i think this is a good thing in the short term. it wont kill the faction at all.
everyone who plays klingons now can still do so, anyone who has a low level character and cant be asked to do the grind will get a boost up. the same amount of content is there its just not so much of a grind to do it. you can still play your klink as much as you like. current players only benefit from less grind in the short term.
plus a full klingon faction is being made and they have never said that before. we actually get what we wanted all along. less grind short term, more content long term. win/win
new players wont be put off of the game by rolling a klingon straight up and seeing that there is nothing much to do there.
yes, its not great if your a new player and your sole intention is to play a klingon, but you can still play the fed faction for free and get those first 25 levels before even thinking about needing to sub. its not like the levelling process is difficult or time consuming.
Will it destroy the faction? In my opinion no. Klingons are still exactly where they were before. For those who already play Klingons nothing has changed except that there are 20 levels their alts don't have to grind anymore. It's hard to destroy something that hasn't even been constructed.
Will it help the faction? No. There's still no reason to make a Klingon. Klingons have what? Content for 10 levels if you include the featured episodes? Making one of the slots mandatory Klingon won't help either, it will only help sell slots you can put Feds in.
And Cryptic said that they will bring levels 1-25 later? There isn't even enough content for 25 to 51. I will put KDF level 1-25 where it belongs. Right next to new hair tech, Caitian manes, the ship upgrade system, the kitbash construction system, the convert your first officer to playable captain option with the Starfleet uniforms for diplomacy KDF officers, the Ambassador and Kumari classes and all the other things that were announced at some point but never went anywhere.
1) We all know that the KDF is suffering from a lack of content right now. We at Cryptic have honestly wanted to put more time, and money into this for some time now. It wasn't possible under previous ownership.
2) PWE's games all feature a very good amount of PvP in them. They're not happy with the current state of the Klingon Empire, much like you aren't. They WANT to fix this and make the Klingons a full fledged faction.
3) The current unlock plan for the KDF is still open to change, much like the rest of our free-to-play plans. However, we feel that by locking Klingon Gameplay until after a player reached level 25 has several benefits for the Empire right now:
Players who join the Empire will already have a good understanding of how to play.
The lack of content can now be made the "correct" amount of content, for leveling a new KDF Character, without having to resort to waiting in long PvP Queues, or grinding endlessly.
We really do want to make 25 levels of new content for the Klingon Empire, and it's easier to start at the beginning.
I know it's hard to see, and I can understand why it's difficult to see. The KDF has been through the ringer for awhile now. We want to make this better for you.
For now, once we make the transition to free-to-play, the plan is that new players will need to spend 25 levels as a federation player first, which we admit is going to be rough on the Klingons. However, once we have finished the KDF side of the game, we think that great things will happen for The Empire. We just have to get there first.
As always, thanks for your patience, and understanding.
Stormshade
Stormy... if it hasn't already.... this information needs to be Stickied somewhere... just reading through the threads from the Dev Posts has a massive amount of bile and vitriol over the level 25 thing.. I can only imagine how many other threads are out there.
People need to understand that the lvl 25 thing is a temporary thing...
Stormy... if it hasn't already.... this information needs to be Stickied somewhere... just reading through the threads from the Dev Posts has a massive amount of bile and vitriol over the level 25 thing.. I can only imagine how many other threads are out there.
People need to understand that the lvl 25 thing is a temporary thing...
perhaps they can add some options on this. so gold members have the option to play from the start. if not then they have to wait until 25 for the unlock. this gives them the choice of whether to start at the beginning knowing ther may not be a huge amount there or wait until the 25 level unlock, assuming they have not already reached that stage.
silver members can unlock klingon play from the very beginning with a c-store transaction or just wait until 25, again assuming they have not subbed before and already meet the requirements.
I will put KDF level 1-25 where it belongs. Right next to new hair tech, Caitian manes, the ship upgrade system, the kitbash construction system, the convert your first officer to playable captain option with the Starfleet uniforms for diplomacy KDF officers, the Ambassador and Kumari classes and all the other things that were announced at some point but never went anywhere.
People need to understand that the lvl 25 thing is a temporary thing...
Jolan'tru
Just another empty promise made by marketing doublespeak.
