Hands Across the Water - European Community
By
Beber,
Posted on: 2011-02-15 10:30 in The European Lounge
Mega Jamie and everyone else has more or lessed summed up my feelings about the segregation.
(Yes the Server list merge would stop the segregation)
(My words may be inadequate, but I'll try anyway and sorry for misspellings)
Because we are on two different server lists, we are in effect two different communities with seperate treatment. NA server list gets a much bigger focus then the EU (cause thats where the game, company you are) and the chances for Dev interaction is there. Specially during tests, like the new BAF (and Positrons announcement on Facebook). NA test will be packed and very active, cause that is the standard test server for the company. It will be packed also with Devs testing for bugs.
Thus I as an EU player gets the feeling that our test server is just a show, its there to give us the chance or there cause NA has one, but not much of our bugs etc that we find will be taken much notice of, cause the NA will either already have found them or other reasons.
That is my general feeling (I hope I am wrong).
Well what I try to say is that things happen on the NA servers, there are more servers to choose from, the majority of the playerbase is there.
Merging the serverlists is therefor a major wish (specially) from the EU. Because then we could be one community and we would have equal oppertunities to online events (like tests) or maybe unknown for us a dev/CC that would play on our server or join a raid something.
I do remember fondly that one of the last things I saw Mod8 do was to attend the Hami Raid on Union. It was just before christmas and the servers went down for a hotfix. After an hour the server where back up again and I tried as hard that I could to give Union the Hami Raid. Mod8 joined the raid and put up a nice Red text announcing the Hami raid. (I feel that helped getting players to the zone). And he joined in one of the teams and played with us. That is one sweet memory which I'm thankfull for. 
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I vote this too.|
Originally Posted by Master Zaprobo
If you set up a US Event, set up a corresponding EU event. If the US event contains devs, make sure at a minimum that the EU Event has Community Coordinators who will feed back to the devs (if not the devs themselves).
Oh, and merge the server lists. |
I am either playing or reading the boards on and off throughout any 24hr period (Insomnia or other Medical Concerns). One of the things we could look forward to in the past was that even if we didn't get Devs meet us in game our CC's would occasionally join us for events.
Also merging the lists would bring true parity as we would have the same access globally.
Also big thumbs up for at least asking
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My views are pretty much the same as everyone else's, but would like to add that if City of.... plans another expansion would they be kind enough to send it our way, that for me was the biggest hurt of all and felt badly betrayed that all my subscriptions and super boosters packs I purchased went on packages and bumpf that I was never going to get.
May I also add that even though we didn't recieve a shelved copy of GR, Defiant (Other EU servers I can't say for) has still stayed strong and held it's numbers very well despite this, to me that shows a hell of a lot of loyalty towards NCsoft it would be nice to see some of that returned.
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French user here.
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12 AM - 12 PM GMT|
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
What time of day do you find yourself positing/reading the forums the most?
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
What's more important to you? Having someone able to engage you and watch the forums during what would be considered "peak" posting hours or having someone who may be several hours behind, but has greater access to the development team?
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Moderation is... well, we can't say that it doesn't exist, but I could create a topic that breaks every rule of this forum, and I'm pretty sure it would stay at least a week before deletion.
We also have some problems that... well, are specific to our community. Like the fact that for FR and DE players, I19.5 went live yesterday because "someone" forgot to translate it. We also currently have a topic with quite a lot of people having connections problems for more than a week now, and no official answer. That last problem happens at least once every 6 months, and every time, we spend weeks before having someone (Avatea, who I assume is doing the best she can) trying to help us.
So, I don't care if someone from NC reads it at 10am or 10pm, as long as he reads it. Plus, french board doesn't have a "peak posting hour" ...
About the "better access to development team", well, I'd say great if they weren't so busy ignoring us. Okay, it's a bit harsh, but seriously, EU players have been asking for a servers list merge for... months, even years (this topic has to be the most recurent on the french board), and devs never gave us any answer on this subject (and I know that Avatea is doing her best to have us information on this subject). But when a bunch of people wine over 2000 posts about "incarnate not being solo friendly", a dev is right there in the day, and measures are taken in the next issue.
So yeah, I'd like someone who would have a greater access to the develpment team, but will have a real impact for us? I highly doubt it.
