Discussion: Valentines Day Event & Spring Fling!
By
Amanita,
Posted on: 2008-02-13 14:00 in News, Events and Announcement Discussion
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I'm a tolerant guy. I understand the nature of waiting in line to get into an event. However, I have to say that I'm not entirely satisfied by the manner the wedding event has been handled.
1) If you wanted us to line up in lines to enter the event then put in controls to direct the people. Rope lines, funnels, any sort of crowd control would be nice. I laughed like most when Castle KO'd people close to the Usher in Atlas. I even got him to laugh when I said it was like "Look! It's the WHO!" [that's an old person joke for all the folks under 30 based on a crowd stampede at a WHO concern years ago ]. You need better crowd control for events like the wedding.
2) The equity of the access to the event was lacking. Making it "whoever can click on the Usher through the effect of the Force Bubble" lacked balance. Why did this happnen? Not thinking through the methodology of accessing the event is why. Plan for orderly entry next time. The shotgun approach is a poor substitute for proper planning.
- B.
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Another way to do this would have been to put in multiple ushers, like 5 of them, either all in the same zone (spread out around city hall) or in different zones. This way you avoid everyone crowding around 1 NPC.
But on the villain side it wasn't too bad. The hero side was chaos tho.
So far I am throughly disappointed in the whole wedding setup. For one they should have included a link directing people to the information on accessing the Test Server. It has taken me all afternoon to get the info and now there is not enough time for me to download the client to see the wedding. Second who's bright idea was it to limit the number of open slots to only 100 people and only 3 hours of repeats? You have a game with thousands of players and you present an event that not even a 10th of them will ever get to see. Not exactly the best move. As for the wedding mish it is just another standard warehouse mish. Ho hum boring. I run the same mish ever day for my normal contacts. I have also heard several people mention that the new "Wedding" items are nothing more than slight revamps of older costume peices. It seems to me that for an event as big as this that it should have been well planned and made avaliable to all players. It is obvious that the entire thing was poorly planned and executed. What ever were they thinking?!
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So far I am throughly disappointed in the whole wedding setup. For one they should have included a link directing people to the information on accessing the Test Server. It has taken me all afternoon to get the info and now there is not enough time for me to download the client to see the wedding. Second who's bright idea was it to limit the number of open slots to only 100 people and only 3 hours of repeats? You have a game with thousands of players and you present an event that not even a 10th of them will ever get to see. Not exactly the best move. As for the wedding mish it is just another standard warehouse mish. Ho hum boring. I run the same mish ever day for my normal contacts. I have also heard several people mention that the new "Wedding" items are nothing more than slight revamps of older costume peices. It seems to me that for an event as big as this that it should have been well planned and made avaliable to all players. It is obvious that the entire thing was poorly planned and executed. What ever were they thinking?!
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They were likely thinking that the people who thought that having the actual devs that recently got married in real life, do it again several times over and and over again for the people who would care enough to show up might enjoy the effort. Probably thought the ones who didn't really care for the event wouldn't bother showing up.
So sorry if having a bunch of actual people put on a show just for you wasn't good enough.
Only 100 people would be *managable* at a time.
There are PLENTY of links directing you how to get to the test server *on each and every single forum area*. If you haven't noticed them stickied there, you probably should look harder.
The event's been known for days now, so latecomers were very confused if they *didn't take the time to read the GMOTD* which popped up. They made that message *specifically* for people to read to get to the ushers. 
The costume pieces are FAR more than "slight" updates. They're really, really beautiful. Maybe you should have taken a LOOK at them before rushing to the decision to believe someone about that.
Sour grapes much? They said straight out: not everyone will get in. I set my character up *immediately* when I heard about it, and still waited over an hour for the event, which was quite fun. Disorganized? Yes. But fun none the less. If you can't have fun standing around shooting the breeze with 400 of your favorite players, then ... I dunno what to tell you.
Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
Repurposed
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I set my character up *immediately* when I heard about it, and still waited over an hour for the event, which was quite fun. Disorganized? Yes. But fun none the less. If you can't have fun standing around shooting the breeze with 400 of your favorite players, then ... I dunno what to tell you.
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Heh, I set up in Pocket-D and tried to answer questions (goofed up globals a couple of times, sorry) until a headache drove me away from my monitor.
MMOCheese,
That was my fault, I was assigned to this event and meeting the community needs. I had a bit of car problems, and basic bad day syndrome and it affected this event.
