Content and Ultra Mode before GoRo
February 8, 2010 - 6:55pm
Aeon tried to encourage players to side with him, offering ultra mode and the TV offered players content for their loyalty. Both of these offers were promised to happen before Going Rogue.
Of course you knew what was going to happen. In the end players were going to get both.
And that just so happened. War Witch managed to "step in", in a rather scripted manner, and tell them to chill out and that we'd be getting both.
So yeah, let's all get excited about both of these happening before GoRo. More promises of what's to come is always so appreciated.
February 9, 2010 - 3:44am
#2
In yet another attempt to distract the masses and get them frothing at the mouth...Dr. Aeon and the TV had a battle for supremacy. Or at least they tried, personally it looked like an epic battle of retardeness.
Honestly, given the level of "humour" on the official forums, that sort of thing is what passes for "epic." Of course, I'm a jaded cynic who basically hates everything, so I don't know if I have much of a leg to stand on, but if there's one thing I detest on the original forums more than anything else, it's this descent into inanity that players seem to crave like a mouse craves cheese and a cat craves milk. And I need new metaphors. I guess there's a reason why the most popular threads are the "Open RP" ones. Me, I'm unamused.
That said, I'd be glad to see both new content and Ultra Mode, though I'm starting to wonder what Going Rogue will have in it to sell it. I'll have to hunt down War Witch's response and see what was promised and what the catch is, but this sounds like a lot of fun.
Unlike that "RP" battle for supremacy. GOD I hate it when people start doing that.
February 9, 2010 - 5:21am
#3
My problem is that the Paragon Studio team knows that the players are desperate for GoRo info or for any substantial release before then. Players start threads about it and the CR team comes in and is all 'We know you guys want info, and we want to give you info, but there are procedures and blah blah blah' and that just serves as a source of frustration. On top of that the dev/CR team goes and makes comments about announcements coming soon or they start threads like the Aeon/TV one that gets players into a frenzy and gets their hopes up...and then "reveal" something or make an announcement that when you think about it...it's not that all of a reveal or announcement.
I just hate this tactic of theirs as it seems to be their new MO.
That all being said, ultra mode and new content before GoRo doesn't surprise me. In fact it in a way is expected and was probably planned all along. There's going to be a pre-GoRo issue and that will contain this stuff most likely - as compared to something even sooner. Ultra mode being seperate (and free) would keep the game's graphics competitive with the newer MMO's and new content will just tie into the expansion most likely.
I just hate this tactic of theirs as it seems to be their new MO.
That all being said, ultra mode and new content before GoRo doesn't surprise me. In fact it in a way is expected and was probably planned all along. There's going to be a pre-GoRo issue and that will contain this stuff most likely - as compared to something even sooner. Ultra mode being seperate (and free) would keep the game's graphics competitive with the newer MMO's and new content will just tie into the expansion most likely.
February 9, 2010 - 8:23am
#4
I'm afraid I can't sympathise with people who are "desperate" for information, so I guess I don't take this tactic as anything more than inane. It's not funny, it's just annoying. Personally, I just don't get it. What difference does it make if we learn about what we won't have for another four months now vs. learning about it next month. It won't make it come any sooner.
As for the reveal... Meh. When it hits Test and I can see it for myself, then I might get excited, but until then, it may as well have told me "not yet" for all the difference it makes.
As for the reveal... Meh. When it hits Test and I can see it for myself, then I might get excited, but until then, it may as well have told me "not yet" for all the difference it makes.
February 9, 2010 - 9:19am
#5
It's not about making the future additions coming sooner - it's about making the customer and player base feel more than tools that are getting toyed with. By giving us information, and I mean more than a teaser pic or 'xxxx is coming soon' it keeps players interested in what's coming.
Over on the WoW forums players discuss aspects of the next expansion and the devs will step in and give insight on why things will change or what the devs' plans are. This keeps players occupied and interested until the expansion comes out and it also helps generate buzz throughout the playerbase and even outside it.
So from the standpoint that since Hero-Con we've had a few bios, a pic and vague hints of things that are coming...it's frustrating for a number of players. We want to have a bit more informative tidbits of things to look forward to...get us excited. Have us run around saying 'Hey, did you hear that XXXX was revealed? It's awesome and I'm really excited!' Instead we get vague hints and devs toying with us, breeding frustration and annoyance within the playerbase.
Over on the WoW forums players discuss aspects of the next expansion and the devs will step in and give insight on why things will change or what the devs' plans are. This keeps players occupied and interested until the expansion comes out and it also helps generate buzz throughout the playerbase and even outside it.
So from the standpoint that since Hero-Con we've had a few bios, a pic and vague hints of things that are coming...it's frustrating for a number of players. We want to have a bit more informative tidbits of things to look forward to...get us excited. Have us run around saying 'Hey, did you hear that XXXX was revealed? It's awesome and I'm really excited!' Instead we get vague hints and devs toying with us, breeding frustration and annoyance within the playerbase.
February 9, 2010 - 10:23am
#6
Firstly, I would characterize myself as "desperate for information." I'll also agree with Razor to say that as a fan I would definitely rather have a steady stream of details (until some big reveal near the game's release), than the dribs and drabs we're currently getting.
As a businessman I would definitely disagree with Razor. The CoH community has demonstrated time and again how they will lash out at the devs for contradicting themselves and the resulting shitstorm affects the community as a whole. For that reason, and for the purpose of generating a marketing buzz, they definitely need to keep info under wraps until its finalized.
