Seems like a better solution would have been to fix the KDF and then go F2P.
I agee on that, but since I already have a maxed out KDF character I am somewhat (selfishly) glad that they didnt wait the sooner F2P goes live, the sooner I start getting my stipend.
It would have been more logical to wait though yes.
It gets even better. If they have finally solved the Klingon content problems this way nothing stands in the way of equally "heroic" Cardassian and Romulan factions.:D
Again this is why I say, come out call it a "mini-faction" and welcome in all the new potential mini-factions and be done with it.
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
Then why did you basically lie to us and tell us it was being worked on back then? I'm sorry, but I'll believe it when I see it. Cryptic has broken the trust of a large part of the community and it will take actions, not words, in order to restore that trust. Seeing as your most visible action right now is the implementation of pay-2-win at the cost of game balance and the community, I currently hold your company in very low esteem.
Seems like a better solution would have been to fix the KDF and then go F2P.
Completely agreed, and the point of my post earlier in the thread... TBH, I thought that's what would happen when the initial discussions about a starting at level 1 and adding a Klingon tutorial came up... I am severely disappointed in the route they've chosen to take to "fix" the KDF for f2p, no matter how temporary that fix may be.
Regardless of our personal opinions, PW is a successful. They won't invest in something if they didn't think it would be profitable.
PW didn't invest in the KDF, they didn't even really invest in STO directly they invested (bought) Cryptic.
I'm sorry, but I see no reason to believe that the KDF is going to become a truly improved faction. While I believe them when they say they want to make it better, I don't believe it is a priority nor will it be when they get larger staff. I say the devs make the best of the situation, and make them into a "mini-faction" with content from lvl 25-51, improve those 26 levels and continue to add to it via the "weeklies".
Its there way of pushing it off till later but unfortunately it won't work. A new player will get to level 25 and try to play Kinks and learn there is no content and will go right back to fed play until they run out of the little available end game content.
I understand that not eveyone speaks English as thier first language and that is fine. I ask because, your posts have gotten progressivly more emotional and incorrent as the day has gone on.
And what about getting EC, crafting materials, crafting experience, and dilithium?
As it is now at level 6, the KDF is 4 levels behind the Fed side in that.
And now the KDF gets to wait an extra 19 levels?
I"m sorry but that stuff is WAY easy, I finished a crafting toon in hours. You don't need 19 levels to build up crafting experience and materials lol., and we don't' even know how exactly lower level marks/badges will translate to Dilithium, it probably wont' be one for one I would bet. In any case, I still don't see the justification for all the rage and speculation here. I get it, they said X, and X happened instead.... shoulda, coulda, woulda...New company at the helm, lets see what happens now. In the short term, this makes sense to me, and my ranks will be filled with players from our fed division who now have 50% less work to do to finish their klink, for now I don't' see that as a bad thing. a year from now, if theres still no low level content, then that's a different story.
I understand that not eveyone speaks English as thier first language and that is fine. I ask because, your posts have gotten progressivly more emotional and incorrent as the day has gone on.
I"m sorry but that stuff is WAY easy, I finished a crafting toon in hours. You don't need 19 levels to build up crafting experience and materials lol., and we don't' even know how exactly lower level marks/badges will translate to Dilithium, it probably wont' be one for one I would bet. In any case, I still don't see the justification for all the rage and speculation here. I get it, they said X, and X happened instead.... shoulda, coulda, woulda...New company at the helm, lets see what happens now. In the short term, this makes sense to me, and my ranks will be filled with players from our fed division who now have 50% less work to do to finish their klink, for now I don't' see that as a bad thing. a year from now, if theres still no low level content, then that's a different story.
It will take HOURS to farm the crafting material needed to bring yourself up to the same level as the Fed side.
You say we don't know yet how low level badges etc will translate into dilithium, while Cryptic HAS said that all badges, marks, and emblems will be rolled into dilithium.
Will Cryptic automatically give people who roll a KDF the anomalies and dilithium they should have earned? Not bloody likely.
It will take HOURS to farm the crafting material needed to bring yourself up to the same level as the Fed side.
