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
You seem like a nice guy Stormshade, but the history of the KDF and the statements made follow a pretty regular trend .
No offense but until I am playing it it might as well be vaporware.
It's been said over and over that the UFP can level from 1 to max extremely quickly. And if you have at least ONE UFP character that is already at 25, then you are ready to create your KDF character.
We're probably a fair bit off from the F2P changeover. Certainly more than enough time to get leveled up and ready to go.
Even the F2Pers will hit 25 in relatively short order. So again, is it really as bad as some of us are making it out to be?
It's been said over and over that the UFP can level from 1 to max extremely quickly. And if you have at least ONE UFP character that is already at 25, then you are ready to create your KDF character.
We're probably a fair bit off from the F2P changeover. Certainly more than enough time to get leveled up and ready to go.
Even the F2Pers will hit 25 in relatively short order. So again, is it really as bad as some of us are making it out to be?
That they're short-changing klingons once again and instead of giving them content from 1-25 (which we're promised is coming, when their promises, let alone KDF promises, are oh so believable :rolleyes: ) they're simply cutting out 25 levels and forcing players to play federation for at least that time.
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!"
I know how you feel. I know I have not been playing this game long, and I have also quit twice because I felt the game was lacking content for the Klingons, who I had wanted to play right from the start. You have been told by Cryptic time and time again, that things will be different, content will be added, promises were made and then broken. But what you have to realise is that Atari had no spare money to fund the projects Cryptic wanted to create, and were only wanting to create means to get more money. Which meant *spend a little to gain a lot*. They did not have the gamers in mind, just there pockets. Now Cryptic has a new company that wants to invest in the game, and does not see it as just another money maker. They WANT this game to succeed, and they are backing Cryptic up with investments of time and much needed money, giving Cryptic breathing room to better the game and provide for its subscribers. In my opinion, when Cryptic says they want to do something, PWI will do everything they can to make it happen, and support Cryptic all the way. This is everything I have wanted for this game. I knew that having Atari/Cryptic running this game was a bad idea, and now it is Cryptic/PWI I can say honestly, that I think this game is finally going to get everything we have wanted from the start.
It's been said over and over that the UFP can level from 1 to max extremely quickly. And if you have at least ONE UFP character that is already at 25, then you are ready to create your KDF character.
We're probably a fair bit off from the F2P changeover. Certainly more than enough time to get leveled up and ready to go.
Even the F2Pers will hit 25 in relatively short order. So again, is it really as bad as some of us are making it out to be?
Aside from their track record of promising us stuff that either never see the light of day or end up vaporware? What about those who DON'T want to have to level up a Feddie to 25 to unlock the "red" side?
Aside from their track record of promising us stuff that either never see the light of day or end up vaporware? What about those who DON'T want to have to level up a Feddie to 25 to unlock the "red" side?
I agree that making people level a fed to 25 to unlock the Klingons is a really bad move. I was angry enough just having to lvl a fed to lvl 6 before I could unlock Klingons, so 25 would be infuriating to be sure. However this is just how I felt about it, I dont know how others would react. In my opinion however, I feel that for those new to the game who only wish to play Klingon, will be just as infuriated and simply leave. Or not even be willing to try since the faction they want to play is locked out till lvl 25. I hope in one way or another that this is just temporary. Otherwise this could have a profound affect
as somone who has just got his klingon to 21 i think this is a good sign, because PVP is totally broken and they nerfed the exp gain from PVP for klingons way back it has been quite a slog.
I am hoping now i have unlocked the vault missions i should be able to go through it much quicker someone said you just repeat two missions over and over while doing some dse's.
i think to be honest Atari were more concerned with C-store sales than the content issue with the game which is why we have seen so much stuff hit the c-store and very little in the way of content.
as somone who has just got his klingon to 21 i think this is a good sign, because PVP is totally broken and they nerfed the exp gain from PVP for klingons way back it has been quite a slog.
I am hoping now i have unlocked the vault missions i should be able to go through it much quicker someone said you just repeat two missions over and over while doing some dse's.
i think to be honest Atari were more concerned with C-store sales than the content issue with the game which is why we have seen so much stuff hit the c-store and very little in the way of content.
Shortly before the 16th of feb 2010 to be exact when the exp was cut in half. Has it not changed back since then????
