The City Scoop! ~ Front Page ~ April 18, 2008
By
Lighthouse_NA,
Posted on: 2008-04-18 24:33 in Announcements
Point / CounterpointThis is the fifteenth 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 In-Game Ads POINT: The recent announcement that ads for real products are going to be added to Co* has sparked a few threads about what the addition of those ads would mean for the City of franchise. Generally speaking, real ad revenue should provide an additional stream of income for the game, which means that new content can be generated faster. Since the ads are optional, any player who does not wish to see the ads can turn them off if they wish. Because of this, no players game play experience should be impacted by intrusive ads, while still providing them to players that are willing to see them in order to help out the developers. Community reps have stated that ads will not be forced. COUNTERPOINT: There are some players who are worried that in game ads may be just the beginning of the intrusion of real life into the game. If optional ads fail to generate sufficient viewers, alternative methods for advertising may be tried. Some worry that the ads will be made forced. One format that might make optional ads more desirable would be some reward for doing so. Typically this would be a monthly fee reduction, but there is no fee reduction offered at this time. In-game rewards may also be offered, but players may find the requirement necessary to receive the reward as disruptive to their game play. Furthermore, with ads and the announcement that pay add on packs produced revenue necessary to accelerate content creation, some players are worried that more emphasis will be placed on pay for add ons, and less on free updates. So far there is no indication that this is true. | Lord of the LosersIn all honesty, some enemies will scare the life out of you. Renegade robots, trigger-happy thugs, horrible Hydras, diabolical demons, there's a lot to deal with. Stuff out there can and will kill you. On the other hand, some enemies are so pathetic it's funny. I'm gonna take a quick look at some of the wimps and weirdos to cross paths with heroes and villains. You may never look at theses schmoes the same way again. Infected First off, who drinks sewer water? Have the freaking sense to break open a fire hydrant or something for a quick refill. Second, you idiots can barely stand, let alone aim and fire a gun. There's a reason we don't see you past level 7. Nothing more than a bunch of shambling, nauseous scum-junkies. Barely a threat. Dockworkers Oh, boo hoo. Underpaid, mistreated rebellious workers from a big business? We have that already: Scrapyarders! At least they're intimidating. A Demolitionist is the bane of all Masterminds, and you crate-jockeys feebly kick and whine at the Family. Suck it up, get another job and leave us alone. Prisoners Theres nothing more satisfying than cracking the skull of some jerk I spent time with. But from a hero perspective, you morons still haven't left the Zig! If you're free, why hang out there? Just return to your gang, coven or army of super soldiers. Besides, you're just gonna get stuck back in the joint if you stay. Save yourselves the pain: just relax in your cells when then riots start. Luddites I'm all for the anti-Aeon cause, but...they're doing it wrong. Casting off the shackles of technology is all well and good, but how are you supposed to harm people with force fields when you have an axe? Small scale sabotage and a pamphlet campaign will take a long time. And half of their rallies end up with them getting beat up or arrested by Aeon's men. I give the Luddites an "A" for effort, but an "F" in Tactics and Execution. Goldbrickers Eww, yellow? Sure, they have high-tech gear, but they look ridiculous. Faulty sonic weaponry, bad fashion and their unnatural feelings of superiority make them a bunch of bad apples. But come on, you look like rejects from the old Superfriends cartoon or like you should've been fodder in Goldfinger. Just give up the fight and help out Arachnos with your tech. It'll turn out better for you guys. And these idiots are the five biggest "enemies" I've ever encountered: Infected, Dockworkers, Prisoners, Luddites and Goldbrickers. I was tempted to include Snakes, but Snakes return with vengeance later on. So here's where I want all you readers out there to help. Send me a message through the forums to tell me which of these motley crews should be crowned Lord of the Losers. Give me enough feedback, and I'll tell you the results of your opinions. Remember: only you decide who's the lowest of the low. |
