NCsoft's New City of Heroes Expansion, Issue 10: 'Invasion', Unites Heroes, Villains Against Alien Attack

Business Wire, July 25, 2007

AUSTIN, Texas -- NCsoft([R]) and Cryptic Studios([TM]) have released the newest expansion to City of Heroes([R]), Issue 10: "Invasion" where City of Heroes and City of Villains([R]) players join forces to thwart an attack by the evil Rikti([TM]) aliens bent on the destruction of the Earth. The expansion, free to current subscribers, includes a major redesign of the Rikti Crash Site zone as well as a Rikti co-op task force where heroes and villains team up to defeat the toughest alien bosses.

The kick off invasion featured in Issue 10 continues the City of Heroes tradition of global events, and in this case the Rikti attack in constant waves through most of the games' zones and threaten both Paragon City([TM]) and the Rogue Isles([TM]).

"The Rikti maintain a very powerful position in the lore of City of Heroes and the Rikti invasion event we had during the beta stage of the game is still talked about by veteran players," said Matt Miller, Cryptic Studio's lead designer for City of Heroes and City of Villains. "We felt the time was right and it fit into the narrative of the game to unleash another invasion -- with a vengeance -- and transform the Rikti Crash site into the heart of the new alien incursion."

The Rikti Crash Site zone has been renamed the Rikti War Zone and is the epicenter of the Rikti's assault on Earth. The Rikti War Zone, designed for player levels 35 to 50, allows both hero and villain players to work together on missions. Centered around the crashed Rikti mother ship, the Rikti have a variety of new powerful weapons including Rikti Pylons and UXBs or "unexploded bombs." The Rikti Pylons are heavily armed defensive points surrounding the crashed mother ship which need to be defeated in order to gain access to the ship.

Issue 10, however, provides players with powerful new tools used to combat the Rikti. The Vanguard base established in the Rikti War Zone includes a special Vanguard Workbench that allows players to create special costume pieces as well as Vanguard Support Machines, or "heavies", that serve as deadly pets in altercations with the Rikti.

"This expansion unleashes total war where aliens and earthlings get great new weapons to bludgeon each other with. We think this will be great fun," Miller said. "The fact that both heroes and villains need to join together to defeat a common enemy is a comic book convention that helps to add greater depth and excitement to City of Heroes and City of Villains."

The Rikti co-op task force, set for player levels 45 to 50, can be obtained from the leader of the Vanguard in the Rikti War Zone and delivers high-level adventures for teams composed of both heroes and villains.

To join the battle against evil aliens, players can purchase the City of Heroes "Good Versus Evil Edition" game pack at retailers across North America, which includes complete City of Heroes and City of Villains games, as well as a set of exclusive bonus items. Customers receive the first month of play free and both games can be played for the single monthly subscription price of $14.99.

For more information about City of Heroes Issue 10 go to www.cityofheroes.com.

About NCsoft

NCsoft North America is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation. NCsoft, with its own development and publishing offices in Texas and California, also works with other NCsoft subsidiaries and third party developers throughout North America to develop and publish innovative online entertainment software products. The company has successfully launched multiple online titles and continues to support its franchises that include Lineage([R])/Lineage II, City of Heroes/City of Villains, and Guild Wars([R])/Guild Wars Factions([TM])/Guild Wars Nightfall([TM])and Dungeon Runners([TM]). More information about NCsoft can be found at http://www.PlayNC.com.

About Cryptic Studios

Cryptic Studios([TM]), Inc., located in Los Gatos, California, was established in July of 2000 and is an independent developer of massively multiplayer online games for the PC and next generation consoles. Its first game, City of Heroes, launched in April 2004. The game takes place in a virtual world where thousands of people play simultaneously, take on the role of super-powered heroes, fight villains and help create a dynamic story in a visually-stunning, 3-D graphical world.

NCsoft, the interlocking NC logo, PlayNC, Lineage, Guild Wars, Guild Wars Factions, Guild Wars Nightfall and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. City of Heroes, City of Villains, Paragon City, Rogue Isles, Rikti and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cryptic Studios, Inc. and NCsoft Corporation. Cryptic Studios is a trademark of Cryptic Studios, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.