Pedro Schwartz

Originally Posted by Crimson Vanquisher

I discovered that double XP + Redside = No real progress

Originally Posted by Neuronia

"Patience? How long is that going to take?" - Ed Gruberman

Imagine we'll be able to get it by the end of the day or early tomorrow...that is if JayLove isn't having a roasted pig BBQ in the Marketing offices...

Originally Posted by Shadowe

Just going to post a few thoughts of my own, here.

I've been playing CoH since September 2005, on the EU servers. It is my first (and currently only) MMO, and I picked it up one Saturday after a haircut when I hopped into my Friendly Local Gaming Store to browse a little. I've always liked the superhero genre, and thought "Well, what's the worst that could happen? I get a free month of play, and if I get bored, I just don't subscribe. It costs the same as pretty much any other game that's been out a little while, so I'm not really losing anything, am I? Ah... go on then. Give it a shot."

I now have two accounts (both running almost non-stop for the last 4 1/2 years - my first account subscription has never stopped), have purchased most of the boosters for both of them, my wife has an account, and we're not intending to stop any time soon. I attended a number of NCSoft events, when the EU offices were still open and doing things with their own community team. I've made friends, many of whom I've met in person. I have, quite literally, spent hundreds and hundreds of pounds on this game.

THAT is what shelf presence can do.

That is what the majority of people posting in this thread are saying - without shelf presence, there is effectively zero chance of another "me" coming along and joining the game.

Now, there is some hope that with an aggressive online marketing campaign, coupled with the recent Localised IP flagging that's hit the main site, that EU-based players who see something online might decide to buy the game, and they will automatically get pointed at the EU version, rather than the US one. But I was a casual gamer, a consumer who looks in shops, and I bought what I saw on the shelf. I actively ignore online advertising. I don't browse MMO sites. And I am a loyal customer of this game, and the only reason I am, is because in September 2005 there was still shelf presence.

Now, I'm not privy to the marketing details, so I don't know what sort of retention rate there is, but the only real example I have is my own, and I know that the great community, fun gameplay, and brilliant lore can capture the hearts and minds of people, and keep them playing for years.

In my opinion, failure to market effectively in the EU has the potential to be detrimental to the EU population playing the game. But that's only opinion, take it or leave it.

Thanks for noticing this, Avatea - you're certainly the EU's greatest proponent at NC, and we hugely appreciate everything you can do for us to get our concerns addressed by the powers that be.

Unfortunately, I think that it is unlikely to have any impact on their strategy for marketing the game, but we know it's not because the people who are involved in the community aren't listening.

Originally Posted by GunnTharr

BTW...I'm buying everything cuz I still loves this game!