Care to back that up with some numbers? (and by numbers I mean actual comparative sales figures, not "it's the fastest growing ship in PWE history" vagueness)
Care to back that up with some numbers? (and by numbers I mean actual comparative sales figures, not "it's the fastest growing ship in PWE history" vagueness)
As we've never released data like that before, and I'd like to continue being your Community Manager, that I can not do, understandly. However, the ship is very popular. Very popular indeed
Except the Zen sale is a PWE thing and not a Cryptic thing which means all PWE games are having the sale and has nothing to do with the Andoran ship.
However, Stahl has mentioned STO is PWE's most profitable game and as a consequence I suspect Zen sales (or a lack of them) are heavily factoring in STO's capacity to generate income as a result of them.
You don't just blindly put out a Zen sale when you've just released a new product that requires Zen to purchase - PWE are greedy, they're not stupid.
As we've never released data like that before, and I'd like to continue being your Community Manager, that I can not do, understandly. However, the ship is very popular. Very popular indeed
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
No offense intended Bran, but given Crytpic's rather...fluid...relationship with the truth, how am I (and possibly many others, but I don't want to put words in folks' mouths) to take a claim seriously without any kind of corroborating evidence?
I appreciate the position you're in, and I can certainly respect the want to stay employed, but I think this is just the latest case to illustrate how big a disconnect there seems to be between playerbase and developer.
No offense intended Bran, but given Crytpic's rather...fluid...relationship with the truth, how am I (and possibly many others, but I don't want to put words in folks' mouths) to take a claim seriously without any kind of corroborating evidence?
I appreciate the position you're in, and I can certainly respect the want to stay employed, but I think this is just the latest case to illustrate how big a disconnect there seems to be between playerbase and developer.
They're under no obligation to give us that information and what would we with do with it if Brandon said 'actually, sales of the Andorian ship have been kinda disappointing'?
Part of Brandon's job is putting a positive spin on the game and Cryptic/PWE. I don't begrudge him that.
I certainly wish there were opportunities for more open two-way discussions about where STO's headed and what plans there are to address legacy issues (and it's something I intend to keep pushing for) - but they're in no way obliged to do that - and if we're not happy with that we can either continue to call for change in the forums, withhold our money or quit playing.
No offense intended Bran, but given Crytpic's rather...fluid...relationship with the truth, how am I (and possibly many others, but I don't want to put words in folks' mouths) to take a claim seriously without any kind of corroborating evidence?
I appreciate the position you're in, and I can certainly respect the want to stay employed, but I think this is just the latest case to illustrate how big a disconnect there seems to be between playerbase and developer.
The evidence you seek is in-game, not on the forums. Just jump in and play. You'll find it.
However, Stahl has mentioned STO is PWE's most profitable game and as a consequence I suspect Zen sales (or a lack of them) are heavily factoring in STO's capacity to generate income as a result of them.
You don't just blindly put out a Zen sale when you've just released a new product that requires Zen to purchase - PWE are greedy, they're not stupid.
Then Cryptic would have the Sale alone, why would PWE need a Sale all across all their games just for one ship...especially when the ships are floating around ESD and STF even when the big bug went down.
They're under no obligation to give us that information and what we with do with it if Brandon said 'actually, sales of the Andorian ship have been kinda disappointing'?
Missing the point entirely. Positive sales figures are perfect opportunities to combine self-congratulations with transparency; show off how people are actually liking things while earning some trust and credibility with the community (things which at present are sorely lacking). Yet the latter appears so antithetical to the way Cryptic operates that it's becoming rabidly self-destructive.
Then Cryptic would have the Sale alone, why would PWE need a Sale all across all their games just for one ship...especially when the ships are floating around ESD and STF even when the big bug went down.
Zen sales have always been across the full range of PWE products - how would you even tie them to a single game?
Zen sales also generate more revenue than C-Store ship (or whatever) sales since a ship sale allows players to spend stockpiled Zen and/or Dilithium - a Zen sale requires you to get your wallet out if you want in on it.
