It's been coming for a few months now, and Cryptic Studios today made the jump for Champions Online to the free-to-play model. While the game has had micro-transactions as part of its play model since release, this is now the main focus of the game for attracting players.
A free account, considered "Silver Member" status, allows access to level 1-40 character progression "without restriction," according to the newsletter announcing the availability. "Gold Member" status, available for $14.99 a month, is essentially what Champions Online was before adopting the free-to-play model. You'll still have to buy some content in the Cryptic Store - including things like additional market slots, bank slots and character slots - but it also unlocks all of the game's content, allows for the classic freeform character progression, and grants 400 Cryptic Points for use in the store each month.
There actually are a few restrictions on Silver Members, though they do indeed have access to all of the "Champions Online Gold" and "levels" in the game. Outside of that, the membership level has been neutered quite a bit for free-to-play. You'll be severely limited in the number of characters you can create, the number of costumes you have, your inventory bag slots, market house slots, the amount of gold you can have on a character, and other aspects like character creation.
All-in-all, the Silver Member level looks to be more of an unlimited "trial" than "free-to-play," as a way to get people to check out the game without them having to buy a copy first. That said, it's worked for other games. Both Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online are doing extremely well after their transition from subscription-based to free-to-play. We'll have to see if this is the shot in the arm that Champions Online needs as it continues to compete with City of Heroes, and now also Champions Gold.
