Troo

There's always trying to solo or duo these. I guess if someone has done all that..

Ah gotcha.

Something similar to this.

Seems like you asking for more rewards less risk? Maybe I'm mistaken. Would you be okay with +6 and no exp or inf increase?

Agreed. It didn't hurt that the game maker had already been making a good faith effort to minimize infringements. More details from that case are easy to search for. December 12, 2005 - Marvel Entertainment, Inc., NCsoft® Corporation, NC Interactive, Inc. and Cryptic Studios, Inc. are pleased to announce today that they have amicably settled all claims brought by Marvel and all claims brought by NCsoft, NC Interactive, Inc. and Cryptic Studios, Inc. From the statement: “The parties' settlement allows them all to continue to develop and sell exciting and innovative products, but does not reduce the players' ability to express their creativity in making and playing original and exciting characters. Therefore, no changes to City of Heroes® or City of Villains' character creation engine are part of the settlement. The parties have agreed that protecting intellectual property rights is critically important and each will continue aggressively to protect such rights in accordance with all applicable laws. While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, all parties agree that this case was never about monetary issues and that the fans of their respective products and characters are the winners in this settlement.” Some keys to arguments before the settlement included: #1 The game makers argued in a response to the initial complaint, that characters named after third party properties were not allowed to be played in the game, and that, given the character creation engine of the game, similarities to Marvel characters may exist, but constitute a fraction of the possible outcomes of player-designed characters. #2 The lawyers bungled it. Screenshots used as exhibits in the original complaint which claimed were players found in the game were actually characters created by the attorneys for Marvel in an attempt to prove their point that characters with names that infringed copyrights could be created in City of Heroes. Marvel’s counsel later admitted this to be the case with three of the characters shown in the exhibits it submitted.

Was the 'claim' spectacular because it contained big words?

I'll agree with your premise. I too hope reasonable judgement prevails. While Napster came and went, royalties still get paid to entities that control the intellectual property. If those royalties aren't paid it gets ugly quick. I'll point to recent music news where an artist I'm embarrassed to name will be re-recording all of their music because someone else has control of the recordings already made. ISPs and services regularly have to pull user generated content that violates copyright or trademarks. It's the deep pockets that are held accountable. Those deep pockets aren't interested in discussion as much as minimizing exposure to risk and liability. - Live long and... have fun.

oh geez. @MunkiLord - you don't have to believe it. I wasn't looking for a debate. If you google Napster or something similar you're likely to find plenty... dang it now I looked. Here's a possible example (I'm not reading it and providing highlights) " Copyright Infringement and Investor Liability in the Age of User Generated Content "

@MunkiLord - it's NCSoft's IP being used to facilitate the action, and thus contributory infringement. @Abraxas - I am hopeful, but realistic. I too enjoy the thought of a post deal COV while continuing to maintain an offline version (if needed). @ShardWarrior - I am hopeful, but realistic.

It just takes a letter.

NCSoft could easily be encouraged or forced to take action by other entities. ..this version as well as others could absolutely be 'shut down'. Cease and desist letters are not limited illegal behaviors. When ignored, letters lead to orders. Orders are temporary injunctions which freeze the offending action until a trial. Before any trial, the terms 'contributory infringement' and 'liable' get tossed around enough to pucker the sphincters of anyone even loosely associated with the offense that is not seriously lawyer-ed up. Sinking dozens or hundreds of hours into a tenuous situation and then being flippant about the mention of a legitimate concern could be considered foolish. Personally, I'm not stressed about it. This is all temporary.

apologies, I was rushed and missed a conjunction in there somewhere. 'objectionable activities' was supposed to refer to the use of inappropriate words or crude language in character names. this mechanic is likely already in place and could be easily expanded.

agreed. it's just a simple thing to avoid or be proactive about.

Anyone who thinks they are too big to 'care' is mistaken. Use of copyright or trade marked materials is what it is. Powers - Costumes - Names - Catch phrases. Copying all of that could be problematic. Enabling behavior could be liable. Blocking names could be the simple/easy solution and also then documents a good faith effort AND to curb objectionable activities (like inappropriate words in names). Edits shown in italics

I believe that the examples I've seen for comic cons typically avoid using the names of the specific characters. This is sufficient. Using in game options to mimic costumes is part of fandom. A large green character with purple pants who is strong.. no problem. Naming that character Angry Guy or Smash.. no problem.

This is debatable by design. Play style can be a factor. Time can be a factor (spike vs sustained). Survivability can be a factor. Target type can be a factor. It can be about more than just mashing buttons.

/regen is a solid if not over performing set for stalkers

exaggerate much?

Great job! Of course immediately it appears there might be a correlation between posted builds on the net (going back to live), hype (fotm now and then) and lack of creativity (min/max copycats). Maybe that's harsh.. but it's really hard to roll a truly terrible combo.

Curruptors are definitely not Defenders. That said, damage can be the more difficult thing to find later in the game.

gambling on the random number generator vs crafting.

46 minutes ago, Thezanman said: The volunteer devs have far more important (and easier) things to do than trying to make VFX from scratch. In the meantime, it won't hurt to just add Wind Control with minimal effort since it's already pretty much done. You don't have to play it if you don't want to, and maybe sometime in the future VFX can be made. No reason to make people wait for that time. Wow. Free game with volunteers taking crap. Maybe someone needs to take a timeout?

This was a nice touch.