So far the "epic" details of this Free To Play announcement that they had to get dragged kicking and screaming into the spotlight to make (pre-empted by their own corporate owner weeks prior) ... so far the epic details are that the KDF loses half of its levels and 4 paid for playable races are being made free, long after people paid for them.
So is the plan to eventually create enough content to do the first 24 levels and make them a proper faction or not ? This is what I'd like a definitive answer on. I'm also curious where that leaves the (potential) plans for a Romulan faction or any other future faction.
So is the plan to eventually create enough content to do the first 24 levels and make them a proper faction or not ? This is what I'd like a definitive answer on. I'm also curious where that leaves the (potential) plans for a Romulan faction or any other future faction.
Their current "promise" is to get back to the first 24 levels of the KDF. However, a lot of Klingons feel it's just another cry of wolf. Since those promises have fallen short consistently. As far as the Romulan faction goes, officially they've said nothing.
Unofficially, I'd take it like this: If this change of the KDF to a mini-faction works out, the potential to create multiple mini-factions, including Romulans, is pretty significant.
Their current "promise" is to get back to the first 24 levels of the KDF. However, a lot of Klingons feel it's just another cry of wolf. Since those promises have fallen short consistently. As far as the Romulan faction goes, officially they've said nothing.
Unofficially, I'd take it like this: If this change of the KDF to a mini-faction works out, the potential to create multiple mini-factions, including Romulans, is pretty significant.
That makes sense but I have to admit I don't like the idea forcing people to level up a Fed if they don't want to and their end goal is to do a KDF (or Romulan, etc.) character. I can't see that helping the game at all. That's a pretty significant chunk of time they'd be forcing a player to invest in something they may have no interest in just to be able to do what they actually want to do.
I agree. And it's really just pure speculation. But players can't ignore the fact that this change definitely lets the devs see how the future of PVP could work with "monster play" and mini-factions and the like. And if it is successful, they could expand PVP laterally instead of adding full new factions.
But yeah, no official word yet. At all. On a third or more factions. And most likely the only official word they will release is either that they can't say anything yet or that they will reveal details "soon" ish.
Their current "promise" is to get back to the first 24 levels of the KDF. However, a lot of Klingons feel it's just another cry of wolf. Since those promises have fallen short consistently. As far as the Romulan faction goes, officially they've said nothing.
Unofficially, I'd take it like this: If this change of the KDF to a mini-faction works out, the potential to create multiple mini-factions, including Romulans, is pretty significant.
Hey, if it gets the Romulans in the game, I'm a happy camper.
I don't believe making new players wait until they're halfway through levelling to unlock a Klingon is the best thing for the faction.
What do others think?
I agree but will take it a step beyond;) Free members pay $30 a faction while gold its free. That money as well as my gold could go towards making the faction and other factions in the future great.
I'll admit: the KDF at 25 thing is the one thing that REALLY made me go "umm... really?!" while reading through the F2P stuff. Virtually everything else I was onboard with... but it really struck me in a negative way when I read that. I think it came off as "Look, we know the KDF doesn't have enough content... so we're just gonna hide that by removing about 20 levels!" It's not solving the content issue, it's sweeping it under the rug and hoping no one looks.
I was cool with KDF starting at what it is now, since it basically got you through Fed side tutorial. But this... this isn't good, and I hope yall reconsider. After 25 levels as a Feddie, it'd be incredibly akward to just jump over to a KDF character and suddenly have a new ship, new (mess of) skill points to spend, and a slew of new BOFFs to figure out. Could even see how that could be a little overwhelming to new players and turn them off to trying out the KDF (though I guess the lack of KDF content at the bottom is doing that anyways).
Still, low level content for the KDF is the solution. Then and only then will they be a faction that can kill themselves equivalents of the Federation.
Their current "promise" is to get back to the first 24 levels of the KDF. However, a lot of Klingons feel it's just another cry of wolf. Since those promises have fallen short consistently. As far as the Romulan faction goes, officially they've said nothing.
Unofficially, I'd take it like this: If this change of the KDF to a mini-faction works out, the potential to create multiple mini-factions, including Romulans, is pretty significant.
Define "works out."
