More of a rethorical question at this point.
My guess, is they are going to take a 'lets see how bad this is' approach. I dont expect them to make a move at all untill late October/early November.
In the mean time, they are going to stop any 'fun' events. I wouldn't expect any holiday events, Atlas 33, or even the coh boards to be around. Their goal, is to cause as much attrition as possible, in order to have as small of a splash when the turn the severs off.
If populations drop quicker, the will probably stop the game sooner.
So.. we stay active, and really start ramping up pressure come Mid October.
....
and here is a nice little song to reflect my feelings regarding NCSoft right now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln0aVbWzV6s
Rhetorical question, or rhetorical device?
Has something happened to make you think that NC is going to go out of their way to prevent player gatherings, parties, etc?
If AP33 goes down it'll be because whatever devs have been reactivating it for us, are no longer at Paragon. Same goes for the holiday events. If there's anyone there with the knowhow, they'll probably activate it. NC probably isn't going to give a darn one way or the other.
If by some bizarre chance, they're hoping we give up, just so they can sit on the IP until the end of time instead of having to seriously consider other options, they can STILL ignore everything that happens in-game, whether the population declines or not.
Quote from: TimtheEnchanter on September 25, 2012, 06:42:21 PM
If AP33 goes down it'll be because whatever devs have been reactivating it for us, are no longer at Paragon.
Actually, I think those things are controlled by the server admins. Those guys are NCsoft employees. (Which is not to say they're part of the problem since they aren't management. Evidence points to quite the opposite, actually.)
Quote from: TimtheEnchanter on September 25, 2012, 06:42:21 PM
Has something happened to make you think that NC is going to go out of their way to prevent player gatherings, parties, etc?
No.. just watching, observing patterns is all.
Quote from: Paindancer on September 25, 2012, 06:27:17 PM
In the mean time, they are going to stop any 'fun' events. I wouldn't expect any holiday events, Atlas 33, or even the coh boards to be around. Their goal, is to cause as much attrition as possible, in order to have as small of a splash when the turn the severs off.
Maybe, and maybe not. They did double XP for a weekend, did the spring fling this past weekend (I haven't checked to see if that's still up or not), maybe they'll run a different event next weekend. But in the absence of rednames to announce things, I think we need to log in to find out.
You're assuming they care about the level of "splash" there is when the servers are turned off. I wouldn't assume that level of concern about CoH players among NCSoft management.
Quote from: cptbarcode on September 25, 2012, 10:00:45 PM
Maybe, and maybe not. They did double XP for a weekend, did the spring fling this past weekend (I haven't checked to see if that's still up or not), maybe they'll run a different event next weekend. But in the absence of rednames to announce things, I think we need to log in to find out.
You're assuming they care about the level of "splash" there is when the servers are turned off. I wouldn't assume that level of concern about CoH players among NCSoft management.
And that is, of course, the core problem. That is what we need to rectify, on our end.
Spring fling was on? Seriously? And I missed it? *facepalm*
It is becoming gradually more unnerving each week that the talks continue and the NDA remains in place. My morale is in no way, shape, or form waning from the silence but it's exhausting mentally and emotionally. I know the score as well as anyone else here being active in the efforts to save the game and I may say things from time to time that aren't helping our case but, hey, that's frustration for ya.
As much as I've had a hard time in the past liking Champions Online, I have it installed as a free player as well as Star Trek Online. I leveled to the cap in STO as a free player at the beginning of this year so I have at least that much time invested in it and I've only messed around with CO pre-level 10 because I can't get used to the combat or mission structuring.
But I sit here at least once a day as we continue to hear nothing from NCsoft or the remaining Paragon staff and I look at those two games and try to justify either one of them as a viable long-term alternative in the worst case scenario for CoH. But I don't want to, that's the thing. I want CITY OF HEROES!! I want Issue 24 and the rest of the content that was coming out.
