Man, I hate to say it, but this reads more like a fluff piece than an objective preview.
I have not been closely following this game, so I really have no preconceived thoughts on how cryptic is handling this IP. But seriously, not one, single thing to say that isn't a negative, or even a 'meh' about the experience?
Any review that is completely negative or positive, I kind of view as suspect. In that you generate revenue from advertisements for the games you review, I am not completely surprised. Especially one that will likely pay major dollars for ads when it launches. /shurg. That's how the world works, I guess.
Of course, no game is perfect, and all things are usually subjective. However,experience says that the only people who address a game as such are persons who are obligated to the game in some way shape, or form.
Not intending to troll, but this piece does feel rather Viral.
Unbelievable! Because someone has an overly positive or exciting experience in one game they get bashed for it. Meanwhile, in another thread there are those that are bashing the writer/reviewer for his constructive criticism of that game.
I'm quickly losing all hope for the community here.
In mmorpgs, there's always been a level divide between players that have been around for a while (high level) and the newb just starting out. They don't interact unless someone is getting ganked...
Star Trek would have been the perfect opportunity to have every level of experience work together from the start. The guy at lvl cap would be the captain, while the newb would be the ensign. It's so easy in games for the content in games to become an overlooked sideshow on the way to the level cap. If everyone was expected to work together from the start, mmorpgs would feel more like a game, and less like a grind.
Oh well... golden opportunity missed. It looks like the game could be fun, but I don't think it looks like something that will be satisfying to me. I was hoping they'd try to adjust the mmorpg genre to fit the Star Trek Universe instead of adjusting Star Trek to fit mmorpgs....
Sooooooo your advocating 1 ship with every postion a player working theyir way up the ranks?
What happens when your cheif enginner isn't online?
What if the captian is geting drunk irl and isn't in game? How does a ship run when the crew isnt on 24/7?
These are points I brought up when I first started posting about this game.
The answer is: Not all IPs are suitable for an MMORPG. I can't think of an IP less suited to solo play than Star Trek. If you can't get the grouping right (and clearly it would be a challenge to do so), then you can't do Trek right.Maybe someone has a good idea about how to make it work, but it's clear that Cryptic isn't even trying to, and what chance is there that another Star Trek MMO will be produced while this one is running?
If you can't do the IP justice, then leave it alone.
That's why Cryptic fucked up by their design decision. It should not have involved star ships at all but have seen a smaller focus on an individual in the star trek universe. It's the only way to make this IP work in an MMO. Instead we have Cryptic pissing on Gene Roddenberry's grave with Gene spinning.
Man, I hate to say it, but this reads more like a fluff piece than an objective preview.
I have not been closely following this game, so I really have no preconceived thoughts on how cryptic is handling this IP. But seriously, not one, single thing to say that isn't a negative, or even a 'meh' about the experience?
Any review that is completely negative or positive, I kind of view as suspect. In that you generate revenue from advertisements for the games you review, I am not completely surprised. Especially one that will likely pay major dollars for ads when it launches. /shurg. That's how the world works, I guess.
Of course, no game is perfect, and all things are usually subjective. However,experience says that the only people who address a game as such are persons who are obligated to the game in some way shape, or form.
Not intending to troll, but this piece does feel rather Viral.
I would think the context of this would be something to take into account as well.
The author states that she is a Trek fan. The author also states that this is her first time with hands-on to the game during a demo at PAX. She enjoyed her experience.
This isn't a thorough preview of the whole game. It's an impression given from a demo at a trade show. Generally speaking, these demos are well put together and enjoyable. She had a good time, that was what she said. Yes, I agree, if a reviewer were to write so glowingly in a review of the game, I might have my conspiracy radar out too. This, however, is a first look preview. The author had fun playing. She wrote that. I don't see the problem in context.
These are points I brought up when I first started posting about this game. The answer is: Not all IPs are suitable for an MMORPG. I can't think of an IP less suited to solo play than Star Trek. If you can't get the grouping right (and clearly it would be a challenge to do so), then you can't do Trek right.Maybe someone has a good idea about how to make it work, but it's clear that Cryptic isn't even trying to, and what chance is there that another Star Trek MMO will be produced while this one is running? If you can't do the IP justice, then leave it alone.