You say we don't know yet how low level badges etc will translate into dilithium, while Cryptic HAS said that all badges, marks, and emblems will be rolled into dilithium.
Will Cryptic automatically give people who roll a KDF the anomalies and dilithium they should have earned? Not bloody likely.
I'm saying that like the PVP marks to emblems translation, lower level badges/marks will not translate to a 1 for 1 trade in most likely. And I don't know about you, but I don't farm ALL of my sample needs, yay exchange! and with a fed toon at a minimum of 25 parked on the other side, you could always just mail what you save on that toon.
Besides, the fastest way to level a klink is by doing the Nebula DSE's, not the expanses collecting samples. You'll still have AZURE, CHOS, and T'kanis to grind. Seems like plenty o'XCurrencyHeremarksdilithium to me .
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
At least you admit it is going to be rough on the Klingons, but you are doing it anyway. Please ask dstahl not to throw it in our faces in the future that only 12% or 18% of the playerbase are playing Klingons after you all have made the conscious decision to set the bar this high.
Did you also consider that a large percentage of players don't make it past level 20?
And when can we expect these great things for the Klingon Empire? Season 5? Season 6? Late than that? If you are asking us to wait (again), it'd be nice to know where we fall on the priority scale.
I definitely understand where the dissenters are coming from and I'm not changing my signature until Jack Emmert's vision for the KDF comes to pass or Cryptic calls it quits and officially makes it a mini-faction. I am encouraged by the F2P FAQ though:
We understand that the Klingon Faction is currently under developed.
...
A more complete, full-fledged Klingon Faction that we've always wanted to be able to provide will be launched in a future update. Our new owners and publishers at Perfect World are just as committed to having a fully developed Klingon Faction as we are and as our players are.
However, the above quote is the last thing I'll believe about fully developing the KDF faction.
Cryptic - if this is finally coming to fruition, I'd advise a strict NDA about that "future update" until it's done, bug free and ready to be released. No more teasers in the Ask Cryptic or Engineering Report, that get people excited and encouraged only to have things badly delayed or plans flat out changed.
Personally, I can wait as long as necessary if this is really going to happen. But as you can see in this thread, quite a few in the KDF have had enough and have completely lost faith.
Btw... the answer is NO - we aren't there yet. But we're on our way - we're on the right road and we're cruising along at top speed.
If you don't like the speed at which the car is moving - your options are to jump out or watch the DVD in the back seat and eat some cheerios.
I think many have already jumped out. I'm still eating cheerios in the back seat but that DVD is wore out and that door handle is looking tempting. This time, make it so or let it go.
It will take HOURS to farm the crafting material needed to bring yourself up to the same level as the Fed side.
You say we don't know yet how low level badges etc will translate into dilithium, while Cryptic HAS said that all badges, marks, and emblems will be rolled into dilithium.
Will Cryptic automatically give people who roll a KDF the anomalies and dilithium they should have earned? Not bloody likely.
The Klingons market would adjust for that. The federation will just have a highly inflated currency compared to the klingons
And what about getting EC, crafting materials, crafting experience, and dilithium?
As it is now at level 6, the KDF is 4 levels behind the Fed side in that.
And now the KDF gets to wait an extra 19 levels?
To be fair (and at this point I really don't care about being fair to stupid Cryptic) the Klingons don't have as much stuff to spend currency on as the Feds do. My Klingon has over a million EC saved up that is just sitting there, waiting for something worth while to buy.
I said nothing at all about wanting to drive away anyone. I never alluded to it at all.
I was noting that as the set up is right now, that they will be naturally concentrated as Feds.So please stop attempting to put words in my mouth.
You're certainly happy about them being driven away, though.
Just had a funny thought about these supposed playerbase below level 21.
Assume a Player has a Fed character around level15-20. Has created a KDF toon, just to see what it's like and hasn't played him much if at all.
When FTP comes around, that toon will be level boosted to 25 and actually be AHEAD of his Fed Main. How is that for ironic?
To be fair (and at this point I really don't care about being fair to stupid Cryptic) the Klingons don't have as much stuff to spend currency on as the Feds do. My Klingon has over a million EC saved up that is just sitting there, waiting for something worth while to buy.
