ChaosRed

I do, I do indeed.

I officially withdraw all criticism of the Count, I praise his line of work and support any endeavor he has initiated, both now and in the past. I view his government as righteous and just, and I consider myself nothing but a miserable knave in his presence.

I consider that positive, too many damn robot masterminds out there anyway. I mean how many does SS have in total? 19? 24? I lost count.

I use 64-bit XP, and had some of the issues people have to contend with on Vista.

I also recently switched from nVidia to ATI, and it blows chunks in comparison. I've tried to optimize the thing a million different ways, both with ATI's utilities and settings in-game but it is no use, an ATI card simply will not display this game as effectively as a comparible card from nVidia.

I will say, the ATI card looks spectacular in just about everything else, and that my display is still decent, just not as sharp (particularly the quality of anti-aliasing), as nVidia.

My advice is read the tech support forums, they do help. I got a much better ATI configuration utility by reading them, and I learned how to solve other graphical problems I first encountered when I switched to 64-bit XP.

I also still have major mapserve issues. It seems to stem from the amount of traffic on my home network. I have read some posts claiming any Comcast Cable connection will eventually mapserve, but sadly, I love the speed of the connection for everything else to consider letting go, and the new fibre-optic DSL still not available on my street (but literally available two streets down from me). Still I mapserve, just about every hour or so, as those who have played with me can attest to.

What I am trying to say is: sometimes, you just have to live with what you got. There's basic things you can do to get games like this functional, but ultimately these games are rather fragile, operating systems are fragile (and I'd include OS X, Linux flavors, Solaris and Windows in that assessment), and the more you deviate from the norm, the more problems you will probably have.

Still, do check out the tech support forums, they were helpful for me.

I like the changes to sidekicks, but in general, I've always liked how COH made it convenient for characters at different levels to play together. We forget, that so many games out there, make no accomodation for this at all. Indeed, one of the things that makes COH pleasant, is that it isn't really a power-game. It has elements of it, but really COH is more about recreation than accumulation of wealth and status. It's welcome fresh air, and it makes travel back to other games often very difficult to adapt to.

I find WOW culture, less and less easier to bear all the time, as a result. Even on my old RP server, which is, I believe one of WOW's best server just seems to get less and less comfortable for me all the time, because it is so tiered and so focused on the power-pyramid.

Because there hasn't been much negative feedback, one thing I will throw out there is that i16 is largely cosmetic. Sure it repairs some holes in the classes and yes it provides a means to cross from red to blue - but there's not a great deal that feels vitally new.

City of Heroes could use something genuinely fresh. AE was the promise for new content, and while I love the tool, it used the same maps and same hooks. Sadly, AE became a tool for power-gamers to delude themselves even more, that this game was about power, which really at its heart, it isn't. There is no easier game I know of, to min/max than COH, and for all the love of "challenge" power-gamers profess, what they really love most is safe, repetitive patterns. This is why they can't stop boss farming. I find, I can only boss farm for an hour, before my eyes bleed with boredom. Then again, they can point to my RP and critisize it, with the exact same criticism I am sure.

So yes, some new content in this thing, but is it really a bold issue? Not really. A good issue to be sure, but it won't make much of a splash beyond the already established community that it has.

I like it though, truly, I just thought some negative comments, might spark more of a discussion.

Well said Stryph, it was too hastily constructed, and lacked in too many things to win me over.

Adding levels with the power/slot system would be nearly impossible.

Well, you are right that raising levels is so much work, that we may never see it.

However, you can, with some creative thought and some careful planning, raise the level-cap and have it succeed. Keep in mind, I've played this game for 5 years now. I do not have a single character that has reached level 50 in all that time. Not one. Nobody levels slower than me, and my favorite level range in this game is 15-25, which is where most of my character sit. So I do not make this point from the perspective of a power-game "bored" that wants, more, more, more.

Also, I do not think that raising the level cap does not "doom" COH to WOW's fate. I agree with you 100% that WOW abandoned the casual gamer, and focused almost exclusively on end-game.

I just think raising the power-level is going to bring some gamers who weren't lured back by AE and won't be lured back by Rogue. And I think if you can lure some of these gamers back, some of them will be so impressed with the game's maturity, they will stay.

Any game, can raise their level cap, and maintain reasonable balance. It can take some thought, some care and a lot of work, but it can be done. Now your point is well-taken, in that it might take so much work, that it might not be worth it.

