The return of 'Ask Cryptic' for Champions Online

How about: "Dear Cryptic, how do you sleep at night?"

When will you fire Bill Roper?

Since someone has to ask it ...

What is your reasoning behind making the first large content update to the (already content-starved) game in the six months since its release a piece of paid DLC?

I got a feeling this post is going to receive some very funny comments "questions". Not exactly the questions massively or cryptic had in mind. :)

1) Why does Cryptic Studios feel they get such a hard time from people who post on internet message boards, with Champions Online and now on the Star Trek Online forums having fair amounts of negative feedback?

Do they feel they are singled out for criticism, do they feel the criticism is fair, and which type of feedback is important to them? Do they consider an angry vocal minority to be prevalent in any aspect of this industry or are these people generally unhappy with Cryptic, and from the point of view of a MMO development studio, how can they manage this type of response in an effective way?


2) Also can Cryptic explain why their games use both a subscription and cash store model and how they feel that represents value to the consumer? It could be argued that assets designed for a regular game update could very easily be reallocated to the cash store, so players no longer get the items without additional cost. On the other hand some players are happy to be able to take short cuts and have large amounts of disposable income and want to take a shortcut. How are Cryptic looking to create a clear division between what a subscriber is entitled to at no extra cost, and what a cash shop user can buy, and why didn't they decide to use a cash shop OR subscription model?

Question: How much will Cryptic charge me to ask this question?

I remember hearing that Microsoft was holding back the Xbox 360 version of Champions Online is that still the case?

If the game ever reaches the console what changes/improvements do you intend to implement?

A question that really should be asked is what do you think of the recent bad publicity, regardless of its extension and what are you planning to do about it.

Wow. They really said "any topic if fair game." That should lead to some really entertaining questions. I wonder if they'll offer any answers for some of the most controversial questions they're likely to be asked.

Holy crap, cryptic has suckered me in AGAIN! I was unaware that cryptic and champions were together on this one! And needless to say on the box, THERE IS NOTHING TO BE SAID ABOUT A SUBSCRIPTION! Also, the fact they do not accept a debit card for subscription. I bought the game, tried to register and play, and guess what, they require an actual credit card, lots of debit cards wont work.

Thats a huge deal for those of us who bought the game, and must go out and buy an additional 30 day time card to play the thing. I wasn't sure i was going to like it but MO suckered me in about how good it was.