Bountytaker

True....and it doesn't state what they based their review on. But, if:

1) The reviewers don't find/mention any major problems with the issue, over a week ago, couldn't that be a "sign"(albeit small) that the issue isn't bad?

2) If Cryptic was worried about major issues/problems with the patch, wouldn't they try harder to stop, or downplay, reviews?


I recognize that it's not the most compelling point....which is why it's five on my list of frustrations. Really, the cancelling/moving of three designs out of the issue, with no significant time gained, really busts my hump.

Reasons why delays like this are annoying for me:

---note: you will not see mention of distance between issues, subscription fees, plans to play during the holiday, or blase' attitudes towards gamebreaking bugs----

1) They gave up on trying to add an Issue "event" to I8 because of the delay it might cause, and because it would be close to Halloween....so, of course, we get delays anyway, and are three weeks away from the end of the Halloween event.

2) They transferred one "massive" system (inventions) to the next issue at a relatively early stage.....and still couldn't get what's left done in near their original expected time.

3) They tried to rush flight poses for the issue, pulled them back to have the time to "do them right", and ended up having another MONTH to try to get them in...of course, we won't see them in I8 regardless.

4) Just TWO WEEKS AGO, Lighthouse said: [ QUOTE ]
Barring any major issues that come up from play testing, we plan to bring Issue 8 to the live servers with enough lead time so that we will be in a good position to make any adjustments to it prior to the US Thanksgiving holiday (Nov. 23rd).

[/ QUOTE ]...so, either a major issue has come up that they aren't telling us about, or the dev team can't even assess the issues status within a TWO WEEK time frame.

5) Review sites have played I8, and offered their takes on it(mostly good, and definitely playable), but the issue is not live worthy yet.

Enjoy

[ QUOTE ]
They're not an exact copy. But yes, it looks like this will be a six month delay rather than seven, as I7 was.


[/ QUOTE ]

Point taken....although not one I would hang my hat on if I were the devs

[ QUOTE ]
Cryptic haven't lost any staff, they've taken staff on. NCSoft have lost staff, which may or may not have had an impact on QA.

[/ QUOTE ]

As pointed out, Cryptic has lost staff (Zeb and Shane). The "lost staff" quote was directed more at NCSoft, as support for the feeling that BOTH companies have diminished interest in advancing this game.

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Yep...considering that I9 will be considerably larger than I8 I would easily wager a guess at a May-June launch for it...hell, by then they'll have to come up with new Vet rewards to go past the 3 year mark.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ha! Beat yourprediction by two hours!

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
* Increased game complexity (that is, issues contain features for both Heroes and Villains; also may include bugs caused by enhancing engine features, such as PhysX support and advanced graphics)

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds most likely to me. I7 was mostly late because of Mayhem Mission tech and all that PhysX stuff, if I remember rightly.

The more innovation there is, the later the issue seems to come. Adding straightforward 'content', like zones and missions, doesn't seem to snarl things up in the same way. The new Faultline doesn't look like it played much of a part in delaying I8.

[/ QUOTE ]

But the hero "protect" missions aren't brand new....they're a copy of the mayhem missions...shouldn't that have helped make them a bit easier?


Being the crazy conspiracy theorist that I am, I lean more towards the "publisher and developer have moved their focus away from this game" theory. Lots of lost staff, lots of communication loss, no major marketing campaigns, all suggest to me that they (NCSoft and Cryptic) have moved on...if not in body, then at least in soul.

[ QUOTE ]
We should not DEMAND that they produce results based on our timing but rely upon their timing

[/ QUOTE ]

The problem is, lately, the devs timing has been well off.....well off.

Remember, they're the ones hinting at quarterly issues, release dates in certain months, etc....not us.

As was already said, the bug issues and problems SHOULD be factored into their planning already. So, their timing should be a bit more accurate. Their "cryptic" hints at when new stuff will be released (on the boards and in articles) suggest they are not doing so.

This was any easy one:

My favorite part of the game is also the part that has gotten ignored in greater and greater amounts over the last year and a half...

the storyline!

