I wasn't sure what to title this post, or even where to put it. Perhaps it fits better in Testimonials, but I've already given one of those and this isn't quite a testimony. I prefer to think of it as a shot in the arm, a lantern in the dark, or just a pat on the back.
Let me preface this by stating that I am in no way shape or form a 'leader' type. I'm certainly no TonyV, who has managed to do an amazing job to spearhead this community's response to the news that our world might be shut down in November. I'm also certainly no VV, either. (For starters, I could never make dolls that fantastic!) Both have done a tremendous job to bring us together, keep us focused, and give us ideas, as well as keeping us in the loop information-wise.
Some of that news has disheartened some of us. I'm not going to go into the specifics of the information in question, I think it's been analyzed to death as it is. What I'm going to talk about is you. Each and every one of you, perhaps not individually, but as a whole.
I am not an optimistic or positive person. I've stated in the Testimonials thread that I'm likely undiagnosed, clinically depressed. I wake up and generally my first thoughts involve how much I hate myself, how much the world sucks, and wondering what new dramatic load of negative karma is going to drop on me today. I mention this because I want you all to understand the significance of what I am about to say.
I am optimistic. It's a very cautious optimism, to be sure, especially given how pessimistic I am, but it is there. A spark, a flame, a glowing ember. Pick a metaphor: dealer's choice.
I've heard a lot of negative responses to some recent announcements and information given to us. We've received a few puzzle pieces, but the big picture remains hidden from us. This will likely continue, possibly all the way into November. It's easy to slip into a fugue of negativity and lose hope.
Stand. Your. Ground.
We have already achieved more than any other gaming community has brought to muster when their game, their world, was threatened. More than three thousand(some reports say five thousand!) of us came together one Saturday to show our support for our game, and in so doing, we creating an enduring symbol of our struggle.: Atlas Park 33. This symbol has become so potent that even when the servers need to be shut down for maintenance or upkeep, someone keeps respawning AP33.
We have a petition. I'm sure most, if not all, of us have signed it. As of this writing, that petition has reached 19,133 signatures. For a video game. We know the truth, of course. We know it's more than just a game. One enterprising member of this forum eloquently summed it up, and I'm totally going to crib their statement: "City of Heroes is 'just a game' the same way that family is 'just a group of people.'" Well said, whoever that was, step forward and claim your one (1) free e-cookie of awesome, because that is exactly the sentiment.
Under the guidance of TonyV, we began an email campaign to the heads of NCSoft. It would have been very easy for this campaign to go horribly awry. Instead, we were politely asked to stop emailing those addresses. What's more, they gave us a new email address to continue sending our support, stories, and feedback on the game.
I've said this before, and I'm sorry to keep repeating it, but it's the best way I can think of to put it all together. The developers made the game, the community team made us all welcome, but it was us that made City of Heroes what it is today. Our continued support, community spirit, dedication to each other, and commitment to the spirit of heroism has allowed City of Heroes, our city, to prosper over the past eight years.
Do not lose hope over a few announcements that, at first glance, don't appear to carry the positive feedback we've been desperately seeking. Do not give up your conviction, because the majority of the information we get is in small, easy-to-swallow bite-size pieces and lacks any genuine informational or nutritional value. Do not become disheartened because we've hit the Walls of NCSoft, and feel all our shouting can't even be heard.
I'm telling you right now, this is the wrong line of thinking. We are mighty. We are legion. We are titans.
We are heroes. This is what we do. I am proud of our accomplishments thus far, and know that I can count on each of us to continue making me proud in the coming weeks and months as the fate of our world hangs in the balance. The walls will come down, if we keep shouting. Don't give up. Don't despair. Fight on, valiant heroes. An entire city stands at your back, ready to pick you up should you falter or fall. A city of your allies, your friends, your family, forged over the course of eight years as we fought evil side by side in a virtual world together. A City of Heroes.
