So it didn't work.

[Riff]

Looks like whatever back-room manoeuvres that were happening, if at all, failed http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=297472

[DrakeGrimm]

...that's an awfully big assumption there, friend. All this means is that NCSoft is committed to cessation of their own involvement in the City of Heroes franchise, which we all knew going in. The ideal here was never to get NCSoft to reverse the decision; we both know they never would.

This has no bearing on any negotiations that may or may not be taking place to save the IP. Whether City is saved or not, NCSoft would still be required to 'tie up' this loose end.

[Teege]

I'd say that particular post is primarily focused on the refund information that so many people were concerned about. Don't let it distract you. Sure it may look bad, but wait to see if or when Andy posts something to the effect of "As we finally say goodbye tomorrow, November 30th, let us not forget..."

[Victoria Victrix]

Au contraire.  You are talking apples and wingnuts here.

In fact, this is a win.  In the past, all that NCSoft offered was "free game and game time on another of our games" rather than a real REFUND.

I think we can say they finally blinked.

That's the apples.  The wingnuts is negotiations to purchase by Paragon Studios.  NOTHING in this post says that those negotiations are over.  In fact, as a PAID EMPLOYEE of NCSoft, Andy could not possibly reveal anything about those negotiations.

All this says is "neener neener NCSoft might have blinked, but we are not going to keep the game alive."  So what?  We don't WANT them to keep the game alive only to kill it down the road.  We want someone else who loves this game to keep it alive, growing and vibrant.

This is also a psychological ploy on the part of NCSoft to discourage us from keeping up our pressure on them.  They WANT us to be defeatist (and they obviously succeeded in your case).  If anything, we need to put MORE pressure on them--to sell.

[DrakeGrimm]

Au contraire.  You are talking apples and wingnuts here.

In fact, this is a win.  In the past, all that NCSoft offered was "free game and game time on another of our games" rather than a real REFUND.

I think we can say they finally blinked.

That's the apples.  The wingnuts is negotiations to purchase by Paragon Studios.  NOTHING in this post says that those negotiations are over.  In fact, as a PAID EMPLOYEE of NCSoft, Andy could not possibly reveal anything about those negotiations.

All this says is "neener neener NCSoft might have blinked, but we are not going to keep the game alive."  So what?  We don't WANT them to keep the game alive only to kill it down the road.  We want someone else who loves this game to keep it alive, growing and vibrant.

This is also a psychological ploy on the part of NCSoft to discourage us from keeping up our pressure on them.  They WANT us to be defeatist (and they obviously succeeded in your case).  If anything, we need to put MORE pressure on them--to sell.

As always, VV, you make my efforts at use of the written word and morale building look like the flailing efforts of a simpering child. Thank you for putting into better words what was knocking around in my head. :)

[emu265]

Now, let's not go that far.  When I read that, I got that punched-in-the-face feeling in my gut too.  Basically, my whole upper body hurt.  But it's not over yet.  We still have over two months before the game goes offline.  And no one said that their negotiations have concluded with this announcement.  Zwillinger said we were being heard, NCsoft even said they're listening (refer to Tony's update about contacting them directly).  I am angry and depressed, but it's a knee jerk reaction to not hearing what I wanted to.  We have time, we have power.  Let's keep at it.

[TimtheEnchanter]

Looks like the final nail in the coffin is the last sentence.

"Thank you for your support and patience as we work to smoothly close this chapter with the sunset of the City of Heroes franchise."

Not just the servers, or the game under NCsoft's ownership, or this version of the game. The whole gosh darned thing.

Either way, I think we need confirmation from Zwill. And he need not give us any info that he ins't allowed to. All we need is something like, "Keep it up."

[Segev]

So we simply buy the franchise. It is a matter of putting together a formal company and convincing NCSoft that they can make some money as they pull out of the West rather than losing all sunk costs.

[DrakeGrimm]

So we simply buy the franchise. It is a matter of putting together a formal company and convincing NCSoft that they can make some money as they pull out of the West rather than losing all sunk costs.

