Good points. I like especially tourists and more active clockworks.
Small animals like birds and squirrels would give more living athmosphere. There is some seagulls on villain maps. So why not add them to heroes too?
Grass effect would do good for appearance. If that's too much for your computer, just turn it off.
And where are all kids and old people?
Prunejuice is warriors drink.
I think that all sounds great, and rather elementary,can't see why the Dev's didn't come up with it first! Good job!
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Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
Then it's time for them to get off the cross, use the wood to build a bridge, and get over it.
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anythign that gives a bit more immersion into the city gets my vote 
/signed
Totally agree with all of this stuff... It can be so easy to make this alive and kicking.
Ofcourse this will take time and resources. But not that many and the reward in immersion will be awesome (button).
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This suggestion is full of Win! Let it be so!
If you've seen Millennium City first hand, in all its districts, you'll appreciate just how bland and aged the CoH city zones are now looking.
Nice suggestion Zortel, but I suspect we are 'peeing into the wind' re: comprehensive zone reduxs. Believe me, I'd love to stand corrected.
I'd like to see Galaxy and Atlas merged into one single starting zone - the Galaxy main building could be a lower level of City Hall, the the Galaxy Girl statue could be in a little park behind City Hall.
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Kids won't be added I suspect for PC reasons. Don't know if the same will apply to old people or not.
As for animals, I can't help but notice that your suggestion lacks in rabbits which I find most peculiar, as they should be a MAJOR staple of every MMO. You just need to introduce a few couples and they'll do the rest.
>_>
<_<
Bunnies!!!
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Well, they are looking for a new animator who has experience with non-human models
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
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Kids won't be added I suspect for PC reasons. Don't know if the same will apply to old people or not.
[/ QUOTE ]
If the kids can't be attacked, just like pedestrians, I don't see the issue. We have Penny Preston or whatever she's called in Founders Falls after all! Even if she does scare the socks off me.
ML: Not seen Millenium City in any form, it's just logic, really! And yes, the chance of it happening is slimmer than a size zero model to none. Which is a shame, because even WoW has more immersive cities, and that's a -World- of Warcraft. We're a City of Heroes in a bland, tasteless land.
GG: Never! Atlas and Galaxy should keep a Perez Park away from each other.
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Kids won't be added I suspect for PC reasons. Don't know if the same will apply to old people or not.
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What would the reasoning for that? I truly can't see why there couldn't be any children ni playgrounds. Granted, you can't have them being beaten to a bloody pulp by some Skulls or Hellions, but they can be added environment? Same with the elderly, I would love to see two old geezers playing chess in the park for instance.
[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to see Galaxy and Atlas merged into one single starting zone - the Galaxy main building could be a lower level of City Hall, the the Galaxy Girl statue could be in a little park behind City Hall.
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No thanks, I quite like my quiet little starter town of Galaxy nowadays. Atlas is no place to start anymore.
Well, it makes more sense to just have one starting zone - like CoV only has one, right? And I'm guessing there'll only be one low level zone in Praetoria too.
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Then focus should be to expand on those and not diminish what's there now.
Although in a way CoV has a logical starting place as you just got broken out of jail.
Though after the tut it might be nice to opt to NOT go to Mercy by copter, but another (new) zone by boat or something. And link Burke to that (so remove from Mercy, more like Ms. Liberty and BAB now)..
Praetoria is still not seen enough, so no comment there yet
I've got to admit, although i started off choosing a starting zone based on character premiss, i now mostly start in atlas, as, apart from Warshades, i can't see the point in galaxy as a starter... atlas is easier to find your way around, and links directly to the next real zone to move to to do mishes... The hollows. oh, and galaxy has the respec guy that i've used once!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
Then it's time for them to get off the cross, use the wood to build a bridge, and get over it.
|
Don't forget that Galaxy is blissfully void of any MA spam as well..
Hence my going there.
If it means I'll need a wee travelling to get to the Hollows or wherever next I'm headed after Galaxy, so be it.
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Grass effect would do good for appearance. If that's too much for your computer, just turn it off.
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But... If I turned my computer off I wouldn't be able to play at all... 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Grass effect would do good for appearance. If that's too much for your computer, just turn it off.
