test content
Logo
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc
Cryptic and the Community ~ Open All Hours
flash525
Member Posts: 5,441 Arc User
Star Trek: Online. Launched February 2010, adopted the F2P (free to play) model in January 2012. I'm going to start this by asking a rhetorical question (at least, rhetorical to all of you); is this game perfect? The answer (in my opinion) is a solidified no. Truth be told, no game is ever going to be perfect. It isn't possible to please everyone, especially when you've got several million players all with their own unique wishes, demands, ideas and thoughts.
Star Trek Online is fun, it's entertaining and it passes by the time. Granted, there are a few things that need addressing; some of which are long overdue (Benzite Boff's, Caitian & Klingon hair, various ship model inconsistencies ect) but the team are said to be working on all of this, yet all I ever see are people moaning and complaining (granted, myself too at times; I'm not perfect either).
#########################################################
Two of the big issues that I've seen time and time again are the Zen prices and the Lock Boxes. The Lock Boxes, quite honestly is a gambling device. If you're going to purchase a lock key to open a random-chance box and you end up with a Tribble you need to remember that you were the one who made that gamble. People shouldn't be complaining about this, nor should they be demanding Cryptic to better-enhance the rewards. They're boxes with random gifts, that require overpriced keys to unlock. If you're going to gamble, there's a change you're going to lose some credits. Quit whining about it? Either stop gambling or make do with what you get.
With regard to the C-Store (or Z-Store as it should now be named), there are a whole bunch of items there that are overpriced, and people have voiced their displeasure at this. Cryptic have read, they aren't stupid. They don't need to be told on a daily basis. Half of those who complain are still buying. Why be the hypocrite? If you're going to moan about the price of something then you obviously don't need it. It is, instead, something flash that you can use to fly/walk around in front of other players for a while. The only way these prices are ever going to drop is if people stop buying them; thus allowing Cryptic to realize that they really do need to reduce their pricing. Moaning is only going to annoy, and that isn't likely to get anything done.
#########################################################
Speaking on lock boxes quickly;
Jem Hadar Attack Ship.
Cardassian Galor Cruiser
Ferengi D'Kora Marauder
Tholian Vessels
The first three (to some extent) can be believed (though in Trek-lore, it wouldn't be utilized) The only time we've seen a Federation crew in a non-Federation ship was DS9 when they had to go undercover. That was one missions. Standard, everyday missions would always be within your traditional Federation ship.
The Tholian vessels though... Were you guys (Cryptic) smoking crack or something? :rolleyes:
What you should / could have done (instead) was keep those vessels for unique missions where you had to infiltrate enemy outposts and such. Lock boxes could have been reduced to specific vessels; Vulcan & Andorian for the Federation (maybe some older designs too like the Constitution and Ambassador) and Alliance vessels for the Klingon Empire.
As a fan of Star Trek and a part of this community, the one thing I really do despise is your choice of lock box releases. The idea is fine, the ship-rewards do not agree with me.
~ Just one opinion of many.
#########################################################
Now that I've had my little rant at the community, it's time for Cryptic. I ask you both as a fan of Star Trek and a member of this community, please take a step back for a moment and look at the problems you've currently got before you worry about new content. New content is great, don't get me wrong, but wouldn't it be much better to add new content onto a fully working game than to add new content onto a bugged game?
As mentioned above, there is (I believe from launch) the Benzite Boff issue for one. I know many members of the community have been asking for Caitian and Klingon hair for a long time now. We've got some Caitian hair, though I think it's fair to say that many were hoping to re-create M'Ress from the Animated series of TOS. That and footless heels for the species; I don't recall ever seeing a Caitian with flat feet and shoes.
There have been many mentions of mesh errors and lack of detail; some ships (rather, skins) don't have escape pods. Granted they're not used in the game, but don't we all want our ships to look realistic? (from a Trek point of view at least) then comes the daunted Klingon Defence Force...
