Author Topic: Idea about putting pressure.  (Read 3667 times)

Beodren

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Idea about putting pressure.
« on: September 26, 2012, 10:49:44 AM »
Good day to everyone. This idea may be considered a semi-rally, and a way of putting pressure, would Tony say there is a need for it.

We have a interesting poster we need to get to the public, especially the one interested in the NCSoft games, and I think there is a simple, good way to do so.
Every Youtube video features top comment option, to ge there, one needs around 50 votes up, and from my personal experience I can easily say, users read that comments.
Idea would be to assemble a ,,strike" team, sharing links and uploading messages with this poster:

http://mmofallout.tumblr.com/post/32315125153/fool-me-six-times

And messages reminding people NCSoft practices sudden shutdowns, and hunting down attempts of keeping the game alive. That no matter how good the game looks, they may one day just delete everything You achieved there, even when game is making money. Forgery in tabula Rasa case is just cherry on top of the cake.
We would have to remember to keep it different from spamming, by using different messages. No offensive language. Link and short texts to avoit TL DR; reaction.
Tracking down popular videos would give us a bit of attention, probably would make people think once or twice before buying their games.

Still, before engaging, we would have to hear something from TonyV, as I believe offensive would make our position worse if there is hope in negotiations (in which I seriously doubt looking at the poster. Talks with paragon studios are probably something to calm us down).

Also, one more appeal at the end of these posts: Convince Your friends to return to the game at least for the last month, to sqeeze whatever they can from it, before NCSoft can say: ,,They all dispersed" Game is becoming ghost town, which makes our case a bit harder.

Mantic

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2012, 11:01:35 AM »
I agree that getting interest up in the waning months, rather than letting it peter out, would be a surprise NCSoft is not prepared for. Having the input of multiple publishers who have killed many online games in their lives, I suspect they have a formula figured for calculating the stamina of protesting players, resulting in this three month "sunset" timeframe.

If that expectation can be frustrated, and we find some way of keeping the game highly visible even beyond November (more videos, continued demo editing, whatever it takes to keep players interested in fiddling with the client and proving it has a life of some sort that the company can not kill), that could well be the real beginning of NCSoft considering negotiation and/or sale.

Knightward

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2012, 12:19:50 PM »
Personally I think we need more rallies like the first one in Atlas.  If you didn't feel inspired that day, you don't have a pulse.  The other in-game rally, the Posi runs, were fun but doing instances on every server on a team of 8 doesn't have the same visibility.  Yes it reminds us what we're trying to save (or at least a portion of it), but everyone gathering in a single place is visible to EVERYONE outside the game.

chaparralshrub

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2012, 01:44:16 PM »
We need more task force parties, too. I'm going to post one shortly.

TonyV

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2012, 05:46:11 AM »
Good day to everyone. This idea may be considered a semi-rally, and a way of putting pressure, would Tony say there is a need for it.

We have a interesting poster we need to get to the public, especially the one interested in the NCSoft games, and I think there is a simple, good way to do so.
Every Youtube video features top comment option, to ge there, one needs around 50 votes up, and from my personal experience I can easily say, users read that comments.

Not a bad idea, but if I'm not mistaken the poster of a video has the capability of deleting any comment.  If we post comments to that effect on NCsoft videos, or on videos of fans of specific games (Guild Wars 2, Blade and Soul, etc.), there's nothing stopping them from simply blowing away a comment that has a thousand up votes.  There's also a risk if we post it on other games comments of getting significantly down voted.  After all, if someone from Tabula Rasa had posted comments peeing on our parade when Samuraiko, for example, posted a video, it would have been murdered.  I think those down votes might actually trigger a spam sensor, too.

Still, I do think we need to figure out constructive ways to start putting pressure on NCsoft.  I've been telling them that if they kill off City of Heroes, they're going to get a PR black eye for doing so.  I'm not for all-out declaring war on them or anything, but we definitely need to start coming up with ideas on making them realize that come November 30, there will be negative publicity if they simply turn off the servers thinking that we're all just going to tuck our tails and go home.

TimtheEnchanter

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2012, 05:54:00 AM »
We need more task force parties, too. I'm going to post one shortly.

I'd really like to see a rally that somehow covers both the visibility aspect, as well as combat. Something that gets all the players there for a grand solidarity display, but also provides some entertainment that is at the core of the game's systems.

We lucked out in Perez Park when we stumbled upon the Kraken (we're theorizing that NC sent him to break up the march. He failed). If we could manage more things like that, it'd be great. Though given that there is now a schedule of end-game events, that should be pretty easy for us to accomplish.

Still, I do think we need to figure out constructive ways to start putting pressure on NCsoft.  I've been telling them that if they kill off City of Heroes, they're going to get a PR black eye for doing so.  I'm not for all-out declaring war on them or anything, but we definitely need to start coming up with ideas on making them realize that come November 30, there will be negative publicity if they simply turn off the servers thinking that we're all just going to tuck our tails and go home.