And again - brand new, shiny, 5-fore weapon, 5 console ship - it should be selling like crazy - but a mixed reception to the stats (and the bugs) make me think it's not the cash cow they were hoping for this time.
Missing the point entirely. Positive sales figures are perfect opportunities to combine self-congratulations with transparency; show off how people are actually liking things while earning some trust and credibility with the community (things which at present are sorely lacking). Yet the latter appears so antithetical to the way Cryptic operates that it's becoming rabidly self-destructive.
Ah, I see your point - in response I'll merely say 'two million captains' - those are the sort of stats we can expect from Cryptic :rolleyes:
Gotta agree with the chap above. I have saved enough Zen through trading in unused Dilithium and have been eagerly awaiting a sale on the ships. I have no desire to spend more money on a dumbed down version of what was once a really good game. I still enjoy playing but no longer feel the need to pay monthly for x amount of Zen that I cant or wont sell in the store for inflated prices.
I get they need development funds etc but gotta come up with quality to entice people to spend. Only so many times you can start with a new alt and not find your repeating yourself.
Missing the point entirely. Positive sales figures are perfect opportunities to combine self-congratulations with transparency; show off how people are actually liking things while earning some trust and credibility with the community (things which at present are sorely lacking). Yet the latter appears so antithetical to the way Cryptic operates that it's becoming rabidly self-destructive.
This is probably gonna sound like a crazy question, but... why do people feel they need trust and credibility so badly?
I just don't get it. I've never felt a pressing need to have that in my life And that includes this game, as I enjoy it regardless of what's going on
Was named Trek17.
Been playing STO since Open Beta, and have never regarded anything as worse than 'meh', if only due to personal standards.
Zen sales have always been across the full range of PWE products - how would you even tie them to a single game?
Zen sales also generate more revenue than C-Store ship (or whatever) sales since a ship sale allows players to spend stockpiled Zen and/or Dilithium - a Zen sale requires you to get your wallet out if you want in on it.
And again - brand new, shiny, 5-fore weapon, 5 console ship - it should be selling like crazy - but a mixed reception to the stats (and the bugs) make me think it's not the cash cow they were hoping for this time.
The Zen sale just seems to reinforce that.
:
reception from what the forums, the same people who always complain about lockbox ships, but yet there they are flying around everywhere, right next to the new Escort flying around popping up everywhere.
Stream is listed as one of the partners participating in this promotion. Please check out the article linked in the first post There was a small delay with the Steam promo starting though, and all accounts that purchased a qualifying amount between 3PM PST yesterday and when the promo was activated with Steam a couple hours later has been credited in-game as of last night.
Also, this ZEN promo is not just for STO, it's all games if you look at the different PWE game websites.
As we've never released data like that before, and I'd like to continue being your Community Manager, that I can not do, understandly. However, the ship is very popular. Very popular indeed
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Somebody hasn't had enough coffee yet this morning.
I don't get paid till Friday, but I'm gonna try and take advantage of this...
STO Member since February 2009. I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born! Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
This is probably gonna sound like a crazy question, but... why do people feel they need trust and credibility so badly?
I just don't get it. I've never felt a pressing need to have that in my life And that includes this game, as I enjoy it regardless of what's going on
Because credibility can increase your sales. You think Blizzard has stayed around this long because of luck? Why would you just blindly hand over money without credibility?
A better example, look at my sig (and the link to the interview if you don't believe it) and look at what we have now on New Romulus. You can't trust someone to make a good decision without some credibility.
I totalllllllly agree!!! I just love the game, and I do not mind what is going on. Just keep STO up and running Dstahl PLLLEASE
There is nothing wrong with liking what you have, but as a paying customer you should at least want the "small" things like timely bug fixes. Without that, you are just forking over money for continued mediocrity.
I can only hope all this money from this sale goes towards the May update and fixing some of the bugs in this game.
