Charity Ribbon Emblems made available for donation
By
Baby_Phoenix,
Posted on: 2008-09-15 08:36 in Suggestions and Ideas
As i said in the other thread this is a great idea i would say make the change suggested by MarquandDance and have different ribbons for different charities
/signed
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Development-wise, I'd imagine it would be a tiny thing,
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Ah yes, the cry of the unthinking player. "It won't take much effort!"
So, how is this implemented?
Is it a skin change?
Is it a model of a ribbon?
If it's a skin change, is it a new overlay pattern, which means someone can't have a normal pattern with this over it? Is it just a chest detail?
If it's a model, then how is it added to the costume? Does it take up the Chest Detail slot?
From a practical standpoint, I'd suggest this was implemented in the same way as the Wedding Pack and the upcoming Cyborg pack. Charge a nominal fee for it, and donate some reasonable percentage of that to a charity, perhaps one you pick when you purchase the pack, perhaps a rotating on over time, perhaps just go for the charity that NCEU are already associated with, 'Draw The World,' not that they have ribbons.
My cynical side suggests that this would not result in huge sales, but you never know.
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I'm not too sure I appreciate being referred to as an 'unthinking player', thank you very much.
I never said it would be a five-second-job. I work for a software development company, and am well-aware of how long something that appears 'small' takes. However, my meaning was (and apologies if this was not clear, but I was expecting feedback along the lines of "I would/wouldn't support this idea", rather than insults) that for a CHARITY, a GOOD CAUSE and generally for the sake of allowing CoH-ers to do their part, developing a ribbon logo would be a small, yet welcome, gesture.
I suppose you could put the money towards Draw The World Together. I'm a big fan of supporting them (and yes, I do appreciate the sketches that I've had in return). Perhaps 'genericising' the concept would make it easier? Develop/produce a 'ribbon' icon, to which the money (or part of) goes towards the CoH DTWT charity, whilst allowing characters to display their charity ribbons in game, and change the colours depending on which 'awareness' day is current, or that they wish to support?
Obviously, that is the part that needs to be considered, should the idea be taken up by development. Not how 'small' the development times/costs will be.
The point of this idea isn't to 'sell' anything. It's to give players the chance to do their bit, and show that they *are* doing their bit in game. It's a chance to let people do a little bit of personal heroism. Isn't that the point of the game? (and no, CoV players do not get to steal the donations box :P )
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Anything that benefits charities can never be a bad thing - something like this would (I assume) be pretty feasible.
/signed
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1) NC come out as a caring developer
2) People can donate, and show their support in game
3) The charity is supported
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These have already been achieved with NCsoft's partnership with DTWT (perhaps not so much #2).
It's a wonderful idea you have, certainly - but it's useful to bear in mind NCsoft already do do their bit for charity, with the help of their customers. 
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Obviously, that is the part that needs to be considered, should the idea be taken up by development. Not how 'small' the development times/costs will be.
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Sorry, but how much development time is taken up, and how the existing or new mechanisms for handling payments to NC can be used to get the money together from this system are exactly the kind of thing that needs to be considered when putting together a scheme like this.
Fundamentally, you are proposing a gimmick designed to provoke (and I'm using that world entirely neutrally) people into forking over money to a charity. You have to persuade a company which has just laid off a load of staff, that this is a great idea and will have publicity benefits, and will not cost them too much time and resource.
It's probably better to focus on one or two charities, because I think otherwise you're going to fall into the trap of it costing more to run the scheme than the charities actually receive from it.
It's all very well putting fluffy posts up saying "wouldn't it be great if we could support charity X in game," but if you want everyone to just say yes or no, then I'd suggest another forum. People who put successful suggestions here, tend to think it through and come up with a workable plan.
I'm sorry if you feel insulted, but as someone who works for a software company, you should know better than to make unthinking remarks about development costs. Everything has to be justified, even if it's for a charity.
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Problem is if they do it for this charity, people will always complain that they won't for others.
You're right, of course, extremus. That's why I put forward the alternate suggestion of donating it to DTWT, but giving the ability to pick the ribbon logo's colour, so that you can show your awareness of a different cause/issue on your character.
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Obviously, that is the part that needs to be considered, should the idea be taken up by development. Not how 'small' the development times/costs will be.
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Sorry, but how much development time is taken up, and how the existing or new mechanisms for handling payments to NC can be used to get the money together from this system are exactly the kind of thing that needs to be considered when putting together a scheme like this.
