Mothers_Love

Yup, *cranks continuity alert air-raid siren handle

Happy Birthday Necrotron! - Have a great day!

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Personally these are the things that i want the chaos to be:


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All I really want for the anniversary event is for something new... I don't think that's too much to ask, is it? Something new that actually fits in the game storyline instead of chucking it out the window again...

It doesn't even have to be anything that big, honest! Hell, I'd settle for a day of Arachnos invading Paragon.

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I too (even if it meant bending the story-lore) would actually like to see new Invasion content (If they really must be invasions again). The fact that rehash has made it to the production board yet again is testament to, I fear, the possibility that either we are talking amongst ourselves here on the suggestions board or that Cryptic took the key Imagination brain-trust members with them.

Clearly The Fifth Anniversary sneaked up on Paragon Studios and they were caught having not put aside time for original Anniversary content, so I'll suggest this as an alternative that would of been better because I don't like moaning unconstructively; (Why I'm bothering though tbh I'll never know as none of this is ever read stateside):

# Sirens going off (along with warning from Paragon's seismology dept in your tab as Hero zone alerts): Giant Nemesis Mole machines burst out of the ground spilling rubble and battalions of Nemesis shock troops spill forth and continue to spill forth sporandically until the machines are destroyed.

# Air raid sirens go off and the sky darkens, small meteors then large meteors rain down (Aoe damage) before enormous ones rain down cracking open after a few seconds and spilling forth Shivans. Maybe if bosses are triggered then an almighty size one (massive AOE damage)could fall out of the sky with a newly designed giant Shivan boss that emerges after 30 seconds that awards merits and a special badge on defeats.

# Balloons start appearing in Paragon to the twisted sounds of Merry-go-round Circus music, if popped they are AOE sleep bombs, what you don't see coming until it is to late is a Carnival ambush, spilling out of circus tent spawn points somewhere on the map defended by Lv54 Bosses.

# The Rikti have been experimenting with new technology and are having limited success in sneaking through a few Motherships, they have no idea what is key to maintaining this breakthrough, but on the rare occasion these temporary experimental portals work they should send through some Motherships while they can to join their stranded bretheren and strike back.

# A foretaste of the Fifth Invasion, you could call them a reconnaissance party, they'd be rare and arrive in a stealthed SteamPunk Blimp, you'd have to search for them and it would award a badge or accolade to be used against The Fifth when they properly invade later on (hopefully) in Issue:15.

Thats just a few off the top of my head with 10 mins forethought - Paragon studios have had a year minimum to put time aside to develop something spectacular for the landmark celebrations.

I'll also add I would of loved to have seen an expansion of the merchandise offered as part of the Fifth Anniversary celebrations not a vague-sounding design contest for 1 potential T-shirt with the design-work done by fans.
Also an Announcement of statues/mini-statuettes by a renowned studio and a special collection of celebrational cossie pieces collectable in-game through forementioned invasions would of been nice.

Its also worth noting that the T-shirt contest, the video homage and the re-activation week are all incentives that rely on and are player-led, If no-one bothered then content for that part of the celebrations would be null and void.
I propose what you are probably going to be left with from Paragon Studios (with all of the time they've had since 4th Anniversary celebrations to come up with new content) is flipping some switches on old events.

And boo to no fireworks btw!.

I'd love to say "I'm hoping for Rikti Motherships!"... but the game-lore kinda negates that doesn't it!.
In a Cruel to be Kind™ kinda-vein - There is one part of that address I have a problem with:
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get ready to re-experience some of the things that have made City of Heroes® the great game that it is over the past five years!

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"get ready to re-experience some of the things that have made City of Heroes® the great game that it has been over the last five years"

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.. but of course that (although putting it in correct past tense) is not ideally suited for an address looking to a bright future and add a note of finality. The 're-experience' phrase also hints that for the Fifth Anniversary we may well be getting a step-up in frequency of the Rikti and Zombie Invasions (that never went away anyway but were relagated to triggerable events). So,... unless we are going to suddenly have a meteor shower and a Shivan invasion or Blimps and the Fifth Column then,... I take it it's going to be re-hashed Invasion code mobs?.

I sank at the words "Get ready to Re-Experience" to be honest because I can't stand rehash packaged as new content.
Don't get me wrong, this is fantastic for those young recruits who haven't seen such sights, but not so thrilling for anyone with a year or more under their belts who have seen it all before.

Still, looking forward to Positron's 5th Anniversary address and hope it actually gives some details on much requested features and whether they are being seriously considered for implementation.

I also hope it sounds less like a press release and more like an address for the fans. Heres hoping.

