Today on The Path to F2P, Stephen talks all about ships, what our plans for them are, and where you can expect to see new ships being added to the lineup.
So...does this mean the Delta Flyer will no longer be attainable through in-game means via a mission reward/crafting item???
Wow, this is starting to kinda suck.
I DO however approve of this part:
Oh, and before I go, we plan to re-instate the free starship token at the Lt Commander and Commander rank for all players. We plan to continue the discount token for Silver players at the Captain and Rear Admiral rank, while Gold players will get the free starship at those ranks (if they are a subscriber at the time of rank-up). We do not plan to have any free starship at the Vice Admiral rank.
Finally a difference between Subs and Silvers, no matter how minuscule...
Oh, and before I go, we plan to re-instate the free starship token at the Lt Commander and Commander rank for all players. We plan to continue the discount token for Silver players at the Captain and Rear Admiral rank, while Gold players will get the free starship at those ranks (if they are a subscriber at the time of rank-up). We do not plan to have any free starship at the Vice Admiral rank.
Is there ANY chance of making it so that Subscribers can access a Subscriber only store in which they can pay some ridiculous amount of Dilithium to get the C-Store ships?
This current chart still doesn't seem to offer a way for a new player to start out with say an Oberth or a Connie...could these SKINS be made available to subscribers but their consoles only go out with the C-Store version?
I think the changes make sense for the most part, though moving the Nebula and Excelsior to the C-Store is sure to be controversial. I'm not sure how I feel about my Maurader being downgraded a tier, but I'm sure I'll survive.
Regarding the free ship upgrade on rank up...
I appreciate this attempted solution, but I feel earning free ships at certain ranks and discounted ships at others is unnecessarily confusing. I think it would be better if you went with one or the other (for the record, I'm a "free ship token" advocate). As a Gold player, I guess I'll be getting the free ship either way, but even for the Silver players, I think consistency is key.
First, thanks for listening and making these changes! That said, I have a question: Will gold members still get the chunk of refined dillithium with their rank up even though they get the free token?
Oh, and before I go, we plan to re-instate the free starship token at the Lt Commander and Commander rank for all players. We plan to continue the discount token for Silver players at the Captain and Rear Admiral rank, while Gold players will get the free starship at those ranks (if they are a subscriber at the time of rank-up). We do not plan to have any free starship at the Vice Admiral rank.
I have to admit, this is the simplest solution to the problem that will actually work. If it wasn't a problem you created in the first place, I'd say it's a brilliant solution. Either way, good job. Your revenue base will thank you.
Thank you for listening to the community feedback (even as heated as it got) I feel as a whole this is a positive change.
I am okay with losing a few ships during the f2p and appreciate the free upgrade for those who have it.
I am glad gold still gets free ships but to be honest judging by what i see flying around on holodeck people have no issue with the c-store they just don't want to lose the option to level alts without paying.
Again thanks for responding to the feedback i think this is a good solution.
Oh, and before I go, we plan to re-instate the free starship token at the Lt Commander and Commander rank for all players. We plan to continue the discount token for Silver players at the Captain and Rear Admiral rank, while Gold players will get the free starship at those ranks (if they are a subscriber at the time of rank-up). We do not plan to have any free starship at the Vice Admiral rank.
Hell yeah, as said above, we finally have a reason for people to sub to the game
I think this is one of the best decisions that has been made in this game :cool:
The C-Store starships differ from the in-game ones, in that they are typically slightly stronger in some way, and they include a valuable piece of gear that is only available with that ship. The piece of gear can be carried forward to other ships as you move up the ranks, and can be combined with in-game gear to get the kind of game play you want. By the time we get through testing, we intend for all of the existing C-Store ships with a special ability will be altered to have a piece of gear like this. Existing ships on Holodeck will be automatically granted the item when this build goes live. It's worth noting that not all of the ships have these changes on Tribble at this time. The changes will be going live in stages throughout the test period.
That's it, I've had it. Pay to win, here we come, and its validated.
