City of Heroes for College Credit [Archive] - City of Heroes Forums

sadronmeldir

01-19-2007, 06:32 AM

I'm a student at WPI and I'm taking a class titled "Social Issues in Interactive Media and Games". For our final project, we have to find a social issue within the realm of a particular multiplayer game and write a paper on it.

Some Examples Are:
1) The tension between kill-on-sight guilds and "honorable" pvp guild in Asheron's Call
2) The society of gold farmers on WoW.

I was going to use Guild Wars, but the game is so limited socially because everything is instance-based.

...So moving on to my actual question: would CoH be a good game for this kind of project. Is there any social issues in CoH that might be particularly noteworthy or specific t this game, such as the relatively high number of role players?

Any ideas would be helpful. I have an old account for CoH, but before I renew I need to know if I have a working thesis to work off of. Since all of you know CoH much better than I, do you have any thoughts of topic suggestions?

THANKS!

Pinny

01-19-2007, 06:41 AM

"hardcore" PvPers vs. "Carebares" (non PvPers) might be good.

Or maybe the number of RPers on Virtue vs. the number of RPers on say freedom

sadronmeldir

01-19-2007, 06:50 AM

Is there a big difference in RPer's? Is one the unofficial RP server?... It sounds like a possible lead... any other ideas?

Pinny

01-19-2007, 07:23 AM

Yep, Virtue is CoX's unoffical RP server

Gaia

01-19-2007, 07:39 AM

Even the hardcore RP'ers that live in Pocket D and Atlas all day long vs regular gamers/casual RP types out to experience the entire content of the game would be an interesting contrast. I know the hardcore RP group is very cliquish and distane the casual guilds invading their "turf" for RP nights or themed nights.

Charon

01-19-2007, 09:31 AM

You could actually do something based around cliques, as there are a lot of them in CoH/V, and they all end up clawing for attention over one another. This game seems to attract a lot of people who want to make something of an internet celebrity of themselves.

Ironically (and unfortunately) however, if you try and research this topic you'll likely get no where or you'll get flamed... No one likes to admit to clique-ish or elitist behaviour.

thebluecanary

01-19-2007, 02:25 PM

Just talk to Grae Knight. He knows everyone.

Grae Knight

01-19-2007, 02:30 PM

Just talk to Grae Knight. He knows everyone.

Sorry, not doing interviews this week. Leave your name and address with my secretary and she will mail you an autograph picture.

sadronmeldir

01-19-2007, 02:51 PM

Grae Knight

01-19-2007, 02:55 PM

Haha! I'm already liking this forum...

So far it sounds like my best bet for an interesting paper would be to join a RP server and for all essential purposes stay completely in character for a few weeks... make acquaintances and friends, possible join an RP supergroup... then one day stop being an RP'er and see what happens.

That's just the first idea that comes to mind given what you guys have told me. It probably needs a lot of tweaking. What do you think?

Got one better..make a female character, tell everyone you are female in RL, interact with male character/players as such to the point of being intimate and then later reveal you were actually a guy! :lol:

Charon

01-19-2007, 02:57 PM

Haha! I'm already liking this forum...

So far it sounds like my best bet for an interesting paper would be to join a RP server and for all essential purposes stay completely in character for a few weeks... make acquaintances and friends, possible join an RP supergroup... then one day stop being an RP'er and see what happens.

That's just the first idea that comes to mind given what you guys have told me. It probably needs a lot of tweaking. What do you think?
Sounds like it could work, especially if you manage to get yourself in with the 'in' crowd. However... the 'in' crowd is going to be hard to penetrate, in such a small amount of time.

Graphite

01-19-2007, 03:22 PM

You could likely do a serious study into Altitus and how it effects the socail structure of this game. Unlike most MMOs where players have one "main" they constantly play/ level up/ equip, CoX actively encourages people to have as many characters as they want. Multiple costumes, the SK system, weak economics and a the quick combat system encourage more than just creativity as a source of interest but also a source to keep playing the game over and over again in a casual gamer friendly environment. This provides the games "hook" to keep them playing and thus a steady source of income. I myself have 5 mains which is considered a low number. The character generator itself is almost a game unto its own with near infinite possiblities of looks and story possiblities. The "end game" reward of unlocking a new player class also serves this replay concept which by my knowledge is unique to Coh.