I don't know. I grok that they got seven new devs on the team, but after seeing so much stuff slide down the ER lists into 'In Development' and then disappear, the idea that just seven new devs will get 23 levels of Klingon content into the game in a year is... doubtful. If they can do it, cool, but let's just say I'm not holding my breath. Which *sucks* because those were a lot of good ideas that have been forgotten.
At this point, 'Hogwarts Online' might have been a better bet after all. =P What's wizard-speak for 'LEVEL UP!' and 'ACHIEVEMENT GET!'?
(though I guess the lack of KDF content at the bottom is doing that anyways).
Yeah, the current low-level KDF grind is brutal. It's not as long as the grind in FFXI was, but it's brutal because there's so little to do. I can still barely believe I got a Klink to the level cap.
Ah, glad to see some people remember me from my much happier days on these forums.
You got a LOT of mileage out of that rumor. =D
I think the main frustrating thing here is that we are all good and bloody tired of hearing 'soon.' It's been 'soon' for a whole mess load of things for so long -- months and months -- to the point where the word has lost any real meaning for us. There are a lot of questions and a lot of concerns and all we're being told is 'soon.' Maybe they can announce an 'Ask Cryptic,' like, NOW. That'll at least give them some time before when whatever official announcement needs to be made, and can release that AC then.
Yeah, I know. Hope springs eternal. Comes from being a lifer, I guess. =P Or a sucker.
I think the main frustrating thing here is that we are all good and bloody tired of hearing 'soon.' It's been 'soon' for a whole mess load of things for so long -- months and months -- to the point where the word has lost any real meaning for us
I think for me the more frustrating part is that we've seen a "change" in direction for the KDF at least three times now, I'd say five, but my definition might be different than others. I want them to pick one direction (at this point mini-factions seems the best and most logical) and go with it and perfect it. I'm tired of hearing, this is the plan and then seeing it shift or put off. I don't blame them for the things beyond their control (lack of staff and being sold back and forth), these things can impact plans, but I think at this point we need to see one plan fulfilled to completion. For this reason I'm now in full support of a shift to "mini-factions" and the KDF as the testing ground and perfecting ground as this plan.
So, I wonder if when all this new full-fledged faction content for the KDF hits, if the Lv. 25 limiter will be removed and we'll finally be able to roll Klinks at Lv. 1, complete with their own tutorial.
The only other possibility I see is that we'll be getting 51 levels worth of KDF content crammed into that Lv. 25+ space, which makes no sense to my (admittedly) vodka-addled brain.
One more reason why I have trouble fathoming why y'all can't just relax a little bit here. Y'know? It's very un-dude.
So, I wonder if when all this new full-fledged faction content for the KDF hits, if the Lv. 25 limiter will be removed and we'll finally be able to roll Klinks at Lv. 1, complete with their own tutorial.
The only other possibility I see is that we'll be getting 51 levels worth of KDF content crammed into that Lv. 25+ space, which makes no sense to my (admittedly) vodka-addled brain.
One more reason why I have trouble fathoming why y'all can't just relax a little bit here. Y'know? It's very un-dude.
Let's see here, we've been told a number of things. The first was that the KDF would be a full faction (this was pre-beta). Next at about the time of beta was that the KDF would be "PvP-centric" what this meant at the time was unclear. Next we were told they would work to make the KDF more fully-fleshed out, but that it was unlikely it would ever be on par with the Feds. Now we are getting that the KDF is going to be locked out to new players until they hit 25 as a Fed, and that some day this will be reversed...
I think anyone can fathom why some people are unable to "relax".
This change is going to suck for people who only want to play KDF, because they have play through 25 levels of Fed first. However, comparatively speaking that isnt actually alot of people. The majority of players want to play Fed regardless of how much content the KDF has simply because for the "average joe" Trek is about the Feds.
So I think the end result of this change is that more people will wind up making KDF alts once they have reached max level on their Feds than do now, and they will do so because they will already have a fairly high level character and wont have to go through alot of grinding. And I think this will actually result in more people playing KDF than do now, even if it takes a little longer to accomplish.
I'm not saying I like what their doing, but I do think it will have the results I just mentioned.
The largest issue I see (and we're talking MMO players here) - is if/whem they have the lower level KDF content ready; and the announce "Starting on date XX/XX/XX - new KDF characters will start at Level 1..."
