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Captain's Log Looks Ahead

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited January 2012 in Galactic News Network [PC]
In this week's Captain's Log entry, readers learn about Star Trek Online's past, present and future.


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

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    As long as the team is able to release new content on a regular basis going forward, I can overlook the horrendous content drought of the past. That said, I should clarify the word "content". No matter how many new costumes or ships you add to the game, unless you give people new things to DO with them, they will get bored.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    wow what an interesting article. Too bad Cryptic chooses to shift blame to their old scapegoat nemesis, Atari. I suggest next time trying to own up to your mistakes and short comings as a development team and company instead of passing the blame. Your player base is more receptive to honesty.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    The story reminds me of the Freem Fifteen, the developers from City of Heroes who were left to work on the game after staff had been relocated and before NCSoft purchased the rest of the IP, creating Paragon Studios and staffing up once again.

    Ironically, the company that reduced their staff in favor of working on Marvel Universe Online was Cryptic Studios.

    Having gone through the experience as a player, I can say that it's not easy seeing an MMO you like worked on with a shoestring budget and a skeleton crew. I'm hoping that PWE (regardless of my current past qualms with them) can help re-invigorate the game.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    As long as the team is able to release new content on a regular basis going forward, I can overlook the horrendous content drought of the past. That said, I should clarify the word "content". No matter how many new costumes or ships you add to the game, unless you give people new things to DO with them, they will get bored.

    cryptic seriously does think emote packs and f2p is content. That isn't likely to change.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Interesting words...
    Still taking it all with a grain of salt until I see it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I guess it boils down to Cryptic thinking that whatever potentially increases revenue is content vs what players generally think of as content. Well, happy and busy players tend to spend more money Cryptic. Just a thought.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Good article. I really like Terilynn's writing style, very factual and detailed, without adding bias or reading into comments excessively. It reminds me of professional journalism in a way that doesn't leave me frustrated or questioning the validity of the statements contained within.

    In regards to the details:

    Somebody previously mentioned the FREEM 15, and until they mentioned it, I hadn't drawn the same correlations, but now I see the connection. If I were less self aware I might say, wow, that is a good parallel that can be drown, and CoH since NCsoft took over development has released a vast array of quality expansions, I must also consider that I stopped playing shortly after the FREEM 15 status was detailed, and as such have only passingly watched CoH. So, while I love a lot of what CoH has done since the acquisition, it is filtered by a cronol compression of their releases, so I like their development of the game but may not have an accurate perception of the rate at which the releases have happened.

    Ultimately what it comes down to is this: We have just gone through a major transition, lets see what the cryptic STO team can do. I'm willing to give them a chance, and so are you, if you weren't you wouldn't still be here.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Guys, Cryptic isn't stupid. Now that the game is F2P, they know they have to work more on content.

    The only reason for the Content Drought of 2011 is that they were polishing the game up for the incoming F2Pers. Now that that's done, they can finally work on content.

    I loved the Romulan FE series. I hope the next one is even better.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I like the Captain's Log its straight and to the point without having to listen to a bunch of non-STO related TRIBBLE for an hour like you do with podcasts.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    The grab bag controversy: Will it end?

    Rivera was bluntly honest about the grab bags that were introduced in the game last December. Simply put: Yes, they were a hit, and no, they will not be going away. Rivera explained that while the revenue-generating gimmicks were very successful, they were also used as a means to get ships into the game, ships that most likely never would have seen the light of the monitor before now. CBS did not approve the generalized use of the Jem'Hadar attack ships in game because company representatives felt that portraying a majority of Starfleet officers flying enemy vessels was counter to the image they want to convey. CBS was amenable, however, to allowing the ships to appear in "ultra rare" circumstances, making the Dominion ships the perfect choice for the STO's first game-of-chance.

    He stated there was a possibility other atypical ships or items may make appearances via a grab-bag, especially items that CBS may be more open to allowing on an ultra-rare basis. The mention of a Tier-5 Constitution class came up as an example, but he confirmed that no formal discussions have occurred with CBS about any ship, let alone a "Tier-5 Connie."

    However, Rivera was able to confirm that there are no plans to release the new Odyssey class ships in this fashion and reiterated that they will be available via in-game currency or for purchase in the C-Store.

    Rivera was also adamant that the revenue generated by the grab bags will allow the team to put more time and money into hiring and development of more featured content that is necessary to keep players interested in the game.

    Pity is all I have to say....pity.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I'd love to see the great new future of STO begin.

    Free to play launch has arrived and passed . The new players are here.

