Hey everyone, it's time for our next Call to Action! For this one, I'm going to defer to @Maressa, one of our own loyal community members in Ireland who proposed it to me. (So she knows a thing or two about having good luck!) When she told me this idea, I immediately thought that it's brilliant, that it's an awesome way to show NCsoft that we are heroes, that this is what we do.
So with my full backing and support, I'm going to let her give the details of our next Call to Action!
Hi folks, first off I want to thank TonyV for all the hard work he has put into this campaign so far. And of course a huge thank you to all of you in the community. Tony and I couldn't do this without your support. Now, I know there have been calls for people to send cakes, and dolls and all sorts of things. Well that's what this is. Except, cakes aren't really all that relevant to City of Heroes, and dolls...well they can be a bit expensive. So, we have come up with a cheap way to get the attention of NCSoft. By sending them in Capes and Masks.
Thankfully Halloween is coming up so there are a lot of online stores out there selling Capes and Masks. I have picked a Cape and Mask that are cheap and plain enough that they aren't clearly one character or another.
http://www.costumeexpress.com/Red-Superhero-Cape/802387/ProductDetail.aspx
http://www.costumeexpress.com/Superhero-Red-Mask-Adult/802363/ProductDetail.aspx
Now, by no means do you have to use these two. These are just what I found in a few minutes of searching. You may even find something at your local dollar/euro/pound store.
Another option, one I plan to be doing is printing out our own masks to be decorated. I've found a couple and thanks to my team had them laid out for you so you can print several out without wasting paper. Even if you aren't artistic you can get involved. Write messages on them, but keep it polite and clean.
Templates: http://imgur.com/9cU9B
Some messages mine have:
#SaveCoH
We are Heroes. This is what we do.
We are Villains. What's ours is ours.
My Global Name
My Character's names
My Character's powersets
What Server I'm on
Phrases my Characters Say
(https://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa453/TonyV-CoH/City%20of%20Heroes/Save%20Paragon%20City/masks800.png)
What you put on them is up to you.
Once they're decorated, or the mask/cape is bought you need somewhere to send them! We're asking everyone to send them to one of three places:
NCsoft Corporation
157-37 Samsung-dong
Kangnamu-gu, Seoul 135-090
KOREA
NCSoft Seattle
1501 4th Avenue, Suite 2050
Seattle, WA 98101
UNITED STATES
NCsoft Austin
6801 N Capital of Texas Hwy.
Building 1, Suite # 102
Austin, TX 78731
And, if you'd like to send in a picture of your masks to Tony and I, we would love to see them. Send the pictures to masks@cohtitan.com and we will include them as part of our press package.
Thank you all for your huge support. Start sending out those Masks & Capes!
Maressa
I'm tempted to make a mask with Arachnos pattern because I play a Widow in my account... Will get this worked out when study break comes by. Awesome idea though. Thank you! :D
Great idea! I'll be adding that to my to-do list.
Omg I love this Idea :) It's like a Hero themed (in ur face) kind of petition
Brilliant as usual. I'll be picking up some supplies for this tomorrow.
Aha! Finally a use for the old ex-Halloween costume cape that's hanging in our closet. (It was part of a Zurg costume.)
Awesome idea. I'll be working on this this week.
I can't find a green cape with a red interior ANYwhere online or in shops...needs to be fairly long, but not floor-length....
If someone can acquire one for me, I will GLADLY don it in support of this idea! 8)
SOOO loving the idea. I will be sending each mask I get separately. With me in Arkansas I will likely target the Dallas office for a semi-local effect.
I'm still putting my shirt idea together. Once I have it I will be sharing with everyone.
A truly inspired idea
I have just put in the mail a letter along with my masks to be sent to the seatle offices these are my masks
(https://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/Xen0phage1013/heromasks.jpg)
I have taken out the sewing machine, and am working on replicating my main toons cape to send in.
Paper is interesting, but an actual cloth cape should stand out.
What about any folks who maybe have pics or parts from Paragon's Halloween contest a few years ago? I didn't participate, but I know they ran a "dress up like your toon" contest. Anyone else remember this? It would be awesome to send in pics of your toon and you side by side.
