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Graveyard => Save Paragon Retirees => Save Paragon City! => Topic started by: Terwyn on October 21, 2012, 06:27:17 PM

Title: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 21, 2012, 06:27:17 PM
I'm working on something to post to my blog regarding City of Heroes, its history, and its future.

I'd like players to provide a paragraph detailing why they play, so that I can tie it all together with the general point of the post.

Since I'd intended the blog as being largely tied to literature and technology, Paragon City seems like a seemless blend of the two major aspects I want to deal with, and I hope to start it off with something extremely important.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Tubbius on October 21, 2012, 10:28:30 PM
Why do I play City of Heroes?  I've been at the game for the past four years (having started September 21, 2008), paying for full year stints in advance.  In part, it's been stress relief from work--a chance to unwind after teaching all week.  In part, it's also something that my girlfriend and I have in common and enjoy doing together.  In part, it's a chance to do all that fun superheroic stuff that I've only been able to dream of in my head with many other superhero paper and dice RPGs of the past; the immense amount of customization available to the player of City of Heroes was what got me into the game, enabling me to try all manner of fun creations over the years.  However, despite all the above, being able to spend time with the many friends I've met playing those creations is perhaps the chief reason I've continued playing to the present.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rotten Luck on October 21, 2012, 11:52:32 PM
When I started City of Villain just came out.  I got the Good vs. Evil edition.  It was just a game for me then.  I live in an area where going out isn't easy, add to that I'm phobic of crowds 4 or more people around me and I'm uncomfortable, a club level of population and i'm in panic mode.  Then City of Heroes got in me deeper then any game before.  So many ways to make a new character I could see my creations rendered if not fully very close to what I had in mind.  thought in game I still tend to run solo I interact with others.  I made friends and even met a girlfriend (thought we broke up later).  What I want to save isn't a 8 year-old game, it's the lore, the experience, the franchise, and most importantly the community.  All those will be lost when the servers go dark, and yes I have gone and tried out the other Superhero games.  It's not the same like trying to sleep in a strange bed. 
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Turjan on October 22, 2012, 12:33:13 AM
I play City of Heroes because it's a place where dreams can come alive. Every character I create can have a unique appearance, and I can give each its own individual backstory telling where it's from and how it gained its superpowers. City of Heroes is a world full of such unique individuals, each hero or villain a work of creative art in its own right. And that's before the 'game' proper has even started for that character! For me, above all else, City of Heroes is a playground for the imagination. It is a place where co-operation reigns supreme, where different skills need to come together in order to triumph over adversity. It is nothing less than a testing ground for the human spirit. And I play because I believe that dreams are what define humanity, and the dreams of today can become the reality of tomorrow. The motto of Paragon City is the "Birthplace of Tomorrow", and so it is. Countless dreams have been born there over the past eight years. Paragon City may die, but those dreams can never be killed.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: The_Rottweiler on October 22, 2012, 12:34:23 AM
I've been a part of City of Heroes since 2003. Pre-beta.

I'm a geek; lover of RPGs, sci-fi, comics, wrestling, you name it. The very concept of this game -- the very possibility it would exist -- was so exciting. The forums were buzzing with so much creativity. Heroes were born, relationships formed, and stories unfolded, spreading from thread to thread like a wildfire. In our hearts and minds, this world was already as big as Marvel and DC before we saw one pixel of Paragon City. I think a huge factor in the development and success of the game was that Cryptic (and later Paragon) Studios heard us and felt the same way... they were just as excited and in love with the concept of that world.

The only way I can describe my first experience of walking the streets of Paragon City is to say it was my teen pen-and-paper days all over again.

...oh, and I. GOT. TO. FLY. Circling around skycrapers! The first moment I dropped down in the middle of a group of Skulls and cleared them out in a flurry of punches... I don't think it ever got old. It was that stupid Real Life thing that pulled me away from the game. I still stayed in touch with my teammates. They became a family of sorts. I never got that from Everquest -- or any other game before or since. Hell, here it is nearly 10 years later! I still keep in touch with a bunch of the guys I build these characters with pre-Beta, even after a few months on, then off, then repeat.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on October 22, 2012, 12:57:06 AM
I live out in the country, 20 miles from the nearest small town.  Needless to say, as a liberal female fantasy writer I don't have much in common with my neighbors.  My best friend only has internet at work and does not have chat.  Other friends and collaborators don't have chat at all, or have limited internet.  Virtually 90% of my contact with the rest of the human race comes via the acquaintances I have made in CoH.  I do have some people I consider very good friends, some of whom are also collaborators, who have not vanished completely as they leave City, but they are much, much younger than I am (I am 62) and have lives outside of work.  Often I do not talk to them for as much as a week at a time, and then it is only a few lines of chat.  All I have left now is my husband and my work.  I am feeling horribly alone and lonely now.

As a writer, I am deeply invested in my characters and their stories.  Some of them have made it on to professional prose, but writing is very hard work, and nothing like as immersive as the experience of playing their stories and reactions.  NCSoft is going to do something no one else ever has: completely destroy almost a hundred of my characters and stories.  Legally, that is not a criminal action.  But by all that is holy, it should be.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: JWBullfrog on October 22, 2012, 03:10:50 AM
Why do I play? If you had asked me that question six years ago I'm not sure I could have answered it. I was never much into video games, I had an ancient (for the time) computer, and I had much more important things that demanded my attention. Yet, there was...something... that kept bringing me back time and again. I now know what that something is.
 
I had the freedom to be whoever I wanted, do whatever I wanted to do, go wherever I wanted to go. I could leap tall buildings, I could fly, I could throw fire or control minds or defeat a dozen foes at once. I was, in short, a hero. I was the star of the greatest story in the world and, to make it even better, I found people who loved it as much as I did. I made friends with people from all corners of the planet.
 
Over the last six years, I've tried other games. Some were good, some were not, but none of them were home. Paragon City is my city, my home.
 
