BurtHutt

There are a couple of good points amongst your...crap...here. I have also talked to friends about the game. They didn't seem to love it after a few tries. One mentioned there is no 'loot'. I get that but I tried to explain IO drops etc. I get what he means though and I did once suggest additional drop types and customization ideas that would be simple adds. For example: add a few costume pieces as drops? Another system I suggested was a an arms dealer. Here a player could buy additional items for their toon that are not much more than cosmetic. So, you can pick up a sword, gun, shield, machine gun, bat etc that is not much more than a temp power but just permanent unless removed (and the weapon could be customizable). It wouldn't be huge damage but would be a fun look and maybe an extra little attack at lower levels. I am not sure if this will help too much with new players but it is a new system that ALL players may enjoy. I also feel the Devs need to look at what is popular right now and maybe work off that. The DFB style mission is fun and repeatable. Adding a bunch of those might be a good idea (at varying levels). It's quick, a bit different and repeatable. I really hope the Devs start to think outside the box. As I write this, the game has less than 1 000 total people playing right now. Le sigh. Others have complained about graphics and dated look etc. I think people will play if the game is fun. There are a few games out there that have meh graphics but are quite popular. It is tough to get the word out about this game when it's a rogue server and all. Putting it on Steam would be an interesting experiment but I don't think that's a viable option right now. Maybe having Devs do some interviews on popular gaming sites etc may help. I don't think there is one idea that will cure all. It will be a variety of efforts that win the day.

I agree with a lot of what you've noted here. I am indifferent on PvP and don't do it so, for me, that's back burner stuff. I somewhat agree on alignment change concerns. The Live devs really messed things up by dividing the playerbase so I am ok with a quick change on alignments. I don't like the easy incarnate xp or the easy access to 2XP for regular xp but whatever. I think HC is getting to a point where maybe attracting new players isn't as important as retaining current players. There is a noticeable reduction in players these days and maybe they all come back. I am on the forums more than in game these days (and I am not here that much compared to before). I am worried about the future of the game and am still willing to help. Again, I think adding player created materials to the game as canon would be a good start. The implementation is also important. Making new TFs etc is also a big deal and HC had some solid ideas but the actual product was not as epic. Here's to the future!

Ok so most of the costume pieces other servers put out from years ago are just awful. They clip and don't fit properly. However, looking at this, it seems they put in some effort and made it work to a professional level. It really is a shame that all of these guys can't work together (I mean the devs on various CoH servers). Imagine how much better the game would be if they joined forces. Ah well.

I don't ever want to see the game make yet another starting zone for when toons start their journey. I have NO IDEA wtf the Live devs were thinking with gold side. Another zone that separates the already dwindling playerbase. I have no idea what was going through their minds. It was an absolute waste and may have been the death knell for CoX. I liked the look of gold side and it had some cool ideas but there is no way we needed a pile of new zones that re-skinned a lot of what we had (caves, offices). And then they went with the tired old Praetoria angle. Like...wow... How many versions of the same sig hero/villain did we need?! I absolutely disliked the theme and the entire implementation. Very poorly done. It's too bad the Live team played it so safe and repetitive. Hopefully the HC devs can do better from here on out. Anyway, I would never want to see another starting zone in this game. Not unless we had well over 10 000 regular players!

So, Homecoming has a deal with Marvel and the first addition we will see is the Thing? Cool. I always liked the FF. I see some hints here. It looks like the same old arc and storylines get some new material. Ugh. I really hope it's not the same old stuff again. For me, the visuals are a big deal. I'm hoping Homecoming moves away from continuing this game as if it was 2012 and carrying on with those arcs and feel. HC can go super creative. Add some wild, new stuff. I do think the Summer Blockbuster was cool cuz it was a bit different. They had a couple of cool new opponents (the mech and the minotaur are cool - sadly they got all 'snoozers' with the gang crap and the look of the gunslinger and so on). But, it had some neat new looks and it is actually fun to play. Fingers crossed for some good stuff coming down the pipe! Go HC team! Yay video games!

