Hello, I've been playing since roughly about the time Issue 3 rolled around. Long time stealth forum reader, haven't been much of a poster. However some things have been on my mind and I feel that with CoH/V now facing some competition in the Comic Hero MMO genre with the incoming Champions Online and DC Universe, that these things should be looked into. Now is a great time to make the general appeal of the game much more grander and impressive, as the upcoming City of Rogues expansion is going to draw a new player-base into the game, and put this game in the spotlight.
Now the basic gist of what I'm going to go into detail on regards the things that new players and newcomers are going to see first. The things that they see and give them a general first impression of the game. So I'm going to point out somethings that I feel could do with some minor facelifts, or a general change that would greatly increase CoH/V's general appeal.
Opening/Login Screen -
You know the one I'm talking about, the screen with Statesman, Miss Liberty, and Sister Psyche followed by a group of heroes, Or alternatively Lord Recluse and his lieutenants and minons. Now these graphics are seriously outdated in comparison to login screens of most other MMOs. Having played many other online games, and noting that this is one of the last to still use a static graphic image as the login. CoH would really be able to impress newcomers and returning players alike if the opening login screen had a 3D graphic of Statesman overlooking Atlas Park, or Lord Recluse peering down over the Rogue Isles from his massive tower in Grandville, or any sort of 3D moving scene with some sound effects thrown in. The old graphic image has been used for 5 years and is in poor quality. Please Devs, give us a new login look.
First Zones -
Now we have all seen our share of Mercy Island and Atlas Park/Galaxy City through all of our toon creating fun. But these zones could really be spruced up a bit to appeal to new subscribers and veterans alike. This is the zone where a player will see what the game has to offer and if they want to continue playing the game or not. Imagine a first time player walking into Atlas Park or Mercy Island and to see a massive GM picking up a car or smashing a building, and seeing groups of fellow heroes/villains coordinating to take down the threat. I understand the ideals of these first zones being safe havens. But a GM could be programmed to ignore players unless it is attacked first, could impress newcomers and maintain a relatively safe atmosphere in the zone. Just an idea, but these first zones really need to have something to WOW the first time player, and keep them impressed with the game.
Weather/Days -
This is something that would GREATLY increase the natural feel of CoH/CoV. I understand the fact that Paragon City always being sunny and the Rogue Isles always cloudy, creates a sort of hero/villain feel, but having every single day that rolls by have the EXACT same weather, really makes the game world feel static. Now I have seen the sky transitions during the Zombie Attacks and Rikti Invasions, and I think that the game would feel much more real if Paragon City saw an occasional cloudy day or Rogue Isles seeing the sun once in awhile. Also something that would greatly enhance the atmosphere would be rain. Just a simple odd rainy period or so would be a major difference to the somewhat static atmosphere of the sky. This could even be used to have snow fall during the annual winter events.
The time of day should also be synchronized to a real world clock, and server clock times introduced. The period of one day in-game should take 24 hours, this would make those events that only occur at night or day much more manageable as well as giving the world a much more realistic feel. This could be used to plan events, Task Forces, or Raids, without a clock that everyone can see, planning things in-game is difficult and sloppy. Not only would it enhance the feel of time in the game, it would allow in-game things to have a clock and time, imagine Arachnos Fliers making hourly patrols on the dot of every hour, or other such ideas could be adopted. Paragon City and the Rogue Isles exist in the real world, and weather/clocked time would go a long way to make this world seem much more genuine.
Civilians/Cars/Contacts -
The graphics on these units are seriously outdated, and one will be able to recognize this immediately. With such beautiful and stunning costumes and clothing available to choose from, the bland neutral colored civilians of Paragon City and the Rogue Islands should really be updated in order to fit in better with the world/players. Vehicles that drive around the streets should also be updated. Using more modern vehicles and trucks would better reflect the modern time setting and advanced technology available in the game world of CoH/V. Having the denizens of the game world match the world itself and the players who interact with them, would go a long way in having the game feel natural and smooth.
Giant Monsters -
Giant monsters really are the high point of every super hero's career. Nothing is more public and iconic in comic heroism then the hero taking down a monstrosity that is several times his own size and strength. One thing I have noted as a Badge Hunter is how static the giant monsters seem to be. Lusca should be wrapping her tentacles around a large tanker, or the Kraken smashing buildings or grabbing a helpless civilians. These monsters are threats to Paragon City/Rogue Isles and should be interacting with their respective city causing havoc, instead of sitting in one location until a bored/badge team come along and put the idle threat down. GMs should be serious threats to Paragon City and the Rogue Isles. CoV has done a somewhat better job with the GMs having them appear as a result of certain activities or events. But after appearing, Deathsurge should rampage through the city smashing things and consuming electrical energy from whatever source it can find. Giant Monsters need to a serious threat and not rare spawn badge enemies.
These are just a few 'First Impression' type things that I feel are somewhat dated and leave lackluster impressions on new players, and potential enthusiasts. With Champions Online, and DC Universe Online close approaching, City of Heroes/Villains is going to need to step up and improve its appeal in order to maintain its status.
I have only listed a few of my ideas of what could improve the appeal of my favorite MMO to new players and the general public. I would love to hear and discuss the ideas that you have concerning first impression improvements.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and please give some serious thought to these ideas, CoH/V is an amazing game, and I have been an enthusiastic player since release. I want to see CoH/V succeed, and exist as a fun and enjoyable game for many years to come.