Do you have any thoughts on that? I've seen this too many times. Global marketing has all but killed any chance that the populous has of rising up against ANY corporate entity, because their voices always end up amounting to just a pebble in the vast ocean. Corporations can afford to wait forever for the storm to die out because of this. I've kind of been under the opinion that we've been appealing to the better half of NC's humanity at this point, like a Ghost of Christmas Present showing Scrooge what his actions are having on the world around him. If we are about to put on Death's Cloak and be the Ghost of the Future, it's going to be one heck of an undertaking.

EClark

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2012, 10:46:46 AM »
I understand that the Titan Network or Paragon Studios can in no way shape or form endorse this action.
However, I will throw it out there as a way to get the idea of 'Bad Public Relations' out there.

An official one to three day boycott of all NCSoft games in protest to the shutting down of Paragon Studios and City of Heroes.
(suggest Oct. 16th as a possible date) One to three days, in support of this game and it's developers, do not play an NCSoft game (other that CoH perhaps)

Everyone I know has been talking about it.... perhaps actions speak louder than words?

The-Hunter-JLJ

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2012, 11:42:34 AM »
Not a bad notion, Eclark, but give it more lead time to get organized. Here's my suggestion.

Make December 1 a day of mourning, and request that all gamers within the sound of our electronic communications honor the memory of City of Heroes by refusing to log into any NCsoft title that day. Go play ANYTHING else.

Start the publicity for that NOW. In coordination with groups in other MMOs, arrange to hold events THERE celebrating the fun we had in City of Heroes all that day. I'm sure we have guild masters scattered through every MMO in existence. I'll run stuff on SWTOR for those interested, and I could probably arrange something in DDO, too, though I've not been active there in some while.

Not entirely impossible we might be able to get some acknowledgement by sympathetic development teams in other realms with that kind of lead time, either. Even a brief "Farewell to City of Heroes" in their login banners on that solemn day would be a big win, and I suspect a lot of them would see it as a way to encourage visiting "CoH refugees" to feel welcomed.

And I'm also thinking that open planning for losing round one shows how determined the Save COH movement is. We want the corporate stooges doubtless watching us to say "whoa. These guys are making PLANS for us shutting down the servers, and what they will do AFTERWARD. They are in this for the long haul."

EClark

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2012, 11:49:28 AM »
Problem is, when that happens, it's too late. The Game is dead.  Trying to give them the 'taste of death so they recognize it when it comes again' (Paraphrasing 'Something Wicked This Way Comes').
Nov 1st perhaps?*

*with the full understanding that Titan Network in no way endorses such behavior and that this is a merely hypothetical scenario

The-Hunter-JLJ

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2012, 02:49:55 PM »
Eclark... accept now that the servers will quite possibly go dark Nov 30. You will be in a much stronger spiritual state if you set aside thoughts of survival. You might be pleasantly surprised and they stay up, but you will be mentally past the worst that way.

Such a determined stance will also unnerve the opposition as well as draw more sympathy and support from others. The goal is to see Coh survive in the LONG term. Even if the servers go down, they CAN come back under new management with the databases and hence the world intact. Happens every maintenance event, no big deal. I think it is possible they may be legally required to maintain that data... an interesting thought, wonder if that applies.. damn, what is that law called? Sarbanes-Oxley? But I digress.

Point here is that sending a signal to NCsoft that we are *planning* beyond the servers being turned off let's both them and the larger world watching with various degrees of disinterest, admiration, or whatever that we are a mature, serious community that IS NOT GOING AWAY.

We are heroes. This is what we do.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2012, 03:08:16 PM by The_Hunter_JLJ »

DrakeGrimm

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2012, 02:53:05 PM »
The servers will likely go dark. It's inevitable. However, Paragon City lives on in each of us. It's possible we can resurrect it after they go dark, but accept that there will be a period of time, at the very least, where our beloved city ceases to exist for a while.

...but we are heroes. We will persevere. We will rise from the ashes, wreathed in the flames of determination, the Phoenix Ascendant.


We are heroes. This is what we do.
We are the crazy ones, the mavericks, the dreamers, the forgotten sons. We color outside the lines for fun. We are the crazy ones! - "The Crazy Ones," Stellar Revival

"We put ourselves in "the attitude of heroes"--and we all became a little more heroic." - VV

EClark

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2012, 03:06:01 PM »
Oh, I have been married three times and divorced the same amount.
I know all about inevitability and acceptance of fact, as well as determination and rising out of the ashes.

 ;D 8)

The-Hunter-JLJ

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2012, 03:10:00 PM »
"This time for sure, Rocky!N

StarRanger4

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2012, 03:45:48 PM »
The NC SOFTservers will likely go dark. It's inevitable.


Just adding some clarification there for you, Grimmy.

Now, a month in, I really WANT their (nc soft) servers to go dark.  I dont want anything more to do with their brand of community.  I want Tony to succeed and that, come 1 Dec, NC soft's servers pass into oblivion and that we are welcomed into a fresh server, owned Ideally by Paragon directly; even if it means starting over at level 1.

DrakeGrimm

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2012, 03:51:50 PM »
Just adding some clarification there for you, Grimmy.

Now, a month in, I really WANT their (nc soft) servers to go dark.  I dont want anything more to do with their brand of community.  I want Tony to succeed and that, come 1 Dec, NC soft's servers pass into oblivion and that we are welcomed into a fresh server, owned Ideally by Paragon directly; even if it means starting over at level 1.