My KDF toon, is MG4, and broke.
I have four Fed Toons, each with at least 2 million in EC, some with a good deal more.
On the face of it, most of us agree that this makes absolutely no sense...
So the question becomes this -- under what conditions DOES this move make sense?
Consider the new economic model STO is moving to - F2P.
A key to having a successful F2P model is, I believe, an incentive for the players to stick with the game, and invest in C-Store items or subscribe, right?
So...on F2P launch day....thousands of new players enter into the game and what might they see.....
Some rocking Klingon ships in the C-Store at Tier 4 and 5. New ones...that look incredibly cool.
These new players will see the vets cruising around in these sweet rides as we cruise through Federation space looking for trouble....and they will want one of their own. Suddenly...KDF looks somewhat cool and interesting...
But to get there, they have to level a Fed toon first to level 25....then they will have to level a KDF toon...
Get the picture? Something for these new players to work towards...a goal...they can become a Chang, or a Worf, piloting some super-hot version of a true refit Vorcha or Raptor....or sit at range and manage their fighter wings as they strike at an enemy fleets flanks...
How much do you want to bet that along with the F2P launch will come a revamp of the XP and leveling mechanics? Perhaps to slow it down some, I think...it has always been way too fast for an MMO game, IMO.
Like I said, just a theory...but if the theory has any basis in fact, then this move makes perfect sense...and in the long run, might be very, very good for us hard-core KDF players.
Am I an optimist? Yep. I have not lost faith yet...and if PW does want a fully equal faction that will be capable of challenging the Feds in open territorial PVP...then I am all for that...
Like I said, just a theory...but if the theory has any basis in fact, then this move makes perfect sense...and in the long run, might be very, very good for us hard-core KDF players.
I don't see it... especially not for that part.
The more rarified the KDF population gets, the less value it seems to have in subscription retention and ongoing purchases. Actively sabotaging the size of that population - and STO is the exact opposite of a hardcore game - doesn't jive with the claims that PW intends to invest meaningfully in the KDF. And I don't see them artificially lengthening leveling further (and it would have to be artificial, without adding a lot more content to do besides grind awful exploration missions), especially when apparently most characters don't make it past level 21.
On the face of it, most of us agree that this makes absolutely no sense...
So the question becomes this -- under what conditions DOES this move make sense?
Consider the new economic model STO is moving to - F2P.
A key to having a successful F2P model is, I believe, an incentive for the players to stick with the game, and invest in C-Store items or subscribe, right?
So...on F2P launch day....thousands of new players enter into the game and what might they see.....
Some rocking Klingon ships in the C-Store at Tier 4 and 5. New ones...that look incredibly cool.
These new players will see the vets cruising around in these sweet rides as we cruise through Federation space looking for trouble....and they will want one of their own. Suddenly...KDF looks somewhat cool and interesting...
But to get there, they have to level a Fed toon first to level 25....then they will have to level a KDF toon...
Get the picture? Something for these new players to work towards...a goal...they can become a Chang, or a Worf, piloting some super-hot version of a true refit Vorcha or Raptor....or sit at range and manage their fighter wings as they strike at an enemy fleets flanks...
How much do you want to bet that along with the F2P launch will come a revamp of the XP and leveling mechanics? Perhaps to slow it down some, I think...it has always been way too fast for an MMO game, IMO.
Like I said, just a theory...but if the theory has any basis in fact, then this move makes perfect sense...and in the long run, might be very, very good for us hard-core KDF players.
Am I an optimist? Yep. I have not lost faith yet...and if PW does want a fully equal faction that will be capable of challenging the Feds in open territorial PVP...then I am all for that...
You've just excused away the complete lack of end game content which would keep people actually interested. Tbo, if there's no playable end game content in 6 months (roughly 2 year mark) CBS should pulls its right back for failing to deliver a finished product and tarnishing the IP. Unfortunately, I don't think there will be any end game content. There's been no mention of anything I'd concider end game content even on the drawing from what I've seen.
I'm at a complete loss to what happened to the direction of this game from what it is now and where it seemed to be going this time last year when they were basically going to release the 2nd F.E. in a 3 month time period. Imo, all in all it's been a wasted year because they haven't established end game content be it PvE or PvP.
