CuppaJo_NA

NCsoft’s Austin business has announced an immediate restructuring within its organization that included the difficult task of reducing members of its workforce. The online games industry is one that is continually changing with the scaling up and down of business based on product launches and product development schedules.

Over the past two and a half years NCsoft has launched six major titles into the North American market and has grown with each title launch. As the company continues to grow its live products and prepares its next set of major online game releases for later in 2006 and 2007, the company sees a slowdown in its launch pattern and the need to streamline its business.

For this reason, NCsoft has reduced its 300 person workforce in Austin by approximately 70 people to accommodate this change. This decision has no impact on the schedules of any projects currently in development and service to NCsoft’s current games will continue without interruption.

In order to apply a server stability patch we will be bringing down all servers starting at 11:30 AM Central. The expected downtime for this patch is less than one hour. The patch will be rolled out two servers at a time in a round robin format.

As a result of this patch, all pet emotes and petsay commands have been turned off. We expect to have a patch to re-enable this functionality soon. (Days soon, not weeks soon.)

We apologize for the downtime and loss of functionality but it is necessary to ensure the stability of your servers.

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You know - you could submit that kind of thing to the submissions box. You never know what might show up in the community pages of the comic or on the website.

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Doesn't the fact that I'm a UK subscriber on a US server kinda automatically disqualify me from that kinda stuff?

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Let me take this opportunity to emphasize something.

Unless a contest rule specifically states that you are not eligible then you ARE eligible.

The only time you are usually excluded is if the contest results in a prize with a cash value.

Thus, you have been eligible for the comic cameo contests and the website screenshot contests we have had in the past.

You know - you could submit that kind of thing to the submissions box. You never know what might show up in the community pages of the comic or on the website.

GJ Guys

Further explanation - from the Devs.

There have always been some issues with Defense and Resistance. The former was affected by level differences, while the latter was not. For example, an even con would have a base to hit value of %, while a Boss 2 levels higher than a player would have a %. But if a player had damage resistance, it would apply the same discount to damage regardless of the mob’s level.

In order to balance the playing field, we decided to give mobs the same base To Hit value instead. Now all mobs, regardless of level or rank, have a base to hit of 50%. The only difference between ranks of mobs (boss, lieutenant and minion) and levels is the Accuracy.

In order to decipher this a little bit easier, let’s take a look at the to hit formula.

Base To Hit + To Hit Buffs - To Hit Debuffs – Defense capped at 5% or 95% * Accuracy (capped at 5% or 95%, again)

In the case of the Base To Hit – Defense, the value is floored at 0.05 or 5%. It can’t go below that. Similarly, the result after being multiplied by Accuracy can’t go higher than 0.95 or 95%

In the old system, the To Hit chance increased over level. A +1 level had a 1.05 modifier, +2 level 1.1 and +3 1.15. For example, the base to hit chance of a lieutenant +2 levels was 0.58*1.1 or 63.8%.

After the I7 change

Instead of changing the base to hit chance, we instead are changing Accuracy. Take an even con boss: his To Hit is only .5, but his Accuracy is 1.3. The net effect is that an even level boss still hits 65% of the time against someone without Defense, but with Defense, the equation changes substantially.

Let’s take Radiation Infection again. It’s a Schedule "B" now; with 2 SO’s, the net result would be 0.3123 * 1.4 = 0.4372.

Every single mob has now been given Accuracy to make it so that their base To Hit value is only .5 rather than the values you see above. In addition, higher ranks have an inherent resistance to To Hit Debuffs (.1 for Lts., .2 for Bosses, .3 for AVs).

I’ll work it out a little more fully here with the To Hit Formula. Taking that boss mentioned above, his To Hit would work out like this…

(0.5 - 0.4372) * 1.3 = 0.0816 or 8.16%.

Whereas previously, the To Hit chance had a level modifier, now that applies to Accuracy. +1 level is 1.1, +2 1.2, and +3 1.3.

Looking at a Lieutenant, it works out this way vs a target with no Defense:
Even Con = 0.5 * 1.15 = 57.5%
+1 = 0.5 * 1.15 * 1.1 = 63.25%
+2 = 0.5 * 1.15 * 1.2 = 69%
+3 = 0.5 * 1.15 * 1.3 = 74.75%

If the target had 20% Defense,it works out this way:
Even Con = 0.3 * 1.15 = 34.5%
+1 = 0.5 * 1.15 * 1.1 = 37.95%
+2 = 0.5 * 1.15 * 1.2 = 41.4%
+3 = 0.5 * 1.15 * 1.3 = 44.85%

Just added this patch note to PvP section:

Being defeated in a PvP zone will carry debt if any of the damage to you was caused by NPCs. The amount of debt is directly proportional to the amount of damage you took from NPCs vs. how much was done by opposing Player Characters. The more damage dealt to you by NPCs means more debt when you are defeated.

