My Google contact got back to me yesterday to say that the three contacts he had for OUTSIDE Google did not pan out. One was at Disney and had gotten fired they day they bought the SW francise, the other two weren't interested for reasons that had nothing to do with CoH (he didn't elaborate).
TODAY he gave me the direct contact at Google Play, who told him "Please have her send me the pitch package." So Rae, Quinch, Ammon and I will be working on the new Google Pitch package.
Once I get done with the book that is now a full month behind schedule and due in 2 weeks....*cries*
Thanks for the update, and best of luck!
Quote from: Hotaru on February 07, 2013, 02:48:16 AM
Thanks for the update, and best of luck!
Well, he said what I wanted to say!
I'll add, for a bit of levity... "Good luck. We're all counting on you!".
:)
(hehe, seriously, good luck on the book!!)
Just wanted to say Good Luck, we're all counting on you.
/*Exits, closes door*
//Ever been to a Turkish Prison?
///No srsly, pretty awesome news!
Good hunting!
We aren't all counting on you, we are counting on the game to sell itself. You get the hard work to make the pitch - we just get to cheer you on :)
thanks for taking the lead...i'm still holding my torch
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on February 07, 2013, 02:23:21 AM
My Google contact got back to me yesterday to say that the three contacts he had for OUTSIDE Google did not pan out. One was at Disney and had gotten fired they day they bought the SW francise, the other two weren't interested for reasons that had nothing to do with CoH (he didn't elaborate).
TODAY he gave me the direct contact at Google Play, who told him "Please have her send me the pitch package." So Rae, Quinch, Ammon and I will be working on the new Google Pitch package.
Once I get done with the book that is now a full month behind schedule and due in 2 weeks....*cries*
Hey, your writing career has to come first, we understand. Do what you have to do. There's already no way we could ever repay you for what you've done so far for all of us.
You are already our Hero, we understand from time to time you need to put on the glasses and have secret identity time. Besides I want to read that book!
sounds hopeful. though this is only the first wall down, if the google executive does actually wish to pursue this there might be another wall to break down in a board meeting. if that succeeds, then there is still an impervium plated wall we need to bust through which is trying to get NCSoft to actually talk about selling. right now they seem to be downright ignoring the issue as if stubbornly holding to thier comment of "we are not selling"
as I said an impervium coated wall, I only hope google doesn't become disheartened about the situation if NCSoft doesn't reply or if NCSoft rejects them flat out.
[Removed a long story that lead into culture/ethnicity commentary, which we've agreed to disagree on and not talk about. ~Agge]
Keep us in the loop and keep writing! I'm getting bored rereading old books... my kindle is crying out for something new, fun, and Lackey now that I've finished the latest Harry Dresden novel.
/em cracks whip
Seriously, as an avid fan since a friend introduced me to your work in 1992 I'm tapping my toes in expectation.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on February 07, 2013, 02:23:21 AM
TODAY he gave me the direct contact at Google Play, who told him "Please have her send me the pitch package."
Well, a lack of an outright 'no' is a welcome change by itself. Fingers crossed!
QuoteOnce I get done with the book that is now a full month behind schedule and due in 2 weeks....*cries*
Awww. If I could help I'd... well, cringe for the future of the book, actually. :-\ Probably best you handle it. I'll send you plenty of good will vibes though! And I'm glad to see you're putting the book first. You career is the correct priority here. Best of luck!
Thanks for the update. Just say the word and we'll get this train rolling!
Thanks for the update! Good luck on the book! Fingers crossed!
/em holdtorch
good luck on the book
Mercedes,
Of course finish your book first, whatever that takes. CoH has been shut down for months already. A couple/few more weeks or whatever it takes isn't going to matter in the long run. And maybe the rest of Team Wildcard could be working on it meanwhile anyway?
Fingers crossed then, best of luck!
Best news I heard in awhile. :)
Well this is encouraging. 8)
Waiting with bated breath.
Its a fair bit of re-tweaking required, as Google is a very different entity to Disney, and we also need to account for the added competition of not one, but two community-lead direct rival games in production. I point this out simply to remind people that the odds are slim, and while we should always have hope, we should certainly not be complacent about the huge odds.
I would think that this thought process... that Google might want to expand it's advertising base, and also break into a different genre, would be a pretty... well interesting move, if not a fantastic opportunity to do two things:
1) Cement them as do gooders?
2) Allow them to experiment with yet another new way of doing business outside of the search engine, Android and Chrome.
Yeah, very very different though from an entertainment only company like Disney or Steam.
Oh, and this:
*opens door again, pokes head in*
Just wanted to say good luck, we're all counting on you.
*exits, closes door*
Quote from: houtex on February 10, 2013, 04:59:20 PM
Oh, and this:
*opens door again, pokes head in*
Just wanted to say good luck, we're all counting on you.
*exits, closes door*
Airplane quote! +2 points!
Just do not call her Shirley.
:)
Thanks for everything that you are doing and good luck with the deadlines. I look forward to reading it!
I cannot believe that Disney didn't work out. After all the letters I am sure everyone sent in.
So what is the SW franchise anyway?
Also is this mean google is interested or does it mean that a contact we have there is interested in pitching it to google?
Thanks for the update. Sounds very positive! *crossing fingers, knocking on fake wood*
Quote from: Vasarto on February 13, 2013, 12:58:51 AM
I cannot believe that Disney didn't work out. After all the letters I am sure everyone sent in.
So what is the SW franchise anyway?
Also is this mean google is interested or does it mean that a contact we have there is interested in pitching it to google?
We don't know that it didn't work. As VV said, Disney is monumentally slow, and if they were interested, they might only be getting around to reading the pitch package now.
Star Wars- Probably the Old Republic? Not sure what you are referring to.
As for the last question, I'm not sure, but I took it as VV's contact said his contact wanted to read the pitch package. To me that sounded like someone at Google is interested in being interested. XD But I don't really know. She'd have to answer that for sure.
Quote from: Vasarto on February 13, 2013, 12:58:51 AM
So what is the SW franchise anyway?
Star Wars. And it is everything I believe, they own the rights to Star Wars and the Star Wars franchise now probably with Lucas making a fatty royalty check. I imagine Bioware is still heading SWTOR however. I think that Disney is just now the new copyright holder of Star Wars.
Hopefully Disney is interested, Google would be nice too. We just need a company that has enough money that NCSoft will take them seriously and has shown customer loyalty in the past.
Thanks for the update V.V good luck on finishing the book, hopefully you don't have too many all-nighters
EDIT: The first part is speculation using what I have heard and read as well as some knowledge of copyright regarding music. Please feel free to correct me if I am incorrect, also keep in mind it may not be 100% accurate before quoting it or sourcing it
I think you're right, they own the IP - and EA/Bioware has a license with them to use it for SWTOR.
It was also the reason that SWG was shutdown, they didn't get that license renewed. (From what I've heard at least, I never played SWG)
This is good to hear that Google wants to at least see the proposal. At the very least we could get some feedback from them or the direction they think we should go even if they arent interested.
I think its going to take someone big like a Disney or Google to move NcSoft. If a huge company like those two come knocking and you ignore them... the shareholders have to take issue with that..
Quote from: HEATSTROKE on February 13, 2013, 12:11:38 PM
This is good to hear that Google wants to at least see the proposal. At the very least we could get some feedback from them or the direction they think we should go even if they arent interested.
I think its going to take someone big like a Disney or Google to move NcSoft. If a huge company like those two come knocking and you ignore them... the shareholders have to take issue with that..
And NCSoft would probably lie to their face, maybe claim their offer was incredibly low.
Quote from: Knightslayer on February 13, 2013, 12:32:14 PM
And NCSoft would probably lie to their face, maybe claim their offer was incredibly low.
but given the IP is sittign there and prior it was said that once the game shutdowns and sits it will lose value quickly to a buyer. So they may make a low offer but one that is too low for NCSoft. Thus it may not neccessarily be a lie, as the definition of "low" varies. There is many facets of value. The belived value to the seller, believed value of the buyer, believed value to outsiders, believed value by industry standards. When those dotn align there is usually no sale. Just like a pawn shop. Take an iPod to the pawn shop after paying $299, they might give you $50 if they asre feeling generous, then sell it for $150. It was worth to then buying it $50 and that is fair to them because they want to make money, but when they get it the value as a seller on same item is higher. While many people would scoff at selling their $300 ipod for $50 many people feel $50 is worth it in their current perdic. Thus NCsoft may not find low ball offers yet worth it but give it time and they may eventually find those low ball offers more than fair if their situation changes.
How much is an IP worth once it is no longer published?
It is going down drastically month by month.
Quote from: Ironwolf on February 13, 2013, 03:53:29 PM
How much is an IP worth once it is no longer published?
It is going down drastically month by month.
Yep. And that is where I think the chasm between the definition of the value is growing larger as time goes on. After shutdown, the cost to restart it remains the same whether they did it two days after shutdown or do it in 2015 (inflation and labor, license, server costs not withstanding). While on the seller end the value of the IP probably decreases each month. Although in the seller's mind, the value may be greater than what people are willing to spend. On our end we see that while the community is here and waiting and it's easy money for who ever buys the IP, the number of people decrease each day thus each day that is less "guaranteed" income each day. More than likely the buyer sees this, we see this but the seller do not seem to see this.
There are times where I wish there was some semblence of a KellyBlueBook for IPs. Even KellyBB isnt concrete and not for every situation but it gives all parties some sort of value to expect which make car transactions and pricing easier. Here with the IP, the price is what ever the seller says it is but whether or not it sells depends on whether or not the buyer wants to spend the asking price or else the IP will just continue to sit with different value numbers placed on it and no agreement made.
When Facebook was alot smaller, Microsoft tried to buy it for a crazy amount of money, way more than what it was currently worth but Z-man turned them down. It was more valuable to him at that time regardless of what it was officially appraised at. In hindsight, it was a good thing as it is now worth many times more than what Microsoft offered even though at the time with uncertain future, he turned down an offer that many people at the time thought he was nuts for turning down. Z-man had a plan. Here, who knows what NCsoft plan consist of but I dont think their plan consist of increasing the value of the IP beyond what has been offered so in hindsight, they may be missing out on millions. Or hell, their plan may be to sit on the IP if the only reason is because they can. Or maybe in their mind the value is inflated based off the numerous offers so soon after the shutdown and maybe they are thinking they can put these people on ice until they want to sell and see if they can get original offer. As stated here if people won the lottery, even an IP that has been dead for few months now, meaning according to the logic of decreasing value month to month, they would still offer 10 million if NCSoft took it, which is still about the same offer if not more than what was offered original. If NCsoft know that people will be waiting month after month with cash, and they are not yet hungry for cash, they probably will sit and wait until they are good and ready or have use for 10 million and contact those people that made original offer and just to make it more enticing might shave off a few million off the price to make it look even more better, especially if they manage to get big dogs like Google and Disney calling them. The dude with a mere 3 million probably wont make it on the radar when compared to the business savvy and weight of the likes of Google and Disney.
And I would understand that. If I had Disney and Google on the line and some off shoot smal beans guy each offering 3-6 million, I probably wont even bother with the small guy until I finish up with Disney and Google, even if I say I'll get back to Disney and Google in 3 months about their offer the small beans probably wont get around to a phoen call. Maybe a standard type letter from the secretary stating we have recieved their offer that I give out to anybody that put an offer in without the weight of major players. Why? I might be able to get afew extra million out of those two giants, as they wotn miss it, while that extra one or two millions may be stretching it and a big deal to the small fry. But if I had the mindset of "I'm not selling at all regardless if Jesus Allah Buddah Ja Jehovah Satan Mot Poacatlye Shiva Vishnu Zeus Chac Quetzalcoatl or Kukulcan themselves all made offers, then it wont be sold." But given they havent really stated much of their plans, who really knows what they are doing or thinking.
They are thinking - all your servers are belong to us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAJlQ6o8p9g
I just wanted to add my own thanks to everyone else's, Mercedes, for all you and your husband are doing to help find a new home for CoH. I won't say "you are our only hope" - talk about pressure! - but you all are certainly a bright hope.
Thanks to you and Tony V and everyone here who's working hard to find a new buyer, convince NCSoft to sell, and just keep spirits up.
No, no, it's "....good luck, We're all counting on you." And be sure to close the door after you poke your head in.
/Indeed, my sentiments exactly to all involved! THANKS!
Amazing news! I'll be praying for a great outcome!
Personally, I can see something to be thankful for. Having a friend who has ties to Google which get's us noticed like this is an amazing coincidence... I call it answer to prayer. :)
This made my day a bit better, after getting 72.5% on a college exam.
Quote from: houtex on February 10, 2013, 04:59:20 PM
Yeah, very very different though from an entertainment only company like Disney or Steam.
Man, wouldn't it just be great if Valve bought CoH? Just typing it makes me feel all warm inside. Of course Valve is notorious for taking a LONG time on projects but they are always great projects.
checking in, I wish business could be discussed quicker at google so we could get an answer but I'm sure they have good reasons and they are our lifeline right now.
We're still working on the rewrite of the pitch, Josh.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on February 17, 2013, 11:29:16 AM
We're still working on the rewrite of the pitch, Josh.
You said Rae, Quinch and Ammon are doing it. How's your own book writing going ? Did you get a postpone for a month's worth of flu ?
Quote from: Mister Bison on February 17, 2013, 11:49:38 AM
You said Rae, Quinch and Ammon are doing it. How's your own book writing going ? Did you get a postpone for a month's worth of flu ?
Alas, no, deadlines are deadlines. I'm chugging away.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on February 20, 2013, 09:50:28 AM
Alas, no, deadlines are deadlines. I'm chugging away.
Sidenote: Glad to see you pulled through ok VV. And I wholly understand that deadlines are deadlines. Rain sleet hail snow uphill bothways they dont care the deadline is deadline.
It's marvel that you have time to catch up while doing the things you do for here at the same time with not even letting the flu stand in your way much. Oh yeah and good job with that article.
On subject at hand to the genral crowd:
I agree that's it's better to take time with the proposal making sure it's right and tailored as a specific picth to google than rushing and sending something half done or generic. They will be able to smell half done from a mile away and will probably treat it accordingly by feeding the shredder. It's a very good sign that Google is entertaining our proposal which means there is probably some interest or else I dont think they would have bothered. I suck at proposals as I couldnt sell a filet mignon for 2 cents to a starving carnivore man. So my hats off to the writers. I'm eager to hear a reply but understand it will take a while even after they recieve the proposal. I think it would be awesome to have google at the helms although my friend, an ex-long time cox player, would have a cow. She seems to hate google with a passion (think one of the founders flipped her off in traffic or something :p). My morbid sense of humor is itching to have a good laugh watching her flip out.
I certainly thank you VV for all of the work you put in to help us get our game back. :D
Quote from: Mistress Urd on February 21, 2013, 06:38:11 PM
I certainly thank you VV for all of the work you put in to help us get our game back. :D
Ditto
Said it before but really I don't think we can say it enough. Thank you V.V
Same to you Team Wildcard and TonyV, the programmers working on the reverse engineering. We all owe you a lot.
This is definitely a very good sign. Thank you V.V. for being our hero.
Im trying to figure out angles for Google Play..
Can the costume creator work on Google Play? could I download it onto my phone or a Nexus and upload it to the game later..
Could Google Play purchase Mids ( who actually owns it ). Could I add Mids to my phone or Nexus.. I could be working on builds on the way home on the bus.. ( joy joy )
How would the auction house play into this. could I purchase items over Google Play ??
Quote from: HEATSTROKE on February 23, 2013, 03:17:39 PM
Im trying to figure out angles for Google Play..
Can the costume creator work on Google Play? could I download it onto my phone or a Nexus and upload it to the game later..
Could Google Play purchase Mids ( who actually owns it ). Could I add Mids to my phone or Nexus.. I could be working on builds on the way home on the bus.. ( joy joy )
How would the auction house play into this. could I purchase items over Google Play ??
Yes please, to all of the above. I would use the
heck out of those features if they were added.
Quote from: HEATSTROKE on February 23, 2013, 03:17:39 PM
Im trying to figure out angles for Google Play..
Can the costume creator work on Google Play? could I download it onto my phone or a Nexus and upload it to the game later..
Could Google Play purchase Mids ( who actually owns it ). Could I add Mids to my phone or Nexus.. I could be working on builds on the way home on the bus.. ( joy joy )
How would the auction house play into this. could I purchase items over Google Play ??
I would say its far too early to think of any of those things. But it is google, so I could see those things happening.
Im saying these ate the kinds of things that Google might be interested in. These have got to be the kinds of ideas that I think need to be presented to Google..
Quote from: HEATSTROKE on February 23, 2013, 03:17:39 PMCan the costume creator work on Google Play? could I download it onto my phone or a Nexus and upload it to the game later..
It would require a change -- that could be propagated back to the client codebase -- to put the costume pieces and power animations in their own .pigg file, because the app doesn't need to have
all the game-graphics data (putting them in their own file for the client also makes other updates simpler), but the savefiles from the costume creator are just textfiles with different extensions. Making the graphics work would be harder, but as long as you don't expect the same graphics-rendering speed on an Android device you get on your gaming rig, I don't see why it
couldn't be made to work.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on February 17, 2013, 11:29:16 AM
We're still working on the rewrite of the pitch, Josh.
Still can't believe all the work you're doing for us, despite the flu and your own deadlines VV. THANKS!
And to quote Airplane again "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue."
Quote from: antarcticaa on February 26, 2013, 12:27:33 AM
Still can't believe all the work you're doing for us, despite the flu and your own deadlines VV. THANKS!
And to quote Airplane again "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue."
Agreed.
...err... "Agreed" on the "all the work" part, not the "sniffing glue" part...
...not that I'm saying that I didn't pick the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.
...because that would imply that I haven't stopped sniffing glue...
...well, technically I haven't stopped sniffing glue because I never started sniffing glue...
...unless you count that time where I was working on My bootleg Macross model in a non-ventilated space and forgot to put the cap back on...
...and the time I didn't let the glue fully set on my halloween mask's mouthpiece before putting it on for the '93 Camp Castle costume party ...
...which, by the way, is why it wasn't really my fault that some masked maniac terrorized Tongduchon, South Korea that night brandishing a 3 foot summer sausage like a club and screaming incomprehensibly at the nationals...
...you try being comprehensible when your mustache is glued to your mask, and it hurt, dammit, so you bet there was screaming...
... um... anyway, thanks for your commitment VV.
Quote from: chasearcanum on February 27, 2013, 02:34:35 AM
Agreed.
...err... "Agreed" on the "all the work" part, not the "sniffing glue" part...
...not that I'm saying that I didn't pick the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.
...because that would imply that I haven't stopped sniffing glue...
...well, technically I haven't stopped sniffing glue because I never started sniffing glue...
...unless you count that time where I was working on My bootleg Macross model in a non-ventilated space and forgot to put the cap back on...
...and the time I didn't let the glue fully set on my halloween mask's mouthpiece before putting it on for the '93 Camp Castle costume party ...
...which, by the way, is why it wasn't really my fault that some masked maniac terrorized Tongduchon, South Korea that night brandishing a 3 foot summer sausage like a club and screaming incomprehensibly at the nationals...
...you try being comprehensible when your mustache is glued to your mask, and it hurt, dammit, so you bet there was screaming...
... um... anyway, thanks for your commitment VV.
(https://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt335/bjtilt/08-51.gif)
Uhm... what he said... (https://images.weserv.nl/?url=www.sherv.net%2Fcm%2Femo%2Flaughing%2Fcrying-with-laughter.gif) sorta...
Quote from: chasearcanum on February 27, 2013, 02:34:35 AM
...you try being comprehensible when your mustache is glued to your mask, and it hurt, dammit, so you bet there was screaming...
And that can even happen with a bit of honey. The thought hurt me >;(
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
I will be working on the new proposal starting today. I figure it to take about a week.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
I will be working on the new proposal starting today. I figure it to take about a week.
Grats on the book! 6am next day...close enough for government work (and hopefully for publishers). :)
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
I will be working on the new proposal starting today. I figure it to take about a week.
WOOOOOO!!! Congarats!!! hope it sells well!
back before I started to study game dev I wanted to be a writer, most I could ever write was 25 pages (3 chapters) then I'd get bored.. Even though the stories are Super winfest!!
I don't know how you do it, to actually write and publish an entire book. "Kudos" I guess is the best way to say it.
And Also
HEY JANESSA!!
