Mastermind pets need some love
By
AzureSkyCiel,
Posted on: 2010-09-02 05:44 in Suggestions and Ideas
Allow me to address each one at a time.
-Pets die when dismissed.- Yeah i have to agree with you there. But not all do. Jounin use smoke bombs, and demons, get swallowed up by an infernal pit. Perhaps, something like the costume change emotes, would be nice i suppose.
-Appearance changes whenever you go through a door. - I think this is because, they respawn every time you zone. There may be no way around this issue. and It certainly beets the alternative. Or do you like the Idea of re summoning every minion at the beginning of each mission?
-All gendered pets are male. - Been requested, and devs have stated it's not going to happen, due to the possibility of pimping issues.
-Mercs medic is suicidal. & Thugs arsonist has a deathwish. - this has to do with the ai, apparently it's not something they can fix for balance reasons.
-No customization whatsoever. - it's been suggested. personally, I think we'd be more likely to be able to customize their colours. I don't believe they will be able to set it so we can change what they look like. even though it is possible.
-Mercs summon radio is the size of a lunchbox.- Yeah, but so are all the radios in Cox. I think it may because the war walls make radio transmition difficult.
Radios nothing...have you seen the size of the 'cellphone'? Oo
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
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As i said, it's the War Walls man.
I named my Medic "Sacrifice" ... it just seemed to fit ...
Just a screen like the SG costume color screen ... it would be work to set up tintable pieces for non-standard pets.
Sure, I'd love to choose different styles of military outfits, or ninja outfits, but really, just dressing them in my character's main color scheme and I'd be happy.
We saw this with the Phantom Army, and controller pets...
The final line of a post by Sweet_Sarah on Liberty
"Together we entered a city of strangers, we made it a city of friends, and we leave it a City of Heroes."
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Cool, I'll return the favor.|
Originally Posted by Chotic_Blue
Allow me to address each one at a time.
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| -Pets die when dismissed.- Yeah i have to agree with you there. But not all do. Jounin use smoke bombs, and demons, get swallowed up by an infernal pit. Perhaps, something like the costume change emotes, would be nice i suppose. |
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| -Appearance changes whenever you go through a door. - I think this is because, they respawn every time you zone. There may be no way around this issue. and It certainly beets the alternative. Or do you like the Idea of re summoning every minion at the beginning of each mission? |
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| -All gendered pets are male. - Been requested, and devs have stated it's not going to happen, due to the possibility of pimping issues. |
But it'd be impossible for anyone to do that anyway unless full costume customization were allowed. Simply adding female thugs/mercs/ninjas in the same costumes the male ones have would prevent the pimp scenario.Quote:
| -Mercs medic is suicidal. & Thugs arsonist has a deathwish. - this has to do with the ai, apparently it's not something they can fix for balance reasons. |
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| -No customization whatsoever. - it's been suggested. personally, I think we'd be more likely to be able to customize their colours. I don't believe they will be able to set it so we can change what they look like. even though it is possible. |
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| -Mercs summon radio is the size of a lunchbox.- Yeah, but so are all the radios in Cox. I think it may because the war walls make radio transmition difficult. |
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*snerk!* So true.|
Originally Posted by b0bcatmc
I named my Medic "Sacrifice" ... it just seemed to fit ...
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I named my arsonist Zippo, and every other mission I'm yelling at the screen, "Augh, Zippo, you dumb***! No! Bad pyro! Bad!" And I pretend that my refusal to resummon him means I smacked him upside the head and sent him back to base to make me a sammich.
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Thugs never used to die when dismissed. Pre-I18 (or I17 perhaps, not sure which) they'd run off, fading as they ran. Hopefully it's a bug, because the big pile of dead pets just looks dumb.
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Originally Posted by Chotic_Blue
-Pets die when dismissed.- Yeah i have to agree with you there. But not all do. Jounin use smoke bombs, and demons, get swallowed up by an infernal pit. Perhaps, something like the costume change emotes, would be nice i suppose.
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That's encouraging. I never used to dismiss mine, so I hadn't seen it. Running off and fading would be fine. Falling down instantly dead makes me a sad panda.
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Originally Posted by NightshadeLegree
Thugs never used to die when dismissed. Pre-I18 (or I17 perhaps, not sure which) they'd run off, fading as they ran. Hopefully it's a bug, because the big pile of dead pets just looks dumb.