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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Crime PaysLove is the only thing needed to succeed on the Black Market. Love has many aspects and nuances, but there are six key factors that lead to success. The six key aspects of love to remember are: 1) Plan ahead 2) Diversify 3) Lower Standards 4) Spray and Pray 5) Success Comes in Your Sleep 6) Sell Back What You No Longer Want 1) Shopping on the Black Market requires knowing what you want. If you are unsure of what you want, take a moment to study your own needs. A multitude of slotting guides exists if you are unsure. Ideal answers for the planning stage include "I need a Hamidon Goo," or "I want a way to stop eating blue pills," or "I need more accuracy." As you can clearly see, the planning phase is exactly analogous to love. Also, you should plan for items that you will want in the future. By planning ahead you will ensure that you have the item when you want and need the item. Also, you can ensure that you only pay a comfortable amount. 2) One item to buy is never enough. Often, there are many items that can solve your needs. Identify these alternatives and have them ready at all times. Okay, enough about love, back to the Black Market! When shopping for items for your villain, think about viable alternatives. Yes, set bonuses are nice and having the exact same level looks pretty. However, items that do not match can often give equivalent or greater effect. Also, items may exist on the market in alternative forms. A certain item you crave may exist in Recipe and in Enhancement form. Pursue both of these possible targets. 3) My significant other(s) frequently asks, Why are we together? I reply, Because we lowered our standards. Believe me, I know love. Apply this concept to shopping on the Black Market. Often there is a specific item at a specific level that would be mathematically ideal. However, this one item may be incredibly difficult to acquire. Similar to love, find alternatives on the Black Market and pursue those as well. A level 25 Enhancement may be ideal but difficult to obtain. By pursuing level 20 or level 24 Enhancements as well, you increase your chances of success. Yes, technically, these items are inferior, but these alternatives are only inferior in extremely minor amounts fractions of a percent! Lower your standards. You won't know the difference. | 4) Now that you know what you want, know viable alternatives, and have lowered your standards, pull out your weapon and get ready so "spray and pray." A key way to succeed in the spray and pray method is learning the Black Market interface. Utilize the drop down menus to narrow down the items shown. Level drop down boxes can narrow the items to a specific range. Item drop down menus in the big box can further narrow what you are looking at. Place bids on each and every item that you could want. Yes, bid on multiple items when you want only one thing. Remember, you have planned ahead and are going to succeed in your sleep! 5) Placing the proper amount in each bid is the most important choice you will make. Placing the proper bid is also the most difficult step. The Last 5 History can be an indicator of what you should expect to pay but is certainly not a guarantee. Plan on succeeding in your sleep and not succeeding immediately. Give yourself a good chance of success. Keep in mind that you are bidding on multiple items that each can satisfy your needs. Balance the desire for success (bidding high) an amount that an amount that may succeed in your sleep in the ensuing days (bidding low)! 6) Sometimes you will purchase more than you need. Simply place the items back on the market! By placing low bids in the Fifth Step you should be able to list the item for a higher price than you purchased it. This difference means money! If you were able to properly identify the history of the item and the range in prices the item usually has, you can sell your mistakes or misfires for profit. Step Five applies when selling items! Don't forget to plan on succeeding in your sleep. Love is a beautiful thing. The Black Market is also a beautiful thing. Keep love in mind when shopping at the Black Market...you can always sell your mistakes!
