New efforts!

[Fanta]

Nor do I believe it will... I would appreciate a sincere effort given.. and even possibly pursued in the future..

but STEP ONE.. Get the game back.. rules supreme..

Agreed!

[Harpospoke]

It will have to be something like account login, email, global, character name, credit card, etc. Likely a combination of all of them. Some people won't be able to do this. I'm glad it won't be me explaining why they can't have them back. I hope i can do it if the opportunity arises

Got all that except the old card I used.   In addition, I've got the Sentinel files.

So while it might be useful for SCoRE, where the entire game is essentially a hack, Sentinel+ is not useful for you to get your character's back.

Well that certainly will make SCoRE more attractive if we don't get our characters back.

[AlienOne]

Got all that except the old card I used.   In addition, I've got the Sentinel files.
Well that certainly will make SCoRE more attractive if we don't get our characters back.

Yes... In fact, it would act as the perfect "test server" for testing out builds without having to spend the influence on the "official" server--sort of like how the devs used to bump people up to 50 (and give them requested IOs) on the beta server...

Or even a "reference" server to see exactly how your character was built so you could replicate it on the "official" server. Hmmm...the possibilities....

[Harpospoke]

i used AE to play some of the more brilliant and imaginative arcs produced by the players. (i still have special fondness for the arc that featured Nikola Tesla.) i also used it when an RP team i joined used AE to create RP story arcs. And on occasion i used it to farm/fight some of the tougher missions just to test how good my character and my playing was. Sadly i never got around to publishing any of my own concepts before things closed up.

This reminded me of another reason I would want my characters back.

During the last year or so, I finally started trying out some AE stuff via that thread on the forum.   Some really cool things there. 

I had the time for that because I had provided myself with a lot of lvl 50 characters that were ready to play to match whatever mood I was in that day.   I often paused at the login to decide which character I wanted to play that day.    So it was a simple thing to just log in and try out cool things like the AE arcs.

I was also planning to try out some other powersets that I hadn't gotten to yet.   It was a really comfortable place to be.

A wipe of everything means either redoing characters I had already finished (which means no time for AE or new powersets) or just never bothering with them because I don't have the time.

I mean....just look at all the combinations of powersets in the game!   I had gotten to the point where I had a real shot to try them all.    A wipe might just rule that out unless I play for the next 20 years.    Wow...that's discouraging...

[HEATSTROKE]

I wanna know if they will be able to release all the powers sitting in Icon.. some of them have obvious place holder animations.. but i wonder if those powers can be finished??

[primeknight]

Here's my take one what I want and what I'm willing to pay for:

A little back story:  I played CoH on and off since 2005.  I stayed subscribed to the game even if I had been too busy to play, just so game could make some money.  (Don't tell my wife).  I was very invested in the game and I wanted it to continue.  My characters were more than just code and ones and zeroes.  They were a time investment and a labor of love.  They helped carry me through hard times, deaths in the family, break ups and such.  When I heard of the game's closure I played every spare minute I could, and I made extra time, just so I could enjoy the experience up until the end.  And at the very end I was playing my main in Croatoa, playing chase with the German Shepard.  And I realized 2 things:  1. I love the game to a ridiculous degree 2. I love dogs...more specifically my dog (my real dog) and the rest of my family even more, and I really need spend my time with them. 

I've tried Champions and DCUO and the games seemed neat for the few hours I played them, but I realized that those games weren't CoH and because of that, they were a let down.  And I couldn't bring myself to invest my time into a game that'd be second (or a game that might close down unexpectedly too) There's just too much other stuff to do.

Here it's 2014 and I have a family: the whole 9 yards: a wife, a kid, a dog, some cats.  And I have a job that I just got a huge raise for busting my butt on a project that created something that'll be in use for the next 20 years.  (that's a few years of work for a few years of pay to take care of my family and to create something that will last a generation)

I was emphatic when I first played the game:  I played so much that first 9 months, that almost everything else was secondary. When I wasn't working I was playing or sleeping, and I lost sleep.  After the 9 months ed and the gdn happened and the game changed. Play times were shorter and things slowed down, but I still played on and off for years, up until the last moment Liberty server went down.  And what do I have to show?  Memories which I cherish and warm feelings. 

