All Things Art: NPC Conversions
By
Abraxxus,
Posted on: 2010-10-10 23:56 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
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Originally Posted by Noble Savage
Skull and Carnival masks are in the gray area for me, but most other parts are fair game for discussion.
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Well, if things are too gray there, you might be able to make a variant mask similar, but varying in pattern. Of course, that turns it into a new costume piece, not necessarily a conversion.
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depends... Me, my wife and three friends just got CoH 3 months ago... So it's ALL new to us, some looks fantastic, others look dated. so is the goal to keep the veterans happy or to draw in new blood. to be honest, I almost didn't go any farther than the tutorial when I did the 14 day free trial...
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Originally Posted by Noble Savage
Seriously, there's no bigger proponent of going back and fixing stuff than me (ask anyone in the office)
 , but if ALL we did was revamp existing content, it wouldn't contribute much to the game. Even with a fresh coat of paint, you'd still be playing the same basic story in the same kind of environment, right? |
The first thing I want to say is a bit off track, but bears repeating because it involves the thing I want most. Please make robotic arms compatible with jackets, robes, and trench coats!
On to the NPC parts.
FREAKSHOW:
The robotic arms (pic)
Just about anything off a Tank. (pic)
Meat Doctor backpack (pic)
Stunner shoulder pieces (pic)
NEMESIS:
Any of the helmets the soldiers wear (pic)
Fake Nemesis parts (pic). Specifically the backpack, arms, lower legs, belt, and hair.
Gattling gun (pic). Heck any Nemesis gun that's not locked behind a badge that's annoying and/or impossible to get with low level characters would be appreciated.
IMPERIAL DEFENSE FORCE:
The sleeker updated preatorian Clockwork pieces (pic). Especially the face. I 'd also like the ability to use guns like that for pistols and/or assault rifle.
You know, on the subject of Skull face masks, when I decided to have my Warshade go Nictus, I gave him the backstory that he combined with a Skulls gangster. So this is his costume:
The mask may only be the standard skull mask, and I chose the purple color scheme to reflect his embracing the Nictus powers, but I don't think anyone's been confused about what he's supposed to be.
Personally, when I think about signature NPC costume elements, I think about the signature NPCs. Obviously, posing as one of them is a potential problem. But I think just trying to recreate the costume of a typical low-rank thug in some villain group, sure, that can cause some momentary confusion, but I've never had more than just a "Whoops! Forgot about you for a second there, and almost tried to target you!" kind of joking reaction from other players. I mean, I had that happen in a pitched battle with Arachnos when I happened to be playing an SoA. 
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Understood. Just an idea how to get players similar looks to what they may like on an NPC w/o compromising the unqueness of the NPC.
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Originally Posted by Noble Savage
Anything is possible, but at that point, it's a new piece and not a conversion.
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If any of the art staff really want to know what players really like from the NPC stuff, why not listen in zone broadcasts during ToT? Lots of people tend to holler out when they get a costume they like.
As I recall from previous ToT's, people liked Knives, Pirate, and most especially Carnies (that one tends to get the call out "I'm HAWT!" ...though it seems to me if you have to tell anyone you're "hawt" you probably aren't). Can anyone else remember what costumes everyone was trying to get?
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This is ideally the general approach I'd like to see in the game for all/most issues.|
Originally Posted by Goblin_Queen
Agreed! In an ideal world where resources were readily available I would strive to give something new, something converted from current NPC factions and something upgraded from old costume bits. A three pronged attack. Get everyone something each Issue and chip away at the pile of awesome out there.
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1) At least 1 new costume set, or 2-3 assorted parts
2) At least 1 "converted" NPC costume set, or 2-3 assorted parts
3) At least 1 updated legacy set, or 2-3 parts
4) At least 1 new story arc per side (blue, red, Praetorian)
5) At least 1 revamped story arc per side (blue, red)
6) At least 1-3 new base items
7) At least 1-3 base items adapted from in-game items
8) At least 1 new emote
9) Something unique
Now, dependent upon the scope/scale of #9, I can definitely see dropping some of the above items due to resource requirements, but I think this is a good "give everybody a little something" formula.
Please note: I have no idea how feasible the above list is from a time/resource perspective. This is an "in an ideal situation" list.
Jet packs as costume options.
I'm ware there are are temp powers available, but serve a diff purpose (and expire).
I'd like to see every possible jetpack (from all red and blue groups) individually earnable if possible.
Icon mishes (for each style) could be obtained as the player becomes the level appropriate to the NPC caste the jet pack is from.
It could be written as we are obtaining design specs for Icon from each group.
Also, Peacebringer belt sash would be cool. The PB contacts have them.
ALSO, if this could be passed on to the appropriate area of management:
Change some of the less desireable Veteran Awards to more costume options.
Personally, I could do without the useless pet that is purely asthetic (not the Buff pet...which is good for me).
Or, if not feasible to change some past rewards, then going foward they keep the idea when implementing newer veteran awards.
AND, I think there also needs to be more invention costume options. Just having a bunch of different wings, and a few boots, is almost letting a vital/viable option go to waste.
However, I'm sure there is more plans for implementation in that vein.
I just wanted to add my voice to the "yea" side for creating more costumes thru inventions.
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/signed. However, that restriction shouldn't purtain to the generic minions, LTs, and Bosses. Reichsman should definitely be the only one looking like Reichsman, however we should ALL have access to the cool helmets and masks from the 5th Column. |
Originally Posted by Noble Savage
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. |
I like the idea that if you are allowed to be a member of a group like PPD, Longbow, ect. that you can be mistaken for one by a player. That means that my character really does feel like a member.
