YourGamer.Net

As I said in a previous post, City of Heroes/Villains is a terrific game; ground breaking in its execution and lucky in how it hit that “butter-zone” of super-heroes both in character creation and game-play. Their concept of content iteration in the form of “Comic book issue” paradigm makes for interesting story-line progression and a constantly changing world. It is a safe assumption to say that until the release of Champions: Online (also being developed by cryptic studios), it is the absolute gold standard in the super-hero games niche. A small cottage market that has seen more failures than successes. However, it is also an MMORPG, make it vulnerable to certain fallacies that plague those in the MMORPG sub-genre.

The most obvious is the near stagnation of the standard of quality previously set when CoH/V was first released. This is evident in the lack of original story arcs and unique events  to encourage the community to further pursue the grind. World of Warcraft gives players slightly more control in the lore of the world to which they play. Whenever someone beat the Onyxia instance on the Horde faction, the head of the dragon is placed on a pole in the middle of Ogrimmar (the Horde faction capital), and everyone in that zone gets a buff. This is a constant reminder that there is a goal that is within reach of the player. In CoH/V there are various instances that happen and encourage players to get involved. From putting out fires in Steel Canyon, to participating in raids; the events seam so static and generically regular. Although these events do add a simulacrum of realism in a unique way, its not interesting enough to turn the tide on boredom.

There is also a lack of what is commonly called, “End Game Content.” Its the missions and story arcs that give closure to a certain aspect or facet of the world. Even though these instances are repeatable, they serve to solidify the world around the player, making the immersion more complete. While playing a game, it is assumed that you can beat, or win the game as it were, yet MMORPG’s cannot do this because if you beat the game, why continue to play after you have beaten it? It conflicts with the subscription payment paradigm that makes MMORPG’s so profitable. NCSoft, the current owners and original publishers of City of Heroes, seam to be deathly afraid of end game content. Although, I don’t agree with this stance, I can understand why they shy away from something that may discourage continuing to play the game.

It is a tricky balance for the writers and designers of the missions; it forces them into a corner of trying to make a story that never seams to have a rewarding finale. Everyone wants the rewarding finale to cap off an achievement. It gives the player a goal and motivation to push through a story arc and really give the player a sense of pride for completing it. Its precarious how anything resembling “End Game Content” has to toe the line between uncovering all the secrets and halting the story altogether, and leaving enough mystery for the player to keep moving forward. The designers and developers must make end game content and make it so that the results encourage everyone playing, not just the one who completed, but everyone to keep going.

Heres a suggestion, have a large, heavily involved story-arc (or Task Forces’ as they call it) where one of the major underlings of Lord Recluse is the end boss. Whenever a group completes it, there is a huge, outdoor trial in Atlas Park, where as the verdict is handed down, Lord Recluse himself tele-ports out of no where, to retrieve his wayward underling, an epic battle ensues in which the whole group of baddies tele-port away in quick order before getting their butts handed to them. The Statesman makes a huge statement about how he won’t rest until Lord Recluse is brought to justice. This gives everyone a nice buff, like “Statesman’s Call to Arms” or what not.

The key is to make the player feel more involved in the storyline. Its events like that that make the game worth exploring. Make it more fun to be a hero, instead of it being a constant grind to the next free tailor session.

Seriously, the costume contests cannot support an entire game. You are City of Heroes, not a Second Life knock off. You’re better than that. I’m not saying its a bad thing, it just shouldn’t be the only thing.