The Marketing of WWD, or A Question for Black Pebble and Co.

So with luck, WWD7 will be going live tomorrow or the week after. I, for one, am really wanting to see how this all shakes down (for better or worse). But as we head into the last episode of the arc, something mystifies the hell out of me.

When the whole SSA/WWD thing first started, there was really just minimal hype - the notion of an overarcing story that would be released over a period of time rather than the entirety of a task force in one go. But it being "Who Will Die?", this was potentially really big news.

Issues 1-4 were mentioned, casually discussed...

Then Issue 5 was RAMMED DOWN OUR THROATS OMG SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER THIS IS HUGE YOU GUYS WILL LOVE THE CUTSCENE SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE IT WAS HIS SLED ETC ETC ETC...

Then nothing on 6 or 7.

Ummmmmm... color me confused, Marketing.

I can see how they'd want to play their cards close to the chest as to not give away huge plot spoilers from the get-go (although the Salute to Statesman thing - come on...), but we're now heading into 7.

A recap of 1-6, build the hype, hint at what's to come not only in 7 but SSA2 (which we already know is in the works)?

Vi-docs on the development of the arc as a whole, the player response, what this means in future, what worked and what didn't?

Another flurry of talking to every gaming site that'll listen to our devs on WWD7 and what this means for the game?

It just... I don't know... "galls" isn't the right word. "Disappoints" is probably better... it disappoints me that when all is said and done about SSA1/WWD, the devs are probably going to wonder why it wasn't as big a deal as they'd hoped. And I personally think a good chunk of it has to do with how it was 'marketed', not only in general but to us as a playerbase.

There was so much potential here, guys, and I really think you missed it.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

I still think the hype for issue 5 was perhaps because they either became aware of a leak on staff or the assets for the issue went in before the story did and they were sure someone would notice.

Either way it would be preferable to 'spoil' it on their own terms to keep the hype they wanted going before a pig-diver or squealer posted on non-official forums who died and it got passed around as common knowledge.

I think the whole series of linked arcs just doesn't really work

the first arc is basically unrelated to the others and built up zero momentum

while the other ones are interesting, they are a series of dramatic failures for the heroes that make me not want do the others and see how stupid and inept the Phalanx is and be dragged into their miserable lives.

I know I haven't done SSA6, I am not sure if I did 5.

They really strike me as having the Wheel of Time problem - instead of being a coherent story they are just an excuse for putting out a lot of content. I read the first book of Game of Thrones and gave up on the series for the same reason.

Epic does not just mean long.

"Oh yeah, sure, release WWD Episode 7 at... the end of March. Yeah, that sounds good. Now, who has some other ideas on how we can use the 4-legged rig?!?"







On a more serious note, I agree, the marketing of this has been poor. I can only speak for myself, but I would not be surprised if others would agree with me when I say: I don't care about #7.

-What is Manticore about to do?
-Is Sister Psyche truly gone?
-Do we get to defeat Darrin Wade?
-What other aftermath happens?

That's A LOT to cover in a whole 3 missions. I feel like either we will be left with loose ends, or it will all be crammed together and probably a lot less epic. Either way, I am not a fan. I am willing to cross my fingers until I play it, though.

If the aftermath of WWD (and Statesman's death) is a series of arcs as well done as 52 was, then yes it will be worth it.

You know, the three mission format may have been the first thing that shot the devs in the foot with the sig arcs.

Quote:

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.

i honestly cant wait to see how this culminates, i do agree the first sig arc didnt really give all enough information to add to the story much but i enjoyed them, i really enjoyed watching states kick the bucket although im still kind of pissed that it wasnt MY character doing the deed instead it was just a contact for lvl 20 story arc

i believe the arc will be out tomorrow because end of this week is also the end of the salute to statesman loyalty program (i know a lot of people in game who forgot this was even happening lol)

I've stopped caring, really. I like the arc for what it is: a story. It's gotten to the point where I don't consider the idea that my character is really there. Now, he's just reading about it.

Also, at least it could be worse.

It could be Mass Effect 3's ending >_>

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

So I went and log on to this website and saw the Ad for Who will Die Part 7, either it be out today or tomorrow, it has Rularuu Crushing the Earth with his bare hands.

Would he really take off his shades though?

Who Will Die has made me not want to play the 2nd SSA at all. Just saying.

And the SSA#7 Banner is removed from the official site. Heh.