1) There will be a MAD powerleveling rush Fed side in the days just before for those that haven't unlocked KDF and gotten a Level 25 KDF character.
2) Those that miss the deadline will scream bloody murder, rage, badmouth, etc; and worse than it is now.
Anytime you LOWER the start level of anything from a higher point in an MMO - players will feel gipped and really voice displeasure.
And while teh lower level KDF content (if it gets made) will come 'quickly' in development terms; it won't be all that quickly is real time because if that were the case; I doubt they'd be making this decision to re-tool and gate/start new KDF at level 25.
But again the biggest outcry will be when the content is in game and players can no longer start a Klingon at level 25. The majority of MMO players hate the early levels in any game; and teh start bump from 25 back down to 1 will NOT be well received when it comes, even after all that work (imo).
I admit that my initial reaction was a bit of a knee-jerk one, but I still have to say that this is a bad idea despite calming down a bit. My biggest fears are by "sweeping us under the rug" (whether true or not, it's my perception of the matter) that any future updates will not include the KDF or just give us table scraps like they do now. My other fear is what I stated previously, that people will not want to spend 25 levels as a Fed just to make a Klingon. Not to mention the comment that more than 50% of the playerbase (assuming that's what Dan meant) wouldn't even reach that level. It does reek of "if we ignore it, it will just go away".
I admit that my initial reaction was a bit of a knee-jerk one, but I still have to say that this is a bad idea despite calming down a bit. My biggest fears are by "sweeping us under the rug" (whether true or not, it's my perception of the matter) that any future updates will not include the KDF or just give us table scraps like they do now.
No. If anything, this means that the Klingon Faction has a very large update coming to it later on down the line so that it can finally be a full fledged faction, as The Empire was always meant to be.
Thanks,
Stormshade
klingons are getting their full faction. there is one or two other bits dotted around the forums about them devoting resources to klingons as perfect world wants two proper factions.
klingons are getting their full faction. there is one or two other bits dotted around the forums about them devoting resources to klingons as perfect world wants two proper factions.
yeah... the only problem is we're being told to wait (again)... and that isn't going well with many
klingons are getting their full faction. there is one or two other bits dotted around the forums about them devoting resources to klingons as perfect world wants two proper factions.
Call me jaded, but we've been burned so many times on empty promises from Cryptic that I'll believe this major content update when I see it.
Call me jaded, but we've been burned so many times on empty promises from Cryptic that I'll believe this major content update when I see it.
"When will THEN be NOW?"
"SOON."
".. All right, when will SOON be NOW?"
"... Eventually."
I realize Stormshade and Dstahl are only allowed -- or only has enough information -- to say "Soon." I also realize why they don't like giving hard dates. But we've been hearing 'Soon' about a lot of things for months, and... it gets a little wearying. =P
So I gotta say, I'm not going to be holding my breath for anything that's being listed as 'Soon,' and won't really believe that something's on it's way unless it's got something at least a little more accurate than 'x half of 201n.'
klingons are getting their full faction. there is one or two other bits dotted around the forums about them devoting resources to klingons as perfect world wants two proper factions.
Every promise regarding the KDF so far has been gone back on in some form, the KDF has been burned so many times that we would have a hard time believing the devs if they said the Klingon homeworld is Qo'nos.
This is just the final nail in the coffin of the KDF as far as most of the faction is concerned.
Every promise regarding the KDF so far has been gone back on in some form, the KDF has been burned so many times that we would have a hard time believing the devs if they said the Klingon homeworld is Qo'nos.
This is just the final nail in the coffin of the KDF as far as most of the faction is concerned.
Yup. It's like the same old empty promise. Again and again and again.
"Guys, guys, guys, calm down. We love the KDF! We got this huge patch coming up that's going to be all KDF focused! In fact, Season 1 ... no, Season 2 ... wait, Season 4 will be the best time ever to start a Klingon character! Well, wait, hold up, let's just put the KDF on hold for now. We promise, we'll get back to it. No really. We will. We promise!"