    The hall has been rented, the orchestra has engaged, now is the time for us all to dance, let's make it a happy dance shall we?

    The Odyssey class would be a great place to start. We've been hearing about her for what, five or six months already? Roll out that pretty lady already, I want to take her for a spin around the galaxy ! :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    The article just put into words what we alrdy knew...no money no workers and a change of ownership...NOW!!! we have new owners that understand the online gaming world, all is good....

    I ask only one thing...in those grab bags can we get some "Risa Beach Wear".....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I loved the Romulan FE series. I hope the next one is even better.

    I hope the next one is better, too. It'll have to tide us over for most of the year.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    if the grab bag stated what you had the chance to get and the chance of getting it i probably wouldnt have a problem with them. but i sure wouldnt toss gobs of cash at.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    wrote:
    wow what an interesting article. Too bad Cryptic chooses to shift blame to their old scapegoat nemesis, Atari. I suggest next time trying to own up to your mistakes and short comings as a development team and company instead of passing the blame. Your player base is more receptive to honesty.
    while Cryptic may take some blame, Atari STILL is to blame for many of their issues as well. it can't be denied that Cryptic could only do so much with the orders and choices of their owners

    so yeah... appealing a company to appeal to your version of honesty, not the common one... not a good thing. just saying
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    This was a horrible article, on the basis that its another derivative of nearly every article, podcast, and announcement that has been put up going into, and since F2P went live. I think this was the third source that stated Foundry was originally for Neverwinter, with no exact details on what's coming up next. Same goes about talking about how Cryptic couldn't say anything about the change over from Atari, and trying to offer explanation as to why they haven't announced any concrete details about upcoming material. I have sat at the edge of my seat every time I come to this site to look for new information, and when I do, its the same recycled material. Meanwhile, the PWE banner has been officially on the site for a week or so, and I've been pulling my hair out every time I see a new Odyssey-Class picture, wallpaper, and screenshot attached to an article on the news feed, but nothing substantial. I'm not going to ragequit over this, I'm not going to post and say that I'm done with the game for good. I'm trying to put on a dramatic enough display to get your attention because it matters to me.

    I love this game, and I'm calling you out, Cryptic. Stop sharing rehashes of interviews containing vague responses. I want something new on the Calendar. I want real information about the Odyssey, or the Klingon Flagship. I want something. No more of this, "We're adding new stuff. Can't say what. Can't say when. But just wait; it's coming."
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    BlueGothic wrote: »
    This was a horrible article, on the basis that its another derivative of nearly every article, podcast, and announcement that has been put up going into, and since F2P went live. I think this was the third source that stated Foundry was originally for Neverwinter, with no exact details on what's coming up next. Same goes about talking about how Cryptic couldn't say anything about the change over from Atari, and trying to offer explanation as to why they haven't announced any concrete details about upcoming material. I have sat at the edge of my seat every time I come to this site to look for new information, and when I do, its the same recycled material. Meanwhile, the PWE banner has been officially on the site for a week or so, and I've been pulling my hair out every time I see a new Odyssey-Class picture, wallpaper, and screenshot attached to an article on the news feed, but nothing substantial. I'm not going to ragequit over this, I'm not going to post and say that I'm done with the game for good. I'm trying to put on a dramatic enough display to get your attention because it matters to me.

    I love this game, and I'm calling you out, Cryptic. Stop sharing rehashes of interviews containing vague responses. I want something new on the Calendar. I want real information about the Odyssey, or the Klingon Flagship. I want something. No more of this, "We're adding new stuff. Can't say what. Can't say when. But just wait; it's coming."

    I'd say you haven't exactly "called out" much.

    ...You do realise, the person who wrote the article, is also the same person who conducted that interview you so refer to?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Pity is all I have to say....pity.

    You really want to see grab bags disappear? I don't.

    While I do agree that it is shifty, very misleading, and underhanded, I also think that putting an 'ultra-rare' ship in a grab-bag is just evil, and should be fixed.

    HOWEVER,

    Let thousands of other players throw money at the game. I'll spend a little, and then give up. Let the thousands of uncontrollable gamblers fund the game.

    In closing:

    More money for the developers = More money to put into content (And the creators thereof).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Again. Talk is cheap, i'll believe it when i see the changes happening across the board not just a few missions to "placate" the masses. I do understand the issue with dealing with parent companies and there's a lot that goes behind the scenes that has little to do with the actual operation of the game but still affects it. Money and head count is the root of a lot of this. Hopefully they can start hiring a full team now and start delegating the teams to specific areas of the game.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Yes the grab bag was successful first time round but now players know what the odds are or rather the total lask of odds at winning. Do you really think it will ever share the same success again?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    bluecat69 wrote:
    Yes the grab bag was successful first time round but now players know what the odds are or rather the total lask of odds at winning. Do you really think it will ever share the same success again?