I've been missing you lately, I've been playing some of aeria games MMO's and tried the games PVP... I miss CoH PVP! CoH had so many anti-abuse/cheating mechanisms it made it semi-fair... I miss that..
cause nobody likes getting 3 hit PWNED then sent a /tell with a taunt message.. GAH I MISS COH SOO MUCH.
Congrats, VV from Robin formerly @ Luna. I handed in ms pursuant to hideous revision ltr today, at 4:50 EST, and ed was IN. Whew. CONGRATS.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
Congratulations! May the gods of revenue bless it bountifully! :D
Congratulations on the book. Keep us posted when it is Available. Looking forward to reading it.
I save my Pre-Order money for when it shows up! So ... what's the title?
Today a book... Tomorrow the WORLD! MAH HA HA Ha HA.
Grats on getting the book done, Mercedes! I'm sure it will be as good as the rest are. :D
Take some time to rest and relax. We'll all be here when you get back. The proposal can wait a few. Don't overdo it or you're going to keel right over one of these days.
I'll be keeping an eye on this (http://www.baen.com/) space. Also, her website (http://www.mercedeslackey.com/) occasionally has stuff not CoH related. ;)
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book.
Hey, just want to join in on congratulating you for completing your new book. I look forward to finding and picking up a copy :)
Quote from: dwturducken on March 02, 2013, 09:35:55 PM
I'll be keeping an eye on this (http://www.baen.com/) space. Also, her website (http://www.mercedeslackey.com/) occasionally has stuff not CoH related. ;)
Wrong company ;)
This was number (mumble) in the Elemental Masters series from DAW books. This one is called "Steadfast."
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
Technically.... If they allowed you to give it in at midnight, I don't think they would have done much with it by 6AM :P
Deadlines at midnight always made me skeptic. I mean, who is working between midnight and 6 AM ?
Quote from: Mister Bison on March 03, 2013, 07:48:04 AM
Technically.... If they allowed you to give it in at midnight, I don't think they would have done much with it by 6AM :P
Deadlines at midnight always made me skeptic. I mean, who is working between midnight and 6 AM ?
Me! ;D
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 03, 2013, 03:01:42 AM
Wrong company ;)
This was number (mumble) in the Elemental Masters series from DAW books. This one is called "Steadfast."
Oops. :-[
Quote from: Mister Bison on March 03, 2013, 07:48:04 AM
Technically.... If they allowed you to give it in at midnight, I don't think they would have done much with it by 6AM :P
Deadlines at midnight always made me skeptic. I mean, who is working between midnight and 6 AM ?
Me!
Congratulations on your new book..
I really really hope Google takes this seriously.. I dont think NC Soft and their investors could ignore Google..
Quote from: Mister Bison on March 03, 2013, 07:48:04 AM
Technically.... If they allowed you to give it in at midnight, I don't think they would have done much with it by 6AM :P
Deadlines at midnight always made me skeptic. I mean, who is working between midnight and 6 AM ?
Me! for a third one in this thread. though I need to start Actually Working during that time and not just doing research.. last night I did some research on other games that link to the one I'm making to see if I could take any concepts from them... but they were garbage and not worth my effort... I might use some of the items, but still gosh thats 3 hours of my life I want back, those games were pitiful compared to what I'm working on..
I often work nights from Midnight to 6 and beyond. Been working night shift for years.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I will be working on the new proposal starting today. I figure it to take about a week.
I just realized that there's something that I've always meant to post here and I'm not sure why I haven't until now.
Thank you for all of the effort you've put in, and for all of the effort that I'm sure you will put in in the future.
I'm not certain that my friends and I will ever play City of Heroes again but I'm grateful that you're trying to make that happen.
Quote from: Mister Bison on March 03, 2013, 07:48:04 AM
Technically.... If they allowed you to give it in at midnight, I don't think they would have done much with it by 6AM :P
Deadlines at midnight always made me skeptic. I mean, who is working between midnight and 6 AM ?
Just had to throw another ME in there :) I actually find I get the most work done at this time. Also congrats V.V on finishing the book! May it sell and sell and sell, until their are no copies to be sold!(Because everyone will own one)
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
I will be working on the new proposal starting today. I figure it to take about a week.
Best of luck with your new book Mercedes and best of luck with the new proposal. Ready and waiting to encourage Google when you guys are.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 02, 2013, 03:11:07 AM
I just finished the book. It was due at the end of the month and I sneaked it under the electronic door at 6 AM this morning.
I will be working on the new proposal starting today. I figure it to take about a week.
Goatz! I hope it does well. And thank you very much for all the work you're doing on behalf of our favorite game.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 04, 2013, 05:54:04 AM
Me!
is it too much to ask for a general progress report? sorry to bug you but i know alot of us come back here every day sniffing for any progress we can find.
Of course there are people who work between midnight and 6 AM, especially those like writers, who just keep their time tables to themselves, and have deadlines far in between, and around-the-clock presence works, such as maintenant, or public service in general. My apologies.
What I meant is that people who are expecting something no later than midnight when asking for it several months ago are also the type to have office hours, and by no way are going to be handicapped by 6 hours late on the delivery.
Truly, that's being an ass. You can more easily sleep at those hours than work, so you'll be able to review the dam thing when I'll be sleeing in your work hours.
(That comment also doesn't apply if there is time zone difference. Midnight to 6 AM in the West Coast is rather early but workable here in Europe, for instance)
Quote from: Mister Bison on March 08, 2013, 09:40:39 PM
What I meant is that people who are expecting something no later than midnight when asking for it several months ago are also the type to have office hours, and by no way are going to be handicapped by 6 hours late on the delivery.
Yeah. I know some bank companies like that.
"wait so you say put the deposit in before midnight but it cant be processed outside business hours, which wont be until 7 am and ends at 5pm? So what is the difference between if I do it at midnight or 4 am or hell, even 8pm for that matter?"
Quote from: JaguarX on March 08, 2013, 09:50:52 PM
Yeah. I know some bank companies like that.
"wait so you say put the deposit in before midnight but it cant be processed outside business hours, which wont be until 7 am and ends at 5pm? So what is the difference between if I do it at midnight or 4 am or hell, even 8pm for that matter?"
You made me remember a service we have for corporate restaurant. You can recharge your account there by check or cash at the counter, but you can also go on the website and pay by credit card. Except that the website is open only Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm >_> Looks like even the
servers have working hours.
When you say you're working on an new proposal, is that a book proposal or media kit proposal for the next target?
Quote from: pogoman on March 08, 2013, 11:35:47 PM
When you say you're working on an new proposal, is that a book proposal or media kit proposal for the next target?
The only proposal that matters
here is the pitch for Google to buy CoH.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 09, 2013, 03:37:38 AM
The only proposal that matters here is the pitch for Google to buy CoH.
It'd be the best day of my life if you guys pull this off. Keep up the good work!
Quote from: Ampithere on March 09, 2013, 05:10:51 AM
It'd be the best day of my life if you guys pull this off. Keep up the good work!
I think everyone would agree with you on that one! :)
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 09, 2013, 03:37:38 AM
The only proposal that matters here is the pitch for Google to buy CoH.
*begins the litany of Thank-You combined with
Wayne's World We're Not Worthy*
Ms. Victrix, please don't ever change, except to get even better! You're my new favorite super hero!!
*wanders away off Titan Network forums to roleplay being a hapless tho appreciative citizen elsewhere.... * (queue's CoH theme music)
*thinks*
a pod of whales....
a murder of crowa....
a herd of cattle....
a google of heroes...
didn't Mr. T from the A-team buy google at some point?
I seem to remember reading about that, if he still owns it he would definitely be sympathetic to our cause, I heard he's a real outstanding guy.
Quote from: healix on March 10, 2013, 11:13:43 AM
*thinks*
a pod of whales....
a murder of crowa....
a herd of cattle....
a google of heroes...
I definitely like the idea of 10
100 Heroes! :) *rushes off to queue theme music.... * ;)
Quote from: Joshex on March 11, 2013, 03:24:16 AM
didn't Mr. T from the A-team buy google at some point?
I seem to remember reading about that, if he still owns it he would definitely be sympathetic to our cause, I heard he's a real outstanding guy.
As long as you don't happen to be a tree on his property. I used to live in Illinois and he cut down almost all of the trees on a plot he bought...The community was in an uproar! ??? I say, it was HIS property!
Quote from: MindBlender on March 11, 2013, 09:36:20 AM
As long as you don't happen to be a tree on his property. I used to live in Illinois and he cut down almost all of the trees on a plot he bought...The community was in an uproar! ??? I say, it was HIS property!
Except for the impact it has on the other properties. His action de-valued his neighbors home by an average of 5%. When your value of land is partially based on "wooded reserves" and someone eliminates the woods, several thousand dollars out of your pocket for a neighbors act.
Of course it ultimately turned out to be a case of allergies, the actor was allergic to the blooms of one of the trees on his property.
Quote from: Mister Bison on March 08, 2013, 09:54:42 PM
You made me remember a service we have for corporate restaurant. You can recharge your account there by check or cash at the counter, but you can also go on the website and pay by credit card. Except that the website is open only Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm >_> Looks like even the servers have working hours.
>.<
Quote from: MindBlender on March 11, 2013, 09:36:20 AM
As long as you don't happen to be a tree on his property. I used to live in Illinois and he cut down almost all of the trees on a plot he bought...The community was in an uproar! ??? I say, it was HIS property!
I never understood that uproar. It's his property, he was allergic, and if it was that much of a value why not just plant some more trees on their own property? Or why not was the property bought prior to his purchase? Too much worrying about what neighbors do with their own proprty instead of just minding their own business.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 11, 2013, 09:11:31 PMToo much worrying about what neighbors do with their own proprty instead of just minding their own business.
Tremendous Applause!!!!
Quote from: JaguarX on March 11, 2013, 09:11:31 PM
I never understood that uproar. It's his property, he was allergic, and if it was that much of a value why not just plant some more trees on their own property? Or why not was the property bought prior to his purchase? Too much worrying about what neighbors do with their own proprty instead of just minding their own business.
I had a neighbor who stored old batteries, dumping the acid along the edge of its property. It leaked out, and killed my mother in laws dog.
What was told to her before her dog died when she complained about the battery acid storage?
"Mind your own business, it's on our property."
The problem with this thinking is that many things don't recognize property lines.
and cutting down some trees is now likened to killing a dog..........do you work for the White house?
Quote from: downix on March 12, 2013, 12:18:42 AM
I had a neighbor who stored old batteries, dumping the acid along the edge of its property. It leaked out, and killed my mother in laws dog.
What was told to her before her dog died when she complained about the battery acid storage?
"Mind your own business, it's on our property."
The problem with this thinking is that many things don't recognize property lines.
If it crossed over property lines then of course it is your business. But a tree, that is no where near the property line how is that the neighbor's business? And I doubt the precence or absence of a tree will kill a dog. Unless the tree fell over onto your property side and killed the dog, but then again it crossed onto your property and again it's your business.
People that dont mind their business is the ones that have no knowledge of property lines. That line is where their nose should end until something crosses that line, then it should be none of their concern unless invited. Unless of course the person is a good neighbor and pay the neighbor who business they like to be in's bills, property tax and the price of the property itself. Then by all mean, stick the nose as far as ya want but if they isnt paying a single penny towards that property then quite frankly that property is not theirs to worry about.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 12, 2013, 01:41:05 AM
If it crossed over property lines then of course it is your business. But a tree, that is no where near the property line how is that the neighbor's business? And I doubt the precence or absence of a tree will kill a dog. Unless the tree fell over onto your property side and killed the dog, but then again it crossed onto your property and again it's your business.
People that dont mind their business is the ones that have no knowledge of property lines. That line is where their nose should end until something crosses that line, then it should be none of their concern unless invited. Unless of course the person is a good neighbor and pay the neighbor who business they like to be in's bills, property tax and the price of the property itself. Then by all mean, stick the nose as far as ya want but if they isnt paying a single penny towards that property then quite frankly that property is not theirs to worry about.
I have no issue with him cutting down trees. I was more pointing out that "mind your own business" if it is not off-property is not always appropriate.
Quote from: downix on March 12, 2013, 02:21:51 AM
I have no issue with him cutting down trees. I was more pointing out that "mind your own business" if it is not off-property is not always appropriate.
Yeah depends on situation but at the same time, it's no free license to be nosy and try to dictate what another does with their own property. Depends greatly on the situation. If it's something that is harming your dog. Dang right, it's ya business. But if it's something as simple as a tree, that is property owner business.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 12, 2013, 02:25:21 AM
Yeah depends on situation but at the same time, it's no free license to be nosy and try to dictate what another does with their own property. Depends greatly on the situation. If it's something that is harming your dog. Dang right, it's ya business. But if it's something as simple as a tree, that is property owner business.
Indeed. Just don't paint with a broad brush.
Let us use the tree example. Let's say the property was on the side of the hill, and the trees were what maintained the terrain? One strong storm, erosion would pile up your property, at the bottom of the hill, with soil erosion, or even worse, at the top of the hill and it exposes your foundation, opening your property up to potential frost ground damage to the foundation.
It's not always black and white. It must be done on a case-by-case basis.
Quote from: downix on March 12, 2013, 02:44:00 AM
Indeed. Just don't paint with a broad brush.
Let us use the tree example. Let's say the property was on the side of the hill, and the trees were what maintained the terrain? One strong storm, erosion would pile up your property, at the bottom of the hill, with soil erosion, or even worse, at the top of the hill and it exposes your foundation, opening your property up to potential frost ground damage to the foundation.
It's not always black and white. It must be done on a case-by-case basis.
Those cases are far and few in between. But in general neighbors should stay out of each other business. 90% of the time, it's just a neighbor being overly nosy and concerned with what the person next door is doing or sleeping with and no worries about property damage or erosion. Sure, supposed the only thing stopping a giant mudslide is on a property of someone who hates trees, but cut down that tree it will wipe out the whole neighborhood. Worry then. But, like most cases, flat land, no effect on next door, people are being nosy just to be nosey for the hell of it.
Besdies those few extreme examples, there is no reason for a neighbor to be sticking his nose over my fence.
I kinda disagree. It has already been pointed out that chopping down those trees had a negative effect on property value. How is this not affecting anyone else?
Furthermore, I'm a little irritated by the matter of "mind your own business". I feel that this phrase is only ever used to hide the fact you're doing something very wrong, and it's often the only defense people have to mask this sort of thing.
I normally don't have anything to hide that I put on my front lawn or backyard. But if my neighbor's house is becoming a dilapitated mess, essentially making my own place lose property value by appearance alone... Yeah. That starts to affect me. Living next to a forest gives my home an aesthetic appeal that grants it value should I choose to sell it. If you cut down all those trees, then suddenly it's not as appealing, affecting its values.
Really, the term "it's none of your business" shouldn't apply in these circumstances. People don't understand that many actions have far outreaching effects that most people don't consider at first, and I think the "It's none of your business" defense is used -waaaay- more often than it should be, to mask what you're doing wrong or illegal... Not to defend privacy.
Who you're sleeping with is private. Cutting down all the trees on your front lawn is something that affects the aesthetic of the street you live on, and I feel that's something you are allowed to criticize.
Quote from: MakoMako on March 12, 2013, 04:34:10 AM
I kinda disagree. It has already been pointed out that chopping down those trees had a negative effect on property value. How is this not affecting anyone else?
Furthermore, I'm a little irritated by the matter of "mind your own business". I feel that this phrase is only ever used to hide the fact you're doing something very wrong, and it's often the only defense people have to mask this sort of thing.
I normally don't have anything to hide that I put on my front lawn or backyard. But if my neighbor's house is becoming a dilapitated mess, essentially making my own place lose property value by appearance alone... Yeah. That starts to affect me. Living next to a forest gives my home an aesthetic appeal that grants it value should I choose to sell it. If you cut down all those trees, then suddenly it's not as appealing, affecting its values.
Really, the term "it's none of your business" shouldn't apply in these circumstances. People don't understand that many actions have far outreaching effects that most people don't consider at first, and I think the "It's none of your business" defense is used -waaaay- more often than it should be, to mask what you're doing wrong or illegal... Not to defend privacy.
Who you're sleeping with is private. Cutting down all the trees on your front lawn is something that affects the aesthetic of the street you live on, and I feel that's something you are allowed to criticize.
Sometimes it isnt about hiding thing contray to belief. Sometimes it's that some people value their privacy a little bit more. If you dont care and would walk down the street without any clothes one because you have nothing to hide cool. But some people enjoy a little more privacy and it's annoying when people say "Well if you had nothing to hide you wouldnt mind me sticking my nose in your business" have no respect nor regards for other people's privacy because they personally feel they dont care about privacy.
It's just common courtesy to respect someone's space. Do you have cameras around your house giving live feed to every single event in your house even your bathroom, your kids room if you got any, and etc, on the world wide web for everyoen to see? if not, then even that is some semblemce of privacy. If you dont and dont care about privacy, why not? After all you have nothing to hide.
Or since you ahve nothing to hide, What was you doing last night? What is your favorite drink, how often do you travel, what is is your social, howe many crimes have you commited, What do you drive, how many times have you lied to to ya parents? Have you cheated on your significant other ever before, how often do you function check?, how much do you make, where do you work, do your boss, know you pick your nose? To you those type of questions may be a good neightbor looking out for one another. To me, those type of questions are a bit uncomfortable. Even though I have nothing to hide. Just because you and nosy neighbors like to throw away their privacy, I dont think it gives them automatic right to take that away from others. let the person choose how much they want people to pry and it's pretty rude to pry just as rude if I just came over your house and propped my muddy boots on ya coffee table as if I lived there and you dont know me from jack. But hey, what do you have to hide?
Not to mention this "I have nothing to hide" is comeing from someone hiding behind the name of MakoMako, cant even use their own real name. What are you really hiding? I think if you that adament about privacy is not needed why dont even you use your real name? You have nothing to hide but yet, hide behind a fake name. Interesting.
The term private property may have no meaning to you but for many folk it still have meaning. I'm sure you dont have a mat at your door that says "All is welcomed, come on in, raid the fridge" on ya front door. I bet if there was a bunch of people that you dont know in ya house when you came home after a long day at work/school/whatever you do, I doubt you will welcome them with open arms. Then again I dont know maybe you do. Maybe your home is open to the public. You have nothing to hide so I guess you wouldnt mind if the local homeless just come and go out of your place of residence to use ya bathroom and take their shower. Would you offer them your bed, or will you call the cops?
But if the trees were that important, then maybe the people who thought the trees were affecting the property value that much if they was gone should have bought the property themselves or plant more trees on their own property. Seeing how they didnt, then it's up to the property owner, the person who spent money to make it private property.
To make things fair, a lot of what you're describing in the latter half there isn't privacy. I don't let people in the front door to mess with my stuff because it's not theirs to use. They are, however, free to ask me about my lifestyle if they so please.
You have no right to decide whether or not to cut down my trees. But since my decision affects you, you have every right to criticize and protest.
You're right. I hide behind a name online. :3 But also please reread what I said.
I said nothing about my internal working. I said what's on my lawn and backyard. Things readily seen and observable by the public at large on a constant and free basis. This could only change if I encased my property in a giant tent. As it stands, my property affects those around me. And if I chose to bulldoze the birch trees on my lawn, I have zero issues with my neighbor coming over to say "Hey! That's the state tree. Don't you think it may cause issue with some people that you're tearing them down?" That's not invading my privacy, that's raising a genuine concern over my actions which affect more people than just myself.
The thing is you need to think about how your actions affect others. If I gave my neighbor the finger and said "Fuck you, you love birch trees so much, you plant more on -your- lawn!" that's just highly rude, inconsiderate, and just plain douchebaggery. Which is on the same level of asinine as breaking into someone's house to criticize the things they do that affect nobody but themselves.
Quote from: MakoMako on March 12, 2013, 06:56:35 AM
To make things fair, a lot of what you're describing in the latter half there isn't privacy. I don't let people in the front door to mess with my stuff because it's not theirs to use. They are, however, free to ask me about my lifestyle if they so please.
You have no right to decide whether or not to cut down my trees. But since my decision affects you, you have every right to criticize and protest.
You're right. I hide behind a name online. :3 But also please reread what I said.
I said nothing about my internal working. I said what's on my lawn and backyard. Things readily seen and observable by the public at large on a constant and free basis. This could only change if I encased my property in a giant tent. As it stands, my property affects those around me. And if I chose to bulldoze the birch trees on my lawn, I have zero issues with my neighbor coming over to say "Hey! That's the state tree. Don't you think it may cause issue with some people that you're tearing them down?" That's not invading my privacy, that's raising a genuine concern over my actions which affect more people than just myself.