Anything Carnie.
The Hawaiin Shirt and bermudas worn by some PPD undercover cops.
50s: Inv/SS PB Emp/Dark Grav/FF DM/Regen TA/A Sonic/Elec MA/Regen Fire/Kin Sonic/Rad Ice/Kin Crab Fire/Cold NW Merc/Dark Emp/Sonic Rad/Psy Emp/Ice WP/DB FA/SM
Overlord of Dream Team and Nightmare Squad
A fare number of us have expressed a desire for Mother Mayham's... psychic. Purely for aesthetic reasons of course. :P
I'd also like her leotard and coat.
How about Sister Airlia's outfit? Or at the very least that sexy, sexy top.
Playstation 3 - XBox 360 - Wii - PSP
Remember kids, crack is whack!
Samuel_Tow: Your avatar is... I think I like it
And what of griefing? How heavily do you weigh this aspect of NPC conversions? Do you know your costume powers you give out to players allows for 100% "griefing"? Take a look a my character, for instance:
Hand of Artemis
<Knives of Artemis>
<Knives of Artemis>
Playstation 3 - XBox 360 - Wii - PSP
Remember kids, crack is whack!
Samuel_Tow: Your avatar is... I think I like it
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I can't help but wonder why the KoA have handguns in those holsters when they only use the mini-crossbows on their wrists?
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Originally Posted by bAss_ackwards
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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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It only has one bullet... Just in case.
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Originally Posted by AzureSkyCiel
I can't help but wonder why the KoA have handguns in those holsters when they only use the mini-crossbows on their wrists?
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My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
- Kheldian Sashes
- PPD Hardsuit Pieces - Helmet and gloves, specifically
- Steampunk Boots
- Some way to put chest emblems on the backs of jackets.
- Matching Arms, Legs, and boots to the Skeletal Robot Gloves
- Ouroboros Shoulder Pieces and Belts
- Praetorian PPD Big Gloves and uniform options
1. Warworks pieces or something based on them. Essentially, sleeker, heavier armored Clockwork parts.
2. The parts of the Victoria model Clockwork. IMPORTANT NOTE: The arm-blades are unfeasible and -unecessary.- Giving us the rest of it would be -fantastic.-
3. Rommie's double shoulderpads, sans the fur.
4. Vanguard Wizard backpieces.
5. Sashes, just to quiet that rabble.
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Can't believe I forgot to mention this. Yes, the Freakshow Swiper arm, please. Very much please. Either as a glove option or at least as a shield option. Pretty please? |
Originally Posted by treboreleets
FREAKSHOW:
The robotic arms (pic) |
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Originally Posted by Arcanaville
Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.
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Sybil outfits gets my vote too.|
Originally Posted by Riley_Delacroix
Sibyl dresses from the Cimeroan groups.
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If I recall we had them for about 16 minutes then they were pulled because someone spilt coffee on Posi's favourite mouse mat and he needed to take t3H Rag3! out on someone.
The Widow's Dark Hand - leader of Faux Pas
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I agree, I want the IVy and Nightstar clockwork mode for players BUT, I WANT THE ARM-BLADES as weapon for dual blades AND claws.|
Originally Posted by Sunshine_n_Rain
The parts of the Victoria model Clockwork. IMPORTANT NOTE: The arm-blades are unfeasible and -unecessary.- Giving us the rest of it would be -fantastic.-
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Those arm-blades are so awesome and badass WE SHOULD HAVE THEM!
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I agree very much with the spirit of this list. Variety is key to making issues that make me want to keep coming back.|
Originally Posted by Hallowed
This is ideally the general approach I'd like to see in the game for all/most issues.
1) At least 1 new costume set, or 2-3 assorted parts 2) At least 1 "converted" NPC costume set, or 2-3 assorted parts 3) At least 1 updated legacy set, or 2-3 parts 4) At least 1 new story arc per side (blue, red, Praetorian) 5) At least 1 revamped story arc per side (blue, red) 6) At least 1-3 new base items 7) At least 1-3 base items adapted from in-game items 8) At least 1 new emote 9) Something unique Now, dependent upon the scope/scale of #9, I can definitely see dropping some of the above items due to resource requirements, but I think this is a good "give everybody a little something" formula. Please note: I have no idea how feasible the above list is from a time/resource perspective. This is an "in an ideal situation" list. |
I've highlighted the mention of costuming, because I feel that either the devs or marketing have been missing the mark by not including costume parts with every release.
I think that developers and marketing, when they sit down and discuss such things, should not underestimate the power of a few free costume items per issue.
I know many people who have resubscribed or continued subscribing till the next issue because such and such small costume bit would help perfect the look of one alt or another. Just the promise of this further perfection reinvigorates enthusiasm for playing the game and polishing our characters in anticipation of said release.
Perhaps the above sounds like a junkie fiending for the next methadone treatment. But so what, business is business I suppose. A trickle of free costume bits (alongside booster pack premium costumes) keeps the natives happy and paying.
I'd go for PPD hard suit options, at least the helmet; legs; feet. I like building bot type toons and those would be awesome.
The lost "junk" armor would be nice also. Something about having tires for shoulder pads is appealing.
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Over 3 years, 1 - 50, whole lotta alt's, still having fun.