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Season 5 Dev Diary #8

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited December 2011 in Galactic News Network [PC]
Stephen thanks players for an amazing start to December in this entry of the Season 5 News Dev Blog series.


Link to the news article
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Sounds good cant wait to see what the doff event is. Im really loving the doff system so far.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    He says a lot of nothing.

    I want to see the 700 day android.

    And don't want to see this lottery TRIBBLE like you did with the Jem'Hadar ship ever again in the game.

    How are the FE not done yet? I can understand the need for polish on them, but they needed to be done months ago.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Sounds great! can't wait for the new featured episodes!!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    We are also busy putting together the ground skills revamp and some UI improvements.

    WIN!

    I can't wait for the ground revamp!!!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    The introduction of new starships, Duty Officer game play, and an array of new and improved content in Season 5 was clearly well received!

    Not sure if lying or did not do the research.

    The Duty officer system is excellent and has been quite well received, and its true the new ships are visually pleasing, but many people are still upset over a variety of so called 'improvements,' and the distinct lack of mission content.
    • STFs; drops are unfair and grindy, need/greed mentality fosters the opposite of teamwork and camraderie
    • Crafting is dead
    • +1 Ships are still an issue thats only been partly resolved
    • PVP balance non-existant
    • Still no new FE
    • Lotto box backlash
    • Skill changes without the space/ground split has produced some oddities
    • Continued use of exploits that it took a podcast episode to finally convince the devs existed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    DOFF event sounds intriguing.
    This is our first attempt at releasing an ultra-rare game item, and the hundreds of players who have unlocked the ship absolutely love it.
    First attempt. Heeere come the lotto boxes as the defacto way of obtaining the pay (out of the nose) to win goodies!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Looking forward to seeing what the UI improvements are all about. There is still a lot of TRIBBLE that needs to be cleaned up with the UI. A lot has been fixed, but the ship names, the window borders, the ship pic covering stats in the status window, and a whole mess of other TRIBBLE could be cleaned up.

    I pointed them out here back when F2P was on tribble: http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=237181
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Not sure if lying or did not do the research.

    The Duty officer system is excellent and has been quite well received, and its true the new ships are visually pleasing, but many people are still upset over a variety of so called 'improvements,' and the distinct lack of mission content.
    • STFs; drops are unfair and grindy, need/greed mentality fosters the opposite of teamwork and camraderie
    • Crafting is dead
    • +1 Ships are still an issue thats only been partly resolved
    • PVP balance non-existant
    • Still no new FE
    • Lotto box backlash
    • Skill changes without the space/ground split has produced some oddities
    • Continued use of exploits that it took a podcast episode to finally convince the devs existed.

    QFT! /10char
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    If the devs are NOW starting on the new feature episodes what was dstahl testplaying back in August then?!?!?!?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Not sure if lying or did not do the research.

    The Duty officer system is excellent and has been quite well received, and its true the new ships are visually pleasing, but many people are still upset over a variety of so called 'improvements,' and the distinct lack of mission content.
    • STFs; drops are unfair and grindy, need/greed mentality fosters the opposite of teamwork and camraderie
    • Crafting is dead
    • +1 Ships are still an issue thats only been partly resolved
    • PVP balance non-existant
    • Still no new FE
    • Lotto box backlash
    • Skill changes without the space/ground split has produced some oddities
    • Continued use of exploits that it took a podcast episode to finally convince the devs existed.

    *Throws in a John Stewart "Booooooooommmmmmm"

    Edit:
    On second thought: I was at MA during the crafting event to pick up commodities from Rek... I was quite surprised at the amount of people there. Personally, I filled up the banks and inventories with purples of 3 trash alts, including buying the max amount of bank slots for one of them before F2P hit so unless they get some new stuff I'll never craft again. I've got like 8 Agies sets LOL
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    "This is our first attempt at releasing an ultra-rare game item, and the hundreds of players who have unlocked the ship absolutely love it."

    You have got to be kidding. So you're gonna keep using this "method" to make items "rare"? So whoever shovels tons of money into the C-Store and/or gets extremely lucky will get the things you could just release for the new higher C-Store prices or make it possible for us to earn by actually playing the game? What about the multiple threads posted about this? Is that a minority to you that is negligible?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    With Season 5 released, the development team is now starting work on the Dominion Featured Episode series for February. They are still early in development...

