I've done this in my head so much since the sunset that I have a random collection of notes, so here goes:
Character CreationArchetypesATs would be based more on combinations of power set types rather than set classes with certain power sets. Each AT would have an inherent ability, though it could be passive or active. There would be no "primary/secondary" power sets, so there's only one AT that would combo ranged damage and pets. This allows to 15 ATs, thought not all might be available at release depending on balancing issues. The power set types would be:
- Melee Damage
- Ranged Damage
- Defense (for self only)
- Control
- Support (Includes heals, buffs, and debuffs)
- Pets
To support the financial system (see below), your first 3 characters can pick from any AT and obtain any two power sets per AT. After your first 3, all other ATs and Power Sets become locked and would require purchase (but not necessarily real-world money; again, see below)
Costume CreatorThis would be a robust system with content constantly being added. Would include a "tag" system that would allow you to filter by theme (i.e. futuristic, western, retro, etc.). This is also where power customization (also added regularly) would be done.
StorylinePicking up after the Rikti invasion of 2012 (because overcoming would be more cathartic than retconning), the Well of the Furies once again sends its power-giving force into the world, creating new heroes. The prevailing assumption would be that all characters from CoH died fighting the invasion (but who stays dead in the superhero genre?)
Your tutorial would be based on your origin rather than your alignment. Origins would be unchanged. Science, you escape a lab accident. Magic, you're trained. You get the idea.
In-Game FeaturesCrafting on par with CoH, crafting enhancements and sets based on origin. Tech gets "Augmentations", magic gets "Focuses", etc.
Streamlined super bases to allow more functional usage. AE would be a part of the base in addition to being in the world (similar to the X-Men Danger Room, but you'd still have the option to access everyone's missions, not just those of your SG), as would teleporters to all zones and Task Forces. You could hire a contact for repeatable missions exclusive to SGs. Maybe could even have functionality that all offline members of the SG still walk around just hanging out in the SG (if they log off there). The main idea of the SG base is a one-stop shop to get to anywhere you need to go and do anything you need to do. Would take a lot of time and build, but well-established SGs would be living the high-life. I would also like to see different types of bases. Tower, underground, underwater, compound, etc.
Task Forces would remain, as would a "sewer run" component for quick leveling.
Leveling would go up to 100 off the bat and never change. The reason for this would be each power in your set would have 5 ranks that you would have access to level up at varying levels. Each power set would likely have 15 powers to make it impossible to get everything. Travel powers would be a part of a power set and each power set would have the ability to use any travel power. Haven't decided if ancillary pools will exist due to having so much diversity in the ATs. Leadership skills will go to Pets-based ATs, healing to Support and Defense ATs. Ranks in powers would affect scaling ratios for power states (damage/accuracy/resistance/defense/etc.) as well as the number of enhancements the power can utilize.
Financial SetupThe time of sub-based MMOs is almost over. Pretty much every MMO has some sort of free-to-play trial and, unless you established yourself in the era of sub-based MMOs, you can't really build the fan base necessary to make it stable. People want a WoW-level experience for $15/month and new games have a hard time capturing over a decade of build in the first year or so. The solution? Microtransaction. I know microtransaction has a reputation of making people pay for what should be a complete game and I get that, but Riot has perfected the microtransaction formula for League of Legends and it's easily transferable.
Time and Money (and Influence)CoH: Rebirth would have 3 currencies specific to any individual player. SG currency would be different just as it was in CoH.
- Money represents real-world money that is invested in the game to purchase currency. For now, we'll continue to call them Paragon Points.
- Time represents the amount of game play you have done on your account. These points are free and for now we'll call them Action Points.
- Influence is relatively unchanged. It is gained on a per-character basis and is used solely for in-game things (buying materials for crafting, buying crafted items, anything your character would need to purchase in-universe). Influence can NEVER be used to purchase Action Points or Paragon Points as that would break the system since Influence would be transferable.
Paragon PointsItems that are only available for Paragon Points would have ZERO effect on gameplay. This would not be a pay-to-win scenario. Convenience powers such as Recall to Base (to get back to SG base quickly) and Recall Team (just as in CoH) would be options. Costume Pieces and Power Customizations would also fit in this category as they are cosmetic only. Packaged deals would also take this because it would include only things that could be purchased with PP. As an example, if a Water Power Set is introduced, we could sell a bundle containing the new power set along with new (and/or old) aquatic-themed costume set(s) as well as all of the launch power customizations for that set. That way, a player could get the most out of the new set immediately rather than unlocking just the power set with Action Points and purchasing any of the cosmetic items piecemeal.
Action Points
Items available with Action Points would affect multiple characters on your account or just your account. This would be additional character slots, additional ATs (any added or ones not selected in your first 3 characters), additional power sets (any added to the game after launch or ones not selected in your first 3 characters.) A lot of items purchasable with Action Points will also be purchasable with Paragon Points for impatient gamers. Action Points are awarded for completing quests and based on the active game time used from obtaining the mission to completing it, up to a cap (to prevent AFK farming). This is also when you would get a set influence rate for completing the mission.
This isn't necessarily comprehensive, but it's all I can remember off the top of my head.