If I may make my debut onto this site with an observation, to both the naysayers and their more positive counterparts, that observation is this.
While it may seem unlikely that a community can force any company into an action they do not wish to take, I remind people of Stargate SG1, when the character Daniel Jackson was axed (season 8 I believe), the fan community's response was so great that the studio could not believe it. Fans even went so far as to put a full page ad in Variety magazine demanding the return of their favourite character. The studio, MGM, capitulated.
Whilst it may seem unlikely, there is actual modern precedent for a company to give in to the pressure of the fan base or community that flourishes around 'their' product. What keeps hope alive are the actions of the very communities that enjoy the intellectual property, be it a computer game or television show.
In this day and age, where technology is more prevalent than not, how can a community of like minded individuals not bring to bear great pressure if they were motivated to do so? From what I've seen, and what I feel, despite being a largely solo player of CoH, there is a great deal of motivation within the community. It doesn't matter what form the pressure takes, so long as it is coordinated and a large section of the CoH community is represented. Yes, there is a credit crunch worldwide and Asia seems to be among the least affected, but remember that you're talking about only one hemisphere of a
planet the rest of the world also has its say and represents a substantial amount of money. After all, that's what business is about, making money.
What must be done is
demonstrate how much money the company stands to lose versus how much it could accumulate by closing down the game. Do not reserve your mathematical prowess to statements of CoH profit, but use the fan numbers and boycott declarations to calculate how much they will lose in comparison due to their bad decision. Everything is about being cost effective in the business world, therefore it should be
demonstrated how much this move will cost.
We live in a consumer driven market economy. The company that puts out the most reliable product, for the least amount of money, whilst making an insane profit walks away the winner. You have the buying power to make NCSoft winners or losers in the great game of finance. Show them
how you effect their bottom line. How the bad press effects their bottom line. How far you are willing to go to make this game not only a success, but a continuously viable option for the company.
To naysay and surmise that all is lost is easy. To fight and demonstrate through consumerism and irrefutable profit/loss margins is hard, but ultimately the only thing that will really make a difference. If not in saving it now, then in reviving it at a later date.
That's it for my first post....sorry for the length