I think its some sort of miscommunication by either party, there was also a sentance in another article that roused interest with regard to NPCs being controlled, whether that meant text input or animation/placement input or AI behaviour I can't work out.
I couldn't imagine a sudden reversal of the current update model without quite a bit of discontent.
I13 is supposed to be big, really big, If it is and (importantly) the Issue is sheer quality, to be honest I don't care If there isn't another one till New Year. I think if the Issue adds as much as its rumoured too and there are bugs in it, It could potentially take quite a while to patch up.
Superbase Redux, A Mission Creator system and further power-proliferation sounds great. 
They might also put out a "half Issue" near the end of the year, to fix a lot of the long-standing bugs now that the dev team is much bigger.
I think we had a big fix patch once before, didn't we?
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
They've said many a-time that the development times in between issues are likely to increase. Something along the lines of "We've always been hard pressed to fit everything in and still make a decent issue. Now we hold the reigns we can play to what timescale we see fit for realising the best for the players."
So it doesn't surprise me... I imagine there'll be some uber-small thing for a fiver again, a bit like the wedding pack, around December. Perhaps a christmas pack?
[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps a christmas pack?
[/ QUOTE ]
And who wouldn't like to treat themselves (or be treated) to a micro-transaction christmas pressie for their favourite MMO.
[Mumbles]: ..just better be better value and more interesting than the wedding pack thats all
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I think when we say 3 issues per year, what we really mean is 12 months/3...as in an issue every 4 months. We're not really paying much attention to where things fall in the calender year, just how much time passes between issues. That's the goal at least.
Are we hitting that goal? At this particular moment, not really. Chalk that up to forming a new company, moving into a new studio, and hiring/training a lot of new people. When you go from being a very tight-knit team of 15 people rapidly churning out issues and snatching up all of the low hanging fruit we can get our hands on to a much larger studio working on very large systems and the type of content that takes the longest to develop...things tend to slow down a bit.
I don't think we're that far behind though. If you look at the amount of things added to the game since the beginning of the year rather than just counting the issue numbers between January 1st and today, there's actually a good chunk of content that you guys have gotten without any additional costs. Probably close to 1 1/2 to 2 issues of content already. There was the mid-issue update for 11 and Issue 12, while not a great deal of new long-term content, was in reality quite a bit of work. We kind of went into I12 thinking it was going to be a smaller issue, but when everything was said and done and we looked back on everything we'd put in there, we realized how much work had really gone into it.
Having more people on the team is kind of a double-edged sword. We've found ourselves setting out to do things that we would have never considered before because we simply didn't have the people to do it. Now that we do, we're really reaching for some pretty high hanging fruit. Player created missions is only one of the things you guys have heard about...but there are some other big things also being worked on as well. Things that haven't been announced yet.
Chew on that for a while. We've announced player created missions. What do you think we might be working on that we didn't feel comfortable announcing yet?
All in all, I feel like we're starting to hit our stride, and we're still looking to expand the team even more to further increase our capacities...bear with us. I assure you, it's just as frustrating for us to have these long spans without new shiny content to keep you guys happily playing the game, but we really are doing the best we can.
[/ QUOTE ]
-BAB
source
I really should do something about this signature.
Well, I can't say that I'm surprised. I had my doubts about three issues this year even back in April.
Issue 10 was released July 24 2007.
Issue 12 was released May 20 2008.
That's 3 issues in 11 months.
So, since Issue 11 was released 28 Nov 2007, that gives them until Nov 27 2008 to release Issue 13 to still meet 3 issues per year.
They're acheiving so far.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise 
; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
Personally, I don't care if they slip a little. Remember folks, they've had a HUGE reorganisation with the IP purchase, and the new devs they've employed have to be trained too. Personally, I think they're doing a sterling job. I just don't like waiting for news about what's planned!
OK, some stuff they need to keep secret due to the competition... But stuff they've announced, like the mission designer.. They COULD give us more detail about that!