How the Devs see Star Trek, apparently:
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
Because without credibility you have bozos buying the Eiffel Tower from the corner store sales clerk just because the price seemed nice and the pamphlet looked all pretty; and then getting upset because they were stupid enough to fork over their life savings for a monument thousands of miles away.
A better example, look at my sig (and the link to the interview if you don't believe it) and look at what we have now on New Romulus. You can't trust someone to make a good decision without some credibility.
There is nothing wrong with liking what you have, but as a paying customer you should at least want the "small" things like timely bug fixes. Without that, you are just forking over money for continued mediocrity.
I can only hope all this money from this sale goes towards the May update and fixing some of the bugs in this game.
Actually, being stupid has nothing to do with Credibility, it has to do with being Gullible.
STO Member since February 2009. I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born! Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
Actually, being stupid has nothing to do with Credibility, it has to do with being Gullible.
Yeah, it was a bad example after I looked at it but stupidity and credibility are related.
Even a stupid person has limits to trust, but are far more trusting of someone that they feel has credibility despite all the evidence to the contrary. So I guess credibility can be subjective.
However, to ask why people need trust and credibility so bad is a pretty ignorant question. One just needs to look at the current state of the US Government to see the answer.
If people trust a game developer/publisher, they will spend money. If people don't, they won't. Not hard to understand that.
And considering the decisions and lack of QA/bug fixes within the past year I have to lean towards not trusting Cryptic with the May update (but my hopes are cautiously optimistic).
How the Devs see Star Trek, apparently:
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
reception from what the forums, the same people who always complain about lockbox ships, but yet there they are flying around everywhere, right next to the new Escort flying around popping up everywhere.
C-Store ships have revenue targets just the same as lockbox ships do - and they cost pretty much the same amount of money to make.
If I was a PWE exec (and only cared about the revenue they're getting from an IP MMO they happen to have acquired) I'd be setting high sales targets for the C-Store stuff since it makes significantly less money than the lockbox ships.
I'd probably be considering axing C-Store ships altogether since that Dev time could go into making more lockboxes.
I might consider a Zen sale to see if that spurs greater volumes before deciding whether the C-Store is dead and that Lobi/Lockboxes are where it's at for future ship releases.
And if CBS didn't want that? I'd ramp my C-Store releases right down. Probably starting with the KDF.
Because credibility can increase your sales. You think Blizzard has stayed around this long because of luck? Why would you just blindly hand over money without credibility?
A better example, look at my sig (and the link to the interview if you don't believe it) and look at what we have now on New Romulus. You can't trust someone to make a good decision without some credibility.
I don't really know about Blizzard, or it's games, so I can't quite respond to that
As for handing over money, if you feel it's worth the purchase and you do so, there's your answer right there, I think. After that point, it's just up to you to get mileage out of what you purchased
And making good decisions... hmm. I'm more a 'go with it' dude than anything, even as I keep in touch with what's upcoming, so I can't really respond to that either.
If people trust a game developer/publisher, they will spend money. If people don't, they won't. Not hard to understand that.
I'm afraid I cannot agree
If I enjoy the game, I enjoy the game as it is. If I want something, I think hard about if I really do, and how to get it (which for STO mostly means Dil grinding, not that I mind much), and I get it if I choose so.
I do this regardless of whether I trust the company or not. As I said, 'go with it' dude.
Was named Trek17.
Been playing STO since Open Beta, and have never regarded anything as worse than 'meh', if only due to personal standards.
As for handing over money, if you feel it's worth the purchase and you do so, there's your answer right there, I think. After that point, it's just up to you to get mileage out of what you purchased
I like this post
Because funnily enough, I do actually think the Kumari is worth the money - it's the first ship that's really interested me since the Wells, and it interests me precisely because it is so frail yet stupid OP at the same time - it's like a big, shiny firework that could explode at any time.
But much though I like it, much though I'd like to buy it, I won't - because I don't like the direction STO's headed in and I won't be contributing anything to their bottom-line until such a point as that changes.