With a F2P business model...there has to be a "hook" to keep players engaged. There has to be goals.
Fed side has some interesting storyline stuff, and a decent ship selection...that might be enough for some new players...but for those other players who march to a different drummer -- the ones that want to reach out and grab the universe by the throat and shake to see what falls out...then going KDF is something they will be interested in...
If F2P starts out with one or two really cool KDF evolutionary advances -- especially in ship design (the long awaited counter to the Excelsior, for instance???) -- those players are going to want to get one...and the first thing they will do is look at how they can get there.
I know it seems odd...but it is almost reverse psychology in a way -- if something is harder to attain -- it becomes a challenge...and because it is harder to get there...then it must be good.
The key is Cryptic....that type of challenge works extremely well with most MMO-type gamers...but if they fail to follow through and not make the KDF worth the effort to get there, then the whole thing will be fail.
Cryptic...and PW...are not stupid. They understand this just as much as most of us do. I certainly hope that it is this type of consideration, or something like it, that is driving the train.
As far as end-game content goes...I am with you on that.
I am also sure that Cryptic is looking at it as well -- they already have a seasoned player base and a LOT of level 50's running around out there that only log in once or twice a week to do a bit of gathering and to check their auctions, or maybe run an STF.
However, if you look at the Engineer Reports...there are some hints at end-game content....
Territorial PvP -- that means actual campaigns as a fleet to take and hold territory perhaps....with the current population imbalance, that might be tough to pull off...but maybe, just maybe, it can be leveraged in as end-game content.
I think I read somewhere that exploration was also going to be revamped.
It is not worth the time to go through all of the Engineering reports and look for clues...and to be fair, how much are we likely to see anytime soon? I am an optimist...but I am also a realist. Some of the items, such as fleet starbases and territorial PvP have been on there for a while now...
In any case, Cryptic is aware...and I think that they are also aware that the whole F2P launch is an opportunity for them to set right some things that they maybe could not set right before.
I guess what I am actually saying is that we should maybe give them a chance and see how the cards fall this time around. We might end up being somewhat pleased at the end of the day...
If KDF only has half the content it needs right now, why not finish the academy, start KDF at level one, and give KDF an inherent double bonus buff, then patch in the other 25 levels all at once and turn the buff off? Its not ideal, but I think its more ideal then moving the cap even further up which I think will just be more discouragement to new KDF players. Star Trek demographics say getting to 50/50 is going to be very hard as it is.
This seems reasonable to me, and a bit better than just starting a KDF toon at 25.
they are stalling for time to squish out as much money from sto as possible before terminateing it.
Perfect world obviously did not want the KDF to be developed any further or there would be designers working on new missions allready.
Then why would they have paid almost $50 million dollars to acquire Cryptic, and therefore STO, from Atari in the first place? Without PW, Cryptic would probably be in bankruptcy by now and STO's days would have been numbered...and that number wouldn't have been very high.
and their reluctanse to set a time frame on new missions to KDF proves that fact.
Or maybe they're trying to avoid people freaking out when Cryptic goes one day past the time frame they quote now.
Trust me, I'm just as anxious for an ETA as you are, and I've been very disappointed in how much everything has been pushed back in STO lately. But I also understand the business decision they've made not to release the time frame yet.
they asked of the community to give them time to get content out and now they respond that in no given time there will be any to show for.
There is some truth to this statement. The players, especially the KDF, have been waiting a LOOOONG time. We've been hearing "soon" for a long time, and while I do understand their decision not to release a hard date yet (and I don't think they should), I agree with Nagus and I'd be happy to settle for what quarter they're looking at...just to give us something to look forward to.
and they dont answer for any of their mentions on their F2P FAQ.
...huh?
wich brings it down to money.
Yes.
they wanna chaching money on the game without invest ment.
Let me repeat myself: $50 million dollars. I'd call that an investment.
Perfect world bought the Cryptic studios for their development of Codes and platforms in wich create online gameing.
