All Things Art: NPC Conversions

What's up, everybody? As your friendly neighborhood CITY OF HEROES Art Lead, I wanted to create a dedicated space where you, the player, can post your questions and comments about anything in the game that's art related. It's a direct line of communication between you and the COH Art Team, and what I'd really like to get out of it is to learn what the playerbase wants to see in upcoming releases.

********************************
As most of you know, our general policy these days is to take new NPC groups and to make most of their costume parts available to players (See: AM Clockwork, PPD Police, and Resistance). Seems like this has inspired some of you to request that older NPC groups get a similar treatment.

So in this thread, let's talk specifically about the possibility of reaching back into the COH archives and getting you those options. IF we decided to do that, what would be your top choices? Also, if given the choice, would you consider this a priority over, say, brand new costume sets, 'lost' costume pieces, and other alternatives? Feel free to weigh in.

*********************************
A couple of quick ground rules to get us started:

1. Gotta keep it real: Ongoing development is of course my top priority, so my ability to respond to posts and PMs will be limited. If you don't get a direct reply, don't worry--rest assured that I'm reading everything that appears on this thread.

2. Patience, young Jedi: Posting on this thread won't necessarily expedite that special part you've wanted forever, but it'll at least keep it on the radar. We're always striving to give you guys what you want, but that comes in two flavors: variations on existing stuff, and brand-new stuff that expands the game into exciting new territory. Though we try to honor older requests (see: animated tails), it has to happen as a part of overall development.

3. This is why we can't have nice things: If something's logistically prohibitive, technically unfeasible, or aesthetically miss-matched with the game, I'll always try to level with you. Certain things just aren't on the agenda, and why dwell on those when we could be talking about all the awesome stuff that you get instead?!

4. Rein it in there, cowboy: Let's try to keep the dialogue measured and constructive. It's helpful to know what you like and don't like, but play it cool, y'know?


So yeah, what's on your mind?

Hearing "NPC parts", three groups come to mind immediately.

Rikti armor (those pieces that would translate reasonably, anyway)
Freakshow
and
PPD Armor

Wyvern Boots
Nemesis Minigun
Lost TV helmet
Meat Doctor backpack
Hellion Jackets/vests
PPD Hardsuit

Hey, thanks for this thread David (Should someone make a hub thread for these all things art threads?) if it's alright, I think I'd like to basically resubmit something from Sexy Jay's thread that's pretty spot on to this topic:

I was hoping, if feasible and practical, if we could get CoT costume pieces like the hats some of the mages wear, the double wrap belts, and the shoulder guards. This heavily stems from trying to make a CoT themed character awhile ago (Basically, he was a knight from Oranbega before the demon pact thing, and got sent into the future) and found the organic shoulder pieces were... Quite different, as well as the lack of a metal version of the hat the Spectral Knights wear.

Also, the frequently requested sashes as seen on a majority of Carnival Girls, some Ghouls, and the Kheldian NPCs.

Finally, if possible, I would love to see much of what the Tsoo wear opened to PCs, namely their 'thin' reaper face detail (also seen on some CoT mages, namely the Lt.s), their version of the double wrapped belt (with and without the hip pads), most of what the Ancestral spirit wears, the sleeveless baggy top options, the Demon Masks seen on some of the Ink Men, and the 'eight Sided' Coolie seen on the sorcerers and others.

I... have a lot of Asian themed toons.

Quote:

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.

Tsoo Sorceror Hat.
Anything Mender

My personal big ticket items are Mender pieces and remaining Roman pieces. The specific emblem they use and all of their variations of said emblem - chest piece, shoulder, belt, belt with leg accessory, etc.









And then Roman Sandals/Gloves/Chest Piece







I hope that they aren't super hard to extract from the NPCs but if they were and did mean getting the way of something new then I would rather get these. At least I know I want these, where as I may not want the new thing (tho I'll be honest - I put everything to use and hate nothing except super old textures and costume bugs/inconsistencies).

Vangaurd back details
Aforementioned Rikti Armor
Longbow belt with leg straps...

I think it would be nice to see a few "New" pieces every issue, as well as a few NPC parts and a few old parts updated every issue, its probably the nicest balance of the three although new parts are always nice to have a look through at least and they ALWAYS cause a stir on the forums when spotted in preview vids etc...

Speaking of Longbow, I wouldn't mind a way to combine the Freedom Corps logo with the Stealth Chest Detail. We have both, but it's just a matter of combining the two somehow.

Oh, and the "Ziggursky Correctional Facility" back detail on the Prisoners' jumpsuits.

The belt and the dress/toga/whatever it's called that Sister Airlia and Sister Solaris wear. Preferably split into top and bottom halves for players of course. The bottom half's "hanging cloth" part especially would work just as well for male characters, at least Airlia's non-lacy version would. The bottom half would ideally be a belt piece like the Warrior set (from the Natural Super Booster) has.

Whassap Savage, just checkin' in to say "Sashes" and then I'm gonna go have something to eat.

Thanks for bein' awesome, and I'm not just sayin' that 'cause sashes are on the line.



<3


edit: That is to say, stuff like Moonfire's sash (which PPD Kheldians also wear) and Carnie sarongs.

edit 2: No I have no idea why I like sashes so much.

edit 3: Yes I'm wearing one right now.

edit 4: Just kidding, but seriously

Sibyl dresses from the Cimeroan groups.

I like the noted NPC items. They'd be great. However, I'd prefer new stuff. New tech/manga stuff.

Actually, anything costume would be great.

Hi, thanks for this topic.

An idea I had a while ago was to tie some of the costume pieces to defeat badges, keeping in with some of the weapon unlocks. I know this might not be a hugely popular idea but might act as a challenge as, with a few exceptions, most defeat badges are not unreasonale in their demands.

Personally, I'd like to see:

Hellion symbol
Vahzilok aprons and bone hats
Primal Earth Clockwork parts
Council uniforms
Troll faces
Freakshow parts
Lost skin texture & TV heads

I'm sure I'll think of more later...

One suggestion I would have is to kill two birds with one stone.

Update old villain groups with parts that can translate to the character creator better.

The Rikti look amazing still after they got revamped, and if you are looking to make this game look fresh and vibrant, while still offering the players costume parts of them, I suggest that route.

To this end, I would recommend the Freakshow, Vahzilok, Hellions and Carnival of Shadows.

Couple of considerations to keep in mind as you make your suggestions: we'd probably choose not to make a player version of an NPC costume part if it a) doesn't fit on the existing character rigs/work well with other parts, or if it's b) very, very signature and intimately tied to the group or character's look (like Maelstrom's 'heart' for example, which really should remain unique), or c), if it creates an opportunity for confusion and/or griefing (i.e. if by using the costume part, you could look EXACTLY like an enemy and therefore confuse other players).

Skull and Carnival masks are in the gray area for me, but most other parts are fair game for discussion.

Dude... go to sleep. There shall be more art to masterly create in the morning... I guarantee it.