One more Goodbye

Hello again everyone-

Some of you older folks still remember me (I hope, anyway!). I've been around CoH since the beginning, about two months after launch. I realize that *everyone* is making threads like this, but... had to say something.

CoH was my first, and last, MMO. Turns out it's a hard act to follow- no other MMO has met the standard it set when I began playing at age 12. Today, I'm 20, and I don't play anymore. Over five years, I played the game so much that I actually got bored with a game that constantly released new content. I couldn't tell you how many hours I've logged. Eventually, the gap between old and new content got distractingly large, and I stopped playing altogether.

That said: I have absolutely nothing but good memories of this place. A few of you may remember some bad blood that went down, and I won't deny that I wasn't always the best person. For a long time, I was in a very dark place. City of Heroes both helped put me there, and helped get me out.

Ironically, looking back at these happy memories, I feel a deep sense of regret. I watched supergroups crumble around me, and instead of helping I just spent less and less time on the game. There are friends who were good to me - two of them had me as the ringbearer in their in-game wedding! - that I haven't so much as talked to in years. For that, I have regret. But for a time, we shared something special. We were heroes. We were villains. We saved the world over and over and had a great time doing it. Together, we played the best damn superhero game anyone's ever made.

But it was never just a game. It was a game I played together with my dad. It was a game that let me live out my superheroic fantasies. It was a game that brought a teenage nobody out of his shell, and quite literally made me into the man I am today. Today, I'm in college, doing well. I work hard at two jobs. I lead the Detroit chapter of National Novel Writing Month - leading and writing are both two things I can't say I'd be doing if not for CoH. I spent my formative years in Paragon City. I can still see in my mind's eye the route I'd take from the Brickstown train to Crey's Folly. To the Science Store, tucked under those annoying pipes that made it a pain to teleport to. Playing CoH was not just getting to be a hero, but getting to play with heroes. You know who you are. There are a few names of people I've played with that I will never, ever forget. The impact they had on this game, and on me, is one that will last the rest of my life.

I'm sorry this game is going away. I haven't played in months, but I've always felt that it was still there, icon on my desktop - with just a click I could fly again. I'm going to miss that, and I'm going to miss all of you.

With true love,
Steve "Mr. Samoa" P.

I remember you. Hope you're doing well.

- Kali

Dark Legend is a permanent member of the Triumphant Defenders. I am glad to have come to know you and your dad.

I remember, Its so sad that this game is going after so long, and yet way before its time.

It's been a while... Gilgamesh here... remember me? And Jackson Turner? Sad times now but remember those glory days? It was fun and I cherish the community that grew all around us. Take care (all of you guys) and be well.

Y'know, it's funny - I saw the name JacksonGilgamesh and I knew it was you.

As long as you're poking around, I wanted you to know: my usual forum handle nowadays is Gilgamesh. It's also my computer's nickname. I still think back to some of the chats we had years ago. You're a good man, Gilgamesh, and I want to thank you for being an influence on a young man who wanted to write.

P.S. - I had no idea you were still around, Kali. I thought you left before I did! I still remember you as KaliMagedlene, first of the infamous Forum Cartel and one of the strongest voices of the early forums - of my first real online community. It's nice to hear you're still kicking around, hopefully raising some sort of trouble.

P.P.S. - The Triumphant Defenders was one of the first "main" Triumph SGs that began to go downhill. Some of the regret I mentioned came from that. That said, TD was one of my first groups, and some of those early teams we had were really magical. Back when I was a 12-year-old tank named Blue Boulder. So much has changed since then, but I don't know if CoH would have become the force it was in my life without those early groups.

Speaking of, it's criminal to not mention AASQ. I'm not happy with the way things fell there, but you all really made the forum feel like a home (and the Litterbox, which made the forum a home full of cats). That, too, made we feel very welcome.

It's so bittersweet- I didn't want to check this post, because of how incredibly sad I spent my morning. I checked, and I'm flooded with happy memories that I haven't thought about in months. But it's all going away, and I'm so very sad again tonight. All I know is that there had better be one hell of a high note this game goes out on.

Let's see that old forum avatar one last time!

Ohhh... fine, only because you asked so nicely.

I definitely remember. It's good to see you around for the last hurrah, Mr. Samoa!

I remember you. Some of your posts were of legend. I would read them and laugh my butt off.

Ha, I *still* brag to people that I hung out with LaserJesus.

Also, when did this trend of so many players becoming devs start? I obviously missed that bus. Belated grats on the redname, Fire Man!

Just wanted to add to the thread. My younger brother Alex used to share this account with me. He started playing about the age of 11 or 12 as well, and will be turning 19 next month in his first year of college. He's promised to create a VIP account, just to write about the impact of this game in his life. Be on the look out for our threads Soon™.

Sammy got unbanned ?

:P


Was great playing with you over the years, and fun to meet you in person at Origins. Say Hi to your Dad from me.

I think we are going to try to get a bunch of old GHers to log in one last time, would be great to see you there. Keep an eye on the GH boards for when

Get in line and gimme you shoes, Anti.

You and I were very similar. Not sure if you even remember me, but I'm honored to have called you my bud and will continue doing so.

Of course I remember you, Sonic! I remember just about everyone I played or interacted with consistently.

Cat - You & Mags are some of the best people I've met online. I really, honestly, wish you and your family happiness.

I also remember Mr. Samoa. Glad to hear you are doing well.

P.S. Samoa is a cookie. (I remember setting you off once with that remark. Sorry I couldn't resist doing it again, for old times sake.)