PAX-EAST Q&A Saturday 27th March

I realise this will go official, but within discussions in the game in my local 'Union Chat', some in the game wished to read it and could not do so through the sites available. This is my transcript source.

This is only for those that cannot access the site. I accept no credit for this. I have edited the transcript, only by correcting spelling/grammar and any literacy problems. The transcript itself is a direct source.

Please note there are spoilers in this post! Read at your own responsibility!

• First post discusses the timeline of the game, in brief, going onto future issues; Ultra Mode, Going Rogue; new powersets; and the 'Going Rogue' morality system.
• Second post is a Q&A with the members available: EM Stock; Jesse Caceres; Matt 'Positron' Miller; Melissa 'War Witch' Bianco; David Nakayama; Eric Johnsen. Others may be present, feel free to tell me.

Quote:

Saturday March 27, 2010 11:23: 11:22 Thanks for joining us for NCSoft's panel on Superheroic MMOs The panelists are Melissa Bianco, Lead Designer. 11:22 Matt Miller, Lead Systems Designer. 11:23 David Nakayama, Lead Artist. 11:23 Eric Johnsen, Art Producer. 11:23 EM Stock, Studio Community Lead. 11:26 The panel kicks off a few minutes early with EM Stock introducing the panelists. 11:27 The panel plans to talk about the start with Cryptic Studios, the current Paragon team, and the future of the franchise. 11:27 Jesse Caceres, Producer of the game was added to the panel in the stead of Eric Johnsen. 11:28 The Cryptic Years was the first topic, with Caceres talking about the origins of the game. 11:28 City of Heroes launched April 28th, 2004, almost six years ago. City of Villains then launched about 18 months later. 11:28 They've also published 10 free expansions, and six paid ones. 11:29 There are four members of the launch team that stayed with Paragon Studios and still work on the game, including Miler and Bianco. 11:30 When NC Soft bought the CoH license and founded Paragon Studios in November 2007, they offered the entire team jobs, and everyone accepted. 11:31 Correction: They then released 6 expansions so far, with a seventh on the way, also all free. 11:31 Caceres asked, "How do we keep things fresh?". 11:32 He then showed a slide that listed about 60 things that have been added to the game, including Capes/Auras, Power Customization, and Weapon Customization. 11:32 Caceres mentioned that NC Soft has been great at backing them on adding anything they want to the game, and giving them the resources to do. 11:33 Level Pacting, where you can help level up your friends even when they're not online was a major innovation they were excited to bring in. 11:33 Mission Architect, where players can create their own content for the game, is another major way that they keep things fresh for long-time and new players alike. 11:34 Issue 17: Dark Mirror, the new expansion is next. 11:34 Ultra Mode is a massive across-the-board graphical enhancement for City of Heroes that will be FREE with Issue 17. Nakayama explained how it will work in broad strokes to make the game look a lot better, and mentioned some specific new features 11:35 Real time shadows, relevant to the time of day, are cast now by all objects and characters. 11:36 Planar and cubemap reflections; Windows, water, and reflective materials, including metallic armor and costume pieces will reflect in real time. 11:37 "If you fly by a reflective window, you'll see your character reflected". 11:37 Screen Space Ambient Occlusion, recessed corners and dark spaces gain more realistic lighting. 11:37 "Issue 17 is just the beginning". 11:38 Issue 17 will also have new content, including new story arcs for heroes and villains. 11:38 Bianco mentioned also that they revamped the Positron Task Force. 11:39 They split it in half to make it "not suck," said Bianco. 11:39 New Mission Architect features were added, including new more dynamic XP options. 11:40 Tails now move, you can send image attachments inside the in-game mail. 11:40 And now there are Doppelgangers, enemies that are yourself! 11:41 They can have a color swap, or have the same exact costume, and every character or party will have their own different missions with doppelgangers. 11:42 The CoH comic from Top Cow was mentioned, and issues of the comic give hints to new features in the game. 11:42 Going Rogue is the NEXT next expansion, the first paid one since City of Villains. 11:42 New 1 to 20 content tells a cohesive storyline. 11:43 Caceres said this will be the perfect time to jump in for new players as they'll have "nothing more to complain about!" to laughs from the other panelists. 11:43 You'll start as a Praetorian, a loyalist or a rogue; not a hero or a villain though. 11:44 Praetoria is an alternate-Earth rebuilt after the defeat of Hamidon. 11:44 The entire world was built with "Ultra Mode" in mind, and has buildings and objects made to make it look better than ever. 11:44 There are Brand-new zones, Nova Praetoria, Imperial City, Neutropolis, and The Underground. 11:45 Nova is the base of operations to Emperor Cole. 11:45 Imperial is a NYC style city, Neutropolis is much more technology-enhanced of an area. 11:46 There are also all-new enemy groups. 11:46 The Praetoria Police Department will look familiar to fans of Top Ten, a super-powered police department. 11:46 The Seers are thought-police. 11:47 The Resistance can either be your allies or your enemies, depending on if you choose to be a Loyalist or a member of the group. 11:47 Praetorian Clockwork are "helper droids" that maintain the cities, but also have massive offensive capabilities. 11:48 the Syndicate is a new, more powerful organized crime group. 11:48 The Ghouls stay mostly in the underground, and it's a mystery how they were created. 11:48 There's also another enemy who will be revealed this summer. 11:48 The Going Rogue System starts at level 20. 11:49 You can change from being a hero to a villain or vice-versa. 11:49 It's a gradual progression. "Hero falling from grace, becoming a vigilante then eventually a villain". 11:49 Villains become Rogue "A Han Solo type" then becomes a hero. 11:50 NEW POWERSETS (here you go, Jack!). 11:50 Dual Pistols, are first up; if you pre-purchase the expansion, you get those RIGHT NOW. 11:51 Demon Summoning is next up. 11:52 it will hit servers with Issue 17, again for pre-purchasers. A world premiere of the video was shown, we'll have it for you on Monday on the site, as well. 11:52 Demons themselves will have varying powers. 11:52 Flaming whip attacks are added for the masters too. 11:52 TWO more powersets as well! 11:53 first there was a joke of "Clown Summoning" showing an image of Pennywise from IT. 11:53 For real now. 11:53 Kinetic Melee is added for Stalkers, Brutes, Scrappers, and Tankers. 11:53 Electric Control for controllers and dominators. 11:54 All ten basic archetypes get a new powerset with this expansion. 11:54 Well have hands-on with a closed beta of Going Rogue for you in the next couple of weeks. 11:55 A video was shown of Kinetic Melee, and screenshots of Electric Control, which we'll also have for you early next week. 11:55 ISSUE 19: INCARNATES is announced next. 11:56 All the details will come after Going Rogue. 11:56 Incarnate System will be 10 Incarnate levels. 11:56 the first level will be available in Going Rogue, along with new incarnate abilities. 11:56 Issue 19 will bring 9 more levels and more abilities. 11:57 New Rewards, new Zone Events, and the "End Game system". 11:57 Going Rogue will be required to play the End Game system.

