Starburst Magazine

Gaming News: Gamers Rally To Save CITY OF HEROES

Written by Ian Mat Sunday, 09 September 2012

Gaming News

So many supes from City of Heroes turned up at last night’s online rally that it crippled one server and overflowed into two others.

Heroes were queuing up seven hours in advance for a mass show of solidarity against owner NCsoft’s plans to close the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) on November 30. 

But numbers for the Unity Rally grew so high the Virtue server had to be rebooted, with Freedom and Infinity servers brought in to host. The official number of players present is unknown but 33 “instances” of Altas Park were created, with campaign organiser Tony Vasquez of the Titan Network guesstimating that each instance held 100 people – a grand total of 3,300 players. See the video below... 

In his speech, which paraphrased Firefly, he said: “'Y'all got on this boat for different reasons, but y'all come to the same place. So now I'm asking more of you than I have before.'

“Some people think that this is the end of our incredible community. Well, I can tell you that I do not hold to that.” 

Supes bearing torches for the game heard during the stirring speech about a hectic week of campaigning which has attracted support from high-profile fans like Valdemar novelist Mercedes Lackey. She offered NCsoft permission to use her likeness in an advertising campaign for free a la World of Warcraft celebrity endorsement. Lackey and her husband use the game to “meet” with her father-in-law on a weekly basis, a retired Master Sergeant from Delta Force who will only play City of Heroes. 

Neil Gaiman also re-tweeted a campaign boost to his 1.7 million followers when he learnt that part of Dark Astoria in the City of Heroes world had Gaiman Woods named after him. 

Tony Vasquez hinted at a new campaign idea during his speech, to be announced later this week. He said programmers at Paragon Studies, the caretakers behind the game who were axed by NCsoft, were very grateful for all that’s been done. So much so they were present at the event handing out free custom titles called Paragon Backer and wore their own badges: gamer, loyal, Paragon or veteran. In response gamers redesigned their avatars’ looks to mirror the real-life identities of the discarded programmers or changed their names to Heroes Never Die, Hell No We Won’t Go and Save The City. 

One new announcement came from campaigner Meticulous Meta who urged everyone to bolster the letter writing campaign by posting capes and masks to NCsoft’s offices. 

Some choice player quotes from the rally:

Nephele: Remember, the harder we are to ignore, the more pressure NCsoft has to negotiate - with us, with Paragon, or with other publishers!

Than'daal: This is the only MMO where I've felt like the characters are really mine, not just somebody's pre-made elf or orc or whatever... there's nothing like this.

Sombra Fantasma: Today let us tremble those walls of earth, steel and stone! Let us be heard from Atlas, to Cap au Diable! Today let us make them remember this COH and we are not afraid!

Silent Moon: Paragon is my home, and I will defend it.

#SaveCOH has become a trending topic on Twitter and the online petition to NCsoft reached 16,000 signatures at the time of writing. See http://www.change.org/petitions/ncsoft-keep-ncsoft-from-shutting-down-city-of-heroes for more details.

Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter @STARBURST_MAG

Suggested Articles:

Gaming News: SONY Land Potentially Lethal Blow In Console War With Microsoft...

Well that didn't take long. SONY have come out all guns blazing in the next-gen console war. So much

Gaming News: E.T. Comes Home

Here’s something you may never have expected to hear about ever: copies of the 30 years old Atari

Gaming News: Win A Copy of MONSTER HUNTER 3 ULTIMATE with UNIQLO

Heads up, hunters! UNIQLO is currently holding a contest from now until June 18th, offering you t

Gaming News: Ubisoft Wants You in WATCH_DOGS

As we told you before about WATCH_DOGS, it takes place in “a hyper-connected world in the city o

Comments  

 

+2 #18 @Xterra 2012-09-17 03:49

This is not the only heroic game there is but this is the ONLY game that have a community with feelings that transcends time, distance, and culture. From many walks of life with beautiful stories, CoH has provided endless fun, connection, and self-esteem on being your own super hero or villain. We do not "kill", we arrest wrong-doers. As a 7+ year vet, CoH is a lifeline to fun, stress releases, friendships, and just plain living a dream of being a hero daily. Thank you, Paragon Studio for making my dreams a virtual reality and because We Are Heroes.....This Is What We Do! @SaveCoH!

Quote

 

 

+1 #17 Jennifer Jerlstrom 2012-09-17 02:08

Thank you very much for covering this!

Quote

 

 

+1 #16 METALIK 2012-09-10 23:22

Thank you for covering our campaign. We really appreciate your interest.
#SaveCoH!

Quote

 

 

+2 #15 Seald 2012-09-10 18:13

Thank you for the coverage.

I'm a loyal CoX member and although I didn't play on a daily basis I knew I could just log in and be welcomed as if I was there yesterday. I love that feeling and the sudden announcement of NCSoft made me realise this. So I was there at the steps of Atlas Park showing my support. Although, I truly love all the developers of CoX and I hope they face a bright future, I wouldn't even mind if they go back to a smaller crew with less servers, if that would mean that I can still be part of the CoX community.

Sorry for the typo's (not a native English person).

I might not be a hero, but when I see a worthy cause also I will fight for it.

