Jonathan Northwood

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Jonathan’s addiction to the social aspects of gaming began over thirty years ago, and shows no sign of lessening. He currently self-medicates through judicious use of missions and street sweeping in both the Rogue Isles and Paragon City. When not tied to the keyboard, he can be found writing short stories and novels, enjoying anime, brushing up on his cooking skills, or looking for the Next Big Game™.

Articles by Jonathan Northwood

Guild Wars Wintersday contest winners announced
Wintersday approaches, can you all see the signs?The grentches and snowmen will all soon align.For a battle in the end is what we all face;To decide the wintry fate of the whole human race. So began NCsoft's notice of the Guild Wars Wintersday 2007 event. The event itself begins on Friday, 21 December, and runs for 12 days. Holiday NPCs will be all around Kamadan, Lion's Arch, Droknar's Forge and Ascalon City, spreading holiday joy. Some holiday joy came early for Nian, however, as the creator of the winning entry in the Wintersday 2007 contest with Desmina's Ice Crown. The rules of the contest were that players submit an original new hat design with both a Grenth and a Wintersday theme, and the best of the best would be chosen, with the winning design being the reward for the showdown between Grenth, Lord of Death and Ice, and Dwayna, Goddess of Air and Life. Congratulations, Nian, and here's hoping to see all of you in-game on January 1st.
CoX Winter Event timing announced
As previously noted, NCsoft is bringing the Winter Event back to Paragon City and the Rogue Isles. While it's been running -- off and on -- on the Test server for a while, the official start and end times are now known. According to Community Relations Manager Lighthouse, the Winter Event will start on December 17th and end the first week in January. More details will be forthcoming in the official forums, but it's time to start gearing up for next Monday. Good luck on the slopes, y'all, and don't forget to help out Father Time ... I hear he likes that.
CoX PvP ladder results announced
Want a custom forum title for your Supergroup? Well, then, fight for it! VORI from Champion server currently holds the top seat in both SG and VG challenges, and has been granted the title #1 PvP VG Team. But don't despair: if your group can knock them out of the standings, you take the top honor, and they roll into the PvPEC Hall of Fame. Just make sure that you read -- and follow -- the rules necessary to compete, and good luck. Who knows, you may see your group's name on the CoH/CoV official threads, and here at Massively, next month!
Latest patch for CoX now live
At 9 a.m. Eastern Time, NCsoft pushed patch 16.20071128.3T from the CoX Test server to the live servers. This patch allows accolades to be used even when exemplared to lower levels, corrected the "Rectified Reticle – Increased Perception" IO issue that prevented proper leveling behavior, adjusted graphical, sound, and timing effects for a multitude of powers, and ensured that global commands issued by a Global Chat Operator would appear regardless of whether or not the operator was using the /ghide command. Those who partake of Flashback missions will be pleased to note that they'll now have access to all of the contact stores, whether or not they ever had the opportunity to visit those contacts "back in the day," and here's one that should delight all of us: Mapserver stability has been increased.
CoX developers open their virtual wallets
The band Spinal Tap once sang the song "Gimme Some Money," and NCsoft decided to take the lyrics to heart. Although the initial base prestige grant had already been given to the CoX live servers, they provided the Test server prestige grant to the live bases, as well. Oh, sure, they're trying to pass it off as an error, but you know those crazy developers: I'm positive they just wanted all of us to enjoy our bases expanding as much as our waistlines over the holiday season.
Gifts for the City dwellers
Whatever you celebrate this time of year, December seems to be when the majority of gifts are exchanged among friends and family. Everyone has their own idea of what is and isn't appropriate in a gift-giving manner, and it's difficult to decide what's best to give, and what we most want to receive. Well, that's where we come in.We have the good fortune of having two of the fae here -- one from the Rogue Isles, and one from Paragon City -- to share with us their views of appropriate gifts for those of you who are playing in NCsoft's realms this holiday season. Their selections range from cost-free, in-game offerings up to something you can tuck under the tree ... or the computer desk, as the case may be.
