Abraxus

For me, belonging to a SG is one of the social aspects of the game that I think adds to it's charm, and appeal. It also allows us to create SG bases, thus putting all manner of handy items in it (like hazard zone teleporters, and crafting tables), so one can go to one place to do many things. So, there is a functional aspect as well.

I could be watching it, but I'm already watching Jessica Jones. Once I finish that, then Stranger Things. I can only accommodate 1 series at a time, and still have time for the important stuff...like CoH!

Simply put, CoH is a unique game, in that, it is a rare instance of something greater than the sum of its parts.

In short, play like there's no tomorrow, because one really never knows!

Proof positive that this community, and this game are as eternal as the Incarnates! I missed the window, because I chose that 30 minutes to jump in the shower, and before I got back to the forums, it was already over. I regret the timing, and my inability to contribute once again, but I am uplifted by the continuing exuberance, and enthusiasm for this game! I guarantee I will be around for the next window of opportunity, and for any that follow!

I intentionally try to take in a much content as I can, but not necessarily everything on every character. I'll do Atlas on one, Kings on another, Hollows on still another. I am guilty of using DFB, like most, but with so many Alts, I manage to take in much of the available content intentionally. You might not see it, but I think others do something similar. If, somehow, all of the players on all 5 servers could somehow be concentrated on 1, you would see higher populations in every zone. But, since we are split into separate instances that host maybe 2,000 players each at their peak, things are spread out a little thinner. DFB is not the necessarily the death of other content. It is just another choice provided to players. The majority choose that as a way to blow through their formative levels. But, for those of us who love every aspect of the game, we still make a concerted effort to experience as much of it as we can. Because, in all honesty, it could all end tomorrow, and we remember what that feels like. Obviously, the likelihood is that it will be around for a long time to come, but we cannot afford to take that for granted again...so I don't.

It's like a super hero movie that has SO many different stories, all told according to the observer/participants choices. With the video skills of today, someone could make an EPIC movie using this game! Chronicling the birth of a hero, to their evolution confronting ever more dangerous foes as his powers increase, and finally fully developed with Incarnate abilities to save the world! It works for Marvel, and DC. Heck, I'd watch it!

I have now been touched by the power of a good AE farm. Yesterday I hit L50. Today, I decided to do the Mender Ramiel mission to unlock the Alpha slot. I did all of them solo, except for the last one. Once I got whupped a couple of times, I figured I was gonna need help. So, I put out the word, and got two takers. They made short work of the boss, and the mission ended, Alpha slot unlocked. However, one of them (a very powerful, Incarnate-laden Corruputer), asked if I wanted him to take me through some AE content, and get another slot, or two open? I said sure, and a couple of hours later, I had all 5 slots open, 31 Empyrean Merits, over 100 Incarnate threads, and hit Veteran level 3! I'm not huge on doing AE in order to bypass actually playing the game, but once at 50, I had no problem leaping over a little time, and grinding for Incarnate stuffs. With all of this treasure, I was able to get myself to Alpha Tier 3, Judgement Tier 2, and Lore Tier 2. Got the level shift, and started on some Incarnate content. Love being back even more now!

I play on PuGs when my friends are not around, and with them when they are. It ends up being about 75% PuG, and 25% Friends.

Thank you so much for feeding my addiction! ;D 8)

Most of my current characters ARE recreations of my former level 50 characters from the live server. I absolutely love playing them all again. Some as they were, some a little different, but all greatly missed, and now reborn!

I played CO, and I was back to CoH as soon as my 3 month subscription to CO ran out. I didn't like the mechanics, I didn't like the combat, I didn't care for the art style, and I wasn't crazy about the lore, or story lines either. It was prettier than CoH graphically, but that is not a deal-breaker for me. CoH is plenty pretty with all the graphical settings turned up to 11! Granted, all of these things are subjective, but personal choice/preference is always made of of a certain percentage of subjectivity. The percentages vary from individual, to individual. However, when it's all said, and done, whatever their reasons, they make their choice on things. In the case of CoH, folks have found what they like in measures that suit them. Why they choose them is fairly unimportant, unless one wishes to challenge them, which is ultimately futile, and typically presents as purely argumentative. People love this game for all of their own reasons, and those reasons aren't necessarily the same for any two people. I say why question it? It is, what it is, and dissecting why they feel the way they do won't bring any satisfaction to the OP. At least, that's my take on it.

I am also recalling, WAY back when the game first went live, there was a very static progression for any character one created. You did the same missions (especially in the formative levels) over, and over again for each new alt. Now, you have so many different ways to get to L20, that I could literally go a slightly different route for each of my alts! I have done a few of them, but I am looking forward to doing more in some of the lesser traveled alternatives very soon! And that is just with the "Hero" content. Then there is the "CoV" content, and the "Going Rogue" content for new characters. Lots of choices...

Ah! The "Sees NO SMOKING sign, and immediately feels the need to light up", and "Keep off the Grass...Hey! Let's dance on it" kinda guy! Got it! 8)

It's that lack of time that makes this the only game I really want to play. Because I have so little to devote to gaming, I literally don't have time to be invested in multiple games, and out of the possible choices, this is the one that checks all the boxes for me. So, it is where I am, and where I will continue to be going forward.

