Titan Network

Paragon Chat => Announcements => Topic started by: Codewalker on April 01, 2016, 12:00:00 PM

Title: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Codewalker on April 01, 2016, 12:00:00 PM
Important Announcement!
For immediate release.

Over the 9 months that Paragon Chat has been in operation, we have been closely observing the demographics of our target audience so that we can take their preferences into account. One thing we didn't expect was how much attention the project received from non-City of Heroes roleplayers, especially those hailing from a superpowered metropolis set in Michigan.

With the aid of several supercomputers, we used advanced datamining and hyperbolic extrapolation techniques to get a better feel for the situation. This data suggests that non-COH roleplayers using Paragon Chat outnumber former COH players by as much as ten to one. That certainly shocked us!

To help make these players feel more at home, we're rolling out a series of changes to Paragon Chat.

Phase 1 is already complete. Not only has the user interface been simplified, but with the 1.0 update we have introduced extra lag and stuttering in player movement.

Phase 2 involves upgrades to the game's graphics engine. The look is just dated, and not very representative of the source media. We have hired a crack team of graphics engineers, and they have spent literally tens of minutes coding a new graphics engine to replicate that unique comic book aesthetic that everyone knows and loves. We expect to integrate this new engine into Paragon Chat very Soon(TM). Here are some teaser images to whet your appetite - click on a thumbnail for a close up look!

(https://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/atlas1-sm.jpg) (http://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/atlas1.jpg) (https://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/ouro1-sm.jpg) (http://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/ouro1.jpg)
(https://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/imperial1-sm.jpg) (http://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/imperial1.jpg) (https://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/stmartial1-sm.jpg) (http://chat.cohtitan.com/announce/stmartial1.jpg)

If the population keeps growing at its current rate, we will consider a Phase 3 and possible rebranding of the project to Millennium Chat. These are exciting times!
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: AnimeMoose on April 01, 2016, 08:27:28 AM
So the artwork will be this instead of the classic COX game?  I will admit that I am not a fan of this cell-shading style of artwork and it is one of the reasons I never got into Cham.... or however we are suppose to call  that other game.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: FloatingFatMan on April 01, 2016, 09:45:06 AM
So the artwork will be this instead of the classic COX game?  I will admit that I am not a fan of this cell-shading style of artwork and it is one of the reasons I never got into Cham.... or however we are suppose to call  that other game.

Dude... Look at the date...
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: alltrueist on April 01, 2016, 12:20:15 PM
This is savage, but hilarious
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Golden Girl on April 01, 2016, 12:34:16 PM
You'll need to update the character models too to make them look properly subhuman.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Valtyr on April 01, 2016, 02:35:39 PM
Thanks for this. It's just what I needed.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Mothers_Love on April 01, 2016, 04:16:17 PM
Nice try guys!  ;)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: AmberOfDzu on April 01, 2016, 04:20:11 PM
I'm looking forward to the new Paragon Chat Cash Shop, too.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: duane on April 01, 2016, 04:33:46 PM
The graphics do remind of champions, but that's ok.  It still looks like home.

Thank you for all your work and effort.   
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Azrael on April 01, 2016, 04:36:10 PM
Ok.  Even Codewalker has a sense of humour.

However, if he goes for a 'frogman' stoop main character animation there'll be a mob with pitchforks and flaming torches...

Seriously though, just maybe Codewalker really is teasing here.  He's showing his 'chops' around the CoH engine.  Perhaps he can leave the render style as an option for those that like/dislike it to turn it on and off.

I'm surprised how effective it looked.  But CoH has better artwork and design underneath supporting it.

Hmm.  Intrigue.  What else could Codewalker and the team do in the future...if he can 'merely' do this to celebrate Apple's 40th birthday... :P

Azrael.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: AjD on April 01, 2016, 07:44:14 PM
I've gotten to the point in my life where I can't stand april fools jokes, but I approve of this  ;)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: FloatingFatMan on April 01, 2016, 08:41:57 PM
Oh god it's horrible. Funny ha ha joke, but can you please turn it off now? I don't have a sense of humour on April 1st. It's the first into the wood chipper, just before the damned pranksters. :P
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Soul Resonance on April 01, 2016, 09:31:28 PM
But this can only be done AFTER all good things are brought to dust, yknow..build diver-I mean-balance reasons :P(Don't know how you nerf chat but I believe in you, CW :3).
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Megajoule on April 02, 2016, 01:46:03 AM
I admit it, I laughed.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: LaughingAlex on April 02, 2016, 02:05:07 AM
Barbaric but so funny.  I guess CoX had to load up on hallucinogens sometime :).
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Codewalker on April 02, 2016, 02:05:51 AM
But this can only be done AFTER all good things are brought to dust, yknow..build diver-I mean-balance reasons :P(Don't know how you nerf chat but I believe in you, CW :3).