Conclusion : Don't care about the time as long as there is someone. Make it as you wish, as long as you make it.
PS : About the "devs don't care about EU", I know that it isn't that true, but look when they anounce that GR would go on shelves in EU, War Witch came, said that it was a marketing decision, she posted a few message to show that she actually cared... and that's all. I mean, that's nice of her, but that didn't change anything for us as players.
PPS : If you only were asking this question for the english-speaking boards, you can ignore this post.
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I'd pretty much go along with most of the comments already posted. I browse the forums mostly between 9am - 5pm (in between repeating my log-in constantly). I'd agree that having someone who has greater access to the development team would be a better option.|
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
City of Heroes is a vibrant, lively and global community. The challenges we face in engaging players from across the globe, as a Community, are pretty straightforward.
I'd like to start things off by asking our players from Europe a few questions. Your answers in this matter are much appreciated and will help us to more effectively make decisions to benefit us all.
And yes, I know the title is cheesy as all heck |
I understand that it is not always easy to address our "equal rights for the EU" type threads, but I think everyone has appreciated the rare occasions when someone has posted in those threads, even when the answer hasn't really been positive. The lack of marketing over here and lack of boxed editions etc. has also been disappointing.
And if you are interested in parity in service, then merging the server list would go a long way...
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I occasionally read the forums during lunch (any time between 1200 and 1400), but more often it will be in the evenings, from 1930 onwards.
Any other comments have already been picked up by the previous posters. And, yes, another who would appreciate the server list being merged!
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I'm a turncoat, so I'm not sure if my feedback is needed here. But I'll give it anyway. I read during the day mostly, 9-5 GMT.
And yes, merge the server lists. You've already merged the boards, gutted the EU Community Team and moved the servers to the US. Time to implement the final step towards proper integration and the abolition of this silly regional divide.
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Careful Dante, you may have to dance again.|
Originally Posted by Dante
We had one player meet last year and that was a player organised event (with the very much appreciated support of Avatea and White Sands). The EU used to have official meets but not any longer since the disbanding of the EU Community Support staff. They would also attend Comic Cons and Movie/Game conventions, all useful for interacting with the players and getting support for the game. Since the EU offices were whittled down, there's been nothing of that kind since. All that's left is the forums and player organised events (and the occasional EU only competition). |
Ultimately, the sole reason I play this game is because I attended the London Film and Comic Con of 2006, got a trail disc and had a play with the character creator there, and it was awesome. Seeing others there the next year, I think I spoke to Rockjaw for a bit was icing.
The best friend I have in this game I earned when I filled the last slot of a team going to Omega Sector, I had so much fun, I was supposed ot be wriing my dissertation that weekend :S
So for me, seeing a decline in prescence at these things, or even them just not happening, I remember Omega Sector was gonna be like an uber annual thing, is kind of sad. Not altogether unforgivable mind, we'd do well to remember that both our countries are coming out of recession, superfluous spending wouldn't exactly have been sensible.
But things are changing, maybe this or next london film and comic con you could get another stall, send that guy that made Dante dance in his underpants? Give out some freebies, hell, I'm sure you could staff the desk mostly on player volunteers so we have some more people to play with.
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Originally Posted by VoodooGirl
[*]Watching out for the Spinning Disco Portal of D00M!*
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I mostly post when I'm at work (I have a lot of free time when things run smoothly |
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
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). Which can be any time of the day or night depending on which shift I'm working ...Quote:
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I consider a direct line to the devs much more valuable than someone at peak hours.
The only thing I consider annoying is that it takes hours after the servers have gone back up to get any patch notes ...
@True Metal
Co-leader of Callous Crew SG. Based on Union server.
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First off I've never been able to attend a player meet and feel that us newer players are missing out alot due to less staff/promotion at the Brighton offices here in the UK. |
Originally Posted by Dante
Again, Mega Jamie has summed up my thoughts on the answer to this question too. With the NA, you have the Herocon, Q&A sessions, Meet & Greets and server events such as the opportunity to test the BAF that's coming up. Those are all events where players get interaction with the Developers, information gets leaked out and we get the chance to see 'teasers'. The EU get none of those.
