It seems that most MMOs these days end up employing a free-to-play model at some point in their life-line.

Lord of The Rings Online will be free to play shortly, so we hear, and now Atari has confirmed that Cryptic Studios' Champions Online will also suffer the same fate early next year.

Champions Online will be available for free in the first quarter of 2011, though premium content can be purchased at an additional cost, including particular super-hero powers and costumes.

For free, you'll get unlimited playtime, freedom to reach the highest level cap at no cost, and the chance to customise your very own super-hero in an attempt to stop the evil Dr. Destroyer and his minions.

There's a closed beta phase for Champions Online free-to-play kicking off on November 9, 2010, but there will be a small amount of places available for new players.