The thing is you need to think about how your actions affect others. If I gave my neighbor the finger and said "pancake you, you love birch trees so much, you plant more on -your- lawn!" that's just highly rude, inconsiderate, and just plain douchebaggery. Which is on the same level of asinine as breaking into someone's house to criticize the things they do that affect nobody but themselves.
Well of course flipping off the neighbor is rude. Then again, if a person take it upon themselves to "protest" a tree cutting on someone property they should be prepared that someone may not love the tree as much and them and may politely turn down their concern. Like, "Thanks for your concern, but the tree is coming down."
On the flip side, while they are worried about their property value and how it affect them I notice, you gave not a single mention of how it could be affecting the actual property owner nor seemed the question is even raised. There may be many reasons why a person cut down a tree on their lawn that goes beyond the shallow thing of "making the neighborhood" look nice. The tree may be dead, it may be in danger of falling onto the house if a good wind came through, they may allegic to the pollen of that tree. ect. No, no concern of that, just worried about how it affect everyone else, outside looking in, non-owners of that property. In some cases it may as well be they just dont like the tree.
See even you have different levels of what is privacy and what is not. As you said, your house is not open to the public. See that is your threshold. Others may have higher or lower threshold. And I dont anyone that owns private land needs approval from their next door neighbor to cut down a tree, especially if the neighbor isnt offering any help. Maybe while they are criticising the tree cutting, someone probably dont like their garden, or the type of flowers as it drives down the property value because the color clash with the color scemes, Maybe the neighbors dont like the type of grass that is planted on another neighbors yard. And the list goes on.
Some people wouldnt mind if their neighbors pick at every niggle, on the excuse it drives down property value, on their yard but others would rather not be bothered by that nonsense especially if they have not paid a single bill on that property. Different threshold. Does this mean a person ahve to rant rave and curse and flick them off? No, and most probably would do that anymore than the nosy neighbor coming over giving the finger and saying "pancake you, you cut down the birch trees I love. You have no pancake right to do what you want to your property that I dont approve of! Stop being selfish and think about what I want!"
But this do remind of this story about this upscale neighborhood. A person was trying to sell a house and was getting pretty flustered that the house wasnt selling as fast as they thought it should. What was to blame? Well according to them, it was the Corolla parked next door. It made the neighborhod look cheap. Now mind you once we got on site, it wasnt as bad as described, as the Corolla was in running condition in fact it looked brand new and was only a few years old but in a neighborhood of million dollar homes and Benzes Lexus and Bimmers, the neighbor felt it was affecting the property value especially since the person parked the Corolla in the driveway, their own driveway of their own house. And the same points came up in that the owner of the Corolla wasnt thinking about the effect that car of that caliber was having on the look of the neighborhood. In the end my supervisor basically said, "well, you have a coupel of options. You can either lower the price of your home so you can move out faster and wont have to worry about a Corolla next door or you can leave your neighbor alone and let them buy what ever car they choose to. Lets say I was your neighbor and I personally dont like the Escalade you own as it's a gas hog, polluting and looks cheap next to my Maserati, but if I told you that you had to sell your Escalade because I dont like it, you would say..." Of course the person just cursed under their breath. And without missing a beat my supervisor said, "That is what I figured. You dont like me telling you or complaining about what you chose to buy so extend that same courtesy to your neighbor and stop harassing them. Or you can try your luck with the police but they probably wont be as nice as I am." Could the Corolla owner be a "good neighbor" and parked the car inside the garage? Of course, but for their own reason they chose not to and it was their choce to make and right to choose so or not to. Not to mention if they did that probably would mean either one of his classic original numbers perfect conditioned cars would have to sit outside in the elements including possible the Shelby GT500 or the Ferrari GTO. But of course the neighbor never asked why the Corolla was chosen to sit outside, but just assumed it was to affect them and be a thorn in their side. Because since they didnt like the Corolla it was their business as it was affecting the ability of them to sell their house and it was up to them to make sure their remidn their neighbor of this affect. After all to them too, it was not an invasion of privacy but just a neighbor voicing their concern to another neighbor. Different threshold. To them that Corolla is like that tree to another person but still on private property not owned by them.
If a neighbor came to me complaining abouta tree that I'm having cut down, I'll lsiten to them more than likely on most occassion, unless they took it upon themselves to step foot on my property, to complain about something on my property, and get me out of my sleep for something that they dont own, nor invested in, I'll still not curse them out and be courteous but will view it as very rude that they would interupt my sleep to complain about something as petty as that. As nice as I would be, I'll probably tell them to either come back later in the day when I'm awake or dont ever step foot on my land again, in a very nice manner of course. But you would welcome it with open arms. Man, I love being human and glad we dont all think alike. It's intriguing. Different thresholds. See we may as well live on the same block. Two different people. One wouldnt mind if a neighbor prodded about every detail of life and complain about what type of grass you chose to grow or how many trees yo uallow on your property or type, while I probably wouldnt enjoy that convo if a person kept prodding and view it as a bit rude to prod into personal detail like that especially if I dont know them. I probably would kindly ask them to leave my land after a few prodding questions. You'll probably stay and talk for hours about life details? While some, would shoot if you trespass on their land with no questions asked. While I think that method is bit extreme but to them it serves the trespasser proper.
In fact not too long ago, a friend of mine shot someone that stumbled onto her land and then got pissed and sued the poor guy, who got a bullet in his behind (I would have thought that was enough), for emotional distress. She won her case and unfortunately the poor chap lost alot of his stuff and barely was able to keep his home between the lawsuit and medical bills. He ended up in financial ruin. COme to find out, my friend said she didnt give two craps about the money but wanted to make sure that guy was ruined for a long time and to teach him a great lesson in not tresspassing onto her property. A little too devious for my taste but to each their own. Not sure if she ever talked about that in public forum of the old but to her, the mere act of tresspassing was enough for her to ruin the poor guy. That was her threshold for privacy.
While I love a good debate, I never had any intention of causing one so indepth about Mr. T of all people. :o Let this not come to blows folks. Very good points by all I have to say!
Well, diplomacy is always key in all things.
You mentioned people getting you out of your sleep to complain about the tree. Well, that's just being a big jerk. And in the case of Mr. T chopping down all his trees, doesn't apply. I'm pretty sure nobody had the cajones to wake him up in the middle of the night just to complain about it.
I do not decide my own property value. And that's an issue to think about. It's a quantifiable sum that can be actually appraised by others besides myself. Your attitude on the matter regarding people's issues with Mr. T's tree-cutting; claiming that they should've planted their own trees or purchased the land themselves, was pretty much poor diplomacy on your part.
Think of it. Nice piece of land, undisturbed for years. Makes the area very nice. Someone comes in, buys it up, tears it all down. You probably had no idea they were going to do that, when they bought it. Heck, it probably struck you as a very stupid idea. Especially from an individual whose influence comes from a comical support of milk, youth centers, and other 'pure' crap. Suddenly I'm left powerless because I don't have the money to preserve my own property value, nor the space on my own land to help build it up again. I'm helpless to stop the matter from driving down on me.
I think you have every right to complain. Does this mean I think you have a right to force a change to the decision? No. Diplomatically, a protest was made. Good. Mr. T made a statement that he's allergic to those trees. Good. I have no idea if a compromise was ever reached, and would probably regain respect for the move if he replanted the area. That I'm ignorant of. But the point is pretty much that if your move is affecting other people, you should think about it.
The argument of the Corolla, lemme ask you. Did someone come by and appraise the area? Did they look at the Corolla and point out that the house shouldn't cost so much due to being in a "cheap" location? Or was it just the owner scapegoating? Really, if it's the latter, it doesn't apply to this argument, as it's a situation of an irrational homeowner trying to find any excuse he can to scapegoat why his home isn't selling, and is not a practical reasoning for how actions have broader reactions that shouldn't be hidden behind the veil of "My business is my own, and if it damages you, deal with it." I have sincere doubts anyone would've rationally looked at the Corolla and claimed it was lowering property value, but then again, I'm not a millionaire. Not being a millionaire, my standards of living are a lot lower, and just a silly Corolla wouldn't even enter my mind. (A busted up wagon on the front lawn might be a different story. Might be.)
Also, I'm wondering what happened with the case of that trespasser... Trespassing is not a crime unless actual damages of a sorts are incurred, otherwise it's considered "invasion of privacy". (Damage doesn't need to be vandalism or anything tangible. But actual suffered damage needs to occur and something quantifiable in terms of money to sue someone for.) It sounds more like someone was trying to cause actual harm. This isn't an argument of privacy, still. It's some jack ass causing mischief, damages, etc. Once again, doesn't seem to apply very well to the argument, as it's painting the owner in a light of being a tremendous dick taking advantage of how laws work just to be a vindictive jerk -OR- maybe the guy really needed a lesson to be taught, as there's a lot of unspoken things regarding that, and I do not know what damages he was causing with his trespassing and possibly intended something a lot worse than just peeping in on someone's window.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 03, 2013, 03:01:42 AM
Wrong company ;)
This was number (mumble) in the Elemental Masters series from DAW books. This one is called "Steadfast."
Just saw the cover artwork on the DAW website. Since Jody always manages to capture your books so well I can't wait to read it.
Quote from: MakoMako on March 12, 2013, 01:58:39 PM
Well, diplomacy is always key in all things.
You mentioned people getting you out of your sleep to complain about the tree. Well, that's just being a big jerk. And in the case of Mr. T chopping down all his trees, doesn't apply. I'm pretty sure nobody had the cajones to wake him up in the middle of the night just to complain about it.
Yup.
Quote from: MakoMako on March 12, 2013, 01:58:39 PM
The argument of the Corolla, lemme ask you. Did someone come by and appraise the area? Did they look at the Corolla and point out that the house shouldn't cost so much due to being in a "cheap" location? Or was it just the owner scapegoating? Really, if it's the latter, it doesn't apply to this argument, as it's a situation of an irrational homeowner trying to find any excuse he can to scapegoat why his home isn't selling, and is not a practical reasoning for how actions have broader reactions that shouldn't be hidden behind the veil of "My business is my own, and if it damages you, deal with it." I have sincere doubts anyone would've rationally looked at the Corolla and claimed it was lowering property value, but then again, I'm not a millionaire. Not being a millionaire, my standards of living are a lot lower, and just a silly Corolla wouldn't even enter my mind. (A busted up wagon on the front lawn might be a different story. Might be.)
Probably just the owner was lookign to find a scapegoat. Higher value homes dont tend to move very fast in the first place on average. But it applies with the term you described, diplomacy. It goes both ways, with the owner of property and non-owners. And the veil of something "decreasing value of property" isnt always a legit reason to make complaint. Especially if it probably wouldnt do much in the case of the Corolla. The flip side is that like the tree, many things decrease the value of a neighborhood that people do. In some cases even something as simple as lawn ornaments or the color of paint on the house compared to the other house or even building materials, to type of grass chosen or in the case of out here, the lack of grass. A more proper example would be the owner that feels the neighbor yard is decreasing and have appraisal that states the neighbor's grass condition is decreasing value, but the owner believe in water conservation. Yet, it seems that respect is supposed to be given to the neighbor more than the actual property owner. As you say diplomacy is two ways. And because the neighbor dont like something the neighbor does, doesnt mean it's in their right to try and force it upon the property owner. As you also stated. A legit complaint in a diplomatic manner, good stuff. But many take it too far and stick that nose a bit too far into the business. Best thing to do it to state the complaint and let the property owner ultimately decide on their choice. People forget, while worrying about the pennies off their own property value, that the neighbor value also goes up and down with the rest of the neighborhood. The ideal situation where other people not affecting property value is to not have neighbors, but probably not practical. Respect definately should be given more to the actual property owner than non-owners of the property. And if a complaint should be made it should be in respectful manner to the owner and left at that. Instead of the attitude of "You are decreasing my property value so you better not cut down that tree." As if the neighbor didnt buy his property like everyone else in that neighborhood. More than likely usually it affects the actual property than the surrounding properties in a more drastic way. I doubt anyone house decreased by 20,000 or so because some bloke down the block cut down a tree. And how this this fit in? Because many times, people will find any scapegoat to the reason why their property value decrease in reality or perceieved. If they dont like the neighbor cuttign down the tree, they will say the tree is decreasing their property value. If they dont think the neighbor is watering their grass enough, then it will be the neighbor's grass is bringing down the property value, if they dont like the person car, then the car is bringing down the property value. And they will use it as license to tell the neighbor what they cant or cannot do with their own property simply because it dont fit with their view of the standard. I'm saying that if they are so adament about telling what others can and cannot do on their property then yes they should of either purchased the property themselves, or planted more trees. Besides that the diplomatic thing would be to remember that their neighbor is also a property owner, with property that also rise and decrease in value and just as they wouldnt like people telling them they need to clear their land because "the leaves it sheds make the neighborhood look shabby" they shoudl show the same kind of respect to their neighbor. Or in this case diplomacy. AKA, they should nto act like the king of the neighborhood over property they dont own.
Quote from: MakoMako on March 12, 2013, 01:58:39 PM
Also, I'm wondering what happened with the case of that trespasser... Trespassing is not a crime unless actual damages of a sorts are incurred, otherwise it's considered "invasion of privacy". (Damage doesn't need to be vandalism or anything tangible. But actual suffered damage needs to occur and something quantifiable in terms of money to sue someone for.) It sounds more like someone was trying to cause actual harm. This isn't an argument of privacy, still. It's some jack ass causing mischief, damages, etc. Once again, doesn't seem to apply very well to the argument, as it's painting the owner in a light of being a tremendous dick taking advantage of how laws work just to be a vindictive jerk -OR- maybe the guy really needed a lesson to be taught, as there's a lot of unspoken things regarding that, and I do not know what damages he was causing with his trespassing and possibly intended something a lot worse than just peeping in on someone's window.
Well I dont think she was being a dick, as believe it or not, a lot of tresspasser get shot here. Some will shoot you because they dont liek your skin tone but if you are on their land, they dont need to go record with the real reason. How I know? It already happened to me personally. There was a car for sale in the front yard of this house, with the for sale sign, so me and a friend just got a closer look. The owner came outside yelling about stuff cocked and loaded, most I cant repeat here but included a few lines of he hate (insert n word) and want to kill every (n-word) in this world, and before could explain that we was interested in the car for sale, he started to unload. We ran for dear life or course and luckily he was a poor shot maybe due to old age as this guy had to be pushing 80 at least. I didnt think nothing more than just a crazy old dude that just happen to not like black people. My friend on the other hand was royally pissed. So of course he put in a police report but police said since we was on his land he had every right to protect his property using what ever force he deemed nessesary, even deadly force.
My friend, the shooter, isnt exactly very open minded when it comes to people on her land or privacy. As she states, if she dont know them, then they have no business, especially in the realm of privacy or property. In Texas, as long as you have signs that says no tresspassing along the the property, you can legally shoot tresspassers as here it is assumed if someone ignore the signs they are there for more malicious intentions. Which this guy did, not to mention, purposely hopped the fence. He said he was just taking a short cut, but here, if you ignore those signs the owner may shoot first ask questions later. And this extends to if someone is breakign into your car. In short, she shot first, asked questions later and got more out of him. The guy lived, went through the lower hip area and lodged in the right butt cheek. To her, the guy totally violated her rights to privacy and deserved to die. Luckily she isnt yet a sharpshooter or else, there would be a family mourning. To some, they may view it as someone being a prick. To me, she just protecting what she believe is her right. To her, the guy deserved to die for daring to tresspass on her land. I dont think she would have even bothered calling an ambulance if I wasnt there as I was the one that called them. She didnt seem to be in any hurry. She didnt care if the guy lived or die because in her eyes, he commited an offense that was a death sentence. I guess she figures since she didnt kill him literally she'd go ahead and kill him financially, either way no one was goign to stop her from collecting her pound of flesh and convinced the people that needed convincing that her life was in danger. Me, I probably would have asked the guy, is he lost and at worse escort him off the land. Other might invite the guy in for a drink of water as it was middle of one of el paso 100 degree summers and the guy looked a bit parched. As I said different threshold of privacy. From a legal standpoint, she could have killed him and no one would ask many questions and life go on for her. For me, not sure if I could sleep for a week if I murked a man without what is good reason and being sure of intentions. Other couldnt shoot a man at all. Different thresholds. None are right, as all are right to the person who matches that threshold. Andn one are wrong besides to those who threshold is different. Vindictive, no, being a dick, no. But emotional damage is easy when you can afford any lawyer you want like she can especially, when it's a female of average build, spotless criminal record, and resident of affluent neighborhood, compared to a strange male in the yard with no better explanation than he was just takign a shortcut that didnt even live in the area. The man didnt stand a chance. She probably could have asked for any price and it would have been granted. She only asked for $90,000 (or rather the figure the lawyer came up with since she did misss work and since she was distraught, he husband the main bread winner had to stay home too and lost out on work and business and the fact that she dont feel safe and the usual), ended up getting judgement award of about $40,000. But the guy wasnt made of money, and probably didnt rake in that much as a construction worker in a year year and didnt even have medical insurance and so a medical bill ,on top of missing work, then find out you owe $40,000 to the person that shot ya. Although to this day she havent seen the money and probably wont see much of it if any, but as she said it wasnt about the money it was about the law and the fact he tresspass and he had to pay. To her asa citizen and property owner, she was within her rights. That just go to show as it can be viewed as vindictive, or being a dick, to others is lawfully a right to another person they just excercised. To me, I think merely pointing the weapon at him and telling him to get going probably would have gotten results without harm. But thinking on it, I bet if if he was on my land, and I shot him and tried to sue for emotional distress, I would have a little more explaining to do and probably would have my "emotional distress" suit thrown out without hesitation, but even in this day and age, people that decide the law sometimes fall for the damsel in distress without much questioning. She probably could have said the guy tried to raped her, which she was originally going to go for, until I said "ok that is too far, I will sit up there and say that is bold face lie", did she finally back down. Sad part is, if she pursued it and I wasnt a witness, she probably would have won and that poor chap would be in jail right now for an attempted rape that he didnt do. As much I respect people choices, I just couldnt in good concience go that far. But besides that in the case I only could attest to what I actually saw. Yes, he was there, yes he did trespass, yes he did hop the fence and yes she shot him and that is all. The truth of what I saw even though I didnt agree with the method, I had to respect her decision because it's her land, her threshold of privacy invasion and tresspass, and her view of how it supposed to be dealt with. It is not my choice to make. It's her land. Now if it was on my land, then yeah it would be my choice. But seeing how I didnt purchase or pay any bills or invest in her property, I had no say and no right to demand a say.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 12, 2013, 05:57:57 PM
Yup.
Probably just the owner was lookign to find a scapegoat. Higher value homes dont tend to move very fast in the first place on average. But it applies with the term you described, diplomacy. It goes both ways, with the owner of property and non-owners. And the veil of something "decreasing value of property" isnt always a legit reason to make complaint. Especially if it probably wouldnt do much in the case of the Corolla. The flip side is that like the tree, many things decrease the value of a neighborhood that people do. In some cases even something as simple as lawn ornaments or the color of paint on the house compared to the other house or even building materials, to type of grass chosen or in the case of out here, the lack of grass. A more proper example would be the owner that feels the neighbor yard is decreasing and have appraisal that states the neighbor's grass condition is decreasing value, but the owner believe in water conservation. Yet, it seems that respect is supposed to be given to the neighbor more than the actual property owner. As you say diplomacy is two ways. And because the neighbor dont like something the neighbor does, doesnt mean it's in their right to try and force it upon the property owner. As you also stated. A legit complaint in a diplomatic manner, good stuff. But many take it too far and stick that nose a bit too far into the business. Best thing to do it to state the complaint and let the property owner ultimately decide on their choice. People forget, while worrying about the pennies off their own property value, that the neighbor value also goes up and down with the rest of the neighborhood. The ideal situation where other people not affecting property value is to not have neighbors, but probably not practical. Respect definately should be given more to the actual property owner than non-owners of the property. And if a complaint should be made it should be in respectful manner to the owner and left at that. Instead of the attitude of "You are decreasing my property value so you better not cut down that tree." As if the neighbor didnt buy his property like everyone else in that neighborhood. More than likely usually it affects the actual property than the surrounding properties in a more drastic way. I doubt anyone house decreased by 20,000 or so because some bloke down the block cut down a tree. And how this this fit in? Because many times, people will find any scapegoat to the reason why their property value decrease in reality or perceieved. If they dont like the neighbor cuttign down the tree, they will say the tree is decreasing their property value. If they dont think the neighbor is watering their grass enough, then it will be the neighbor's grass is bringing down the property value, if they dont like the person car, then the car is bringing down the property value. And they will use it as license to tell the neighbor what they cant or cannot do with their own property simply because it dont fit with their view of the standard. I'm saying that if they are so adament about telling what others can and cannot do on their property then yes they should of either purchased the property themselves, or planted more trees. Besides that the diplomatic thing would be to remember that their neighbor is also a property owner, with property that also rise and decrease in value and just as they wouldnt like people telling them they need to clear their land because "the leaves it sheds make the neighborhood look shabby" they shoudl show the same kind of respect to their neighbor. Or in this case diplomacy. AKA, they should nto act like the king of the neighborhood over property they dont own.