This link is from the 16th of feb, hence I know when it was as I commented in that post myself. I am sure however that at least some of that slog has been rectified by other quests and feature missions, plus accolades from other players from the Foundry. At least I am pretty sure. Please correct me if I am wrong
In my opinion, when Cryptic says they want to do something, PWI will do everything they can to make it happen, and support Cryptic all the way.
Thing is, we have nothing but pretty words to suggest that things will change. We've seen pretty words before, and once upon a time, they were enough for me to give Cryptic the benefit of the doubt. Not anymore.
None of us know if the fault lay with Atari or Cryptic in the past, and none of us know what PWI actually wants with regard to the KDF. And no matter how thin you cut it, pushing the unlock to 25 is not an encouraging sign. IMO, it smacks of making the KDF "monster play" or "prestige class," and does not seem to be a necessary step towards developing a fuller faction.
The difference between you and I is that I see today as a new day. I have let go of all the Atari TRIBBLE of the past and see PW as a new chance. You want to keep hanging on to what was. I am done with yesterday. You keep hanging onto it if it make you feel better.
I agree, Cryptic can't go on like they did ( or were forced ) when they were part of Atari.
Thing is, we have nothing but pretty words to suggest that things will change. We've seen pretty words before, and once upon a time, they were enough for me to give Cryptic the benefit of the doubt. Not anymore.
None of us know if the fault lay with Atari or Cryptic in the past, and none of us know what PWI actually wants with regard to the KDF. And no matter how thin you cut it, pushing the unlock to 25 is not an encouraging sign. IMO, it smacks of making the KDF "monster play" or "prestige class," and does not seem to be a necessary step towards developing a fuller faction.
Do you think I dont know that? I really do understand what you are saying and I agree with you wholeheartedly. And I agree that we should not have to play a fed to 25 before playing a Klingon, especially those who actually want to play a Klingon and nothing else. I just think you need to give PWI a bit of slack and Cryptic some slack.
Time and time again over the course of STO existence we have been dissapointed again and again, noone knows who did what, who is to blame for anything, and noone is fessing up about who is to blame. All we have left is a chance to put everything that has happened so far into the past and leave it there, and move on with new hope that PWI WILL do everything in there power to actually support Cryptic and help bring new life to the game. If they mess things up or break anymore promises, then and only then should they be held accountable. But without at least giving them a chance, what hope is there?
Yes, because their promise about making KDF playable at Level 1 has been exposed for being a blatant lie.
Except for the part about the starting at Level 25 being temporary until they can produce enough content to put the factions on equal footing with each other.
Dan clearly told us that Perfect World WANTS both factions on equal footing in terms of content. This is not just HIM stating it. He's put his BOSSES on the line. And I don't think they would have allowed that statement to remain unredacted if they are not willing or able to back it up.
I have little doubt that PW is aware of the bad blood between this community and Cryptic as they were forced to be under Atari. If they want this F2P thing to be as successful as it can be, then they must put their money where their mouth is and take steps to heal the wounds.
The KDF has had its bones broken by more than a full year of unfullfilled promises, most of which has been Cryptic saying what they WANT to be able to do. Those bones were never set correctly. Well what happens when you have a broken bone that isn't set right? You have to re-break it and re-set it. Yes it hurts like hell, but it will heal correctly and be strong again.
That's what I view this as. The content is coming. But it won't be ready in time for the conversion to F2P. If the massive influx of new players that comes in with the conversion is able to hit Level 6 with UFP and then create a KDF character like now, then all we will have is a massive influx of new people complaining about the lack of KDF content, which will put off a lot of people from even bothering with it, just like now.
We don't need the current situation multiplied by a factor of 100. It's going to take time to develop the content. If you ask me, I think people will reach Level 25 too soon as it is. Unless they are already well under way with the development of Levels 1-25 of Klingon content and can be done with it by the time those who create new characters after the F2P conversion hit UFP 25...
Except for the part about the starting at Level 25 being temporary until they can produce enough content to put the factions on equal footing with each other.
They've promised many times in the past that they will do great things for the KDF. And most of those promises were empty. Their track record speaks louder than their PR spin at this point.
Dan clearly told us that Perfect World WANTS both factions on equal footing in terms of content.
He's said the exact same things in the past. About Atari. About Crytpic. About himself. About the dev team. It's always the same. They promise to develop the KDF. They don't deliver.
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
I dont see how removing them for 25 levels is better. It seems almost like sweeping an embarassment under the rug...as oh we don't want to show you the ugly step cousin to our wonderful federation.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to NOT give any more money to Cryptic unless they develop things we like.