That is why I play.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Samuraiko on October 22, 2012, 03:18:44 AM
I play CITY OF HEROES because it allows me to express creativity in ways I'd not considered - and I've considered a LOT. Character biographies, costumes, stories, and videos - it has been an outlet for me in so many forms. It rescued me from writer's block and stifled creativity that was slowly killing my spirit. Not just that - it has been entertainment for my husband and me when we couldn't afford anything else. It has brought new friends into my life, both online and in the real world. It has helped me develop and further my professional skills as a writer and videographer. And it has allowed me to make people laugh, cry, cheer, and celebrate our game through the videos and stories I've created as a result.

COH is not just a game; for me, it's a way of life, and a way to LIVE.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 22, 2012, 03:58:02 AM
Obviously, I'm not going to attach any names to this unless I'm given permission, but I think that's enough. I should have a first draft done by tomorrow night.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 25, 2012, 02:09:15 AM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Turjan on October 25, 2012, 01:50:04 PM
Looks good :)

There is one thing though - this sentence :-
Quote
We have learned to excel at uniting against common threats, which is perhaps the strongest reason why our response to learning that our online home is going to be deactivated.
- seems incomplete. Feels to me like a few words there should be juggled around a bit, something like :-

"...which is perhaps the strongest reason why we responded as we did to the news that our online home is going to be deactivated."
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ironwolf on October 25, 2012, 03:38:22 PM
Or even:

In the game as super heroes we daily battle threats to our City and World. Is it any wonder we would respond in a positive and powerful way to yet another threat?
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 25, 2012, 03:40:27 PM
I dislike how truncating my own thoughts occasionally occurs. Thanks for catching that.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: TimtheEnchanter on October 25, 2012, 03:41:20 PM
Or even:

In the game as super heroes we daily battle threats to our City and World. Is it any wonder we would respond in a positive and powerful way to yet another threat?
(https://images.weserv.nl/?url=www.fragglerockforever.com%2FCoX%2FCoHndescendingWonka.jpg)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 25, 2012, 06:08:03 PM
http://missingworlds.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/voices-from-paragon-part-one/

It is now live!
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Flashtoo on October 25, 2012, 06:19:52 PM
Why do I play City of Heroes:

There are a few interlocking reasons here. First, I've been playing games since childhood, and the games I favor are the ones that let you explore and - when video games started having that option - make your own character, and customize your experience, and are not focused on competing with other players. First-person shooters and arcade-style fighting games leave me cold. I devoured the Pokemon series, with its ample flexibility in party combinations and playstyle options, in my early teens. When I discovered BioWare, I latched right onto Knights of the Old Republic, especially the second one with its even greater depth of dialogue trees, individual character stories, and character build customization options, and held on well into other BioWare titles (I'm halfway through the first Dragon Age and loved the first and second Mass Effect games; still need to get my hands on Jade Empire). However, aside from City of Heroes, my great love in video games is, and remains, the Elder Scrolls, in particular Morrowind: while it looked interesting to me even on its own, once I discovered that it came with its own Construction Set and there was a whole community of people online who dedicated even more of their spare time to allowing the player to be exactly the character they wanted to be than they did to actually playing the game, I did nothing else for years. I'm still a part of that community, though I've become a little more scarce over the past couple of years, for one reason and one reason only: City of Heroes is better. Morrowind (and Skyrim, and I suppose even Oblivion) are all fantastic worlds to explore, in which you play exactly what you want to play - an aside; I played WoW for about twenty minutes before I got tired of being Orc Shaman #3,428, I mean, sure, I got to pick my own hair color and style and skin tone but any game that changes your avatar's outward appearance based on what equipment you're wearing only goes so far in terms of visual distinction if you can't add new equipment yourself - but The Elder Scrolls series comprises single-player games, which means that there is no ingame, real-time roleplay as the character you've dreamed up. The next best thing is tabletop RPGs; I've played a lot of D&D, Star Wars D20, and even tabletop Dragonball (which was far more amazing than I could have ever expected), but tabletop also lacks - there is a limited pool of players, sessions have to be set up and agreed upon ahead of time, meeting in person is inconvenient, rolling dice slows things down, etc., and there are also no visuals. To imagine is one thing, but to be shown is another thing entirely. This is the crux of what makes City of Heroes my most beloved video game title: My character, that I play with hundreds of other people, in real time, feels like my creation as I watch him fight evil using the powers that I have chosen for him.

The second reason, that I believe depends heavily on the first - I have Asperger's syndrome and it gives me severe social anxiety, and if not for this game, I would not have friends. It's much, much easier for me to understand the minds and motives of fictional characters than real people, so I gain relief from this anxiety when there's a safe curtain of fiction between me and whoever's on the other end, that I can pass through at my own pace. This works. Case in point: I just got back from a vacation in Mexico, on the Mayan Riviera, arranged by the co-leader of my SG. This kind of real friendship is not something that comes easily to me, and it only happened because of our RP together and later, our joint efforts to keep our SG running. The only other place that I can encounter this safety curtain is at conventions, and even then, it's neither as effective (conventions end, and people go home to unreachable places) nor anywhere near as affordable, not to mention a much greater expenditure of time and energy, which I can't sustain for long.

Lastly, Ms. Lackey has already said exactly what I feel, though I don't write professionally:

Quote
As a writer, I am deeply invested in my characters and their stories.  Some of them have made it on to professional prose, but writing is very hard work, and nothing like as immersive as the experience of playing their stories and reactions.  NCSoft is going to do something no one else ever has: completely destroy almost a hundred of my characters and stories.  Legally, that is not a criminal action.  But by all that is holy, it should be.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 25, 2012, 07:05:23 PM
Sorry Plangkye, but I already have more than enough.

I'll see what I can do about fitting your voice in, but what you've written is much longer than what I need. Think you can trim it down significantly?

If not, you're more than welcome to post it as a comment.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rotten Luck on October 25, 2012, 11:26:55 PM
What you can't use Terwyn we can post in some kind of CoH memorial site.  Host these "Voices" as well as Screen shots and videos.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 26, 2012, 12:05:31 AM
I can't tell you how much I like that idea.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 26, 2012, 11:58:02 PM
The second entry is being drafted, and with VV's kind permission, I will be reproducing not only her answers to some of my questions, but both of her letters to NCSoft.

