One Year Ago

[Johnny Joy Bringer]

One Year Ago

One year ago tomorrow I read an announcement. It explained that due the ill defined concept of "in a realignment of company focus and publishing support" Paragon Studios and City of Heroes would be closed. It was an irritating slap in the face with the common and filthy practice of using corporate nonsense jargon to sound official. It was clear this was a non-reason from the start, and that they did not want to explain. Like a rock tossed in calm water this came as a surprise and sent ripples of shock throughout the gaming news outlets, only the rock was more like a boulder and the toss was more like cannon fire. News reports I read confirmed that this was no joke or hacked web site. This was read and each report of the closure appears to have been written by someone stunned. The reports were short and lacked the normal flare of game reporting.

I took the news with a little shock, but I was accepting. I felt like it was time to get online and do everything I could and burn myself out on COH in the last few months, getting my money's worth. So, when the kids came home from school that Friday I had a computer already hooked up to the 50 inch HDTV in the living room ready for them to take 1 hr turns. They came home and their reaction was confused, as confused as everyone else, as to why the best superhero MMO was going to close. They took it hard.

See, my kids are the real COH players in the house. they liked it and I had been fearful they might chat with a jerk or a "internet stranger", but COH was just the kind of game where that didn't happen. My son Robbie was a special needs child, and really was amazingly resistant to reading. So, I made a deal, I'd let him play, but he would have to read the missions and explain them to me when they were done. But something far beyond reading happened. He didn't like just doing missions. He liked teaming with other players and had done so enough to become a good team leader. After that Friday I reviewed the chat logs for the past 8 months and found that Robbie had been chatting to people, and in a way which was far more social than he had been in the past. A later meeting with the school showed that he had changed from being non-social at school to being a outgoing leader in school. This is a child who would never talk at school. He was now no longer "special needs" and the school gave credit to City of Heroes in our meeting, to my shock and surprise.

At night when I would read to the kids they would ask endless questions. My little girl would ask almost "life after death" questions about player characters and the NPCs. They wondered if the history would continue in Paragon City. Much like she would wonder about life of characters in movies after the end. I told the story goes on whenever someone wants to write it. They would all cry, but none more than Robbie. Not hard, and not long, but he would cry.

It was a time for a change of perspective for me. See, I grew up with super heroes also, but in comics. I could read about heroes. I likened characters in the comic to the NPCs in COH, and the players were more like comic readers. Robbie proved me wrong in that assumption. As I listen to him talk about COH he did like the principal NPCs, but to him the real super heroes were the player characters. He could recall every single mission where he was on a team. He could name the characters, their powers, their costumes, playing style, strategies, and everything they said in chat. So, while I might have observed my comic heroes from the outside he had walked with his, and they had elevated him to their level. He not only admired his heroes, he walked with them, and became one. It was no wonder his primary character was Super Robbie.

4 days after the closure was announced at night going to bed, he asked with tears forming in his eyes, "Can you do anything to save all the heroes ... and I guess the villains too?" and I said "There is not much I can do."  He insisted "Then, can you do that much?" "Yes. I can do that much." How could I refuse? So, I started on a campaign to do what I could. I setup a table next to my home office desk, with a dedicated computer on it, to keep a torch on the Atlas Park steps 24hr a day.

I created a character for my wife to use that would also send a message, "Save City of Heroes", modeled after Milla Jovovich in Ultra Violet. I ended up using the character more than her. My wife complained of motion sickness when playing. Save City of Heroes was a Water/Fire blaster, as I was amused at that combo and had never tried it. Save City of Heroes was at the Unity Rally and at various events. I grew to enjoy having a permanent window into Paragon City next to my desk. I chatted with anyone who walked by about the closure and what to do about it. I automated my initial greeting explaining things allowing me to inform players quickly. I adventured with the character to drum up support, but otherwise never left the steps. Whenever Save City of Heroes stood still the torch had to be held high.

I worked on getting screen shots, demo records, and tried hard to make the end fun for the kids. As time moved on I found they had done things I'd never done with the game. Super Robbie had been invited and praised for being a valued member of The Paragon Punishers, a far better SG than I had ever been in. What really surprised me what how much time then spent just hanging out with their SGs and online pals, and even spending time standing near their favorite contacts sometimes. When a comic is canceled we still have all the issues we bought. When an MMO goes down we don't really have the easy ability to read those stories over again. I figured the kids were not just standing around places, players, and contacts, they were remembering.

