Ex_Libris

[ QUOTE ]
I've got a good question I think. Who retains ownership of the "Statesman" character? NCSoft or Jack Emmert? This sort of thing could have an effect on future canon and also any "live events" that may or may not be possible in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]

Statesman is part of the Intellectual Property that NCsoft just purchased.

Jack Emmert played that role while he was working on the project, Jack has since moved on to work on MUO and posts from a different name on the MUO forums.

Ex

[ QUOTE ]
It's BS i got mod smacked but others who said the same didn't. Way to go.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am doing my best to field questions right now, I will go back through the thread and edit as necessary.

This acquisition was a positive move for both companies for different reasons. Jack as well as Cryptic Studios has been incredibly helpful in the transition, which I know was a very difficult decision for Cryptic Studios to make.

We would like to keep all our comments and the discussion about the positive aspects and what this means for the game overall.

Thank you for helping us in this effort.

Ex

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
We are here to field any questions you may have about this wonderful news.

Ex

[/ QUOTE ]

Ex, here's a question I've not seen raised:

Will there be any changes to billing or what-not in regards to customers paying with Mastercards? There was an issue a while back with one of the digital goodie packs (I think it was the GvE goodies). For about 15 days, mastercards were not accepted by NCSoft due to a higher rate of fraud in Asia with the cards (or something like that). After much uproar, an exception for the GvE $5 goodies was made.

Will this issue be returning to haunt those of us whose banks are exclusively MC? Or has it been resolved fully?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe this issue has been dealt with, from my understanding it was caused due to a purchase of CC numbers from a fraudulent theft. The CC's were used in Asia to support RMT'ers from many MMO products, so when the theft was caught MC acted against all MMO subscriptions to avoid a spread of the problem.

Our billing department is doing their best to keep ties with all the CC companies as well as research other payment options for our player base.

Ultimately this is an area of concern for the player and the game company, it was a side effect of fraud.

Ex

[ QUOTE ]
So cryptic dumped City of, in favor of MUO?
Is that what happend?

Is Statesman still with City of? or is he now just an MUO person?

MUO is still the competition right?

[/ QUOTE ]

The decision for Cryptic Studios to sell COH was difficult as COH/COV was the foundation of their studio. A year ago Cryptic Studios signed a deal with Microsoft to develop Marvel Universe Online, which is due to the nature and genre of the material a directly competitive product.

Ultimately this decision was the best decision for the game and the community, as there is now clearly two separate groups working on both projects.

Statesman has been involved with MUO since that deal was signed, he has had a great influence on COH/COV and the development decisions in the past but currently and moving forward those decisions have rested on the shoulders of Matt 'Positron' Miller.

And yes, MUO is competition.

[ QUOTE ]

Now THOSE are games I'd definetly sign up for if there was a station pass.

[/ QUOTE ]

With a general pass, I'll definitely at least check out Exteel, though I may have to find some external way to ensure that I don't spend too much money on micropurchases, heh. Aion looks like it may be interesting if my computer doesn't decide to cough up a lung rendering those beautiful screens, so hopefully it won't have the player issues I've heard Lineage has.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think a sequel is basically inevitable now. But I don't think the original game will be given lower priority.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly, EQ and EQ2 come to mind. EQ is still going strong.

[/ QUOTE ]
And if NC Soft creates a multi-game subscription package, then I will happily play both CoH 1 and 2.

[/ QUOTE ]

qft.

Hell, I'd even try out lineage and the more traditional mmos.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lineage 2 disturbs me, somehow. Maybe its the tales I've heard of some of the player interaction, or maybe its just the lingerie elves I'd definitely give a look at most of the rest of what NCSoft has got available if a general pass is created and doesn't cost too much more than what I'm already paying.

I call dibs on Ex for my VG on Pinnacle

Just kidding.. I can't do any more with the thing without having to pay regular rent anyway

[ QUOTE ]
Without being overly negative, what possible downsides does this deal have?

* Some staff may be unwilling or unable to move to the new office.
* NC Soft bigwigs may usurp more creative control than is healthy for the long-run of the game.
* A true sequel may be released, making upkeep and new content for the original a lower priority.

Anybody else think of anything? Will my purely hypothetical guesses be debunked?

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone from the current team has signed on, this includes moving to the new offices which are located a mere 15 miles away from where we are currently located. We will be in the heart of Silicon Valley where recruitment of experienced top notch talent will be more readily available.

