lionheart_fr

[ QUOTE ]
Two comments here:

1st: Sewer teams are EXACTLY like AE teams. They are teams that want fast levelling through great xp. Only it happens in the sewers not in the AE. For 5 years I've never understood sewer teams: fast xp of course, but multiple deaths and incompetent players most of the time.And now, I don't understand why AE is worse than sewers.

2nd: If you don't want to play in the AE, ignore it. I've got a bunch of characters that I've created after AE went live, and I've played them exactly like I did before: grind to 5 in Atlas, then move to KR and do newspapers and arcs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly.

Sometimes I think that the main problem people have is that it is now harder to get:

1. Sewer (farm) teams.
2. Newspaper/Police band (farm) teams.
3. TF/SF teams to do (farm) the same content over and over again.

For the record: I've never touched the sewers; always seemed too much like farming for me. I do radio mission for fun, but generally until I get the safeguard for that zone, then don't do them there anymore. Don't feel like farming them. I rarely do TFs/SFs. Just don't enjoy them.

So what are my main areas of play? Dev mission arcs and AE mission arcs.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I agree that the quickest fix is to yank out the AE all together.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yellow is not a slimming color for an idea that bloated with idiocy.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. I guess I just haven't seen the devastation of Paragon City that others have -- and I don't even play on Freedom that much.

Sometimes I think the anti-AE crowd fixates on the farming aspect because it can best be portrayed as a big negative (and I can agree that the extreme PLing can be, to a certain extent).

However, a nice big chunk of us who use AE never farm/PL; we enjoy creating our own content and playing other creative player content (as well as dev content).

Only the devs know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that the positives outweigh the negatives for the AE's impact on the game.

There is room for tweaking, for sure (as with any new features). But the angst some people on the forums show just goes 'way overboard. Forums do tend toward drama, I guess.

[ QUOTE ]
What you're proposing is actually more restrictive than simply removing the buildings from the lowbie zones. In the removal idea a player can simply choose to run to the nearest AE and go about their merry way the exact same way as before. Your idea will force them to run certain contacts or hit a certain level.

I believe something needs to change but I think it's too late to level-gate AE.

Edit: It's also too late to tie AE access to a Vet Reward. How would you like to buy a game called "City of Heroes: Architect Edition", get home and read a pop-up "Oh by the way, Architect is a Veteran's Reward you'll get in 3 months, enjoy!"

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, I'm not proposing this. It's just an effort to think along the lines of what others are bemoaning in this thread without absolutely hamstringing everybody.

Personally, I think AE is fine the way it is. I don't see the need to remove it from the starter zones; if forumites are concerned that newbies are somehow missing out, maybe we should be creating new characters and inviting said newbies to regular teams rather than coming to the forums and trying to make the devs force others to play our way.

[ QUOTE ]
Alot has changed since AE moved in. I remember just a year ago waiting to see a sewer team forming so i could jump at it before it was full. Now lone people call for sewers and go unanswered. I honestly dont know how i feel about AE. Sometimes i like it to help me level through some rough spots but all in all I think it has done much more harm than good.

[/ QUOTE ]

This one almost seems funny to me (no offense intended). I've always avoided sewer teams; every tell I've gotten touts the great XP and fast leveling. This, of course, smacks of PLing to me. I'm in no hurry to level.

I've played well over 100 AE arcs thus far; haven't farmed or PL'd once. The idea that the only purpose of AE is to farm is less than accurate. Many of us play for the story and adventure, plenty of which can be found in the AE with a little patience.

I'm glad we've got AE from the get-go. Hasn't changed my playstyle one bit, except that some characters do exclusively AE, some do only dev content, and some do a mix.

I could live with removing AE from Atlas/Galaxy; don't really see the need to remove it from Kings Row. New players aren't going to know to run to Kings Row anyway without doing their first contacts.

Personally, I don't see any reason to gimp AE at all; however, for the sake of argument, I could see making the AE buildings in lower level zones inaccessible until one character on your account achieves, say, level 15 or so. That would give the player enough experience at moving between zones and playing dev content to at least have a clue about standard gameplay. Or rather than level-gate, simply make playing through the Atlas/Galaxy arcs mandatory, with a contact in KR unlocking the AE, perhaps after completing your first KR mission.

