Nine years ago I first logged on to City of Heroes. Thanks to a snafu with my credit card, I couldn't get online until then, even though I was ready and trying 3 days previously. I had not been in the beta so it was completely fresh to me.
Thinking back, it was a different game. For one, the max level was 40. Nobody knew any tricks, so leveling was SLOW. No capes were there -- even the flag on the Atlas Park City hall was rigid and static. No one did costume contests back then -- there was no market, no inventions, no Architect missions, No Pocket D, No villain player characters, no badges. No veteran bonuses -- so everyone had to get to level 6 and get that prerequesite travel power and work their way to 14 before they could TRULY fly, run, or leap. I remember the strain it was to get enough influence to buy enhancements for my powers. Those beginning characters were eternally broke.
I do remember the wonder of it. The first time I was in King's Row and saw someone superleap away from me. I remember the frustration of people trying to hover up the sides of King's Row buildings, moving ever so slowly. I remember my first trip into Perez Park seeing Circle of Thorn torture fire circles inside the trees. I remember one of my first characters, Cyrex, a half alien Illusion/empath controller, getting Invisibility and wandering around upper level zones. I took screenshots standing next to groups that could have easily killed that toon. But it was SO much fun.
It seems a pity that NCSoft took the action with the game they did.
Players are celebrating this week, according to Massively, so keep an eye on Twitter.