Seald

Quote

 

 

+2 #14 Jacinda James 2012-09-10 17:18

City of Heroes has been a home to many heroes over the span of 8 years. This is so much more than a game to many people. It is a place where we can unite with our friends (both old and new) and family to be the superheroes that we want to be.

Thank you for your coverage of our rallying efforts to save our beloved city, Paragon City.

We are heroes! This is what we do!

#SaveCoH

http://www.change.org/petitions/ncsoft-keep-ncsoft-from-shutting-down-city-of-heroes

http://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveCityofHeroes/

http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php?board=134.0

Quote

 

 

+2 #13 Wildmagik 2012-09-10 16:05

Thank you for this from a 8+ year vet of COH.

Quote

 

 

+2 #12 Ruby 2012-09-10 15:44

I want to thank you so much for covering our campaign. COH is a big part of my life, I love the game and the community has become one big happy family, from the players to the developers. I don't know that there is another game out there that can claim that. We have forged friendships that will last us a lifetime. I met my best friend in this game, he has been through a lot with me. And a few others that have become extended family members. I love the fact that I could be put in a room with Paragon Studios developers and know each and every one of them by name. That is the type of people they are, they care about their players, their community and I wouldn't trade one of them for the world.

Quote

 

 

+2 #11 Siberian Spring 2012-09-10 15:37

Thanks for the coverage. The rally was, frankly, amazing to attend. Sometimes it's easy to forget how much this game and community mean to others.

Quote

 

 

+2 #10 Nate Downes 2012-09-10 15:35

I'll admit, I was not a regular player anymore. I used to be daily, but with the new job, I just lacked the time. But it was always assuring to know that the moment I wanted to, I could log in and save Paragon City. This whole mess reminded me of how much I enjoy this game. Not just for the entertainment of the game itself, but for the community at large. I have made more friends through City of Heroes than I can count. There is something unique and special about being a super powered heroic figure that brings out the best in people.

And even the Villains have their own charm, being out for world domination requires alliances, and they too are part of the community. After all, where would Professor X be without his Magneto?

Quote

 

 

+3 #9 @Ventus vis Vires 2012-09-09 20:54

I want to give you my thanks as well. My whole immediate family plays this game, as well as an uncle. We all don't live in the same place so we too use it as common ground to spend time with each other.

I've met some of my very best friends while playing this game and want to continue to meet more. If it gets shut down I'll lose that opportunity, so kudos to you for helping us.

Quote

 

 

+4 #8 Bladesnow 2012-09-09 20:46

Thank you very much for your coverage. I want to especially thank you for understanding that this was a rally, not a protest. We were there to show our support for the community and our development team. We strongly believe that a solution respectful of NCsoft's " realignment of company focus and publishing support" can be found. City of Heroes does not need to die.

As you've reported, City of Heroes was both profitable and under constant improvement. Exactly what form any continuation of Paragon City will take is up in the air, but we are determined to convince NCsoft to find another way. We'll fight respectfully but firmly. We are heroes. This is what we do.

Quote

 

 

+3 #7 Laufeyjarson 2012-09-09 19:39

I made it to the rally, but didn't get into the huge group; I was in Atlas Park #27, which only had a hundred or so people in it. That was impressive enough, but the couple of huge photos I've seen are really mind-blowing.

Save COH!

Thanks for the article!

Quote

 

 

+4 #6 Winter 2012-09-09 18:48

The sleeping Giant has awakened. We are Heroes, this is what we do!

Quote

 

 

+6 #5 @Vulpy 2012-09-09 18:32

Holy frijoles. I can't believe I actually got quoted. I suppose I should try not to be so memorable in the future...

Anyway, thanks a million, Starburst. The gaming news community has been a big help in our efforts, and we do appreciate it!

#SaveCoH!
Save Paragon City!

Quote

 

 

+5 #4 @Lamp Shade 2012-09-09 18:12

If this show of love for the game doesn't change NCSofts mind to either continue or to sell the rights to someone else.....it would be very sad. My family and I have played for over 7 years and would love to continue the "good fight".. Good Luck Paragon City

Quote

 

 

+5 #3 Leila 2012-09-09 17:57

Thank you so much for the article. It was a great rally. The support from this community will not be forgotten.
We are Heroes. This is what we do! #SaveCOH

Quote

 

 

+5 #2 Soundtrack 2012-09-09 17:52

Thank you, Mr. Mat, for a fine-written article.

Being one of the superheroes at yesterday's campaign, I was overwhelmed by the show of unity.

We will NOT go softly into the night.

Not by a long shot.

Quote

 

 

+4 #1 @vandellia 2012-09-09 17:48

Thanks again, Ian, for covering our campaign. Like so many other people at the rally, I could only watch in delirious disbelief as the servers spawned new versions of AP almost as fast as we could count.

The dignity and spirit of the people taking part, the support we received from former Devs was beyond anything I've ever seen in an MMO and reinforced to me what a tragedy it will be if NCSoft go ahead with their plan to wipe us out.

Huge Kudos must go to Tony and the Titans for organising this. In sad times, they have been a lifeline. And massive thanks to The Cape for a perfect rallying soundtrack.

A huge thank you to those who stood along side me yesterday, virtual torch in virtual hands. I've never been prouder of Paragon, the isles and their citizens.

Quote

 

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post

Add comment

Name (required)

E-mail (required, but will not display)

Send

Cancel

JComments