NCSoft acquires "City of" Franchise!

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Let’s be honest here, lets not pretend no one saw this coming, with Cryptic taking on Marvel Online, it did kind of create a conflict of interest for them, not impossible mind you, but a difficult position. I’m sure that’s one of the major drivers here.


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I don't think anyone's pretending otherwise. The COH/MUO conflict has been brought up several times. Fortunately, with this, the "When MUO comes out they'll abandon COH, MUO is COH II" stuff can stop.
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For NcSoft’s part, the CoX is a successful sold franchise, for any MMO that isn’t WoW. I can actually see them wanting to invest more in the game to expand the subscriber base.
Marketing wise, this might mean they may be more aggressive.

Looking in my crystal ball, I’d predict,
-Some sort of NcSoft Station Pass, a sort of like the Sony Station Pass.
-Them continuing the free issues, but I would expect within a year or two, we’ll see some sort of major paid expansion( that expands the game to the extent CoV did, rather than to the extent a standard issue does)
-If their willing to put more resources in it, take a look at some of things where City is lacking w/o taking away where it is strong, example is pvp.

Now actions for the community, It would be nice if we had some sort of far well party at pocket d, as a send off to Statesman and anyone else remaining at Cryptic.

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Well, Issue 8, 10, 11 (or is it 10, 11, 12? Regardless, some of the free issue content) was supposed to be in a paid expansion, and they shelved that idea. I *don't* honestly expect another paid expansion personally...

Though with that I'll also say I'd buy it in a heartbeat, two copies TYVM, one for each account.

See my Guides and Tutorials

Can we have international servers again? Will the EU servers be added to the US ones?

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Without being overly negative, what possible downsides does this deal have?

* Some staff may be unwilling or unable to move to the new office.
* NC Soft bigwigs may usurp more creative control than is healthy for the long-run of the game.
* A true sequel may be released, making upkeep and new content for the original a lower priority.

Anybody else think of anything? Will my purely hypothetical guesses be debunked?

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Everyone from the current team has signed on, this includes moving to the new offices which are located a mere 15 miles away from where we are currently located. We will be in the heart of Silicon Valley where recruitment of experienced top notch talent will be more readily available.

NCsoft as a corporate culture believes that studio culture should be determined by that studio. If anything the project may see a sharing of resources of some of our other award winning and current titles. NCsoft has done research on every possible business model for MMO's they are very happy with COH/COV the studio culture will be set and maintained by those at the studio.

There is no doubt that a second title or another expansion may be on the table. Ultimately if this is timed properly and done with the consideration of the community at the heart of the decisions then you should see these decisions being made in the best interest of the game that is still actively producing revenue.

Ex

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Though with that I'll also say I'd buy it in a heartbeat, two copies TYVM, one for each account.

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As long as the dev teams remain the same on the projects: count me in too

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I think a sequel is basically inevitable now. But I don't think the original game will be given lower priority.

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Exactly, EQ and EQ2 come to mind. EQ is still going strong.

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And if NC Soft creates a multi-game subscription package, then I will happily play both CoH 1 and 2.

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We are here to field any questions you may have about this wonderful news.

Ex

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I hope it is wonderful news.


Also will you join my SG? I need the prestige.