Fundamentally, you are proposing a gimmick designed to provoke (and I'm using that world entirely neutrally) people into forking over money to a charity. You have to persuade a company which has just laid off a load of staff, that this is a great idea and will have publicity benefits, and will not cost them too much time and resource.
It's probably better to focus on one or two charities, because I think otherwise you're going to fall into the trap of it costing more to run the scheme than the charities actually receive from it.
It's all very well putting fluffy posts up saying "wouldn't it be great if we could support charity X in game," but if you want everyone to just say yes or no, then I'd suggest another forum. People who put successful suggestions here, tend to think it through and come up with a workable plan.
I'm sorry if you feel insulted, but as someone who works for a software company, you should know better than to make unthinking remarks about development costs. Everything has to be justified, even if it's for a charity.
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If an idea is good does it matter how much development time is taken up?
IMO adding a ribbon symbol to the list of symbols already in the game shouldn't be that hard or time consuming, but then I'm not a developer.
Charging the players to wear it is a good thing especially if the cost goes to a charity. DTWT is not the only gaming charity there is also IIRC Childs Play or something similar that could be the charity of choice. Hell a rotating or topical charity would be nice.
/signed
I do like it, however, I think it would be better if they released it as an Account Upgrade Code so it goes to all characters across your account and any new ones you create. If it's just for the one character, I wouldn't be all that interested. I'm not a very charitable person.
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That's how the Wedding Pack works, Rapthorn, so I'm guessing that's how this would work
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Hmm buying a 'wedding pack' ribbon for charity? Might work if the prices are kept low. I prefer to spend money on more then 1 charity instead of donating a lot of money in one blow.
Not sure however if the costs for getting 1 or 2 Euros per charity pack is worth the costs you make collecting the money.
Alternatively they could make a bigger charity pack (not just one ribbon) ask more for it and then support a few charities from the benefits.
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If an idea is good does it matter how much development time is taken up?
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Yes, it's called "cost-benefit analysis." You just have to know to take into account non-monetary costs and benefits.
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IMO adding a ribbon symbol to the list of symbols already in the game shouldn't be that hard or time consuming, but then I'm not a developer.
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To be honest, I'd go slightly beyond whether it's easy or not. Trying to implement this on the current system is either going to produce a 'ribbon' the size of your head, or something that's virtually invisible. I think sometimes people forget the limitations of the technology.
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DTWT is not the only gaming charity there is also IIRC Childs Play or something similar that could be the charity of choice.
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If my memory serves, there are very good reasons for sticking with a single charity. It benefits both the charity and the company making the donations, especially if the amounts of money flowing are (relatively) small.
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Both ideas seem like good ones, GrinningSpade. A 'charity logo pack' would be nice (although I'm guessing the Red Cross is already do-able with the current selection), but of course, you do get the problem of which ones to do, etc. I suppose it could be asked?
I was hoping for some RedName intervention at this juncture, so here's hoping.
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I don´t know why this has to be implemented in the game. If you really want to donate money for charity just do it and be done with it without asking for some visual badge of honour.
Sorry if i sound cynical but this idea sounds too much like all those "see and be seen" celebrity charity events (Lookee here, i purchased a ribbon for charity so think of me as good and caring person already).
I don´t mean to insult but charity, imho, comes from within not from some ribbon stuck to your chest.
Which is my view on the matter, but I wasn't going to say it because I'd get flamed to high heaven.
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Fully agree with Raven and Nova on this. If you want to make a donation to charity, there are plenty of existing ways of doing it. The only purpose this will serve is to show off the fact that you've made a charitable donation. If you are genuinely that charitable, why would you need to advertise the fact?
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I do actually understand the proliferation of these ribbon emblems. There was a very interesting programme on the radio about it. I don't believe the charities get much in the way of money out of it, but they do gain recognition. Sadly, the primary reason for wearing the ribbons has become the need to feel part of the latest, sanctioned 'good cause.' A survey suggested that, on average, people who had pink ribbons on were not more aware of anything about breast cancer than people who did not. In many cases, the opposite was true.
Which is not to say that giving money to charities and being aware of these conditions is in any way a bad thing, just that wishing to conspicuously display ones giving nature and adherence to a group meme doesn't really say much.
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Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
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when you give, do not let your left hand know what yor right hand is doing
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They are the flipside arguments, this is true. However, the point of wearing them is not to be noted as a 'charitable person', but to raise awareness and to show your support.
