April 15, 2008
Optional Character Slot Details Announced

NCsoft NorCal Studios is pleased to announce the pricing and details for the coming Optional Additional Character Slot feature. As we previously announced, we heard the request for a system to allow more characters on a single server and this is our answer. City of Heroes is a unique game that offers many playstyle options; options that are growing in a large way due to Powerset Proliferation and the addition of the Villain Epic Archetypes in the next free expansion, Issue 12: Midnight Hour. To accommodate playing more characters on your favorite server, we will be including the following features in Issue 12:


  • All current subscribers will receive 2 free character slots, each of which can be used on the specific server of their choice. This is to help you make new characters to take advantage of the new features of Issue 12, even if you already have maxed out your “home” server’s character slots.
  • 1 free character slot will be granted retroactively on a yearly basis through the current Veteran Reward system. Every 12 months that a subscription is maintained will unlock an additional free character slot that the user can apply to the server of their choice. Thus, existing players will be eligible for up to 4 additional character slots at the launch of Issue 12. This will continue into the future for Veteran Rewards given out every 12 months, so you get another slot for 5 years, another one for 6 years, etc.
  • Additional Optional Character Slots will be available on a purchasable basis. These are one-time fees, not an addition to your monthly subscription rate. The additional slots can be had at the following price points:

    • 1 Optional Character Slot for a one-time fee of $5.99
    • 2 Optional Character Slots for a one-time fee of $9.99
    • 5 Optional Character Slots for a one-time fee of $19.99

  • Players can have up to 36 slots per server, with an update to the character selection screen that lets you re-organize your character list by Drag and Drop, as well as easily flip between up to three pages of characters available on that server. All customers benefit from these great new User Interface features included with the revisions for Optional Character Slots.

The above features are planned to be made available at the launch of Issue 12: Midnight Hour, which is currently in closed beta testing. Be sure to check out this feature, along with the rest of Issue 12 when we enter the open beta testing period that should be starting in several more weeks.


To discuss this announcement, please join us on the Official Message Forums.
 
April 3, 2008
The Cape Internet Radio Hosts Positron and Brian Clayton
cape_banner_red-blue.jpg

The Cape Internet Radio will host City of Heroes Sr. Lead Designer Matt “Positron” Miller and NCsoft NorCal Studio Manager and Executive Producer, Brian Clayton for an hour of questions and answers regarding the recent announcement of Optional In-Game Advertisement.

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April 3, 2008
Bringing Optional In-Game Ads to Paragon City™ and the Rogue Isles™

By Brian Clayton, General Manager, NCsoft NorCal Studio

Before

Today we announced our partnership with Double Fusion to provide optional in-game advertising for City of Heroes. I wanted take some time to share some details beyond those in the press release.

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April 1, 2008
Dr. Brainstorm and Powerset Proliferation

If you missed the details from Dr. Brainstorm about Powerset Proliferation, now you can view them on the City of Heroes website:

Click here for the background story.

Read the Longbow Report

Review the full list of Issue 12’s Powerset Proliferation!

 
April 1, 2008
City Of Heroes Announces Visual Sounds!

NCsoft NorCal is proud to announce a new feature for the City of Heroes® and City of Villains® games; that of Visual Sounds. Visual Sounds are based on the comic book staple of onomatopoeia, or the use of a word to replace a sound. Classic comic book examples are “Pow” and “Ka-Boom!” in colorful bubbles while heroes and villains are slugging it out. City of Heroes takes a huge stride forward by replacing simple sounds with the exciting new visual medium of Visual Sounds.

Sound Effect #1

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March 31, 2008
Issue 12's Improved Character Creator

Issue 12: Midnight Hour, the next free expansion for City of Heroes includes a number of refinements for the game. Among those improvements is a streamlined Character Creator including additional power information and an easy to use costume set selector.

Click here to read all the details!

 
March 28, 2008
Full Issue 12 Powerset Proliferation List Revealed!

GameZone.com follows up with the second installment of Powerset Proliferation news with a complete recap from Doctor Brainstorm! This includes some of the reasoning behind which sets went to what Archetype, including:

Oh, I seem to have forgotten about Defenders. They now get access to Cold Domination and Ice Blast allowing them to put Ice and Glacial shields on their allies, as well as throw Ice Bolts and Freeze Rays. I always said it would be a cold day in Paragon City when Defenders would get access to Cold-based powers, and I guess my prediction came true!

Click here to read the full article.

 
March 27, 2008
GameZone.com Tells the Story Behind Powerset Proliferation!

An exclusive broadcast recounts a massive explosion and the details behind it from none other than Dr. Brainstorm! Read the fiction behind one of the most anticipated features of Issue 12: Midnight Hour, the next free expansion to City of Heroes and City of Villains!

Click here to read the full article.

 
March 19, 2008
Developer Diary – Giving the Hollows Zone a Makeover

Level Designer Melissa “War Witch” Bianco gives us a blow by blow account of what is changing in the Hollows with the “Gameplay Makeover” for the zone that will be included in the next free expansion, Issue 12: Midnight Hour.

Click here to read the article.

 
March 12, 2008
Next Free Expansion Announced! Issue 12: Midnight Hour

Issue 12: Midnight Hour, the twelfth upcoming free expansion since the launch of City of Heroes® will introduce a host of new content, challenges and features!

For all the details, click here.

 
March 12, 2008
City of Heroes Development with Sr. Lead Designer Matt Miller

Matt "Positron" Miller, Sr. Lead Designer for City of Heroes at NCsoft NorCal, discusses what’s happened since NCsoft fully acquired the franchise, and looks ahead to Issue 12: Midnight Hour and beyond.

Click here to read the full article.

 
March 11, 2008
NCsoft Europe Podcast Features City of Heroes

NCsoft Europe presents its first official Podcast featuring an exciting upcoming European community event and a behind-the-scenes City of Heroes discussion with Matt ‘Positron’ Miller, and Sean and Jen Dornan-Fish, the real life couple behind Manticore and Sister Psyche.

Click here to listen in and read the transcript.

 
March 6, 2008
The Rikti Return!

The looming threat of the Rikti Invasion Force still hangs like a dark pall over Earth. Despite the best efforts of humanity, aggressive Rikti incursions still plague the planet. Advance warning systems indicate the Rikti are massing for attacks on the following dates throughout the year:

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March 5, 2008
The Herald-Mail.com Highlights City of Heroes & City of Villains

Herald-Mail.com an online news source for Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia recently spotlighted a review of City of Heroes and City of Villains.

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March 4, 2008
48 Month Veteran Reward Unveiled

48 Months: Battle Hardened

* Battle Hardened Badge
* Summon Pet Power: CHOICE: Light Fairy, Dark Fairy, Blue Wisp, Red Wisp, Shield Oscillator, Power Oscillator, Shield Drone, or Power Drone.

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