I just see a level-cap raise, as the perfect gateway for new, more challenging content, and I think a move like this, could benefit COH in the long haul. I would say in fact, it would be the perfect counter-argument to DC's release.

I do understand the concerns and worry about such a move, but I think it can be done and done well. Nothing is impossible with careful design and consideration.

Never unsubscribed Gila, just got ridiculously busy this summer at work. I started working long hours, trying to get a new phase of research off the ground. My apologies I appeared to evaporate, for a while I was pretty consumed with work, with little time for much else.

But, I went on vacation last week, afraid I was going to burn out - and now that I'm back I've decided to ease back down to normal work weeks - which means more time to play. The timing is good, work has settled a little - and I have more time for hobbies and play.

As for names, as a roleplayer, using a name I like, even if its being camped by someone else is a huge advantage to me. I really do like what CO did with this. Sadly, so much else about CO was poorly crafted. In particular, I really hate games that are filled with tank mages.

As for this old bird, I never would have guessed it would still be kicking around after all this time. In fact, I think I predicted, in a very old thread, that the game would die by the end of 2009. How wrong I was. I would like to see some new, radical zones. It's about time COH breaks out of the urban boxes, and give us something radically fresh - other dimensions, space, the moon, a space station, an underwater temple - something, anything to bring back exploration to the game.

And dare I say it - yes I will, I think it is time to raise the level cap.

I highly recommend Supreme Society, for villain-RP. They will treat you right.

I take a small exception to this:

I'm afraid to say there is no real other public place to hang out and RP at except the D.

As others have stated, I find you can stumble into RP just about anywhere. Heck, I can't remember the last time I ran a basic level 1-8 sewer run without some RP coming up. I can often initiate it, by simply having my character talk out loud, in character. It's pretty much everywhere. You just simply have to be the person to initiate it. It doesn't always work, but RP at the D doesn't always work either, so I'd pretty much call it even.

For some of us, the D is not "RP central" on Virtue. For some it is, and this is a good thing; but for some of us it isn't. I think, too often, we believe the way we roleplay, (both the how and where) is the "definitive" way. Really, to be fair, roleplay is probably deeper, broader and in many more forms and styles than one person can experience. We all take slices of it, to our personal preference, but there is no "right way" and there is no "one place".

I have found I can RP without supergroups, without the D, and without a lot of organization and an incredibly small list of friends. My style may be lighter and more casual, than many would like by doing it this way, but for someone who has a busy/sporadic schedule; and who must take long breaks from the game to focus on career/finance/businesses - it works wonders for me.

I like what CO has done with names, I dislike just about everything else about CO, and I am deeply saddened about how that game turned out.

I think CO is going against the grain with naming though. Really, I think the future not only will ensure names are unique, I think server shards will become a thing of the past (except for large regional shards like Europe v. America). Server shards will be virtual in the decade ahead, which will mean many things. Mostly it will mean you will have some control over which ones you wish to join for a session, or even create your own shard and invite others to play in it for a session - eventually holding some shards open like the way a bot holds open a channel in IRC.

I think this means names will likely be global to the game as a whole, not just a server. I also think "premium names" for which you pay a small fee to obtain and reserve are on their way. I say this because the micro-pay, commodity market in ORPGs is looming on the horizon and I think some key names people might actually a buck or two to obtain them. EA in particular is investing a lot in this kind of thing, and we'll see much more of it in the years ahead.

Gamers express outrage at this, but they are so often the ones (like me) who shell out far too much money for something as clumsy and trivial as the Magic booster pack.

I thought some of the color customization really added dazzle to certain powersets, others it did very little for me.

I've always loved how Dark Melee worked, I always hated how it looked. i16 makes Dark Melee really sizzle.

I love what it does for Super Strength as well, smashing the ground with your fist seems so much better than stomping like a spoiled child.

I thought Ice powers were better left alone, I saw nothing that looked as good as the default setting.

I couldn't get the Stone power set, to match my body colors, which saddened me - but I thought radiation looked great in different colors. So for me, it really depended on what you customized.

It's very expensive for high-level characters I noticed, so use your one free tailor session wisely.

I am up to my usual schlock, in anticipation if i16. Some new content to peruse and mock:

Because, I simply haven't found a sci-fi camp character I like yet, I try again:

http://www.virtueverse.com/index.php/Astro_Nova

Because, I foolishly bought the magic pack and felt like I had to something with my wasted money:

http://www.virtueverse.com/index.php/Pi_Tau

And because a stunt like this, can explain my latest discordant creations in one fell swoop:

http://www.virtueverse.com/index.php...roject_Bifrost

And because the new "change your colors" feature in i16 is simply too much fun for Stone/Super Strength characters, and because I have never fallen in love with a tank:

http://www.virtueverse.com/index.php/Rockk

Pretty cheesy stuff, as usual, but I do like my cheese. Feel free to hold your nose while you browse, the limburger is very old.

