http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?blogId=1 An OFFICIAL (or at least listed and recognized by NcSoft) City of Heroes / City of Villians webblog - please email related website links, to centralnexus{A T}gmail.com <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/HeavyGaugeIss13.jpg" /><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=614&blogId=1 <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/HeavyGaugeIss12.jpg" /><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=613&blogId=1 <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/HeavyGaugeIss11.jpg" /><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=612&blogId=1 <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/HeavyGaugeIss10.jpg" /><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=611&blogId=1 <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/HeavyGaugeIss09.jpg"><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=610&blogId=1 I really like the looks of these.  Praetoria looks unbelievable.  I'm still anxious to see how you can transfer from hero to villain and back. If you look carefully in the crowd scenes at the Atlas steps after they start talking about costumes -- you'll see my character Crusading Cavalier in the center wearing his traditional blue outfit. Those shots were taken during the 5th anniversary over a year ago on Virtue. <div><br /> <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/61YuQpTN1VY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;hd=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/61YuQpTN1VY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385" /></object> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This just came out very recently -- Doc #2</div><div><br /></div><div>  </div> <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tJCeF58nmAo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;hd=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tJCeF58nmAo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385" /></object><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=609&blogId=1 I've posted this before<div><br /></div><div><br /></div> <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LfKUPgy_xH8&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LfKUPgy_xH8&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344" /></object> <div><br /></div><div><br />But it has a sequel:</div> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-EitO6Wq_9A&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-EitO6Wq_9A&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344" /></object></div><br /> Thanks to GSCViolet of the All Star Teen Sentinels (Virtue) for bringing it to my attention....<br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=587&blogId=1 This is the second time my blog software has developed a problem that caused an &quot;cannot fetch&quot; error, effectively shutting down the blog.  And the second time it fixed itself.  Lousy timing.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was the start of the Winter Holiday event.  It is a little different, with the Lord of Winter being in a new instance zone looking like a winterized Croatoa again, only this time we've got hordes of snow creatures as well as this Lord of Winter.  I heard that you could only get your character into the zone twice, but haven't tested that.  The zone is accessed through an OVERSIZED present, that shows on the zone map as a blue dot.   If there is a Winter Lord in the zone, it is announced, and if this oversized present appears, you've got a notice as well.  Meanwhile, the traditional presents are around, and you can get candy canes, snowballs, build snow beasts powers, mystery gifts, or a group of frostlings based on the level of the zone and numbered based on your current team size.</div><div><br /></div><div>Festive badge is this year's reward for logging on, and you still get earmuffs costume piece.  I'm assuming other costume pieces might also be in presents.   100 snow creatures is a defeat badge -- Cold Warrior.  100 presents being opened is another badge. </div><div><br /></div><div>This glimpse of the winter event is just that -- and I've yet to get to Pocket D.   There is probably more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Holidays...</div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=586&blogId=1 <p>As the Halloween event draws to a close (maybe a day left for badges -- IF you hurry), I thought I'd post some quick thoughts.</p><p>Most of it was the same as last year -- open a door, get the treats, or face the assortment of oppents as tricks.   It was possible to hit several doors in a row, but if you got TRICKs, the entities followed you MUCH better than last year.  Still, there was many a time that someone would open a door JUST after I had faced a mob, before I had recovered, and left the mob for me to face.  The one character I focused on got the suite of event badges, including some of the new ones.  </p><p>The new ones were on the Banners -- this event put 4 banners, guarded by different opponents, that would slowly phase in.  Eventually they would be vulnerable.  You had a time limit to attack and eliminate the 4 banners, and then coordinate on the &quot;greater mystic aspect&quot; which would be a giant monster.  I faced Jurasik in Atlas Park on one, and Adamastor in King's Row on another.   IF you were on a team you got a badge for each banner, and one for the final GM.  The unique thing was they showed the range to the Giant monster, but not a map point.   A trickier way of locating your foe, that I kind of liked.  The only thing I didn't like was that other than the banners themselves, the oppenents were mostly recycled stuff seen before in CoH.  I would have liked to seen FRESH opponents.  Granted it was wild seeing some of them in the low zones, but still, in this day and age, even the Architect system would give us NEW foes to face.</p><p>I've not seen as many people using the costumes given by the event this year -- I think it is old hat for some.  </p><p>I will be glad when the sun shines again in Paragon City.  If for no other reason than it makes the costume contests better.  </p><p /><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=542&blogId=1 I've spent a good deal of time looking at City's competitor - Champions.  And there is as much I like as don't like.<div><br /></div><div>Sure you can do some things that never happen in City -- Like lifting and throwing objects, including vehicles.   There are a handful of powers that I like the effects on like the Sorcery set.   But there are things that just don't make sense yet.  Being able to have capes from the get-go is good.   But is it enough?</div><div><br /></div><div>City of Heroes has a LARGE world. Even at the beginning we had Atlas Park, King's Row, Skyway City, Steel Canyon , etc. all available to the low-level hero, with other zones available in a few levels.    CO - has only a few HUGE Zones.  Granted that focuses the beginning player, but it doesn't divide the world up as effectively by level as COH does.  CO funnels you through the same intro zone (no choice), and into one of two secondary intro zones.  Both of these are subsets of the same three end-zones. You have to get 8 or 9 levels in before your character can join the population at large - zone wise.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think CO will need a LOT of fixing.  Power balancing is still going on -- You can try one power set and have little problem; another will be HARDER to get anywhere.  </div><div><br /></div><div>Quests seem to have no limit in CO -- you can have as many active as you want.  However there does seem to be a limit to how STALE they can get.  Compare this with City's 3 mission max.   However there is no remote-contact so far that I've seen for CO - meaning you spend a lot of time running back to the mission-giver to collect your reward.  While I like the no-limit to missions, there seems to be a lot of time wasted in going back to the mission giver.</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally I think the City approach of enhancements on powers is a little bit more friendly to the new player.  HOW to enhance a CO character to get a particular effect like more damage or faster movement speed is NOT as easy to establish.  I suspect that some players may be turned off by this.  Since this is driven by Attributes which can be adjusted by primary characteristics, talent/perks, AND Offensive, Defensive and Utility gear that is found and equipped.  All these factors come into play -- A much more complicated mechanic than City's enhancements.</div><div><br /></div><div>The CO community is still evolving; I find City of Heroes FAR better, both as helpful online players, and Supergroups that actually are trying to get something done.  CO doesn't have the prestige or last logged in date either -- but then I haven't seen a limit to SG membership either.  CO has the same problem with copyright infringing characters - only MORE so.  I've yet to see the equivalent to a City's &quot;Generic&quot; characters.  I have to admit that most Supergroups, being small and new, don't have ANYTHING like the feel of City SGs.</div><div><br /></div><div>I realize that the games are different, despite being designed at least initially by the same company, covering the same genre.  However they are night and day by comparison.  I see these attracting completely different audiences.  Some CO players I've talked with complained about one thing or another on City - controls, leveling, etc.   Most of these things I found similar problems with CO.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Going Rouge on the horizon, and a third competitor in DC Universe coming down the road after that, I can't help but wonder how they will all balance out.   With each game having its own distinct world, history, and NPC character set, the end difference will be in mechanics -- Whether it is user interface, game mechanics, or simply the world in general.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my opinion I find myself wanting to like Champions, because it is new and different and allows me to do things impossible in City.   But I find myself liking City better.  The end result is -- will I stay with it?  I'm already debating that. </div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=540&blogId=1 While I was on last night, there was more than a few people in Atlas Park on Virtue talking about leaving the game for CO.  Even to the point of giving out all their money.  Others were groaning about how bad CO was.  Its apples and oranges if you ask  me.<div><br /></div><div>Both games are based on the superhero genre, yes.  But COH is an MMO first and for most. It is not designed like a traditional RPG game.  THERE are no stats in this game.  None whatsoever.  Granted your choice of archetype affect how much hits you have, but beyond that there is no trace of the attributes that permeate ever game system.  Even the simplest have a few -- Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, etc., even if they are called something else. This harkens back to the grand-daddy system of Dungeons and Dragons - which was the first.  Now other systems are more streamlined.  It depends on what they are trying to simulate and how detailed they want to be versus how fast they want to play.  Its a balancing act.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now if you came into City of Heroes expecting an RPG, you may not like it.  I've seen more than a few people try several character types, but never play beyond a handful of levels.  The game will seem repetitive if you don't pass certain thresholds -- level 14 (travel power), level 20 (New zones), level 30 (More new zones, auras), level 40(elite power sets), etc.  Not getting into a good SG, wether it is RP or not, also will have an effect on your enjoyment and progress of the game.  Personally having a non-game based RP event is something the designers don't do that is all up to the players.  