State of the Game – 03/16/2010

Chronomancer · 03-16-2010, 02:31 PM

Greetings, Champions!

Let's skip the preamble and get right to the ambling!

You Say You Want a Revelation
We’re about one week from the launch of Revelation and the response on the Public Test Shard has been awesome. The development team spent some time last week playing with the testers and had a great time going through missions and getting your very direct feedback. We’re spending the next few days cleaning up those last issues and putting another coat of polish on Revelation before releasing it on the Live servers. It’s been a real labor of love for us, and like proud (and tired) parents we’re ready to send our progeny out into the world. A HUGE thanks goes out to all our testers for spending so much time on Revelation. You’ve been instrumental in helping us get all the kinks out and we think that this is the best content yet in the game.

What’s Next?
As soon as Revelation is Live we’re going to be working on several fronts simultaneously. Much like the dangerous Stainless Super-Steel Salad Stabber invented by the super-genius Foxbat, here’s our multi-pronged plan of attack:

New Missions
The content team has some pretty cool new tools to play with so while we start stretching our legs with them, it seemed like a great time to work on some more content to spread throughout the game. We know that there are a few areas where content is thin, so we’re thickening the plot, so to speak, with some new missions in specific level bands. As we get these into the testing phase, we’ll let you know what and where they are.

Adventure Packs
These are story-driven, themed mission chains playable by heroes at almost any level. Filled with new content, special rewards, and new perks, the first one in the queue is called Serpent Lantern. Here’s a sneak peek!

The Supreme Serpent has long ruled over VIPER and its Council of Thirty. Envious of the power held by the Supreme Serpent, members of the Thirty have devised many schemes to wrest control of VIPER from him. In order to secure his power, the Supreme Serpent has hatched a plot to recover the ancient lost artifact known as the Serpent Lantern, a mystical device originally used by the Thirty Founders of VIPER to grant themselves immortality. Deep in the jungles of Africa in the ancient Snake Temple of Nama, the Serpent Mages intend to summon the Spirit Serpent residing inside the Lantern to create a new artifact. With the Serpent Lantern recovered, the Supreme Serpent can finally bind the Council of Thirty to an oath of loyalty in exchange for the power of immortality.

Super Power Patch
We’re also hitting it hard on the powers and programming side with our sights set on:
• Supernatural power set revamp
• Melee combat mechanics overhaul
• Passive powers balancing
• Revelation UNITY missions
• Numerous Perk fixes

More Changes on the Horizon
We’ve been doing a lot over the past few weeks to be more involved with the community, change our development processes to better respond to your feedback, and do whatever we can to continue building Champions into the game we all want it to be. We’ve made some mistakes along the way, but I continue to be very proud of the dedication, effort, and love this team puts into the game. Champions Online is a much more solid experience than when we launched, and continues to have a great deal of promise and potential to become better and better in the future. I am grateful for the support and passion this community has for it.

Shannon Posniewski, or Poz on the forums, is taking over as Executive Producer on Champions Online as I move to other design responsibilities within Cryptic Studios. Shannon has been with Cryptic since back in the “City of” days, is Director of Game Programming, and has been serving as our lead programmer since before launch. He is an incredible force for getting things done and is tied into the technology of the game while having an earnest desire to work with the community and take Champions to the next level. He’s constantly on the forums, so rest assured he’s going to see what it is you’re looking for.

I am very proud to have Revelation be the addition to Champions Online that bridges my departure with the game’s new direction. The upcoming weeks and months are going to be an exciting time for us all, and I can’t wait to play what’s next.

See you online, Champions!

Nexus · 03-16-2010, 02:35 PM

Well you have fun on that third project. Say hi to Kat for me.

isometry · 03-16-2010, 02:52 PM

Wow, big news!

Thanks for everything you brought to the game Bill, I really find a lot of similarity between the awesome bone-crunching visceral combat in Champions and that of Diablo 2, ten years ago. The news of your departure is like being slapped in the face and thrown under a bus.

Kidding, of course. I am really excited to see what Poz brings us in the next few months. That must be the coolest promotion there is, from director of programming to executive producer!

