VanCorp

I agree with you Arcanaville, though maybe some of my previous posts don't make it sound like it (some days multi-tasking between here and my actual work may not be the best idea).

Another example of the New Coke fiasco could be pointed at SOE's attempts with SWG in late 2005 and what that did to their business on that game.

I don't foresee changes to the "game" of CoX at all. I'm confident NCSoft is not so stupid to have not learned those lessons from SWG.

What I foresee, is a change to the business model. I.e. the content of future free expansions versus content in possible pay-to-add expansions or adventure packs as a means to sell an increase in marketing, staff, development, et cetera to the shareholders and investors. Remember one important facet here: NCSoft is publicly traded and has many others to answer to in regards to acquiring an I.P. outright, expanding operations, et cetera.

Now, the typical business model for MMOs is set-up for pay-to-play expansions, et cetera, CoX was unique in its approach, but it also hasn't maintained numbers or allowed for resources to do a lot (as by Cryptic's often cited: "lack of resources for X, Y, or Z" responses to certain things).

I foresee CoX going that route, and the free issues becoming less "all emcompasing" for updates with the next year.

A discontinuing of the Free Issues? No.

A change to the type of content they will deliver so they can put things like power-sets, zones, epic ATs, (or whatever) and such into some sort of "buy to experience" model? I think so.

As for a CoX 2 . . . I have no opinion on it, or whether even such a thing will ever happen. I can see pros and cons to it, but am not privy to NCSoft's meetings and overall models.

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As a recovering lawyer, Steve is by default opposed to licensed products, not to mention his experience working on the Star Trek and Lord of the Rings RPGs. Licensed RPG projects can suck a lot depending on the licensor.

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On a side note (unrelated to your quote, actually) . . . I may not be a player of HERO or Champions, myself (though many in my company are) . . . Steve Long and Shane Hensley are probably my two favorite people in the current industry. I have a lot of respect for both of them and what they have done; especially when beating the odds they have faced as publishers.

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But where is the CoH RPG for the past 3 years?

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From the To Make You Cry files: Darren Watts* of Hero Games said at one point on their boards that they approached Cryptic/NCsoft about licensing and were rebuffed. Now that the CoH RPG's reputation is in the toilet after 3 years of vaporware from Eden, he said he's no longer interested.

* Might have been Steve Long, but I'm pretty sure it was Darren.

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I had lunch with Steve Long at GenCon (at the sports restaurant across the street from the main Con) and discussed (amongst business possibilities between our respective companies) City of Heroes. Let's just say it was a brief discussion.

Early on in our talks about the novels this summer with NCSoft, we mentioned the possibility of salvaging the RPG concept. They were pretty uniterested. Whether this is because Eden is still clinging on to the contractual term-of-life like a drowning man in a tsunami, or just a general lack of interest in licensing it again after the Eden fiasco, is unknown to me. That isn't the type of question one asks a potential licensor.

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The second I catch wind that NCS is working on a "sequel" for higher end PCs and possibly PS3, and there's still no concrete plans for the current product beyond the next issue . . .

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No, THAT is the exact thinking that brought us New Coke and, as far as the MMO Industry is concerned, the NGE over in SWG.

A lack of understanding of one's consumer-base.

Even IF a CoX 2 is designated as a real possibility by NCSoft, I can't see them completely abandoning the original anymore than SOE shut-down EQ1 when EQ2 launched (and EQ1 is STILL supported, mind you).

I predicted to expect a change in business model for CoX over the next year, not a DOOM or end to CoX. Sooner or later, though . . . yes . . . SOME of the money pumped into "Cox 1" or just "CoX", if you will (if there isn't a sequel), will be put into other projects and endeavors. That is just the nature of MMOs, and general product shelf life in general.

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Those words and even the actions you're describing do nothing to ensure the "long term success" of the City of Heroes game, only the "brand name."

If you're the type of person who's fine with a "sequel" being released that is just going to require more super leet hardware to run and shelling out for a new game with a familiar brand name and starting over from scratch, then no, those terms won't bother you at all.

