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Graveyard => Save Paragon Retirees => Save Paragon City! => Topic started by: jordanhb on September 03, 2012, 05:37:33 PM

Title: Star Power
Post by: jordanhb on September 03, 2012, 05:37:33 PM
One thing that I've heard mentioned a couple of times is that we should try to get some "stars" (or at least some recognizable names) involved in the efforts to try to save City of Heroes.  Even if it's something as simple as a message posted on their forum or website saying "Hey, this is City of Heroes, it's a great game that's getting shut down, and these folks are trying to save it.  I played it, and it's really cool, and you should help them save it if you can" it could get more people interested in the game, and in our cause.  As part of that, I thought it might be a good idea to try to make a list of any 'celebrities' that play(ed) the game we might be able to reach out to.  For example, I know that Jim Butcher played for a number of years.  I've also seen a lot of City of Heroes stuff on The Big Bang Theory, leading me to think someone involved in that show plays (or played) the game.  I've also heard several people mention Gabe and Tycho from Penny Arcade.  If you have other ideas, please share.  If possible, I'll try to keep the list updated with other people's suggestions, so it's all in the first post.

Celebrities to reach out to
Jim Butcher
The Big Bang Theory (would be great if we had a specific person's name)
Gabe and Tycho (Penny Arcade)
Felicia Day
Neil Gaiman
Tim @ CAD
Kurt Busiek
Grant Morrison
Mercedes Lackey
Wil Wheaton
Ben "Yahtzee" Crenshaw
George Takei
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 03, 2012, 05:41:51 PM
My first thought was Felicia Day, who has made quite a name for herself in the world of Geekdom, creating such awesome web series as "The Guild" and now starting up her own company "Geek and  Sundry". I thought about contacting her and seeing if she couldn't mention us in one of her flogs, etc.

Maybe if more than one of us contacted these people, they'd be willing to lend their support.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: TonyV on September 03, 2012, 06:05:40 PM
On this, too.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 03, 2012, 06:07:49 PM
I just sent an email to Ms. Day, care of her flog address:

theflog@geekandsundry.com

I would imagine if more of us email her, it might make an impact. (And no, I don't mean spamming the lady!) :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 03, 2012, 08:46:55 PM
Will soon send an appeal video to, in particular, NOOB, a french not-so-amateur-anymore webserie team
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Tazhyngarth on September 03, 2012, 09:13:38 PM
I shall also reach out to Felicia Day.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Xenos on September 03, 2012, 10:00:14 PM
Some suggestions:

Neil Gaiman: Got a ton of followers, known to support causes and (lately) crowd-sourced projects (thanks AFP), not exclusively associated with one comic book publisher, etc.

Tim @ CAD: Totally reaches our audience and has shown some love to COH (though that was many moons ago)

Kurt Busiek: Very active on twitter and re-tweets often. Also independent.

Grant Morrison: This one is a little strange, he's not really that publicly active...though he does have morrisoncon coming up later this month. BUT...when I first started to imagine that moment when they turn of the servers and thousands of heroes disappear (hopefully not forever...), I was immediately reminded of his stories, especially Animal Man, Doom Patrol, etc. He made breaking the the 4th wall an art...and I think he could really intellectually get behind our efforts.

Anyway, these are my top suggestions for now. I don't have a direct wire to these guys (of course I have their twitter accounts), and I don't think bombarding them with our messages will help much. Let me know if you want me to deal with them, or if you have someone else who is handling these efforts.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: biomekanic on September 03, 2012, 10:35:38 PM
Additional suggestions:
Mercedes Lackey played for a long time, and even had a special dev event when she retired one of her characters

Uncle Wil, aka Wil Wheaton. The sudden closing of the studio was (let's all admit this) a dick move, and Uncle Wil does not approve of dick moves.

Ben "Yahtzee" Crenshaw reviewed CoH on his show "Game Damage", and didn't hate it; and he hates MMOs.

a bit more out there is George Takei, but I think it would be worth a shot. George is very nerd positive and I'm sure there's a huge crossover between the fandoms.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: sabbatha251 on September 03, 2012, 11:01:32 PM
Sent my email to Geek and Sundry today.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 03, 2012, 11:10:48 PM
I also thought about Mr. Wheaton. While he and I don't see eye-to-eye on many philosophical points, I've always admired his tenacity and fierceness...he's not one to reckon with.

I definitely support him being contacted.

He also works with Felicia Day on many Geek & Sundry projects...so it couldn't hurt to contact them both.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jordanhb on September 03, 2012, 11:22:55 PM
Definitely some good names in there.  It may not be true, but I've heard rumors in the past that Rick Astley and Keira Knightly both played at one point.  Anyone know if there's any truth to them?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vrghr on September 03, 2012, 11:58:39 PM
Something in the back of my head says Diane Duane did an arc in AE. Or perhaps I'm mus-remembering. I may be thinking of Mercedes Lackey.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: chief536 on September 04, 2012, 12:02:34 AM
http://www.geeksaresexy.net/ might also spread the word. They are very nerd friendly :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jensen010 on September 04, 2012, 12:14:03 AM
i posted this in the other topic, but ill put it here too:

https://www.youtube.com/user/SourceFed?feature=watch
tweet at these guys, post on their facebook, try and get them to do a story on this. Sourcefed does 5 daily news stories every day and they have a pretty sizeable viewership. Plus, ive seen them pick up stories like this, they talk about kickstarter stuff and game company injustices quite often, for a legit news outlet anyways. Also, their boss Phillip Defranco, does a daily video where he has the luxury of mentioning a smaller, in perspective, story like this - Link - https://www.youtube.com/user/sxephil?feature=results_main

hit these people up, or any others you can think of on youtube, they speak to quite a number of people

Heres hoping we can save the city one more time
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 04, 2012, 01:22:25 AM
I have a letter composed for Mr. Whedon.  Not sure where to send it...   ;D

Joss Whedon
Creative Artists Agency
2000 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
USA

Someone recommended sending letters to NCSoft execs via certified or registered mail to ensure the letter's best chance of getting into said exec's hands.  I would suggest we not do this with celebrities. We don't want to annoy them.  :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Kid Snowflake on September 04, 2012, 02:35:54 AM
I sent an email to Ryan North of Dinosaur Comics, a personal hero of mine. He may not be as famous as some of the other names on the list but he's hugely influential and has a massive fanbase, and he's a man who gets things done. I was also considering emailing Zach Weiner of smbc-comics, another webcomic artist who has had a lot of success with kickstarters and crowdsourcing, having recently funded a new book via kickstarter and recorded an audiobook version with Wil Wheaton.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Lady Luck on September 04, 2012, 03:19:32 AM
Another celeb who might be sympathetic to our cause is Kevin Smith. I know he's into comic books and superheroes.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Kid Snowflake on September 04, 2012, 04:00:26 AM
Scott Kurtz of PvP might be a good contact, he did a lot of comics for CoH in the early years and guest-authored an AE arc.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: TonyV on September 04, 2012, 04:32:25 AM
Someone recommended sending letters to NCSoft execs via certified or registered mail to ensure the letter's best chance of getting into said exec's hands.  I would suggest we not do this with celebrities. We don't want to annoy them.  :)

Agreed.  Please do not annoy the celebrities!  NCsoft has people specifically dedicated to the purpose of receiving letters.  A lot of the celebrities I've seen in this list aren't the multi-million-dollar blockbuster movie celebrity types, are really busy with their projects, and probably don't have much in the way of personal assistants and such to handle such things.  Please be mindful of the people we are asking to help us.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Gunaro on September 04, 2012, 10:29:29 AM
yeah, it might be worthwhile to just take a look at who made the 'celebrity' AE arcs. I think we had someone from red vs blue...I don't have time right now to look it up.

I also know that the folks at the mac hall webcomic had some city of comics back in the day. They now run a comic called three panel soul (http://threepanelsoul.com/) . They might spread some words about this.

Also, it was said to not harass celebrities / the people we are asking. Do we want a point person to send the letters, that way only a few are sent? For this reason, I have not sent anything out yet (though I am composing my NC soft letter)

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: cohRock on September 04, 2012, 01:28:34 PM
I haven't seen Rick Astley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Astley) mentioned.  Several years ago he was a player and regular poster on the official forums.  I don't know what his interest level is now, but he had an active appreciation for the game in the past.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 04, 2012, 02:10:58 PM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Blitzwing on September 04, 2012, 02:55:31 PM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.

*thumbs up*  :D

...c'mon, spill the identity of your friend!!  ;)

But seriously, any additional help is more than welcome, as far as I'm concerned!

...still thinking the cast and crew of The Big Bang Theory would be fantastic if they could be contacted...imagine an entire episode centered around it somehow...assuming it could be shot in time....   8)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ROBOKiTTY on September 04, 2012, 03:14:34 PM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.

Your books have been bumped to the top of my reading list! ;D
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: LightofthePhoenix on September 04, 2012, 04:21:57 PM
I've contacted Vangelus.  He's got a big internet following and is a DJ at Cape Radio.  I'm sure he's already heard about all this but I figured it wouldn't hurt to send a message just in case.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Orange Dragon on September 04, 2012, 04:38:11 PM
I'm at work right now, so I can't look into this that much, but has anyone thought of Chris Hardwick at "The Nerdist". I've only watched it a few times but thought this might be something he would talk about on the show.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: zoser on September 04, 2012, 07:39:16 PM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.

Wow, it is great having you a) here and b) supporting our efforts to save CoH/V to a larger extend than I at least would ever have hoped even in my most optimistic moments! Thank you very much for both and also for raising this with your friends and securing the support of the mystery person. Good news like this are in short supply these days and therefore doubly appreciated! :)

Zos
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 04, 2012, 09:23:03 PM
We could try to get in touch with the escapist's viral video star, Jim Sterling. He makes "angry" videos about injustices and what not. He may like the idea, if he wants to support what we should describe as "A desperate attempt at paying NCSoft just to play a game. What's wrong in being paid, seriously ?"

links:
Compulsory news report on the escapist about the shutdown (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/119398-NCsoft-Shuts-Down-City-of-Heroes)
The Jimquisition's channel (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition) New episodes appear on Monday.
Jim Sterling's twitter page (http://twitter.com/JimSterling)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Golden Girl on September 04, 2012, 11:34:07 PM
*thumbs up*  :D

...c'mon, spill the identity of your friend!!  ;)

If I had to guess, then it could be Bill Fawcett, the author and co-founder of Mayfair Games - I've been hearing some very vague whispers - but as they're as vague as the debunked SOE rumor, so I'm holding off spreading them.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Golden Girl on September 05, 2012, 12:00:24 AM
Your books have been bumped to the top of my reading list! ;D

If you want something superhero related, she's written stories based on her CoH charatcers and the game setting:

http://www.amazon.com/Invasion-Book-Secret-World-Chronicle/dp/1439134197

These are also available as a podcast:

http://secretworldchronicle.com

She's also helped to make life difficult for "Twixt", the college professor who claimed his serial griefing in PvP zones was part of a social experiment for a paper he was writing, and she's been a guest author for the AE, with her arc "Mystery on the Broadwalk" - so as far as her spandex credentials and CoH fan rating goes, she's much closer to having a Statesman star tattoo than she is to asking in broadcast chat where the trainer in Atlas Park is.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Terrafan on September 05, 2012, 12:08:08 AM
If I had to guess, then it could be Bill Fawcett, the author and co-founder of Mayfair Games - I've been hearing some very vague whispers - but as they're as vague as the debunked SOE rumor, so I'm holding off spreading them.

As someone who is in the tabletop gaming industry, I highly doubt this. 
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dannii on September 05, 2012, 01:34:48 AM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.
I've been reading your books for years, and re-read them often.  The whole community appreciates anything you or your friend can do to help.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 05, 2012, 01:40:34 AM
If I had to guess, then it could be Bill Fawcett, the author and co-founder of Mayfair Games - I've been hearing some very vague whispers - but as they're as vague as the debunked SOE rumor, so I'm holding off spreading them.
We should be very careful about saying these things.  Right now we just need to trust in our star-powered friend and continue with what we've been doing.   

HOWEVER, you did make me realize something (that is fairly obvious, mind you); the fact that she cannot reveal the identity of her friend means that it's someone who's going to be able to pull some weight.  Whoever it is, I am hopeful.  Thanks again, Mercedes.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 05, 2012, 03:02:57 AM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 05, 2012, 03:05:56 AM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.
Sacrificing a bucket of chicken as we speak!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ClanXanathos on September 05, 2012, 04:09:38 AM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.

I am completely unashamed to admit that the noise I just made wasn't human.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Golden Girl on September 05, 2012, 04:11:42 AM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.

Thank you so much for your help.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zombie Hustler on September 05, 2012, 04:18:42 AM
To echo the Whedon idea, though they're not "celebrities" per se, I've been thinking all weekend of how we might approach the Browncoats, see if they might be able to help get the word out (doubtless some of us are they, or they are we, or whatever).

Anyone know of the best way to try and reach out to them?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: zoser on September 05, 2012, 04:29:53 AM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.

Awesome, thank you very much! However this will end, it is an honour and a pleasure having you in our corner.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: neonphysalis on September 05, 2012, 04:36:03 AM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.

This just made my evening!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Aggelakis on September 05, 2012, 04:46:24 AM
I'm tearing up again, but this time it's not from the inevitable demise of my favorite place on the internet. This time it's from that inkling of hope sparking through.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ryuplaneswalker on September 05, 2012, 05:06:23 AM
Isn't the writer behind "The Dresden Files" a fan of COH?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 05, 2012, 05:07:56 AM
Isn't the writer behind "The Dresden Files" a fan of COH?
He keeps coming up.  I guess I'm going to have to go look up his work once the dust settles on all this.  :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Aurora Girl on September 05, 2012, 05:12:55 AM
Also, wouldn't you think The Glorious Hickman would have some contacts in the entertainment industry he could sound the alarm to?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Terwyn on September 05, 2012, 05:16:28 AM
Since I'm a graduate of one of the largest art and animation colleges in North America, if not the world, I can probably drill through my contacts to get them to dig through their contacts for any and all possible links to Dreamworks, Pixar, and Disney.

Failing that, I could probably ask someone I recently got into contact with who definitely has a connection with NCSoft.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zombie Hustler on September 05, 2012, 05:32:42 AM
I sent a couple of letters to editors at the OC Weekly, LA Times, and even a news tip to the New York Times. Probably won't amount to much, but if they get several emails on the same topic, someone might take some notice.

Going to try other local and national media outlets as well.