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Robots take off into the sky via way of rocket boots when dismissed.
It's pretty awesome.
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The bug started when demon summoning went live at i17. I guess setting up all the cool demon effects mucked with the others.
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Originally Posted by NightshadeLegree
Thugs never used to die when dismissed. Pre-I18 (or I17 perhaps, not sure which) they'd run off, fading as they ran. Hopefully it's a bug, because the big pile of dead pets just looks dumb.
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I can't argue with you there, but the Devs are adamant about this. |
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To be honest I've been looking for the dev post, but the one I'm thinking of was well before the last server migration, so it may have been eaten by the forum monster. Also my search fu is week.
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I honestly could swear that Mercs and Ninjas had a "Okay, I'm off!" animation when you dismissed them, in which they ran away or disappeared into the darkness. Thugs, too, although I haven't played them lately to see if they're dropping dead instead of running off.
As mentioned, the Jounin is supposed to disappear in a smoke flash, and even says "Into the shadows..." or something of the like as you dismiss him. But I think I've seen him dropping dead, too. I think the animations are bugged or something.
(Wasn't the first to mention this, but there you go)
I will never say no to mastermind love (true love not sneaky actually make them worse stuff of course). They are absolutely my favorite AT (well maybe tied with Warshades).
total kick to the gut
This is like having Ra's Al Ghul show up at your birthday party.
I agree with fixing the animations. Either I just either RP it as me saying "You've done your job, so now *pulls out a pistol and shoots the henchman*" Or I just ignore it or make sure my henchmen are out of my line of sight before releasing them.
to 
TO THE END!Villains are those who dedicate their lives to causing mayhem. Villians are people from the planet Villia!
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I've only ever seen this standpoint attributed to the devs, never backed up with a post or anything. It seems to be the commonly accepted view, but no one has ever provided evidence to support the contention.|
Originally Posted by Chotic_Blue
I can't argue with you there, but the Devs are adamant about this.
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We have GMs in the game who regulate content. If you make an offensive character, the GMs randomize name/description/costume/etc. Why would MMs with their pets be any different? Why would THIS ONE ISSUE be a sticking point for the devs as a bar to creating new content when they already have a system in place to remedy it?
And moreover, where have the developers ever said it?
"I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people. You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides." Lord Vetinari, Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett.
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People have asked. It has been asked ingame to the devs many many many times. I have seen a few times where they said NO. The point is there is legal issues with having pets female. You can name them whatever you want at a whim, make them do whatever you want them to do. The fact that you have control over a female that isn't supposed to be you is a issue.|
Originally Posted by Cipher
I've only ever seen this standpoint attributed to the devs, never backed up with a post or anything. It seems to be the commonly accepted view, but no one has ever provided evidence to support the contention.
We have GMs in the game who regulate content. If you make an offensive character, the GMs randomize name/description/costume/etc. Why would MMs with their pets be any different? Why would THIS ONE ISSUE be a sticking point for the devs as a bar to creating new content when they already have a system in place to remedy it? And moreover, where have the developers ever said it? |
It is safe to say Devs know better then to open that can of worms and have stated many times NO. If they ever do it they will do it. Quit beating the zombified horse.
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Then it should be easy to find something to cite. That's what I'm asking: where's the evidence?|
Originally Posted by OmnipotentMerlin
People have asked. It has been asked ingame to the devs many many many times. I have seen a few times where they said NO.
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| The point is there is legal issues with having pets female. |
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| You can name them whatever you want at a whim, make them do whatever you want them to do. The fact that you have control over a female that isn't supposed to be you is a issue. |
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| It is safe to say Devs know better then to open that can of worms and have stated many times NO. If they ever do it they will do it. Quit beating the zombified horse. |
My post -- which you seem to misunderstood -- is asking for evidence. It is popularly perceived as the official developer standpoint. You're asserting it as an accepted fact. I'm asking for affirmative proof of the point. If they've said it so many times, hook me up with a redname post to that extent. Developer Q&A. Interview. Transcript of podcast.
It's not a difficult inquiry. A poster asserted "this is what the developers have said." And I'm asking "where did they say it?"
"I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people. You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides." Lord Vetinari, Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett.
