New efforts!

[Deadflame2]

The thing is with the best and fastest programmers on it porting the original over would take 18-24 months. In the meantime we will have the original running - but likely with no development. After 2 years of no new releases - the population will start to drift away.

If they can fill that void with excitement for CoH2 - with the same gameplay, advanced graphics and have it more easily developed in the future....everyone wins.

Keeping in mind that those of us who are fans of CoH won't go anywhere else while it's still running.  A lot of us were around from the beginning till the end.  You'd probably find that a few might take a break here and there, but they'll stuck around for CoH2 anyway.  Assuming CoH2 delivers in the same fashion, I would imagine most would move over to the newer engine.

[AlienOne]

That is certainly what I want out of it. To me the ideal CoH2 would have (baseline) all the same rules, playstyles, costume parts, options, locations, etc. It would be driven by a new engine and take advantage of newer world texture / particle options (so, water works more like water, marble looks more like marble, trees cast "real" shadows rather then have sculpted mystery shadow on the side of the dam, etc). Character meshes would be upgraded to have more slider control and better motion (and fingers maybe), but still start with and have all the current setting ranges available. Costume parts would be upgraded to have better detailing (where required) and more color channels (in general).

Basically I want a remake, not a reboot/sequel...

That's what I'd like... I'm sort of afraid that the basic game mechanics would change, which would change the whole feel of the game. The "feel" of CoH is something I haven't been able to get in any other game since.

I'd love for CoH to get "ported" (in a manner of speaking--not in the same sense that console games get ported to the PC) to an engine that's manageable and able to be expanded upon. What I DON'T want to happen is what happens with some sequels/games when a developer decides to add "features" that change how the game is played. A great example of this is Mass Effect 1 to Mass Effect 2... The entire control scheme was changed. It had a different feel to it, and everyone had to "re-learn" how to play it.

Now, yes, I realize that this can "improve" some things... But, there is a LOT of heated debate about what is an "improvement" and what is not.

Some people might think playing a superhero game with a "charging" system (like, say, CO) is an "improvement" and allows you to also play with a controller... But, I would prefer the system that CoH had in place. Changing that power activation game mechanic would essentially change the feel of City of Heroes.

[mrultimate]

That's what I'd like... I'm sort of afraid that the basic game mechanics would change, which would change the whole feel of the game. The "feel" of CoH is something I haven't been able to get in any other game since.

I'd love for CoH to get "ported" (in a manner of speaking--not in the same sense that console games get ported to the PC) to an engine that's manageable and able to be expanded upon.

Some people might think playing a superhero game with a "charging" system (like, say, CO) is an "improvement" and allows you to also play with a controller... But, I would prefer the system that CoH had in place. Changing that power activation game mechanic would essentially change the feel of City of Heroes.

Exactly how I feel also. I don't want to have to block or play any type of twitchy combat as well.

[Super Firebug]

Okay, all of you developers out there who'll be working on CoH2, are you getting the message? We like what we like. You can try new presentation, but DON'T SCREW WITH THE RECIPE!

(Yes, it's a food reference. I'm hungry, okay?)

[Deadflame2]

Exactly how I feel also. I don't want to have to block or play any type of twitchy combat as well.

Ugh.  Blocking and charging powers.  Although I did get used to it somewhat playing CO, it was absolutely top of my "hate" list.  I miss just going blow for blow until you or the target dies.  Also miss inspirations immensely!

[Serpine]

You can try new presentation, but DON'T SCREW WITH THE RECIPE!

(Yes, it's a food reference. I'm hungry, okay?)

I think its a fine analogy.

But seriously go get some food. :)

[r00tb0ySlim]

Exactly how I feel also. I don't want to have to block or play any type of twitchy combat as well.

Agreed!!

[sindyr]

The thing is with the best and fastest programmers on it porting the original over would take 18-24 months. In the meantime we will have the original running - but likely with no development. After 2 years of no new releases - the population will start to drift away.

If they can fill that void with excitement for CoH2 - with the same gameplay, advanced graphics and have it more easily developed in the future....everyone wins.

That's an excellent word, "port". I think *some* of us are worried that CoH2 *won't* be a port, but instead be it's own different thing - and all we (I) want is CoX *ported*. ;)

[mrultimate]

I think its a fine analogy.

But seriously go get some food. :)

Is it soup yet???

[sindyr]

That's what I'd like... I'm sort of afraid that the basic game mechanics would change, which would change the whole feel of the game. The "feel" of CoH is something I haven't been able to get in any other game since.

I'd love for CoH to get "ported" (in a manner of speaking--not in the same sense that console games get ported to the PC) to an engine that's manageable and able to be expanded upon. What I DON'T want to happen is what happens with some sequels/games when a developer decides to add "features" that change how the game is played. A great example of this is Mass Effect 1 to Mass Effect 2... The entire control scheme was changed. It had a different feel to it, and everyone had to "re-learn" how to play it.

Now, yes, I realize that this can "improve" some things... But, there is a LOT of heated debate about what is an "improvement" and what is not.

