NCsoft and Cryptic Studios have released the newest expansion to City of Heroes and City of Villains delivering greater depth to players with the inclusion of an innovative crafting system and auction houses. The expansion, "Issue 9: Breakthrough", free to current subscribers, also includes new high-level adventures with the new Statesman Taskforce and an update of the Hamidon Encounter.

The City of Heroes franchise recently celebrated its third birthday, during which time the game has seen eight free major content expansions and the addition of the companion game, City of Villains to create one of the most popular and robust, comic-book based PC games on the market. The content delivered in Issue 9 rounds-out the game's features, providing players the chance to develop their crafting skills and use loot earned in battle.

The new invention system, available for both heroes and villains, allows players to craft custom made, high-powered enhancements as well as unique costume pieces and temporary powers. Players collect loot in the form or salvage and invention recipes found after defeating enemies and completing missions to create the uber-enhancements and other items. This allows players to develop crafting skills to go along with their combat abilities.

Players who create items using the new invention system can either use them to enhance their characters or take them to the game's new consignment markets to share with other players while earning valuable currency. For heroes, Wentworth's Fine Consignments have opened their doors throughout Paragon City where newly crafted items can be put up for auction. Villain craftsmen can take their items to the black market auction in trucks placed throughout the Rogue Isles.

"The new systems added to Issue 9 should give players a lot to do outside of combat," said Matt Miller, Cryptic Studio's lead designer for City of Heroes and City of Villains. "Now players can be craftsmen along with being heroes or villains, and earn a living by custom building items and taking them to the consignment market for sale. This is a big component to making the ‘City of' world a deeper and richer experience."

Issue 9 also adds high-level missions to the game with the Statesman's Task Force where heroes can gain major rewards for protecting Paragon City from the forces of evil and Lord Recluse. Additionally, the end-game raid challenge, the Hamidon Encounter, is now available for villains and has been revamped for heroes so new tactics will be needed to defeat one of the games' greatest threats.

Players can join in the City of Heroes and City of Villains adventures via the new "Good Versus Evil Edition" game pack which is now available at retailers across North America. The "Good Versus Evil Edition" 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.