    I do. First off, the first grab bag was only available to the subscribing members - people who already pay - and it was a success. I think it will be doubly so when the first one comes out and F2Pers get a crack at them.

    Also - it depends on what you were "looking for" in those grab bags. TBH I spent quite a bit actually shooting for stuff that wasn't "ultra-rare". I wanted some blue weapons and the winter items as I really loved the scarves.

    So don't be surprised if they do grab bags that don't contain "ultra-rare" stuff. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    bluecat69 wrote:
    Yes the grab bag was successful first time round but now players know what the odds are or rather the total lask of odds at winning. Do you really think it will ever share the same success again?

    actually the success or lack of, will be driven by the playerbase. the more folks who get burned but them the less they spend on them, If you don't like them you should tactfully remind folks of the "bug ship" and how its drop rate was. Once folks start to see what it actually is, more will refrain from the blatant cash grab stuff and will reward them with purchases on items that are clear and easy to understand.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    TerilynnS wrote: »
    So don't be surprised if they do grab bags that don't contain "ultra-rare" stuff. :)

    Let's face it, the Jem'Hadar ship was the big draw, the grand prize for the grab bag. We can say with a wink and a nudge that the Holographic BOs, and blue weapons and assorted other items were just as viable and desirable... but really? Are we going to be that intellectually dishonest? Yes, it was a whopping success, they made buckets of money off of that gimmick. They had to include all of the spare TRIBBLE to make it something other than a gamble

    Do you really think they won't include the T5 Connie in such a gimmick? Or perhaps the Aventine? Or Ambassador? What about the highly desirable T5 Akira that the community has been hankering for since launch? All of those ships are in danger now of becoming grab bag carrots, rather than straight up C-Store purchases and or earned via in-game content.

    Brass tacks, Cryptic and Perfect World are in it for the money, like any good corporation. These grab bags make them cash in sufficiently large quantities to likely offset the number of subscriptions they've likely lost with the change over to F2P.

    Expect them more frequently.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    What I do know is that I will not be wasting any more C-Points with grab bags.

    I can live with Grab Bags, but what I do very much Object to is to make one of the best ships in the entire game a super rare only obtainable via the Grab Bag.

    Grab bag ships should NEVER be superior in any way to the normal fare available to players.
    They should be valued as collectors item and not a tactical edge over your enemies.
    It is not fair, and its not even Pay 2 Win, its much worse.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Trek17 wrote:
    while Cryptic may take some blame, Atari STILL is to blame for many of their issues as well. it can't be denied that Cryptic could only do so much with the orders and choices of their owners

    so yeah... appealing a company to appeal to your version of honesty, not the common one... not a good thing. just saying


    That's just the thing. Cryptic didn't take ANY blame. They said it was ALL Atari's fault. It's always someone else's fault is my point. If Cryptic had even take a sliver of ownership in their shortcomings instead of blaming someone else I'd have some respect for that. Instead Atari is the scapegoat and evildoer and Cryptic is the innocent bystander held hostage by their purse strings.


    Lets revisit some other excuses shall we?

    Oh this game didn't launch with content because we only had 2 years to develop it. Well whose fault is that? Surely not the company going after the license to develop the game in only 2 years? It must be someone else.

    Oh we don't have enough staff so we can't make content. Really? Because 2010 was filled with NEW content. A ton of development time in 2011 was spent redoing a rushed game and rushed game mechanics.
    STF's and ground combat and the economy just to name three. How much dev time is going to be spent in 2012 redoing features/ content such as crafting and other things instead of adding new content? Looks like a significant amount according to Dev blogs.

    My point is there will always be another excuse and someone else to blame as long as Cryptic avoids taking any ownership whatsoever in their shortcomings as a company. I don't want spin/ damage controll. I want honesty. That's what breeds a loyal and happy customer base. I'm sure many others feel the same.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    bluecat69 wrote:
    Yes the grab bag was successful first time round but now players know what the odds are or rather the total lask of odds at winning. Do you really think it will ever share the same success again?

    The thing about "gimmicks" like this is that they loose their appeal real fast. You have to vary them a bit, or constantly add more and more "epic" items to keep people interested in taking a chance on them.