This made me LOL. Cryptic's platform is NOT worth $50 million. PW probably could have waited for Cryptic to file bankruptcy and acquire the assets it wanted (such as the code) for a fraction of the price at auction.
their goal was never STO in it self. thats why they putting out Life time rewards on the c store or as ingame reward...
I disagree.
untill a official from cryptic says and proves otherwise this is the truth.
Wrong. It's just your opinion.
there is foundery users creating new storys everyday with simple tools.
why is not cryptic developers useing more sofiticateing tools doing the same to the KDF?
This is the only thing I can actually agree with in your entire post.
Comments
I agee on that, but since I already have a maxed out KDF character I am somewhat (selfishly) glad that they didnt wait
It would have been more logical to wait though yes.
Again this is why I say, come out call it a "mini-faction" and welcome in all the new potential mini-factions and be done with it.
http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=224066
This.^
Regardless of our personal opinions, PW is a successful. They won't invest in something if they didn't think it would be profitable.
Then why did you basically lie to us and tell us it was being worked on back then? I'm sorry, but I'll believe it when I see it. Cryptic has broken the trust of a large part of the community and it will take actions, not words, in order to restore that trust. Seeing as your most visible action right now is the implementation of pay-2-win at the cost of game balance and the community, I currently hold your company in very low esteem.
Completely agreed, and the point of my post earlier in the thread... TBH, I thought that's what would happen when the initial discussions about a starting at level 1 and adding a Klingon tutorial came up... I am severely disappointed in the route they've chosen to take to "fix" the KDF for f2p, no matter how temporary that fix may be.
They've already proven they can't be bothered to develop a dead faction. And this move ... You're going to be a very lonely klingon.
They've had quite a lot of time to develop, tweak and revamp the faction. They don't seem to be able to do that.
Just shove an "under construction" sign on the KDF and leave it to rot.
PW didn't invest in the KDF, they didn't even really invest in STO directly they invested (bought) Cryptic.
I'm sorry, but I see no reason to believe that the KDF is going to become a truly improved faction. While I believe them when they say they want to make it better, I don't believe it is a priority nor will it be when they get larger staff. I say the devs make the best of the situation, and make them into a "mini-faction" with content from lvl 25-51, improve those 26 levels and continue to add to it via the "weeklies".
Perfect world obviously did not want the KDF to be developed any further or there would be designers working on new missions allready.
and their reluctanse to set a time frame on new missions to KDF proves that fact.
they asked of the community to give them time to get content out and now they respond that in no given time there will be any to show for.
and they dont answer for any of their mentions on their F2P FAQ.
wich brings it down to money.
they wanna chaching money on the game without invest ment.
Perfect world bought the Cryptic studios for their development of Codes and platforms in wich create online gameing.
their goal was never STO in it self.
thats why they putting out Life time rewards on the c store or as ingame reward...
untill a official from cryptic says and proves otherwise this is the truth.
there is foundery users creating new storys everyday with simple tools.
why is not cryptic developers useing more sofiticateing tools doing the same to the KDF?
one can ask themselfs this ?
I understand that not eveyone speaks English as thier first language and that is fine. I ask because, your posts have gotten progressivly more emotional and incorrent as the day has gone on.
I"m sorry but that stuff is WAY easy, I finished a crafting toon in hours. You don't need 19 levels to build up crafting experience and materials lol., and we don't' even know how exactly lower level marks/badges will translate to Dilithium, it probably wont' be one for one I would bet. In any case, I still don't see the justification for all the rage and speculation here. I get it, they said X, and X happened instead.... shoulda, coulda, woulda...New company at the helm, lets see what happens now. In the short term, this makes sense to me, and my ranks will be filled with players from our fed division who now have 50% less work to do to finish their klink, for now I don't' see that as a bad thing. a year from now, if theres still no low level content, then that's a different story.
no but its cold here and its 03.18 am
It will take HOURS to farm the crafting material needed to bring yourself up to the same level as the Fed side.
You say we don't know yet how low level badges etc will translate into dilithium, while Cryptic HAS said that all badges, marks, and emblems will be rolled into dilithium.
Will Cryptic automatically give people who roll a KDF the anomalies and dilithium they should have earned? Not bloody likely.
