Of Spreadsheets and Superbeings

Somewhere in an office, someone (or a committee of someones) looked at a spreadsheet full of dollars and cents, saw some numbers they didn't like, and made a decision that doomed an entire universe. But they aren't the people I want to focus on right now.

Instead, I want to thank the people who looked at other spreadsheets (or stared at screens of code, or lines on a sketchpad) and saw caped heroes flying above a war-scarred city, alien invaders from another dimension, giant monsters, sinister soul-stealers and so much more. Their dedication, professionalism, enthusiasm and passion created a world that sucked me in six years ago and never really let go.

I'm a loner and a bit too self-absorbed to ever be a good team-player. I joined the game on CoV's release with my namesake stalker, and almost always played solo. If I did feel like company I rolled up Masterminds. So I don't have an uplifting story about all the friends I've made in the game. Instead, the City was a place where my imagination could be unleashed. I had the freedom to roam and explore not just the Rogue Isles but all the ideas that were inspired by the lore and setting.

But despite my self-imposed isolation I knew this community was special - because even when I politely refused invitations to group, the response was almost always "OK, enjoy your game". I never felt pressured by the devs or my fellow players to play the game in any other style than my own way and at my own pace. This is what kept me subscribed and always brought me back after dabbling in other worlds.

Even though Grey Scribe and my first Mastermind Techdragon are my only 50s I have enjoyed the last six years of adventures with them and many other alts immensely. The forums also provided an entertaining if sometimes challenging place to lurk and even share some ideas or creations inspired by the game. I will always have fond memories of the inspirational creativity shown in the costume threads for example.

Like many of you I'm mourning the imminent passing of this amazing virtual world, but of course the Paragon Studios team are facing the end of so many real-world dreams and plans and my best wishes and sympathy go out to them, their families and their friends, who will all be affected by this unfortunate event.

I want them to know that their true worth is so much more than what was shown on that hypothetical spreadsheet I described at the beginning of this post. The game they built and the community that cherishes it are proof of that.

We entered the Paragon City Universe as mere gamers - we leave as Heroes (and Villains) of great power. With that power comes the responsibility to carry the legacy of CoH into our future adventures in other worlds either virtual or real.