January 2011 Producer's Letter to the Community
By
Adept,
Posted on: 2011-01-10 11:29 in Developers' Corner
Quote:
Then I don't see how these are "our most challenging content ever" if they can be done with a team using nothing but SO's. Since a team purpled out with AO's is obviously going to be alot more powerful It really isn't doable to make it challenging for both yet possible for both, In my opinion.|
Originally Posted by Golden Girl
The Incanrate content requires no purples or IOs of any kind - you just need to run Mender Ramiel's arc, then collect 12 Shards of 3 components for the 1st tier Incarnate enhancement, and then you've got access to the 2 new TFs.
The moment you hit 50, you can go to Ouroboros and run the arc, which takes 30-45 minutes, then go to the RWZ and buy one component with 150 Vangaurd Merits, then run an ITF, which will give you a 2nd component, plus several Shards from the enemies you defeat during it, with a good chance of getting 4 or more Shards from it, which chould take 60-90 minutes, and will allow you to craft the 3rd component you need. From the moment you hit 50 to getting your first Incarnate enhancement takes less than 3 hours, requires no IOs of any kind, and only needs you to team once. |
And your method assumes I'm teaming the entire time.
Again, I really don't care if someone dislikes my opinion. It's my concern that the game is heading toward gear gating.
The ITF is already gated content - you need to run an arc to get access to Cimerora.
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Well I'll just add to welcomes to SM, hope the Letters are more than formal postings of fluff, congrats to GF and I do look forward to booster packs, but hope this time, we get at least 1 free item per , as I would like those not able to get the boosters att, to be able to experience some of the goodness.
The incarnate content thus far has kept me busy and happy and I hope the remainder to continue in that vein.
Also, I've had the 'fortune' of trying the NCSoft launcher on othergames and I BEG you , to somehow make it optional for us players to our original launcher. I hope you understand how unique a culture you've got here at City...and cater to some of our whims =]
Pinnacle & Virtue:
A bunch of Heroes - Alpha Team, Legion of Order.
A bunch of Villains -Black Citadel , Pinnache.
Quote:
Not really the same but keep telling yourself that.|
Originally Posted by Golden Girl
The ITF is already gated content - you need to run an arc to get access to Cimerora.
|
Needing to run an arc that was actually a major part of the story at the time/=/needing to grind for hours to make an AO.
Theres a difference between locking an area as part of a story and gear gating. For example in LOTRO you could not enter Moria untill you advanced that part of the story. This is not the same as being killed instantly in the watcher raid if you hadn't spent 5 months getting radiance gear.
But really I'm just gonna leave the thread for now. I didn't come to argue with the usual suspects who violently oppose any concern on the game. I came to air out my opinion for the devs to see. That is done. Have fun.
Quote:
Actually, it is |
Originally Posted by Toony
Not really the same but keep telling yourself that.
|
Quote:
| Needing to run an arc that was actually a major part of the story at the time/=/needing to grind for hours to make an AO. |
And there's no grind invovled in filling your Alpha slot - run one ITF and you're almost certain to get everything you need for it.
Quote:
| Theres a difference between locking an area as part of a story and gear gating. For example in LOTRO you could not enter Moria untill you advanced that part of the story. This is not the same as being killed instantly in the watcher raid if you hadn't spent 5 months getting radiance gear. |
That's the whole point of that send-off at portal Corp - the Freedom Phalanx and Vindicators who are gathered there aren't able to do what you're about to do - the Menders or Ouroboros have started you on a journey that will take you to a level beyond the signature characters.
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Multiple red name posts in a thread that isn't a forum game or a goodbye?
I don't even know what to do with that anymore.
I hope it continues...
Other than that...all the news sounds great, but I'll echo a comment I saw somewhere that I would like to see something about the actual "direction" the game is heading.
Oh yeah, and PLEASE no ncsoft launcher - unless it has or will undergo a major overhaul. I tried that thing in a few different betas and it was horrible. Also, I'd hate to give up all the switch options we have grown used to over the years!
Guides: Dark Armor and IOs | SS/DA | Crabbing | Fortunata
Quote:
Onwards and upwards? |
Originally Posted by Lobster
but I'll echo a comment I saw somewhere that I would like to see something about the actual "direction" the game is heading.
|
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Quote:
I know, right? I can't believe it took that long to show up in thread. Wicked, wicked awesome.
|
Originally Posted by Caligdoiel
Hey you guys?
 Not a shop. Stole it off the FB. |
City of Heroes was my first MMO, & my favorite computer game.
R.I.P.
Chyll - Bydand - Violynce - Enyrgos - Rylle - Nephryte - Solyd - Fettyr - Hyposhock - Styrling - Beryllos - Rosyc
Horryd - Myriam - Dysquiet - Ghyr
Vanysh - Eldrytch
Inflyct - Mysron - Orphyn - Dysmay - Reapyr - - Wyldeman - Hydeous
The thing is, people that play this game are very pasisonate about it..like myself.