Quote from: LunaEclypse on September 25, 2012, 11:48:37 PM
It is becoming gradually more unnerving each week that the talks continue and the NDA remains in place. My morale is in no way, shape, or form waning from the silence but it's exhausting mentally and emotionally. I know the score as well as anyone else here being active in the efforts to save the game and I may say things from time to time that aren't helping our case but, hey, that's frustration for ya.
As much as I've had a hard time in the past liking Champions Online, I have it installed as a free player as well as Star Trek Online. I leveled to the cap in STO as a free player at the beginning of this year so I have at least that much time invested in it and I've only messed around with CO pre-level 10 because I can't get used to the combat or mission structuring.
But I sit here at least once a day as we continue to hear nothing from NCsoft or the remaining Paragon staff and I look at those two games and try to justify either one of them as a viable long-term alternative in the worst case scenario for CoH. But I don't want to, that's the thing. I want CITY OF HEROES!! I want Issue 24 and the rest of the content that was coming out.
This in a nutshell. Still in the meantime I'm hedging my bets. I've had a lifetime subscription to STO since beta but let it sit for a while, but Diz just seems... wrong in star trek. Mostly because she can't indiscriminately kill heretics. And I don't know if champions will let me play the character I want to AT ALL, and I won't know until I have a paid account.
Weird story.... I like STO. I think it's an awesome game, as well as providing something very unique to the genre. But I found myself getting very depressed by it. Turns out Star Trek is too rooted in the positive side of myself. Playing it reminds me way too much of my ridiculously hopeful inner child... and given just how much society seems to be falling instead of rising.... ugh. :(
As I said to my husband during one of my bouts of going through an entire box of Kleenex, "Everything that was good or fun or cool is being yanked away from us."
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 12:21:08 AM
As I said to my husband during one of my bouts of going through an entire box of Kleenex, "Everything that was good or fun or cool is being yanked away from us."
You too? Must be 2012. Man. @#$% 2012. With a [censored for your poor virgin eyes].
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 12:21:08 AM
As I said to my husband during one of my bouts of going through an entire box of Kleenex, "Everything that was good or fun or cool is being yanked away from us."
I am with you there....
Between my wifes family being sick, it being the anniversary of my fathers death, fearsof layoffs looming....
I've gone through half a bottle of rum since the month started.
Usually when I get like this, I log in my brute and let at it... and they're taking that away.
Quote from: downix on September 26, 2012, 12:37:14 AM
I am with you there....
Between my wifes family being sick, it being the anniversary of my fathers death, fearsof layoffs looming....
I've gone through half a bottle of rum since the month started.
Usually when I get like this, I log in my brute and let at it... and they're taking that away.
Now I'm looking at my big bottle of Captain Morgan spiced rum. *whines*
Okay maybe one drink... or three. Here's to not giving up without a damn good fight.
THEY CAN TAKE AWAY OUR GAME, BUT THEY CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY OUR HEROES!
/me puts on war paint!
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 12:23:57 AMYou too? Must be 2012. Man. @#$% 2012. With a [censored for your poor virgin eyes].
With news like there's been this year, who needs Nibiru?
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 12:44:39 AM
THEY CAN TAKE AWAY OUR GAME, BUT THEY CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY OUR HEROES!
/me puts on war paint!
*slides DG a kilt*do it right.
Quote from: downix on September 26, 2012, 12:48:02 AM
*slides DG a kilt*do it right.
Ach, lad, Ah'll only be wearin' a kilt if'n Ah get th'claymore goes wit' it! /ReallyBadScottishAccent
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 12:49:53 AM
Ach, lad, Ah'll only be wearin' a kilt if'n Ah get th'claymore goes wit' it! /ReallyBadScottishAccent
*Gets the claymore down off the wall and hands it to DG*
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 12:50:57 AM
*Gets the claymore down off the wall and hands it to DG*
Well in that case!
/me dons kilt and claymore!
Quote from: gruegirl on September 26, 2012, 12:11:30 AM
This in a nutshell. Still in the meantime I'm hedging my bets. I've had a lifetime subscription to STO since beta but let it sit for a while, but Diz just seems... wrong in star trek. Mostly because she can't indiscriminately kill heretics. And I don't know if champions will let me play the character I want to AT ALL, and I won't know until I have a paid account.
