City of Heroes
City of Heroes business and news from across the web.
Loving MMOs in 2026 is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving onThe current state of MMORPGs in 2026 is frustrating due to a lack of new titles and constant changes to existing ones, leaving players reliant on older games. This situation is attributed to the conflict between the long development cycles of MMOs and the short-term profit demands of shareholders, leading to cancellations and instability within the genre.- The Daily Grind: Is gliding more fun than flying in MMORPGs?This article discusses the evolution and enjoyment of gliding mechanics in MMORPGs, comparing it to traditional flying. While initially underwhelmed by Guild Wars 2's gliding, the author now appreciates its contribution to player freedom without trivializing world traversal, noting its prevalence in recent survival sandboxes like Aloft, Palia, Nightingale, and Farever.
- Massively Overthinking: Should MMOs reward players for content they were gonna do anyway?This article discusses the potential negative impacts of over-gamification in MMORPGs, where rewards for basic activities like logging in or completing daily quests can diminish intrinsic motivation. Several writers share experiences of feeling obligated to play rather than enjoying the game, leading to burnout and a loss of interest. The discussion explores whether these systems benefit players or studios in the long term.
- City of Heroes Rebirth devs release a new launcher to support the community’s rogue serversThe City of Heroes Rebirth team has released a new launcher to support unlicensed rogue servers for the MMORPG. This 'City of Heroes Multiverse Launcher' acts as a shared entry point, allowing individual servers to customize their appearance and provide players with a unified way to download the game and updates. The launcher consolidates several small servers under the Homecoming banner, offering a convenient alternative for players.
- Perfect Ten: MMORPGs that indulge in character multiclassing and subclassingThis article lists ten MMORPGs that feature multiclassing or subclassing systems, allowing players to combine different classes for unique character builds. Games like City of Heroes, Dungeons and Dragons Online, and Elder Scrolls Online are highlighted for their robust or mandatory multiclassing mechanics.
- City of Heroes celebrates its 22nd birthday with an anniversary event and new badgeCity of Heroes is celebrating its 22nd anniversary with an in-game event and a new 'Exuberant' badge available until May 31st. The Homecoming servers are hosting the event, which includes dropping anniversary time capsules. NCSoft licensed the Homecoming rogue server community in 2024, a significant positive development for the game's history.
- City of Heroes Homecoming has begun promoting fan-favorite mission architect arcsThe Homecoming team for City of Heroes is promoting fan-created missions within the Mission Architect system by flagging them as 'dev's choice' arcs. This initiative aims to highlight quality player-crafted content and support its designers, a practice reminiscent of the original Paragon Studios' approach. Players can find recommendations for these story-driven missions on the Homecoming AE forum.
- Perfect Ten: Old MMORPGs we used to talk about all the time but aren’t mentioned todayThis article discusses ten MMORPGs that were once highly anticipated and frequently discussed but have since faded into obscurity. Games like Tabula Rasa, RIFT, Mythos, The Secret World, and Marvel Heroes are highlighted, with reasons for their decline ranging from studio closures and mismanagement to shifting player interest and lack of sustained development.
- The Daily Grind: Which MMO sound effect drives you absolutely nuts?This article discusses irritating sound effects in MMORPGs, using City of Heroes' force field whine as a prime example. It poses a question to players about which specific sound effects in massively multiplayer online roleplaying games drive them the most nuts and why.
- The Daily Grind: Which MMO has the best implementation of your least favorite MMO feature?This article discusses how well-implemented game mechanics in MMORPGs can convert players who initially dislike them. Examples include fishing in World of Warcraft, gankboxes in Star Wars Galaxies, underwater combat in Guild Wars 2, and auction houses in City of Heroes.
- MMO Week in Review: EverQuest celebrates 27 years and a lawsuit settlement in its favorEverQuest celebrated its 27th anniversary with a lawsuit settlement that favors Daybreak Game Company, keeping emulators offline. This week also saw layoffs at Amazon for Lost Ark developers, Facebook scaling back VR metaverse ambitions, and discussions around various MMORPG updates and industry trends.
- One Shots: Danger just out of focusThis week's community screenshots feature players from Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, Marvel Heroes, Skate, and City of Heroes. The images highlight in-game events, character designs, and humorous situations encountered by players in their MMO adventures.
- Into the Super-verse: Why is City of Heroes still the superhero MMORPG standard bearer?City of Heroes remains the benchmark for superhero MMORPGs despite its shutdown, outperforming newer titles like Ship of Heroes and City of Titans. The article argues its enduring appeal stems not from perfect mechanics or balance, but from its embrace of the inherent absurdity and wild creativity found in superhero fiction, allowing players to engage in fun, nonsensical scenarios.
How A Failed Multiplayer Game Just Set The Standard For All Live-Service GamesDespite FBC: Firebreak underperforming commercially, Remedy is keeping the multiplayer game online indefinitely with a final update and a friend pass system. This approach sets a new standard for live-service games, contrasting with the common practice of delisting and shutting down servers for underperforming titles. The article highlights this as a positive development for game preservation and player access in the industry.
Ultima's Robert Garriott was worried about there being too many PC games on the market… 37 years agoIn 1989, Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concern about market saturation in PC gaming, noting consumer confusion and the need for higher quality products. He emphasized developing games with depth and graphics that couldn't be replicated on consoles, a sentiment still relevant today.- Massively Overthinking: The nine games portrait of youThis article features Massively OP staff members sharing their personal lists of nine core video games that have shaped them. Contributors discuss foundational titles, franchise representations, and personal favorites across various genres, including MMOs, JRPGs, and action RPGs, reflecting on their impact on their gaming identities and creative work.
- Massively Overthinking: What’s the most important takeaway from the last MMORPG you quit?The Massively OP staff discusses their experiences quitting MMORPGs, exploring reasons ranging from developer decisions and corporate agendas to limited time and a loss of personal connection. Key takeaways often involve understanding what makes a game truly engaging beyond its mechanics, with many highlighting the importance of community and shared experiences over gameplay alone.
- Storyboard: The challenges of breaking into a calcified MMORPG roleplaying communityThis opinion piece discusses the challenges of integrating into established MMORPG roleplaying communities. While existing members are often welcoming, the depth of pre-existing character dynamics and storylines can make it difficult for newcomers to find a meaningful place. The author suggests that new players can act as bridges between isolated groups, fostering new connections and stories within the community.
- Vague Patch Notes: When the MMORPG is failingThe author reflects on the feeling of dread and disillusionment experienced when playing MMORPGs that are perceived to be failing or lacking direction, citing examples like WildStar, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Champions Online. This analysis explores the psychological impact of "vague patch notes" and the collapse of future potential in the genre, even when games transition to free-to-play models.
- The Daily Grind: Do you aura farm in MMORPGs?This article discusses the concept of 'aura farming,' a slang term for effortlessly building charisma or 'rizz' within MMORPGs. It draws parallels to activities like 'banksitting' in Ultima Online and the social hubs in City of Heroes, where players gather to be seen and express themselves.