mistformsquirrel

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A) Assuming Cryptic owes them more than it does. (Cryptic, by terms of service, only owes you access to the servers for your 15 bucks a month. Everything else was never guaranteed - it was merely something decided on as a way to entice customers. Yes, I would quit without that stuff - but that doesn't mean they *owe* it - it merely means its a good way to retain customers.)

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A very minor comment: I think it's NCSoft who takes our money for access to the servers. Cryptic takes our money (however indirectly) for access to their content. And it's kind of hazy on exactly what this "content" is, which I think is the reason for a lot of the ranting on the forums.

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I won't go into a long spiel about this again, but our $15/mo pays for more than server access. Who says that? Just the players? Nope, NCSoft says that if you check their Knowledge Base. And common sense. Content updates don't grow on trees that never need watering - somebody gets paid to make them.

People can inappropriately feel over-entitled to more content, but it's inherently impossible for them not to feel entitled to periodic content updates. Kellis is correct in that players are not guaranteed (and are sometimes confused by) specific content updates and fixes or specific timing of their release, but players have been promised some sort of content and fixes as part of the service and within a reasonable timeframe. To assert otherwise is cheerleading rationalizations that do nothing to encourage the maintenance or improvement of service.

I'm all for more realistic expectations (which is why the company's hype methodology boggles the mind), but lowering the bar to below sea level is just crazy talk.

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I stand corrected >.> I shall say "oops" in an official capacity! (I suppose my reason for that belief is that literally, every MMO I've played other than CoH and DDO has been well... their only content updates of any signifigance focused on retail expansions; some not much bigger than CoH Issues *recalls FFXI chains of Promathia* /em groan.)

Still my main point really was just people really do get ridiculous. They get the notion that they *deserve* all sorts of things - and a good many have made demands; often demands very much specific to their own personal wants and needs and ignoring... well everyone else.

That's what I was really aiming for right there. I just really *REALLY* hate baseless ranting and whining. Like I said >.> I'm all for constructive criticism. Just hate the irrational madness some people put up. "I demand X feature be implemented in the next issue (which is launching in a week and has been on test for a month) or I'm quitting and telling all my friends CoH is terrible! Blah blah customer service blah blah I demand, blah" etc...

<-.->; That's really what I was aiming for, though I admit, I was obviously incorrect on the point. <~_~>; Hehe, I get just a wee bit to into things when trying to discuss them <;_;> oops.

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My initial post was mocking (hence the smiley and the reference to therapy sessions), but I'm game to argue for the sake of continuity.

Read my post again. I criticized Jack for his attitude, nothing else. If I judge by his rhetoric that he's becoming swellheaded, it's just rude of me to point it out - not illogical.

~Gabriel

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I do believe it was illogical though; you can believe what you like - but I really get annoyed with people making assumptions for which they really don't have any backup other than the way they read someone's comments. Note I said "the way they read them" not what they're really saying.

That said, I'm sorry if I came across as harsh. Understand that sometimes I grow immenselly frustrated with the forums because rather than focus on useful criticism, a huge quantity of time has been spent personally disparaging developers, their skill at developing, and generally demeaning everything they've done.

These same people often are, for some insane reason, still playing the game - but they continue to insult, jab, and defame at every opportunity. Needless to say, I've gotten just a wee bit aggravated over it; because constructive ciriticism can make for a better game, while negative criticism, at best, is not helpful.

At worst, it makes developer communication... well frankly harder. Even if they have immensely thick skins and can just shrug it off, thats still so much more useless text to wade through while looking for important feedback.

"Bases cost too much" - Good!

"<ten page rant on why Statesman and Positron suck> Oh, and Bases cost too much." - Not good!

That merely being an example, and hyperbole - but I see the latter on multiple issues. Especially when people bring up ED, I5, PVP, bases, etc...

(And no - I'm not inviting a discussion of those things here >.< I don't care who's reading this post - no; I'm not doing it.)

I think people have 3 major failings when it comes to critiquing the game.

A) Assuming Cryptic owes them more than it does. (Cryptic, by terms of service, only owes you access to the servers for your 15 bucks a month. Everything else was never guaranteed - it was merely something decided on as a way to entice customers. Yes, I would quit without that stuff - but that doesn't mean they *owe* it - it merely means its a good way to retain customers.)

B) Deciding a passionate angry, demeaning rant is somehow more useful than a clear and concise point.

C) A complete failure to reckognize that, just maybe, its possible, that the individual making a given post does not happen to be the arbiter of all that is true and right in the world of CoX. No matter how smart we like to *think* we are - we are not going to be always correct.

That doesn't mean "Don't speak your mind" - it means "Accept that sometimes changes will go in, and you may absolutely hate them - but after a while, reckognize they went in for a reason and all you are doing is spinning your wheels." - ED is my big case in point for this bit. Regardless of opinion on it; in, here, won't be leaving - why must we obsess over it? Move on, find another issue.

I suppose this last bit could be another point too... people take things too personally. It seems a fair number of forumgoers have the strange belief that because a certain AT, powerset, mission, whatever - because something was changed in a manner they dislike its a personal insult. I mean some of the people on this forum have reacted with more outrage than people dealing with politics and life and death decisions.

Sorry for the long ramble here - but intended or not; the way you presented it didn't seem 'joke-like', but rather more personal criticism that is unnecessary and unhelpful. Again, I appologize for misreading you - the above is my reason why I misinterpretted your statement.

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Yay, let's continue to crap on Statesman! We're at 10 pages now, keep it going!