Of course, there is also the classic debates such as RPer vs PvPer and Hardcore vs Casual Player. Also the frustration created by a lack of content due to a small development staff. Avatar sellection, such as being a female, and how the reflects the attitudes/wants/interests of the players might be good too. Bases also serve as a large social enviornment which is linked to guild raids, rp environments, the salvage system, custimization like the sims or just a place to hang out. Heck, with the emerging Vet Rewards system, where players recieve benefits and symbols of status simply by having a long lasting open account, could create a unique social environment too. I think there could be lots of stuff to work from and what you have already seems like a good one.

Have fun with it and there are many people here to help.

:)

Scarf_Girl

01-19-2007, 03:28 PM

Sounds like it could work, especially if you manage to get yourself in with the 'in' crowd. However... the 'in' crowd is going to be hard to penetrate, in such a small amount of time.

Not really :) some of the in crowd are attention who...er I mean very sociable people ...like me :) Merely posting on the Main Virtue Forums that you are looking for a large active SG that emphasizes RP that you would like to join and study for a paper you are writing would likely garner intrest from a numper of attention who... errr Sociable net working individuals whom prefer the company of a few close knit friends :)

sadronmeldir

01-19-2007, 06:07 PM

Merely posting on the Main Virtue Forums that you are looking for a large active SG that emphasizes RP that you would like to join and study for a paper you are writing would likely garner intrest from a numper of attention who... errr Sociable net working individuals whom prefer the company of a few close knit friends :)

Haha! Good to know! That'll make things easier. :lol:

Unlike most MMOs where players have one "main" they constantly play/ level up/ equip, CoX actively encourages people to have as many characters as they want. Multiple costumes, the SK system, weak economics and a the quick combat system encourage more than just creativity as a source of interest but also a source to keep playing the game over and over again in a casual gamer friendly environment.

Hmm very good points. I know I made character after character because there were so many choices!

Well, you guys have sold me on the fact that CoH definitely has enough avenues to explore for this type of project. Still, it'll take me a few days to before I pick which topic I'm going to study, so please keep any thoughts or ideas you have rolling! All of you are being a tremendous help!

Jade_Dragon

01-19-2007, 07:00 PM

I second the altitis idea, as it's very unique to CoH. Cliques and conflicts between different types of gamers are fairly common to all MMOs, although of course CoH puts its own slant on it. But all are good ideas. :D

Noble

01-19-2007, 09:52 PM

Sounds like it could work, especially if you manage to get yourself in with the 'in' crowd. However... the 'in' crowd is going to be hard to penetrate, in such a small amount of time.

I don't know, Xan likes penetration. Like, really DEEP penetration. So if you look him up I'm sure he will help you out with getting into the "in" crowd. ;)

iggy880

01-20-2007, 01:14 AM

Is there a big difference in RPer's? Is one the unofficial RP server?... It sounds like a possible lead... any other ideas?

Yes, there is no official PvP server, and Virtue is one of the most populated servers, and is literally an RPers safe haven and the unofficial home. I personally do not RP, but I do semi-RP, such as trying to chat as my character would, rather then a gamer, at least when teaming with RPers(which could be a good angle as well, the interaction between the two groups ;) )

The Widowed

01-20-2007, 01:54 AM

I don't know, Xan likes penetration. Like, really DEEP penetration. So if you look him up I'm sure he will help you out with getting into the "in" crowd. ;)
By the way, Sadronwhatever, this walking psychological enema is Noble. He embarasses us quite frequently and I'm sure that the Dubya only got elected into a second term because of something Noble said. Don't bother praising him or saying nice things to him; Whatever you say, he'll find a way to turn it 180 and masterfully craft it into a Force 10 verbal depressant somehow. :P

*stuffs Noble into a crate and nails it shut* >:]

Me? I'm snide, mean-spirited and derogatory, I use a lot of emoticons, I secretly hate everybody and I am perpetually plotting the downfall of humanity so that a new global rain forest can grow from our mouldering corpses. But I can cook a killer honey-glazed salmon, and for that alone you should love me to the core of my being. Welcome to the forums. :cool:

Noble

01-20-2007, 02:39 AM

Me? I'm snide, mean-spirited and derogatory, I use a lot of emoticons, I secretly hate everybody and I am perpetually plotting the downfall of humanity so that a new global rain forest can grow from our mouldering corpses. But I can cook a killer honey-glazed salmon, and for that alone you should love me to the core of my being. Welcome to the forums. :cool:

Wid's is like Noble-lite.

