Piecemeal

(Fork from Forums Vigilante) ---------- (TiredOfIt) And so, then, why wouldn't I go with a tested-and-true asset with the experience to handle it with minimal issue? [[I get it. I'm the ringer. I'll put an end to this.->Accept]] --------------- (L3Blues) I hate to break it to you, but sometimes you get a day where your missions aren't all that glamorous, but you still have to get the job done and save the day. Statesman wasn't above getting a cat of a tree, you know. He did it all the time. [[All right, I'll go, but Freakshow next - I need a challenge.->Accept]] ----------------- (MakeYourOwnTF) We just don't know what to expect, that's why I coded this mission above that level of hero. Could you imagine walking into that building and it's nothing like what you've known prior? That you might have been able to easily walk all over them with your barely enhanced twleve powers before, but all of a sudden the rules have changed and they're not playing by the same expectations? I'm not taking chances, I've seen some radical things on these forums. You might not be up against the same-old same-old. [[I'll make sure to mention any weirdness, then.->Accept]]

(Fork from ForumsHero) My team and I have archived everything that is of relevance from this forum. I've also embedded several dummy accounts so I'll be alerted if and when it relaunches. I have a list of names and aliases to work with, so them shutting down is too little too late. This is the biggest of the six forums, so this is a worthwhile risk. The others may shutter out of caution, but some will sense opportunity to take in the displaced users, and the cycle will repeat when we're ready for the next strike. [[And people say heroes need powers. You're proof to the contrary!->Thanks]] <answer>`Requires natural origin char> eq`</answer> [[As someone without powers myself, thanks for the hard work.->NaturalThanks]] <answer>`Requires technology origin char> eq`</answer> [[Okay, D.A.T.A. has to have issued you a hero license. Show me!->Thanks]] <answer>`Requires science origin char> eq`</answer> [[This sounds like a social experiment!->Thanks]] [[I'm on it, Agent. I'll make sure this stays contained.->Accept]] ------------------------------------ (LOLWTF) It appears so. I figured you would want to end what you started with the Doctor's arrest, so I suppose I will have to fake an apology that this mission isn't more glamorous or epic. <color orange>Watkins looks more than slightly irritated with you.</color> [[I thought I'd be fighting Ghost Widow or defending a Moon base by now.->L3Blues]]

(ForumsHero) Yes, despite everything I've seen in my years with the Bureau I still retain a modicum of optimism. But it just wasn't enough for this situation. I've been following 6 different forums that are nested on the dark web that all follow Vahzilok's research, and one has become a hotbed of vitriolic speech lately. Normally I would dismiss these kinds of things as petty arguments between keyboard warriors, but these are different times we live in now, and we can't ignore the small hunches in search of bigger collars. Two people have been arguing over the future of the research, heavily debating immune response boosting to fight diseases versus celluar stimulation for accelerated healing responses. A user by the name xMaladyction is so absolutely sure of her position that four hours ago they posted an address to anyone that disagreed with her, to fight them in real life. 'NewtralizeKeyes' posted three hours ago that he was going to end this argument once and for all. Their posting history suggests a dangerous attachment to their ideological positions so I have no doubt this will be something for your caliber of firepower. [[Won't this tip off the Vahz that the forum isn't safe?->Insightful]] [[You're sending me on an errand to end an internet argument?->LOLWTF]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (ForumsVigilante) Less work us, perhaps, but there's no way to quantify the collateral damage. Why do I get the impression that you think this is beneath you? [[I've already taken out their boss. Isn't that the goal?->TiredOfIt]] [[I thought something more heroic would be on my radar.->L3Blues]] [[Give the SL10-SL20 heroes the chance to prove themselves like I did.->MakeYourOwnTF]]