CoX news flash: City Scoop seeks submissions
If you attended NCsoft's CoX Meet & Greet in Milpitas at the end of November, the City Scoop would like to hear from you. They're looking for your thoughts on the event, and any memories you'd like to share. Did you arrange to hook up with Supergroup friends you'd only known online, or did you perhaps meet someone server you'd missioned with before? Why did you attend, and what did you think about the event?The full submission guidelines are on the forum, but there are three things to remember: keep it clean, keep it under 300 words, and get it in to them by Saturday, the 8th of December. Although they can't guarantee that they'll run every submission, they'll certainly run the best, and the entries chosen will appear in an issue of the Scoop sometime during the month of December.
CoX Winter Event on Test server
Dust off the sleigh bells and strap on your rocket-propelled skis, boys and girls, it's that time of year again: NCsoft has once again released the CoX Winter Event into Test. Now, a word of warning: it's not always up, and it could be pulled at any time for further tweaking, but it is there, waiting for you to discover it just like a tasty digital sugarplum in the bottom of your spandex stocking.This year, prep for some serious competition on the ski slopes: the slalom course is now timed, and you can win medals badges depending on your placement. And don't worry, Old favorites like Father Time and his missions have returned, and the Gamester is still putting out gifts for those who are naughty or nice. One intriguing element this year is new salvage: Candy Canes. This sweet treat can be redeemed in Pocket D for holiday rewards. Sorry to disappoint the fan community, though, but Sexy Jay's not collecting them, the Candy Keeper is. So ... who's up for hot cocoa and cool gaming, hm?
CoX: new patch is ready for download
NCsoft's latest patch for CoX, 16.20071128.2T, is now online. The patch addresses timing in the Winter Event slalom, an update to the Rectified Reticle IO enhancement set, badges, spawning, and City of Heroes-specific Blaster powers. As usual, it will be automatically installed once you exit the game, so that you'll have a fresh, shiny experience with your next login. As well, the Test server will be down today from 5 p.m. Eastern to approximately 6 p.m. Eastern.
CoX Flashback Friday event
Want to warm up the winter evening in a thermonuclear manner? Looking for a weapon of mass destruction to send to your friends? Well look no further, because POJRadio's got your back. They're putting the Ho-Ho-Ho back in "Holy Hannah" by taking everyone to CoX's Test server and setting them free in groups of four to launch missiles. Of course, you have to face the Rogues who don't want you to succeed, run the risk of falling prey to roving bands of villainous swine, take your lives into your own hands with other PvP-minded folks, and be the first to launch the missile, but then that's what this holiday season is all about, isn't it? Let's give 'til it hurts.The event is tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. Eastern, you MUST sign up beforehand, and it's being held on Test so that any alt (who's able to reach Warburg, of course) from any server can attend. Why attend, you ask? Well, aside from the warm fuzzies you'll receive from irradiating those who have displeased you, there's an actual prize involved: John Becaro will be crafting a free sketch of the winning team. So get your Fannys over there and launch that missile! And if you can't attend -- or just want to know what's going on -- tune into POJRadio during the event to keep up with the mayhem.