Found this on Walmart . com but there are others at the actual walmart that are cheaper...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Little-Adventures-Cape-and-Mask-Set-Prince/15569875
I am glad someone is doing this idea! Be sure to send them so they HAVE to sign for the delivery ;)
I'll be doing mine as well and I can get my kiddo involved too for her toons!
I like this idea....partly because you can find masks anywhere and everywhere this time of year! Or make your own...
Don't have scrap material to make capes with, but I know I can print out the masks at the local library...and buy markers, glitter, sequins and other whatnots to put on them:)
And then mail them off to Korea or Seattle...! (wonders if anyone knows someone over at DA who can promote this campaign...:)
great idea !
Spreading the word about it and preparing the shipment !
With Halloween coming, this should be a piece of cake. There are even masks (and sometimes capes) in the grocery store. I have to head to Walmart later today, and I'll be sure to pick something up there.
I love it and will be doing a combo of capes and masks. Another idea just came to mind. This action will show NCsoft how dedicated and loyal we are. It would be great(!) if we could show any potentially interested parties (new owners) as well. Now I thought about replicating this action to those parties, but that might actually be taken as annoying for them. (I was thinking of having it more like a "please save the heroes" charity mailing...but still) Anyway, I defer to TonyV's genius in this matter since A) he would know if there are even any potential buyers/backers to focus on and B) can probably come up with something less annoying to them...
Just a thought.
Although this is about saving CoH you may as well save some money at the same time, if you use the site listed by Maressa, use the Promotional Keycode WELCOME15 for 15% off your order. Still deciding where to get mine from.
Quote from: Blitzwing on September 09, 2012, 02:01:08 AM
I can't find a green cape with a red interior ANYwhere online or in shops...needs to be fairly long, but not floor-length....
If someone can acquire one for me, I will GLADLY don it in support of this idea! 8)
Blitz it is kid size but this one is green/red:
http://www.amazon.com/Abracadabrazoo-Super-Superhero-Satin-Reversible/dp/B005NIC994 (http://www.amazon.com/Abracadabrazoo-Super-Superhero-Satin-Reversible/dp/B005NIC994)
Quote from: lmsadina on September 09, 2012, 03:39:38 PM
Blitz it is kid size but this one is green/red:
http://www.amazon.com/Abracadabrazoo-Super-Superhero-Satin-Reversible/dp/B005NIC994 (http://www.amazon.com/Abracadabrazoo-Super-Superhero-Satin-Reversible/dp/B005NIC994)
Oh man, that's perfect...now to find an adult-sized one.... :D
I'd like to suggest that the capes and masks that you send in are kid-friendly and kid-sized if possible.
The reason is that when companies receive mass mailings of items like this they usually donate the items to a needy charity. I'm sure CBS donated the over 3 tons of nuts (sent to them by fans to save Jericho) to a food bank. The CW also received more than 10,000 Mars bars to save Veronica Mars.
We (or at least I) don't know the culture in South Korea but I would hope that any capes and masks that are not easily ripped (such as paper) will be donated to needy and/or sick children.
In fact, being that we are supposed to have until the end of November to play, it might be nice to purchase and/or make some capes and masks for the express purpose of donating them on behalf of the City of Heroes community. I think I'll make that its own thread. =)
Oy, why couldn't NC Soft be UK-based? The post office is going to be making a mint out of me.
Totally. Worth. It.
Quote from: rae on September 09, 2012, 08:51:53 PM
Oy, why couldn't NC Soft be UK-based? The post office is going to be making a mint out of me.
Totally. Worth. It.
FWIW, they still have PR offices at
NCsoft Europe Limited
Fifth Floor
Mocatta House
Trafalgar Place
Brighton BN1 4DU
This was still current as of June when they Logitech contest was announced:
http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/news/contests_promos/the_city_of_heroes_logitech.php
Haven't made my mailers yet, but I figured these would get posted around on twitter cause I got cute fuzzy babies!
(https://images.weserv.nl/?url=a.yfrog.com%2Fimg808%2F3614%2Fc0qam.jpg)
(https://images.weserv.nl/?url=a.yfrog.com%2Fimg571%2F7162%2Fqvr.png)
As soon as i get home this weekend my letter and mask's will be in the mail. ;D
Quote from: rae on September 09, 2012, 08:51:53 PM
Oy, why couldn't NC Soft be UK-based? The post office is going to be making a mint out of me.
