Discussion: NCsoft Acquires City of Heroes!
By
AaronH,
Posted on: 2007-11-06 13:55 in News, Events and Announcement Discussion
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I do however have to hope that NCsoft doesn't decide that they need to make major changes to CoH - its a good game *now* - it can be better yes; but I fear the possibility of "WoWitization".
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Since they bought the game and are keeping the Dev team of a successful game, I can't imagine why they'd want to put their noses into the development and make too many changes. If they're smart, they'll simpley let the Dev team do what they do so well, only with more money, more people, and more support.
[/ QUOTE ]LOL yeah, I'm sure that was their motavation for buying out Cryptic. I'm pretty sure you can bet on the fact that NCsoft has an idea on how they are going to make COX "better." And with Ncsoft and the announcement that everyone is going to have hero/villian it's a sfe bet that much their vision is going to be based on PVP.
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HERE'S A SIMPLE EXPLANATION AND ANSWERS TO WHAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MEANS:
The Past
<ul type="square">[*] Cryptic Studios and NC Soft both owned CoH. In order for anything in the game to happen, both NC Soft and Cryptic had to agree on it.[*] Cryptic studios has a ton of people working at it. Of all those people, only about 20 were working on CoH. Everyone else was working on MUO, or the other secret project.[*] Of all the money Cryptic Studios had, almost all of it was being used on MUO, since Microsoft is paying for them to make it. CoH was only getting a little money from outside investors and other places to be worked on. That's why they had such a small amount of people working on it.[/list]
The Present
<ul type="square">[*] Cryptic sold their rights to CoH to NC Soft. Now, NC Soft completely owns CoH. Cryptic Studios has NOTHING to do with City of Heroes anymore.[*] Now that NC Soft owns CoH, they have created a completely new, separate studio called NC Soft NorCal, to work ONLY on CoH, not any other game. NC Soft completely owns this studio, however, this studio will be doing it's own thing. NC Soft will be paying for everything it does.[*] ALL of the Devs working on CoH at Cryptic are moving to this new studio and working for NC Soft, not Cryptic Studios anymore.
Anyone that had worked on CoH in the past was offered a chance to come work at the new studio and leave Cryptic. Some people are taking that offer and others are not. So we WILL have some of the original team from the past working at the new studio along with the current Dev team.[*] Positron will remain the Lead Designer, but there will be a new "Statesman" -type- person that he will be working with. This person is NOT Jack Emmert, aka Statesman.[*] Jack Emmert, aka Statesman, is not going to be involved with NC Soft NorCal. He will continue to work at Cryptic Studios, but will no longer be involved with anything having to do with CoH.[/list]
The Future
<ul type="square">[*] Once the deal has been completed, Posi and all the other Devs will be moving out of Cryptic Studios and into the new NC Soft NorCal building. NC Soft has hired some other people already to work at the new studio, so they will be joining them. They will be hiring MORE people to work at the new studio.[*] MORE MONEY. CoH will have stupid amounts of money thrown at it to make it better then it already is. All of those projects like Shields, Weapon Customization and so forth that required a LOT of time, and thus a LOT of money, to do, will be able to actually get done. NC Soft is now a giant sugar daddy like no other 
NC Soft is HUGE. WoW has Blizzard throwing money at it. MUO has Microsoft throwing money at it. CoH now has NC Soft throwing money at it.[*] Bigger Staff. They will be hiring a LOT more people to work on CoH. With more people they can finally have TWO teams, one for CoH and one for CoV, working at the same time. They can have a team working on PvP, they can have a team working on Events, and they can have a team for just about anything else you can think of.[*] Issues will be BIGGER after this change. More people means MORE content, MORE TFs, MORE zones, MORE Epic ATs, MORE of EVERYTHING. All those things we were told couldn't be done right away because they just didn't have the people for it, GONE. They'll be able to do just about anything with a full staff. Think about, 100 people working on CoH versus the 20 people working on it right now.[*] Faster releases, less secrets, shorter response time. Now that NC Soft owns ALL of CoH, they don't have to ask Cryptic for permission to do anything. Decisions will be made much quicker now that there aren't two different companies trying to agree on things. If we ask for something and NC Soft says "OK!", that's it, it'll happen.
