Disney

[jynteral]

Seeing this I cannot see how Disney would bite at this point
http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/disney-video-game-violence-measures-bob-iger/

[Ironwolf]

In fact I think the exact opposite. City of Heroes was completely gore free. No headshots or blood, it was perhaps too sterile for some players even.

I liked it because my grand daughter could play it without having to monitor her except superficially.

[Heroette]

While there might not be any gore, we have some pretty deadly weapons on the game.  And even though we "arrest" the villians, we are killing them. 

[Ironwolf]

Only on EXTREMELY rare occasions. In fact the one mission where that does happen is with Manticore. He says that is it shocking but you may have to kill someone.

In almost all other occasions you are using the emergency transporter system to sent them to the Zig.

Remember the clone arc? Your clone has a transporter that doesn't work here and they give their life for the world. I found the game to be far more Disney style bad than Breaking Bad style.

I could see Ghost Widow standing beside Cruella Deville without a problem.

[Heroette]

Yes, but when they are in a pile on the floor, it sure looks like they are killed to me.  But I do agree, it is a point of view.  When I would play with friends on skype, I would always say its time to kill some baddies and one friend would correct me, ITS ARREST.  LOL.

[Twisted Toon]

While there might not be any gore, we have some pretty deadly weapons on the game.  And even though we "arrest" the villians, we are killing them.

Technically, you were defeating the villains. Whether that defeat ended in arrest or death was left up to you. Generally speaking, of course.

That little article makes me wonder about the future of the super hero genre of movies and TV shows more than the future of CoH.

[FlyingCarcass]

Isn't Disney producing a new Star Wars movie? Unless episode 7 is all about pod racing for some reason, I'm pretty sure that any and all tie-in games will involve killing. Besides, I'm sure Iger's comments were just PR fluff.

[Hyperstrike]

How did you arrest this criminal?

Well, I used some or all of the following:

• Fire
• Freezing
• Bullets
• Hitting him as hard as I can with superhuman strength
• Irradiating him with a the equivalent of a couple trillion chest X-rays
• Poisoning him
• Choking him
• Stabbing him
• Chopping him
• Slicing him
• Exposing him to all manner of weird and extradimensional energies
• Got some robots, mercenaries, street thugs, demons, and motile plants to take turns beating him
• Crushed him with gravitic anomalies
• Mind-raped him and physically abused him with psychic abilities

You know....the usual...

[Heroette]

Good point about the fluff.  It's true about Star Wars.  There is usually a *#$*load of storm troopers meeting their demise in the movies.

And the sound effects in COH sure sounded violent - like the dual blades, I loved the sound of them slicing people (oops, I mean arresting them).

[Codewalker]

How did you arrest this criminal?

...

• Slicing him

I defeated the gang member with [Beheader], but they were able to reattach it at the hospital.

The miracle of modern medicine.

[Heroette]

Codewalker, you made me laugh out loud with that one.  Good job.

[JWBullfrog]

At it's worst CoH was LESS violent that the entirety of the Pirates franchise. It is on par with the violence in Marvel comics (mainline titles anyhow).  And, when you look at them, the Disney animated films can get pretty violent and dark. (Just because they die off camera doesn't mean that Disney villains didn't die in some very unpleasant ways)
 
I don't see this as a drawback to the CoH campaign. In fact, I see this as a positive. CoH is a perfect counterpoint to games like GTA and the like. It does not glorify mindless sex, violence, or drug use. It does not show graphic violence (except in the very literal sense) or excessive blood and gore. It does not glorify criminals except in the very over the top MWA_HA_HA sense of comic books.
 
CoH is, as we all know from experience, is very family friendly. And I have to hope that Disney realizes that point and decides that they are willing to do something about it.

[Lucretia MacEvil]

CoH is, as we all know from experience, is very family friendly. And I have to hope that Disney realizes that point and decides that they are willing to do something about it.

I hope so too, but Westin Phipps may have to disappear....

Although, really, did anyone enjoy playing his arc?  I always had to take a long shower afterwards....

[JWBullfrog]

I hope so too, but Westin Phipps may have to disappear....

Although, really, did anyone enjoy playing his arc?  I always had to take a long shower afterwards....

Ok, I'll grant an exception for Westin Phipps.

[Rotten Luck]

The issue is where do you draw a line.  Not everyone considers valance the same.  Lets play a game... Super Mario.