Also, I'm wondering what happened with the case of that trespasser... Trespassing is not a crime unless actual damages of a sorts are incurred, otherwise it's considered "invasion of privacy". (Damage doesn't need to be vandalism or anything tangible. But actual suffered damage needs to occur and something quantifiable in terms of money to sue someone for.) It sounds more like someone was trying to cause actual harm. This isn't an argument of privacy, still. It's some jack ass causing mischief, damages, etc. Once again, doesn't seem to apply very well to the argument, as it's painting the owner in a light of being a tremendous dick taking advantage of how laws work just to be a vindictive jerk -OR- maybe the guy really needed a lesson to be taught, as there's a lot of unspoken things regarding that, and I do not know what damages he was causing with his trespassing and possibly intended something a lot worse than just peeping in on someone's window.
Well I dont think she was being a dick, as believe it or not, a lot of tresspasser get shot here. Some will shoot you because they dont liek your skin tone but if you are on their land, they dont need to go record with the real reason. How I know? It already happened to me personally. There was a car for sale in the front yard of this house, with the for sale sign, so me and a friend just got a closer look. The owner came outside yelling about stuff cocked and loaded, most I cant repeat here but included a few lines of he hate (insert n word) and want to kill every (n-word) in this world, and before could explain that we was interested in the car for sale, he started to unload. We ran for dear life or course and luckily he was a poor shot maybe due to old age as this guy had to be pushing 80 at least. I didnt think nothing more than just a crazy old dude that just happen to not like black people. My friend on the other hand was royally pissed. So of course he put in a police report but police said since we was on his land he had every right to protect his property using what ever force he deemed nessesary, even deadly force.
My friend, the shooter, isnt exactly very open minded when it comes to people on her land or privacy. As she states, if she dont know them, then they have no business, especially in the realm of privacy or property. In Texas, as long as you have signs that says no tresspassing along the the property, you can legally shoot tresspassers as here it is assumed if someone ignore the signs they are there for more malicious intentions. Which this guy did, not to mention, purposely hopped the fence. He said he was just taking a short cut, but here, if you ignore those signs the owner may shoot first ask questions later. And this extends to if someone is breakign into your car. In short, she shot first, asked questions later and got more out of him. The guy lived, went through the lower hip area and lodged in the right butt cheek. To her, the guy totally violated her rights to privacy and deserved to die. Luckily she isnt yet a sharpshooter or else, there would be a family mourning. To some, they may view it as someone being a prick. To me, she just protecting what she believe is her right. To her, the guy deserved to die for daring to tresspass on her land. I dont think she would have even bothered calling an ambulance if I wasnt there as I was the one that called them. She didnt seem to be in any hurry. She didnt care if the guy lived or die because in her eyes, he commited an offense that was a death sentence. I guess she figures since she didnt kill him literally she'd go ahead and kill him financially, either way no one was goign to stop her from collecting her pound of flesh and convinced the people that needed convincing that her life was in danger. Me, I probably would have asked the guy, is he lost and at worse escort him off the land. Other might invite the guy in for a drink of water as it was middle of one of el paso 100 degree summers and the guy looked a bit parched. As I said different threshold of privacy. From a legal standpoint, she could have killed him and no one would ask many questions and life go on for her. For me, not sure if I could sleep for a week if I murked a man without what is good reason and being sure of intentions. Other couldnt shoot a man at all. Different thresholds. None are right, as all are right to the person who matches that threshold. Andn one are wrong besides to those who threshold is different. Vindictive, no, being a dick, no. But emotional damage is easy when you can afford any lawyer you want like she can especially, when it's a female of average build, spotless criminal record, and resident of affluent neighborhood, compared to a strange male in the yard with no better explanation than he was just takign a shortcut that didnt even live in the area. The man didnt stand a chance. She probably could have asked for any price and it would have been granted. She only asked for $90,000 (or rather the figure the lawyer came up with since she did misss work and since she was distraught, he husband the main bread winner had to stay home too and lost out on work and business and the fact that she dont feel safe and the usual), ended up getting judgement award of about $40,000. But the guy wasnt made of money, and probably didnt rake in that much as a construction worker in a year year and didnt even have medical insurance and so a medical bill ,on top of missing work, then find out you owe $40,000 to the person that shot ya. Although to this day she havent seen the money and probably wont see much of it if any, but as she said it wasnt about the money it was about the law and the fact he tresspass and he had to pay. To her asa citizen and property owner, she was within her rights. That just go to show as it can be viewed as vindictive, or being a dick, to others is lawfully a right to another person they just excercised. To me, I think merely pointing the weapon at him and telling him to get going probably would have gotten results without harm. But thinking on it, I bet if if he was on my land, and I shot him and tried to sue for emotional distress, I would have a little more explaining to do and probably would have my "emotional distress" suit thrown out without hesitation, but even in this day and age, people that decide the law sometimes fall for the damsel in distress without much questioning. She probably could have said the guy tried to raped her, which she was originally going to go for, until I said "ok that is too far, I will sit up there and say that is bold face lie", did she finally back down. Sad part is, if she pursued it and I wasnt a witness, she probably would have won and that poor chap would be in jail right now for an attempted rape that he didnt do. As much I respect people choices, I just couldnt in good concience go that far. But besides that in the case I only could attest to what I actually saw. Yes, he was there, yes he did trespass, yes he did hop the fence and yes she shot him and that is all. The truth of what I saw even though I didnt agree with the method, I had to respect her decision because it's her land, her threshold of privacy invasion and tresspass, and her view of how it supposed to be dealt with. It is not my choice to make. It's her land. Now if it was on my land, then yeah it would be my choice. But seeing how I didnt purchase or pay any bills or invest in her property, I had no say and no right to demand a say.
Fake News by Joshex
Headline 1: tresspassers shot in colorado, law enforcement not allowed to take action
blah blah blah, if you're on my property you better have a good reason, also welcome to colorado *boom*
Headline 2: people getting stoned in colorado
no, they aren't being dragged outside of town and thrown into a pit and then pummeled with rocks till they die, they are all taking a daily hit of the old dubbie, it's hard to turn a corner without seeing someone wave a friendly hello in a very mello way as they light up a big fat spliff, welcome to joint towne colorado where everything moves slooooow man... word is a munchie factory has been proposed by the citizens, however when asked what exactly a 'munchie' is no body knew, they just said "get mine with extra cheese and like one of those big bottles of soda".
Quote from: Joshex on March 12, 2013, 06:27:11 PM
Fake News by Joshex
Headline 1: tresspassers shot in colorado, law enforcement not allowed to take action
blah blah blah, if you're on my property you better have a good reason, also welcome to colorado *boom*
Headline 2: people getting stoned in colorado
no, they aren't being dragged outside of town and thrown into a pit and then pummeled with rocks till they die, they are all taking a daily hit of the old dubbie, it's hard to turn a corner without seeing someone wave a friendly hello in a very mello way as they light up a big fat spliff, welcome to joint towne colorado where everything moves slooooow man... word is a munchie factory has been proposed by the citizens, however when asked what exactly a 'munchie' is no body knew, they just said "get mine with extra cheese and like one of those big bottles of soda".
lol. So are the weed prices in colorado since it's technically legal to smoke there? At least from what I hear.
The point that JaguarX is trying to make, of course, is that City of Heroes is like a tree. And Google is like a Toyota...Corolla...? Which would make NCSoft a trespasser, shot by...um, Mister T...which is good, because diplomacy...?
Nope. I got nothing. Why is this on-topic for the thread again?
Quote from: BadWolf on March 12, 2013, 07:54:00 PM
The point that JaguarX is trying to make, of course, is that City of Heroes is like a tree. And Google is like a Toyota...Corolla...? Which would make NCSoft a trespasser, shot by...um, Mister T...which is good, because diplomacy...?
lmao. Yep. That is right.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 12, 2013, 06:35:23 PM
lol. So are the weed prices in colorado since it's technically legal to smoke there? At least from what I hear.
still pretty expensive from what I hear, peeps are only allowed to grow 6 of thier own plants that means they can only have like 3 different varieties cause they need male and female plants.. and each leaf is only like 7 ounces or something so they might have like 100 ounces per plant and that wont last long if they're selling it, plus the medical stuff isn't any cheaper...
Quote from: Joshex on March 12, 2013, 08:48:43 PM
still pretty expensive from what I hear, peeps are only allowed to grow 6 of thier own plants that means they can only have like 3 different varieties cause they need male and female plants.. and each leaf is only like 7 ounces or something so they might have like 100 ounces per plant and that wont last long if they're selling it, plus the medical stuff isn't any cheaper...
Yeah they wont be a king pin anytime soon.
...and if you mix gratuitous removal of plants you're allergic to, with weed price (the two topics we are mysteriously discussing now), you get me to remember this old video here (http://youtu.be/IVZs2HHgfZk?t=6s).
Take Two:
"Rugged soldiers... the size of Wales... burning drugs. Painstakingly ! Uhhh"
Take three:
"Behind me painstaking barrens burningly drug soldiers in huge piles of Wale-nets Uohh, Wooh ! Now that's the one Jerry !"
on the comment of Mr T the tree chopper, maybe he did it for reasons similar to my family's reasons, we cut down 3 trees for a nmber of reasons;
1, some could have fallen on the house during bad winds
2, some had those nasty roots that expose themselves above ground and break our lawnmower blades (we tried covering the roots witha mound of dirt and replanted grass on top of that but the roots decided to come up and expose themselves again on top of the mound!)
3, the trees were creating too much shade and my pinapple plant wasn't getting enough sun no matter where I put it on our property.
4, dad wanted to plant a vegtable garden and put up solar panels to reduce energy costs from coal burning powerplants and our trees were in the way of that..
just cause Mr T cut down a few trees doesn't mean he's not eco-friendly.
ok.. eco friendly image of Mr T just popped into my head... I envisioned snowwhite with all the birds and squirrels on her sleeves and shoulder singing and then I replaced snowwhite with Mr T.... it.. wasn't exactly disturbing, maybe a bit comical.
Quote from: Joshex on March 12, 2013, 09:57:02 PM
ok.. eco friendly image of Mr T just popped into my head... I envisioned snowwhite with all the birds and squirrels on her sleeves and shoulder singing and then I replaced snowwhite with Mr T.... it.. wasn't exactly disturbing, maybe a bit comical.
O.o.
Oh hell I just had a visual of that too. And it's stuck!! "I pity the fool..."
Quote from: JaguarX on March 12, 2013, 09:59:44 PM
O.o.
Oh hell I just had a visual of that too. And it's stuck!! "I pity the fool..."
Yep! thats one! o.O
So how is the proposal coming along? :P
Actually, I think the argument wasn't so much about trees and such as it is about the limitations of "privacy" and if it's ever necessary to stick one's nose into the business of others. The 'chopping down of trees' just being an example because it was brought up already.
If we applied this to the City of Heroes situation, I think the problem is that NCSoft made a decision that affected a tremendous number of people very negatively, and as we stand here asking up and down "Why the hell would you do that?" their attitude is "None of your business." And if we keep trying to figure it out, they'll probably shoot us.
Are they free to keep it a secret? Yes, I believe so. Is it -right- to keep it a secret? I don't think so. And is it within our rights to keep making noise on the matter? Hell yes it is. I have no intention to stop asking until a real answer comes up. Whether it's my business or not, it still affected me quite a bit. And I think I at least deserve to know what the hell.
Quote from: MakoMako on March 14, 2013, 02:42:08 PM
Actually, I think the argument wasn't so much about trees and such as it is about the limitations of "privacy" and if it's ever necessary to stick one's nose into the business of others. The 'chopping down of trees' just being an example because it was brought up already.
If we applied this to the City of Heroes situation, I think the problem is that NCSoft made a decision that affected a tremendous number of people very negatively, and as we stand here asking up and down "Why the hell would you do that?" their attitude is "None of your business." And if we keep trying to figure it out, they'll probably shoot us.
Are they free to keep it a secret? Yes, I believe so. Is it -right- to keep it a secret? I don't think so. And is it within our rights to keep making noise on the matter? Hell yes it is. I have no intention to stop asking until a real answer comes up. Whether it's my business or not, it still affected me quite a bit. And I think I at least deserve to know what the hell.
Yup.
It was nice getting a view from the other side. Thanks for the chat, MakoMako. *handshake*
Any updates to this? post them in your original post!
I am actually from Colorado. Joshex the fake news you made isn't that far off from the truth. The first part we have a law called the "Make my day law" allowing people to shoot and kill trespassers they find threatening. This doesn't happen much in the Front Range (The place mostly responsible for the legality of marijuana,yes its technically legal) However the make my day law has had some serious drawbacks, people have been shot just walking in the wrong house cause they drank too much (Big party/College State)
As for the weed prices, you won't get much lower in the states. The prices dropped when Medical Marijuana came in and flooded the already green friendly state into the hub of high quality "Medicine." Now that is is legal the prices remain unaffected because they are still controlled by black market dealers. No shops can be set up yet, you can grow 6 plants. 3 in veg and 3 in flower just like the caregiver law.
You can technically "gift" someone weed though. If I gave my neighbor pot that would be legal, as long as they are over 21. You can carry up to an ounce but you can't smoke/use it in public. You can't drive while being high. And jobs can still deny/terminate employment if you fail a drug test. In my opinion the DEA needs to hurry up and remove marijuana from the federal drug list so we can set up shops and get some funding for our schools and our extremely over packed towns in places like Boulder,Denver, and Fort Collins(The best one)
Ever sense December this year, I am now law abiding citizen.
Also there is a joke around here. We have some terrible drivers in Fort Collins and Boulder because more people live in the town then the town was meant for. Is it a wonder why Colorado has some of the best weed and worst drivers.
Quote from: Taceus Jiwede on March 15, 2013, 03:06:56 AM
Also there is a joke around here. We have some terrible drivers in Fort Collins and Boulder because more people live in the town then the town was meant for. Is it a wonder why Colorado has some of the best weed and worst drivers.
Guess you never been to El Paso. Many of these people have no business behind the wheel of any vehicle.
But they say at any given time 50% of the drivers are drunk and or have no insurance or license. And 35% are under the influence of some type of illegal substance ranging from the usual weed to heavy stuff like crack and meth. Drugs are cheap out here and El Paso is a major gateway to America's drug supply. The reason the cartel was killing 8-12 people a day to control that gateway. You know a city is bad when they get their own "Call of.." game. Call of Juarez it is. That is where majority of the US drugs on the streets cross into the states into El Paso (literally 5 minute and a stoen throw away) and then onto the rest of the US. Many just literally throw the drugs over and someone picks it up, for small duffle bag stuff. But the big dogs use the 18 wheelers who go back and forth without much inspection. It's random, but they rarely bother to check those trucks. 99% of the time they are locked and the driver dont have a key (or rather say they dont have a key) so they dont bother much. Or they tail a commuter, place the drugs in the car panels, follow the person over, wait till they stop, grab drugs and bounce. Many people got caught up like that and of course they say "Honest, that cocaine isnt mine." Cops dont listen to that so some poor chap end up in jail and if they end up in Mexican jail, it's goign to be a long day or rather months.
Hell, even the ELP county commisioner couldnt resist the action. He got arrested last year for federal drug trafficking charges by the DEA.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 15, 2013, 03:45:03 AM
Guess you never been to El Paso. Many of these people have no business behind the wheel of any vehicle.
But they say at any given time 50% of the drivers are drunk and or have no insurance or license. And 35% are under the influence of some type of illegal substance ranging from the usual weed to heavy stuff like crack and meth. Drugs are cheap out here and El Paso is a major gateway to America's drug supply. The reason the cartel was killing 8-12 people a day to control that gateway. You know a city is bad when they get their own "Call of.." game. Call of Juarez it is. That is where majority of the US drugs on the streets cross into the states into El Paso (literally 5 minute and a stoen throw away) and then onto the rest of the US. Many just literally throw the drugs over and someone picks it up, for small duffle bag stuff. But the big dogs use the 18 wheelers who go back and forth without much inspection. It's random, but they rarely bother to check those trucks. 99% of the time they are locked and the driver dont have a key (or rather say they dont have a key) so they dont bother much. Or they tail a commuter, place the drugs in the car panels, follow the person over, wait till they stop, grab drugs and bounce. Many people got caught up like that and of course they say "Honest, that cocaine isnt mine." Cops dont listen to that so some poor chap end up in jail and if they end up in Mexican jail, it's goign to be a long day or rather months.
Hell, even the ELP county commisioner couldnt resist the action. He got arrested last year for federal drug trafficking charges by the DEA.
Ya its all about the front range. A lot of Colorado is....not so desirable. Which is funny because then you get the Front Range and Mountain areas and it is a completely different sight. Practically utopias compared to other parts of the state/country/world.
Quote from: Taceus Jiwede on March 15, 2013, 03:06:56 AMHowever the make my day law has had some serious drawbacks, people have been shot just walking in the wrong house cause they drank too much (Big party/College State)
LOL This is a drawback? LOL Sorry, some one walks into my house like that, drunk/high or not, and I don't recognize them, they should expect to get their ass shot off :)
Quote from: Dylan Clearbrook on March 15, 2013, 01:14:07 PM
LOL This is a drawback? LOL Sorry, some one walks into my house like that, drunk/high or not, and I don't recognize them, they should expect to get their ass shot off :)
alot of people that live around here thinks the same.
If everyone had that mindset, we'd have lost Robert Downey Jr. a long time ago.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on March 09, 2013, 03:37:38 AM
The only proposal that matters here is the pitch for Google to buy CoH.
I was JUST making sure..Good to hear and can't wait for the official 'send letters to Google'. I will mention this on 'Save CoH' Radio tonight that Google is the next target BUT also HOLD OFF ON ANY LETTERS UNTIL WE GET THE OFFICIAL 'GO' SIGN FROM YOU GUYS!
Quote from: Dylan Clearbrook on March 15, 2013, 01:14:07 PM
LOL This is a drawback? LOL Sorry, some one walks into my house like that, drunk/high or not, and I don't recognize them, they should expect to get their ass shot off :)
Yep. Nowadays you can take zero chances, not with synthetic marijuana lying around. The solution is for everyone to not get that high, to not take drugs ESPECIALLY synthetic analogs of drugs, and to just behave in a civilized fashion in general - because the alternative just might involve high-velocity projectiles. I have no intention of becoming a statistic in order to not harm someone who has barged into my bedroom on an unnatural high.
Quote from: Illusionss on March 15, 2013, 07:17:25 PM
Yep. Nowadays you can take zero chances, not with synthetic marijuana lying around. The solution is for everyone to not get that high, to not take drugs ESPECIALLY synthetic analogs of drugs, and to just behave in a civilized fashion in general - because the alternative just might involve high-velocity projectiles. I have no intention of becoming a statistic in order to not harm someone who has barged into my bedroom on an unnatural high.
+1 this.
..... Uhm .... so about Google ... o.o
Cuz I just thought I'd pop in quick to see if there were updates, and somewhere between trees, Mr T, guns, and drugs ... I think I may have made a wrong turn somewhere...
This still the thread about Google ...?
Quote from: Tanklet on March 15, 2013, 10:03:18 PM
..... Uhm .... so about Google ... o.o
Cuz I just thought I'd pop in quick to see if there were updates, and somewhere between trees, Mr T, guns, and drugs ... I think I may have made a wrong turn somewhere...
This still the thread about Google ...?
All that stuff related to Google because it can all be found on google.
VV must be busy writing the new proposal and signing autographs for her book at local stores lol.
I know the question was asked a short while ago; whats up with the progress with google?