Totally. Worth. It.
I know right?
It'll be ramen for me for quite a while. Hopefully we can make it worth it!
Anyone here from Australia? I'm not familiar with how Australia Post works with international posting and shipment.
Please guys, do not send them to the UK office. They are a very small group and have less than nothing to do with City of Heroes. Tony and I picked the three we did because of their relation to City of Heroes.
well i just got my cape and mask ordered. should have it thursday and im off friday from work so it will be mailed.
making sure i get it certified mail and it if aint to much gonna O/N it.
I found this cape pic and am going to create/print one for each of my characters, then mail with a brief letter.
The plain cape:
(https://i.imgur.com/wufk0.jpg)
My first finished one:
(https://i.imgur.com/fEJTp.jpg)
Quote from: Maressa on September 10, 2012, 08:08:36 AM
Please guys, do not send them to the UK office. They are a very small group and have less than nothing to do with City of Heroes. Tony and I picked the three we did because of their relation to City of Heroes.
Gotcha. I have a friend who works in the Texas office, too, so this amuses me somewhat. He's a GM on ..er..I want to say Aion, but honestly I didn't pay much attention when I found out it wasn't CoX.
Maybe they'll hand out masks to the employees and they can wear them as they work :D
Quote from: rae on September 10, 2012, 01:55:04 PMI have a friend who works in the Texas office, too, so this amuses me somewhat.
Wait... you mean the Austin building? The server farm that used to be Destination Games?
You know someone with physical access to the building?
Quote from: jacknomind on September 10, 2012, 03:18:50 PM
Wait... you mean the Austin building? The server farm that used to be Destination Games?
You know someone with physical access to the building?
... I don't like where this is going Jack. It could easily backfire, I think.
Be sure you've thought out all the complications on it and worst case ramifications before you do ANYTHING, please. Last thing we want to do is shoot ourselves in the virtual foot here.
Oh, yeah, definitely. I wouldn't want to get CoH double-cancelled. That would be awful.
I found something perfect at Walmart today. A Simply Hero mask and cape intended for a stuffed animal.
It's very cute, and might just save on shipping.
(Had to get an extra for the little one's stuffie...)
Love the idea!
Does anyone have a link to the old coh forum/web page where you could download the COH artwork pack - it had the font, wallpapers and the AT symbols in it.
Many thanks for any help
Sorry to bump this post - anyone have a copy of the files Ive asked about?
An interesting idea, I'd just suggest folks keep it simple and small. Don't make it hard for them to deal with or the campaign will just annoy rather than help.
Beyond that, why not make our own costume drive for charity? We have no real certain idea what NCSoft will do with such items sent to them. But if the community did something on its own, we'd know some good came of it. I'm not really sure what charity would be best for this but I'd strongly suggest it be a large and very visible one. The idea here being to both do a good deed and get maximum publicity out of it for the cause.
Quote from: Back Blast on September 10, 2012, 07:35:07 PM
Beyond that, why not make our own costume drive for charity? We have no real certain idea what NCSoft will do with such items sent to them. But if the community did something on its own, we'd know some good came of it. I'm not really sure what charity would be best for this but I'd strongly suggest it be a large and very visible one. The idea here being to both do a good deed and get maximum publicity out of it for the cause.
Had suggested the same on Twitter a little earlier - I'd rather fund a Plan Z if need be, but we (the comminuty) are well known charity-ers, so would be a nice way to bow out the older game (if/when it came to it)
Quote from: Back Blast on September 10, 2012, 07:35:07 PM
An interesting idea, I'd just suggest folks keep it simple and small. Don't make it hard for them to deal with or the campaign will just annoy rather than help.
Beyond that, why not make our own costume drive for charity? We have no real certain idea what NCSoft will do with such items sent to them. But if the community did something on its own, we'd know some good came of it. I'm not really sure what charity would be best for this but I'd strongly suggest it be a large and very visible one. The idea here being to both do a good deed and get maximum publicity out of it for the cause.
Children's Miracle Network, or Make a Wish maybe? Halloween is coming up...
Quote from: Recluse1990 on September 10, 2012, 09:33:29 PM
Children's Miracle Network, or Make a Wish maybe? Halloween is coming up...