Why does this idea sound so, so familiar.... 🙂

I would have no issues with Rikti being either side. It's a race of beings. Not all are the same - what're we, in the '60s (or any time period, I guess) or something?! I am sure the Rikti can be as diverse and varied as humans.

I think it's very feasible. I don't know if I'd want to see it as a priority but that would depend on what it entails. I really like the Khelds due to the shapeshifting and all that - fun concept. It's superhero stuff - always an option!

Also, will wind control really make a huge difference in attracting players? If it's just another re-skinned power then maybe not a game changer, if you will. I feel HC will have a group that is always here (maybe that's the number we're seeing now) and that's OK. It'd be nice to see more players to team with. I sincerely hope the HC reaches out to some of us for more help etc (my daytime job involves me managing and planning for large regions so big picture is my thing - I'd love to help). HC has added a lot and it's been well done but not a lot of it is too different or well implemented. I sincerely hope this game survives and is around for a long time. Honestly, I don't think there's much that can be done to add players. Maybe the HC team can give some interviews etc to some major gaming publications. Players can bug their friends to give the game a go. Word of mouth is a big deal. Hopefully we can get something going 🙂

Yes, I get all of this. I don't deny it and I totally appreciate your efforts and the rest of the HC team. You helped us all pass time during a pandemic and that was awesome. However, we're not privy to anything behind the scenes (not that we need to be or should be) but it leaves us out here spit-balling ideas and wondering what is actually happening. Anyway, maybe one day I will get the call to be part of the team and contribute. I applied ages ago so i am not holding my breath. Life is busy anyway but this game has a special spot in my heart. 🙂

I also pitched this as well. Adding items from other servers if they have a friendly relationship. I don't know if these other additions to other servers are any good as I don't play elsewhere really. It might be worthwhile to maybe grab a few items from the Ouros project. I believe a fellow posted an AT on there sometime back? Anyway, the HC team is doing a great job but it might be time to think outside the box. I try and make suggestions that are easier to implement but none of them seem to be of interest to the HC team. I'm hoping the AE one gets added very soon. It could be a game changer.

I think we're all aware of this. I don't know if you read that thread link that was attached but it is where I pushed my AE idea. The one where Devs make new AE contacts that they control and add the well written, well done, fun arcs to those AE contacts (maybe a monthly contest etc). Then they would also add that content to canon assuming it meets all of the criteria. There is no sifting through farms, poor missions etc - it would be radio/paper/tip type additions but done by players and only added to the game if approved of by the HC team. Then the Devs can 'drag and drop' these arcs into the new AE contacts (that would appear away from AE buildings and not look anything like the AE building etc) and clean them up so they look like regular missions. All of the heavy lifting is done by the players and there would be a lot of missions to play. Sure, nothing wild and crazy but there are some very talented players out there and we could get good content added at a frequent rate.

Not sure I agree with this. Graphics are old but a LOT of people don't mind if the game play is enjoyable. Sure, it's an issue for some but it's not a deal breaker. I enjoy Valheim and it has poor graphics (it also sold approx. 6 million copies when it first came out). Billboard ads were fine. It was a revenue stream. Not a big deal. I was puzzled why it bothered people so much. I always thought it was a tad ignorant/moronic when players got so...butthurt... about the ads. I think this game needs bold and original additions. It's a gamble cuz who knows what works and what doesn't....players are finicky. All I know is that the direction needs to change a bit and it seems players may have some fatigue from seeing the same old added (even if its just in appearance).