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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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Fan Fiction SpotlightDiary of a Henchman, by TeChameleon How can one excerpt explain this one properly? Ah, here we go... Day 16: 11:00 PM Same plan, but this time make sure Captain Amazing has been called out on emergency. Discover that Captain Amazing is an avid golfer, and keeps his clubs in the bedroom. Wife heard me coming, and was standing behind door with golf bag. Five Iron required Jaws of Life to remove. Driver will probably need surgery to remove. Regain consciousness to Captain Amazing throwing me through the wall again. If his contractor works so cheap, should get number from wife before killing her; my place could use some work. This one is purely for the laughs. There are a couple places where the grammar and spelling is a little off, but you'll probably be laughing too hard to care. Also, since this is apparently the diary of one of the dullest knives in the drawer, the grammatical errors probably only make more sense. The author has indicated that he/she intends to keep writing these little tidbits as he/she feels inspired. It seems a bit brutal at times, but the violence is just so ludicrous in its delivery that you still can't help but laugh at this "Minion-version Wile E. Coyote." | Moderator Avatar ContestHey there everyone! So we've been seeing a lot of people bored with this avatar we have. Now, we agree with you. It is BORING. So here we go. We're going to hold a contest, starting today. It will be an avatar contest. At that time we will provide screen shots of our characters in the game for you to use, animate, caption, whatever. Tell us what you need and we'll attempt to provide it. Come Wednesday, April 23, 2008 we will close entries and judge which avatars we will use. If you wish to submit a non-CoH/CoV avatar starting from the moment you see this post you can, however we will not begin judging them until Wednesday the 23rd rolls around. More details will be released soon. May the best forumite win. -Koschej and Niviene. |
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.
| Teenage Fun!Hiya readers! Its me, White_Gravel, back to tell you of my experiences in Gemini Park. Why was I in Galaxy Citys Gemini Park, you ask? This was because that was the site of the Teen Hero Gathering on the Virtue Server. I was excited about this event for two main reasons: It looked like a great event, with a nice schedule to match, and because I am a teenager myself. I thought this event would be a great time to hang out with people around my age. Well, I was wrong. It was an excellent way to meet people my own age, and I realized this the second I entered the park. I entered at 7:30, about half an hour before the event even started, and I still had to wait in line to enter the park! There were hundreds of teenagers just like me ready to have some fun and do some teenage bonding. If you think this is amazing, wait until you see the events that were planned. First they started off with a costume contest for the best teenaged trend. What that means was that they wanted to see costumes that would represent a good casual look for teens today. Not only was this a very creative spin on your average costume contest, but there was a huge turnout of people who made their characters specifically for this one contest. An even bigger shock than the turnout or the costumes and work that was put into the contest was the verdict. I dont think you readers will believe this but this reporter actually won the male teen trend contest. Yes I finally won a contest, ladies and gentlemen. After the teen trend costume contest, there was a normal hero contest and the verdicts were as follows: Most Teen Trendy Male: White-Gravel (Back) Most Teen Trendy Female: Kosuki Sasaki (Back) Best Male Hero: Ballistic Beetle (Back) Best Female Hero: Laneria (Back) Congratulations to them all! After that event there was some free time where the teens could log onto The Cape radio and listen to some tunes while they mingles. There was a special guest DJ there from The Cape named Rain Fox. I sat down with Rain for a quick moment to get her intake on the gathering. So Rain, were you expecting such a good turnout? Well, I always knew there was a vast majority of teens out there that played the game, so I knew it would be huge, so this doesnt surprise me much. And what do you do here, and how do people get you to come to their events? I host a show on The Cape, and I take requests from players at the event and just try to entertain everyone. If you want me at your event, all you have to do is ask at us at www.thecaperadio.com. And with that, I allowed Rain to continue her work, and I mingled some more with the guests. After the chill time came some trivia questions given out by none other than the host of the event, Assembled Girl. These questions were extremely hard and left me with a headache after all forty were read and answered. Though I must say that I did win 500,000 answering the questions (I answered 2/40 correct). After the trivia, the event was over, but not before I got the chance to sit down with Assembled Girl and ask her the questions we all wanted to know. So my first question has got to be why? Why did u make the event? Well, I had participated in many events in the past, and I thought to myself, No one has ever done a teen event before, so since I am a teenager myself, I decided to take some action and make one. What do you think about all these teens that turned out tonight? The turnout was spectacular, especially since this is only my first time hosting an event. Now most people wonder how much something like this costs. How much was spent on this event? This event cost about 46 million all together, most of which came out of my pocket, but two other heroes helped out. Since this was such a success, do you plan on hosting any more events? Definitely, I aim to make this an annual event one way or another. Any closing comments? I want to thank DJ Rain Fox and The Cape for entertaining us. Also, I want to thank everyone that showed up! It was a real blast, and I look forward to reinvesting my creative spirit into the teen hero community. The event had concluded and the teenage crowd slowly departed. This event was a blast and a major success in uniting the world of teenaged heroes. I want to thank everyone that went into making this event. I also want to remind everyone to make events like this and help reunite the gaming community. Keep on rocking! ~W.G.
