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It is known that MUO is going to be an Xbox360 and PC game. While I've seen people praising Oblivion's controls, I'll note that they are far more primitive compared to earlier Elder scrolls games. Depth of game controls had to be sacrificed for console compatability.
This means that if Cryptic doesn't insist that MOU use a keyboard the control system will have to be simplified from what you see in COX.
You typically don't see the depth or complexity of control interfaces in console games. So don't expect that you will see the same level of control. In my opinion it is a flaw in making games for a console.
A game designed for a PC expects to have 104 key input device along with a 2 button mouse. An Xbox has this; Six analog buttons, two analog pressure-point triggers, one eight-way directional pad and two menu navigation buttons. As you can see the available controls are far more limited with a console game. All of this means that a console game must be more limited in the control interface.
This to me is the real challenge in putting a MMOG on a console.
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Not saying Yea or Nae on this, but just wanted to offer my (unsolicited) input. While the keyboard is mandatory for many aspects of this game, I only use the shift button on the keyboard in combat. I don't use the mouse at all in combat. What do I use? An XBOX S-Pad controller. I'll admit, it took (takes) a great deal of high maintenance bind files, and some driver customization, to get things set up this way. But if I can do it (those same bind files are the peak of my programming competence) then I know it can be engineered to be functional. The most important thing to remember about console games to make me buy the game after I testdrive a rental, is make sure the controller functions are 100% customizable. Nothing frustrates me more than not being able to use the button I want for a particular function because somebody figured 3 configurations would be plenty.
Dear NCsoft, if you go through with this shutdown you've guaranteed you'll not see another dime from me on any project you put out, ever.
http://xx-starhammer-xx.deviantart.com/
SlickRiptide, you have said very eloquently what I scream to myself. Well done.
I hadn't even considered that MUO would increase the player base! That's a good theory with some evidence to back it up. Lets wait and see if it holds true.
EDIT: And to those who feel spat upon, think of this. If you have ONE moment of fun with the game in a month, then you got what you paid for. Rather than feeling like you are being betrayed why not look at like you've been paying to have fun, which you have. If it ends, so what? You still had your fun.
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"City of Heroes was very tightly focused on moment to moment combat," Rogers says. "The Marvel game will have more big components to it. It's going to be all the stuff we wanted to put into City of Heroes, and you'll get to run around in Marvel costumes. We've got more money now and more people. We'll add more depth. We want to take it to the next level."
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Thats a bit disheartening for CoH players. We're the reason Cryptic has more money. The quote makes it sounds like the plan is, put all the awesome ideas we wanted to have in the old game into the new game. 
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I whole-heartedly agree 100%. Given how many consistent bugs there've been and how much slow turnaround there's been for new content in COX, reading this comment in the last paragraph just sounds like an absolute "F--- Y--" to the dedicated player - never mind what that "working hard" pic suggests. Geez, wish I could put my feet up on the desk at work!
Essentially what this says to me is that I've been strung along for three years with the promises of new content which will never actually see the light of day in COX but MUO?
If that's the case, what are you guys working on in COX that keeps you so busy that you can't give content updates? And why am I paying for COX? I should just cancel my COX account now and wait for MUO to show up two years down the road right?
Seriously? As a dedicated player, could you kick me in the teeth any harder?
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I think what they are getting at is the difference between generations. There are so many things that, even if not available at release, should have been 'framed out' (in a construction sense of the word) within the code and the rules of the game. If major components and game systems aren't framed out with coding, placeholder variables and some thought out structure as to how they will affect the balance, rules and content of the game, these additions will always feel tacked on. I really enjoy Co*, but it is beginning to show it's age--the same way a car or house does. You can see the seams at this point. There are things that weren't implemented in the best way because these new systems and content approaches went in long after the game was live.
What are some of these things?
Customizable powers--we won't ever see this because there wasn't foresight in how they were coded. A call back tothe server for power color and appearance, even if it was a single placeholder variable, would have left room to grow.
Vehcicles--I bet States and Positron have been back and forth about how cool vehicles would be if "done right(tm)" Unfortunately, I doubt we can expect anything more than destructable objects or cross zone teleportation powers with fancy animations for vehicles. The game is simply too far along to get these integrated into how the game plays and feels and the existing (delicate) balance accomodating various playstyles.
