Lord_of_Time

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The point is, we don't know. It's a bold claim to say that the game will remain stable. Moreover, it's wishful thinking. I sincerely doubt any subscriber base has foretold its own death knell. Sooner or later, this game will die; whether in a year or ten years, it will die. Do you really think any of you people will admit to the truth when the time really does come, even with direct evidence staring you in the face? My guess is: not likely.

[/ QUOTE ]heres the rub, there are real, reasonable times when people can see the end near, heck, had the email not come out a while ago hinting to what we now know is going rogue, i was getting worried for coh myself, as 08 was not exactly a banner year content wise. but the posts that phil seems to be addessing are the ones that invariably pop up when a decision is made that disagrees with a particular poster's pet activity, and they predict coh's doom just before shaking the dust from their feet and canceling their "9 accounts". the thing is that every game makes decisions that inconvenience some subset of the player population, and saying that adjusting a particular element of the game will send the population numbers plunging as people make a mass exodus to a competitor is not a rational statement, its a fit of peevishness fit for a petulant 5 year old. I talk of my leaving final fantasy 11, because specific mechanics of the game really ticked me off, but i never did the banshee wail of the mildly inconvenienced customer, because its silly and childish, if stuff is bad, go and find something good, but leave with dignity.

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I had the same concerns when I saw CO and DCUO coming out and the content from COX coming out in dribbles if at all. I couldn't understand it either since I knew not only had NCsoft infused a lot more cash into the game but also they had hired a ton of new personnel. The first thought that kept popping into my head was 'What the hell are they working on that would warrant the increase in manpower and cash' when the issues being released were average to say the best and not in line with the people working on it.

Now we know though where all that money and man hours was going. It's given me a great deal of hope for the game since I was becoming very worried that if the devs didn't recognize that they were becoming squeezed from both sides by CO and DC. It appears they were already looking ahead and had been working on majourly expanding the CoX world from the get go. Can't wait till they release some highlights as to the content of the Rogue expansion

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This is by no means an etched in stone, sealed in cement, done deal. However, in this thread Oathbound had a suggestion. I liked the suggestion and PM'd it BaBs. (Thanks again OatBound! Great idea!)

The following is the PM I sent BaBs, and his reply:

I sent to BaBs
Seeker Drone problem
Sent to: BackAlleyBrawler

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They should just disable collision detection on Seeker Drones (make them so you can walk through them, like Singularity and Dark Servant).

Sure you'll occasionally see the Seekers clip through someone or something, but that's a trivial side effect for bots not getting stuck on them anymore.

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Sorry if yer not the guy to send this idea to. But it is a great idea! I mothballed my Robotics/FF MM cuz the protector bots keep getting hung up on their seeker drones. I've taken my MM out recently to see if the bug has been fixed and, sadly, it has not. This suggestion just might do the trick though. Is it feasible?

Back Alley Brawler's response:
Re: Seeker Drone problem
From: BackAlleyBrawler
I think that's doable.

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That's good news. I've sent in a handful of bug reports myself on this issue. I got REALLY tired of having to despawn my Protectors and recast/rearm them.

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"Champions Online is new so it will kill CoX"

I got tired of hearing it too. Most of this seems to come from people who left here bitter, or others who mindlessly jump onto a brand new bandwagon every time it starts.

It was an interesting post, however.

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For the past five years, CoH/V has had no direct competition targeting its thematic demographic. For the past five years, the rather more positive/optimistic individuals of the forum have pointed to CoH/V's subscriber stability as a testament to the quality of the game itself.

Could these be coincidental? Could the former be causal to the other? I feel both situations are quite plausible. There is no way of knowing how direct competition will affect the subscriber base. It's entirely possible that with not one but two upcoming major titles targeted at CoH/V's niche demographic, we could start to see significant population dropoffs. It could just as easily facilitate a much more unstable population, leading to more rapid and more linear population decline working over a period of years rather than a single quarter. And of course, CoH/V could indeed be unique in its high stability and high retention rate, and neither game will so much as dent the subscriber base.