Hickman is a good suggestion. Has anyone tried (or know how) to contact him? I'm sure he must have heard by now.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Thirty-Seven on September 05, 2012, 07:57:09 AM
Hickman is a good suggestion. Has anyone tried (or know how) to contact him? I'm sure he must have heard by now.
He has heard.

He's posted on the forums at least a few times since the announcement in various threads.  Toss him a PM on the official CoH forums (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/member.php?u=370004), if you want to make sure.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 05, 2012, 12:57:14 PM
I tried to get in touch with Eben Brooks, composer of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOzab20y1GI) hilarious song, but I'm not sure if I was successful.  He has this post up on his livejournal : http://ebenbrooks.livejournal.com/482165.html .
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 05, 2012, 02:15:55 PM
Although I do not know Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) personally I can confirm he is a CoH player. ( I can also confirm that if I could write as well as he does on one of his bad days I would be a happy woman.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Valjean on September 05, 2012, 02:39:19 PM
For comic book writers, I know Mark Waid and Gail Simone used to play.

Jim McCann also still plays.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: pandora114 on September 05, 2012, 03:10:21 PM
Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame is a notorious geek.  @thehamsterscage is his twitter.   He did up a small webseries called "Tech Head"  That's the only UK celeb I can think of that could get behind this.  Don't know if he ever played but it's worth a shot

*gnaws on Black Gryphon shaped cookies*  That's it...concept time.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 05, 2012, 03:36:00 PM
Although I do not know Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) personally I can confirm he is a CoH player. ( I can also confirm that if I could write as well as he does on one of his bad days I would be a happy woman.)

Oh hush, woman, you've been a mainstay of my library since 1985. :) You're in a completely different league, style, and genre than he is, but you're both two of my favorite authors.

I'm reaching out to the few people that I do have in my gaming circles. Most of them are much more LARP/PNP gamer focused, though, so I'm not sure how much impact they'll be able to have. (For example...I would really rather NOT see White Wolf making an offer for COH...)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Blitzwing on September 05, 2012, 03:53:21 PM
I'd also suggest Tom Smith, 'The world's fastest filker'; he wrote and performed the official song for international 'Talk like a pirate day', and came up with a superhero-themed album titled 'The last hero on Earth'...every song on it(approx. 24 tracks) written(based entirely off suggestions for song titles based on superhero comic themes) in -24 HOURS-...it's said when he picks up his guitar, the stopwatches come out...and I've witnessed this 1st-hand at a few convention!

Also in the dementia(formerly known as 'novelty') music genre, I'd also suggest contacting artists 'Hot Waffles'(one of their members played CoH for awhile), Tom Rockwell(a.k.a., Devo Spice), Throwing Toasters, Shoebox of Worm Quartet, and The Great Luke Ski(the most requested artist to date of the 21st century on the Dr. Demento show).... 
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 05, 2012, 04:24:50 PM
Ooh.  I got a very nice email back from Mr. Brooks.  He's really upset about this and he doesn't want to give himself any false hopes, but he definitely cares.  I invited him to drop by just to say hi; hopefully we'll see him around soon.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: TomFury on September 05, 2012, 04:29:40 PM
I apologize if this is a double post, but has anyone attempted to reach out to Cracked.com?  They've got a tremendous and rabid following (of which I am one), and their demographics' interests definitely overlap with the CoH community.  Daniel O'Brien and Michael Swaim might be sympathetic, and would be worth trying to get in contact with.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dirac on September 05, 2012, 04:46:51 PM
I sent a message to boogie2988 to see if this travesty and our cause could get a mention.  If you do not know him, he has a pretty popular youtube channel at 200K+ subscribers.  He does some serious vids but many of you may know him as the raging gamer named Francis.  I will let you know if I hear back from him.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: blue storm on September 05, 2012, 05:08:45 PM
I recently got back in touch with an old high-school friend of mine who just happens to be Marketing VP at Wizard of the Coasts and the former Marketing VP of Turbine... I wrote him a letter.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 05, 2012, 05:56:23 PM
This one only just occurred to me, but maybe someone would be able to get in touch with Jason Graves (http://www.amazon.com/City-Heroes-Going-Rogue-Soundtrack/dp/B003XKN70E)

http://www.jasongraves.com (blocked for me at work)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Graves
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Stagefright on September 05, 2012, 07:37:14 PM
I was just thinking, how bout people that have rather succesful gaming-related video feeds? Names like TotalBiscuit/The Cynical Brit and the yogscast spring to mind (www.twitch.tv/totalbiscuit and www.yogscast.com and their corresponding youtube accounts). One cannot ignore the power of popular youtube channels these days..
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Teege on September 05, 2012, 08:30:13 PM
I'm friends with Robin Thorsen so I'll see if she (and Felicia) can lend a hand somehow. I just love how much support and drive we have as a community, it's great!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: zoser on September 05, 2012, 08:49:02 PM
Although I do not know Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) personally I can confirm he is a CoH player. ( I can also confirm that if I could write as well as he does on one of his bad days I would be a happy woman.)

As I had heard the same - there is actually an amusing story of him fighting the GMs (the rule-enforcing kind because they accused him of stealing the name 'Harry Dresden' for his character and GenericHero-ed him. I so wish that this story is true...

But I digress, I looked up How to contact him and it seems that this only works through his agent. I don't think that I write engaging enough to pass this hurdle, maybe someone with more talent might give it a try?

Apropos talent, no selling yourself short, Mer ... OMG, I just told off MERCEDES LACKEY....  *staggers off to hyperventilate a bit in quiet*

Zos
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Jim Hague on September 05, 2012, 09:25:39 PM
You know, the City community could reach out to Trion Worlds, who might well be interested in purchasing the property. They've got Project Red Door going, and microtransaction capability that'd support the Paragon Marketplace. Shane Hensley also works with Trion via Petroglyph, the guys behind End of Nations.

bizdev@trionworlds.com

publishing@trionworlds.com

Given that Trion's very big into the alternative game publishing idea right now, it's worth a shot.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ducklorange on September 05, 2012, 09:58:58 PM
But I digress, I looked up How to contact him and it seems that this only works through his agent. I don't think that I write engaging enough to pass this hurdle, maybe someone with more talent might give it a try?

Regarding Jim Butcher, has anyone tried to reach him on Twitter @longshotauthor?  Even if you can't get him by PM there, just directing a tweet or two his way?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 05, 2012, 10:06:29 PM
I'm friends with Robin Thorsen so I'll see if she (and Felicia) can lend a hand somehow. I just love how much support and drive we have as a community, it's great!

Somewhat unrelated, but please tell Ms. Thorsen that I love her "Claire". It was her portrayal of the "mommy guildy" that had me roaring during Season 1 of the Guild. :)

I also love her and Felicia's cooking days. ;)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Juncyard on September 05, 2012, 10:56:45 PM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.

You just earned yourself a lifetime fan in my son and myself.
Thank you so much for all of your efforts!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: castorcorvus on September 06, 2012, 01:06:37 AM
I check the entire forum and didn't see this idea anywhere. Now, its just an idea but does anyone have the contact info for Tom DeSanto? He is currently creating a COH movie based on the Rikti War, maybe he would be interested in helping? It would help him in the long run when the movie comes out. For those who don't know, he was the producer for X-men, X2, and all three Transformer films.

Yes, I know its a long-shot, just humor the idea and help any way you can. :D

castorcorvus, out.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Codewalker on September 06, 2012, 01:25:36 AM
I was under the impression that Jim Butcher no longer played, at least not regularly.

Still, he might be sympathetic enough to put in a good word for us. I guess we'll see.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 06, 2012, 01:28:11 AM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.

Pleased to make your acquaintance. I don't read much for recreation these days--I have two textbooks on the bed beside me as I type this--but I might give some of your fiction a try. Thank you very much for your help, and the help of your contact!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 06, 2012, 02:55:48 AM
I'll try and reach Jim through my agent.  Agents are ALWAYS talking to each other.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 06, 2012, 03:50:26 AM
I'll try and reach Jim through my agent.  Agents are ALWAYS talking to each other.
So, what you're saying is you'll have your people call his people?  I had no idea that wasn't just something you saw in the movies.  :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: biomekanic on September 06, 2012, 05:41:51 AM
This one is kind of long shot, but what about Vin Deisel? He's a gamer (20 year D&D veteran), and I'm sure he would understand how we feel. In a similar vein, so is Robin Willaims (Warhammer 40K).

Hmmm... John Kovalic (Dork Tower, and illustrator of the Munchkin Money Factory card game is an all around gaming fan. On a related note, what about contacting Steve Jackson Games and having our fight be mentioned in their Daily Illuminator. It goes out to over 100K people (last I heard).

The worst that could happen, would be that they say "No".
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vhailor2003 on September 06, 2012, 08:08:25 AM
Well, just crashed emotionally, picked myself up again and put together the following email to Gabe and Tycho over at Penny Arcade.

____


"Hey guys. Please forgive the rambling flaws of this message, it is difficult beyond words for me to write. For a long time I have read Penny Arcade, and I have always known you both to be willing to go to bat for a worthy gamers cause, and I find that I am now part of one that could use any attention you can give it.

I've never been what you would call strong socially. For a long time I felt certain I would never fit in or be able to cope with the world at large, and there were times when things got very dark indeed. However as fate would have it about 7 and a half years ago now I was introduced to something that profoundly altered my life. One of the few true friends I had convinced me to try City of Heroes.

At first I did not want to like it. It was a subscription game, and a thing that would need me to be online all the time. But as I started to play it, I found that it was unlike anything else I had ever played. It was not so much a game, but a world. In this world I found characters and stories. And behind these characters and stories I found people. People I could relate to. People I could talk to. People I could be friends with.I learned to create my own charaters, my own stories. I joined with my friends and their characters and their stories, and together we forged ourselves our own world, a shared narrative... a shared universe that was all our own. For seven and a half years, we poured our hearts and souls into this game, and experienced the best times of our lives.

And somewhere along the line I learned to take strength from that somehow, to be able to do things in the real world that I never thought would be possible for me. I made it through a few jobs, survived college, and even managed to do a face to face meeting outside the game. I know these must sound like very simple things, but these were things that were previously impossible for me. And I looked forward and thought perhaps there was more still that I could do, still more of my difficulties I could learn to overcome with the help of the game and my friends within it.

When I went to log in to the game last friday night, when I went to go spend time with my friends in our shared world we had spent the last seven and a half years creating, I was filled with optimism over everything coming. The advancements that were to be released soon, the new stories we were going to be a part of were already dancing in my imagination. It was a tremendous shock to discover that quite suddenly and without any warning or justification that NCSoft had suddenly decided to "re-align it's focus" and bury City of Heroes. Thank you for your seven and a half years patronage and all your love and support of the game, but you and your friends and your world are no longer required. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, and do remember to try Guild Wars 2. It is, after all, our newest and shiniest.

I logged on to find my friends and the rest of the game in stunned disbelief. We knew the game to be magnificent, fun, and innovtive. We knew the dev team to be dedicated and brilliant. We knew the game itself to be profitable, and it's outlook to be the brightest it had ever been. And we knew ourselves to be passionate and devoted fans. To suddenly have this thing that we loved struck with what amounted to summary execution without even the decency to tell us why or give us a chance to save it was beyond injustice. A lot of people despaired at the news. But others... others resolved to fight.

A petition went up to stop the shut down of the game, and already has over 13,000 signatures. Meanwhile a lot of us are gathering in a place called the Titan network, which has long been dedicated to City of Heroes, and are planning to do everything we can to save the game we love.

I know it seems like a long shot. Some corporate suit in Korea has decided to crush the world we love, and what can we possibly do about it? But I know the power of gamers... of we who are united by our love of the worlds and the stories we have experienced together. You two showed me that. Through Childs Play. And through Pax. And through every site that has nearly buckled under the flood of interest generated by a single link on your news posts.

Gabe... I remember you posting once that you'd burn down everything you had if it would catch people like this in the flames... people who think they can just stomp on others dreams... on the things they love.. that they can just throw them to the curb when they have no more use for them because they can't fight back.. Right now, NCSoft is those people. Tycho, I know you understand the injustices of the world too, and fight for those brave enough to be innovators, to make something unique and wonderful all their own. City of Heroes and all the fans within it is that ideal, and Paragon Studios the people behind it are the ones keeping it going.

Please... please help me. Please help us. Don't let the game and the world we have loved for so long die without a fight. If there is anything you can do to help, the command center for saving City of Heroes can be found here:   http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/board,134.0.html  and if you wanted to sign the petition or direct others to it and show that people that love games aren't just expendable throwaways that can be thrown under the bus when they're no longer useful you can find that here: http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/board,134.0.html

Anything you can do to help I would be eternally grateful for.

Joe Dumais
@Vhailor2003

____


Writing that... pretty much drained all my emotional energy again. But I bore my soul and didn't leave anything on the table with explaining the heart of it. They're both good guys. I don't know if they can help, but if they can... well. They've helped with a lot of amazing impossible things over the years.

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: judaschrist on September 06, 2012, 10:03:53 AM
just pointing out that milla jovovich is a huge gamer. another one of those "long shot" deals but hey, who knows? :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Liberties on September 06, 2012, 02:16:29 PM
Although I do not know Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) personally I can confirm he is a CoH player. ( I can also confirm that if I could write as well as he does on one of his bad days I would be a happy woman.)

Heh... I would love to hear his reaction to the news.

In other people who play news, I contacted Tom Smith, the Filk Artist, I know he isn't A-List but he is the most popular stop on the convention circuit for a lot of folks, and he plays, or at least played enough to snag the tune from Atlas Park for his Super Hero Opera...

I hope this works folks, a world without heroes is darker for it...

~elvnsword/@liberties
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: darkskye on September 06, 2012, 04:44:15 PM
All I can say is action is being taken and was started today.  Go out and rattle your turtle shells, finger your beads, spin your prayer wheels for my friend, and keep pursuing EVERY possible other venue, because we have no way of knowing which one will pan out.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

/em praise
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: darkskye on September 06, 2012, 04:45:35 PM
Although I do not know Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) personally I can confirm he is a CoH player. ( I can also confirm that if I could write as well as he does on one of his bad days I would be a happy woman.)

Oh my, do NOT sell yourself short!!  You are one of my favorite authors, equal on my bookshelves with Jim Butcher.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: The-Hunter-JLJ on September 06, 2012, 06:11:08 PM
We shouldn't forget webcomics. Right off the top of my head, Phil Foglio has been a gamer for years. While I doubt given the nature of "Girl Genius" that he could give a shout out directly, I bet he'd put in a good word for us somehow.