I have no illusions. Going Rogue seems to be primaarily targeted at new players (or returning players), who they'll need to attract to stay viable. If they release a steady stream of info to appease the existing player-base they won't have the kind of marketing impact they will need to draw new attention to their 5+ year old game.
At the heart of the matter is the fact that marketing controls the release of news. Marketing is not concerned about the community's interests. The bottom line is that no matter which tact they take there is literally no way to win. A small group will rise to oppose absolutely any action the devs take, and that small group will make a noisy scene.
As a businessman I would definitely disagree with Razor. The CoH community has demonstrated time and again how they will lash out at the devs for contradicting themselves and the resulting shitstorm affects the community as a whole. For that reason, and for the purpose of generating a marketing buzz, they definitely need to keep info under wraps until its finalized.
I have no illusions. Going Rogue seems to be primaarily targeted at new players (or returning players), who they'll need to attract to stay viable. If they release a steady stream of info to appease the existing player-base they won't have the kind of marketing impact they will need to draw new attention to their 5+ year old game.
At the heart of the matter is the fact that marketing controls the release of news. Marketing is not concerned about the community's interests. The bottom line is that no matter which tact they take there is literally no way to win. A small group will rise to oppose absolutely any action the devs take, and that small group will make a noisy scene.
February 9, 2010 - 11:23am
#7
Oh, I am fully aware of the marketing's hand in this all and the dev/CR team has made that clear as well. But given the fact that the devs and CR team interact with the playerbase, they are the ones that are going to get the blame for when the playerbase gets unruly and in some cases I personally feel it's justified.
I do think though that at this point there is a fair amount of items related to GoRo that won't change and can't result in contradiction. I've mentioned this before, but look at CoV - it wasn't a constant stream of info, but it was somewhat regular over the course of weeks...there were pieces about new factions, bios on key characters, info on new zones. Doing something similar to this would be awesome and I don't see it as having a negative impact because it'd be a slow trickle of info, so the marketing team would still be able to have a big impact as you get closer to GoRo's release.
I do think though that at this point there is a fair amount of items related to GoRo that won't change and can't result in contradiction. I've mentioned this before, but look at CoV - it wasn't a constant stream of info, but it was somewhat regular over the course of weeks...there were pieces about new factions, bios on key characters, info on new zones. Doing something similar to this would be awesome and I don't see it as having a negative impact because it'd be a slow trickle of info, so the marketing team would still be able to have a big impact as you get closer to GoRo's release.
February 9, 2010 - 1:25pm
#8
Razor's got a good example in how they dealt with the CoV info.
They didn't release info on the stuff that could change (Master Mind mechanics, specific in game changes, etc.) until it was being tested by players. Instead they trickled out some background, story info, a few design pics, etc. Things that fed the players, but didn't reveal anything that would kill the marketting impact marq talks about. There is a way to let us in a bit more while still catering to the marketing department's needs, IMO.
They didn't release info on the stuff that could change (Master Mind mechanics, specific in game changes, etc.) until it was being tested by players. Instead they trickled out some background, story info, a few design pics, etc. Things that fed the players, but didn't reveal anything that would kill the marketting impact marq talks about. There is a way to let us in a bit more while still catering to the marketing department's needs, IMO.
February 9, 2010 - 3:02pm
#9
Again, it could just be me, but I'm just not really all that excited about something that won't come for months and months yet. I can be excited about something that happens tomorrow. I can be excited about something that happens next week. Maybe. I can't be excited about something that happens next month. I'll just forget about it and remember it was supposed to happen up to a week before. I've taken the same approach to practically everything, big and small.
For instance, a few years ago, I had a scholarship in the UK planned that I DO NOT want to attend, but had no way to avoid. I knew about it a full year in advance, but I practically ignored it for most of that time. There wasn't really anything I could do to help things and all I could do was worry and fret a cross-continent trip I did not want to take. Since none of that had any use, I simply put it out of my mind.
When I heard about Going Rogue last year, I was excited for a couple of days, then I just ignored it. I can't possibly stay excited for six months straight, and all premature excitement will do is ruin the game I'm playing RIGHT NOW. I seem to be using this a lot, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. No sense ruining City of Heroes and City of Villains for myself by dreaming about Going Rogue when Going Rogue does not exist and will not exist for half a year more.
I'd liken this to having a good meal. Feeling really hungry just before the meal makes it all the better. Feeling hungry three hours before you can have a meal just sucks. And I say that as someone who typically has the opportunity to have lunch around two hours after I actually need to.
For instance, a few years ago, I had a scholarship in the UK planned that I DO NOT want to attend, but had no way to avoid. I knew about it a full year in advance, but I practically ignored it for most of that time. There wasn't really anything I could do to help things and all I could do was worry and fret a cross-continent trip I did not want to take. Since none of that had any use, I simply put it out of my mind.
When I heard about Going Rogue last year, I was excited for a couple of days, then I just ignored it. I can't possibly stay excited for six months straight, and all premature excitement will do is ruin the game I'm playing RIGHT NOW. I seem to be using this a lot, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. No sense ruining City of Heroes and City of Villains for myself by dreaming about Going Rogue when Going Rogue does not exist and will not exist for half a year more.
I'd liken this to having a good meal. Feeling really hungry just before the meal makes it all the better. Feeling hungry three hours before you can have a meal just sucks. And I say that as someone who typically has the opportunity to have lunch around two hours after I actually need to.
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