I have STO, CO and NW installed. I have looked at what PWE has to offer (several times), and decided against downloading/playing anything they have to offer. Furthermore, both NW and CO are first games to go should I need more space on my computer.
Personal Notification
Yay! More spam on my screen!
Be in the Know
Latest news across games... I only care about STO, I couldn't care less what happens in any other game that PWE has to offer.
Stay Connected
Can I have Stealth mode?
Access the Web
Something IE based most likely, which most likely NOT integrate with my security measures. Can I disable this?
Take Charge
No. I will continue to use something a bit more secure.
And I'd be fine with that (though I'd rather it use my default browser, I understand it).
Considering IE is dangerously hackable and is the first juicy target of every new Virus and exploit that comes out this is not very reassuring to me.
Basically this whole program is just Spyware and Bloatware that presents a huge Security Risk (Like we needed that). If I want someone to spy in on what I want to do on the net I already pay the NSA for that. I don't need PWE getting into the act LOL.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,561Community Moderator
Agreed, I do not want their stupid Steam knock off and it will just sit there eating my bandwith. Personally I don't like PWE as a company, I signed on to STO back when it was Cryptic.
I use it and its perfectly fine. I have no problems with it, and i can still do the normal launcher route if I want.
Its never a great idea to make anything mandatory and they should avoid doing it if possible, but its simple enough to use.
If you think about it, it is actually a good marketing strategy by PWE. They have a number of other MMO's, so if they had a system where ALL of their games were available via just one source a person is more likely to give them a go, and it helps a player not have multiple launchers on their desktops.
Agreed, I do not want their stupid Steam knock off and it will just sit there eating my bandwith. Personally I don't like PWE as a company, I signed on to STO back when it was Cryptic.
So why keep on playing then. You kind of saying I don't like alcohol but I drink it anyway.
Steam is already established, has a TON of games...
I don't see Steam getting bought out by PWE.
NO I didn't mean PWE buying steam out. I mean what if Arc was to replace steam. PWE removing their titles from steam and only making them available via Arc
By my comment I mean what if PWE removed STO and all their other titles from steam. Not PWE buying Steam out.
Still.
I have decided, and it was a hard decision, to get Steam. As an Asperger, with OCD, I HATE change. As upsetting mandatory Arc is, I have to choose the better client. Why is it better?
No spyware, and my friend uses it, so I guess I can speak to my friend. But I am not a massive fan of talking to someone, who is not on STO, and I have to speak to them out of STO...
Hopefully I'll come back from my break; this break is fun; I play intellectual games.
By my comment I mean what if PWE removed STO and all their other titles from steam. Not PWE buying Steam out.
I fully expect them to do that, its just the type of forced marketing that PWE would do. Its also why I stay away from all their other stuff. I refuse to even look at NWO, or even acknowledge anything made in-house by PWE itself.
At that point we'll just have to see. If they force it on us it just reinforces PWE's poor image as it tries to follow in EA's footsteps with their Origin knockoff.
Fortunately I don't have to just take it quietly, I can go out of my way to tell everyone exactly WHY they should stay out of PWE and Cryptic games. Right now I tell them to give them a cautious try and that maybe STO will have a future beyond grind.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,561Community Moderator
edited July 2013
Pulling out from Steam would make no sense, as the Steam Starter bundle is only available through Steam, and they are making money off of that.
I fully expect them to do that, its just the type of forced marketing that PWE would do. Its also why I stay away from all their other stuff. I refuse to even look at NWO, or even acknowledge anything made in-house by PWE itself.
At that point we'll just have to see. If they force it on us it just reinforces PWE's poor image as it tries to follow in EA's footsteps with their Origin knockoff.
Fortunately I don't have to just take it quietly, I can go out of my way to tell everyone exactly WHY they should stay out of PWE and Cryptic games. Right now I tell them to give them a cautious try and that maybe STO will have a future beyond grind.
What they'll do is just have Steam start Arc when you click on the STO button, then you'll click through all the PWE advertisements to get to the STO button in Arc, which will start the STO launcher with it's ads for STO c-store items, which will then launch STO when you click "Engage". (And all three will remain in the background sucking up your bandwidth and reporting on your activities back to their home base for data mining)
Bran Flakes, how again is any of this a benefit to the player?
Well, (IMO) - it's being promioted EXACTLY like Cryptic/PWE account linking was at first - "A better way to access STO and other PWE offerings" - which wasn't mandatory "at this time"...
then 3 months later - they offer 'perks' to linking accounts and start saying it MAY become mandatory at some point in the future...