Additional notes on the NCsoft Q&A
Earlier this week we gave you a glimpse of what went on during NCsoft's City of Heroes/City of Villains Meet & Greet held in Milpitas California on November 30th. Before going into detail about the event, however, we'd like to make one correction to our earlier article. When we said that "some in the audience seemed unhappy that all their enhancements and abilities would be viewable by their PvP opponents," we made it sound as though all of your build information would always be visible on the City Vault, and this is not the case. As noted back on the 20th of November, "you will have the option of hiding your Statistics, Powers, Badges, and Friends list from inclusion on the public web page." You'll have to live with knowing your character's name, image, level, server, archetype, and origin are searchable via the Vault, but -- based on what the developers have told us in the past, and what they reiterated at the Meet & Greet -- you'll have control of everything else. They also advised us that a Leader Board listing will be part of the City Vault: if you're a PvP fanatic, you'll always know where you stand. Gallery: CoX Meet and greet - general Gallery: CoX Meet and greet - Q and A session
CoX Issue 11 patch live on Test server
Affecting client version 16.20071113.3T, NCsoft has released a new patch for the CoX properties, and it's currently active on the Test server. The new patch addresses power set activation times, accolades, graphical and sound effects, Flashback missions, and global chat tweaks for all players. As well, two new costume sets were introduced: an Enforcer set and a Jester set. Attendees of last week's Meet & Greet had the opportunity to see the costumes a week ahead of time, when Sexy Jay showcased his work. Aside from the costume sets themselves, two new pattern sets for existing costume customization are also available.For this particular Issue 11 patch, Heroes will see Scrapper, Blaster, and Defender changes, as well as some adjustment done to Badge levels in Flashback missions. Villains will find some improvement to the Mastermind set, and that Snake Eggs will once again hatch. While there's no stated release date for the patch to go live on the regular servers, if you have the opportunity to so do, download and try it out on Test.
Player vs Radio: the volume is fading
DJ Krelo is one of the owners of Player vs Radio, and she handles both the administrative end and personnel support. Even though NCsoft's CoX Meet & Greet was fairly high-energy, she was kind enough to take some time out of her event coverage to give us an interview about PvR, its history, and what it's looking forward to in the future.PvR is a cross-MMO station -- meaning that they don't limit themselves to the City of Heroes and City of Villains properties, but broadcast within a wide range of MMO titles such as Vanguard, World of Warcraft, and Second Life -- and their music rotation is based on player requests. DJ Krelo herself is focused on Gothic, Industrial, Trance, Techno, and Synth-Pop, but every DJ has their own range of music they play. DJ Krelo has been broadcasting for almost two years -- starting with a former station, and moving to PvR after they opened a little over a year ago -- while PvR itself has been broadcasting continuously since they started, save for a brief hiatus during the RIAA royalties debacle.
CoX: Mender Silos has a puzzle for you
"Old Man Stauf built a house, and filled it with his toys. Six guests all came one night, their screams the only noise." So began The 7th Guest, lo these many years ago. Now NCsoft provides the residents of Paragon City and the Rogue Isles with an equally intriguing time-related puzzle in the new trailer for Issue 11, provided to us by the mysterious Mender Silos, the founder and visionary of Ouroboros. Aside from showcasing some of the powers and regions accessible in the new chapter, tantalizing hints of a puzzle -- and of the game's future direction -- are revealed.Who is our greatest enemy, how will we be able to set aside our differences with our current foes, and what is causing all of the temporal anomalies? We have the questions, and now we need the answers: if we don't find them, then our world -- our future -- is doomed. Discuss amongst yourselves the mysteries. What are the secrets hidden within Issue 11: A Stitch in Time? Only time will tell.
CoX Issue 11 videos: Samuraiko Productions
Professionally-made trailers and videos are designed to dazzle and to glow. More and more, however, fan-made videos are achieving the same level of quality and professionalism, and are shaping up into astounding works of art in their own right. As our own Moo Money noted, machinima artists such as Baron Soosdon are looked up to because their work is incredibly evocative and remarkably well-crafted.In that vein, the head of Samuraiko Productions has been striving for -- and, from what I've seen, achieving -- top-notch quality in all of her work. Her latest piece, an homage to NCsoft's Issue 11 expansion for the City of Heroes/City of Villains properties, continues her path in the quest for perfection. The music is well-chosen, the transitions are seamless, the text and graphic overlays are layered perfectly ... my only complaint is that it wasn't long enough. Although I'm unable to embed the video here due to the artist's request, it is available for viewing on both You Tube and the Samuraiko Productions web site. Be prepared for buffering the first time you play it off the web site, but the level of detail in the non-compressed production is well worth the wait.
