Homecoming's 2nd Anniversary - Echo Plaza, Festivities & The Future

[DawL]

9 hours ago, GM Arcanum said:

 

Gosh, it sure does...you'd best check back soon™️  - perhaps a doorway will appear.

* best begging pose * Oh PLLLLLLEEEAAASSE!!!! Pretty please. Ultra-pretty please. With sugar on top. No, wait, not just sugar! Unlimited toppings (except boba, there's evidently a world-wide shortage of boba).  I would LOVE to check out the inside of that beautiful building.

[Zepp]

46 minutes ago, DawL said:

* best begging pose * Oh PLLLLLLEEEAAASSE!!!! Pretty please. Ultra-pretty please. With sugar on top. No, wait, not just sugar! Unlimited toppings (except boba, there's evidently a world-wide shortage of boba).  I would LOVE to check out the inside of that beautiful building.

To from the top of the building using the tree as a target.

[Glacier Peak]

6 minutes ago, Zepp said:

To from the top of the building using the tree as a target.

Zepp is saying use teleport between the glass ceiling. 

[ForeverLaxx]

15 hours ago, Cobalt Arachne said:

I've been watching like six different places since this was posted, and you're the first person to actually notice it; Bravo! 👍 

Kinda sad, considering the gold bars are painted all over the place. I guess sometimes, when people are looking for secrets, they're looking too hard into the nooks and crannies while disregarding what's front and center.

[Ry]

A brand new zone, a hecking Warrior's update, and what I am PRAYING is a Earth Judgement power.

 

This is nice. This is very nice.

 

P.S.

 

Maybe there's hope for other gang factions? I mean... if Warriors are getting it, surely that could mean an upgrade for the others? If the Hellions get a touch up, plz don't remove the Damned mask, its too iconic in it's own goofy way.

 

Oh! And this P.S. isn't an impatient wiggle demanding more, I'm very happy with what we have so far, and I'm hype for the further Mastermind changes. You guys are doing amazing, make what you can/want at your own pace! ❤️

[Argus_The_Risen]

On 4/27/2021 at 3:14 PM, Jimmy said:

Hello everyone!

 

It's now been just over two years since Torchbearer, the very first Homecoming shard, came online, and 17 years to the day since City of Heroes first launched!

 

It's been a very difficult year for all of us, with the pandemic impacting our lives in so many ways. Despite this, we're happy that City of Heroes has been a much-welcomed escape for many of you during this trying time, and we're incredibly proud of how the Homecoming community rallied around our folding@home initiative to aid in vital Coronavirus research. Our F@H team is currently ranked #71 worldwide (out of around 260,000 teams) - well done everyone!

 

Many of us have experienced loss in this past year, including our team. In October, GM_Cyclone - better known on the forum as Robotech_Master - sadly passed away after a hit-and-run accident. Cyclone's main character, Infurno, can now be found in Steel Canyon's library, surrounded by his love of books, and continuing to aid fledgling heroes as they get their career started, just as Cyclone used to both do in-game and on the forums with his extensive catalogue of guides.

 

I'd also like to take a moment to extend an huge thank you to all of our volunteers - both past and present - for their time, patience, and dedication. Without each and every one of you this simply wouldn't be possible. To date, the GM team has answered and resolved over 22,000 support tickets, and they're always just a /petition away if you need anything. We're always recruiting more GMs to help out - if you think you've got what it takes, take a read through this post.

 

The development team has also been hard at work this year, with Page 5 of Issue 26: Homecoming releasing just before the last anniversary, Page 1 of Issue 27: Second Chances releasing in November, and Page 2 releasing just last week. And we're not stopping there...

 

Introducing Echo Plaza

Echo Plaza is a brand new zone that's built from the ground up for hosting events!

 

Along with a giant costume contest-friendly square, Echo Plaza also features a winners podium, an Icon store for making last-minute costume changes, a power-suppressing prison for dastardly players who leave Steamy Mist running, and a hospital for... reasons.

 

Echo Plaza is easily accessible from Pocket D, meaning all characters - including Praetorians - can access it and join in with future events. During official Homecoming events (and the entire month of May), Echo Plaza will also be accessible via TUNNEL portals and by using the Long Range Teleporter power.

 

 

In the vast emptiness of the Shadow Shard, there is a peculiar cluster of debris; discarded attempts at remaking things the Ravager has seen in all the dimensions that he has consumed. One of Rularuu's aspects, Uuralur the Mirror, has organized some of the larger pieces into an area called the Garden of Memories, either out of remorse or for amusement, and populated it with Reflections from the original inhabitants. Not all of these testaments to extinguished life saw use in Uuralur's Garden; some of them were cast off even further into the cold Outer Reaches of the Shard.