I can't remember where I read it, but somewhere on an official post there was a question on the potential of a Romulan faction (asked by a gamer). The official response was along the lines of "we're not focusing on a Romulan faction yet because we don't feel there is enough of a Klingon playerbase out there to warrant a third faction". Has it ever occurred to you that the reason there aren't many people playing the KDF is because it is incomplete and somewhat in pieces? When I hit level 25, I'm not going to be playing them. Why? Not because I don't like the Klingons, I do, but the KDF faction can't be 1/3rd of what the FED is. All resources seem to go straight into the FEDs and you wonder why few people play as the KDF? Fix the KDF, watch it grow, then maybe, just maybe we can get that Romulan faction underway.
#########################################################
To summarise this post though, I think the development team need to take a giant step back and look at the bigger picture here. Get working what you have before you jump in adding more and more things that could go wrong (adding the already current issues). As for the community, back up a little and let these guys do their jobs. They're fans too, and you've got to remember that nobody is going to be pleased with everything. There are too many of us for all of us to agree on everything.
Enjoy the game for what it currently is; it can only get bigger and better. If it's that bad that you need to moan at everything every other day then this obviously isn't the right game for you thus I suggest you find the nearest docking ring and take the next transport out of here. :cool:
Star Trek Online is fun, it's entertaining and it passes by the time. Granted, there are a few things that need addressing; some of which are long overdue (Benzite Boff's, Caitian & Klingon hair, various ship model inconsistencies ect) but the team are said to be working on all of this, yet all I ever see are people moaning and complaining (granted, myself too at times; I'm not perfect either).
#########################################################
Two of the big issues that I've seen time and time again are the Zen prices and the Lock Boxes. The Lock Boxes, quite honestly is a gambling device. If you're going to purchase a lock key to open a random-chance box and you end up with a Tribble you need to remember that you were the one who made that gamble. People shouldn't be complaining about this, nor should they be demanding Cryptic to better-enhance the rewards. They're boxes with random gifts, that require overpriced keys to unlock. If you're going to gamble, there's a change you're going to lose some credits. Quit whining about it? Either stop gambling or make do with what you get.
With regard to the C-Store (or Z-Store as it should now be named), there are a whole bunch of items there that are overpriced, and people have voiced their displeasure at this. Cryptic have read, they aren't stupid. They don't need to be told on a daily basis. Half of those who complain are still buying. Why be the hypocrite? If you're going to moan about the price of something then you obviously don't need it. It is, instead, something flash that you can use to fly/walk around in front of other players for a while. The only way these prices are ever going to drop is if people stop buying them; thus allowing Cryptic to realize that they really do need to reduce their pricing. Moaning is only going to annoy, and that isn't likely to get anything done.
#########################################################
Speaking on lock boxes quickly;
Jem Hadar Attack Ship.
Cardassian Galor Cruiser
Ferengi D'Kora Marauder
Tholian Vessels
The first three (to some extent) can be believed (though in Trek-lore, it wouldn't be utilized) The only time we've seen a Federation crew in a non-Federation ship was DS9 when they had to go undercover. That was one missions. Standard, everyday missions would always be within your traditional Federation ship.
The Tholian vessels though... Were you guys (Cryptic) smoking crack or something? :rolleyes:
What you should / could have done (instead) was keep those vessels for unique missions where you had to infiltrate enemy outposts and such. Lock boxes could have been reduced to specific vessels; Vulcan & Andorian for the Federation (maybe some older designs too like the Constitution and Ambassador) and Alliance vessels for the Klingon Empire.
As a fan of Star Trek and a part of this community, the one thing I really do despise is your choice of lock box releases. The idea is fine, the ship-rewards do not agree with me.
~ Just one opinion of many.
#########################################################
Now that I've had my little rant at the community, it's time for Cryptic. I ask you both as a fan of Star Trek and a member of this community, please take a step back for a moment and look at the problems you've currently got before you worry about new content. New content is great, don't get me wrong, but wouldn't it be much better to add new content onto a fully working game than to add new content onto a bugged game?
As mentioned above, there is (I believe from launch) the Benzite Boff issue for one. I know many members of the community have been asking for Caitian and Klingon hair for a long time now. We've got some Caitian hair, though I think it's fair to say that many were hoping to re-create M'Ress from the Animated series of TOS. That and footless heels for the species; I don't recall ever seeing a Caitian with flat feet and shoes.