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
[ QUOTE ]
Issue 10 was released July 24 2007.
Issue 12 was released May 20 2008.
That's 3 issues in 11 months.
So, since Issue 11 was released 28 Nov 2007, that gives them until Nov 27 2008 to release Issue 13 to still meet 3 issues per year.
They're acheiving so far.
[/ QUOTE ]
You don't work in a government press office, do you?
While a I13 release this November-ish would technically give them 3 releases in a suitably chosen 12 month slot, that's not really 3 issues/year as most people would interpret it. For that, you'd need an average of 4 months between issues, in reality they're doing one every 5-6 months.
Not that I'm personally bothered - good issues whenever they can suits me fine, whether that works out to 2.0, 2.1 or 3.0 issues/year in practice.
[ QUOTE ]
You don't work in a government press office, do you?
[/ QUOTE ]
Nope. But I do believe in being honest about what numbers actually mean.
[ QUOTE ]
While a I13 release this November-ish would technically give them 3 releases in a suitably chosen 12 month slot, that's not really 3 issues/year as most people would interpret it. For that, you'd need an average of 4 months between issues, in reality they're doing one every 5-6 months.
[/ QUOTE ]
Now, you see, I would dispute this, personally. They have been very clear about wanting to release no less than three issues every 12 months. I actually believe that while they WANT to release one every 4 months (4 issues per year), their plan is to not slip below 3 per 12 months, which enables their schedule to slip to 1 every 6 months if it needs to. I just think that the Devs who have been commenting on it have not recognised how much leeway 3 per 12 gives them.
[ QUOTE ]
Not that I'm personally bothered - good issues whenever they can suits me fine, whether that works out to 2.0, 2.1 or 3.0 issues/year in practice.
[/ QUOTE ]
QFT.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You don't work in a government press office, do you?
[/ QUOTE ]
Nope. But I do believe in being honest about what numbers actually mean.
[/ QUOTE ]
You are Alistair Campbell and I claim my 50 pounds!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
While a I13 release this November-ish would technically give them 3 releases in a suitably chosen 12 month slot, that's not really 3 issues/year as most people would interpret it. For that, you'd need an average of 4 months between issues, in reality they're doing one every 5-6 months.
[/ QUOTE ]
Now, you see, I would dispute this, personally. They have been very clear about wanting to release no less than three issues every 12 months. I actually believe that while they WANT to release one every 4 months (4 issues per year), their plan is to not slip below 3 per 12 months, which enables their schedule to slip to 1 every 6 months if it needs to. I just think that the Devs who have been commenting on it have not recognised how much leeway 3 per 12 gives them.
[/ QUOTE ]
It does give them that flexibility - with the current schedule they can get creative and start moving the 12 month "in a year" slot about so it always takes in 3 issues. As you say, even with a release frequency that's actually 5 1/2 months you could still rationalise that as 3/year if you move the slot so its end just covers in the latest release every time.
IMHO it'd be a mistake to do so - that's mathematical sophistry, and would be fairly obvious as such to a lot of people (and to even more people once sceptics started pointing things out on forums). Trying it on like that can quickly destroy confidence in devs' and companies' credibility.
c.f. Labour's habit of double-counting spending announcements, which made things look very appealing at the time but did them no favours at all in the longer term.
Mathematical sophistry it may be, but it's good mathematical sophistry.
Now, from the things said in the BAB quote they're trying to get an issue out every 4 months, but things have slipped a little (I'm not complaining at all!). My point is that as long as they try to acheive that, and as long as they don't slip below 3 per 12 month period, then they are doing everything they have said they will.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
[ QUOTE ]
While a I13 release this November-ish would technically give them 3 releases in a suitably chosen 12 month slot, that's not really 3 issues/year as most people would interpret it
[/ QUOTE ]Nowhere that I have seen does it state that there would be 3 issues per calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31st), just that they are trying to achieve 3 issues per 12 (rolling) months.