As a klingon player, I hated paying the sub fee for:
Federation skirts and costumes
Federation ships that are better than existing klingon ships
Useless fluff like non-combat pets
Starfleet academy
Klingon academy (the REAL academy is the PVP queue. Go back to feds, Alexanders)
Federation shuttlecraft
Now, I can play for free, pvp and chat with friends, and have the same game experience (lol PvP content? This is cryptic we're talking about here).
This'll be the closest klingon players will come to giving Cryptic the bird, so that's a good thing.
They've promised many times in the past that they will do great things for the KDF. And most of those promises were empty. Their track record speaks louder than their PR spin at this point.
He's said the exact same things in the past. About Atari. About Crytpic. About himself. About the dev team. It's always the same. They promise to develop the KDF. They don't deliver.
Here's what I would suggest... Monitor the job listings on Cryptic's web site. When the positions they are hiring for are all filled, give them 90 days (allow for at least 30 days of that for all the new people to be up to speed on the tools and procedures and the remaining 60 for straight content development. If after the end of that 90 days they haven't begun deploying new Klingon content at a steady pace, then vote with your wallet.
Lifetimers... just stop playing the game and make no purchases from the C-store. Subscribers... Cancel your subscriptions. Go Silver and spend NOTHING, or else just don't play.
Don't post any I Quit threads. That will just bring out the trolls and the banhammer. We don't need that. A drop-off in revenue will send the message.
As I see it, it wull probably take them about a month to fill all those positions, unless they decide to re-evaluate the applicants over and over and over. If thye just hire someone who is qualified and get them in there asap, they can get moving. So yeah... At least a month to staff up. A month for everyone to be up to speed and on the same page with their responsibilities and knowledge. Two more months to actually get it going... A total of four months. Heck I might even say go ahead and give them until the second year mark. After all, Dan said that when we get to that point, the game should be way better than it is now. Well, I take that to include KDF content.
So minimum of mid-January. Max of February 2. If the KDF is not seeing marked improvements durring that time, then I will subscribe to your sentiment. Until then, I am going to be cautiously optimistic that things will turn around.
I dont see how removing them for 25 levels is better. It seems almost like sweeping an embarassment under the rug...as oh we don't want to show you the ugly step cousin to our wonderful federation.
Read my "KDF lockout is backwards" thread. While it may seem more strict, it won't change anything about KDF content in the meantime.
When the positions they are hiring for are all filled
Cryptic hires aren't exactly placed on the STO team. There's new projects in the works right now. That need new hires to help with.
I've heard rumor that they're looking at 7 new additions to the team for this game.
That would get things back to the functionality of 2010. That's a year where KDF development was not very good.
It always comes back to their track record. We were even told to judge them by their track record in an official post. So judging on track record has commenced.
It always comes back to their track record. We were even told to judge them by their track record in an official post. So judging on track record has commenced.
Jup, I fully agree with superchum. I'm too judging them now by that record and it's not a very positive on.
I won't trust any Cryptic "We will do much more KDF content Posts until I get hard prove that it is really happening.
It's even worse that they are charging us for ships which should have been ingame at launch.
Cryptic hires aren't exactly placed on the STO team. There's new projects in the works right now. That need new hires to help with.
I've heard rumor that they're looking at 7 new additions to the team for this game.
That would get things back to the functionality of 2010. That's a year where KDF development was not very good.
It always comes back to their track record. We were even told to judge them by their track record in an official post. So judging on track record has commenced.
Do what you will, superchum. When a big change like being bought by new owners with a much more stable bankroll than the previous ones happens, I'm willing to reset my angst level to zero and give them a chance to prove themselves.
One thing that was constant in Cryptic's past track record was that Atari was holding the money bag. And money is what moves business. You think our subscriptions and C-point purchases went directly to Cryptic's STO division? Remember how it went from Cryptic Poinsts ot ATARI points until the sale of Cryptic? What does that suggest to you. Atari had its hands in THAT cookie jar too. And if Atari told Jack to tell Dan to Tell us that something was going to happen even if they didn't intend to follow through with funding it, then Jack is going to tell Dan to tell us.
Maybe you are forgetting that STO improved considerably after Dan was assigned to the Helm. He worked very well with what he was given to work with, which sadly did not include the KDF development. He made it clear to us that unless more people were to play the KDF he would not be able to do anything about it. WHY? Because Atari's bean counters told them that the KDF was not generating revenue and so the suits decided to channel the resources towards the UFP which WAS generating revenue. The decision was made without the question, "Why aren't the KDF features being used, and what can we do to improve that?"