Then, they announce a "Forums Upgrade" -- and AFTER said upgrade, the only way to read or post to the Forums is with a PWE (or Cryptic linked PWE) account (and later in the day, they claim not being able to even read them was a 'glitch' (sorry, but I don't buy it as many people who linked during that period stated they really didn't want to, but did so to retain the ability to read the Forums... (And NONE of this was stated as being part of the forums update beforehand to the STO playerbase, it was announced AFTER the update was completed.)
Then a few days later the announcement that linking is mandatory for STO - and after the posted date, you MUST have either a full PWE, or linked Cryptic/PWE account to log in to STO.
So, forgive me if I believe that we're heading into the same situation with ARC and regardless of player feedback, what is not mandatory "at this time" with regard to ARC, will in the very near term become mandatory. The simple fact is - no company spends time/money/resources on something unless they expect their customers (and PWE marketing) to make full use of it. The fact it is (as of tomorrow) required for any new player to use it (in it's supposed 'beta' state) and if you need to re-install from scratch (and don't have the original discs or a previous client installable download already) you'll also be REQUIRED to use ARC to get the STO client speaks of PWE's true intentions down the road - EG They WILL make it mandatory to use/have to access STO at some point soon.
(And if they prove me wrong and leave it 100% optional, i'll be a happy camper; and apologize, but I don't think I will be apologizing about this at all, and that is truly unfortunate.)
Formerly known as Armsman from June 2008 to June 20, 2012 PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
Well, (IMO) - it's being promioted EXACTLY like Cryptic/PWE account linking was at first - "A better way to access STO and other PWE offerings" - which wasn't mandatory "at this time"...
then 3 months later - they offer 'perks' to linking accounts and start saying it MAY become mandatory at some point in the future...
Then, they announce a "Forums Upgrade" -- and AFTER said upgrade, the only way to read or post to the Forums is with a PWE (or Cryptic linked PWE) account (and later in the day, they claim not being able to even read them was a 'glitch' (sorry, but I don't buy it as many people who linked during that period stated they really didn't want to, but did so to retain the ability to read the Forums... (And NONE of this was stated as being part of the forums update beforehand to the STO playerbase, it was announced AFTER the update was completed.)
Then a few days later the announcement that linking is mandatory for STO - and after the posted date, you MUST have either a full PWE, or linked Cryptic/PWE account to log in to STO.
So, forgive me if I believe that we're heading into the same situation with ARC and regardless of player feedback, what is not mandatory "at this time" with regard to ARC, will in the very near term become mandatory. The simple fact is - no company spends time/money/resources on something unless they expect their customers (and PWE marketing) to make full use of it. The fact it is (as of tomorrow) required for any new player to use it (in it's supposed 'beta' state) and if you need to re-install from scratch (and don't have the original discs or a previous client installable download already) you'll also be REQUIRED to use ARC to get the STO client speaks of PWE's true intentions down the road - EG They WILL make it mandatory to use/have to access STO at some point soon.
(And if they prove me wrong and leave it 100% optional, i'll be a happy camper; and apologize, but I don't think I will be apologizing about this at all, and that is truly unfortunate.)
I think this is a pretty fair assessment. Personally, I wouldn't put it past them make BF type: "Greetings Captain! Season 8 will have so many new features that will blow your mind. To facilitate a smooth upgrade to our underlying tech, we require that all of you re-install STO. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Do you really think that any of us are going to get to say 'no', or that our opinions matter or will change anything?
Do you really think that, in the end, our only choice will be whether to keep playing or not under these conditions?
'Cause I don't.
PWE has decided. This is going to happen.
NO I didn't mean PWE buying steam out. I mean what if Arc was to replace steam. PWE removing their titles from steam and only making them available via Arc
That would be absolutely their dumbest move ever. It would also be very PWE.
I'm not holding to any delusions that my stance is going to change the flow of this boat. I have simply voiced my opinion and concerns about it, and relayed my reaction if/when it becomes mandatory so Cryptic and PWE can get a better idea of what is going to happen.
I believe this is financial sadomasochism on PWE's part. Even armed with the knowledge that this is going to hurt them in the short(loss of paying customers) and long term(their reputation is going to take a big blow from this), I fully expect it to be carried through regardless. PWE, I may not care as much about, but I really don't want to see this happen to Cryptic(I really do respect you guys, despite the occasionally mutual 'tough love'), and by proxy STO.