And you're going to beef up the Excelsior, already arguably the best cruiser in the game hands down?
So, whatever happened to being able to earn every ship in-game in some form or another? Are the "non-basic" ships C-Store only or can we grind for them (outside of the Dilithium-to-CP conversion TRIBBLE)?
Oh, and before I go, we plan to re-instate the free starship token at the Lt Commander and Commander rank for all players. We plan to continue the discount token for Silver players at the Captain and Rear Admiral rank, while Gold players will get the free starship at those ranks (if they are a subscriber at the time of rank-up). We do not plan to have any free starship at the Vice Admiral rank.
On this, I can give you a big kudos. Count this as one of my changes list scratched off of the "need-to-do" list. The only gripe is the loss of VA ship token. Boo!
Yeah, removing the Excelsior and Nebula in-game was the line crosser. And still no word or slight hint of in-game acquisitions for these ships that was mentioned months ago. One less subber here, but then again with the game going F2P, I guess that doesn't really matter to Cryptic.
Currently, there seems to be a massive step between the T1 and T2 (Lt & Lt Cmdr) ships to the T3 (Cmdr) ships.
Is the dev team giving any consideration to a slight bump up to the T1 and T2 ships, to make the transition between vessels a much smoother curve (as it is with the T3-T5 vessels) instead of such a pronounced inferiority in the lower tier vessels?
Something along the lines of an added rear weapons slot and 1 extra console to the Miranda and 1 foreward weapons slot and 1-2 extra consoles for the Nova / Excalibur / Sabre?
It seems that a slight bump might be in order, given the ungodly amount of battleships and heavy cruisers players face in those first 2 ranks.
Is there ANY chance of making it so that Subscribers can access a Subscriber only store in which they can pay some ridiculous amount of Dilithium to get the C-Store ships?
This current chart still doesn't seem to offer a way for a new player to start out with say an Oberth or a Connie...could these SKINS be made available to subscribers but their consoles only go out with the C-Store version?
Or you could, you know, use your Dilithium to buy C-points from other players and use those points to buy C-store ships?
Anyway, thanks for the Dev blog, it was one of the better ones and very informative. I support the changes, I didn't like it before, but now with the explaination I now support it. Question though, in the blog it says that if you already have a ship thats going to become C-store only then you have it and that all C-store ships will be account wide. One of my characters has the commander excelsior and another had the commander nebula, so will they end up being unlocked account wide?
Yeah, removing the Excelsior and Nebula in-game was the line crosser. And still no word or slight hint of in-game acquisitions for these ships that was mentioned months ago. One less subber here, but then again with the game going F2P, I guess that doesn't really matter to Cryptic.
agreed, just unsubbed myself. Cya Cryptic, I'm goin to the *other* game.
I understand the intent and the bonus extra console. as a Ship fan, and such, I do like the idea of the bonus console. BUT I think that it should be adapted, One version of the ship in the Ship store for Dilithium Minus the console, and one in the C-store that when we claim it we not only get the ship for FREE in game saving us the Token/dilithium for Gold/silver respectively, but also allowing us early access to the Said console.
Is there ANY chance of making it so that Subscribers can access a Subscriber only store in which they can pay some ridiculous amount of Dilithium to get the C-Store ships?
Considering over the last 6 months there was so much talk about all these new ships being available later on down the line through in-game means, i was hoping that we would be starting to see this around about now. Yet it has been a complete turn around, with all these statements completely ignored.
I want a ridiculous grind to obtain 90% of the ships, like it was with the Emblems. I don't see why this is not something to consider for the subscribers/lifetime members. I understand you want to price tag almost everything, yet the matrix still kicks those that wish to sub/or recently purchased a LTS in the face.
The amount of C-Store ships is very disheartening. I can see the point in a F2P player having to purchase ships, it makes sense at a source of revenue, but someone that subscribes, surely having a huge Dilithium grind option adds an incentive to subscribe.
I'm really happy with the game, and i love the changes i am seeing, the added content and Doff System, but you've really dropped the ball on the excessive amount of C-Store only ships. Suggesting that the majority of ships would be available in-game during dstahl's reign to a complete reversal of this, i think it is quite disgusting.
Oh, and before I go, we plan to re-instate the free starship token at the Lt Commander and Commander rank for all players. We plan to continue the discount token for Silver players at the Captain and Rear Admiral rank, while Gold players will get the free starship at those ranks (if they are a subscriber at the time of rank-up). We do not plan to have any free starship at the Vice Admiral rank.
Finally, some difference between Gold and Silver and a value added to being a subscriber! That's what we need more of in the F2P matrix. Thank you for listening to us about this.
But.... NO free VA Ships for ANYONE confirms what we were thinking from the very start about the economy revamp. Vice Admiral ships are the most expensive in game. It confirms that Dilithium is part of a Grind or Pay Economy:
Play through lots of content for the Dilithium to purchase your VA ship.
Buy a VA ship from the C-Store to get it immediately.
Buy C-Points to Trade for Dilithium if you don't quite have enough.
It would be nice if subscribers at least received a Dilithium Discount at VA. That adds great value to being a monthly or lifetime subscriber.
But I partially understand where you're coming from with this. You have to make money from something. I guess we'll see how people respond to No Free VA Ships once these changes hit Tribble.
Mr. D'Angelo, I thank you. This blog has been a prime example of meeting the community half way. For those that still don't like it/unsubbed/what not, I understand your frustrations, but realize that this blog is an example of listening to the community and at least attempting to meet us half way. They are going to give us a stipend of store points a month and with the revamped prices it would take 4 months of saving said stipend, so all is not lost! I now see a crack of light beaming through the storm clouds.
As Cryptic likes to say, "+1" for support of this idea. It allows the subs less grinding and more what we are accustom to a free ship token. I'm not 100% on how I feel about losing our token at VA but pleased none the less.
I do have a question though, I grinded some Delta Flyer schmatics but are currently in my bank, what will happen to them? Also some of my characters have the retrofit ships that I recieved via VA token and not via C-Store, will I lose them?
Finally, some difference between Gold and Silver and a value added to being a subscriber! That's what we need more of in the F2P matrix. Thank you for listening to us about this.
But.... NO free VA Ships for ANYONE confirms what we were thinking from the very start about the economy revamp. Vice Admiral ships are the most expensive in game. It confirms that Dilithium is part of a Grind or Pay Economy:
Play through lots of content for the Dilithium to purchase your VA ship.
Buy a VA ship from the C-Store to get it immediately.
Buy C-Points to Trade for Dilithium if you don't quite have enough.
It would be nice if subscribers at least received a Dilithium Discount at VA. That adds great value to being a monthly or lifetime subscriber.
But I partially understand where you're coming from with this. You have to make money from something. I guess we'll see how people respond to No Free VA Ships once these changes hit Tribble.
Remember that subscribers will be getting a monthly stipend, so you can still get your VA for no additional money if you use the stipend. And it will take even less time if you suppliment your stipend by trading DL you have in game for extra C-points.
Finally, some difference between Gold and Silver and a value added to being a subscriber! That's what we need more of in the F2P matrix. Thank you for listening to us about this.
But.... NO free VA Ships for ANYONE confirms what we were thinking from the very start about the economy revamp. Vice Admiral ships are the most expensive in game. It confirms that Dilithium is part of a Grind or Pay Economy:
Play through lots of content for the Dilithium to purchase your VA ship.
Buy a VA ship from the C-Store to get it immediately.
Buy C-Points to Trade for Dilithium if you don't quite have enough.
It would be nice if subscribers at least received a Dilithium Discount at VA. That adds great value to being a monthly or lifetime subscriber.
But I partially understand where you're coming from with this. You have to make money from something. I guess we'll see how people respond to No Free VA Ships once these changes hit Tribble.
Don't know if you noticed but ALL the VA ships in that matrix are C-Store only. No buying them with Dilithium at all.