I can't remember the name of the folks who do "Blue Milk Special", but they've been involved in comics fandom and one of them has produced comics I believe. Seems like a possibility if anyone knows them. The fellow who does "Order of the Stick" is another hard-core gamer. I can remember a couple of other gaming-related webcomics, one in particular that actually did a few strips on CoH years ago, but can't remember the name other than there's a character on Protector (Star Geek) who I always wondered whether he was inspired by it.. but anyway.

Seems like a good time to make the comments section rounds, but if anyone reading already has been involved in the forums or comments anywhere that would have more impact. Not been one for comments or forums since I ran my own years ago, but I'll make an exception for this if there's nobody better qualified.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zombie Hustler on September 06, 2012, 06:23:03 PM
Speaking of gamers, what about Aaron "Nodwick" Williams, who has done some CoH comics?

(I emailed him just now.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Blitzwing on September 06, 2012, 06:37:41 PM
Heh... I would love to hear his reaction to the news.

In other people who play news, I contacted Tom Smith, the Filk Artist, I know he isn't A-List but he is the most popular stop on the convention circuit for a lot of folks, and he plays, or at least played enough to snag the tune from Atlas Park for his Super Hero Opera...

I hope this works folks, a world without heroes is darker for it...

~elvnsword/@liberties

Tom Smith has an ENORMOUS following in the Filk and Dementia(parody, comedy) music genres, and I know of at least one other Dementia artist who played CoH at some point or another...getting Tom involved could end up with some songs being produced and put out VERY quickly...that SuperHero Opera('The last Hero on Earth') saw all it's songs written in a combined -24 hours-...you want results, and results FAST...he's the Filker to go to.... ;)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Kennon on September 06, 2012, 09:30:30 PM
I surely wouldn't call it star power, but I'm putting the word out to the couple hundred listeners of our A Game of Thrones cardgame podcast- 2 Champs and a Chump (http://"http://www.cardgamedb.com/index.php/podcasts/_/game-of-thrones-podcasts/"). I've been playing off and on since launch, with a couple of the part time hosts playing right along with me. I'm sure there's bound to be some overlap with the cardboard gaming realm in our audience. I know a few other podcasters, so I'll see if I can get some others to help out as well.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Blitzwing on September 07, 2012, 12:32:58 AM
Perhaps we should compile a list of webcomics that CoH has appeared in, in some for or fashion, so we can start checking into whom we should contact....

I know, right off-hand, of PvP, and Ctrl+Alt+Del....
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 07, 2012, 12:50:59 AM
I honestly can't recall if it was Mac Hall or Three Panel Soul.  Maybe both.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 07, 2012, 01:34:02 AM
Kudos to Samuraiko!  Neil Gaiman picked up her tweet!

https://twitter.com/Samuraiko/status/243758323642548224
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ryuplaneswalker on September 07, 2012, 01:38:28 AM
I just had a thought, does anyone have a list of the few people who did the VIP MA Arcs? They may be good people to try and get ahold of.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 07, 2012, 01:40:35 AM
Kudos to Samuraiko!  Neil Gaiman picked up her tweet!

<doing Snoopy happy dance>
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Ironwolf on September 07, 2012, 01:56:52 AM
Jim Butcher did play as Harry Dresden - one sleepless night I was on my Mab Queen of Winter and saw Harry Dresden pass by.

I sent him a tell, "Mortal, would you be interested in a favor from Mab?"

We then proceeded to spend a couple of hours as Mab and Harry mopped the floor with the best they could offer :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: lunalynx on September 07, 2012, 02:20:20 AM
Nixie Pixel on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NixiePixel?feature=g-all-u

Sam Witwer (actor and avid gamer): He played Crashdown on Battlestar Galactica.  He is the actor the main character is based on in the videogame Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rain Maker on September 07, 2012, 04:14:32 AM
Is anyone else familiar with Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais' comedic muse/peon? I think if someone made "Karl as a video game hero" and sent it to Ricky, he might just retweet it, along with a link perhaps. He has 3 million followers. It would be brilliant if it actually resembled Karl, but that skill is above my costume creator pay grade. Even if he doesn't retweet it, I'd love to see Super Karl.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zombie Hustler on September 07, 2012, 04:23:55 AM
Kudos to Samuraiko!  Neil Gaiman picked up her tweet!

That's great! Maybe we should hit up the other people who have had dedications to them in the game- George Perez, Sam Raimi, Brian Michael Bendis, etc.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: The-Hunter-JLJ on September 07, 2012, 04:41:15 AM
I may have to get this Twitter thing some day... (grin) New fangled stuff anyways....
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zachary on September 07, 2012, 08:29:08 AM
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Riff on September 07, 2012, 10:32:39 AM
Bill Willingham @BillWillingham on twitter.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 07, 2012, 11:08:25 AM
Bill Willingham @BillWillingham on twitter.

So, Bill Willingham made me thing of Travis Willingham who made me think of other famous voice actors.

Has anyone checked to see if Tara Strong might be moved by our plight? It's not something she's invested in personally, but I know that she loves her fans. (And boy, does she have her fans.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 07, 2012, 02:58:37 PM
I mentioned this in the music thread, but has anyone considered contacting Jonathon Coulton? I admit, I have no contacts in the music industry...
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Blitzwing on September 07, 2012, 04:49:39 PM
So, Bill Willingham made me thing of Travis Willingham who made me think of other famous voice actors.

Has anyone checked to see if Tara Strong might be moved by our plight? It's not something she's invested in personally, but I know that she loves her fans. (And boy, does she have her fans.)

I could TOTALLY see Tara Strong getting involved...her Brony fanbase ALONE could move mountains...do eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 07, 2012, 05:12:09 PM
I could TOTALLY see Tara Strong getting involved...her Brony fanbase ALONE could move mountains...do eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

I'm a fan of her work, even if I've somehow managed to avoid that one show that's made her really famous of late. I also like to think that I can write at fair-to-middlin' quality. Before I go fishing on Google like a creeper, does anyone have a good way to contact her directly outside of Twitter? (Brevity is one of the tools of quality writing that eludes me.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 07, 2012, 08:06:13 PM
As I had heard the same - there is actually an amusing story of him fighting the GMs (the rule-enforcing kind because they accused him of stealing the name 'Harry Dresden' for his character and GenericHero-ed him. I so wish that this story is true...

But I digress, I looked up How to contact him and it seems that this only works through his agent. I don't think that I write engaging enough to pass this hurdle, maybe someone with more talent might give it a try?

Apropos talent, no selling yourself short, Mer ... OMG, I just told off MERCEDES LACKEY....  *staggers off to hyperventilate a bit in quiet*

Zos

That's OK.  I'm a grammar/spelling troll at heart.  You have no idea how difficult it is for me not to correct her one, singular typo on the boards... <shotofwhiskey>
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Copper Cockroach on September 07, 2012, 08:26:28 PM
Is anyone else familiar with Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais' comedic muse/peon? I think if someone made "Karl as a video game hero" and sent it to Ricky, he might just retweet it, along with a link perhaps. He has 3 million followers. It would be brilliant if it actually resembled Karl, but that skill is above my costume creator pay grade. Even if he doesn't retweet it, I'd love to see Super Karl.

The thought of Karl Pilkington in a costume, fighting crime in the streets, made me laugh so hard I blew milk out my nose... and I'm not even drinking milk right now!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 07, 2012, 08:29:55 PM
I'm a fan of her work, even if I've somehow managed to avoid that one show that's made her really famous of late. I also like to think that I can write at fair-to-middlin' quality. Before I go fishing on Google like a creeper, does anyone have a good way to contact her directly outside of Twitter? (Brevity is one of the tools of quality writing that eludes me.)
Facebook and Myspace appear to be viable options:  http://www.tarastrong.com/
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 07, 2012, 08:30:49 PM
Facebook and Myspace appear to be viable options:  http://www.tarastrong.com/

Yeeeaaah... But I'm one of those. I saw the site, but I didn't see anything like a direct e-mail.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 07, 2012, 08:35:37 PM
Yeeeaaah... But I'm one of those. I saw the site, but I didn't see anything like a direct e-mail.
I was looking for that too, but nothing jumped out at me.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: rathe101 on September 07, 2012, 09:42:50 PM
Big Banner up top, Lower right hand link... Email ToTs

or.. -> AnimationLover@aol.com

should work for Tara Strong, pulled it off her website at least.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 07, 2012, 09:47:22 PM
Big Banner up top, Lower right hand link... Email ToTs

or.. -> AnimationLover@aol.com

should work for Tara Strong, pulled it off her website at least.
Oh yeah.  Now I see it. (http://captionsearch.com/pix/thumb/9qf6hw0kz-t.jpg)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 07, 2012, 09:54:31 PM
Yeeeaaah... But I'm one of those. I saw the site, but I didn't see anything like a direct e-mail.

Our resident celebrity might feel differently about this, but the one celebrity I know takes great pains to make himself unreachable, personally. He is VERY busy, tho, so, what little free time he does get, he wants to be able to spend with family and friends or song writing.

Point being, I would be surprised if someone who has a couple million plus Twitter followers is going to have an email address on their website, at least not checked by them, personally.  The only exception that comes to mind was Bruce Campbell, back in the pre-Twitter days when he was more hands-on with his own website.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 07, 2012, 10:01:53 PM
Oh yeah.  Now I see it. (http://captionsearch.com/pix/thumb/9qf6hw0kz-t.jpg)

My powers of observation are unmatched! Eh, heh, heh...  :-[
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 08, 2012, 01:20:18 AM
Our resident celebrity might feel differently about this, but the one celebrity I know takes great pains to make himself unreachable, personally. He is VERY busy, tho, so, what little free time he does get, he wants to be able to spend with family and friends or song writing.

Point being, I would be surprised if someone who has a couple million plus Twitter followers is going to have an email address on their website, at least not checked by them, personally.  The only exception that comes to mind was Bruce Campbell, back in the pre-Twitter days when he was more hands-on with his own website.

Actually I generally only come out of the broom closet for specific, small communities.  I don't have a publicly available email address, I don't have contact information on my website and (shhhhhhhhhhh) I don't handle my FB page, someone else does.

The reason for this is simple: despite having an FAQ up, no one (or at least, not one of the people who should) ever seems to read it.  Now, I can answer the 5000000000000000000000000000000000000 iteration of "Are Companions really angels?" or I can actually write something.  You know, stuff I am paid to write.  So I can pay bills.

Within the small communities where I do operate openly, I know that you folks are mostly not too stupid to read the FAQ going to invite me into discussions of things that are interesting.

That will be the case with the vast majority of celebrity types.  It's not that they don't want to, it's that the clueless wonders would devour every spare nanosecond of their time.

However if you are demonstrably clever enough to find the work around, most of the celebs I know are at least gracious enough to get you some kind of answer.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 08, 2012, 02:47:34 AM
I always thought the best thing to do was treat a celebrity type just like anyone else. Don't ask stupid questions, be respectful, and stick to the topic at hand rather than zoning off into drooling fandom. :) Because drooling fans are bloody SCARY! (Don't ask about drooling LARP player fanzombies...Just don't...and dear GODS don't ask me about how to build a chantry or how the Tremere Pyramid really works...AGAIN...)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ROBOKiTTY on September 08, 2012, 04:38:23 AM
I went to the library to look for some of your books, and I saw that they were in a section I hadn't seen before, called 'Speed Reads'. I went and asked about those, and that turned out to be a new category for making highly-requested items more accessible; they could only be taken out for a short period of time, could not be reserved, and came with huge late fees. In that small section, I spied a book I'd tried to get in the past but couldn't because the reserve queue extended 18 months. =^o^=
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 08, 2012, 05:40:47 AM
Stay on target.....stay on target....

I'm working on the "my people talking to your people" angle for Jim Butcher.

We are waiting until we have enough for the basis for a real article before talking to Cory Doctorow (whom we both know, though Larry is now an Official BoingBoing Source so he will probably be the front man).  Right now this isn't *yet* a movement.  In fact...well let me quote Larry in his IM to me just now.

"When there is something really happening, then sure, but right now the beginning and end of it is, 'Something we don't like happened and we're really upset!'  It isn't a movement or, honestly, a novelty.
Larry: Again not being a dick, just saying.  Cory is the guy who wrote "I don't care" as a PW article, after all.  It has to have catch & grab.  There isn't enough happening with all this that is newsworthy yet."

Don't give up, keep working every angle. 

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 05:56:44 AM
Stay on target.....stay on target....

I'm working on the "my people talking to your people" angle for Jim Butcher.

We are waiting until we have enough for the basis for a real article before talking to Cory Doctorow (whom we both know, though Larry is now an Official BoingBoing Source so he will probably be the front man).  Right now this isn't *yet* a movement.  In fact...well let me quote Larry in his IM to me just now.

"When there is something really happening, then sure, but right now the beginning and end of it is, 'Something we don't like happened and we're really upset!'  It isn't a movement or, honestly, a novelty.
Larry: Again not being a dick, just saying.  Cory is the guy who wrote "I don't care" as a PW article, after all.  It has to have catch & grab.  There isn't enough happening with all this that is newsworthy yet."

Don't give up, keep working every angle.

All right, let's make it newsworthy.  In a good way, of course.  Let's not have anyone flying off the handle.  But... what should we do that we aren't doing now?

If these people don't think we have a true story yet, NCSoft probably isn't going to feel pressured to do anything about it.  We need this.  How do we get it?  Ideas, anyone?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 08, 2012, 06:15:26 AM
One article Forbes has published about video games:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2012/03/27/mass-effect-3-protesters-sending-cupcakes-to-bioware/

Journalists are a type of bird, readily attracted to shiny objects, fear, crowds, blood, and other journalists.  We need to give them photo ops and drama or comedy, and there's no sympathetic drama to our story yet and no real comedy.

Find a cute dying kid who plays this game and says the darnedest things and we're gold.  Short of that... build your twitter following and flyer your local comic book shop.  We've got at least six weeks to try the slow way; after that, somebody's gonna have to make a bomb threat or start walking around NYC in a twine and spandex Diabolique costume.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 08, 2012, 06:25:28 AM
tl;dr : For the love of CITATION NEEDED, we need a/v media creators.  Please.  Please, please, please.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 06:27:40 AM
tl;dr : For the love of CITATION NEEDED, we need a/v media creators.  Please.  Please, please, please.
Yes, we do.  Badly.  Flashy videos are easy for people to watch, easy to spam, and attractive.

