New efforts!

[Kaos Arcanna]

Unless we wind up with the exact same servers we had before (something I find unlikely) I doubt that it'd be possible for EVERYONE to get all the names they had before.

I had over 70 50s and literally HUNDREDS of characters.  I doubt that I'm going to be able to pick up where I left off if the games come back.

I think a more plausible solution is to do what Cryptic did on their more recent names: the global name is the unique identifier.

That way, everyone is pretty much guaranteed to get their favorite character names back.

[Waffles]

If any of you try to snag Ironwolf's name, or my Warshade's, Imma' skin you alive.

[candidate]

I am Pretty sure if game returns, and players have to start over, only a part of the former players would return.

And game will not survive for long if that happens.

[Fable]

I am Pretty sure if game returns, and players have to start over, only a part of the former players would return.

And game will not survive for long if that happens.

I honestly don't think that's the case at all. In all reality the game was probably getting played out for a lot of the those older players. I'd think that most would relish in the opportunity to start their progress, in a game the thought was gone, over again.

I picked up ffx for my psp, after a few hours into it I went on vacation and forgot to bring it with and i didn't save the game before I left. When I got back the battery was and lost my game, I didn't just not pick it up again. I scooped it up and slugged thought a few hours of a game I've played 100 times. Why? Because I frikn love that game.

[skoogmik]

If any of you try to snag Ironwolf's name, or my Warshade's, Imma' skin you alive.

Let me guess... Is your Warshade's named Waffles?

Will you be offended if I name a character Chicken and Waffles, or Waffles with Syrup?

[AlphaFerret]

I had 35-40 lvl 50s, and I would have no problem at all starting from scratch.  I don't have all the free time that I had in my CoH heyday, so starting over would allow me to focus on a few toons, rather than an array of 'em spread across multiple servers.
I cannot wait to get back into Paragon City:)

[Harq]

I like the idea of starting fresh.  Yes I sunk a lot of money into it like the rest of you.  But one of my favorite things was creating a character and just getting a feel of the powers and such cause if we did keep everything, Id be tempted to reroll anyway since its been 2 years. I'm treating it like its a new release now anyway.

And as far as names go, big deal.  I'm thinking if your that worried about losing a name, it may not be that original if everyone wants it.  If your serious about a name and put thought into it, chances are it will be available.  Also I'm not shy on creative misspelling to get the name across.  Pretending I'm dyslexic helps.

on that though, if anyone wants to take Captain Underoos from me I'll have to write a nasty letter to Santa and narc ya out!!!!

I'm just saying we are all adults.  Be happy its coming back.  If you want to complain about it. Don't play and criticize Champions Online or other games you think has it's crap together.  P.S. none do  ;)

[Surelle]

Unless we wind up with the exact same servers we had before (something I find unlikely) I doubt that it'd be possible for EVERYONE to get all the names they had before.

I had over 70 50s and literally HUNDREDS of characters.  I doubt that I'm going to be able to pick up where I left off if the games come back.

I think a more plausible solution is to do what Cryptic did on their more recent names: the global name is the unique identifier.

That way, everyone is pretty much guaranteed to get their favorite character names back.

Global handles were already in CoH sort of..... Hopefully they could be modified to apply here.   This is a great idea you've got, Kaos!

But in the end, we don't even know that CoH will ever be back, really....  So we wait, and iron out the details later if we get that far.

[Minotaur]

If I recall correctly (big if), wasn't there a component within the Sentinel files that would provide a tip-off, in case of any changes made to the data by cheaters?

IIRC there's a checksum in there, I checked before editing any of my names like HeIena Handbasket back to what they should be.

[Dal]

I am Pretty sure if game returns, and players have to start over, only a part of the former players would return.

And game will not survive for long if that happens.

I hardly think so. Starting over will offer a completely new experience for all players, and this is certain to attract many, as well as new people. And let's be honest, character creation was a HUGE turn off to anyone because of naming, as it was extremely painful for anyone to come up with a reasonable name. I think the game was extremely saturated of old deadweight characters, and there really is no better opportunity than this to get rid of them.