Zip-line (web slinging) travel powers--Was very intensive to include. The Marvel lawsuit made this an unlikely addition anyways. At this point, likely not worth the effort.
Conflicting game philosophies of "see it all" vs. "too much for any character to do at once"--The difference between CoH and CoV in how contacts are unlocked and how much existing content you can expect to see before outleveling it in the early to mid games in Co* is glaring. MMO design philsophy has evolved in the five or so years of Co* (counting prelaunch development time in this five year thing). Instanced minizones and missions have become the common design approach across the genre. The shared hazard zones of CoH became obsolete once mission xp was balanced and the player base naturally gravitated towards narrative content over perpetual hunting. (Does anyone even ever use the LFT--hunting tag, by the way?)
Capes from level 1--the whole Hero 1 cape thing really is a narrative patch over the fact that capes simply weren't ready at release. It's not the only one out there, but it's one of the most obvious. On the second run through, things like capes can be available upon launch eliminating the need for this sort of narrative back pedaling.
Inventions/Skills/Alternative Means of Advancement/Meaningful Out of Combat Interaction and Gameplay--I'm looking forward to I9. But let's face it, part of the reason why they prolly couldn't come up with a good integrated skills system is because the game was live. How could they turn all the glowies such as bombs and safes into objects you now needed skills to interact with? I hope MUO explores turning ALL these interactions into minigames and puzzles with unlockable interface perks via skills. For example, imagine finding a glowie safe you need to crack and when you interact with it, a combination dial comes up. You could spin the dial and listen for a barely audible click to open it. Maybe with a safecracking skill the number glows gold when you pass by the right one. And maybe an xray vision power lets you see the mechanisms. If all else fails, you could bust open the safe, but that will spawn a new wave of guards you need to fight... this sort of variety might add a lot to the game. But in Co*? Out of the question.
Meaningful PhysX--this stuff is cutting edge in MMO and RPG game design. It's been a part of shooters to some extent for many years. But technically speaking, how do you integrate it into a system that adds many new and fun dimensions to PvE gameplay? This is the only way to move beyond the glowie click or hitpoint based guard missions to tell stories like "prevent the bridge from collapsing" or "blow the dam and flood the military base." Real physics could change the face of powersets. Things like gravity controllers could play entirely differently.
There are many others. But my point is this: we're going to keep getting content at a rate of 2-3 issues per year for several years to come. BUT, once you've gotten this far into any major project, given a chance to start it over from the ground level with an experienced and integrated team, more manpower and a higher budget, you have a lot of opportunities to really capitalize on any major mistakes and misteps you made on your first go round. So don't take it personally. This is just how the world works.
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BUT, once you've gotten this far into any major project, given a chance to start it over from the ground level with an experienced and integrated team, more manpower and a higher budget, you have a lot of opportunities to really capitalize on any major mistakes and misteps you made on your first go round. So don't take it personally. This is just how the world works.
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And that is exactly why Marvel picked Cryptic to develop MUO. Cryptic has already made all of the mistakes and learned from them. Why pay some other software house, even SOE, to make those same mistakes again?
Honestly, the Marvel lawsuit was so completely frivolous from the get-go, that I've often found myself suspecting that protecting their IP was really the secondary goal. No other comic company has found it neccesary to threaten Cryptic about CoX in three years. My suspicion is that Marvel wanted a developer with a proven track record after the Valve deal fell through, and maybe SOE was already committed to DCO. If you can't have the biggest name in MMO development, then why not the established superhero developer? I suspect that the lawsuit was really a chance to get a foot in the door with Cryptic, and to bypass the whole "but your game would be competing with our game" business by framing it as a kind of "we can settle this amicably if you agree to consider our business proposal" thing.
It's paranoid, but it's interesting to imagine the maneuvering that would go into those sorts of machinations.
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But my point is this: we're going to keep getting content at a rate of 2-3 issues per year for several years to come.
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With all due respect:
1) You're speculating.
2) I hope you're right, but hope doesn't prove facts - in this closed environment, only the Devs can do that.