And no Mr T doesnt have cancer he has something else which he's being treated for.
Quote from: Illusionss on March 15, 2013, 07:17:25 PM
Yep. Nowadays you can take zero chances, not with synthetic marijuana lying around. The solution is for everyone to not get that high, to not take drugs ESPECIALLY synthetic analogs of drugs, and to just behave in a civilized fashion in general - because the alternative just might involve high-velocity projectiles. I have no intention of becoming a statistic in order to not harm someone who has barged into my bedroom on an unnatural high.
Synthetic drugs are extremely dangerous both for their side effects on the body as well as the rare cases of psychotic behavior, and I don't promote the use of drugs to anyone.
However, people don't just walk into random houses from smoking Marijuana. Even though it is a drug I don't think it should be lumped in with any other drugs. It is a drug in the sense caffeine is a drug. It doesn't make people go out and commit violent crimes, black out, and lose their sense of reality. Of course their are exceptions to this but if anything the town I live in is proof that the vast majority of a population can be stoned and still function in a civilized manner. After all our town has extremely low crime rate, the streets are always safe to walk, and we have on several occasions been referred to as "one of the best cities to live in" in magazines such as Newsweek. We have great schools, a good justice system, and an all around friendly town, friendly enough people often don't even lock their houses or cars(which is dumb cause then drunk people can walk in on accident). People make their own decisions, just because they choose to smoke pot that doesn't mean they start doing other drugs and diverting their money towards marijuana instead of other things they need buy. It's self control that comes into the question, people can get hooked on anything and because a few bad eggs make bad decisions that doesn't mean the people who use it responsibly should be lumped in with them. If that was the case then over the counter medicine, fast food, fast cars, guns, and other things that people use recklessly shouldn't be used by anyone either. I am not saying people should use marijuana. I am just saying its not so black and white. Not all people who use recreational marijuana are crazed drug addicts that will break into your house at night, in fact that will most likely never happen. Sorry to rant but I don't tell people they should use marijuana and if they don't then they are making the wrong decision. I don't like it when people say the same about people who are adults and decide to use something at the end of a hard day to relax and kickback(wine anyone?)Its about time our state legalized it, its one step closer to people not demonizing it anymore. Drugs aren't bad, they are lifeless substances that know no bias or bad intentions. People are bad. Its the people who become dependent, the gangs who capitalize on it because the legality of it pushes them into the black market instead of where it can be regulated and watched, or the people who have no sense of self control and take too much or have a prior history of mental instability. Which lead to the famous fear mongering stories. The guy who thought he was orange juice on LSD and then died when it "spilled", or the guy who jumped out a window, or the guy who thought he had spiders on him so he scratched all his skin off. Those are myths slightly based off a handful true stories with a big dose of exaggeration about people who had mental illnesses and other problems who shouldn't of even been using anything in the first place. Only to gain credibility when some batshit crazy person who probably would of hurt/killed someone anyway eats the face off someone after smoking spice. Yet its not guns fault that there are school shootings, or the churches fault that parents drown their kids in the name of god, or the doctors fault when someone becomes hopelessly addicted to perscription drugs(Which is one of the leading causes of both crime and overdosing because they are the easiest and most encouraged drugs to do and because they are legal and that makes them okay)
Also, I am not sure if someone who walks into a house on accident deserves to die. I agree you can't be to safe, if someone comes into your house you don't want to find out their intentions. However people don't only walk into houses because of intoxication. People who may just not be in the right state of mind. Diabetic episode, mental handicaps, confusion from a fever. Sure these things are unlikely but they are possible and they have happened before. I have walked in the wrong house because the I got wrong directions to the house I was going to. I went to school with someone that went to the army after graduation. Finished his 4 years, had a lovely lady, was starting to get this life together. He gets drunk, walks in the wrong house walking home and blamo, a simple mistake that became his last one. It's not until after you blast a 24 year old that you realize that "you walk in my house and ill shoot you" isn't so easy to forgot or undo. Not saying you did something wrong or are a bad person for trying to protect your self, you gotta do what you gotta do. But you do have to live with it as does the family of the person who got shot (who may or may not be innocent, dead folks can't talk)And as easy as it is to say you wouldn't do this(walk in the wrong house that is), it could very well happen to you one day, a simple mistake about where you are.
But no more derailment I promise!
QuoteAll that stuff related to Google because it can all be found on google.
+10!
QuoteI know the question was asked a short while ago; whats up with the progress with google?
We will hear anything if there is anything to hear I imagine. They probably haven't even sent it out yet, I imagine they would post it when they did. Then it will take several several weeks possibly even months or longer before we hear back from them. Patience my friends the wheels may be turning slowly but the gears inside are hard at work.
So its been a few weeks since I checked up on this. Last time I heard VV had a week to get her proposal done.
So whats up? Heard anything back from that yet?
When it's done, and sent off, we'll let people know :) Until we say it's been completed and sent off, presume it's still a work in progress.
Quote from: Rae on March 18, 2013, 11:54:55 PM
When it's done, and sent off, we'll let people know :) Until we say it's been completed and sent off, presume it's still a work in progress.
8) /em holdtorch Just say when, Rae, and THANK YOU, TEAM WILDCARD. Until then, I for one am having the legal limit of
fun on the Forums Games pages. Anyone feeling bored or sad, come JOIN the SILLY and CAREFREE side of the FORCE!
Bwahaha! :D
Quote from: johnrobey on March 19, 2013, 04:15:41 AM
Until then, I for one am having the legal limit of fun on the Forums Games pages. Anyone feeling bored or sad, come JOIN the SILLY and CAREFREE side of the FORCE! Bwahaha! :D
We have Smarties! We have Pants! We have Smarty Pants!
(https://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz55/KansasCrawford/Funny%20Pics/SmartyPants_zpsed86f846.jpg)
Join us, and together we can rule the galaxy!
Oh yes, and a huge thank you again to Team Wildcard. I'm sure I've said it before, but y'all deserve to hear it again.
[bettemidler] You are the wind... beneath... my cape! [/bettemidler]
*speaks up from the Triumph shard*
Pants? Who wears pants?
(For those who are new....."Like Liberty, Triumph has a reputation in the community as "unofficial friendly server". Because of its history of "Speedo Hami Raids", it has also become known as "the pantsless server.")
Quote from: healix on March 19, 2013, 06:13:09 PM
*speaks up from the Triumph shard*
Ohhhh. See I'm from Virtue. You can't go pantsless around the catgirls, they'll claw your legs right off. Then tell you you liked it.
Hang around Troy Hickman long enough, and you get used to the pantsless.
Quote from: healix on March 19, 2013, 06:13:09 PM
*speaks up from the Triumph shard*
Pants? Who wears pants?
(For those who are new....."Like Liberty, Triumph has a reputation in the community as "unofficial friendly server". Because of its history of "Speedo Hami Raids", it has also become known as "the pantsless server.")
On
Justice server we had NO PANTS PHIL, who was usually the Leader of the Green Mito team during Hami raids. :roll: (Happily it was agreed that Aleksander's black & gold Roman Armor didn't qualify as "pants" hence was acceptable. Aleks is my icon here on Titan, wearing an Xmas time Jingle jet just 'cause they were awesome!)
What about Protector... <.<
I feel left out!
Quote from: Omega Mark V on March 20, 2013, 02:08:18 PM
What about Protector... <.<
I feel left out!
Gee, I don't know, Omega Mark! I never did a Hami Raid on Protector - so I don't know whether to tell you to "keep your pants on" or else advise you to join the club who chants, "Pants?! We don't need no
stinking pants!!!!" :D But feel free to join the Silly People. I recall a player (tho I have since forgotten his global name) who almost daily would announce on Victory Badges channel that his toon was gonna "streak" AP, TI, etc and LOL I inferred people actually showed up to watch him do this. ;)
Oh hey you know what? I just remembered, we did have this one guy named Old Man Bob. He never wore anything except underwear adn a long dirty beard. I guess pantslessness did catch on a bit on Virtue.
Come to think of it, Bob was a pretty good catgirl repellant too. Once you got past the smell.
Quote from: Triplash on March 20, 2013, 03:07:46 PM
Oh hey you know what? I just remembered, we did have this one guy named Old Man Bob. He never wore anything except underwear adn a long dirty beard. I guess pantslessness did catch on a bit on Virtue.
Come to think of it, Bob was a pretty good catgirl repellant too. Once you got past the smell.
Old man bob was awesome. Saw him all the time. "role-played" with him a few times.
Hey I remember that guy. Old man Bob. The person who played him was very friendly actually and he was skilled at role playing that character. Teamed with him a few times. Enjoyed working with him.
Quote from: JaguarX on March 22, 2013, 10:28:38 PM
Hey I remember that guy. Old man Bob. The person who played him was very friendly actually and he was skilled at role playing that character. Teamed with him a few times. Enjoyed working with him.
I always thought he was a little kid, =P, around my age when I started playing, and I assumed he "grew up" up with me over 7 years.
on protector anything goes during hami. unless you screw it up. so if you're gonna wear pants then yo need to wear them right!!! and if you are not gonna wear pants then you dang well better not wear them the right way! er, well.. it's hard to explain.
I suppose it all comes down to if you manage to get into the zone or not.
Quote from: Kriiden on March 22, 2013, 10:23:36 PM
Old man bob was awesome. Saw him all the time. "role-played" with him a few times.
I never actually spent any time with him directly, we just ended up at a few of the same costume contests and whatnot. He did seem like he'd be fun to hang out with.
Quote from: Triplash on March 23, 2013, 07:25:08 AM
I never actually spent any time with him directly, we just ended up at a few of the same costume contests and whatnot. He did seem like he'd be fun to hang out with.
He was...interesting, to say the least. Out of character, really friendly guy as well.
This "pantsless" thing is funny...I had "Brief Exposure" on Liberty. Shelved him the past couple of years to play on Freedom. He was a lvl 50 cigar smokin, fairy winged brute with nothing else on but white briefs on redside. Good times!!!
I played a homeless man once, on Freedom some years ago. I never quite settled on whether he was supposed to be wearing pants. :roll:
(https://images.weserv.nl/?url=oi49.tinypic.com%2F23jojrn.jpg)
Old Man Bob was really fun, even though I had him on and off mute. Not for the fact that he was annoying, mainly because some of the stuff he fired off in local distracted me so much. :)
At the risk of being a stick in the mud, can we keep this thread on topic about the pitch to google and/or their responses?
Is Old Man Bob on google or have any pics there? :p
I dunno, man but Googling "Old Man Bob" gets you this from the Steam forums:
QuoteAnnoyed person on the Steam forums: Hey, i've been playing COH for the last..Month? and i have enjoyed the RP potential from the game and the Variety when it comes to making a costume.
But heres the list of complaints that makes me want to get my money back -_-
#1- The admins don't do anything, I mean it, and it seems when you Want them to do something you end up the bad guy. As some would know many Rp servers of any game would have unicorns, COH has around 4/10 unicorns, Ranging from "Old man Bob" to many others. You can put them on ignore sure everything "seems" ok except when they are talking to someone else and you can tell they are STILL unicorning you.
LAWL!! Onward....
QuoteNow 2 nights ago i was being harrassed by a girl called "Rai-" something and she tried enforcing her characters lore onto my character so that mine would not "Exist" and i'd have to follow her rules, she went on about how many of her friends told her to put me on Ignore, and i said i simply didn't care. I put her on my ignore and STILL rped my character. Yesterday when i logged in and i was Rping with my friends 1 Dragonkin walked into the D bar, and atfirst i was Excited cause Dragonkin is what my RP is about atm, i read his Info and i seen something that Told me he was a unicorn sent from her "First Real Dragun EVA" and the fact his name was "Lord pythinusthemom" Pyth- being the start of my characters name taken from the snake "Python". (....snip)
<<shout of laughter>>
CoH only had "4/10 unicorns"?!!! What server was that, where I came from at any given time, there were 4/10 unicorns in every zone I went to. This person seems hopelessly naive, I hope she never goes to WoW which I hear is Unicorn Central, USA. LOL! Man, I miss this game so bad. I really do. I even miss people misbehaving.
....But back to business, it would be nice to hear something from Google, or Disney, or anywheres. These efforts so far seem kind of like shouting into an echo chamber.
Quote from: Illusionss on March 26, 2013, 06:33:15 PM
I dunno, man but Googling "Old Man Bob" gets you this from the Steam forums:
LAWL!! Onward....
<<shout of laughter>>
CoH only had "4/10 unicorns"?!!! What server was that, where I came from at any given time, there were 4/10 unicorns in every zone I went to. This person seems hopelessly naive, I hope she never goes to WoW which I hear is Unicorn Central, USA. LOL!
....But back to business, it would be nice to hear something from Google, or Disney, or anywheres. These efforts so far seem kind of like shouting into an echo chamber.
now that is kind of funny. Although WoW isnt nearly as bad as many say it is. Many come from complaints like above o nthat Steam forum, just sheer more of them due to the millions. But the ratio is about the same for just about any games, but the sheer number of them in WoW although small percentage over all is large about even with 4/10 unicorns, that would be about 4 million unicorns for WoW. Althugh that same percentage would be less of a sheer number in COH.
YEah when ya online with people, it's expected to come across people who do some odd things. Out of all things that people seem to leave in Rl when they log in safe and sound behind a computer screen is sense, common courtesy, and respect for anyone besides themselves. But majority of people are civilized but like anything the negative ones stand out 100 times more than people who are civil. MEaning it will take 100 acts of kindness to nullify and equal one act of meaness. Many people remember the person that troll them by name, cartoon name, speech patterns but have hard time remembering that much detail about the hundreds through out the day that said hi, didnt bother them, or was kind to them.
I have to admit I have taken part in RP unicorning. Not cause I dont respect RPers or anything like that. I can just be a a-hole sometimes.
We would talk in l33t speak. EX: J00 n00b I r0xx3r3d j0 ass!1 and then when we talked in OOC it was old english. EX: Whatever does thou mean sir! I am simply role playing, I hopeth my character does not offend thee!"
Silly and kind of douchey, but it was all in the name of comedy not to insult RPers.
If I could just steer you back on track for a moment:
I know this is taking a little longer than we'd hoped, and I'm sorry to keep you hanging on.
At the moment, we have two people who are working on the pitch put together by Mercedes and TF:HM. The good news is that one of them is Quinch, who is intelligent and good at stuff like this. The bad news is that one of them is me, who generally just checks facts, corrects spellings and focuses on getting the word out there to the media after the pitch is complete, so I'm about 90% of useless at this point :-p
We're also doing this around real life stuff like full-time jobs, family commitments and (in my case, TPP), so it's going to take us a little while longer yet , I'm afraid.
We are getting there, though. Sorry to keep you hanging on. As soon as we're ready to go with it, we'll let you know :)
Thanks for the retracking of the thread and for the update!
At this point it hardly seems likely a few weeks here or there will make much difference, so please, all of you, don't neglect your other commitments!
I'm sure Google can wait. They're probably used to things this big taking a while.
Typing many pages for something this important is good to take your time on.
Quote from: Rae on March 27, 2013, 11:26:51 AM
At the moment, we have two people who are working on the pitch put together by Mercedes and TF:HM. The good news is that one of them is Quinch, who is intelligent and good at stuff like this. The bad news is that one of them is me, who generally just checks facts, corrects spellings and focuses on getting the word out there to the media after the pitch is complete, so I'm about 90% of useless at this point :-p
We are getting there, though. Sorry to keep you hanging on. As soon as we're ready to go with it, we'll let you know :)
This doesn't sound like such a bad arrangement, actually. Anyone who is in a hurry or impatient will manage. The rest of us know we're playing the long game. Besides, I'd rather it was right than fast.
Quote from: dwturducken on March 27, 2013, 09:42:30 PM
This doesn't sound like such a bad arrangement, actually. Anyone who is in a hurry or impatient will manage. The rest of us know we're playing the long game. Besides, I'd rather it was right than fast.
Very well put. +1
Keep up the excellent work! Slowly and steady wins the race. :D
Quote from: Menrva Channel on March 29, 2013, 12:59:22 AM
Keep up the excellent work! Slowly and steady wins the race. :D
Unless it's 100 meter dash for gold medal.
Keep up the good work! We'll await further orders!
Quote from: Taceus Jiwede on March 27, 2013, 05:57:11 AM
I have to admit I have taken part in RP unicorning. Not cause I dont respect RPers or anything like that. I can just be a a-hole sometimes.
We would talk in l33t speak. EX: J00 n00b I r0xx3r3d j0 ass!1 and then when we talked in OOC it was old english. EX: Whatever does thou mean sir! I am simply role playing, I hopeth my character does not offend thee!"
Silly and kind of douchey, but it was all in the name of comedy not to insult RPers.
Well, the problem for RPers was that often they all but hung targets on themselves, and then whined when people took aim. I never actually harrassed anyone RPing, except for one time in the Steel Canyon Icon store and some moron was in there acting like an ass. Every last piece of his costume was a different bright, clashing color and I remember calling him Rainbow Brite in public chat. But that was it. lol
Really obnoxious people quietly met the /gignore command. Easier than a war of words.
Quote from: Rae on March 27, 2013, 11:26:51 AMWe are getting there, though. Sorry to keep you hanging on. As soon as we're ready to go with it, we'll let you know :)
Thank you for your time and effort! It's very much appreciated.
I was on Guardian and all my toons had pants. I do suspect that my MM Commando went...well, commando sometimes though... :o
Quote from: Cinnder on March 27, 2013, 01:18:40 PM
Thanks for the retracking of the thread and for the update!
/seconded
Amusing as watching this thread spectacularly digress was, thanks for bringing it back in line.
I'm beginning to question just how much work actually goes into altering a 30-some odd page pitch package, given it's been 4 months now. In 2 more months it will have been half a year.
I understand the people working on it have other priorities, but I'm just curious as to how much time is being dedicated to it each day? Why not bring some other writers on board if you guys need any help?
Quote from: Sleepy Wonder on April 04, 2013, 04:10:15 PM
I'm beginning to question just how much work actually goes into altering a 30-some odd page pitch package, given it's been 4 months now. In 2 more months it will have been half a year.
I understand the people working on it have other priorities, but I'm just curious as to how much time is being dedicated to it each day? Why not bring some other writers on board if you guys need any help?
Because:
First I had influenza for two months which nearly put me in the hospital.
This put me two months behind on a book deadline; I wrote half a book in one month by spending 14 hour days on it.
Then my mother died last Friday and I am dealing with that.
And Rae began working double time at her real job, along with other real life difficulties
Why don't we bring in other writers? Because we three alone were given privileged information that we are not permitted to share except with prospective buyers.
VV, please take all of the time that you and your team needs, getting it done right is more important than just getting it done.
And of course there is the fact that a lot of us are waiting to see if #CallJack has any real meaningful merit to it. I dearly hope that it does, because in that case...the only extant developer that is experienced with the City of Heroes spaghetti code will have it in the best possible place. Which is something I never could have foreseen myself typing, but times are a'changin'.
Quote from: Captain Electric on April 04, 2013, 08:33:06 PM
And of course there is the fact that a lot of us are waiting to see if #CallJack has any real meaningful merit to it. I dearly hope that it does, because in that case...the only extant developer that is experienced with the City of Heroes spaghetti code will have it in the best possible place. Which is something I never could have foreseen myself typing, but times are a'changin'.
Yup.
Honestly, I think Team Wildcard is the avenue more realistically likely to produce results. I'm keeping my eye on #CallJack (and will participate as I am able) strictly because there is the pre-existing direct and intimate connection between him and NC$oft.
I can promise you that if CallJack gets any real movement from Emmert, and I stop crying myself sick long enough to type, we will put Perfect World on the top of the list right after GooglePlay and rewrite the pitch for THEM. They are not personally my pick given how they have let Champions languish, but maintenance is better than dead.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on April 05, 2013, 10:44:07 PM
I can promise you that if CallJack gets any real movement from Emmert, and I stop crying myself sick long enough to type, we will put Perfect World on the top of the list right after GooglePlay and rewrite the pitch for THEM. They are not personally my pick given how they have let Champions languish, but maintenance is better than dead.
The difference between CO in maintenance mode and CoH in maintenance mode is that while CO is severely lacking in content and end-game goals, CoH has tons and tons of content and plenty of stuff to do in the endgame.
If anything, CoH with a skeleton crew adding a new costume set or power set every couple months would still be better off than CO was even when it was getting a full team's worth of support.
