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Captain's Log Returns

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited December 2011 in Galactic News Network [PC]
Massively's Star Trek Online column resumes course as Columnist Terilynn Shull takes the helm with her first entry of the Captain's Log.


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

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Congratulations to Terry. It couldn't have gone to any better person.

    I look forward to reading more :-D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Good article. Very informative and minimal bias.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Good article. Very informative and minimal bias.

    Agreed, I found it to be quite good for those reasons.

    My only concern, and I am leaving them here rather than Massively due to registration, is referring to the DOff system as a Card Game. I think that the DOff system mechanically shares very little with any card game (and I play/test many games). In spirit, the DOffs themselves can be viewed as "cards". Unfortunately calling them a Card Game really distracts from the style of game play and can be a turn off to people, like me, who do not care for card games.

    It was a great article and I appreciated the balance. I will be looking forward to the next one.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Dunnlang wrote:
    Agreed, I found it to be quite good for those reasons.

    My only concern, and I am leaving them here rather than Massively due to registration, is referring to the DOff system as a Card Game. I think that the DOff system mechanically shares very little with any card game (and I play/test many games). In spirit, the DOffs themselves can be viewed as "cards". Unfortunately calling them a Card Game really distracts from the style of game play and can be a turn off to people, like me, who do not care for card games.

    It was a great article and I appreciated the balance. I will be looking forward to the next one.

    Completely agree with this and what others so far have said.

    Additionally ... A note in relation to the article's mention of the lightsaber lirpas and bat'leths. ... I like them.

    For me, it does nod the head at SW:TOR's release while also saying ... "Congrats! ... You've launched ... Good for you! ... We aren't scared ONE bit!"

    Qa'pla!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Again, (To all those die hard Star Wars hater) the Millenium Falcon fought the Borg cube at the battle of Sector 001 (or whatever people call first contacts battle.) Lucas Arts (who animated the sceen) has admitted to this easter egg.

    http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/6/66/AkiraFalcon-STFC.jpg
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Completely agree with this and what others so far have said.

    Additionally ... A note in relation to the article's mention of the lightsaber lirpas and bat'leths. ... I like them.

    For me, it does nod the head at SW:TOR's release while also saying ... "Congrats! ... You've launched ... Good for you! ... We aren't scared ONE bit!"

    Qa'pla!
    just a shame some of the more hardcore saw the homage as a slam :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Excellent, will give it a read now.


    It does seem slightly Inception-y having Brandon posting about a new Captain's log... hehe
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Dunnlang wrote:
    Agreed, I found it to be quite good for those reasons.

    My only concern, and I am leaving them here rather than Massively due to registration, is referring to the DOff system as a Card Game. I think that the DOff system mechanically shares very little with any card game (and I play/test many games). In spirit, the DOffs themselves can be viewed as "cards". Unfortunately calling them a Card Game really distracts from the style of game play and can be a turn off to people, like me, who do not care for card games.

    It was a great article and I appreciated the balance. I will be looking forward to the next one.

    Did you ever play Star Trek: TCG by Decipher?

    Because the DOff system is basically a single player version of that. Which is like Starship Creator: Mark II, minus the ships but with more scenarios.

    Add DOff PvP and the ability to create DOff assignments for enemies and you've basically resurrected Decipher's game.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Did you ever play Star Trek: TCG by Decipher?

    Because the DOff system is basically a single player version of that. Which is like Starship Creator: Mark II, minus the ships but with more scenarios.

    Add DOff PvP and the ability to create DOff assignments for enemies and you've basically resurrected Decipher's game.

    I still play STTCCG, and I agree that there are a fair amount of similarities.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Thanks all:

    To say I was very nervous is putting it mildly!

    I do understand the concern with my stating the DOff system is like a trading card game - tbh, that's how I perceived it when I first toyed with it. It IS of course, much more rich and complex than an ordinary TC game. TBH it's my favorite part of the game lately (besides some amazing Foundry missions I've had a chance to play.)

    Once again - thanks to everyone for your support.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    I am quoting what I posted on the massively article comment site:
    A very well wrtiten article. I don't think it was too biased for or against STO devs.

    As for the last piece about star wars, my feeling is this:
    We ask for them to give us more Star Trek stuff and instead we get Star Wars stuff.
    The only true Star Trek stuff I feel we have gotten is the DOFF system.
    I love star wars and play many of the games (not SWTOR because i'm poor) but I also know what Star Trek feels and looks like. Its not Star Wars. The fact that I feel they have given us very little in the way of true Star Trek should tell you why I do not care for thei rhomage to Star Wars. I wouldn't mind it as much if I felt this game was more Star Trek.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    joebobkill wrote: »
    I am quoting what I posted on the massively article comment site:

    Thanks! I am still learning the "ways of massively" and as soon as I figure out how to leave replies to comments on the column I will!

    ( Yeah - I'm the n00b all over again!)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    To elaborate on my previous comment I enjoyed the fact that your article was informational rather than an op-ed. Everyone has their own personal opinions and if someone wants to read opinions about the game they can already do so on the forums. But its nice to have a regular article that summarizes the updates and goings on of the game for those who do not religiously follow the Dev tracker. Then with that summarized information people can make up their own opinions without the bias of the writer pushing them either way. So please keep up the good work and informational format :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    To elaborate on my previous comment I enjoyed the fact that your article was informational rather than an op-ed. Everyone has their own personal opinions and if someone wants to reads opinions about the game they can already do so on the forums. But its nice to have a regular article that summarizes the updates and goings on of the game for those who do not follow every post on the Dev tracker. Then with that summarized information people can make up their own opinions without the bias of the writer pushing them either way. So please keep up the good work and informational format :)

    Now THAT is a high compliment Grand Nagus! Thank you!

    I really will strive to keep the column informative. I have a personal blog where I rant like Tasmanian Devil with Stainless Steel High Heeled Boots - but that's not what the Massively column is supposed to be about.

    So I will keep my ranty rants on my personal blog - where they belong. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited December 2011
    Dunnlang wrote:
    Agreed, I found it to be quite good for those reasons.

    My only concern, and I am leaving them here rather than Massively due to registration, is referring to the DOff system as a Card Game. I think that the DOff system mechanically shares very little with any card game (and I play/test many games). In spirit, the DOffs themselves can be viewed as "cards". Unfortunately calling them a Card Game really distracts from the style of game play and can be a turn off to people, like me, who do not care for card games.

    It was a great article and I appreciated the balance. I will be looking forward to the next one.

    If you like the DOFF system, and they refer to it as a card game, that makes you like the DOFF system less? If you like it or don't, it shouldn't matter what one calls it.

    Truth is, it's absolutely correct. It's what instantly popped into my head when I started playing with the system, and it features most of the elements. Random packs of "cards" that you open, containing "cards" with various abilities and rarities. You use these cards to play a "round" (mission) in which their stats are used to make calculations against a system created "deck", there are some random rolls, you win or lose.

    Sounds pretty much like a card game, to me. It's just not as deep - yet. It's missing the layer of active strategy. You set up the game, you make your "deck" (whatever officers you are sending off) and then...wait. No chance to think quickly or assist/diminish your chances of winning until they report back.

    I very much enjoy the DOFF system, but I hope eventually that is expanded upon - perhaps while playing, a pop-up alerts you that the team needs help, or you to make a decision, etc. that can affect final outcome. They also need to look at the rewards; the only incentive I see (besides the fact I like playing the game) is more duty officers, which you use to do more missions, which get you the same minor rewards. Right now I'm playing to level up, the trinkets you get are kind of beside the point, as is the tiny amounts of dilithium you earn. If this system is going to keep me playing long term, there needs to be more to it than earning titles and getting more duty and bridge officers (and enough with the Bridge Officer missions - way too many, and too few ways to get good duty officers, aside from completing a tier).
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