I take responsibility for that...not the truck problems, my mechanic is going to get an ear full.
Either way, there is still spots open on the Villain side so if you get in come to the dark side and I am teleporting people to the Usher so shout out in Broadcast.
Ex
Unfortunatly Ex Libris I don't think that will work as my comp is still trying to load the Test Server Client.
Villains get valet parking?! Whaaaat!
I kind of figured that the vside would be easier to reach but I don't *own* a villain, and certainly don't have any which have free tokens, nor would look particularly good in a pretty outfit (my one live villain is a zombie mm, so... yah).
Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
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Sour grapes much? They said straight out: not everyone will get in. I set my character up *immediately* when I heard about it, and still waited over an hour for the event, which was quite fun. Disorganized? Yes. But fun none the less. If you can't have fun standing around shooting the breeze with 400 of your favorite players, then ... I dunno what to tell you.
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What was frustrating, though, was the way it was getting handled. I logged in half an hour early, and there was already (unsurprisingly) a mob. Castle told us to form a line (eventually forcing people away with force bubble, preventing jumping with tar patches everywhere, etc.) And ocne we were in line... well, it was still a blob near the front (since it was "click as fast as you can" to get the usher,) until he pushed people back repeatedly, gutting the "line," turning it into "A blob and those suckers who want to wait even longer."
That said, yes, an hour and a half of doing what I was told and *slowly* getting from the steps to the usher, and I got in. The event itself wasn't bad, I have no complaints with it (and it gives some possibilities for future suggestions.)
If anything, though, the devs need to sit down and work out, in advance, some sort of planning for any future event *similar* to this, dealing with crowd control and keeping order, and not penalizing people who are making more effort than a "casual" player (downloading test, reworking characters, etc.) to be there while doing what they're asked. There was a lot of grumbling about people just ignoring the entire line and running up to blend in with the mob.
Some of the suggestions that came up, or that just come to mind (some of which wouldnt' make sense unless you were there...)
1. Creating a "lottery" and having people let in that way. (This would *also* make the "While you're waiting, run to Pocket D for a title!" suggestion less... ludicrous to those who had been waiting, in some cases several hours.)
2. Killing everyone in line and just rezzing 50 per side to come in.
3. Teleport 50 people to a "waiting" or "reception" area, and let them in from there. (Tied to one of the other suggestions.)
4. If we're told to make a line, designate it, let it be *very* plain where it is, and enforce it.
5. Though it wouldn't have worked for this event - use the ARENA to stage RP events. Lots of observers, no chatter or worries about interruption.
I have to agree, the crowding was bad.
Honestly - we left Pocket D more organized while LH was giving out titles at the top of the ramp, and a line formed there.
Thing is at Atlas, there's *no* logical area to form a line, without putting down more stuff visually to guide us. (They DO have those disneyland-line / bank-line things, though, in the one warehouse map, and could possibly have used those.)
It's still a learning experience. I hope we get more things like this, even though it's messy.
Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
Repurposed
I can understand the 100 person limit to a point however if you are going to restrict it so much then extend out the time frame for people to attend. Some of us have jobs that require long hours. I did click on the link anouncing the event. (Mind you it wasn't listed on my CoH updater page until yesterday). It only stated that it would be on the test server and to talk to the ushers. Well the ushers on my server are very nice looking but they don't tell you to go to the forums to get info on the test server nor did the anouncement link. (It would have been nice). Another player on my server was nice enough to point me in the right direction. And I have seen several of the new peices and while some are quite lovely it is very obvious that many are just new patterns on old peices. Am I bitter about it? No. Will I end up paying the $10 for the new set.. yeah because I do like some of them. But they really aren't worth $10. Do I think it could have been better organized and executed? Yes definatly.
quick reply:
For me, it was a disappointment. I got home from work, walked my dog, then logged in around 8:00pm eastern. I waited in line for just over an hour and was fourth in the queue when the final running of the event filled up.
I didn't have a villain on test and trying to create one would have cost me my spot in line. I figured it was better to take my chances with the line I was already in.
I appreciate the effort that went into the event, but it's hard for me to enjoy it when my best efforts to take part left me out in the cold.
Hopefully there are lessons learned that will make it easier for more people to be a part of the next one.
(QR) Stepped out of the live event to leave room for others, but I'm a little disappointed in the community expectations on this one.