(Arrogance) I understand your position, but until you treat me with the respect I have earned as a non-partisan civil servant of the United States government, I'm afraid I will have to seek help elsewhere. It would appear superpowers don't always come packaged with super manners. I regret to inform you that our business together is wholly dependent on your attitude and you should be prepared to give me both the time and respect that I deserve. [[Understood, Agent.->Rebound]] ------------------------------------------- (Rebound) <color orange>Watkins looks at you for a moment wild cold eyes, from over the top of his glasses. He takes several breaths, and continues.</color> Thank you. Now as I was trying to say, you should know that I tend not to give information without giving all of it, including the backstory. The key to understanding the present, and the future, is to understand the past. <color orange>Agent Watkins seems to assess if you're true to your word and paying attention. He seems satisfied with you for now.</color> Doctor Vahzilok was brilliant, mad as a hatter, but not a fool. He was an early adopter of the internet, specifically forums, as a way to spread his message and also to preserve his efforts for all time. Doctor Vahzilok knew from the get-go that nothing is ever truly lost on the Internet, so he raised a following and shared his notes so that his ideas would live on well past his time. [[And now his time has come to a possible end. I understand.->Somber]] ---------------------------------------- (Somber) Yes, and what couldn't be adequately predicted was what would happen once his time came. We had three theories: One, that things would quiet down and the research would stall out due to the demoralization of his followers; Two, that the information would end up in the hands of SERAPH or DATA and purposed for the advancement of humanity; Or three, the followers would scramble to be the next Dr. V, circle the wagons, and begin infighting to be the next King of the Corpses. It would appear that the worst-case-scenario, Option 3, is happening in real time, as we speak. In truth, we always knew this was the only option, but we left the door open for hope that other options were possible. [[Admirable mentality, all things considered. So what's the latest development?->ForumsHero]] [[Let those madmen tear each other apart. Less work for us.->ForumsVigilante]]

{HeroName}, I'm glad you signed on for this operation. As you know, the activity at the Overbrook Dam were all anyone could talk about for weeks. The Mad Doctor himself, finally captured for his crimes! It was an event some people never thought they'd live to see. The boogeyman of Paragon was finally caught. I usually don't fawn over things like this, but something that hasn't happened to me in a while happened: My agency is humbled and you've impressed me. That's why we're back here again, and I'm asking for your help. [[What can I do for you, Agent Watkins?->Reveal]] [[Click here to skip this introduction->(Close)]] --------------------------------------- (Reveal) You're going to have to help me settle things around here since the Doctor was incarcerated. It was a forgone conclusion that taking him out of the equation was inevitable, but what we couldn't predict was what his cult-like followers would do in his absence. We had three leading theories about what would happen, and it appears we are in the worst-case-scenario theory. [[What's happening with the Vahzilok, Agent?->Unrest]] ----------------------------------------- (Unrest) <color orange>Watkins looks at you for a moment, takes several breaths, and continues.</color> You should know that I tend not to give information without giving all of it, including the backstory. The key to understanding the present, and the future, is to understand the past. Doctor Vahzilok was brilliant, mad as a hatter, but not a fool. He was an early adopter of the internet, specifically forums, as a way to spread his message and also to preserve his efforts for all time. Doctor Vahzilok knew from the get-go that nothing is ever truly lost on the Internet, so he raised a following and shared his notes so that his ideas would live on well past his time. [[And now his time has come to a possible end. I understand.->Somber]] [[You're still not telling me the situation as it is, Agent. Get to the point.->Arrogance]]

There is a bit of a, how shall I say, well, Catch-22 with the intro dialog. It's useful to read. Not everyone wants to read it. It's tied to the contacts First Visit string, because anywhere else, and it may show up again. And if it does, it might be jarringly out of place, like between missions. Not the least to mention that the only way a person running through Ouro could see it is if I made that whole thing part of a delivery mission where you have to see Watkins in person. I've elected instead that the dialog is a bonus, and the true meat of it is just summarized in the opening of the first mission to throw the Ourobarons a bone. It will also not trigger again if you have completed the arc in any fashion and obtained the souvenir. I will copy/paste the conversation in a subsequent post.

I'm struggling to determine why there isn't a waypoint, but you have to return to the CDC commander at Pathogen's warehouse, IP South

Regarding the outcomes of the investigations, I used it as an opportunity to tell more story, and side stories. The longest route sheds some light on the relationship between Agent Watkins and Julius the Troll, and with the right badges, a little insight into the post-Cavern Hollows. The medium route has you talk to to a washed up former actor that shows the more civilian side of the impact of the Rikti Wars. The short route justifies the otherwise useless existence of the patrol boxes. Edit: Just choose callboxes and some light zone travel later, it's over. As was stated earlier, I apologize for any misgivings with your gameplay experience, this arc is very much a plot-driven story and a technical exercise. The complaints lodged are valid, and not setting a standard for expectations.