Before the closure I tried many different MMOs as a substitute, but none would do and there was no interest. These kids would not settle for second best.

It was Super Robbie's faith in me and in you, his heroes, that insures I don't doubt we will win. People this amazing don't lose. They make their own luck and they don't wait for others to solve the problem whiling doing nothing. Sure, often there is nothing we can do other than to offer support, but that IS something. I'm still doing whatever I can, whenever I can, even with my busy schedule.

So...

One year ago, I had accepted the end and knew it was coming, then feared it, then realized it can't ever come, because we're all still here.

[alphajaybo]

Hey dude the community will never die sure it might get smaller but then it gets bigger again. :D as for the heroes of paragon city i have a feeling that their return will mark the beginning of a new era.

[healix]

way to keep the faith, alphajaybo...I also believe that we will get our City back. Not only will long-time players come back, but new people would be able to see why we wouldn't let go or give up hope.

[pogoman]

Every time I hear about these wonderful kids, a tear comes to my eye. Then, my resolution gets a little stronger, I get more determined. There were times this past year I almost said, 'Hey, let's not do a show this week...' Then I thought about those kids, and others in this wonderful community of ours and I said 'Hey, I've GOT to do the show this week.' They are MY inspiration. As long as there is air in my lungs and blood in my veins, the show will continue!


-Pogoman-

[Johnny Joy Bringer]

And, of course, they are Pogoman fans, ... and Captain Bacon fans ... and god help us all Detra fans. :)

Every time I hear about these wonderful kids, a tear comes to my eye. Then, my resolution gets a little stronger, I get more determined. There were times this past year I almost said, 'Hey, let's not do a show this week...' Then I thought about those kids, and others in this wonderful community of ours and I said 'Hey, I've GOT to do the show this week.' They are MY inspiration. As long as there is air in my lungs and blood in my veins, the show will continue!


-Pogoman-

[Twisted Toon]

Every time I hear about these wonderful kids, a tear comes to my eye. Then, my resolution gets a little stronger, I get more determined. There were times this past year I almost said, 'Hey, let's not do a show this week...' Then I thought about those kids, and others in this wonderful community of ours and I said 'Hey, I've GOT to do the show this week.' They are MY inspiration. As long as there is air in my lungs and blood in my veins, the show will continue!


-Pogoman-

I'll let you borrow my family motto, if you'd like. :)

Dum Spiro Spero. (While I breathe, I hope.)

Or, if you want, you could always use a quote from Commander Peter Quincy Taggert.(Galaxy Quest) "As long as there is injustice, whenever a Targathian baby cries out, wherever a distress signal sounds among the stars, we'll be there. This fine ship, this fine crew. Never give up... and never surrender."

[Triplash]

One year ago, I had accepted the end and knew it was coming, then feared it, then realized it can't ever come, because we're all still here.

I've heard it said that City of Heroes was a social networking tool with an MMO attached. And that sounds about right for what I remember. In that case then, the bulk of its players would have to have been a group of friends that enjoyed each others' company, and just used the game as the core around which they gathered. A game which, in time, they grew to love as though it was another of their friends.

So you're right, the end can't come, because friendship doesn't end. It can change, sure, but even with distance and time feelings this deep don't just stop. We may gather in smaller groups now, and we may pass our time with different activities, but we're still us. We're still the group of friends who all enjoy the same thing, and want each others' company while we do it.

It was the heart of Paragon City that made it special, and one day that heart will beat again. It might be in Paragon City itself, with its familiar streets and caves, or it might be in a city with a new name and new maps to explore. But it doesn't matter. Even if it's not the city we know, it will still be the city we love. 'Cause all our friends will be there.

[Golden Girl]

or it might be in a city with a new name and new maps to explore.

And some will still be caves :P

[Triplash]

And some will still be caves :P

Of course! It's not a superhero city without sewers and caves. How else would we show off our ability to wade through nasty muck without getting our clothes dirty? :D

[Golden Girl]

Of course! It's not a superhero city without sewers and caves. How else would we show off our ability to wade through nasty muck without getting our clothes dirty? :D

For variety, we'll have 2 styles of sewer - a more modern system for the majority of Titan City, and an older, darker one for the areas beneath the old town district of Salem.

