The City Scoop! ~Front Page~ March 14, 2008
By
Ex_Libris,
Posted on: 2008-03-14 16:19 in Announcements
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This is the fourteenth in a series of Point/Counterpoint articles, which will review commonly requested player suggestions, and review the pros and cons of those suggestions. This weeks subject - PvP POINT: PvP content is usually one of the most controversial additions to an MMO because battle control shifts from the system to the player. A player's skill becomes emphasized as a determining factor in success, and one player or group of players is doomed to lose. For this reason, any small edge due to system constraints will always be decried as unfair and unbalanced, regardless of how small the real impact is on the game; because player skill can not be objectively measured in a singular instance. What is more, the behavior of some PvP players tend to be more aggressive toward other players than the non-PvP player because of the nature of competition, with language and emotes specifically intended to insulting. thus creating the impression that most PvP players are this way. Cheating, whenever possible, is more frequent. Lastly, the plot line of the game is not advanced, as PvP must be separated from normal content progression since the devs have no control over the difficulty. So if there are a number of reasons not to have PvP, why have it? The simplest answer is that some people enjoy it. There is a subset of players for whom the only real challenge is facing another reactive, intelligent player. In addition, while it must be separate from the main plot, PvP offers a wide range of new content options for the devs. It also offers a unique opportunity to see the ways in which powers are, or are not, working, perhaps highlighting the need to make changes that go unnoticed in PvE. And there is no more classic a comic book story than the superhero team taking on a supervillain one, with roughly equal abilities. So PvP makes sense in the context of the genre being represented. However, it is no secret that many players do not find PvP content enjoyable. Some choose to avoid it altogether, while others will attempt to engage in the content, only to be disappointed. The mechanics of PvP are always under greater scrutiny because there is always a player on the losing side. While the AI never complains, a player certainly can. If the mechanics are too unfair, unbalanced, or uninteresting, players will avoid the content in high enough numbers that forming PvP contests becomes problematic. So what can be done to get more people engaged in PvP? There are several methods which have been used before. You can provide unique or superior rewards for PvP success. The problem exists in determining just how much of a reward should be offered for an inherently unquantifiable level of challenge. Numerous PvE challenges can be offered within PvP areas, providing players seeking limited PvP action an alternative activity to supplement the PvP. But players uninterested in PvP will complain if certain PvE things are only placed in PvP zones (like badges). You can also change the way powers work in PvP. So are there other ways to improve PvP? Numerous suggestions have been offered by players. The PvP forum has plenty of suggestions, with approval or dismissal by the readers, and you can go to that forum if you wish to discuss them in depth. I will highlight a few ideas that have been offered. One of the most common requests is for there to be a way to have a secondary character build, to be used for PvP separate from the PvE build. While some people may believe powers are equally useful in either setting, many ardent PvPers insist that certain powers have a benefit in PvP that is disproportional to the benefit in PvE and vice versa. Being forced to use a single build causes these players to commit a character to pure PvP activity, which may not make progression in the PvE content as easily. A separate build option avoids this issue. A similar idea is to allow players to create advanced characters that are only allowed to engage in PvP. | Other ideas involve changing the mechanics of PvP itself. Making powers behave in one way for PvE and another for PvP. If a particular power is viewed as too powerful in PvP, but fine for PvE, linked changes often make addressing issues a problem. So long as PvE is the core of game play, imbalances in PvP may go unaddressed. Or conversely, if a PvP change is made