In the past, if Cryptic Studios wanted to tell us something, but couldn't because NC Soft said "not yet", that won't happen. Now NC Soft can tell us anything we want, they have all the power to release information anytime they want.
And best of all, since there's no more delays with trying to get both Cryptic Studios and NC Soft on the same schedule, Issues, fixes, expansions and all that will be coming out MUCH quicker.[*] CoH can actually have Marketing! That's right, with the NC Soft Marketing team and all the money NC Soft has, they can actually use real songs for trailers, they can actually try and make commercials for CoH and all sorts of other things. CoH will have the capability to advertise like WoW does. Shirts, hats, key chains, toys, it could all happen.[/list]
Answers to Concerns
<ul type="square">[*] All of this does NOT change anything in the game right now or anytime soon. Issue 12 WILL be coming next year and has already been worked on by the Devs.[*] The Boards WILL not change. NC Soft actually owns and runs the boards already. If anything the Boards will be getting BETTER.[*] Issues will NOT be slowing down. In fact, they will be speeding up.[*] All of the Devs will still be here to hang with us, work on the game and everything. All they're doing is moving to a new desk.[*] NC Soft is NOT going to be changing or working on the game. Positron and all the other Devs will continue to be the ones to make the decisions for the CoH world.[*] Regen is not getting nerfed.[/list]
In conclusion, this is a FANTASTIC announcement. It's one of the BEST things that could have happened for CoH. It sounds like they already have plans for future expansions, possibly a CoH 2 and tons of new content for issues. Next year is going bring a LOT of new toys and content to the game!
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There is quite a bit of supposition in your post. But to be honest all your points SEEM valid and I hope to Christ your right. I've been here since the beginning like many board members and I'm not going anywhere. If this acquisition means more money, more talent, more content, more EVERYTHING then woo hoo!
I stand by my reservations though that this could be both a blessing a curse for CoX. Personally though. The best news I could have heard is when Castle said he WILL be coming with us to the new NCSoft building and staying on COH. He's the best dev we got and losing him would have been a tremendous loss for the game.
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for the 20,000 prestige for the sg do they get that on the game. I know i am being dumb but i am not understanding the Sg membership thing?????
Comes back in thread.......hugs devs, hugs crazy NCSOFT employees, even the weird tech guy in the back.
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for the 20,000 prestige for the sg do they get that on the game. I know i am being dumb but i am not understanding the Sg membership thing?????
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... huh?
When an SG starts, for every member (through the first 15,) the SG is given 20k prestige. That happens automatically.
What NCSoft is going to do (as a one time gift) is give *every* SG 20k Prestige for *every* member in it - so if your SG has 50 members, the SG will get a total of 1000000 prestige (think of it as "SG Inf.")
Given that SG member limits are going up in I11... that could end up being a good chunk of change.
Obviously, if you're not in an SG, you won't see this.
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I've seen this movie. The ending sucks.
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QFT.
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Out of curiosity, to the doomsayers, knowing that almost all the current devs are still going to be working on the game, what brings on the doom? I'm honestly not seeing a reason for it.
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I think it comes from the history of acquisitions mainly, with regards to games. Usually whenever a company buys out a game, it's because the game is tanking, like when SOE bought Matrix Online or when EA bought Mythic and now owns Dark Ages of Camelot.
However, the case with this acquisition doesn't come from the fact that CoH was doing poorly. CoH is doing great. I think NC Soft saw the potential of the game and wants to take it to the next level. Unfortunately, Cryptic Studios is too tied up on other projects to really focus on CoH, so they decided to buy it from them.