[DJMoose]

I posted this on my Facebook just now:

One year ago, August 31st, 2012. I got home from work, loaded up City of Heroes, and found this plastered on the game launcher:

"This morning we announced that Paragon Studios will be taking to the skies of City of Heroes for the last time.

In a realignment of company focus and publishing support, NCsoft has made the decision to close Paragon Studios. Effective immediately, all development on City of Heroes will cease and we will begin preparations to sunset the world's first, and best, Super Hero MMORPG before the end of the year. As part of this, all recurring subscription billing and Paragon Market purchasing will be discontinued effective immediately. We will have more information regarding a detailed timeline for the cessation of services and what you can expect in game in the coming weeks."

The game was doing well; City of Heroes was just two weeks away from launching Issue 24, its biggest update yet. And then without any forewarning the announcement was made that the game would be shut down. This was also exactly 3 days after Guild Wars 2 was released (also by NCSoft).

Sorry NCSoft; I still have not forgotten about City of Heroes. I have not moved on to the next "new shiny" game that you will release.

These are my favorite of many City of Heroes characters:
From Left to Right we have the Heroes Guardian of the Pit, Blood Magick, Thunder Hooves, Senka Nithra, Serkana, and Void Summoner. And the Villians Agent Yvonne, Bloody Justice, and Shektara. These are characters that I created, using my creativity and imagination and expressing them through the robust character creator that City of Heroes had. I created Bios for many of my characters to make them more interesting; it made each one of them special and unique.
https://images.weserv.nl/?url=www.ladymoiraine.com%2Fforum%2Fgallery%2F40%2F2147-300813200816.jpeg

And these beloved characters were taken from me. While I am still able to enter the game world to some degree and take screenshots, it is not the same as actually being able to PLAY the game.

Several successor projects are in development; games that will emulate all that was good about City of Heroes, without the taint that is NCSoft. But I still do hold to a glimmer of hope that some day in the future, City of Heroes will live again.

I'm still here NCSoft. My characters are still here on the steps of City Hall in Atlas Park, continuing their vigil.
Heroes do not give up; I will not give up.
We are Heroes. This is what we do.

[General Idiot]

For variety, we'll have 2 styles of sewer - a more modern system for the majority of Titan City, and an older, darker one for the areas beneath the old town district of Salem.

Somehow, I just became slightly more interested in your game. Which is odd because you'd think that more sewers would make me less interested. :p

[Kaiser Tarantula]

Today is August 31st, the anniversary of the shutdown notice of City of Heroes.  With that notice, NCsoft believed they had ended their commitment to us.  Severed the ties.  Burned the bridges.  In some ways it's true - they have made it very clear that they're done with us, and done with this whole situation.

But we're not done.  Oh no.  Not by a long shot.

I am reminded of a quote by Isoroku Yamamoto, Admiral of the Japanese Navy, about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant, and fill him with a terrible resolve.

Well, NCsoft's done about the same thing.  One year ago, they woke up a sleeping Titan.  And now they've dealt with us rumbling ominously in their direction for a solid year.  The time is drawing closer when we are going to sever our ties with them, and we're going to do it in spectacular fashion, as only superheroes and supervillains can.

We will have a home again.  By hook or by crook, we will have a home again.  Let the doubters moan, let the naysayers whine, but we will have a home again.  And once we do, we will kick NCsoft to the side, and tell them, "we have had a reevaluation and realignment of our goals as a community.  You no longer matter to us any more."

Best-case scenario?  They learn shame and humility for their mistreatment of us.  Worst-case scenario?  Their accountants still bemoan the fact that our money isn't filling their bank accounts.  I'll be fine with either.

In the meantime, each and every one of you needs to keep that torch held high.  Do not stop, do not give up.  Yeah, it's been a year, but I've seen other communities suffer longer and keep faith, and I'm pretty damned sure we're the best out there.  If it makes you feel better, needle NCsoft a little - don't be rude, don't be crude, but a little reminder that CoH's not dead so long as its community survives is a beautiful thing.  Maybe throw a few comments @ncsoft on twitter, tagged #SaveCoH or #AvengeCoH.  Make yourself heard on their Facebook wall.

It wouldn't hurt to remind them that when they thought they were just killing a game, what they were really doing was wounding a community.  I hold little hope that those blasted executives learn shame from it, but at the very least, we can show them that mistreating your playerbases tends to have consequences down the road.

