I think CoH really isn't designed to retain people for long, long, stretches of time. They just don't add enough content on a regular basis. They seem be focused more on adding systems (inventions, colour customization, flashback, AE, levelpact, etc) than on adding content (zones, story arcs, task forces, missions, trials).
They're kind of missing out half the big picture of what keeps people playing games. Have new ways to do stuff is all well and good, but eventually you need new stuff to use those systems in, and they've really let that slip. In addition to the new systems added in an issue, each issue ought to add, at a minimum, one new zone to each side of the game. Revamps of existing contentless zones would also count, such as what they did with Faultline. My account expired back in June, but even in the two months prior to that, I'd logged in once or twice at most.
I think like a lot of vets I get very bored quickly with rehashing the same old missions and environments. I'm going to come check out I16 when it hits, but I'll probably wait for the inevitable "Reactivation Weekend." I think the developers may be a little dissapointed when many people check back in with:
"Great, I've got plaid fireballs, now is there anything new for me to throw them at?"
Corvus on
:so_raven:
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
I would settle for one shard zone even.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
I think CoH really isn't designed to retain people for long, long, stretches of time. They just don't add enough content on a regular basis. They seem be focused more on adding systems (inventions, colour customization, flashback, AE, levelpact, etc) than on adding content (zones, story arcs, task forces, missions, trials).
They're kind of missing out half the big picture of what keeps people playing games. Have new ways to do stuff is all well and good, but eventually you need new stuff to use those systems in, and they've really let that slip. In addition to the new systems added in an issue, each issue ought to add, at a minimum, one new zone to each side of the game. Revamps of existing contentless zones would also count, such as what they did with Faultline. My account expired back in June, but even in the two months prior to that, I'd logged in once or twice at most.
I think like a lot of vets I get very bored quickly with rehashing the same old missions and environments. I'm going to come check out I16 when it hits, but I'll probably wait for the inevitable "Reactivation Weekend." I think the developers may be a little dissapointed when many people check back in with:
"Great, I've got plaid fireballs, now is there anything new for me to throw them at?"
I think it's possible they've assumed AE will cover that for them. Which it doesn't, because far too much of AE sucks (bad story, frustrating missions, stupidly powered enemies, etc). Plus AE can never replace things like new zones.
Due to the stability issues that occurred with the North American servers this past Double XP Weekend, we plan to offer another Double XP Weekend in North America after Issue 16 launches.
We would like to take this opportunity to apologize to those of you who were unable to enjoy the event as a result of this, and would like to thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these types of issues in the future.
Do I look like the sort of man who'd go and find unsuspecting Japanese schoolgirls in short skirts and white panties and ask them if they want to see my "Cthulu Special"?
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
I am wondering if they are going to fix the mapservering before then.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
I'll tell you right now what they need to retain players longer than they do:
1. More varied mission goals and mechanics.
Clicking glowies and fighting an NPC's pathfinding gets old. Fast. Killing Trolls gets old even faster.
Last year, I still thought I'd never go back to WoW. But then a friend let me create a DK on his account and play their starting zone... and I was floored. Quests with good writing and engaging ways of resolving them. Arguably, several of these just had a different spin to old mechanics, but it worked in a way that was unprecedented to me.
2. Variety in instances.
This boils down to making more customized maps, and basically stop using the same cave, warehouse or office motifs that plague the whole game from 1-50. Hell, go back and change some of those old quests... inflate the experience rewards from some parts of old arcs so you can remove a lot of the filler warehouse slaughters.
Sink some development time into churning out dozens if not hundreds of new set pieces, motifs and yes, new map layouts.
3. Add and maintain endgame.
Say what you will, but even altaholics can get attached to a particular character, and having something new to the endgame every patch is paramount. Doesn't need to be WoW raiding. But something with different rewards, even if just cosmetic, would be nice. But mostly, just keep churning out unique challenges.
Doing this might no longer be viable this late in the development process, but without it, CoX will just hemorrhage players slowly but surely.
aunsoph on
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
Want... goood... base-building tool.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
I mean, really. Using desks for floors and walls after all this time is really disappointing.
Simply putting in secure doors would make for an awesome defensive item.
Not allowing items in hallways is a bit lame, but the game mechanics demand it. Not a good game mechanic either, I mean when we do door missions we have to start from the entrance, why should base invaders get teleported to random spots in the base hallways?
Retractable turrets. All that requires is a slightly modified turret base from the current ones with the most simple of animations.
Wall mounted defensive items... Hell,, I could go on forever with this list.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
Small patch today?
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
* Fixed Villain Pentad event to properly award the Pentad Arena badge
Art
* Transformation Capsules now properly show their destroyed animation
Emotes
* Quick-Chat Menu has gone through an overhaul and now includes all emotes available to all players.
* All versions of juggle emotes should now work with flight.