Comments
They kill the KDF outright with it.
everyone who plays klingons now can still do so, anyone who has a low level character and cant be asked to do the grind will get a boost up. the same amount of content is there its just not so much of a grind to do it. you can still play your klink as much as you like. current players only benefit from less grind in the short term.
plus a full klingon faction is being made and they have never said that before. we actually get what we wanted all along. less grind short term, more content long term. win/win
new players wont be put off of the game by rolling a klingon straight up and seeing that there is nothing much to do there.
yes, its not great if your a new player and your sole intention is to play a klingon, but you can still play the fed faction for free and get those first 25 levels before even thinking about needing to sub. its not like the levelling process is difficult or time consuming.
Will it help the faction? No. There's still no reason to make a Klingon. Klingons have what? Content for 10 levels if you include the featured episodes? Making one of the slots mandatory Klingon won't help either, it will only help sell slots you can put Feds in.
And Cryptic said that they will bring levels 1-25 later? There isn't even enough content for 25 to 51. I will put KDF level 1-25 where it belongs. Right next to new hair tech, Caitian manes, the ship upgrade system, the kitbash construction system, the convert your first officer to playable captain option with the Starfleet uniforms for diplomacy KDF officers, the Ambassador and Kumari classes and all the other things that were announced at some point but never went anywhere.
Stormy... if it hasn't already.... this information needs to be Stickied somewhere... just reading through the threads from the Dev Posts has a massive amount of bile and vitriol over the level 25 thing.. I can only imagine how many other threads are out there.
People need to understand that the lvl 25 thing is a temporary thing...
Jolan'tru
Sure. The other levels will arrive soon (TM).
silver members can unlock klingon play from the very beginning with a c-store transaction or just wait until 25, again assuming they have not subbed before and already meet the requirements.
That's where I put it.
Just another empty promise made by marketing doublespeak.
So far the "epic" details of this Free To Play announcement that they had to get dragged kicking and screaming into the spotlight to make (pre-empted by their own corporate owner weeks prior) ... so far the epic details are that the KDF loses half of its levels and 4 paid for playable races are being made free, long after people paid for them.
Stay classy Cryptic!
Their current "promise" is to get back to the first 24 levels of the KDF. However, a lot of Klingons feel it's just another cry of wolf. Since those promises have fallen short consistently. As far as the Romulan faction goes, officially they've said nothing.
Unofficially, I'd take it like this: If this change of the KDF to a mini-faction works out, the potential to create multiple mini-factions, including Romulans, is pretty significant.
That makes sense but I have to admit I don't like the idea forcing people to level up a Fed if they don't want to and their end goal is to do a KDF (or Romulan, etc.) character. I can't see that helping the game at all. That's a pretty significant chunk of time they'd be forcing a player to invest in something they may have no interest in just to be able to do what they actually want to do.
But yeah, no official word yet. At all. On a third or more factions. And most likely the only official word they will release is either that they can't say anything yet or that they will reveal details "soon" ish.
Hey, if it gets the Romulans in the game, I'm a happy camper.
I agree but will take it a step beyond;) Free members pay $30 a faction while gold its free. That money as well as my gold could go towards making the faction and other factions in the future great.
I was cool with KDF starting at what it is now, since it basically got you through Fed side tutorial. But this... this isn't good, and I hope yall reconsider. After 25 levels as a Feddie, it'd be incredibly akward to just jump over to a KDF character and suddenly have a new ship, new (mess of) skill points to spend, and a slew of new BOFFs to figure out. Could even see how that could be a little overwhelming to new players and turn them off to trying out the KDF (though I guess the lack of KDF content at the bottom is doing that anyways).
Still, low level content for the KDF is the solution. Then and only then will they be a faction that can kill themselves equivalents of the Federation.
Define "works out."
I don't know. I grok that they got seven new devs on the team, but after seeing so much stuff slide down the ER lists into 'In Development' and then disappear, the idea that just seven new devs will get 23 levels of Klingon content into the game in a year is... doubtful. If they can do it, cool, but let's just say I'm not holding my breath.
At this point, 'Hogwarts Online' might have been a better bet after all. =P What's wizard-speak for 'LEVEL UP!' and 'ACHIEVEMENT GET!'?
Yeah, the current low-level KDF grind is brutal. It's not as long as the grind in FFXI was, but it's brutal because there's so little to do. I can still barely believe I got a Klink to the level cap.