Really, the best we can hope for is that when this goes through, there will be some way that we can disable or remove PMB without also rendering STO non-functional.
Really, the best we can hope for is that when this goes through, there will be some way that we can disable or remove PMB without also rendering STO non-functional.
or any other spyware ...
Hopefully I'll come back from my break; this break is fun; I play intellectual games.
Really, the best we can hope for is that when this goes through, there will be some way that we can disable or remove PMB without also rendering STO non-functional.
According to Bran, PMB is not part of ARC.
"Participation in PVP-related activities is so low on an hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly basis that we could in fact just completely take it out of STO and it would not impact the overall number of people [who] log in to the game and play in any significant way." -Gozer, Cryptic PvP Dev
Do you really think that any of us are going to get to say 'no', or that our opinions matter or will change anything?
Do you really think that, in the end, our only choice will be whether to keep playing or not under these conditions?
'Cause I don't.
PWE has decided. This is going to happen.
You're right.
It doesn't mean I should just take it and shut up, though. As long as I can post on the forums.
TOIVA, Toi Vaxx, Toia Vix, Toveg, T'vritha, To Vrax: Bring in the Allegiance class. Toi'Va, Ti'vath, Toivia, Ty'Vris, Tia Vex, Toi'Virth: Add Tier 6 KDF Carrier and Raider. Tae'Va, T'Vaya, To'Var, Tevra, T'Vira, To'Vrak: Give us Asylums for Romulans.
Here at Starfleet Dental we would like to declare our support for Pangolin Media Booster and Arc. I have added the most important factss to mysig. We think the luddites and technophobes in the STO community need to get with the times and embrace this cool software.
Here at Starfleet Dental we would like to declare our support for Pangolin Media Booster and Arc. I have added the most important factss to mysig. We think the luddites and technophobes in the STO community need to get with the times and embrace this cool software.
I am trying to like it, and I would if it did not have spyware.
I just do not want it mandatory.
BRING IT IN , just NOT mandatory.
Hopefully I'll come back from my break; this break is fun; I play intellectual games.
I am trying to like it, and I would if it did not have spyware.
I just do not want it mandatory.
BRING IT IN , just NOT mandatory.
Mandatory is the only way. These days pioneers are waylaid by people trying to hold onto the past. It takes strong leadership and commercial vision to come up with something like this, and the users need to be forced to use it. They will see the benefits later.
Comments
I have STO, CO and NW installed. I have looked at what PWE has to offer (several times), and decided against downloading/playing anything they have to offer. Furthermore, both NW and CO are first games to go should I need more space on my computer.
Personal Notification
Yay! More spam on my screen!
Be in the Know
Latest news across games... I only care about STO, I couldn't care less what happens in any other game that PWE has to offer.
Stay Connected
Can I have Stealth mode?
Access the Web
Something IE based most likely, which most likely NOT integrate with my security measures. Can I disable this?
Take Charge
No. I will continue to use something a bit more secure.
Considering IE is dangerously hackable and is the first juicy target of every new Virus and exploit that comes out this is not very reassuring to me.
Basically this whole program is just Spyware and Bloatware that presents a huge Security Risk (Like we needed that). If I want someone to spy in on what I want to do on the net I already pay the NSA for that. I don't need PWE getting into the act LOL.
I'll stick with Steam.
If you think about it, it is actually a good marketing strategy by PWE. They have a number of other MMO's, so if they had a system where ALL of their games were available via just one source a person is more likely to give them a go, and it helps a player not have multiple launchers on their desktops.
But what if Arc is in the future to replace steam? Will you use Arc or not play anymore?
I don't see Steam getting bought out by PWE.
So why keep on playing then. You kind of saying I don't like alcohol but I drink it anyway.
Those words burn me .
I hope STO get's better ...
By my comment I mean what if PWE removed STO and all their other titles from steam. Not PWE buying Steam out.
LOLOLOLOL!! If it comes to that I think it'd be time to go back to PnP gaming.
No one should be forced to make this 'either/or' type of choice to begin with.
Play paladin somewhere else pal, this is a bogus move.
NO I didn't mean PWE buying steam out. I mean what if Arc was to replace steam. PWE removing their titles from steam and only making them available via Arc
Still.
I have decided, and it was a hard decision, to get Steam. As an Asperger, with OCD, I HATE change. As upsetting mandatory Arc is, I have to choose the better client. Why is it better?
No spyware, and my friend uses it, so I guess I can speak to my friend. But I am not a massive fan of talking to someone, who is not on STO, and I have to speak to them out of STO...