You can't beat that.  Whether you are a bunch of school kids traveling together, armored future warriors, or hi-tech police officers, a good theme can change the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now from what I've heard , Champions Online is heavily based on the RPG that it gains it name from.  I've not played the online game yet, but I've played the paper RPG game.  That means you WILL have to think about whether you are making a fast hero, a strong hero, a tough hero from the get-go.  If you came from City of Heroes and aren't a paper RPG player, you may find some of these concepts daunting.  Whether this will make the game hard to get into, I don't know.  I have heard that forming a SG is A LOT harder to do than in City.  You have to have a whole team together and ready.  Finding time when ALL would-be officers are on at the same time just to activate a supergroup seems a little daunting and could really reduce the number of such groups.    I've also heard that teaming is not happening as much.  Lack of global communications as yet will also make communicating that a SG is available or a team is trying to set up quite difficult.  While City of Heroes has had 1 or 2 Atlas parks per server, CO could have dozens of Millennium Cities?</div><div><br /></div><div>Even what I've heard about DC Universe online seems to suggest it isn't an MMO in every sense of the word.  Since it is partly hinged on the consoles, that may make sense there, but detract elsewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bottom line is that whether it is game mechanics, interface mechanics, server mechanics, role-playing mechanics will differ from game to game.  While City of Heroes might not be for everyone, the other games might not either.    </div><div><br /></div><div>I did see a few bitter sentiments from those leaving vs. those staying.  I hope that we can find an equilibrium, and be heroes wherever suits us.  I hope the other games survive, but not at the expense of City. </div><div><br /></div><div>Time will tell who the victor will be.  I hope it us us.</div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=535&blogId=1 I'd only tried the closed beta a couple times.   But I like what I saw.   The power customization is better than I thought with dark color choices and light color choices -- You can mix two colors on some things.  I tried an electric scrapper -- and was able to mix green and blue lightning effects.   Changing a Psychic Blaster / Mental Manipulation from the (*ugh*) default pinkish colors made it seem fresh.   I can imagine a lot of new characters coming up because of all the choices -- Patriotic characters with all their powers red/white/or blue, or some mix there of.  Christmas characters with all red and green powers.  You can give your primary or secondary powers a color theme of there own, copying it to all of them, OR you can individualize each an every power, assuming it can be customized.  IT could get confusing though -- If you don't know the purple effect coming off the villain is a transference because it is not the usual blue, COULD cause some of these powers to lose there effectiveness.  At least until you get used to the people you are with -- PICK up teams are going to be a real headache when this goes live.<div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the powers have lots of variability.  I've nosed through a few -- Martial Arts I thought was supposed to have some DIFFERENT moves -- I didn't see them, but that isn't to say they aren't there.    One of my recent characters was a spine scrapper -- THAT one was fun as it had Metal Spikes, Thorns, Crystal spikes, and more.  This alone changes the look of a character, let alone the theme.  And as I said, the Electric scrapper power set is going to get a LOT of play when it goes live.  I have heard some grumblings on the Electric Armor being underpowered, but I've not seen it so far.  But then I've only gotten in a handful of levels on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Something I like?  Your current level is shown in the experience bar -- the same place now occupied by the TF while on Task forces, or your SG emblem while in SGMODE.  If you are downgraded by exemplaring, Running Oruborus missions, or side-kicking up, your current level is displayed as &lt;##&gt; to hint that you are not at your normal level.  It makes that area a little busy as it can have the green arrow (need to train) in there as well.  Also  Email control - You can set your character to receive only from SG and friends -- leaving blind SPAMs in the lurch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Expect lots of changes on the OPTIONS menu -- things are all different there it seems.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given that it IS in open beta already, that means it is CLOSE to release.   Given the release of Champions Online coming up in September, I could see this going live before or shortly after that launch, if not coinciding with it.  More than likely , given my luck, it will go live during Labor Day Weekend, when I'll be at Dragon*Con.  *Sigh*.</div></div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=511&blogId=1 I got a surprise yesterday - with Issue 15's release.  There are a couple things on it of interest....<div><ul><li>New faces for characters</li><li>New Ulterior costume</li><li>A few bug fixes. </li><li>ALAKAZAMREACT emote has changed --- Instead of becoming a pumpkin, you become that OR any of a couple dozen objects, much like the Propel animation for Gravity Controllers. (expect some nonsense from players as this becomes a new favorite emote)</li><li>New task forces.</li><li>Possibly some bugs as well --- I noticed running a superspeed character that after checking in with Architect system that my yellow foot glow vanished for a bit.</li></ul><div>Other thing was that someone FINALLY played my arc in AE, (Curse of the Underworld as I recall.  Search for it by my author @CentralNexus).  