A taste of things to come...

[Ustauk]

Here's a letter from Positron (current lead developer of CoH/CoV) that gives us a taste of things to come in future issues of CoH/CoV.

[Shayne]

Are RW members still playing this title?

[Lazybones]

My account is not active, but I might be going back into it in the winter.

[Shayne]

I'm looking to get back into a MMORPG, but im leaning towards one of those brand new WoW servers when BC gets released.

[Lazybones]

I'm looking to get back into a MMORPG, but im leaning towards one of those brand new WoW servers when BC gets released.

WOW has too great of a time commitment need.. I like how you can jump in and out of CoH/CoV but if you play through a bunch of misssions you also get a story arch.. No matter your level you can team up with almost anyone.

[Mr. Analog]

w00t! I'll be getting back in soon myself, maybe tonight if my food disc arrives on time...

[Ustauk]

I'm still playing.  I like it because its easy to pick up for a twenty mission session, or to find a team and spend a few hours playing it.  I might give the Burning Crusade a try when it comes out, but part of the problem I had with WoW was the time commitment it took to get between missions and do them.  Travel powers at fourteen is one of the sweetest things about CoH/CoV.

[Melbosa]

Information on the Veteran Program:

Veteran Rewards Program
Date: Sep 27, 2006 Author: Jon Wood
With the coming of City of Heroes / City of Villains Issue 8: To Protect and Serve, comes the new Veteran Rewards Program. Loyal players will recieve rewards at the: three, six, nine and 12 month marks:

The official City of Heroes® Veteran Rewards program launches this fall with the release of Issue 8: To Protect and Serve. NCsoft and Cryptic Studios have unveiled the rewards for the first four milestones for players who have been in-game for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months.

The rewards are as follows:

3 Month Milestone: Trustworthy

Trustworthy badge
Costume Piece: Trench coats
Costume Change Token given to all characters on account
At this first reward level, players unlock the ability to use trench coats on all of their characters, new and existing. Players also receive a single costume change token to take care of the cost of changing their outfit.

6 Month Milestone: Faithful

Faithful badge
Costume Piece: Greek Alphabet Chest Emblems
Costume Change Token given to all characters on account
Here players unlock the ability to have Greek Alphabet chest details on all of their characters, new and existing. Again, players receive a costume change token to take care of the cost of adding this to their character costume.

9 Month Milestone: Dependable

Dependable badge
Costume Piece: Belly Shirt for Females, Scottish Kilts for Males
Respec given to all characters on account
Costume Change Token given to all characters on account
At this point players receive the first Respec for all their characters. This respec is separate from the In-Game respecs and the “Freespecs” given out during special events. This respec is given to characters current and new, simply for having an active account for nine months or more.

This reward level also offers Male and Huge models the oft-requested “Scottish Kilt” costume option (complete with sporran). Females receive tight fitting “Belly shirts” to show off their well-toned midriffs in battle. Once again, this includes a Costume Change token to cover the costs of altering characters at the Tailor.

12 Month Milestone: Loyal

Loyal badge
Temporary Power: CHOICE: Permanent Undead Slaying Axe or Permanent Sands of Mu
Pre-Order Sprints: Rush, Dash, Quick, Surge
Base Item: Wall Mounted Weapon Displays
When City of Heroes launched, there were several “pre-order” bonuses that players could obtain, but each player was limited to one of these “special sprint” powers on their account. Now, with the Veteran Rewards program, players receive these bonuses after one year of subscription.

In addition, players are rewarded with several new Base Items including wall and floor mounted racks of weapons that are seen in the game like Arachnos maces and Circle of Thorn swords.

Finally there are the first of the Choice rewards. Each of the characters on player accounts with twelve or more months will receive the option of having a version of the Undead Slaying Axe or the Sands of Mu that does not expire. Each character can pick a different one, but only one is available per character.
 