Most of your chief complaints, suchs as ambushes, etc, are already in the pipe for adjustments. There are lingering issues with the spawns in the rave I'm still working on, and elsewhere. If you're going to leverage focused feedback, actually telling me what EB regenerated four times might be helpful, since they're not supposed to. Was it Pathogen? Leave the emotions at the door, I'm here to help. I'd rather publish something too hard and work it back than the inverse. Much of your feedback was helpful, but not presented in an overly productive manner. I am trying to separate sass from feedback with this post.

Also I am having problems scripting Cortex to announce WTF he's doing. That's on my list. I wanna make his dumb brain point to Dr. V 😄

There's a disconnect as the red side arc was done first before the blue side was fully concepted. I'm going to go back and look at branching the dialog so that dialog is conditional on having the Posi badges or the Uncivil Warrior badge. This may not make it into the next patch, that's in the pipe for helping blue out. Subjective: I can see from feedback that the redside is a bit more direct, and thus being received better. Blue is a technical exercise as I got better with the tools. I will definitely moderate my bag of tricks ;D

This is my project today. These spawns are being unsportsmanlike due to an error I made 6 months ago 💯 Regarding the taunt aura, if it does damage it should interrupt them, but the new changes to taunt auras taking taunt sets might have this effect now if your aura previously did not do damage.

Sorry you're having such a rough time! I've already pushed changes into the pipeline to fix nearly everything you're experiencing. The ambushes are tamer, Pathogen will get at least one ranged attack, and the glowies should be noticeable on your way to Pathogen the first time - but they don't become interactable until after he drops. In fact nearly everything addressed here so far is getting adjusted in some way. Cadavers don't talk, zoombies are noticeable, Cortex loses his confuse and gets a weaker Greater Psi Blade, etc.

I'd urge you to try the Pathogen mission again - there's nothing to suggest you can't click that glowie, it's what unlocks the door. Well, technically, anyway.

I will comment that I had a super sub-par team composition when I tested today, and control powers are ideal for controlling the zoombies. They are weak to knockback, for instance 😉

The exploding cadavers are not exactly working the way they were back in closed beta, as in they are not supposed to spawn right on top of you, and I am addressing that in my next updates.

I'll address one thing: There are several outcomes from talking to Dr. Pierce that cuts down on travel time after the robbery. If you choose right path to investigate, you go right to the shortest route. This was also an experiment in people drawing their own conclusions, like a detective, so the subsequent mission would be a reflection of what they might think is best. It isn't elegant yet but it's the start of a more immersive experience, in my own eyes. Other than that, I'll take your comments into advisement, as this was my task to learn on, and so incorporates a little bit of everything so I can fully comprehend how everything works. You don't have to fret that everything I make will be a multi-zone traveling affair. I am also a reasonable person and prone to change my mind when civil discussion is afoot, like we have so far, so there's nothing to worry about. Redside, everything is in Sharkhead Isle with one deviation to Cap because it makes sense. Just FYI 🙂

Mua-ha-ha-ha! MINE IS AN EVIL LAUGH! I had a breakthrough. I thought maybe you could hear me from anywhere on the planet, laughing. OR MAYBE IT'S ISSUE 27! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0xh4qopQpk

You need existing proof of completing content to get a bonus fight for another badge. Not a costume unlock. It's not technically an accolade despite its requirements, it's more of a bonus for content runners. And it has a valid thematic reason for being as such.

Did you guys hear that? I swear I heard something...

Not on purpose, anyway

GUESS WHAT! AUNTIE PIECEMEAL IS COOKING UP A STORM FOR YA!

Here's a few of my backgrounds in rotation.

I was being sarcastic, I should know better - however in terms of what people frequently express love for, this one surprised me. 😛 There's already a wailer GM, or at least in AV, I can't at the moment think about going further, other than using Professor Farnsworth's Enlarging Ray to make the thing several stories tall. I thought the story basically painted the AV as the King demon perpetrating the deal. Been a while, going to have to research this.

I'm slightly baffled by the love for Wailers. People love them???