Real World Hero and Titan Network are talking behind the scenes. If and when a visible charitable statement needs to be made, we'll probably be given a Call to Action.
In the meantime, feel free to donate whatever time or money of your own that you can. :) I spent a couple of hours working with a worthy cause tonight--prescription drug abuse, mentioned here only to raise awareness of a growing problem in American society. (Tangential FYI: if it hasn't happened already, drug overdoses are soon going to overtake automobile accidents as the leading cause of "accidental" death, according to the CDC. According to a report I read, I seem to recall that over half of those overdoses were of prescription drugs. If you have a problem, or know someone with a problem, feel free to contact me: addiction is a disease, not a weakness, and it can be treated with good medical practices.)
Yeah, I don't know how to tactfully say this without sounding cold, but here goes the ol' college try...
I don't want to detract from charity. I give to charity, and people like the Wentworths who sponsor charity drives are top notch in my book. However, right now, we really have to focus on things that will be effective in getting NCsoft's attention. As admirable as participating in a charity fundraiser would be, the only way I can see this as being particularly effective for our efforts is if it drums up some major publicity. I'm mainly concerned that if it doesn't, it won't even make NCsoft's radar, and I just don't think we're at the threshold of drumming up the kind of publicity we'd need. If we get there in the future, then I reserve the right to do a 180 on the subject.
Plus, I don't want to burn people out by nickel-and-diming them to death. Sending a letter isn't very expensive. Sending capes and masks is a little more, but still within reason. If we start asking people to do something that costs them $10 or $20 every week or two, then I'm afraid that 1) people will get tired of it and stop participating, and/or 2) if the time comes that we need to kick off a massive crowd funding effort, I don't want people to look at their pocketbooks and say, "But I've already spent $100 on this stuff, I don't have anything left!"
If we can get through this intact, I pledge to you right here and now that I will throw my full support behind Real World Hero come holiday time. Shoot, even if we hit the worst-case scenario, I'll STILL throw my full support behind it, because even if our game isn't around, our community will still be and I really think that supporting Real World Hero is very important.
But for now... For right now, I'd like to hold off on any kind of charity drives.
But as someone else said, I am not saying don't give to charity. There are a LOT of worthwhile causes out there that need your money. If you've got some to spare, definitely throw it their way.
Alright guys, i need your opinion on this.
While I love this idea, I'm one of those pesky Frenchie gamers out there (i know, nobody's perfect ;)) and unfortunately i can't afford shipping costs to the US or Korea right now (i might just send a letter to save costs but i feel a solid cloth cape and plastic mask should have a better impact on people's minds).
So as I really want to participate i thought i might order my cape and mask at a US store and have them ship the package directly to Austin for instance, gift-wrapped with a nice message while I'm at it. Do you think it would work? I mean is there at least a chance my nice package doesn't end in the trashcan as soon as the postman arrives at the NcSoft building (or gets returned to sender, I'm sorry Sir we never ordered that crap now go away before i release the dogs)?
Thanks for your advice and thank you TonyV and Maressa for all you're doing :)
NcSoft won't kill my babies!!
...Yes. I think that your package will stand out in the mail (since I at least am only sending in the paper masks, although I intend to send quite a few over the following weeks), giving it a much better chance of piquing someone's curiosity.
And if it is not seen, it will be because we have brought about such a deluge of mail that they literally cannot see. ;) Which honestly, I'd love to have happen.
Quote from: TonyV on September 11, 2012, 04:40:31 AM
Yeah, I don't know how to tactfully say this without sounding cold, but here goes the ol' college try...
I don't want to detract from charity. I give to charity, and people like the Wentworths who sponsor charity drives are top notch in my book. However, right now, we really have to focus on things that will be effective in getting NCsoft's attention. As admirable as participating in a charity fundraiser would be, the only way I can see this as being particularly effective for our efforts is if it drums up some major publicity. I'm mainly concerned that if it doesn't, it won't even make NCsoft's radar, and I just don't think we're at the threshold of drumming up the kind of publicity we'd need. If we get there in the future, then I reserve the right to do a 180 on the subject.
Plus, I don't want to burn people out by nickel-and-diming them to death. Sending a letter isn't very expensive. Sending capes and masks is a little more, but still within reason. If we start asking people to do something that costs them $10 or $20 every week or two, then I'm afraid that 1) people will get tired of it and stop participating, and/or 2) if the time comes that we need to kick off a massive crowd funding effort, I don't want people to look at their pocketbooks and say, "But I've already spent $100 on this stuff, I don't have anything left!"