Logically, and emotionally it makes little sense for me to invest in any game if it means time is taken from those I love, and I'll lose out on the skills/experience and respect that my current employer requires.  And I'd prefer to create something great that'll last.

If the game comes out again I'd like to play.  But if the character data is gone, then I won't be able to bring myself to invest in the game like before.  I might play for a few hours occasionally for the novelty of it and try to remake my mains, but the enthusiasm will be gone.  I'll know (in the back of my head) that all this time I'm investing in this game and this skill will be for naught, when, instead, I could be spending time with the family, working hard at my job, and going for another raise, or picking up another hobby like trying to play my guitar or writing stories (with the characters I fit into CoH in the first place).   There's a very good chance that if the game comes back without character data, I'll move on and close the door on that chapter of my life.  Instead of playing, maybe I'll  hang with the wife, play with the baby, or go outside and chase the dog.

That'll be me saving the world, one dog at a time.     

[Harpospoke]

PLEASE  EXCUSE THIS RANT...

  There is something that I feel needs to be said. Maybe its just bothering me personally but I have to get it off my chest. There is a sentiment not just here, but extending back to the game itself, the original forums, the Facebook pages etc etc that the "people" who made fully IO'd builds were all min/max people who didnt enjoy playing the game, but were these people who were only chasing numbers. Somehow there STILL exists this underlying premise that if you actually enjoyed PLAYING the game then you wouldn't mind starting over.

  And I have to freely admit.. This attitude upsets me.. First of all it makes specific generalizations about a group of players that may or many not be true.

  Secondly it says to me (and again Im only talking about me).. That you really dont care about the game. You should just go play with a calculator..

   Thirdly I see a lot of this.. Well I play for CONCEPT.. and my CONCEPT is more important that my build.. and in a roundabout way it says.. Well of you care so much about your build.. then you really dont care about concepts.. and therefore you have missed the JOY of playing CoH..

   Well lets examine that theory....

Here is a concept.. Here is the brief background I wrote for a character named Sureshot an Arch/Devices character

The agent code named Sureshot is a former CIA operative sent to infiltrate the Malta Group and to gather intel on the Knives of Artemis. His true affiliation is as member of the META (Military Engineered Tactically Advanced) group. Unofficially funded by the FIST, the META operation utilizes new nanomachine technology and genome projects to create artifical super powered individuals. The META project has had varying degrees of success, however they have been unable to control what abilities will manifest in each test subject. SureShot developed heightened vision and an uncanny sense of accuracy. He is accuracy is so acute he is able to locate what he calls "Shatterpoints" in objects, weak points he can target to inflict greater damage. His weapons, armor and cloaking device are variations of Malta and Knives technology. Sureshot while employing his targeting drone and eyepiece can even see "stealthed" targets which has prompted META to begin to use him on numerous Arachnos missions.

This background affected his costume. He carries a laser bow and has the reticle eyepiece with the single laser that shows through it during combat. He flies through the use of rocket boots.

  This background affects his build. He is slotted for Accuracy and To Hit Buff. He has placed quite a few slots into Tactics, Targeting Drone, giving him a 38% to hit buff and +60 percent accuracy at all times. He has the Increased Perception IO as well. Pretty much he hits... a lot.. His Battle Cry is

" Bullseye Direct Hit Dont Miss"

He has extra stealth built into his build to simulate technology taken from the Knives of Artemis. He has a constant damage buff of +35% which simulates his ability to see "shatterpoints" and inflict more damage.

  Even his Incarmate power choices of the Robotic Drone pets (which look like Targeting Drones) and the Interface which is a damage resistance debuff proc are a function of his CONCEPT..

  So when I am told that character data might not be available.. Its not just " waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" my mega powerful build will be gone.. Its not just about the expense and time I put into it... and Its not about being "greedy".

  Im not even going to go into great detail about the ridicule taken for making such a crappy blaster that doesnt have Aim and Build up and why devices sucks.. You should have take Arch/Mental... thats much better.. blah blah blah.