I believe they are taking it in a fun and interesting direction, just because your idea of where the IP should be taken isn't popular doesn't mean that what they are doing is an injustice to Star Trek.
In mmorpgs, there's always been a level divide between players that have been around for a while (high level) and the newb just starting out. They don't interact unless someone is getting ganked...
Star Trek would have been the perfect opportunity to have every level of experience work together from the start. The guy at lvl cap would be the captain, while the newb would be the ensign. It's so easy in games for the content in games to become an overlooked sideshow on the way to the level cap. If everyone was expected to work together from the start, mmorpgs would feel more like a game, and less like a grind.
Oh well... golden opportunity missed. It looks like the game could be fun, but I don't think it looks like something that will be satisfying to me. I was hoping they'd try to adjust the mmorpg genre to fit the Star Trek Universe instead of adjusting Star Trek to fit mmorpgs....
Sooooooo your advocating 1 ship with every postion a player working theyir way up the ranks?
What happens when your cheif enginner isn't online?
What if the captian is geting drunk irl and isn't in game? How does a ship run when the crew isnt on 24/7?
These are points I brought up when I first started posting about this game.
The answer is: Not all IPs are suitable for an MMORPG. I can't think of an IP less suited to solo play than Star Trek. If you can't get the grouping right (and clearly it would be a challenge to do so), then you can't do Trek right.Maybe someone has a good idea about how to make it work, but it's clear that Cryptic isn't even trying to, and what chance is there that another Star Trek MMO will be produced while this one is running?
If you can't do the IP justice, then leave it alone.
That's why Cryptic fucked up by their design decision. It should not have involved star ships at all but have seen a smaller focus on an individual in the star trek universe. It's the only way to make this IP work in an MMO. Instead we have Cryptic pissing on Gene Roddenberry's grave with Gene spinning.
Oh, thank you for bestowing your wisdom upon us oh Wise One! Perhaps you should bless Cryptic with your divine wisdom and insight in an effort to save them from their obvious waste of the time, money, and resources being allotted for the development of this game.
That's why Cryptic fucked up by their design decision. It should not have involved star ships at all but have seen a smaller focus on an individual in the star trek universe. It's the only way to make this IP work in an MMO. Instead we have Cryptic pissing on Gene Roddenberry's grave with Gene spinning.
Wow....you really need to calm down. I am a long time Star Trek fan, and I think that any Star Trek MMO should most definetly involve captaining a ship, if they had the game designed as you guys are suggesting I would not be interested in playing. And I think I stand for the vast majority of people, maybe I'm wrong but I doubt it. Cryptic knows this too, hence why the game isn't being designed like that.
I believe they are taking it in a fun and interesting direction, just because your idea of where the IP should be taken isn't popular doesn't mean that what they are doing is an injustice to Star Trek.
Agreed. Let them demo it at a Trek convention and see what reactions they get there.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Even if the game remained only about combat. I am sure most Trek fans would prefer to be members of a flight crew on a single ship, with each player manning a vital station with individual and distinct UI displays.
Hell, take a thousand hardcore Trek fans, and they could no doubt design the interfaces and gameplay elements themselves.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Even if the game remained only about combat. I am sure most Trek fans would prefer to be members of a flight crew on a single ship, with each player manning a vital station with individual and distinct UI displays. Hell, take a thousand hardcore Trek fans, and they could no doubt design the interfaces and gameplay elements themselves.
Yes, but your idea of a bridge crew made up of all players just doesn't work in the mmo world right now. You would need to have a set amount of dedicated people to not only play a defined role (that may or may not see a lot of action on a mission), but also to meet up and play online at the same time at every session they wanted to play.
It sounds awesome, but in reality it just doesn't work. Your captain looses internet connection...so now everyone on the crew can't play? Even if the crew could find a random player to fill in the role of captain, what's the chances in a game where groups matter, that the crew would find somone available at the given level.
