Abraxus

I feel the same way. But, when it comes to legal issues, our opinion on it doesn't matter. Our only real choice is to do what it requires, or be aware of the consequences if we choose not to. In this case, the consequences could be to "generic-ize" your character. It's not happening now, and it hasn't been said that it will happen in a post-NCSoft deal. But, it is a possibility to be aware of, and to plan accordingly, not unlike most other things in life. 😎

That's it in a nutshell for me. It's NOT a thing right now. All of this discussion is more of a "what if" scenario on the premise that the negotiations are successful, and the many permutations of what that might mean in the future. So, to perhaps give some thought to things of that nature, and each of us do our part try to avoid the obvious land mines now, to avoid a scramble in the event this DOES become a thing. Nobody is telling anyone else how to play, or what to make. But, the quest for legitimacy is liable to have an effect on what's permissible, and overlooked in the future, as opposed to the current landscape where anything goes. Some won't take the hint. Some won't care, until it affects them, or their character. Then watch the complaints fly about how they had no idea this was coming, or why it happened. Some might be able to legitimately make that claim, because they don't really read the forums, or anything else concerning the game, or the changes that a successful deal with likely bring. They just play. But, for those of us that do, if such a thing were to become a reality, none of us should be surprised by it.

I get the whole "Jack Emmert" sentiment, as his later days with the game weren't necessarily good. But, let's not forget that he helped bring CoH to life in the beginning, so for that at least, his name doesn't live in total infamy in my book.

I think most of us feel exactly the same way! Except the whole "second favorite" thing. CoH was the only game I wanted to play the day it closed, and it has become so again 7 years later.

I'm gonna have to visit that place more often! I did a few missions there last night, and the rewards were very nice!

Just means that nobody reported them, and the Devs never saw them. If they had, there would have been no letter, no warning. Just their character turned into "generic man" for them to go to Icon, and do it again. They might have told them after the fact, and gave them a free token to soften the blow. But, it was done. I don't believe it is happening yet. This is all conjecture on what will happen if this deal with NCSoft goes through. It could very well be one of the conditions, but nobody knows for sure. Easy way not to have to be concerned is, don't do it. Then, if it does become "law", it won't affect any of your toons. 🙂

Universe forbid that we actually exercise a little self-discipline, and not go beyond homages, and straight to out-and-out copy. I have an homage character, but I made enough differences that I think it could be fairly judged as such. But, I have seen a lot of toons out there, whose creators obviously used the freedom, creativity, and the power of the character creator to do darn near perfect copies of comic book characters. Most of them didn't even bother to alter the name, unless someone else already got it. Then it was some cute variation which was as close as they could get. I am more in favor of the multitudes of original designs that this many costume options afford. But, to each his own. If the day comes when the "generic bat" comes out again, I'm sure it will be used quite a bit in the early days, and less so as things go on. That's pretty much expected.

Lets not forget the aspect of the game that allows one to play just fine whether they are just slotting regular enhancements, crafted I/O enhancements, or I/O sets/bonus sets. Granted, you can increase your effectiveness by diving deep on the set bonus stuff, but you can play just fine if you are not into it on that level. Many other games seem to force you into the ultimate power route to do some of the later content in the game, whereas CoH has never been like that. If you want to have a farm character, it's kind of necessary. But, for regular content, you can do it however ya like, and still enjoy the game. But, to answer the basic question of this thread, yeah! I believe it really is as good as everyone says. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that you will find it the only game you will want to play, as so many of us do. But, you won't know unless you try. Also, don't be afraid to read guides, or ask for help in-game. Many don't give the game a decent chance by getting frustrated early on, and never reaching out. This is a fantastic community, and they like nothing more than helping folks understand what they are doing, and loving it more when they really hit their groove. Hopefully, you will feel that way. But, if you need help, and can't find any, give me a shout! I'll help ya! But, be warned, my enthusiasm for the game is infectious, so if you call on me, you might be stuck here forever afterward! 😎😉

After the Marvel suite was settled, they actually did police rip-off, and "too close to not be questionable" toons, pretty aggressively. I don't if, over the years that followed that folks just stopped doing it for the most part, or if they just relaxed about it, but I didn't notice it so much in the latter years, at least to the extent that they no longer felt the need to talk about it in-game, or on the forums so much.

It's what we do. No better explanation. If someone posts, someone responds. Or maybe that's just me. Yikes!!!

I have a healer these days, and I can vouch for the fact that they are not as prized as they once were.

If that is the worst thing that happens as a result of a successful deal, that will be a good thing. As much as I am hoping for it to be sucessful, I don't look forward to how the other servers might be treated from a legal perspective, if this one were legitimized. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to see all of those players back here, but I'd rather it be of their own volition, rather than having no choice, and despising us for it. I'm guessing some would just not play anymore because of whatever reasons they had for splitting off in the first place.