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You do realize that you don't have limitations on the names you can give your pets like you do with characters. Also you already can name your pet after someone. Also that is the point you can do alot of stuff as a player character and then your held responsible. It is hard really hard to prove someone is doing something wrong with there pets. Pets can be changed on a whim and the whole servitude issue that is already there can only be made worse with the addition of female pets. Blame it on the dang American culture. Ooh if it is a guy mistreated big deal but if it is a lady then things get ugly. Society is flawed and as such the Devs are being careful of what they allow in the game.|
Originally Posted by Cipher
Then it should be easy to find something to cite. That's what I'm asking: where's the evidence?
Under what law? Or to allow for the full range, under what legal theory? You can make a female player character and have access to the full range of emotes and costumes, and any misconduct can be rectified in-game by the GMs. I'm not beating anything. I'm largely indifferent to the issue of female pets -- my personal interest is for more MM primaries. If I can have those, I don't care what gender they are. My post -- which you seem to misunderstood -- is asking for evidence. It is popularly perceived as the official developer standpoint. You're asserting it as an accepted fact. I'm asking for affirmative proof of the point. If they've said it so many times, hook me up with a redname post to that extent. Developer Q&A. Interview. Transcript of podcast. It's not a difficult inquiry. A poster asserted "this is what the developers have said." And I'm asking "where did they say it?" |
And I will say it again I cannot cite a source cause it is ingame. Many a time the Devs have been there for special events and this question has been asked and they say NO.
It was said once during the Anniversary even ingame with all the Devs. And yes it is hard to go this is what they have said. The devs are very good about giving vague answers or sticking there foot in there mouth. The Devs say alot of things out side of the dang forums dude.
I don't care about if my pets are male or female. I can see some ladies that would be annoyed by it but they just deal with it and don't complain. I have seen Devs say No and also not at this time enough times that the issue people wanting them I guess bugs me.
Oh and here is a very big problem I have noticed in the past the Devs delete old stuff. And finding stuff outside the dev digest in a forum can be a pain unless it is a new topic.
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I didn't say it had to be from the forum. I listed a number of possible alternatives. A recognizable chatlog from one of the events should suffice nicely.|
Originally Posted by OmnipotentMerlin
It was said once during the Anniversary even ingame with all the Devs. And yes it is hard to go this is what they have said. The devs are very good about giving vague answers or sticking there foot in there mouth. The Devs say alot of things out side of the dang forums dude.
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It's curious, though. If I wanted to know what Statesman said about no more nerfs to powers, well, everyone has that on file. Positron saying no market merge, sure. CuppaJo talking about being unable to do anything wrong or right, check. BaBs discussing the inherent difficulties with power customization? Ditto.
People take such care to index every word written by every developer or community rep, largely so that the Powers can be called to account for them later. Every equivocation or teasing hint or inconsistency cataloged for posterity. And yet on THIS issue -- where the developers have supposedly said "many times" what their position is, suddenly the well of Holy Writ runs dry. It has passed into the realm of conventional wisdom, yet no one bothered to grab a screen shot -- despite the efforts that people have made to, say, copy down every developer statement made during the Silver Age party or the Valentine's Day event or Statesman's Strike.
I'm simply not willing to take it on faith, that's all. In my line of work, I'm not allowed that luxury. Unsupported allegations gets the parties in the door, but much beyond that. I was similarly skeptical of the notion that "German law" meant the Fifth Column had to be removed from the game.
I'm prepared to be wrong on this issue. I'm just looking for something more concrete than "someone said it somewhere but no one bothered to screencap, you totally have to trust me on this." I'm not asking you, personally, to provide such proof -- you've already indicated you're unable to do so and it seems evident you find my skepticism irritating at best.
"I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people. You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides." Lord Vetinari, Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett.
I want to make some amazon tall touch biker chicks for my Thug MM! They don't want the issue of pimping? Hell they pimping us for that dumb party pack! RP is RP and it's a RPing game if you wanna make a THug MM named Pimpalicious with a bunch of seductive women of the evening, so be it! We pay the 15 bucks a month. We should be able to at least Customize the sex on all the pets. For thugs you should be able to customize the costume, then we can make clowns, beasts, aliens, etc. I'm just saying
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NOT entirely true.|
Originally Posted by OmnipotentMerlin
You do realize that you don't have limitations on the names you can give your pets like you do with characters. Also you already can name your pet after someone.
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Certain names are considered invalid. I learned this when I was trying to name one of my robots Starscream due to his constant failure (Also tried Star Scream) and the error message said it was invalid. (second one didn't work either. Needless to say, Megatron was also void.)