Symbea · 03-16-2010, 02:56 PM

Firstly, thank you Bill for your work on this game. I am sorry for some of the criticism you have received, but you have conducted yourself well considering.

We all want this game to be a success and I think you are the same and I wish you the best with your next project. I hope to see you in game every now and then.

I'm looking forward to the adventure pack, I hope we can find out more soon.

Gearz · 03-16-2010, 02:56 PM

coughs* when fixing melee dont nerf it.

GeneralFreedom · 03-16-2010, 02:57 PM

Eeeeeeeee!!!

... I mean, um, that sounds awesome, man. Sounds like good stuff. I am quite excited.

Quite.

blakerefuge · 03-16-2010, 03:05 PM

Thanks for all you've done, Bill. Hopefully poz is up for the challenge!

In regards to the first adventure pack...are we going to Africa? Perhaps a large instance? Hmm...

Livingston · 03-16-2010, 03:48 PM

Ya Poz!!!!

Woohooo!

Poz rocks!

So Poz + Executive Producer = The Power of Awesome! ^_^
(Sweet!)

IronJelly · 03-16-2010, 03:52 PM

Wow. Glad to see that the devs are still enthusiastic about CO. That makes me happy.

And yes, Chronomancer/Bill, we'll miss you. Of course, you have to stop in and play the game once in a while. You're not off the hook with those of us that still want to find you in PvP :P

Mothers_Love · 03-16-2010, 03:52 PM

Best of luck with the new Internal position Bill, Welcome Shannon and....

Quote:

Deep in the jungles of Africa in the ancient Snake Temple of Nama,

Africa ! - Ohhh Yeaaaah !

03-16-2010, 02:31 PM	#1
Chronomancer Cryptic Studios Team Join Date: Nov 2008	State of the Game – 03/16/2010 Greetings, Champions! Let's skip the preamble and get right to the ambling! You Say You Want a Revelation We’re about one week from the launch of Revelation and the response on the Public Test Shard has been awesome. The development team spent some time last week playing with the testers and had a great time going through missions and getting your very direct feedback. We’re spending the next few days cleaning up those last issues and putting another coat of polish on Revelation before releasing it on the Live servers. It’s been a real labor of love for us, and like proud (and tired) parents we’re ready to send our progeny out into the world. A HUGE thanks goes out to all our testers for spending so much time on Revelation. You’ve been instrumental in helping us get all the kinks out and we think that this is the best content yet in the game. What’s Next? As soon as Revelation is Live we’re going to be working on several fronts simultaneously. Much like the dangerous Stainless Super-Steel Salad Stabber invented by the super-genius Foxbat, here’s our multi-pronged plan of attack: New Missions The content team has some pretty cool new tools to play with so while we start stretching our legs with them, it seemed like a great time to work on some more content to spread throughout the game. We know that there are a few areas where content is thin, so we’re thickening the plot, so to speak, with some new missions in specific level bands. As we get these into the testing phase, we’ll let you know what and where they are. Adventure Packs These are story-driven, themed mission chains playable by heroes at almost any level. Filled with new content, special rewards, and new perks, the first one in the queue is called Serpent Lantern. Here’s a sneak peek! The Supreme Serpent has long ruled over VIPER and its Council of Thirty. Envious of the power held by the Supreme Serpent, members of the Thirty have devised many schemes to wrest control of VIPER from him. In order to secure his power, the Supreme Serpent has hatched a plot to recover the ancient lost artifact known as the Serpent Lantern, a mystical device originally used by the Thirty Founders of VIPER to grant themselves immortality. Deep in the jungles of Africa in the ancient Snake Temple of Nama, the Serpent Mages intend to summon the Spirit Serpent residing inside the Lantern to create a new artifact. With the Serpent Lantern recovered, the Supreme Serpent can finally bind the Council of Thirty to an oath of loyalty in exchange for the power of immortality. Super Power Patch We’re also hitting it hard on the powers and programming side with our sights set on: • Supernatural power set revamp • Melee combat mechanics overhaul • Passive powers balancing • Revelation UNITY missions • Numerous Perk fixes More Changes on the Horizon We’ve been doing a lot over the past few weeks to be more involved with the community, change our development processes to better respond to your feedback, and do whatever we can to continue building Champions into the game we all want it to be. We’ve made some mistakes along the way, but I continue to be very proud of the dedication, effort, and love this team puts into the game. Champions Online is a much more solid experience than when we launched, and continues to have a great deal of promise and potential to become better and better in the future. I am grateful for the support and passion this community has for it. Shannon Posniewski, or Poz on the forums, is taking over as Executive Producer on Champions Online as I move to other design responsibilities within Cryptic Studios. Shannon has been with Cryptic since back in the “City of” days, is Director of Game Programming, and has been serving as our lead programmer since before launch. He is an incredible force for getting things done and is tied into the technology of the game while having an earnest desire to work with the community and take Champions to the next level. He’s constantly on the forums, so rest assured he’s going to see what it is you’re looking for. I am very proud to have Revelation be the addition to Champions Online that bridges my departure with the game’s new direction. The upcoming weeks and months are going to be an exciting time for us all, and I can’t wait to play what’s next. See you online, Champions! __________________ Chronomancer Changing Time since 2142