Without baiting the Devs to respond, a public acknowledgment of what's happening next would help. Positron got off to a great start, he's made it clear that there's faith in the overall COX product, but hasn't really delved into specifics. We've all argued this before and we'll argue this again - it really does help to know what requests have been shelved (whether indefinitely or held over for MUO, I honestly don't care). It's ok (but a tad tiresome) to get all the bad news in these associated PR articles that announce how priorities changed but never hear it straight from the Horse's mouth.
Talk to us - that's all there is to it.
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BUT, once you've gotten this far into any major project, given a chance to start it over from the ground level with an experienced and integrated team, more manpower and a higher budget, you have a lot of opportunities to really capitalize on any major mistakes and misteps you made on your first go round. So don't take it personally. This is just how the world works.
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Again, with all due respect, nobody's paying a monthly service fee for *any* MMO game just to help the Developers realize they've made some mistakes and should start from scratch. That's the equivalent to a sideshow attraction quitting town when the jig's up and starting anew in the next town over, and cater the new improved "shell game" to a new bunch of unsuspecting suckers.
Personally, I don't think Cryptic Studios is running any kind of con game. I just think they really shoot themselves in the foot sometimes with very poor PR. If poor assumptions come of long silences and bad press interviews like this one, they've really got no one else to blame but themselves.
And I say that knowing I've rooted for this game for a *long* time and just today, upon seeing the last paragraph of this interview, I feel stupid for having blind faith.
That's why I'm angry and utterly disappointed - both as a long-time fan of COX and as an everyday retail customer. Sure, my wallet can't compare to the investment dollars of Microsoft and Marvel Enterprises, but what everyday, working hard joe wants to be reminded that they're low man on the "client priority" totem pole? Especially when its by their favorite MMO game of all things?
Whatever else I've done as a casual, faithful player/small-time investor of COX, I didn't deserve this particular interview's bottom line smack in the face as a thank you.
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But my point is this: we're going to keep getting content at a rate of 2-3 issues per year for several years to come.
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With all due respect:
1) You're speculating.
2) I hope you're right, but hope doesn't prove facts - in this closed environment, only the Devs can do that.
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Fair's fair. I am speculating. But it is informed speculation. As others have repeatedly stated, this is a profitable enterprise for both the studio and for the publisher.
As Positron said when he took the reins, this game still has legs. As States pointed out already, 100k+ is considered to be a very good (not just passable) subscription base. Barring total mismanagement of expenses, that is a profitable business base. Any publisher would be a fool to pull the plug on such a business.
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BUT, once you've gotten this far into any major project, given a chance to start it over from the ground level with an experienced and integrated team, more manpower and a higher budget, you have a lot of opportunities to really capitalize on any major mistakes and misteps you made on your first go round. So don't take it personally. This is just how the world works.
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Again, with all due respect, nobody's paying a monthly service fee for *any* MMO game just to help the Developers realize they've made some mistakes and should start from scratch. That's the equivalent to a sideshow attraction quitting town when the jig's up and starting anew in the next town over, and cater the new improved "shell game" to a new bunch of unsuspecting suckers.
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Nonsense. To use an analogy: imagine a landlord owns one building of six apartments. You're basically saying this landlord can't go in on a new development of twenty units across town because if he does he's somehow cheating his tenants by not rehabbing the old apartment building into luxury units? I'm sorry, but despite the emotional weight of your plea, your argument here holds no water.
They promised you city of heroes or villains in the box available as long as you paid your subscription and the game stayed in business. If they shut it down and you have three months left on your account, then they owe you a refund. Just like any other paid subscription out there. If a magazine or set of premium cable channels takes their content in a direction which you are not interested, you cancel your subscription. Same holds true here.
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Whatever else I've done as a casual, faithful player/small-time investor of COX, I didn't deserve this particular interview's bottom line smack in the face as a thank you.
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Don't let the 'online equity' of your game account and character salvage inventories fool you. Unless you own stock or have made some sort of angel investment of venture capital to Cryptic or NCSoft, you are not an investor in any way, shape or form. One might semantically say that you 'invest your time' in your characters, the message board community or the game in general--but that is not the same as being an investor. We are all customers here. We are doing nothing but consuming their product during our leisure time.
I think your sense of entitlement here is a bit overblown. Are you entitled to your disappointment and maybe mild jealousy that your favorite game might not be receiving the attention you'd like it to? Absolutely.