Main 50 & Badger Nine Claws Claws/Regen/Body
Other 50's Ph10x Brute Unjust Law Tanker Samantha Urai Scrapper Codename 1250 Scrapper
Cepheus Defender Nilus Scrapper Electro Field Blaster S.PONGE Tanker
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
While a I13 release this November-ish would technically give them 3 releases in a suitably chosen 12 month slot, that's not really 3 issues/year as most people would interpret it
[/ QUOTE ]Nowhere that I have seen does it state that there would be 3 issues per calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31st), just that they are trying to achieve 3 issues per 12 (rolling) months.
[/ QUOTE ]
Nowhere I recall did I use the term "calendar year" either.
My point is that whenever you choose to start your 12 month window from, once you've picked a date you've got to stick with it. You can't slide the window around every time to try to fit an earlier issue in that's already been counted in a different window. Well, you can, but you'll convince no one and undermine your own credibility.
All of that said, I've seen no evidence at all that NCSoft are trying it on that way; in the quote PRAF gave earlier in the thread, BaB was quite clear that they were aiming for an issue every 4 months, and not quite making it lately.
Standoff, I will place MONEY (10p, anyone?) that when the "three issues per year" was originally announced, all the devs were convinced it meant "one every 4 months" and the management thought "As long as three issues are released within a 12 month period, we have met this target".
The DEVS are on our side, and want to acheive what most people perceive and agree as "An issue every 4 months". But you can bet your bottom dollar that when the MANAGEMENT floated the idea, they were thinking "Any three consecutive issues must be within a 12 month period".
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
Oh, I don't think we're actually disagreeing here - as far as I can see we both say "three per year" should sensibly interpreted as one every 4 months, but could be stretched to cover one every 5.999 months with a magic moving window and a bit of disingenuous fiddling with meanings. Which is where management would come in.
Nine Claws comment is strictly true, but doesn't actually touch upon anything anyone claimed in this thread.
[ QUOTE ]
Nowhere I recall did I use the term "calendar year" either.
[/ QUOTE ]You didn't actually use the term, but you implied it.
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My point is that whenever you choose to start your 12 month window from, once you've picked a date you've got to stick with it.
[/ QUOTE ] Why???
If you work (and I'm sure you do), you'll know that goals and objectives sometimes cannot be achieved. As long as progress can be seen, then that's good enough for me!
If someone (NCNC) in this case kept promising something then not delivering, then Id understand people getting frustrated, and voting with their feet.
I'd personally wait 6 months per issue (2 a year, 3 if your were as stringent as Standoff), if the content worked on many levels, and was virtually bug free.
Main 50 & Badger Nine Claws Claws/Regen/Body
Other 50's Ph10x Brute Unjust Law Tanker Samantha Urai Scrapper Codename 1250 Scrapper
Cepheus Defender Nilus Scrapper Electro Field Blaster S.PONGE Tanker
Is it really important on how many issues we get a year?
I mean as long as we're getting free huge content improvements of good quality, is it really important on how many we get?
I'm personally hoping for more costume packs 
, give us some goodies we can buy so they get enough money to speed things up!
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Nowhere I recall did I use the term "calendar year" either.
[/ QUOTE ]You didn't actually use the term, but you implied it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Really? Where? 
AFAICS I've only ever talked about 3 issues/year meaning 4 months between issues, or 3 within a some fixed - but very definitely non-calendar year - 12 month period.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My point is that whenever you choose to start your 12 month window from, once you've picked a date you've got to stick with it.
[/ QUOTE ] Why???
[/ QUOTE ]
Because otherwise you're not giving a figure that accurately reflects the real rate issues are coming out at. If the figure was accurate for 12 months, you'd expect (on average) to be able to double the time window's length to 24 months and get twice the number of issues inside it. Treble the length to 36 months and get 3 times the number of issues. This is how it does work if you have a real "every 4 months" release rate.
If you've fiddled things by positioning a 12 month window so it just covers 3 issues of a 5.5 month release rate, though, a 24 month window will only have 5 issues in it (average 2.5 issues/year) and a 36 month window will only have 7 (average 2.3 issues/year).
As you increase the window's size you get a figure that's closer and closer to the real average - a bit over 2/year.
[ QUOTE ]
If you work (and I'm sure you do), you'll know that goals and objectives sometimes cannot be achieved. As long as progress can be seen, then that's good enough for me!
If someone (NCNC) in this case kept promising something then not delivering, then Id understand people getting frustrated, and voting with their feet.
I'd personally wait 6 months per issue (2 a year, 3 if your were as stringent as Standoff), if the content worked on many levels, and was virtually bug free.
[/ QUOTE ]
Again, you're arguing against a point I never made; in the very first post I made to this thread I finished with "Not that I'm personally bothered - good issues whenever they can suits me fine".
Article by some1 NOT lighthouse
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ According to this that article and the one on IGN is false and therefore not worth a worthwhile argument
@Damz Find me on the global channel Union Chat. One of the best "chat channels" ingame!
[ QUOTE ]
Article by lighthouse
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ According to this that article and the one on IGN is false and therefore not worth a worthwhile argument
[/ QUOTE ]
Crazy talk!
[ QUOTE ]
Article by lighthouse
[/ QUOTE ]
<cough> Koschej </cough>
Who, annoyingly enough, like Niviene, doesn't yet show up in the US Dev/Community Tracker.
I was actually wondering about the reliability of the statement on the mission creator being in I13, myself, since there'd been absolutely zero official comment on the article, and I'd expect it if it was the case.
However... that post's not a flat out denial. I suspect they're trying to keep their powder dry until they start making their own official announcements on I13 content. Hell, we've not even had a solid teaser yet, apart from Positron's Haiku, and that's stretching 'solid' a little too far.
I'm also expecting I13 content info to be dribbled out a little at a time, as happened with I12.
Warning:
The above post may contain Cynicism, sarcasm and/or pessimism. If you object to the quantities contained, then tough.
[ QUOTE ]
Is it really important on how many issues we get a year?I mean as long as we're getting free huge content improvements of good quality, is it really important on how many we get?
[/ QUOTE ]
In my opinion yeah it actually is depending on the content.Content that extends playability between the launch of two issues enough than its all good.Releasing though content that is not enough to extend playability between issues matters and if they intend release such content better keep it at 3 issues per year.
EDIT: Just to clarify.In my opinion only content that extends playability is related to PvE and PvP game.Revamping zones visually,adding costumes doesnt extend playability without the appropriate content to back up those improvements.
Before I begin I feel the need to defend myself by stating I personally couldn't care how many issues a year appear, I can't remember when we got i12 or i11, or any other issue.
Saying that I think it is important how many issues a year are released. At this stage of it's life CoH tend only to get mentioned by the press when a new issue is released. Imo if they have 'loads' of new content on offer it would make more sense to split the content into 'smaller' issues that are released more often rather than having 'huge' issues that get released less regularly. That way we'll see the game more than once in a blue moon getting a mention in your favourite rag.
It is never advisable to say we intend to release an issue every x months or we will have y issues every 12 months, that's just asking for trouble whether you said it or only hinted at it. Anything said becomes a cast iron guarantee no matter how hard you try to make it otherwise.
Hey guys, I know there's another thread here about the IGN article for i13, there's also a story that's just come up on Massively.com.
These few sentences are the reason for me making a separate thread:
[ QUOTE ]
Most surprising is how it's described as the last free Issue for 2008. There's only been one issue so far this year, which was Issue 12: Midnight Hour, so by rights there ought to be one more - unless NCsoft are hinting at some sort of paid expansion? Or it could just be a communications blip.
[/ QUOTE ]
SOURCE LINKY
I leave it over to you...