03-16-2010, 02:35 PM	#2
Nexus Vanguard Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, Tn.	Well you have fun on that third project. Say hi to Kat for me. __________________ Having Immersion issues? Click here and talk about them Taking Character Commissions soon *If ya want check out my DA page here* Rate my Champions!

03-16-2010, 02:57 PM	#6
GeneralFreedom Champion Join Date: Aug 2009	Eeeeeeeee!!! ... I mean, um, that sounds awesome, man. Sounds like good stuff. I am quite excited. Quite. __________________ Current State of the Game: http://forums.champions-online.com/s...d.php?t=112754

03-16-2010, 03:05 PM	#7
blakerefuge DevSlayer Join Date: May 2008	Thanks for all you've done, Bill. Hopefully poz is up for the challenge! In regards to the first adventure pack...are we going to Africa? Perhaps a large instance? Hmm... __________________

03-16-2010, 03:48 PM	#8
Livingston Vanguard Join Date: Oct 2008	Ya Poz!!!! Woohooo! Poz rocks! So Poz + Executive Producer = The Power of Awesome! ^_^ (Sweet!) __________________ Click Here To report Tailor and Costume Issues! See post #2 for our current list. Meet the CO Team! Ever wonder who's sitting behind the yellow tag?

03-16-2010, 02:52 PM	#3
isometry Vanguard Join Date: Aug 2009	Wow, big news! Thanks for everything you brought to the game Bill, I really find a lot of similarity between the awesome bone-crunching visceral combat in Champions and that of Diablo 2, ten years ago. The news of your departure is like being slapped in the face and thrown under a bus. Kidding, of course. I am really excited to see what Poz brings us in the next few months. That must be the coolest promotion there is, from director of programming to executive producer!

03-16-2010, 02:56 PM	#4
Symbea Champion Join Date: Aug 2008	Firstly, thank you Bill for your work on this game. I am sorry for some of the criticism you have received, but you have conducted yourself well considering. We all want this game to be a success and I think you are the same and I wish you the best with your next project. I hope to see you in game every now and then. I'm looking forward to the adventure pack, I hope we can find out more soon.

03-16-2010, 02:56 PM	#5
Gearz Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: canada	coughs* when fixing melee dont nerf it.

03-16-2010, 03:52 PM	#9
IronJelly Champion Join Date: Jul 2008	Wow. Glad to see that the devs are still enthusiastic about CO. That makes me happy. And yes, Chronomancer/Bill, we'll miss you. Of course, you have to stop in and play the game once in a while. You're not off the hook with those of us that still want to find you in PvP :P __________________ Fair warning: I'm primarily a Farker. if you see me say strange things, or give particularly snarky comments when they aren't called for, well... too bad. Welcome to the internet. Here's your facehumper.