 

 

One of these disowned pieces is a large Roman-style Colosseum, considered unworthy of Uraluur's vision. First discovered by the Shadow Shard Expeditionary Force under the leadership of Justin Augustine, it has no activity from the various Soldiers of Rularuu; mostly due to its remote location, but also because the Ravager would rather forget the memories tied to this place. Considered a brief respite during the long expedition, it was filed away in Justin's report as a potential location for Mole Point Echo and never visited again.

 

 

That is, until nearing the occasion of Paragon City's 198th anniversary, when a former member of the Shadow Shard Expeditionary Force was enjoying a few pints in Pocket D and described the place in detail, mentioning the bizarre clash of pieces from different dimensions. After an hour of raucous argument, other patrons and management came to the same conclusion: nothing would come of this until someone "put up or shut up". With the wild stories from the inebriated soldier fresh in everyone's minds, patrons politely asked DJ Zero to open a passage to it, if it could be done. After promising that they would "party hard" and leave their conflicts and troubles at the door, DJ Zero agreed to locate it and open a gateway. It is unclear how long the traffic into this corner of the Shadow Shard will be tolerated by Rularuu, but until then, Echo Plaza is open for business.

 

 

Anniversary Costume Contest

Speaking of events, we will be hosting an Anniversary Costume Contest on the 15th of May. It'll take place at 9pm UTC (click for your timezone) in Echo Plaza on all five shards. There's no specific theme this time - bring your best overall costume!

 

There's huge prize pool available, including a total of 50,000 Reward Merits and 100 Super Packs:

• The overall winner will receive:
  • 10,000 Reward Merits
  • 20 Heroes vs. Villains Super Packs
  • A permanent golden title and the Fashion Victim badge
• The winner on each shard will receive:
  • 5,000 Reward Merits
  • 5 Heroes vs. Villains Super Packs
  • A permanent golden title and the Fashion Victim badge
• And the four runners up on each shard will receive:
  • 1,000 Reward Merits
  • 3 Heroes vs. Villains Super Packs
  • A permanent golden title and the Fashion Victim badge

Be sure to stick around after the contest ends... you may get to make use of that new hospital!

 

17th Anniversary Badge: Legendary

Legendary has been chosen by you as the title for the 17th anniversary badge. Any character that logs in between now and the end of May will automatically receive the badge and 5 charges of the Experienced temporary power.

 

Legendary

 

Additionally, all previous anniversary badges are also available to purchase from Luna in Ouroboros for 100 Reward Merits each until the end of May.

 

 

Invasion!

As you may have already noticed, the Rikti are invading once again!

 

They'll be here for a couple of weeks, and will disappear during server maintenance on Tuesday the 11th of May. Be sure to collect your badges (and debt) before then!

 

 

The Future

And what's next for Homecoming? Well... here's a sneak peak of a few things we've got in the works...

 

 

 

 

 

And that's not all - there's plenty more that we're not quite ready to show off just yet.

 

Remember, we're always in need of help testing these updates. Specifically the thing that helps us the most is well-documented bug reports and feedback based on thorough testing on the beta server. The more of that you're able to give us, the faster and smoother our development process will be - which translates to more updates with fewer bugs! Check out the Homecoming Beta FAQ to get started.

 

This has been an incredible journey so far, and we are truly humbled by all the support you've given us over the past two years. Thank you.

 

That's all for today. We'll see you in-game.

 

- The Homecoming Team

 

If we already have a permanent golden title, could it be switched out for a new one? I know this might seem a bit "dumb" considering the "permanent" part of the title, but I was still curious 🙂 

[Piecemeal]

Thanks for the positive reactions so far on the Warriors. I have more to do, though. This takes waaaaay more time than I was planning on.

[Nerio72]

9 minutes ago, Piecemeal said:

Thanks for the positive reactions so far on the Warriors. I have more to do, though. This takes waaaaay more time than I was planning on.

Making them dance while walking is harder than you thought? 😉🤣

[Glacier Peak]

56 minutes ago, Piecemeal said:

Thanks for the positive reactions so far on the Warriors. I have more to do, though. This takes waaaaay more time than I was planning on.

It is appreciated! Take all the time you and the team need - your efforts on the past two story arcs are exemplary and should give impatient players pause to reflect on what kind of awesomeness can be achieved by volunteers who care for and enjoy this game.

[Tater Todd]

I'm ashamed that I didn't catch on about the Gold Bricker Map especially since I have 4 Gold Bricker inspired toons.  *looks down in shame*.

[Cenozoic]

So much yay!