But, as far as what Cryptic owes you: beyond your immediate satisfaction and reasonable uninterrupted server access according to the terms in the EULA, they owe you (and me and every other player here) nothing. Again, this is just the way the world--the real day to day world--works.
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I have a feeling Powers like Stretching, Climbing, Swinging, Shield throwing, Shapechanging will not likely ever be in CoX though they will probably be in the Marvel Universe MMO. I'm also pretty sure, that the Marvel Universe MMO will also have ponies and pie. 
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And keeeeeeping in mind that this game is going to be on the console.
I mean come on. It's probably going to look good but it's on a console.
The game just ISN'T going to be as BIG as CoX. I don't think they'll get the cool character customization that we have because its ON A CONSOLE.
It's going to look pretty, like every game on the 360, but lack the depth just like the rest of the 360 games.
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I don't think there's any reason to believe that's true. Final Fantasy 11 gives you more customization options (less costume of course) than CoX. Just because it's on a console doesn't mean there's any reason to believe that it's going to sacrifice anything.
The City of Heroes Community is a special one and I will always look fondly on my times arguing, discussing and playing with you all. Thanks and thanks to the developers for a special experience.
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Don't let the 'online equity' of your game account and character salvage inventories fool you.
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Trust me, I don't. But that's a fair distinction between "customer" and "investor." Worth further research - thank you.
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But, as far as what Cryptic owes you: beyond your immediate satisfaction and reasonable uninterrupted server access according to the terms in the EULA, they owe you (and me and every other player here) nothing. Again, this is just the way the world--the real day to day world--works.
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Understood - time to go back and read the EULA again before I make any hasty decisions. Thanks again.
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Don't let the 'online equity' of your game account and character salvage inventories fool you.
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Trust me, I don't. But that's a fair distinction between "customer" and "investor." Worth further research - thank you.
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But, as far as what Cryptic owes you: beyond your immediate satisfaction and reasonable uninterrupted server access according to the terms in the EULA, they owe you (and me and every other player here) nothing. Again, this is just the way the world--the real day to day world--works.
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Understood - time to go back and read the EULA again before I make any hasty decisions. Thanks again.
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Didn't mean to sound too stern here. It's just a set of things I too find I need to remind myself. Like you, I've been emotionally attached to this game for some time. And it's easy to feel jilted when things don't come along as quickly or robustly as you'd like. For better or worse, many of us have to keep in check how involved we get with this game and what we let it mean to us. Compared to a full a lifetime, this game will be as shortlived, temporary and insignificant as a good run of a television series.
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And it's easy to feel jilted when things don't come along as quickly or robustly as you'd like.
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It's definitely not about that. I've been a fair proponent of players having patience with the Devs in taking their time to get a good product out there. My concern is purely ethical with regard to not keeping the client base informed and getting a better PR model - but as you point out, the EULA makes this concern completely irrelevant: the Devs aren't obligated to tell their customers anything.
And so we move on.
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My suspicion is that Marvel wanted a developer with a proven track record after the Valve deal fell through, and maybe SOE was already committed to DCO.
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I thought that the Marvel MMOG fell through with first Vivendi, then with Sigil (particularly after Microsoft off-loaded Vanguard to SOE). If it fell through with Valve as well, that's a heck of a project history.
As for the DCU, the speculation is that SOE accepted The Matrix Online from WB in order to get their approval for doing the DC MMOG.
So, as far as Marvel suing Cryptic (and doing it badly) as a way of getting in the door to get the MUO up, it's not unbelievable. My opinion is that Marvel wanted to use the old comic book model of "sue your competitors so that they sell you their IP" ie if Marvel had won the action, part of the settlement would have been part ownership of Cryptic AND had them create the MUO. They lost the action, so they just went with getting the game created.
Personally, I am excited about MUO and think it was a great business move by Cryptic. I'm no Marvel fanboi, but the MUO has a lot of potential and it is being created by comic book fans. And it is a great business move for Cryptic since they will have a lock on the superhero MMOG genre until the DCU comes out and will also have a good shot at dominating the Xbox360 MMOG market (who's current size is unknown but has a lot of potential, afaik).