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But it is not the CoH "Game" that will bring NCSoft the most possible revenue over the long-haul, but the "Brand Name".

I'll keep this short, but just do some research for publically traded companies like Marvel or DC (via Warner reports):

Both Marvel and DC began their roots in comics. However, what brings in the most revenue for them, now? Not comics by a long-shot. Not even close. But, rather, licensing their I.P. to toys, merchandise, TV, cartoons, Films, et cetera. Leveraging and Licensing a "Brand Name" does just that, far more than being a "Game Publisher" or "Comic Book Publisher" ever will.

Trust me, I know. Being in the PnP RPG and novel/comic book business, I see it ever day and it HAS to be a part of the business plan (I.P. growth and potential licensing).

I talk to Shane Hensley a bit via email and at Cons (as we both have linking business relationships through other companies in the PnP Industry). Many will remember that Shane was once "Captain Mako" with Cryptic (and even did some of the design documentation for MUO) before leaving to once again work his PnP RPG company (Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment) full-time once again.

The strength in any game publishing . . . be it MMOs or PnP . . . is brand-name recognition and licensing. Look at all the WoW Licenses generating money for Blizzard (if not through royalties, then at least through the Minimum Guarantees that are paid for, up-front, from licensee or licensor). Look at the . . . in the past . . . Everquest licensing: collectible figures, RPG books, Novels, et cetera.

Look at all the Marvel and DC Licensing.

If leveraged right, super-heroes can be a very good commodity in animation, TV, and films.

NCSoft would be a questionable company if they didn't fully intend to do what is necessary to expand the City of Heroes/Villains I.P. into other branches.

Does this mean a new "not everything free" business model versus what we have now, to bring in more revenue for the game?

Does it mean a CoX Sequel?

I don't know. Only NCSoft will, and being publicly traded they can't release any information except before certain, regulated marks prior to release of something.

But the more revenue a Brand Name generates, the greater its licensing potential. The greater its licensing potential, the greater its potential growth.

Now, keep in mind, that follows because when a Brand Name is generating money, better licensees show an interest. Lincensees with the leverage and market penetration in their respective industries to do a lot of possible good for said Brand Name.

When a Brand Name is only Luke Warm, you get licensees like Eden Studios. I love Eden as a gamer. They make some great games.

But where is the CoH RPG for the past 3 years?

Where is the CoH CCG now from its licensee?

And THAT is not good for a licensor trying to build a brand name.

Unlike SWG (Star Wars), WAR (a long time franchise from Games Workshop), Age of Conan (that is obvious), Star Trek Online, Stargate Worlds Online, Pirates of the Burning Sea (following the coat-tails of the Disney movie craze), and a host of other MMOs due out . . . CoX is its own I.P. that, obviously I am sure, NCSoft wants to leverage in the growing super-hero licensing market (and it is).

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Well one thing you've forgotten. Now that Cryptic is out of the picture most of the money they earned for CoX is now in the hands of NCSoft (save whatever they are paying Cryptic to license the game engine and tools).

I would have to think Cryptic was getting the lion's share of profits from the CoX franchise, which now all goes back to NCSoft. With more money they can hire more people to work on creating more content, fixing more bugs, etc. etc. etc.

Now this is not to say that some of that extra cash isn't going to be diverted to propping up other *cough tabula rasa cough* titles, but more money all around is usually a good thing.

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I haven't forgotten anything.

This past summer my company approached Cryptic with an offer to continue the CoH Novel line as a licensee. Cryptic, in turn, informed us we would have to talk to NCSoft (in the end we decided not to pursue it as an endeavor, and just focus on our own I.P., but that has nothing to do with anything with NCSoft; but rather our own shareholders).

Which started to make us hypothesize as to the ownership relationship between Cryptic and NCSoft in regards to CoH/V.

Now, I have no inside knowledge to that relationship, of course, but can only hazzard a guess if NCSoft was the one that handled all CoH Franchise/I.P. licensing.