My only REAL complaint, is that I don't get to play as often as I really want to! Sure, it's not perfect. But, I don't expect it to be perfect. My expectations don't run that way at this stage in life. This is an extremely rare second chance, and one that I will fully appreciate, and embrace. If there is one thing I'd like to happen more often, with regard to my gaming experience, is for my sons to play with me more often than they do. So far, it has been once for each of them since the game came back. They are older, and have their own things going on. Real "Cats in the Cradle" moments going on there. But, outside of that, I'm just excited to log into the game, each and every time I have the opportunity to do so!

Currently, I have 17 characters so far, with the highest at 48, and the others at various levels from 25 on down. I am playing with friends, and PuGs alike, and I am having the best time! It's what I look forward to doing once I am off work, and it's what I think about when I'm not actually playing. Things like "I should have put a range enhancement instead of another damage on that power", or "Wow! This would be a cool concept for another character. Time to get on the character creator!" The people I play with have been great, and while I know there were faster ways to 50 than the ones I have used, I have enjoyed the journey, and appreciated each step more than I did in the original run of the game, because now I know what it feels like to NOT be able to do this. I don't take it for granted, and I'm going to keep playing as long as it exists! Just my .02 of a dollar's worth on my experience. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but for me...this is really the only game I have any desire to play.

+1 Inf to you sir! Bravo!

I don't disagree with anything on that list. However, I will add that I LOVE having the opportunity to loath these things once again! I would rather fight Malta, and Tsoo for every friggin' mission than ever lose this game again!

I love that site! I keep a browser tab open on it whenever I play!

I'll jump in and say that both of my boys played from the time they were around 8, and 10 respectively. The older one didn't play CoH for long, after moving on to other things. But, the younger one stuck with it, and eventually got to be a better player, with more in-depth knowledge of the game than me! Now that it's back, that same kid, now 20, is giving me advice about how to make your first billion in-game, and how to properly slot my L40 Dominator. He learned a lot from playing in those years. Analytical skills, the concept of using resources wisely, and having to make choices that benefit the present vs. those that will benefit long term. Valuable stuff there. He is a very smart young man, and I believe that his formative years playing CoH almost exclusively, will turn out to be one of the things that contribute to his eventual success in life. So, for me, I say let them play. Hopefully, when they are really young, you can play with them, to show them the ropes of the game, but also of interacting with other players. What to do, what not to do. Give them a good start, so that eventually, when they start playing on their own, you know you have given them a good start, with all the tools to be a great player, and not be taken in by anyone with potential ulterior motives. We can't protect them from everything. All we can do is give them the tools to make the right decisions when the moment comes. If you do that, you have accomplished what a parent should be doing. The rest should take care of itself.

Interesting tidbit on one of "the other" server providers: "drbrainToday at 12:27 PM @everyone @here Tldr; talk to IRS lady. Very friendly. We are all good on everything but she wants me to file a corporate meeting form/board meeting form with a focus on charity work for kids play the video game(Cox) as the goal to keep it relevant. I also have to file our earnings with the IRS by May 15th 2020 but she prefers it by the same time people receive W2's so like January. We will be hosting a charity event for Kids with Lukemia (St. Jude most likely) through Twitch.tv in game. We will be running costume contests, raid rushes and more. I haven't fleshed everything fully out yet as I just had the phone call today. Also someone tipped them off for them to contact me via phone. Our earnings was not a concern as long as it's taken into account in the filings. They also didn't mind about us hosting the game. I do have to refile a 501c with an update to our freakin' goals because they demand us to run a charity once a year at minimum. That'll be around 500-600 dollars out of my pocket here soon ☹️. I am kind of excited to use our server to help kids in need so this is nice. Hopefully you all enjoy it too. Also @everyone @here a warning to other server owners. The IRS do know about all of us hosting this game and know about NCsoft stuff so be smart and get yourself protected at some point soon. It is coming." To hear him tell it, the IRS knows about all of this, and will be contacting the admin teams for them. Not sure how much validity there is to it, but I thought it worth mentioning.

I totally get that there are those that just don't feel comfortable forming a team, and the anxiety issues underlying that reticence. I understand. I have a son that has some pretty noticeable social anxiety issues, which we are doing our best to help him deal with, and hopefully break through. So, when I encourage those that feel their experience is lacking in game, to do for themselves what they complain is missing, please know that I absolutely am not pointing to the folks dealing with these issues. I know this, because the folks who feel this kind of anxiety, are typically not the ones doing the complaining about their experience (or lack there of), in-game. In fact, I believe the ones who do complain in this way, are the ones who absolutely could form a team of their own, but just lack the experience of doing so, or just don't want the burden. For the folks who are content to join in whatever becomes available, I say "I will always be around to form those teams, and welcome any of you aboard!". In true CoH spirit, I believe we all rise to assist those who want/need it, and to fight alongside those who don't. Together, the teams are stronger with you, than without you!

Yeah, I think things have started to level out since the new shards were introduced. I'm just overjoyed to see the game flourishing as it is. It surely went before its time, and now that it's back, I think the level of support from the players across all of the various CoH projects that have sprung up, are a pure testament to the fact that this game was too good to keep down. There was nothing like it back in the day, and there is still nothing like it. It has it's own place in the gaming world, and now that place is cemented forever!

Yup! I agree with ALL of the above. The game is a blast, and the people are great. But, if you're waiting for someone else to make your experience work for you, typically you will be disappointed. I think the rule of thumb here is, if you want to do something, put out the word. There are always a few out there who will be happy come along!