In typical corporate fashion, they made a knee-jerk decision and the dev team's hands were tied and the KDF players suffered.
But you have a new owner now that WANTS to spend the money to fix the problem. So I will give them until Mid-January to February 2 to make good on the new promises. If they cannot get something significant going on the KDF front between now and then, then I will change my position.
Like I said, superchum, Do whatever you will. I'm going to give them a chance to fix this problem which has been there since the beginning.
Do what you will, superchum. When a big change like being bought by new owners with a much more stable bankroll than the previous ones happens, I'm willing to reset my angst level to zero and give them a chance to prove themselves.
I just have one thing to ask you man: Are you mainly a Federation player? Just a question, but you have to realize klingon players have been helping to finance Federation PvE Online since the game launched.
I just have one thing to ask you man: Are you mainly a Federation player? Just a question, but you have to realize klingon players have been helping to finance Federation PvE Online since the game launched.
Not truly a fair question IMO, and I'll explain why.
I'm mainly a Fed player myself, and as I see it, I've been one of the most vocal and negative people here on the forums about this issue.
I just have one thing to ask you man: Are you mainly a Federation player? Just a question, but you have to realize klingon players have been helping to finance Federation PvE Online since the game launched.
That's really all the KDF players have had an opportunity TO help finance. Subs are not UFP or KDF. They're just subs. And the amount of C-store UFP items dwarfs KDF items by a greater degree than UFP PVE content dwarfs the KDF's current PvE content. And the KDF players THEMSELVES are in a major minority because the game launched with a KDF faction that was devoid of PvE content. And MMO history in general has shown that when measured with all available playstyles, PvP is a lesser area of interest.
So the KDF at launch was a faction that only catered to a monorly-preferred playstyle and offered no support or features for any other playstyle. While the UFP launched fully supportive of ALL playstyles... INCLUDING PVP.
The average player, given a choice between a faction that allows you articipation in ALL features the game offers and a faction that allows participation in only ONE feature, which faction are they likely to choose. It's a no-brainer.
So the problem has been manifest since the beginning. An effort to fix it has never been funded because the revenue specific to KDF gameplay has been insignificant compared to that of the UFP because not enough players play the KDF because it doesn't offer enough to appeal to a wider cross-section of the community as a whole. Without the infusion of actual funds direct into KDF development, that will remain a self-perpetuating problem.
Based on what we have been told, PWI wants to provide that infusion of funds. And if they truly do so, then the KDF will actually start to come alive, because it will offer something to everybody just like the UFP.
Now I will say this... If Cryptic under PWI does build the KDF up to be equal with the UFP in terms of content and features, and it STILL proves to remain a minority faction, it will quantifyably mean that Klingons really aren't as popular as Starfleet Officers in terms of Star Trek elements. But that has never been adequately put to the test because in terms of features and content, STO has been arbitrarily skewed in favor of the UFP.
But regardless, PWI/Cryptic needs to maintain equality between the two so both are equally supportive of the players who choose to participate in them...
So the problem has been manifest since the beginning. An effort to fix it has never been funded because the revenue specific to KDF gameplay has been insignificant compared to that of the UFP because not enough players play the UFP because it doesn't offer enough to appeal to a wider cross-section of the community as a whole. Without the infusion of actual funds direct into KDF development, that will remain a self-perpetuating problem.
Well, I'd disagree with you here. Attempts have been made to correct the Klingon content imbalance. First and foremost 8 high quality Klingon exclusive missions were introduced as a test to see if it helped Klingon population numbers, it didn't. Cryptic then devoted themselves to developing faction agnostic content in the form of Featured Episodes. These featured episodes are available to Klingons, they add Klingon content, not Klingon exclusive ofcourse, but it amounts to a reason to play the Klingon Empire. Now it's possible that these measures just haven't hit the "critical mass" that a faction needs to attract and maintain players. It's also possible that the KDF, as envisioned by Cryptic, is just not attractive to players. But it's not a self perpetuating problem that has never had resources invested to correcting.
Based on what we have been told, PWI wants to provide that infusion of funds. And if they truly do so, then the KDF will actually start to come alive, because it will offer something to everybody just like the UFP.