Issue 11: patch notes and known issues
NCsoft has released both the Patch Notes and the Known Issues lists for CoX's Issue 11 expansion, and both lists apply to November 28th's live game version 16.20071113.3T. Please remember that support issues should go directly to the Support Center, and that bug reports for newly-discovered concerns can be filed while in the game itself by using either the "/bug <text>" command or the Support option from the Menu dropdown.
Cape Radio: a Virtue-ous establishment
As any CoX player who's spent any time on Virtue server knows, there are a number of reasons that The Cape Radio is known as Virtue's number one source for radio. Part of their appeal lies in their incredible band of truly professional staffers, part of it is the open forums they use to address their fan base, and part of it is their truly wicked, wicked sense of humor. And, as part of their second anniversary, DJ Enigma has released sixteen exquisitely humorous .mp3s, all previously broadcast, allowing everyone who has not had the opportunity to experience their terrific lineup to at least enjoy these audio clips.
Issue 11 launch maintenance
NCsoft has announced that the North American game servers for the City of Heroes/City of Villains properties will be coming down on Wednesday, 28 November, for extended maintenance prior to the launch of Issue 11. The server downtime is expected to run approximately six hours, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Will we see Issue 11 live when the servers come back up? Naysayers point to the upcoming Prestige grant and Debt wipe on 10 December; however, even though the event is mentioned in relation to Issue 11, NCsoft stated explicitly that it would take place after Issue 11 launches. So let's keep our fingers crossed, folks: we'll know the outcome in less than 24 hours.
Verbing a noun: introducing new powers
When thinking about game powers, developers have to consider four primary questions: what do the players want, do those desires fit reasonably within the framework of the game, how can the powers be balanced for the game, and how can they be coded? For example, when NCsoft's City of Heroes introduced Flight, it was competing with Super Speed, Teleportation and Leaping. How could they build it out to where it was neither overpowered nor useless? Through a series of trial-and-error efforts -- and thankfully providing an additional 10% bump in hover speed in Issue 8 -- they loaded a power set into the game that gave heroes a new way of seeing the city without unbalancing other transportation powers currently in place.As to verbs that may be more common throughout MMOs, we've all had the opportunity to "run" -- either into battle or away from almost certain peril -- and I doubt there's many here who haven't wished for the ability to "turn invisible" in order to stealth through a difficult mission, but what about some of the more exotic verbs out there? Oh, sure, in most games the alts can backslap one another, gesture angrily, and dance, but these are powerless emotes: they don't actually impact the game play. Take your favorite MMO, though, and think about what game-impacting verb or verbs you'd like to see added. Perhaps it might help to take a look at the thought process currently pushing World of Warcraft's new Death Knight and ask yourself this: if you were a developer, what would you add to the build, and how would you balance it?[Via Elder Game]
BatMUD: back online and still in business
BatMUD first opened its virtual doors in 1990, and has been a solid online presence for the last 17 years. Initially text-based, and accessible only via telnet, the Finland-based game introduced a new graphical client in February 2007. Unfortunately, their original site was hacked in October, but they've since come back stronger than ever.Whether you wish to play in standard or hardcore mode, there are plenty of options to satisfy every gamer's wishes. 44 races, 100 levels, character respecification ... it's all here, and it's all free. This begs the question, though: when we consider what makes an MMO an MMO, at what point do the lines blur between MUDs, MOOs, and what we traditionally consider MMOs? With more MUDs introducing graphical interfaces, and with the ability to utilize text-based commands in MMOs, is the divide between the two categories shrinking?While pondering the answer, take a look at BatMUD and give us your opinion: do you feel that a well-written MUD can provide the same level of personal interaction and character development as can the average MMO? As for BatMUD, specifically, the web-based forums provide a plethora of information on game play, and some of the players have been involved in the virtual community for its social networking capabilities since the game's inception nearly two decades ago. All things considered, regardless of how you classify it, an evening of high fantasy and good friendship is nothing to sneer at: there's nothing batty about that idea at all.