I hope that Google works for several reasons.. One if Google comes calling at the NCSoft door that is not going to be ignored so easily. They will have a very hard time explaining to investors that they wouldnt sell an IP that is doing NOTHING to Google.. If it got any press that Google was interested an a NCSoft property and they refused to sell it could really hurt their stock...
Now I have been wondering why would Google be interested in a MMORPG. They really dont do games at all. But as I began to ponder this myself is that one thing that I do know is that Google is very aware of communities and we have a strong community.
Google is going to have to move into games as Gaming is becoming a medium through which people connect and interact with one another. Their competitors like Microsoft are into gaming and while Apple isnt a gaming company their hardware is used by many gamers.
How can this be profitable and interesting to Google beyond the subscriptions for players? This is where my mind began to think..
1) Ok I dont know who owns Mids but its obviously an invaluable tool for any CoH players. Could Google purchase the rights to use Mids and then distribute it for a small fee? Or could they develop an alternate program. I would pay a few bucks for a " Mids " I could use on a tablet or smartphone. You know how many builds and respecs I could accomplish in bathroom time alone ???? This is one avenue i though about..
2) Paragon Market.. a ready made Google store. I would totally love to purchase items through my smartphone or tablet while I am away from my PC and have those items ready for me when I got home. New powers.. im buying.. new costume pieces.. Im buying.. Another enhancement on sale and I need more Paragon Points... Im buying.. and Google is making money...
3) Google+ utilized by Supergroups, friends, guilds etc etc as a way of communication and announcing events.. Thats a win for Google..
4) Google can easily see the numerous Youtube videos on CoH related fanfare which creates advertising revenue for Google..
5) Google could think of a way to make a purchasable mini game on your Phone, Nexus etc etc that earns you Paragon Points for use in the main game.. or you do things on that game to unlock certain things in CoH...
Im sure I brainstormed more than this but this is all I can recollect at the moment..
Google pitch could be a winner....
On a totally different note.. VV I lost my mother about ten years ago. You take all the time in the world that you need.. You only get one mom...
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on April 05, 2013, 10:44:07 PM
I can promise you that if CallJack gets any real movement from Emmert, and I stop crying myself sick long enough to type, we will put Perfect World on the top of the list right after GooglePlay and rewrite the pitch for THEM. They are not personally my pick given how they have let Champions languish, but maintenance is better than dead.
V.V.
I have been reviewing MMOs of all sorts I am now confident in my knowledge of what kinda of marketing (both in game and out) works to keep an MMO active profitable and growing. If at any point you need this info I'll be happy to help supply said strategies as the game (once alive again) requires further financial strength.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on April 05, 2013, 10:44:07 PM
I can promise you that if CallJack gets any real movement from Emmert, and I stop crying myself sick long enough to type, we will put Perfect World on the top of the list right after GooglePlay and rewrite the pitch for THEM. They are not personally my pick given how they have let Champions languish, but maintenance is better than dead.
Don't cry. :'(
Even as I know well that tears don't wait to be invited, and they don't give a damn how inconvenient they are; one cries whether one wishes to or not.
Quote from: kelpplankton on April 06, 2013, 02:36:39 AM
The difference between CO in maintenance mode and CoH in maintenance mode is that while CO is severely lacking in content and end-game goals, CoH has tons and tons of content and plenty of stuff to do in the endgame.
If anything, CoH with a skeleton crew adding a new costume set or power set every couple months would still be better off than CO was even when it was getting a full team's worth of support.
Plus: AE. We could keep ourselves going for years.
I hate to say it, but this is the only reason I'm landing on the "in favor" side of this question, and it's not by much. A quick read of the discussions on the CO forums is a study in shouting at blank walls. Cryptic's responses over there are actually not that dissimilar to the responses we were getting from NC$oft, and that's on an active game. Morale is low, at least if the forum and random samplings of in-game chatter are anything to go by.
And, honestly, in my 4+ years of playing CoH, I still hadn't done everything. The threads on first surprises and "for the old-timers" are full of stuff I'd never seen, though, granted, that's kind of the theme of the second one. :)
Well at this point I guess adding one more option to the list even though it may be far from idea is a good thing. Even though it's still largely speculative.
It did give us something to talk about at least. ;D
I've been craving CoH all week, sometimes even seeing glimpses of familiar maps when I close my eyes - everything from Atlas Park to the warehouse in the Summer Blockbuster "Heist" mission. I was just reading posts on the city_of_heroes Livejournal from last September and my gut is now twisted up all over again, just as it was on August 31 when I first heard the news.
I've tried playing other games over the last four months, and they're fun for a while, but that inevitable thought would creep in: "I wonder if I could make a character similar to this in City of Heroes?" I'd catch myself, but too late. The fun would be gone, because I wasn't really playing the game I wanted to play.
I mention all this only as a lead-in to the following:
I'm in favor of anything and anyone that gets the game back up and running again, whether it be Disney, Google, Cryptic, private servers, whatever. I miss the only game that let me make the characters I want to make, in missions that didn't make me want to tear my hair out due to frustration, with people I enjoy playing with (even if I'd never met them before).
Quote from: Thunder Glove on April 07, 2013, 01:39:48 AM
I've been craving CoH all week, sometimes even seeing glimpses of familiar maps when I close my eyes - everything from Atlas Park to the warehouse in the Summer Blockbuster "Heist" mission. I was just reading posts on the city_of_heroes Livejournal from last September and my gut is now twisted up all over again, just as it was on August 31 when I first heard the news.
I've tried playing other games over the last four months, and they're fun for a while, but that inevitable thought would creep in: "I wonder if I could make a character similar to this in City of Heroes?" I'd catch myself, but too late. The fun would be gone, because I wasn't really playing the game I wanted to play.
I mention all this only as a lead-in to the following:
I'm in favor of anything and anyone that gets the game back up and running again, whether it be Disney, Google, Cryptic, private servers, whatever. I miss the only game that let me make the characters I want to make, in missions that didn't make me want to tear my hair out due to frustration, with people I enjoy playing with (even if I'd never met them before).
I am finding re-reading old favorite novels, such as LeGuin's
Earthsea trilogy helpful. There's also newer S-F by Julie Czerneda I haven't tried yet, as well as (ahem) more than a few books written by our own Mercedes Lackey. Yeah, I know, reading novels is NOT the same as playing an MMORPG and all the cool graphics are usually 100% imagined. Gee, I didn't know there was a CoH on LJ, but I am currently up to my eyeballs in social networking and hoping to somehow keep up with it all. Wishing you the very best, Thunder Glove, in getting over those cravings. Maybe the veteran longevity badge "Addicted" wasn't exactly a joke(?) Anyhow, here's hoping I'll have even
more trouble figuring out how to balance my time when game returns.... :D Until then, /em holdtorch
I found Invasion! at the library, today, while I was looking for something with my son. I had to grab it! :)
Quote from: Thunder Glove on April 07, 2013, 01:39:48 AM
I've been craving CoH all week, sometimes even seeing glimpses of familiar maps when I close my eyes - everything from Atlas Park to the warehouse in the Summer Blockbuster "Heist" mission. I was just reading posts on the city_of_heroes Livejournal from last September and my gut is now twisted up all over again, just as it was on August 31 when I first heard the news.
I've tried playing other games over the last four months, and they're fun for a while, but that inevitable thought would creep in: "I wonder if I could make a character similar to this in City of Heroes?" I'd catch myself, but too late. The fun would be gone, because I wasn't really playing the game I wanted to play.
I mention all this only as a lead-in to the following:
I'm in favor of anything and anyone that gets the game back up and running again, whether it be Disney, Google, Cryptic, private servers, whatever. I miss the only game that let me make the characters I want to make, in missions that didn't make me want to tear my hair out due to frustration, with people I enjoy playing with (even if I'd never met them before).
Totally agree. Have now tried to get into Champions, Star Trek, Secret World. All have their fans but none allow me to do what it is I'm missing: creating my own superheroes (and villains) and taking them out on missions. Am now simply reading more books. I've discovered I'm not really an MMO person as much as a CoH person.
I also have this as an idea - getting the old Devs to step in occasionally and add something to the game - they could pay them as a contract empoyee not a full time Dev and they could add some cash to their pockets and improve the game for us! A win/win!
Whether it is Google, Jack Emmett or The Wizard of OZ!!!!----- I would love to see CoH again, play CoH again, continue the back stories that tied all my alts together, Write the second and third AE arcs that I had rough drafted, and Prepare my Incarnates for The the onslaught of the Battalion in The Coming Storm!! I too am not really a MMORPGer I am a COH/COV/Going Roguer. That is the only game for me :gonk:.
I await patiently for the day CoH is brought back to me ;D.
Quote from: Nightwatch on April 10, 2013, 01:00:06 PMI've discovered I'm not really an MMO person as much as a CoH person.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Quote from: Victoria Victrix on April 05, 2013, 10:44:07 PM
I can promise you that if CallJack gets any real movement from Emmert, and I stop crying myself sick long enough to type, we will put Perfect World on the top of the list right after GooglePlay and rewrite the pitch for THEM. They are not personally my pick given how they have let Champions languish, but maintenance is better than dead.
Going of of what Jack told Tony, I don't think we need to pitch it to them, we need to get NCSoft to be willing to get to the table. (them being pw, not Google. Pitch away to Google please)
Quote from: Lily Barclay on April 10, 2013, 08:10:15 PM
. . .we need to get NCSoft to be willing to get to the table.
This is our core problem, and always has been when it comes to the continuing life of CoH and NCSoft.
Quote from: Nightwatch on April 10, 2013, 01:00:06 PM
I'm not really an MMO person as much as a CoH person.
This
Quote from: Nightwatch on April 10, 2013, 01:00:06 PM
Totally agree. Have now tried to get into Champions, Star Trek, Secret World. All have their fans but none allow me to do what it is I'm missing: creating my own superheroes (and villains) and taking them out on missions. Am now simply reading more books. I've discovered I'm not really an MMO person as much as a CoH person.
Sounds like you're trying to find a direct replacement for something irreplaceable. As long as you are trying things that would have been competing with CoX you aren't going to find anything that doesn't have you thinking "but that's not how CoX did it".
At the risk of derailing the thread, I've been trying other games, outside the ones just listed.
DDO is visually similar (well, more so than some; it's really more similar to one of the later King's Quest games or the first Tomb Raider, but I digress... From digressing.), and the gameplay is nice, but there isn't anything that draws me back to it. Someone mentions Neverwinter, and I think, "Oh, hey! I haven't played DDO in a while!" So, I start the updater, which runs about five minutes worth of updates, I run a mission/quest, and then I log out and put on Netflix.
WoW keeps my interest, but not in the same compelling way. It's more wrote, like it's a job. I get a time card, so I feel like, for 60 days, I have to spend a certain amount of time on it. I haven't logged in this week, and I feel like I do when I skip a class. It now has the ability to fly, but you have to buy three expansions and reach some high level that I haven't, yet.
Borderlands and Left 4 Dead 2 are multiplayer and engaging, but I only play them when it's what my Friday night group are doing.
Marvel Heroes is just not a factor.
It's not that we're expecting too much from the games that are similar to CoH. It's that nothing out there has that special something. It's a different something for each of us, maybe. Or it's a short list, maybe. But the fact remains, we're not going to find real satisfaction from anything currently out there or imminently arriving down the line.
And, so, we pin our hopes to Google. And we try another round of pestering NC$oft, this time to #CallJack. Basically, we pound on their door until they answer the g@#$%m thing! :)
Hi guys, been lurking awhile since the initial shutdown looking at the efforts. Not to continue derailing the thread, but I also feel like I've been wandering in the desert so to speak with other MMO's. They're <nice>, but they're not home.
Last night my 11 year old daughter and I were just brousing Youtube listening to the Atlas Park and Steel Canyon themes and getting ourselves depressed.
Anyhoo, Just letting you know there are two more supporters out there hoping this gets pulled off.
And I repeat my offer from the shut down servers. I'm a we bit older and settled; if there is some kind of monetary need to bring this down, please ask. I am more than willing to contribute.
Atomic Saint and Atomic Rose, Freedom
I too, have gone to WoW and it is just NOT anywhere near what CoH was. There's no community there, that I've found, like that on CoH. no teaming like CoH. It just seems to be more of a solo play to me. CoH was the first MMORPG game I'd ever played and I don't believe that there is any other game out there that can take it's place. Oh WoW holds my attention for a while but there's no "Marathon" all nighters or hours on end play time like there was on CoH. DCUO, STOL, Rift, Champions, and Tank something or other. Not one of them grabbed my interest. Champions I tried years ago when it first came out. Didn't like it then, don't like it now. DCUO and STOL, not bad but just couldn't get interested in them. I just couldn't get into Rift and the Tank MMO bored me so much I can't even remember the full name! :-[ WoW, well just a stopping point till CoH comes back.
I regularly disappoint my self by going to YouTube and watch the many fine videos there of CoH. Should probably stay away from them I get so damned depressed after watching one or two! :'(
Quote from: ahmpizzedoff on April 11, 2013, 07:23:40 PM
I too, have gone to WoW and it is just NOT anywhere near what CoH was. There's no community there, that I've found, like that on CoH. no teaming like CoH. It just seems to be more of a solo play to me. CoH was the first MMORPG game I'd ever played and I don't believe that there is any other game out there that can take it's place. Oh WoW holds my attention for a while but there's no "Marathon" all nighters or hours on end play time like there was on CoH. DCUO, STOL, Rift, Champions, and Tank something or other. Not one of them grabbed my interest. Champions I tried years ago when it first came out. Didn't like it then, don't like it now. DCUO and STOL, not bad but just couldn't get interested in them. I just couldn't get into Rift and the Tank MMO bored me so much I can't even remember the full name! :-[ WoW, well just a stopping point till CoH comes back.
I regularly disappoint my self by going to YouTube and watch the many fine videos there of CoH. Should probably stay away from them I get so damned depressed after watching one or two! :'(
I found the same problem with WoW. I have friends who I played City of with that I joined in WoW... and it just isn't the same. No matter what I was doing in CoX, I always felt connected to the others. We could all be on different missions, TFs, and such--but we could all chat in the same channel--even on opposing sides! With WoW... even in the same Guild... it feels... disconnected. And teaming just doesn't feel the same. The events are neat and mostly fun. They have some really great content... but I miss the global chat channels and the community. I also really miss the cooperative nature of City of that you don't really find in WoW. WoW is a nice game it's just... not... my City. :(
And don't get me started on Champions... I had to download that for over six hours. I got picky during character creation and played for two minutes before getting frustrated and uninstalled. DCU never appealed to me. It looked like a single player game only online and maybe able to play with others.
I play WoW solo, as well, except occasionally with a friend who has been playing it since shortly after release. It's not really an off line game for me, because there always seem to be other players around. I get the usual whisper-invites to join guilds (since blocking guild requests doesn't actually block those...), but I'm usually left alone. Now, while the general chat channel is full of unicorny dross, the actual players around me are mostly cool. There is the occasional kill-steal, but, for the most part, everyone stays out of everyone else's business. If one player is in over his/her head in an aggro, and another player is in range, help is usually given without question, offer or request, but that's about it.
Quote from: dwturducken on April 12, 2013, 12:14:53 AM
I play WoW solo, as well, except occasionally with a friend who has been playing it since shortly after release. It's not really an off line game for me, because there always seem to be other players around. I get the usual whisper-invites to join guilds (since blocking guild requests doesn't actually block those...), but I'm usually left alone. Now, while the general chat channel is full of unicorny dross, the actual players around me are mostly cool. There is the occasional kill-steal, but, for the most part, everyone stays out of everyone else's business. If one player is in over his/her head in an aggro, and another player is in range, help is usually given without question, offer or request, but that's about it.
Yup.
The problem is there isnt going to be another community like COX in any game besides COX, there isnt going to be teaming, or game feel like COX except for COX. That is what made COX very special. It had it's own feel. The down side is when a game like that closes, there is nothing like it. If there was other games like it or COX was like other games, then it would be easier to fall into another game like nothing happened but the down side is that COX would have merely another game among the thousands of other games.
I like WoW in a sense that I didnt feel the force of teaming or having to team or worried about getting a team. I liked the solo feel in games personally. COX mostly offered both although I think they threw a few more bones and meat to the teamers but that is a discussion for another thread, but over all a person could solo and team. In most other games teaming is optional but it doesnt seem to be encouraged and or required for much or have as much advantages for teaming. In COX, you level fast as hell from 1-50 on teams with any build. Solo, it'sa slow roll and even slower roll with certain builds.
Overall in WoW people are generally nice, plenty of people around, but I didnt like the lore and enjoy the game over all, but there are guilds and people that like to socialize. What you feeling may be how many people who had difficulty finding teams in COX. To many vets they knew the ins and outs and how to form groups, how to talk, the SGs and all, but to a newbie, they can feel left out and feel not much interaction. But that same newbie in COX, is the social bug in a game like WoW and cant see how people say there is no community and such and it's easy to integrate if they tried and usual stuff that go along with it.
But it sucks, after many years of playing a game, a person get used to that game and other games feel alien in many ways everything from the community to movement to powers to social norms.
But usually the gripe about WoW in game and out is usually that it's too guild (team) centric. It's nice to hear the other side to that where I thought it seemed solo friendly among other players running about. Most players I know there dont even play in a guild.
Apologies for what is hopefully a temporary thread hijack, but would you mind elaborating a bit on what made CoX's teaming so unique, to you?
Quote from: Segev on April 12, 2013, 03:44:25 PM
Apologies for what is hopefully a temporary thread hijack, but would you mind elaborating a bit on what made CoX's teaming so unique, to you?
The sidekick system
So pulling people together in level so there isn't a "LFG level X" requirement?
Quote from: Segev on April 12, 2013, 04:14:25 PM
So pulling people together in level so there isn't a "LFG level X" requirement?
Yea
Quote from: Segev on April 12, 2013, 04:14:25 PM
So pulling people together in level so there isn't a "LFG level X" requirement?
That, more than anything, is what I find myself bitching about non-stop in every other game I bother to play anything but solo.
Understand the original "sidekick" was a bit of a mess and was ripe for exploiting for powerleveling.
This caused a huge thread on how to fix power leveling. I can honestly claim the Super Sidekick system as my one and only idea used in the game. My idea was a similar system to the TF system with a twist. All players would be set to the level of the mission hold with powers at +3 (like you could slot +3 enhancements). Then you would have a mission slider that would allow for harder or easier completion.
Now the Devs took that and tweaked it slightly - they made it +5 for powers - added the AV/Elite and everything else was actually almost word for word from my post! If you have ever been on the official forums you know how few ever agreed with ANYTHING - I had 6 pages of agreed and +1's!
The Sidekick Mach 2 was just an effort to stop the insane - level 46 bridge - requests and have players actually PLAY the game instead of doorsit.
Quote from: Ironwolf on April 12, 2013, 06:05:35 PM
Understand the original "sidekick" was a bit of a mess and was ripe for exploiting for powerleveling.
Oh yeah. That sidekick system. Yeah that was open for too much exploits. I was a btit shocked it lasted as long as it did.
I liked the and was referring to the then current way, just in case someone somewhere got confused.
Quote from: Segev on April 12, 2013, 03:44:25 PM
Apologies for what is hopefully a temporary thread hijack, but would you mind elaborating a bit on what made CoX's teaming so unique, to you?
Sidekick System
Ability to change the difficulty
It is not necessary to have a Tank, Healer , Damage dealer setup
You can actually see the power animations of the other teammates which is cool graphically
Your are not limited to 4-6 player teams (you could have up to 8)
You can actually see your teammates on the world map and tp them
Quote from: Segev on April 12, 2013, 03:44:25 PM
Apologies for what is hopefully a temporary thread hijack, but would you mind elaborating a bit on what made CoX's teaming so unique, to you?
People. Peeps. Friends. Confidants. Heroes. Bartenders. And that darn Rikti that got me killed several times. She tried to help... she really did !
Having alternatives to supporting a team besides healing, like debuffing mobs to being nearly harmless, or buffing teammates to godhood. The ability to make a difference besides just healing or dealing damage or taking hits was the core reason I played City of heroes. I hated when I played guild wars when there were no "healers" around, because then we waited for an hour or two before resorting to getting a monk henchman who was very prone to getting killed with stupidity, which caused the whole team to automatically lose many times. The game had debuffs they still didn't make enough of a difference, nore did buffs in a protracted fight. So we waited forever. In city of heroes, the wait time was very low, only when the team leader was very ignorant and thought everyone needed a healer did waiting occur(at which point i'd often move on, especially if I was a defender/corruptor/controller).