[/ QUOTE ]
But... If I turned my computer off I wouldn't be able to play at all...
[/ QUOTE ]
That's called the CO option 
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Hmmmmmm, you make a very valid point there... though, not noticed so much on defiant recently!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
Then it's time for them to get off the cross, use the wood to build a bridge, and get over it.
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[ QUOTE ]
If the kids can't be attacked, just like pedestrians, I don't see the issue.p
[/ QUOTE ]
The Issue is, that Paragon studios are afraid that if they add children in Paragon there will be the temptation to roll some kind of 'dirty old man Paedo-toon' and hang around them doing inappropriate emotes.
That, (I feel) is ridiculous, because inappropriate names/in-game broadcasts re: anything detremental is already covered by the EULA.
The same Issue was put up as opposition (in all of the dozen threads we've had on the lack of children and ethnic districts) Re: cultural diversity in City Zones (eg: a China Town).
To be honest when flying around Millenium City's Chinatown (Red Banner territory) I didn't notice any racist slanty eye'd comments in any of the broadcast channels and I believe there are children there too - no paedos hanging around either surprise-surprise. 
We need diversity and variety in City Zones, architecture and ethnic districts to make the city realistic. All these ridiculous arguments such as 'no children' are a moot-point but as I said - already covered by the EULA.
There is many games with kids. I'we seen kids in wow. There is some orphans in Orgimmar and no problems at all.
Prunejuice is warriors drink.
There are also "Kids" in Bioshock... still not sure how they got away with that.
Talos Island needs a china town. In fact, during RP I make references to it having a china town anyway, because it bloody well needs one! Stick some cool Chinese heroes down there too, maybe have them face off against the Tsoo.
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The Issue is, that Paragon studios are afraid that if they add children in Paragon there will be the temptation to roll some kind of 'dirty old man Paedo-toon' and hang around them doing inappropriate emotes.
[/ QUOTE ]
I..
honestly don't know what would even be the slightest bit funny, let alone arousing in dirty emoting pixelated kids. I just can't for the life of me figure that out. Call me naive, but I think even actual pedophiles would find that lunacy.. And they are very disturbed already as is anyway..
But seriously, at what speed does a train have to travel for you to fall off and have enough braindamage for that?
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Well, it makes more sense to just have one starting zone - like CoV only has one, right? And I'm guessing there'll only be one low level zone in Praetoria too.
[/ QUOTE ]
Please no.
It's good to have a quieter starting zone when Atlas fills up with:[*] Costume contests;[*] random bored 50s under ATlas;[*] LFF broadcast;[*] idiots who think it's big and clever to broadcast the latest profanities or hatred they learnt at remedial school.
And I'll add to that, ever since AE launched, Atlas can get laggy for me at times.
Actually the Atlas lag is usually if my character is facing towards the AE building - so I wonder if it's to do with LoS for the hordes in the building (maybe due to the glass).
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Some people say that CoH needs a graphics update, that the city is too bland and lifeless and so forth. While I will not contest the latter, the former... I think that could be worked towards by making the city more alive.
If you look at any real world city, there's always a mix of architecture due to how cities grow over time. Some buildings get knocked down, some get rebuilt, new ones get built. There's distinctive shops, landmarks recreation areas.
I believe that by remodelling some of the zones, not quite in the way that Faultline recieved, more in how the MA/AH/Arena buildings sprang up, that it could put some colour and energy into the world. Put in some enterable shops, lively NPC's and interesting little quirks. Maybe some small statues, plaques, memorial gardens/trees.
Let's take a case in point: Atlas Park.
There are two main distinctive things that come to my head when I think of Atlas Park. The statue of Atlas, and City Hall. The rest of the area is rather forgettable in my opinion. Let's see if we can change that.
[u]Neighbourhoods:[u]
[u]Atlas Plaza[u]
For those who don't go to Galaxy City, Atlas Plaza is the first thing they see when they leave Outbreak. The music is rousing and inspiring, and view shows the massive statue of Atlas and the steps of City Hall.
What can be done in this area?