The point is, we don't know. It's a bold claim to say that the game will remain stable. Moreover, it's wishful thinking. I sincerely doubt any subscriber base has foretold its own death knell. Sooner or later, this game will die; whether in a year or ten years, it will die. Do you really think any of you people will admit to the truth when the time really does come, even with direct evidence staring you in the face? My guess is: not likely.

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Pretty much bang on right. But until that day comes we still have a helluva ride to go

Yup. I got a blaster and a troll I'm gonna move red side and my Widow and one of my Masterminds I'm going to move blue side. Just waiting now for the system to go into affect so I can make it a reality

Played part 1 and it's great Turg. Tried it on both my blue and red toon and had a blast. Really looking forward to part 2 and 3 asap Keep up the good work you sexy beast.

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<center><img src=http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/NCNiviene/City%20Of/Jester99.jpg>
Mod8 aka TheOcho</center>

Okay, so Matt Miller and our Dev Team received yet ANOTHER basket…



Thank you very much to Jester99 . It was very thoughtful of you!

Before all of this gets too out of hand though, everyone…we want to make sure you know that by posting that first basket that arrived, we weren’t by any means suggesting that others send presents.

Although we appreciate the kind gesture we definitely didn’t intend to suggest that it’s now something ‘expected’ of you or that it will get anyone any extra advantages…like getting into our betas or information and such. J We don’t want anyone to feel obligated nor do we want to make any players who don’t have the means to show their appreciation in this way, feel bad.

Plus, well…do you really want to be responsible for giving our Devs big heads? (Shhh…don’t tell them we said that!)

Anyway, thanks again to all, but please, please know that a few kind words on the forums means just as much to us – if not more!!! :0D



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Nom Nom Nom Nom

(P.S. - Cash donations sent to BABs c/o Paragon Studios are still acceptable)

(P.S.S. - Not really, just kidding)

(P.S.S.S - Don't click on that link if you're squemish)

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Linking to a video that has adult language in it BaB? Tsk tsk tsk expect a warning in your file sometime later today for violation of COH forums

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I will update the job title posted on the door of my cube at work tomorrow to reflect this. "Type R Server Guy" has a nice ring to it...although my wife thinks the "R" should be backwards.

Yes, we have doors on our 7 foot tall cubes. No, I don't know why. They even have locks. <baffled>

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That's not to keep people out... it's to keep you locked IN! Muahahaha <cue diabolical lightning>

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I don't qualify for any of these... how can you get into the game industry if they're always looking for game industry experience????

I'd LOVE to be a QA tester for this game.

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The "experience required" flag is put onto job postings to limit the number of applicants who flat out would not qualify. It is not, however, a "hard" requirement -- if someone is sufficiently gifted and does very well on the various tests/interviews they can still be hired. It's happened before, it will happen again....but it is rare.

Work on Mods to popular games in your free time. This isn't "real" game development experience, in that it isn't usually a paid position, but it can teach you a lot about the why's and wherefore's of game development. This is more true if you work as part of a team, rather than solo mods.

Write Pen and Paper game designs. Whether adventures, game systems or settings, designing these can and does help you hone your skills and can be used as a sort of "portfolio" of design work in some cases.

Lastly, and best if you can get it, work as an intern at a game company. There is no better way to get past the "no experience" boundary than this.

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I always love that line 'work as an intern' as the best way into the company. Interns 99.9% of the time are not paid and unless you either A.) still live at home and have no financial obligations and/or B.) happen to live with people who don't mind paying for your room and board as well as general living expenses I don't see how you can do that. I suppose you could work a part time job AFTER your internship is over for the day to make ends meet but you're not gonna have any social life and will probably get about 4 seconds of sleep a day.

