UPDATE: The Champions Online demo is now live and "offers unlimited playtime in the game’s first zone."

Publisher Atari and developer Cryptic Studios are really turning up the heat in Champions Online this week, launching several new-user incentive programs and kicking off the in-game, Attack of the Misfit Toys holiday event. As we reported last week, Cryptic began a new referral program that offers benefits to each party, and released an iPhone app that allows you to share character info and access in-game features like the mail system.

This week, Cryptic launches two new features: the in-game holiday event, Attack of the Misfit Toys, and a free-to-play demo that allows new players to try out Champions Online. You can check out the Attack of the Misfit Toys section of the official website for more info about the in-game holiday event, which promises new items, costumes, perks and an epic battle with "Black Harlequin."

The new Champions Online Demo program, which is scheduled to launch Dec. 21 (although the official demo section of the website still hasn't been updated, as of press time), was just recently announced in a press release, including commentary from Bill Roper, Executive Producer of Champions Online. "To prolong the fun, Cryptic Studios is also inviting new players to enjoy a Champions Online demo," the press release reads. "Players can play the tutorial for free, defending Millennium City from alien invasion. Players will be able to create two fully customized characters and play them all the way up to Level 15 within the tutorial. Look for the demo beginning December 21, 2009."

To read the full press release, which outlines all four new Champions Online features/events, click past the jump.

NEW YORK, Dec 18, 2009 -- Atari, Inc. and Cryptic Studios announced today a quartet of new programs to celebrate the holiday season in Champions Online.

"We really wanted to celebrate the holidays by giving our players some really fun gifts," said Bill Roper, Executive Producer of Champions Online. "So we've cooked up a brand new winter event, and created several new ways to share the joy of Champions Online."

First among those is the Attack of the Misfit Toys. In celebration of the winter holiday season, psychotic bad guy Black Harlequin has made deadly changes to all the toys being given out in Millennium City. He's even has brought along his own giant, murderous mecha-teddy, Clarence, to have some fun.

Also in the holiday spirit, but far less deadly, Cryptic Studios is initiating a referral program allowing players to invite a friend to play free for ten days. Both players and recruits will win a rare in-game action figure and bonuses. For every recruit who buys the game, players will also earn an extra costume slot and 400 Cryptic Points to spend as they wish.

To prolong the fun, Cryptic Studios is also inviting new players to enjoy a Champions Online demo. Players can play the tutorial for free, defending Millennium City from alien invasion. Players will be able to create two fully customized characters and play them all the way up to Level 15 within the tutorial. Look for the demo beginning December 21, 2009.

The team at Cryptic Studios is also taking Champions Online mobile with a new iPhone app. Players can download the Champions Companion for free from the App Store. Champions Companion allows players to keep up with the latest game news, view their characters and communicate with friends playing the game.

Champions Online taps into a rich universe of heroes and villains with unparalleled intrigue and adventure. Cryptic Studios has taken the genre to new heights with Champions Online's fast paced, "real time" action combat and the power of total customization. Through Champions' unique character customization tool the player can create and individualize every component of their hero: name, back story, costume, powers and abilities can all be modified in countless ways. In addition to allowing players to transform into the ultimate hero, gamers can craft an enemy of the extreme opposite, concoct a villainous history for their ultimate foe and guarantee themselves a truly unique experience.

For more information about the Attack of the Misfit Toys event, please click here: http://www.champions-online.com/winter_event

For more information about the Champions Online Referral Program, please click here: http://www.champions-online.com/referral

For more information about the Champions Online Demo, please click here on December 21, 2009: http://www.champions-online.com/demo

For more information about the Champions Companion for iPhone, please click here: http://www.champions-online.com/companion