[Ustauk]

More information on the Veteran's Program

15 Month Milestone: Zealous

Zealous badge
Costume Piece: Angelic Wings, Demon Wings
Costume Change Token given to all characters on account
This reward level brings players wings! Feathered and Demon style wings are available for new and existing characters on each eligible account. In addition, a Costume Change token is given to each character, so they can modify one of their costumes free of charge to add this costume piece to it.

Wings are a “Back Slot” option, and thus do not combine with other Back items like capes and trenchcoats. They animate when flying or falling, and can be tinted with two colors to match the rest of the costume. They are available to all characters on a qualifying account, regardless of their actual level. Yes, players can make a level 1 character with wings

18 Month Milestone: Unwavering

Unwavering badge
Costume Piece: Samurai Armor
Costume Change Token given to all characters on account
A year and a half, good work!

The eighteen month reward is a full costume “set” of Samurai style armor. This includes the helm, shoulder, chest, arms, gloves, legs, and boots, all done in classic Samurai fashion. Characters can add a single piece, a couple pieces, or all the Samurai pieces to their characters with a free Costume Change token that is also given at this reward level.

21 Month Milestone: Steadfast

Steadfast badge
Costume Piece: Shoulder Cape
Respec given to all characters on account
Costume Change Token given to all characters on account
Twenty-one months in and everything just keeps getting better.

Another respec is available at this level. Like the 9 month respec, players can claim this from the Veteran Reward menu at any time. This respec stacks with the In-Game and “Freespec” respecs given out during special events.

We also bring to characters the Shoulder Cape. Like all capes, the ability to add this is unlocked at level 20 by successfully completing the “Cape Mission”. The Shoulder Cape is a unique look suitable for many characters. Again, a Costume Change token is available as well, so players can alter a costume free of charge to add this stylish cape to it.

24 Month Milestone: Devoted

Devoted badge
Prestige Power: Emergency Base Teleporter (long recharge item that teleports you to your Base)
Base Item: Posters of the City of Heroes Comic Covers
Veteran's Titles for Level 15 characters
Two solid years of experience. Way to go!

More items for Bases are available at this level. Now players get a selection of the City of Heroes comic-book covers that they can add to their base as small and large posters. Players can select this reward an unlimited number of times.

A new power is also granted at this reward level: The Emergency Base Teleporter. Now players can access their Supergroup’s base from anywhere in the world. This power has a long, interruptible cast time so players won’t be pulling it off in combat, but makes up for this by granting extremely convenient access to the base.

Level 15 characters will also have a whole new set of titles that they can add to their character name. Simply visit any Trainer and check out the new titles that are available.

[Mr. Analog]

Wicked! Though I would have liked to have seen robot and insect wings as well, oh well.

[Melbosa]

Got a notice today that my account had been re-activated.  Might jump back in for a bit.

[Darren Dirt]

Got a notice today that my account had been re-activated.  Might jump back in for a bit.

quote:

In celebration of the new combo product City of Heroes® Good Versus Evil Edition, we are reactivating your account for the weekend. Just log into the game between now and 11:59pm EST on Sunday, October 8th 2006 and you will find your account reactivated FREE of charge!* Your hero and/or villain characters will be waiting just as you left them, ready for new adventures.

But hurry…this offer is only valid through the end of the weekend, and once it’s over, your account will again be deactivated unless you choose to re-subscribe.

Legions of heroes and villains await you. Good luck and have fun!


...it's to "celebrate" the Walmart-exclusive release of the "Good vs. Evil" edition:
http://www.cityofheroes.com/store/goodversusevil/

[Mr. Analog]

D'oh, I'm going to be away from my computer most of this weekend.

[Tonnica]

D'oh! No insect wings. Ah well, there's always the insect-pattern capes for now. From my perspective as someone who's had a CoH account for a lonnnnng time this is pretty cool.

Oh and I still have an active account. I've started to go on more often. I found out the answer to the question: "how many levels higher do you have to be to actually solo that 2nd-to-last Castalyx mission with Barracuda AND Metal Shift as an NRG/NRG Stalker?" the answer is "3".