Although I like the Diabolique costume idea >.>
I volunteer Jack.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Aggelakis on September 08, 2012, 06:43:42 AM
Journalists are a type of bird, readily attracted to shiny objects, fear, crowds, blood, and other journalists.
I literally laughed out loud at this and scared my fraidy cat enough that he tooted as he ran under the desk. That just made me howl with laughter, which I think scared him even worse.

Thank you. I *really* needed that.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 08, 2012, 06:44:50 AM
That's good!  I was just about to ask you something: who primarily operates the Titan Networks twitter feed, and could they be persuaded to start a Titan YouTube channel?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Aggelakis on September 08, 2012, 06:48:43 AM
Eabrace is the semi-noob at the Twitter wheel. It's entirely possible we could set up a YouTube channel, but other than commenting and posting a silly video of my cat (because it's a requirement to feed the youtube cat gods), I have no idea how YouTube works. :x
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 08, 2012, 06:49:16 AM
Yes, we do.  Badly.  Flashy videos are easy for people to watch, easy to spam, and attractive.

Although I like the Diabolique costume idea >.>
I volunteer Jack.

Well, that escalated quickly...
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 07:11:37 AM
Well, that escalated quickly...
Problems?  I see none :P

Press is press!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 07:15:30 AM
Eabrace is the semi-noob at the Twitter wheel. It's entirely possible we could set up a YouTube channel, but other than commenting and posting a silly video of my cat (because it's a requirement to feed the youtube cat gods), I have no idea how YouTube works. :x
I have a vague idea, and I have someone who can help me (Youtuber with 5000+ subs).  But I have ZERO skill in editing/making videos.  I can talk into a webcam, that's about it.  I'd be willing to manage it, but I wouldn't be making much that I haven't already made. 



Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: jacknomind on September 08, 2012, 07:19:05 AM
Just the channel, for tonight.  I don't know exactly what we're going to upload yet, but we need to at least start down the road.

(I made one at youtube.com/CoHNoMind .  There's nothing there.  I've never so much as taken a playthrough video before; this is going to take me some time.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Aggelakis on September 08, 2012, 07:20:10 AM
I don't even know how you go about creating a channel. Just make a new user? I have no idea. lol
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 07:25:37 AM
I don't even know how you go about creating a channel. Just make a new user? I have no idea. lol
Yes, simply make a new account.  New email, etc.  Proceed to decorate (which I do not know how to do, but I have a friend who may be able to help me learn if no one else can).  Then we start uploading.

A good idea would be to find all Save CoH videos and sharing them on the channel.  Add them to favorites or a playlist.  It'll give us some substance.  Here are a few I know of:

(my own)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-kCP-igzdg&list=HL1347088380&feature=mh_lolz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrVpj0F_KE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYwmE-FchKk
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 08, 2012, 09:01:32 AM
you can add my video to the list http://youtu.be/gAJlQ6o8p9g

But I'd like to suggest splitting the thread at JackNoMind's post ("One article Forbes has published about video games:..."), and create a new one with it (title: "Call to Action: Content sharing website occupation" ?) or merge it into the "social media" one. We're derailing the Star Power thread with this youtube discussion, but it deserves continuation.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 09:02:49 AM
you can add my video to the list http://youtu.be/gAJlQ6o8p9g

But I'd like to suggest splitting the thread at JackNoMind's post ("One article Forbes has published about video games:..."), and create a new one with it (title: "Call to Action: Content sharing website occupation" ?) or merge it into the "social media" one. We're derailing the Star Power thread with this youtube discussion, but it deserves continuation.
Ah, this was yours!  Well done, sir. 
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 08, 2012, 09:03:29 AM
Ah, this was yours!  Well done, sir.
For great justice.

^^
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 08, 2012, 09:14:02 AM
Failing a sick kid who doesn't want his toon to die....(cynical?  Oh, a tad)

Could we get flash mobs at game stores, game rooms at conventions and even in front of Paragon Studios of zombie superheroes and villains doing the Thriller then flashing the "Save City of Heroes" signs then falling down (briefly) dead?  Suggested this in another thread.  You could recruit friends and local dance classes for it, everyone wants to be in a YouTube video (and dance classes have lots of spandex on hand).  Bonus points for spandex-worthy girls and guys in the front of the mob.

To make this newsworthy we have GOT to get this out of the virtual world and into the real world, and soon.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Tiberian Fiend on September 08, 2012, 09:21:43 AM
I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned Richard Garriott, yet.  He was an executive producer for CoH, and he has more reason to hate NCSoft than any of us.  His Twitter account is here, (https://twitter.com/RichardGarriott) but I don't have one of my own.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: zoser on September 08, 2012, 09:24:46 AM
Hey Victoria / Mercedes

Speaking of rallys - any chance you can make it to the Unity Rally (http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,4935.0.html)? It will be today (September 8), 5:00pm Eastern (2:00pm Pacific) in Atlas Park on the Virtue server.

Massively will be covering this in a LiveStream, which means there is a good chance for some attention being generated here .... (http://i.massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/city-of-heroes-fans-will-hold-a-protest-rally-at-atlas-park/)

Cheers
Zos
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 08, 2012, 09:26:46 AM
I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned Richard Garriott, yet.  He was an executive producer for CoH, and he has more reason to hate NCSoft as any of us.  His Twitter account is here, (https://twitter.com/RichardGarriott) but I don't have one of my own.
I broke one of my most sacred rules, went to a dark place in my heart, and found the will to make one.  I love this game that much.  I don't know how much I'm helping, but I like to feel like I'm doing something!

Anywho, I'll tweet at him.  I could use the practice.  Though many people tweeting at him would be more effective, so join me!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 08, 2012, 02:56:33 PM
Eabrace is the semi-noob at the Twitter wheel. It's entirely possible we could set up a YouTube channel, but other than commenting and posting a silly video of my cat (because it's a requirement to feed the youtube cat gods), I have no idea how YouTube works. :x
I think a YouTube channel would be pretty cool, but I've only posted one video ever on YouTube and have no idea how to set any of that up.  Now, normally, I'd say I'd be willing to give that a shot, but driving the Twitter feed has become an all-consuming task with the rate at which information is flying around right now, so someone else would have to handle that.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 08, 2012, 03:51:36 PM
Scrolling through Facebook just a minute ago and this popped up:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HelpSaveCoH

Is that something we could jump on board with?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 08, 2012, 04:00:00 PM
Basically, Youtube isn't like Facebook or twitter, you can't post a message or anything on the "wall" of anybody else, just comments. There is no aggregating feed. Because it's a publicizing tool. The one owning the account has full control on its "channel", where are posted his "likes" (called differently on youtube), what he adds to his favourites, and his created videos. So unless we get in touch with the owner, that has only been reposting old videos of the official ParagonStudios/City Of Heroes channel (which is generally considered stealing on Youtube), we can't exploit that.

Better create a new account, and why not named shorter, like SaveCOH (like thetwitter feed and the bit.ly petition link)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 08, 2012, 04:03:23 PM
Scrolling through Facebook just a minute ago and this popped up:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HelpSaveCoH

Is that something we could jump on board with?

At present, it isn't much more than a base to work off of. But it is a base to work off of, and its sparseness really works to our advantage--if they haven't said much, they haven't said much that anyone can take offense to, either. We should approach the channel regarding an alliance, if they're not already secretly among us.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Bramphousian on September 08, 2012, 04:13:27 PM
I have reached out to known nerd-comedians Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn and Patton Oswalt. Admittedly, it was via twitter, but I am hoping they can help get the word out, at the very least.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 08, 2012, 07:39:50 PM
Hey Victoria / Mercedes

Speaking of rallys - any chance you can make it to the Unity Rally (http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,4935.0.html)? It will be today (September 8), 5:00pm Eastern (2:00pm Pacific) in Atlas Park on the Virtue server.

Massively will be covering this in a LiveStream, which means there is a good chance for some attention being generated here .... (http://i.massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/city-of-heroes-fans-will-hold-a-protest-rally-at-atlas-park/)

Cheers
Zos

Standing there at 3:30 EST
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ROBOKiTTY on September 09, 2012, 05:40:37 AM
Not stars per se, but the Free Software Foundation (http://www.fsf.org/) gave significant help to the Free Ryzom Campaign. It didn't succeed initially, but Ryzom was reacquired and made open source. In the same vein, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (https://www.eff.org/) is worth seeking help from. Past/present donors especially should contact them to lend us more weight.

If we could get recognition from some of the big names in the FOSS community in the process, so much the better.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dr Shadow on September 09, 2012, 06:28:07 PM
http://www.dealspwn.com/neil-gaiman-john-wright-john-kovalic-mercedes-lackey-support-save-city-heroes-campaign-113562
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Omega Mark V on September 09, 2012, 06:32:19 PM
http://www.dealspwn.com/neil-gaiman-john-wright-john-kovalic-mercedes-lackey-support-save-city-heroes-campaign-113562

Amazing. We've come so far for our efforts!

Let's keep it up!

I'll continue to stand as a beacon for our efforts on Protector's server at Atlas Park every day I can.

"I stand for our City Of Heroes. #SaveCoH"

Omega Mk. V, out.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dr Shadow on September 09, 2012, 06:35:32 PM
No idea of tweets of supports from celebs are helpful..but


Christina Boulard ‏@ChristinaBWho
@SeanAstin CoH is #CityOfHeroes. A MMO that I've playedfor 8 years. NCSoft has decided to shut it down & the community is rallying 2 save it
 Retweeted by Sean Astin
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dr Shadow on September 09, 2012, 06:44:04 PM
Failing a sick kid who doesn't want his toon to die....(cynical?  Oh, a tad)

As cynical as they may be it's the truth. Get a sick kid, and say, Make a Wish Foundation behind us and NcSoft would look like a big bully.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 09, 2012, 07:26:21 PM
Failing a sick kid who doesn't want his toon to die....(cynical?  Oh, a tad)

To make this newsworthy we have GOT to get this out of the virtual world and into the real world, and soon.

Um...Actually...

Does a pair of autistic kids who used COH as a tool for speech therapy help much? They don't play much anymore, but they were REALLY huge players during their non-verbal periods. And developed a pretty good amount of language from playing it, listening to the Cape, and talking on the Cape...

(I am actually including that in my paper letter, which I'm working on. And they're going to be REALLY heartbroken to hear that their heroes are going to be shut down, even if they aren't really playing much right this minute.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 09, 2012, 08:56:28 PM
(crossposted from another thread)

First off, this post is NOT meant to discourage you guys.  Just remember we have to deal in facts as well as hope.

Larry did some fact-checking and money-tracing (he's the brains of our operation, I just do the heavy-word-lifting).  This is what he found.

The essence of it all appears to be as simple as this: NCsoft is owned by Nexon Co. Ltd., and Nexon has a record of only being interested in what benefits Asian gamers, and last quarter, their push was heavy East and EU.

Paragon Studios employed 80 people.  Nexon employs 3,400.  City made $800k clear profit a month.  Nexon's quarterly was $242 million, and their latest 1 of 60 MMOs registered 3 million players in China last month.  Nexon has been at a steady $1.1 to $1.2 billion dollar company for 3 years.

As big as CoH has been to us, City wasn't even a blip seen from Tokyo and Seoul.  Someone 5,000 miles away (who likely never played any game the corporation owns---and even their largest shareholder only has a 21 percent share) said "reduce North American assets," and this happened.  And with a billion people in China as a market for Nexon's free-to-play/micropayment 2D MMOs versus a highly-technical American-based 3D MMO, they saw no reason to bother (or, really, even take notice).

THIS SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE YOU, especially from writing letters.  But I would suggest to turn the request to NCSoft to "Please consider keeping the game and Paragon Studios--or at least partial staff--running until a new buyer can be found."  there are good economic reasons for this--even at half profit because of dropped subscribers over this, $400k a month is not to be sneezed at for something you are going to sell off anyway, not to mention something you were intending to dump flat.  It's like renting out the house you intend to sell, except that the renters know they are just going to be changing landlords, not getting booted.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ryuplaneswalker on September 10, 2012, 02:30:57 AM
(crossposted from another thread)

First off, this post is NOT meant to discourage you guys.  Just remember we have to deal in facts as well as hope.

Larry did some fact-checking and money-tracing (he's the brains of our operation, I just do the heavy-word-lifting).  This is what he found.

The essence of it all appears to be as simple as this: NCsoft is owned by Nexon Co. Ltd., and Nexon has a record of only being interested in what benefits Asian gamers, and last quarter, their push was heavy East and EU.

Paragon Studios employed 80 people.  Nexon employs 3,400.  City made $800k clear profit a month.  Nexon's quarterly was $242 million, and their latest 1 of 60 MMOs registered 3 million players in China last month.  Nexon has been at a steady $1.1 to $1.2 billion dollar company for 3 years.

As big as CoH has been to us, City wasn't even a blip seen from Tokyo and Seoul.  Someone 5,000 miles away (who likely never played any game the corporation owns---and even their largest shareholder only has a 21 percent share) said "reduce North American assets," and this happened.  And with a billion people in China as a market for Nexon's free-to-play/micropayment 2D MMOs versus a highly-technical American-based 3D MMO, they saw no reason to bother (or, really, even take notice).

THIS SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE YOU, especially from writing letters.  But I would suggest to turn the request to NCSoft to "Please consider keeping the game and Paragon Studios--or at least partial staff--running until a new buyer can be found."  there are good economic reasons for this--even at half profit because of dropped subscribers over this, $400k a month is not to be sneezed at for something you are going to sell off anyway, not to mention something you were intending to dump flat.  It's like renting out the house you intend to sell, except that the renters know they are just going to be changing landlords, not getting booted.

800K a month? really that is actually not a bad amount of profit for a very small studio like that to be making, Did Larry happen to find out the developmental costs that Paragon Studios had? I would love to see the Profit Margins as a whole.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Tannim222 on September 10, 2012, 02:50:53 AM
Two things.

First being, that 800k in clear profit a month, are we to assume that "clear profit" is to mean after known expenses?

Second, my 5 year old son is deaf and hard of hearing and learned a lot of language sitting with me playing City of Heroes. Other games I've played don't hold his attention as well as CoX does. I doubt he woud've picked up as many words with another game as he has with this one. I've considered putting that in my letter, but am leary of using my son's deafness as a means of gain. I know that saying the game helped him learn to talk is a positive message for the game, I'm a little sensitive about my kid and wouldn't want to unintentionally create a sense of pity for him.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 10, 2012, 02:58:05 AM
Two things.