I'm saying that like the PVP marks to emblems translation, lower level badges/marks will not translate to a 1 for 1 trade in most likely. And I don't know about you, but I don't farm ALL of my sample needs, yay exchange! and with a fed toon at a minimum of 25 parked on the other side, you could always just mail what you save on that toon.
Besides, the fastest way to level a klink is by doing the Nebula DSE's, not the expanses collecting samples. You'll still have AZURE, CHOS, and T'kanis to grind. Seems like plenty o'XCurrencyHeremarksdilithium to me
At least you admit it is going to be rough on the Klingons, but you are doing it anyway. Please ask dstahl not to throw it in our faces in the future that only 12% or 18% of the playerbase are playing Klingons after you all have made the conscious decision to set the bar this high.
Did you also consider that a large percentage of players don't make it past level 20?
And when can we expect these great things for the Klingon Empire? Season 5? Season 6? Late than that? If you are asking us to wait (again), it'd be nice to know where we fall on the priority scale.
However, the above quote is the last thing I'll believe about fully developing the KDF faction.
Cryptic - if this is finally coming to fruition, I'd advise a strict NDA about that "future update" until it's done, bug free and ready to be released. No more teasers in the Ask Cryptic or Engineering Report, that get people excited and encouraged only to have things badly delayed or plans flat out changed.
Personally, I can wait as long as necessary if this is really going to happen. But as you can see in this thread, quite a few in the KDF have had enough and have completely lost faith.
This comment was made in January of this year:
I think many have already jumped out. I'm still eating cheerios in the back seat but that DVD is wore out and that door handle is looking tempting. This time, make it so or let it go.
I think they may have considered that, as all kdf players will now start at 25
The Klingons market would adjust for that. The federation will just have a highly inflated currency compared to the klingons
To be fair (and at this point I really don't care about being fair to stupid Cryptic) the Klingons don't have as much stuff to spend currency on as the Feds do. My Klingon has over a million EC saved up that is just sitting there, waiting for something worth while to buy.
You're certainly happy about them being driven away, though.
That was said about Atari while they were still the boss, too.
Assume a Player has a Fed character around level15-20. Has created a KDF toon, just to see what it's like and hasn't played him much if at all.
When FTP comes around, that toon will be level boosted to 25 and actually be AHEAD of his Fed Main. How is that for ironic?
My KDF toon, is MG4, and broke.
I have four Fed Toons, each with at least 2 million in EC, some with a good deal more.
On the face of it, most of us agree that this makes absolutely no sense...
So the question becomes this -- under what conditions DOES this move make sense?
Consider the new economic model STO is moving to - F2P.
A key to having a successful F2P model is, I believe, an incentive for the players to stick with the game, and invest in C-Store items or subscribe, right?
So...on F2P launch day....thousands of new players enter into the game and what might they see.....
Some rocking Klingon ships in the C-Store at Tier 4 and 5. New ones...that look incredibly cool.
These new players will see the vets cruising around in these sweet rides as we cruise through Federation space looking for trouble....and they will want one of their own. Suddenly...KDF looks somewhat cool and interesting...
But to get there, they have to level a Fed toon first to level 25....then they will have to level a KDF toon...
Get the picture? Something for these new players to work towards...a goal...they can become a Chang, or a Worf, piloting some super-hot version of a true refit Vorcha or Raptor....or sit at range and manage their fighter wings as they strike at an enemy fleets flanks...
How much do you want to bet that along with the F2P launch will come a revamp of the XP and leveling mechanics? Perhaps to slow it down some, I think...it has always been way too fast for an MMO game, IMO.
Like I said, just a theory...but if the theory has any basis in fact, then this move makes perfect sense...and in the long run, might be very, very good for us hard-core KDF players.
Am I an optimist? Yep. I have not lost faith yet...and if PW does want a fully equal faction that will be capable of challenging the Feds in open territorial PVP...then I am all for that...
I don't see it... especially not for that part.
The more rarified the KDF population gets, the less value it seems to have in subscription retention and ongoing purchases. Actively sabotaging the size of that population - and STO is the exact opposite of a hardcore game - doesn't jive with the claims that PW intends to invest meaningfully in the KDF. And I don't see them artificially lengthening leveling further (and it would have to be artificial, without adding a lot more content to do besides grind awful exploration missions), especially when apparently most characters don't make it past level 21.