[Surelle]

I hardly think so. Starting over will offer a completely new experience for all players, and this is certain to attract many, as well as new people. And let's be honest, character creation was a HUGE turn off to anyone because of naming, as it was extremely painful for anyone to come up with a reasonable name. I think the game was extremely saturated of old deadweight characters, and there really is no better opportunity than this to get rid of them.

That's a really great point about all the deadweight names, actually....  I was just glad when they finally made the name line longer so you could fit more characters.  And being able to use ' and - etc. really helped too.

[JanessaVR]

I don't really mind starting over, and the name issue won't be a problem for me.  That's because I keep my characters fairly well-grounded, and not "4-color superheroes" styled.  To wit, I'll name a Rad/Rad Defender "Jane Smith" instead of "The Amazing Atomic Woman."  Everyone else drives themselves nuts trying to think of the perfect uber-cool "super name," but I never even bother to try, as it's not my preference.

My characters rarely look like superheroes, either.  When in the field, they wear sensible head-to-toe body armor.  When dealing with normal business around town, they're wearing normal casual or formal clothing, as dictated by the situation.  Apparently, I was one of the very, very few people who played this way.

[PopeJonPaul]

 I had about 12 50's that I would play depending on the rest of my current teams' makeup that I enjoyed and I would be considered wealthy in game terms, with over 5 billion inf to my name and many recipes and IOs sitting in my old base.

That being said, I wouldn't mind at all starting over. A lot of the fun was the journey, the progression, and making friends along the way and not just hitting the end goal and starting up a new character.

Besides, with the really long layoff since I last played I won't even be familiar with a lot of the powersets I used, the attack cycle and when to trigger scenario specific powers/utilities.

I think I would actually prefer to start over if this all works out.

[AlienOne]

If any of you try to snag Ironwolf's name, or my Warshade's, Imma' skin you alive.

Is a skinned waffle....


.....a pancake? O.o

[Sinistar]

You can be sure that a lot of lowlifes will be logging in on the first day to name-squat as many names as they can get their grubby mitts on (if account data isn't restored).

Sadly this would happen. 

If player's accounts are still intact and can be restored that would be great.

Now all the TRIAL accounts that were used and expired...those could be wiped thus freeing up some names.

[Sinistar]

I am Pretty sure if game returns, and players have to start over, only a part of the former players would return.

And game will not survive for long if that happens.

Not necessarily, as some have stated there is a certain fun factor in starting over despite the massive loss of characters they may have suffered.

On the other hand, I'd hate to see all my 100 50's be gone.... although my rad rad corr wouldn't be missed.

So I am on the fence on the matter as I see both sides.

Of course, it also would depend on any incentives, bonuses, special offers that they will have at relaunch. 

Example: all bases and group data are wiped, so for the first month of relaunch have a special where when you register a group and activate a base you start with 5 million prestige and maybe one of the base badges. To really make it sweet, make it the fusion generator badge.

The first month of relaunch could be DXP.....

The celebrant anniversary badge is available in the first month as we are celebrating the return of CoH

For the first month all character slots on all servers are available, after the first month unused slots are locked and you need to purchase slot unlocks

For the first week or two a character can make a Kheld or Epic villain even if they haven't reached the level to unlock them, after that lock them down.

Just some ideas......also here's a couple more:

1. Revert energy melee to how it was prior to ish 13, I think that was when energy transfer was given its unpopular change to the charge up fist attack....

2. Yank knockback from Peacebringer powers, this would for the most part be a popular thing for the PB players.

3. Granite armor: many clamored for a cosmetic change to granite, add an alternate granite armor to be chosen in the tailor shop....

4. to give players a nice incentive: all player powers do double damage for the first two weeks then damage is restored to prior levels.  Let the players go forth and seriously trash their enemies for awhile, if nothing else they can burn out their frustration over the shutdown ;)

5. crank up events like the nemesis invasion and rikti invasions

[LaughingAlex]

Not necessarily, as some have stated there is a certain fun factor in starting over despite the massive loss of characters they may have suffered.