Q&A will follow.

Fury

Q&A :

Quote:

11:57 Q&A Started next, with Em starting things. 11:58 She asked Jesse for Paragon's general philosophy of how to keep the game fresh. 11:59 Jesse: "We want to continue to build on systems and listen to YOU to help continue to grow and stay the #1 superhero MMO". 11:59 Q: When was Going Rogue born as a concept? Jesse: It was originally going to launch with "Issue 6" 12:00 But they werent happy with the level they were able to bring it to, so delayed it until technology got there. 12:00 David talked a bit more about Praetoria, which will include all glass facades. 12:01 "We're trying to tell the design story better, everything is very specifically keyed to the zone it is in". 12:01 Q: Favorite additions to the game since launch? 12:01 David: ULTRA MODE! 12:02 Matt: Going Rogue system, a lot of fun, especially for level 50s. 12:02 Melissa: Praetoria, being that she built it from ground up; "you won't recognize this is City of Heroes visually". 12:03 Caceres: "The Flashback system". 12:04 Q: Is Hamodon contained or defeated? and will we ever see him? 12:04 A: he is contained, but you won't see him, at least not yet. 12:05 Q: Any plans for PvP getting some changes? 12:06 A: It is something on the slate, but it will be a couple of Issues from now. Base Raids, Items of Power are also planned on being repurposed but fixed. 12:06 Q: With Going Rogue, how will heroes and villains markets work? 12:07 A: They won't be merged, but individual problems will be addressed for characters that are switching. 12:09 The next fan had a question about pay models, and how they decided to do the subscription model they use. 12:10 Miller explained that NCSoft has experimented with several business models for their different games, and this one fits this specific game; it's just behind-the-scenes business decisions to make sure they're keeping the quality levels high. 12:11 Q: With supergroups, how will the new alignment system with members deciding to go rogue affect the supergroups? 12:11 A: If you switch sides, you get temporarily removed from your group; if you switch back, you're back with all your prestige included. 12:13 You MAY be able to join a villain group along with a hero group, but they're not sure yet. 12:13 Q: Any plans to revisit old hazard zones? 12:14 Bianco Yes, they do revisit sometimes, but only when it makes sense; they like creating new one a lot more. 12:14 Q: Will difficulty go up with Going Rogue? 12:14 A: Not as much in Going Rogue, but "you'll like the Incarnate System". 12:15 Issue 17 will change Defenders inherent system to make them solo better. 12:17 Storylines that mentioned praetoria will get updated in Issue 19 to reflect the events that happen in Praetoria between now and then. 12:17 Energizing Ion, and other fans wondering about why no Market Merge, they did say that there are reasons with database issues that would create problems. 12:18 Q: Any plans for other games set in the City of Heroes universe, like single-player games? 12:19 A: We can't comment on future plans other than what we've talked about here. 12:20 More maps ARE coming with Issue 17 and with Going Rogue for mission architect, though they couldn't specify an exact amount. 12:22 there are other new powersets "on the whiteboard" that will make it into future expansions, including staff use. 12:25 That's all for now, folks! If you didn't get your question answered, never fear, we'll be doing an extensive interview with the dev team soon. Thanks for reading!