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Oh - and I'd love to do a giant mech game. Love it.
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I'd look forward to that...all the Gundam games that pretty much have ever been released failed so hard...
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I thought that the Marvel MMOG fell through with first Vivendi
[/ QUOTE ] That's my bad. It was Vivendi. My brain just pulled out the first name it found in its files that started with a 'V'. Doh!
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As for the DCU, the speculation is that SOE accepted The Matrix Online from WB in order to get their approval for doing the DC MMOG.
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Oh, I have no doubt that's exactly what happened. "You want DC superheroes? Sure, if you take this boondoggle off our hands as well." That's not to say it was a bad move for SOE, neccesarily. Of all of the MMO companies out there, with their existing infrastructure and the Access Pass subscription model they were uniquely situated to be able to take a loser like TMO and get some value out of it.
As for MUO, it's vaporware at the moment so it's off my radar for at least a year. The interesting thing, really, is that DCO and MUO are on track to release at approximately the same time. I think it will be very interesting to watch that rivalry and see how the market responds to having two new major license superhero games to choose between. I have a feeling that SOE might launch first due to having a head start, but Cryptic has the foundations in place already. The determining factor might be that SOE is willing to rush things in order to be first out of the gate while Cryptic's mantra is more "Get it right, then release it." I wonder how much pressure Marvel and Microsoft are going to put on them to make launch schedules a higher priority than quality?
Actually, I'm wondering if at some point in the future the "City Of" Heroes will mysteriously appear in the Marvel Universe... 
"I swear you could fling a man hole cover across the street and hit more notes than 90% of those idiots on American Idol" -Desmodos
"Every time you post I feel like I been hit with a fist full of smart! Thanks." - Volken re: Sucker Punch
Arc #36984 V'kta A'cha Vox'm
Probably not since they will be two completly different games. That's akin to asking if we can use our heroes in Marvel Ultimate Alliance.
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Control- Here, we start to see the issue. Oblivion, probably one of the key console/PC crossovers last year shows how a very simple controller system can lead to complex gameplay- and translate OK over to a PC.
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Wow, that was a horrible example to use. It was plain to everyone that Oblivion's UI was made for console first and foremost. It was terribly limiting on the PC compared to even ancient PC games. A ton of the very first mods out there were fixes to that horrible interface.
That is it available to console and that it is in the Marvel universe are two big potential pitfalls to me. Notwithstanding that I always preferred DC's world anyway, my first preference is always to a brand new world the devs can pour their own souls into. Trying to adapt a game system to any existing universe always leads to "compromises." You add "game world purists" vs. "gamers there just wanting to play a fun game" to the already existing competing factions of players. Obviously I'm of the latter, just make it fun, I don't care if it violates some archaic "marvel law". Prime example of this battle I've seen a lot on another MMORPG currently in development, Lord of the Rings Online.
I'm wary but willing to try it of course. I also am not that worried about CoX though, it should be around and strong at least a couple more years, I have no doubt.
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Awesome, thanks for linking that. Interesting to finally see the origin of the Cryptic Studios name. I'd never seen that explained before.
Edit:
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"City of Heroes was very tightly focused on moment to moment combat," Rogers says. "The Marvel game will have more big components to it. It's going to be all the stuff we wanted to put into City of Heroes, and you'll get to run around in Marvel costumes. We've got more money now and more people. We'll add more depth. We want to take it to the next level."
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Thats a bit disheartening for CoH players. We're the reason Cryptic has more money. The quote makes it sounds like the plan is, put all the awesome ideas we wanted to have in the old game into the new game.
[/ QUOTE ]Psst I agree WE are the reason you guys are even the position you are. I feel like the devs backstabed us and I personaly will not pay Marvels MMO
Way to over react.
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Way to over react.
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Quoted for emphasis.
Look: If Cryptic, Marvel, and Microsoft got together and said, "We are pleased to announce the development of City of Heroes 2!" We all would be jumping for joy.
Instead, they said "We are pleased to announce the development of Marvel Universe Online!" In other words, it looks like MUO is going to be CoH2. I've already gotten used to this.
