just got emailed this

[Acyl]

Information that ain't linked here, and is relevant to our interests:-

Press Release and FAQ

The press release confirms that this is indeed the Praetorian world we all know and love. Emperor Cole is Tyrant - it makes sense that he doesn't, y'know, call himself that in front of his people. =D

In the Going Rogue expansion, hero and villain characters will become immersed in the new parallel universe known as Praetoria, which is governed by Tyrant™, the evil incarnation of the game's main protagonist, Statesman™. As gamers search for Tyrant and the rest of his Praetorian guard, implacable foes and fierce resistance will arise to face them from all sides, causing heroes and villains alike to question their loyalties.

I think that's a wise choice. Best to build on what's already established in the game lore, even if it constitutes mild retconning here and there. We're all familiar with the Praetorian concept by now, so this works very well.

Also, regarding the two characters featured prominently in this expansion:-

Going Rogue will also introduce two primary new fictional characters representative of this alignment shift in the game's lore: Maelstrom, a pistol-wielding hero gone rogue, and Desdemona, a demon-summoning villain who has been redeemed.

I'm kinda disappointed that it isn't an EVIL FORESHADOW, because it looked a whole lot like that visually. But who knows, there might still be some kinda connection.

From the FAQ, the official launch date is still under wraps.

Critically, according to the FAQ...Going Rogue is not a stand-alone expansion. You must have City of Heroes/City of Villains to play. This suggests it might not have full 1-50 content. I dunno. Too early to say what will be in it.

The FAQ does make it clear that side-switching is not a one-time decision; you can go back and forth. There will be an open beta for Going Rogue, also.
-- Acyl