First being, that 800k in clear profit a month, are we to assume that "clear profit" is to mean after known expenses?

Second, my 5 year old son is deaf and hard of hearing and learned a lot of language sitting with me playing City of Heroes. Other games I've played don't hold his attention as well as CoX does. I doubt he woud've picked up as many words with another game as he has with this one. I've considered putting that in my letter, but am leary of using my son's deafness as a means of gain. I know that saying the game helped him learn to talk is a positive message for the game, I'm a little sensitive about my kid and wouldn't want to unintentionally create a sense of pity for him.

Frame it as a positive statement of growth and learning through the medium of the game, as an ideal medium to appeal to learning-impaired children. Kids LOVE superheroes. COH has a more realistic-looking graphics set than the other games, and thus is better suited to both social stories and word/speech practice. It's something that the sword and sorcery games don't provide, because they are less likely to appeal to kids in the 2-5 age range. The situations in COH are simple enough to explain to a small child, and sophisticated enough to provide good social learning to an older 6-9 year old. I'd been planning on picking it up again with my eldest to help him work through some of the problems with action/consequence and social thinking he's been having.

Some folks here may remember the Counting Cape station ID that was used in 2006-7, which had a small child counting to 10. That was one of the first times my oldest actually counted out loud to 10. (Yes, that was my son.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dr Shadow on September 10, 2012, 02:58:31 AM
My son is 9 and plays CoH.  He has a genetic condition with a very long name. Like you I've been leery of using him. I've mentioned to others he is the reason I've joined this fight. He will never ride a bike, never play sports, and never run in a game of tag, But in City of Heroes he can fly.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ROBOKiTTY on September 10, 2012, 03:27:18 AM
My son is 9 and plays CoH.  He has a genetic condition with a very long name. Like you I've been leery of using him. I've mentioned to others he is the reason I've joined this fight. He will never ride a bike, never play sports, and never run in a game of tag, But in City of Heroes he can fly.

Upon seeing this, my pellucid globular lumino-incandescence receptors were inundated with free-flowing, non-gaseous saliferous molecules. I rebooted.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 10, 2012, 04:09:52 AM
(crossposted from another thread)

First off, this post is NOT meant to discourage you guys.  Just remember we have to deal in facts as well as hope.

Larry did some fact-checking and money-tracing (he's the brains of our operation, I just do the heavy-word-lifting).  This is what he found.

The essence of it all appears to be as simple as this: NCsoft is owned by Nexon Co. Ltd., and Nexon has a record of only being interested in what benefits Asian gamers, and last quarter, their push was heavy East and EU.

Paragon Studios employed 80 people.  Nexon employs 3,400.  City made $800k clear profit a month.  Nexon's quarterly was $242 million, and their latest 1 of 60 MMOs registered 3 million players in China last month.  Nexon has been at a steady $1.1 to $1.2 billion dollar company for 3 years.

As big as CoH has been to us, City wasn't even a blip seen from Tokyo and Seoul.  Someone 5,000 miles away (who likely never played any game the corporation owns---and even their largest shareholder only has a 21 percent share) said "reduce North American assets," and this happened.  And with a billion people in China as a market for Nexon's free-to-play/micropayment 2D MMOs versus a highly-technical American-based 3D MMO, they saw no reason to bother (or, really, even take notice).

THIS SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE YOU, especially from writing letters.  But I would suggest to turn the request to NCSoft to "Please consider keeping the game and Paragon Studios--or at least partial staff--running until a new buyer can be found."  there are good economic reasons for this--even at half profit because of dropped subscribers over this, $400k a month is not to be sneezed at for something you are going to sell off anyway, not to mention something you were intending to dump flat.  It's like renting out the house you intend to sell, except that the renters know they are just going to be changing landlords, not getting booted.

Thanks for the info, my friend.

I spent a lot of time working out possible theories as to reasons for the shutdown and this is definitely the most likely and also the most difficult to overcome.  Summary: they knew what they were losing and decided it was worth it.

This realigns our focus to "make NOISE~!" because we want them to feel the negative effects of doing this so much so that they reconsider.  Just gotta keep pushing, we'll get it. 
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 10, 2012, 04:14:10 AM
My son is 9 and plays CoH.  He has a genetic condition with a very long name. Like you I've been leery of using him. I've mentioned to others he is the reason I've joined this fight. He will never ride a bike, never play sports, and never run in a game of tag, But in City of Heroes he can fly.

....I just ran out of Kleenex again, dammit.

I hate to say this, but your son is exactly the "sick kid" we've been looking for. 

Explain to him what is going on.  Ask him if he is willing to help.

It's up to you and your son if you want to do this, but a YouTube of you explaining about his condition while he plays CoH behind you, ending with you saying "Please, for my son, don't shut this game down.  He will never ride a bike, never play sports, and never run in a game of tag, But in City of Heroes he can fly"....

The writer in me is fist-pumping while I wipe my eyes again.
 
There have to be more kids like him out there.  You're doing this for him, and for them. 

If you do this, post the link to it here, and we start sending NCSoft and every media outlet we know the link and the explanation.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Tannim222 on September 10, 2012, 04:15:40 AM
Please don't mistake me, CoH has been nothing but a positive experience for my son. He's learned new words, learned how to read new words, the concept of creating a character and giving it a name (he's drawn known heroes such as batman, spider man etc..but after playing with the character creator he's run off to draw his creation). The playing environment is such that I know when I put "child at keyboard with parent", people will be respectful.

I could go on about the positive aspects, but in the end once I bring up him being deaf, it kind of makes me feel like I'm using his deafness to gain attention. Could I leave that out, sure. But the truth of the matter is, the average deaf american has the reading level of a fourth grade child. Currently, my son is reading at his age level and one of the few of his age group at his school who can. CoH is a part of that, and just typing that brings a smile to my face. But the thought of sending out a letter with the intent on changing someone's mind with the use of his deafness in part of the impact, makes a small part of me feel like that's wrong.

It may be just the constant sense of guilt that follows a parent of a child with a disability (if anyone who is in the deaf community please forgive my use of the term), but it's what has stalled me in placing that part of my CoH experience in a letter.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 10, 2012, 04:20:30 AM
Please don't mistake me, CoH has been nothing but a positive experience for my son. He's learned new words, learned how to read new words, the concept of creating a character and giving it a name (he's drawn known heroes such as batman, spider man etc..but after playing with the character creator he's run off to draw his creation). The playing environment is such that I know when I put "child at keyboard with parent", people will be respectful.

I could go on about the positive aspects, but in the end once I bring up him being deaf, it kind of makes me feel like I'm using his deafness to gain attention. Could I leave that out, sure. But the truth of the matter is, the average deaf american has the reading level of a fourth grade child. Currently, my son is reading at his age level and one of the few of his age group at his school who can. CoH is a part of that, and just typing that brings a smile to my face. But the thought of sending out a letter with the intent on changing someone's mind with the use of his deafness in part of the impact, makes a small part of me feel like that's wrong.

It may be just the constant sense of guilt that follows a parent of a child with a disability (if anyone who is in the deaf community please forgive my use of the term), but it's what has stalled me in placing that part of my CoH experience in a letter.

It's also the parent in you not wanting to make things harder on a kid that already has only half a meal on his plate. 

I am not going to urge you one way or the other.  I would say, ask HIM if this is something he wants you to do.  He's old enough to be told what is going on and to make a decision about HIS condition.

If he says "I want to help," then it becomes his decision, not yours, and you can proceed guilt-free.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 10, 2012, 04:26:18 AM
Please don't mistake me, CoH has been nothing but a positive experience for my son. He's learned new words, learned how to read new words, the concept of creating a character and giving it a name (he's drawn known heroes such as batman, spider man etc..but after playing with the character creator he's run off to draw his creation). The playing environment is such that I know when I put "child at keyboard with parent", people will be respectful.

I could go on about the positive aspects, but in the end once I bring up him being deaf, it kind of makes me feel like I'm using his deafness to gain attention. Could I leave that out, sure. But the truth of the matter is, the average deaf american has the reading level of a fourth grade child. Currently, my son is reading at his age level and one of the few of his age group at his school who can. CoH is a part of that, and just typing that brings a smile to my face. But the thought of sending out a letter with the intent on changing someone's mind with the use of his deafness in part of the impact, makes a small part of me feel like that's wrong.

It may be just the constant sense of guilt that follows a parent of a child with a disability (if anyone who is in the deaf community please forgive my use of the term), but it's what has stalled me in placing that part of my CoH experience in a letter.

Let me... disclaim... before I get to my point.  I'm no stranger to being labeled as a walking spectacle or representation of someone I am not (anyone who may have read my posts closely close, and/or put one and one together, might I have picked up that I am gay).  It sucks when you just want to be seen as a person rather than deaf, or whatever else it is.  I can tell you feel this for your son.  That can't be easy.  It puts you in an even more difficult situation because it's not you that you're speaking for, but your son.

Being said, I have faith that no one here will make you use this angle.  It wouldn't be right for anyone to tread on your conscious like that.  However, this is an extremely compelling point to make.  I won't lie, it could make a real impact if you choose to move forward with it.  But it's your choice.  Don't let anyone bully you.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Tannim222 on September 10, 2012, 04:40:52 AM
Thanks Victoria and emu265. I will have to think on it some more. Explaining it to him would be rather difficult even though he's almost six, his over-all language is probably that of a four year old. So I could explain that someone is making CoH going away, but if I tell them why he liked it so much, they might give it back. That's probably as simple as I could put it for him. He doesn't even identify himself as deaf. He using a hearing aid and cochlear implant, goes to a special school for hearing impaired kids that are all like him, and has made tremendous strides language wise and socially in the year and several months that he's been there.

He understands that he's different, but has a hero's worth of self-confidence. Recently he told a class of 22 third grade children to stop laughing when he was trying to repeat their names. They weren't actually laughing at him, but more due to having the "cute kid" in their class. He still got them all to promptly stop laughing and went on about his business as if nothing happend afterward.

Lilabird, that brought tears to my eyes.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Terwyn on September 10, 2012, 04:41:20 AM
I myself am somewhat autistic. CoX has long been my primary social outlet, and has in fact helped me to establish a greater trust in my own voice in the real world. I've been rather hesitant about being vocal about that fact, considering that it is quite difficult to describe the experience.

I'm slowly working on my own document to assist this project.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: NecrotechMaster on September 10, 2012, 04:54:51 AM
(crossposted from another thread)

First off, this post is NOT meant to discourage you guys.  Just remember we have to deal in facts as well as hope.

Larry did some fact-checking and money-tracing (he's the brains of our operation, I just do the heavy-word-lifting).  This is what he found.

The essence of it all appears to be as simple as this: NCsoft is owned by Nexon Co. Ltd., and Nexon has a record of only being interested in what benefits Asian gamers, and last quarter, their push was heavy East and EU.

Paragon Studios employed 80 people.  Nexon employs 3,400.  City made $800k clear profit a month.  Nexon's quarterly was $242 million, and their latest 1 of 60 MMOs registered 3 million players in China last month.  Nexon has been at a steady $1.1 to $1.2 billion dollar company for 3 years.

As big as CoH has been to us, City wasn't even a blip seen from Tokyo and Seoul.  Someone 5,000 miles away (who likely never played any game the corporation owns---and even their largest shareholder only has a 21 percent share) said "reduce North American assets," and this happened.  And with a billion people in China as a market for Nexon's free-to-play/micropayment 2D MMOs versus a highly-technical American-based 3D MMO, they saw no reason to bother (or, really, even take notice).

THIS SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE YOU, especially from writing letters.  But I would suggest to turn the request to NCSoft to "Please consider keeping the game and Paragon Studios--or at least partial staff--running until a new buyer can be found."  there are good economic reasons for this--even at half profit because of dropped subscribers over this, $400k a month is not to be sneezed at for something you are going to sell off anyway, not to mention something you were intending to dump flat.  It's like renting out the house you intend to sell, except that the renters know they are just going to be changing landlords, not getting booted.

this is some very interesting information.  coh while it was making a profit, compared to the rest of the company was a drop in the bucket

since they are primarily focusing on the Asian gamer population, i think if we could convince them to sell it would be able to work

key points would be:

so lets say coh was making $800k quarterly after expenses, if they were willing to sell rights to coh for $800k-1mil  then they would basically get 1 quarter more of revenue from coh and then they wouldnt have to worry about using legal power to try to maintain control over those rights and focus more on their asian games

we still need to hear statements from ncsoft regarding this situation and if they are willing to sell.  honestly though with your declaration that you would be an unpaid spokesperson for their games, NOT selling would be a pretty stupid option since they are giving up free publicity
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 10, 2012, 05:21:02 AM
OK, I just started a new thread, "Testimonials" for those of you who don't want to exploit your/your child's condition publicly, but at the same time, know how much the game has helped you/them.  We're going to aggregate anonymous testimonials.  Go!  Post!  Make me cry!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: zoser on September 10, 2012, 05:48:38 AM
Smarter people than I have already said all that can be said about going public with the truly heart-wrenching stories parents have told here - I just want to add that I now more than ever hope that the NCSOFT people have a heart somewhere and keep the game alive!

Thank you and Larry in particular for diving into the NCSOFT financials and working this out. It is quite interesting that Nexon basically only cares about the Asian market ... does anyone think that it would make sense that we try and reach out to the gaming community and/or gaming sites over there to try and get them to join our cause or at least report on it? We would need the necessary language skills, of course ...

Zos
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dr Shadow on September 10, 2012, 05:51:11 AM
Explain to him what is going on.  Ask him if he is willing to help.


He knows what's going on, and I have no doubt he would be willing to help. ( Now, to convince daddy.) He was devastated when I told him.  If I can do this, the problem with him is he is very dramatic. Overly so. Especially if he has an audience.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 10, 2012, 06:45:23 AM
Explain to him what is going on.  Ask him if he is willing to help.


He knows what's going on, and I have no doubt he would be willing to help. ( Now, to convince daddy.) He was devastated when I told him.  If I can do this, the problem with him is he is very dramatic. Overly so. Especially if he has an audience.

Damn it, the poor baby....reaching for Kleenex again...

OK the thing to do is to have him playing CoX in the background without him knowing you are recording.  Or at least, without being aware that he is part of the recording.  Say your speech.  Play it back to him and get his OK.  Then post it.

