City Of Heroes Issue 4 Interview by ComputerGames

City Of Heroes Issue 4 Interview

Written by John Callaham
Monday, 21 February 2005 Jack Emmert of Cryptic Studios talks to Computer Games Magazine about the upcoming "issue 4" free update to their super hero MMO game City of Heroes. Cryptic Studios's hit super hero MMO City of Heroes has had one major feature missing that its players have been awaiting ever since the game was launched; player vs player battles. The upcoming free "issue 4" update to the game promises to bring PvP features and Computer Games Magazine got a chance to chat with City of Heroes' lead designer Jack Emmert to find out more about their plans for "issue 4".   Computer Games - 2004 was a big year for MMO games. Even with the influx of new games in the genre in the past year do you feel that City of Heroes will continue to hold its own?   Jack Emmert  - Sure. We’re still the only game with masked heroes! Seriously, I believe that City of Heroes unique gameplay features allow it to stand out even in a more crowed marketplace. For example, City of Heroes doesn’t have camping or PvP griefing. City of Heroes doesn’t require hours of gameplay just to have a few moments of fun. You can get in and enjoy yourself within minutes.   Computer Games - Let's talk about Issue 4 of City of Heroes and the long awaited Player Vs Player support. First, why has it taken this much time to put in this long requested feature in the game?   Jack Emmert  - First, we wanted to do it right. PvP is a very, very complicated feature and we wanted to make sure that we gave it the time it deserved. Secondly, we prioritized some other features first because we felt the game lacked them at launch, but really needed them.   Computer Games - How will players be able to contact other players for a request for PvP combat?   Jack Emmert  - In the Arena, players will not only be able to issue challenges to one another, but also join open competitions with pick up teams. In other words, a player can set up a match with a chosen set of competitors or open it up to anyone.   Computer Games - Will there be any changes to the basic combat mechanics of City of Heroes in PvP mode?   Jack Emmert  - Not really. There are some powers that have been changed in how they affect other players, but the powers themselves remain exactly the same in PvE. For example, if a player taunts another, the taunted character will be forced to attack the taunter.  In PvE, Taunt is mixed in with damage done, debuffs, etc. to attract a mob’s attention. In PvP, Taunt automatically changes targets.   We do not want to end up changing players’ PvE experience in the name of PvP balance.   Computer Games - How will battles betweens and supergroups be different than one on one PVP battles in the game?   Jack Emmert  - The Archetypes are meant to complement each others’ strengths and weaknesses. A well balance team, with tactics, should be greater than the sum of its individual parts.   Computer Games - What will the PVP arenas in the cities be like? Will they have interactive enviroments and places were players not in PVP combat be able to watch the action?   Jack Emmert  - The PvP Arenas are modern day style coliseums similar to those that sports teams play in. PvP matches take place in holographic representations of several different environments. Some are interiors, such as warehouses or labs. Others are exterior sections of zones that people know well, such as Perez Park or Boomtown.   Players can view current bouts by entering as a floating camera. In order to prevent a player from spying for his friends in a match, these cameras are destroyable. In other words, characters in the match can target and eliminate the cameras if they wish.   Computer Games - How will battling in the PVP arenas affect a individual and team's experience and prestige in the game?   Jack Emmert  - Currently, the Arena system does not confer any experience points with victories or losses. Players can, however, bet Influence on the outcome of their match.   Plus, players can earn badges for winning officially sponsored tournaments.   Computer Games - How will the PvP ranking system work?   Jack Emmert  - Our ranking is Chess style. Everyone starts out with the same amount of “points.” A player gains and loses these points for wins and losses (respectively). A player gains more points for defeating another player with a greater amount of points, and loses more points for losing to someone with less points.   Computer Games - Are there any plans for Cryptic to organise PvP tournaments or will that be left to to the City of Heroes community?   Jack Emmert  - Of course we’ll be doing some official tournaments! First, we want to launch it solidly. Then we’ll add more features to it.   Computer Games - After the release of Issue 4 are there any plans to add new PvP features?   Jack Emmert  - There’s always City of Villains! That’s due out this year.   Computer Games - Will the Issue 4 release also contain new zones and villian groups like previous updates have had?   Jack Emmert  - Not really. However, our Epic Archetypes, the Kheldians, will be receiving many more special missions and story arcs.   Computer Games - What other features will Issue 4 add to the game?   Jack Emmert  - Costume pieces! Lots and lots of new costume pieces. These are mostly inspired from the world of manga and anime, but I think everyone will enjoy these new options.   And we’re adding specific sliders for various body parts. Players will be able to adjust the size of their shoulders, arms, legs and even their foreheads!   One of City of Heroes’ best features is its costume creation, and we’ve just raised the bar even higher.   Computer Games - Finally is there anything else you wish to say about City of Heroes in general and Issue 4 in particular?   Jack Emmert  - I’m very pleased to see the City of Heroes community launched in Europe – and growing fast. The fans have made this game one of the most exciting in the PC world. It’s an honor to work for such great customers.