It will be quite lengthy, and before posting it I will certainly share it here for feedback. Ammon, I would be exceedingly grateful if you assisted me in maximizing its SEO presence.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 27, 2012, 12:43:03 AM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 27, 2012, 03:23:54 PM
That was a most satisfying read. Well done!

Have you considered getting together with Rae and making any tweaks necessary to these interviews and essays to make them into articles that can be sent to and published by various gaming sites like Rae has done?



Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 27, 2012, 03:33:01 PM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 27, 2012, 04:20:48 PM
That was a most satisfying read. Well done!

Have you considered getting together with Rae and making any tweaks necessary to these interviews and essays to make them into articles that can be sent to and published by various gaming sites like Rae has done?

I am now. ^_^
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ironwolf on October 27, 2012, 04:56:19 PM
That was my post from the testimonials page. I cut and pasted it from here.

My grand daughter is now living with us - going to school and even just got an "A" on a math test. She goes with me to walk our dog 2 miles a day now and I am doing everything I can to help her recover from the nasty mess that adults made of her life.

She has a few characters either she plays or I level up for her when she is doing other stuff.

Flying Turd Flinger (she is 10 after all)
BlackVeil Bride
Scarey Clown Bunny
Electric Chelsea
Chelsea Bean

I even have her starting to read Arrows of the Queen!
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 27, 2012, 05:13:59 PM
That was my post from the testimonials page. I cut and pasted it from here.

My grand daughter is now living with us - going to school and even just got an "A" on a math test. She goes with me to walk our dog 2 miles a day now and I am doing everything I can to help her recover from the nasty mess that adults made of her life.

She has a few characters either she plays or I level up for her when she is doing other stuff.

Flying Turd Flinger (she is 10 after all)
BlackVeil Bride
Scarey Clown Bunny
Electric Chelsea
Chelsea Bean

I even have her starting to read Arrows of the Queen!

Yay! Woot! That's awesome. ^_^

Although... ooh... You might want to hold off on the third book in that trilogy for awhile... It's very good. But there are some pretty adult and even traumatic themes going on there that might - given what she's been through, be pretty tough.

Then again, it could be cathartic as well. Just want to give you a heads up in case you yourself haven't read it.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 27, 2012, 05:14:17 PM
Please tell her, from one without voice to another, I have heard her clearly. ^_^
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rotten Luck on October 27, 2012, 10:54:38 PM
That was my post from the testimonials page. I cut and pasted it from here.

My grand daughter is now living with us - going to school and even just got an "A" on a math test. She goes with me to walk our dog 2 miles a day now and I am doing everything I can to help her recover from the nasty mess that adults made of her life.

She has a few characters either she plays or I level up for her when she is doing other stuff.

Flying Turd Flinger (she is 10 after all)
BlackVeil Bride
Scarey Clown Bunny
Electric Chelsea
Chelsea Bean

I even have her starting to read Arrows of the Queen!

I wish I had her courage at her age. 
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on October 28, 2012, 12:17:03 AM
I even have her starting to read Arrows of the Queen!

I love her already.

But yeah, hold off on the second AND third books.  The trilogy was written for adults so...ahem.  There is sex.  And a lot of trauma.

HOWEVER the new Collegium Chronicles series WAS written to be YA friendly.  So no sex or excessive trauma.

Also for a fun read, Rosemary Edghill and my zombies and Wild Wild West tribute, Dead Reckoning from Bloomsbury.  She's gonna love Honoria and Jett.

I strongly recommend Diane Duane's "Wizard" series--begins with So You Want To Be A Wizard. 

And of course, Diane Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 29, 2012, 02:01:25 AM
I'd like to post the second entry tomorrow.

Is there anything that should be changed or added?
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on October 29, 2012, 02:52:53 AM
I'm good with it, just as long as you guys know I don't think I'm all that and a bag of chips.  Deal?
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 29, 2012, 03:03:45 AM
I'm good with it, just as long as you guys know I don't think I'm all that and a bag of chips.  Deal?

I respect you as much as I respect any of my teachers (you have certainly already filled that role in several ways). You have no need to worry about ego-stroking from me. ^_^

Also, I made two changes - I linked directly to the October 2nd announcement, and mentioned that the stock price is down 19% from its position on the day it was announced the game was closing down, linking to the company's stock register via Reuters.

This may be risky, but I do not care. I have not lied.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Mentalshock on October 29, 2012, 04:03:09 AM
I respect you as much as I respect any of my teachers (you have certainly already filled that role in several ways). You have no need to worry about ego-stroking from me. ^_^

Also, I made two changes - I linked directly to the October 2nd announcement, and mentioned that the stock price is down 19% from its position on the day it was announced the game was closing down, linking to the company's stock register via Reuters.

This may be risky, but I do not care. I have not lied.

   I think it might be a little unhealthy that way that you were indulging in loud maniacal laughter at the same time as posting it.   That said, I gleefully joined in, but I think that says more about me than it does about you.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 29, 2012, 07:25:54 PM
http://missingworlds.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/voices-from-paragon-part-ii/

The post is now live. I would encourage commentary and sharing as much as possible.

I am hoping that my contacts in the publishing world notice the very alarming information VV provides. That could help us build momentum.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on October 29, 2012, 07:28:59 PM
Thank YOU my friend.  I'm going to be linking your blog post over on CCCP in the next article I do, which will be about NCSoft's failed "strategies."
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rae on October 29, 2012, 07:35:54 PM
Shared with the FB troops, and about to tweet it to #saveCOH :)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: WolfSoul on October 29, 2012, 07:46:32 PM
Who knew that The Coming Storm (tm) would be the Rise of COH Community?  8)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: QuantumHero on October 29, 2012, 08:05:43 PM
Awsome project and a very good article...real life has all but eaten me alive this week so I'm just catching up now...but fantastic job.  I just really hope we break through to mainstream soon...we are*so* close I can feel it.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: DrakeGrimm on October 29, 2012, 08:18:25 PM
I'm good with it, just as long as you guys know I don't think I'm all that and a bag of chips.  Deal?