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Seriously though, Jack falls into a category of modern "creative professional" that I can't stand. Along with him I lump Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Michael Crichton, and that sort of mediocre talent that thinks financial success is equivalent to artistic preeminence.

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I think you're assigning motives and attitudes here. It's not an uncommon attitude I see from people who feel that commercial success somehow devalues artistic endeavors, but it just doesn't make sense.

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/agree

It's one thing to disagree; hell, there are things I'm openly critical of Cryptic on. Heck - I'll go so far as to say its good to have some negative feedback.

But starting to pick at people because they've become successful, and claiming that apparently, they weren't very creative... that's not only an insult to them, but an insult to the people who happen to enjoy their products. That includes yourself unless you dislike the game... in which case I'd question your purpose in being here.

Bases were not one of Cryptic's successes; I think most of us can agree with this. The question though, is are we going to make suggestions, and let our reasoning behind bases not being successful be known, or are we going to just attack the devs?

The former is helpful, the latter is not.

(And yes, I know we've 'made ourselves heard' on the issue a few times - but usually its only on prices and rent - I have yet to see much in the way of asking for say... the ability to create a personal base in addition to an SG base (Using Influence for the personal base - and the Personal base having slightly more limited options than the SG base)

Honestly if I weren't trying to get some serious writing done >.> I'd make that suggestion in the suggestion forums right now.

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again the heroes need bases

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pony up and go buy CoV. it should be real cheap now.

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It's $15 Canadian at the FutureShop near my house. If you include the free month (worth ~$15 American), they're actually paying you to buy CoV.

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Now *that* is funny <,<!

"Take it. Here, have 5 bucks."


(Currency not even attempted to be converted in any realistic manner >.&gt

<. .> Just fantastic man >_< just fantastic!

I have to find that bases... generally, are problematic for 2 reasons;

One has been mentioned - namely, too damn expensive! I also am not keen on rent.

The other - Its not a matter of "Putting money into a group effort" its "putting money into a group effort that then you can never actually effect how that effort comes out unless you are the SG leader". Ie: The only person expressing their individuality is the person who owns the SG.

I honestly don't care if they don't "do" anything - I think bases are neat - its just that it sucks that I can't *make* one unless I band together a group of people with me as leader. I just want my own ya know?

Oh, well, that's what I'd meant hehe <,< this wasn't intended to be the "finished' piece hehe <'x'> Just kind of an ink WIP.

I tried doing an ink treatment in the style CJ does, which would give it exactly that stark contrast that I was going for... unfortunately I suck with pens <~_~>

But the colored version isn't turning out too bad right now <~.~> hopefully I'll finish it during november whilst I work on my NaNo

>< just one day left, then I take off running >< wee!

I hear ya >_<

All I ever get are these damn stale chiclets. <-.-> Friggin tasteless.

<;_;> *hugs Hex*

I know how ya feel, believe you me!

I'll be putting up more later >< but I want to say I think this is really cool >< will add screenshots, info, and whatnot later tonight when I've rested and such!

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Do I owe anybody any? Remind me!

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<. .> Well, there's the matter of that 5 bucks and tin of mixed nuts you owe me, if you happen to be able to pay me back.

No hurry, I'm patient.

Yeah <~_~> Pens are *REALLY* not my strong suit... but for this piece it needs to be kind of stark; which is why I tried the inks <~.~>

I just got done trying to do a Crimson_Jimson style inkjob and... predictably, failed <,<

But thankfully I still have the image in the computer; so I'm trying to refine it through color now <~.~> I shoulda tried that to begin with hehe <;_;>

I should probably have slept before trying any of this <x.x>m

Sorry >< rambling.

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/sniffle/ i love you guys. thanks!

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<^_^> we're just glad to know ya!

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Oooooh, sounds like a rivalry in the making.

*ponders a TA/Feral Kat vs. Bayani/Rowr PvP match*

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*gets early seats*

<. .>b

Yeah <_ _> I was worried about that...

What I get for ignoring my own advice about working too fast lol <;_;> and you did get it right at least >_< hrmm... maybes I can fix it <~_~>; (thanks)!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HERO STYLE!!!!

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BWAHAHAHAA <,<

That's the power he got for taking the "Cannot see dogs" flaw. ^^

Bust-a-movocity (Minor)

Skrapt

I dunno... I did this in about an hour to be honest. It wasn't any major project.

On the one hand - I'm extremely pleased with the speed... and its not *terrible* for something I did so quickly...

On the other hand its obviously not my best work. Twas quick I guess <~_~> I dunno.

What do we think? For something super-fast?

(There is btw, a story behind this <,< and this is, in fact, the start of that story, not the end!)

<. .> Ahem - "cool"!

Happy Birthday PlasmaStream! <^_^> RAWR!

I like it! <,<b Funny stuff!

Err... I wouldn't think so <@.@> I just didn't know if it was a private or open trade

The winner of this trade is of course, us. >.> Assuming we get to see it <,<

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A cat with squirrel DNA.

And pyschic powers.

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Congratulations...you managed to have me do a spittake and get a headache simultaneously. I blame the psychic powers.

P.S. Upon further review of the picture....Rowr is definetly Betty in that image while Hemily is Veronica...lol!
And yes, I'm probably a Jughead for even making that suggestion. I blame the Psychic Squirrel and not enough sleep.

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<-_->b

<-- hasn't slept either <,<

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A confused squirrel...but then...metaphorically...aren't we all?



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I subscribe to the notion that, in a metaphysical sense, I'm a cat.

A cat with squirrel DNA.

And pyschic powers.