* This means that you can no longer “escape debt” by being defeated by a PC after taking massive damage from NPCs, nor will you be penalized with a massive amount of debt if you are defeated by an NPC after taking a huge amount of damage from a PC.

So - here it is.

Added to the patch notes:

The Hamidon has been increased in difficulty. It is now capable of using one of its attack powers even when Held, Slept, or Stunned.

Evidently Hammy got a laser beam on it's head a long time ago but just now figured out how to use it.


The Mitos are AVs and are acting according to this patch note:

AVs/Heroes and Giant Monsters now ignore threat level damage multipliers for different Archetypes. They are still affected by Taunt as before.

As for the drops? Bug.

We will be applying this patch to the remaining live servers at 5pm Central. We anticipate a total downtime of less than two hours. Admin should make in-game announcements before bringing the servers down.

We are looking into the issue. I'll let you know when I find out more.

Base storage is now off on both Test and Freedom. We will follow up soon with applying this change to all servers.

Heroes and Villains with bases -

We are reverting the last patch from the test server due to a bug that caused a mapserver crash in Warburg. When we bring the test server back up from this reversion there will be a patch on the server to turn off all base storage devices. You will not lose any items in your storage, your storage will simply be inaccessible.

This change will also be going to live servers within 24 hours.

There is an issue with base storage that we are trying to correct that could be potentially game breaking - unfortunately we have not been able to correct the issue as of yet and we must turn off storage until a fix can be completed.

We have no ETA on the fix, however, it is our top priority. We will get the issue resolved ASAP and turn storage back on. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

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You could listen to the Wasabi Awards on SI Radio - I have a sneaking suspicion that we won something!

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Wheeee! We won Best Community! Way to go guys!

"City of" also won Best Storyline and Best Newb Experience (so far...)

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Have server outages got you down? Don't know what to do with yourself? Here are some helpful tips from Super Happy Fun Time Labs:

<ul type="square"> Things to do during outages[*] Go talk to those people in your house that say they are related to you.[/list]
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There are people in my house related to me?

AHHHHHHHHH! Run Away!

You could listen to the Wasabi Awards on SI Radio - I have a sneaking suspicion that we won something!

Soooo, yeah. The CoP. There is a bug related to it that popped up after the trial had been run on test. Since the bug is not fixed and we will need to test the CoP again on test as a result, the CoP did not ship with I7 today.

Yes, it's true - Issue 7 is being patched to live servers!

Everyone should get a free tailor token as the servers come back up for all your tailoring needs.

Free Respecs will be handed out this Thursday morning 6/8/06, during normal maintenance time. Free respecs do NOT stack, so if you have an old one use it or lose it!

Server issues should be resolved at this time.

The following servers are experiencing an outage at the moment. We are working to resolve the issue ASAP. We have no ETA.

o Champion
o Guardian
o Justice
o Protector
o Training Room
o Virtue

Happy Birthday LoF! How you have grown!

This contest is now over - There were no winners.

Are you the type of gamer that plays only on relentless and invincible? Do you wish you could turn your difficulty slider up to 11? You think you have a group of street-smart, hero-crushing hardcore villains that can take on any challenge?

Well put your villainy where your mouth is and try your hand at the City of Villains(TM) Recluses’ Strike Force Challenge! The winners will be the first team to successfully complete the entire Lord Recluse's Strike Force on the Test Server and complete the entry process which allows us to verify completion of the Strike Force.

This Challenge is not for the weak – in fact, we expect no team will even be able to complete the Lord Recluse's Strike Force before the deadline. How sure are we? We are so sure that if you are a member of the first team to complete the Strike Force before the deadline we will give you a one year paid subscription to City of Villains(TM) That’s right – each person on the winning team will get a full-year paid subscription to the most fiendish MMO on the planet.

Ready to Rumble? The contest begins at 11:59 PM (Central) Friday, May 26th 2006 and ends 12:01 am (Central) Tuesday, May 30th 2006. Entry details can be found in the Official Rules and Conditions (Click Here for Rules). Winners will be announced no later than Monday, June 5th, at 3:00 PM Central.

You must be 13 years of age or older to participate and a legal resident of the United States (excluding the State of Rhode Island, and excluding Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, military installations and commonwealths) or Canada (excluding Quebec) as of May 26th, 2006 to participate in this contest.

By entering this contest, you agree to all of the terms and conditions in the City of Villains(TM) Recluses’ Strike Force Challenge Contest Official Rules and Conditions (Click Here for Rules), so please make sure you read them carefully.

Trash talk only goes so far – Think your team has what it takes against the toughest heroes in Paragon City(TM)? Then bring it – Game on!

Note From Cuppa - READ THE RULES! There are special entry instructions!