Even the shiniest of new ships can't disguise the fact that this game is a shadow of it's potential - potential that the developers seem to have given up on some time ago.
As for handing over money, if you feel it's worth the purchase and you do so, there's your answer right there, I think. After that point, it's just up to you to get mileage out of what you purchased .
As I mentioned above, credibility can be subjective. However, in order to feel if it's worth it there has to be some trust involved. You are rolling the dice and trusting that new purchase to not be a dud. One can feel better about a purchase if they trust the manufacturer.
In that respect, you must trust the company to not mess up the good thing you have. You enjoy the game you have now but no one is limitless in their patience. There is always that one thing that will push you over (doesn't have to be known, but it is there in everyone). You trust the company to continue providing a good product. You trust the company to not try your patience.
I want to ask you, what is wrong with people wanting to trust a game developer and expecting some credibility for their money?
How the Devs see Star Trek, apparently:
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
It takes an awful lot of Tact, Astuteness and a bit of Jingoism to actually convince other people to believe what you believe ...
But then one would perhaps be bordering on building ones own Jonestown at that point.
STO Member since February 2009. I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born! Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
I want to ask you, what is wrong with people wanting to trust a game developer and expecting some credibility for their money?
If I remember correctly, I never said it was wrong for people to want that... just that I didn't understand why
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with people wanting what they want (one of them being the trust/credibility thing we've been discussing). I just personally don't feel the need to have that particular thing in my life.
As for trusting them to not mess it up... I've been here since Open Beta, and pretty much no action they've done in those 3 years has ever touched a nerve. A little irritation here and there, yes, but it's always died down. For me, I don't seem to have a cumulative build-up mechanic.
So I can't quite test the fact that I even HAVE an 'over-the-edge', let alone what would push it over that edge
Was named Trek17.
Been playing STO since Open Beta, and have never regarded anything as worse than 'meh', if only due to personal standards.
That was hardly zeal. Zealots don't admit their mistakes.
Now if you excuse me, I have to continue to plan my attempts at global domination...
How the Devs see Star Trek, apparently:
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
The touchscreen on my EVO-Prince of Darkness-3D, has been vexing my fingers for a while now...
I have to wait till May to replace it, and I'm NOT looking forward to playing "Father Merrin" for the next two months.
STO Member since February 2009. I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born! Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
As we've never released data like that before, and I'd like to continue being your Community Manager, that I can not do, understandly. However, the ship is very popular. Very popular indeed
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Given Cryptics track record with the "truth", you'll understand if we take your words with a huge pinch of salt.
Your "proof" for said sales being the # of ships ingame, is rather meaningless. I'm sure the same amount of sales was made on the Vesta or Odyssey ships. What matters most, is how many still fly one of those ships? I bet you, that most of the sold Odyssey ships, are now parked in a drydock somewhere.
The "new shiny" will always sell well. Most fly the new ships for the coolness factor. Undoubtedly, quite a few end up regretting their purchase. And thankfully for Cryptic/PWE, there are no refunds.
However, Stahl has mentioned STO is PWE's most profitable game and as a consequence I suspect Zen sales (or a lack of them) are heavily factoring in STO's capacity to generate income as a result of them.
Nitpicky, but Stahl did no such thing. Purposely or not, the way things are worded gives you a certain interpretation if you're not careful.
While we don't share our internal information, STO is the best performing game for Perfect World Entertainment and is enjoy month after month increases in new captains.
"Best performing game" could have a wide array of meanings -- most revenue? most profit? most players online? most new players? biggest percent increase of those (this just means you had a smaller base to work with)? best server stability performance (for PWE, I hope this isn't the case)?
Just as the 3 Year Anniversary infographic said there were "2 million captains", they haven't said if that is unique players (handles) or characters. The latter would obviously mean the former is much smaller.
Likewise, when people saw the May teaser "March Under the Raptor's Wings" people immediately claimed that Cryptic had promised a Romulan faction. They did no such thing. While it obviously has significant Romulan undertones, it could be a feature episode series, a new adventure zone, or something else.