Also please post your story over on the Testimonials thread. 
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ryuplaneswalker on September 10, 2012, 03:45:15 PM
this is some very interesting information.  coh while it was making a profit, compared to the rest of the company was a drop in the bucket

since they are primarily focusing on the Asian gamer population, i think if we could convince them to sell it would be able to work

key points would be:
  • this game while still profitable was not profitable enough to them so they could receive money for selling it
  • if this game was sold then it would not be able to compete with anything else the company sells since it appeals to american/european gamers more than asian gamers

so lets say coh was making $800k quarterly after expenses, if they were willing to sell rights to coh for $800k-1mil  then they would basically get 1 quarter more of revenue from coh and then they wouldnt have to worry about using legal power to try to maintain control over those rights and focus more on their asian games

we still need to hear statements from ncsoft regarding this situation and if they are willing to sell.  honestly though with your declaration that you would be an unpaid spokesperson for their games, NOT selling would be a pretty stupid option since they are giving up free publicity

The one really strange thing is that with NCsofts Second Quarter losses it looks to be an incredibly bad idea to get rid of 800K a month revenue source they can use to subsidize other game, also Nexion likely had very little to do with this decision, even as a large shareholder 11% does not exactly wield a great deal of power in shareholder meetings.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Moonfyire101 on September 10, 2012, 03:55:10 PM
I think it's too late for Big Bang Theory as they probly have half the season taped already but your welcome to try, i thought of that too. My dad knows some famous guys cause he was a musician. I asked him to talk to them about it. Havn't heard anthing yet.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 10, 2012, 04:28:53 PM
Nexion likely had very little to do with this decision, even as a large shareholder 11% does not exactly wield a great deal of power in shareholder meetings.
1)  In June, Nexon bumped their holding in NCsoft to 14.7%
2)  That makes them NCsoft's biggest shareholder

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2012/06/08/NY21443

Granted, that's not a 50%+ controlling share, but it does still make them an imposing figure during a meeting of shareholders.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: unladenswallow on September 10, 2012, 07:54:55 PM
This may be a shot in the dark but I worked on Trading Spaces several years ago. Ty Pennington was a pretty big comic book fan as I recall. In fact I gave him an old "Watchmen" T shirt of mine and one of the original smiley face buttons from the promo's they did for the series back in the 80's. He even does some artwork of his own. The last time a spoke to him was almost 10 years ago just before he started hosting Extreme Home Makeover so I have no idea how receptive he would be to supporting us.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 10, 2012, 07:58:49 PM
This may be a shot in the dark but I worked on Trading Spaces several years ago. Ty Pennington was a pretty big comic book fan as I recall. In fact I gave him an old "Watchmen" T shirt of mine and one of the original smiley face buttons from the promo's they did for the series back in the 80's. He even does some artwork of his own. The last time a spoke to him was almost 10 years ago just before he started hosting Extreme Home Makeover so I have no idea how receptive he would be to supporting us.
If he is not keen on making our community a new "home", then let him do his thing.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: unladenswallow on September 10, 2012, 08:11:58 PM
Like I said I don't know. This post was started to list famous people who may be interested in helping us. I'm just adding to the list.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Mister Bison on September 10, 2012, 08:15:23 PM
Like I said I don't know. This post was started to list famous people who may be interested in helping us. I'm just adding to the list.
Like I said, don't insist, but you should try to get in touch with him, since you seem to have got a personnal story with him. That's a killer introduction.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: darkskye on September 10, 2012, 08:55:57 PM
Has anyone thought about Nathan Fillion?  I know he's active in the tweet world, and he I believe loves comics?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: unladenswallow on September 10, 2012, 09:04:54 PM
I'm still in contact with some of the producers and other crew members so I'll run it by them first and see if it's something he may be interested in doing as some of them may have seen him recently. I'll post back here on what kind of response I get, If any.

I'll also contact Paige Davis she was the host for Trading Spaces. She wasn't a comic book fan but her husband is currently playing the Green Goblin in the Broadway play "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark". She's on my friends list on facebook so I can contact her directly and give her some info and Tony V's e-mail address and see if she wouldn't mind passing it along to the cast and crew of the Broadway show.

I haven't spoken to either of them directly in years so I may get nothing but Ill give it a shot.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Sister Leortha on September 10, 2012, 09:08:56 PM
I think it's too late for Big Bang Theory as they probly have half the season taped already but your welcome to try, i thought of that too. My dad knows some famous guys cause he was a musician. I asked him to talk to them about it. Havn't heard anthing yet.

Written maybe, but not taped.  From following Wil Wheaton's blog and his comments about his appearances, it appears that BBT is generally only filming 2-4 weeks ahead of broadcast.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Dr Shadow on September 10, 2012, 09:54:01 PM
Damn it, the poor baby....reaching for Kleenex again...

OK the thing to do is to have him playing CoX in the background without him knowing you are recording.  Or at least, without being aware that he is part of the recording.  Say your speech.  Play it back to him and get his OK.  Then post it.

Also please post your story over on the Testimonials thread.
So we've discussed this and all parties are willing, although there will be some conditions attached.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: LtlBtyRam on September 10, 2012, 10:48:26 PM
*Waves* You csn cross Mercedes Lackey off your list to be contacted, since I'm her.  Did some serious networking at DragonCon (after I stopped crying).  I won't blow sunshine up your derrieres, but the single person in my personal circle of friends that I know can get things done on this scale is aware, is also a player, is furious and is seeing what can be done.

Thank you for all of your support.  If there is anything us regular folks with our alter ego super heroes, please let us know!!
 ;D
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: epawtows on September 10, 2012, 11:30:53 PM
Thank you for all of your support.  If there is anything us regular folks with our alter ego super heroes, please let us know!!
 ;D

She's been a long-time fan of supers.  I believe some CoHers from a little corner of VA used to do PnP Champs games with her, a LONG time ago.

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: LtlBtyRam on September 11, 2012, 12:50:28 AM
Failing a sick kid who doesn't want his toon to die....(cynical?  Oh, a tad)

Could we get flash mobs at game stores, game rooms at conventions and even in front of Paragon Studios of zombie superheroes and villains doing the Thriller then flashing the "Save City of Heroes" signs then falling down (briefly) dead?  Suggested this in another thread.  You could recruit friends and local dance classes for it, everyone wants to be in a YouTube video (and dance classes have lots of spandex on hand).  Bonus points for spandex-worthy girls and guys in the front of the mob.

To make this newsworthy we have GOT to get this out of the virtual world and into the real world, and soon.

Would holding a real life rally at the Austin TX, Seattle WA, and maybe Paragon Studios at the same time be newsworthy enough for real world news?

A few people and I have been discussing this very thing.  I live in Olympia WA and have  a friend who lives in Austin, but don't know anyone (yet) near the Paragon Studio.

Sincerely,
Angela Livermore
aka @Ventus vis Vires on Triumph
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 11, 2012, 12:56:19 AM
Would holding a real life rally at the Austin TX, Seattle WA, and maybe Paragon Studios at the same time be newsworthy enough for real world news?

A few people and I have been discussing this very thing.  I live in Olympia WA and have  a friend who lives in Austin, but don't know anyone (yet) near the Paragon Studio.

Sincerely,
Angela Livermore
aka @Ventus vis Vires on Triumph

Pick what looks to be a slow news day.

Get their "social" reporter to come out with a single cam and cover it.

And when they do, quote some of the stories in the "Testimonial" thread to pull the heartstrings.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: darkskye on September 11, 2012, 01:41:55 AM
Would holding a real life rally at the Austin TX, Seattle WA, and maybe Paragon Studios at the same time be newsworthy enough for real world news?

A few people and I have been discussing this very thing.  I live in Olympia WA and have  a friend who lives in Austin, but don't know anyone (yet) near the Paragon Studio.

Sincerely,
Angela Livermore
aka @Ventus vis Vires on Triumph

It's too bad I'm not closer to Austin.  I'd go.  I'm in Houston, and unfortunately that's too far for me to go.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ryuplaneswalker on September 11, 2012, 05:01:58 AM
1)  In June, Nexon bumped their holding in NCsoft to 14.7%
2)  That makes them NCsoft's biggest shareholder

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2012/06/08/NY21443

Granted, that's not a 50%+ controlling share, but it does still make them an imposing figure during a meeting of shareholders.

Meh, I find it incredibly hard to believe that 90% of the rest of the shareholders were stupid enough to dump a profitable venture, especially a venture capable of funding other projects. This MMO had reached the point of general stability much like all the other older and continuing MMOS, Asheron's Call is over a decade old and still continuing to produce new content.

If I were an NCsoft shareholder because this is a purely bad business move based off the numbers previously posted.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 11, 2012, 05:20:42 AM
Meh, I find it incredibly hard to believe that 90% of the rest of the shareholders were stupid enough to dump a profitable venture, especially a venture capable of funding other projects.
It would have only taken another 35.3% of shares voting with Nexon to gain a majority.  For all we know, the shareholders have been only very narrowly opposed to closing Paragon Studios for quite some time now and the additional shares Nexon purchased in June were enough to swing the vote at the last shareholders' meeting.

Keep in mind that NCsoft is not based in North America and their target markets are largely in Asia.

Yes, it does seem crazy to dump any asset that is bringing in capital, but if they really did make the decision based on realigning their priorities, it's entirely reasonable to assume that the billions of dollars available in the Asian market are far more attractive to them than the money they make in North America and Europe.  If City of Heroes were a viable game in the Asian markets, it's quite likely they would have held on to it.  But we all saw the disaster that happened when they tried to launch City of Hero in South Korea.  City of Heroes just isn't Starcraft.

Television works much the same way.  You may have a show on the air that's getting Emmys left and right for its outstanding writing and cultural commentary, but if the executives at the studio just don't understand it, they'll bury it.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 11, 2012, 07:41:59 AM
It would have only taken another 35.3% of shares voting with Nexon to gain a majority.  For all we know, the shareholders have been only very narrowly opposed to closing Paragon Studios for quite some time now and the additional shares Nexon purchased in June were enough to swing the vote at the last shareholders' meeting.

Keep in mind that NCsoft is not based in North America and their target markets are largely in Asia.

Yes, it does seem crazy to dump any asset that is bringing in capital, but if they really did make the decision based on realigning their priorities, it's entirely reasonable to assume that the billions of dollars available in the Asian market are far more attractive to them than the money they make in North America and Europe.  If City of Heroes were a viable game in the Asian markets, it's quite likely they would have held on to it.  But we all saw the disaster that happened when they tried to launch City of Hero in South Korea.  City of Heroes just isn't Starcraft.

Television works much the same way.  You may have a show on the air that's getting Emmys left and right for its outstanding writing and cultural commentary, but if the executives at the studio just don't understand it, they'll bury it.

Firefly.

Star Trek ToS the FIRST time around.  I mean, come on, moving it to 8 PM on a Friday night?  (Yes I am old enough to have watched ToS the first time, you know.)

Well I have made my attempt to get to Jim Butcher.  Even I have to go through his agent, it seems.   :o
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 11, 2012, 07:45:21 AM
It would have only taken another 35.3% of shares voting with Nexon to gain a majority.  For all we know, the shareholders have been only very narrowly opposed to closing Paragon Studios for quite some time now and the additional shares Nexon purchased in June were enough to swing the vote at the last shareholders' meeting.

Keep in mind that NCsoft is not based in North America and their target markets are largely in Asia.

Yes, it does seem crazy to dump any asset that is bringing in capital, but if they really did make the decision based on realigning their priorities, it's entirely reasonable to assume that the billions of dollars available in the Asian market are far more attractive to them than the money they make in North America and Europe.  If City of Heroes were a viable game in the Asian markets, it's quite likely they would have held on to it.  But we all saw the disaster that happened when they tried to launch City of Hero in South Korea.  City of Heroes just isn't Starcraft.

Television works much the same way.  You may have a show on the air that's getting Emmys left and right for its outstanding writing and cultural commentary, but if the executives at the studio just don't understand it, they'll bury it.

Yeah, that's what we're here to rectify.  NCSoft probably understood the loss it would be taking by cutting Cities, and just decided it wasn't a big deal.  Contrary to what many people say, decisions like cutting an entire studio aren't made on a whim.  Any decision is made with profit in mind and careful consideration of pros and cons.  We're making it a big deal and helping them see that they miscalculated. 
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: TheFlea on September 12, 2012, 03:30:31 PM
Has anyone actually considered Scott Kurtz of PvP? Considering he has written featured AE arcs, the whole CoH arc that PvP had and the fact that that arc was printed and came with the game for a good while should be a sign that there was some love of the game there for him.

Also - with regards to CoH in asian markets...it makes me wonder why they didn't consider Japan as a target rather than Korea and/or China. The superhero genre is a primarily western thing with the exception of Japan who love it to the point where they've incorporated so much of it into their own...
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 12, 2012, 03:31:29 PM
Has anyone actually considered Scott Kurtz of PvP? Considering he has written featured AE arcs, the whole CoH arc that PvP had and the fact that that arc was printed and came with the game for a good while should be a sign that there was some love of the game there for him.
Scott's been mentioning CoH over Twitter the last couple of days.  :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ROBOKiTTY on September 13, 2012, 05:43:40 AM
Also - with regards to CoH in asian markets...it makes me wonder why they didn't consider Japan as a target rather than Korea and/or China. The superhero genre is a primarily western thing with the exception of Japan who love it to the point where they've incorporated so much of it into their own...

That was one thing that bothered me. NC never seemed really that interested in pushing CoX. I'm not sure they even tried the Chinese market. I don't recall hearing about anything other than City of Hero in Korea.

Wuxia has a comparable status in the Chinese-speaking world to superheroes in North America. Hong Kong in particular is pretty receptive to western influences. For example, Tony Yuk-Long Wong, aka Hong Kong's 'King of Comics', was the artist behind Batman: Hong Kong (http://www.lovehkfilm.com/features/comic_batman_hk.htm), and all other works of his are wuxia comics.

http://www.lambiek.net/artists/image/w/wong-yuk-long/tony-wong_1990.jpg

That looks pretty superheroish to me.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Teege on September 13, 2012, 06:34:55 AM
I know I probably don't need to post this but I feel compelled to anyway. Most of the major names that have been tossed around have already been contacted and are aware of what is going on. The ball is in their court whether or not they wish to respond publicly or otherwise and they're certainly not obligated to. One big thing it comes down to is respect. Always thank them for reading your e-mail (or other form of communication) and always thank them when/if they do respond in public.