On the other hand, I'd hate to see all my 100 50's be gone.... although my rad rad corr wouldn't be missed.

So I am on the fence on the matter as I see both sides.

Of course, it also would depend on any incentives, bonuses, special offers that they will have at relaunch. 

Example: all bases and group data are wiped, so for the first month of relaunch have a special where when you register a group and activate a base you start with 5 million prestige and maybe one of the base badges. To really make it sweet, make it the fusion generator badge.

The first month of relaunch could be DXP.....

The celebrant anniversary badge is available in the first month as we are celebrating the return of CoH

For the first month all character slots on all servers are available, after the first month unused slots are locked and you need to purchase slot unlocks

For the first week or two a character can make a Kheld or Epic villain even if they haven't reached the level to unlock them, after that lock them down.

Just some ideas......also here's a couple more:

1. Revert energy melee to how it was prior to ish 13, I think that was when energy transfer was given its unpopular change to the charge up fist attack....

2. Yank knockback from Peacebringer powers, this would for the most part be a popular thing for the PB players.

3. Granite armor: many clamored for a cosmetic change to granite, add an alternate granite armor to be chosen in the tailor shop....

4. to give players a nice incentive: all player powers do double damage for the first two weeks then damage is restored to prior levels.  Let the players go forth and seriously trash their enemies for awhile, if nothing else they can burn out their frustration over the shutdown ;)

5. crank up events like the nemesis invasion and rikti invasions

Yeah....you do know energy melee was far outdamaging other sets right?  Not to mention how many stalkers abused that.....energy transfer needed the nerf :/.

Also the peacebringer suggestion, screams knockbackphobia to me.  Frankly I generally avoided teaming with knockback phobes since they were always the types who weren't fun to team with since they were total stop having fun guys.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StopHavingFunGuys

[Captain Electric]

They can wait 90 days if people have not come back by then,then open the names again.

Went on a bunch of errands, but just wanted to reply back to this and say that I think it would be a fair compromise between people who share my viewpoint and people on the other side. Because you know after that 90 days, I bet thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of names would suddenly be in the clear. BUT those of us who grew attached to our characters would also have the opportunity to preserve our connection. Please understand, I am not asking for much personally. I had around 30 characters total. But a handful of them were characters that I initially created as a boy, over twenty years before City of Heroes would be developed.

+1 for compromise, it's the mark of a true community.

[JanessaVR]

I'm actually looking forward to the opportunity to start with a clean slate.  I started off playing Blasters, but over 4 and a half years, my playstyle evolved considerably, and by the end I was playing Controllers exclusively.  I've kept up with Mids, and, coupled with my game experience and much time to think since then, I have a new alpha character planned, based on the powerset combination that I had found to be best fit for me after years of play.

So, all in all, a chance to move away from my old Fire/Devices Blaster badger/alpha and on to a new Illusion/Time Controller is something I'm looking forward to (assuming the deal goes through).  I love to stealth missions, and my preferred team role is to be able to lock down or confuse every enemy in sight, and this is the best combination I've found to do that - it's loaded with holds and slows and boasts the best stealth in the game.  This powerset combo also gives me an opportunity to plan a character background based on in-game lore - she'll be a Praetorian and a member of the Carnival of Light.

[AlienOne]

Went on a bunch of errands, but just wanted to reply back to this and say that I think it would be a fair compromise between people who share my viewpoint and people on the other side. Because you know after that 90 days, I bet thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of names would suddenly be in the clear. BUT those of us who grew attached to our characters would also have the opportunity to preserve our connection. Please understand, I am not asking for much personally. I had around 30 characters total. But a handful of them were characters that I initially created as a boy, over twenty years before City of Heroes would be developed.

+1 for compromise, it's the mark of a true community.

Agreed.