City of Heroes
News, coverage and analysis tracking City of Heroes across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Massively OP Podcast Episode 577: Stars Reach’s next generation trek
The Massively OP Podcast episode 577 covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, the upcoming MapleStory Classic World, a preview of Stormforge, playable Kodan in Guild Wars 3, and Palia's fall roadmap. The hosts also touch on Daybreak Game Company's financials and other meta site topics.
MMO Week in Review: Way too early access
This week's MMO news covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, which some consider premature. Other highlights include a look at Guild Wars 3's Kodan, Daybreak's acquisition of Cold Iron Studios, new content for EverQuest Legends, and an analysis of the survival game Stormforge. The article also touches on various other MMO updates, rumors, and industry discussions.
WRUP: This is where the fish lives edition
The Massively OP staff and community share their weekend gaming plans. Brianna Royce will check out Stars Reach and City of Heroes, Chris Neal is playing Palworld, Eliot Lefebvre anticipates updates for Final Fantasy XIV and Warframe, Sam Kash plans to play Guild Wars Reforged and Gloria Victis, and Tyler Edwards is catching up in World of Warcraft. Pierre is returning to Final Fantasy XIV and replaying A Plague Tale: Innocence in anticipation of A Plague Tale: Requiem.
Betawatch: Stars Reach hits early access stumbles and Guild Wars 3 outlines its Kodan details
This week's Betawatch covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, with developer Raph Koster apologizing for initial issues. Guild Wars 3 has also detailed its playable Kodan, while City of Heroes and Stormforge have received updates. The roundup includes news on numerous other MMOs in various testing phases, including Aero Tales Online, Elder Scrolls Online, and Aloft.
City of Heroes Homecoming is finally testing i28p4 with two new powersets: Light Affinity and Sonic Aura
City of Heroes Homecoming has released patch i28p4 to open beta, introducing two new powersets: Light Affinity and Sonic Aura. The update also includes a revamp of the Citadel TF, a new PvPvE arena mode called Onslaught, a new villain arc, and numerous gameplay fixes and balance adjustments.
Perfect Ten: The 10 MMORPG expansions from 2004
2004 was a pivotal year for the MMORPG industry, marked by numerous significant expansions for established titles. This list highlights ten key expansions, including EverQuest: Gates of Discord and Omens of War, Dark Age of Camelot: New Frontiers and Catacombs, Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia, Anarchy Online: Alien Invasion, Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed, Meridian 59: Evolution, and Ultima Online: Samurai Empire. These expansions introduced new content, classes, features, and gameplay mechanics that shaped the genre.
Massively Overthinking: What year of MMOs would you pick to repeat forever?
The Massively OP staff discusses which year in MMORPG history they would choose to relive forever. Contributors like Brianna Royce, Carlo Lacsina, Chris Neal, Sam Kash, and Tyler Edwards share their picks, ranging from the early days of Ultima Online and EverQuest to the peak of World of Warcraft and the launch of Guild Wars 2.
Vague Patch Notes: The challenge of staying in an MMO
This opinion piece discusses the challenges of consistently creating content for a single Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game over extended periods, using Final Fantasy XIV as a primary example. The author reflects on the personal toll and potential burnout associated with long-term game coverage, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks and pursuing other interests to maintain passion and content quality.
The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG studio’s reputation has changed most dramatically over time?
This article discusses how the reputations of MMORPG studios like NCsoft and Blizzard Entertainment have changed dramatically over time. It highlights how studios can recover from past missteps through actions like reviving games or developing successful franchises, while others squander initial goodwill.
WRUP: Under no circumstances can Kenneth be allowed to have a second magic hat edition
The Massively OP staff and community share their weekend gaming plans, with titles like Lord of the Rings Online, The Division 2, Final Fantasy XIV, and ZeroSpace being mentioned. The discussion also touches on favorite puddings and general gaming interests.
Massively Overthinking: Are there any MMORPGs or MMO features that are good kinda by accident?
This article discusses MMORPGs and their features that became popular or fun by accident, often in ways unintended by developers. Examples include "alting" and the architect system in City of Heroes, content trains in Guild Wars 2, and the unintended consequences of Grand Theft Auto Online's content creator. World of Warcraft and Fortnite are also cited for features that evolved beyond their original design intent.
The Daily Grind: Does your MMO have a rivalry with another game?
This article discusses the phenomenon of rivalries between Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs), using examples like Destiny 2 and Marathon, and the long-standing perceived competition between World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, and Final Fantasy XIV. It questions the legitimacy and origins of these rivalries, encouraging readers to share their own experiences.
The Daily Grind: Which MMO ‘feelies’ have you kept over the years?
This article discusses the nostalgic practice of 'feelies'—physical extras included in game boxes like maps, figurines, and soundtrack CDs—particularly within the MMORPG genre. It highlights examples from games such as RIFT, City of Heroes, The Lord of the Rings Online, and Guild Wars 2, and asks readers about any such items they still possess.
The ESA quietly starts walking back baffling statements about private servers being 'illegal', though it's still tutting and wagging its finger
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has softened its stance on private game servers, clarifying that concerns primarily relate to those that host or distribute copyrighted content without authorization. While still asserting publishers' rights to enforce intellectual property, the ESA's updated statement acknowledges that private servers are not inherently illegal and that publishers may approach them differently. This follows earlier, more condemnatory statements made by the ESA regarding private servers for games like Minecraft.
Vague Patch Notes: Who owns the eras of an MMO?
This analysis explores the concept of ownership in MMORPGs, questioning who truly owns specific eras or versions of a game that evolves over time. It argues that while players form strong attachments, the ultimate ownership and decision-making power rests with the development studio, such as Blizzard Entertainment for World of Warcraft. The article suggests that accepting this reality and engaging with the current version of a game is more productive than dwelling on past iterations.
City of Heroes Homecoming delivers a smol balance patch as players continue to await i28p4
City of Heroes Homecoming has released a minor balance patch that adjusts various powersets including Fiery Aura, Willpower, and Psionic Armor. This update comes as players await larger content updates, with Issue 28 Page 4 anticipated for late spring and Issue 28 Page 5 for fall.
The Daily Grind: Have you ever designed an MMO quest?
This article discusses the concept of player-designed quests in MMORPGs, referencing older titles like Star Wars Galaxies and City of Heroes that featured systems allowing players to create content. It also touches upon how players in games like Ultima Online and EverQuest would manually create quests using in-game resources and guildmates.
A new MMO announcement is more exciting than all the other SGF news combined
The announcement of Guild Wars 3 has generated significant excitement, overshadowing other gaming news. The author expresses a deep love for MMORPGs, particularly the Guild Wars series, and anticipates Guild Wars 3 will offer a fresh experience with its new setting and mechanics. The article also touches on the decline of new MMORPG releases and the unique shared discovery that defines the genre.
Massively Overthinking: What’s the next best thing to your favorite MMORPG?
The Massively OP staff discusses where players might migrate if their favorite MMORPGs were to shut down. Contributors share personal experiences of losing beloved games like City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, and explore whether direct replacements are sought or if players move to different genres entirely. The consensus leans towards players finding games with familiar elements rather than exact replicas, or embracing a more transient gaming experience.
City of Heroes players are testing a new browser-based, mobile-friendly build tool called CoH Sidekick
A new browser-based, mobile-friendly build tool called CoH Sidekick is being tested by City of Heroes players. This tool aims to be more accessible than the previous Mids Reborn tool, offering easier installation and broader server support. While still in active beta development, it allows players to build and import characters, though Mids file import is noted as a long-term work in progress.