One thing though: The villain side starter area stinks. The snakes are one of my least favorite groups in the game. I relish the idea of using AE to level past Kalinda/Burke (though Burke has some decent missions).

There is no limit to names, just one's creativity. If there is a name you just *have* to have, make minor modifications.

For example, you need Inferno, but it's already taken. How about The Mighty Inferno, Raging Inferno, Crimson Inferno, Captain Inferno, Inferno Prime, and so forth?

Back in 1990, I created a superhero character named Lionheart. He's been my main character in various PnP RPGs and PC RPGs ever since.

When I created him on Freedom (to join a supergroup of Freedom Force players I'm associated with), the name Lionheart was already taken. So I appended FR to the name, which are the initials of our supergroup. I refer to my character as Lionheart, not Lionheart FR. It probably looks odd to other players, but it serves as a personal identifier for me.

That's the danger to level-gating rewards, whether it's capes, auras, EATs here or costume options, mounts, raids in other games. If it is tied to level, there will be players who feel they have to rush to that level to get the reward.

It's both a carrot on a stick intended to keep people playing and a motivation for players to look for shortcuts to rush to level, thus bypassing good content.

It can't be an easy thing for MMO devs to balance.

Part of the rush to the finish mindset comes from veteran "multiplayer gamers" who think that endgame is the only game. That's where the "real" game begins.

I recently had this discussion on the LOTRO forums with another player who insisted that they are forced on a frantic rush through the game to reach endgame -- because there is no other content. I pointed out that there is a *lot* of story and content in that game and that the journey itself is worth it. The response I received was "what story?" with the assertion that nobody reads that stuff anyway; it's just filler. The endgame is what "multiplayer gaming" is all about.

I've seen this mindset on several game forums; it's apparently nothing new, just befuddling to those of us who actually read stories and participate in the content. I like to follow the good storylines, fight, explore, and adventure through the games. My highest level character in CoH after three years is 32 (many alts involved here). In LOTRO I did hit 50 a couple of months ago (I'm a Founder there) -- but somebody moved the cap on me! So I've still never hit cap in an MMO.

To me, if the journey isn't fun, there's no point in playing. Luckily, in both MMOs I play, the journey is fun.

In CoH, the MA just adds to the fun. I do both dev-created content and player-created content. It varies by character (some are no MA, some are all MA, some do both) and by what contacts are up for me. Sometimes I'll use MA to level past content that doesn't appeal to me to get to the next contact.

Variety is good.

[ QUOTE ]
Actually, I don't really agree with most of the origin write ups, I kind of go with what ever story I want to spin for my char and ignore the whole origin thing other wise. I very rarely use anything but IOs anymore any way so it doesn't come into play much for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. For example, I've got a few characters that would probably fit best under Science, but I despise the Vahz so much that I refuse to take Science on the hero side. Or I may make a tech-based character, but don't really want them to have Clockworks as their primary enemies this time. I'll simply choose a different game origin and RP it my own way.

[ QUOTE ]
People don't do regular story arcs because they're crappy for both exp and merits.

[/ QUOTE ]

I still do regular mission arcs for the stories and the fun. I also do a lot of AE, and even radio missions. I've never really seen the need to be one dimensional. Variety is good.

[ QUOTE ]
Edit: In a blinding flash of the obvious it just occurred to me that really the AE and any possible negative aspects impacts those who PuG much more than those who just team with people they know. When I first got into MMO's (and even back in my MUD days) I spent a lot of time in PuG's. These days for my own sanity and enjoyment I only team with people I know. SG's/VG's/Kins/Clans are the only way to go now. If you find a group of people you get on with, stick to them like glue. Do this, and some of the issues you have with the AE will become moot. Unless you are just objecting on principal (I have a bad habit of doing that sometimes), in which case there is no simple solution.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you've hit it exactly. This mostly affects players who like to do PUGs and like full teams. Those of us who have our own groups or prefer to solo/small group haven't really been affected much at all.

My gameplay hasn't changed a bit with the AE coming out, except that I play a lot of custom content as well. But my wife and I (and now our daughter) still play dev content too; we just mix up more. Some characters only play AE, others only play standard content, others play a mix.

[ QUOTE ]
Or they know it's broken, and don't know how to fix it. Or they fixed it, and it broke again.