Some people might think playing a superhero game with a "charging" system (like, say, CO) is an "improvement" and allows you to also play with a controller... But, I would prefer the system that CoH had in place. Changing that power activation game mechanic would essentially change the feel of City of Heroes.

**EXACTLY**.  I strongly feel - and I think I am not alone, that most *mechanical* improvements to CoX wouldn't be. (Improvements, that is.)

[sindyr]

Okay, all of you developers out there who'll be working on CoH2, are you getting the message? We like what we like. You can try new presentation, but DON'T SCREW WITH THE RECIPE!

(Yes, it's a food reference. I'm hungry, okay?)

Oh man, I'm in so that spot - just ordered pizza, waiting for it to come...  why does 20 minutes feel like four hours?  lol...

[LaughingAlex]

Added to the timeline:
July 11 - Fifth Studio contacts me and is forwarded on.

When I said we have more friends than you can know - did you miss that now 5 studios want to buy and develop the game :)

Chris Chung while he runs his own studio is a big fan - then there was the whole Convention video where one of the Wildstar guys I think it was said - City of Heroes should never have shut down and all the other Devs agreed - including Jack Emmert. The City is very much appreciated in the gaming world.

I remember the video you speak of, "Damnit city of heroes was a neat game it should not have been shut down!".  Everyone agreed.  Five developer studios now?  Honestly now I'm starting to see pressure on NCSoft but i'm getting the feeling we are getting good pressure.

Whoever gets it if they are going to have tech support working from home I'd be happy to help work with them on helping customers fix technical issues they may hit.  I've some experience with technical support and working in a vmware environment, so i'd be willing to help out if that was possible.  Heck if a studio was in Albuquerque NM i'd be willing to work there as tech support to.

As it is I really want to get a series of videos for coming up with character ideas and enjoying the game.  The plan is to debunk myths such as the game difficulty being to hard to be playable(thats a CO player base myth, one person said minions were like CO's legendaries), or the "it's an mmorpg it's a wow clone".  I plan to prove CoX is a different game that truely busts the holy trinity.  I feel that the shut down of CoX, the real damage was that it was a beacon of light in darkness of a sore lack of innovation we are all familiar with in mmorpgs(or rather, mmohtgs).  It's one of the few games that was successful in avoiding the trinity and generally avoiding the grind to much, because when you avoid the first, you cut down on the repetitiveness significantly if you do it right.  The later ends up significantly reduced in feel when the game is no longer repetitive, and so on.

We may even want to try open source to, at this point, for the game.  But then we'll have to figure how to support or reject a change.  I wouldn't want someone making a test that makes the game require a healer everywhere by nerfing all the buffs/debuffs/cc know?

Edit: I think I may worry though, with more developer teams wanting the game I ponder what NCSoft would do with that?  They may decide to keep the options open and raise the price or something, I'd worry somewhat there know?  And definently wouldn't want a bidding war for sure, money needs to be left over to develop the game.

[Nitekilla]

Agreed!!

Agreed !  I also hate that stupid dodge rolling in GW2.

[Golden Girl]

Exactly how I feel also. I don't want to have to block or play any type of twitchy combat as well.

The combat system in "Heroes and Villains" is being designed to have no blocking, dodging, or charge ups - we know what's expected from us ;)

[downix]

Exactly how I feel also. I don't want to have to block or play any type of twitchy combat as well.

I know CoT isn't planning on this.

[The Fifth Horseman]

With regards to getting the game running immediately in maintenance mode, while they port it over.
Realistically is this something the studios would agree to do?
It seems like it would be adding additional operating cost to them while they would be wanting to focus most of that revenue into COH2?
If they have said they intend to do this, fair enough: Just seems like 2 parallel work streams, which might drain their cash flow.
Although - as stated, the micro-transactions might bring in an added incentive in supplementing operating costs and add revenue for COH2 development.

Maintenance mode is literally basic life support, no new content. This means that no staff are required besides a small customer service team, and the game is producing revenue from subscribers / microtransactions.

[Myrmydon]

They are also creating a built in group to switch over and build good will to the community

They would also be creating a very good potential beta test group for the new game.

[HEATSTROKE]

Im 48 years old.. I dont twitch... CoH was perfect for me...

[silvers1]

Exactly how I feel also. I don't want to have to block or play any type of twitchy combat as well.

Amen to that.  I've tried NW, GW2, and Wildstar beta.  The twitchy style of combat, where you constantly have to dodge red patches seems to
be the "in thing" now.  I absolutely hate it.

COH2 needs to be COH with upgraded graphics, period.  Leave the combat system and powersets as is.

[hejtmane]

Since the closing I have tried SWTOR, Champions, DCUO and Rift none had the ease or fun of teaming CoH had.

I am hoping and praying this deal goes. Like Ironwolf I believe it will.

I took a year away on rift when it came out it has some nice things like being able to switch builds but once you are not able to raid the game sucks and that is what happen with me was not able to raid the game becomes a dull bore. COH on the other hand is the opposite end of that spectrum. That and travel powers is the one thing that no one has come close to which makes the game cool