I also found the community was for the most part, far more open minded then just about any gaming community i'd met before. The unreal crowd? Eh, "The rocket launcher looks difference, this change is too much!". Guild wars crowd were comprised of to many immature jerks to me. But the city of heroes crowd? I didn't see to many immature idiots playing, in fact I thought it was a very mature gaming crowd, that also helped one another(the only exception being the above ignorant player who hated knockback and demanded a healer all the time but those were very rare).
The game was also challenging in legitimate ways, rather than fake difficulty. I try champions online, and I find it's never hard at all, the mobs do almost nil for damage, one time I had my eyes off the screen for 20-30 seconds and a henchman hasn't even taken off a third of my health bar, and I had no defensive passive on, only an aura of primal majesty giving me the most neglegable health buff. If my passive was a dedicated defensive I don't even think i'd have noticed my health bar drop any. In city of heroes however I had to actively USE my powers, or even a few minions could take me down sometimes. When I looked on the boards way back, crybabies would whine that CoX had "THUGS kicking my butt!", well, I found the mobs got tougher and weren't just average street gangs. In CO? Even the elite soldiers of viper are hardly tougher then the average cobra gangster in proportion to ya. Only difference was the levels and the numbers, but thats it. I miss city of heroes, big time.
Honestly, the biggest sell for me when it came to teaming in CoX - and something almost no other MMO I played before it or since has gotten anywhere close to right - was how well it *encouraged* people to team up together.
First, the UI for teaming - and for finding people to team with - was both intuitive and fairly simple to use. Add to that the later LFG channel, and it became all the easier to find people at any time of the day or night.
Second, and the big one for me - rewards being handed out at the ends of missions, rather than when you turned them in. (Story arcs notwithstanding). This meant that people of any level could team together on any team members' content and not lose out on experience and inf. simply because it wasn't their mission being run. This made all the easier by having multiple choices of repeatable content: it wasn't just 'run to contact A, finish their missions, then run to contact B' - there were lots of things for teams to engage in.
I'd go so far as to consider this CoH's most understated feature, in my opinion - something that by all rights should have set a precadent for the MMORPG industry; and yet barely gets a nod whenever anyone talks about it.
Quote from: eabrace on April 12, 2013, 05:20:06 PM
That, more than anything, is what I find myself bitching about non-stop in every other game I bother to play anything but solo.
For me, it went even farther than that, in that it helped keep my
friends on a capable playing field with each other. Especially after they got rid of the 'no XP for exemplaring down' thing. That's way, waaaay more important to me than it making it slightly easier to find a PUG.
Not withstanding games where it actively discourages teamwork or there is no reason to team for anything except rare content at end-game (Champions Online, Star Trek Online, I'm looking at you), or games that are empty where it's rare to find anybody to play with, period, I've never had much of a problem finding a reasonable PUG. Especially not in CoH. Even before the 'Team Sidekick' thing.
If you have a thousand people on then there's a good chance that at least some of them are within 3-4 levels of you.
My problem in other games is that it's hard to play with
friends. Oh, I can fire up most games and find SOMEbody willing to do a mission or quest or whatever. But when you have 1-7 persistent friends who have different levels of commitment to the game, it becomes nearly impossible to play, without one of you basically
quitting the game until somebody else can catch up.
In almost every other game, I have to have 1 character per combination of my friends: One character to play with just my boyfriend, one character to play with my boyfriend and his brother, one to play with just his brother, etc.. because that's the only way to play the game at all without leaving somebody behind. If I'm limited to 2 characters, then basically I have to literally quit playing a game whenever any one of like 7 people can't make it.
I
never had that problem in CoH. Between the character slots I had from Veteran's Tokens giving me like 20 slots on Virtue, and the fact that even if I break out a very high over leveled guy it wouldn't ruin their or my day to use them, I could play with who I wanted, when I wanted.
I didn't have to worry about like "Oh, well, my boyfriend wants to play, but I can't, because it'll leave my other friend behind and then he can't play with us never again". I didn't have to worry about "So and so wants to play the game but I'm not in the mood so I'm ruining it for everybody". We would play the content we wanted when we wanted. If somebody wanted to get on and do some raid or a taskforce or get some badge or whatever? No problem. You'd hop on and if you got extra XP or whatever, fine! If you were a level too high? Whatever! You could go in with your friend on their level and do whatever you wanted.
You didn't have to worry about like.. "Oh, this mission is a waste of time and will only give me 1/2 experience, and give my friend 0 XP because I've already done it".
I really did like how everybody would get a reward for participating even if it wasn't 'their' arc. It didn't force everybody to stay on the exact same story path.
I find in most other games that, we have to plan out a story path ahead of time and basically stick to it and never deviate or see any other content because splitting up your time shuts doors permanently.
In most other games the content never levels with you either, so if a mission is for like.. level 9, you better do it right away or it's going to become a waste of time too.
There's not a lot of content in most other games, really, but I'll probably see even less of it because it's just so easy to out level your friends or the content so you have to basically like.. not play the game at all.. to play the game.
bottom line is that unlike every other MMO CoH is not the kind of playerbase that has little interaction with eachother other than general PWNing.
thats bassically the difference that other MMO developers who were trying to capitalize on CoH's shutdown failed to realize, we don;t play to pwn or be pwned, we play because the game has content and friendly faces. even if a few of these faces may be a little deranged or assylum bound, still at least they are happy people that know how to get allong.
CoH + PVP = structured events where no one really gets pwned, it's a friendly fight where both parties pleasantly talk, I was gladly part of the last friday night fight on protector. me and 2 other oppenents in warburg but still fun. I miss warburg.. everytime I hear abotu north korea in the news I badly want to go launch a nuke in warburg.
The other thing that CoH fixed was the rewards for teaming. Some games will divide XP by # of players. CoH did something like that at first and players figured out that at around 4 adding more people generally slowed XP gain. Thus the greater XP pool for having more people along that we ended up with.
Games like DDO had a different method, the dungeon would give a set ammount of XP reguardless of the number of players. So there was incentive to add players since more players on a mission where the encounters don't scale to the number in the party should be faster.
The most important thing about CoH teaming was that for most of the game's content, all you needed for a team was bring yourself and 7 other bodies.
Trying to "Re Rail " this, as it were.
Hoping things are on track for the presentation, albeit slowly after recent unfortunate events and RL concerns.
Quote from: Mistress Urd on April 15, 2013, 08:48:56 AMGames like DDO had a different method, the dungeon would give a set ammount of XP reguardless of the number of players. So there was incentive to add players since more players on a mission where the encounters don't scale to the number in the party should be faster.
DDO has ruined teaming for the casual gamer with the Streak system. You get an XP bonus for the number of quests in a row done on Hard or Elite. Made it darn near impossible to get people to run quests and raids on Normal because "they didn't want to break their streak". Very irritating.
Quote from: JetFlash on April 17, 2013, 05:33:20 PM
DDO has ruined teaming for the casual gamer with the Streak system. You get an XP bonus for the number of quests in a row done on Hard or Elite. Made it darn near impossible to get people to run quests and raids on Normal because "they didn't want to break their streak". Very irritating.
So they changed it. I played DDO when it was P2P and saw how badly they botched several other design decisions. Glad I bailed. :)
I saw the question posted earlier and I spent a few days thinking about it. I think what was great about City of Heroes teaming and especially Early City of Heroes was that anyone could join. You never had gear checks or elitists and the drop system meant no one ever fought over items. You had runs of 200+ people all done in chat. Never had to deal with being left out because you didn't use Ventrilo, Mumble, Raidcall or the flavor of the week mic program. You had chat channels that covered every zone and you had a friends list that covered the entire game universe. It was just a simpler time. Not to rewrite history of course you had your unicorns, your chat issues and the mentally ill that made server drama but when you focus on the teaming and getting runs done, it was a good system for all. It changed a little for me after issue 9 because the STF was hard to where people started getting left out but I think they fixed some of those issues going forward.
I'm playing Star Wars right now and to me it looks like they have been going to the CoH Handbook for some of their designs. The new world they have feels like a cross between Faultline and RWZ.
As for the topic, I hope the Google package gets sent off soon. Be nice to see if something could happen out of it. After the rl stuff involving the team is taken care of of course.
Hm. The "there was no chat program of the week" issue... that's something that was a product of the time, and not a property of CoH, right?
Or am I wrong here?
I think those programs were just starting up such as teamspeak and the like but the point was there was no segregation as far as that. I never once was forced, told or asked to join a mic room to do any type of task force. Which is something considering the later TFs were 16-24 people that needed to be coordinated. In other games I play you get more than 4 people together you HAVE to join a mic room because it's SO difficult and SO hard for people to stand in spot A or move to spot B and stop attacking when X changed color to Y. I guess everything in CoH just seemed more natural and easy but if you think about there were some things that could rival some of these "hardcore" raids nowadays. Remember the first time doing the last mission of the LRSF? It's like they say you don't know what you got until it's gone and I think I was spoiled by the great CoH community that made a lot of things possible that just wouldn't happen in other games.
Quote from: Segev on April 18, 2013, 04:37:52 PM
Hm. The "there was no chat program of the week" issue... that's something that was a product of the time, and not a property of CoH, right?
Or am I wrong here?
I seem to recall several mic chat programs being popular in other games at the time, but I was quite young and didn't use any of them. My memory might be fuzzy. In any event, they eventually became popular in other games that came out around the time of CoH and are now required by guilds in most games. All of which is extremely irritating to me because I much prefer to type. Most of the time I don't even have my sound on while I play games. I'm normally sitting on my couch watching tv. The last thing I want is to have to try and listen to 28 people all telling me what I should attack.
Quote from: Ampithere on April 18, 2013, 05:16:16 PM
I seem to recall several mic chat programs being popular in other games at the time, but I was quite young and didn't use any of them. My memory might be fuzzy. In any event, they eventually became popular in other games that came out around the time of CoH and are now required by guilds in most games. All of which is extremely irritating to me because I much prefer to type. Most of the time I don't even have my sound on while I play games. I'm normally sitting on my couch watching tv. The last thing I want is to have to try and listen to 28 people all telling me what I should attack.
Yeah, it really detracts from the overall experience, whether its built in or used on the side. You can't really listen to music, or the game's environmental sound/music/audio during such a session on VOIP.
If you're deaf, or hard of hearing, then forget it.
There are many other issues surrounding the use of voice chat in MMO's that I won't get into, but suffice to say, half of your anonymity is gone simply by using it. Then you have the people who like to talk and talk and talk about nothing really related to whats going on (happens to me all the time in games like L4D, which is very distracting on some occasions. It's much better with friends).
I really don't think MMO's should incorporate voice chat, since there are already tools out there for doing so that would far exceed the quality you'd find in-game, which would also consume more resources for the game's publisher given the need for all of the extra bandwidth.
VOIP in shooters makes much more sense given the gameplay and resource consumption needs, but I've never seen a true need for it in MMO's by default. At least not if the game is designed properly. If you absolutely have to resort to using VOIP for speed communication then something's wrong with the game. I've seen most of the difficult content in CoH done just fine without it.
I used voice chat only once while playing CoH. I found that I couldn't keep track of who said what, which voice went with which character. Half the time, I ended up tuning them out because trying to listen was too confusing (fortunately, I had some idea what we were supposed to do).
Typing ftw!
VOIP chat programs are great... but only when you are teaming with friends you already know: The voices are 1- limited in number 2-already familiar to you 3- not prone to rage-slapping my ears (or the ears of my nearby kids) with tirades of profanity every time someone fails to measure up to their standards or heal them on time. I absolutely will not VOIP on a pug and have dropped from SGs who required it.
EDIT: Sorry - fell for the derail, but it touched a nerve.
is V.V. back in action yet?
Quote from: Lucretia MacEvil on April 20, 2013, 05:33:14 PM
I used voice chat only once while playing CoH. I found that I couldn't keep track of who said what, which voice went with which character. Half the time, I ended up tuning them out because trying to listen was too confusing (fortunately, I had some idea what we were supposed to do).
Typing ftw!
What was worse were people who were uneasy with silence, and would just talk and talk and talk, saying nothing really. I am not logged into my main entertainment to endure stream-of-consciousness nattering from people I dont even like in the first place; so immersion-breaking and distracting. I was involved in a SG for about three years which brought in some new members who loved it and it quickly became a SG requirement. [If you didnt have it, you participated in task forces and teams in complete "silence" because people were too lazy to type. No voice chat? You were not worth bothering with.]
I left the group shortly afterward. And I was actually a founding member.... nope, not a fan of the concept.
Hrm. So, then, there's really nothing a modern MMO can do about the voice chat thing; people will insist on it or not as they see fit, and will use third-party services if there isn't one with the game (or, from my experience with SC2, even if there is if they think it "sucks").
Quote from: Segev on April 22, 2013, 12:39:30 PM
(or, from my experience with SC2, even if there is if they think it "sucks").
Depending on hardware, software, connections, and any other number of factors, it could for them. Putting it in quotation marks is a little :-\ since by nature thinking it isn't good is an opinion.
For my two cents I only ever voice chat with friends. I hate my voice and tend to find it a bit more faff than its worth even with them at times. It's nearly impossible not to cut someone off, especially if there are connection speed variations.
I can't really say one way or the other about voice chat. It all depends on what group you're in.
One guild in SWG actually had voice chat going on, and in-game RP over text at the same time. And what were we doing in voice while that was going on? Heckling ourselves MST3K-style. It was hilarious.
If you're having issues with the voice chat in your group, it's probably time to find a different group.
Quote from: Sleepy Wonder on April 19, 2013, 05:49:11 AM
If you're deaf, or hard of hearing, then forget it.
I was part of a "accessible gaming" working group for a while, and it led to some fascinating threads on many different aspects of gaming.
Many early online gaming MMO's had a very large (proportionally-speaking) deaf community. Few, if any, of them used audio for critical gameplay cues- virtually all could be played with the audio disabled entirely. With text chat as the only form of communication, they felt incredibly empowered-- essentially on par socially with everyone else in the game- possibly the first time they've felt that way when dealing with anyone except other deaf people. They held positions as guild leaders, merchants, community leaders, raid leaders, etc-- all without most players even knowing they were deaf. It was incredibly empowering.
The proliferation of 3rd party voice chat destroyed much of that. As people realized the advantages that voice brought to raids, the deaf raid commander often stepped back-- not just from leading raids, but participating altogether, rather than be dependent on someone else typing in transcripts of commands in a timely manner. I recall one deaf player commenting how his gut clenched at the mere word "Vent" because he felt he had to either "out" his disability and inconvenience others or discreetly nod out of the group. Some gameplay elements (basic pve, merchant, roleplay, etc) were still playable, but one observer noted that the whole experience caused many deaf players to just team with other deaf players or close friends, essentially closing themselves off from the community that once seemed so open to them.
Granted, much of that can also be said about other disabilities. The trend toward "visceral" gameplay- more rapid clicks and movement to make gameplay feel more "urgent"- really impacted those with limited motor abilities(control issues, amputations, musculoskeletal, etc) . The accessibility community had made several hundred accessibility-friendly "macros" in (pre-NGE)SWG that could enabled amazing depth of gameplay for rather limited manual input.... The trend toward "more clicks=more action" and anti-botting design changes did much to derail this.
Sounds like the usual "hey this is cool feature and me and my friends like it so now it's requirment to play with us" thing.
I guess some people forget that raids were just as easy and still can be easily completed without the chat. 90% of the time that voice chat hinders the plan because you always have one or two people chattering while the leader is going over the plan, then the leader get mad, snaps at the offender they snap back, then it's arguement for another 15-30 mins before someone gets kicked and back on subject which by then most of the team either dozed off or afk. And this is assuming that everyone understand what is being said as it seems some people think the only way to speak is bark orders and yell and curse.
VOice chat can be a useful tool, but my experience with it, it's been nothing but a hinderance and buzz kill. Looking at people's chat is enough then having to actually listen to them bitch gripe moan groan about some other player that havent logged in years gets a little annoying and that is when I hit the mute button or if it's a case that some way some how there is no way, havent ran into this situation, where there is no doing it without voice chat, then I would just kindly leave and go play with the deaf kids where text is good enough for them and have more fun than I ever could.
Quote from: JaguarX on April 22, 2013, 10:32:45 PM
Sounds like the usual "hey this is cool feature and me and my friends like it so now it's requirment to play with us" thing.
I guess some people forget that raids were just as easy and still can be easily completed without the chat. 90% of the time that voice chat hinders the plan because you always have one or two people chattering while the leader is going over the plan, then the leader get mad, snaps at the offender they snap back, then it's arguement for another 15-30 mins before someone gets kicked and back on subject which by then most of the team either dozed off or afk. And this is assuming that everyone understand what is being said as it seems some people think the only way to speak is bark orders and yell and curse.
VOice chat can be a useful tool, but my experience with it, it's been nothing but a hinderance and buzz kill. Looking at people's chat is enough then having to actually listen to them bitch gripe moan groan about some other player that havent logged in years gets a little annoying and that is when I hit the mute button or if it's a case that some way some how there is no way, havent ran into this situation, where there is no doing it without voice chat, then I would just kindly leave and go play with the deaf kids where text is good enough for them and have more fun than I ever could.
At the risk of derailing this thread further....
Voice chat is a perfectly fine tool when used properly, and was extremely useful when I was in a WoW guild running hard mode raid bosses. A raid leader being able to give commands and still be able to control their character is invaluable. Of course, as mentioned, it requires proper discipline from the rest of the raid.
That said, public dungeon running and normal fights were perfectly fine with text. And maybe a good macro or two.
Quote from: P51mus on April 22, 2013, 11:04:56 PM
At the risk of derailing this thread further....
Voice chat is a perfectly fine tool when used properly, and was extremely useful when I was in a WoW guild running hard mode raid bosses. A raid leader being able to give commands and still be able to control their character is invaluable. Of course, as mentioned, it requires proper discipline from the rest of the raid.
That said, public dungeon running and normal fights were perfectly fine with text. And maybe a good macro or two.
I'm pretty sure 'further' was some time ago ... 'sides, doesn't look like there have been any updates on the original topic at all.
Quote from: Tanklet on April 23, 2013, 12:09:19 AM
I'm pretty sure 'further' was some time ago ... 'sides, doesn't look like there have been any updates on the original topic at all.
Lol "further" is so far back we'd need a telescope to find it!
Dont worry just keeping the thread alive until the next update. That way it wont have to be zombified. :)
And being subscribed to it in the meantime is actually quite amusing. Admittedly, I anxiously await an answer from Google, but I might as well take enjoyment in the delightfully derailed train
are we any closer to sending something into Google ??
Still a work in progress, I'm afraid. We will tell you when it's gone, promise :)
Quote from: Rae on April 23, 2013, 03:19:41 PM
Still a work in progress, I'm afraid. We will tell you when it's gone, promise :)
I believe in you! In the mean time I'll loop the theme song, because it makes my desk job that much more epic!
Quote from: safehouse23 on April 23, 2013, 04:00:58 PM
I believe in you! In the mean time I'll loop the theme song, because it makes my desk job that much more epic!
Great. Now you've made me want to hook up a motion detector to a sound system in my house so walking into each different room triggers its own background music.
Is that weird? That's weird, isn't it? ???
*
looks at the recent "derailing" comments* Umm... I mean... Go Team Wildcard! Yeahhh! :D
My friends used to joke about sneaking speakers into the lining of my cloak so that they could trigger "The Imperial March" with a remote when I walked into a room.
Actually, no! Sounds pretty cool to me! Might be my next project.
I believe it's doable in Minecraft.
...also, sounds like a great kind of Base Item for a superpowers-themed comic-based MMO wherein you can have super bases...
Quote from: Triplash on April 23, 2013, 06:10:32 PM
Great. Now you've made me want to hook up a motion detector to a sound system in my house so walking into each different room triggers its own background music.
Is that weird? That's weird, isn't it? ???
*looks at the recent "derailing" comments* Umm... I mean... Go Team Wildcard! Yeahhh! :D
Dooooo it! It'll be amazing, though maybe use ominousvoice's orchestral rendition of the theme. Its... glorious
Quote from: Segev on April 23, 2013, 06:18:44 PMMy friends used to joke about sneaking speakers into the lining of my cloak so that they could trigger "The Imperial March" with a remote when I walked into a room.
Pity the way things are these days. It'd be a blast to use at a Con. But with the negative aspect of scaring the living Hell out of the security guys by the metal detector.
