The Champions Online team has announced a couple new ways for possible players to participate in the game as the Sept. 1 launch date approaches. First, it was previously announced in a post regarding pre-order details that open beta is set to begin Aug. 17. Well, starting Aug. 5 you'll be able to download the client from FilePlanet on a first-come, first-serve basis. According to the post, "the site will be giving away 50,000 keys to North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand." To enter, all you need to do is visit FilePlanet's Champions page or pre-order the game.

If that's not enough Champions excitement for you, Cryptic is also hosting a contest that will send one lucky community member to the Penny Arcade Expo, which will be held from Sept. 4-6 in Seattle. All you need to do to enter is register for an account on the official Champions site. The winner's trip to PAX will include air fare, a hotel room and dinner with the Cryptic team. You have until Aug. 17 to enter.