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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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| Do you have any hobbies outside of the game? Ghost hunting and playing with my kids, and um, yeah, thats about it. I don't get a whole lot of "Mom" time. So what would you say is your favorite quote from pop culture? My favorite quote..."You can only be young once, you can be immature forever!" Fits me like a glove. and not OJ's glove either! How did you end up picking Freedom as your server? Well, I was drug over to this game kicking and screaming from Asheron's call, pre i-4, and this is where the rest of my "regular group" of friends called home, so I threw my suitcases under Atlas' butt and moved in, too. What is your general play style in-game? Play style? I like to team in PUGs mostly. I like to meet new and interesting people, and we have a lot of those here on Freedom I do play with my group of friends at least once a week but I don't PL or farm or anything like that. I play to play the game. Im working on my fourth 50. Which side of the game would you say is your favorite? Heroes definitely. I can't get into the villain role, and I don't have a villain higher then level 24, I think she is now. What is your favorite zone in the game? That truly is a hard question...I honestly don't think I have a favorite zone...Gosh, I must sound boring...I like them all! Even the Hollows! What about story arcs? Dont beat me up, but I like Flux's story arc, the one that leads to Frostfire...even though its super low. I just like that mish's layout! What type of characters do you like to play? Midnite Rose is my favorite. She's a MA/Regen scrapper, but I do have a tendency to lean towards defenders. I don't like to play tanks. What are you looking forward to in the next issue? I-12 is so full of win! The new zone! VEATs! Hollows Makeover! Powerset Proliferation! Basic QOL issues addressed! I can't put my finger on just one! What advice would you like to give for our newer players? Basic advice is to check out the forums! The forums have all the information you could ever want or need about the game! It's like having the game outside of the game! Any closing comments? Thanks for the interview! If you want to reach out to me, my PM box is always open, and don't forget to check out P.E.R.C. We are constantly looking for new and exciting ways to bring events to the community! If you have an idea or want to volunteer, feel free to shoot me a line, just don't shoot at me cause I will duck!
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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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SoupsSince the weathers still been a tad chilly, it made me think of soups and stews. This week I bring you soups! Next week, Ill bring you stews! Enjoy!
See you next week! ~Mistress Noire | |||||||||
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.
| |
ANNIVERSARY: FOURTH. DEFERENCE: TO. ATTACK: LATER Do you have an event coming up? Are you going to attend an upcoming event? Do you want to see or even write an article for The City Scoop? Drop a line to LadyK a week in advance, and you too could be a guest writer for The City Scoop. Hiram Giovanni's Deli and Pizzeria Food, Fence and Forgery "Everything's Kosher" Lost: Paradigm Shift Device. Contact Demented Cynic at Portal Corp. by Friday. Remember to bring Hawaiian shirt. Help Wanted: Writers for The City Scoop. Please contact Snow_Globe, Pants_Stealer, or Marcian_Tobay for submission details. Rats for sale. Contact Richard Ellsworth That's a coded message from your broker. Some guy named Richard Ellsworth has been selling secrets to the Circle of Thorns, and there's a reward on his head. | War Phoenix: LVL 28 TANK LFT WANTED: Fan Artist to draw my character. I cannot offer much compensation other than any of the wares I would otherwise sell on the Auction House. If you are interested, please contact Hakuro de Killer on the Virtue Server 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 All you can eat taco night at El Super Mexicano. Tuesday at the Atlas Park store. Need to sell something? Post it in The City Scoop Classifieds. Send PM to LadyK. o_o *poke* Buh! - Pepsiman |
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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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.