If we can get through this intact, I pledge to you right here and now that I will throw my full support behind Real World Hero come holiday time. Shoot, even if we hit the worst-case scenario, I'll STILL throw my full support behind it, because even if our game isn't around, our community will still be and I really think that supporting Real World Hero is very important.
But for now... For right now, I'd like to hold off on any kind of charity drives.
But as someone else said, I am not saying don't give to charity. There are a LOT of worthwhile causes out there that need your money. If you've got some to spare, definitely throw it their way.
Well in defense of the idea, I did suggest that the charity be a big public one and that it be done as a method of generating publicity while still being a charity drive of course. I'm just not sure who the best choice would be.
If I offered the services of my sewing shop Hourglass Nights to make child-sized satin capes for $15 + $2.00 shipping, would people want to take advantage of that? I'm US-based, so I would ship them directly to the US offices with your return address on them. If people are interested, I can set up a Save COH Cape on my Etsy shop. (I'd love to be able to make and mail them for free, but fabric costs money. You're basically buying the fabric for me at that price - I normally charge $40 for a kid's satin cape.) I've seen a lot of folks from across the pond wondering about shipping and costs - This might help folks save some money on shipping AND get their capes to NCSoft faster. Feel free to send me a PM if you want - I'll send you a picture of the finished cape and print out any personalized message you want to include in the package as well.
(Edited for more detail.)
Mailed out my mask and cape today, and got the return receipt of my letter I sent last week too!
I'm not terribly artistic or talented, but I found some masks on eBay pretty cheap. I figured I'd send them with letters written by my avatars, including a little of their in-game bios and stating they are returning their masks as it appears they are no longer Welcome in Paragon/The Isles.
Except now I see that written down, it looks a bit cringey.
Quote from: rae on September 11, 2012, 08:19:23 PM
I'm not terribly artistic or talented, but I found some masks on eBay pretty cheap. I figured I'd send them with letters written by my avatars, including a little of their in-game bios and stating they are returning their masks as it appears they are no longer Welcome in Paragon/The Isles.
Except now I see that written down, it looks a bit cringey.
Funny. My first thought when I read your plan was "Ooooh...twist the knife a little more! :'("
Quote from: rae on September 11, 2012, 08:19:23 PMExcept now I see that written down, it looks a bit cringey.
Oh good. I was afraid you had been swallowed by the well of fanfiction.
Do it anyway, but keep it short and sweet. "To whom it may concern; my name is ----. I have been a hero in Paragon City/agent of fortune (or other appropriate euphemism) in the Rogue Isles for ---- years. (A one-sentence summary of their bio or most notable accomplishment), but now I see I am no longer welcome here. I won't be needing this. Thank you for your time."
Shorter link for promotion: http://bit.ly/MasksCapes
And to further help the folks concerned with postage costs and our friends overseas, I'll happily make your cape and mail it for you. :) (Refer to my earlier post for details.)
You can order it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/109238903/childs-satin-cape-to-help-savecoh
It's the best way I can help out with this part of the initiative.
Quote from: jacknomind on September 11, 2012, 10:41:04 PM
Oh good. I was afraid you had been swallowed by the well of fanfiction.
Do it anyway, but keep it short and sweet. "To whom it may concern; my name is ----. I have been a hero in Paragon City/agent of fortune (or other appropriate euphemism) in the Rogue Isles for ---- years. (A one-sentence summary of their bio or most notable accomplishment), but now I see I am no longer welcome here. I won't be needing this. Thank you for your time."
..so you're saying I should leave out my totes original characters Eduardo and Belle? Interesting ;)
Look what I found for the Mask and Cape campaign. I thought that they were perfect and so many options too!
http://www.zulily.com/e/power-cape-and-hero-huggers-091712.html (http://www.zulily.com/e/power-cape-and-hero-huggers-091712.html)
Edit: removed email address from URL - Eabrace
Quote from: Woodnimph on September 12, 2012, 01:41:49 PM
Look what I found for the Mask and Cape campaign. I thought that they were perfect and so many options too!