Ahahaha I'd watch video footage of said frightened security
Quote from: Triplash on April 23, 2013, 06:10:32 PM
Great. Now you've made me want to hook up a motion detector to a sound system in my house so walking into each different room triggers its own background music.
Is that weird? That's weird, isn't it? ???
*looks at the recent "derailing" comments* Umm... I mean... Go Team Wildcard! Yeahhh! :D
Heck no it's not weird. But you're talking iMUSE: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/IMUSE (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/IMUSE)
I, too, say 'DO IT.' :D
Quote from: houtex on April 24, 2013, 01:47:30 AM
Heck no it's not weird. But you're talking iMUSE: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/IMUSE (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/IMUSE)
I, too, say 'DO IT.' :D
Is that site seriously called Wookiepedia? That is awesome ;D
The description of that system sounds like the way they integrate the narrator's comments in Bastion. It gives you a very fluid ongoing commentary describing the basic situation and actions your character is taking. It's like the guy is watching you play and describing it as you go. It's kinda freaky tbh, but really cool to see it work.
Quote from: Triplash on April 24, 2013, 05:03:57 AM
Is that site seriously called Wookiepedia? That is awesome ;D
The description of that system sounds like the way they integrate the narrator's comments in Bastion. It gives you a very fluid ongoing commentary describing the basic situation and actions your character is taking. It's like the guy is watching you play and describing it as you go. It's kinda freaky tbh, but really cool to see it work.
I go to Wookiepedia almost as often as I go to Paragon Wiki. It's a treasure trove of wonders!
Quote from: safehouse23 on April 24, 2013, 12:23:23 PM
I go to Wookiepedia almost as often as I go to Paragon Wiki. It's a treasure trove of wonders!
And of spoilers. If you want to read the books later, keep that in mind.
Quote from: Mister Bison on April 24, 2013, 06:52:35 PM
And of spoilers. If you want to read the books later, keep that in mind.
Ahahaha an excellent point, though the same could be said of Paragon Wiki (at least when CoH was online)
It's hard to see them as spoilers, but i know I'm never going to get through all the published content. I'm not terribly worried about the promised movies that are in the pipeline, since I don't go to Wookieepedia that often.
Quote from: JaguarX on April 12, 2013, 03:46:58 PMThe sidekick system
This.
SWTOR does something loosely similar to sidekicking, but it only occurs in PvP areas. In a PvP area, you're affected by 'bolster', which essentially scales your character to level 49 if you're lower than that. Because the game is gear-based, there are still some places where it's not working well, like the 'naked bolster', which grants a character a lower degree of bonus if they don't have a particular category of gear (i.e., lower-level characters who can't get anything for their head slot). So it functions more like the way CoH's PvP zones flattened everyone to the same level while they were in the zone. Unfortunately, because this only works in PvP areas, in all of the content where you are expected to team (the 'Heroic 2', 'Heroic 4+', 'Area 2', and 'Area 4' missions, or world-boss fights), if you have a level gap larger than about six levels, the lower-level characters start losing XP.
As a result, there's no good way for you to bring in friends and play with them after you've been playing the SWTOR for a while; if you play your high-level characters with their low-level ones on PvE missions, they get squat for XP, so you're stuck creating new characters just to be able to play with them at a comparable level. This discourages you from bringing in your friends, where
City of Heroes would let you get friends set up with the game, let them get through the tutorial, and then you'd be able to take
any of your characters and team up with them to do their missions or yours without one or the other of you getting jerked over by the level difference.
Sidekicking is the one feature of CoH that made it possible for new players to get drawn into the established play of characters that had been around for years, exposing them to a wider view of the game instead of being stuck with the much smaller group of characters at and near their level. The "we're all superheroes together" result, I think, helped foster a community that I don't see any other existing MMO matching.
Quote from: safehouse23 on April 23, 2013, 04:00:58 PM
I believe in you! In the mean time I'll loop the theme song, because it makes my desk job that much more epic!
I know this is also off topic for the thread, but now I want AP's theme when I boot up Windows.
On topic: Thanks for the update, Rae. The proposal can be done when it's indeed done. I think we can all wait a bit for a well written proposal, especially if it's a success later on.
Quote from: Omega Mark V on April 25, 2013, 10:15:32 PM
I know this is also off topic for the thread, but now I want AP's theme when I boot up Windows.
That's easy enough with Audacity and a little poking at Windows' sound settings.
I don't think I've seen my answer to what made teaming work so well in CoH, which is: Team members are not in competition for rewards.
This is an extension of the 'no loot' character progression. Everyone got their own loot and nobody else knew what it was. There wasn't a common pool of drops that the players were in competition for. Since the players on the team weren't in competition for loot, it removed a disincentive for teaming.
The incentive for teaming is that it's so much fun! This comes because we don't need the trinity of Tank/Healer/DPS to complete levels. Levels could have their difficulty changed so that regardless of team composition or skill level, you could complete the level and make progress. You could play what you wanted and still succeed.
Others have mentioned sidekicking and when I first started CoH, it was a great idea, but a little clunky because you needed a separate mentor for each sidekick. If you had more sidekicks than mentors, it didn't work. The addition of Exemplaring and making *Everyone* sidekick to the team lead solved the problem nicely.
Basically, every barrier to teaming was minimized or removed. Teaming on an MMO is incentive enough if you get the roadblocks out of the way.
Quote from: CG on April 26, 2013, 05:14:09 PM
I don't think I've seen my answer to what made teaming work so well in CoH, which is: Team members are not in competition for rewards.
This is an extension of the 'no loot' character progression. Everyone got their own loot and nobody else knew what it was. There wasn't a common pool of drops that the players were in competition for. Since the players on the team weren't in competition for loot, it removed a disincentive for teaming.
The incentive for teaming is that it's so much fun! This comes because we don't need the trinity of Tank/Healer/DPS to complete levels. Levels could have their difficulty changed so that regardless of team composition or skill level, you could complete the level and make progress. You could play what you wanted and still succeed.
Others have mentioned sidekicking and when I first started CoH, it was a great idea, but a little clunky because you needed a separate mentor for each sidekick. If you had more sidekicks than mentors, it didn't work. The addition of Exemplaring and making *Everyone* sidekick to the team lead solved the problem nicely.
Basically, every barrier to teaming was minimized or removed. Teaming on an MMO is incentive enough if you get the roadblocks out of the way.
+10
Quote from: CG on April 26, 2013, 05:14:09 PM
I don't think I've seen my answer to what made teaming work so well in CoH, which is: Team members are not in competition for rewards.
This is an extension of the 'no loot' character progression. Everyone got their own loot and nobody else knew what it was. There wasn't a common pool of drops that the players were in competition for. Since the players on the team weren't in competition for loot, it removed a disincentive for teaming.
The incentive for teaming is that it's so much fun! This comes because we don't need the trinity of Tank/Healer/DPS to complete levels. Levels could have their difficulty changed so that regardless of team composition or skill level, you could complete the level and make progress. You could play what you wanted and still succeed.
Others have mentioned sidekicking and when I first started CoH, it was a great idea, but a little clunky because you needed a separate mentor for each sidekick. If you had more sidekicks than mentors, it didn't work. The addition of Exemplaring and making *Everyone* sidekick to the team lead solved the problem nicely.
Basically, every barrier to teaming was minimized or removed. Teaming on an MMO is incentive enough if you get the roadblocks out of the way.
Quote from: DJMoose on April 26, 2013, 06:53:16 PM
+10
*10
Quote from: CG on April 26, 2013, 05:14:09 PM
I don't think I've seen my answer to what made teaming work so well in CoH, which is: Team members are not in competition for rewards.
This is an extension of the 'no loot' character progression. Everyone got their own loot and nobody else knew what it was. There wasn't a common pool of drops that the players were in competition for. Since the players on the team weren't in competition for loot, it removed a disincentive for teaming.
The incentive for teaming is that it's so much fun! This comes because we don't need the trinity of Tank/Healer/DPS to complete levels. Levels could have their difficulty changed so that regardless of team composition or skill level, you could complete the level and make progress. You could play what you wanted and still succeed.
Others have mentioned sidekicking and when I first started CoH, it was a great idea, but a little clunky because you needed a separate mentor for each sidekick. If you had more sidekicks than mentors, it didn't work. The addition of Exemplaring and making *Everyone* sidekick to the team lead solved the problem nicely.
Basically, every barrier to teaming was minimized or removed. Teaming on an MMO is incentive enough if you get the roadblocks out of the way.
OH yeah. probably why I cant ding CO side kick system too much because around CO age it was a bit clunky as hell. But the one after that where all low levels side kicked to the team leader, that was ingenious
Some good news.
We /think/ we've more or less finished the Google pitch.
We still need a little time to wait for our brains to settle and read it with fresh eyes, but we're hoping to send it out soon (tm). We'll let you know when it's gone.
Awesome news, Rae. Say the word if/when you want us to start mailing Google.
Quote from: Rae on April 28, 2013, 05:53:07 PM
Some good news.
I forget if I've said it, but y'know, it deserves to be said again anyway.
Stop derailing this thread with nonsense! >:(
QuoteWe /think/ we've more or less finished the Google pitch.
*
hrrk* :o Oh..... ummm.... a-hehe :-[
I guess what I meant to say was, Thank you guys so much for putting in this work on our behalf!
/e wayneandgarthbow "We're not worthy!"
QuoteWe still need a little time to wait for our brains to settle and read it with fresh eyes, but we're hoping to send it out soon (tm). We'll let you know when it's gone.
Yes. Take your time, un-fry your brains. If there's something we can do, you know where we are.
Quote from: Rae on April 28, 2013, 05:53:07 PM
Some good news.
We /think/ we've more or less finished the Google pitch.
We still need a little time to wait for our brains to settle and read it with fresh eyes, but we're hoping to send it out soon (tm). We'll let you know when it's gone.
Crossing my fingers! and toes! and legs, arms, hair, whatever else can be crossed!
...y'know, this would be a good time for some of those proposed banner ads to get put up, so that Google can see that there's still a large group of people who are interested in CoX. (I've posted this suggestion in the appropriate threads)
Quote from: Lucretia MacEvil on April 29, 2013, 01:58:10 AM
Crossing my fingers! and toes! and legs, arms, hair, whatever else can be crossed!
...y'know, this would be a good time for some of those proposed banner ads to get put up, so that Google can see that there's still a large group of people who are interested in CoX. (I've posted this suggestion in the appropriate threads)
I agree that something like this should be done..
Can't hurt, honestly. It won't kill us to hang on and have a double-headed approach.
Is that the right phrase?
Great news to start the day!
That is awesome news for a Monday morning!
Still going I should have guessed some wouldn't give up. I shouldn't either I'm still here and I'll be watching for what I can do...I wanna get my online home back...
and again there was much rejoicing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enSYlCEz5VI
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Quote from: Rae on April 28, 2013, 05:53:07 PM
Some good news.
We /think/ we've more or less finished the Google pitch.
We still need a little time to wait for our brains to settle and read it with fresh eyes, but we're hoping to send it out soon (tm). We'll let you know when it's gone.
This story (http://hothardware.com/News/Google-Targets-Its-Sights-On-Gaming-Hires-Noah-Falstein-As-Chief-Game-Designer/) over on hothardware.com suggests an additional target for the pitch to Google; they've hired Noah Falstein as Chief Game Designer. He began his career in the games industry, and has worked for Lucasfilm Games, 3DO, and Dreamworks Interactive, and has been chairman of the International Game Developers Association, and had a column in Game Developer Magazine.
It's been forever since I've been able to bring myself here but I wanted to say I appreciate the work people are still doing.
do we know for sure that the Google contact is still interested ?? Its been a while
alot of us are still anxious even this long after the shut down. CoH was a good addiction to me, heh I bought every pack possible, even the ones I didn't need to buy, and I'm poorish. I also always bought full years of VIP time..
sorry to push, but can we get an update on the proof reading of the pitch package? :D
like "today several pages were proofread, we have now proof read 132 of 300 pages." :P sorry, it would help the general anxiety some of us have.
Cross posting from t'other thread, but I believe the plan is to coincide the sending of the pitch with the ad campaign being organised elsewhere on the boards.
..unless Quinch tells me otherwise :)
Quote from: Rae on May 07, 2013, 04:44:40 PM
Cross posting from t'other thread, but I believe the plan is to coincide the sending of the pitch with the ad campaign being organised elsewhere on the boards.
..unless Quinch tells me otherwise :)
Is that still being organized? Haven't heard anything in, what, 2 weeks? At least?
I know Vyolet was working on content for a webpage and I had provided the login info to use a site that I had nabbed.
I have been out of town at my daughters wedding and arrived back yesterday.
Quote from: Triplash on April 28, 2013, 06:32:26 PM
I forget if I've said it, but y'know, it deserves to be said again anyway.
Stop derailing this thread with nonsense!
This thread would go weeks and weeks without posts if we only stayed on topic, it would eventually fall into the Abyss because no one would be posting on it.
@Rae - Good news! Thanks for working your guys behinds off.
Quote from: Taceus Jiwede on May 08, 2013, 07:38:45 PM
This thread would go weeks and weeks without posts if we only stayed on topic, it would eventually fall into the Abyss because no one would be posting on it.
@Rae - Good news! Thanks for working your guys behinds off.
Well, I
did mean that as a joke, hehe. I completely agree with you about needing to keep things active, after all I'm probably one of the biggest derailers this site has. ;D (Wait, that sounds bad when I say it out loud... :-\ )
And, since it's been a while since I said it, once again I'd like to thank Team Wildcard for their steadfast devotion and the tireless working-off of their behinds. Cheers!
I like bananas! ;D
Quote from: Captain Electric on May 09, 2013, 12:56:56 AM
I like bananas! ;D
(https://images.weserv.nl/?url=th01.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2FPRE%2Fi%2F2011%2F271%2Fb%2Fe%2Fi_like_trains_by_yauriko-d4b6vhw.png)
safehouse23: I like HO trains!! ;)
Quote from: Captain Electric on May 09, 2013, 12:56:56 AM
I like bananas! ;D
Yeah, they do have a certain a-
peel. *ba-dum-tish*
(https://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz55/KansasCrawford/Funny%20Pics/imagesCA4BHE9F.jpg)
Quote from: Triplash on May 09, 2013, 04:12:59 PM
Yeah, they do have a certain a-peel. *ba-dum-tish*
(https://i813.photobucket.com/albums/zz55/KansasCrawford/Funny%20Pics/imagesCA4BHE9F.jpg)
Hm a gun made from a berry.
Quote from: Rae on May 07, 2013, 04:44:40 PM
Cross posting from t'other thread, but I believe the plan is to coincide the sending of the pitch with the ad campaign being organised elsewhere on the boards.
..unless Quinch tells me otherwise :)
Ummm rae that might not be a good idea
You don't want to do both at once, you want to Send the pitch package first, otherwise it will get lost among thousands of "hey man I like CoH please buy it" letters.
and if you start the letters first the recoil is you might annoy them so much that by the time they get the pitch package they wont even read it.
Eh? We'll follow the same steps we did last time, as far as I'm aware. Email the guy to tell them the pitch is on the way, send the pitch by mail, and once it's arrived, ask you guys to start writing to urge them to talk to NC Soft.
But if we can time it to send out around the time the website/ advertising drive (http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,8240.0.html and http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,8322.0.html) goes live, we will.
If the ad/website don't get off the ground, for whatever reason, we'll just go ahead and send out the pitch, as we did last time.
Quote from: Rae on May 10, 2013, 06:46:37 AM
Eh? We'll follow the same steps we did last time, as far as I'm aware. Email the guy to tell them the pitch is on the way, send the pitch by mail, and once it's arrived, ask you guys to start writing to urge them to talk to NC Soft.
But if we can time it to send out around the time the website/ advertising drive (http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,8240.0.html and http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,8322.0.html) goes live, we will.
If the ad/website don't get off the ground, for whatever reason, we'll just go ahead and send out the pitch, as we did last time.
Forgive me for being completely unlearned/forgetting something that no doubt was already stated, but what exactly will be on the website? It's a website for the ad campaign/send to google campaign?
There's a mock-up of the website in the thread (here: http://s773.photobucket.com/user/VyoletRose/media/Webpage-IDEA-3.jpg.html) .It's mostly a 'SaveCOH, the story so far' webpage that we can direct Google (or other parties, if they don't bite to) for more information.
The advertising campaign will be adverts calling on NC Soft to sell COH, which will (hopefully) appear on prominent gaming news sites.
Hopefully, if Google are interested enough to look into it further, the site and adverts will appear on their radar, and along with the letters convince people that it's not just a group of four crazy people sending pitches out.
Of course, if the advertising/website campaign don't get off the ground, we can send the pitch off (Quinch gave it a last run-through last night, now we're just waiting the contact details of Mercedes' contact, and we're good to go).
It just makes sense to have a web presence up at the same time (if at all possible) to help strengthen the pitch, particularly since some of the media interest has died off a little.
Quote from: Rae on May 10, 2013, 02:42:24 PM
There's a mock-up of the website in the thread (here: http://s773.photobucket.com/user/VyoletRose/media/Webpage-IDEA-3.jpg.html) .It's mostly a 'SaveCOH, the story so far' webpage that we can direct Google (or other parties, if they don't bite to) for more information.
The advertising campaign will be adverts calling on NC Soft to sell COH, which will (hopefully) appear on prominent gaming news sites.
Hopefully, if Google are interested enough to look into it further, the site and adverts will appear on their radar, and along with the letters convince people that it's not just a group of four crazy people sending pitches out.
Of course, if the advertising/website campaign don't get off the ground, we can send the pitch off (Quinch gave it a last run-through last night, now we're just waiting the contact details of Mercedes' contact, and we're good to go).
It just makes sense to have a web presence up at the same time (if at all possible) to help strengthen the pitch, particularly since some of the media interest has died off a little.
if it's 4-5 pages we can tripod it for free. http://www.tripod.com/
gotta pay if you want www.savecoh.com versus http://savecoh.tripod.com/
oooo kkkk, I retract my comment looks like savecoh.com is actually live.
I also have a saved site called arkofheroes.com - it only has a placeholder website for now.
Right. So, as of now, what's happening? We have a contact at Google and are preparing a pitch to send?
I've been out of it for a while. Anything happening with the server emulators?
I'm useless at videos, but I had a thought about a possible video to catch Google's attention by spoofing the Chrome adverts (like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0qDrRJT4zE)).
What could happen is someone clicks on Chrome and googles 'heroes', which leads them to City of Heroes. They create their character, enter the world and while fighting mobs meets someone who invites them to a super group. He's then invited to a Google Plus group where they organise a task force (possibly getting the invite on his android phone where they were checking out their super group), followed by a real life meet up. A shot of all the group's character together fades into the players all together before ending with the Chrome logo (possible with our 'this is what we do' slogan).
Any thoughts? I have no idea what I'm doing with videos so I thought I'd throw the idea out in case someone fancies having a crack at it.
I have an "ad" video for Google. Take 1 is at https://vimeo.com/65558287. Take 2 is almost done....I cut down the fight scenes and added several more "ad" stuff - a Posi vs technos with Chromebooks contest (the technos win), and a Rikti invasion scene.
Rikti Leader -Observation: Expletive. Invalid Image: Google Earth. Missing: Hero Assemblage.
<Rikti ported onto the Talos hill...into the middle of a ring of heroes>
Rikti grunt - Outlook: Painful
I just have to finish the credits. I also put stills with the chat words at the end of the video, since it's hard to read the words if you don't enlarge it. I also put the various Google ads that were on billboards or as graffiti.
You put an ad for google on Vimeo? Will you put the final ad up on Youtube?
Quote from: kalynnda13 on May 13, 2013, 05:43:36 PM
I have an "ad" video for Google. Take 1 is at https://vimeo.com/65558287. Take 2 is almost done....I cut down the fight scenes and added several more "ad" stuff - a Posi vs technos with Chromebooks contest (the technos win), and a Rikti invasion scene.
Rikti Leader -Observation: Expletive. Invalid Image: Google Earth. Missing: Hero Assemblage.
<Rikti ported onto the Talos hill...into the middle of a ring of heroes>
Rikti grunt - Outlook: Painful
I just have to finish the credits. I also put stills with the chat words at the end of the video, since it's hard to read the words if you don't enlarge it. I also put the various Google ads that were on billboards or as graffiti.
Awesome! Looks like we're close to launch! I'm ready! :)