Good topic. I will say I rarely play much these days. The materials being added are very much like what we had back when...same old, same old. The Aeon SF had some cool mechanics and play but it's just too much - you're bombarded with text, you don't know what you're doing (unless you go and read up on it) and you're kinda puzzled the whole time. Sure, after reading up on it and running it a few times, you get the idea....but I still don't really enjoy it. It's just too much and too long. The other new additions (missions/arcs) are also too much like what we have. Sure, the Freak arc has some new mechanics but it looks just like what has been around for ages. For me, there is significant fatigue. I kept hoping HC Devs would get creative and original but they really haven't which is too bad. To each their own. How do we add/retain? Well, my comments may help with some of that. I've submitted a pile of ideas and have DMed some of the HC team. None of my ideas have been used and that's fine. But, maybe Devs could look at the forums and get some guidance from there. My day job involves dealing in human behaviour. I will say the HC Devs removed a lot of the 'grind' from the game...maybe too much. The grind is part of what keeps players involved. It's that piece where they have to do certain tasks, sometimes not so great ones, in order to get their desired objective (costume unlocks, going to other zones to get access to Pocket D, giving away 2XP for nothing, easy incarnate XP and so on). I agree with removing a lot of the grindey things like old costume piece unlocks but they should make 2XP limited (2XP weekends two weekends a month maybe? Or 1 week a month only?), stop making so many shortcuts (Pocket D entrance in Atlas is an example. Reduce the amount of incarnate XP one earns if they do not do the old Trapdoor unlock (maybe 1/4 the rate). However, I do feel the player made SG base/transport hubs are important as they help remedy the issues of the older parts of the game where we run around for almost no reason - ex.: Citadel TF). If you hand almost everything on a platter, you remove the need to play as much. Things are easier. I think the HC team is doing great. They are just as professional as when the game was Live. However, I think they miss the mark when it comes to adding content. Personally, I think adding my AE idea (where players add content that is made canon etc) would be a good add. Self-serving? Sure. Would it create a lot of unique content that is sorely needed? Probably. So, if the goal is to add players and retain them, here are some reasons why they're not here. It's great to see the passionate players come on here and offer solutions. I've added mine 🙂

I do feel a lot of players are taking a break from the game. It has become stagnant and the new stuff doesn't feel too new to me. It's just a continuation of what we had on Live. This has killed a lot of the joy and momentum for me in the game. I feel people might be getting out more now that there is some solid Covid protection. I know I am. It has also impacted my gaming time. The players here provide a lot of good info and suggestions but it all can't be implemented. I would ask the Devs to maybe put down some polls etc. An easy opinion poll for some quick feedback. I know the HC team has done a ton of work and I thank them for it - I just have not really enjoyed the new content. The powers have been cool but the actually missions and SF ... not so much. It's way too much like Live. Again, not a bad thing but the player fatigue came rushing in. I think players will come back but who knows for sure. I really do appreciate the HC team. They're doing a great job and run things on par with the Live crew IMO. I just don't know about the direction of the game and content being added...

Yes, I get that. I was making a sneaky comment referring to some AE ideas I posted back when - I was going to link them but can't find that thread... Essentially, I had suggested making a bunch of new contacts all over the game that were new. These new contacts would be your contact to player created AE missions only. What's the diff between this and AE now? Well, glad you asked! 1) These new missions would be added by Devs only (it could be a monthly contest - players submit fully fleshed out arcs/missions etc) 2) These missions would be at the same level as radio, paper and tip missions 3) They'd be canon and appear as regular game missions with the regular rewards (players would have to supply the full info on new characters etc which could be easily added to HC Wiki) 4) The contact info etc would not have any AE numbers or anything visually connecting it to AE. AE is a very powerful tool in this game. My suggestion would allow players to create a lot of content, have it approved by Dev team and then drop it into the new contacts. This would save the Devs from having to port over the AE mission to a regular contact etc. A lot less work for the Devs and most of the work vetting and approving missions could be done by Devs who have minimal coding skills etc (or none). Having missions made official and not in the massive pile of current AE missions would make it far more appealing to play these missions. We know there are a lot of radio teams running around doing the same missions. Or tip missions or paper. Those hit it and quit it type missions - quick and easy. Many liked this idea back when and it would add a lot of unique content (original ideas should be a priority with new factions etc). There is no way a small, volunteer Dev team could keep up to demand and this way the players get to add what they really want to see as well. I know this had traction from some Devs back when and It's too bad this hasn't been implemented. Maybe one day 🙂 Finally, I really do appreciate the HC team. I barely play now but I am sure I'll be back on a more regular basis! EDIT: Found the old threat (2020)! It's where I posted a lot of my ideas back when.

