City of Heroes for College Credit

[Charon]

Originally Posted by sadronmeldir

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Charon

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]

Originally Posted by Scarf_Girl

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.

Originally Posted by Graphite

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]

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.

[Noble]

Originally Posted by Charon

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]

Originally Posted by sadronmeldir

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]

Originally Posted by Noble

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.

*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.

[Noble]

Originally Posted by The Widowed

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.

Wid's is like Noble-lite.

[The Widowed]

Originally Posted by Noble

Wid's is like Noble-lite.

...with a hundred times the flair and pizzazz.