that affects PvE, then the bulk of players may begin to view PvP as a "problem" for PvEers. This strengthens the resolve of those that oppose PvP. By separating the power functions in PvP from those in PvE, this issue is resolved. Another issue is the player base for PvP. How can it be increased? Ideas such as open PvP or flagging system which allow players to choose to be involved in PvP or not have been offered, but run the risk of alienating PvE players if PvP becomes too ubiquitous. Instead, means to entice more people into the existing areas are suggested. But there is a delicate balance between players views about an "enticement" versus a "requirement" to enter PvP zones. The greater the enticement, the more it seems a requirement, particularly if there are unique rewards offered. A typical "how to improve PvP" thread, with significant discussion, can be found here. COUNTERPOINT: But with all the ways to improve PvP that are out there, there must always be asked the question, should it be changed? It is likely that anyone who is uninterested in PvP will avoid it no matter what improvements are made. The PvP player base is a small subset of the total player base, so any time spent on changes in PvP will necessarily be experienced by fewer players than changes to the PvE content would be. Since balancing PvP is such a time consuming and never-ending effort, it can be a significant drag on overall improvement time for the game. Worse, this difficult balance means that changes can sometimes backfire, making the time spent wasted. Finding PvP activities the bulk of players like is challenging. The Market is one form of PvP players seem willing to engage in. Although market "cheating" is no less prevalent in the forms of Arbitage, Honeypotting, Monopoly, and deliberate inflation; players still seem willing to use the Market where possible. But it also induces the typical behaviors of PvPers. Farming and RMT issues are greatly increased in environments where there is significant value to be gained in those behaviors. The market creates this environment. So if even a popular form of PvP induces negative behaviors, is there any form of PvP that can be both well received, and wholly positive for the game? For some players, PvP is nothing but a distraction from the core purpose of the game. Thus, any time spent on it ends up being lost to them. These players may prefer to see PvP left as it is, so as not to take any more time. While it is clear the devs have committed resources to providing it for players, how much more should be used? This is why changes to PvP must be carefully considered because even positive changes may be viewed by the player base in general as misappropriated with the associated loss of confidence in the devs that they will focus on the important part of the game, which for them is purely PvE.
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Unbidden | |
| Who is your base designer and who are your supergroup leaders? @Talek is the head base designer with assistance from @Cende. They share the leadership of the group. Which server is your base on, and is it a Hero or Villain SG/VG? Triumph, Hero-side. When was your supergroup established? This incarnation of the group was created shortly after the announcement of server transfers; @Talek and @Cende wanted to move their main toons off Virtue (which was often uncomfortably laggy) and consolidate all on a single, less populated server. After a bit of discussion and sampling of servers to see which was least populated during our normal playtimes, Unbidden was born on July 27th, 2007. How many players are in your supergroup? There are four core members and a few others who drop in occasionally. What is the approximate value of your base? 6,811,761 prestige unless someone has tweaked something since the last check. Almost all of that is from the double-bonus prestige gift. Thank you, devs! We really weren't looking forward to the two-year slog (at our standard play rate) to get to 2 million prestige for the cheap version of the fully functional base. How much time do you spend working on your base? How much time have you invested so far? Heh. Far too much time. More seriously, we've spent a couple hundred hours working on the base, all told. Some weeks, I was in the base editor for 10-15 hours. We expect that amount of time to go down, now that we're pretty much to a finished state on the base...unless I get some grand idea on how to reorganize something.
