Well, they definitely didn't see it coming....

[Osborn]

Pax, as is mentioned in that article, is one of the cheaper big cons too.  For the same booth space (and you have to bring all of your own stuff, rather than getting a lot of goodies supplied as is mentioned in the article) DragonCon runs about twice that.  I shudder to think what SanDiego ComiCon runs, or the big computer/electronics/software show in Las Vegas whose name has totally flown out of my memory.

I think honestly the last big thing I saw them do advertisement wise was that big prison party for the release of City of Villains. That was met with a huge upswing in players. It fizzled out eventually because practically the next day their advertisement budget went back to zero, but if we could had hit those numbers and sustained it for a while, or anything even close to it, that would had been fantastic.

[dwturducken]

There was some kind of promotion of Going Rogue and the Signature Story Arcs, or at least the first one.  In the run up to each of those, there were videos on YouTube of promo footage being shown at conventions. Don't ask me which cons; I'd have to go hunt through YouTube, which is always such a joy.

[Segev]

In positive news, when Paragon Studios manages to reform as its own entity, they can determine their own advertising budget for CoH.

[dwturducken]

In positive news, when Paragon Studios manages to reform as its own entity, they can determine their own advertising budget for CoH.

By that you mean they'll be reforming an ostensibly autonomous entity with more control over their own budget? That would certainly be nice to see.

[Segev]

The most reliable information we currently have is that there are negotiations between former leadership of Paragon Studios and NCSoft for the ownership of all things CoH. I can only assume they would re-form Paragon Studios as an independent entity when those negotiations conclude with the separation of CoH from NCSoft.

[eabrace]

I would actually expect the negotiations for ownership of CoH to be an entirely separate process from the creation of a new studio.  The formation of a new studio could quite easily precede obtaining the IP (and, unless the IP is going to belong to individuals rather than a new studio, probably will if that hasn't already happened at least in name).  I would also expect that even if the IP cannot be wrested from NCsoft, plans to create a new studio will continue on regardless.

[Segev]

Oh, sure. My main point is that they WILL need to form a new studio to pull this off. Unless they're negotiating on behalf of an existing one or something, but that's pure speculation as no word of that's come out.

[chaparralshrub]

Well, this assumes, of course, that the backing that the former Paragon leadership has doesn't come from another publisher that is itself buying the IP. Then they may become a subdivision of said other publisher. If the name gets sold as well (no reason why it wouldn't), then it may even still be Paragon.

[Segev]

Also possible!

[dwturducken]

I always assumed that a new studio would be part of the end result, but it never occurred to me that the actual Paragon Studios might be on the table.  Not saying that anyone here is necessarily implying it, but it could be one more point of wild speculation to add to the list of things we're guessuming they are negotiating.

[Segev]

I, for one, suspect they're being bought out by the real Positron and Statesman stepping over from another dimension, but the sticky legal issues surround establishing an exchange rate and getting them green cards to own and operate companies in the USA of our Earth.

[dwturducken]

I, for one, suspect they're being bought out by the real Positron and Statesman stepping over from another dimension, but the sticky legal issues surround establishing an exchange rate and getting them green cards to own and operate companies in the USA of our Earth.

Full of win!   

[Osborn]

I, for one, suspect they're being bought out by the real Positron and Statesman stepping over from another dimension, but the sticky legal issues surround establishing an exchange rate and getting them green cards to own and operate companies in the USA of our Earth.

Statesman was here and you didn't warn him of Wade's plan?!

[Teege]

Statesman was here and you didn't warn him of Wade's plan?!

Wait, Wade owns Nexon?

[Lucretia MacEvil]

I do know that NCSoft had given Paragon a $0 advertising and promotional budget for the last year at least, and probably longer.  Hence the larger virtual presence, the "Coffee Talks" and other creative attempts at promotion.

As I've mentioned before, NCSoft really dropped the ball by doing this.  Superheros are a big thing right now, thanks to all the movies that came out over the past several years.  CoX could've made a bundle or ten if it had been advertised properly.  Instead, NCSoft let this opportunity pass them (and us) by.  I really hope CoX gets bought by someone who'll actually care for it properly.

[Segev]

I really hope CoX gets bought by someone who'll actually care for it properly.

As do we all. ^_^_x

[chaparralshrub]

I, for one, suspect they're being bought out by the real Positron and Statesman stepping over from another dimension, but the sticky legal issues surround establishing an exchange rate and getting them green cards to own and operate companies in the USA of our Earth.

Not possible, I'm afraid - Statesman and Positron don't have that kind of money on hand.

This would be Manticore's job. And yes, I'm pretty darn sure he's going to be pretty careful to make sure his dear wife stays breathing this time around.