Like almost every job in life it's often not what you know it's WHO you know. I have a friend who wants to be a Network Manager and has so many degrees and certifications under his belt he needs a briefcase just to bring them all to an interview. But for all his smarts and his degrees every employer often wants hands on experience unless of course you happen to have friends or family working there in which they mysteriously get the job they apply for. He's been trying for years to get hired by companies and he still can't get any nibbles regardless of the fact he's spent years in school and has passed all his computer certifications with flying colours. He's even CompTIA A+/Network+ and Microsoft MCP certified.

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R-Type is a hard core shooter.

Therefore I can only assume that CoH/V is going to be also turned into a hardcore shooter, with a lot more twitch action.

So, CoH/V might have R-Type programmers, but does it have Xenon 2 Megablast programmers?

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Oh lord I remember that game. Fun as hell. I use to play it at the arcade and then walk over and stick a few tokens into Dragon's Lair before the night was out

Damnnnnn. I think that's the first time I've actually seen a member of the staff get sacked for telling the players the truth. It's unfortunate Lighthouse that your getting fired because you had the audacity to actually tell the players the truth and now they are using you as a sacrificial lamb. But consider this man. If this is how NCsoft treats their employees then your better off. I would not want to work for a company like that which lies to it's players and uses it's employees as scapegoats. Your better off moving on because I would not want to work for such a company myself personally.

Best of luck with your future endeavors especially in a volatile market like were in now but I'm sure you'll find work and get back on your feet quickly and hopefully for a far better company than you do now.

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I love in Posi's letter how he talks about 'rewards' for the missions created by the users. How it was bantered back and forth in the office with raised voices. I have a nagging suspicion this means no xp/influence/etc for these missions in which case. Crappy system and count me out. Not gonna bust my butt to create tons of missions that grant absolutely no reward.

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Then you missed the entire point of the mission creator.

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Oh I got the point. I got it a long time ago. This is a great way for the devs to have the players create content for them so that they don't have to. We already provide free Q&A services when we Beta test the issues. Now they want us to be quasi-content creators. Then if were lucky enough to be sprinkled with the blessings of 'Devs Choice' then our mission will give rewards. Great.

I love in Posi's letter how he talks about 'rewards' for the missions created by the users. How it was bantered back and forth in the office with raised voices. I have a nagging suspicion this means no xp/influence/etc for these missions in which case. Crappy system and count me out. Not gonna bust my butt to create tons of missions that grant absolutely no reward.

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I think the architect is Mr. Wiggin from Ironside and Malone.

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Yes but as long as the tenants are of light build and relatively symmetry. Also given a spot of good weather I'm sure we'll be onto a winner.

Personally I'm hoping it's info that the mission creator will be in I13. I've already got a 24 mission arc planned with multiple AV's and a kick [censored] ending. The planning is done now I'm just writing the mission briefings and after that is the in game dialogue. God this [censored] takes a while. I can see why these issues take so long now lol

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You seem to be forgetting that people ALWAYS complain. People are complaining now because of the lack of information being given. And people will complain when the information is released. And people will complain when the next issue is released. There will always be disputes. Here are the options:

Release the information and have people complain about it.


or

Keep it a secret and have people complain about the pace of the issues and lack of new content.

I'd choose the former.

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The two choices are release advance information that may be incorrect about things that haven't been finalized yet and have lots of people complain about being given incorrect information, or release information only when its set in stone, and have very few people complain about the lack of continuous and immediate access to information.

I'd choose the latter. So does practically everyone else on Planet Earth that is in a position to make that decision.

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lol Amen hun. While it is true that the amount of dev communication with the players has severely dropped off over the years. I would rather wait until there was definitive and CONCRETE information about new content before it is released.

That interviewer should have been thrown in a suitcase and tossed into a river. Half the interview I spent skipping her dead air and constant @55 kissing. Hell half the good questions were ASKED BY CASTLE. Yeesh. But some good answers.

P.S.

I saw your explanation and I am truly sorry for your medical condition. But if you couldn't physically handle such a difficult interview then you should have passed it to someone else that was fit for it.

Maybe it's the 4 year cynic in my heart. But the FIRST thing that popped into my head when I read "Customizable missions and content" was "No way they are gonna allow it to give xp or influence/drops of any kind".

I hope to God I'm wrong but I just don't think so. This kind of content that would ALLOW you to create farm missions just for that purpose with unlimited enemies that you can farm for rewards just sound WAY WAY too imbalancing.

So I have a feeling while this 'customizable content' will be cool at first. If it's valueless to kill the mobs then I can see this feature dying FAST with the people.

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Castle may be happy now, but I await the day he starts laying mushroom clouds.

I like him because he speaks what he feels, even if it is not politically correct. Reminds of George C. Scott's "Patton"

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Reminds me of Jack "Statesman" Emmert.

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No there is a big difference between Jack and Castle. Castle says what he thinks and always tells us the truth. Jack use to lie his butt off and do it with a smile.

Also if there were any threads that pointed out his lies or that he didn't agree with he would get his Hammer Cuppa Commie to delete/edit/or ban the user.

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==========

“WHY NO EMP FOR CORR?” – ELF_STALKER



Empathy isn’t a villainous trait, generally speaking. From a fiction standpoint, it will likely never be given to Villains as a set.

Back to thematics – Empathy isn’t really a villainous trait. From a fiction standpoint, it wasn’t our first choice to port over and the reason corruptors didn’t receive it in the first place as part of the release of City of Villains. If we were to add an “Empathy Like” set, it would need to be all new and not a port of it, to make it fit into the Villainous theme. As such, that fell out of the scope of Issue 12’s powerset proliferation and is why it wasn’t included.



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Frankly, folks, as has been pointed out before, this argument is bull. Not everyone redside is playing a psycho thrillkiller with no human emotions or entanglements. And if we are talking about themes, I assume this means that heros will no longer get Death Shroud, or the ability to mangle people with axes, swords, and blunt objects? Sucking the life out of someone or using attacks with names like 'eviscerate' are, by your 'thematic' argument, not very heroic...In fact, to make it thematically correct, heros should have ONLY Brawl, perhaps a few holds, and new new 'wring hands ineffectually' power.

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The Devs are trapped in teh "Golden Age of Comic books".

That is all.

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Its not even that though is it? Heroside has anything and everything (except z0mg poison which would need to have the t9 altered for any AT other than MMs) and villainside has all the crap. In this round of PP heroes get all the top performing villainside sets, red side gets storm (which is pretty nice but why is it doubled up for 2 ATs?) the 2 weakest tank s/l damage attacks in axe and mace (no spines/claws/ma for j00) SR which is most unbrutish secondary ever, elec everywhere which is damn fugly in red (how the hell can you call a colour evil anyway?) and is significantly weaker than the blue powers that they are based on (this isnt just down to the modifiers) elec armour makes stalkers the only AT that can survive more attacks while resting than actually using the sheilds.

The devs are painfully aware of the weaknesses of red side which is why they comically refered to 02 boost as another avenue of healing for villains, as good a set as storm it to be forced into focusing on the laughable heal is a bad joke.

Whatever "thematic" reasons they come up with to justify their decisions is pure bullcrap as it just doesnt wash. I mentioned earlier that the heroic standpoint from my recollection is for good to triumph over evil against all the odds, not for good to be in the dominant position and for villains to have to do all the work. This is a fundamentally flawed standpoint from my point of view.

We know less people play COV than COH, I dont beleive this is down to peoples thematic reasons and stanpoints (which is why things like Darth Vader and Megatron sell in just as many quantities as their heroic counterparts) its down to COV being a fundamentally flawed and badly designed game (MMs were supposed to be the tank AND the red side second buff class, they fail on both counts, fortunately they emerged as their own niche, this really doesnt help the lack of buffs red side though, stalkers are useless on teams etc etc) Give the red side some love and watch people play it.