You got a LOT of mileage out of that rumor. =D
I think the main frustrating thing here is that we are all good and bloody tired of hearing 'soon.' It's been 'soon' for a whole mess load of things for so long -- months and months -- to the point where the word has lost any real meaning for us.
Yeah, I know. Hope springs eternal. Comes from being a lifer, I guess. =P Or a sucker.
I think for me the more frustrating part is that we've seen a "change" in direction for the KDF at least three times now, I'd say five, but my definition might be different than others. I want them to pick one direction (at this point mini-factions seems the best and most logical) and go with it and perfect it. I'm tired of hearing, this is the plan and then seeing it shift or put off. I don't blame them for the things beyond their control (lack of staff and being sold back and forth), these things can impact plans, but I think at this point we need to see one plan fulfilled to completion. For this reason I'm now in full support of a shift to "mini-factions" and the KDF as the testing ground and perfecting ground as this plan.
The only other possibility I see is that we'll be getting 51 levels worth of KDF content crammed into that Lv. 25+ space, which makes no sense to my (admittedly) vodka-addled brain.
One more reason why I have trouble fathoming why y'all can't just relax a little bit here. Y'know? It's very un-dude.
Let's see here, we've been told a number of things. The first was that the KDF would be a full faction (this was pre-beta). Next at about the time of beta was that the KDF would be "PvP-centric" what this meant at the time was unclear. Next we were told they would work to make the KDF more fully-fleshed out, but that it was unlikely it would ever be on par with the Feds. Now we are getting that the KDF is going to be locked out to new players until they hit 25 as a Fed, and that some day this will be reversed...
I think anyone can fathom why some people are unable to "relax".
The largest issue I see (and we're talking MMO players here) - is if/whem they have the lower level KDF content ready; and the announce "Starting on date XX/XX/XX - new KDF characters will start at Level 1..."
1) There will be a MAD powerleveling rush Fed side in the days just before for those that haven't unlocked KDF and gotten a Level 25 KDF character.
2) Those that miss the deadline will scream bloody murder, rage, badmouth, etc; and worse than it is now.
Anytime you LOWER the start level of anything from a higher point in an MMO - players will feel gipped and really voice displeasure.
And while teh lower level KDF content (if it gets made) will come 'quickly' in development terms; it won't be all that quickly is real time because if that were the case; I doubt they'd be making this decision to re-tool and gate/start new KDF at level 25.
But again the biggest outcry will be when the content is in game and players can no longer start a Klingon at level 25. The majority of MMO players hate the early levels in any game; and teh start bump from 25 back down to 1 will NOT be well received when it comes, even after all that work (imo).
I lol'd at this. I almost completely forgot about the "Hogwarts Online" rumor. Good one.
from stormshade.
klingons are getting their full faction. there is one or two other bits dotted around the forums about them devoting resources to klingons as perfect world wants two proper factions.
Call me jaded, but we've been burned so many times on empty promises from Cryptic that I'll believe this major content update when I see it.
"When will THEN be NOW?"
"SOON."
".. All right, when will SOON be NOW?"
"... Eventually."
I realize Stormshade and Dstahl are only allowed -- or only has enough information -- to say "Soon." I also realize why they don't like giving hard dates. But we've been hearing 'Soon' about a lot of things for months, and... it gets a little wearying. =P
So I gotta say, I'm not going to be holding my breath for anything that's being listed as 'Soon,' and won't really believe that something's on it's way unless it's got something at least a little more accurate than 'x half of 201n.'
Every promise regarding the KDF so far has been gone back on in some form, the KDF has been burned so many times that we would have a hard time believing the devs if they said the Klingon homeworld is Qo'nos.
This is just the final nail in the coffin of the KDF as far as most of the faction is concerned.
Yup. It's like the same old empty promise. Again and again and again.
"Guys, guys, guys, calm down. We love the KDF! We got this huge patch coming up that's going to be all KDF focused! In fact, Season 1 ... no, Season 2 ... wait, Season 4 will be the best time ever to start a Klingon character! Well, wait, hold up, let's just put the KDF on hold for now. We promise, we'll get back to it. No really. We will. We promise!"
At least you've gotten to pay to play as a Klingon so far. :rolleyes: