Homecoming Team AmA

[Glacier Peak]

It's been a year since the license announcement and six months since the wildly popular Original City of Heroes Development Team Ask Me Anything (AmA).

 

How would the Homecoming Team (City Council, Developers, GMs) feel about doing their own AmA after five years and a half years of development and operation of their City of Heroes server?

 

How would the community feel about asking the Homecoming Team questions?

 

There would be work/effort involved, so would it be a net benefit to do so?

 

Edited January 3 by Glacier Peak
Spelling

[Seed22]

3 minutes ago, Glacier Peak said:

It's been a year since the license announcement and six months since the wildly popular Original City of Heroes Development Team Ask Me Anything (AmA).

 

How would the Homecoming Team (City Council, Developers, GMs) feel about doing their own AmA after five years and a half years of development and operation of their City of Heroes server?

 

How would the community feel about asking the Homecoming Team questions?

 

There would be work/effort involved, so would it be a net benefit to do so?

 

Only questions I would ask would pertain to balance direction, so questions they won’t give concrete answers on.

 

And not to be mean, but the only people I am truly interested in hearing from about all things CoH minus the power direction listed above is the original team. Since it was them who did a lot of what I enjoy in CoH pre shutdown.

 

Still do it if you and them want to I guess.

[PeregrineFalcon]

1 hour ago, Glacier Peak said:

There would be work/effort involved, so would it be a net benefit to do so?

I would love for this to happen. I have a couple of questions that I'd like to ask and I'm sure that I'd enjoy reading other peoples' questions and the answers as well.

 

I also think it'd be a real benefit to the community to get to know a little bit about the thoughts/plans/experiences of the current Homecoming team.

[ZamuelNow]

I'd love to see such an AMA since it's actually been really insightful when we get to read their thought processes on design and decisions.  The worry is the bad feeling I've seen some try to stir up in some of those threads (though mostly older threads, admittedly).

[Super Atom]

You want to invite the entire community, not just the forum bubble, to directly say things to the homecoming team?

 

lol ok

[Glacier Peak]

5 minutes ago, Super Atom said:

You want to invite the entire community, not just the forum bubble, to directly say things to the homecoming team?

 

lol ok

Ask.

[Videra]

4 hours ago, Super Atom said:

You want to invite the entire community, not just the forum bubble, to directly say things to the homecoming team?

 

lol ok

 

Let bro cook. GP clearly has good ideas!

[tidge]

My questions would be in two areas.

 

Power Pools

• Personally I have no real interest in the missing/incomplete 'origin' pools, but that would need to be asked just to get it out of the way.
• What if any plans exist to revisit the original pools that still have peculiar level/pre-requisite choices (Medicine, Healing, Leadership, Fighting), unlike the revamped 'travel' pools... specifically, any thoughts on making each of the 'first three'  powers available at level 4, so as to make choosing a third power from the pool at level 14 (or 20, for consistency) a little more organic?
• Any plans to update 'clumsy' powers in pools like Presence, Medicine, Flight? (I'm not interested in revamps to Group Fly, but folks do ask about it a lot... the clumsiness *I* see in the Flight pool is the mechanic of 4+1 (Afterburner) toggles... I kinda think Evasive Maneuvers could be the level 20 power and simply made Auto... like other (Epic) pool powers.
• I'd open the discussion for thoughts on Epic/Patron pools... honestly I've been somewhat surprised at the amount of tweaking those have gotten... I can absolutely accept the balance passes, but the effort seemed somewhat disproportionate considering all ATs have access to the same power pools.

Enhancement Sets

• The new sets for EndMod and Travel, as well as new combination pieces via Hami-O/D-Syncs were welcome additions, what is standing in the way of getting some new sets specifically for Fear and Treat that include attribute combinations we don't really have (or have only one)... Threat powers do require Accuracy, so Accuracy/- would be welcome, and the existing Endurance Reduction/- options are limited. There is also a corner case where no set (or HO/DS) includes a piece that boosts both Health and Endmod, despite several powers taking both types of enhancements.
• Any plans for modifications to any of the ATO sets?

Finally, even though I think the game is in a GREAT place with balance among all the ATs (*I* don't want to engage discussions about ~2% differences between only two or three specific ATs) I would like to know if the TPTB see things the same way. For example, if they were to somehow think that Blasters were under-performing... I'd kinda like to hear that sort of thing directly. While I can imagine potential ideas for (somewhat radical, depending on PoV) changes for ATs like Kheldians and Brutes if TPTB are imagining changes to any AT, they ought to share that idea publicly (about potentially changing an AT, not necessarily the specific changes).

[Glacier Peak]

6 hours ago, tidge said:

My questions would be in two areas.

 

Power Pools

• Personally I have no real interest in the missing/incomplete 'origin' pools, but that would need to be asked just to get it out of the way.
• What if any plans exist to revisit the original pools that still have peculiar level/pre-requisite choices (Medicine, Healing, Leadership, Fighting), unlike the revamped 'travel' pools... specifically, any thoughts on making each of the 'first three'  powers available at level 4, so as to make choosing a third power from the pool at level 14 (or 20, for consistency) a little more organic?
• Any plans to update 'clumsy' powers in pools like Presence, Medicine, Flight? (I'm not interested in revamps to Group Fly, but folks do ask about it a lot... the clumsiness *I* see in the Flight pool is the mechanic of 4+1 (Afterburner) toggles... I kinda think Evasive Maneuvers could be the level 20 power and simply made Auto... like other (Epic) pool powers.
• I'd open the discussion for thoughts on Epic/Patron pools... honestly I've been somewhat surprised at the amount of tweaking those have gotten... I can absolutely accept the balance passes, but the effort seemed somewhat disproportionate considering all ATs have access to the same power pools.

Enhancement Sets

• The new sets for EndMod and Travel, as well as new combination pieces via Hami-O/D-Syncs were welcome additions, what is standing in the way of getting some new sets specifically for Fear and Treat that include attribute combinations we don't really have (or have only one)... Threat powers do require Accuracy, so Accuracy/- would be welcome, and the existing Endurance Reduction/- options are limited. There is also a corner case where no set (or HO/DS) includes a piece that boosts both Health and Endmod, despite several powers taking both types of enhancements.
• Any plans for modifications to any of the ATO sets?

Finally, even though I think the game is in a GREAT place with balance among all the ATs (*I* don't want to engage discussions about ~2% differences between only two or three specific ATs) I would like to know if the TPTB see things the same way. For example, if they were to somehow think that Blasters were under-performing... I'd kinda like to hear that sort of thing directly. While I can imagine potential ideas for (somewhat radical, depending on PoV) changes for ATs like Kheldians and Brutes if TPTB are imagining changes to any AT, they ought to share that idea publicly (about potentially changing an AT, not necessarily the specific changes).

I appreciate the questions @tidge, however, the thread itself is to gauge feedback of whether the Homecoming Team and the community want to do an AmA.

 

There would have to be a separate thread started by a Homecoming staff member to moderate and compile all the questions.

 

Edit: Disregard

Edited January 4 by Glacier Peak

[tidge]

12 minutes ago, Glacier Peak said:

I appreciate the questions @tidge, however, the thread itself is to gauge feedback of whether the Homecoming Team and the community want to do an AmA.

 

There would have to be a separate thread started by a Homecoming staff member to moderate and compile all the questions.

 

I getcha, but considering the general level of activity in the Suggestions subforum I accept that it is a forgone conclusion that the forum user base would appreciate an AMA.

 

If TPTB don't want to engage (or have a low tolerance for the absolute level of engagement), the thread would have somewhat low levels of utility anyway. The main driver behind my areas (posted above) is that my general experience with AMAs is that they end up being somewhat highly focused on the individuals who show up to answer the questions. I have different levels of engagement for different things that I know interest TPTB (at least a little, including topics like "content", "currencies", and "costumes")... but if the AMA is going to be focused on something like art assests... well that would be a different kettle of fish than one focused on the powers.

 

Edited January 4 by tidge
esplling

[SeraphimKensai]

I've felt that the HC team does a pretty good job overall answering questions/responding to comments already within the forums here and discord.

 

Sure they can't address every forum post, nobody could not even Cuppa Jo from back on the Live forums before she left, but they weigh in on quite a bit and keep a pretty steady observation on the game.

[Glacier Peak]

27 minutes ago, SeraphimKensai said:

I've felt that the HC team does a pretty good job overall answering questions/responding to comments already within the forums here and discord.

 

Sure they can't address every forum post, nobody could not even Cuppa Jo from back on the Live forums before she left, but they weigh in on quite a bit and keep a pretty steady observation on the game.

Fair points. Also kudos to bringing up the legend (Cuppa Jo)! 👏

[ScarySai]

Cobalt is the only dev who's opinion I'd want to hear.

[Faultline]

5 hours ago, tidge said:

• Any plans for modifications to any of the ATO sets?

 No plans to modify existing sets unless there's a very good reason and even then only in a way that is backwards compatible. The reason is that it would majorly impact builds all over the board, unlike targeted changes to specific sets. Since enhancements have an influence value in the auction house, it would seem extremely unfair when the early testers get a heads up on what sets are about to increase/decrease in value. No insider trading allowed!

 

There's no technical reason why we can't add new sets, it's just a matter of finding a specific niche that needs attention. The main issue design wise is that some of the later sets (Superior ATOs and Winter) are so high on the power curve that any new set will have trouble competing if they are at all an alternative -- hence the new sets being for things that either have a specific utility purpose (like the KB to KD in Sudden Acceleration) or cover aspects not available in those sets (like the Endurance Modification ones).

 

There were several sets being worked on last year that would work in any mez power, but they got shelved when I had to leave. No idea when/if they will be worked on again.

[Seed22]

You know what’d be impressive but will never happen? 
 

A roadmap. 
 

[golstat2003]

On 1/4/2025 at 1:14 PM, Glacier Peak said:

Fair points. Also kudos to bringing up the legend (Cuppa Jo)! 👏

 

Yeah Cuppa was absolutely ridic in responding to things.

[golstat2003]

32 minutes ago, Seed22 said:

You know what’d be impressive but will never happen? 
 

A roadmap. 
 

 

Yeah for a volunteer team that works on this game when they can, very very very unlikely.

 

EDIT:

 

If an AMA ever happens, here would be my question group:

 

What are the dev teams' thoughts on balance overall? Do they think the game is in a good place in terms of mob difficitulty or are there plans to bring other groups (Like recnelty Warriors, Council, COT) up to modern day standards? If yes why? If no, why not?

 

😄

 

EDIT: To fix silly typos.

Edited January 6 by golstat2003

[Glacier Peak]

28 minutes ago, Seed22 said:

You know what’d be impressive but will never happen? 
 

A roadmap. 

It happened in September of 2020. The resulting 84 pages of "friendly discussion" were fruitful...

 

[golstat2003]

2 minutes ago, Glacier Peak said:

It happened in September of 2020. The resulting 84 pages of "friendly discussion" were fruitful...

 

 

😄

[tidge]

Ah memories!

 

Looking back at the 'roadmap' much was offered in 2020... although I still confused what the 'endgame' meant. I took it to be 'content for 50+', which we got... and which is playable by pretty much most ATs, although some perform 'better' than others... we did get a lot of what was else was hinted at, especially in Issue 27p1.

 

I won't rehash my position that PPM/procs do far more for game balance (across ATs and builds) than they upset balance, but I don't really see how any choice on that spectrum has much to do with 'endgame.' I'll continue to hope that TPTB calmly looked at the PPM system and agree with me... or at least recognize that in order to believe the PPM system makes the game unbalanced there has to be an extraordinary level of precise examination of very specific player choices.

[Seed22]

42 minutes ago, Glacier Peak said:

It happened in September of 2020. The resulting 84 pages of "friendly discussion" were fruitful...

 

It seems like most people really enjoyed it actually. Yeah a few bad apples mucked the water but honestly this was a great idea to do.

 

I think it would probably have a few bad apples trying to just sow chaos now, but there would be a lot of genuine passionate and well thought out feedback if they did it today. 
 

Otherwise this game to me development wise is a lost cause* and an AmA is a waste of time filled with glazing and softball questions that accomplish nothing.

 

*If a few people is enough to go “this isn’t a worthwhile endeavor” then honestly nothing of substance can ever be addressed. Leading to a vicious spiral of wanting to address an issue, being met with but one or two people might say something mean so no, over n over until CoH reaches some sort of mediocre hellscape where everyone who cared about the direction of the game is gone. 
 

 

That’s a little tinfoil hat-y but still.

Edited January 6 by Seed22

[Glacier Peak]

On 1/6/2025 at 9:35 AM, Seed22 said:

It seems like most people really enjoyed it actually. Yeah a few bad apples mucked the water but honestly this was a great idea to do.

 

I think it would probably have a few bad apples trying to just sow chaos now, but there would be a lot of genuine passionate and well thought out feedback if they did it today. 
 

Otherwise this game to me development wise is a lost cause* and an AmA is a waste of time filled with glazing and softball questions that accomplish nothing.

 

*If a few people is enough to go “this isn’t a worthwhile endeavor” then honestly nothing of substance can ever be addressed. Leading to a vicious spiral of wanting to address an issue, being met with but one or two people might say something mean so no, over n over until CoH reaches some sort of mediocre hellscape where everyone who cared about the direction of the game is gone. 
 

 

That’s a little tinfoil hat-y but still.

 

[Universalis]

I would love to know what the chances are of the team wanting twitch partners 🙂 as I stream this game near daily on twitch I would love to have a partnership with City of Heroes as this is one of my if not my favorite game of all time and would love to represent it if you guys are interested please reach out to me would love to talk about it!

[Rudra]

27 minutes ago, Universalis said:

I would love to know what the chances are of the team wanting twitch partners 🙂 as I stream this game near daily on twitch I would love to have a partnership with City of Heroes as this is one of my if not my favorite game of all time and would love to represent it if you guys are interested please reach out to me would love to talk about it!

There is already guidance for this.

 

https://forums.homecomingservers.com/code-of-conduct/#video-policy

 

Edit: Oh, you are talking about a partnership, not just streaming. Not sure if that will fly, but who knows.

 

Edited January 8 by Rudra

[biostem]

29 minutes ago, Universalis said:

twitch partners

Are you expecting some sort of financial sponsorship from HC?  I cannot see the mods/devs officially endorsing a random player...