Each year, I purchase / wear a red ribbon for world aids day. At my office, people ask where they can donate, as they weren't aware it was that time of year, and they wish to contribute to. They then get themselves a red ribbon, and the chain continues. It's the same logic with wearing a poppy. It's a) to show you care / support the charity (not as a 'badge of honour', but just to show that you are involved in some way) and b) to raise awareness.
Your opinions are valid, of course. Some people surely pick such things up just to look like a better person - however, it would be an overgeneralisation to say that about everyone - and it is those that do not fit into that category that have shown an interest in such an idea within CoH.
The ability to design characters with unique twists is what makes this game so strong. People can be as creative (or not) as they wish. However, the idea has merit, and there are those that agree.
The option could be considered for a future release, of course. This 'suggestion', can just be for a ribbon logo so that people have the choice in the future. However, the suggestion to put some money towards a charity is something that for some reason has received quite a negative reaction, for an idea that really isn't such a bad thing.
I give money to AIDs support charities around world aids day each year. This won't stop. (And no, I'm not saying this to make myself look better, I am simply using it to make my next point). However, should such an item/possibility be possible in-game, I would give to this as well, not instead of. Thus, the 'why don't you just give to a charity' argument doesn't quite stick. I do that already. However, this may allow those that don't normally think about it to do so, and 'raise awareness', as is the point.
In my Super Group, a father and his two sons (one a teen, one around ten) play the game as a family. The father is now a good friend (thanks CoH) and his sons love working on costumes - they try out every variation and love seeing what other people have created. I know that if my character wore a red ribbon, they'd notice the second they next saw me, and would ask about it. I would then explain what it was for, and how I got it, and quickly summarise the charity. It's not the kind of thing you can just sit down and force upon everyone, but when asked, you can tell. Thus, they become aware. And trust me, teens that are aware of AIDs issues? A damn fine idea.
That's obviously just an example. Not preaching, not flaming - I'm just painting a picture of how the awareness-raising potential of such things works.
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I don't want to sound cynical but I can see this thread descending into an argument (though I'm hoping it won't). So in case it does, I'll just say that I like your idea and anything that promotes more charitable giving has to be a good thing IMHO. If I was to make any amendment to the idea, I might suggest that instead of a costume piece, you may want to consider making it a badge instead. I know that may get the badgers' hackles up as it would constitute 'buying badges' in some way but it's an alternative.
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Agreed. It's certainly an alternative. Badge titles under hero names are just as visible (although a red ribbon on a jacket is a bit more 'realistic', costume-wise) - and yeah, you probably will wind up a few badgers ('cept me 
) lol
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Yeah it will actually wind up a lot of badgers, especially the hardcore ones but again for the wrong reason (yes, i´m a bitter person who sees more evil than good in people and sadly is often proven right). I´m not saying all badgers are uncaring people but a lot will only get that badge for the sake of having their set complete while giving a rat´s [censored] about the charity background.
It´s admirable how much you are into these things but for reasons i pointed out before i don´t think this needs to be in an online game much less works the way you imagine it.
I think the ribbons are a great idea as I have said in the other post.
If people do not want to support an initiative in the 'official suggestions' thread then that is of course their preogative, but please remember that this is after all a suggestions thread. It doesn't need to be worked out in technical feasability to the Nth-degree, thats NorCal's job - just flagged up as a feasible idea, /signed (or not) and forwarded for NCsoft/NCwest's attention. Thats it!.
Yes Its a good viable idea - No it should not be badgeyfied.
I really don't see what all the argument is all about.
Following some positive responses to a suggestion that I made here: http://uk.boards.cityofheroes.com/showfl...&PHPSESSID=
My post:
I'd be interested to see what kind of a response NC would get, if they opened up a 'donation' section, and advertised some kind of charity event?
For instance - something really simple? How about a ribbon emblem? You can wear it on your chest, or on your jacket, and obviously colour it accordinly (pink for breast cancer, red for aids).
They could, say, ask for donations of £1 (GBP) from characters, and all who donate can access this tiny 'extra'. Then you can show your support online.
Development-wise, I'd imagine it would be a tiny thing, and a great gesture from the company. Then the proceeds (or 'most of them', if development will cost) can go to the charity in question, and suddenly, everyone wins:
1) NC come out as a caring developer
2) People can donate, and show their support in game
3) The charity is supported
I actually really think that this is a grand idea. One tiny emblem/logo, a small price (hell, I'd actually go as far as paying £5-10 but only because I feel so strongly for certain charities, so I'd certainly use it! - but £1-2 seems good enough) for something this 'small' in-game.
Opinions?
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