    Say if they add another ship in the next one as an example, there will be those that might not fancy said ship. So the consolation prizes as it were, would have to have appeal too.
    The Borg/holographic Bridge officers and the pets have pretty much saturated the payer base. You can still get most of them still fairly easy on the exchange for those that missed them.
    I doubt adding these items again would have the same draw.

    It will be interesting to see what they come up with for the next one, Someone's going to have to come up with something clever and new.

    I understand that Champions has these grab bags too. It would be interesting to know how well they sell, or how popular they are over there.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    wow what an interesting article. Too bad Cryptic chooses to shift blame to their old scapegoat nemesis, Atari. I suggest next time trying to own up to your mistakes and short comings as a development team and company instead of passing the blame. Your player base is more receptive to honesty.
    Honest has not been one of Cryptic's strong points. Atari has not been the cause the content drought since June, so is it PW fault? I highly down it.
    Guys, Cryptic isn't stupid. Now that the game is F2P, they know they have to work more on content.

    The only reason for the Content Drought of 2011 is that they were polishing the game up for the incoming F2Pers. Now that that's done, they can finally work on content.

    I loved the Romulan FE series. I hope the next one is even better.

    I'll believe it when I see it.
    MonCapitan wrote:
    Again. Talk is cheap, i'll believe it when i see the changes happening across the board not just a few missions to "placate" the masses. I do understand the issue with dealing with parent companies and there's a lot that goes behind the scenes that has little to do with the actual operation of the game but still affects it. Money and head count is the root of a lot of this. Hopefully they can start hiring a full team now and start delegating the teams to specific areas of the game.

    Amen to that! This should have been done before F2P and is the only way to be successful.

    Alexraptor wrote: »
    What I do know is that I will not be wasting any more C-Points with grab bags.

    I can live with Grab Bags, but what I do very much Object to is to make one of the best ships in the entire game a super rare only obtainable via the Grab Bag.

    Grab bag ships should NEVER be superior in any way to the normal fare available to players.
    They should be valued as collectors item and not a tactical edge over your enemies.
    It is not fair, and its not even Pay 2 Win, its much worse.

    I removed my credit card info from my account do this and another crappy restart of the game. A incomplete game at the second time around almost 2 years later is really bad no matter how you look at it.

    That's just the thing. Cryptic didn't take ANY blame. They said it was ALL Atari's fault. It's always someone else's fault is my point. If Cryptic had even take a sliver of ownership in their shortcomings instead of blaming someone else I'd have some respect for that. Instead Atari is the scapegoat and evildoer and Cryptic is the innocent bystander held hostage by their purse strings.


    Lets revisit some other excuses shall we?

    Oh this game didn't launch with content because we only had 2 years to develop it. Well whose fault is that? Surely not the company going after the license to develop the game in only 2 years? It must be someone else.

    Oh we don't have enough staff so we can't make content. Really? Because 2010 was filled with NEW content. A ton of development time in 2011 was spent redoing a rushed game and rushed game mechanics.
    STF's and ground combat and the economy just to name three. How much dev time is going to be spent in 2012 redoing features/ content such as crafting and other things instead of adding new content? Looks like a significant amount according to Dev blogs.

    My point is there will always be another excuse and someone else to blame as long as Cryptic avoids taking any ownership whatsoever in their shortcomings as a company. I don't want spin/ damage controll. I want honesty. That's what breeds a loyal and happy customer base. I'm sure many others feel the same.

    I think you are right on the money. Cryptic lacks proper goals and management. Their first goal should had be to complete the Klingon Faction and to provide more meat to the game with content. In my opinion with content as is, there should only be 30 to 35 levels.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    I'm amused that Cryptic can keep spouting the same TRIBBLE every time with a smile on their face like 'Yah! Now thing's will be GREAT, just watch guys, we're all PUMPED!"

    And then it's the same old horse squeeze, more excuses, less content, more C-Store TRIBBLE. :rolleyes:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Thanks for the info Cryptic! Looking forward to more of the grab bags and seeing what you have in store for the Foundry. Keep up the good work!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2012
    Yeah. Talk is cheap no matter how you look at it. My friends and I were all here for launch and out of the original 8 of us, I just log in to goof off with the Duty Officer System and do a couple small things, might help out a newbie or two.

    Do I wish things would be better? Yes, I do. I want to see more content, I want to see this game grow and be fun again. During the entire content drought it felt like a chore logging in, and when somethings stops being fun..move on.

    But anyway, I'm taking this with a grain of salt, but part of me is still hopeful.
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