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What is your favorite base item? Least favorite? Favorite: the bare coffee tables and the flat-top desks for use as flooring materials for raised room sections. Least favorite: tech inspiration storage. It's WAY too noisy. What is your favorite thing about base editing? Least favorite? I love being able to turn my ideas about space layout into a visible, explorable environment. On the other hand, I'm consistently annoyed by the crudity of the editing tools...it's embarrassing that I have to exploit bugs to do simple things like put a res ring over a floor tile, and that I can't turn a chair 45 degrees (or push it over on its side). What is the highest thing on your wish-list for new base items? Wentworth's access from the base, definitely. If you could give just one piece of advice to a new base editor, what would it be? Be patient. Making a base you're happy with is probably going to take several iterations, and you'll end up building and tearing down and rebuilding for a while. Don't let it discourage you. Anything else you'd like to add about your SG, your base, or the base system in general? A lot more information (and more pictures!) is available at http://www.wolfskeep.com/unbidden/ |
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Frozen AvengerLiberty Server
Where do you live? Buffalo, NY. Your age and gender? 27, male. What do you do for a living? Right now, I am actually a student. What are you studying? Math education. Wow! That is an excellent decision. How far along are you in your studies? I have one more semester, and then I get to work towards my teaching certificate Excellent. Most folks I know usually find that special someone while in college. Have you been lucky in that regard yet? No, but not for lack of trying. What would you say are your top five movies of all time? I am a big movie person, so I always have trouble answering that. However, I will say Fight Club, The Graduate, and then I will say 1, 4, and 5 in the Harry Potter series. That is mostly because I can't think of them right now. What type of music do you like best and who would you say are your favorite musicians? Right now, I have been listening to the Juno soundtrack. I think I might want to add that to my movie list too. I am not much of a music person, though. What TV shows past and present would you say are your favorite? I would have to say Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, and Sport's Night What type of books do you like to read, and which authors do you read over and over again? There is really only one answer for that. I am not much of a reader, but I can sit down and read any of the Harry Potter series. So JK Rowling is my favorite author. What other hobbies do you have? Well, I would say TV, movies, and role-playing games. Not too much else outside of school that I doand, of course, City of. How did you end up picking your home server? Well, I actually started out on Triumph because it was a green dot, but my friends were playing on Liberty, so when player transfers became available, I brought my first toon over. | How did you end up making your namesake character? I think I just like the idea of an all cold character. I was able to find the bandit mask and thought avenger, so Frozen Avenger. Of course, I lost that with the transfer. Adventurer was the next best thing that happened to be available after the transfer. Which side do you prefer to play? I usually play Hero-side, but I am not against playing a Mastermind from time to time. Which archetypes are your favorite? Hero-side I prefer Blasters, but I have a couple Scrappers and Tanks. Villain-side, I prefer Masterminds, but willing to go with a Brute or Stalker. How would you describe your playstyle? I like to be some sort of damage maker. Whether I let others get in close or I take care of it myself just depends on the day. I think I prefer to focus more on the enemy than on my teammates, but I still appreciate the help when I get it. What zone is your favorite in the game? I think that I am pretty fond of Kings Row. I think it is perfect for the early levels. What storyline would you say is your favorite? I really liked the storyline where I found out the truth about the Rikti. What one in-game moment made you say to yourself, "This game is for me"? Probably when I finally take down the Elite Boss that has been a thorn in my side for some time. What feature, that was added last year, would you say is the best? I would say inventions. I don't like seeing yellow or red enhancements when I level. What do you think will be added to the game this year? I really don't know. I think I would like to see mounts. Motorcycles, horses, boards and the like. What advice would you have for newer players to the game? Play the missions. Read what they say, you might get a laugh. And don't power level, you will make it there when you make it there. Any closing comments? Have fun playing, and don't take player comments too personally. Sometimes they are just playing around.
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St Patty's DayThe Way of the IrishLads and lasses, are ye feeling lucky? Then ye have come to the right place. Make sure ye wear green like ye mean it. Have a pint of green ale, and fill up yer belly with some Irish Stew. Then sing a song of the Irish!
I hope everyone has a great St. Pattys Day. Here are some recipes!
Makes 12 servings and goes great withour next recipe. |
And now what yeve all been waitin for:
See you all next week! MistressNoire
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Date: March 21st Time: 8pm EST/7pm CST Location: Atlas Park City Hall Server: Infinity It's time for Paragon City Search and Rescue's 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt! We'll also be having a Bunny-themed costume contest starting at 9:30 EST/8:30 CST. Hiram Giovanni's Deli and Pizzeria Food, Fence and Forgery "Everything's Kosher" Looking for "Manticore - Crimson Archer" Freedom Phalanx CCG card. Willing to trade. -L.R. Testers Wanted: For a new and exciting video game. Contact Black Scorpion for qualifications. Standard fees apply. All you can eat taco night at El Super Mexicano. Tuesday at the Atlas Park store. I can has Cheezburger? -Catsi | Lost: One Apex. If found, please return to the Ghost of War Witch. Lost: Hub of the Wheel of Destruction. If found, please contact Azuria. P.S. Please do not use to construct deadly wheel of Destruction. Thanks. -Azuria Help Wanted: Writers for The City Scoop. Please contact Snow_Globe, Pants_Stealer, or Marcian_Tobay for submission details. Happy Birthday, Bud! Hope ya get everything you wish for and deserve. Heres to many more years to come. Your loving and wonderful sis (and favorite), Kalypso Need to sell something? Post it in The City Scoop Classifieds. Send PM to LadyK. Wanted: Delegates from all shards. Player based discussion group located on Test server. Subjects open for discussion; Markets, PvP, server lag, et al. Contact Captain_Myotis for an invitation to the SG United Shard Operation. |
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Edition 39 of "The City Scoop a publication for Supers by Supers!
