Exclusive: Champions Online challenges players to take on the Forum Malvanum

enixonbb wrote: »

I do have to admit I actually kinda like that grav chariot. It's got that sorta sci-fantasy look like something from a John Carter of Mars style story or something so mystic type characters can use it without feeling quite so out of place. Not gona fit everyone of course but its a better fit than the totally not Star Wars bikes and tanks are for magic uers.

QFT. This chariot is looking kinda awesome. I hope there's a way to get one (even if it is a basic 5 slot version, or even better, a true travel power) that doesn't involve lock boxes or rather insane Z-store prices.

Grav bikes are cool but not $15-20 cool. At least there or non-lockbox options now so i'm not complaining too loudly.

"We haven't set the final duration, but our usual cycle is a six-week story arc, from the first release to the final mission's release, and the final mission will probably stay around for three weeks after release."

Hooray for permanence >___>

I would love a mission where teams fought progressively tougher enemies in an arena. For instance, three rounds of opponents.


A vehicle-based race does seem reasonable, and also the chariot-style vehicle looks alright.

Awesome idea--allow heroes to use their normal powers from the chariot, instead of vehicle-powers.

I would actually buy a chariot if my sorcerer-heroes could cast spells from them.

I hereby christen the chariot "Dr. Destroyer's Slipper!"

My personal favorite quote:

A lot of players have been asking for new endgame content; can those players look forward to anything in particular during the event?

The content for this story arc is planned to be for just about any level. The Forum Malvanum story arc is about fun and four-color heroics, so we're trying to make it as inclusive as possible.

In other words... wat iz dis "end game content" n wai shuud i kare?

Assuming I read that article right and the "arena battle" is the race this news is HIGHLY disappointing. I can only imagine how awesome the game would be if the Nemesis system got the same kind of attention vehicles have now.

I had hopes of a 5-man group arena survival mode type mission, but it looks like that is not in the cards.

Since we all know you won't expand or fix what's already in game, can we at least move on to the next new shiny and leave vehicles mouldering in their lockboxes after this?

honestresearcher wrote: »

This is stupid....

And stupid is fun

Sorry for that- I have been silent for a loong time on these forums. This development scheme just makes no sense!

rokurocaris wrote: »

Well, so much for "They'll sometimes focus on character improvements, and some on vehicles. Our next arc, which will involve gladiatorial combat, will focus on your character."



Anyway. Old and new Gladiator costume pieces and The Mighty Duratok Gorehowl of the Kro'Taruk making an appearance. Actually include that, and the event will be about 200% better.

Fixed that for you, tiny mammal!

chalupaoffury wrote: »

We have no new content! DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.

We have content, but it's not what I want! DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Pretty much, yeah. No matter what's introduced, somebody will cry DOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!! over it. <shrug>

I've had an epiphany.

I used to be of the mind that eventually they would release content not having to do with vehicles and all I had to do was have some patience and wait for it.

You're probably thinking, "aha! I know what your epiphany is, that you now think there will never be anything new that doesn't revolve around vehicles!"

Sadly, nope.

What I believe now is that no matter what new stuff they come up with like the upcoming auras for example, EVERYTHING will be gated behind lockboxes.

For the record, I loathe lockboxes I will not ever spend a dime or in any way shape or form generate income for PWE via their lockbox system.

Sell me things at face value, I.E. I see X item and it costs Y money. I will never gamble for the chance to get content.

I will continue to wait until we get some substantive non vehicle content to see if this pans out. Until then I will remain lurking. I'm patient.

1. I didnt expect to hear any news about the new event so soon. If they can manage to keep a stady pace throughout the year. I would feel a bit reassured about the state of CO.

2. I dont like vehicles, but i don't dislike them either. This race business sounds like it has potential to be fun, so i may have to at least give it a try. Also the fact that there is currently a thread asking for a "Racing Daily Quest" validates this idea even more.

3. Ive been waiting for some kind of arena mode where you fight tougher and tougher fights until your inevitable death. If they can make this thing so that even top tier FF builds can find a challenge that would be a huge win. Ive been waiting for a mode that challenges some of the tougher min/maxed FF builds.

4. Aren't the Malvanum the guys that enslaved the Roin'esh? if so, i hope that there is some reference or insight to the events in Whiteout.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic.

