City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

Arc 1033 - "The Wool Over One's Eyes"

CaptainAmazing

By CaptainAmazing,
Posted on: 2009-04-10 02:58 in Mission Architect

 

Posted

Arc Name: The Wool Over One's Eyes
Arc ID: 1033
Faction:Neutral
Creator Global/Forum Name: @cap'tain Amazing / CaptainAmazing
Difficulty Level: solo friendly
Synopsis: This is my arc to show new players what they can possibly do with the MA, while trying to keep iot short and non frustrating. I included most major things you can do and kept the mobs easy. I also wanted an arc they could come back on and get tickets on if no one would team with them once the possibility of the lusty wore off on group mentality :P
Estimated Time to Play: under 30 minutes solo
Link to More Details or Feedback: Patch Notes / Feedback can be found at this Link

 

Posted

[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.0

Intent was to make story more clear. Several NPCs and contacts have been given new dialogue and names. Reduced levels of bosses to ensure entire arc was available to wiedest possible audience. Levels 20-50 are now able to run, instead of 40 to 50

[u]General[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Story overhaul to clarify what was going on, clues have been added in response to user feedback to help walk you through some of the confusing areas.[*]Reduced Map from large to medium mission 2, reduced destroy to optional and 1 in quantity. (feedback given on the amount of clickies being unpleasant, as well as having to defeat all on a large map.)[/list]
[u]Critters[u]<ul type="square">[*]Reduced ambushes in map 1 and 2. (Feedback suggested that despite that fact freaks are easy, a massive amount of them is rather irritating.) [*]Reduced patrols in maps, reasoning was based on feedback for prior bullet.[*]Changed Charles to a terminal to remove the ability to smack him after the missions as one may be inclined to do so.[/list]
[u]UI / Misc[u]
<ul type="square">[*]MANY typos fixed thanks in particular to @shadow flame[/list]

 

Posted

[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.1


[u]General[u]
<ul type="square">[*] Received complaint on the need to flag as villain side only from reliable source. Changing flagging so it will work towards Red side badges only instead of Blue side badges. [/list]

 

Posted

[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.6


[u]General[u]
<ul type="square">[*] Reverted to Hero Flag due to climax changing!(see below). [*]Added a BRAND NEW 4th Mission, with an EB, with plenty of help to beat it. Solo friendly so far as I can tell. Dialogue added and clues added to help the player fully understand the situation. Fourth Mission was added do to large out-pour of demand, the feeling of “Well crap!” was not what I wanted.(Thanks to everyone who gave constructive feedback!)[*]Changed Map on third mission defeat all, too many complaints of running in circles. Map is much more straightforward now and should be no challange whatsoever [/list]
[u]Critters[u]<ul type="square">[*]Increased general patrols in Mission 2, giving them some dialogue to help move the story.[/list]
[u]UI / Misc[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Proper noun and Pronoun police found me! Thanks @Mind Forever Burning![/list]

[u]Known Issues[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Objective Collection in Mission 4 is awarding clue one first click. Unsure if it’s user error or server side code. Will wait on Pohsyb[/list]
Again, thanks everyone whose helped along the way! I hope I can make this something special ^_^

-C.A.

 

Posted

I'm also looking for feedback concerning the flow of the story and such? Is it likable? I value constructive feedback I think I changed enough after Venture's review I hope it's better and up to standards :/

If anyone has some free time it's solo friendly, the only AV at the end of it has an few helpers come along with you I'd rec. heroic if your not sure of yourself

Thanks!
-C.A.

 

Posted

[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.71


[u]Critters[u]<ul type="square">[*]Last Missions AV has been reduced in difficulty and class from AV to EB and Standard/Hard. Too many incidents of the AV eating tanks despite the help assigned in the final mission.[/list]
[u]Known Issues[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Objective Collection in Mission 4 is awarding clue one first click. Unsure if it’s user error or server side code. Will wait on Pohsyb[/list]
Thanks again all!
-C.A.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.71


[u]Critters[u]<ul type="square">[*]Last Missions AV has been reduced in difficulty and class from AV to EB and Standard/Hard. Too many incidents of the AV eating tanks despite the help assigned in the final mission.[/list]
[u]Known Issues[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Objective Collection in Mission 4 is awarding clue one first click. Unsure if it’s user error or server side code. Will wait on Pohsyb[/list]
Thanks again all!
-C.A.

[/ QUOTE ]

One trick I found for the item collection, if ya want to randomize it, is to make 2 different item collections, 1 required, 1 not, and to have only 1 item in the required set, and the others in the non required.

Make sure of course they have similar names (I added a space to the none required ones at the end) and BAM, you got multiple items but only 1 that is the real one!

 

Posted

[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.75


[u]General[u]<ul type="square">[*]Mission One: Fixed a formatting error that made the objectives bold as well. Very hard the on the eyes.[/list]
[u]Text / UI [u]<ul type="square">[*] Fixed a lot of typos that passed through spell check, grammar, and myself. Thanks to everyone whose helped. If you see anymore, by all means help me hunt it down, after so many reads, it's starting to mess together :P[/list]
[u]Known Issues[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Objective Collection in Mission 4 is awarding clue one first click. Unsure if it’s user error or server side code. Will wait on Pohsyb[*]Still unable to edit souvy, despite trying the new tricks o.o[/list]
Thanks again all, I mean it ^^
-C.A.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]

Make sure of course they have similar names (I added a space to the none required ones at the end) and BAM, you got multiple items but only 1 that is the real one!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey nice trick! I ran into this problem on one of my arcs and was wondering if the next one I'm working on was going to have this same problem, thanks for that!