You are all that and the bag of chips, VV. Not the little ones that come with a value meal at Subway either, I mean a whole big Family Value bag of chips you get at Walmart or the grocery store. You've been a big help with this community, and helped bolster us more than once. You've proven a valued friend, and an invaluable mentor to several of us--intentionally or not.

You're just going to have to come to terms with it some day. The horrible, awful truth, that sits at the center of your being, that terrible secret you silently dread: you are actually an awesome person.

It's horrifying, I know, but I'm sure with time and strong support you'll come to terms with it. ;)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: The_Rottweiler on October 29, 2012, 08:19:18 PM
Nacho Cheese Doritos, even.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 29, 2012, 08:28:49 PM
The extra cheesy kind.

All hail the power of cheese! :D


But seriously, yes. VV - you are awesome. I've thought that long before I knew you played City of Heroes. Even when I disagreed with the stance that you used to hold on fanfic, I still thought it. One of my favorite authors plays the game? AWESOME.

And you've been incredible with your support of the movement.

If TonyV is the head and the brains and the drive of this movement, you're most certainly the heart and the inspiration and the love.

(*Edit: Er... not to say you don't have a lot of the brains too. Certainly more than mine! Just... yeah. I think you get what I'm saying.)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on October 29, 2012, 09:09:24 PM
I hope I'm not stepping in it here to ask, but...what is VV's stance on fanfic? (The one with which Atlantea indicated he disagreed)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 29, 2012, 09:15:34 PM
I hope I'm not stepping in it here to ask, but...what is VV's stance on fanfic? (The one with which Atlantea indicated she disagreed)

A very touchy legal issue.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: DrakeGrimm on October 29, 2012, 09:31:08 PM
A very touchy legal issue.

Unfortunately it's the same touchy legal issue for just about any creative content professional. Some day in the distant future when I get published, I'll have to follow the same guidelines VV does, just to protect myself. Unfortunate, but necessary.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: OSWsavecoh on October 29, 2012, 10:50:36 PM
read, supported and commented (although I have to admit the comment is aimed more at people reading who arent already part of the movement so dont know how useful it will be).
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 29, 2012, 10:52:51 PM
I hope I'm not stepping in it here to ask, but...what is VV's stance on fanfic? (The one with which Atlantea indicated she disagreed)

Yeah - VV herself could tell you much better. But a thumbnail sketch from a layperson like me goes thusly -

VV legally CAN'T read fanfic of her own stuff.

Here's what I remember. Bad Memory disclaimer applies!

There was a legal furball between a friend of hers - Marion Zimmer Bradley (MZB) and a fan of MZB's work where the fan had written a piece of fanfic and some of the things in one of MZB's later works vaguely (VERY vaguely - as in you had to squint HARD to see it and even then...) appeared just enough close to the ideas in the fanwork... 

Basically MZB had a trusting relationship with her fans and she was also an editor and IIRC encouraged fan writers to develop their original ideas. That relationship was taken advantage of by this one person... Well it got ugly in a legal sense and actually prevented one of MZB's novels from ever seeing the light of day.

Mercedes Lackey (VV) was not directly involved, but she SAW it happen and MZB was a good friend. (In fact IIRC wasn't MZB was one of the people directly responsible for ML's first publish of the Arrows trilogy?)

VV for several years (over a decade I think) felt it necessary to discourage all fanfic based on Valdemar for concern something like the above could happen.

Until recently where a legal way of doing so that wasn't a threat was established using the Creative Commons rules. See here at VV's website.

http://www.mercedeslackey.com/news.html (http://www.mercedeslackey.com/news.html)

And look at the bottom.

Now - I didn't agree completely with VV's stance on that through the years. Mainly I thought she might have been a little over the top with it. But I certainly understood where she was coming from once I heard the story.

Mainly I heard about it because the fanfic Drunkard's Walk about a cross-dimensional displacee named Douglas Sangnoir (Looney Toons) had as a canon element his first dimensional cross-rip visit was to Valdemar and out of respect, the author never actually wrote that segment. But started with the SECOND one, where he wound up in the world of Bubblegum Crisis. 

(BTW - I highly recommend Drunkard's Walk. It's very well written. And if you want I'll post a link to the page. But I may be biased since I'm one of the pre-readers on it.  ;D In fact the author - Bob Shroeck is a personal friend and my Supergroup leader in City of Heroes. And I'm proud to say I'm the guy who dragged him and the rest of the pre-reader crew for DW into playing City of Heroes with me.  :D  )

Now - take everything I said above and file it mostly under SPOTTY MEMORY for I fear I'm glossing over or doing a disservice to VV.

SHE should tell you the story really. Not me. I only tell it from my POV to explain the "didn't entirely agree" statement above etc etc.

So take this not just with a grain of salt, but take the entire shaker! Okay?
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 29, 2012, 10:57:34 PM
I am happy to report that more than a third of all visits to my blog in its existence have occurred since the posting of Part II of the Voices series. :D
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 29, 2012, 11:01:52 PM
(The one with which Atlantea indicated she disagreed)

(Oh and BTW - You referenced the wrong set of plumbing. Male driver here. Don't worry. I get that a lot. Heh.

I'm known by my real name - William H. Jordan. A fannish "handle" I've had since the early 80s of Logan Darklighter and of course Atlantea.

Logan Darklighter was the name of my Traveller character when I played that game.

Atlantea was the name of my first character that I played in the P&P Champions game in 1991. And by her real name - Lora Doubet was my first City of Heroes character.

Even my real name has superhero connotations. A little over a decade ago I was a bit startled to learn that my middle name -Harold- is the long form of the name that "Hal" is a contraction of.

So yes. I'm also Green Lantern. Sort of. :D

And now you know...

...what an utter UTTER Jurassic Age geek I am.  :roll:


Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 29, 2012, 11:03:04 PM
I am happy to report that more than a third of all visits to my blog in its existence have occurred since the posting of Part II of the Voices series. :D

Way to go!

Get that site traffic going! Woo!  :D



Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 29, 2012, 11:09:20 PM
I've only 3 posts, though. ;)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 30, 2012, 12:22:35 AM
Oh. Well.