Also, the idea that NC Soft OWNS ALL of CoH probably causes some fear. In the past, if things went bad, NC Soft could have pulled out of publishing CoH, but CoH wouldn't have died off. Cryptic would have had to find a new publisher for it is all. Now that NC Soft is the only owner of CoH, if they want to shut it down, that's it -BOOM- it's done. End of story.
However, I don't see this being the case like I stated before. There's too much potential for CoH to be tanked.
And as a final note, remember, NC Soft is -NOT- SOE. They're not going to completely [censored] everyone and give Kheldians to everyone and nerf Regen until it can't move. Posi and the rest of the Devs are alllll coming over. They're going to be the ones doing the balancing, they're going to be the ones picking people for the future CoH team.
NC Soft DOES have a final say in everything, but like I said, they're not SOE. I'm sure they'll let them do pretty much anything they want. NC Soft is just giving Posi and company their checkbook for the most part.
Plus, I don't think the fact that the ENTIRE current CoH team PLUS some of the other people working at Cryptic ALL moving to this new company together is a fluke. I'm sure they know what they're getting into. I'm sure they see the positive to all this.
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Who's the one exception?
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Frank the Janitor
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I need to get my forum title changed (-_^)b
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[censored] YES! We're getting Poh back! Seriously, rejoice. That awesome UI we have, thank this guy....at least I think Poh said he was the one that did the UI 
Regardless, we got Pohsyb!
At the moment I'm pretty stunned by this announcement. "A major reinvestment" sounds pretty good, but I know I'm not the only one who has concerns over what this really means.
@Demobot
Also on Steam
God, my jaw was on the floor for most of this but seeing the:
Regen is not gettin nerfed...
Just cracked me up. We'll see on this stuff how it affects us, but you can't say anything now but wait and see. We'll see how important this move is on Nov. 08.
This is a VERY important step and proving that Marvel Universe Online is a different game from City of Heroes in both play and spirit.
Best wishes to both. (Goes back to grinding CoX toons...)
Thank you, City of Heroes, for giving me a superhero social network combined with amazingly smooth game play. Petitions signed with realistic expectations.
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NCsoft will soon be announcing formal plans for the City of Heroes IP, which will include expansions and [u]sequels[u] to the popular comic-book inspired massively multiplayer online (MMO) game.
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City of Heroes 2?
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Debt Wipe
After the launch of Issue 11: A Stitch in Time this Fall, we are removing Debt from all characters and giving you a fresh start. Actual date will be announced shortly. Have fun in the mean time.
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Time to get even MORE reckless then!
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Frank the Janitor
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Aw MAN! We'll miss him. He posts the BEST stuff!
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big red ball?
Member: Mutant Force Five, Chaos Legion & Team Awesome
SOE was not the company that did Matrix Online did. That distinction belongs to Monolith. SOE's attempts were to save an already destroyed game -- in essence, they got a pale and tried to save the Titanic after it started sinking. You can shovel all the water you want out, but the huge gaping hole still existed.
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I do however have to hope that NCsoft doesn't decide that they need to make major changes to CoH - its a good game *now* - it can be better yes; but I fear the possibility of "WoWitization".
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Since they bought the game and are keeping the Dev team of a successful game, I can't imagine why they'd want to put their noses into the development and make too many changes. If they're smart, they'll simpley let the Dev team do what they do so well, only with more money, more people, and more support.
[/ QUOTE ]LOL yeah, I'm sure that was their motavation for buying out Cryptic. I'm pretty sure you can bet on the fact that NCsoft has an idea on how they are going to make COX "better." And with Ncsoft and the announcement that everyone is going to have hero/villian it's a sfe bet that much their vision is going to be based on PVP.
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City of Heroes/City of Villains: New Game Enhancements (CoX: NGE) - Coming Soon™! 
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
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But if I ever once - ONCE - smell "raid"; I quit. End of discussion.
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...what about the Hamidon BO...?
What part of phnglui mglw'nafl Cthulhu r'lyeh w'gah nagl fhtagn don't you understand?
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[u]sequels[u]
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City of Heroes 2?