We had one player meet last year and that was a player organised event (with the very much appreciated support of Avatea and White Sands). The EU used to have official meets but not any longer since the disbanding of the EU Community Support staff. They would also attend Comic Cons and Movie/Game conventions, all useful for interacting with the players and getting support for the game. Since the EU offices were whittled down, there's been nothing of that kind since. All that's left is the forums and player organised events (and the occasional EU only competition). Given the time difference, I don't think we can expect complete parity but some form of balance would be very much appreciated. The NA get the Hero Cons to meet and greet the developers, so if doing a similar event in the EU is out of the question, what about a virtual meet and greet on the Test Server? |
If I hadn't of meet Mr ? 3+yrs ago now I would of never of known about COH!! It would be nice to see some sort of advertising to promote COH over here. Yes, I know the expenses as I studied some courses at College about all this, but if it means getting more players and money into COH then its win win! Also the player meets are a great opportunity to get COH known, players to met some CC's, and potential new players into the game
I know there was a player who organised a event to meet and greet people from COH/V but unfortunatly due to one thing and another I didn't know about it or was able to attend
As for a virtual meet and greet on the Test Server, that is a fantastic idea as it's easy to set up for all and maybe if the Test Server was global NA and EU combined it would entice more people to use the Test Server, bar then just for "testing". Plus it's free and for those of us that can't afford to travel long distances for whatever reasons won't feel left out
As for someone being around when the EU is busiest on the forums maybe someone who is willing to cover both a bit of EU time and crossing over into NA time frames so they are able to get in contact with say for example Avatea, yourself, etc?
Going to agree with the majority of posters here: I read pretty much any time, but between 8.00 and 11.00pm UK time I tend to actually be playing the game, and therefore too busy to read the boards. Having "Redname" availability during peak playing hours is really very good, so I'm also going to say that having someone during my forum-reading hours isn't essential by any stretch of the imagination.
And yet another cry for a server list merge. I am aware that there are potential technical difficulties, I am aware that there are potential issues with Global Names, but I also believe that those can be overcome by frank discussion and while there may be a few edge-cases where people aren't willing to compromise in some way, I think that the majority will be happy. List-merge just seems to be win/win for everyone - we're already on the same maintenance window, so the EU players won't notice any changes there, we have the same forum, the only thing we don't have is access to the same server list. By keeping the servers separate, it almost puts across the message "we don't want the EU players and the US players to be able to play together". I can assure you that the majority of us would love to play together.
Sure, there would be some odd blurring as EU players suddenly descend on Freedom and Virtue, but I suspect that Union would get an influx of US roleplayers, for example, and even as a dedicated Unionite, I'm willing to acknowledge that Defiant has boatloads of mature, considerate, discerning players who would welcome a larger potential playerbase. I can't speak for the French or German servers, of course.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
If a Server List Merge does happen I promise to spend at least 50 quid on Character Transfers from Virtue.
Actually wouldn't Usernames also potentially clash in addition to Globals? Hmmm.
*Edit : I suppose they'd have to do what they do on the boards, provide a "Choose Account Type" dropdown.
agree with most of what people have said here.
Also add me to the /signed for a server list merge. Got friends in the US i wana play with but cant afford a 2nd account and i don't wana lose my vet rewards.
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Reading posts about 5pm - 7pm my time. It's 3pm - 5pm british time.
In mornings just before going to work about 7am my time.
I have no hurry to get answers.
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During workdays mostly... from 10:00 - 17:30 CET|
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
[*]What time of day do you find yourself positing/reading the forums the most?
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
[*]What's more important to you? Having someone able to engage you and watch the forums during what would be considered "peak" posting hours or having someone who may be several hours behind, but has greater access to the development team?
|
Yes... The server lists should have been merged ages ago. Keeping the communities separate makes no sense in so many ways it is starting to get ridiculous.
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Speaking as a 10+ year vet of the restaurant service industry, I can commiserate. Part of the reason gaming always appealed to me was due to the wacky hours I used to have to work.|
Originally Posted by Mr ?
Being a Chef, I work whilst others are enjoying themselves.
On a work day (10am - 10pm) normally, I am online for a couple of hours to unwind... |
Side note - what kind of cuisine?
Andy Belford
Community Manager
Paragon Studios
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I agree with you that the lack of official Meet & Greets is an area of concern, and one that I would love to address, time and budget permitting. |
Originally Posted by Dante
...With the NA, you have the Herocon, Q&A sessions, Meet & Greets and server events such as the opportunity to test the BAF that's coming up. Those are all events where players get interaction with the Developers, information gets leaked out and we get the chance to see 'teasers'. The EU get none of those.