1: A lick of paint for City Hall. It looks quite drab, so some new texturing and whiter paint might do it a bit of good.
2: Tourists. This is one of America's major cities, with a super hero standing outside surrounded by others. Maybe have some tourists, a tour guide NPC, and tourists who don't have that ridiculously archaic camera with them.
3: Protestors. The steps of City Hall are perfect to have some protestors standing outside there, waving their placards at random times. There could be a few PPD officers standing watch to make sure things stay peaceful.
3: NPC heroes. We all love War Witch's dialogue. So why not some brightly coloured heroes passing over city hall on their way to who knows where, or some standing about discussing. Heck, you could even have a writing dialogue contest. I'm sure Ascendant over on the US side would be good for that.
Maybe give inside City Hall a few more rooms, some NPC's chattering away. A portrait of Spanky, that loveable scamp. See bureaucracy in action.
[u]Prometheus Park[u]
This area, to the west of City Hall, is... not that park-like really. Mostly an expanse of lake with a random statue in the middle, a few benches and some trees. Oh, and an overpass.
1: Play equipment. Stick in some swings, a roundabout, a slide and a see saw. Maybe have some NPC mothers, fathers and children there during daylight hours. Could stick some Hellions there at night playing on the equipment or just loitering there.
2: A vendor stall or two. One of those mobile coffee places (Use some Influence to get the Caffinated Buff! +Rec +Speed -Recharge) or an ice cream or hot dog stand.
3: Would some flower beds and less spartan tree coverage kill?
4: Stick some couples on some of the benches at random times chatting away.
[u]Chiron Medical Center[u]
1: For the love of <insert choice of deity here> stick an ambulance bay and some ambulances outside. Maybe have an ambulance chasing lawyer loitering outside the front doors. ("Were you injured in a super-powered event? Sue those responsible and you could win thousands of dollars!")
2: Coffee stand or something outside. And maybe some people smoking/pacing/generally looking worried.
3: Inside, humourous doctor's stories. ("And then he said 'I just tripped and fell onto the death ray gun, and that's how it got there!'")
[u]Argosy Industrial Park[u]
1: Stick some company names and signs up for the factory.
2: Stick some workers inside and outside, maybe loading things onto a truck. Have the Hellions trying to terrorize them, or the Vahz trying to drag a lone worker away. Maybe a worker trying to chase off thieving Clockwork.
3: Isn't this a perfect place to introduce the players to Crey? Maybe some of their security guards chasing down a robber, loading things onto vans, and maybe one of the friendly Paragon Protectors lending one of Paragon's flagship companies a hand in disposing of hazardous waste in a safe fashion, or stopping an eeeevil criminal breaking in.
4: Did someone say protestors? Or striking workers?
[u]The Promenade[u]
1: This place is supposed to be famous for its theatres and music halls. Chuck some in then! At night have NPC's queuing up outside.
2: It's close to Steel Canyon. Put some shops and plazas in there. There's a non-zoned area to the south and to the north of Prometheus Park that'd make a great shopping arcade.
3: The place screams trendy wine bar/resturaunt with al fresco dining.
4: Clockwork trying to steal chairs, lights and even knives and forks? Hellions shaking down drunken people on their way home? PPD doing a breathalyzer test on a couple in a car park?
[u]Hyperion Way[u]
1: Stick in some high rise appartment buildings. Maybe have the odd superhero coming out of a window and flying off to do justice.
2: Stick some local shops on the ground level. Korean bodogas, convinenece stores, some mom and pop places along with the big guns like Mighty Mart. Speaking of, stick some Mighty/Mega Mart trucks on the road and out back of the stores.
3: Community parks with locals in. Old men complaing about not enough/too many heroes.
[u]Downside[u]
1: Boarded up buildings. It is part of a slum, after all. Have some houses with some of the boards broken.
2: Higher concentration of gang crime. Maybe some battles with the Trolls of Skyway City.
3: Some panhandling bums on the street.
4: Maybe a few city officials, pondering on renovations and reclaiming the run down part of Atlas.
Phew, started to lose some steam towards the end, but... well, I consider these to be some simple and attainable ideas to make one part of the city more vibrant, more alive and a darn sight more interesting.
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