For those that do not know, I work in the Mall of America in Minnesota. It's a very large mall, and each section has a different architectural and aesthetic style to try to 'break up' the monotony of the place. The South section is done up in lots of white, with inset lights, including the ceilings. It's very pretty.
I caught myself thinking, today, that I'd like to try to build that ceiling in the base editor. Specifically, the thought was "I wonder if I can recreate that ceiling in the base editor?" A split second later I caught myself and winced internally. The answer, of course, is no. No, I cannot recreate that ceiling in the base editor, because my base is gone. My City is gone. My home is gone.
We've reached another 'hurry up and wait' stage of our multi-tiered war against NCSoft, the destroyers of our beloved home. Make no mistake, this war is about getting our City back. Nothing more, nothing less. Our victory parameters are not the destruction of NCSoft, or the unemployment of its employees, or perpetuating misery and suffering. We have a single victory parameter: The return of our City, in the hands of a responsible party. The moment that happens, we withdraw. Period.
It's been quoted on this forum that we shouldn't expect movement from Disney--one way or the other--until after the New Year. That makes this a waiting game, something that is very hard for us to do. The loss of our City is still raw, still burns like a fresh wound. Many of us shed tears regularly, myself included. Some, shed tears daily. It's easy, during this moment of sadness and grief, to give in to despair and hopelessness. Then I see something that galvanizes me.
"We put ourselves in "the attitude of heroes"--and we all became a little more heroic." - VV
Those words come from our very own Victoria Victrix, who we have also come to know as the much lauded and acclaimed fantasy author Mercedes Lackey. These words strike straight into the heart and soul of our movement. I am uncertain if, as she typed them, she realized the import they carried. This does not change the fact that, for me at least, they are a fundamental truth. Through exploring a City of Heroes, we ourselves became heroic. City of Heroes promoted teamwork, companionship, and compassion. By playing that game, by "living" in that world, we took some of that into ourselves. City did not make us heroes, but it compelled us to make ourselves into heroes.
"We are heroes. This is what we do." - TonyV
Our rallying cry has sprang forth from this. Amidst cries of "AP33!" and "Save our City!", these words continue to ring out and pierce the dark corners of the internet. They resonate with each of us, because each of us has, in turn, taken in something heroic from our time spent in Paragon City. Even the villains among us, having stood beside us for such threats as the Rikti, Mot, and the Praetorians, recognize that sometimes--just sometimes--even the self-serving must stand for the many. At the very least, they recognize that they must stand for their own world. After all, that's where all their stuff is!
Many people who played our game, who walked our City streets, have found true love, happiness, and powerful friendships through City of Heroes. I found the most important person in my life through this game's community, and so have many of my friends. For those of us who had the opportunity to be brought together, I am grateful. Many, however, will not be given that chance now. Who knows how many will never meet someone they were meant to be with? For those who have lost this opportunity to NCSoft's own short-sightedness, my heart weeps.
I stand resolute. I will not falter. We will not fail. Stand with me. Raise your head. Dry your tears. We have mourned and buried our dead. It's time to get our metaphorical guns and stick to them. Spread the word. Raise awareness. Shout at the heavens. Don't limit yourself to your own friends and family, don't limit your sharing of knowledge to just other gamers and geeks. Reach out to your communities. Talk to random people you meet. Spread the word. Fight the fall of our City.
Don't sit on your laurels waiting to hear back from Disney on TF Hail Mary. Keep sending letters. Get others to send letters. Letters, and letters, and letters. Wrote one already? Write more. Let them know that you're interested enough to keep on top of it, and keep shouting at the heavens. I want NCSoft to hear our roars of defiance all the way in South Korea. I want the Mouse to hear our combined voices and realize that there is a market here. There is a strong, willful, loyal community waiting to give them money if they invest in restoring our City to its former glory.
Give not an inch. Delay not a second. Don't just stand your ground, advance. It's time to start fighting back, not give up.
