YuriFoxfirega

Fair enough - but it's kind of silly to think that there wasn't a volcano there. Gotta be something for the PTS hat trick to make sense, right? :3 Was my only real point for it.

[ QUOTE ]
A mad scientist did it.

[/ QUOTE ]

He's not mad!

A little angry, maybe, but not mad.

[ QUOTE ]
a volcano splitting the island into 4 is silly. It would have been far bigger than Krakatoa. Assuming a natural volcano - which don't occur on the east coast.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't recall saying it wasn't silly, just possible. It totally depends on the stuff making the islands up (if it's a lot of weak, airy stuff then the force necessary to crack it into quarters [or some other fraction] is less), and how much creative freedom you're willing to put on the block to cover up the science of it.

Plausible, but highly unlikely.

EDIT: Fixed a broken tag.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Well, considering the pipes are part of the PTS (spoilers) I never really considered them volcanic/geothermal... There's "lava" under seemingly every cave in Paragon City but no surface volcanic activity.

My biggest surprise is that the eruption was big enough to split an island into 4 pieces, but yet there's no story about it, as far as I can tell.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Designed by Dr. Aeon, the Power Transference System, or P.T.S., is a connection of pipes in Cap au Diable which pumps the geothermal energy from Mount Diable and turns it into useful energy for the citizens of that zone." - Paragonwiki

>_> Putting that link in your statement, and then saying you're surprised that they're potentially volcanic/geothermal is a bit of a silly thing to do, mang.

[/ QUOTE ]

I take it you didn't read the whole page...

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't have to. I've done all of the relevant arcs and TFs surrounding it, and I'd like to echo what one contact straight up tells you in the first place:

They're very sure that at least some parts of the PTS actually do use geothermal energy, but the amount of energy that the system itself is putting out is way more then it should be for that particular method of energy acquisition, and that there's got to be something deeper going on then is let on.

I just like avoiding spoilers.

[ QUOTE ]
Well, considering the pipes are part of the PTS (spoilers) I never really considered them volcanic/geothermal... There's "lava" under seemingly every cave in Paragon City but no surface volcanic activity.

My biggest surprise is that the eruption was big enough to split an island into 4 pieces, but yet there's no story about it, as far as I can tell.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Designed by Dr. Aeon, the Power Transference System, or P.T.S., is a connection of pipes in Cap au Diable which pumps the geothermal energy from Mount Diable and turns it into useful energy for the citizens of that zone." - Paragonwiki

>_> Putting that link in your statement, and then saying you're surprised that they're potentially volcanic/geothermal is a bit of a silly thing to do, mang.

Though I get what you mean, considering all of the hulabaloo surrounding the PTS itself (including any and all spoilers), but the main thing is that they are actually utilizing geothermal energy. There's also a lot of things that could have lead to an island splitting - depending on the size of the island and the current shelf state, plus the nature of the first eruption, it could very well have done just that. It's been documented or theorized about before, after all (Like here).

I know that, more likely then not dependent on the pay model, I'm going to have a ready-made group for when the game launches.

Here's hoping they go into racial choices here soon, or announce a 'race creator' kind of thing for you to add in your own stuff (though I'll facepalm just as hard as any other nerd over illogical choices given timeperiod).

Really, all they have to do to throw me a bone is cough up Elomin or Nagai. Anything else on top of that would be major gravy (though I can suspect that, given the run of character choices in KotOR and KotOR2 [including sidekicks] that Cathar, Wookie, Zabrak, and Twi'lek are going to be very likely, with honorable mentions going to Quarren, Rodians, Trandoshans, Duros, and maybe one or two others I'm forgetting off the top of my head).

The... big, giant thermal tubes in Cap Au Diable didn't give you a hint in that direction? I mean. I'm just sayin'. I knew that at least 2 of the islands were volcanic, though I'm a bit intrigued (though not surprised) to hear that Grandville is as well.

Volcanos do tend to form chains, after all. Look at Hawaii.

[ QUOTE ]
PsychoPez wrote:

[ QUOTE ]
For all of those people who are making them but not seeing anyone play them: How are you getting the word out about your arc other than just posting them in your sig?

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, advertising arcs is the COH equivalent of putting flyers under windshield wipers.

A small percentage of the overall COH population is into the MA enough to look for new arcs, play, and review them.

Basing my opinion on years of usability testing, I think the vast majority of people quickly reach overload level. They use the search engine to whittle down the flood, and then just pick one of arcs that show up in the first screen. Or they farm Freakshow.

Pity. There's a lot of love being poured into the MA, and most of it remains hidden away. It reminds me of the last scene in the first Indiana Jones movie, when the old dude wheels the crate with the Ark into that huge warehouse.

--NT

[/ QUOTE ]

I personally cherry pick stuff based off tags at the moment, and will likely adjust it for the updated search options when they come out. Lately, I've been looking for stuff that's fine to play in the 15-20 range, but am finding it sort of a pain to do so. Once I hit the 25+ range, I'll probably be less picky and just start picking arcs that sound good at the time, though even with that method I'm usually searching through all the way to page 8 or 10 finding something that's both A) interesting and B) I haven't already done.