[Johnny Joy Bringer]

This is a link to Tonyv's extremely gifted response to NCSoft's nonsense and continuing nonsense, at the time.

http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,5467.0.html

Here is the insulting response to the community from NCSoft.

http://web.archive.org/web/20121004230919/http://us.ncsoft.com/en/news/response-to-city-of-heroes-player-and-fan-suggestions.html

I hope we can all remember what doing business with NCSoft is like. In effect is was as if you played a great card, board, or role playing, game with friends all over the world for a decade, and some company didn't just stop publishing the game, they snuck into our houses stole our game and burned our characters sheets. That is what it's like when an MMO shuts suddenly. It destroys faith in the idea of an MMO at all. We are all going to invest our time and money differently after this experience. Observers of this event will also. When joining a new MMO we'll wonder if it's been around too long. We'll wonder if it will be shut down soon, and with little notice. NCSoft damaged the MMO business model when they callously closed City of Heroes.

That might be why so few of us have moved to other games.

My hat is off to people like Golden Girl who has amazing drive, skill, and seems to have a clock with 36(or more) hours on it. I envy her, as my schedule has only become more hectic over the last year. As a life long, gamer, GM, comic collector, and programmer, I would love to work on a game.

I've always been a kind of loner. Never a joiner. In fact I refused to team or join an SG for a long time. I played with only a small group of people. As little as 1 year ago I would never have posted here, or called SaveCOH radio to talk to the ever so cool Pogo. I have grown, thanks to the game, and changed. Not exactly from the game itself, but from the players.

From now until a year from the day they turned off the server I suspect we will be saying "a year ago" a lot. I'm glad. It would be far worse if we all lost our resolve and didn't say anything. Remembering will give strength to the new projects and will harden many of us against purchasing anything that will give money to NCSoft. I hope we will make fan videos, and write stories. I hope we will have parties and remember those of us who didn't make it to see these days.

Well, that's the end of my rambling "I love you guys" mode. I have to make breakfast and play the City of Heroes card game with the kids, because it's raining outside today.

Take care.
#SaveCOH

[r00tb0ySlim]

One Year Ago

So...

One year ago, I had accepted the end and knew it was coming, then feared it, then realized it can't ever come, because we're all still here.

Nice post Johnny.  My kids also played in similar fashion and the wife complained of motion sickness too, so we played her blaster ;D

[Randomvector]

Gonna just say what I say to everyone:
Next year in Paragon.

[Eoraptor]

https://plus.google.com/110443013547390365152/posts/epfoYPmBCGG Because we want our city back!

[LaughingAlex]

I gave my thoughts on the game, for sure.

[batqueen]

(as chanted by loud, angry, defiant cheerleaders,
and led by Head cheerleader, Fusionette...)  ;)
------------------------
(Boom boom bam)
(Boom boom bam)
(Boom boom bam)
(Boom boom bam)


One year ago, on this day,
NCSoft said "go away!"

but we're still here,
we're still here,
we fight for what
we hold dear

they took the keys
and locked the door
threw our accounts
down on the floor

but we're still here,
we're still here,
the world knows that
we're still here

they laughed us off
left us alone
we looked around
could find no home

but we're still here,
we're still here,
time has passed
and we're still here

it's not that easy
you thought you'd win
we'd walk away
and just give in

but we're still here
we're still here
a year has passed
and we're still here

paragon streets are
where we roam
the only place
that we call home

and we're still here
we're still near
whispering
into your ear

give our city
back to us
you've done us wrong
you broke a trust

but we're still here
we're still here
we must remind you
we're still here

so this is how
it should be done
we shouldn't quit
we cannot run

and other games will
come and go
but we'll still
always let you know

that in the end
we will be home
we'll never leave
we'll never roam

there is no other
choice for us
we'll fight until
victorious!


..echoes away, then cheers roar within the War Walls...

[Atlantea]

As for what I have to say to NCSoft - I believe all you need to do is read my signature below. Which I'm going to leave on their facebook today as a reminder that we're still here.

"...and filled him with a terrible resolve."  Yes. Indeed. My anger has cooled since a year ago on Black Friday. But my resolve has not.

This is the best damn gaming community I've ever been a part of. One of the best communities period. We are passionate and creative and driven. We will get our City back, one way or another. Indeed, in some ways, we already have. Not, perhaps, in the way that most of us would wish. But we can walk the streets of Paragon still if we wish.

Have hope that the rest is coming.

*Raises a toast*

Next Christmas in the Ski Chalet!