Edition 44 of "The City Scoop" a publication for Supers by Supers!
The City Scoop delivers another great week of coverage. I have to say, I was laughing out loud with Hostile_V's article, "Lord of the Losers." Be sure to read the entire issue! 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 concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please 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 contact Teldon.
[*] 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[/list]
Click here to discuss this week's edition.
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.
The City Scoop
additional character slots!
Article by
Snow_Globe
Illustrations by
Juggertha
Positron has announced this week that Issue 12 will bring with it optional
additional character slots. Here is the run down, quoting from
the announcement:
Two additional character slots granted from Issue 12:
"All current subscribers will receive 2 free character slots, each of which can
be used on the specific server of their choice. This is to help you make new
characters to take advantage of the new features of Issue 12, even if you
already have maxed out your "home" server's character slots."
You get to put two slots on the server of your choice, or one slot on two
different servers of your choice.
Veteran Reward character slots:
"1 free character slot will be granted retroactively on a yearly basis through
the current Veteran Reward system. Every 12 months that a subscription is
maintained will unlock an additional free character slot that the user can
apply to the server of their choice. Thus, existing players will be eligible
for up to 4 additional character slots at the launch of Issue 12. This will
continue into the future for Veteran Rewards given out every 12 months, so you
get another slot for 5 years, another one for 6 years, etc."
This pretty much explains itself.
Extra slots for purchase:
"Additional Optional Character Slots will be available on a purchasable basis.
These are one-time fees, not an addition to your monthly subscription rate. The
additional slots can be had at the following price points:
* 1 Optional Character Slot for a one-time fee of $5.99
* 2 Optional Character Slots for a one-time fee of $9.99
* 5 Optional Character Slots for a one-time fee of $19.99"
For those that think this is just another cash grab, I would suggest that you
compare the costs over the long term for having multiple accounts. While I
personally will not use this aspect much, I know a lot of people that would
gladly pay for the additional slots and keep their second (and third) accounts.
Limitations:
"Players can have up to 36 slots per server"
Let's face it. Having a cap on the number of slots per server makes sense. It
limits how much revenue goes to paying for storage costs. At 36 slots per
server, that is three times as many slots as that of an account with both CoH
and CoV codes applied to it or a boxed Good vs. Evil code. To max out a server
would cost about as much as prepaying for a year's subscription, not including
the above free slots.
Additional Benefits for all players:
"An update to the character selection screen that lets you re-organize your
character list by Drag and Drop, as well as easily flip between up to three
pages of characters available on that server. All customers benefit from these
great new User Interface features included with the revisions for Optional
Character Slots."
Wanted to change the order of the characters on the selection screen? Well now
you can. Maybe you wanted all your heroes on one selection screen and all of
your villains on another. Again this will be possible with the new server
screens.
Summary:
Player reactions overall are favorable, with a tiny bit of grumbling over price
from a few posters.
Personally I welcome the extra slots and eagerly await the upcoming selection
interface enhancements.
-Snow_Globe
Vol. 1, Issue 44
April 18th, 2008
This Issue:
Lord of the Losers
Point / Counterpoint
Market Watch
Community
Fan Fiction
Moderator Avatar Contest
A Guardian Love Story
Teenage Fun
Behind the Mask
Rose.
Food & Recipes
Classifieds
Excelsior Messaging
Upcoming Events:
April 19th:
Virtue:
HERO
DAWN REMEMBRANCE BASH
April 20th:
Pinnacle:
Costume
Contest hosted by Lords of Retribution
Protector:
Rasta
Appreciation Day!
Virtue:
Villain
Hami Raid 6 pm EDT
April 23rd:
Protector:
Level
4 PvP
April 26th:
Infinity:
1
billion influence give away
Lady
Grey TF
Virtue:
Great
Badge Race
April 27th:
Forums:
A
Guardian Love Story
Guardian:
A
Guardian Love Story
Infinity:
Great
Badge Race
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.