A limit on the number of chat messages sent per day, so that everyone has a fair chance to be heard.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: LaughingAlex on April 02, 2016, 02:19:35 AM
Make sure to also release over powered items, wait a while for the cash from them to flow in and then nerf them to cater to some people everyone else hates :).  After all, lockboxes are the be-all-end all! :)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: LaughingAlex on April 02, 2016, 03:19:28 AM
By the way is the unreliable local chats part of the joke?  Now i'm getting bad memories :(.  My local text keeps disappearing on everyone elses screens.

Edit: NVM doesn't seem to be any more than 1.0 transition, derp.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Noyjitat on April 03, 2016, 12:02:19 AM
Should of took full advantage of april fools and posted a convincing article about the deal being done. It would of been mean but still funny.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Nyghtshade on April 03, 2016, 12:46:05 AM
Should of took full advantage of april fools and posted a convincing article about the deal being done. It would of been mean but still funny.
I think "cruel" might be the word, actually.  Glad you didn't.   :)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: TonyV on April 03, 2016, 04:56:27 AM
Should of took full advantage of april fools and posted a convincing article about the deal being done. It would of been mean but still funny.

Yeah, this is the one thing I don't joke about, because there's just way too much opportunity for bad feelings, misunderstandings, and trolling.  I want to make damn sure that if I ever say or post that City of Heroes is relaunching, people KNOW that City of Heroes is for real relaunching.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: joey645 on April 04, 2016, 12:42:06 PM
I know it's april fools haha but using Sweet FX to give it that cell shaded look is nice :)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Solitaire on April 04, 2016, 02:24:44 PM
Yeah, this is the one thing I don't joke about, because there's just way too much opportunity for bad feelings, misunderstandings, and trolling.  I want to make damn sure that if I ever say or post that City of Heroes is relaunching, people KNOW that City of Heroes is for real relaunching.

I can't wait for that day to come :)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: saipaman on April 04, 2016, 03:18:18 PM
I know it's april fools haha but using Sweet FX to give it that cell shaded look is nice :)

But is was probably a poor choice to make given that it happened almost simultaneously with the release of PC 1.0.

At least one person reported thinking that something had gone wrong with the PC installation and were galvanized into inappropriate and unnecessary actions.

Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: LaughingAlex on April 04, 2016, 03:35:35 PM
It was a cruel prank in some ways, particularly because it reminded some people of CO.  I was in the mindset it was a joke day as it was, but some would have thought "THIS is out of line".

Of course the post was brilliantly clearly an april fools joke.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: saipaman on April 04, 2016, 11:07:26 PM
Some people stumbled into the prank without ever reading that post.  Those are the people I feel for.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: MaidMercury on April 05, 2016, 01:17:40 AM
I missed the joke entirely...until later.

Is this true- Non CoH chat folk outnumber us long time players 10:1?  :o
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Paragon Avenger on April 05, 2016, 01:46:48 AM
Personally, I can't wait for the lockboxes drops.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Codewalker on April 05, 2016, 02:04:59 AM
Some people stumbled into the prank without ever reading that post.  Those are the people I feel for.

There were a few Europeans and one New Zealander who were confused and asked in the channel or the forums. Since it was midnight in their local timezone before the post went up, which was not unexpected (the target was to post right as the US was going to bed and the EU was about to wake up), I messaged them one on one and let them know what was going on. They were pretty cool about it and were gracious enough to keep the surprise to themselves until the announcement.

After that went up, all anyone had to do was ask in the global channel. There were people on all day reposting the command to shut it off, and I was monitoring on and off.

But is was probably a poor choice to make given that it happened almost simultaneously with the release of PC 1.0.