Woohoo just a little? *waves tiny little flag* :D
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on October 30, 2012, 01:20:01 AM
I have to say, that I was always in favor of fanfic; after all I got my start writing it.  Darkover, Star Wars, Cthulhu Mythos, a little Indiana Jones...  Like MZB, I encouraged it.  Until Le Debacle.  Short form was that Marion read a piece by someone in the Darkover fan circles, liked how the author treated Lew Alton, and offered what was the usual arrangement, an acknowledgement of where the idea came from in the book that Marion was going to write.  Because, face it, it isn't the idea that is the work, it is the execution of the idea.  There was no offer of collaboration.  The author in question demanded full collaboration and payment, and threatened legal action.  As a result, Marion abandoned the half-finished book and destroyed the manuscript, which now will never be seen.  A doubly damn shame because this was one of the last things she was writing before her series of strokes started.  And at that point our mutual agent decided that Fanfic was Dangerous, and should be discouraged.  This made me sad, but the mess with Marion made us all super cautious. 

Fast forward to recently when Russ (my agent) got Cory Doctorow as a client.  Now, as we all know, Cory is Awesome personified, and is very, very much in the corner of the fanfic writers among us.  Cory persuaded Russ that it was a very, very good idea to allow Creative Commons licensing of fanfic, that fanfic is good for the author, good for the fanbase, and takes not one thin dime out of anyone's pocket.  As a result the only time Russ will turn into the Great White Shark is when someone is trying to make a profit out of fanfic.

I still can't read fanfic of my own oeuvre, which makes me sad.  But as the lawsuits against Stephen King and Jo Rowling have proved, you have to be able to rigorously prove you never saw someone else's unpublished stuff when they sue you for "stealing their idea."  But I am very, very glad that people can write their fanfic and share it now. 

And hey, Atlantea, tell Bob Shroeck he can go ahead and write the first segment now!

Now there are other writers who think that fanfic is taking some of their income.  Uh, no.  No one is ever going to write as fast as readers can read.  All fanfic does is keep the flame stoked during the wait for the next book.  But you can't convince these people, I know, I've tried.

There are other writers who don't want anyone messing with their world and characters (some have even described a feeling like "being raped" when they discovered there was fanfic about their stuff.  On the one hand, I kind of sympathize...but there is no way short of inventing mind control that any writer is ever going to be able to control what happens to his book, world, or characters once the manuscript leaves his hands.  So IMHO, I think you ought to just pull on your adult pants, face up to that, and wave goodbye to your book as it heads out into the world.  You did your best by it, you tried to make things clear, you gave it the best start in life that you could, but it's on its own now, and you can either make yourself crazy by trying and failing to keep control, or you can do the smart thing and go on to the next book.

Whew.  Sorry that turned out long and OT.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 30, 2012, 02:49:58 AM

Whew.  Sorry that turned out long and OT.


Nah. I'm the one who unwittingly provided the tangent, so that was my bad. :)

And Bob already knows he can start on that segment. But he's already finished the BGC one and the Oh My Goddess segment and is now in the Harry Potter segment and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer segment. I don't know when he's going to start up the Valdemar one. But the title is already set: "Drunkard's Walk I: A Horse Ain't A Horse, Of Course, Of Course".


Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 31, 2012, 06:13:11 AM
I have been debating the various options I have in writing the third part of this series. I will not be getting into specifics, but I believe it is time that I put my education to its fullest use.

I hold in my hands the weight of more than five thousand years of culture and history. And I am more then willing to throw it.

Some of this is theoretical original research that I've been working on for the better part of a decade, and other parts are simple curiosity.

I am sure that you will find the results promise to be quite.... explosive.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Mentalshock on October 31, 2012, 06:19:08 AM
I have been debating the various options I have in writing the third part of this series. I will not be getting into specifics, but I believe it is time that I put my education to its fullest use.

I hold in my hands the weight of more than five thousand years of culture and history. And I am more then willing to throw it.

Some of this is theoretical original research that I've been working on for the better part of a decade, and other parts are simple curiosity.

I am sure that you will find the results promise to be quite.... explosive.

Why is it I already *KNOW* what you're about to do? Oh, this is going to be quite interesting indeed. 

And my initial reaction was more of 'Oh, Crap.'

   Let the fireworks begin...
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on October 31, 2012, 06:48:44 AM
"Science may have found a cure for most evils, but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all--the apathy of human beings."

~Helen Keller

I have named this series "Voices" for a reason.

^_^
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on October 31, 2012, 07:56:56 AM
Why is it I already *KNOW* what you're about to do? Oh, this is going to be quite interesting indeed. 

And my initial reaction was more of 'Oh, Crap.'

   Let the fireworks begin...

*Gets popcorn. Sits down to watch.*
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: DrakeGrimm on October 31, 2012, 03:09:43 PM
You might want to hang onto something, this could get pretty interesting.

Define interesting!


...oh god, oh god, we're all going to die?


<.<


>.>
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on October 31, 2012, 03:17:32 PM
(Oh and BTW - You referenced the wrong set of plumbing. Male driver here. Don't worry. I get that a lot. Heh.
My mistake; it has been corrected. (I did just guess based on the name; usually, I assume male unless told otherwise online, but this one didn't even make me blink... Glad you weren't offended, and apologies extended anyways.)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on October 31, 2012, 03:21:12 PM
You might want to hang onto something, this could get pretty interesting.

Define interesting!


...oh god, oh god, we're all going to die?


<.<


>.>
"May you live in interesting times."
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on October 31, 2012, 03:28:56 PM
Thanks for the story/explanation. I figured there were Very Good Reasons; I was just curious what they were because, well, I like understanding things. ^^
I still can't read fanfic of my own oeuvre, which makes me sad.  But as the lawsuits against Stephen King and Jo Rowling have proved, you have to be able to rigorously prove you never saw someone else's unpublished stuff when they sue you for "stealing their idea."  But I am very, very glad that people can write their fanfic and share it now. 
...this is tragic.