I have been hopeful that VEATs will be really impressive, a fun AT to play but given the way I perceive the developers treating the vill game my hope is fading fast.

I feel the developers need to appoint "a red name" to take ownership of COV and empathise with a large portion of the games subscribers.....oh wait that wont work will it, empathy is only for heroside....

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I have to weigh in here on this point. I totally agree with Ice that red side needs a dedicated dev to be their voice. While I think everyone should WAIT for I12 Beta before they begin their croakings of doom. I have TONS of friends who are telling me that if I12 goes through as it is scheduled now they will quit the game.

All of them are players of red side and they are sick and tired of being trodden over every issue with almost no substantial content or love given to their villains. This is NOT my personal opinion on the matter. I"m merely mirroring their discontent they have expressed to me.

NCsoft is infusing more cash and employees into CoX to breath life into the game and make it a serious force to rival the new MMO's coming out on the market. But I think they really need to get their butts in gear and give the players what they want like they did in I9-11. Because at this point a good portion of their playerbase has just about had it and are going to jump ship if something isn't done soon.

Dude magnificent. Utterly magnificent.

I say now what I have said for 4 years. All I ever hear is "Yeah we could do it... but it would take too much time and it's not a high priority".

Well guess what BaB. Your players have been asking for this feature for 4 YEARS straight. So obviously it IS something we want and want it rather badly since we WON'T let it go.

What sucks is when I switched my Beta acct over to my Live account. The first week I had to use a game card temporarily due to financial circumstances. NCsoft doesn't recognize game cards as 'paid' time so I'm 1 week behind everyone else

Course what I've heard from the VERY VERY FEW friends that are old timers like me that still play the game is the pet while neat is essentially worthless. One good sneeze will kill it

Sorry I don't buy it that this wasn't intended to be stealthed in. Far far FAR too many things have been changed in the game and we've heard the party line 'oh yeah.. that somehow slipped past the patch notes' too many times.

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Personally, I hope very few people buy the Wedding Pack so NCSoft gets the message that this is not a viable income stream for them.

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Oh yes, and a great message it would be:

"Dear NCSoft, don't go out of your way for us. Don't spend extra time or money on developing or designing anything for us unless you are willing to accept no compensation for your efforts. Don't expect us to support you. We don't want anything more then what our subscription fees already cover."



Its one thing to charge for everything left and right, like some other companies have, its another to offer a little something extra here and there for a small price.

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I'd write a check to Jay and BaB for custom animations and costumes right now, if that's the way it worked. But I have a feeling that the art department didn't burn the midnight oil and get a bonus for these extras: they would have worked just as hard - but on something else everyone would have gotten access to - if they didn't work on these.

I wouldn't mind if these things were, say, veteran rewards that someone could buy to get early, and sufficiently long veterans would get unlocked eventually, so the purchase price was just for the impatient. And I don't mind supporting the dev team in general. And the completist in me is likely to buy the pack anyway, eventually, and the $10 means exactly nothing to me. But I'm still uncomfortable with a ten dollar costume and emote pack on principle.


This does not appear to be a case of "we can't justify the cost of making these items, but maybe we can make them retail items to help defray the cost." This appears to be a case of "hey, since you're making those things anyway, lets see if we can sell them rather than give them away, to gauge the interest of the player population in retail option packs."

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Bingo. That is my greatest fear. They are trying to test the waters here and see if they can start nickel and dime every addition to the game.

Charging real world money for costumes and emotes? Wow. You guys have really sunk to a new low. I mean for the love of Christ offer SOMETHING tangible. More CHARACTER SLOTS. Offer a new AT, powersets. ANYTHING. But your CHARGING for costumes and emotes? Are you trying to piss off your customers?