FYI--the link you posted has an e-mail address in the URL. You may want to edit that back out. >.>
Quote from: Vulpy on September 12, 2012, 02:19:34 PM
FYI--the link you posted has an e-mail address in the URL. You may want to edit that back out. >.>
Thanks :D
I modified the URL above to remove the email address. But the link (with our without the address) is sending me to an account creation page.
I think this is what Woodnimph was trying to point out to us, though:
http://www.zulily.com/brand/power-capes.html
http://www.zulily.com/brand/hero-huggers.html
Both appear to be 65% off.
That's it. There are LOTS of kids sized capes and masks.
This is a great idea! It's cheap and easy! I'll definately be making a few.
24 for $3.00 - kid sized cardboard masks: http://www.orientaltrading.com/bright-color-masks-a2-14_1841-11-1.fltr?xsaleSku=24/2513 (http://www.orientaltrading.com/bright-color-masks-a2-14_1841-11-1.fltr?xsaleSku=24/2513)
28" polyester child's cape in blue, other colors available: http://www.seasonstrading.com/28bluecape.html (http://www.seasonstrading.com/28bluecape.html)
I was doing a search for capes and came upon this site:
http://www.littleherocapes.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Hero-Capes/105400592404
You can buy a cape and give to charity at the same time! They might want to have a nice partnership with the coordination efforts.
They make adult sizes as well it seems.
Ooo they also have masks: http://www.littleherocapes.com/catalog/Little_Hero_Masks-6-1.html
Quote from: Altoholic Monkey on September 12, 2012, 10:40:21 PM
I was doing a search for capes and came upon this site:
http://www.littleherocapes.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Hero-Capes/105400592404
You can buy a cape and give to charity at the same time! They might want to have a nice partnership with the coordination efforts.
They make adult sizes as well it seems.
Ooo they also have masks: http://www.littleherocapes.com/catalog/Little_Hero_Masks-6-1.html
They're lovely capes, but $45 for a child's cape may be a little on the pricey side when you're sending that cape off to NCSoft.
I sent mine in. Here's what I sent:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00427KVGA/ref=ox_ya_os_product (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00427KVGA/ref=ox_ya_os_product)
(https://images.weserv.nl/?url=ecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F31AVsvUeaVL.jpg)
Nice little set, and only $7.90 with Free Super Saver Shipping from Amazon. :P
Jeanette / Flame Bailador, Victory Server
Sent a Superman cape and belt to Seattle yesterday morning, registered mail; sent a domino mask to Korea, regular package...
Waiting for a response :)
Does anyone have a good screenshot of Statesman? I have just about everything I need for a Statesman mask, but I can't find a good enough image to get the details.
How's this?
(https://i.imgur.com/v39u5.jpg)
Sent my masks out today, to all three addresses. Feel much better now I have done :)
Quote from: healix on September 14, 2012, 05:18:03 AM
How's this?
(https://i.imgur.com/v39u5.jpg)
That's perfect! Thank you.
I couldn't tell if it was a ridge across the eyebrows and around, or if it was actually another piece scalloped on. I used to be pretty good with fiberglass and body putty, back in the day. As soon as I can get my hands on a styrofoam head, I'll get busy. :)
(That's not a call for a styrofoam head; my aunt has one either in her attic or my grandparents'.)
Small reminder - I am still taking orders for the Cape and Mask Initiative through my Etsy shop. The link for the capes is here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/109238903/childs-satin-cape-to-help-savecoh
I will stress that this is the price of the fabric - I'm donating my time to make them. I'd make them free, but I don't have the money to buy that much fabric. I DO take overseas orders happily! (I'm not that great at making masks out of anything but leather, and...that's more pricey.) I'll be taking orders until the listing expires or the server goes dark, whichever happens last.
Quote from: SithRose on September 15, 2012, 10:18:12 PM
Small reminder - I am still taking orders for the Cape and Mask Initiative through my Etsy shop. The link for the capes is here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/109238903/childs-satin-cape-to-help-savecoh
I will stress that this is the price of the fabric - I'm donating my time to make them. I'd make them free, but I don't have the money to buy that much fabric. I DO take overseas orders happily! (I'm not that great at making masks out of anything but leather, and...that's more pricey.) I'll be taking orders until the listing expires or the server goes dark, whichever happens last.
