What kept me playing my maximum level characters (and not alts) in my fave MMORPG (COH) was  the joy of playing the character.  In that MMO (COH) unlike other MMO's I could "play  down" or be "exemplared" (to use COH terminology) and thus able to partake in my share of loot, scaled appropriately for the team size and level, etc.  Later on City of Heroes developed an Incarnate system for maximum level characters--and like many people I plugged away at it, reaping the rewards.  While the In-Game rewards would be deemed "worth the effort" by many, what really kept me coming back was the fun of teaming up!  Too bad, there's just no other MMORPG on the market today that has even half the creativity of, fun, and puts players in the driver's seat as City of Heroes.

I really enjoyed reading your article, Mr. Miller.  In fact, you are one of the reasons why I read MMORPG.com e-magazine.  Since COH ended, I am just not into MMORPG's at all.  Maybe that's just as well, since I do have other interests and hobbies, such as local grassroots politics, and I'll admit an MMORPG as fine as City of Heroes diverted me from RL heroic causes.  Still, I and others sure miss the fun we had in virtual space.  Hats off to you, sir.

/em holdtorch!

What kept me playing my maximum level characters (and not alts) in my fave MMO (COH) was  the joy of playing the character.  In that MMO (COH) rather than other MMO's I could "play  down" or be "exemplared" (to use COH terminology) and thus able to partake in my share of loot, scaled appropriately for the team size and level.  Later on City of Heroes developed an Incarnate system for maximum level characters--and like many people I plugged away at it, reaping the rewards.  While in the In-Game rewards would be deemed "worth the effort" by many, what really kept me coming back was the fun of teaming up!  Too bad, there's just no other MMORPG on the market today that has even 1/2 the creativity, fun, and puts players in the driver's seat at City of Heroes.

I really enjoyed reading your article, Mr. Miller.  In fact, you are one of the reasons why I read MMORPG.com e-magazine at all.  Since COH ended, I am just not into MMORPG's at all.  Maybe that's just as well, since I do have other interests and hobbies, such as local grassroots politics, and I'll admit an MMORPG as fine as City of Heroes diverted me from RL heroic causes.  Still, I and others sure miss the fun we had in virtual space.  Hats off to you, sir. /em holdtorch!

First, I think you wrote a very good article and conscientiously (imo) avoided successfully all of the pitfalls re: coming across as "shrill" or "strident" (at least to this man's perception).  I'm 52 and have been watching the so-called "battle of the sexes" since before, during and after the Women's Liberation Movements of the late 1960's and 1970's  (USA; I can't speak for other parts of the world. )   I was raised to believe (and still do) that women are fully equal to men regarding inherent humanity and personhood.   You raise some very good questions; e.g. why are people so frequently unwilling or unable to practice basic civility and courtesy? Your question, which I feel is insightful, I would broaden to not just gamer-geek nerd males but to ask what it is exactly that men find so frightening about women?  To both of these questions I would answer socialization aka culture and custom.  I also realize that while I believe what I'm saying is true is in part also a non-answer, and one that women and men shall have to discover together, perhaps even with each succeeding generation until Humanity finally gets this right. 

Yes, some men treat women as well as men very poorly.  Some men treat guys poorly but women better.  Yet other men treat the men okay but reserve special negative behavior just for females.  It also works this way in reverse for how women treat men socially.  Again, I feel  the root of this has to do with Socialization entirely.   Much of this has to do with a man (or woman)'s specific culture and unique upbringing.  Often women are much more powerful to the male psyche than women would assume.  Nor are we guys all that open about that.  Some are not even self-aware.  Being open potentially means being vulnerable, and for many male cultures being vulnerable is equated to weak or unfit or unprepared to assume a warrior role (should the need arise.)  Personally, I believe the capacity to be open and even to potentially risk vulnerability requires a strength and fortitude often discounted.  Add to this that frequently women/females/girls  often surpass men/males/boys in language and linguistic capactiy.  Yeah, I know I'm overgeneralizing.  But like you I often "overanalyze" and have been accused on occasion of "thinking too much" by those whom I feel think too little.  Consider how grade school girls and boys are often segregated either by custom or choice  - the childhood phase of boys and girls finding the other gender "repulsive."  The male gender has its share of Blockheads.  Do you know any women who are mean-spirited to men simply because they can be?

So, yes, there are some men of all ages who act like Beavis and Butthead, preferring to hang out with one another with their pixilated images of what women are in some metaphorical treehouse, rather than growing up and being adult.  On behalf of all adult men I would like to offer you apology, but I cannot apologize on behalf of misogynists and misogyny; nor am I a fan of misanthropy in any form.  Re: the commentator who said "a fat nerd is a fat nerd" congrats on being an equally-opportunity misantrhope (detect Sarcasm!!)  Who the bleep cares what another's "meat wrapper", the physical conveyance for her or his consciousness looks like in this context?  Unless one is considering acts of physical intimacy, I simply hope the other person's body works well for them.  I choose my friends based on their character, not outer appearance.  For as long as Beavis and Butthead wish to masquerade as women doing pole-dances in GW2, Blade & Soul, etc. - note: I'm not suggesting this be banned - but for as long as males prefer their cherished images about women to the reality of who woman are, (imo) vive la difference peers,  social understanding may elude the less bright.

Re: Civility.  Courtesy isn't a dying art; it's a LIVING art.  Hope we all practice it some.  Happy gaming!

Originally posted by Xobdnas

So much time, money, and energy goes into filling the MMORPG game world with content, but the reality is (and Minecraft proves this) no matter how good the team, if you let the players build it the results will surpass your greatest expectations. I believe the old saying is do not teach a person to use a tool, give them the tool and be surprised by their innovation in using it. So MMORPG companies, when will you give us the empty world and the tools and turn us loose to make the greatest MMORPG of all time?

Pretty cool observation about human creativity and ingenuity!  Nice little article.  Personally, I like content but also want enough "room" or space to add my own creativity to that of the MMO designers'.  Thanks!

I'm very glad you'll be writing and posting articles here, Mr. Miler!  I love City of Heroes and hardly a day passes that I don't wish I could play it and/or I have some pleasant recollection.  I'd love any insight you might have as to why NCSoft would kill an MMO as popular and profitable as COH.  Initially, I'd assumed  money was the only factor, but ideas are floating that NCSoft simply killed CoH out of spite!  The idea the development team/Paragon Studios were "unsuitable" custodians for the MMO is patently ridiculous, as is the idea that fans and players would prefer no MMO to NCSoft selling the rights and IP to another company.

Looking forward to your MMORPG.COM articles and wishing  the best to all of the former CoH Dev team!  You and CoH ROCKED!!!  Rock on, Positron!

PS. I really appreciate you devs showing up and joining us on the final night.  It was hard to get thru but only because you'd collectively made a masterpiece and because the CoH community was a joy to game with!  Best wishes, John    /em holdtorch  (like forever or until CoH is back)