Is there no way you can structure the Creative Commons license you use such that fanfic authors automatically release all material they use that includes your work in such a way that you are legally free and clear to use it, perhaps considered to "hold a non-exclusive but irrevocable license" to any "original ideas" expressed in fanfic using your work?

That would, if there aren't still more legal issues of which I'm unaware (and yes, I know there probably are), mean any fanfic writer who tried to turn around and demand "full collaboration" rights would have to either open themselves up to counter-suit for violating your IP by using it without a license, or acknowledge that they used the license you gave out and thus you have full right to use their work however you want.

There are other writers who don't want anyone messing with their world and characters (some have even described a feeling like "being raped" when they discovered there was fanfic about their stuff.  On the one hand, I kind of sympathize...but there is no way short of inventing mind control that any writer is ever going to be able to control what happens to his book, world, or characters once the manuscript leaves his hands.  So IMHO, I think you ought to just pull on your adult pants, face up to that, and wave goodbye to your book as it heads out into the world.  You did your best by it, you tried to make things clear, you gave it the best start in life that you could, but it's on its own now, and you can either make yourself crazy by trying and failing to keep control, or you can do the smart thing and go on to the next book.
I can somewhat understand this, too. I imagine it's at least a bit uncomfortable for Ms. Rowling to hear about/see/read/whatever fanfics involving her characters engaged in...shall we say morally questionable and perhaps pornographic activities?

Especially the authors who consider their characters in some way to be "family." I mean, we get up in arms over some of the ways family members of prominent public figures get treated just by the media, let alone if "fanfic" authors were to write them into morally-objectionable or horrific situations.

(I'm reminded of a Supernatural sequence of episodes wherein the main characters discovered that their in-universe exploits were the subject of an in-universe novel series, and that a fanfic authoress enjoyed writing sexually explicit versions of "brotherly love." They were rather creeped out.)

Anyway. All I'm saying is, I can understand this concern of some authors, but yeah, the only mature way to handle it is to accept it will happen and move on, ignoring it to the best of your ability. Console yourself that it's not canon.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on November 01, 2012, 02:45:19 AM
I have been debating the various options I have in writing the third part of this series. I will not be getting into specifics, but I believe it is time that I put my education to its fullest use.

I hold in my hands the weight of more than five thousand years of culture and history. And I am more then willing to throw it.

Some of this is theoretical original research that I've been working on for the better part of a decade, and other parts are simple curiosity.

I am sure that you will find the results promise to be quite.... explosive.

This sounds like something Jim Duncan would link to and quote.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rotten Luck on November 01, 2012, 02:50:04 AM
Rest assured I would never write fan fiction.  I feel it's to much like trying to improve a master piece only the original Artiest can give it justice.  Sure I can write something but be just as easy to change names and locations if the Story I write as a Fanfic can stand on it's own then why write the fan fic at all.

Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 01, 2012, 02:59:06 AM
This sounds like something Jim Duncan would link to and quote.

Yes, I expect collating my notes and thoughts will take until at least the weekend. If you take a look at the "About" page on my blog, one of the things it explicitly states is the reason why I chose the name Missing Worlds. I'll reproduce it here:

Quote from: Missing Worlds
The name Missing Worlds is intended to evoke a sense of mystery and curiosity, for every book, and every film, contains within it an entire narrative world. Due to the increasingly fast pace of North American society, many people simply do not have the time to read, or otherwise indulge in entertainment media. In short, people are missing out on these worlds.

To basically define just what it is that I am going to be doing, I am going to take a page from Robert J. Sawyer's handbook and talk of what makes City of Heroes both "grandly cosmic" and "profoundly human." I will talk of why some stories have lasting power, why learning is a weapon, and most importantly, the importance of how City of Heroes helped us all to seek a better world.

This will be very.... difficult. I will quote Gilgamesh, I will quote Tolkien. I will even quote the original writings of Hippocrates himself, if I must. The simple point of the matter is that the City of Heroes has been a *home* for many of us, and a medicine for others. A gateway to make our lives richer, and a means by which we could connect to something more noble than ourselves. A spark of divinity, if one chooses to believe in that possibility. If not, then merely a spark of hope... a hope that everything will work out in the end. I will, in essence, talk of why we have had heroes for as long as we have been human.

But, of course, as a best-selling author, you know the rules of Story better than I.... and why it is important for people to believe in their *own* narrative.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ironwolf on November 01, 2012, 03:16:42 AM
Here is a quote that I actually try to live by:

Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the persuit of evil.

David Gemmel from Druss the Legend
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rotten Luck on November 01, 2012, 03:30:44 AM
I live by "Never underestimate the stupidity of others.  Even the smartest of us would do something dumb."  This can be taken many ways, mine is that thought a person can be smart from time to time they will do something stupid.  A moment of distraction, or just lack of knowledge could lead to a stupid moment.  For example closing one of the most popular Superhero MMO...
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: healix on November 01, 2012, 03:33:45 AM
There is something to be learned from a rainstorm.
When meeting with a sudden shower,
you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road.
But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet.
When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed,
though you still get the same soaking.
This understanding extends to everything.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 05, 2012, 10:24:27 PM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Mentalshock on November 06, 2012, 04:43:22 AM
Save that for Part IV.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on November 06, 2012, 05:06:48 AM
I'd say this needs to be a series that takes as long as it takes.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 06, 2012, 05:13:17 AM
I'd say this needs to be a series that takes as long as it takes.

That was my precise intention. If I do it once per week, I can probably run it until March.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 06, 2012, 05:55:27 AM
Part III is now live! (http://missingworlds.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/voices-from-paragon-part-iii-the-culture/)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 09, 2012, 06:10:40 PM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 09, 2012, 08:11:09 PM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ammon on November 10, 2012, 12:29:30 AM
I'll add a few points of suggestions a little later, when I have more time (will try to do so within the next 48 hrs).  However, the very first thing that leaps out at me as a marketer is to think "What is the author trying to achieve with this?".

