Now, I understand this is an MMO so a certain amount of status quo is to be expected.
However, given the freedom of theming our characters around what we want, I have to ask; "could I be a hero and choose NOT to put the flag back?"
What I mean is, superheroes rarely (key word) seem to want to actually better the world. Albeit going around and punching thugs isn't the most productive use of a scientist's time, but just in terms of ideals here. Couldn't I be a hero that actually doesn't like how the current institutions operate? That while fighting to reduce crime, I also support research that some would consider taboo?
Are these options for heroic characters? Or must I go the Dr. Horrible route and be labeled "evil" just to change society?
Hello, and welcome.
Still much work to do, but we are reaching for a three-sided alignment system, based on Law/Lawless, Peace/Violence, and Honor/Dishonor. So, if you can imagine the range of behavior that will impact that, I think you'll find a spot for any character you can imagine.
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Terlin
[color=#ff0000]The Bullpen[/color]
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I'm seeing some confusion here between how the character sees him-/herself and how society sees/labels them. Anyone who engages in activities that are disruptive to society - up to and including being illegal - is going to be labeled a vigilante, or a villain, by at least some part of that society. Batman, and to a lesser extent Spiderman, are some classic examples of this and they aren't even trying to change the world.
Heck, just having superpowers and not being beholden to any government can be enough for some to label a super as dangerous or even villainous. However, until we know more about CoT's setting (which will have tens or hundreds of thousands of heroes [i]in just one city[/i]) it'll be impossible to judge how the character will be viewed by the world at large.
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Oh that is great! Good to see that at least a small part of the gaming industry is breaking free of a binary moral system and exploring new routes.
What you're talking about is an anti-hero, or a villain-noble. There are plenty of heroes with "ends justify the means" mentality, and villains who believe they are doing what's best for the world. Were you a Kickstarter backer? There was an update all about this.
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No, you are missing the entire point,What is asked for - and include me as a supporter - is removing the nonsensical dogma of villains getting all the fun, while the heroes have no greater ambitíon of good than to fight crime (yes, not even preventing!). When a hero wants to make lasting improvements, instead of "until the villain breaks out of prison again", you instantly call him misguided and a fanatic, just because he has higher ambitions.
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Oh, I'm missing the point?
Then perhaps you can name me an example of something a hero might do that does not fall under the domains of hero, anti-hero, villain-noble or villain.
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I do not really understand what you mean by "the domains of hero, anti-hero, villain-noble or villain."
Outside of political causes (which probably would derail the thread into flame-wars), there is always fighting against poverty and disease, etc.
Your post, at least to me, seems to equate proactive heroes with going to far. If I misunderstood, I am sorry.
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An example may be prudent. I know what you are going for, but perhaps the likes of Namor, Magnito, Deadpool, and Black Adam would help?
I don't get mad, I restructure the laws of quantum physics and resolve the situation with temporal engineering.
That hero is then basically playing judge/jury/executioner. Seeing as how this superhero game is not taking place in the Judge Dredd universe, the hero who decides it's best to just kill all those violent villains is...an anti-hero.
If they're not working for the government, under orders, then they are either misguided or fanatic.
Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. All those horrible monsters trying to fight POVERTY AND DISEASE are "going to far." That's why I always beatup doctors and social workers whenever I see them.
Seriously, how do either of these not fall into the domain of the traditional hero? Who would call anyone "misguided" or "a fanatic" for trying to do either of these things?
Unless by "fight disease," you mean "kidnap homeless people do perform unsanctioned experiments that often result in their death, in the hopes of developing a cure for everything."
Which falls squarely into the realm of "villain-noble," as they have honorably intentions, but anyone kidnapping and murdering innocents cannot be reasonable deemed a hero.
So again, I can't think of a character type in this game that would fall outside of hero, anti-hero, villain or villain-noble; all of which have plenty of notable examples, and seem to be covered pretty well in the system described in [url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/missingworldsmedia/the-phoenix-project-city-of-titans/posts/629385]Update #17.[/url]
All of which fit under the four categories I mentioned at different points in their lives/careers.
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So it seems as if there was some misunderstanding on my part.
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Truth be told, those categories are broad enough to encompass just about everybody. For example, on Earth we have male, female and transgendered. If you don't fit into one of these categories then you truly are unique and until there are more of you there will be no classification for you.
As for heroes wanting to end poverty I'd call such a person Noble. They may or may not be going about it the wrong way ('I'm going to end poverty by printing lots of MONEY!') but their intention is Noble. I would consider this a sub-set of Hero because by definition a Hero strives to do good things.
On the flip side you have characters like Dr. Doom who, for better or worse, honestly feel that they are most fit to rule the world. The thing that makes them villainous is their methods. If Victor Von Doom had spent his time and energy developing technology that would help mankind he could have either been elected as ruler by now or simply purchased the planet legally. However this makes for a very boring story.
Unfortunately some parts of reality (like the fact that not all geniuses are 'good' or 'bad') often get set aside for the sake of a good story.
I remember when Star Wars was cool...a long, long time ago...
There's also the necessary tropes that will make this a "comic book" game as well as a Super-Hero game. I doubt we will see a mission thread where you spend countless lonely hours in your lab developing a cure for leukemia. :) On the other hand, If you want to RP that you're knocking over banks in order to fund your research... hey, there's room for that.
Within the mission sets we are likely to get I think there will be plenty of "misunderstood" anti-heroes giving a brief explanation in their bios. As well as more than a few borderline psycho-pathic Robin Hoods.
Geez, I can't wait.