Discussion: City of Heroes Is Running Out of XP!

I smell fowl play!

It's me. I did this.

Well, it was only a matter of time. Like almost all Dot.com's everyone is wupping it up and living off the fat of the land ... that is until the first harsh summer of reality sets in and the drought hits. Despite the fact this could have all been avoided through pragmatic management and prudent resource allocation it is still not too late. Rather than wasting time pointing the flatulent finger of blame (which only leads to the ceremonial passing of the proverbial buck) I would like to offer some constructive ideas.

I will focus mainly of the following quote because it best illustrates the problem while illuminating the solution ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastyle Nate "Second Measure" Birkholz, Producer for City of Heroes, had this to add: "We've tried to increase supply, but it's difficult. Every point is handcrafted from the finest gems of insight, pearls of wisdom and seasoned with the harsh sweat of overcoming your setbacks. That's a time consuming process, not one you can rush."

Birkholtz says: "Every point is handcrafted"

I say: "Why? Modern manufactering processes would allow for hundreds of XP points per every one handcrafted."

Birkholtz say: "... from the finest gems of insight ..."

I say: "Why not use crystals instead? Can people really tell difference between a "gem of insight" versus "cubic zirconia of insight?" I really don't think so.

Birkholtz says: "... pearls of wisdom ..."

I say: "You guys think pearls grow on trees or what? It is this type of gross excess that has led to what I call an "obesity of wisdom" problem in this world. A "pebble of wisdom" is more than enough for all save the most gluttonous among us.

Birkhotlz says: "... and seasoned with the harsh sweat of overcoming your setbacks."

I say: "Overcoming setbacks is over-rated. Not only can it lead to low self-esteem in those that can't but it can also lead to cocky, obnoxious behavior in those that can, therefore, I would maintain that it is a lose-lose for all concerned. I would substitue this "harsh sweat" with the less unsettling "glistening dew of self-restraint." It has the same great taste but is a third less filling."

By following my simple, straight-forward advice I think you would find all these XP-ills would be salved and healed. Hope this helps and happy adventuring to all!

Time to fortify my base... Aeon, Recluse... you are all welcome to join me... I promise you will be safe....

While I take over the world....

Thank you CoH/Paragon Studios, you have now redeemed yourselves from the 11-hour downtime April Fools prank from yesterday.

Xp will be running out in one year from today?

Does that means CoH2 will be releasing next year?

>.>

As an April Fool's day prank, I deem this a "meh."

As an amusing article, I was amused.

I can see it all now in Atlas Park (GG, take note, we need you to make these images):

new character: Wahooo! Gonna get trained to level 3! Yea! Sewers runs, here I come! Hey, Ms. Liberty, here I am! Get me mah Level 3, please!

Ms. Liberty: Oh, I'm really sorry, new character. Due to the recent diminished XP, we have recently invoked changes through the new "XP Level Acceptance by eXpiration" policy, otherwise known as X-LAX, in effect throughout all of Paragon City. You'll have to wait until someone retires or dies, then we can let you level once you're number is called.

new character: Wait? Wha? Retires? Dies?? 'Number'?!? What are you talking about?

Ms Liberty: Oh, here. Take this. this is your number and place in line behind all the other Level 2s wanting to get to Level 3.

new character: ..but...but...this is unfair! I work hard for the XP! I have to wait for someone to die or retire to get trained now?

Ms. Liberty: I'm afraid so. Your number is 456. *Looks at data pad* Oh, look at that! Someone finally took out Memphis Bill's Level 5 sidekick of 6 years. Excuse me a second...

*Ms. Liberty yells* Now Serving number 123! 123! Come forward to train to Level 3!

Number 123: Yea! Thought I'd have to wait another three weeks after I dropped out of line for that last Zombie Apocalypse. Cool! Only had to wait 12 days instead!

new character: *drops to kness and begins to cry*

This is what happens when you let investment firms who don't even level characters of their own to speculate in XP futures, it distorts the markets all out of whack. The reason they didn't see this coming is that XP supply is adequate to current demand, it's merely being bid up out of actual consumers' price range by Wall Street investment banks and sovereign wealth funds.

The whole bit about "hand crafted" XP is to distract you from their real fear: that if they expanded the supply of XP to match demand, defeat inflation, and keep all supers employed, the Invisible Bond Superhero would go rogue, become an Invisible Bond Vigilante, and kill everyone. Nobody's ever actually seen an Invisible Bond Vigilante, but the Invisible Hand of the Market assures us that he is out there, somewhere. (On the other hand, nobody's ever seen the Invisible Hand of the Market, either.)

This game is DDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I blame complacent reliance on cheap, foreign sources of XP. Instead of cultivating sustainable, domestic XP crops, Pargon Studios took the easy road and now we're running out.

Perhaps we can purchase excess XP at reduced prices from failing games that have no use for their backstock?




Also, a little too silly to be believable as an AFD prank, but still amusing.

Oh nooo *flails like a muppet*

My modest proposal to conserve and reserve as much XP as possible to extend the life for this wonderful game: nix all the Euro accounts.

In these lean times, we need to be willing to make the hard choices for the greatest amount of return.

I've already forgotten about most of you

Check under Positrons matress, I know he's been hording. And remember to recycle.

I love the picture, but I think it might have been more amusing to have Anti-Matter or Tyrant there.

Does this mean we're going to have XP sellers now running around in-game?

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

See? This is why the IXP conversion costs for Incarnate Threads are so high.

They need the extra money to be able to buy more XP from the black market, and this will also help to push back the predicted Influence shortage that they mentioned.

So I'm calling for all level 50's to NOT do the Incarnate Trials and instead purchase all their IXP if they want Incarnate Levels!

Help save our game!

Dang it! Now when we run outta xp we will have to play... (fill in the blank, *cough* co)
*shakes fist*

As a good Loyalist, that picture is very hot. I love my mommy!

WARNING: I bold names.