There have been many mentions of mesh errors and lack of detail; some ships (rather, skins) don't have escape pods. Granted they're not used in the game, but don't we all want our ships to look realistic? (from a Trek point of view at least) then comes the daunted Klingon Defence Force...
I can't remember where I read it, but somewhere on an official post there was a question on the potential of a Romulan faction (asked by a gamer). The official response was along the lines of "we're not focusing on a Romulan faction yet because we don't feel there is enough of a Klingon playerbase out there to warrant a third faction". Has it ever occurred to you that the reason there aren't many people playing the KDF is because it is incomplete and somewhat in pieces? When I hit level 25, I'm not going to be playing them. Why? Not because I don't like the Klingons, I do, but the KDF faction can't be 1/3rd of what the FED is. All resources seem to go straight into the FEDs and you wonder why few people play as the KDF? Fix the KDF, watch it grow, then maybe, just maybe we can get that Romulan faction underway.
#########################################################
To summarise this post though, I think the development team need to take a giant step back and look at the bigger picture here. Get working what you have before you jump in adding more and more things that could go wrong (adding the already current issues). As for the community, back up a little and let these guys do their jobs. They're fans too, and you've got to remember that nobody is going to be pleased with everything. There are too many of us for all of us to agree on everything.
Enjoy the game for what it currently is; it can only get bigger and better. If it's that bad that you need to moan at everything every other day then this obviously isn't the right game for you thus I suggest you find the nearest docking ring and take the next transport out of here. :cool:
Post edited by flash525 on
0
Comments
As far as Lockboxes, I don't really have much to say about them. I have only purchased 15 Keys since they were introduced and all of those Keys were purchased using my Stipend, thus costing me nothing. While I do find them to be minorly annoying I also think people need to take responsibility for their own purchasing habits. If someone is dumping $50-$100.00 into Key is that Cryptic's fault or the buyer's? It's not as though Cryptic is telling people they can't play if they don't buy Keys. As I said, I've only purchased 15 since the Cardassian Lockbox appeared.
I should say, though, that while I have no interest in the Lockbox items I do appreciate the fans who buy them, and thus keep the game going. I simply think people need to stop acting like everything in a Lockbox is a "must have" item and simply budget a reasonable amount of money each month that a player is willing to spend on them.
Zen prices, I don't think it's too much to be honest, I mean, you can earn the dilithium ingame, and you also get a stipend each month if your a gold player. It kinda offsets it in my opinion, and you could always save up for something you really want and get it for free.
On Ships: I still would like a ship that will hold all my lovely Tribbles
STO Member Since November 2010 | Tribbles are Friends NOT Food!
I have to agree with you there, when I heard Tholian ships in lock boxes, I though Tholians would never let another species capture their ships they would destroy them first. Tholian ships in Fed and KDF hands goes against the nature of the Tholians.
I remember reading they decided to go flat footed for the Caitian for the simple fact to allow more uniform options for the species. It was a business decision as if they had stay true to TAS, then people would start to complain that they can't use the Bajoran set, or the Academy set etc on their Caitian.
Well said and I fully support this, many KDF players and fans have been trying to open Cryptic's eyes to this, but they seem set in their ways and unable to see that finishing off the second faction would ultimately bring in more revenue, to be honest if they don't do this for season 7 I can see a lot of players jumping ship to SWTOR which goes F2P in November.
You forget, to get that Zen from the Dilithium exchange, someone has to buy it first, so it doesn't matter if Player A buys $50 worth of Zen and technically buys Dilithium with it, as long as Player B, C, D and E have the dilithium and want to buy Zen with it, Player A who is grinding for that Starbase, or for those Spiral Wave Disruptors etc got his dilithium he might decide to do it again to deck his ship out with consoles from the dilithium store.
Basically people who put the Zen in the dilithium exchange are buying dilithium with their Zen. They are getting what they want and the people who are buying Zen are doing the grinding for it. The Exchange makes both parties happy, Cryptic is still getting it's money and at the end of the day that is all they care about.