And hey Cap - not sure which version of this I ran but it went well for me, it was fun. Thanks again!

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Make sure of course they have similar names (I added a space to the none required ones at the end) and BAM, you got multiple items but only 1 that is the real one!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the preferred way to do this is to set both the Plural and Singular Nav Text on both collection types to be the same string. No need to mess around with appended spaces or the like, and the actual detail names can be completely different.

And for a while things were cold,
They were scared down in their holes
The forest that once was green
Was colored black by those killing machines

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]


And hey Cap - not sure which version of this I ran but it went well for me, it was fun. Thanks again!

[/ QUOTE ]

Judging by your date, you played 2.75, good to hear!

-C.A.

 

Posted

Interesting arc. I ran this with my 49 Plant/Storm controller on Heroic and didnt have too many difficulties.

- First of all, spelling &amp; grammar... I encountered quite a few errors. if you want me to, I can list them in another post or PM. Otherwise, I'd suggest running a spellchecker and getting someone to proofread for you.

- Chapter 1: You have text recommending that I bring friends, due to the number of mobs. I'd get rid of text that is usually inserted due to an AV/EB. i had plenty of time left running this with a controller.

You mentioned that this used to be a villainous arc. The text stating "keep whatever you want", appears to be a remnant of that. You need to have a heroic reason for doing missions. Either that, or put in the description that this is geared more toward the "anti-hero/mercenary" type hero.

- The text from Charles reminds me of "Charlie's Angels", a popular 1970s/80s TV series. Just curious if that was the inspiration?

- Why would I follow instructions from a faceless man over a computer terminal? The reasons given, that some nameless customer wants to save some villains from demolition seems a bit lame. Why not hire someone with a siren and loudspeaker, rather than a hero?

- Chapter 1 and Chaper 2 are repeats, just with different villain groups.

- The Boss names are just random characters, as opposed to the usual "Leet Speak" names encountered in the game. Ignore this if that was the joke intended. The arc seemed to be half serious/half humorous, and it was hard to differentiate.

- I'm sure you've seen this in a 1000 reviews. I'd avoid doing the Kill All.

- The contact throws the first "Idiot Ball" ( and repeats in each chapter). Venture's terminology, not mine. Again, I don't know if you intended this to be a joke, but I'd ham it up a little if you did. Something like: "More than likely ramblings from the rattling you gave them, no? You trust me? Right? I wouldn't do anything to deceive you. Really!"

Repeat this advice wherever the contact tries to convince you that "he really had no idea why something just happened".

Chapter 2:
- "... they are remains of an old group...". Um, remains? Again, ignore me, if this is an intentional play on words. Otherwise, I'd use "remnants".

- The send off could use a bit of work. Some of the wording is a bit awkward.

Chapter 3:
" ... we know as well as a few other gangs ...". I'm a hero, I'm not in a gang.

- the mission description led me to believe that I was doing another clear all. That changed to "click all glowies" upon entering the mission. Regardless of humorous intent, the mission description should describe what you're actually going to do.

- I loved the two ambushes - I'm assuming you had a normal mob as the trigger for the first one. The text "Our forces need help... again?" cracked me up. I'd really like to know how you did the chained ambushes.

- Some of the text spoken by the Freakshow and 5th seemed to be switched. You might want to check that.

Chapter 4:
- How do I know that the PPD is remotely accessing the terminal? Does it flash up on the screen "PPD remotely accessing"?
- Nice custom mobs and descriptions, but I still wasnt sure what a Psion was. "Charlie's Minions" might have been a better group name. If you did intend to model this after Charlie's Angels, it would have been cool to make the minions look like them instead.

- You had Klang as the Freak ally. Dang, I was hoping for Bob.

- This was the first time I ever encountered an ally ambush. Very nice, although Charlie went down way too fast when they arrived.

Overall, a nice arc, although there appears to be remnants of the switch between heroic and villainous alignment.

131430 Starfare: First Contact
178774 Tales of Croatoa: A Rose By Any Other Name ( 2009 MA Best In-Canon Arc ) ( 2009 Player Awards - Best Serious Arc )

 

Posted

Next round implements recommended changes from all feedback so far, stay tuned

 

Posted

[u]The Wool Over One’s Eyes[u]

Ver. 2.90


[u]General[u]<ul type="square">[*]Added keywords Looking for feedback as well.[*]Adjusted level slider to bring all level spawns to min of 40 to ensure smooth teaming. Previously we had a dip to level 35 mid arc.[/list]
[u]Critters[u]<ul type="square">[*]Added a few more mobs into the final custom mob to add diversity.[*]Adjusted powers on Charles Psion, was being beaten too quickly, tried balancing with KB protection.[/list]
[u]Text / UI [u]<ul type="square">[*] Fixed a few more typos that passed through spell check, grammar, and myself.[*]Swapped one set of dialogue in a battle spawn, fifth were speaking freak, freak were speaking fifth.(Thanks Hercules!)[*]Reworded some dialogue boxes and a send off. Reworded the players ability to understand that the PPD is accessing the terminal in final round. (Thanks Hercules!)[/list]
[u]Known Issues[u]
<ul type="square">[*]Objective Collection in Mission 4 is awarding clue one first click. Unsure if it’s user error or server side code. Will wait on Pohsyb[*]Still haven't fixed that souv. Will work it next pass![/list]

Love the new features, will continue to tweak! Thanks all!
-C.A.