This is probably gonna sound like a crazy question, but... why do people feel they need trust and credibility so badly?
Not a crazy question. The core of it is this: despite much of the criticism I point Cryptic's way, I want STO to do well. That means bringing in money, which means people wanting to spend money on the game.
As a business, if your customers don't trust you they're much less likely to spend money on you. This is true of any industry, but it's especially crucial in a long-term service industry (which MMOs are a part of).
Let's look at it another way. You're renting a house or apartment. The washer in the house has some issues (let's say it leaks a lot), and the landlord comes in, tells you he'll fix it it and replaces the washer with a new one. Only this washer has a penchant for catching on fire. You call the land lord, he comes out and tells you he'll fix it again, then replaces the washer a second time. But this time, the new washer leaks again.
Will you believe the landlord a third time when he tells you he'll fix it, or will you look for another place to rent?
Comments
Care to back that up with some numbers? (and by numbers I mean actual comparative sales figures, not "it's the fastest growing ship in PWE history" vagueness)
As we've never released data like that before, and I'd like to continue being your Community Manager, that I can not do, understandly. However, the ship is very popular. Very popular indeed
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
However, Stahl has mentioned STO is PWE's most profitable game and as a consequence I suspect Zen sales (or a lack of them) are heavily factoring in STO's capacity to generate income as a result of them.
You don't just blindly put out a Zen sale when you've just released a new product that requires Zen to purchase - PWE are greedy, they're not stupid.
No offense intended Bran, but given Crytpic's rather...fluid...relationship with the truth, how am I (and possibly many others, but I don't want to put words in folks' mouths) to take a claim seriously without any kind of corroborating evidence?
I appreciate the position you're in, and I can certainly respect the want to stay employed, but I think this is just the latest case to illustrate how big a disconnect there seems to be between playerbase and developer.
They're under no obligation to give us that information and what would we with do with it if Brandon said 'actually, sales of the Andorian ship have been kinda disappointing'?
Part of Brandon's job is putting a positive spin on the game and Cryptic/PWE. I don't begrudge him that.
I certainly wish there were opportunities for more open two-way discussions about where STO's headed and what plans there are to address legacy issues (and it's something I intend to keep pushing for) - but they're in no way obliged to do that - and if we're not happy with that we can either continue to call for change in the forums, withhold our money or quit playing.
The evidence you seek is in-game, not on the forums. Just jump in and play. You'll find it.
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Then Cryptic would have the Sale alone, why would PWE need a Sale all across all their games just for one ship...especially when the ships are floating around ESD and STF even when the big bug went down.
Missing the point entirely. Positive sales figures are perfect opportunities to combine self-congratulations with transparency; show off how people are actually liking things while earning some trust and credibility with the community (things which at present are sorely lacking). Yet the latter appears so antithetical to the way Cryptic operates that it's becoming rabidly self-destructive.
Zen sales have always been across the full range of PWE products - how would you even tie them to a single game?
Zen sales also generate more revenue than C-Store ship (or whatever) sales since a ship sale allows players to spend stockpiled Zen and/or Dilithium - a Zen sale requires you to get your wallet out if you want in on it.
And again - brand new, shiny, 5-fore weapon, 5 console ship - it should be selling like crazy - but a mixed reception to the stats (and the bugs) make me think it's not the cash cow they were hoping for this time.
The Zen sale just seems to reinforce that.
Ah, I see your point - in response I'll merely say 'two million captains' - those are the sort of stats we can expect from Cryptic :rolleyes:
Looking for a dedicated Star Trek community? Visit www.ufplanets.com for details.
I get they need development funds etc but gotta come up with quality to entice people to spend. Only so many times you can start with a new alt and not find your repeating yourself.
I just don't get it. I've never felt a pressing need to have that in my life
Been playing STO since Open Beta, and have never regarded anything as worse than 'meh', if only due to personal standards.
reception from what the forums, the same people who always complain about lockbox ships, but yet there they are flying around everywhere, right next to the new Escort flying around popping up everywhere.
