The fan campaign to save Paragon Studios and prevent City Of Heroes from shutting down is going from strength to strength, with several high-profile authors pledging support to the cause. Stardust author Neil Gaiman, Sci-Fi writer John C. Wright and bestselling fantasy author Mercedes Lackey have lent their voices to the endeavour, both in terms of tweets, blog posts and even direct pleas to NCsoft themselves.
We previously reported that the Save Paragon City! campaign had secured celebrity endorsement, but we know know the extent of their support thanks to another statement from coordinator Tony Vasquez.
Neil Gaiman and John Kovalic (notable Webcomic artist) have retweeted messages of support to over two million followers, originally sent from players desperate to 'save their home.'
John C. Wright (Chronicles Of Chaos, The Golden Age) posted about City Of Heroes on his personal blog, saying "this is practically the only online game I play. Between work and novel writing, I usually only allow myself to play on Wednesdays. Any kind hearted persons out there, please sign the petition."
Mercedes Lackey, an avid City Of Heroes player and prolific bestselling author, personally wrote to the CEO of NCsoft, literally promising to use her fame to help keep the game afloat - with no payment expected in return.
"This, like so many other letters, is a plea to save Paragon Studios and the City of Heroes, City of Villains, and Going Rogue games. And like so many others, I could tell you about the thousands of hours I have spent there with friends, the thousands of dollars I have spent within the games, or even how this game allows my husband and I to “meet” and play nearly every night with my father in law, the retired, and multi-medaled Master Sergeant Jim Dixon formerly of Delta Force. I could even tell you how this game is the only one ever to interest him."
"I am going to make you an offer. I am a multi-award-winning, New York Times bestselling fantasy and science fiction author. And I will offer myself and my likeness to endorse and advertise, exclusively, all NCSoft products for a minimum term of five years and a maximum term of ten years, for no compensation or payment, if you will make it possible for the game and Paragon Studios (even in a reduced capacity) to continue to function, either once again under the NCSoft umbrella, or until a new owner comes forward."
"I had in mind something like this: Advertisements with a photo of myself, imposed over a transparent image of one of my more striking characters, both of us in the same pose. Text: “I am New York Times bestselling fantasy author Mercedes Lackey. Creating fantastic realms is hard work, and when I relax, I like to play in someone else’s world. I play NCSoft Games. Anything else is unimaginable.” The tagline for the ad campaign would be “NCSoft: anything else is unimaginable.”
Thanks to a threefold plan, celebrity endorsement and an inspiring degree of passion and coordination, Save Paragon City! is quickly becoming infinitely more than 'just another' fan campaign. We wish them the very best of success, and will keep an eye on whether NCsoft and Paragon Studios acknowledge their efforts. Naturally we've reached out to NCsoft for more than a standard form reply.
UPDATE: NCsoft has told us that "no one is available for comment on City of Heroes. For the latest updates about the game please visit www.cityofheroes.com."
We'll ask again soon.
She boosted the signal of my Tweet to Neil to her own Twitter followers.