How much of the fiscial pie was Cryptic getting? How much development was already paid for by NCSoft? How did the cut of revenue and profits go?

No idea. But it seemed to us that NCSoft seemed to control more of it, anyway.

Again, can't say for certain . . . don't have people on the inside. But it appeared to be a far, far different relationship than with Davis-Panzer Productions and MGM (the repersentative) over licensing for Highlander (before anyone asks, no . . . not happening . . . we walked away from the deal).

And, again, let's remember back to the launch of CoV and the fact that Statesman even stated at the boards that whether or not it would be included in te $15/mo was NCSoft's decision, but that Cryptic was fighting for it to go that way.

So, again, I'm in a hovering position and waiting-to-see the next year's worth of announcements and press releases. But my business sense says that portions of this model are going to have to change if they are investing this kind of overhead into CoX. Cryptic seemed to really not want to change the model (as shown with CoV's launch as I stated above) . . . but they also seemed to suffer from a resource anemia as well.

Lineage does well for them, it appears. Auto-Assault did not. I somehow I doubt Dungeon Runners is a major revenue bringer.

Meanwhile, they are very interested in Console Platform Development, and In-Game ads for some of their titles (stated, thus far, not to include CoX).

They also just launched T.R., which, I am sure, has a while to go before they even hit the break-even point (as most MMOs do).

Which also shows me, the money isn't exactly ever-flowing, either. They already have a lot invested elsewhere, and I just don't see the free-for-all CoX business model continuing beyond the 12 months or so it takes to truly facilitate the transition and the hiring/training of extra development staff.

That's what my experience tells me. I could be wrong.

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Your point of view is one who wants to cry dooooom!, but lacks enough confidence in his convictions to be willing to stand behind them. A CEO should review all the options - not just the ones that support his preordained conclusion.

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Actually I don't feel a need to cry DOOM at all. However, I do see the business model needing to change. My point is, at this stage I can't see the move as a good or bad thing. It is, indeed, too early to tell because we are not privy to all the details.

I can neither cry DOOM nor share in the optimism at this stage for just that reason.

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I think it's great news personally.

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I would like to hear your opinion on it in 6-12 months, to be honest.

NCSoft reports show that CoX isn't drawing in many new, sustained subscribers. Let alone maintaining a steady draw to current ones. It isn't a "DOOOOOM" issue, mind you, but the numbers are not holding or growing.

Now, NCSoft is hiring enough programmers and developers, as they say, to in essence double or triple the current CoH team. They've even moved it to a brand new studio location.

They want to expand and better market the I.P. and Franchise.

All of that costs money. And since that extra overhead is not being paid for by a steady influx of new subscribers, that means a necessary overhaul to the Business Model for CoX. I'm telling you this from the point of view of a CEO, myself.

So, now I wonder . . .

After I11 and I12, one about to release and the other more than likely already in the works, how many FREE Issues after that will be the "wow and cool" factors that people here have come to expect?

How many will be made to be less for free, so money can be made off of new stand-alone/expansions (ala CoV) that will be tacked on for an extra $5, $10 or so a month to the sub-fees?

How many features that we've come to expect from the Free Issues (mainly new powers, possible epic ATs, and zones) will, instead become pay-for-expansions. And will they run the normal $30? The $10 model of the old EQ2 Adventure Packs? or a combination thereof?

Because the business model as it is now, with the non-growing subscriber base, cannot support the overhead expansions they are now enacting.

And should any new business model not pan out for NCSoft, how long until Dev teams are transfered to the "next big project" and the aging CoX is just left on skeleton, development life-support? Because, you don't actually believe this new office/studio will ONLY be a CoX facility, do you? Not over the long-term, I'll bet you.

Those are hard factors in any business model, especially when a company promises larger teams, dedicated offices, expansion to the franchise, et cetera for a product that is not consistently drawing in new customers. They have to make the money back some how, as well as gain the revenue to invest in such endeavors over the long-haul.