With Issue 12: Midnight Hour officially announced this week; the Scoop has been able to get some early reactions to the announced features into this edition. We also have another well covered Point/Counterpoint, Base Showcase, Behind the Mask as well as flavorful Foodies.
The Scoop is LFM (looking for moar!) So if you have a talent that would fit in nicely with this weekly publication please contact Snow_Globe or Pants_Stealer
If you have any concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please feel free to direct your comments via PM to Lighthouse or Ex Libris.
If you would like to do a feature article, have an event covered, or join "The City Scoop" team please PM Snow_Globe or Pants_Stealer
If you or someone you know should be considered for Behind the Mask Teldon or Encounters please contact MrsAlphaOne
If you need some Advice contact Lady_Athyna or would like to Ask The X contact LiquidX
Finally if you have a Classified Ad you would like included please contact: Lady_K
Discussion on the latest edition of "The City Scoop" is located here.
The City Scoop
Issue 12 Announced
Major Medical Panic Ensues
By
LadyK
Roman Kilo by LadyJudgement
With NCsoft's announcement of the latest free expansion of the hugely popular
"City of" franchise, sixteen pages of board threads were filled with ohs, ahs,
gasps and the occasional life-fearing panic. As well as a few just a valid
negative opinions. What is causing such a stir in the community forums? The
content and the underplayed lead up.
It would seem that for weeks and even months, the good folks we call Devs were
warning the player base not to expect too much from the Issue 12 expansion,
that Issue 13 would be the next "big" expansion for content and changes. On
Wednesday, March 12, it was announced to the community that Issue 12 would
include new content for the 10-20 level ranges, new maps for 35-50 level
ranges, a new Non-Player Character group, new Villainous Epic Archetypes,
powerset crossovers and a new Hollows. This is just a little expansion, not
much more than an update, really.
The new content for the 10-20 level ranges would allow players to join The
Midnight Squad to put an end to the Rikti Wars. It seems to be much like the
new content since Issue 7's PVP/Co-op zones, allowing gamers new play style and
rewards, however we will have to wait for Beta testing to get the full scope of
what to expect.
The new content for the 35-50 ranges also involves the clandestine Midnight
Squad. In these missions. players would be able to travel back to ancient Rome
to fight epic battles and monsters that terrorized that era's heroes. On these
maps, it would appear, that players can unlock Roman style costume pieces for
all character types: male, female and huge.
"The Destined One" is no longer just a title, with the introduction of
villainous Epic Archetypes, something red-siders have been begging for, on and
off, for years. Players can choose to be a Wolf Spider or Blood Widow
archetype. Those who choose the Wolf Spider archetype will have branching
powersets allowing them to specialize as either a Bane Spider or Crab Spider.
Those who choose the Blood Widow archetype will have their choice of Fortunatas
or Night Widow branches. Each choice comes with new costume options.
Axe-wielding Brutes? Plant Controllers? Storm Corrupters? Yes! And these are
only a few of the power set crossovers that have been announced. However,
speculations are abound on the chat forums, and, yes the Devs are listening.
The Hollows is being revamped to make it more player-friendly. Announced quality
of life improvements include: rebalanced encounters, new villain groups,
mission door improvements and an in-zone hospital. A new contact, Meg Mason,
will be added to give repeatable missions.
