08 May, 2008
Issue 12 is in OPEN Beta on Test
Summary: WOW!
Last night I downloaded the open beta to my test version of the game. This took a LONG time -- be prepared for it. It looked like it had to download several versions before it was done. I watched it apply 2.4gig of stuff at least 3 times. Afterward, I noticed several things both good and bad right away.
Bad? As usual my G15 keyboard and its COHLCD display macro went belly up -- I always have to wait for another version of the macro OR the underlying HeroStats software after a major upgrade. This time the macro started using up ALL the CPU time once COH Beta went active with a character in Paragon City. Its annoying but not a deal breaking issue. And I kind of expected it.
The Good?? First you notice the new power types. I made a Plant / Thermal Controller -- both power groups formally Villain only. And I wasn't the only one doing that combination. Fire scrappers and cold Defenders were also noticed.
Character creation. You have the new costume sets that can be chosen. Some of those are good, and some provide MUCH better starting points than the old beginning defaults. I expect to see a lot more pirates, ninjas, samurai, and others, now that you don't have to figure out WHERE all the costume pieces are. Also are several new styles like last issues Lock and Dagger -- Perplex and Thorns are good examples of that. MANY new chest details are also evident. New Target (like a crosshairs), new Nuke (a mod radioactive symbol), Power on symbol, Mantis symbol -- You REALLY have to look through the list for ALL the new ones. Some things I noticed were odd -- like I've had access to the Special Helmet - Mystic Helmet. The spider eyes on the sides were GLOWING this time around. Never noticed that before. Also the test system at least looks as if you could purchase an additional 20+ character slots on a server. NEAT!
The interfaces have SO many wonderful changes. Contacts are divided into Active, Inactive and Detectives. When you do place enhancements, there is sliders now to show you what to expect from the powers number wise at higher levels. A plus symbol on the power trays allows you to add free form power trays that can be made to be different orientations -- vertical, horizontal, bent around the corner of the screen, or maybe a 3 x 4 box, a 5 x 2 box , etc. This gives you a lot of leeway in customizing your screen.
Play touches -- I ran my controller thru a quick sewer mission. During the mission I died in battle RIGHT before I was to level. When I hit the level, I auto-rezzed. Another time I was able to change 3 accuracy inspirations into an awaken and later rez using that. THAT is going to be SO helpful. I don't know HOW many charcter I get so many inspirations that are just not readily usable. Endurance ones on a regen or willpower scrapper, Heals on a healing defender, etc. Most have troubles because you get awakens from contacts you've made into familiar friends by doing several missions. Sometimes you don't play the contacts far enough to get them, if at all, or you're a zone or two away from them and really can't take the time to run to them and get the awakens. THIS will help out a lot of players -- new and experienced alike.
I noticed alerts from the fire department concerning Steel Canyon fires and Ghost ship sightings in Talos while in Atlas. This could REALLY help with getting certain badges, and drive some interest into some of those. Maybe we'll even see more Lusca teams for a change.
I noticed a new contact for some high level missions or task force standing by the sewers in Atlas. High level 30 or low 40s as I recall. Makes me wonder what is up there.
I didn't do any of the Roman stuff with a new character, and can't try the Villain epic stuff. And I didn't get into the revamped Hollows. But this was my first visit. I expect 2 to 4 weeks in Open Beta before issue 12 goes live. But just based on last nights glimpse? I feel I've only scratched the surface. I can't wait!! Bravo!!
05 May, 2008
Problems resolved...
I'm not sure what happened -- If you checked in in the last few days the blog was non responsive. The blog database was having problems resolving posts. Although I was looking into the problem, and attempting to preserve as much as I could, I didn't really DO anything I'm aware of that could have resulted in a resolution. Now that things are back I'll probably be looking into an update of the underlying software.
Sorry for the confusion. I'm just glad its working again. I really wasn't looking forward to resurrecting years of blog posts from oblivion, nor starting over.
29 Apr, 2008
Fourth year anniversary
It is official - we've got the fourth year badge now on the game -- starting on the 28th thru May 28th every character that logs gets the 4 year badge "Entertainer".
There have been some subtle changes in the game I've noticed. History badges now have completion bars -- If you have visited a few plaques, you should see a badge show on the History tab. This is a big change from before - Not many people play with the History badges because they are so hard to track where you are on them. Hopefully this will change things.
No word on when the next issue will come out. I had hoped it would coincide with the anniversary, but so far no go. I would expect it at the end of the next month, if not before.
My vacation has ended, and I'm back, but I've been going thru and doing some cleanup again. With the badge up this month, I'll probably be doing that as well as the logging of old characters for the new badge. I've only a few, mostly on Infinity that have all the anniversary badges. Considering most are anywhere from levels 8 to 16, that may seem odd to most.
Another add is the 48 month badge. Battle-hardened struck me as an odd name, since there is a title you can get that says the same thing. The new shield or power pets are VERY flimsy, but easily resummoned. They are buffs for just you, not the team as I had thought I had heard. The fairy ones are pretty good with most magical types. The Wisps are good -- I thought they would work well with Peacebringers. I've used the drone on a couple science types. The Oscillators are the least likely one for me to use -- but that is all personal preference. They function the same and the bonuses are at most 5%. But every little bit helps.
I thought I'd put in screnshots thru to the 28th -- and thus didn't get an update in here to make in concurrent thru the month as I had hoped. I do like the effect that had, and will probably try and set up some more screenshots of the day going forward. Heaven knows I've got enough to draw from.
More things will be forthcoming -- I witnessed a Billion influence Costume contest Saturday on Infinity. This one got SO huge that it took up all 4 sides of the Atlas base -- and couldn't hold everyone --- so they moved it OUTSIDE the atlas base Water pools. And STILL it was a tight fit. Atlas Park did go to a 2nd instance, so AP 2 was around till Monday Morning. More on that tomorrow -- I'll pull the pictures of it then.
26 Apr, 2008
Screenshot of the Day - 04/26
25 Apr, 2008
Screenshot of the Day - 04/25
24 Apr, 2008
Screenshot of the Day - 04/24
23 Apr, 2008
Screenshot of the Day - 04/23