NCsoft as a corporate culture believes that studio culture should be determined by that studio. If anything the project may see a sharing of resources of some of our other award winning and current titles. NCsoft has done research on every possible business model for MMO's they are very happy with COH/COV the studio culture will be set and maintained by those at the studio.

There is no doubt that a second title or another expansion may be on the table. Ultimately if this is timed properly and done with the consideration of the community at the heart of the decisions then you should see these decisions being made in the best interest of the game that is still actively producing revenue.

Ex

[ QUOTE ]
Without being overly negative, what possible downsides does this deal have?

* Some staff may be unwilling or unable to move to the new office.
* NC Soft bigwigs may usurp more creative control than is healthy for the long-run of the game.
* A true sequel may be released, making upkeep and new content for the original a lower priority.

Anybody else think of anything? Will my purely hypothetical guesses be debunked?

[/ QUOTE ]

It sounds like your first concern is already not an issue, if I'm understanding Ex correctly.

The second is, unfortunately, always a potential issue with joining a big production studio. Only time will tell on that one.

For the third, just remember: Not only did EQ2 not kill EQ1, EQ1 still has a larger playerbase than its sequel and has been getting regular content additions. If CoX 2 does get made, I'm not immediately worried that the original will fall by the wayside.

[ QUOTE ]
Issue 12: Statesman is dead!

[/ QUOTE ]

But will he be replaced by four claimants to the fancy-cape of the Statesman (one of which is actually Tyrant in disguise), or by his former protege, who will take the character of Statesman in a gritty, dark new direction?

People with GvE or who simply bought both games separately have already had access to both since the date of purchase, which is our benefit Of course, if they want to give us something additional, like a free month or some other sort of cookie, I won't complain

[ QUOTE ]
How much control do the current devs (namely Positron) have over CoH with the new management?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well what has in essence occurred is the publishing team and development team have merged to form a new studio. That studio will now have a major reinvestment of resources to help to grow the Intellectual Property of COH/COV which is an established award winning MMO. We obviously have a reputation to maintain in the MMO world and we intend to be there step for step in the future.

Ex

[ QUOTE ]
okay Ex since your fielding questions, does this mean that the ENTIRE City of Heroes and Villans staff is staying on? like say...Jlove, Warwitch, and all the rest?

And this is kind of wishful thinking but since you guys are now officially with NCsoft...does this mean we can have CuppaJo back?

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone from the current team signed on with NCsoft, this includes.

Sexy Jay
Ghost Widow
War Witch
BAB's
Castle
Positron
all the programmers and other design staff that are not currently under signature names.

CuppaJo is working on Tabula Rasa and that is a project that she has been on for over a year and is very dedicated and excited about. Not to say she didn't love COH/COV but she made the choice to move to that project and I don't foresee that changing in the near future, especially since they just launched last week.

Ex

[ QUOTE ]

Since bases are a feature of CoV, and you require CoV to enter one, it certainly should.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, right. Just asking for the sake of confirmation

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, nice.

[ QUOTE ]
Special Thanks to Our Players

Now back to you, the players. You are the lifeblood of our game. In celebration of our new studio and our exciting plans, and in order to thank you for the fantastic community that you have built, we are pleased to announce the following.

Full Access to City of Heroes and City of Villains®
All players with City of Heroes retail* accounts will now have access to City of Villains, and all City of Villains retail* accounts will now have access to City of Heroes. Players that didn't previously have access to "the other side" will find that they do now. Just log in to check it out!

Debt Wipe
After the launch of Issue 11: A Stitch in Time this Fall, we are removing Debt from all characters and giving you a fresh start. Actual date will be announced shortly. Have fun in the mean time.

20,000 Prestige
Also after the launch of Issue 11, all Supergroups will receive an additional 20,000 Prestige per Supergroup member, meaning SGs could acquire up to 3 million Prestige based upon their Supergroup membership roster! Actual date will be announced shortly.

In the near future we will begin to share more information about our development plans. With this major reinvestment and effort ahead of us, we will take City of Heroes to new heights!

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

We wub you too, devs *hug*

Not that it affects me personally, but does this mean that people who used to only have CoH access will now be able to enter SG bases?

[ QUOTE ]
does this mean future issues will get better attention and not the "whatever is easiest" to push out?

