Happy September everyone! This is the month many of us will be starting our fall semesters of school, college, or university (or in my case, Lincoln Logs 101). In that respect, let’s talk about what’s taking the top of our priority list: Massively Multiplayer Games!

Launching…

September is a month of birth, and what a month it is. September sees the launch of:

Champions Online

By the time you read this, Champions Online has already gone live. This superhero MMO is based on the Champions roleplaying game, and is created by the same guys that developed City of Heroes; Cryptic Studios. For those of you who didn’t gain access to the early headstart, and have received their live keys, you can dive, run, hover, or fly right into the action! Champions Online features a wide array of customization options, matched only by that of the original, City of Heroes. Hopefully Cryptic will work on fixing various issues that plagued the live events.

Fallen Earth

The post-apocalyptic first/third person shooter launches on September 15th, with preorder customers picking up their ATV/Horses starting on the 9th. Fallen Earth was pushed back a few days in order to work out server issues, but the title seems ready and raring to go. Grab a crossbow, cook some shredded rat meat, and get ready to kill some mutants in the middle of this month. Fallen Earth is the first MMO title from Fallen Earth LLC.

Aion

And last but not least, who can miss the elephant in the room? Following an insanely successful launch in Asian territory, Aion comes to the west at the end of September, promising to offer fighting, a modified Cryengine, and wings. Did I mention aerial combat? With wings? Aion launches on September 22nd to North America and Europe.Will the title be as popular in the West as it was in the East? Only time will tell.

Expansions…

DDO For VIP

Also launching today is the VIP headstart for Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited. DDO: Unlimited raises the level cap to 20 and opens up the Dungeons and Dragons Online shop, where players an buy goodies for their characters. Unfortunately for dungeon raiders in Europe, DDO: Unlimited is pulling a free to play model for North America only. VIP members gain access today while the title opens to the general public on the 9th.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss

The 8th expansion pack to the grandpa of all MMOs goes live on September 8th. Originally set to release in 2007, Stygian Abyss has seen two years worth of delays, but finally trudges on to the live servers this month. Bringing an entirely new race, the Gargoyle, and a brand new facet, as well as a massive dungeon filled with monsters, and nonconsensual Pvp, a new crafting skill, and a new form of magic, Stygian Abyss is set to do exactly what Ultima Online has been doing for 12 years. Impress.

Runes of Magic: Chapter 2

What else would the second expansion bring to the free WoW clone, Runes of Magic? A higher level cap (55), new dungeons and instances, new classes (The Warden and Druid) and the brand new rainforest zone, Savage Lands. On September 15th, players will be able to launch into these new lands and participate in a new 150 man multi-part public encounter. The encounter will bring forward the Demon Lord, a character Runes of Magic players may be familiar with, but have never met.

Anniversaries…

Warhammer Online

Warhammer Online gets weened off the bottle this month, hitting one year old on September 18th. The first year of Warhammer Online has been shaky at best. Over 70 servers have been merged or closed, a loss of over 450,000 subscribers in one quarter, and between 60 and 130 employees have been laid off. Meanwhile Mythic has started numerous live events, and continues to expand and improve the RvR and other pvp mechanics of the title. In fact, a live event is running right now! Warhammer Online is sprinting somewhere, and no doubt we’ll find out in year 2 where exactly that destination is.

Ultima Online

You can’t miss this beast. Ultima Online, as of September 30th, will be 12 years old, continuing its pace as the longest running MMO, reminding us that graphics count for nothing when gameplay is the best in town. Also celebrating this month, Ultima is launching the 8th expansion pack, Stygian Abyss, bringing in Gargoyles, new abilities, and entire new facets.