It really helps in any kind of article to have a clear idea of what you want your article to elicit from the reader.  Obvious goals can vary from subscribing to future news or further info, through to following a specific action be that making a comment, clicking a link, or referring others to the post.  I'd strongly suggest thinking a little about what you'd like the reader to do after reading the article, and then 'sell' that action somewhat, lead them to it, and finish on a call to action.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 10, 2012, 12:46:50 AM
I'll add a few points of suggestions a little later, when I have more time (will try to do so within the next 48 hrs).  However, the very first thing that leaps out at me as a marketer is to think "What is the author trying to achieve with this?".

It really helps in any kind of article to have a clear idea of what you want your article to elicit from the reader.  Obvious goals can vary from subscribing to future news or further info, through to following a specific action be that making a comment, clicking a link, or referring others to the post.  I'd strongly suggest thinking a little about what you'd like the reader to do after reading the article, and then 'sell' that action somewhat, lead them to it, and finish on a call to action.

I recently graduated from a marketing program in June '11, so I'm aware of that particular aspect. However, since this is only the first draft and was written in a primarily flow-of-thought method, I haven't been looking at it from that particular perspective. So far my only goal has been to record and distribute information, as I have been building up to the general call to action with the entire series.

I suppose it would be greatly more effective to engage in consistent repetition as opposed to trying to build momentum through mass quantity. I have, after all, grown to greatly value quality over quantity, since high quality arguments are vastly more unique and more effective than simply dominating the podium through noise. I'll definitely put thought into it over the weekend.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on November 10, 2012, 02:36:24 AM
I believe the words of Sir Winston are most apt here:

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack!

- Sir Winston Churchill



The only thing in question here is - what is the specific point? You've already "set the stage" with the other articles - this one has to be the "tremendous whack!" You've been setting up the story for people who may not have heard about City of Heroes, much less played it.

Gamers you can assume have a good chance of knowing the most basic facts, and the article expands on them from our side (since NCSoft isn't interested in telling their side) So you've done a good job at both general and specific set up. You've painted the picture of our community. What's at stake. You've described as best we can, given the limited information we have available, what NCSoft has done.

NCSoft could close those other games with the "fig leaf" of "they weren't profitable" or they were losing money, and even gamers with no business sense whatsoever can understand that reasoning. But this time things are far different.

Whether it was a million, 2 million, or 10 million dollars - the simple fact remains - City of Heroes was in the black and had NEVER lost money based on it's own sales and subscriptions. So right from the start - that fig leaf is GONE.

CoH had 8 years to develop a tight community. Something else those other games never had the chance or time to develop.

NCSoft did not take those simple facts into account. They apparently simply followed their old pattern of closing down a game when they thought the time was right for whatever inscrutable reasons they have failed to communicate. But given the above, that was a monumental error.

Whether it was from incompetence or sheer bloody-mindedness no longer matters. The deed is done, and the consequences must follow. Both to us and to them. The consequences to us are more than clear. They are inescapable.

The consequences to NCSoft - that's where we have our power and our say.


The biggest consequence of all is losing trust. Most companies dread losing trust - for without trust, money dries up.

Trust of the customer.

Trust from Development Studios that are looking for a company to join in order to see their vision turned to reality.

Trust in dealings with other businesses.

And all it takes for them to pay the consequences is for enough people to know what they have done. That's all. We can suggest a boycott (which you deftly refer to Starburst having done without actually calling for it in the article). But ultimately it comes down to a simple choice.

As a gamer, do you trust this company with your money?

As a Game Developing Studio, would you want these people to own you and your IP?

As a business, would you want to deal with people who seemingly make nonsensical decisions in a market they don't understand and are too prideful to admit it or change their views? Do you want to do business with a company and CEO who don't make decisions based on an easily understandable criteria? And who won't communicate with their studios or customers?

Don't even say - "They don't get my money."  Just ask those questions at the end or something like them and let the readers draw their own conclusions.


The "tremendous WHACK" should be a simple question posed to the gaming industry as a whole, gamers, developers and businessmen at the tops of that industry all rolled into one.

Do you TRUST NCSoft?

Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 10, 2012, 02:40:31 AM
Actually, this one isn't intended to be the last one just yet.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on November 10, 2012, 02:42:04 AM
Ah ok. How many more do you think you've got to go?

I hope my thoughts are still useful nevertheless.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 10, 2012, 02:57:42 AM
Ah ok. How many more do you think you've got to go?

I hope my thoughts are still useful nevertheless.

I can certainly keep this up indefinitely. Enough to make a big headache for NCSoft, at least.

The catch is to avoid repeating myself unnecessarily.

I have a voice, therefore I have a right to be heard.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ammon on November 10, 2012, 05:01:37 AM
If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack!

- Sir Winston Churchill
This is virtually a law of presentation.  The way it is worded for articles and presentations is:  "Tell them what you are going to say, say it, then remind them what you said".  You'll find the Tell, Explain, Recap method used very heavily in all sorts of informational presentations.  Its highly effective.

So far my only goal has been to record and distribute information, as I have been building up to the general call to action with the entire series.
Personally, I try to have goals in mind all the way through.  The 'headline' has to make them want to read the first paragraph, the first paragraph has to interest them in the full story, and the full story need to fulfil whatever goal you had in writing it.

In writing of all kinds, foreshadowing is highly effective.  It means having the conclusion in mind right from the start, and giving the reader an early feeling for what will be coming later.  This is just as true with marketing writing as for fiction.  Repetition - much like the thing I mention above of "Say, Explain, Recap" - is great for getting an effective call to action to work.

Some people will arrive at a page almost randomly and need to walk through the whole text.  Others may be referred by a friend or link and know some of the story and be skimming ahead to what they can do, and still others will be arriving knowing what is there and looking specifically for your links or action, etc.  Sometimes I'll put the call to action in a sidebar column, so that it is level with the top, but visually separated so that it doesn't feel like its trying to make them do something before they've read the argument.  It serves the widest variety of readers that way.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 10, 2012, 05:11:18 AM
I'll keep that in mind when I'm preparing the next draft.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: The_Rottweiler on November 11, 2012, 10:26:57 PM
Found out on facebook I got mentioned in a recent Voices article. NEAT! Thanks :)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 05:25:43 AM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ammon on November 12, 2012, 10:40:07 AM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Kaiser Tarantula on November 12, 2012, 11:53:19 AM
When it comes to the games NCsoft has shut down, you might want to take Dragonica off the list, or consider adding a few more.  According to Dragonica's own article on Wikipedia, it's still up and running;  apparently NCsoft never had anything to do with the EU/NA release of it; only the Korean version.  I made this mistake too (http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,5952.msg68561.html#msg68561) a while back, only for cmgangrel to point it out to me (http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,5952.msg68608.html#msg68608).

