NCSoft acquires "City of" Franchise!
By
2Negative,
Posted on: 2007-11-06 13:34 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
So you will be hiring dozens of new employees?
Did I mention that I'm an artist looking to break into the graphic field? And my wife would love to move to California.
PM me, we'll do lunch. 
Uber Talgrim - level 50 emp/dark defender
Uber Rod - level 50 dark melee/regen scrapper
Rod Valdr - level 50 invuln/SS tanker
Talgrim - level 50 ninja/dark mastermind
OMG!! Please add these costume designs now!
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Full Access to City of Heroes and City of Villains®
All players with City of Heroes retail* accounts will now have access to City of Villains, and all City of Villains retail* accounts will now have access to City of Heroes. Players that didn't previously have access to "the other side" will find that they do now. Just log in to check it out!
So for the people that bought CoH and CoV what do we get.
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You got to play both games years before the other people could access it for free. I dont see anything wrong with that.
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No, they (I can say we, here)
- got 12 slots for the past two years, if they had both at COV launch.
- Had access to SG bases from both sides.
- Already have had *at least* two months free, one for COH, one for COV - and if they added GVE, that's another month. Picked up the regular, then collectors edition? More free months.
Seriously. This griping about "We need compensation" is silly.
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The only thing I can say is that this smells of power customization. Our likely hood of this happening now is much greater than it ever has been. Wheee!
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Excuse me, but, uh, I'm not quite sure how to say this... Are you me?
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Statesman has been involved with MUO since that deal was signed, he has had a great influence on COH/COV and the development decisions in the past but currently and moving forward those decisions have rested on the shoulders of Matt 'Positron' Miller.
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CoH robbed MUO blind on this deal.
It's no coincidence that the current run of SUSTAINED AWESOME has come on Positron's watch.
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Agree 100%
In all honesty, my 1st thought was "oh noes". Then I read that among others, both Positron and _Castle_ were staying. Made me feel a whole lot better about the future of CoX (not that I don't trust NCSoft all be themselves 
).
Hey Ex - in celebration of the change, how about switching _Castle_ board name to Castle? Get him pumped up about coming on to NCSoft... the other person who took the forum name never posts anyway.
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The only thing I can say is that this smells of power customization. Our likely hood of this happening now is much greater than it ever has been. Wheee!
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Power Customisation was never declared "wanted, but unlikely" due to anything that has or can change due to a shift in ownership. It is unlikely to happen in the near future because of THE CODE ITSELF.
City of ___ could have been sold to ANYone, and the situation vis-a-vis "power customisation" would remain exactly the same as it was last week.
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Full Access to City of Heroes and City of Villains®
All players with City of Heroes retail* accounts will now have access to City of Villains, and all City of Villains retail* accounts will now have access to City of Heroes. Players that didn't previously have access to "the other side" will find that they do now. Just log in to check it out!
So for the people that bought CoH and CoV what do we get.
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You got to play both games years before the other people could access it for free. I dont see anything wrong with that.
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And a debt wipe on all characters.
And 20k prestige bonus per supergroup member.
And a soon to be expanded development team hopefully tackling more of the "not gonna happen, not enough resources" wish list items.
And the liklihood of either a next generation MMO sequal and/or boxed expansion in the next few years.
YMMV on any of these items.
Probably a few stupid questions, but does this aquisition mean anything to us playing on the US servers from Europe? I'm guessing not, since I'm already sending my monthly $15 to the US NCSoft, but it'd still be nice to know.
Also, since the press release mentioned possible new expansions, will it be possible to get a US update code if you already play the US version of the game? I remember there being some problems with getting US codes from Europe with the GvE add-on pack.
Other than that I'm looking forward to seeing what NCSoft can do with the license. Sounds like you have interesting plans.
Aegis Rose, Forcefield/Energy Defender - Freedom
"Bubble up for safety!"
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I've got a good question I think. Who retains ownership of the "Statesman" character? NCSoft or Jack Emmert? This sort of thing could have an effect on future canon and also any "live events" that may or may not be possible in the future.
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Statesman is part of the Intellectual Property that NCsoft just purchased.
Jack Emmert played that role while he was working on the project, Jack has since moved on to work on MUO and posts from a different name on the MUO forums.
Ex
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Is this kinda like Captain America? Can we expect another man to take up that mantle?
...let the speculation begin...
::radio announcer voice:: Who, dear listeners, will become the next Statesman?
*serial organ music*
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Captain America is a Skrull. Statesman is a Rikti. You heard it here first.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
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The players should be seeing more resources and development for the title they love and support.