[Alchemystic]

5 hours ago, RMS33 said:

Bottom line before the new thread -- the Warrior examples shown so far look near final form. The design spectrum for a core group should be very narrow.  And everything missing from the original designs, like the camo pattern and vests, might better fit a splinter group. The nomadic "amateurs" in Talos Island could remain the "Cimoreran washouts" to be that and lose nothing.

 

I think this is the same sentiment I share!

 

While I look forward to the eventual rework of the Warriors, they don't look as uniform as a gang should. But, that's just judging from the three examples we see there!

 

Consistency in design is very important, they need to have an iconic look, something that makes them distinct compared to the mis-match aesthetic of Freakshow and Destroyers. Camo, olive drab and occasionally denim and monotones leans more into their style, and their signature bracers and sleeveless vests are a must!

[Arcanum]

On 4/29/2021 at 11:52 AM, Argus_The_Risen said:

If we already have a permanent golden title, could it be switched out for a new one? I know this might seem a bit "dumb" considering the "permanent" part of the title, but I was still curious 🙂 

 

We can either replace your current permanent title or place the new title on a different character instead.

If you win a contest, this information just needs to be communicated to the GM on your shard.

[Argus_The_Risen]

8 minutes ago, GM Arcanum said:

 

We can either replace your current permanent title or place the new title on a different character instead.

If you win a contest, this information just needs to be communicated to the GM on your shard.

THANK YOU! Love everything y'all have done for this community 🙂

[Mantidae]

9 hours ago, RMS33 said:

 

The work so far by the Homecoming Team has been more than fine. Remarkable given the barriers to properly rewarding the team's work.

 

(snip)

 

So rock on with your bad selves. We will keep looking for ways to channel our impulses into helping your efforts.

 

 

The HC team is better than some teams on retail games I've seen (better by far in some cases).  👍

 

[Bartacus]

I don't mean to be a downer... but do we really think that costume contests are likely to be held at Echo Plaza now instead of AP? 

[Apparition]

20 minutes ago, Bartacus said:

I don't mean to be a downer... but do we really think that costume contests are likely to be held at Echo Plaza now instead of AP? 

 

Official ones will be, as will ones where people don't wish to exclude villain players I'd imagine.

[Glacier Peak]

44 minutes ago, Bartacus said:

I don't mean to be a downer... but do we really think that costume contests are likely to be held at Echo Plaza now instead of AP? 

Echo Plaza also gives Praetorian players a place to participate as well. 

[Darmian]

13 minutes ago, Glacier Peak said:

Echo Plaza also gives Praetorian players a place to participate as well. 

Which we DO appreciate!  Especially as there is a Praetorian themed CC due later in the year that until now actual Praetorians could not have attended!

[Mariposa]

Everything looks awesome, I'm hyped for the next update!

I hope there are some additions to costume pieces too, hehehe.

 

Looking at those redesigned Warrios, I wish we could use their unique pieces and weapons in the back section. We already have a carcaj, so be able to wear dual katanas, shields, aexs or staffs... it makes sense and its my dream! Are going to be any female Warrior too? I noticed they are only males.

 

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by Mariposa

[Piecemeal]

12 hours ago, Mariposa said:

Everything looks awesome, I'm hyped for the next update!

I hope there are some additions to costume pieces too, hehehe.

 

Looking at those redesigned Warrios, I wish we could use their unique pieces and weapons in the back section. We already have a carcaj, so be able to wear dual katanas, shields, aexs or staffs... it makes sense and its my dream! Are going to be any female Warrior too? I noticed they are only males.

 

 

 

The all-male club for the Warriors is going to be plot-acknowledged. And the back thing is... well it's on my wishlist but it has to WORK for NPC's first before the rabbit hole comes along and gives customization options for something like that...

[Bionic_Flea]

13 hours ago, Mariposa said:

Looking at those redesigned Warrios

I suddenly have the urge to see a Warrior with a large mustache and dressed in yellow and purple with a stylish yellow monogrammed cap.

 

[GM Impervium]

5 hours ago, Bionic_Flea said:

I suddenly have the urge to see a Warrior with a large mustache and dressed in yellow and purple with a stylish yellow monogrammed cap.

 

 

Give them the Rikti Monkey gas attack, and it'd be accurate!

[WillParkinson]

On 4/28/2021 at 11:12 AM, Beef Ninja said:

Throw a rock at 'em.

"And then I threw a rock at him!" - YouTube

[SuperBear]

Or maybe that boulder is a hint towards some of the powers .... here: https://hcwiki.cityofheroes.dev/wiki/Legacy_Chain

 

Propel rocks?

Propel boulder?