Register your game

There are two different editions of the game. The registration process is the same for both editions, but the key found in the box will be printed on different sheets so please read the following instructions carefully.

City of Heroes standalone box

In your City of Heroes standalone box you will find a piece of white card, with ‘Security Card’ written on it (pictured right). Open this card by tearing along the perforated edges.

Printed on the inside of the Security Card you will find a 20-digit code, which is used to activate your City of Heroes Game Account, and will grant you 30 days of play within Paragon City.

If you purchased the Deluxe edition, this code will also unlock an in-game ‘VIP’ badge, access to a unique cape at Security Level 20 and use of the prestige Power Slide power.

City of Heroes and City of Villains Combined Edition

Your Game Activation Card (pictured below), which is included in your City of Heroes and City of Villains Combined Edition box, contains a unique code that is used to register your copy of the game. This code is found under the scratch-off area on the reverse of the card and will grant you 30 days of play within Paragon City.

The City of Heroes and City of Villains Combined Edition box will also give you an exclusive set of costume pieces, a Jump Jet prestige power and an in-game ‘VIP’ badge.

Start here: if you are a new player of City of Heroes

• Go to PlayNC.com.
  • If you have an existing PlayNC Master Account, click the ‘Account’ link on the left hand navigation menu and sign in using your account name and password.
  • If you are new to PlayNC, create a new Master Account by clicking the ‘Account’ link on the left hand navigation and then clicking the ‘Create’ link that appears below it. Once your Master Account has been validated and created, return to PlayNC.com and click the ‘Account’ link again and sign in using the account name and password you just created.

• On your ‘PlayNC Account Management’ page, click the ‘Add Games’ link to the right-hand side of the ‘Games List’ section.
• Enter your Game Activation Code and click ‘Add’.

• You should receive an on-screen confirmation, and an email to confirm. You’re ready to start playing! Simply launch the game and sign in using the game account name and password you created at PlayNC.

Start here: If you are already a City of Villains player

Important: Please log out of the game before you apply an upgrade key

By purchasing City of Heroes, you’ve just given yourself access to an entire world of super-powered roleplaying in Paragon City, and all for the same subscription fee you pay to play City of Villains. All you have to do is ‘upgrade’ your existing City of Villains account with the code on your City of Heroes Game Activation Card, found in your City of Heroes box (see pictures at the top of this page).

Please note: You do not need to install City of Heroes from the game install CDs if you have already installed City of Villains. City of Heroes and City of Villains share the same game client, therefore you have effectively already installed City of Heroes when you installed City of Villains. Just follow the steps below:

• Go to PlayNC.com and click the ‘Sign-in’ link on the left hand navigation menu.
• On your ‘PlayNC Account Management’ page, click the ‘Account Details’ button under the City of Villains game account you wish to upgrade. This will load a new page, click the ‘Upgrade’ button to the right-hand side of the page.

• Enter your City of Heroes Game Activation Code and click ‘Add’. This code is found under the scratch-off area on the reverse of the Game Activation Card.

• You should receive an on-screen confirmation, and an email to confirm. You’re ready to play City of Villains and City of Heroes, for one subscription fee!

If you have any problems registering your game, visit our Support site and request support from the Account Support team via the ‘Ask a Question’ tab.