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I remember Cuppa saying we were going to get a free respec after I-7 hits. Did anyone remember or see anything specific as to when they were going to grant this? Same day as I-7 hits, the next week, the next month? Just curious if I need to find a Villian spec team before then.

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Less than a week after I7 goes to live - but not right as it goes to live. I will let you know for sure when I7 actually releases.

I hate to burst everyone's bubble here - but I7 is not going up before the end of May. We have a few more things left to fix/tweak.

I cannot confirm or deny these rumors.

&lt;.&lt;
&gt;.&gt;

*whispers*

However, if you have a villain over 45 on test you might want to stay up late watching the boards Friday night.

*walks away whistling*

Recluses’ Victory Playtest Instructions –

Heroes:

Welcome to Recluses’ Victory! We’re calling all heroes to help us fight back Lord Recluse and his minions, and prevent him from taking over Paragon City! This event will start May 24th at around 11:00 am Central and end on May 26th around 8:00 am Central.

Before this playtest, all character information will be backed up, and then wiped off of the server. Character transfer service will be disabled during this time. All players who log in to the Training Room during this test will need to create new characters. (How to install the Test Server) To get started, simply create a new character, and it will take you directly into Recluses’ Victory, instead of Atlas Park, Galaxy City, or Outbreak.

In order to play in this zone, you will need to level up and enhance your character. To do so, follow these simple steps, and you’ll be in combat in no time. Note that all contacts necessary for this test will be recognizable by an orange ring at their feet, and their name will explain their function.

• Locate Ms. Liberty, who should be near the portal you started from. Walk up to her and click on her, and she will grant you the XP and Influence you will need to level up.
• Follow either the left or right hallways. If you go left, you’ll run across Minx. If you go right, you’ll run across Swan. These two will serve as trainers, where you can obtain your new powers.
• Go down into the main chamber, and you will see three “Field Corp Elite Agents”. These are stores for you to purchase enhancements.
• When you are finished enhancing your powers, simply go to the small portal on the opposite end of the main chamber to exit the hero base, and enter the combat zone.
• At the end of the event the test server will be wiped again and restored to its state before the playtest.

That’s it! Good luck, and fight hard! Paragon City is counting on you!


Villains:

Welcome to Recluses’ Victory! Lord Recluse has begun his plans, and he wants you to fight along side of him to take over Paragon City. Serve him well, and he may let you live... for a little while. This event will start May 24th at around 11:00 am Central and end on May 26th around 8:00 am Central.

Before this playtest, all character information will be backed up, and then wiped off of the server. Character transfer service will be disabled during this time. All players who log in to the Training Room during this test will need to create new characters. (How to install the Test Server) To get started, simply create a new character, and it will take you directly into Recluses’ Victory, instead of Mercy Island or Breakout.

In order to play in this zone, you will need to level up and enhance your character. To do so, follow these simple steps, and you’ll be in combat in no time. Note that all contacts necessary for this test will be recognizable by an orange ring at their feet, and their name will explain their function.

• Locate Wretch, who should be near the portal you started from. Walk up to him and click on him, and he will grant you the XP and Infamy you will need to level up.
• Go up the ramp, and either head to the left or right catwalk. If you go left, you’ll run across Ice Mistral. If you go right, you’ll run across Silver Mantis. These two will serve as trainers, where you can obtain your new powers.
• Go up the next ramp, and you will see three “Elite Quartermasters”. These are stores for you to purchase enhancements.
• When you are finished enhancing your powers, simply go to the small portal on the opposite end of the main chamber to exit the villain base, and enter the combat zone.
• At the end of the event the test server will be wiped again and restored to its state before the playtest.

That is all. Fight hard, and bring victory to Lord Recluse!

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...But you know, I would have loved to go to any of the Meet &amp; Greets, but CuppaJo had a restraining order put on me after that incident with the car battery, Positron, 65 tons of crispy wonton noodles, and duct tape.

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You better believe it mister. I can't even look at a wonton anymore without my left arm twitching.

Whew. I am jet lagged all to heck. Plus I caught the E3 flu that is going around AND had a Howies Monster Energy Drink Hangover (TM). Thanks to Obsidius and his leet camera I still look ok in the pics despite being low on end.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that came by the E3 booth to say hi or that came out to Howies to play Saturday. It was great to meet everyone. I know I took a few more pictures with you guys so I expect to see more out there soon!

I met so many fun people - from finally meeting sweet DJ Jester in person, to Nylonus who brought me a Starbucks card and a stuffed bear on behalf of Virtue, to Dave Williams from AEG who agreed to maybe make a CuppaJo card to Mantid who is a forum star in his own right, to the lovely ladies of MMORadio to discovering that when SagittaryGold and I stand next to each other we create a dynamic force field that makes cameras useless! Plus I got to hang out with the very funny Matt Miller and Serdar a ton. It was a great time - thanks to everyone!