Then it happened to me
Go on guys ... smirk
I totalllllllly agree!!! I just love the game, and I do not mind what is going on. Just keep STO up and running Dstahl PLLLEASE
I hope STO get's better ...
I don't get paid till Friday, but I'm gonna try and take advantage of this...
I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born!
Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
Because credibility can increase your sales. You think Blizzard has stayed around this long because of luck? Why would you just blindly hand over money without credibility?
A better example, look at my sig (and the link to the interview if you don't believe it) and look at what we have now on New Romulus. You can't trust someone to make a good decision without some credibility.
There is nothing wrong with liking what you have, but as a paying customer you should at least want the "small" things like timely bug fixes. Without that, you are just forking over money for continued mediocrity.
I can only hope all this money from this sale goes towards the May update and fixing some of the bugs in this game.
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
Actually, being stupid has nothing to do with Credibility, it has to do with being Gullible.
I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born!
Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
Yeah, it was a bad example after I looked at it but stupidity and credibility are related.
Even a stupid person has limits to trust, but are far more trusting of someone that they feel has credibility despite all the evidence to the contrary. So I guess credibility can be subjective.
However, to ask why people need trust and credibility so bad is a pretty ignorant question. One just needs to look at the current state of the US Government to see the answer.
If people trust a game developer/publisher, they will spend money. If people don't, they won't. Not hard to understand that.
And considering the decisions and lack of QA/bug fixes within the past year I have to lean towards not trusting Cryptic with the May update (but my hopes are cautiously optimistic).
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
C-Store ships have revenue targets just the same as lockbox ships do - and they cost pretty much the same amount of money to make.
If I was a PWE exec (and only cared about the revenue they're getting from an IP MMO they happen to have acquired) I'd be setting high sales targets for the C-Store stuff since it makes significantly less money than the lockbox ships.
I'd probably be considering axing C-Store ships altogether since that Dev time could go into making more lockboxes.
I might consider a Zen sale to see if that spurs greater volumes before deciding whether the C-Store is dead and that Lobi/Lockboxes are where it's at for future ship releases.
And if CBS didn't want that? I'd ramp my C-Store releases right down. Probably starting with the KDF.
As for handing over money, if you feel it's worth the purchase and you do so, there's your answer right there, I think. After that point, it's just up to you to get mileage out of what you purchased
And making good decisions... hmm. I'm more a 'go with it' dude than anything, even as I keep in touch with what's upcoming, so I can't really respond to that either. I'm afraid I cannot agree
If I enjoy the game, I enjoy the game as it is. If I want something, I think hard about if I really do, and how to get it (which for STO mostly means Dil grinding, not that I mind much), and I get it if I choose so.
I do this regardless of whether I trust the company or not. As I said, 'go with it' dude.
Been playing STO since Open Beta, and have never regarded anything as worse than 'meh', if only due to personal standards.
It's related to this: http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?p=8338061#post8338061
My phone is always out to get me. /sigh
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
I like this post
Because funnily enough, I do actually think the Kumari is worth the money - it's the first ship that's really interested me since the Wells, and it interests me precisely because it is so frail yet stupid OP at the same time - it's like a big, shiny firework that could explode at any time.
But much though I like it, much though I'd like to buy it, I won't - because I don't like the direction STO's headed in and I won't be contributing anything to their bottom-line until such a point as that changes.
Even the shiniest of new ships can't disguise the fact that this game is a shadow of it's potential - potential that the developers seem to have given up on some time ago.
As I mentioned above, credibility can be subjective. However, in order to feel if it's worth it there has to be some trust involved. You are rolling the dice and trusting that new purchase to not be a dud. One can feel better about a purchase if they trust the manufacturer.
In that respect, you must trust the company to not mess up the good thing you have. You enjoy the game you have now but no one is limitless in their patience. There is always that one thing that will push you over (doesn't have to be known, but it is there in everyone). You trust the company to continue providing a good product. You trust the company to not try your patience.