Click here to find all the All Things Art Threads!
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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
City of Heroes is a game about freedom of expression and variety of experiences far more so than it is about representing any one theme, topic or genre.
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Yep, you are correct. On my mercs MM, I tried to name one of my mercs Joker -- I was thinking of Private Joker from Full Metal Jacket -- and it wouldn't let me.|
Originally Posted by AzureSkyCiel
NOT entirely true.
Certain names are considered invalid. I learned this when I was trying to name one of my robots Starscream due to his constant failure (Also tried Star Scream) and the error message said it was invalid. (second one didn't work either. Needless to say, Megatron was also void.) |
As for the 'fear of pimps' issue -- I don't want to get all rancorous about it, but I, too, would love to see some kind of citation. I've seen lots of people say that lots of people say it, but never seen a pointer to any kind of official response. The reason I'm tempted to doubt is because it's not a very logical objection. It's very easily countered. It's weird and funny, though, and weird funny things get repeated. So I'm suspecting forum mythology on this one. You know -- "I've heard it so many times it MUST be true," kind of thing.
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You made me shoot milk out of my nose. And I haven't even been drinking milk.|
Originally Posted by OmnipotentMerlin
People have asked. It has been asked ingame to the devs many many many times. I have seen a few times where they said NO. The point is there is legal issues with having pets female. You can name them whatever you want at a whim, make them do whatever you want them to do. The fact that you have control over a female that isn't supposed to be you is a issue.
It is safe to say Devs know better then to open that can of worms and have stated many times NO. If they ever do it they will do it. Quit beating the zombified horse. |
This is the biggest pile of anecdotal carp I've seen in quite some time. I suppose such legal issues would make controlling female characters in other games (MMOs, FPS games, RPGs, etc.) quite illegal. I also suppose it means that female "helper NPCs" already in various CoH missions are already being investigated by "the authorities."
No, the whole "devs don't want Pimp MMs" is one of those anecdotal fallacies that just refuses to die. The naming limitations, as well as GM in-game moderation are already in-place to prevent players from creating, or getting away with characters, names, and player-created content in general that violates the EULA, regardless of the medium (player character name, Architect mission, etc.).
In fact, the only MM stipulation I've ever heard of is Positron's refusal to create a Clown MM, because he hates clowns
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Oh, so of course it's perfectly fine with men....no issue there at all...|
Originally Posted by OmnipotentMerlin
People have asked. It has been asked ingame to the devs many many many times. I have seen a few times where they said NO. The point is there is legal issues with having pets female. You can name them whatever you want at a whim, make them do whatever you want them to do. The fact that you have control over a female that isn't supposed to be you is a issue.
It is safe to say Devs know better then to open that can of worms and have stated many times NO. If they ever do it they will do it. Quit beating the zombified horse. |
Oh, hang on...
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
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(I'm sure this has been brought up plenty before, but I couldn't find a relevant thread to necro; apologies if I missed something obvious.)
There are some things about MM pets that really need looking at. I know there are coherent reasons why they haven't been fixed yet, but I hope that can change soon. In decreasing order of importance:
- Pets die when dismissed.
Poor guys! I just wanted you to go wait for me in the coffee shop! I didn't mean to make you feel so rejected that you became suicidal!
- Appearance changes whenever you go through a door. I could've sworn my arsonist was a redhead five minutes ago... Seriously, why let us name them when their faces keep changing?
- All gendered pets are male. I love a girl in uniform. But seriously, is there even a reason for this?
- Mercs medic is suicidal. Is it because I made a dismiss macro? Is that why he wants to die?
- Thugs arsonist has a deathwish. I don't think it's anything I said. I think he's just a little dim.
- No customization whatsoever. I can understand not giving us access to the full costume creator for each pet, but please let us choose from a limited set of outfits, or at least pick a couple of colors. Hell, if they wouldn't do a switcheroo at every door, even picking from a lineup of ready-made appearances would be an improvement.
- Mercs summon radio is the size of a lunchbox. If I have to use Vietnam-era technology to call them, I want them to show up wearing camo facepaint, glasses, sweaty t-shirts, and helmets with 'Born to Kill' written on them. Yeah.
Mastermind is my favorite class. I have four of them. I love this AT to bits. I just think it needs a little touchup, that's all.