I could just see the forum posts on launch day as subscribers would complain of "forced grouping" and a game that is unfriendly towards solo players and low-levels.
I think most people would agree with your thoughts on having a bridge crew of all players. But such a game has way to many obstacles to overcome just to be a "good" game; and right now the industry just can't tackle something like that.
And I'm not counting Comic-Con and Wonder-Con as those are typically about 20 people dressed like Klingons, which hardly constitutes a convention.
Even with a hit movie this past summer, we can all see that the Trek franchise is wavering. JJ Abrams proved a smart and well-executed Trek product can still draw crowds, but if he stopped to listen to every raving Trekkie (a diminishing crowd at best) that film would have crashed and burned. I followed the Official Star Trek Movie forums and watched as Trek disciples screamed doom and despair on just about every tidbit of information about the upcoming film. Trekkies are notorious for their blind enthusiasm and unbending internal perceptions of all things Star Trek. I don't know. Maybe some changed their minds when they saw the final product, maybe some didn't. But in the end, a lot of people went to watch the film including casual Trek fans and their friends, because it was a fun movie.
Let's hope Cryptic can pull off the same feat. We can only keep our fingers crossed it will be fun and attract loads of people. Sure they should stay true to the spirit of the IP, but fear the day they actually make a game that only appeals to a tiny group of hardcore fans. That just isn't good business. Sometimes I think Trek's biggest obstacle is it's own bullheaded fans.
Sure there have been some video game duds bearing the Star Trek name. Star Trek Online could be another disaster. But any attempt is better than none! Maybe it'll turn out to be fun. Step back and let Cryptic give it a shot. Trek's reactor core is breached and auxiliary life-support is almost depleted. Why not give Cryptic some room to maneuver? Isn't that how James T. Kirk performs best? Breaking the rules and doing something new and unexpected? Enjoy this last breath of borrowed air and wait and see.
Yes, but your idea of a bridge crew made up of all players just doesn't work in the mmo world right now. You would need to have a set amount of dedicated people to not only play a defined role (that may or may not see a lot of action on a mission), but also to meet up and play online at the same time at every session they wanted to play.
It sounds awesome, but in reality it just doesn't work. Your captain looses internet connection...so now everyone on the crew can't play? Even if the crew could find a random player to fill in the role of captain, what's the chances in a game where groups matter, that the crew would find somone available at the given level.
Well, I don't really have the energy to design the entire game right now, but:
You have a ship's crew of say 15. The game is either skill (not class)-based or allows multi-classing. The bridge crew is five. IF someone goes offline, he has just been struck down by a space sickness, or been toasted by one of the pyrotechnic computer consoles. One of the crew on standby (who are training skills or running simulations ion the holo-deck) fills in at the vacated station.
I could just see the forum posts on launch day as subscribers would complain of "forced grouping" and a game that is unfriendly towards solo players and low-levels.
Can you see the posts on opening day for THIS game, when players start asking why they can't play any class other than Captain? It will be messy.
I think most people would agree with your thoughts on having a bridge crew of all players. But such a game has way to many obstacles to overcome just to be a "good" game; and right now the industry just can't tackle something like that.
I think it can. Each ship would basically be an instance.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
That's why Cryptic fucked up by their design decision. It should not have involved star ships at all but have seen a smaller focus on an individual in the star trek universe. It's the only way to make this IP work in an MMO. Instead we have Cryptic pissing on Gene Roddenberry's grave with Gene spinning.
Wow....you really need to calm down. I am a long time Star Trek fan, and I think that any Star Trek MMO should most definetly involve captaining a ship, if they had the game designed as you guys are suggesting I would not be interested in playing. And I think I stand for the vast majority of people, maybe I'm wrong but I doubt it. Cryptic knows this too, hence why the game isn't being designed like that.
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million?
Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
Originally posted by MMO_Doubter Even if the game remained only about combat. I am sure most Trek fans would prefer to be members of a flight crew on a single ship, with each player manning a vital station with individual and distinct UI displays. Hell, take a thousand hardcore Trek fans, and they could no doubt design the interfaces and gameplay elements themselves.