Thumbs up for the free token back. It really shows you are listening our feedback. Now thumbs down for no ship at VA. It really breaks the pattern. You get one ship at each rank up. Now, when you achieve the max rank, you simply don't receive no new ship? And I think that getting a new ship gives you the sensation you are actually progressing. You get more boff slots and more hull, what means more abilities and gives the sensation of: look. I made my job correctly and now I have a great starship.
My suggestion: keep things like they are on holodeck. When you hit VA, you may get the Galaxy, Defiant or Intrepid retrofit, and this unlocks the ship for that character only. You want this for all your characters. Fine. Buy it on C-store. Do this at least for gold mebers. After all, we are already paying for a game that will be free. And will encourage silvers to become gold (and will help solve the problem of the F2P matrix not being too appealing for gold members)
Now, for what I've understood here, all the C-Store ships will be C-Store only. But I heard some time ago that it was planed to make all ships to be available in game somehow. And that was in fact happening. You could buy it a D'Kyr, for example, by 500 emblems. Soo, you would have to grind for a long time before getting your hands on it, and it would be unlockable for only that character. This seemed pretty fair for me and the right direction to take. Hope that you agree and bring back that policy.
An now that I criticize enough, I would like to say that I really apreciate your work. I see a great potential for this game (and that's why I bought a LTS), and hope that my feedback to be helpful.
if you really want to expand the ships. how about being able to change to a diffrent ship every 5 lvl. you could have the same class just may be with a difrent wepons load out or stronger shilds or topedo con fig
one thing that gets to players such as my selff who work a lot of hr and not a lot of play times is to be stuck in the same ship for 11 lvls
Comments
Wow, this is starting to kinda suck.
I DO however approve of this part:
Finally a difference between Subs and Silvers, no matter how minuscule...
Sweet merciful Q THANK YOU.
This current chart still doesn't seem to offer a way for a new player to start out with say an Oberth or a Connie...could these SKINS be made available to subscribers but their consoles only go out with the C-Store version?
Regarding the free ship upgrade on rank up...
I appreciate this attempted solution, but I feel earning free ships at certain ranks and discounted ships at others is unnecessarily confusing. I think it would be better if you went with one or the other (for the record, I'm a "free ship token" advocate). As a Gold player, I guess I'll be getting the free ship either way, but even for the Silver players, I think consistency is key.
I was sort of expecting that to happen when F2P was announced. To be honest, this does sort of sweeten the Gold pot a little.
I am okay with losing a few ships during the f2p and appreciate the free upgrade for those who have it.
I am glad gold still gets free ships but to be honest judging by what i see flying around on holodeck people have no issue with the c-store they just don't want to lose the option to level alts without paying.
Again thanks for responding to the feedback i think this is a good solution.
I agree. Honestly it would make more sense to just swap the Excelsior and Venture.
AWESOME question.
Hell yeah, as said above, we finally have a reason for people to sub to the game
I think this is one of the best decisions that has been made in this game :cool:
That's it, I've had it. Pay to win, here we come, and its validated.
And you're going to beef up the Excelsior, already arguably the best cruiser in the game hands down?
No discussion of PvP balance, so I'm done.
So, whatever happened to being able to earn every ship in-game in some form or another? Are the "non-basic" ships C-Store only or can we grind for them (outside of the Dilithium-to-CP conversion TRIBBLE)?
On this, I can give you a big kudos. Count this as one of my changes list scratched off of the "need-to-do" list. The only gripe is the loss of VA ship token. Boo!
Currently, there seems to be a massive step between the T1 and T2 (Lt & Lt Cmdr) ships to the T3 (Cmdr) ships.
Is the dev team giving any consideration to a slight bump up to the T1 and T2 ships, to make the transition between vessels a much smoother curve (as it is with the T3-T5 vessels) instead of such a pronounced inferiority in the lower tier vessels?