Thank you for the support!
I've gone mine sent (well, I ordered from Sith!).
Much easier than trying to post from the UK. (The registered letters cost a months sub!)
After some looking, I finally found this at a store here in town. Then, I found it online. It costs about what SithRose's offer does, but won't consume anyone's free time.
http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/fn-super-hero-kit-generic-boys/?w=cape%20and%20mask&UTM_campaign=Search:SC:cape%20and%20mask
Quote from: Vulpy on September 17, 2012, 01:22:41 PM
After some looking, I finally found this at a store here in town. Then, I found it online. It costs about what SithRose's offer does, but won't consume anyone's free time.
http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/fn-super-hero-kit-generic-boys/?w=cape%20and%20mask&UTM_campaign=Search:SC:cape%20and%20mask
It's not THAT much time. :) *grins* And it's not wasting my time - It's still sales for my Etsy shop, even when I'm not making any money off them. ;) (I freely admit that there is a *tiny* ulterior motive there. But it is the most secure way of making sure that everyone who asks me to make a cape for them gets their cape shipped out!)
My kids and I are going to have a craft day and make a bunch of masks.
Do you think it's better to send them in individual envelopes or put them all in one envelope?
There are benefits to either. I'm sending mine all in one, figuring the overall response will make thick envelopes/packages that much more impressive than more envelopes.
So, my cape will be on its way shortly - maybe it is another little drop that will help tipping the scales.
Well, it is not a perfect metaphor ...
I sent in mine yesterday. :)
Capes are still being made and shipped over here at https://www.etsy.com/listing/109238903/childs-satin-cape-to-help-savecoh?ref=af_shop_order too!
I expect another batch to go out Monday or Tuesday.
Sent mine :)
Sent 10 of ours! Emailed pic as well. :)
The capes and masks are not going unnoticed. At least one of the capes sent to the Austin office was forwarded to the Paragon Studios staff.
I received a surprise package with a thank you letter from Paragon Studios today.
Keep it up, guys. Someone at NCSoft is seeing and reading your letters.
http://tinyurl.com/9ulg9rl
That is AMAZING news, SithRose. Thank you for sharing, it is really encouraging and steels my resolve all the more.
WE CAN DO THIS GUYS!
Quote from: SithRose on September 27, 2012, 09:53:00 PM
The capes and masks are not going unnoticed. At least one of the capes sent to the Austin office was forwarded to the Paragon Studios staff.
I received a surprise package with a thank you letter from Paragon Studios today.
Keep it up, guys. Someone at NCSoft is seeing and reading your letters.
http://tinyurl.com/9ulg9rl
Hey that's pretty cool.
Quote from: SithRose on September 27, 2012, 09:53:00 PM
The capes and masks are not going unnoticed. At least one of the capes sent to the Austin office was forwarded to the Paragon Studios staff.
I received a surprise package with a thank you letter from Paragon Studios today.
Keep it up, guys. Someone at NCSoft is seeing and reading your letters.
http://tinyurl.com/9ulg9rl
Oh now THAT is class!
Quote from: Hyperstrike on September 27, 2012, 10:47:32 PM
Oh now THAT is class!
It certainly made me all sniffly. It's even got the Heroclix figures in it...My son was SO happy to see those! (I told him these are staying in their packages so they don't get broken.)
I'm going to have to get a little display case for them, I think.
Excuse me..got some onions over here...just gimme a minute... *sniffle*
That is awesome, and that quote...
Let's go be heroes.
I picked-up some Teddybear size capes and masks tonight for this project. (Wish I had the money sooner, but that's not how things are these days.) Will be sending them out over the weekend, after my grand-daughter has villainously liberated one from the stack for HER Teddy.
They have the virtue of being a good size for 6x9 manella envelopes AND being pretty cheap ($2.98 at Wal-Mart) so I will be able to send out several of them instead of just one or two, even on a tight budget. Now I just need to put messages on them. :)
Quote from: DrewBlue on September 28, 2012, 04:07:50 AM
I picked-up some Teddybear size capes and masks tonight for this project...
Heh, now there's a thought... a Build-a-Bear superhero.
One more item to take away from this - Even if all NCSoft is doing with the capes and masks is sending them on to what's left of Paragon Studios, it is still giving them hope.