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When should we start seeing this? Is this something we'll notice right away or is this a soon(tm) kind of deal? Thanks!
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The only thing I can say is that this smells of power customization. Our likely hood of this happening now is much greater than it ever has been. Wheee!
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Power Customisation was never declared "wanted, but unlikely" due to anything that has or can change due to a shift in ownership. It is unlikely to happen in the near future because of THE CODE ITSELF.
City of ___ could have been sold to ANYone, and the situation vis-a-vis "power customisation" would remain exactly the same as it was last week.
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We've been told Power Customization simply because it would mean a huge amount of work. They will have more employees soon. It's not unreasonable to think it might be on the table again.
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Full Access to City of Heroes and City of Villains®
All players with City of Heroes retail* accounts will now have access to City of Villains, and all City of Villains retail* accounts will now have access to City of Heroes. Players that didn't previously have access to "the other side" will find that they do now. Just log in to check it out!
So for the people that bought CoH and CoV what do we get.
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You got to play both games years before the other people could access it for free. I dont see anything wrong with that.
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No, they (I can say we, here)
- got 12 slots for the past two years, if they had both at COV launch.
- Had access to SG bases from both sides.
- Already have had *at least* two months free, one for COH, one for COV - and if they added GVE, that's another month. Picked up the regular, then collectors edition? More free months.
Seriously. This griping about "We need compensation" is silly.
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You know, I really don't understand this whole "free month" thing. The first month isn't free, it's $49.99. Without being able to play online that disc you bought is just an expensive coaster.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
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Full Access to City of Heroes and City of Villains®
All players with City of Heroes retail* accounts will now have access to City of Villains, and all City of Villains retail* accounts will now have access to City of Heroes. Players that didn't previously have access to "the other side" will find that they do now. Just log in to check it out!
So for the people that bought CoH and CoV what do we get.
[/ QUOTE ]
You got to play both games years before the other people could access it for free. I dont see anything wrong with that.
[/ QUOTE ]
No, they (I can say we, here)
- got 12 slots for the past two years, if they had both at COV launch.
- Had access to SG bases from both sides.
- Already have had *at least* two months free, one for COH, one for COV - and if they added GVE, that's another month. Picked up the regular, then collectors edition? More free months.
Seriously. This griping about "We need compensation" is silly.
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You know, I really don't understand this whole "free month" thing. The first month isn't free, it's $49.99. Without being able to play online that disc you bought is just an expensive coaster.
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And without the first month free, it's $64.99, if you paid 49.99. So?
Regardless, the people who are *finally* getting the other side opened up to them are not getting that free time. They still have to pay $15 that next month.
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Issue 12: Statesman is dead!
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But will he be replaced by four claimants to the fancy-cape of the Statesman (one of which is actually Tyrant in disguise), or by his former protege, who will take the character of Statesman in a gritty, dark new direction?
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Nah, it will be a Riktified-clone of him made by Nemesis.
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Haven't you been paying attention? This is Recluse's Victory. Lord Recluse takes over and CoV starts getting the love starting with EATs in I12.
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Ex, any news of a Multi-Pass type plan for NCSoft games?
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From here:
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At this time, were not quite ready to disclose longer term plans. Well have the usual slate of announcements when were ready to reveal our plans.
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You'll just have to hang tight.
Oh, in other news, we patched to the Training Room today with a new version of Issue 11 beta. Notes found here.
Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager
If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.
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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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qft.
Hell, I'd even try out lineage and the more traditional mmos. 
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Lineage 2 disturbs me, somehow. Maybe its the tales I've heard of some of the player interaction, or maybe its just the lingerie elves I'd definitely give a look at most of the rest of what NCSoft has got available if a general pass is created and doesn't cost too much more than what I'm already paying.
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LOL you are not the first person to tell me they are freaked out by that game's lingerie elves.
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Well, i for one, if i would ever play Lineage, it would be for the lingerie elves. People obviously dont have the same expectations for games
Lingerie > Combat system ( imho )
I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Voltaire
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The players should be seeing more resources and development for the title they love and support.
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When should we start seeing this? Is this something we'll notice right away or is this a soon(tm) kind of deal? Thanks!
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Considering the whole team signed on, that only helps the sooner than later because we don't have to find replacements for any of the core members.
We will be in transition while we settle in the new offices, so I'm not sure when we will be seeing the noticeable difference but I imagine within 6 months you will be seeing some great results.