So, is this a good or bad change (NCSoft owning it all and promising such nice plans)? Time will tell. But I'll bet my annual salary there will be some serious business model changes for CoX in the coming 6-12 months.

Then, you decide how you feel.

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Not bad thinking . . . but let's take that further, then, and give bases a purpose besides for just storage and insta-TP-travel.

Like, maybe the original intent they were to have 2 years ago . . . ?

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Rome was not built in a day - but scripts to grant prestige, clear debt and flip authentication are not far behind that. Sure, while perhaps we could have pulled some dev time for something else as a "thank you" we do have Issue 11 beta in full swing and the team has the grindstone turning hard to polish that up and get it ready for launch.

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Me thinks you misunderstood my post.

I wasn't refering to a "Thank You" gift in the form of actually getting bases functional to a purpose other than Storage or Insta-TP. I was refering to: once this transition is complete and your new Devs are hired to fill-out the ranks, let's also start working on some of those promised features. Like for those of us that thought Base PvP and IoP would be cool to also take part in, and bought CoV partially predicated on that marketing . . . would be nice to see Bases have real use in-game.

Otherwise, all that 20k Prestige my group gets between all the players/characters doesn't do much in the end. (And debt is easy enough to get rid of now as it, by the way.)

As it stands, I have a very wait-and-see position on this turn of events. Been in the business and entertainment industries log enough to know that all the hype done during such an acquisition does not equal to actual results 12, or even 6, months from now. Also, the timing of all this sounds very odd, so definitely watching press releases in the coming months.

A doubling or tripling of the Dev team? Okay. For how long? Because if that is to be maintained, I also know enough to know that the current CoX Business model is not going to sustain it (too many freebies and not enough, constant, influx of sustained, new subscriptions . . . as NCSoft quarterly reports show).

(Note to readers: I do not claim any inside knowledge of the physical business model or plan for CoH/V, but do claim strong knowledge of business operations and product support/expansion as it pertains to running a business.)

Not to mention that "next generation" super-hero MMOs (aka Marvel and DC) have the pros and cons of the CoX engine to also refer to in order to make an even better game. So, there could be some good competition there that will also require a steady influx of add-on franchise games, expansions, et cetera to compete with them in 2008/2009.

So, I'm interested in seeing the eventual press releases down the line on the new business model for CoX revenue this is going to require.

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To comment on the "Thank you" changes, the granting of CoH or CoV to those accounts who don't have it was done with the intent of giving players more people to play with.

Hopefully, those who are receiving it will be interested to see how the other side lives and be leveling up a new character. Hopefully that will translate to more people to group with. Hopefully that will lead to more character being interested (and able) to take advantage of the great feature that Supergroup bases are! Hopefully, by giving some renewed focus on bases, everyone can take advantage of the prestige grant and have fun with their base!

That was our thinking anyway. Your mileage may vary.

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Not bad thinking . . . but let's take that further, then, and give bases a purpose besides for just storage and insta-TP-travel.

Like, maybe the original intent they were to have 2 years ago . . . ?

You know, I paid separately for CoH and CoV (at launch for each).

Yet, a year later I could get both, together, at Wal-Mart for $20.

I paid $50 for the original SWG, $30 for Jump to Light Speed, $25 for Rage of the Wookies. Walk into any store that carries SWG, and see the core game, JTLS, RoTW, and Trials of Obi-Wan in one set for $20.

I paid $50 for WoW at launch. $40 for The Burning Crusade at launch.

Walk into Best Buy today and see the World of Warcraft Battlechest (WoW, TBC, plus both strategy guides) for a mere $40.

You know what? Welcome to the retail world, not just MMOs. Prices drop and items are repackaged . . . some becoming basically free by comparison of previous pricing guidelines. That's retail.

If NCSoft "wants" to give older customers of both games something, they will. But none of us are "entitled" to it.

Personally, I've seen enough games being bought-out or merged lately that I have deeper concerns:

1) Where does NCSoft see the future of CoX as far as content and development focus?