I want to ask you, what is wrong with people wanting to trust a game developer and expecting some credibility for their money?
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
You were on the right track...
You just let your Zealousness get in the way.
It takes an awful lot of Tact, Astuteness and a bit of Jingoism to actually convince other people to believe what you believe ...
But then one would perhaps be bordering on building ones own Jonestown at that point.
I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born!
Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with people wanting what they want (one of them being the trust/credibility thing we've been discussing). I just personally don't feel the need to have that particular thing in my life.
As for trusting them to not mess it up... I've been here since Open Beta, and pretty much no action they've done in those 3 years has ever touched a nerve. A little irritation here and there, yes, but it's always died down. For me, I don't seem to have a cumulative build-up mechanic.
So I can't quite test the fact that I even HAVE an 'over-the-edge', let alone what would push it over that edge
Been playing STO since Open Beta, and have never regarded anything as worse than 'meh', if only due to personal standards.
That was hardly zeal. Zealots don't admit their mistakes.
Now if you excuse me, I have to continue to plan my attempts at global domination...
Star Trek: The Original Grind
Star Trek: The Next Grind
Star Trek: Deep Space Grind
Star Trek: Voyage to the Grind
Understand that completely...
The touchscreen on my EVO-Prince of Darkness-3D, has been vexing my fingers for a while now...
I have to wait till May to replace it, and I'm NOT looking forward to playing "Father Merrin" for the next two months.
I Was A Trekkie Before It Was Cool ... Sept. 8th, 1966 ... Not To Mention Before Most Folks Around Here Were Born!
Forever a STO Veteran-Minion
Given Cryptics track record with the "truth", you'll understand if we take your words with a huge pinch of salt.
Your "proof" for said sales being the # of ships ingame, is rather meaningless. I'm sure the same amount of sales was made on the Vesta or Odyssey ships. What matters most, is how many still fly one of those ships? I bet you, that most of the sold Odyssey ships, are now parked in a drydock somewhere.
The "new shiny" will always sell well. Most fly the new ships for the coolness factor. Undoubtedly, quite a few end up regretting their purchase. And thankfully for Cryptic/PWE, there are no refunds.
Nitpicky, but Stahl did no such thing. Purposely or not, the way things are worded gives you a certain interpretation if you're not careful.
"Best performing game" could have a wide array of meanings -- most revenue? most profit? most players online? most new players? biggest percent increase of those (this just means you had a smaller base to work with)? best server stability performance (for PWE, I hope this isn't the case)?
Just as the 3 Year Anniversary infographic said there were "2 million captains", they haven't said if that is unique players (handles) or characters. The latter would obviously mean the former is much smaller.
Likewise, when people saw the May teaser "March Under the Raptor's Wings" people immediately claimed that Cryptic had promised a Romulan faction. They did no such thing. While it obviously has significant Romulan undertones, it could be a feature episode series, a new adventure zone, or something else.
My STOwiki page | Reachable in-game @PhyrexianHero
Fed Armada: Section 31 (level 730, 2700+ members)
KDF Armada: Klingon Intelligence (level 699, 2100+ members)
Not a crazy question. The core of it is this: despite much of the criticism I point Cryptic's way, I want STO to do well. That means bringing in money, which means people wanting to spend money on the game.
As a business, if your customers don't trust you they're much less likely to spend money on you. This is true of any industry, but it's especially crucial in a long-term service industry (which MMOs are a part of).
Let's look at it another way. You're renting a house or apartment. The washer in the house has some issues (let's say it leaks a lot), and the landlord comes in, tells you he'll fix it it and replaces the washer with a new one. Only this washer has a penchant for catching on fire. You call the land lord, he comes out and tells you he'll fix it again, then replaces the washer a second time. But this time, the new washer leaks again.
Will you believe the landlord a third time when he tells you he'll fix it, or will you look for another place to rent?