Status Update (October 2)

[Stunrunner]

I think the one thing we can all take away from NCSoft's statement is that this is their official spokesman.

https://images.weserv.nl/?url=wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net%2F80450F%2F983thesnake.com%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F01%2FPants-On-Fire-Mike-Licht-NotionsCapitalDOTcom-Flickr.jpg

No mas pantalones.

[DrakeGrimm]

Anyone's guess if this is true, but I just read in-game that Trion offered NC 80mil for CoH.

I've heard this rumor, too, but I haven't seen any evidence to support it.

[dwturducken]

I've mainly been silent throughout this, because louder and more capable voices than mine were getting things done, and because as an academic I tend toward analysis prior to (and sometimes instead of) action.

But this press release pushed just about every button I have.  "Shut up and go away" is something I expect, but the equivalent of, "Shut up and go away, and we don't think you're smart enough to get sub-text" about makes my blood boil.

I'm done taking out my frustration on official forum unicorns, and ready to start directing my energy right at SaveCOH.

Nice going, NCSoft.  Instead of chasing people off the movement, you've convinced me to get more active in it.

Welcome. See DrakeGrimm for popcorn.  ;D

[Mistress Urd]

I know Nexon is a big investor in NCSoft, who are some of the others?

[Victoria Victrix]

Anyone's guess if this is true, but I just read in-game that Trion offered NC 80mil for CoH.

I'd file that under "wild and crazy rumors"

Here's another shot of the NCSoft spokesman.

https://images.weserv.nl/?url=pmwr74.files.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F09%2Fliar-liar-pants-on-fire.jpg

[Golden Girl]

I've heard this rumor, too, but I haven't seen any evidence to support it.

While the actual offer could be possible, the sum being quoted is stupidly high for an older MMO with a medium sized player base - it'd take them decades to make it back, going by the profit margins COH has.

[dwturducken]

Actually, with some serious advertising, plus the existing reputation as a benchmark in the industry, they may have the kind of machine behind them to recoup a deep investment.  That said, the number is ridiculous by an order of magnitude.

[DrakeGrimm]

While the actual offer could be possible, the sum being quoted is stupidly high for an older MMO with a medium sized player base - it'd take them decades to make it back, going by the profit margins COH has.

That profit margin is based off of a game with almost no advertising budget. CoH's primary form of advertisement was us. If they gave it an actual advertising and development budget, they'd push the profits WAY up.

[Victoria Victrix]

Actually, with some serious advertising, plus the existing reputation as a benchmark in the industry, they may have the kind of machine behind them to recoup a deep investment.  That said, the number is ridiculous by an order of magnitude.

This is wildly speculative, but operating on the assumption that NCSoft lost 6 mill in the last quarter (mostly on money invested in GW2 that has not been recouped in subscriptions) I'd be shocked if they turned down an offer of 8 mill.  But then, I operate on logic.

[Luna Eclypse]

Still... 80 million? Maybe the rumor was construed or it was a typo? Like maybe it was 8 million? Or 18 Million?

[Chelle2868]

Since the orginal announcement I have been watching the posts here on Titan.  I didn't register until a few days ago and hadn't really found something to add my two cents to until now.  I've done what I felt I could to help the SaveCoH movement thus far... I joined the rally, signed the petitions, spread the word... trying to keep the optimism up (especially on Exhalted) when everyone was giving up hope in the early days.... and many other things.  When I read todays announcement I was very disenhearted... but I feel the need now to say thank you to everyone here commenting and to the Titan folks who keep this site going for us.  After reading through this thread I have lost the depression that the announcement caused... put away the wine and gotten mad all over again.  I am now, more than ever, dedicated to doing ANYTHING that I can to help save our city.  We are heroes, this is what we do... we've been saving Paragon for years now, why would we even consider stopping the fight now that the threats are more real than ever.  I for one will stand here fighting until the very end.

[dwturducken]

I absolutely was speculating, except that the figure of $8M is reasonably consistent in what's been guesstimated as the approximate value of the game, though admittedly not at present. I was pointing more to the exaggeration than the validity of whether there was an offer or not.

That said, the fact that there is a consistency to the rumors/reporting that this has gotten the attention of the wider industry at some level is heartening. If someone were to snatch up the remaining available Paragon staff, set up a new studio or set them up as a team, and announce a new super-powered MMO, that would be a win for us and a loss for the Game Killers.  :D

[Greg Lloyd]

This is wildly speculative, but operating on the assumption that NCSoft lost 6 mill in the last quarter (mostly on money invested in GW2 that has not been recouped in subscriptions) I'd be shocked if they turned down an offer of 8 mill.  But then, I operate on logic.

Corporations, alas, do not.
G

[emu265]

Corporations, alas, do not.
G

Corporations do, NCsoft clearly does not >.>

[Luna Eclypse]

I'm seeing the rumor talked about on the official forums too... it's a pleasant thought but not to be believed.

Noticing too all of the jackwagons on the official forums too that essentially are lying down to let NCsoft stomp on their faces while taking trash on us here. Sheep.

[Arcana]

Anyone's guess if this is true, but I just read in-game that Trion offered NC 80mil for CoH.

80 million what?  Influence?

[dwturducken]

80 million what?  Influence?

Are they accepting that?  People are still buying on the markets, so I may have that just sitting, waiting to be collected.  :)

[JWBullfrog]

Hey if its INF we're talking about I can crank out 1 BIL easily enough.

If only I thought that would work...

[Knightward]

As to the topic at hand.....

This is the same company that thought nothing of FORGING a letter from Richard Garriott in order to shut down Tabula Rasa.

Why would we believe anything that admitted forgers have to tell us?

Funny enough, that's what I've been reminded demoralized people today in-game and on Facebook.

[BryanSnowden]

"... and we want to ensure its reputation and the memories we share for the game end on a high note."

Well, I can tell you right now = there's no way in hell (or heaven for that matter) that we're some how gonna let them get away with this and have things = "End on a high note" >:( 
CoH's Reputation isn't at question here,  No matter how they are trying to infer and/or insinuate that any further efforts on our part will somehow(?) tarnish the games reputation, the game has had 8+ years to create a solid a reputation - anything that occurs now could hardly dent that.
BUT, NCsoft's Reputation (given their known track record with killing games & holding onto the IP's) = is just shy of falling in the sewer at this point!

  And, I happen to know a couple "Villains" that have been very patiently waiting for word of these dealings - what's next and they could very well make this whole mess a HUGE splash of sewage on NCsoft's brand - aka - much more messy for them to deal with long-term.
"Clean-up PR" is very, very costly, that is of course IF you can even find a way to "buy it" at all!
They seem to want to go the stubborn route, but someone "in the room" *now knows* just how much we can (could) mess with their PR = this is somebody's attempt to save face and minimize collateral damage = they REALLY oughta know better...
And, If they don't re-think this ASAP - (Asian Cultural "Face-saving" aside) = they soon will.  ;)