A plummer runs though a course of maps stomping, blasting, and otherwise destroying countless animals!  If you consider them sentient beings then he's a mass murderer.  Yeah King Bowser Koopa kidnaps ONE person but Mario goes on a rampage to get her back.  Even if you accept Koopa takes over the mushroom kingdom, you don't see any homes destroyed, and sign that his rule is in truth evil. 

How about Kirby who EATS people! 

How about real life?  Ever played cops and robbers?  Dodge ball?  How about simply Ring around the Rosie?  Ring around the Rosie is a rhyme about the conditions of the black plague!

So where do you draw the line at what point is Valance to much?  When is Gore in images to gory? 

[Triplash]

Remember the clone arc? Your clone has a transporter that doesn't work here and they give their life for the world.

HEYYYY! Spoilers!!! Jeez.


...

[Tubbius]

I don't know if I ever played the Westin Phipps arc.  What was it about to make it so creepy?

[Colette]

Here you go. http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Westin_Phipps

I give second-worst scumbag awards to Dr. Krylov and Peter Themari.

http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Krylov
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Peter_Themari

[Quinch]

CoH always relied a great deal of abstraction - defeats {arrest? Kill?}, influence {cashable cool points or actual money?} and so on, so the amount of violence always depended on the eye of the beholder. What we do know is that, graphically, there's never any blood, dismemberment or anything to visually imply death, as well as the fact that, at least blueside, killing the suspect was treated as a no-no by the authorities.

As for the pitch itself, I'll just mention that the pitch included a three-page section on how it fits the "family friendly" category.

[houtex]

Just gonna leave these here...
Bambi
Lion King
Tron
Tron Legacy
Cinderella
Hercules
Finding Nemo
Incredibles
Pocahontas
Tarzan
The Black Hole
Mulan
The Little Mermaid
Hunchback of Notre Dame

Oh I could go on.  Point is... Disney movies have violence and killing/death in them.  So.. yeah, kinda not a problem, ya ask me.

/Haven't seen it... probably won't either... but Lone Ranger?  Oh, and John Carter?  Yeah, gonna go with got killin' in them too.
//Disney needs to be less hypocritical.
///And yeah, the Star Wars angle of things while we're at it, good call.

[JaguarX]

In fact I think the exact opposite. City of Heroes was completely gore free. No headshots or blood, it was perhaps too sterile for some players even.

I liked it because my grand daughter could play it without having to monitor her except superficially.

I think there was a little too much ERP going on in COX for me to get comfortable enough to allow my kids or grandkids to play COX. The content was ok, and good for one that is going into their teen years or a few years prior but much subjects that people talk about, I'm not sure I would my kids to be seeing or being part of that stuff. (and I'm talking about the ERP outside the Pocket.). But that is just me.

[Lily Barclay]

I think there was a little too much ERP going on in COX for me to get comfortable enough to allow my kids or grandkids to play COX. The content was ok, and good for one that is going into their teen years or a few years prior but much subjects that people talk about, I'm not sure I would my kids to be seeing or being part of that stuff. (and I'm talking about the ERP outside the Pocket.). But that is just me.

I took all of the chat channels out of my daughter's tab and only let her play when she was on a team with me and people I knew well. She didn't see anything she shouldn't have. I also didn't let her play Praetorian content, since that's a little more mature.

[Taceus Jiwede]

I also didn't let her play Praetorian content, since that's a little more mature.

Ya while I don't think the game was really all the violent at all, but there are a few things that could be taken to be violent.  When Emperor Cole nuked Praeotria and harvested the souls of the people he killed.  I thought that was super cool.  But I could see how it could be taken in a negative light.

[Quinch]

Also everything the Crusaders ever did.

Anyway, back on topic, I don't suppose anyone has a source for that article on hand? All I could dig up was bits and pieces in various articles, nothing directly from the source.

[JaguarX]

I took all of the chat channels out of my daughter's tab and only let her play when she was on a team with me and people I knew well. She didn't see anything she shouldn't have. I also didn't let her play Praetorian content, since that's a little more mature.

nice control method there.

[Ironwolf]

I also had all chat windows closed for her but she could accept team invites and I made a bind for her on the F1 key:

I am 10 years old and so don't get mad if I do anything stupid. I am having fun and will help if I can.

She knew to watch the health bars of others and help whoever was in need.

[Victoria Victrix]

I also had all chat windows closed for her but she could accept team invites and I made a bind for her on the F1 key:

I am 10 years old and so don't get mad if I do anything stupid. I am having fun and will help if I can.

She knew to watch the health bars of others and help whoever was in need.

Awwwwwwwwww!

I teamed with a lot of my SG members kids.  We had a grand old time.

[LT. Couper]

I learned that my Dad had actually bought 2 copies of the game way back when, and intended on playing it with me. Too bad things kept getting in the way. Maybe once we get CoH back/Our Plan Zs open. It'll be so much fun with him as the noob. Already tried to get him to play SWToR, so we could "Rule the galaxy, as father and son!" but he didnt go for it.

At least I was able to get almost all of my friends to at least try CoH at one time or another.

[JaguarX]

I also had all chat windows closed for her but she could accept team invites and I made a bind for her on the F1 key:

I am 10 years old and so don't get mad if I do anything stupid. I am having fun and will help if I can.

She knew to watch the health bars of others and help whoever was in need.

I believe I seen that statement somewhere. The team leader was getting a bit frustrated (to put it kindly) and I and a few other team mates reminded em that "it's a person of 10 year old and doing the best that they can so relax, son. Stop dying so often and quick and that will help them help you." They quit the team.

[Absolute]

My brother bought the game when he was 16; I was 10.

If I didn't have my brother playing beside me and helping me, my parents had a very close friend who played the game too (He was 35), so I'd play with him online, and he would talk for me on teams etc.

CoH was extremely kid friendly. It actually kept a lot of kids (including me) away from more graphic games (Grand Theft Auto anyone?). I know games like Call of Duty and Halo have M ratings, but if you go on xbox live, you see much, much younger. If someone is 12 and all their friends are talking about how cool the game is, the kid is going to get his hands on a copy and try to play it, or play it at one of his friend's house a lot.



Someone mentioned ERP as a problem. I hadn't even heard of it in CoH until I was 16. ERP was mostly contained to Pocket D and other RP spots. Young kids don't really care to socialize, they want to defeat bad guys and run around the city. I never went to Pocket D except to see the light show.

Lastly, I really don't think someone who is trying to find out who they are (Anyone who is ~15), is prepared to roleplay a fictional character and get into that crowd. Does anybody remember someone under 20 RPing? I certainly don't. (hint:They all PvPed)

[Twisted Toon]

Lastly, I really don't think someone who is trying to find out who they are (Anyone who is ~15), is prepared to roleplay a fictional character and get into that crowd. Does anybody remember someone under 20 RPing? I certainly don't. (hint:They all PvPed)

I Role Played PnP RPGs when I was 12. Here I am, 30 years later, and still playing RPGs, both online and PnP. The real challenge is playing three characters in the same campaign at the same time. Ever had an argument with yourself that came to blows? 

[Absolute]

I Role Played PnP RPGs when I was 12. Here I am, 30 years later, and still playing RPGs, both online and PnP. The real challenge is playing three characters in the same campaign at the same time. Ever had an argument with yourself that came to blows? 

PnP is very different. You're in person, typically with people that you know well, there aren't high expectations, patience is given etc.

Then there is the biggest difference with PnP, people can see you directly, full well knowing you're describing a fictional character (Actions/Personality), where ingame you actually 'act-out' your character. Maybe some people play where they dress up as their character and answer the door as their character and order pizza as their character, but I don't see that often.

I couldn't RP if my life was on the line (I end up RPing myself, every, single, time), but that's at least what I've seen from observation and a smidgen of experience.

I still can't remember a single account of someone young RPing on CoH, granted I didn't wander into the RP community very much, I still knew a fair share of kids that played.

[Lily Barclay]

I also had all chat windows closed for her but she could accept team invites and I made a bind for her on the F1 key:

I am 10 years old and so don't get mad if I do anything stupid. I am having fun and will help if I can.

She knew to watch the health bars of others and help whoever was in need.

I didn't actually close the window, just edited the tab. I never let her play with strangers.

I do remember years ago playing with a six year old in the hollows.  I wanna think we did frost fire, too. Mom had to make dinner, so she just warned everyone he was only six. I think she wad helping him play before that point. It was an interesting mission. lol No one complained and just tried to accommodate him since he was little. I miss our awesome community.

[Lily Barclay]

Lastly, I really don't think someone who is trying to find out who they are (Anyone who is ~15), is prepared to roleplay a fictional character and get into that crowd. Does anybody remember someone under 20 RPing? I certainly don't. (hint:They all PvPed)

My 11 year old rped her character kinda. She wrote a bio and everything. But no, she didn't get involved with the rp crowd, I wouldn't let her. She really only was interested in rp because I was an rper and she would watch when I played.