We will be able to customize our User Interface as well as our Contact lists and
combine Inspirations into different and better Inspirations, as well as one
Inspiration getting a level boost as we do. We will also see an immediate boost
to health and stamina at the moment of leveling, and nova will actually do
something other than look wicked cool. There is also promised improvement to
the chat system and the Real Numbers system.
All in all, it looks to be a rather good expansion with something for everyone,
as well as a continuation of the notion that no two players experience is the
same. If you want to see it before the "General Public," logging on to the test
server is an excellent way to improve your chances to be in closed Beta
testing. Just remember, "What happens in Beta, stays in Beta."
Link to Lighthouses announcement
Link to discussion page
Link to
the Official site page
This just in
As a last minute addition, right as this weeks edition of The City Scoop
was going to press, we received a message from
Lighthouse, City of Heroes Community
Manager, that we wanted to share with you:
Statement Regarding Additional Character Slots
In reading through all the community feedback (US and EU) and player reaction
from the recent announcement of Issue 12: Midnight Hour, the overwhelming
consensus is that players would like to have access to additional character
slots. With all the great reasons to roll a new character included in Issue 12,
we certainly understand the desire.
We want to let you know that we are working on systems to address this community
request. Our intent is add purchasable character slots to round out our
existing services of Character Transfer and Character Rename. We hope to have
this implemented and available shortly after Issue 12 Launch.
As always, we are happy to listen and respond to your requests. Thanks for your
feedback and continued support.
Vol. 1, Issue 39
March 14th, 2008
This Issue:
Fan Fiction
Robot Rampage V
Point / Counterpoint
Base Showcase:
Umbidden
Behind the Mask:
Frozen Avenger
Food & Recipes
Classifieds
Upcoming Events:
March 15th:
Infinity:
Thorn
Tree Trial
Liberty:
Blueside
Hami Raid
Test Server:
PvPEC
Intro to Base Raids
Virtue:
Saturday
Fight Night 100: Milestone Edition
March 16th:
Champion:
Recluse's
Victory MEGA Brawl!
Triumph:
Sunday
Night Smackdown
Virtue:
Beware
the Ides of March
March 17th:
Champion:
Mastermind
Monday
March 21st:
Infinity:
Easter
with PCSAR
March 23rd:
Test Server:
PvPEC
Intro to Base Raids
Too Hot to Handle by LadyEntropy aka Anwyeth
Fan Fiction Highlight
By
Tropic
Helloooo, Fictionites!
This week we have a big (not to be confused with little) ditty from M_I_Abrahms
entitled
A Broken Man :
"I saw a hero Papa!"
"I know you did, Bethany. We all did. They seem to be every where these days."
The lights of the convention hall are reflected off the metal body of the
child-like android, but they cannot hide the look of joy in her artificial
eyes. "Papa, can I be a Hero? I wanna help people too."
The young man turns and kneels to look into the diminutive automaton's face.
"Are you sure? You know I'll worry about you." Bethany nods, she is unable to
smile but it's clear that if she could she would be beaming. Her father smiles
for her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps when we get home I can start
designing a stronger body. And what about you Benjamin? Would you like to be a
Hero, like your sister?"
"I don't think so Father."
Check out
A Broken Man and read on!
Ms Veil by PolterGuy
Robot Rampage V
By Sooner
March 2nd, 2008 - It was another beautiful Sunday afternoon in Founders' Falls
on the Protector server when the cry rang out, Kronos! Heroes gathered to
battle the giant Malta robot yet again, but then another appeared, and another!
Tankers stepped up to control the multiple Kronos assaults, and then more
appeared. Heroes gathered from all over to watch the gathering. Rockets flared,
lasers blasted, and giant metallic feet stomped. The number climbed to
fourteen, and then a stirring call rang out, Team Debt Cap! For the Win! It
was Protectors own infamous Badge, and at his call, the gathered heroes flung
themselves into the green valley to battle the Kronos Titans.
In a gloriously chaotic battle, dozens of heroes took on fourteen Kronos Titans.
In the fifth Robot Rampage organized by Badge and Team Debt Cap, the Protector
server once again pulled together to show the giant robots of Paragon city
whos boss!