Now I will say this... If Cryptic under PWI does build the KDF up to be equal with the UFP in terms of content and features, and it STILL proves to remain a minority faction, it will quantifyably mean that Klingons really aren't as popular as Starfleet Officers in terms of Star Trek elements. But that has never been adequately put to the test because in terms of features and content, STO has been arbitrarily skewed in favor of the UFP.
But regardless, PWI/Cryptic needs to maintain equality between the two so both are equally supportive of the players who choose to participate in them...
We realize the problem, and I'm not saying you're wrong in your summation of the issue, but I'm saying Superchum's been part of this community for a good while, and there is a difference as far as the levels of frustration between fed and kling players. This is why I asked if you play mainly Fed PvE.
We're beyond tired of supporting STO with money and it goes to things like skirts, walk and run animations, locations with no functionality (bridges, academies), etc. All Fed PvE content, which I'm sure fed players love.
You'll never understand a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes; likewise in this game.
Well, I'd disagree with you here. Attempts have been made to correct the Klingon content imbalance. First and foremost 8 high quality Klingon exclusive missions were introduced as a test to see if it helped Klingon population numbers, it didn't.
Of course it didn't. You have to grind through the barren start just to get to the first pair, and then keep grinding to get to the next, and then...
Well, I'd disagree with you here. Attempts have been made to correct the Klingon content imbalance. First and foremost 8 high quality Klingon exclusive missions were introduced as a test to see if it helped Klingon population numbers, it didn't.
Of COURSE it didn't. How was a measly 8 missions going to make a bit of difference in the leveling grind KDF players have had to deal with. Their XP payout wasn't nearly enough to make people want to flock to the KDF banner...
Cryptic then devoted themselves to developing faction agnostic content in the form of Featured Episodes. These featured episodes are available to Klingons, they add Klingon content, not Klingon exclusive ofcourse, but it amounts to a reason to play the Klingon Empire.
No it doesn't. It just gives those already grinding through it a little relief because its something that pays some XP and grands decent gear. Faction EXCLUSIVE content that is apropriately themed and existing in equal quantity with the UFP is what will make people WANT to play the KDF.
Now it's possible that these measures just haven't hit the "critical mass" that a faction needs to attract and maintain players. It's also possible that the KDF, as envisioned by Cryptic, is just not attractive to players.
What was originally invisioned by Cryptic, is a KDF faction on equal footing with the UFP capable of competing with the UFP directly through PvP or indirectly through interstellar trade and territorial control (both of which are on the radar for future development and will add a much needed PvE endgame element). In spite of SOME Cryptic employees who tried to insist that was never the intent, it was, and now apparently is again.
But it's not a self perpetuating problem that has never had resources invested to correcting.
Okay... I'll rephrase...
It is a self-perpetuating problem that has never had SUFFICIENT resources invested to correct it, and will remain so until it does, which looks to be about to happen.
Comments
You seem like a nice guy Stormshade, but the history of the KDF and the statements made follow a pretty regular trend .
No offense but until I am playing it it might as well be vaporware.
It's been said over and over that the UFP can level from 1 to max extremely quickly. And if you have at least ONE UFP character that is already at 25, then you are ready to create your KDF character.
We're probably a fair bit off from the F2P changeover. Certainly more than enough time to get leveled up and ready to go.
Even the F2Pers will hit 25 in relatively short order. So again, is it really as bad as some of us are making it out to be?
That they're short-changing klingons once again and instead of giving them content from 1-25 (which we're promised is coming, when their promises, let alone KDF promises, are oh so believable :rolleyes: ) they're simply cutting out 25 levels and forcing players to play federation for at least that time.
Yes, because their promise about making KDF playable at Level 1 has been exposed for being a blatant lie.
I know how you feel. I know I have not been playing this game long, and I have also quit twice because I felt the game was lacking content for the Klingons, who I had wanted to play right from the start. You have been told by Cryptic time and time again, that things will be different, content will be added, promises were made and then broken. But what you have to realise is that Atari had no spare money to fund the projects Cryptic wanted to create, and were only wanting to create means to get more money. Which meant *spend a little to gain a lot*. They did not have the gamers in mind, just there pockets. Now Cryptic has a new company that wants to invest in the game, and does not see it as just another money maker. They WANT this game to succeed, and they are backing Cryptic up with investments of time and much needed money, giving Cryptic breathing room to better the game and provide for its subscribers. In my opinion, when Cryptic says they want to do something, PWI will do everything they can to make it happen, and support Cryptic all the way. This is everything I have wanted for this game. I knew that having Atari/Cryptic running this game was a bad idea, and now it is Cryptic/PWI I can say honestly, that I think this game is finally going to get everything we have wanted from the start.