2) In relation to #1, what changes to CoX does NCSoft feel need to be implimented for the MMO Franchsie to be more competative with the "next generation" of super-hero MMOs like Marvel Online and DC Online? In otherwords, I've no doubt there are going to be changes, but how deep and how far reaching?

3) They brought over Cryptic staff, but how long until the lay-offs start, or developers are shifted to other NCSoft titles as part of a "title salvage operation" as is typical in such endeavors? 3 months? 6 months? 1 year?

4) MUO is far enough off from launch (or even Beta), so why the sale now? The timing of which, as a CEO in the Entertainment Property industry myself, makes me curious and suspect. My experience suspects there is more reason than: So Cryptic can focus on MUO and other projects. Consider it enough time in entertainment to know better, particularly when- from NCSOft quarterly reports- CoX wasn't a struggling game, subscriber-wise.

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I'm not entirely sure what to make of this just yet.

On the one hand, we have all the key developers staying aboard with the exception of Statesman (and who could blame him? CoX is just as much his baby as it is any other dev, but he's both a founding member of Cryptic Studios and holds an senior position there), promises of more development resources, what should be a much more streamlined and efficient QA process, and an assurance that it'll be business as usual as far as the game content and overall development go.

On the other hand, there's the general history of how well MMOs fare after being bought out by another company. Granted, NCSoft has been part of the picture since day one, and CoX is by no means a struggling property as is usually the case when an MMO changes ownership. But even with all that, I'm going to remain cautiously optimistic until such a time when I believe that things are going to remain just as good as they are now, if not better.

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I have a wait-and-see position at the present time, but won't hesitate in an instant to hit the cancel button for the 3 household accounts and either take the wife and son back to WoW, or over to WAR or some other game, if I feel I don't like where things go.

I've been in MMOs that have transfered owners before, and I work in the publishing business and have seen properties go through acquisitions (even partial transfers like this, since they both owned a piece of the pie, previously).

Knowing something of the foundations behind such moves, my main question is: why? I doubt this has to do with MUO, as that is still a ways off. Why do the sell, now? Is Cryptic, in turn, being bought by someone else (say, Microsoft, since EA is buying-up so many recently) and that announcement is forthcoming? That could definitely activate a possible clause that gave NCSoft full rights to CoX, given their development investment.

Is there another reason? CoX wasn't a struggling game, and MUO- as I said- is a fair bit away from launch. So, the CEO in me is VERY curious.

Like I said . . . I'll wait-and-see where things in CoX go, but make no promises to the new (full) developer.

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I recently saw two of these in the same Synapse TF. One of them was a Claws/Dark Scrapper. He didn't say much of anything during any of the mishes. I checked his badge list to see what kind of player he was (casual, all the mission badges for content, badge-[censored], holiday-soldier, whatever). He's got the 12 month Vet badge and a sprinkling of others. So then I go look at his powers list. He isn't in Fitness Pool and alarm bells start to go off. I take a close look at his Primary and he had a grand total of 3 Claws powers, including the slow low-damage PBAoE and not including Focus.

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Ummmm . . . so what? I've been playing CoH since Beta and I don't always take the Fitness pool. Honestly, for one, it IS overrated in a lot of instances. For two, I can Endurance Reduction I/O, even at level 12 with level 15s, and work just fine. even on my own claws/dark scrapper.

This does not equal to an "Ebay Account".

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(if it was someone's kid on a parent's account they would have been given better build advice).

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My 7 and 9 year olds play CoH on my account and my wife's account, as well. I let them create, build, and play. They have fun, that is all that matters. Why do I care what their builds are if they are having fun? If they are bad for a team, kick' em. They get over stuff real quick. But that's a danger in any MMO, you don't know who is behind the keyboard. In the case of TF or Raids (in other games) take a moment to get to know the teammates before actually locking into the missions. I NEVER lock into a TF with a team, as a leader or member, without taking a few monents in chat- especially on a PuG. If they don't talk, or don't seem to be able to communicate effectively (which helps in a TF a lot), I either leave or kick them, depending upon my position on the roster, and seek others.

