Unperched

I'd like to start off with a short letter to NCSoft:

Quote:

Dear NCSoft, If you have any Community Rep or Marketing positions open in the future, I'd like to recommend that LeatherPup and TempestMaster be your first candidates. Not only do I believe that their sole objective during SDCC was to get me back into playing CoH, but somehow they managed to get two of my friends interested as well - one who hasn't played in several years, and another who is a completely new player. Not sure how long they'll stay, but LeatherPup and TempestMaster sold us on CoH: Freedom, and now my friends are trying out the game now before Freedom is even out. Of course, open bar and yummy hors d'oeuvres at the Meet and Greet didn't hurt either Also, thanks to Brian, Matt, Andy, Nate, Melissa, David, and the rest of the NCSoft crew for being very hospitable, even to a guy who all but wrote off their game almost a year ago Kindest Regards, Obsidius

So yes, I've returned for CoH: Freedom. Actually, I probably would have waited until it launched before getting back into the swing, but since my two friends are using their free 30-day passes now, I had to make an early re-entrance. And just in time too, apparently, according to the VIP beta starting today

Looking back at my parting post from last October, I remember some of the reasons I left, but also understand that Freedom was probably a huge undertaking. That being said, I went down the laundry list of pet peaves to see what the score is:

• Bases: still a WIP. I almost forgot about the "All Your Base" Issue that never materialized until I read through some of the more recent Base posts. In all fairness, it's probably not easy working with a half-baked system designed by a dev team that (mostly) only stayed around long enough to launch CoV. It would probably take at least a whole issue to fix bases. I say start from scratch, but that's a whole other debate / thread altogether.
  
  
• AE: still a quagmire. Like bases and PvP, no comment from the devs re: AE during SDCC. I just want to say I've seen a similar system from another developer that seems to work better, major content releases notwithstanding. Rewards in standard AE missions look cool on paper, but they could be harming your system in the long run. Again, a whole other debate / thread altogether.
  
  
• Market: it's still a give and take. Rare salvage seems to cost more these days, but the more common and uncommon stuff seems to have evened out. I'm just glad Incarante salvage isn't something trade-able on the market.
  
  
• Intrinsic Motivation: A change in mindset: If I'm the team leader, my friends can play at my pace. Otherwise, I'll be there to help my friends, they can run at their pace; I'll keep up
  
  
• Community Reps: Sad to see TheOcho move on, but Zwil seems to have a handle on things. And IMPO, a better handle. Posi's doing a great job too in re: to CoH: Freedom info and responding to the CoT costume changes. So overall, an improvement from almost a year ago.
  
  
• Super Boosters: With CoH: Freedom and their complimentary VIP Points, they've taken care of that "double dipping" feeling I got with some Super Boosters, especially the Party Pack. It might cost more points overall for some packs, but now we'll be able to pick and choose what we want, and what we don't. I'll be very curious to review the store (in more detail than at SDCC) tonight when VIP Beta opens

I've decided to also make some changes to my playstyle:

• Be more casual: I don't have time to manage a big SG, an SG site, a YouTube channel, etc. It's how I got burnt out between all of that, excessive beta testing (getting bored with new content before it even goes live), keeping up with the game, etc. I'll be here, but I'll be in and out, even if that means going to a F2P account if need be. I'll be checking out VIP Beta to get a look at the Market, but apologies in advance for not wanting to test content. It's how I got burnt out on Going Rogue before it even launched.
  
  Not to mention that, by the end of the month, I will finally be a father. As you might imagine, between that, a full-time job, and (possibly) part-time college, I might be a tad busy
  
  
• Mentality: t the end of the day, it's a super hero video game. I might leave some constructive feedback, but I have better things to do than get my panties in a bunch about the state of bases, AE, etc. I'll let someone else worry about making those posts. I'm just going to try to enjoy what I can and not worry so much about the other stuff. The Dude abides.

One last parting quip on this post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden Girl See you in an Issue or two

<Shakes fist>

But in all seriousness, thanks for welcoming me back 10 months in advance GG, and everyone else who bid me a fond farewell on my previous post in this subforum

You can't have your stuff back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidius [*] Be more casual: I don't have time to manage a big SG, an SG site, a YouTube channel, etc. It's how I got burnt out between all of that

(nods slowly)

WB, and gratz on being a father!

Welcome back Obsidius!

Welcome back Obsidius and congratulations on your imminent fatherhood.

It really is the best adventure ever. CoH lets me be a hero on the internet but being a dad lets me be a hero in real life. Best of luck to you.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement My wife will be at 40 weeks next Wednesday.

I have to wait until September to join you in fatherhood.


Mags and I are expecting a daughter, do you know whats coming your way ?

Welcome Back .

Welcome Home!!

*hugs Obsidius*

Welcome back, and early congratulations on the newest sonic/mental controller!

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Huzzahs for your return, and congrats on the imminent Blessed Event. The world needs more gargoyles with hearts of gold.

I can't remember because I lose track after a while, do we like each other or hate each other?

Welcome back finally, Obsidius, and HUGE congrats on your impending fatherhood!

Welcome back!

Also, as a father of a 5 month old little sonic/Time Manipulation* corruptor I can tell you that you are in for the most challenging and fantastic experience in your life!

Enjoy it!

*Baby will alter your sense of time. First they are born, the next thing you know it's been 5 months, but you won't remember what your life was like before he arrived.

I'm looking forward to having a little Sonic Blaster around! I'm not looking forward to the new semester starting next week, the same week my wife is supposed to be due.

I have a feeling the baby is going to be arriving later anyhow (I'd almost bet on it ). If not, oh well, I'll just have to sit a semester out

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melancton The world needs more gargoyles with hearts of gold.

I think you give me far too much credit, but thanks for the flattery

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyV I can't remember because I lose track after a while, do we like each other or hate each other?

LOL Tony LOLinternetgrudges!

Obs,

Welcome back. And yeah, I think it's great that you've brought some new people in with you.

Most of all, congratulations on your impending fatherhood. While Mrs. Lantern and I have no children between us, it's been pretty amazing watching my grandchildren grow.

See you (and your friends!) around the city!