Invention
* Detonation Set: Fixed a bug that would cause the 5 piece set bonus from the Detonation Invention Origin set to require all 6 pieces.
* Focused Smite: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge should have its short help correctly state that it boosts Accuracy, Damage and Attack Rate instead of Damage, Reducing Endurance Cost and Increasing Attack Rate.
Leveling Pact
* Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented an offline level-pacted player from receiving experience if the pact is broken while that player is offline.
Mission Architect
* The Vanguard Warhead destructable object used in the Mission Architect should now correctly explode instead of vanishing.
* Custom Critters - Mercenaries summoning set - Attacks from this set now deal damage versus players.
* Destructable objects in arcs that are not flagged as Dev Choice will no longer cause secondary effects
Powers
* Dark Miasma/Dark Servant (all versions): Fixed a bug that caused this power to state that it would accept Recharge Intensive Pet enhancement sets. Since this pet cannot be slotted for damage, it should never have been able to accept these types of enhancements.
* Hit delay for Trick Arrow - Entangling Arrow and Ice Arrow should sync with the visuals of the projectile
* Fixed the bug where pets weren't phasing with their owners properly (with powers such as Phase Shift).
PVP Changes
* If you defeat someone who has recently defeated you, this will no longer restrict you from receiving rewards from the PvP defeat. The PvP reputation timer is now no longer reset from a defeat that doesn't earn reputation.
Super Groups
* Fixed the /enter_base_from_sgid command so that it only works when the base entry dialog is Open.
User Interface
* The issue involving random characters appearing in the chat line has been fixed. For example, players should now no longer see “asdawasdsawdsLevel 10 Scrapper LFTâ€
* Players can no longer use the /enter_base_from_sgid command to flee from danger.
* Global Chat Channels will no longer change colors randomly upon zoning.
Zones
* A small hole in Cimerora's geometry no longer allows players to teleport behind the war walls.
CITY of HEROES
Powers
Controllers
* Trick Arrow/Acid Arrow: This power should now correctly display its resistance debuff visual FX.
* Trick Arrow/Poison Gas Arrow: This power should now correctly display its damage debuff visual FX.
Defenders
* Trick Arrow/Acid Arrow: This power should now correctly display its resistance debuff visual FX.
* Trick Arrow/Poison Gas Arrow: This power should now correctly display its damage debuff visual FX.
* Dark Miasma/Dark Servant: Text no longer claims that this power takes Recharge Intensive enhancement sets
Tankers
* Ice Armor/Wet Ice: Fixed a typo in this power’s long help.
Task Force
* Manticore Task Force: 1st Mission no longer spawns level 40 Paragon Protector Elites (This is a level 30-35 Task Force)
CITY of VILLAINS
Powers
Masterminds
* Necromancy/Lich: This pet summoning power should no longer accept Defense Debuff enhancements, as the Lich doesn’t have any powers with a defense debuff component. The Lich can now be slotted for Accurate To-Hit Debuff Invention Origin sets.
Strike Force
* Thus Spoke the Reichsman: Ghost Widow's Betrayed Dialog now occurs at the proper time
tl/dr
Chat bug supposedly fixed and some other stuff
Robziel on
Do I look like the sort of man who'd go and find unsuspecting Japanese schoolgirls in short skirts and white panties and ask them if they want to see my "Cthulu Special"?
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
Beat in a costume contest by this:
You see, this is why villains want to destroy all that lives. This shit right here.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
0
Gear GirlMore class than a state universityRegistered Userregular
edited August 2009
Nice crappy screenshot.
Gear Girl on
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
Photobucket resized it.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
I didn't believe people whey they told me why they where rolling the servers back.
If you summon a rikti monkey the game crashes
Couldn't find TypeDef NonCombatPet_RiktiMonkey in Sequencer NONCOMBATPET_RIKTIMONKEY.TXT
That's awesome
Robziel on
Do I look like the sort of man who'd go and find unsuspecting Japanese schoolgirls in short skirts and white panties and ask them if they want to see my "Cthulu Special"?
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
Hopefully this also resolves the problem of the level 40 PPs appearing in later missions on that TF.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
* Manticore Task Force: 1st Mission no longer spawns level 40 Paragon Protector Elites (This is a level 30-35 Task Force)
Thank god, tried to do this TF last week and found out about it the hard way.
I did this TF with this bug, and we won.
Also back a long time ago, Citadel was bugged and Warwolves spawned at 35. Did that TF too with thebug. Have screenshots of that Citadel TF. And this was BEFORE Inventions
IAmTheRad on
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
Had enough time this morning to drop a second telepad in my base and install the beacons.