I will admit I will miss the CoH universe and all the cool villain groups. But I'm willing to give MUO a chance: Cryptic, at this point, has years of MMO experience in industry behind them and are the one and only company that can make an MMO that deals with superheros specifically. Since they are learning and building upon all the mistakes and successes of CoH/V, I'm willing to put my money on them developing MUO into a game that will really knock our socks off.
I could just be being cold about it but really, it's all been said before. Go here and read why your fears of DOOOM are unfounded.
First of all, let me say that I rarely post on the forums (although I am constantly reading them) because I like to keep a low profile and I don't really want to get involved in the persistent bickering back and forth of things that are unsure. Also, since this game has changed my life in numerous ways, I don't want to upset the great people that made such an incredible game or the community that makes it what it is today. Text conversation can easily be taken out of context and inability to express the intended emotion can lead to misinterpretation. So usually I just observe. But some things must be said.
The main thing that has really bugged me is the fact that this whole thread is about everyone being up in arms about Cryptic making another game and the possible demise of the CoX Franchise. Everyone seems to be pretty upset about MUO for the most part and wants Cryptic to continue focusing their efforts on CoX. So please, dear lord please, explain to me why the very same people who are bashing Cryptic for going astray with MUO, would have the ridiculously subconscious hypocracy to sit here and (in the exact same thread) BEG CRYPTIC TO START MAKING A MECH MMO?!?!?! Are you serious?! You can't be serious. Are you really serious? Maybe it is just because I am not a Mech person, but if they even toyed with the idea of making a Mech MMO (your idea may I remind you) and it somehow came out to the public, then it would only continue to spawn more and more "Threads of Distress" just like this one. You have got to be kidding me. You are telling Statesman that although you are disappointed and appalled that his team would even bother working on a new game that might take the attention (and resources) away from CoX, even though Marvel and NCSoft are there to make sure that doesn't happen, but yet you would be more than overly excited if they decided to take on a completely new and possibly totally original project, that would most definitely destroy the few resources that CoX now has left. You are saying "Please don't take away our CoX for MUO, but if you want to do it for a Mech MMO, then that is cool and sign me up". Just wanted to make sure you realized what you were doing.
Secondly, Mech MMO aside, I am a whole-heartedly devoted fan and loyal follower of Crytic, NCSoft, and most importantly CoX. I wish I could say I have been on since day 1, but I wasn't aware of the game until August of 04, so close enough. This game has taken over my life and even ripped me out of my Halo dedication. This is my first real MMO/PC game addiction/ and RPG addiction even. I have played WoW and GW since joining the MMORPG community and none of them can compare to this game in my eyes. That being sad, as you can imagine, I too have been GREATLY disheartened by recent press from Cryptic, including the MUO ordeal as well as the lack of original updated content of recent, and the lack of answers about it. And I too, upon reading most of the 28 pages of this thread, slowly became certain of the soon to be demise of the greatest game of our time. But then I realized thanks to many informed posters, that this is in no way a certain sign of death for CoX. I am not saying that CoX will live forever, but they are right in saying that MUO will technically have no real effect on CoX because Marvel is in control of MUO just as NCSoft is in control of CoX. Cryptic just makes it all possible. Once MUO is out, Marvel can only have so many original ideas, but Cryptic and NCSoft have no predetermined destinies. They can continue to build upon an already thriving campaign since their originality is what brought them the success and the Marvel deal (although originally based on lawsuit) in the first place. Although this could easily be a large stall in the CoX of old, this is (especially without any ACTUAL CONFIRMATION FROM STAFF) in no way a reason to look upon CoX as in it's dying days.
Those of you that think that a team that can bring such heroes to life with a way that makes them nothing less than heroes themselves, would dare be so corrupt and soulless to drop the community that shared their ups and downs, on our faces without so much as a "thanks for everything, we love you" and leave us with nothing as they vanish into a pool of money...if you truly believe this, then leave the game now. Or if you are going to fill the forums with your talk of how "It's the end of CoX forever!! The sky is falling!!" and how if they have a success with MUO, then you are quiting CoX because they don't care about you anymore....then go ahead, leave now. We could really use less lag on Freedom. 