LIVE EVENTS are always a challenge on MMO's. You rarely, if ever, can afford to make it reach even a fraction of the community. Many games make their start/end totally random events (so the crowds don't compete for lines) and are very short-term (so by the time the message gets out that it's going on and the crowds get too big, it's all over). They even use lower wage actors... not the actual developers... to minimize costs.
Those events reach even fewer people. They give an "allure" to the game- the chance that you MIGHT encounter one, but few ever have... yet people love them.
This one:
<ul type="square">[*]...was announced specifically to maximize availability.[*] ...included extra activities to try to make other fun options for those that couldn't get in. [*] ...included the actual game developers in their signature roles. Heck, some of the vows came right from Manticore's real wedding.[/list]
It might not have been perfect, folks, but it's a whole lot more than most MMO live events.
Well the event was fun, i didnt go to the wedding(didnt even try). The only thing i would've changed is SEEING the Dark Watcher
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(QR) Stepped out of the live event to leave room for others, but I'm a little disappointed in the community expectations on this one.
LIVE EVENTS are always a challenge on MMO's. You rarely, if ever, can afford to make it reach even a fraction of the community. Many games make their start/end totally random events (so the crowds don't compete for lines) and are very short-term (so by the time the message gets out that it's going on and the crowds get too big, it's all over). They even use lower wage actors... not the actual developers... to minimize costs.
Those events reach even fewer people. They give an "allure" to the game- the chance that you MIGHT encounter one, but few ever have... yet people love them.
This one:
<ul type="square">[*]...was announced specifically to maximize availability.[*] ...included extra activities to try to make other fun options for those that couldn't get in. [*] ...included the actual game developers in their signature roles. Heck, some of the vows came right from Manticore's real wedding.[/list]
It might not have been perfect, folks, but it's a whole lot more than most MMO live events.
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Thanks Chase,
It is difficult and I have been involved in all types of MMO themed Live Events. For all the chaos it is worth the fun, and ultimately the negative sides to doing things like this.
For those of you that don't know Sean Fish, Manticore, has been a major influence for the City of Heroes & Villains stories. He explained to me recently that he and his wife Jen, Sister Psyche, have found a new way each year to renew their vows.
This year we were able to help them attain this romantic tradition in a virtual space.
Was there chaos? Yes
Were there disconnects? Yes
Did everyone get to see the event? No
Did everyone have fun???
So with all that, we still did the event for even the small amount of people we could accommodate, knowing that we would have to respond to all the above where the answers should have been opposite or equal.
We are passionate about this game, we play the game, we have fun, and we can only hope that you can say the same.
Thanks again to all the Community members that helped out today, I know I'll miss folks so I won't try to name y'all because there were between 15-20 people that came forward and jumped in to help keep things running smoothly on the sidelines. Lighthouse has a motto, and it is one that I fully support, he always says, "Let's keep the party rolling!" So we'll continue to do what we can, but sometimes we are going to need help from y'all to give it a little push.
Happy Valentines Day, now I have to see about a girl! 
Ex
I checked out the line in Atlas on my main Dumok and took some screenshots of the crazy long line. I realize that I had no chance heroside so I logged in into my Villain Doomawk.
I joined the crowd in Mercy Island and noticed that there wwhere only 68 villains there. (Evil Falcon broadcasted the number of players on at that time.)
I clicked the usher once and was teleported to the wedding event.
It was very cool to see many of the well known forum posters alongside signeture characters.
The wedding was nice and I enjoyed it.
Figuring Lord Recluse would not let this opportunity to cause a little mischief pass by, I placed myself near Statesman and Citadel in case the opportunity presented itself.
Sure enough, all hell broke loose. 
I hope Statesman enjoyed the Melt Armor and Heat Exhaustion debuffs I nailed him with. I managed to heal a couple fellow villains before Citadel decided enough was enough and personally waffle-stomped my butt right into the pavement.
BTW, the Villains were winning when we got booted. Nyah nyah 
Oh! And I finally got to meet Ex Libris in game as well!
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For those of you that don't know Sean Fish, Manticore, has been a major influence for the City of Heroes & Villains stories. He explained to me recently that he and his wife Jen, Sister Psyche, have found a new way each year to renew their vows.
This year we were able to help them attain this romantic tradition in a virtual space.
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I want to do something similar with hubby but since I'm such a spoiled princess, we'll be doing it on every 10th anniversary. I mean, it's not like we can afford to go to Ireland, Hawawii, Australia, Japan, China, Germany and every other location that pops into my head to renew our vows in the regions' traditional manner.