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Here's a question for the EU players, aside from something like GamesCom, what do you feel would be the most appropriate venue were something like this possible?
Andy Belford
Community Manager
Paragon Studios
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The pub? |
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
I agree with you that the lack of official Meet & Greets is an area of concern, and one that I would love to address, time and budget permitting.
Here's a question for the EU players, aside from something like GamesCom, what do you feel would be the most appropriate venue were something like this possible? |
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You buying?
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Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
The pub?
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The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
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Taking my fairly typical UK-centric (okay, England-centric) view of things, it partly depends what you mean by "venue".|
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
I agree with you that the lack of official Meet & Greets is an area of concern, and one that I would love to address, time and budget permitting.
Here's a question for the EU players, aside from something like GamesCom, what do you feel would be the most appropriate venue were something like this possible? |
If you mean city location: Birmingham. It's about as central as you can get, with good transport routes by rail, road and air.
If you mean pre-existing event: Memorabilia has proven to be a hit with CoH players in the past.
If you mean actual down-to-earth "where to meet": The pub.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
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Well, it has been awhile since I last had a Curry
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Originally Posted by Shadowe
If you mean city location: Birmingham. It's about as central as you can get, with good transport routes by rail, road and air.....
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Andy Belford
Community Manager
Paragon Studios
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Shimla Pinks, here we come...
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
Well, it has been awhile since I last had a Curry
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The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
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Oooh feeling hungry now...|
Originally Posted by Shadowe
Shimla Pinks, here we come...
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Damn you Shadowe!
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Its only a pub/restaurant, more Grill than anything (140 covers in winter, then front and back garden open in the summer for another 100)|
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
Speaking as a 10+ year vet of the restaurant service industry, I can commiserate. Part of the reason gaming always appealed to me was due to the wacky hours I used to have to work.
Side note - what kind of cuisine? |
Although I am the only one that is properly qualified.
Personally, food wise I don't have a particular 'style' just good, tasty and nutritious are my watchwords.
Seriously looking at getting out though, just not a lot of anywhere to jump to at the mo.
I'm not expecting or asking for War Witch or Positron to take hours out of the middle of their working day, but someone could maybe spend an hour with us maybe "leaking" a lil bit additional info than what is "leaked" during NA-Dev interactions, so the community as a whole is encouraged to piece together the hints on new content etc etc.
Generally though I don't expect anything from the Dev team, as I've mentioned before, coming from Guild Wars who had Gail then Alex sent to fan forums to provide tdbits and a bit of interaction, the ready amount of interaction here is quite enjoyable, and while when the old forums was in place I would be singing "Devs to post on our side of the atlantic too!" thats not really a concern, and I definately thing the forum thing was a step in the right direction for making us feel like one community.
The trouble is, not every EU player would read the NA boards, so maybe we didn't know when we were missing out, by doing this, there may have been the player imagined obligation to do these events for us too!
Again, Mega Jamie has summed up my thoughts on the answer to this question too. With the NA, you have the Herocon, Q&A sessions, Meet & Greets and server events such as the opportunity to test the BAF that's coming up. Those are all events where players get interaction with the Developers, information gets leaked out and we get the chance to see 'teasers'. The EU get none of those.
We had one player meet last year and that was a player organised event (with the very much appreciated support of Avatea and White Sands). The EU used to have official meets but not any longer since the disbanding of the EU Community Support staff. They would also attend Comic Cons and Movie/Game conventions, all useful for interacting with the players and getting support for the game. Since the EU offices were whittled down, there's been nothing of that kind since. All that's left is the forums and player organised events (and the occasional EU only competition).
Given the time difference, I don't think we can expect complete parity but some form of balance would be very much appreciated. The NA get the Hero Cons to meet and greet the developers, so if doing a similar event in the EU is out of the question, what about a virtual meet and greet on the Test Server?
(I was going to put in an obligatory request for a server list merge but I think you might have got the impression already that it's a popular request.
@Dante EU - Union Roleplayer and Altisis Victim
The Militia: Union RP Supergroup - www.themilitia.org.uk