As City of Heroes celebrates its third birthday, Community Relations Manager Lighthouse takes a moment to bring us the thoughts of the Cryptic development team about where the game has been, where it is now, and where it’s going next…

Three years. For some on the Development Team, the game has changed so much in that time that City of Heroes now bears only a slight resemblance to its original form. In just the past 12 months we’ve published three major updates in the form of Issues #7, #8, and now #9, which is coming very soon. Issue #7 and #8 added loads of new content for players to chew through, and now Issue #9: Breakthrough will bring a completely new spin to things with the introduction of the Invention System.

Of course, new players get to see the fruits of years of hard work right away. They’ll experience a game with Inventions, Consignment Markets, the Rogue Isles, Supergroup Bases, Mayhem/Safeguard missions, Striga, Croatoa, Arenas, Badges, and everything added to the game since launch. Those of you who have been with us through these last three years can rest assured that we certainly aren’t done yet, and look forward to the rich promise the future holds!

But let’s not forget the present. Issue #9: Breakthrough is probably the biggest ‘change’ made to the game yet!  We think it’s a dramatic change for the better. Adding in the Invention system was a daunting task.  It needed to be a system that integrated smoothly into a three year old game and appealed to our current players as well as newcomers.  Based on your feedback, it sure feels like a success on both counts. The Invention system makes characters stronger, more diverse, and adds a whole new level of excitement to the game. We’ve had many players urging us to put out Issue #9 onto the live servers, bugs and all, because the game they were playing on the Training Room was more fun and engaging than the current live version. Higher compliments could not be made.

What’s old is new again, and that’s exactly what the team wanted the Invention System to do. Defeating your foes never felt as satisfying as when you get a great Recipe off them, something you need for your character or something that you can sell for big Influence on the Consignment Market.

Statesman’s Task Force is also a great addition, as it allows a lot of things that players had asked for, like Heroes getting a Mayhem-style mission. In addition, it nicely wraps up some storylines from City of Villains, like learning the true purpose of the big web-array in Grandville. And who doesn’t love getting to throw down with the elite of Arachnos?  Great fun!

When we turn our eyes to the future, we see some pretty awesome stuff coming together.  New costumes, new temp powers and new inventions.  A villain group returns with a dramatic change that will shake the very foundation of Paragon City and the Rogue Isles.  An old friend returns as an enemy. Enemies will become friends.  Issue #10 and beyond are really shaping up nicely!

But most of all we want to thank you, the community, the players and our customers. Without you there would be no City of Heroes or City of Villains. Your comments, support and testing have made Issue #9 one of the best yet!  Everyone here at the Development Team wants very much to deliver more of what you all want out of City of Heroes and Villains in the next year, and beyond.

Lighthouse
On behalf of the City of Heroes and Villains Development Team