Would that I could though...
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Was there chaos? Yes
Were there disconnects? Yes
Did everyone get to see the event? No
Did everyone have fun???
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Ex, everyone...I'd like to personally thank you for what you did tonight, for taking the time to do it and for being responsive to all of us as well.
While I certainly have my quibbles about a portion of the event which stressed me, the vows were great, the execution was fine and we were all treated fairly.
I had fun throughout most of the event, and it was an event. People lined up as if for a Star Wars movie and chatting and such, solemn crowds during the wedding. Good stuff.
Thank you again all of you.
Questions about the game, either side? /t @Neuronia or @Neuronium, with your queries!
168760: A Death in the Gish. 3 missions, 1-14. Easy to solo.
Infinity Villains
Champion, Pinnacle, Virtue Heroes
Hmmm . . . the next time around, would it be possible to set things up such that you can use the arena kiosk to view the event in much the same fashion as you would an arena match? What's more, could it be set up such that somebody on a live server could also view the event (that is, somehow run a connection from the Training room to all the Live servers)? What would the logistics be like to do this? If server strain were a concern (due to all the invisible camera points), perhaps have a dedicated "camera man" server-side?
Anybody got any clues or comments?
-Kirov
"To be violent at first and wind up fearing one's people is the epitome of ineptitude."
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War
I can't find it right now, but it was suggested (I think in the General section) for the event itself to be added as a cutscene to a flashback mission. That way, everyone could see it, and without the spam.
Dunno if that'll ever happen. I mean, it was suggested a few minutes ago for an event that happened a few hours ago so it might be awhile before it could happen but, it's been suggested.
If anyone else has ideas for better implementation or a way to work it into a mission like flashback, hollar.
I managed to sneak in twice (once on a villain and when I left the test server, it seemed spaces for villains were gone begging). Clearly a lot of work went into it.
But even granting the need to limit people, the method of limiting was way too chaotic. As SwordOfJustice, I saw utter chaos in Atlas Park, and thought it was unlikely I'd get in. But I took a shot on Atlas Park 3, turned out there were only a half dozen people near the usher, and I got in easily and quickly when the next item started. Then as Errand, so much fewer people there, so people got in without much angst.
The live event...I'm not sure what we got out of the live event, as opposed to the characters scripted with the behavior. The dialog was written ahead of time (as one would expect, for an event repeated multiple times). The only improvisation I saw was when Manticore and Sister Psyche disconnected...and as amusing as it was to see Back Alley Brawler break into the old softshoe and War Witch had some nice brief lines, I'd rather have had the events take place. An instanced event, as a followup to the "collect the gifts" mission, would have much of the same feel, everyone could have participated.
My arcs are constantly shifting, just search for GadgetDon for the latest.
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I'd like to say the event was incredible. It was awesome in every sense of the word. My only suggestion would have been to have it wedding carried out by NPCs in a special Ouro zone so everyone could get in at will with duplicates of the zone being made. However, if you were unable to attend this event, don't you dare complain to the devs. You have only yourself to blame.
When you go shopping and a particular aisle has a really long line, you go to a less occupied aisle. There were four different version of Atlas Park. Upon noticing that the 300 yard line was for the usher, I looked at some of the costumes, seeing characters from other servers I hadn't encountered before. Afterward, I went into RWZ then came right back out into AP 4 (lower characters could have used the train). I was able to see the event twice, first with Emissary of Justice1 then Emissary of Justice. I even came back to AP 1 to inform people that they could go to AP4 for easier access. No one said good idea, thank you, nor did I notice anyone move. Instead, I was told silly things like how maybe they liked lines. You have only yourself to blame which is a shame because War Witch was really nice.
Well done, guys.
Virtue: The-Invictus (Blue)
The Emissary of Justice - Level 50 Fire/Fire Blaster
The Emissary of Justice. - Level 50 WP/Fire Tanker
Mesmerius - Level 50 Psi/Mental Blaster
Nucleoa - Level 50 Rad/Son Defender
You should charge more for the wedding pack. If you can manage to get suckers to pay 10 dollars for a couple of costumes, surely you could have gotten them to pay 20.
I have one thing too say. This hasn't been memorable so far.
Sure the clue info was funny, but thier arent any new badges or temp powers. Thats my 2 cents.
Lady-Dee: Hey my fat keeps me warm in the winter and shady in the summer.