The other thing is we don't all need to contact them. For an example, I can only imagine Felicia Day's e-mail inbox is flooded and we certainly do not want to annoy any celebrity, reporter, investor, what have you. As many of you know she did mention CoH on Twitter and for that we thank her! She's a great person and I truly feel she gets us, not to mention one of her project's The Guild deals with a group of friends playing an MMO. I'm actually friends with Robin Thorsen who plays Clara (and yes she is informed of this) but that's a story for another day.

Fight on folks!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 14, 2012, 01:19:49 AM
No word back from Jim Butcher, alas.  *Le sigh.*

However I am putting this on my Facebook page:  Also my webpage.

We had just checked into the hotel for DragonCon when we got the news: NCSoft, the parent company of "my" game, City of Heroes, had laid off all 80 employees and would shut the game down for good on November 30.  And for no good reason; City of was firmly in the black, and Paragon Studios was even pursuing new developments, developments that, literally up to the hour of the layoff were supported by NCSoft.

It was like hearing the diagnosis of terminal illness for a friend.

I am not exaggerating here.  Because of the community aspect of the City games (unique in MMORPGs as far as I have been able to determine), I get most of my social contact via the game.  We can play and hang out nightly with my father in law.  I have real world friends I met here, people I wrote fanfiction with, to whose homes I have been invited, and who I have had stay with us.  I have three co-writers I found in that game.  My new Baen series began its life with characters we created for that game.

I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that my writing is the better for it.

Pretty much everyone I have talked to has said "Well, there is nothing like this.  I'm going to stop playing MMORPGs."  Of the few that have said they will continue gaming, none have agreed on a single game to take up.  My community is about to be shattered.  And I certainly have zero interest in playing another game at this point.  I have tried several, and none are this friendly or welcoming.

After I stopped crying...yes, I am not ashamed to say I have been crying over the impending loss of all my friends there...I discovered one of the many boards that is associated with the City games was doing something about it.  Tony Velasquez of CoH Titan wasn't going to just lie down and let the players and devs be walked on.

So, now I'm asking you, my readers; if you want to help me, if you want to do something for me, then do something for us.  Go to http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/board,134.0.html .  Find one of the actions.  Help us out.  Together we can save this game.  We are heroes.  This is what we do.

www.mercedeslackey.com

and for those of you too impatient to wait for a page to load:

(https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/vickievee/Clipboard01-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: darkskye on September 14, 2012, 02:37:36 AM
You're making me cry again, VV

Thank you!!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Teege on September 14, 2012, 03:05:16 AM
Thank you so much for everything you're doing. We have the best people on our side!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: zoser on September 14, 2012, 06:43:26 AM
*runs out of Kleenex once more*

Thank you for everything you have done alreay as well as this heartfelt call out to all your fans, you are amazing.
f we manage to save the CITY, we should petition whoever runs it then for a Hall of Heroes with statues of all notable people of the 'Resistance'. I have at least 5 people from the top of my head that should be there! :)

Zos
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 14, 2012, 07:29:39 AM
VV? I adore you, you wonderful woman, you. Keep up the awesome work, and thank you for all you do.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 14, 2012, 08:48:39 AM
Thanks again, Miss Lackey.  You've done more than anyone could have asked for.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: unladenswallow on September 14, 2012, 09:07:10 AM
I'm still in contact with some of the producers and other crew members so I'll run it by them first and see if it's something he may be interested in doing as some of them may have seen him recently. I'll post back here on what kind of response I get, If any.

I'll also contact Paige Davis she was the host for Trading Spaces. She wasn't a comic book fan but her husband is currently playing the Green Goblin in the Broadway play "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark". She's on my friends list on facebook so I can contact her directly and give her some info and Tony V's e-mail address and see if she wouldn't mind passing it along to the cast and crew of the Broadway show.

I haven't spoken to either of them directly in years so I may get nothing but Ill give it a shot.

I sent a message to a couple of former producers of the show but I have as yet to hear from them. Their schedules usually keep them quite busy for days at a time if I hear anything I'll post an update.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: riff727 on September 14, 2012, 04:51:51 PM
Just a thought but being that we are trying to reach out to whomever we can, and someone may have already thought of this. But what about reaching out for some support from Mark Hamill. i know it may be a long shot, but it may be worth a try. And having the man most people consider to be the ultimate Joker couldn't hurt. Also reaching out to Kevin Smith might not be a bad idea either. Again I know these may be long shots and someone else may have already thought about it and tried, but I just was thinking about this at work and figured I should share.  :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 14, 2012, 08:42:17 PM
My webpage message is going up on the Baen Books website.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 14, 2012, 08:49:27 PM
My webpage message is going up on the Baen Books website.

...so how many more times can I get away with saying "I love you" before it turns creepy/stalker? :P


Seriously though, THANK YOU for all your hard work on this, VV. You are an amazing member of this community.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 14, 2012, 08:53:13 PM
My friend Janis Ian (yes, THE Janis Ian for those of you old enough to remember "Society's Child," "At Seventeen" and "Jesse", Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy winner told me this when I asked if she knew of anyone who might sign up with us or give us some support.

" unfortunately, I get 4-5 requests a week from people I barely know asking me to post things on my page for them, and I always decline. If I do this myself it's going to start a snowball and I'm going to piss off a ton of people, some of whom I really do know and value in my life!
Can you write something short - concentrating on why the game is important to you - and let me post it as coming from you?
I'll be happy to post it."

So as soon as I can (today) I am going to do just that.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: eabrace on September 14, 2012, 08:58:13 PM
<- off to Google Janis Ian...

Edit:  Oh, OK.  I recognize her work, but never really had a name to put with it.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 14, 2012, 09:19:04 PM
(old enough)  :-[
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zombie Hustler on September 15, 2012, 03:38:16 PM
In response to Ms. Lackey's post (and thank you dearly for all that you've been doing and are doing for the community), one of the things that has struck me about all of this is the community aspect. Now, mind, I'm one who largely solos the game for various reasons, but I have been somewhat more active in the offline community via the forums for the last little while (year or so).

To me, the big thing here is that the game *is* a community, not just a game. The fact that it has generated such an interest, that this cancellation has caused such an uproar- something that I don't recall from any other MMO sunsetting- should in and of itself stand out as a pretty noteworthy thing.

In a modern, telecommunication oriented world where the increasing degree of disconnect caused by the developing techonologies is often lauded as one of the great emerging dangers to society, City of Heroes has in a lot of ways done the opposite. Here is a community that developed around an escapist pasttime- video gaming- and yet has become something much more. It has engendered a community of people whose boundaries extend past the game alone, past the virtual connection, and into the real world. Real life, real time get togethers; real life relationships- friendships, marriages (by some testimonials). Many of the developers who worked on the game were originally players themselves.

City of Heroes is certainly not unique in this, mind; World of Warcraft, notably, has engendered a similar community (and I'd expect an outcry like this if that game were to suddenly be cancelled as well); but it is among a very, very tiny group of MMOs that have done such a thing.

In many ways, in my opinion, CoH represents perhaps the "modern" or evolving community in an increasingly technological world- a hybrid of real and virtual. That alone makes it worth fighting for, IMO (not to discount the mass of code and story lore etc, by any means.)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 16, 2012, 12:49:07 AM
I thought MovieBob might be interested in commenting on the Save Paragon City! efforts--after all, what could be weirder than a comics/videogame nerd culture not going into full-blown ragemode at the drop of a hat? I sent him an e-mail.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: emu265 on September 16, 2012, 06:51:47 AM
My friend Janis Ian (yes, THE Janis Ian for those of you old enough to remember "Society's Child," "At Seventeen" and "Jesse", Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy winner told me this when I asked if she knew of anyone who might sign up with us or give us some support.

" unfortunately, I get 4-5 requests a week from people I barely know asking me to post things on my page for them, and I always decline. If I do this myself it's going to start a snowball and I'm going to piss off a ton of people, some of whom I really do know and value in my life!
Can you write something short - concentrating on why the game is important to you - and let me post it as coming from you?
I'll be happy to post it."

So as soon as I can (today) I am going to do just that.
While I am not very familiar with Janis Ian (sorry, only 21 y/o here), I do appreciate her supports, even if it's rather trivial.  Thanks again for the work, Miss Lackey.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 16, 2012, 08:37:08 AM
GU Comics and PvP have both thrown their hats in the rings, folks. Please take some time to thank Scott Kurtz(PvP) and Woody Hearn(GU Comics) for lending their voices and considerable reader bases to our cause.

www.gucomics.com

www.pvponline.com
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 16, 2012, 12:12:06 PM
GU Comics and PvP have both thrown their hats in the rings, folks. Please take some time to thank Scott Kurtz(PvP) and Woody Hearn(GU Comics) for lending their voices and considerable reader bases to our cause.

www.gucomics.com

www.pvponline.com

I couldn't find the "Comments" section to Mr. Kurtz's blog entry to thank him. Am I missing something? :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 16, 2012, 01:39:41 PM
I couldn't find the "Comments" section to Mr. Kurtz's blog entry to thank him. Am I missing something? :)

At the very bottom of the main page of  PvP, there's a "contact us" email hyperlink. :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 16, 2012, 02:05:21 PM
At the very bottom of the main page of  PvP, there's a "contact us" email hyperlink. :)

Ah..ok. Thanks, Drake! :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Elemento on September 16, 2012, 03:05:05 PM
Another person to truly contact is Nicholas Cage who is an avid comic book geek.

In reference to the best person to send to on The Big Bang Theory, I would suggest Chuck Lorre, the show's creator.  You could try any of the actors but he probably would be better.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 17, 2012, 10:28:27 AM
Just remembered one more person that might help because I happened to notice him on gchat and kind of went "D'oh!"

Howard Tayler, creator of the Schlock Mercenary webcomic.  I dunno that he's a gamer, but he's a great guy.  So I just asked him.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: The-Hunter-JLJ on September 17, 2012, 11:33:25 AM
I already tried sending an email to Phil & Kaja Foglio, they are definitely gamers from way back. Also busy as all get out, though.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 17, 2012, 03:22:55 PM
Just remembered one more person that might help because I happened to notice him on gchat and kind of went "D'oh!"

Howard Tayler, creator of the Schlock Mercenary webcomic.  I dunno that he's a gamer, but he's a great guy.  So I just asked him.

You would think I would have thought of him, myself. Oy. What's wrong with my head lately? x.x

Thanks VV, for thinking of what I should have. :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 17, 2012, 08:02:07 PM
Howard Tayler says yes.

We just need to figure out WHAT to put on his blog besides sending people here.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 17, 2012, 09:03:10 PM
Howard Tayler says yes.

We just need to figure out WHAT to put on his blog besides sending people here.

And once we figure out what to say, I nominate our own illustrious Ms. Lackey to compose it (if she's willing).

With her writing skills, she could convince a Hellion to seek counseling for pyromania. :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 17, 2012, 09:24:01 PM
Howard Tayler says yes.

We just need to figure out WHAT to put on his blog besides sending people here.

...so one of my favorite authors, and another favorite author whose podcast has also helped keep me writing, are conspiring together now.

*eyes NCSoft*

Quake with fear.


Seriously, THANK YOU for getting in touch with him, VV. You rock!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: steve1967 on September 17, 2012, 09:48:35 PM
What about Jonathon Coulter?  I have seen him in game before.

I would so love to have a Save COH song earwormed like Skullcrusher Mountain did....
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 18, 2012, 12:01:27 AM
And once we figure out what to say, I nominate our own illustrious Ms. Lackey to compose it (if she's willing).

With her writing skills, she could convince a Hellion to seek counseling for pyromania. :)

I would not even PRESUME to put words in Howard's mouth.

What I meant by "we need to figure out what to say" was "I need to give him sufficient raw material to furnish his own cluster-bomb."  Mission accomplished, I think.  Anyway he says he is going to put a post on his blog.

He's a sweetie and we are mutual fans.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Soundtrack on September 18, 2012, 12:56:33 AM
I would not even PRESUME to put words in Howard's mouth.

What I meant by "we need to figure out what to say" was "I need to give him sufficient raw material to furnish his own cluster-bomb."  Mission accomplished, I think.  Anyway he says he is going to put a post on his blog.

He's a sweetie and we are mutual fans.

Ah! I apologize. I meant no offense and now understand what you meant. :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 18, 2012, 01:24:41 AM
I would not even PRESUME to put words in Howard's mouth.

What I meant by "we need to figure out what to say" was "I need to give him sufficient raw material to furnish his own cluster-bomb."  Mission accomplished, I think.  Anyway he says he is going to put a post on his blog.

He's a sweetie and we are mutual fans.

Will it be a cluster f-bomb (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ClusterFBomb)?  ;D
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 18, 2012, 03:42:42 AM
Will it be a cluster f-bomb (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ClusterFBomb)?  ;D

Likely not. Howard prefers to get the point across without the use of offensive language. :P
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: healix on September 19, 2012, 07:16:17 AM
I understand Kevin Smith is an avid comicbook fan, and has a Twitter account. Has anyone tried to contact him to plead our cause? He seems like an approachable guy.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rae on September 19, 2012, 06:48:27 PM
https://twitter.com/EmpoweredComic/status/248486425849376768

Adam Warren loves us!

https://twitter.com/writergeekrhw/status/246759365468647424

So does Robert Hewitt Wolfe!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: ukaserex on September 19, 2012, 10:33:18 PM
I realize that I live in a cave and don't get a newspaper ---but I've never heard of any of those people.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 19, 2012, 10:36:43 PM
Larry believes we now have enough of a story to go to BoingBoing.  So now I will be spending a bit of time aggregating all the stars that have endorsed us and "our story so far" so he can present it to Cory Doctorow.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 20, 2012, 05:36:16 AM
I realize that I live in a cave and don't get a newspaper ---but I've never heard of any of those people.

Not sure about the other guy, but RHW wrote a lot of Star Trek scripts.  Most of what I know him for is DS9. He seemed to like doing Worf and "O'Brien Must Suffer" stories.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rae on September 20, 2012, 09:15:41 AM
Adam Warren is the artist credited with bringing Manga-style comics to the US. He did the US adaption of Dirty Pair, worked on Gen13 and various Marvel titles and writes the Empowered series for Dark Horse :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Warren
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: StarRanger4 on September 21, 2012, 05:34:22 AM
Adam Warren is the artist credited with bringing Manga-style comics to the US. He did the US adaption of Dirty Pair,

Yeah, Adam Warren I knew for just that reason; Mr Wolfe I did not.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 24, 2012, 03:46:11 PM
This was brought up in the Sunset forums, and I thought it should be mentioned here.