Aside from their track record of promising us stuff that either never see the light of day or end up vaporware? What about those who DON'T want to have to level up a Feddie to 25 to unlock the "red" side?
I agree that making people level a fed to 25 to unlock the Klingons is a really bad move. I was angry enough just having to lvl a fed to lvl 6 before I could unlock Klingons, so 25 would be infuriating to be sure. However this is just how I felt about it, I dont know how others would react. In my opinion however, I feel that for those new to the game who only wish to play Klingon, will be just as infuriated and simply leave. Or not even be willing to try since the faction they want to play is locked out till lvl 25. I hope in one way or another that this is just temporary. Otherwise this could have a profound affect
I am hoping now i have unlocked the vault missions i should be able to go through it much quicker someone said you just repeat two missions over and over while doing some dse's.
i think to be honest Atari were more concerned with C-store sales than the content issue with the game which is why we have seen so much stuff hit the c-store and very little in the way of content.
Shortly before the 16th of feb 2010 to be exact when the exp was cut in half. Has it not changed back since then????
http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=119228
This link is from the 16th of feb, hence I know when it was as I commented in that post myself. I am sure however that at least some of that slog has been rectified by other quests and feature missions, plus accolades from other players from the Foundry. At least I am pretty sure. Please correct me if I am wrong
None of us know if the fault lay with Atari or Cryptic in the past, and none of us know what PWI actually wants with regard to the KDF. And no matter how thin you cut it, pushing the unlock to 25 is not an encouraging sign. IMO, it smacks of making the KDF "monster play" or "prestige class," and does not seem to be a necessary step towards developing a fuller faction.
I agree, Cryptic can't go on like they did ( or were forced ) when they were part of Atari.
Do you think I dont know that? I really do understand what you are saying and I agree with you wholeheartedly. And I agree that we should not have to play a fed to 25 before playing a Klingon, especially those who actually want to play a Klingon and nothing else. I just think you need to give PWI a bit of slack and Cryptic some slack.
Time and time again over the course of STO existence we have been dissapointed again and again, noone knows who did what, who is to blame for anything, and noone is fessing up about who is to blame. All we have left is a chance to put everything that has happened so far into the past and leave it there, and move on with new hope that PWI WILL do everything in there power to actually support Cryptic and help bring new life to the game. If they mess things up or break anymore promises, then and only then should they be held accountable. But without at least giving them a chance, what hope is there?
Except for the part about the starting at Level 25 being temporary until they can produce enough content to put the factions on equal footing with each other.
Dan clearly told us that Perfect World WANTS both factions on equal footing in terms of content. This is not just HIM stating it. He's put his BOSSES on the line. And I don't think they would have allowed that statement to remain unredacted if they are not willing or able to back it up.
I have little doubt that PW is aware of the bad blood between this community and Cryptic as they were forced to be under Atari. If they want this F2P thing to be as successful as it can be, then they must put their money where their mouth is and take steps to heal the wounds.
The KDF has had its bones broken by more than a full year of unfullfilled promises, most of which has been Cryptic saying what they WANT to be able to do. Those bones were never set correctly. Well what happens when you have a broken bone that isn't set right? You have to re-break it and re-set it. Yes it hurts like hell, but it will heal correctly and be strong again.
That's what I view this as. The content is coming. But it won't be ready in time for the conversion to F2P. If the massive influx of new players that comes in with the conversion is able to hit Level 6 with UFP and then create a KDF character like now, then all we will have is a massive influx of new people complaining about the lack of KDF content, which will put off a lot of people from even bothering with it, just like now.
We don't need the current situation multiplied by a factor of 100. It's going to take time to develop the content. If you ask me, I think people will reach Level 25 too soon as it is. Unless they are already well under way with the development of Levels 1-25 of Klingon content and can be done with it by the time those who create new characters after the F2P conversion hit UFP 25...
I have put forward an alternate approach in the F2P Q&A forum. Read "KDF lockout is backwards"
They've promised many times in the past that they will do great things for the KDF. And most of those promises were empty. Their track record speaks louder than their PR spin at this point.
He's said the exact same things in the past. About Atari. About Crytpic. About himself. About the dev team. It's always the same. They promise to develop the KDF. They don't deliver.
I dont see how removing them for 25 levels is better. It seems almost like sweeping an embarassment under the rug...as oh we don't want to show you the ugly step cousin to our wonderful federation.
As a klingon player, I hated paying the sub fee for:
Federation skirts and costumes
Federation ships that are better than existing klingon ships
Useless fluff like non-combat pets
Starfleet academy
Klingon academy (the REAL academy is the PVP queue. Go back to feds, Alexanders)
Federation shuttlecraft
Now, I can play for free, pvp and chat with friends, and have the same game experience (lol PvP content? This is cryptic we're talking about here).
This'll be the closest klingon players will come to giving Cryptic the bird, so that's a good thing.
Here's what I would suggest... Monitor the job listings on Cryptic's web site. When the positions they are hiring for are all filled, give them 90 days (allow for at least 30 days of that for all the new people to be up to speed on the tools and procedures and the remaining 60 for straight content development. If after the end of that 90 days they haven't begun deploying new Klingon content at a steady pace, then vote with your wallet.
Lifetimers... just stop playing the game and make no purchases from the C-store. Subscribers... Cancel your subscriptions. Go Silver and spend NOTHING, or else just don't play.
Don't post any I Quit threads. That will just bring out the trolls and the banhammer. We don't need that. A drop-off in revenue will send the message.
As I see it, it wull probably take them about a month to fill all those positions, unless they decide to re-evaluate the applicants over and over and over. If thye just hire someone who is qualified and get them in there asap, they can get moving. So yeah... At least a month to staff up. A month for everyone to be up to speed and on the same page with their responsibilities and knowledge. Two more months to actually get it going... A total of four months. Heck I might even say go ahead and give them until the second year mark. After all, Dan said that when we get to that point, the game should be way better than it is now. Well, I take that to include KDF content.
So minimum of mid-January. Max of February 2. If the KDF is not seeing marked improvements durring that time, then I will subscribe to your sentiment. Until then, I am going to be cautiously optimistic that things will turn around.
Read my "KDF lockout is backwards" thread. While it may seem more strict, it won't change anything about KDF content in the meantime.
Cryptic hires aren't exactly placed on the STO team. There's new projects in the works right now. That need new hires to help with.
I've heard rumor that they're looking at 7 new additions to the team for this game.
That would get things back to the functionality of 2010. That's a year where KDF development was not very good.
It always comes back to their track record. We were even told to judge them by their track record in an official post. So judging on track record has commenced.
Jup, I fully agree with superchum. I'm too judging them now by that record and it's not a very positive on.
I won't trust any Cryptic "We will do much more KDF content Posts until I get hard prove that it is really happening.
It's even worse that they are charging us for ships which should have been ingame at launch.
Do what you will, superchum. When a big change like being bought by new owners with a much more stable bankroll than the previous ones happens, I'm willing to reset my angst level to zero and give them a chance to prove themselves.
One thing that was constant in Cryptic's past track record was that Atari was holding the money bag. And money is what moves business. You think our subscriptions and C-point purchases went directly to Cryptic's STO division? Remember how it went from Cryptic Poinsts ot ATARI points until the sale of Cryptic? What does that suggest to you. Atari had its hands in THAT cookie jar too. And if Atari told Jack to tell Dan to Tell us that something was going to happen even if they didn't intend to follow through with funding it, then Jack is going to tell Dan to tell us.
Maybe you are forgetting that STO improved considerably after Dan was assigned to the Helm. He worked very well with what he was given to work with, which sadly did not include the KDF development. He made it clear to us that unless more people were to play the KDF he would not be able to do anything about it. WHY? Because Atari's bean counters told them that the KDF was not generating revenue and so the suits decided to channel the resources towards the UFP which WAS generating revenue. The decision was made without the question, "Why aren't the KDF features being used, and what can we do to improve that?"
In typical corporate fashion, they made a knee-jerk decision and the dev team's hands were tied and the KDF players suffered.
But you have a new owner now that WANTS to spend the money to fix the problem. So I will give them until Mid-January to February 2 to make good on the new promises. If they cannot get something significant going on the KDF front between now and then, then I will change my position.
Like I said, superchum, Do whatever you will. I'm going to give them a chance to fix this problem which has been there since the beginning.
I just have one thing to ask you man: Are you mainly a Federation player? Just a question, but you have to realize klingon players have been helping to finance Federation PvE Online since the game launched.
Not truly a fair question IMO, and I'll explain why.
I'm mainly a Fed player myself, and as I see it, I've been one of the most vocal and negative people here on the forums about this issue.
It is a fair question, and while I do have fed fleets and kling fleets, for serious PvP matches I'm on my BoP fighting against feds.
BTW, thanks for supporting us on this issue! Really, thank you.
Realize though, that as a fed player, one won't have the same feeling of "paying for another man's game" that mainly klingon players feel.
Development:
Klingon PvE? lol? Granted the missions were ok, but 8 and the game's past 600 days?
PvP? hahahahahahahaha
That's really all the KDF players have had an opportunity TO help finance. Subs are not UFP or KDF. They're just subs. And the amount of C-store UFP items dwarfs KDF items by a greater degree than UFP PVE content dwarfs the KDF's current PvE content. And the KDF players THEMSELVES are in a major minority because the game launched with a KDF faction that was devoid of PvE content. And MMO history in general has shown that when measured with all available playstyles, PvP is a lesser area of interest.
So the KDF at launch was a faction that only catered to a monorly-preferred playstyle and offered no support or features for any other playstyle. While the UFP launched fully supportive of ALL playstyles... INCLUDING PVP.
The average player, given a choice between a faction that allows you articipation in ALL features the game offers and a faction that allows participation in only ONE feature, which faction are they likely to choose. It's a no-brainer.
So the problem has been manifest since the beginning. An effort to fix it has never been funded because the revenue specific to KDF gameplay has been insignificant compared to that of the UFP because not enough players play the KDF because it doesn't offer enough to appeal to a wider cross-section of the community as a whole. Without the infusion of actual funds direct into KDF development, that will remain a self-perpetuating problem.
Based on what we have been told, PWI wants to provide that infusion of funds. And if they truly do so, then the KDF will actually start to come alive, because it will offer something to everybody just like the UFP.
Now I will say this... If Cryptic under PWI does build the KDF up to be equal with the UFP in terms of content and features, and it STILL proves to remain a minority faction, it will quantifyably mean that Klingons really aren't as popular as Starfleet Officers in terms of Star Trek elements. But that has never been adequately put to the test because in terms of features and content, STO has been arbitrarily skewed in favor of the UFP.
But regardless, PWI/Cryptic needs to maintain equality between the two so both are equally supportive of the players who choose to participate in them...
Well, I'd disagree with you here. Attempts have been made to correct the Klingon content imbalance. First and foremost 8 high quality Klingon exclusive missions were introduced as a test to see if it helped Klingon population numbers, it didn't. Cryptic then devoted themselves to developing faction agnostic content in the form of Featured Episodes. These featured episodes are available to Klingons, they add Klingon content, not Klingon exclusive ofcourse, but it amounts to a reason to play the Klingon Empire. Now it's possible that these measures just haven't hit the "critical mass" that a faction needs to attract and maintain players. It's also possible that the KDF, as envisioned by Cryptic, is just not attractive to players. But it's not a self perpetuating problem that has never had resources invested to correcting.
Yeah, and about that we'll see.
We're beyond tired of supporting STO with money and it goes to things like skirts, walk and run animations, locations with no functionality (bridges, academies), etc. All Fed PvE content, which I'm sure fed players love.
You'll never understand a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes; likewise in this game.
Of course it didn't. You have to grind through the barren start just to get to the first pair, and then keep grinding to get to the next, and then...
Of COURSE it didn't. How was a measly 8 missions going to make a bit of difference in the leveling grind KDF players have had to deal with. Their XP payout wasn't nearly enough to make people want to flock to the KDF banner...
No it doesn't. It just gives those already grinding through it a little relief because its something that pays some XP and grands decent gear. Faction EXCLUSIVE content that is apropriately themed and existing in equal quantity with the UFP is what will make people WANT to play the KDF.
What was originally invisioned by Cryptic, is a KDF faction on equal footing with the UFP capable of competing with the UFP directly through PvP or indirectly through interstellar trade and territorial control (both of which are on the radar for future development and will add a much needed PvE endgame element). In spite of SOME Cryptic employees who tried to insist that was never the intent, it was, and now apparently is again.
Okay... I'll rephrase...
It is a self-perpetuating problem that has never had SUFFICIENT resources invested to correct it, and will remain so until it does, which looks to be about to happen.
Indeed we will...