However the Zen prices for items are going out the roof, the EVA suit is the best example and I see most people buying them to put on the exchange for make EC. First day they came out they were at 10 million EC which isn't worth 700 Zen. They need to lower their prices and stop ripping off their customers to make money, if they weren't so lazy they could make money the honest way.
It doesn't matter than you can earn $10.00 each month by completing all the Dilithium missions every 20-22 hours (I forget what the cooldowns are). It's the fact that some of these new items (such as the EV suit) are overpriced for a mere cosmetic change.
It isn't Cryptic's fault at all. It is purely down to the player as to whether they purchase those keys. If they do and they don't like the results, they've only got themselves to blame.
In full agreement here.
I think you're going to be waiting a while on that one.
That's fair enough from a business point of view, but then would it have been so hard to give players the option when in character customizer? If anything, that would have been an even better business idea.
I agree, Season 7 has to hold some sort of valid update for the KDF else it's never going to pick up. Knowing our luck, they'll release the Romulan faction in Season 7 making that two factions that wont work properly. :P
6000 Free Dilithium a Year? You mean 6000 Zen right?
6000 Dilithium Free per year is nothing. You can wrap that up in a day by doing a whole bunch of missions. Sure you don't mean Zen?
If you mean Zen, then point well taken. I too have the Zen monthly bonus but I generally don't put it on the Exchange however down the track after I get what little is left in the C-Store that I want (all KDF) I might.
I agree, I don't play the Caitian or Ferasan, personal choice, but my son and wife play one and I do agree a choice would have been a great move so players can change when they get tired of one or the other.
Yeah that would be our luck, two incomplete and broken factions. It seems Cryptic likes to release all these bells and whistles but don't take care or have pride in their work to finish what they start and instead just move on and conveniently forget about it. The upside is that if they do a Romulan faction and it's as incomplete and broken as the KDF more players might jump on the band wagon to try and convince Cryptic to do the right thing by their customers and deliver what we paid for.
As long as there's people paying somehow that's the main thing. No paying customers=closed up shop. I've just gotten into the game and with it's quirks I still like it the best of any MMO I've played.
Are there problems? Sure. That will always be there and taking a step back to fix things probably won't do anyone any good much as I wish otherwise. Though I have to agree hopefully Season 7 will have a large addition to KDF. (Again I'll ask for a UI update please!) That said they can't ever ignore the Federation. Let's face it the Fed for all some of us complain will always keep the game running. They need people who want X ship or X outfit etc to keep the lights on. Most of them are going to be Federation players. I play primarily Fed but I like my KDF as well and would play more with some better UI options.
That is a good point too.
I agree, lets hope the KDF gets a completed campaign and faction and the Federation get a few new missions and maybe the Ambassador class that is wanted by so many.
Why wont Perfect World recognize my Cryptic 'User Name' and Password?:mad:
Trying to link my cryptic account?
Worfhonour.
A valid point, one that I think a lot of people overlook.
STO is the only MMO I have ever played, and it's the only one I can think of that I'll continue playing.
As far as cash deposits go, the team does need people to buy things in order for them to get a wage. The problem a lot of us have is that they don't seem to be doing a whole lot with their wages (they no doubt are, it just doesn't seem like it to the outside eye). That said, look at the last big update we had. How many bugs came to be following that? Such a simple issue shouldn't have arose in the first place.
I would put more money into this game if it was more appealing to me. Unfortunately, a broken game (whilst playable) doesn't shout 'pay me money' very well.
There isn't much more they can give the Federation without further reducing the playable game of other species.
What can the Federation have now? A few more ships (to even out the higher ranks) - Tactical needs a Tier #5 Retrofit, and both Engineering and Science need another Tier #6 ship. Once they've got them released, they should call it and focus on missions, replacement models and other factions.
I'm sorry to hear you're having problems linking your two accounts together, try submitting a support ticket? See if this helps too: http://sto.perfectworld.com/news/?p=570451
I think my account is confused, how do I delete this account so I can start a new one?
WorfHonour