Meh. I wasn't going to wait a whole year for it, and half the point was to show off some new rendering features that the 1.0 client tech makes possible. The shader is a very real thing and is not entirely a joke - there are a number of more sloppy ways it could have been done that would result in incorrectly rendered graphics.

Maybe turning it on by default for a day confused a few people, but as far as pranks go, a visual effect that in no way impairs functionality is very mild. If people are really butthurt by that, well, some people just aren't happy unless they're unhappy I guess. Many more have commented that they enjoyed the friendly crack at Champions.

A couple people even asked me if it was possible to turn it back on after the event (it is, the same command works). There are actually knobs to customize the effect that are not hooked up to the options menu yet, but will be.

At least one person reported thinking that something had gone wrong with the PC installation and were galvanized into inappropriate and unnecessary actions.

Kneejerk reactions are never a good idea, no matter what the circumstances. We have plenty of people on the forums and in the channel who are willing to help if they see it. Since it's a volunteer effort, you might have to wait more than 4 minutes and 21 seconds for a response, though (one came 1 minute later, but the person had logged off by then).

Is this true- Non CoH chat folk outnumber us long time players 10:1?  :o

*taps forums on the side* Where's the rolleyes smiley on this thing again?  :roll:
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Brigadine on April 05, 2016, 07:00:51 PM
Yeah, this is the one thing I don't joke about, because there's just way too much opportunity for bad feelings, misunderstandings, and trolling.  I want to make damn sure that if I ever say or post that City of Heroes is relaunching, people KNOW that City of Heroes is for real relaunching.
I agree, that wouldn't have been a very funny joke. More like mindless torture..
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: saipaman on April 05, 2016, 11:01:59 PM
Kneejerk reactions are never a good idea, no matter what the circumstances.

I absolutely agree.

Huge amounts of anxiety could be avoided if more people would simply take a deep breath, count to twenty and spend a few moments pondering causes, solutions and consequences.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: TimtheEnchanter on April 09, 2016, 02:20:57 AM
How... how... HOW did you miss the opportunity to call this a "realignment of company focus?"  8)
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Paragon Avenger on April 11, 2016, 04:46:01 AM
Hey yeah, should we make a "Completely Fake News ..." for Paragon Chat?
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Lycantropus on May 17, 2016, 07:40:35 AM
Or should we call it TPN for Totally Phony Network. ;)

(that said, thank you for giving me a place to log into, lurk, and love seeing other people fall in love with the City again)

Lyc~
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Tahquitz on April 01, 2017, 05:12:25 AM
Hope you enjoyed this joke last year, because April 1st it's triggering again!  If you want to disable it, type "/usecelshader 0" for the current session.

This will shut off automatically on April 2nd.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Codewalker on April 01, 2017, 05:16:25 AM
Sadly, I didn't have time to put together an April 1 surprise this year, but the "event" from last year is still in the code and is triggered based on the date on the local clock.
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: kalistowns83 on April 01, 2017, 05:38:45 AM
You sure fooled me, i spent almost two hours trying to figure out what went wrong with my game or my computer. Even rolled back my video card drivers because i recently updated them, thinking it was the cause. I'm a little annoyed at the time this made me waste.  :-\
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Lycantropus on April 01, 2017, 08:50:24 PM
LOL! I had completely forgotten about this! I logged in and was like "!?"  :o

Hehehehe

Lyc~
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Doc Artz on April 01, 2017, 10:43:21 PM
Hope you enjoyed this joke last year, because April 1st it's triggering again!  If you want to disable it, type "/usecelshader 0" for the current session.
This will shut off automatically on April 2nd.

So after today we need to download  the  latest version of Paragon chat? Could you please provide or point us dummies to a link for simplifying downloading the upgrade? Thanks ;D
Doc  8)

Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Doc Artz on April 01, 2017, 11:01:44 PM
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Codewalker on April 01, 2017, 11:15:39 PM
Um, no, absolutely nothing changed about the download or the login today...
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: rodharris on September 15, 2017, 03:37:40 PM
code walker, i have loved every thing that you guy's have done for us and the amazing effort you all have put in on the game, thank you very much!!, i must say i'm with anime moose on this one, i don't care for the look at all, i like the old C of H look!!
Title: Re: Press Release: Paragon Chat Realignment
Post by: Godlike on November 19, 2017, 02:36:31 PM
literally tens of minutes!  :o