I'm actually looking forward to the Halloween even myself. Between the Trick or Treating, and the increased instances of Zombie Invasions, gotta get those badges for all my toons!

Well, to be fair, the quote you used with my name, was actually a quote from someone else...I just did it badly in the editing. But, I agree with the Nemesis plot part. 😎

This is the first I have heard about any lawsuits, beyond the original one that got the Devs to be on the lookout for trademarked characters/costumes being used in-game, and police any violators. After that, my understanding was that a settlement was reached, and Marvel went on to do their own MMO/RPG, which came, and went very soon after those events. If there were additional lawsuits all during the years of the game's existence, right up to the end, that certainly comes as news to me, and likely a lot of others too. How is it you know this?

I'm sure this one, and all of the ones following Microsoft's "Patch Tuesday" are to apply security patches, which on the newer versions of the Server OS, definitely takes some time. I do it for a living for the company I work for, and I have seen servers (even VMs) take 2 hours to patch, and reboot with just the monthly security roll-up patch, and the almost monthly servicing stack updates. When you stack even more on them (which they occasionally do), it can really bog things down for much longer than the previous OS versions took. So, all is good I think. Carry on! 😎

First, I'm not sure character data (outside of costume, and power customization) transfer is even an option being offered. Second...really? Preparing for the end before we know anything of substance? I get being anxious about the outcome, but lets not build our A-bomb bunkers quite yet. 😉

I just use whichever one of the 4 available seems appropriate to the post I'm reacting to. Never really paid much attention to the names for each of them, to be honest. 😉

My main concern with a lower population is being able to field teams for whatever I'm in the mood to do. Everything from a Posi 1 taskforce, to a Maria Jenkins mission team, to any and all manner of Incarnate Trials. I just want enough folks around that it doesn't take more time to assemble a team, than it does to do the actual mission, TF, Trial, etc. 🙂

Between the confusion about the difference between City of Titans, and the Titan Network; and things that were posted on the Titan Network forums, but talking about efforts led by City of Titans guys...wait...what? I think I confused myself! No, wait! I got it now! Hopefully, everybody else does too. 😎

I agree with all of that! 👆

In the absence of fact, the vacuum fills with supposition, conjecture, speculation, and out-and-out guessing. The hope is that, at least some of it uses some historical data, similar situations, logic, and business sense to make the best of a situation where we have no conclusive facts with which to work. But, it's all we have at the moment. For me, the bottom line is that we have a chance for legitimizing the Homecoming server, which will go a long way towards alleviating the fears harbored by all regarding its future in the current state of things. For others, if this is successful, and the server is legitimized, that might give them more cause for concern, because of their unshakable distrust of NCSoft. For them, I'm not sure there is a real solution, but I feel like the folks that fall into that category are a small percentage of the player base here. The only thing we do know for sure is that the talks are happening, and what the goals are. Beyond that, we are all just waiting to hear what parts of our hopes, and aspirations are confirmed; and which (if any) of our greatest fears could be realized. But, that is life in a nutshell, so there ya go...

Always better to know exactly where the hammer will fall, than to worry about if/when it will fall. Not knowing, or anticipating the worst is downright maddening. Why wouldn't you want to know for sure. I see these talks as the only way to have that knowledge. I, for one, feel better knowing that if this works out, that worry goes away for good, and we can just relax, play, and look forward to all the good stuff to come.

Except that it's literally 7 years later, and most of the folks at that company are very likely no longer there, or have moved in to other things since then. Plus, until just a couple of months ago, they had all the advantage. The game was dead, and they saw no real reason to bring it back. Since then, the game code has become an infinite resource, meaning that anyone with a little knowledge can bring up their own server, if they wish. So, they might see it as an opportunity to capitalize on a situation that would be easier to legitimize, than to spend resources chasing down, and playing whack-a-mole for all the servers that will pop-up out there. There is a certain logic to it, even from a corporate perspective. I'm sure they'd go the latter route if given no other choice, but here, in this situation, they have a choice. They are weighing that choice against their other alternative, and what comes of it could be as simple as they just agree to leave things here alone, and give their blessing on future changes made by the Devs, so long as they remain non-profit. So, trust? Well, I'm not sure I completely trust any large entity whose very existence revolves around the money to be made from their particular product(s). But, when something is in their best interest, or at least not completely against it, potentially good things can happen.

They could have easily done that already, without the "easy vector". They have chosen not to, most likely due to these talks, and their potential. The extent of which, we don't know at the moment, but was obviously promising enough from the start to keep something like that from happening. So, before all the doom and gloom predictions, let's hang about long enough to find out. What do ya say? 😎