    What? I thought this was early in development a LONG time ago? And how long is the planned down time between FEs from now on?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    From the Dev Blog#8:

    Stephen D'Angelo wrote:
    ...With Season 5 released, the development team is now starting work on the Dominion Featured Episode series for February. They are still early in development, but we should have some early art and sneak peeks available in early January to share...

    Just starting work now? That's interesting as I recall Daniel Stahl stating he PLAYTESYED a version of the first episode for this FE before he left Cryptic for Zynga; and I further recall that right after the sale to PWE was completed; the expected launch date for the series was November (and I understand why that got moved) - but my point?

    Why do you need to obfuscate the fact that this FE was in the works before Season4 launched? Is this the level of 'up front and honest' EP to playerbase we can expect going forward?

    It may seem like a small thing, but I just don't see the need to try and retcon the fact this FE series has been in the works for quite a while.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Armsman wrote: »
    Just starting work now? That's interesting as I recall Daniel Stahl stating he PLAYTESYED a version of the first episode for this FE before he left Cryptic for Zynga; and I further recall that right after the sale to PWE was completed; the expected launch date for the series was November (and I understand why that got moved) - but my point?

    Why do you need to obfuscate the fact that this FE was in the works before Season4 launched? Is this the level of 'up front and honest' EP to playerbase we can expect going forward?

    It may seem like a small thing, but I just don't see the need to try and retcon the fact this FE series has been in the works for quite a while.

    Well in STOKED 100 they were showing Bajor... and it looked hot.... so I would take "starting" at face value. I would think that if DStahl played it, that it was broken as all hell and was really incomplete. It probably feels no where near complete as a whole for him to say that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Armsman wrote: »
    Just starting work now? That's interesting as I recall Daniel Stahl stating he PLAYTESYED a version of the first episode for this FE before he left Cryptic for Zynga; and I further recall that right after the sale to PWE was completed; the expected launch date for the series was November (and I understand why that got moved) - but my point?

    Why do you need to obfuscate the fact that this FE was in the works before Season4 launched? Is this the level of 'up front and honest' EP to playerbase we can expect going forward?

    It may seem like a small thing, but I just don't see the need to try and retcon the fact this FE series has been in the works for quite a while.

    We've seen clips from these missions including the new Bajor ground map on STOked weeks ago.

    It's odd to say they're just getting started on it when we've already seen at least one new map from it nearly a couple of months ago.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    I'll be interested to see what other ultra rare stuff comes out. It could be cool to see a bit of variety out in space.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    That was very tone deaf to address the grab bag issue without any treatment of the underlying issues raised in the forums.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Scruffy31 wrote: »
    That was very tone deaf to address the grab bag issue without any treatment of the underlying issues raised in the forums.

    ...if by "underlying issues" you mean people making poor decisions and/or removing the blame from their own shoulders and squarely onto Cryptic's?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Jexsam wrote: »
    ...if by "underlying issues" you mean people making poor decisions and/or removing the blame from their own shoulders and squarely onto Cryptic's?

    Essentially, yes.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    The Enterprise F would be a nice Christmas present! I wonder if it is still tied to the next FE.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    zmacgirthy wrote: »
    The Enterprise F would be a nice Christmas present! I wonder if it is still tied to the next FE.