Sorry if this sounds like a moan but the Fifth Anniversary is the Elephant we all have seen coming down the street for the longest time, and for me (maybe because I feel like a jaded Vet) What this address alludes to is not setting my world on fire.

Heres hoping I'm proved wrong.
*Crosses fingers

Happy St.George's Day everyone!
Don't forget to show your patriotic side today/tonight with your cossie design should you feel so inclined.

(*Runs St.George's Cross up the pole at Cityhall).

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It does have it's own virtual Band, the Banished Pantheon Blues Buskers...they preform in Pocket D every now and again (and yes I totally made that name up).

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The Tiki Lounge Act don't so much perform as stand around kicking their heels. Always thought that was a massive missed opportunity, If they did a song and dance number that really would be worth checking out when broadcast on the channels.

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For the record, I'm not expecting or hoping for ANYthing for the 5th anniversary. It'll probably just tick over like any other ordinary day.

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So about as popular as a Led Zepplin then huh?

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.... I'll get your coat.

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*helps*
"Here!.. take it! - take it!"

Re: Expecting something for the Fifth Anniversary, I remain hopeful and optimistic (yet sadly prepared for how I'll feel if its a press release/respec/character slot/5th anniversary costume pack.)

If I were a Lead Dev I think such a landmark in an MMO would most definately be celebrated with a big event, free goodies and (at night-time) a week of GuildWars-esque Fireworks displays. \o/

The Paragon Studios branding or some In-Character/RP Pocket D branding need to go back up on the banner outside the Talos Pocket D entrance - either that or remove the blank banner. As well as being added alongside the Cryptic Studios logo on the Loading screen.

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Just one week to go! I guess you could see this as a reminder.

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Indeed!, unfortunately I haven't been contacted further so have no idea if the SG in question are still planning to run their event.

It'll be interesting to see what the NCsoft official announcement will be - gotta have one really!, surely?... I mean, Five Years is landmark and pretty Impressive.

Heheh, no problem Zortel.

... and re: undercutting their own plaync store - absolutely no idea, unless they have yet to update the site.

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In addition, NCsoft has announced that its upcoming title Aion: The Tower of Eternity will be available on the service when it is released in the United States and Europe in Fall of this year.

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In that case, Excellent News everyone!

Can you give us any hints on when Aion is coming out? I'm rather looking forwards to it actually, so here's hoping it's nothing like Lineage II.

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Fall apparently, at least according to GamesIndustry.biz

I've also gotta say I'm not totally in agreement with her though. FFM is right, we are overdue an improvement on everything we have been promised with regards to both the forum software, the features such as City Vault and The Devs actually taking time out to address Issue concerns with us.

Really hoping Avatea's return to the U.S offices will prompt some change.

I just wanted to post and say I am SERIOUSLY impressed! (no joke or sarcasm implied) that is the longest, most crafted reply I have ever seen from your good self!

...and there was no smiley!




*applauds
NEVER thought I'd see the day!.

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(DCUO will be bigger)

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I think it may just be for the PvP crowd, personally I don't think they will be offering anything over Champions with regards to PvE content... oh, and don't forget, If customisation is your thang, DCUO [u]will[u] be locking you into much more limiting power trees in its present incarnation and it does not have 'emanation points' as far as I know, nor the Nemesis feature or as much diversity in zonal design.

Gotta say it make me laugh when people say they are going to scorn people who decide to either try or not stay with the competition and return to 'City of'. A):I'm not worried about what anyone thinks of me regarding my MMO choices and B): I've subbed for five years of 'City of' (at the most expensive tariff on purpose) and consider my time well-spent in what is currently the best SuperHero MMO, but my future here will be decided on what the Devs offer me as a subscriber in the future.. not out of a misplaced sense of brand loyalty.

The four Superhero MMOs are going to mean different things to different people and offer differing playstyles - whats with the 'must pick one' mentality? - Pick and choose.. chop 'n' change... mix it up... try all of them alternatively, then you'll be in a knowledgable position to decide what is best for you.

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Little content reused. But almost the entire game engine.

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Agreed. , but then again they were always going to use the Cryptic 2.0 engine weren't they... and seeing as they own the bloomin thing!, why not! - It was engineered way before Marvel came on the scene.

I'm actually rather happy MUO fell through, their next-gen project is going to be much more open, flexible and free to develop in that universe than it ever would in Marvel's.

web swinging?... WEB swinging?...
I think you mean Cable swinging! - and who is this spidey character you mention?

Heheh, which reminds me I think I've joked somewhere on their Motto finalists thread about Marvel IP - once with a \/\/0|_\/3R1|\|3 parody and another with a 'cable-swinging - skirting Marvel IP since 2009' Spidey Parody... (which I'm sure they appreciate )

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then went on to become MUO, and eventually CO.