Of course, NCsoft did attempt to shut down the Korean version, only for the original studio to restart it and keep it running even today.  But if you're going to list Korean servers shut down by NCsoft, you might want to add a couple more games to the list, like Point Blank.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Atlantea on November 12, 2012, 12:31:33 PM
This is very effective. With just a couple of minor tweaks as mentioned above I'd say go for it.

Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 04:31:51 PM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on November 12, 2012, 04:42:06 PM
As somebody else mentioned in another thread, it might be worthwhile to add that everybody expected CoH to continue on, that it had a lot of potential and expansion plans in the works. These other games, everybody saw the end coming, because they were dwindling to death. CoH was fully healthy and is being put down despite having many potential years of profitable and active life left.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 04:46:51 PM
I actually did that, but I've now clarified the paragraph in question (I think I'll link the AMA that Posi did to this one):

Quote
Everyone, from the players to the developers, expected City of Heroes to continue, as plans had been laid out for several further expansions years away from development. In other games, the end was patently obvious, as there was a slow dwindling in the population, much too fast to justify preservation of the game. Now, some have made claim that City of Heroes had to have been on life support in order for the actions of NCSoft to make sense, but according to the developers themselves, the game was doing quite well. Certainly well enough to fully finance the development of a second MMO from Paragon. No, this wasn't a decision to take a game off of life support. This was a decision to euthanize. After all, if money were the issue, it is almost an expected standard that it be admitted as such, after all, that is what NCSoft has done when shutting down earlier games.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on November 12, 2012, 04:51:55 PM
Looking good to me! Nice work!
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Globetrotter on November 12, 2012, 04:54:52 PM
Is it ok to link to this article, once it is published, on the NCSoft Facebook page?
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 04:59:10 PM
Is it ok to link to this article, once it is published, on the NCSoft Facebook page?

It`s a blog post, but absolutely.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 05:48:33 PM
http://missingworlds.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/voices-from-paragon-part-iv-consequences/

Comments on the page are greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Quinch on November 12, 2012, 06:04:20 PM
While "evidentially" is technically a word, I think "evidently" is the more commonly used variation.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 06:19:49 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 07:21:09 PM
No worries, however I am getting a bit worried about people having to correct stuff like this where it can easily be resolved with just a little bit of research to confirm your facts.

It is even worse when it is all from a group of players/people who *should* know more about their own game than most normal gamers.

Most corrections have been minor - Paragon Studios became Paragon Studios in 2008, but was established as NCSoft NorCal in 2007. I conflated the two dates.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on November 12, 2012, 09:37:59 PM
"Evidently" colloquially means "apparently" or "seems to be." "Evidentially" would likely mean "there is evidence to support this." I am not certain "evidentially" is technically a word, though.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 12, 2012, 09:42:04 PM
My word processing software recognized it as such, though. Could be because it's set to Commonwealth English as opposed to US.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Ammon on November 12, 2012, 11:06:07 PM
... a bit worried about people having to correct stuff like this where it can easily be resolved with just a little bit of research...
But that's the point of posting it here for peer review.  We are here to catch these small errors and typos, which trust me, creep in to even the most professional writer's submissions.  Even the bestselling authors have editors and proof-readers. :)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Victoria Victrix on November 13, 2012, 02:20:11 AM
But that's the point of posting it here for peer review.  We are here to catch these small errors and typos, which trust me, creep in to even the most professional writer's submissions.  Even the bestselling authors have editors and proof-readers. :)

And sometimes our editors and proofreaders miss things.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 13, 2012, 06:09:51 AM
I've been thinking about what I should do to follow up the sledgehammer that was the previous post. Definitely, I believe it should be something that further builds the case, and helps to show the real stories behind the people who play the game. I think it's time I put together a post covering the beneficial qualities the game offered those of us with non-standard neurology.

I happen to have quite a few people watching my blog who are very active bloggers within said community, so there's great potential there if I've done it right.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 13, 2012, 04:34:25 PM
I was linked on Fark.com. Unfortunately, it was labelled as "Fail." Evidently, whoever did it missed the point of the series.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Segev on November 13, 2012, 04:39:26 PM
I'm wondering by what criteria "failure" is determined with your blog. c_c;; That seems a lot of effort to go to for somebody to just be a jerk. I wonder what his reason(ing) was.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 13, 2012, 04:44:26 PM
Well, here's the comments on the link over at Fark, to give you the idea.

http://tinyurl.com/a5v3asm (http://tinyurl.com/a5v3asm)

I am not sure where they got the idea that I am personally boycotting NCSoft - I still play Guild Wars, after all.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 15, 2012, 01:34:28 AM
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 20, 2012, 06:45:38 PM
Part V is now live.

http://missingworlds.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/voices-from-paragon-part-v-the-voiceless/ (http://missingworlds.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/voices-from-paragon-part-v-the-voiceless/)
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Flashtoo on November 20, 2012, 08:11:22 PM
Is there a way to share these blog posts on Facebook?
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 20, 2012, 08:18:48 PM
It should have automatically, at least on my own. Give me a second.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on November 29, 2012, 05:12:14 AM
While I am still debating what to do for part VI, I will definitely be happy to announce that the title of part VII is "Enter the Mouse."
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Rotten Luck on November 29, 2012, 12:31:18 PM
Speaking about the Mouse have you sent them a link to the blog!  One thing to read letters it's another reading the same thing from those who don't seem to be trying to tug at the Mouse heart strings.
Title: Re: Voices
Post by: Terwyn on December 23, 2012, 06:14:57 PM