The Widowed

01-20-2007, 03:35 AM

Wid's is like Noble-lite.
...with a hundred times the flair and pizzazz. :P

Scarf_Girl

01-20-2007, 04:53 AM

hmmm since we are introducing ourselves , im the nice , relatively clueless noob :)

The Widowed

01-20-2007, 04:54 AM

Nooblet. :D

sadronmeldir

01-20-2007, 05:27 AM

HAHA! Thanks for the warning!

Scarf_Girl... 735 posts is a noob?! I've got a long way to go...

Quakester

01-20-2007, 05:28 AM

HAHA! Thanks for the warning!

Scarf_Girl... 735 posts is a noob?! I've got a long way to go...

She is a nooblet. big distinction :P

Scarf_Girl

01-20-2007, 05:48 AM

HAHA! Thanks for the warning!

Scarf_Girl... 735 posts is a noob?! I've got a long way to go...

I have alot of freetime at work :) on the main forum in nearing 6000 posts .
and I belong to a few different art forums , but here on this particular forum im a relative newcomer .

High post counts just mean you like the sound of your own voice or reading your own text and definitely dosn't mean your knowledgeable .

Heather

01-20-2007, 05:48 AM

WPI? *waves from MIT*

So you get to write a paper on MMO social infrastructure? Boy did I pick the wrong profession. Wait isn't WPI an engineering school?

sadronmeldir

01-20-2007, 05:58 AM

WPI? *waves from MIT*

So you get to write a paper on MMO social infrastructure? Boy did I pick the wrong profession. Wait isn't WPI an engineering school?

Largely yes... but they've recently opened up a Game Development department... I'm doubling in that and CS.

Most of the time the classes are more serious, but this one involves social issues in games... kind of a fluff course but still interesting.

The Widowed

01-20-2007, 06:12 AM

High post counts just mean you like the sound of your own voice or reading your own text and definitely dosn't mean your knowledgeable .
In my case, however, I get the best of both worlds: Narcissism AND intellect, all in one nooblet-loving package. :P

iggy880

01-20-2007, 07:01 AM

I have alot of freetime at work :) on the main forum in nearing 6000 posts .
and I belong to a few different art forums , but here on this particular forum im a relative newcomer .

High post counts just mean you like the sound of your own voice or reading your own text and definitely dosn't mean your knowledgeable .

But we wuv her, and she's our nooblet, all ours <3 :neener:

Charon

01-20-2007, 10:04 AM

<3
Don't EVER do that again.

Gaia

01-20-2007, 07:29 PM

You mean this <3 :P

You see I'm the button pusher around here. :D Actually one of the original board members. I've moved with this bunch from the very old pre-beta boards to one other place and landed here to cause fear, destruction and :chaos: Also a massive altaholic. (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v123/kid_atomic/City%20of%20Heroes%20Stuff/) I think I was at 60 last count. I have too many ideas (http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/kid_atomic2/Ideas/?start=0) that I have to let loose on. This game fuels the imagination and this community is great to be in. Though I don't go to the main boards. I view them as a bunch of sharks waiting for blood in the water to set them off.

sadronmeldir

01-20-2007, 10:12 PM

TheImperial

01-20-2007, 11:13 PM

60 ALTS?! Wow... i only made 20 when I played before... you've got me beat. But I agree with everything you said.

Wait... sharks in the water? I'm just about to post there (at Scarf_Girl's suggestion) to find a RP guild... hmmm...

As another one of the very original pre-beta board members of our humble community (but one who stuck with a single character and still hasn't hit 50!), let me tell you that you can find a number of good RP supergroups (not guilds in this game. ;) ) here around Guru.

