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Path to F2P Dev Blog #8

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited October 2011 in Galactic News Network [PC]
Kestrel checks in with today's entry along The Path to F2P, to tell us all about another great way to not only earn some more Dilithium, but also more of the story of Star Trek Online.

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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    More gated and limited dilithium gathering make-work.

    Plus the note on how it's appearently going to be common that you'll collect endless duplicates, and not the missing segments you're missing.

    Not terribly encouraging.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Great idea! Already collected a few of these, and they are fun to read.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    When this hits live deffo gonna try and do this every day. Should be a nice little money maker for duplicates.

    Also, very nice job Kestrel, love your work.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    EDIT: Oh! My bad, I thought Stephen had posted this blog entry! Always good to hear from Kestrel, and as a spotlight on a mission type being introduced, pretty cool. Thank you =)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    So just how random are the Datachips going to be? Am I going to be collecting insane amount of duplicates for months on end never to see the one I need to finish it off? Able to be put on the exchange? I already see the price gouging coming with this. Just how random are the Lore missions? Is it going to be the same question asked several times for months on end and never be able to finish just like the Datachips? 200+ more Accolades? Thanks, just what I needed. Guess I better get the last 3 sectors for RAs finished off fast, start finishing off the nebula explorations and the standard sector defense accolades.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    I did my first one of these on Qo'noS last night. It was a nice bonus to acquiring dilithium. However, the vast size of the collection will prevent me from really making a huge effort to get them all. The accolades will be nice, but I'm not going to sweat completing that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    So just how random are the Datachips going to be? Am I going to be collecting insane amount of duplicates for months on end never to see the one I need to finish it off?

    I've been doing it daily since Tribble F2P launch and I've already gotten one duplicate.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    For some reason, I thought Kestrel was a guy... Hmmm...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    So just how random are the Datachips going to be? Am I going to be collecting insane amount of duplicates for months on end never to see the one I need to finish it off? Able to be put on the exchange? I already see the price gouging coming with this. Just how random are the Lore missions? Is it going to be the same question asked several times for months on end and never be able to finish just like the Datachips? 200+ more Accolades? Thanks, just what I needed. Guess I better get the last 3 sectors for RAs finished off fast, start finishing off the nebula explorations and the standard sector defense accolades.

    I've been collecting these datachips daily since the these missions arrived on TRIBBLE and I've only had 2 duplicates so far.

    Each Volume looks to be one of the log entries on the Path to 2409 Timeline, with each Volume being subdivided into separate Chapters. Each Datachip is one Chapter, so it looks like there are going to a lot of chips to collect, and enough of a selection that getting duplicates shouldn't happen too often.

    If you like collections and lore, this is good stuff.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    While I loved the idea of the Lore missions ever since I first heard about them, the whole economy snafu has me drained.

    Still, as a Trekkie of the highest caliber (and an accolade junkie to boot), I still have to give props on this. Gotta check them out sometime while I'm on Tribble.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Don't take this the wrong way, hearing about the Lore missions is nice and all, but... eh...

    ...kinda got my hopes up for a few more answers regarding the royally screwed economy.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Assuming the datachips really are a fair/balanced random, with no one or handful being particularlly "rare" to get, then I'm all for this game. I like the idea of a simple, quick, little set of missions that highlight the story of the game. I also like the "baseball card-style collecting" of gathering all the chapters. That could be fun. :)

    The only things I find annoying on Tribble is that Commander Viala is on one side of the SFA campus and the exam terminal is on the otherside of the campus, so there's pointless running back-and-forth around the pathways or through vegetation/water just to complete the quiz.

    Also, the datachip pick-up location is not clearly described/marked/easy to find. Sure once you know where to go, it's not that big of a deal, but until then, you have to find it mostly by luck.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    While I loved the idea of the Lore missions ever since I first heard about them, the whole economy snafu has me drained.

    Still, as a Trekkie of the highest caliber (and an accolade junkie to boot), I still have to give props on this. Gotta check them out sometime while I'm on Tribble.

    Jack, bro...that avatar pic has to go. I realize it s of McCoy faceplanting on the console, but it took me a minute to realize that because at first glance, I thought it was...well...not that. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Assuming the datachips really are a fair/balanced random, with no one or handful being particularlly "rare" to get, then I'm all for this game. I like the idea of a simple, quick, little set of missions that highlight the story of the game. I also like the "baseball card-style collecting" of gathering all the chapters. That could be fun. :)

    The only things I find annoying on Tribble is that Commander Viala is on one side of the SFA campus and the exam terminal is on the otherside of the campus, so there's pointless running back-and-forth around the pathways or through vegetation/water just to complete the quiz.

    Also, the datachip pick-up location is not clearly described/marked/easy to find. Sure once you know where to go, it's not that big of a deal, but until then, you have to find it mostly by luck.

    There are no "rare" datachips -- you have an equal chance of getting each one.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Kestrel wrote: »
    There are no "rare" datachips -- you have an equal chance of getting each one.
    Groovy. Good to know. Thank you!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    I think this is an awesome idea can't wait to see it :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    One piece of great news in the roughness of Tribble! Thanks for the effort!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    More gated and limited dilithium gathering make-work.

    Plus the note on how it's appearently going to be common that you'll collect endless duplicates, and not the missing segments you're missing.

    Not terribly encouraging.

    Not at all.

    Hmmm one would think that with all this lore, Cryptic might get a sense of morals with what they are planning to do to us....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    The Tour the Galaxy is a good idea, race and all. Ideas:

    1) make it so we actually get rewards for the sectors we visit. I didn't get anything for spending 40 min getting as much as I could, but not all the sectors)
    2) Have there be shuttle/fighter races in a system
    2b) Starship sublight races?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Kestrel wrote: »
    There are no "rare" datachips -- you have an equal chance of getting each one.

    Actually currently you only seem to be able to get chapter 1 or chapter 2 datachips of each volume. :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    I find the Lore quests pretty fun.


    However, I feel that 101 is unnecessary, it be nice if the Datachip was required for 102 to answer the day's trivia.

    And if you got a repeat chip (already unlocked the accolade), there needs ot be something that you have a choice to turn in the chip than trade with another player (which is hard to do on Tribble even in a full zone), or that you could turn it in for some points.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Not at all.

    Hmmm one would think that with all this lore, Cryptic might get a sense of morals with what they are planning to do to us....

    They have never cared overmuch about the lore, they do what CBS allows them to get away with and they have proven themselves to be utterly unscrupulous as a company both under Atari and under Perfect Worlds.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    I like the idea ...alot...its brilliant idea in fact...


    But the duplicates worries me, maybe it needs to be turned into you passing the questions on the previous data chip will give you the next one? Instead of getting loads of duplicates and trading them like pokemon cards.

    I like the idea! its brilliant to have way to collect lore up to the point of the game start. (Abiet weird your not collecting lore on your journey, but maybe this could be expanded so you have current events in a nice chapter form to.)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    The other daily Lore mission tests you on your knowledge. Answer correctly, and you'll earn a reward which includes a small amount of Dilithium Ore. Also, for the Accolade hunters, there are almost 200 new Accolades related to Lore missions!

    Hello Kestral if your reading this, or perhaps Stormshade if you are too. I admire the work done on the lore missions and accolades etc but I offer some suggestions to improve the experience overall.

    1. Replace the Terminal: As I understand it you work with story and not so much on the actual game models etc, but I feel there could be another iteration on the terminal quest to improve the experience for users. I would suggest making a classroom with tables and chairs in rows with some conversing cadets and a lecturer by a large screen or a secluded area with a camp fire feel, warriors talking of great battles and a learned old wise warrior by a fire.You would speak with the lecturer to get the question of the day instead of a terminal.



    You could also move this to the existing SFA office space at SFA and just have a Lecturer in there to speak with or use one of the First City empty offices by the Great Hall as a room with a learned old warrior in there.

    I think it would really improve the experience for people to see the academy like a learning institution, with real people rather than a terminal which creates the feeling of an 'online degree'. This helps it along somewhat and could be achieved without any major time in creating new assets. Effectively its turning the quest handler from an object to a contact and changing the location and adding some existing assets. 1 hours work.

    2. Encourage Study: Now it is implied that one should consult their existing datachip accolades for help on the question's topic and/or speak with fleet mates and others about the question - but could this be improved upon by adding flavor NPC contacts?

    Imagine as part of your study you decide to go speak with Captain X who used to command a starship at the time of the question in that region. He happens to be at SFA that day, and you find him by the view of the Golden Gate and ask him about his experiences or thought on the question subject.

    He wouldn't have to directly tell you the answer but could provide some context - as the questions I have done so far provide no context at all. In many cases, asking fleet mates for help results in the direct answer anyway - so to enhance the lore experience, flavor NPCs like this could be added to help bring the player closer to understanding what was going on at the time and even sway them towards one answer over the other... say the good Captain thinks X went to the Romulan senate to talk about Y at the time, but refers you on to an Ensign W whose Grandfather is Romulan and who could probably help me more - although there may be a technical hurdle in generating these contacts for each day's question.