Luna can't exist at all in Star Trek because... well, she's a superhero, not a Starfleet officer. My original alter ego of 17 years took to the Captain's chair in STO. And in Champions, I can't really make her at all. I can make someone
like her if I subscribe to get the free form power selection... but I can't even come close to her costume. All of the textures or clothing that resemble what she wears are just different enough to not work. And the game is just... ugh, I don't know. It's not similar enough to CoX. The character faces are god awful, the combat is too twitchy and button mashy, the mission structure is that branching, "Have to share quests" garbage from other MMO's.
If none of these are a viable choice come November 30, I'll be harking back to my pre-City days with my RL friends on Phantasy Star Online 2 in January when the Western launch hits. The majority of us were on the original PSO on Dreamcast on the US launch day in January 2001 and played until the servers shutdown. I still have the game receipt from Electronics Boutique, for Pete's sake! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience; the pioneering online community of the first ever online RPG for a console.
The later ports and Phantasy Star Universe never captured that same magic and we went separate ways to other games. I discovered CoH in 2005 and instantly felt I found a new home.
Sorry, nothingness, you can't have this one.
Quote from: LunaEclypse on September 25, 2012, 11:48:37 PM
It is becoming gradually more unnerving each week that the talks continue and the NDA remains in place. My morale is in no way, shape, or form waning from the silence but it's exhausting mentally and emotionally. I know the score as well as anyone else here being active in the efforts to save the game and I may say things from time to time that aren't helping our case but, hey, that's frustration for ya.
As much as I've had a hard time in the past liking Champions Online, I have it installed as a free player as well as Star Trek Online. I leveled to the cap in STO as a free player at the beginning of this year so I have at least that much time invested in it and I've only messed around with CO pre-level 10 because I can't get used to the combat or mission structuring.
But I sit here at least once a day as we continue to hear nothing from NCsoft or the remaining Paragon staff and I look at those two games and try to justify either one of them as a viable long-term alternative in the worst case scenario for CoH. But I don't want to, that's the thing. I want CITY OF HEROES!! I want Issue 24 and the rest of the content that was coming out.
Agreement.
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 12:49:53 AM
Ach, lad, Ah'll only be wearin' a kilt if'n Ah get th'claymore goes wit' it! /ReallyBadScottishAccent
well crap, and here all I have is a pair of unsharpened Katanas. :-/
Quote from: WanderingAries on September 26, 2012, 01:58:26 AM
well crap, and here all I have is a pair of unsharpened Katanas. :-/
Name what you want, I probably have it on the living room wall.
I have a LOT of living room wall.
If it's not on the wall, it's probably in the gun safe.
I have a BIG gun safe.
What? Just because I write about foofy white horses that talk in peoples' heads, you forget I wrote about the Shin'a'in...and all those mercenaries...and a Bolo...
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 02:03:38 AM
Name what you want, I probably have it on the living room wall.
I have a LOT of living room wall.
If it's not on the wall, it's probably in the gun safe.
I have a BIG gun safe.
What? Just because I write about foofy white horses that talk in peoples' heads, you forget I wrote about the Shin'a'in...and all those mercenaries...and a Bolo...
...VV, my dear, I adore you more by the post. ;)
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 12:50:57 AM
*Gets the claymore down off the wall and hands it to DG*
Hmmmn.. katana, lightsaber, double-bitted axe, rifle, shotgun, or chainsaw... decisions, decisions. (grin)
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 02:03:38 AM
Name what you want, I probably have it on the living room wall.
I have a LOT of living room wall.
If it's not on the wall, it's probably in the gun safe.
I have a BIG gun safe.
What? Just because I write about foofy white horses that talk in peoples' heads, you forget I wrote about the Shin'a'in...and all those mercenaries...and a Bolo...