Ex
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You know, I really don't understand this whole "free month" thing. The first month isn't free, it's $49.99. Without being able to play online that disc you bought is just an expensive coaster.
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It's also a great tool for chopping herbs. And not bad for playing catch with. And it quadruples as a mirror when you've forgotten your compact.
When was the last time you saw a device that could do all that? By my estimates, you've paid only $3.99 per tool. Absolutely worth it. On top of that, if you acted now(TM): they included two--and for a very limited time only(TM): four. Four of those incredible devices for the price of one!
I don't feel ripped off one bit.
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Ex, any news of a Multi-Pass type plan for NCSoft games?
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From here:
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At this time, were not quite ready to disclose longer term plans. Well have the usual slate of announcements when were ready to reveal our plans.
[/ QUOTE ]
You'll just have to hang tight.
Oh, in other news, we patched to the Training Room today with a new version of Issue 11 beta. Notes found here.
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I'll take that as a "yes, but we can't say yet"
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Tarranos
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We've been told Power Customization simply because it would mean a huge amount of work. They will have more employees soon. It's not unreasonable to think it might be on the table again.
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It is much more involved than just that. The huge amount of time is one factor but if that had been all they would have moved forward on doing power customization. The cold hard reality is that the games core engine doesn't support it. And to make it support it requires a major rewrite of portions of the system.
Now that said there is nothing preventing NCSoft Norcal from hiring a team specifically to redesign and rewrite the games core engine. But even if they did that I wouldn't expect to see results from it before mid 2009 if that soon.
But it's MY sadistic mechanical monster and I'm here to make sure it knows it. - Girl Genius
List of Invention Guides
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Full Access to City of Heroes and City of Villains®
All players with City of Heroes retail* accounts will now have access to City of Villains, and all City of Villains retail* accounts will now have access to City of Heroes. Players that didn't previously have access to "the other side" will find that they do now. Just log in to check it out!
So for the people that bought CoH and CoV what do we get.
[/ QUOTE ]
You got to play both games years before the other people could access it for free. I dont see anything wrong with that.
[/ QUOTE ]
No, they (I can say we, here)
- got 12 slots for the past two years, if they had both at COV launch.
- Had access to SG bases from both sides.
- Already have had *at least* two months free, one for COH, one for COV - and if they added GVE, that's another month. Picked up the regular, then collectors edition? More free months.
Seriously. This griping about "We need compensation" is silly.
[/ QUOTE ]
You know, I really don't understand this whole "free month" thing. The first month isn't free, it's $49.99. Without being able to play online that disc you bought is just an expensive coaster.
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And without the first month free, it's $64.99, if you paid 49.99. So?
Regardless, the people who are *finally* getting the other side opened up to them are not getting that free time. They still have to pay $15 that next month.
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If they didn't offer access, no one would buy the game. The game is useless without access. Still don't see how the first month is "free."
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
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The players should be seeing more resources and development for the title they love and support.
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When should we start seeing this? Is this something we'll notice right away or is this a soon(tm) kind of deal? Thanks!
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Considering the whole team signed on, that only helps the sooner than later because we don't have to find replacements for any of the core members.
We will be in transition while we settle in the new offices, so I'm not sure when we will be seeing the noticeable difference but I imagine within 6 months you will be seeing some great results.
Ex
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Big question not yet seen asked: will this physical transition and settling in delay the release of Issue 11 in any way? Or are you all anticipating the big shift to occur between I11 and I12?
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Probably a few stupid questions, but does this aquisition mean anything to us playing on the US servers from Europe? I'm guessing not, since I'm already sending my monthly $15 to the US NCSoft, but it'd still be nice to know.
Also, since the press release mentioned possible new expansions, will it be possible to get a US update code if you already play the US version of the game? I remember there being some problems with getting US codes from Europe with the GvE add-on pack.
Other than that I'm looking forward to seeing what NCSoft can do with the license. Sounds like you have interesting plans.
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McNum, this was a great question, and one of the focuses will be a more robust and user friendly upgrade system. This is mainly for trial accounts being transitioned to retail, but I can also see tech development to cover the example you just mentioned.
Ex
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We are here to field any questions you may have about this wonderful news.
Ex
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One last burning question:
In this deal, who ends up with the rights to Soon(tm)?
Edit: First post before and after a red name. That's a big sign that I should get back to work.
This pretty much seems to clear the way for CoH on PS3.
The only thing I can say is that this smells of power customization. Our likely hood of this happening now is much greater than it ever has been. Wheee!