    Or the next grab bag?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    The Duty Officers are a good feature. Honestly, its one of only a few features that have been received well for season 5, at least based on my experiences in game and people I've talked to in game. I don't personally have it, but the Jem'Hadar ship appears to be rather worthless, and comes off as an attempt to get people to shell out cash for something "unique". The lottery-style method through which this ship can be won backs up that analysis, as you only pay for a chance to win it. Q's Winter Wonderland was also a letdown, there is no story or mission or really any good reason to go there, it is entirely made up of gimmicks, and if you want any of them, you have to grind the stupid race day after day. Or pay. No new missions or stories were added, except for one daily PvE Mirror Universe event and the Borg sector block battles (which are fairly easy with a team). PvE additions and the new STF que make up the only other actual "improvements" aside from duty officers. I will also make special mention of the new feature episodes which have been practically ignored, nevermind the fact that the whole "Next Enterprise" contest ended months ago. The addition of Omega Force on DS9 had potential, but still it is pretty grinding to get the stuff it offers. Same for crafting, which is practically dead. And do I even have to mention the fact that stories for KDF members are practically non-existent? PvP balance is still way off? Overall, the game appears to be prepping to go Pay 2 Win at the same time it goes Free to Play, with no attention payed by the developers to any other issues. Emphasis in every update is always on the C-store and whatever new POS happens to be in it. Also there are some glitches in the game that have been present for a long time, longer than I care to remember. Also, there is no new actual mission content coming out of Cryptic, and that's my main issue. No new FEs, no new missions/stories, and the KDF is woefully neglected.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Got to echo the sentiments of a few other people: how is the next FE still "early in development" when the last one was what... coming up on a year ago now, right? I don't think I'm exaggerating too much.

    Other than that I suppose the rest sounds good, just keep the new stuff coming. It's an MMO after all.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Or the next grab bag?

    I was going to post that! I personally like the boxes. They are fun as you never know what you are going to get. I wasted about 2400 CP on them too. Now I won't be putting any more towards them as the 2400 was all I had and I will not buy any more, perhaps I'll buy 4 more if my stipend hits again before the event is over!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Or the next grab bag?

    If so I’m afraid that would be snapping point for me:(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    "With Season 5 released, the development team is now starting work on the Dominion Featured Episode series for February. They are still early in development, but we should have some early art and sneak peeks available in early January to share. "

    I think I speak for all the "Content Drought" people around here, when I say GIVE ME A F---NG BREAK!!!!

    As early as June 2011, word came down from DStahl that preliminary work was being done on the next feature episode arc, which at the time was slated for release "Shortly after Season 4 launch". Early July rolls around, Season 4 rolls out to Holodeck, with no new feature episodes in sight. Weeks go by, until August when Dstahl drops the bombshell that he was "Playtesting the FIRST new feature episode". For 2.5 months, the status of feature episodes lay in limbo, until mid-November when D'Angelo drops the news, that the next Feature Episode Arc will launch sometime after "Year 2" in February 2012.

    So that means, we've been through this for the past 6 months, expecting the feature episodes to still be highly in development, and certainly ready for launch (at various points in time). And here comes the latest Dev Diary, basically stating that the status is back to "Square One", since they are still "early in development".

    I realize this is a stretch, but at what point will the "Feature Episodes" ever return to it's original name which was WEEKLY episodes? DStahl even hinted at the possibility of having feature episode "arcs" appearing after each other, with no more than a couple of weeks break.

    TL;DR: SWTOR, here I come! So long STO, you showed such promise and potential.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    The introduction of new starships, Duty Officer game play, and an array of new and improved content in Season 5 was clearly well received!

    Eh, what? really, lots of things were not "well received" in any way shape or form. Just wow, I'm sorry but I can't believe that was put in the blog, it is flat out astounding that you would think the "tax" was well received, or the spend it or lose it fiasco, or the T3 fiasco...

    just, amazed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    What? I thought this was early in development a LONG time ago? And how long is the planned down time between FEs from now on?

    and you believed them? Seriously? Nothing they say has merit to me UNTIL it is in game, they've proven that they are not reliable in to many ways to take at face value anymore. Sorry but in my case, this doesn't surprise me one second.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    So at some point in the past, we can unequivocally say that Cryptic have lied to us.

    D'Angelo's statement that work is only *now* proceeding on the Featured Series is in direct conflict with statements from Dan Stahl months ago.

    Which way is it, Cryptic? Marketing can't be this transparent.



    Thanks to Nuh for the link.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Jexsam wrote: »
    ...if by "underlying issues" you mean people making poor decisions and/or removing the blame from their own shoulders and squarely onto Cryptic's?

    Exactly, couldn't have said it better myself.

    As for the FE's, I suspect they are somewhere between what the two EP's have stated. It was my observation that Dan used to like to hype things up and always left us with a the feeling that good stuff was just around the corner.
    Stephen on the other hand seems to take the other approach which gives us the impression that things aren't quite as far along as they are. I suppose that way if they run into a problem this buys them time to fix it.
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