I can't speak for most Star Trek fans; I can only really speak for one: me. But I would have hated the type of setup you are proposing. It would be unwieldy and unworkable, in my opinion. I would not be interested in playing STO if it were set up that way.
If Cryptic had offered players the *option* of playing with EITHER AI or player crews, I would have been OK with that.
My best guess, however, is that, given the choice, most players would prefer AI crews (or possibly AI plus a player friend or two) to full-player crews.
Thus, I really like the direction Cryptic is taking this game.
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million? Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
I'm getting the impression that flashes in the pan are just what the current MMO business model is about. Enough box sales at release, a decent sub base for a year, and one expansion, then let the game coast in caretaker mode.
Why do you think so many companies move their devs to a new project shortly after release?
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
I noticed she kept saying "we". We did this and we did that. I thought that was odd when relating a solo play experience. I suppose she was refering to the AI henchmen crew. Anyway, it sounds like an ok single player game. Do you have to be online to play it?
"We" is more inclusive to the reader.
Ahh...we understand now. We were confused before but now it makes sense to us. You have given us something to think about. We are trying to decide if we will utilize this method in our own posts. Yes, we think we will.
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million? Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
I'm getting the impression that flashes in the pan are just what the current MMO business model is about. Enough box sales at release, a decent sub base for a year, and one expansion, then let the game coast in caretaker mode.
Why do you think so many companies move their devs to a new project shortly after release?
I agree. The only way this type of marketing will ever stop is if people stop buying. I must be getting old but pre ordering any PC game is risky at best and life time subs before release? Im not sure if people are just so desperate for a good MMO that they just throw money at them or what but doing so will only breed more of the same.
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million? Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
It's interesting to see people proposing a game in which you are NOT a star ship captain. I could see the marketing department trying to sell that to people: "Set Your Phasers On Scrub! You too can start out as a Star Fleet Ensign! Scrub those decks. Lick your superior's boots."
Or maybe, "Time to get out your red shirt! The captain has a job for you."
Seriously, who comes home from work and wants to relive the tedium of real life? I certainly do not need a military social simulator when I'm trying to relax. Of course I want to be a star ship captain!
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million? Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
You're right, because 1 million hunters, 1 million rogues, 1 million priests, all these are oh so realistic right? Please stop trying to bring this pointless statistical realism into a GAME. It's made to be fun. Also remember that they divide the captains into sub groups, basically classes, of tactical, science, and engineering. Also remember that the game while not having different servers will most likely have different instanced zones of locations, with a certian max number of ships per instance, so it's not going to be ridiculously over crowded. People don't play games for realism, they play games for fun and to be something that they can't be in real life, for example, captain of a spaceship.
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million? Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
It's interesting to see people proposing a game in which you are NOT a star ship captain. I could see the marketing department trying to sell that to people: "Set Your Phasers On Scrub! You too can start out as a Star Fleet Ensign! Scrub those decks. Lick your superior's boots."
Or maybe, "Time to get out your red shirt! The captain has a job for you."
Seriously, who comes home from work and wants to relive the tedium of real life? I certainly do not need a military social simulator when I'm trying to relax. Of course I want to be a star ship captain!
That's the thing. You don't even need to limit yourself into star fleet. Why isn't it just ok to be in the Star Trek Universe?
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million? Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
You're right, because 1 million hunters, 1 million rogues, 1 million priests, all these are oh so realistic right? Please stop trying to bring this pointless statistical realism into a GAME. It's made to be fun. Also remember that they divide the captains into sub groups, basically classes, of tactical, science, and engineering. Also remember that the game while not having different servers will most likely have different instanced zones of locations, with a certian max number of ships per instance, so it's not going to be ridiculously over crowded. People don't play games for realism, they play games for fun and to be something that they can't be in real life, for example, captain of a spaceship.
Oh you must feel real special being a captain. Wait a second, everyone is a captain. So what's so special about it?
I noticed she kept saying "we". We did this and we did that. I thought that was odd when relating a solo play experience. I suppose she was refering to the AI henchmen crew. Anyway, it sounds like an ok single player game. Do you have to be online to play it?