You've just excused away the complete lack of end game content which would keep people actually interested. Tbo, if there's no playable end game content in 6 months (roughly 2 year mark) CBS should pulls its right back for failing to deliver a finished product and tarnishing the IP. Unfortunately, I don't think there will be any end game content. There's been no mention of anything I'd concider end game content even on the drawing from what I've seen.
I'm at a complete loss to what happened to the direction of this game from what it is now and where it seemed to be going this time last year when they were basically going to release the 2nd F.E. in a 3 month time period. Imo, all in all it's been a wasted year because they haven't established end game content be it PvE or PvP.
With a F2P business model...there has to be a "hook" to keep players engaged. There has to be goals.
Fed side has some interesting storyline stuff, and a decent ship selection...that might be enough for some new players...but for those other players who march to a different drummer -- the ones that want to reach out and grab the universe by the throat and shake to see what falls out...then going KDF is something they will be interested in...
If F2P starts out with one or two really cool KDF evolutionary advances -- especially in ship design (the long awaited counter to the Excelsior, for instance???) -- those players are going to want to get one...and the first thing they will do is look at how they can get there.
I know it seems odd...but it is almost reverse psychology in a way -- if something is harder to attain -- it becomes a challenge...and because it is harder to get there...then it must be good.
The key is Cryptic....that type of challenge works extremely well with most MMO-type gamers...but if they fail to follow through and not make the KDF worth the effort to get there, then the whole thing will be fail.
Cryptic...and PW...are not stupid. They understand this just as much as most of us do. I certainly hope that it is this type of consideration, or something like it, that is driving the train.
I am also sure that Cryptic is looking at it as well -- they already have a seasoned player base and a LOT of level 50's running around out there that only log in once or twice a week to do a bit of gathering and to check their auctions, or maybe run an STF.
However, if you look at the Engineer Reports...there are some hints at end-game content....
Territorial PvP -- that means actual campaigns as a fleet to take and hold territory perhaps....with the current population imbalance, that might be tough to pull off...but maybe, just maybe, it can be leveraged in as end-game content.
I think I read somewhere that exploration was also going to be revamped.
It is not worth the time to go through all of the Engineering reports and look for clues...and to be fair, how much are we likely to see anytime soon? I am an optimist...but I am also a realist. Some of the items, such as fleet starbases and territorial PvP have been on there for a while now...
In any case, Cryptic is aware...and I think that they are also aware that the whole F2P launch is an opportunity for them to set right some things that they maybe could not set right before.
I guess what I am actually saying is that we should maybe give them a chance and see how the cards fall this time around. We might end up being somewhat pleased at the end of the day...
This seems reasonable to me, and a bit better than just starting a KDF toon at 25.
I guarantee you the only person we'll be hearing from about any sort of an ETA on the KDF update will be Dstahl.
Then why would they have paid almost $50 million dollars to acquire Cryptic, and therefore STO, from Atari in the first place? Without PW, Cryptic would probably be in bankruptcy by now and STO's days would have been numbered...and that number wouldn't have been very high.
Or maybe they're trying to avoid people freaking out when Cryptic goes one day past the time frame they quote now.
Trust me, I'm just as anxious for an ETA as you are, and I've been very disappointed in how much everything has been pushed back in STO lately. But I also understand the business decision they've made not to release the time frame yet.
There is some truth to this statement. The players, especially the KDF, have been waiting a LOOOONG time. We've been hearing "soon" for a long time, and while I do understand their decision not to release a hard date yet (and I don't think they should), I agree with Nagus and I'd be happy to settle for what quarter they're looking at...just to give us something to look forward to.
...huh?
Yes.
Let me repeat myself: $50 million dollars. I'd call that an investment.
This made me LOL. Cryptic's platform is NOT worth $50 million. PW probably could have waited for Cryptic to file bankruptcy and acquire the assets it wanted (such as the code) for a fraction of the price at auction.
I disagree.
Wrong. It's just your opinion.
This is the only thing I can actually agree with in your entire post.