I thought my admiration for you was unbounded. You've just (yet again) proved I was wrong. Nothing sexier than a well-armed woman. (laugh) I believe it best if we refrain from scaring the children, probably, and not talk shop. Not that THIS lot is liable to be all that scared... <wink>
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 02:03:38 AM
Name what you want, I probably have it on the living room wall.
I have a LOT of living room wall.
If it's not on the wall, it's probably in the gun safe.
I have a BIG gun safe.
What? Just because I write about foofy white horses that talk in peoples' heads, you forget I wrote about the Shin'a'in...and all those mercenaries...and a Bolo...
Actually, I'm not surprised. I sort of figured that you would do research on the weapons your characters use. That's probably part of the fun, isn't it?
Quote from: JetFlash on September 26, 2012, 02:48:11 AM
Now if we had one of THOSE beauties to help...
Nothing says "I am a bit miffed with you" like a visit from a member of the Dinochrome Brigade. ;D
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 02:03:38 AM
Name what you want, I probably have it on the living room wall.
I have a LOT of living room wall.
If it's not on the wall, it's probably in the gun safe.
I have a BIG gun safe.
What? Just because I write about foofy white horses that talk in peoples' heads, you forget I wrote about the Shin'a'in...and all those mercenaries...and a Bolo...
Somehow, I expected you to be the one to make unimaginably vast killing machines seem
loveable. ^_^
Quote from: The_Hunter_JLJ on September 26, 2012, 02:26:42 AMHmmmn.. katana, lightsaber, double-bitted axe, rifle, shotgun, or chainsaw... decisions, decisions. (grin)
I think I might go hit up the Yautja black market for some particularly special weaponry.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 02:03:38 AM
Name what you want, I probably have it on the living room wall.
I have a LOT of living room wall.
If it's not on the wall, it's probably in the gun safe.
I have a BIG gun safe.
What? Just because I write about foofy white horses that talk in peoples' heads, you forget I wrote about the Shin'a'in...and all those mercenaries...and a Bolo...
A Bolo...
*MASSIVE MENTAL COLLISION ------ As a quote from the movie "The Hunt For Red October" lodged in my brain from the other day's recent viewing (Hey - had to take a break with a genre about as far removed from superheroes as possible, alright?)...
Capt. Vasili Borodin: "I will live in Montana. And I will marry a round American woman and raise rabbits, and she will cook them for me. And I will have a pickup truck... maybe even a "recreational vehicle." And drive from state to state. Do they let you do that?"A recreational vehicle...
Thinks of the movie STRIPES...
"C'mon, it's Czechoslovakia. We zip in, we pick 'em up, we zip right out again. We're not going to Moscow. It's Czechoslovakia. It's like going into Wisconsin."A recreational vehicle...
*Mental Image of Mercedes Lackey's backyard... with a Bolo parked back there...*A recreational vehicle...
Thinks to self: Well of COURSE she has it registered as an RV, how else could she keep it? It's obviously one of those Mark XXI/I "stealth" Bolos... Merely DISGUISED as an RV, until it needs to pop its weapon mounts out for combat...
Imagines the smart A.I. of that Bolo finding the local wireless connection, downloading City of Heroes, getting hooked over the years... (And yes... playing a Tanker... *rimshot*) ... getting as despondent as we all are over the closure... *Mental Image - The Shores of South Korea, as a Winnebago sized BOLO rolls out of the surf like Godzilla rising from the sea... *NCSOFT Security Guard: "Sir? We have a problem. A rather large one actually. Seems there's an extraordinarily heavily armed... er... Vehicle down at the entrance asking politely if we'd be willing to sell the IP to City of Heroes?"
WHAT? Who needs alcohol? This is the way my brain NORMALLY works. (Especially when I'm just waking up after an afternoon nap and all the mental connections are going wibbly wobbly...)
Quote from: Atlantea on September 26, 2012, 04:23:17 AM
A Bolo...
*MASSIVE MENTAL COLLISION ---
--- As a quote from the movie "The Hunt For Red October" lodged in my brain from the other day's recent viewing (Hey - had to take a break with a genre about as far removed from superheroes as possible, alright?)...