"We" is more inclusive to the reader.
Ahh...we understand now. We were confused before but now it makes sense to us. You have given us something to think about. We are trying to decide if we will utilize this method in our own posts. Yes, we think we will. PS: resistance is futile.
LOL. It makes us sound like Gollum, yes it does (my precious). We likes it.
There is so much more to Trek than just combat, thinking that the game is going to be so narrow in focus is starting to make me rather sad.
Randomly-generated planets aren't going to give us adventures from the various series. What a shame. I'm starting to get a Warhammer Online vibe from this, and it makes me ill, as I actually care about this IP.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Comments
Unbelievable! Because someone has an overly positive or exciting experience in one game they get bashed for it. Meanwhile, in another thread there are those that are bashing the writer/reviewer for his constructive criticism of that game.
I'm quickly losing all hope for the community here.
Your fail comment, failed.
Sooooooo your advocating 1 ship with every postion a player working theyir way up the ranks?
What happens when your cheif enginner isn't online?
What if the captian is geting drunk irl and isn't in game? How does a ship run when the crew isnt on 24/7?
These are points I brought up when I first started posting about this game.
The answer is: Not all IPs are suitable for an MMORPG. I can't think of an IP less suited to solo play than Star Trek. If you can't get the grouping right (and clearly it would be a challenge to do so), then you can't do Trek right.Maybe someone has a good idea about how to make it work, but it's clear that Cryptic isn't even trying to, and what chance is there that another Star Trek MMO will be produced while this one is running?
If you can't do the IP justice, then leave it alone.
That's why Cryptic fucked up by their design decision. It should not have involved star ships at all but have seen a smaller focus on an individual in the star trek universe. It's the only way to make this IP work in an MMO. Instead we have Cryptic pissing on Gene Roddenberry's grave with Gene spinning.
I would think the context of this would be something to take into account as well.
The author states that she is a Trek fan. The author also states that this is her first time with hands-on to the game during a demo at PAX. She enjoyed her experience.
This isn't a thorough preview of the whole game. It's an impression given from a demo at a trade show. Generally speaking, these demos are well put together and enjoyable. She had a good time, that was what she said. Yes, I agree, if a reviewer were to write so glowingly in a review of the game, I might have my conspiracy radar out too. This, however, is a first look preview. The author had fun playing. She wrote that. I don't see the problem in context.
Cheers,
Jon Wood
Managing Editor
MMORPG.com
I believe they are taking it in a fun and interesting direction, just because your idea of where the IP should be taken isn't popular doesn't mean that what they are doing is an injustice to Star Trek.
Sooooooo your advocating 1 ship with every postion a player working theyir way up the ranks?
What happens when your cheif enginner isn't online?
What if the captian is geting drunk irl and isn't in game? How does a ship run when the crew isnt on 24/7?
These are points I brought up when I first started posting about this game.
The answer is: Not all IPs are suitable for an MMORPG. I can't think of an IP less suited to solo play than Star Trek. If you can't get the grouping right (and clearly it would be a challenge to do so), then you can't do Trek right.Maybe someone has a good idea about how to make it work, but it's clear that Cryptic isn't even trying to, and what chance is there that another Star Trek MMO will be produced while this one is running?
If you can't do the IP justice, then leave it alone.
That's why Cryptic fucked up by their design decision. It should not have involved star ships at all but have seen a smaller focus on an individual in the star trek universe. It's the only way to make this IP work in an MMO. Instead we have Cryptic pissing on Gene Roddenberry's grave with Gene spinning.
Oh, thank you for bestowing your wisdom upon us oh Wise One! Perhaps you should bless Cryptic with your divine wisdom and insight in an effort to save them from their obvious waste of the time, money, and resources being allotted for the development of this game.
Your fail comment, failed.
Wow....you really need to calm down. I am a long time Star Trek fan, and I think that any Star Trek MMO should most definetly involve captaining a ship, if they had the game designed as you guys are suggesting I would not be interested in playing. And I think I stand for the vast majority of people, maybe I'm wrong but I doubt it. Cryptic knows this too, hence why the game isn't being designed like that.