What always happens is that some new guy comes on board promising on all sorts of things and they usually never deliver. Mow, castle did to some extent even if i didn't agree with his moves, and noble savage has been very much a part of things. Aside from that, I think this guy will be, and not to knock him, more of the same.
now, as an aside from this, we did get the cathedral of pain trial back and we got some cool end game content. What I do not want to see is a dilution of mid and early game content.
One guy a while back said it best - to paraphrase it - is that we get so enamored with the brand new shiny that we forget about all the stuff left on the back burner.
what stuff you ask?
Base Raids
Base Building in general
PVP
just to name a few. we have more zones than we have people to play in them as well. I would love to see some revitalization done to places such as boomtown and creys folley (like they did with faultline and the hollows.)
I would like there to not have to be any more "this power or power set" sucks thread.
Every power and power set should be unique and special and have a use. sometimes you are only good as your weakest link
I just hate seeing tons of messages with either cryptic or no content. I hate to burst this guys bubble. I am one of those guys who says I have to see it to believe it. I really want this new blood to mean what they say and prove it
in ending, I am stoked for all that he said, but i am just a bit cynical.
Quote:
This sums up my thoughts nicely.|
Originally Posted by Energizing_Ion
Welcome Second Measure!
Congratulations to Ghost Falcon on his promotion! And thanks for the two tidbits of info. that were 'new' to us (the rare/very rare Alpha slots opening up in a few weeks and the double xp weekend coming).  |
Good luck, Jesse. You deserve to move up and I wish you nothing but the best and bigger paychecks.
Second Measure, you have big shoes to fill, but you are off to a great start with your first post. I'm looking forward to your regular reports!
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
Quote:
So 'turn up the pressure' is... Steampunk perhaps?
|
Originally Posted by Dispari
Okay, between Melissa's "pounce on it" and this guy's "wild new look" I'm thinking the next booster is animal.
|
Quote:
That seems to be a pretty good guess |
Originally Posted by Lady_Sadako
So 'turn up the pressure' is... Steampunk perhaps?
|
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Quote:
I think this guy said it best. I agree with you buddy.
|
Originally Posted by TheJazMan
Glad to hear about this Letter in the process but will it be any different? Even in this first address we are getting vague hints etc. What's the point of that? Honestly, I just find them annoying. If you guys are so secretive that you can't even tell us the theme of the next booster then I don't know if there is much point to this letter.
It might help if the letter told us a direction or something concrete in regards to direction. Another big help might be if they put up a poll to vote on certain ideas that may be added to game. At least then you would get a better idea of what players are looking for. I think someone noted earlier there seems to be a huge disconnect from the players by the devs (maybe not huge but a disconnect). I tend to agree. For a few years now we have been told something BIG is coming (AE was one feature and Going Rogue was another). AE is a great feature but when you look at the time and effort spent on it...maybe not so great. GR is nice and all but I would have taken an expansion pack that was 5 TFs (at the ITF caliber with new innovations) over 2 new zones. I liked a lot of aspects of GR and it is a definite improvement but just a slightly new twist on what we've been doing for several years now. Anyway, it is nice to hear we are supposedly getting some updates/info but I doubt we'll get and real news via this address. More of the same old cryptic clues but now in handy new letter format. |
Quote:
WOO hoo Arcanaville said it first! issues 22: shape change ... whatever the hell that means...
|
Originally Posted by Arcanaville
... and added the ability to shape change, Issue 22 would be the shape-changing issue.
If you're waiting for Issue 25: Nothing New Here, But More of the Stuff You Already Had, I would probably stop waiting. |
Card Carrying DeFulmenstrator--Member Crazy 88s
We burn more Influence before 8am than you make all day.
Quote:
This particular test they have already failed, considering that it's users for other games have complained extensively about it for some time apparently, That, at least, was my experience from Aion.|
Originally Posted by Shred_Monkey
I've no clue what the NCSoft launcher is... but I do believe this will be a good test of whether or not they meant it when they said they were listening.
|
That being said, I was never actually required to use the darn thing to PLAY the game, just UPDATE it, wherein lies the rub. If launcher A bugs (frequently), game B cannot correctly update. If update fails, game B cannot be played by user C. I got REALLY tired of having to go to the Aion forums to find out what was (most recently) wrong with the launcher, fix it myself (seeing as, you know, it couldn't fix itSELF once it bugged) and THEN wait for the game to update, as it should already have done, had the launcher not bugged in the first place.
Where to find me after the end:
The Secret World - Arcadia - Shinzo
Rift - Faeblight - Bloodspeaker
LotRO - Gladden - Aranelion
STO - Holodeck - @Captain_Thiraas
Obviously, I don't care about NCSoft's forum rules, now.
Quote:
Then if you don't mind me asking.|
Originally Posted by Medic_brietz
I think this guy said it best. I agree with you buddy.
|
Why are you two still subscribers?
If you agree with TheJazMan said, it sounds like you two would be better off finding a different game to go play.
So does the DXP weekend coincide with the release of the next Alpha Slot update? Cause that sounds fun!