The Widowed

01-20-2007, 11:34 PM

Also a massive altaholic. (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v123/kid_atomic/City%20of%20Heroes%20Stuff/) I think I was at 60 last count.
Now, Gaia, what are their names? :D

Gaia

01-21-2007, 12:07 AM

Now, Gaia, what are their names? :D
Do you really want to know. . . :D The list is huge and I tend to have a mind like a steel trap (The Evil of owning two accounts!)

Hmmm. . .And The Imperial lives near me. :think: I shall infect him soon enough with altism. Muh hahahaha! After all I got to Starcrosser, Nyx, Princess Bree and Bari Jon (three accounts between them), Sword-Wraith/Pendragon (he just bought account number two the other day. . .), Volcanic Storm, Kinetix, Razoras, Glavitar, Swift-Winds and the list of real life players I know around here goes on :D Winged Avenger you're next :lol:

Darn now I need to plan another dinner party. Haven't had one since last June.

Jade_Dragon

01-21-2007, 12:35 AM

I have 33 alts, if you don't count duplicates of the same character, or those below level 6. 37 if you count the female versions of the Crime Fighters as different characters. 40 if you count all the different incarnations of Joe Everyman. 29 if you DON'T count villain versions of heroes, or different power sets, as different.

Not a single one of them is above level 33. :D And I've been playing since beta. 7 of my heroes are above level 20, though, and 4 of my villains.

Stalking Shadow

01-21-2007, 12:43 AM

This might become something of a refrain, but...

Get out while you still can.

sadronmeldir

01-21-2007, 12:48 AM

This might become something of a refrain, but...

Get out while you still can.

HAHA! I admit I'm getting this growing fear that after a few months of doing my best to fit into a RP guild that I'll just stop responding to my real name altogether.

Then again, if the alias is kool enough, that might not be a bad thing...

TheImperial

01-21-2007, 12:54 AM

Do you really want to know. . . :D The list is huge and I tend to have a mind like a steel trap (The Evil of owning two accounts!)

Hmmm. . .And The Imperial lives near me. :think: I shall infect him soon enough with altism. Muh hahahaha! After all I got to Starcrosser, Nyx, Princess Bree and Bari Jon (three accounts between them), Sword-Wraith/Pendragon (he just bought account number two the other day. . .), Volcanic Storm, Kinetix, Razoras, Glavitar, Swift-Winds and the list of real life players I know around here goes on :D Winged Avenger you're next :lol:

Darn now I need to plan another dinner party. Haven't had one since last June.

Whoo Portland Party!

PP

Scarf_Girl

01-21-2007, 01:22 AM

As another one of the very original pre-beta board members of our humble community (but one who stuck with a single character and still hasn't hit 50!), let me tell you that you can find a number of good RP supergroups (not guilds in this game. ;) ) here around Guru.

Well he's looking to jump right into the thick of things and most papers read better with more drama and controversey :) which he is likely to see in spades via the Virtue Forums

iggy880

01-21-2007, 01:57 AM

Don't EVER do that again.

I was just wondering if anyone would actually notice, so much stuff gets passed over in big threads

Scarf_Girl

01-21-2007, 02:02 AM

err is that a good thing that im not sure whats going on ?

sadronmeldir

01-21-2007, 02:04 AM

Well he's looking to jump right into the thick of things and most papers read better with more drama and controversey :) which he is likely to see in spades via the Virtue Forums

Yeah... plus you all know I'm writing a paper. I want to play the RP straight for a couple of weeks, without people knowing I'm "working". Then maybe I'll mix things up a bit by stepping out of character's persona and see what transpires (ie do I get kicked from the SG, ect.)...

So yes, I need drama and controversey a plenty. :D

Charon

01-21-2007, 02:25 PM

Yeah... plus you all know I'm writing a paper. I want to play the RP straight for a couple of weeks, without people knowing I'm "working". Then maybe I'll mix things up a bit by stepping out of character's persona and see what transpires (ie do I get kicked from the SG, ect.)...

So yes, I need drama and controversey a plenty. :D
You want drama and controversy?

Next time a big RP event goes down in the Pocket D, crash it and cause mayhem.

Of course, you could just join the Circle of Jerks and they'll do it for you.