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Actually when repeatedly asked about the Developmental chronology of that time Cryptic always say that very little content was re-used for Champions that had already been done for the MUO project.

Personally I imagine its more than they allude to.. but still, they would say that wouldn't they.
I would, not only because they are probably not allowed to re-use assets that were down and noted already as assets and most probably listed under terms of the amicable break-up of the partnership.

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Personally, I'm sick and tired of all the "soon" rubbish, and no longer expect ANYthing from NC.

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I'm expecting massive "special offers" when a certain other game is released, but only to cope with the massive player outflux...

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Are you able to define further 'Special' and 'Massive'? - because I'm not sure I can take another Respec and/or character slot.

Looking as a positive.. I'd love to see something that really puts the sparkle back into Paragon for me for Issue:15, I really would. Something that made my inner hero swell with pride like the first time you heard the Atlas Park music and saw Heroes flying past at impossible speeds.

That said, sadly FFM's post does strike a chord with me also. Communication has been bad and from our point of view they have passed on opportunities to make it better.

In the past, everytime the word 'Soon™' was used by the Devs my compulsion was to run around the block naked screaming "wibble!", and yet because it was so infrequent I could repair my relationship with the neighbours. Now with Soon™ being quoted more and more frequently I fear I will soon be an outcast in my own community.

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unless of course you are infering that Cryptic were fishing for content for their possible sequel while still working on this game

[/ QUOTE ]Of course they were, was there ever any question about that?

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Yeah, knew I should of added the sarcastic smiley face. Colour me surprised... not.

Still, the equivalent content mentioned to compete on enviroments is there waiting to be developed and implemented. If official Poll suggestion finalists aren't implemented then NCsoft can't really complain about what I fear may be an inevitable choice by an awful lot of the Veteran subscribers who have experienced all the content thus far.

You see, after this Summer 'Soon™' stops working.

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Actually chances are you'll be swapping Soon with Soon, if you see what I mean. (if not I'll spell it out. At the moment the grass seems greener on the other side but the chances are when you get there all there is is fresh dirt, some seedlings and the grass will be coming 'Soon')

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I appreciate the sentiment, I really do!, and lets hope Paragon Studios pulls something exciting out of the bag for Issue 15.
The draw for me for the CO product personally is scope for the future. I'm not going to be expecting a product as polished or finessed as our five-year old title - but what I do see in both its features on release, ideas for planned feature expansions and the imagination shown in both game tech and zonal design has me very excited thus far for its future.

Who knows, If Paragon Studios surprise me I'll attempt to sub for both for both into 2010.

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unless of course you are infering that Cryptic were fishing for content for their possible sequel while still working on this game

[/ QUOTE ]Of course they were, was there ever any question about that?

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Yeah, knew I should of added the sarcastic smiley face. Colour me surprised... not.

Still, the equivalent content mentioned to compete on enviroments is there waiting to be developed and implemented. If official Poll suggestion finalists aren't implemented then NCsoft can't really complain about what I fear may be an inevitable choice by an awful lot of the Veteran subscribers who have experienced all the content thus far.

You see, after this Summer 'Soon™' stops working.

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Those where Cryptic polls.

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Done while Cryptic and NCsoft were still working together on 'City of' - unless of course you are infering that Cryptic were fishing for content for their possible sequel while still working on this game - /conspiracy on.

To be honest the future of a 'City of' licence is right there for the taking in a strange alternative dimension where the Devs start working on the content long requested:

Moonbase Armstrong / Space Station Gagarin / Rikti Homeworld / Underwater Kingdom of The Coralax / 'Going Rogue' / Incarnates specialisation powerpool to expand level 50's / (unlockable through The Furies TF) / more powerpool choices etc, yada yada yada [insert frequent suggestions here]

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A game in which the devs did everything players asked for would be the most awful game ever.


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I totally agree PRAF, but there Is validity to the concern voiced about game direction, because It seems the Dev team has veered off on a tangent away from the content we voted on on their official polls and have become increasingly embroiled with wasting vast amounts of manpower and time on PvP and MA tinkering.

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This month its Roasted Hedgehog and Mint.

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I prefer scalded baby and asparagus.

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Daaamn!, where were you two when Walkers were running their 'Pick us a Winner' competition.

I get the distinct feeling that the Titan Event in Kings Row ground to a halt not because we had capes or other cossie details but merely the presence of 100 toons in one place. I wager It would of lagged chronically if we were all wearing the plainest of Hami-costumes.