I was gonna add my concerns about "who will write the big story" to the others already posted, but then I remembered we have a 700 page story bible....so I'm sure we're fine



Seriously, though, best of luck...hope the new game turns out as great as you imagined it to be.

[ QUOTE ]
On the tourney issue, I really want to set one up, but looking at the schedule I'm not sure where in the near term we can cram one in (darn holidays and some travel!).

[/ QUOTE ]

Random suggestion:

How about trying to set up a team tournament to coincide with the Super Bowl in Feb.?

If that's not possible, then I'd try for March.....and have CoH's own version of March Madness!

States:

Honestly...the issues with bases aren't a big deal for me.

See, I'm primarily a solo player. Pretty much all of my alts have remained SG free since day one, over two years ago. Yeah, I team often, but I've only occassionally joined an official group. It's just not something I'm into.

So, since there are no solo base designs, I pretty much ignore the code.

Oh, and yes, I do like the costume creator, and have multiple costumes for my heroes. Obviously, though, costumes are solo player friendly.


I wonder how many other players feel similarly?

[ QUOTE ]
Harry, it is believed, confided to his close circle that he didn’t want this lifestyle for Sebastian. He wanted something better, or at least more legitimate for his heir.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Senator Frost; Governor Frost. Well, it wasn't enough time, Sebastian. It wasn't enough time."

Love the backgrounder....great read, great story....the Family are, IMO, the best of the underused villain groups.

Not as enamored with the case file info...a bit sloppy and disjointed, although nothing terrible. Really, the only part I didn't like was the suggestion the Sebastian is a super-powered being...

I like the idea of the Family as a "classic" villain group (gangs, guns, and street crime). We've got enough "supers" to deal with that I want to keep a few standard villain types around.

Overall, though, great great stuff.

[ QUOTE ]
That was too bad. The game needed more lore, not less.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFT


As much as I am unhappy with the "lore" aspect of this event, including the badge situation, I AM happy with the overall response to it....

If the excited and happy reactions I see all around the boards aren't enough of a sign that this game needs more events, I don't know what is

Happy about the length of time for the event....

Very happy with the news of an email notification for it's start...

Glad that we did get a story element to this event....

Expected it to be a rehash of the Malleus Mundi story, but still disappointed by the fact...

Wish they had taken the time to make it a short series of P.T. articles, especially since it won't start for another 12 days....

/agree that calling the area Croatoa doesn't make sense...

[ QUOTE ]

I'm sure his SG mates will be really gnashing their teeth about missing out on the Cyrillic letters and sombrero hat Veterans Rewards if they're interested expanded gameplay options. There's only so many baby carrots you can dangle for some people before the hunger for a real meal overpowers the desire for those adorable little carrots.

[/ QUOTE ]




QFT

[ QUOTE ]
Hey guys, a quick clarification:

The Invention System and the "Legends" System are "one in the same"...

Basically the Legends system, as it was designed, was not implemented, but out of it grew what will be known as the Invention System. The Invention System does what we wanted the Legends System to do, and a whole lot more, and lays the ground work for limitless expandability that the Legend System just didn't have.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is it possible that, besides crafting enh's or insp's., that the new system allows you to craft missions?

It would seem strange if all lvl 50's got were enhancement crafting tools. But, if they got the ability to "craft" missions which they could either: a) hand out, or b) take on themselves...that might be more widely appealing.

It might also explain the "limitless expansion" prospects. Any time new salvage is added to the game (new events, new villain groups, new trials, etc.), it would mean new missions could be "crafted".

Just some wild speculation on my part. I can't imagine the whole thing is just enhancement/inspiration/temp power making.

I didn't notice....has there been any clarification on the VIP room/gold card that comes with the GvE edition?

Will there be a way to earn a "gold card" without buying the GvE edition (or digital package)?

If not, why create a whole new part of Pocket D just to teleport people to? Why not a just have a "teleport to pocket D" power?


I'm just not getting the purpose, or the coolness, of the Tiki Lounge from the feature description. Maybe it's because of all the speculation on the test boards when it first showed....

I still think it would be neat to combine a personal base system with an archnemesis system....