[Twisted Toon]

PnP is very different. You're in person, typically with people that you know well, there aren't high expectations, patience is given etc.

Then there is the biggest difference with PnP, people can see you directly, full well knowing you're describing a fictional character (Actions/Personality), where ingame you actually 'act-out' your character. Maybe some people play where they dress up as their character and answer the door as their character and order pizza as their character, but I don't see that often.

I couldn't RP if my life was on the line (I end up RPing myself, every, single, time), but that's at least what I've seen from observation and a smidgen of experience.

I still can't remember a single account of someone young RPing on CoH, granted I didn't wander into the RP community very much, I still knew a fair share of kids that played.

There isn't much difference between RPing in person and RPing online. I have done PnP RPing with people that lived 5 states away from me (Thank you mIRC). You're telling a story with your character. There are also degrees of RPing. Some RPers (especially in PnP RPing) that will say "My character will do this and he will try to talk the guy out of doing that by saying something along the lines of..." Then there are the peole that will actually play the role of that character in that instance of fast talking. Depending on the GM, they will modify die rolls based on how well the player fast talked.
In any event, I can't really play a character that would do something that I couldn't bring myself to do. I'm playing a failed Sith in SW:TOR for crying out loud. she doesn't have a single dark-side point. That doesn't mean that she doesn't have a personality of her own though. Granted, I'm not as into RPing as Vicky V, but I do listen to the characters I play when they tell me what they want to do. Yes, my characters speak to me. Some more than others. It took several months for Serenity Dark to tell me her story. Where Dark Anarchy told me right up front.

Hey, look at me ramble.  I need more sleep...

[TimtheEnchanter]

Lastly, I really don't think someone who is trying to find out who they are (Anyone who is ~15), is prepared to roleplay a fictional character and get into that crowd. Does anybody remember someone under 20 RPing? I certainly don't. (hint:They all PvPed)

My 11 year old rped her character kinda. She wrote a bio and everything. But no, she didn't get involved with the rp crowd, I wouldn't let her. She really only was interested in rp because I was an rper and she would watch when I played.

Well maybe she was more interested than that. Still, online RP isn't the best place for a kid to first experience that. One trip to Pocket D and it would've been time to cut the whole experience short before it got really weird. But if you have a guild with people you trust, they can help babysit and keep her out of trouble. That's what my guilds have done whenever kids were around, and we never had any trouble.

And Lily, kids RP. Perhaps not well. Characters are pretty over-simplified. But most childhood play is RP. Traditionally it's just with Barbies and G.I. Joes instead of rendered avatars. But the mindset is the same for both. And it's a natural part of growth. One of the things RP does for children is allowing them to try different shoes on, but from a safe distance from reality. That they haven't found themselves yet is irrelevant. Roleplay is a developmental tool that helps people find out who they are.

Or is this just completely outdated information now? I know everyone is born with a iPhone attached to their hand now, but... 'make believe' is still around... isn't it?

[Lily Barclay]

My 11 year old rped her character kinda. She wrote a bio and everything. But no, she didn't get involved with the rp crowd, I wouldn't let her. She really only was interested in rp because I was an rper and she would watch when I played.

Well maybe she was more interested than that. Still, online RP isn't the best place for a kid to first experience that. One trip to Pocket D and it would've been time to cut the whole experience short before it got really weird. But if you have a guild with people you trust, they can help babysit and keep her out of trouble. That's what my guilds have done whenever kids were around, and we never had any trouble.

And Lily, kids RP. Perhaps not well. Characters are pretty over-simplified. But most childhood play is RP. Traditionally it's just with Barbies and G.I. Joes instead of rendered avatars. But the mindset is the same for both. And it's a natural part of growth. One of the things RP does for children is allowing them to try different shoes on, but from a safe distance from reality. That they haven't found themselves yet is irrelevant. Roleplay is a developmental tool that helps people find out who they are.

Or is this just completely outdated information now? I know everyone is born with a iPhone attached to their hand now, but... 'make believe' is still around... isn't it?

Again, I would never ever let my young child into chat with strangers, let alone in Pocket D. I just wanted to make the point that conceivably, a kid could RP and stumble onto something. They don't all just want to pvp and kill stuff. Some are interested in story development and personal character stories.This is why kids should never be given free reign in a game that is ultimately designed for adults.

Also, my kid is capable of some pretty advanced themes and creative writing. I could see her going beyond simplistic rp. She's an avid, advanced reader. Doubt she's the only one out there. But yeah. I would never let her rp. She just wrote stories about her characters instead.