So send the author a tell, because they may be unaware that their arc isn't working.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is true. I had an arc break after a patch too. All I had to do was hit republish (without unpublishing) and it was back up and running. No idea what caused it to break.

[ QUOTE ]
It's all opinion. Lion, saying everyone loves the AE is just as bad as Talen saying that everyone hates it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I never said everybody loves AE. That was never the point. I think it's fine that some people may even loathe the AE; no problem. I respect their opinions.

It's when they start casting aspersions on those who do enjoy it (to put it very mildly) that I let it get under my skin. So far all of his responses have been to dismiss any counter points (from anybody, not just me) and add more insults.

Talen's first post indicated that he considered the AE a bust. I countered (I thought reasonably) that many people enjoy it, so technically it isn't a bust from a game standpoint. It's a matter of perspective. Talen then proceeded to belittle and insult the majority of users (calling them idiots and so forth), the vehemence of which frankly caught me off guard and I responded too rashly. Then we *both* acted like bickering school children from that point on.

The AE is accomplishing it's purpose: Allowing players to have fun. Not everyone will like it, just like with every other aspect of the game. Those are the breaks -- and it's okay. It's also okay for people to like it.

But I think it's best to just drop it. Reasonable discussion about differing opinions is one thing; when it degrades to bickering and namecalling it ceases to serve any useful purpose.

Sorry, but Talen was the one doing the namecalling and disparaging other players. Playing martyr now is nonsense. His points have been refuted, by more than just me. Attempts at reasonable discourse are impossible when dealing with total arrogance, so I won't try now.

It does add entertainment value to the forums, I guess.

My only regret is that I allowed myself to fall for it. I'm done.

Enjoy!

I could swear I heard the wind, a hard blow to be sure. Or a blowhard. It's hard to tell sometimes -- except that the wind is more pleasant to listen to.

Clouded has great wisdom. I should have listened the first time.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Therefore it is a success and a worthwhile addition to the game.

[/ QUOTE ]For you, sure. For me, it's a lot of effort spent on something that's made the game actively worse. I can't speak for you. I can speak for me. And when I see things being put in the game that make it worse for me, it doesn't muster up my enthusiasm.

Now stop telling me I have to be enthusiastic about giving idiots the tools to prove their idiocy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that you are entitled to your opinion. And it's all right that you feel it doesn't muster much enthusiasm for you. I can even sympathize a little.

However, in your initial comments and comments in this specific post you did presume to speak for everyone else, not just yourself. You basically claimed AE was a wash. It is not for many of us.

You just said that those who don't measure up to your standards are idiots; namecalling and casting aspersions on others doesn't rate you any higher than that yourself.

My apologies to the forums (and to Moderator 8) for bothering to respond to this.

The point I'm making, Talen, is that a lot of people are having a lot of fun in the AE. Therefore it is a success and a worthwhile addition to the game.

Even the arcs don't measure up to your sense of artistic value, so what? Fine, it's useless to you. But it is definitely not useless to the playerbase at large nor to the game itself.

As to what constitutes good/bad writing: There are a lot of best sellers that major critics decry as bad writing. There are a lot of critically acclaimed books that are poorly written drivel. The only real empirical measurements that can be applied are with regard to mechanics, not substance.

The fact remains, though, that if enough people are enjoying themselves in the MA, it is a solid addition to the game and time well spent -- even if many of the arc writers are not particularly talented artists.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Me, I just hoped it wouldn't go through because I believed that every idea in it would be implemented badly. So far I'm pretty much expectant to be right.

[/ QUOTE ]


So far, the first implemented portion (MA) is a fantastic addition, in spite of forum drama and some players' attempts to ruin it for others. Yep, it had/has bugs; I've yet to see a major update for any game come out bug free.

[/ QUOTE ]Bugs? I'm talking about the content. Ignoring the farms, ignoring the rating system and ignoring the bugs, the AE system is still being used to mass-produce slurry.

[/ QUOTE ]

In your opinion. I've played some very good, well-written, and creative arcs. Just because they don't meet with your approval doesn't mean they're not good, just that you don't personally like them.

The fact that a lot of people are having a lot of fun with it (and I'm not even including the farmers in this statement) means it is a success. That's what playing a game is all about; having fun.

You don't have to enjoy my arcs; my family and friends will and that's what matters most. If others enjoy them too, that's just icing on the cake.