Basically, you give permission to one other player to raid your base, and vice-versa. (not permanently, mind you) This other player becomes, in essence, your archenemy...

Completely optional, of course.....


I think there's a lot of potential in something like that

1) Best of luck to you Cuppa. As all the others said, your were the backbone of this community, and you will be greatly missed. I always expected this day to come, although I always imagined it would be to a higher position in another company. Still, it's a loss for us, but hopefully good for you.

2) Congrats to Cricket. I'm sure the next two years with you are going to be as good as the last two with Cuppa. They couldn't have chosen a better replacement.


and......


3) Personally, I'm quite annoyed with this move. I really don't see why we keep losing personel to the new game. Why doesn't NCSoft train the personel here, then send them over to the new game, and let the established people stay?

I'm sorry, it just doesn't feel right. Why does the established community get changed for the betterment of the new game. IMO, it's quite frustrating.

Now, if Cuppa is moving over because she's getting a promotion and a raise, great! It's well deserved, and a move that makes sense.

But, if it's just a lateral move, ie. same positon, same pay, same company, different game, I think it's a sucky move for the community.

That's just my opinion, though, based on my limited knowledge of the facts. But, I am having more and more moments where I feel that this game is getting the shaft from its producer. I hope that feeling goes away soon.

[ QUOTE ]
Why does it need a reason?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good question....I don't really know

Curiosity, I guess. Just seemed like the question to ask.


I could argue that, with a reason behind it, we might see less arguments/complaints about it...but, I'm a realist, and I doubt it


Yeah, I guess it was just curiosity....is it a PR event, or does it lead to more....enquiring minds want to know

[ QUOTE ]
You all will get emails on it monday. It is happening.

[/ QUOTE ]

Will the email give more details as to the "purpose" of the "weekend"?

If not, any chance we can get some more info as to the reason? Is it a PR event.....or is there a greater purpose?



Just curious

So glad to hear it was a fun event...props to the devs for continuing to be "down to earth" with the players.....

The server transfer stuff is interesting. I never expected it to be a "pay for" service. Is it really that much more expensive to run?

[ QUOTE ]
Wings are costume options and will not be specific to any certain AT.


[/ QUOTE ]

Now that HAS to be in response to player suggestions....at one point it was AT only, right? Good call either way.


[ QUOTE ]
Updates to Boomtown, Faultline, and the Rikti Crash Site are currently being worked on and expected for Issue 8. We will be able to enter the ship. The zones are being redesigned with new art, contacts, etc using Striga and Croatoa as models.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorely needed....can't wait.


[ QUOTE ]
Universities - They will be doing something with them in Issue 8.


[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting.....considering no skills.....


[ QUOTE ]
Game Events - More are planned. There will be a Halloween/Fall event this year.


[/ QUOTE ]


YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

(more server wide events are my personal crusade, in case you couldn't tell)

I hope we get something between now and Halloween though.

I wonder what changed their mind from their previous position on events?

[ QUOTE ]
Positron said that badge junkies will hate him for one of the villain I7 contacts - There is a badge that you can only get if you complete all of a certain contact's missions. And every mission is timed and can be failed. He said that the times are not long, but not so short that it is impossible. Also, you can only get the badge by doing the missions yourself. joining someone else for them will not award it.


[/ QUOTE ]

To me, this is a great job by the devs. Here's a well thought out, fun, challenge for the players, that isn't game breaking in any way. We need more ideas like this, IMO


Great stuff....assuming it's true Nice work.

If trenchcoats are the 3 month reward.....I can't wait to see what we get for longer.........

I sent this to Cricket by PM yesterday:

Cricket(s) Equipment

I won't post my whole bracket, just in case anyone tries to copy . Really, my picks are mostly guesses, although I did snoop around in the AEG forums for some hints.

I will say this: I have Hero 1 and Infernal in the finals!


I'd be happy to just finish in the top six, since they are the ones who apparently get prizes

Um....I clicked on the link and got nothing...just a blank section of the CCG website.


*Edited*....never mind...a couple of refreshes did the trick