Beta testing for City of Villains began in August 2005 and ended a few days before release with an event where the developers played famous NPC heroes attacking the Rogue Isles. The update history of CoV mirrors that of City of Heroes and starts at Issue #6 "Along Came a Spider" where the content of both games were linked. Issue #7 titled "Destiny Manifest" introduced electricity powers and the "Mayhem Missions" in which one can invade CoH's Paragon City and rob banks and cause mayhem as well as a new player versus player zone. Issue #8 titled "To Protect and Serve" did not influence CoV as much as it did CoH. Issue #9 titled "Breakthrough" introduced the Inventions and auction house systems. Issue #10 "Invasion" focused on the Rikti villain group that is central to the backstory of City of Heroes, and the Rikti War Zone was, so far, unique in that it is designed around the concept of the heroes and villains working together against the Rikti, whereas in player vs. player zones, villains and heroes are on opposing sides in any conflict which occurs, save for Warburg, which is described by the City of Heroes website as a 'free-for-all' zone where it's every character for themselves. The latest update, Issue #11 "A Stitch In Time" introduced the Ourobouros group and time travel. This issue also introduced two new power sets for melee characters, weapon customisation (on drawn weapons) and the Flashback system.
Also, just like City of Heroes, City of Villains shares holiday-themed events, such as the Christmas and New Years Eve-themed Winter Event, a Valentine's Day event, and a Halloween event. The various games' anniversaries are also celebrated by rewarding players with items for signing on.