Disc Releases

Overview

As with most AAA ranked MMOs, the "City Of" franchise got its start as a set of CDs released to retailers' racks in a box set. Since that initial launch, many varieties of shelf releases were seen, both for City of Heroes, and its expansions, City of Villains and Going Rogue.

Below is a listing of all known worldwide commercial releases of the game, in chronological order.

North American Releases

City of Heroes Pre-Order Release Date: February 9, 2004 Game Version: N/A The pre-order for City of Heroes was available from different retailers, with each version granting a different in-game sprint power.

City of Heroes Release Date: April 28, 2004 Game Version: Issue 0 The original release of the game was also available to European players, but they were required to play on the North American servers.

City of Heroes Collector's DVD Edition Release Date: November 9, 2004 Game Version: Issue 2 The special edition of City of Heroes contained several bonus physical and in-game items, as well as a convenient single installation DVD.

City of Heroes Bootleg Edition Release Date: After March 22, 2005 Game Version: Issue 3 The Bootleg edition was a special promotional release which was bundled with other products or distributed at actual retailers for a nominal fee.

City of Villains Pre-Order Release Date: August 15, 2005 Game Version: N/A The pre-order for City of Villains was available from different retailers, with each version granting a different in-game Arachnos helmet costume piece.

City of Villains Release Date: October 31, 2005 Game Version: Issue 6 This game was the first "expanshalone" (stand-alone expansion) release that could be played either with or without City of Heroes.

City of Villains Collector's DVD Edition Release Date: October 31, 2005 Game Version: Issue 6 The special edition of City of Villains contained several bonus physical and in-game items, as well as a convenient single installation DVD.

City of Heroes Value Pak Release Date: March 22, 2006 Game Version: Issue 6 This was a special combined repackaging of City of Heroes and City of Villains with some bonus physical items.

Good Versus Evil Edition (First Release) Release Date: September 26, 2006 Game Version: Issue 7 The Good Versus Evil edition was a combined version of City of Heroes and City of Villains on one DVD with special bonus in-game items. The initial release was available exclusively at Walmart stores.

Good Versus Evil Edition (Second Release) Release Date: April 3, 2007 Game Version: Issue 7 The Good Versus Evil edition was later repackaged and rereleased to other retailers, with the same bonus in-game items as the original release.

City of Heroes (Jewel Case) Release Date: After March 6, 2008 Game Version: Issue 11 This was a budget packaged version released to stores that filled the gap between the Good Versus Evil and Architect editions.

City of Heroes Game Card Release Date: Beginning July 26, 2008 Game Version: N/A The Game Card was a digital-only version available at multiple retailers that allowed 30 days of game time, with a bonus in-game item.

Mac Special Edition Release Date: January 7, 2009 Game Version: Issue 13 The Mac Special Edition was a digital-only version for the Macintosh operating system. Existing players could purchase the special in-game items at a later date.

Architect Edition Release Date: April 14, 2009 Game Version: Issue 14 The Architect Edition was released to celebrate the Mission Architect game feature, and included a choice of special bonus in-game items.

Going Rogue Digital Prepurchase Release Date: March 2, 2010 Game Version: N/A Going Rogue was first available for digital prepurchase through the NCsoft store and guaranteed early access to two powers sets.

Going Rogue GameStop Pre-Order Release Date: May 28, 2010 Game Version: N/A Going Rogue was also available for pre-order exclusively through GameStop with special bonus physical and in-game items.

Going Rogue Release Date: August 17, 2010 Game Version: Issue 18 The Going Rogue Complete Collection contained all of the items from the digital prepurchase, as well as extra costume pieces, emotes, and a power.

City of Heroes Freedom Release Date: September 27, 2011 Game Version: Issue 21 City of Heroes Freedom was the final relaunch of the game in a hybrid free-to-play model.

European Releases

City of Heroes Deluxe Release Date: February 4, 2005 Game Version: Issue 3 The Deluxe version of City of Heroes gave Europeans their own servers and had the same bonus in-game items as the City of Heroes Collector's DVD Edition.

City of Villains Release Date: October 31, 2005 Game Version: Issue 6 This game was the first "expanshalone" (stand-alone expansion) release that could be played either with or without City of Heroes.

City of Villains Collector's DVD Edition Release Date: October 31, 2005 Game Version: Issue 6 The special edition of City of Villains contained several bonus physical and in-game items, as well as a convenient single installation DVD.

Good Versus Evil Combined Edition Release Date: September 29, 2006 Game Version: Issue 7 The Good Versus Evil Combined Edition offered City of Heroes and City of Villains on one DVD with special bonus in-game items.

GvE Combined Edition with Bonus Time Card Release Date: July 27, 2007 Game Version: Issue 7 The Good Versus Evil Combined Edition was later repackaged with an additional fifteen days of game time.

GvE Combined Edition Starter Pack Release Date: May 16, 2008 Game Version: Issue 7 The Good Versus Evil Combined Edition Starter Pack was a special trial version that was available across Europe.

Mac Special Edition Release Date: January 7, 2009 Game Version: Issue 13 The Mac Special Edition was a digital-only version for the Macintosh operating system. Existing players could purchase the special in-game items at a later date.

Architect Edition Release Date: April 14, 2009 Game Version: Issue 14 The Architect Edition was released to celebrate the Mission Architect game feature, and included a choice of special bonus in-game items. Only available as a digital purchase in Europe.

Going Rogue Digital Prepurchase Release Date: March 2, 2010 Game Version: N/A Going Rogue was first available for digital prepurchase through the NCsoft store and guaranteed early access to two powers sets.

Going Rogue GameStop Pre-Order Release Date: May 28, 2010 Game Version: N/A Going Rogue was also available for pre-order exclusively through GameStop with special bonus physical and in-game items. The bonus physical item was not available in Europe.

Going Rogue Release Date: August 17, 2010 Game Version: Issue 18 The Going Rogue Complete Collection contained all of the items from the digital prepurchase, as well as extra costume pieces, emotes, and a power. Only available as a digital purchase in Europe.

City of Heroes Freedom Release Date: September 27, 2011 Game Version: Issue 21 City of Heroes Freedom was the final relaunch of the game in a hybrid free-to-play model.

Asian Releases

City of Hero Main Article: [City of Hero] Beta Release Date: January 18, 2006 This Korean version never received an official release, and was shut down in June, 2007. Korean players were offered certificates to the American version as compensation. The two new signature characters who would have been added, Mirror Spirit and Foreshadow, were eventually worked into the American game as combat NPCs and trainers in Faultline and The Hollows, respectively.

See Also

• Merchandise
• Time Cards
• NCsoft