Something along the lines of an added rear weapons slot and 1 extra console to the Miranda and 1 foreward weapons slot and 1-2 extra consoles for the Nova / Excalibur / Sabre?
It seems that a slight bump might be in order, given the ungodly amount of battleships and heavy cruisers players face in those first 2 ranks.
Or you could, you know, use your Dilithium to buy C-points from other players and use those points to buy C-store ships?
Anyway, thanks for the Dev blog, it was one of the better ones and very informative. I support the changes, I didn't like it before, but now with the explaination I now support it. Question though, in the blog it says that if you already have a ship thats going to become C-store only then you have it and that all C-store ships will be account wide. One of my characters has the commander excelsior and another had the commander nebula, so will they end up being unlocked account wide?
How about the fix for characters being unable to rank up if they purchase a C-Store ship?
agreed, just unsubbed myself. Cya Cryptic, I'm goin to the *other* game.
Just my two cents.
Considering over the last 6 months there was so much talk about all these new ships being available later on down the line through in-game means, i was hoping that we would be starting to see this around about now. Yet it has been a complete turn around, with all these statements completely ignored.
I want a ridiculous grind to obtain 90% of the ships, like it was with the Emblems. I don't see why this is not something to consider for the subscribers/lifetime members. I understand you want to price tag almost everything, yet the matrix still kicks those that wish to sub/or recently purchased a LTS in the face.
The amount of C-Store ships is very disheartening. I can see the point in a F2P player having to purchase ships, it makes sense at a source of revenue, but someone that subscribes, surely having a huge Dilithium grind option adds an incentive to subscribe.
I'm really happy with the game, and i love the changes i am seeing, the added content and Doff System, but you've really dropped the ball on the excessive amount of C-Store only ships. Suggesting that the majority of ships would be available in-game during dstahl's reign to a complete reversal of this, i think it is quite disgusting.
Finally, some difference between Gold and Silver and a value added to being a subscriber! That's what we need more of in the F2P matrix. Thank you for listening to us about this.
But.... NO free VA Ships for ANYONE confirms what we were thinking from the very start about the economy revamp. Vice Admiral ships are the most expensive in game. It confirms that Dilithium is part of a Grind or Pay Economy:
It would be nice if subscribers at least received a Dilithium Discount at VA. That adds great value to being a monthly or lifetime subscriber.
But I partially understand where you're coming from with this. You have to make money from something. I guess we'll see how people respond to No Free VA Ships once these changes hit Tribble.
I do have a question though, I grinded some Delta Flyer schmatics but are currently in my bank, what will happen to them? Also some of my characters have the retrofit ships that I recieved via VA token and not via C-Store, will I lose them?
Remember that subscribers will be getting a monthly stipend, so you can still get your VA for no additional money if you use the stipend. And it will take even less time if you suppliment your stipend by trading DL you have in game for extra C-points.
Don't know if you noticed but ALL the VA ships in that matrix are C-Store only. No buying them with Dilithium at all.
My suggestion: keep things like they are on holodeck. When you hit VA, you may get the Galaxy, Defiant or Intrepid retrofit, and this unlocks the ship for that character only. You want this for all your characters. Fine. Buy it on C-store. Do this at least for gold mebers. After all, we are already paying for a game that will be free. And will encourage silvers to become gold (and will help solve the problem of the F2P matrix not being too appealing for gold members)
Now, for what I've understood here, all the C-Store ships will be C-Store only. But I heard some time ago that it was planed to make all ships to be available in game somehow. And that was in fact happening. You could buy it a D'Kyr, for example, by 500 emblems. Soo, you would have to grind for a long time before getting your hands on it, and it would be unlockable for only that character. This seemed pretty fair for me and the right direction to take. Hope that you agree and bring back that policy.
An now that I criticize enough, I would like to say that I really apreciate your work. I see a great potential for this game (and that's why I bought a LTS), and hope that my feedback to be helpful.
one thing that gets to players such as my selff who work a lot of hr and not a lot of play times is to be stuck in the same ship for 11 lvls