Given some comments made by certain individuals, it is entirely possible that this is already being done behind closed doors, under heavy NDA enforcement. So. >.>

[Victoria Victrix]

Looks like the final nail in the coffin is the last sentence.

"Thank you for your support and patience as we work to smoothly close this chapter with the sunset of the City of Heroes franchise."

Not just the servers, or the game under NCsoft's ownership, or this version of the game. The whole gosh darned thing.

Either way, I think we need confirmation from Zwill. And he need not give us any info that he ins't allowed to. All we need is something like, "Keep it up."

Oh for crying out loud.....

fran·chise/ˈfranCHīz/
Noun:   
(1) An authorization granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities.  2. the right or license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its products or services in a specific territory.

You made the point that Andy sweated over this, probably with the NCSoft lawyers looking over his shoulder.  By the legal definition of franchise all this means is that NCSoft has NO intention of continuing the game.  It says NOTHING about someone else picking up the game.  When NCSoft lets go of the reins, that means they have given up their right or license to operate it, not that said right or license is dead.


But you just go right along there and lie down and give up.  I am not going to stop you, but don't blame me if I use your body as a stepping stone.

[TimtheEnchanter]

Given some comments made by certain individuals, it is entirely possible that this is already being done behind closed doors, under heavy NDA enforcement. So. >.>

I just find it hard to believe that with how much Zwill has been maintaining contact with us, within the limitations of whatever rules are in place, that he'd word it that way.

[Copper Cockroach]

They WANT us to be defeatist (and they obviously succeeded in your case).

You're certainly getting your money's worth out of that sentence.

[The-Hunter-JLJ]

I just find it hard to believe that with how much Zwill has been maintaining contact with us, within the limitations of whatever rules are in place, that he'd word it that way.

He may have been given no choice. Lawyers can be a pain in the butt that way.

[Vulpy]

Ultimately, this changes nothing--we knew before that NCsoft wanted to terminate their involvement with the game. They're taking steps to do that in a customer-friendly way, like a responsible business should do. My personal goal was never to convince NCsoft to maintain the game, and certainly not to maintain the game indefinitely. My goal was to persuade them, one way or another, to make a cash grab of the IP by selling it to another publisher. Our CoH accounts with them would have to close before this could take place.

Keep it up, everyone!

[TimtheEnchanter]

Oh for crying out loud.....

But you just go right along there and lie down and give up.  I am not going to stop you, but don't blame me if I use your body as a stepping stone.

Before you jump too fast at the opportunity to be domme, read the final line of my post again.  :P

[Paindancer]

Interesting.

Seems like a tidy way to wrap up any financial obligations, which would be one step in setting up for a complete handover.

[Victoria Victrix]

I just find it hard to believe that with how much Zwill has been maintaining contact with us, within the limitations of whatever rules are in place, that he'd word it that way.

Tim, what part of NDA do you not understand?  Having signed several, I can tell you it means you CANNOT discuss company business of ANY kind with ANYONE much less put anything about sensitive business negotiations out there for anyone to poke his nose into.

[TimtheEnchanter]

Nothing that I was talking about would be any violation of an NDA. If it were, then closed beta testers wouldn't even be allowed to say, "This game is so cool!"

[GuyPerfect]

I am grateful that NCsoft will be issuing no-strings refunds for unused time, and am especially pleased that they'll be re-enabling accounts as VIP through the end for those who were unable to resubscribe at the time of the announcement.

[Paindancer]

Nothing that I was talking about would be any violation of an NDA. If it were, then closed beta testers wouldn't even be allowed to say, "This game is so cool!"

Technically, they aren't.

But, back to topic. 

I for one, am glad to see this.  It takes care of the 'bait & switch' issue.

IF  (big IF) they were going to hand over the title, one thing they would legally have to do is do a clean break with their customers, if for no other reason, that they dont want to 'give' customers to the competition.

I think, no matter what, having NCSoft out of the picuture will be a good thing. 

Even better would be if the Paragon staff can somehow come together and form a new entity on their own.