Did you all forget to mention the 'using AE to have players create missions then add them to game' addition? Isn't that happening? No? 😞

Oh I know. I saw that. A step in the right direction but it still feels kinda like same old, same old. It's too bad they never decided get creative and new. I barely play these days and it's been a while since I dropped in here. Maybe one day 🙂

Devs, well done with this one. It's easy and unique. I know it's just the skinning/look of the characters but that to me is like a coat of fresh paint on a tired old wall etc. In this case, CoX. When you guys add content that features the same old tired characters, lore and arcs....it really turns me off. The Family arc you guys added a while ago, the arc featuring the Freaks, Aeon SF....those all would've been so much better if you made them unique and original. I guess this makes sense since I've always liked creating toons and the costume creator is awesome. Anyway, thanks for adding this.

Sooooooooooo maybe don't do it if you hate it so much? I know many who enjoy it and they seem to run a lot. I don't care for them myself but have done about 3 since I found Homecoming at the end of 2019 or so. I think you have some legit complaints but I am sure it would take a lot of effort to re-work it. The Dev team is limited so I'd prefer new stuff over re-hashing most of the old. Sure, something like revamping Citadel TF might be a good idea but I'm ok with the MSRs.

Procs? Hmmmmmmm. Yeah, I'd say the incarnate system is worse. That's something that shouldn't have happened. And please, spare me the raise difficulty etc piece. Anyway, we're stuck with it and it isn't all that bad. Also, I don't get why players feel taking on a pylon or Trapdoor in some speedy manner = OP. The game doesn't entirely play the same way. Yes, I know it's a fun metric and I am not here to poo poo on that. It's a fun idea that I may get to with some toons...maybe one day. You will never have the game balanced around incarnates especially with a small Dev team. I don't think they should try. I don't mind the game as is and I'd rather see Dev resources go to adding content and not changing too much of what's in game already. Sure, they may need to be a slight adjustment here and there but put most of the work into new stuff. I have no doubt, even if the Devs nerfed procs and nerfed Incarnates, there would be people complaining about something being OP. It's how some people are wired. There's nothing wrong with it and nothing wrong with expressing your opinion....kinda like I just did. Glad to be in the City and glad all of your passionate supers are here.

This is really neat! Did you make something completely unique or re-purpose old powers? Join the Dev team! I am told they need coders! 🙂

That's too bad if he is actually gone. Maybe he's taking a break? Seemed like a solid guy and did a lot of hard work learning how to work the guts of the beast known as CoX code.

I can't say I have any real complaints for the HC devs. I don't think most do. HC runs at a level that seems to be on par with Live. They don't usually release things until they're ready and look professional. I've tried some of the other servers and the content and items added do not look....good...or professional. I definitely will supply my feedback and hope the HC Devs consider all of the feedback they get. I'm happy the game is back but I am not playing as much which isn't too unexpected. HC Devs had a chance to update the look and feel of content. I like some of the power ideas but they can be more. It's great that they add arcs and, finally, an SF - some of which had some cool new innovations. Sadly, the new content is based off of old arcs and characters so it feels....not new. I just saw a posting about letting players design some costumes for Hero Corps. This is kinda neat and exciting but it could be so much more. Sometimes it just seems the HC team is taking the safe road which is too bad. It really takes away from the new content when it 'feels' old and just a continuation of what we were getting back when.

Yes, I know. I just kinda went off on a tangent. I am tired of easy mode in this game. I say leave the mission as is.