Just do your RP on pick up groups.

Rookery has it right, this is where you'll most often find light RP, that's as disposable as a candy wrapper. Indeed, when I yearn for simple, light RP, I usually just dial up a level 1 and run a sewer mission. Inevitably whatever light RP I throw out there, during the run, gets supported.

Many people like to RP, and just offering it up slightly, can get it going.

I also think light RP is often the most entertaining of all.

Arc Name: Alpha Squad - Find Psycho Boy

Arc ID: To be uploaded Sunday afternoon
Creator: @Ravyna
Alignment: Heroic
Difficulty Level: Moderate.

This Sunday we are having a one-time 2-mission story execute, where a prisoner of Alpha Squad has escaped, with no signs of forcable entry into the prison cell. So how did Psycho Boy escape? Find out!

We'd welcome any roleplayer who'd like to help us solve this mystery. We'll be playing this arc on Sunday @4:30PM Pacific (7:30PM Eastern). Contact @Ravyna if you are interested.

Also we'll be looking for moderate missions about 30-40 minutes in length to do afterward. So if you have a short mission arc of moderate difficulty you'd like us to play as a group for you on Sunday, please contact me at @Ravyna.

Details on Psycho Boy and Alpha Squad follow...

Psycho Boy

Alpha Squad

I'd say go for it, just make it a subpage of the character, Usurper Dyne/Costume for example.

I like this idea...Soul Train, are you okay with this? Because if this is okay with VV I'd like to follow this method.

Agreed! You take good care of us Soul. There ought to be a damn medal sent your way (and to the whole crew that keep VV a living, breathing document of our community).

\salute

Does anyone else here click "random", or click things in the Recent Edit list? Am I the only one that does this?

Here's one I stumbled into today, and thought it was very well thought out and interesting:

Moira Dirge (VV)

I've never met the player behind the mask, but enjoyed the page quite a bit, so thought I'd share it out.

Name: Alpha Squad

Currently Recruiting: Actively recruiting all roleplayers, and also actively seeking Coalitions with other roleplay groups.

RP Level: RP Medium to Heavy, we have an OOC channel for exclusively OOC chatter, and tend to roleplay in-character as much as possible.

PvP Level: Medium, we use the arena to RP with villain-groups that we have rivalries with.

Theme/Concept: Tough guys! Tough gals! Vigilantes, vendettas, revenge!

Here are a list of some of the character types we are looking to recruit:

1. Vengeful Vigilante
2. Ruthless Mercenary
3. The Anti-Hero
3. Macho Tough Guy/Gal
4. Characters with a Vendetta
5. Characters who Crave Action
6. Aliens Trying to Preserve/Defend Againt Tyranny
7. Guardians of the Future
8. "I ain't got time to bleed!"
9. "Do you feel lucky punk? Well do ya!!?"
10. "Get away from her, you [censored]!"

Activity: We're a brand new guild, but we have managed to assemble a base that has a basic med-porter, as well as a teleporter active with links to Atlas and Steel Canyon. A second teleporter is purchased and awaiting a new power source to become active.

Requirements for Membership: No requirements other than you like to roleplay and your character fits the general "tough guy/gal" theme of someone who wants results by any means necessary.

Leadership:Cobra Fist is the day-to-day manager of the team. The architect of the group in-character is: Doctor North.

In-Game Contact(s): Global @Ravyna for in-game contact.

Out-of-Game Contact(s): On the forums: ChaosRed, or you can visit the Alpha Squad Guild Universe page and leave a message there.

URL: VirtueVerse: Alpha Squad (VirtueVerse)

Guild Universe: Alpha Squad Guild Universe


Coalition(s): We are actively seeking Coalitions. We have active storylines engaged with Supreme Society group of villains.

Other Details: In character the group's base is situated far to the north in the Arctic Circle (using teleportation to provide transportation to-and-from Paragon. It resides in a fictional newly independent nation, funded by a strange arcane force committed to fighting evil:

Nation of Cobiness.

So my first ever attempt at building a supergroup is underway. Man, building a decent base is hard!

Anyway, fortunately, building a VV page is not hard...so here is the group's page...with feedback welcome..