Agreed. Let them demo it at a Trek convention and see what reactions they get there.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Even if the game remained only about combat. I am sure most Trek fans would prefer to be members of a flight crew on a single ship, with each player manning a vital station with individual and distinct UI displays.
Hell, take a thousand hardcore Trek fans, and they could no doubt design the interfaces and gameplay elements themselves.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Yes, but your idea of a bridge crew made up of all players just doesn't work in the mmo world right now. You would need to have a set amount of dedicated people to not only play a defined role (that may or may not see a lot of action on a mission), but also to meet up and play online at the same time at every session they wanted to play.
It sounds awesome, but in reality it just doesn't work. Your captain looses internet connection...so now everyone on the crew can't play? Even if the crew could find a random player to fill in the role of captain, what's the chances in a game where groups matter, that the crew would find somone available at the given level.
I could just see the forum posts on launch day as subscribers would complain of "forced grouping" and a game that is unfriendly towards solo players and low-levels.
I think most people would agree with your thoughts on having a bridge crew of all players. But such a game has way to many obstacles to overcome just to be a "good" game; and right now the industry just can't tackle something like that.
They still have Trek conventions? I just checked, and the last official convention was approximately 1.5 years ago.
www.startrek.com/startrek/view/community/conventions.html
And I'm not counting Comic-Con and Wonder-Con as those are typically about 20 people dressed like Klingons, which hardly constitutes a convention.
Even with a hit movie this past summer, we can all see that the Trek franchise is wavering. JJ Abrams proved a smart and well-executed Trek product can still draw crowds, but if he stopped to listen to every raving Trekkie (a diminishing crowd at best) that film would have crashed and burned. I followed the Official Star Trek Movie forums and watched as Trek disciples screamed doom and despair on just about every tidbit of information about the upcoming film. Trekkies are notorious for their blind enthusiasm and unbending internal perceptions of all things Star Trek. I don't know. Maybe some changed their minds when they saw the final product, maybe some didn't. But in the end, a lot of people went to watch the film including casual Trek fans and their friends, because it was a fun movie.
Let's hope Cryptic can pull off the same feat. We can only keep our fingers crossed it will be fun and attract loads of people. Sure they should stay true to the spirit of the IP, but fear the day they actually make a game that only appeals to a tiny group of hardcore fans. That just isn't good business. Sometimes I think Trek's biggest obstacle is it's own bullheaded fans.
Sure there have been some video game duds bearing the Star Trek name. Star Trek Online could be another disaster. But any attempt is better than none! Maybe it'll turn out to be fun. Step back and let Cryptic give it a shot. Trek's reactor core is breached and auxiliary life-support is almost depleted. Why not give Cryptic some room to maneuver? Isn't that how James T. Kirk performs best? Breaking the rules and doing something new and unexpected? Enjoy this last breath of borrowed air and wait and see.
I think it can. Each ship would basically be an instance.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Wow....you really need to calm down. I am a long time Star Trek fan, and I think that any Star Trek MMO should most definetly involve captaining a ship, if they had the game designed as you guys are suggesting I would not be interested in playing. And I think I stand for the vast majority of people, maybe I'm wrong but I doubt it. Cryptic knows this too, hence why the game isn't being designed like that.
Yeah, 500,000 captains piloting 500,000 ships...that sounds much better. What if it's 5 million?
Everyone a Captain, what the hell are you on? What the hell is Cryptic on? It's very possible to make an MMO in the Star Trek universe, but this should have been handled with more care. This game will be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
I can't speak for most Star Trek fans; I can only really speak for one: me. But I would have hated the type of setup you are proposing. It would be unwieldy and unworkable, in my opinion. I would not be interested in playing STO if it were set up that way.
If Cryptic had offered players the *option* of playing with EITHER AI or player crews, I would have been OK with that.
My best guess, however, is that, given the choice, most players would prefer AI crews (or possibly AI plus a player friend or two) to full-player crews.
Thus, I really like the direction Cryptic is taking this game.