  And its not about being some Min/Max guy who would rather play with a calculator and crunch numbers

  This was the CONCEPT.. The build was around the concept.. The costume choices around the concept. The power choices around the concept.

  Its about the loss of a labor of love. Its about the loss of something special to me...

  So forgive me if I dont want to start over.. I will if I have to.. but dont call me greedy.. or selfish... or anything else because I would rather play with the creations that gave me a sense of satisfaction, joy and accomplishment..

   And please dont assume that because a certain character MIGHT have what you might consider a super IO'd crazy influence build that I am any less a player, and less of a concept builder and any less a member of the community..

  Also and last point.. I hate the assumption that.. OH your on a level 50.. therefore you completely ignore the rest of the game.. and therefore you will ignore those new players..

  Well that is a completely false and in my opinion IGNORANT assumption..

   As a level 50 I have invited many new players into a SG so they have people to play with.. I have helped many a new player with builds.. and advice.. I have dropped IO's... and GOOD IO's on random players.. I have given out loads of random influence to players.. I am a fan of Bio's sometimes I will stand around and read people Bio and Give out influence to the ones I really like.. Ive taken Higher level toons and run with lowbies in the sewers giving them buffs along the way to help them level.. etc etc etc etc.. so being a level 50 doesnt necessarily disconnect you from the rest of the community..

+1

One of the disappointing things about the old forums were players who were constantly deriding the way other players played the game.   Somehow they got the idea that the way they liked to play was "the right way" and anything else was wrong....or...what was it?...."not as intended"?

I know market types got that a lot.   I read some threads on that forum while trying to figure out what the heck I was doing and saw many posts attacking market players.   I didn't see the problem.   Say...if someone wants to log in and spend hours standing in one spot at WW...why is that bad?   They must be enjoying it, right?   

But there would frequently be someone claiming "some of us actually play the game and don't have time to be ebil marketers".

I would think that losing CoH and seeing the limited options for playstyle in other games would give an appreciation for that facet of CoH.   But the old "right way to play" stuff is still popping up.    :(

[Harpospoke]

If the game comes out again I'd like to play.  But if the character data is gone, then I won't be able to bring myself to invest in the game like before.  I might play for a few hours occasionally for the novelty of it and try to remake my mains, but the enthusiasm will be gone.  I'll know (in the back of my head) that all this time I'm investing in this game and this skill will be for naught, when, instead, I could be spending time with the family, working hard at my job, and going for another raise, or picking up another hobby like trying to play my guitar or writing stories (with the characters I fit into CoH in the first place).   There's a very good chance that if the game comes back without character data, I'll move on and close the door on that chapter of my life.  Instead of playing, maybe I'll  hang with the wife, play with the baby, or go outside and chase the dog.

Cool to know another guitar player plays this game!   8) I'll admit this thought process has been lurking around in my brain too....I just didn't want to say it out loud.   Scares me.

I've got two bands now and that is twice the work.   Less time to play CoH.

[Black Gold]

You know, with all the stuff everyone is asking for back, if we can't get the account stuff I would at least like all the character slots I unlocked (Which was maxed btw). That would at least enable me to try and recreate my characters. ...Just sayin. But foregoing all that, Just gettign the game back would be huge!

[Magus Prime]

Wow.  Trying to keep up with everything on this thread is harder than it used to be.  This is more like a chat room than a message board lol!

[Ohioknight]

Here's my take one what I want and what I'm willing to pay for: ...
  There's a very good chance that if the game comes back without character data...  Instead of playing, maybe I'll  hang with the wife, play with the baby, or go outside and chase the dog.

So... what you want and what you'll pay for is ... the game without character data so you can spend time with your wife, baby, and dog???  Because if the game comes back with character data you'll neglect your family??? 

I think I kind-of respect that.

[Gamerchamp]

Wow.  Trying to keep up with everything on this thread is harder than it used to be.  This is more like a chat room than a message board lol!

Just imagine what it will be like if we get the game back.

[CoyoteSeven]

Just imagine what it will be like if we get the game back.