And I need some character names freed up, and I am sure you've got em, so go ahead and leave. I much like my father Lord Recluse, will be going down with the ship. I have spent way, way, way too much time and money, and invested so much of my life in to this game, to give up on the years of good times I have had just because I am scared of possible hearsay. None of this is proven folks, so please just give Cryptic, Statesman (Jack), and Positron (Matt) the time they need to come out and shine like the heroes they are. (Or at least the heroes I am praying they are).
Good luck Cryptic. I'm behind you all the way!
You can reach me at: PrinceRecluse@gmail.com
If you want copies or a link to my Demo Record files, send me an email.
My Global is @Blue Alpha and main server is Freedom.
Keep in touch and God Bless Paragon!
Oh and btw, I am also 100% for giving priority MUO beta testing to CoX player, since we are technically the pioneers of the superhero MMO.
But your call
You can reach me at: PrinceRecluse@gmail.com
If you want copies or a link to my Demo Record files, send me an email.
My Global is @Blue Alpha and main server is Freedom.
Keep in touch and God Bless Paragon!
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I could just be being cold about it but really, it's all been said before. Go here and read why your fears of DOOOM are unfounded.
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Interestng, that thread seems to be locked now.
I have a problem with the logic here:
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Youve heard it time and again: Cryptic doesnt care about City of Heroes or Villains. Theyre focused on Marvel. Were paying for the Marvel games development. They dissed City of Heroes in article X- they really dont care. Theyre diverting resources from CoH to MUO. The devs have said otherwise sure (see here, (Sep 27, 2006) and here ) but why would they be truthful about THAT?
The answer lies in the relationship between Cryptic and NCSoft and common business sense.
Most of us probably know that Cryptic started City of Heroes independently, then NCSoft gave them money to finish the project. NCSoft is the Publisher; Cryptic is the Studio. NCSoft hosts the servers, collects the fees, maintains the community support, does the marketing, and all that stuff. After all these costs (easily 60+% of the subscriptions), profits are likely split between Cryptic and NCSoft in ratios we dont know, but the publisher usually gets the lions share. (Sometimes, its as skewered as to be akin to paltry percentages that authors or musicians might see per unit sold).
One of these pre-profit costs is the continued development budget. This is different from profits, and comes out of a separate budget item. As Statesman explained, "NCSoft continues to fund a fantastic live team with lots of great stuff to come."
Cryptic supplies the live team, but NCSoft funds it.
It only makes sense when you think about it. Anything else would be too unreliable for a business decision. Cryptic is contractually bound to deliver fixes and new content to NCSoft based on regular payments by NCSoft for these services. They might occasionaly deliver MORE than what theyre paid for (but thats not great business sense) but theyd better not deliver less.
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I just can't buy that we will be getting content as good and as timely as we would be if Cryptic wasn't working on MUO.
I'm sure the deal with Marvel, as it comes when Cryptic is already maintaining a Hero based MMO, has clauses that anything made for MUO can't be put into CoH. So while Cryptic has to release content for CoX, they will be wanting to release content for their new technology, do all the things we couldn't do in CoX MUO. That makes more sense realisticly, contractually, and capitalisticly (yes, I'm making up words . . .)
It all really does depend on the contracts Cryptic has with NC Soft and Marvel/MS. And as none of us have seen those we can't really rest at ease in the knowledge that they have to update CoX, as even that may not be true . . .
Plus, think about this. If both the CoX team and MUO team are looking for new writers, artists, and programmers etc, and a wonder girl comic artist comes and applies for a job, her art is very unique, interesting and promises to coerce some wows out of gamer's mouths, which team do yo think will get her?
I think the only reason Cryptic can do this at all is because thier contract with NC can't control thier actions in this matter. The original contract may have not been that long term, and when it came time for renewal Cryptic already had planned the MUO deal and negotiated accordingly. Whether you are optomistic or pessimistic all you can do is speculate.
I think I am only being realistic here, and if you expect the worst all you can do is be pleasently suprised when things go better than you thought.
And just because I'm paranoid it doesn't mean everyone isn't out to get me!
Why he didn't design this game as mecha combat and then retrofit superheroes into it, I'll never know.
If I can't design my own superhero and costume in MUO I'm not playing. I'm a huge Spidey fan, but I don't want to play Spidey #2346 alongside #325 and #3087.
If MUO offers customization, *and* a more immersive world, we'll see.
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