Capt. Vasili Borodin: "I will live in Montana. And I will marry a round American woman and raise rabbits, and she will cook them for me. And I will have a pickup truck... maybe even a "recreational vehicle." And drive from state to state. Do they let you do that?"
A recreational vehicle...
Thinks of the movie STRIPES...
"C'mon, it's Czechoslovakia. We zip in, we pick 'em up, we zip right out again. We're not going to Moscow. It's Czechoslovakia. It's like going into Wisconsin."
A recreational vehicle...
*Mental Image of Mercedes Lackey's backyard... with a Bolo parked back there...*
A recreational vehicle...
Thinks to self: Well of COURSE she has it registered as an RV, how else could she keep it? It's obviously one of those Mark XXI/I "stealth" Bolos... Merely DISGUISED as an RV, until it needs to pop its weapon mounts out for combat...
Imagines the smart A.I. of that Bolo finding the local wireless connection, downloading City of Heroes, getting hooked over the years... (And yes... playing a Tanker... *rimshot*) ... getting as despondent as we all are over the closure...
*Mental Image - The Shores of South Korea, as a Winnebago sized BOLO rolls out of the surf like Godzilla rising from the sea... *
NCSOFT Security Guard: "Sir? We have a problem. A rather large one actually. Seems there's an extraordinarily heavily armed... er... Vehicle down at the entrance asking politely if we'd be willing to sell the IP to City of Heroes?"
WHAT? Who needs alcohol? This is the way my brain NORMALLY works. (Especially when I'm just waking up after an afternoon nap and all the mental connections are going wibbly wobbly...)
I won't start worrying until they go all timey-wimey.
OMG Atlantea LOLOLOLOL, that made me smile.
And sounds about like my preferred way of handling things. Except in my case, my weapon of total domination would be more... H.G. Wells "War of the Worlds" inspired.
Quote from: TimtheEnchanter on September 26, 2012, 04:28:44 AM
OMG Atlantea LOLOLOLOL, that made me smile.
And sounds about like my preferred way of handling things. Except in my case, my weapon of total domination would be more... H.G. Wells "War of the Worlds" inspired.
See, I'd totally go the Batman route and invoke fear and terror into them individually. But that's just me. :P
Quote from: The_Hunter_JLJ on September 26, 2012, 02:26:42 AM
Hmmmn.. katana, lightsaber, double-bitted axe, rifle, shotgun, or chainsaw... decisions, decisions. (grin)
All of the above, thank you!
Quote from: downix on September 26, 2012, 04:31:44 AM
All of the above, thank you!
"Jayne, how many guns you planning on taking? You only got the two hands!"
"I just get excitable as to choice, like to leave my options open."
"Look, I don't plan on there being any shooting."
"Well, what you plan, and what actually happens, ain't exactly ever been similar!"
"...no grenades."
"Awwww..."
Sings: "Mercedes!! The lady they call... Mercedes!!"
:D
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 04:33:45 AM
"Jayne, how many guns you planning on taking? You only got the two hands!"
"I just get excitable as to choice, like to leave my options open."
"Look, I don't plan on there being any shooting."
"Well, what you plan, and what actually happens, ain't exactly ever been similar!"
"...no grenades."
"Awwww..."
The best part is I had Serenity playing.....
Quote from: downix on September 26, 2012, 04:35:39 AM
The best part is I had Serenity playing.....
*high-five!*
Yep, no downside there.
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 04:31:23 AMSee, I'd totally go the Batman route and invoke fear and terror into them individually. But that's just me. :P
I have a very twisted sense of humor.
Massive walking war machine shadowing the building, a few clumps of trees smoldering as warning shots... and speakers mounted onto the hull of the thing, playing the most inappropriately happy music imaginable.
Track 1: Nyan Cat
Track 2: Hamster Dance
Track 3.....
Quote from: TimtheEnchanter on September 26, 2012, 04:45:40 AM
I have a very twisted sense of humor.