[/ QUOTE ]

If I have to guess, they'll still get the easy stuff out first. However, with more production money, we will see the hard-to-do stuff coming faster and more frequently. If the gigantic amount of "never gonna happen" stuff in Issue 11 was taken care of before this deal was finalized, that is a really good sign for what they can do with the next few issues with even MORE at their disposal.

[ QUOTE ]
I hope this doesn't sound pessimistic (I have no reason to think this will negatively impact the game), but what do the following parties have to gain from this deal?

NC Soft
Cryptic
The Players

[/ QUOTE ]

The parties gain the following.

NCsoft acquires two award winning titles to add to their list of supported games. Also NCsoft is poised to open a new studio in Northern California in a very strategic location where recruitment of experienced talent is located.

Cryptic Studios is able to fully focus on their current project.

The players should be seeing more resources and development for the title they love and support.

Hopefully nobody suddenly found themselves out of work as a result of this transition.

Beyond that, I am tentatively looking forward to this, since it will almost certainly mean more money and resources will be available for development. Just so long as NCSoft doesn't go crazy with forced direction, this should turn out well.

edit: looks like my main concern was addressed while I was posting. Nice

The entire current team of COH/COV has signed on with NCsoft and we will be continuing our schedule of 3 free issues per year, as well as some other great goodies as we grow the team and IP.

Ex

We are here to field any questions you may have about this wonderful news.

Ex

Because this forum is marked to not purge so that we don't lose any valuable information, it is common for us to gather in some dust, out dated guides, orphans, and just plain trash.

If you see an item that should be removed from this section please PM Ex Libris with the link or post to this thread and she will review the thread.

It is always best, especially if you are already linked on the guide to guides to post updates to the end of your old guide, PM Ex Libris with the links and any instructions and she can edit the OP of your original linked guide and delete your update posts.

Any help keeping this forum clean and up to date is much appreciated.

Thank you,

Ex Libris

Edition 25 of "The City Scoop” a publication for Supers by Supers!

This week, we had Halloween, COV turned 2, and Lighthouse reached his one year anniversary. With all the goings on around here it will be hard to top this week for exciting news.

If you have any concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please feel free to direct your comments via PM to Lighthouse or Ex Libris.

If you would like to do a feature article, have an event covered, or join "The City Scoop" team please PM Lemur_Lad or Marcian_Tobay

If you or someone you know should be considered for ‘Behind the Mask’ Teldon or ‘Encounters’ please contact MrsAlphaOne

If you need some “Advice” contact Lady_Athyna or would like to “Ask The X” contact LiquidX

If you have an event you would like covered by “The City Scoop” please post your events under the event forum located here: Event Forum


Discussion on the latest edition of "The City Scoop" is located here.

Edition 25 of "The City Scoop!" a publication for Supers by Supers!

This week, we had Halloween, COV turned 2, and Lighthouse reached his one year anniversary. With all the goings on around here it will be hard to top this week for exciting news.

If you have any concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please feel free to direct your comments via PM to Lighthouse or Ex Libris.

If you would like to do a feature article, have an event covered, or join "The City Scoop" team please PM Lemur_Lad or Marcian_Tobay

If you or someone you know should be considered for ‘Behind the Mask’ Teldon or ‘Encounters’ please contact MrsAlphaOne

If you need some “Advice” contact Lady_Athyna or would like to “Ask The X” contact LiquidX

If you have an event you would like covered by “The City Scoop” please post your events under the event forum located here: Event Forum


Discussion on the latest edition of "The City Scoop" is located here.

/em Smack By Dirtwolf

The City Scoop Staff Editors-in-Chief Marcian Tobay Lemur Lad Editors Pants_Stealer - Copy Editor Teldon - Behind the Mask LadyK - Food and Restaurant, Classifieds Taxibot Belle - City Traveller Snow Globe - Puzzles Burning Brawler - Roleplaying MrsAlphaOne - Encounters born2luz - Bases Advice Arts Lady Athyna LiquidX _darque_ Dirtwolf PvP Correspondents Layout Dumok Excentric Dirtwolf Snow_Globe Additional Staff Bowfling Evol Advocate Evitron The City Scoop is always seeking comments, suggestions, and articles from our readers. Just send them to the corresponding department or one of our Editors-in-Chief.

Puzzles By Snow_Globe

Last Issue's Solution