Quote:
Because, I guess, that I still hold out hope for more than what I get. I like the game, but I will admit my love for it has wavered over the last few issues. I may end up quiting, but I won't be doing lame crap like sending out a parting flame letter before I go or anything stupid like announcing that I am leaving. I also doubt I will leave for a competitor and in the process through jabs at this game or any others. Lastly, I do not keep the subscription just as a way to complain about all gone wrong in the game or how much it sucks. I actually like the game and the idea it has. |
Originally Posted by je_saist
Then if you don't mind me asking.
Why are you two still subscribers? If you agree with TheJazMan said, it sounds like you two would be better off finding a different game to go play. |
If i wanted a sub-par similar game, I would go to CO. If I wanted to be like batman, I would go to DCO. If I wanted to be forced to be an elf and the such, I'd play WOW. I know I will have to cancel for this upcoming army deployment like I did my last one. I just hope there will be some good reasons for me to resub after I get back. I mainly agree with most of what he and dumpleberry said, but not totally. This is a good game and all, but I just wonder sometimes.
I am at least glad they are talking to us again, even if they do not manage to say anything in the process.
im just postin what some guy on fb said, cuz i like his comment:
"Not all of the servers are dead, this is true. However, it's also true that this game is in fact dying. I've been playing City of Heroes for years, and while they've added a lot of new and interesting things, over time i've noticed t...hat the servers have slowly been drifting into the green zone on a regular basis.
[ok here's the part i like!]* I think the developers need to stop beating around the bush with the Incarnate system. The City of Heroes team seems to release content slower than most other MMO's, and that's a disappointment, because City of Heroes has such huge potential to be even greater than it is. They need to stop all these random packs, trying to suck money out of their dying community, and start releasing large content patches with free costume pieces, emotes, and special powers." - a comment on the bird picture.
Regarding the discussion about gear-gated content vs story-gated content - if you have to run arcs, missions or other content to get the necessary gear, they ARE the same thing. No different in any game I've played with any kind of content gating: in LotRO, you have to run content of some kind to earn the necessary Radiance Gear, or the "currency" to acquire it with. In Aion, you have to engage in Abyss actions (PvP, Fort raids, Abyss quests) to acquire the best PvP gear, thereby becoming more viable for the content that follows. Here... honestly, all you HAVE to do is A) run the Ramiel arc, and B) beat up enough level 50 enemies to get the shards you need. Having done all three of the above examples, I can say that CoH has it the easiest, here. YMMV, naturally.
Where to find me after the end:
The Secret World - Arcadia - Shinzo
Rift - Faeblight - Bloodspeaker
LotRO - Gladden - Aranelion
STO - Holodeck - @Captain_Thiraas
Obviously, I don't care about NCSoft's forum rules, now.
Quote:
Its also technically gated by game progress: you have to be level 35 to run it.
|
Originally Posted by Golden Girl
The ITF is already gated content - you need to run an arc to get access to Cimerora.
|
[Guide to Defense] [Scrapper Secondaries Comparison] [Archetype Popularity Analysis]
In one little corner of the universe, there's nothing more irritating than a misfile...
(Please support the best webcomic about a cosmic universal realignment by impaired angelic interference resulting in identity crisis angst. Or I release the pigmy water thieves.)
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Golden Girl
The ITF is already gated content - you need to run an arc to get access to Cimerora.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Arcanaville
Its also technically gated by game progress: you have to be level 35 to run it.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Toony
Not really the same but keep telling yourself that.
|
Quote:
you see, the problem with this rampant hyperbole is that it is completely and utterly a misstatement of the content of the new non-incarnate arcs, both of which have threads praising their writing and feel. Neither significantly fleshing out the story of how the medical porters work, and how equitably they are distributed, nor going into one of cov's big elemental monstrous forces is "saving wincotts" cat, and phrasing it like that just makes the opinion look like an ill-informed knee jerk reaction.
|
Originally Posted by Toony
There were...like two arcs, some QOL stuff, badges, and filling out Praetoria.
I don't feel it's a far cry to say the main attraction of I19 was incarnates. There wasn't much else to it. And yes, the main story of the game was being told via a TF only Incarnates could really do. So I don't see how "Well...there may be an arc about saving Officer Wincotts cat!" is much reassurance. |
I'm not looking forward to the NCSoft Launcher. I see nothing wrong with the one we have, and I don't like bloated "all-in-one" software in any form. I can only imagine that it's actually a Marketing directive, so that they can have a single place where they can bother us with "non-news" about Aion and Lineage and other games I don't care about and won't buy anyway. Sort of like I imagine the Sony Station launcher does.
As for Incarnate Trials... I personally don't care. Unless they are standard missions and solo friendly, I won't be doing them. With the push to focus on Incarnate Content and "end game" junk, I expect to have nothing to look forward to in major updates until at least Issue 22 at this point. So unless the hinted booster packs are totally amazing, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be lurking and waiting. I enjoy the game, I really do, but I'm not sure I see the point of sticking around for a whole year or more with nothing new to look forward to.
Oh, and yay for new rednames, letters and future stuffs
Always remember, we were Heroes.