I've NOT been advertising it much.  At least someone is playing something other than the usual 3 block street hunt farming mission in one of 7 variations.    This gave me two new badges on all my characters -- Author and Recognized. </div><div><br /></div><div>More from it as I notice other additions.  They are scattered.   Of course I'm already hearing the buzz about character power customization for the NEXT issue (not to be confused with the City of Heroes Rogue business).  I expect they had a bunch of stuff ready to oppose the now delayed Champions release.  Hopefully it will get into place before August is over with.</div></div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=495&blogId=1 Since my last spurt of updates, there has been a lot of stuff going on.<div><br /></div><div>1: The AE is set to be de-farmed.  If you get on now you still see the endless AE FARM LFT broadcasts, despite the announcement on the forums that Positron was to squash the misuse of AE for farming.  Characters that have leveled fast through AE with no other activity could face having the character blocked or reset.  Those putting farm missions on the system could have the mission dropped, but the slot locked.  Since you only have 3 slots to publish missions, this is a 3 strikes and you're out policy.   I have to admit I look forward to these changes.  I really want to see AE used for TRUE missions.  I've seen some creativity.  Time travel missions, stuff playing with the history of characters or Paragon City in general.  I've even seen one with VicoViv and Chuch from the COH Podcast in it.  I really like these, but they are SO hard to find, with the clutter of badge and farm missions out there.  Given the votes, they have a following, but that isn't what the system was made for.</div><div><br /></div><div>2: Issue 15 is already being advertised.  &quot;Anniversary&quot;.  Given that we're almost a month from the anniversary date, I would suspect that this is VERY close to being released. High level task forces will interest some.  Especially with the &quot;return&quot; of the Fifth Column.  I always liked them.  Even if the red uniforms always reminded me of the visitors from the old V miniseries.  New faces and costume elements are supposed to be on the way, along with costume change emotes.  I really like the idea of these.   People used to get the Whirlwind superspeed power to mimic the Wonder Woman Spin costume change -- the hard way.  Now its automatic thru the magic change emotes.  Giving some of these to everyone is a big plus.   The Mission Architect cross-server chat channel will be something I really want to see.  HOPEFULLY that will put an end to having Atlas Park's GLOBAL channel be a never ending stream of Architect LFT and Arc advertisements.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Going Rogue.  This is intriguing.  The ability to have a hero that goes villain or visa versa is a big thing.  Certain powers are only available on one side or the other.  Like Masterminds.  Having a robotic mastermind hero would be something I REALLY could get into.  But the flip side is this alternate world of Paragon City.  Unlike Prateoria which we see elements of coming over here, where all the classic heroes are villains, and have corrupted their world's Paragon, this one looks like Statesman has almost set himself up as an emperor.  Being an old DC fan, and used to having Earth 1, Earth 2, Earth X, Earth S, etc., I'm kind of loving this.  Since they showed it in the video, I can't help but wonder if they will actually have it as new ZONES in the game.   Could new heroes and villains be immigrants from this Paragon-3 world?   One of the characters is a pistol wielder --- which makes me wonder if they will finally add a pistol set of powers.  Except for the thug mastermind, this has been sorely lacking.  Especially with all the cowboy costume elements, and you can do pistols? Definitely a little bit of an omission there. We don't have many MORE details other than the video (See the trailer button on  <a href="http://www.cityofheroes.com/goingrogue/">Going Rogue</a>).  I would suspect this to be scheduled for July -- probably opposite the Champions Online release.  If not, I would suspect it to be released before the end of August. They need big stuff like this to prevent players from switching over.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its going to be a big summer for City -- ANY way you look at it.</div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=456&blogId=1 <p><img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/SS_20090422.jpg" /></p><p>Between FLAG, American Legion, and other Patriotic groups there have been a LOT of Patriot types around.</p><div><br /></div> <br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=453&blogId=1 <p><img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/SS_20090421.jpg" /></p><p>Reminds me of my warshade on Virtue</p><div><br /></div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=452&blogId=1 <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/SS_20090420.jpg" /><div><br />A rather sizable virtual contact...I've seen some with Menders, Statesman, Ms. Liberty, mad scientists, and even a Television set.</div> <br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=451&blogId=1 <p><img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/SS_20090419.jpg" /></p><p>A spooky look, but well pulled off.   The Protagonists is a new &quot;Golden Age&quot; RP supergroup.</p><div><br /></div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=450&blogId=1 <img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/SS_20090418.jpg" /><div><br />Architect Entertainment -- Day one.   Booming business.</div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=449&blogId=1 <p><img src="http://www.thecentralnexus.com/SS_20090417.jpg" /></p><p>Always liked this color combo...</p><div><br /></div><br/> http://thecentralnexus.com/plog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=448&blogId=1