And as for actual Ebay Accounts, and not accounts that just don't play the way Player-X thinks it should, ban 'em all.

My wife and I were off yesterday so logged in for about 6 hours. In that time, we were each getting AT LEAST 6-8 an hour. Virtue server

Okay . . . it's getting a weee bit outta control now.

Name: Sentinels of Society
Server: Virtue
Type: Relaxed, family-friendly, RP encouraged
Website: Sentinels of Society HQ

Description

Paragon City! A symbol to the world. A place where even the weakest person can find within themselves the power to become something great.

A place torn by conflict.

When the Rikti invaded, the world-renowned City of Heroes was nearly brought to its knees. Entire city districts were reduced to funeral pyres, as dozens of Heroes sacrificed their lives to protect the city that had grown to count on them.

Even after the Invaders were defeated, the city could not truly recover as criminal organizations vied for power in the vacuum created by so many losses. The police could not stop them. The prisons could not contain them.

Then in the midst of it all, the Rikti returned!

Paragon City was facing its darkest hour!

But the City of Heroes will not kneel. The sacrifices will not go in vain.

The Sentinels of Society will dare! They will be there to light Paragon City’s darkest hour!

And they will do so. . . United!

************************************************** *

The Sentinels of Society is a role-playing Super-Group on the Virtue server, open to all character Archetypes and levels, all levels of MMO gaming experience, and all levels of role-playing experience- beginner to veteran.

We are a laid-back, relaxed Super-Group that plays City of Heroes to take a break from the grind of daily life. Our first rule is to have fun and unwind.

If you are a role-player, are friendly, and want a Super-Group whose community is about relaxing and having fun, then The Sentinels of Society is for you. Feel free to visit our website or send an in-game email to Super-National.

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Well, first things first, get a toon to 50. There's nothing definite about "can I delete the 50 afterward" at this point - in general, it's considered to be better safe than sorry, and not delete it.

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Finally being able to hit 50 by January (look at my Reg Date . . . I'm an ALToholic to the extreme to just now hit 50), I would like to know if anyone knows if we can then delete the lvl 50 and not lose the unlocked Epics. The reason I ask, is that similar to Horus in the Blue King series, my main would like to suffer a near-death in the RP and be merged with a Peacebringer. So, obviously I would like to be able to start the character over as a level 1 Peacebringer.

So . . . do we lose the access to Epics if the level 50 is deleted (which would be stupid, but given some of the choices of Cryptic over the years, thought I should ask).

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Now, its popular to bash WoW around here in some quarters, and I'm sure the game has its flaws. But with seven million subscribers (according to their advertising anyways), there's probably something for CoH to learn from WoW.

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I play both games, and have since each of the respective games were in Beta in 2004 (with time-off for RL life as needed). And I would say, you are definitely correct. No, WoW is not flawless, but no game is. But there are numerous things other MMO developers could learn from Blizzard. Which is funny, in a way, because John Smedley (SOE), Jack (Cryptic), and others have even admitted as much and what, in their opinion, those things are, in interviews over the past two years. Yet, not one of them seems interested in actually implimenting those "things".

Oh well.

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And I quote . . .

“We spent more time developing [bases] than any other feature in City of Heroes or City of Villains,” he says. Although bases are built by a team, Emmert and his team viewed them as being “incredibly, incredibly individual” because each piece of the base is designed and added by individuals."

I have said for over a year that Jack is out of touch with his own game and his own players. What happens more times than not is all ranks of a SG are expected to contribute to Prestige (and in some SGs, even long after it starts biting into Influence) but only a select few (i.e. the highest or two highest ranks) are allowed to add anything to a base or have a say.

In very few cases does a base become an extension of a SG. It becomes a resource (Prestige and then Influence at the higher levels where the split-off occurs) hog for a few features that barely contribute to in-game quality of life.