    3. Library Computer On both factions this should really be a person. The datachip is given to you. Think about it. SFA is a learning institution not just a library. I have a feeling the First City lore will be moved to Klingon Academy when it is released, so will say the same for that. Interacting with terminals is something we do for so many missions in the game already. For such a topic it makes sense for us to consult people I think.

    Thanks for making these.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    These Accolades have the entire text of the Path (and a few new additions!), so you'll eventually be able to have a record of the 40 years between Star Trek: Nemesis and 2409 in your Journal.


    Not to step on any toes here but am I the only one who noticed they got the math wrong? Nemesis was 2380 so 29 years of lore
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    ^ 2379 actually, but, yeah, 30 is a bit different than 40.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Ya nemesis happened in 2379. But still this is cool. Is it a video diray or written? Honestly what is the point of having this if you wanted to look at the timeline just go to sto main website and click on timeline. It has the full log entry.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    So what about the lore that plays out in the Pocket Books Star Trek books post Nemesis?

    At present the TNG, DS9 and VOY books are working at 2383 and have had several stories which are at odds to STO, particularly...

    *** SPOILER ALERT ***

    ...the fact that the Borg are eradicated from the universe (not galaxy, the entire universe) by their creators and can never come back. The only liberated Borg left is 7 of 9 (who no longer has the implants) and the rest were absorbed into the Caeliar.

    The presence of Borg and liberated Borg playable characters in STO is completely at odds with canon.

    The Cardassian stories and True way presence are also ignoring DS9 Pocket Book stories.

    There are also some minor issues with the Klingon lore and Romulan story lines. The Undine presence whilst plausible does contradict some Voyager relaunch advances in identifying the imposters too.

    Risa (and dozens of other planets in which 60 billion Federation citizens were killed) was destroyed by the Borg in 2382 but still seems to happily sit in STO

    *** END SPOILER ***

    So is STO in a parellel timeline? Are we in JJverse?

    I accept that STO has to cram in a lot of contradictory content to please fans of all 6 series.

    Though I have to respectfully suggest that by trying to please everyone from TOS fanbois to Voyager devotees Cryptic overstreched and managed to upset pretty much everyone and diminished the gaming experience.

    It is probably asking too much for them to keep in step with the post Nemesis novels as well, especially as the IP for those is owned by Simon & Schuster (though ultimately they have to clear through CBS just like Cryptic).

    However, the plotlines to get us to 2409 with the Federation at war with pretty much everyone whilst most of its senior officers are actually alien impersonators are likely to be as ridiculous as the current setting and make the suspension of disbelief required to immerse in a Star Trek MMO that much harder.

    I would hope that in future, rather than trying to tie 6 versions of Star Trek TV shows and countless movies together so that people can try to relive their favourite show (which has a limited life span as people bore of it), the content producers look to new enemies, new friends, new technology and brave new worlds which is pretty much what Star Trek is supposed to be about.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    Nightjudge wrote:
    So what about the lore that plays out in the Pocket Books Star Trek books post Nemesis?

    At present the TNG, DS9 and VOY books are working at 2383 and have had several stories which are at odds to STO, particularly...

    *** SPOILER ALERT ***

    ...the fact that the Borg are eradicated from the universe (not galaxy, the entire universe) by their creators and can never come back. The only liberated Borg left is 7 of 9 (who no longer has the implants) and the rest were absorbed into the Caeliar.

    The presence of Borg and liberated Borg playable characters in STO is completely at odds with canon.

    The Cardassian stories and True way presence are also ignoring DS9 Pocket Book stories.

    There are also some minor issues with the Klingon lore and Romulan story lines. The Undine presence whilst plausible does contradict some Voyager relaunch advances in identifying the imposters too.

    Risa (and dozens of other planets in which 60 billion Federation citizens were killed) was destroyed by the Borg in 2382 but still seems to happily sit in STO

    *** END SPOILER ***

    Dude, not to burst your bubble, but what happened/happens in the ST books has never been considered canon. Canon is television and movies. Can't say for sure whether any game has been considered addition to canon. It's like this: Books treat series and movies as canon, video games treat same, series and movies behave as if books and games do not exist.

    This is one thing which I always thought Gene and his got wrong that George and his got right... authorize everything which caries the IP branding, ensure that everything is accurate to canon, ensure there is a central source for canon. Way too late now though.

    R/
    w911
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited October 2011
    A trivia mini-game? I'm all for that. It's something different from 'go scan 5 of these' or 'go kill 5 groups of ships'. Variety is nice.
    Will it need a bit of tweaking? Sure, but I like the overall concept quite a bit.
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