Steve Jackson Games has a very good reputation in the pen and paper gaming industry. They're also a company that keeps products going WELL past their sell-by date. I don't suppose that folks might have contacts with them to discuss possible acquisition of the COH IP and/or potential funding of Plan Z should it come to that? Especially if we can say "Look, this is what we can offer, this is what the game can do for you, we're willing to get product placement in the game for you, can you help us save City of Heroes?"

There is HUGE potential for SJG product placement in COH. Between the books, the CCGs (Munchkin games at the university!!!), and everything else....it may well be an avenue worth exploring. *I* don't have the contacts for that, but perhaps someone here does?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: The-Hunter-JLJ on September 27, 2012, 04:03:29 AM
Wish I'd thought of this earlier. Anyone know who Lindsey Stirling is? Incredibly talented, and apparently a hard-core gamer. These are the two gaming related creations I found quickly, but I believe there's others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSLPH9d-jsI&feature=relmfu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3KUyPKbR7Q&feature=relmfu

http://lindseystirlingviolin.com/

I've enjoyed a lot of her youtube vids and love her music, but have no contact at all other than that. I've just got the gut feeling she might sympathize with the plight of City of Heroes. Even if that does not happen, her musical performances are fun and uplifting and worth pointing out just for the inspiration.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 27, 2012, 04:05:54 AM
Wish I'd thought of this earlier. Anyone know who Lindsey Stirling is? Incredibly talented, and apparently a hard-core gamer. These are the two gaming related creations I found quickly, but I believe there's others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSLPH9d-jsI&feature=relmfu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3KUyPKbR7Q&feature=relmfu

http://lindseystirlingviolin.com/

I've enjoyed a lot of her youtube vids and love her music, but have no contact at all other than that. I've just got the gut feeling she might sympathize with the plight of City of Heroes. Even if that does not happen, her musical performances are fun and uplifting and worth pointing out just for the inspiration.

If we get her on board, see if she can poke Peter Hollens into joining in too. Their collab works are amazing.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: The-Hunter-JLJ on September 27, 2012, 05:05:36 AM
If we get her on board, see if she can poke Peter Hollens into joining in too. Their collab works are amazing.

You said it, brother. But I've no idea how to attract the attention of rising young stars like that. If I did, you think I'd be hangin' around here?  :o
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 27, 2012, 05:25:30 AM
Try Tweeting.  That's how we got Neil Gaiman and Felicia Day.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: darkskye on September 27, 2012, 05:42:52 AM
Lindsey is also on facebook.  Might be worth trying to reach her that way :D

ETA: I've sent her a message on FB.  I'll be surprised if I hear back from her, but I figured it couldn't hurt. :D
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rae on September 28, 2012, 11:49:47 AM
I've Tweeted a few celeb comic geeks today asking for a RT. If we get any, I'll let you know.

But I JUST had a facepalm moment. Nicolas Cage has a second home in the town I live in. I'm gonna try writing him a letter and ask if he'd be willing to support us.  Hell, it's only the price of a stamp, right?

ETA: And posted. Here's hoping.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: The-Hunter-JLJ on September 28, 2012, 02:23:53 PM
Try Tweeting.  That's how we got Neil Gaiman and Felicia Day.

I've heard of that...
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Fansy on September 28, 2012, 02:25:28 PM
Heroes!

You've done an amazing job in stirring the hornets nest of sleeping celebrities! Do not think that one is too small or another is too big, I understand and appreciate your conservatism Tony but there is a lot more to one's celeb fashion than you might realize. I would suggest shaking the coconuts out of every tree, you never know when a large enough nut like myself might fall down. You're creating enough waves to reach the music industry, and throughout the Gaming thresh-hold but you're still holding back. Enough, Good Team, is enough! It's time to send the messages through every corner, hole, and secret cave! I am also doing the same and have received some pretty interesting responses but there has to be an event to match their coming forth. There has to be a way for them to access the game, and will need accounts to do so and ways to honor their fame.

Fred Gallagher is one who is very interested in this cause, as is Matthew Inman, and others!

Plenty more out there, many fish in the sea, but to make it memorable you'll need and event so big and organized and ready for them to sign onto the game for recording or live broadcast that only one word could describe it: Most Epic Day in CoH History. No in gaming history!

You've got the community, you've got the spark, you've got the eyes on you Good Guys! Keep it up!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 28, 2012, 04:11:48 PM
...you got FRED and MATT interested in this? Good $deity, Fansy, you're a machine.


/me salutes the bard
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Kheprera on September 28, 2012, 04:18:06 PM
You know...

Vin Diesel and Robin Williams are gamers...

I've utilized a Ruth Buzzi quote (@Ruth_A_Buzzi on twitter), responded to Pauley Paulette (Abby on NCIS) and Brian Dietzen (Jimmy on NCIS) explaining why I wasn't watching the season premiere...

Next is to try and utilize one of Steve Martin's crazy tweets in some way...

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: P51mus on September 28, 2012, 11:17:55 PM
There has to be a way for them to access the game, and will need accounts to do so and ways to honor their fame.

There are a lot of people that have extra accounts for City of Heroes for one reason or another.  For example, there are a number that had extra accounts for farming PvP IOs, the extra accounts were just there for characters that could die/self res repeatedly.   Mostly it'd just be a matter of finding people with extra accounts and getting those accounts to the people who'd need em to check the game out.  More annoying than just being able to make a new account, but doable.  Just have to make an announcement.

I don't have any extras myself, but I know a friend who has an extra he made for power leveling (he's never been anywhere near as into the game as myself, and is very fatalistic about the whole shutdown, but I might be able to convince him to give up the extra account).
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: SithRose on September 28, 2012, 11:19:17 PM
There are a lot of people that have extra accounts for City of Heroes for one reason or another.  For example, there are a number that had extra accounts for farming PvP IOs, the extra accounts were just there for characters that could die/self res repeatedly.   Mostly it'd just be a matter of finding people with extra accounts and getting those accounts to the people who'd need em to check the game out.  More annoying than just being able to make a new account, but doable.  Just have to make an announcement.

I don't have any extras myself, but I know a friend who has an extra he made for power leveling (he's never been anywhere near as into the game as myself, and is very fatalistic about the whole shutdown, but I might be able to convince him to give up the extra account).

Both my husband and I have a secondary account. Both secondary accounts are Premium with a decent amount of vet rewards. I'm willing to volunteer them for celebrity usage if necessary, though I'd obviously want to be in direct contact with the person using the account. ;)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Knightslayer on September 29, 2012, 11:07:34 PM
Not sure if she's been mentioned yet, but did anyone try contacting Jessica Chobot? (https://twitter.com/Jessica_Chobot)
She's an avid gamer and reporter for IGN, and ME3's reporter Diane Allers was based on her. =P
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: CoolFlare on September 30, 2012, 06:38:50 AM
Ok,  here is the big giant question. Has anyone tried getting the Big Kahuna of comic books in this rallying cry. And by Big Kahuna I mean the ever popular Stan Lee. The father of all comics and super heroes.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 30, 2012, 06:46:33 AM
Ok,  here is the big giant question. Has anyone tried getting the Big Kahuna of comic books in this rallying cry. And by Big Kahuna I mean the ever popular Stan Lee. The father of all comics and super heroes.

I think it's been mentioned. A few billion times. <.< >.>

Still, totally enthused to see people still trying to throw ideas out there! Let's keep at it!
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on September 30, 2012, 07:09:53 AM
I think it's been mentioned. A few billion times. <.< >.>

Still, totally enthused to see people still trying to throw ideas out there! Let's keep at it!

One more time.  No one who is associated with DC or Marvel can give us their endorsement.  They are forbidden to do so by their contracts, which forbid them to shill for a competing product.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: CoolFlare on September 30, 2012, 07:15:32 AM
One more time.  No one who is associated with DC or Marvel can give us their endorsement.  They are forbidden to do so by their contracts, which forbid them to shill for a competing product.

well darn  :(.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Zolgar on September 30, 2012, 07:28:39 AM
Has anyone tried Stan Lee yet? ;)

Sorry.. couldn't help it.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on September 30, 2012, 07:45:02 AM
Has anyone tried Stan Lee yet? ;)

Sorry.. couldn't help it.

/me starts lining up the Orbital Drop Boot-to-the-Head for [Redacted Target Location]
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Atlantea on September 30, 2012, 12:22:57 PM
Hey - just thought of something.

We have a Gaiman Woods, and we contacted Neil Gaiman...

It's in Perez Park.

Have we contacted George Perez?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/George-P%C3%A9rez-Fan-Page/385542437272

And speaking of people who would know and understand about the emotional impact of creative works being threatened, has anyone thought of Colleen Doran?

http://adistantsoil.com/

If you've ever read her blog stuff, you realize that she is not just a fantastic artist, but she's a tenacious iron lady when it comes to the legalities and pitfalls that face creative people in the business world. She knows that stuff because she had to learn it the hard way for herself. I think she'd sympathize with us.

Plus, through her are possibly connections to other like-minded people. I think she and Neil Gaiman have collaborated before? (Not sure if I am recalling right) And she worked at DC comics so also knows people (like George Perez above).
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Kheprera on September 30, 2012, 01:41:37 PM
Neil Gaiman and Felicia Day have tweeted on our behalf.

I've tweeted The Generalissimo.

As well as Dee Snider (Twisted Sister lead singer) and the venerable Ruth Buzzi in as creative ways I can.  Retweeting  them, quoting, and not expecting replies. However, there's the hope that using the @ or # will help spread the word.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 30, 2012, 04:44:24 PM
I'm going to make a note here for one of us to contact the rock star of NFL punters (no, seriously, stop giggling), outspoken LGBT activist, bass player, and all-around nerd Chris Kluwe (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=1&tok=R-qlzPVyHvSc6Efz_9SMLQ&cp=9&gs_id=1o&xhr=t&q=chris+kluwe&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=chris+klu&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=7dc0bc46ee89cd50&biw=1457&bih=867). If someone beats me to it, all the better.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 30, 2012, 04:52:27 PM
I dunno. His twitter handle is @ChrisWarcraft...  ;)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Vulpy on September 30, 2012, 05:36:14 PM
I dunno. His twitter handle is @ChrisWarcraft...  ;)

But once again, I'm finding myself stymied by my lack of Twitter and Facebook. Choosing to live privately means that, occasionally, you have less reach than you'd like...
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: dwturducken on September 30, 2012, 06:15:51 PM
I was being mildly sarcastic.  His handle is very suggestive that he would, in fact be gamer-friendly, even if it does reference the "wrong" game. :)

I know I've seen a lot of fellow Midwesterners on here, even some hints at folks here being from the MinnePaul area.  Maybe a call to attention, rather than a call to action?
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Aggelakis on September 30, 2012, 07:29:19 PM
But once again, I'm finding myself stymied by my lack of Twitter and Facebook. Choosing to live privately means that, occasionally, you have less reach than you'd like...
That's why I made my twitter account for CoH only - I don't follow anyone from my real life, and I don't let anyone from my real life follow me (unless they play City :p ) - and I don't post much at all. Twitter has nothing to do with my real life.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Wolv42 on September 30, 2012, 10:20:23 PM
I may have missed it in re-reading the thread here, so if it's been mentioned before I apologize.  But has anyone tried Kevin Smith?  Not only is the dude a serious comic-geek, but he has a history of loving to get in on protests (hey, he protested Domga, why not this?).
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Knightward on September 30, 2012, 11:45:58 PM
Actually, my girlfriend goes to his comic shop fairly often.  I'll see if I can work anything out that way.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Seishou on October 01, 2012, 03:53:39 PM
Well, it has gotten on to penny-arcade's radar.

http://penny-arcade.com/comic

Not really what I was thinking they'd do if they were going to make anything about CoH closing, but the write up hasn't been put up as of yet. So we'll see.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: P51mus on October 01, 2012, 04:32:11 PM
City of Gyros (not a real food chain) is advertised in the fake ingame ads, so it seems like they at least know something about the game.
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Victoria Victrix on October 02, 2012, 03:56:19 AM
Speaking of stars, all vote that it goes to Fansy the Famous Bard?

Unanimous.

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on October 02, 2012, 04:03:33 AM
Fansy gets my vote. VV gets one hell of an honorable mention though. ;)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Quinch on October 02, 2012, 04:55:44 AM
Has anyone tried Stan Lee yet? ;)

Who, Stan? Hardy.

Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Fansy on October 02, 2012, 01:03:37 PM
Hail!

You are missing something, VV & Crew!

I vote for ALLof you! Every single one of you! Twice over! Without any of your support this cause would of never been anything, and the game would just of dwindled down to whispers in the wind. You didn't let it happen, you didn't take your City being destroyed and you won't allow it to fall without a fight. No celebrity, aside Mercedes, was in it from the start; you had to make noise, you had to branch out, you had to shake my tree until all my nuts fell down! Coconuts that is.

That is why if anyone, if any celebrity - Online or ''Off the Computer''(as Grandpa says), deserves any credit..
it's you celebrities. You're the REAL heroes here. Tony gave you a place, gave you a cause, and you created the backbone for it. I'm just glad to be here, to be part of it, to be able to scratch the surface.

What is a Good Team? I have always been asked, and never gave a clear definition.(Ask anyone! Never did!)
It's you. And that is one for the books.

Now get out there and ring in some more help, and support!
You've got work to do, Heroes; Go-Go Good Team!

Sincerely,
Fansy The ''Famous'' Bard
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: DrakeGrimm on October 02, 2012, 08:06:50 PM
...I had a thought, that might have been brought up already. Has anybody thought to try to get a hold of PSY or his agent? <.<
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Knightslayer on October 02, 2012, 08:08:59 PM
Gah... tweets are so short... what do you guys usually send when asking a celeb for help? =/
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rae on October 02, 2012, 08:11:02 PM
If you look at my feed (@skybloopink) you can see what I've done. Feel free to copy paste, or edit to your needs :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Knightslayer on October 02, 2012, 08:18:14 PM
If you look at my feed (@skybloopink) you can see what I've done. Feel free to copy paste, or edit to your needs :)
Thanks! That helped!  ;D
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rae on October 02, 2012, 09:09:41 PM
A pleasure :)
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Knightslayer on October 09, 2012, 11:40:34 AM
Did anyone try reaching out to Jace Hall? I know he plays MMO's, runs his own gaming company and has even made an awesome Sci-fi series (the V remake that came out in 2009).
Not to mention he has his own show, the Jace Hall show and makes game parody songs (http://www.jacehallshow.com/).
Title: Re: Star Power
Post by: Rae on October 09, 2012, 12:04:03 PM
Not I!