Every cape and every mask is a person or a family saying "We love you. We support you. We want our game back. We are backing you all the way. We are STILL HERE."
Keep up that momentum. Keep the support rolling in to the people on our side of the table. Keep giving them reasons to say "WE are heroes to our players. We CAN do this. We can save our game."
Letters. Masks. Capes. Photographs. Screenshots. Stories. Never send the same thing twice. But KEEP IT COMING. Polite and gentle pressure on NCSoft. Polite and firm reassurance to Paragon.
Now I just so much want to save the game and studio so that everything can go on again. dang !
I'm a bit late on this but is it too late to send a cape or mask?
Quote from: Jetfire99 on October 01, 2012, 09:45:02 PM
I'm a bit late on this but is it too late to send a cape or mask?
I can't imagine that it would be. Go right ahead. :)
Done :)
(https://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/DarkLordOfTheDance/Save%20CoH/ResizedImage_1349228741706.jpg)
(https://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/DarkLordOfTheDance/Save%20CoH/2012-09-29_01-33-02_227.jpg)
(https://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu114/DarkLordOfTheDance/Save%20CoH/2012-09-29_01-33-39_7851.jpg)
I'm sending in another cape, tomorrow or Thursday.
I'm going to be sending another letter with it. This is a rough draft.
Dear NCSoft Board of Directors,
On August 31st, you announced the sudden shut-down of the game City of Heroes, and the closing of Paragon Studios. On October 2nd, you announced, effectively, that there were no further plans to sell the IP in any way. This is a game which has proven beneficial to children with autism and speech disorders, in large part because of the game's subject materials. Children care about superheroes. They look up to them, and see them as role models.
The parents of autistic children struggle daily to find something that will help their children in the world. We had one of those resources in City of Heroes. Those heroes who inspired my child, and may have inspired other autistic children, to start speaking and communicating again, will be gone on November 30th.
Of course, there are other games we can look to as possible therapeutic aids. The autism community speaks regularly about new suggestions and therapies which might help our children. When we search for those therapies, we have to ask ourselves a question. "Is this possible benefit worth the risk?" It's often a very hard question to answer due to expense and time. For the $15 a month cost of an MMO subscription, that answer may well be yes. For a $60 game with no subscription fee, and perhaps an occasional purchase in the store, that answer may be yes.
Our children react very poorly to sudden changes. This is one of the diagnostic criteria of autism. And so I find myself asking a very hard question of NCSoft now. You have made the decision to shut down a thriving, active game. This was an extremely sudden, unexpected decision. You have further made the decision that you will not sell or release the IP for that game at this time. And so I ask myself, and I ask the NCSoft Board of Directors and shareholders:
Why should I trust that you will not do this to another game?
I am looking at a company that has just released a new game, and plans to release other games within the next year. Some of these games look very attractive, possibly interesting to children and teenagers. But there is still a very crucial question to be answered.
How can I say to the parent of another autistic child "Yes, try NCSoft's new game. It might help."
When a company has a long history of closing games down suddenly, a practice that could be quite harmful to progress an autistic child has made while playing that game, why should I speak positively of that company? I would like to recommend some of these games, but I cannot in good conscience tell the autistic community, the large and growing autistic community, that I can trust NCSoft not to repeat what they have done with City of Heroes and Paragon Studios.
Please help me find a reason to recommend your games to the thousands of parents of autistic children. Please demonstrate that we can trust your products to remain stable and continuous, even when those products no longer meet the direction of your company. Please reconsider your decision to release City of Heroes, so that I can continue to tell the autistic community that NCSoft can be trusted to support tools that help our children learn and grow.
We are heroes, so our children can become their own heroes. This is what we do. Show us that you're willing to be heroes as well.
Great pictures and letters! I'd say absolutely continue sending them.
Don't stop.
Not now.
Not after November 30th.
Let our capes and masks and letters and flowers rain down upon them like a tsunami. Let our message blot out the sun of their tiny little world, and make them tremble in awe.
We are heroes. This is what we do.
Doe's NC Soft do the gaming con circuit? if so ask them about their new products, draw them out, get them excited about telling us everything going on, then ask them when they plan on killing the newest game and ripping your heart out again.
It's an honest question.
Abandoned Child-Champion
Dainty Denise-Guardian
(Daren)