I hope STO get's better ...
I fully expect them to do that, its just the type of forced marketing that PWE would do. Its also why I stay away from all their other stuff. I refuse to even look at NWO, or even acknowledge anything made in-house by PWE itself.
At that point we'll just have to see. If they force it on us it just reinforces PWE's poor image as it tries to follow in EA's footsteps with their Origin knockoff.
Fortunately I don't have to just take it quietly, I can go out of my way to tell everyone exactly WHY they should stay out of PWE and Cryptic games. Right now I tell them to give them a cautious try and that maybe STO will have a future beyond grind.
What they'll do is just have Steam start Arc when you click on the STO button, then you'll click through all the PWE advertisements to get to the STO button in Arc, which will start the STO launcher with it's ads for STO c-store items, which will then launch STO when you click "Engage". (And all three will remain in the background sucking up your bandwidth and reporting on your activities back to their home base for data mining)
Bran Flakes, how again is any of this a benefit to the player?
Well, (IMO) - it's being promioted EXACTLY like Cryptic/PWE account linking was at first - "A better way to access STO and other PWE offerings" - which wasn't mandatory "at this time"...
then 3 months later - they offer 'perks' to linking accounts and start saying it MAY become mandatory at some point in the future...
Then, they announce a "Forums Upgrade" -- and AFTER said upgrade, the only way to read or post to the Forums is with a PWE (or Cryptic linked PWE) account (and later in the day, they claim not being able to even read them was a 'glitch' (sorry, but I don't buy it as many people who linked during that period stated they really didn't want to, but did so to retain the ability to read the Forums... (And NONE of this was stated as being part of the forums update beforehand to the STO playerbase, it was announced AFTER the update was completed.)
Then a few days later the announcement that linking is mandatory for STO - and after the posted date, you MUST have either a full PWE, or linked Cryptic/PWE account to log in to STO.
So, forgive me if I believe that we're heading into the same situation with ARC and regardless of player feedback, what is not mandatory "at this time" with regard to ARC, will in the very near term become mandatory. The simple fact is - no company spends time/money/resources on something unless they expect their customers (and PWE marketing) to make full use of it. The fact it is (as of tomorrow) required for any new player to use it (in it's supposed 'beta' state) and if you need to re-install from scratch (and don't have the original discs or a previous client installable download already) you'll also be REQUIRED to use ARC to get the STO client speaks of PWE's true intentions down the road - EG They WILL make it mandatory to use/have to access STO at some point soon.
(And if they prove me wrong and leave it 100% optional, i'll be a happy camper; and apologize, but I don't think I will be apologizing about this at all, and that is truly unfortunate.)
PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
Is there anyway to remove the spying?
Then I MAY get ARC.
I hope STO get's better ...
I think this is a pretty fair assessment. Personally, I wouldn't put it past them make BF type: "Greetings Captain! Season 8 will have so many new features that will blow your mind. To facilitate a smooth upgrade to our underlying tech, we require that all of you re-install STO. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Do you really think that, in the end, our only choice will be whether to keep playing or not under these conditions?
'Cause I don't.
PWE has decided. This is going to happen.
That would be absolutely their dumbest move ever. It would also be very PWE.
I believe this is financial sadomasochism on PWE's part. Even armed with the knowledge that this is going to hurt them in the short(loss of paying customers) and long term(their reputation is going to take a big blow from this), I fully expect it to be carried through regardless. PWE, I may not care as much about, but I really don't want to see this happen to Cryptic(I really do respect you guys, despite the occasionally mutual 'tough love'), and by proxy STO.
or any other spyware ...
I hope STO get's better ...
According to Bran, PMB is not part of ARC.
You're right.
It doesn't mean I should just take it and shut up, though. As long as I can post on the forums.
Toi'Va, Ti'vath, Toivia, Ty'Vris, Tia Vex, Toi'Virth: Add Tier 6 KDF Carrier and Raider.
Tae'Va, T'Vaya, To'Var, Tevra, T'Vira, To'Vrak: Give us Asylums for Romulans.
Don't make ARC mandatory! Keep it optional only!
I am trying to like it, and I would if it did not have spyware.
I just do not want it mandatory.
BRING IT IN , just NOT mandatory.
I hope STO get's better ...
Mandatory is the only way. These days pioneers are waylaid by people trying to hold onto the past. It takes strong leadership and commercial vision to come up with something like this, and the users need to be forced to use it. They will see the benefits later.