Links:

I have also found some videos that were recorded at the time, I'll post notable points of interest for those who don't wish to watch the whole thing:





'Going Rogue' & 'Praetoria'.

• 0:00 : Introduction to 'Going Rogue'.
• 1:14 : 'Praetoria'.
• 2:22 : 'Praetoria' & 'Other Zones'.
• 3:31 : 'Enemy Groups' such as PPD; Seers; The Resistance; Praetorian clockwork; Syndicate; Ghouls; and a teaser! Each has a picture depicting the enemy group throughout the discussion.
• 6:08 : 'Going Rogue' system and changing morality.
• 7:52 : Finish.

Video of PAX-EAST regarding 2 new powersets

• 0:27 : Discussion of 2 new powersets: Kinetic Melee & Electric Control.
• 1:42 : A small video demonstration of Kinetic Melee.
• 2.22 : In-game pictures of Electric Control.
• 2.42 : Issue 19 & Incarnates.
• 4:40 : Finish.

Video of Dual Pistols; Demon Summoning; Kinetic Melee; and Electric Control.

• 0:38 : Video of Dual Pistols.
• 2:03 : Video of Demon Summoning.
• 4:45 : Video of Kinetic Melee.
• 5:29 : Pictures of Electric Control.

Fury

"Kinetic Melee"? Isn't all melee kinetic?

Well, seeing that powerset in action kinetic melee is what best describes it: creating balls (ooo-eer) of kinetic force and throwing them at enemies at close range.
Reminds me of my Tai Chi practice only with no balls (ooo-eer) throwing involved.

I have tidyed it up and added some links for videos to the second post.

Fury

With so many great things coming along I hope i'm not the only one hoping that the Devs decide to give us more slots for the servers, as the 36 or so slots are not lasting very long anymore.

More slots is one of the things said to come with GR. Just need clarification whether they'll be free slots towards the 36 limit per server or actually over said limit. I'm hoping for the latter.

Ok, so i17 is Ultramode, I assume GR is technically i18 then as info jumps from i17 thru GR to i19?

Ok i've looked on there and maybe i'm blind but where does it say (as so many people tell me) we are getting Staff powers coming in?

Some cool potential with GR but they did not discuss if the mission mechanics are going to be the same or if we are getting a new wrinkle to the whole mission deal. What would just kill GR, and this game IMO, would be getting these new missions/arcs and having them in the same old office/cave etc maps that we have see over and over and over and over. That would be enough to make me puke (and it takes a lot to make me PUKE!).

Anyway, the info is way too vague right now to make a judgment call.

More goodies!

Videos of Demon Summoning; Dual Pistols; Kinetic Melee; and pictures of Electric Control linked at bottom of second post! Under Q&A.

Ogle freely!

Fury

Thanks for the update fury Demon summonin looks *squeeky voice* aceeeeee!

Having had a look at the Kinetic Melee video, I couldn't help thinking I've seen something like it before (Full[1] contact martial arts fight, where one guy takes a beating. He did rather have it coming, though.)

[1] Well... I suppose that depends how you count.

heck for all we know some of those might have been slowed down so you can see the animations. like what they did in the DP vid.

Kinetic melee is defo a set that i'll be playing on a scrapper

< < < < Is a purely animation kind of guy! If it looks good, then i like it!