It becomes a personal extension of those in control of the SG.

Travel powers are great. I have yet to need to harness the base teleporters, which makes the cost of them even more expensive than normal, because the return on the investment is even greater diminished.

The enitre Base feature seems poorly thoughout, poorly designed, poorly tested. Lip-Service on bases has been fast and furious. Unfortunately, adjustments have not, and the issue was complained about in CoV Beta a year and more ago.

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Welcome to the band, brother. You take the next set, my voice is tired...

Dasher

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I would man, I would. Except I've been in this band since around Issue 4 when it became clear "Papa Jack's" promised features would never see light of day, and quality started showing a strain in-game.

Jack's advice to me back then was that if I did not like the direction the "City of" line was going, there are other MMOs out there.

I shrugged and gave him and company the benefit of the doubt. About 10 months later after that PM from him, I've finally bit the bullet and reinstalled EQ2. Why? *shrug* Because I don't really want to play WoW again, and at least I get Access Pass.

All I am deciding now is if November 3rd is my last day, or December 3rd.

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I enjoyed my time in here for what the game was, but I just don't believe anything truly extraordinary is going to actually be delivered, anymore.

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Ye gad, man! You make it sound like your cat just died! I certainly didn't intend for this to lead to anyone's departure!

Thing is: so bases aren't that great. So what? Wasted development effort? Sure. Wasted potential? Sure. But I don't think anyone would say that it's a make-or-break feature. It didn't work out like they wanted. But it's like 1% of the game. I say we keep suggesting how to make it better, and then get over it while we play the rest of the frickin' brilliant game.

OK, so I'm doped up on NyQuil right now. Sorry about that.

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Nah, you didn't do anything. All you did was randomly start a thread about some things I have been in /tells with, with my Sg commanders (being the G.L. myself), on who I would turn the SG over to when I left.

From bases, to the lack of real bug fixes in the past year, to features that Jack lip-serviced at these forums time and again that never came to light, to several other things, I just feel it's about time to hang-up the tights. It's been fun. At one point the game was fun. But, at one point I also thought a lot of its potential would not go so wasted, either. And like I said, this is about a lot more than bases; that article was just typical "Jack". Nothing different than the glaring lack of understanding about the game and the playerbase that he's always shown. I'm just surprised he didn't lip-service features again, that would never come to light.

The Q2 2006 report from NCSoft showed the drop in CoH/V. I tend to agree with several that Marvel will be, in a way, the CoH 2. I don't think CoH will die or anything. I think it will chug along and what it is, it is.

I welcome to be proven wrong one day. On that day, I'll happily return as a subscriber.

My only question to myself right now is, do I resub on Nov 4th and ride it out till December, and use that time to play a few more times with friends and make the round of in-game good-byes; or do I just let it end on Nov 4th?

I have a couple more days to decide.

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Just another one of those things in the game that has so much potential, but something they've also seemed to miss the ball on.

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That part there has been such a part of CoH for so long, that after being here off-and-on since Beta, I am seriously considering it is time to finally hang-up the tights for good on my, my wife's, and my son's accounts. They basically agree with me.

Like with Blizzard and WoW . . . CoH/V is what it is, and that is that. For a year now bases have been a majority useless, because the mechanics and engine that was advertised for them they still can't figure out how to do. That has been the mantra for so many promised things from Jack and company with the game.

I enjoyed my time in here for what the game was, but I just don't believe anything truly extraordinary is going to actually be delivered, anymore.

And I quote . . .

“We spent more time developing [bases] than any other feature in City of Heroes or City of Villains,” he says. Although bases are built by a team, Emmert and his team viewed them as being “incredibly, incredibly individual” because each piece of the base is designed and added by individuals."

I have said for over a year that Jack is out of touch with his own game and his own players. What happens more times than not is all ranks of a SG are expected to contribute to Prestige (and in some SGs, even long after it starts biting into Influence) but only a select few (i.e. the highest or two highest ranks) are allowed to add anything to a base or have a say.