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I'm hoping "Sequels" in the same vein that CoV could be considered a sequel to CoH: "Expansalones" that can be played independently or combined with one or more of the existing titles to increase the scope of the game as a whole.
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Ok, here is a question on the full access rights (sorry if this had been asked before). Are the special powers for purchasing things such as GvE or the premier editions (things such as special costume options, That slide pwoer etc..)) going to be added into the accounts also?
With the games basically becoming one game, one price, what are the other ramifications. Will people who just go out and purchase say CoV or CoH still get access to both sides even though they are new players?
Everything coming under one roof can be good for the CoX game, but it could also be a disaster. I look forward to all of this with guarded anticipation. I"ve seen too many mergers/acquisitions of property/management, look good on paper, bring in the old guard, only to drastically change things up within a year to not be a little skeptical and worried about the future of CoX.
Defcon 0 - (D4 lvl 50),DJ Shecky Cape Radio
@Shecky
Twitter: @DJ_Shecky, @siliconshecky, @thecaperadio
When you air your dirty laundry out on a clothesline above the street, everyone is allowed to snicker at the skid marks in your underoos. - Lemur_Lad
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SOE was not the company that did Matrix Online did. That distinction belongs to Monolith. SOE's attempts were to save an already destroyed game -- in essence, they got a pale and tried to save the Titanic after it started sinking. You can shovel all the water you want out, but the huge gaping hole still existed.
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Same with Vanguard. SOE has taken over a couple of already failing games, but it's not like it's SOE's fault the games weren't successful.
Heck with Matrix, the rumor was they took the game to get TimeWarner to agree to give them DC comics property.
In this case, it seems that NCSoft just wants to create a franchise around their most successful North American product. CoX is going to be NCSoft's Everquest. The product they invest in and grow.
I see nothing but good things coming from this.
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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I do however have to hope that NCsoft doesn't decide that they need to make major changes to CoH - its a good game *now* - it can be better yes; but I fear the possibility of "WoWitization".
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Since they bought the game and are keeping the Dev team of a successful game, I can't imagine why they'd want to put their noses into the development and make too many changes. If they're smart, they'll simpley let the Dev team do what they do so well, only with more money, more people, and more support.
[/ QUOTE ]LOL yeah, I'm sure that was their motavation for buying out Cryptic. I'm pretty sure you can bet on the fact that NCsoft has an idea on how they are going to make COX "better." And with Ncsoft and the announcement that everyone is going to have hero/villian it's a sfe bet that much their vision is going to be based on PVP.
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I seriously doubt that NCSoft is stupid enough to turn this game into a PvP-centric one.
Be well, people of CoH.
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I think that I speak for a lot of folks out there when I say that I have little real understanding of the larger implications of this change, but I intend to jump to immediate conclusions about the effects it will have on the game.
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Amen, brother. Amen. Or sister. Whichever. 
My feeling: Sounds very interesting. I'll have to wait and see how everything pans out, but there are some encouraging signs. A change like this is dramatic and large and thus scary. Also, since there are still so many unknowns -- even MORE scary.
Thus, clearly, we're all going to die. Alone. In the rain.
But before that happens, I have a few words from someone who wishes to address to every one of you who's been moaning and puling about how you're owed refunds because you paid for something that still works and that you're still using.
Morpheus: "Welcome... to the real world."
I have this image of people showing up at the supermarket on a Sunday and punching out a samples lady in produce because she's passing out free cookies that are exactly the same as the ones they just paid for.
I paid for CoH in Oct. 2004, because I wanted to try it out at that time. I later pre-ordered CoV, so I could check out the beta, and play it once it went live. I believe (although I could be wrong, I can't be bothered to check) that I paid more for CoH back in 2004 than its current sticker price. That's how things work.
Oh yes, I paid for the little GvE package online so I could get the extra goodies that were given to those who actually bought the boxed version of GvE, because I thought they would be cool/handy/shiny. Why wasn't I just given the goodies for free? I figured it was because I hadn't paid for them yet. This seemed fairly simple.