It was a bit of a crunch to get all those lights placed and then removed so I would put the beacons where I wanted them, but I just managed to squeeze it in before having to come to work.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
* Manticore Task Force: 1st Mission no longer spawns level 40 Paragon Protector Elites (This is a level 30-35 Task Force)
Thank god, tried to do this TF last week and found out about it the hard way.
I did this TF with this bug, and we won.
Also back a long time ago, Citadel was bugged and Warwolves spawned at 35. Did that TF too with thebug. Have screenshots of that Citadel TF. And this was BEFORE Inventions
You are clearly the rad.
hippofant on
0
Just_Bri_ThanksSeething with ragefrom a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPAregular
edited August 2009
I16 has gone to closed beta.
Just_Bri_Thanks on
...and when you are done with that; take a folding
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
awww and I wanted to go home and read about claws for brutes. Ahhhh well, just have to wait until someone posts images up on the internets
Robziel on
Do I look like the sort of man who'd go and find unsuspecting Japanese schoolgirls in short skirts and white panties and ask them if they want to see my "Cthulu Special"?
And the playerbase takes it as a slap to the face that they're locked out of the character creator for a closed beta for an issue that basically revolves around an improved character creator.
Edit: Ok, he was confusing in his wording. Everyone not in beta is intenionally locked out of server selection and character creator. They are also implementing a queue system for when servers are super busy so they don't get greyed out.
since when. I read patch notes, and I've seen no note about this stuff.
EDIT: The Numina's +recovery/+regen is (supposed to be) a Pool D drop, which (prior to merits) meant the recipe was only gettable off of a Task/Strike force complete. There are parts of Numina's that are Pool A (enemy drops) but the proc has never been one of them. Yet there it is.
Posts
They're kind of missing out half the big picture of what keeps people playing games. Have new ways to do stuff is all well and good, but eventually you need new stuff to use those systems in, and they've really let that slip. In addition to the new systems added in an issue, each issue ought to add, at a minimum, one new zone to each side of the game. Revamps of existing contentless zones would also count, such as what they did with Faultline. My account expired back in June, but even in the two months prior to that, I'd logged in once or twice at most.
I think like a lot of vets I get very bored quickly with rehashing the same old missions and environments. I'm going to come check out I16 when it hits, but I'll probably wait for the inevitable "Reactivation Weekend." I think the developers may be a little dissapointed when many people check back in with:
"Great, I've got plaid fireballs, now is there anything new for me to throw them at?"
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
I think it's possible they've assumed AE will cover that for them. Which it doesn't, because far too much of AE sucks (bad story, frustrating missions, stupidly powered enemies, etc). Plus AE can never replace things like new zones.
Due to the stability issues that occurred with the North American servers this past Double XP Weekend, we plan to offer another Double XP Weekend in North America after Issue 16 launches.
We would like to take this opportunity to apologize to those of you who were unable to enjoy the event as a result of this, and would like to thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these types of issues in the future.
We appreciate your continued support.
The City of Heroes Team
taken from http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=184083
Really not sure what to think about that
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
1. More varied mission goals and mechanics.
Clicking glowies and fighting an NPC's pathfinding gets old. Fast. Killing Trolls gets old even faster.
Last year, I still thought I'd never go back to WoW. But then a friend let me create a DK on his account and play their starting zone... and I was floored. Quests with good writing and engaging ways of resolving them. Arguably, several of these just had a different spin to old mechanics, but it worked in a way that was unprecedented to me.
2. Variety in instances.
This boils down to making more customized maps, and basically stop using the same cave, warehouse or office motifs that plague the whole game from 1-50. Hell, go back and change some of those old quests... inflate the experience rewards from some parts of old arcs so you can remove a lot of the filler warehouse slaughters.
Sink some development time into churning out dozens if not hundreds of new set pieces, motifs and yes, new map layouts.
3. Add and maintain endgame.
Say what you will, but even altaholics can get attached to a particular character, and having something new to the endgame every patch is paramount. Doesn't need to be WoW raiding. But something with different rewards, even if just cosmetic, would be nice. But mostly, just keep churning out unique challenges.
Doing this might no longer be viable this late in the development process, but without it, CoX will just hemorrhage players slowly but surely.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
uh, yes please.
Hopefully thats part of Going Rogue too.
uh, yes please.
Hopefully thats part of Going Rogue too.
Simply putting in secure doors would make for an awesome defensive item.
Not allowing items in hallways is a bit lame, but the game mechanics demand it. Not a good game mechanic either, I mean when we do door missions we have to start from the entrance, why should base invaders get teleported to random spots in the base hallways?
Retractable turrets. All that requires is a slightly modified turret base from the current ones with the most simple of animations.
Wall mounted defensive items... Hell,, I could go on forever with this list.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
Patched Notes
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
COMBINED
Arena
* Fixed Villain Pentad event to properly award the Pentad Arena badge
Art
* Transformation Capsules now properly show their destroyed animation
Emotes
* Quick-Chat Menu has gone through an overhaul and now includes all emotes available to all players.