I also hope that we get to see Mechanon this year.

I hope the race portion is doable with these chariots, vehicles, and perhaps even with our own travel powers - if the race involves various obstacles or targets we have to destroy to get a better score/time, all the better, (I'm assuming the chariots will either be a new vehicle type or that they'll replace the UNTIL hover disc).

I hope there is some sort of endurance trial, (like surviving wave after wave of increasingly tough enemies). If that's the case, I would actually advocate putting in a lockout, (so that support or other players w/ rezzes are more useful), but make is patently clear that you will be locked out if you choose to respawn.

As another person mentioned, please do NOT attach the Nemcon pieces to this event - put them back in there. Instead, add pieces that we couldn't get before, (like the helmet and mace-hand). Perhaps we could get slightly different versions of the Nemcon pieces - namely the same pieces but without the spikes, (and perhaps that sword/spear hand that some of the gladiators had - and yes I know that model was used for the heavy weapon sword too).

I would love to see some previous content referenced and/or included in this event - like perhaps a Roin'esh Commander is one of the Gladiators, or Griz could make an appearance.

gaslocke wrote: »

So if 90% of something *for me* I dislike, You're saying I'm actually supposed to feel good because 10% is something I might like?

There were two events mentioned for the Forum Malvanum. One involved vehicles. That's 50%, not 90%.

Unless, of course, you also dislike the whole gladiatorial-combat thing, in which case there's no reason to suppose you'll like this adventure at all - any more than I enjoyed going to Lemuria, the one time I did go. Doesn't mean it's bad, just not my cuppa, and I'm not going to complain if something gets added to it to make other people happier.

haxavage8 wrote: »

Sorry for that- I have been silent for a loong time on these forums. This development scheme just makes no sense!

It does if you only have a small team of Devs at your disposal. They're doing the best they can withn the resources PWE/Cryptic have alloted them for CO continuing development.

If it's as cool as the Harbinger and doesn't take forever to come out, then I'm cool with it. Maybe a little less "can't be targeted easily" than the Harbinger though? That'd be cool.

I think it's funny that just a few days ago I made a post about a race-style quest... and then this news. It's almost like I secretly own CO and I just like to tease people with foreshadowy posts... xD

Also the whole gladiatorial thing sounds cool... hopefully it involves facing off against a number of unique and interesting opponents who all have really fun mechanigimmicks.

A race could be a fun use for vehicles: or just people with R3 Super speedy powers. As long as that's not the only element of the finale scenario, it's okay with me.

I'll hold judgment for later. So far the event system have not even come close to grabbing me in the same way as APs or CSs, though there's been gradual improvement over time.

honestresearcher wrote: »

This is stupid....

Agreed.

More vehicles that I won't use.
More reused assets.


But you do know what this does remind me of?

That "Rasslor" episode of Dexter's Lab. Where Space Randy Savage summons the greatest heroes of Earth to a Wrestling match to determine the fate of the Earth.

battybattybats wrote: »

I will DEFINATELY buy this grav chariot if it goes into the Z store!

It won't go to the store, but you can bet you'll get a CHANCE for getting one in a lockbox!!

The KEY, that's in the store.

jonsills wrote: »

There were two events mentioned for the Forum Malvanum. One involved vehicles. That's 50%, not 90%.

Unless, of course, you also dislike the whole gladiatorial-combat thing, in which case there's no reason to suppose you'll like this adventure at all - any more than I enjoyed going to Lemuria, the one time I did go. Doesn't mean it's bad, just not my cuppa, and I'm not going to complain if something gets added to it to make other people happier.

Actually, jon....it's the lockboxes that are the 90% he's referring to.

jonsills wrote: »

I didn't know there was a Precognition powerset...

Hardly precog, my good man. A quote from the developer giving the interview makes me think that way.

"aside from the ALMOST MANDATORY NEW LOCKBOX"


See it now?

Additionally, temporary content, while better than no content at all, is just a band aid over a gushing wound.

Happy there's some effort, but it's still needing more attention.

So... do I have this right... more temporary content? When are they going to make something that sticks around? Is their budget so small that they can only afford the room for one story arc that has to be rotated out to make space for another?