In very few cases does a base become an extension of a SG. It becomes a resource (Prestige and then Influence at the higher levels where the split-off occurs) hog for a few features that barely contribute to in-game quality of life.

It becomes a personal extension of those in control of the SG.

Travel powers are great. I have yet to need to harness the base teleporters, which makes the cost of them even more expensive than normal, because the return on the investment is even greater diminished.

The enitre Base feature seems poorly thoughout, poorly designed, poorly tested. Lip-Service on bases has been fast and furious. Unfortunately, adjustments have not, and the issue was complained about in CoV Beta a year and more ago.

Ms. Liberty is the granddaughter of Maiden Justice and the daughter of Miss Liberty. Her first name is Megan, not Jessica. More information about her connection to Statesman will also be found in The Web of Arachnos

Of course, according to the novel Freedom Phalanx Ms. Liberty's name is, indeed, Jessica; and she is Statesman's granddaughter. Her mother, the original Miss Liberty, is Alexis, daughter of Statesman and Maiden Justice.

The Sentinels of Society is recruiting!

The Sentinels of Society is a role-playing Super-Group on the Virtue server, open to all character Archetypes and levels, all levels of MMO gaming experience, and all levels of role-playing experience- beginner to veteran.

If you are a role-player, are mature and friendly, and want a Super-Group whose community is about relaxing and having fun, then The Sentinels of Society is for you.

Learn more at www.guilduniverse.com/sentinelsofsociety

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33 years old.

I've been in the publishing and entertainment business for 20 years, selling my first story to Asimov's at 13 (father had to sign the paperwork).

I've worked on material for Marvel Comics, Davis-Panzer Productions (Highlander: The Series), Mortal Kombat, Star Wars (1990s Expanded Universe material), TSR, Precedence Publishing, Thunder Castle Games . . . oh hell . . . a lot of different companies.

Anyway, now I am President and Chairman of the Board of a multimedia entertainment company.

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Wow.

You wouldn't have happened to have joined this game for the content, would ya?

Bet that makes for a nice resume

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Thanks. Hopefully, my company stays successful so I'll never have a real need for a resume again.

Content? Geee . . . could be.

33 years old.

I've been in the publishing and entertainment business for 20 years, selling my first story to Asimov's at 13 (father had to sign the paperwork).

I've worked on material for Marvel Comics, Davis-Panzer Productions (Highlander: The Series), Mortal Kombat, Star Wars (1990s Expanded Universe material), TSR, Precedence Publishing, Thunder Castle Games . . . oh hell . . . a lot of different companies.

Anyway, now I am President and Chairman of the Board of a multimedia entertainment company.

Honor Guard

Members: 5 players, alts in group.

We are really just a small group of family and RL friends. We don't really recruit, per se, in that we don't go out searching for people, thus the size. The reasons for that are two-fold. First, we are casual players that log-in and have a good time, do some RP, and just relax. Two, we aren't "Prestige Happy" players. Sure, we play in SG mode to get some prestige, but we aren't fighting for a base, and when we do get one it'll only be for decorative, RP purposes. Heck, we don't even require people to be in SG mode. Our big thing is to log-in at night for however long we have, and just relax and unwind. The whole SG gig for us is just for RP. As is our Villain group.

Antarcticus, out!

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This is one of the major points I see in the game's favor. Highlander is the only other CCG I can think of (hey, there's a tie-in game that's really old, and I think it's even still being produced!)

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Unless there is a new one out there somewhere (doubtful) the Highlander CCG is long gone as Thunder Castle Games went under many years ago. Their former owner is now a Senator, somewhere. I found him on the net because the company owed me some money from work done on the CCG and the never released RPG. I'll never see that money, mind you, but the Senator still got a letter from my attorneys.

I haven't played the CoH CCG. Nothing against the concept, I just spent enough money on the CCG craze in my youth that I am burned-out on the concept.

I just hope that it fairs better than the other Super-Hero CCGs that have come along over the past decade.