[ QUOTE ]
Me, I just hoped it wouldn't go through because I believed that every idea in it would be implemented badly. So far I'm pretty much expectant to be right.

[/ QUOTE ]

So far, the first implemented portion (MA) is a fantastic addition, in spite of forum drama and some players' attempts to ruin it for others. Yep, it had/has bugs; I've yet to see a major update for any game come out bug free.

But the "bugs-to-fun" ratio is definitely weighted to the "fun" side for a lot of us.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Will making certain powers black cause them to appear invisible?

[/ QUOTE ]

Even more importantly, have they found a solution to the problem of color values being tied to opacity (i.e. using black to color an aura causes it to become transparent instead of black)?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a toughie. It would be great to have some powers become transparent or invisible. I would definitely put some of the powers that obscure my characters' appearances on the transparent setting (if we can select per power, not just a broad stroke across all powers).

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah I'm not claiming anything, I just want it fixed so ppl don't think i'm some idiot with a 33 month badge that only has one 40+.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gee, thanks.

I'm pushing the 36 month mark and my highest level is 32 (many alts on many servers might have something to do with it too).

To the OP: My condolences for your loss.

If he frequented Author's Avenue at Gencon, I might actually have met him. I helped my brother at his booth for three years (we missed last year because of budget).

The internet and gaming communities have introduced and interesting dynamic. On a Freedom Force fan forum I'm a part of, we've lost a couple of members over the last year. It comes as a great shock, yet when one stops to think about it, I've never actually met them face-to-face, just exchanged messages on a forum. But it still hits you in the gut just the same.

[ QUOTE ]
So how do you know who to trust? Look at independent testing performed by organizations such as the FDA. They have done extensive scientific testing on Aspartame (Diet Coke), and there's no evidence that it causes the health problems listed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with much of what you say, however I do feel the need to comment on this one.

I work for a drug information company and the FDA has indeed issued warnings concerning aspartame and phenylalanine with regard to a specific (rare) genetic condition and for pregnant women who are not metabolizing phenylalanine well, as high concentrations of phenylalanine can indeed cause brain damage. Again, that's from the FDA labeling, not from hysteria sites.

My wife can't drink anything with aspartame in it because it hits her stomach hard (IBS). It leaves her with a strong burning sensation in her gut -- and this was true before any of the anti-aspartame stuff came out. She just knew she couldn't drink anything with NutriSweet, etc., in it because it always bothered her stomach.

This is a hard one because the amino acid phenylalanine is important; a defiency can lead to adverse effects. But an unusually high amount can lead to toxicity and a different set of adverse effects. However, this is related primarily to pregnancy and a rare genetic disorder, not to general consumption. For most folks, it doesn't seem to be an issue.

Honestly, I avoid artificial sweeteners. Sugar (in moderation) is healthier and safer. Of course, moderation is a hard thing for some folks. Luckily, I'm not much of a sweet eater. Salt on the other hand...

Altoholism is not a disease to be cured, it is a blessing to be nourished and cultivated.

For me, it's in two games (CoH, LOTRO).

Side note for those who might question how I would have time to play two MMOs: It doesn't take any more time than playing one. I don't live in front of the computer. It's a matter of options. Variety is good.

[ QUOTE ]
Just because a failing MMO uses lifetime subscription in an attempt to stop people from leaving the game doesn't mean CoH should follow suit. Why would a company offer a lifetime sub if it was doing well?

Again, LOTRO are probably doing it because the majority of players do not keep playing after a year subscribed, so this would actually make them more money then if you played for 3 months and quit.

[/ QUOTE ]

My wife and I are both LOTRO Founders and lifetimers. Most of the lifers we know are still playing. LOTRO is still growing (in spite of the doomsayers, but then we see them here too ). By and large, LOTRO has a pretty loyal player base in its niche, just like CoH does.

Bear in mind that most players don't take the lifetime option, whether because they can't afford it up front (we actually didn't convert to lifetime until about eight months later) or because they think it's too risky an investment.

So what the lifetime account does for an MMO (especially a new one) is give them a quick infusion of cash that they can use for further development work, while still receiving monthly subscriptions from the vast majority of players. Expansions and box sales fill in as well.

Introducing a lifetime option into an older MMO might not fare as well, though.