* All versions of juggle emotes should now work with flight.
Invention
* Detonation Set: Fixed a bug that would cause the 5 piece set bonus from the Detonation Invention Origin set to require all 6 pieces.
* Focused Smite: Accuracy/Damage/Recharge should have its short help correctly state that it boosts Accuracy, Damage and Attack Rate instead of Damage, Reducing Endurance Cost and Increasing Attack Rate.
Leveling Pact
* Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented an offline level-pacted player from receiving experience if the pact is broken while that player is offline.
Mission Architect
* The Vanguard Warhead destructable object used in the Mission Architect should now correctly explode instead of vanishing.
* Custom Critters - Mercenaries summoning set - Attacks from this set now deal damage versus players.
* Destructable objects in arcs that are not flagged as Dev Choice will no longer cause secondary effects
Powers
* Dark Miasma/Dark Servant (all versions): Fixed a bug that caused this power to state that it would accept Recharge Intensive Pet enhancement sets. Since this pet cannot be slotted for damage, it should never have been able to accept these types of enhancements.
* Hit delay for Trick Arrow - Entangling Arrow and Ice Arrow should sync with the visuals of the projectile
* Fixed the bug where pets weren't phasing with their owners properly (with powers such as Phase Shift).
PVP Changes
* If you defeat someone who has recently defeated you, this will no longer restrict you from receiving rewards from the PvP defeat. The PvP reputation timer is now no longer reset from a defeat that doesn't earn reputation.
Super Groups
* Fixed the /enter_base_from_sgid command so that it only works when the base entry dialog is Open.
User Interface
* The issue involving random characters appearing in the chat line has been fixed. For example, players should now no longer see “asdawasdsawdsLevel 10 Scrapper LFTâ€
* Players can no longer use the /enter_base_from_sgid command to flee from danger.
* Global Chat Channels will no longer change colors randomly upon zoning.
Zones
* A small hole in Cimerora's geometry no longer allows players to teleport behind the war walls.
CITY of HEROES
Powers
Controllers
* Trick Arrow/Acid Arrow: This power should now correctly display its resistance debuff visual FX.
* Trick Arrow/Poison Gas Arrow: This power should now correctly display its damage debuff visual FX.
Defenders
* Trick Arrow/Acid Arrow: This power should now correctly display its resistance debuff visual FX.
* Trick Arrow/Poison Gas Arrow: This power should now correctly display its damage debuff visual FX.
* Dark Miasma/Dark Servant: Text no longer claims that this power takes Recharge Intensive enhancement sets
Tankers
* Ice Armor/Wet Ice: Fixed a typo in this power’s long help.
Task Force
* Manticore Task Force: 1st Mission no longer spawns level 40 Paragon Protector Elites (This is a level 30-35 Task Force)
CITY of VILLAINS
Powers
Masterminds
* Necromancy/Lich: This pet summoning power should no longer accept Defense Debuff enhancements, as the Lich doesn’t have any powers with a defense debuff component. The Lich can now be slotted for Accurate To-Hit Debuff Invention Origin sets.
Strike Force
* Thus Spoke the Reichsman: Ghost Widow's Betrayed Dialog now occurs at the proper time
tl/dr
Chat bug supposedly fixed and some other stuff
You see, this is why villains want to destroy all that lives. This shit right here.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
Thank god, tried to do this TF last week and found out about it the hard way.
If you summon a rikti monkey the game crashes
Couldn't find TypeDef NonCombatPet_RiktiMonkey in Sequencer NONCOMBATPET_RIKTIMONKEY.TXT
That's awesome
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
Awesome.
Archibald Turbine would have that contest sewn up.
I did this TF with this bug, and we won.
Also back a long time ago, Citadel was bugged and Warwolves spawned at 35. Did that TF too with thebug. Have screenshots of that Citadel TF. And this was BEFORE Inventions
It was a bit of a crunch to get all those lights placed and then removed so I would put the beacons where I wanted them, but I just managed to squeeze it in before having to come to work.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
You are clearly the rad.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
Edit: Ok, he was confusing in his wording. Everyone not in beta is intenionally locked out of server selection and character creator. They are also implementing a queue system for when servers are super busy so they don't get greyed out.
chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
Besides the VU talk, someone note what's wrong in this picture.
(I have no fucking clue.)
Wait.... Spines/Fire?
Oh the drops.
Yeah, I used to get those a lot when we farmed certain missions. Moreso than finishing the arc/TF they were a part of.
EDIT: The Numina's +recovery/+regen is (supposed to be) a Pool D drop, which (prior to merits) meant the recipe was only gettable off of a Task/Strike force complete. There are parts of Numina's that are Pool A (enemy drops) but the proc has never been one of them. Yet there it is.