I've found a lot of decent arcs that way, and only a handful that have made my facedesk.

...As far as how I'm personally advertising, I bring it up and post the IDs whenever they come up in relevant conversation. It's a bit of attention-[censored], I'm sure, but I'm perfectly fine with it. I've had 24 people play my arcs, total, and honestly... That seems to be alright with me.

Wish more people would play the main arc then the group-test arc, but eh. That's how the ball rolls on occasion. I'm not out to get a bajillion plays, after all - I'm in it for the joy of creating content that other people may or may not find enjoyable. If people disagree with how I make things, I'm very good at taking criticism (I find some stuff outright hilarious, infact!) and giving it serious consideration, even if I don't agree with it. End of the day, though, it's about setting up a story.

So far, most people have found my work good, and that makes me happy. A few have even given me some ideas on what I need to look into for fixes, and that just makes it easier every time I revise things, and hopefully makes things more fun for the next people.

Then again, I have pessimistic expectations. I'm outright overjoyed I got over 10 plays, let alone 14 on my main arc. Couldnae be a happier girl.

EDIT: *Scribbles Bill's name on 'List of People's Arcs to Blow Up'.* >.> Which you can help facilitate by PMing me globals, so I don't have to guess.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Except, what's the point in this feature if it's identical to creating a new character?

I suppose if you already had 396 characters, but I doubt that's common.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's mostly for thematic reasons, probably why it will never get done, don't you have any characters that you really loved and would like to develop another side to?

[/ QUOTE ]

I normally just roll up a second character with identical height/sliders/costumes. Or, slightly modified costumes. It's effectively the same thing, for the most part, especially if you do it cross AT.

Common suggestion, and just as commonly broken down to explain why it's a bad idea.

...I'm sure Aett or Bill'll be along at some point.

Have one serious arc (#105556), and one 'placeholder' testing arc (#53003) up at the moment, to test the custom enemy group I created in the first arc and fine-tune them without having to slog through 4 missions to do it (and because it's easier that way).

Currently waiting for i15 to go through and do some story adjustments (I like the stuff now, but I'd like to highlight important stuff now that I've figured out a few more editing tricks), and to downgrade the aforementioned custom enemy group. They're not super-powerful, but they are acting slightly outside of the range that I want them operating in.

Really, just a lot of little things to tweak and adjust here and there, before I get to work on the next part in the story...

I'm feeling better and better about my setup.

...I'll try and get a camera to put-up-or-shut-up.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think I've ever said anything is "hard" to do or even intentionally implied it. Challenging isn't really a factor for 99% of the stuff we do. Instead, it really boils down to time, available manpower, and prioritizing what's needed over what's desired or what we think will have the biggest impact on the game over what will appease the vocal minority.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeeeeessssss.... like PvP, and the Arena... merits and such ... all "worthy" uses of time and assets ... NOT!

[/ QUOTE ]

...Can we please get a sticky of exactly what each developer's job is? So any time someone complains to BaB about anything that isn't animation related, we can point out that it's not his department and they're wasting his/their/our time?

[/ QUOTE ]

You say that like it'd stop them from being annoying about it, and that they'd actually read it.

Both of which I find absolutely depressing.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I really wish the emote pop-up menu picked up more of the newer ones. I forget they are there, and I feel silly keeping a print out of them on my desk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Many of the new emotes are tied to exclusive content such as Booster packs. Our quickmenu system isn't robust enough to discern whether or not an emote is something that you can actually do, so there'd be a lot of confusion for players if the Wedding pack or Cyborg pack emotes suddenly appeared in their quickmenu, but they couldn't actually use them.

However, some of our more clever players have figured out that you can edit the quickmenu on your personal system and basically set it up to do whatever you want. A bit of searching and I'm sure you can find a link to the how to for that.

[/ QUOTE ]

How about this, BaBs: every time a booster gets an emote, a "power" is granted to the player that does nothing else than activate the emote. It can be something like mastermind command icons and be in a tiny "Elite Emotes" power category.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why do you hate me, and my nice, clean, organized action bars?

[ QUOTE ]
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeeeaah, great story.

Aww... don't tell me I need to pay $29.95 for the full version! It was just getting good! ;_;

I am t3h sad fox.

But the reassurance you'll be back soon gives me a bit of heart - Never really got to talk with you all that much in game, but I thought you were a very nice and interesting person all the same.

Wishing you the best no matter what happens.

Rock on, soul sista.

*Munches on popcorn.*

Awesome. :3

[ QUOTE ]
From the trailer I wonder if the attacks of the bounty hunter class will be composed of AoEs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can sure as heck dream.