I'm getting the impression that flashes in the pan are just what the current MMO business model is about. Enough box sales at release, a decent sub base for a year, and one expansion, then let the game coast in caretaker mode.
Why do you think so many companies move their devs to a new project shortly after release?
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
"We" is more inclusive to the reader.
Ahh...we understand now. We were confused before but now it makes sense to us. You have given us something to think about. We are trying to decide if we will utilize this method in our own posts. Yes, we think we will.
PS: resistance is futile.
I'm getting the impression that flashes in the pan are just what the current MMO business model is about. Enough box sales at release, a decent sub base for a year, and one expansion, then let the game coast in caretaker mode.
Why do you think so many companies move their devs to a new project shortly after release?
I agree. The only way this type of marketing will ever stop is if people stop buying. I must be getting old but pre ordering any PC game is risky at best and life time subs before release? Im not sure if people are just so desperate for a good MMO that they just throw money at them or what but doing so will only breed more of the same.
It's interesting to see people proposing a game in which you are NOT a star ship captain. I could see the marketing department trying to sell that to people: "Set Your Phasers On Scrub! You too can start out as a Star Fleet Ensign! Scrub those decks. Lick your superior's boots."
Or maybe, "Time to get out your red shirt! The captain has a job for you."
Seriously, who comes home from work and wants to relive the tedium of real life? I certainly do not need a military social simulator when I'm trying to relax. Of course I want to be a star ship captain!
You're right, because 1 million hunters, 1 million rogues, 1 million priests, all these are oh so realistic right? Please stop trying to bring this pointless statistical realism into a GAME. It's made to be fun. Also remember that they divide the captains into sub groups, basically classes, of tactical, science, and engineering. Also remember that the game while not having different servers will most likely have different instanced zones of locations, with a certian max number of ships per instance, so it's not going to be ridiculously over crowded. People don't play games for realism, they play games for fun and to be something that they can't be in real life, for example, captain of a spaceship.
Uh huh. So all those legions of Spock, Scotty, McCoy, Data, Chakotay, etc. fans secretly prefer Kirk, Picard, and Janeway? I don't think so.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
It's interesting to see people proposing a game in which you are NOT a star ship captain. I could see the marketing department trying to sell that to people: "Set Your Phasers On Scrub! You too can start out as a Star Fleet Ensign! Scrub those decks. Lick your superior's boots."
Or maybe, "Time to get out your red shirt! The captain has a job for you."
Seriously, who comes home from work and wants to relive the tedium of real life? I certainly do not need a military social simulator when I'm trying to relax. Of course I want to be a star ship captain!
That's the thing. You don't even need to limit yourself into star fleet. Why isn't it just ok to be in the Star Trek Universe?
That's the thing. You don't even need to limit yourself into star fleet. Why isn't it just ok to be in the Star Trek Universe?
I want to be Lord Harcourt Fenton Mudd, myself. I don't think I would make as many Alices, though.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
You're right, because 1 million hunters, 1 million rogues, 1 million priests, all these are oh so realistic right? Please stop trying to bring this pointless statistical realism into a GAME. It's made to be fun. Also remember that they divide the captains into sub groups, basically classes, of tactical, science, and engineering. Also remember that the game while not having different servers will most likely have different instanced zones of locations, with a certian max number of ships per instance, so it's not going to be ridiculously over crowded. People don't play games for realism, they play games for fun and to be something that they can't be in real life, for example, captain of a spaceship.
Oh you must feel real special being a captain. Wait a second, everyone is a captain. So what's so special about it?
I only have a couple things to say.
First, it's not, "Launch rear photon torpedoes." It's, "Aft torpedoes, fire!"
And it's not, "Warp speed 9, engauge." It's, "Warp 9, engauge."
Pretender...
There is so much more to Trek than just combat, thinking that the game is going to be so narrow in focus is starting to make me rather sad.
Randomly-generated planets aren't going to give us adventures from the various series. What a shame. I'm starting to get a Warhammer Online vibe from this, and it makes me ill, as I actually care about this IP.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2