels	Local, Team	Local, Team, Whispers (Tells)	All game channels, and can create them
In-Game Mail	Not available	Included	Included
Forum Access	Read only	Read only	Read or write
Account Features
Free Paragon Points	Not available	Not available	400 per month
Character Slots	2 total	2 total, plus slots that were unlocked or directly purchased	12 per server, plus slots that were unlocked or directly purchased
Server Transfers	Purchasable	Purchasable	1 free per month
Auction House Use	Limited	Limited	Buy/sell/store
Mission Architect	Purchasable	Limited	Play/create
Inventions	Purchasable	Limited	Included
Priority Queues	Not available	Not available	Included
VIP-Only Servers	Not available	Not available	Included
Premium In-Game Customer Support	Not available	Not available	Included

*Subject to change by launch.

So a few things to note:

• Premium Players?  They weren’t mentioned before.  Ah, those are folks who return who were previously playing.  So you’ve got the added slots you bought/earned, your old vet rewards, SG access, some MA and Invention access.
• F2P – no tells, no SGs.  No Inventions? Interesting. No mail, either.

More to come, obviously.  Overall, I think this is a good direction — getting more people to try the game can only be to its benefit.