City of Heroes feature update issue 13 loses Mission Architect

Word from NCsoft is that the latest planned feature update for City of Heroes, issue 13, is too big and has been split into 2 new ones issue 13 and issue 14. The plan was to include a Mission Architect feature allowing players to write their own missions, but due to player feedback it has been split out into its own issue, which will be available early next year instead. Lead designer, Matt 'Positron' Miller explains:

"When we announced Issue 13: Architect a couple weeks back, we were overwhelmed by the positive response. Much of the feedback was centered around the Mission Architect system which allows players to create their own missions and story arcs. We have been actively following forum threads and private messages about the feature, and have even discussed it with players in person at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle.

It became apparent that you guys really want this feature, but in order to fully realize your dreams of writing your own missions you need creative control in one more key area: The ability to create "customized" characters to fight with or against in your missions. Adding custom characters has always been on our Mission Architect feature list, but we had considered it a "stretch goal." That is, we could launch the system without this feature because our confidence was high that the rest of the system was incredibly robust.

But after listening to you guys, we realize that this feature simply must be in at launch. You have convinced us that it is an integral part of the Mission Architect, and we have reworked schedules and timelines to accomplish this. Rather than push the launch of Issue 13 out completely for one (albeit really cool and very complex) feature, the Mission Architect is going to see a slight delay. What is not going to be delayed is the rest of Issue 13. To that end, the previously announced feature set for Issue 13, together with new features that we are announcing today, will become Issue 13 and Issue 14.

Issue 14 will take on the name "Architect" and contain the Mission Architect feature along with other features we'll announce at a later date. We are planning Issue 14: Architect to be released Winter of 2009. Issue 13 is now called "Issue 13: Power and Responsibility" and be launched in the Fall of 2008."

Details of Issue 13: Power and Responsibility can be found here.

A few details of Issue 14: Architect can be found here.