My name is Hawthorne Grimm, and I approve this message.
We are the crazy ones, the mavericks, the dreamers, the forgotten sons. We color outside the lines for fun. We are the crazy ones! - "The Crazy Ones," Stellar Revival

"We put ourselves in "the attitude of heroes"--and we all became a little more heroic." - VV

Beodren

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #15 on: September 27, 2012, 04:04:02 PM »
Not a bad idea, but if I'm not mistaken the poster of a video has the capability of deleting any comment.  If we post comments to that effect on NCsoft videos, or on videos of fans of specific games (Guild Wars 2, Blade and Soul, etc.), there's nothing stopping them from simply blowing away a comment that has a thousand up votes.  There's also a risk if we post it on other games comments of getting significantly down voted.  After all, if someone from Tabula Rasa had posted comments peeing on our parade when Samuraiko, for example, posted a video, it would have been murdered.  I think those down votes might actually trigger a spam sensor, too.

Still, I do think we need to figure out constructive ways to start putting pressure on NCsoft.  I've been telling them that if they kill off City of Heroes, they're going to get a PR black eye for doing so.  I'm not for all-out declaring war on them or anything, but we definitely need to start coming up with ideas on making them realize that come November 30, there will be negative publicity if they simply turn off the servers thinking that we're all just going to tuck our tails and go home.

I agree with all Your points Tony but... with Videos directly from NCSoft they have hundreds of views per hour, single top comment hanging there for fifteen minutes is always a hit. All we would need is co-ordination, so upvotes would come faster than downvotes. If course, cultural message of concern about their game instead of typical lash at NCSoft would be important.

As far as NCSoft abilities to delete comments, we could use to our advantage. Get group of proper inteligent comments with concern, screen them, catch NCSoft deleting such, file more articles as we have multiple ocassions to use press support. Show them as evil company stomping out fans. (Imporatnt fact here, we have to avoid griefing)

Spam filters is the reason I meant only similarity in the messages would have to be mentioned picture, so it would be prove we are active worried playerbase, instead of wild spammers.

Yet I aggree that such action is typical PR offensive. I would advise as constructive pressure soomething different. We would have to strom some game convent/expo, visit it and talk with people, would we have ability, create a stand. Generate hype around the funs, and then, strenghten  our reputation with charity action.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2012, 04:26:41 PM by Beodren »

Samuraiko

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #16 on: September 27, 2012, 09:04:28 PM »
Not a bad idea, but if I'm not mistaken the poster of a video has the capability of deleting any comment.  If we post comments to that effect on NCsoft videos, or on videos of fans of specific games (Guild Wars 2, Blade and Soul, etc.), there's nothing stopping them from simply blowing away a comment that has a thousand up votes.  There's also a risk if we post it on other games comments of getting significantly down voted.  After all, if someone from Tabula Rasa had posted comments peeing on our parade when Samuraiko, for example, posted a video, it would have been murdered.  I think those down votes might actually trigger a spam sensor, too.

It really depends on how they have the account set up. Mine, to prevent spammers, has "All comments must be approved." This way, morons who go around posting links for stuff or just completely random blathering don't take up space. However, even they have automatic comment posting, I'm pretty sure the vid owner can just delete the comment anyway. (Note: if enough people downvote said comment, it tends to be 'hidden' as "this comment has received too many negative votes", and can only be seen if the viewer clicks on it to see what the fuss was about.)

Just for myself, I will approve NEGATIVE feedback as long as it has some merit. "u suk" usually doesn't get approved but "personally I think the song sucks but ur vid's pretty good anyway" or "the game's graphics really look dated" will.

Just my two cents on how that WORKS. I don't approve of comment bombing just because I hate it when people do it to me. If you must do it, at least TRY to make it on topic: "The game looks gorgeous... unfortunately, I don't trust NCsoft anymore so I'm afraid I'll have to pass on this one."

Michelle
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Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
The game may be gone, but the videos are still here...
http://www.youtube.com/samuraiko
http://cohtube.blogspot.com

Beodren

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Re: Idea about putting pressure.
« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2012, 10:00:37 PM »
@Samuraiko
I believe that the heaviest channels do not have approve comments option. Why? Because they wouldn't keep up, and flamewars are hype afterall, not to mention than on heavily active videos of official channel there are hundreds of comments pouring. I think single comments would be able to go through with proper coordiantion and marking system.
I certainly agree that our posts would have to be mentioning concern about the game, inteligent, not just lashing out. (I believe I mentioned it at least twice)
I know comment bombing is low blow, but it is also a blow we could score on them with low costs, resources, and achieve our target: PR problem. We may have to take what we get. And there is noble goal in it, we, would it come to that, would warn people about NCSoft.

Another advise of mine:
RetakeME movement, had a few PR hell specialists. Would one of our official ,,bosses" hunt one or two of them, we would get really useful expertise, not to mention sympathy. Only problem lies in fact, that few of their actions were controversial (which actually benefited whole group, as it kept interest in the topic high for a while.)