[ QUOTE ]
So, I - who have been around several years, and have some badges that are unobtainable any more such as the 1st anniversary of COH, of COV, second, third, fourth, and now fifth, not to mention some paid-for badges, would have a *decided in game advantage* over someone just starting - one they could never catch up with.

I would also, by default, JUST BY CREATING A NEW CHARACTER, have a decided in-game advantage for doing... nothing.

No.

If you think badges are worthless, don't collect them. It doesn't hurt you any to ignore them. I don't care about most of them, and like it that way.

[/ QUOTE ]

Weighin' in with Bill on this one.

I don't monitor my End at all on my Kat/WP scrapper because my recovery is already absurd (3.7 end/s, with 115 endurance). The base recovery is only 1.67. With ~200 Endurance, I'd be getting back 4end/s... more then enough to never have to worry about End ever again, on any character I'd create.

Balance would be horrific with this change.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Confuse can diminish xp if a confused foe kills another foe.

[/ QUOTE ]

For a single mob, yes, EXP can be reduced. Over time, however, the damage contributed by a confused foe means you're killing the mobs more quickly; and the EXP curve remains unchanged. Also, the amount of exp lost by a "minor" damage contribution by a source not on the same team as you is very, very minimal.

...

[/ QUOTE ]

I still hear this one in fact last night:

Player A:
You know that confuse power is costing us exp?

Me on my fortuna: But it is helping us kill faster, so it's a wash [on custom mobs who were mostly lt's and rezed after dying].

Player A: Hardly.

Me: crickets chirping [another one who will never be convinced]

He left before the end of the mission, no one else said anything.

And then I've had other players who loved the confuse powers. Honestly I mainly use the confuse power when I have to to stay alive, not every time it is up, or to open a bunch of mobs when there's no brute.

[/ QUOTE ]If you got a high damage team then any damage confuse does is overkill and not needed and in a sense just leeching xp. It doesnt happen often but sometimes I get on teams with multiple blasters that take turns nuking so spawn thats getting like 1 or 2 hits in before its steam rolled is just causing xp loss because they would have died anyways in the same amount of time from said nuke.

[/ QUOTE ]

Except if you're doing more then 50% of the total damage to the mob (as a group), then you're still getting the full experience for it, totally making that point invalid for the most part.

[/ QUOTE ]No, if you and your team are doing 50% of the damage to the critters, you're getting 80% xp, not 100%. See graph.

That said, on steamrolling teams I never use Confuse simply because the animation is too long (and my Fortunata doesn't have Aura of Confusion, and I don't have a Mind Dominator/Controller at 32+). By the time I've cast Confuse/Deceive, the spawn is already dead, or would be if I had used an AoE attack instead of Confuse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahh. That helps a bit in figuring it out.

Really, in a large group, the only times I bother with confuse are when I have Seeds of Confusion or Mass Confusion up. Otherwise, I just sort of forget to do it when I have more effective tools on hand.

Though it comes in handy when I need to neturalize something fast, or I want to get the benefits of something NPCs get (like Radiation Infection, or pets), and I don't have anything better up. For much the same reasons you gave - way too slow.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'll be skipping Hot Feet though, I can promise you that. If that's the one I'm thinking it is.... requires you to be on the ground to use.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hot Feet does indeed require you to be on the ground to activate, but once the toggle is on there's nothing preventing you from using it while flying.

[/ QUOTE ]

And it benefits from Containment. Which is just tasty.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Confuse can diminish xp if a confused foe kills another foe.

[/ QUOTE ]

For a single mob, yes, EXP can be reduced. Over time, however, the damage contributed by a confused foe means you're killing the mobs more quickly; and the EXP curve remains unchanged. Also, the amount of exp lost by a "minor" damage contribution by a source not on the same team as you is very, very minimal.

...

[/ QUOTE ]

I still hear this one in fact last night:

Player A:
You know that confuse power is costing us exp?

Me on my fortuna: But it is helping us kill faster, so it's a wash [on custom mobs who were mostly lt's and rezed after dying].

Player A: Hardly.

Me: crickets chirping [another one who will never be convinced]

He left before the end of the mission, no one else said anything.

And then I've had other players who loved the confuse powers. Honestly I mainly use the confuse power when I have to to stay alive, not every time it is up, or to open a bunch of mobs when there's no brute.

[/ QUOTE ]If you got a high damage team then any damage confuse does is overkill and not needed and in a sense just leeching xp. It doesnt happen often but sometimes I get on teams with multiple blasters that take turns nuking so spawn thats getting like 1 or 2 hits in before its steam rolled is just causing xp loss because they would have died anyways in the same amount of time from said nuke.

[/ QUOTE ]

Except if you're doing more then 50% of the total damage to the mob (as a group), then you're still getting the full experience for it, totally making that point invalid for the most part.

Felicitous annual hatching day, Radz.

Very well done! Though somehow not what I expected from a Shia...

Eventually, I'll learn to stop expecting things, and just accept that some names = Quality.

That's a verbose way of saying 'Most excellent'.