Now, I hear that those who paid only for CoH, or CoV, will soon have access to both, without having to pay like I did. Know what I think? Great idea. Sounds good. Hope it boosts participation in both games. Go forth, and multiply.
I want the Powers that Be to encourage more people to buy and play the game. I want there to be more participation, from more people. In order to do that, the company must provide sufficient incentives. Freebies. Goodies. Again, that's how things work.
If you paid for the privilege of playing long ago, then pat yourself on the back. You made the right choice back then. Well done.
Darkestrike - Founder of Nova Watch
DJ Templar - Owner of The Cape Radio Station
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There is quite a bit of supposition in your post. But to be honest all your points SEEM valid and I hope to Christ your right. I've been here since the beginning like many board members and I'm not going anywhere. If this acquisition means more money, more talent, more content, more EVERYTHING then woo hoo!
I stand by my reservations though that this could be both a blessing a curse for CoX. Personally though. The best news I could have heard is when Castle said he WILL be coming with us to the new NCSoft building and staying on COH. He's the best dev we got and losing him would have been a tremendous loss for the game.
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Heh, yeah, you're right. I'm an optimist though. I went ahead and changed the title of "The Future" to "The -Potential- Future" so that people don't think that it's set in stone. I'm praying to everything holy that it works out well. Like you said, with huge potential comes huge disaster. I'm really trusting NC Soft with this
I want to take a moment to raise a glass to Jack Emmert and Rick Dakan, and others with names unknown who are no longer associated with the City, but who conceived of it and made it a reality.
You did great work, and laid a masterful foundation upon which we continue to build. Especially you, Jack. You will always be Marcus "Statesman" Cole to me.
Good job, and thank you.
Story Arcs I created:
Every Rose: (#17702) Villainous vs Legacy Chain. Forget Arachnos, join the CoT!
Cosplay Madness!: (#3643) Neutral vs Custom Foes. Heroes at a pop culture convention!
Kiss Hello Goodbye: (#156389) Heroic vs Custom Foes. Film Noir/Hardboiled detective adventure!
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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!
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So I just bought both versions of the game...does this mean that I wasted my money and if I had waited a week, I could have paid half as much?
Fabulous! 
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Exactly. I am really pissed about this, there needs to be some form of compensation for those who did buy both games. Like maybe a free month or2 or something because this is totally unfair to those who spent their hard earned money on both games.
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There doesn't need to be any kind of compensation. You got to play the game for the time period between when you bought it and when it became free. You aren't entitled to anything else.
You aren't entitled to the game always being gated by money. I really don't see the basis for this argument.
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Exactly. This is a serious NON-issue. Do people who bought it recently (i.e. last 1-2 months) have the right to be annoyed? Sure they do, but they certainly aren't entitled to anything.
I have a friend who bought an 80GB iPod w/video for $400 literally one week before Apple announced the new Classic iPods, which offered the same iPod in 160GB format for THE SAME PRICE. Boy, was he ticked. He wasn't entitled to a damn thing either. Sometimes, that's the way the market works folks.
Anyone complaining about buying the game two years ago needs to be slapped with a common sense stick. You've had the game FOR TWO YEARS!!! You most certainly are NOT entitled to compensation. Use your damn brain guys...
Got nothin' but tough love for ya.
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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!
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So I just bought both versions of the game...does this mean that I wasted my money and if I had waited a week, I could have paid half as much?
Fabulous!
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Exactly. I am really pissed about this, there needs to be some form of compensation for those who did buy both games. Like maybe a free month or2 or something because this is totally unfair to those who spent their hard earned money on both games.
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There doesn't need to be any kind of compensation. You got to play the game for the time period between when you bought it and when it became free. You aren't entitled to anything else.
You aren't entitled to the game always being gated by money. I really don't see the basis for this argument.
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They've already gotten a minimum of two free months. One at COH purchase, one at COV. People just getting access because they only own one aren't getting a free month.
We've been pre-compensated.