Maximum Charisma Studios has announced that it will distribute 55,000 beta copies of its upcoming online game Fighting Legends through a number of retail stores. The distribution plan is designed to maximize the feedback the developer will receive, which will help it avoid problems such as server overload that often hamper the launch of online games.

　　Those interested in participating in the open beta test can pick up a free beta version of the game between September 14 and October 5, 2001, at a variety of retailers including Best Buy, CompUSA, Fry's Electronics, Electronics Boutique, Electronics Boutique Canada, Future Shop (Canada), GameStop, Chips and Bits, Compucenter, CompuSmart, and Media Play.

　　Fighting Legends is an online strategy game that features role-playing elements. Players control a squad of up to 16 cartoon-style characters in an online world. They can undertake quests and adventures to give their characters more experience and develop their characters' skills, and they can fight against other players' squads in online battles.

　　Fighting Legends is scheduled for release in November. For more information, take a look at our previous coverage of the game.