PWE Licencing Corruption Is Bunk!

My STO thread got posted, got moved, got merged, got confirmation that it is complete and utter tosh and that confirmation is here: http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/sh...1&postcount=93

No need to boycott PWE or Cryptic people! If anything they are looking to give the devs a new home.

Well, it's a data point. I still think it deserves a grain of salt, because I can't think of too many companies where the community manager of a subsidiary is intimately familiar with everything that corporate legal is doing.

Also, I don't see anything in there about getting the devs a new home.

Finally, Lootboxes are a pretty good reason to hate PWE all on their own.

Later in the thread...

Would like to point out that PAX was this weekend, and we (Cryptic) are showing Neverwinter Online. So a lot of people have been out of the office (and out of state) while that's going on. I can tell you the news spread rippled through the halls of Cryptic like a cold, shocking wind. And there was a lot of solemn reminincing from both people who'd worked on it, and people who'd simply played it.

Not sure where Jack was, but he he wasn't in Friday. I sent him a link to the announcement as did dozens of others I'm sure. I'd be very surprised if we didn't have a meeting about it when everyone's back in office.

I'd also be very surprised if the idea of trying to reaquire CoH isn't brought up at some point, but based on personal experience with NetDevil and Auto Assault, that's an unlikely prospect. The IP is probably worth more to them than any small bit of cash they could pick up selling it off. Plus, god forbid someone buy the game from you and turn it into something more successful than what you had.

As for rumors about licensing and IPs, it would be the first I've heard of it. Not saying it's impossible, I'm pretty sure the IP was handed over and that the engine was 'licensed'...but I wasn't aware of a 5-year term. All I can say is I haven't heard a peep. No mention at company meetings about impending plans to sink NCSoft and rid the world of a competing product. What people dont' realize is that Cryptic, as a whole, moved on from CoH a long, long time ago. They've put out two games since Paragon took over the reigns and are working on finishing a third. They've had a half-dozen game concepts, been aquired by a publisher, sold off, and aquired by another publisher. There's no animosity towards CoH, but it's like a distant, faded memory.

Even in our regular meetings when we get an update about Champions Online, it's never been 'Here's how Champs is doing stacked up against CoH or DCU...it's always just simply, here's how Champs is doing and here's some awesome stuff we're putting into it for our players'.

So in short, while something like this is possible...I haven't heard a whisper suggesting it's true. Ultimately, this was NCSoft's decision and it's completely in line with what they've done with other games/studios in NA.

Thanks BABs. . . errr Tic

It's good to know that nothing was done to deliberately scuttle the game. . . Well except what has been done.

First After Fromer Red Name! ! !

To reiterate all that has been said in this thread and what I said in another thread:

This rumor is nothing more than that. A rumor.

Good. If it were true there'd basically be no hope whatsoever.

So if members of Cryptic and Paragon are debunking the rumor, why are people pressing on with it?

Can it still be true after 3 people on the inside of both ends are debunking it?

Can't be.

This is an important thread, and I deeply thank Tic for coming back to share his view.

@Kyuu

Many thanks for sharing this, and for Babs to come on back and clarify everything.

The reason people won't let go of this rumor is that they want someone to pin this on and Cryptic has long been a target of derision since they left CoH.

I admit to not so much 'holding on' to this rumor, as to not ruling it out until now.

The more truth comes out, the more that it helps amend things toward this, and I'm greatly appreciative of BaBs, and the STO Community Manager for speaking out. Jumping on with one of their games just rose very far up the list with me.

Now all that's left is for someone on NCSoft's side (paging Mr. Lincoln Davis, hello?) to explain exactly why COH fell out of favor with their business plan, it's undoubtedly something we wont like to hear, but it's better than 'realignment of company focus'.

Otherwise, the rumors will just spread - because, rightfully, some of us want straight answers, and without those answers, only speculation can be produced.

@Kyuu

I'm still a skeptic here. Jack was missing Friday? Why?

I love you BaBs, but where is still Jack stepping up and stating he had nothing to do with it. Until NcSoft and Jack BOTH debunk this I am not convinced. It may still be a rumor, but after years of listening to Jack state that things weren't in his "Vision" for the game I'm unconvinced until he steps forward and states something for the record.

Yes, I'm hurt, but we still have no clear answers. Until then I won't touch Champions or give Cryptic any money. Am I reading too much into an absence, maybe, but I just want to be cautious with someone, that in the past, created a lot of animosity with the player base.

The more I think about this theory the less credible it becomes. If NCsoft had been forced to shut down City by PWE they'd have no reason not to shout that fact from the rooftops. It'd make them look good, it'd make PWE look terrible.

Even if all concerned kept quiet about it (can't imagine why NCsoft would but...) it'd come out eventually, at which point a large part of the CoH playerbase would become irevocably hostile to PWE. Some people will be willing to forgive NCsoft if it is just a business decision, but less people would, I think, be willing to forgive PWE for actively conspiring to kill CoH.

Why plot to take down a competitor if by doing so you'd likely alienate a lot of the customers you presumably hoped to win over to your game?

Unless I have veritable proof, as I stated before, I will not play a Cryptic backed CoH under his "Vision". For years he told us no and the wonderful people here told us yes after he left. BaBs I respect but there is much left to the unknown here, still. I'm just not willing to forgive Jack without him, at the very least, stepping forward, for the record.

At this point, since the efforts to save the game have hit a newsworthy level, the truth will come out one way or the other. I just want our Devs to be the ones in control one way or the other.

I know for sure that Cryptic/PW had nothing to do with shutting down the game, but is it true they still hold the licence? I've heard unanimous agreement about that and that would be a factor if the game gets sold...

Also, I've still heard ideas that there was a renewal upcoming. Is that debunked too...?