Alpha Squad (VirtueVerse)

EK - that Paragon Universe page is smooth, really, really slick and impressive.

Thanks for the tip. I think my ultimate solution for Cobra - was to just create my own group for him, which I have done. I had never played with the base editor or anything like that - so it has been fun so far.

I'd like to possibly forge a coalition with the independentst though, is such a thing possible? Should I discuss this in-game with you, or discuss on the discussion portion of the VV page?

Man, outstanding work that the Paragon Universe page. Truly.

I am amazed at some of the quality I see on VV every day.

Demon Wing has had some updates, new comics and other pieces added. DW is about to go inactive (for a while). So this will likely be the last update for some time:

Demon Wing (VirtueVerse)

Psycho Boy is a 'new' project, that has gained some traction. I am starting to like him less than I did at first, but I think with some RP, I'll find a voice and get into him...

Psycho Boy (VirtueVerse)

This guy is a gem, he's fairly well built, and is so much fun to RP! He's had some serious updates on several levels.

Cobra Fist (VirtueVerse)

I am looking for an SG for Cobra as of today. He belonged to a great group, but it ran counter to his personality IC. He is a hard-boiled, super-macho and rather violent type. He's more hero than anti-hero, but with a violent streak (Nick Fury, darker interpretations of Batman, Snake Plissken etc. etc.)

If you have suggestions for him, let me know here or on the VV page.

I am also looking for a sci-fi based VG (particularly retro sci-fi, 1950's style). I know, very obscure request, but if anyone has suggestions, I'd really like to hear them.

Thanks. Keep up the great work.

((That was awesome, well done, thank you. I feel Red isn’t adding much to the superior arcs and writing of the heavyweights here, so I gracefully withdraw, but with a huge ‘thank you’ for letting me participate. Best of luck! I will continue to read!))

Jack was right the kid knew nothing, less than nothing, he was a benign pedestrian caught in the crossfire, nothing more. Still, an old guardian and friend saw fit to get him out the mess he was in anyway.

“I got you babe, relax,” came a soothing voice inside Red’s head. The voice was one Red recognized and adored, and provided the kind of warmth and comfort only a dream can usually summon.

“He wielded a sledgehammer inside your head. He’s very powerful, but he didn’t hurt you. I’ve got you covered boyfriend. Now listen, I need you to activate that Rikti teleportation device on your belt buckle,” she said calmly.

“The lab transporter? That heads to North’s apartment. It hasn’t worked in years girl,” Red protested.

“Shhhh just do it. All is well,” she insisted.

Red, still bleary and recovering from the mental invasion, pushed the belt-buckle as he was instructed. There was a shimmer of light, then a sharp warble as the Rikti technology activated and then suddenly Red was gone.

He was home…a place he hadn’t been allowed to return to in years. He sighed with great relief then collapsed into a deep sleep; the kind of sleep that rewards a weary travel after a long journey home.

Chaos Red winced, then winced some more and then finally succumbed to the dreadful invasion.

Red's tolerance of pain was extremely high, (because his own super powers caused him great pain), but this was another matter.

His last thoughts before finally losing all self-control were a strange red-headed girl, (her face half-black and half-white), and then briefly to a father figure of unimpressive physique.

Then he let go and let tender mercy be his only savior...

"How many people you got in here man? Were you guys doing drugs? Is that what this is all about? 'Cause I don't use, but I have no problem with that stuff. Libertarian, and all that stuff you know?" and Red sheepishly pointed to the anarchy symbol on his jacket.

It all started just a few minutes before you posted too...hmmm...what did you do Spud? What did you?

Red didn't quite understand Jack, and kept the corner of his eye out of the robot spider that had laser targeted him.

He was in no position or power to argue of course, and quite frankly had nothing to lose anyway. One advantage of being street-punk with no home, job or money, is you never had anything to lose.

So he gave back the same slap he had just received, same velocity, not causing pain, but with the obvious tone of: "WTF?"

"I always get into crap like this," Red thought to himself. "I'm the god damn Charlie Brown of super-villains."

He looked up at his aggressive and threatening opponent and said softly and gently, "So uh, dude, a fight huh? Listen I tell ya what, how about we..."

It was right about then he saw a red targeting reticle appear on his chest. He looked down the corridor, and there he saw a mechanical spider, with a red laser emanating from its optical eyes.

The spider then began to whirr and wheeze, like a jet engine ready for take off.

"...uh guys, I think that spider-bot is about to fire."