An intense flurry of posts that are all a variation on "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!" And then suddenly silence as soon as the game comes back online. Then the entire board will go virtually silent as the official boards go back online and the majority of the players go back to posting there.

[Gamerchamp]

An intense flurry of posts that are all a variation on "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!" And then suddenly silence as soon as the game comes back online. Then the entire board will go virtually silent as the official boards go back online and the majority of the players go back to posting there.

Exactually right and I will probably be one of them going nuts haha.

[Aggelakis]

I would vastly prefer being able to get my character data and account data back.

If I could pick one to get back, I would prefer my account data (vet and market unlocks, game edition codes, costume con codes, etc.). My characters can be recreated, half of the fun for me was making characters (that's why I had over 100 characters and only 5 50s - one of which was my ex's and another of which was PL'd via level pact). It would make me very, very sad to lose my account data. Very sad. I spent an embarrassing amount of money on City of Heroes. :-[

I would start over with nothing if it came down to it. And I'd spend money to get much of the account stuff back. But I would be very, very sad panda. :'(

[HEATSTROKE]

 Im the opposite.. I really want my characters...

[Wyrm]

Just imagine what it will be like if we get the game back.

That's pretty much all I've been doing for the past three days...

[MWRuger]

Actually, you're chief among the people who (I suspect purposefully at this point, since you've done nothing but attack my viewpoint from the beginning) don't seem to "get" what I am saying.

Let me ask you something: do you speak for everyone else? I certainly don't. I am speaking for myself. So, I wouldn't be so presumptuous to think that giving people an option to get a few vet rewards/IOs/costume unlocks would "ruin their experience." I don't know that.

And, I hate to break it to you...

...neither do you. ;)

I just know what would make me happy. And I'm allowed to speak my opinion on a forum where it is encouraged in a community of vets--of which I have earned my place over the last 9 years.


Also....

THIS.

Oh, I think I understand you pretty well. The only thing I attacked was the odious example of comparing deleting MMO characters with turning off life support of family members.

I am speaking directly about making everybody's characters "open season" just so  we can have 50's back at launch. You said you were fine with that. I recognized that. How did I misunderstand your response? "I'm fine with that" sure sounds like you think it's OK. I'm sure Heatstroke and Ohioknight would be as well.  Many others, myself included, as well as all the RL friends who played and I asked would not.

I realize that I don't speak for everyone, neither do you, but that is why I asked other people what they thought. I'm keeping a whole group of people up to date on what's going and I put the question to them. Out of about 20, only 1 was "fine with that".

So I guess I'm speaking for the 20 out of 21 who responded. Now, I don't know whether that would hurt there gaming experience or whether they wouldn't play if this path was pursued. Plenty of time to worry about that call if this happens. Personally, I hope it doesn't.

Do you remember how upset everyone was when it was NCSoft taking away the characters we created by closing the game? Why is this any different if you are just going to let anyone grab whatever looks like a  nice character or you remember as being a good character?

[Codewalker]

2. or Everybody can get characters back but also folks can get character copies they don't own

Not picking on this post in particular, but this far in and nobody has pointed out the obvious answer to copying xml files?

The solution to that is trivial -- just make a unique signature out of each character that is imported into the system and store it. Don't allow importing the same character more than once. The checksum prevents making trivial modifications to try to fool the signature. If you give someone copies of your characters and they import them before you, tough cookies, you shouldn't have done that.

There are a lot of problems with allowing Sentinel imports, but duplicate characters is not one of them.

If you're worried about the economy, you could even go as far as stripping influence or carried inventory (recipes and non-slotted enhancements) during the import process.

[Thirty-Seven]

(Late reply to HEATSTROKE's post re: min/max)

Well, based on what you just said, the type of min/max player that is being described is obviously not you.  Therefore, you shouldn't take offense to those types of comments since you know that's not how you liked to play.

That doesn't mean that no one fits into the "no fun, min/max, what concept?" role.  There really are folks who can't blend the two sides as seamlessly as you do, Heatstroke.

Also, three cheers for the name Sure shot!