Massive walking war machine shadowing the building, a few clumps of trees smoldering as warning shots... and speakers mounted onto the hull of the thing, playing the most inappropriately happy music imaginable.
Track 1: Nyan Cat
Track 2: Hamster Dance
Track 3.....
Yakety-Sax.
Quote from: Atlantea on September 26, 2012, 04:54:07 AM
I like the cut of your gibberish, sir! :D
I really annoyed the engineers at work one day when a loop of that tune that greeted them as they walked through the door. They got the point. (grin)
Quote from: downix on September 26, 2012, 04:35:39 AM
The best part is I had Serenity playing.....
I aim to misbehave...
Quote from: DrakeGrimm on September 26, 2012, 12:23:57 AM
You too? Must be 2012. Man. @#$% 2012. With a [censored for your poor virgin eyes].
On the plus side, Kleenex sales must be going through the roof. That's gotta be good for the economy?
I wonder if it has anything to do with:
Quote from: http://news.softpedia.com/news/NCsoft-Hit-with-Patent-Infringement-Lawsuit-101021.shtmlDecember 30th, 2008, 09:52 GMT ยท By Andrei Dumitrescu
NCsoft Hit with Patent Infringement Lawsuit
Worlds.com, a company specialized in virtual world development, says that it has filed a suit against NCsoft, a MMO publisher best known for operating City of Heroes/City of Villains
...
World.com says that all of NCsoft's MMOs, including Dungeon Runners, City of Heroes/Villains and Lineage II, are in violation of the patent.
...
and the company is trying to get all NCsoft operated MMOs to stop activity while the patent infringement is investigated.
Wiki w/sublinks:
Quote from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCsoft#End_of_Life_.2F_ClosedApril 23, 2010, Worlds.com case settled. The court on April 23, 2010, ordered dismissal with prejudice based on a binding settlement agreement between Worlds.com and NCSoft. Terms of the settlement are for now confidential.[12] On July 22, 2010, Worlds.com requested the case be reopened.[13]
...
According to the Better Business Bureau, in the 36 months leading up to August 15, 2010, 133 complaints have been filed against NCsoft. NCsoft previously had a BBB rating of "B-." NCSoft is now rated A+ by the BBB.[16] By comparison Electronic Arts had 1005 complaints and has a rating of "A"[17] and Sony Online Entertainment had 145 complaints and has a rating of "A"[18] for the same time period.
_____
NCSoft (West/Europe) MMO's...
http://mmofallout.tumblr.com/post/32315125153/fool-me-six-timeshttps://images.weserv.nl/?url=24.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_maxywgfC9B1rg4t6jo1_1280.jpg
_____
If our city falls I wonder if this is next:
Quote from: http://news.softpedia.com/newsTag/Lineage+IILineage II Makes Free-to-Play Switch on November 30
NCsoft has officially announced that Lineage II, its long running MMO, will make the move to the free-to-play business model on November 30, with the launch of the Goddess of Destruction expansion.The publisher says that everyone can access all the content that the game has to offer, calling it the Truly Free system,...
The Worlds.com lawsuit is one of those nuisance suits, where they file an incredibly vague patent, wait for it to get approved, they sue everyone in sight in hopes of collecting some "for God's sake, go AWAY!" money from them. They have sued every single MMORPG on the planet.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on September 26, 2012, 12:21:08 AM
As I said to my husband during one of my bouts of going through an entire box of Kleenex, "Everything that was good or fun or cool is being yanked away from us."
This called to mind a line from an underappreciated tabletop RPG. I share it here to inspire, not to recriminate.
Many times through the years, a young Templar has come to Simon privately and told him of her sorrows and travails. Sometimes bearing the load of the world on one's shoulders can wear down even the hardened knights of the order. On these occasions, the Grand Master has listened sympathetically, patted the despairing Templar on the back, and comforted her with a single word: "Endure."In our own ways, we all find inspiration in our favorite stories, which is why we'll fight so hard to save them