Unrestricted STO Character Creator

yiweitech

STO already has one of the best characters in any game, but wouldn't it be awesome if you had access to every uniform/body option from every faction/race? I don't expect to actually wear something like this in-game, but it would be amazing just to bring out the character creator's full unrestricted potential.

Now I get that there will be glitches/species differences, but the possibilities there are too great to ignore and I'm sure that workarounds can be found.

So is there anything like this out there? Any way to run the creator by itself? Anything that can achieve something like this (first rule)? If there isn't, is anyone interested in developing one?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

oracion666

Are you talking about a stand alone creator? If so, that would be pretty fun. Don't see it happening in game though. As for character customization, I find the model used in Champions Online to be superior. Much more freedom allowed than the rather ridged form we must contend with here.

inkrunner

Something similar to what you're talking about exists in the Foundry, but even there it has limits.

As for the CO creator, it excels with its robust drop-down and menu choices for customization, whereas STO has more customization in its scaling sliders.

iconians

CBS Studios says no. Cryptic had to alter a lot around launch due to their concerns that unrestricted customization took away the immersion. We used to have the off-duty color palette for regular uniforms, for instance. But there were a lot of eyesores and CBS Studios said to restrict the color palette, so they did. Similarly we were able to colorize our phasers to a large spectrum of colors, but CBS Studios stepped in and said that energy weapon colors had to remain consistent.

Regardless of anyone's opinions on "That's stupid, because we still have X and Y. And they take away immersion!", it's their intellectual property and it doesn't matter what we think.

This is also why certain alien species only have access to particular hairstyles. The character editor has the ability to do a lot more than it currently does, but it's largely up to CBS Studios to decide what is allowed and what isn't.

This is why we'll never get unrestricted character editing.

centersolace

The fact that there is no crossover from Uniforms and Off Duty clothing is rather absurd. Plenty of characters have mixed and matched over the course of the series.

yiweitech

iconians wrote: »

CBS Studios says no. Cryptic had to alter a lot around launch due to their concerns that unrestricted customization took away the immersion. We used to have the off-duty color palette for regular uniforms, for instance. But there were a lot of eyesores and CBS Studios said to restrict the color palette, so they did. Similarly we were able to colorize our phasers to a large spectrum of colors, but CBS Studios stepped in and said that energy weapon colors had to remain consistent.

Regardless of anyone's opinions on "That's stupid, because we still have X and Y. And they take away immersion!", it's their intellectual property and it doesn't matter what we think.

This is also why certain alien species only have access to particular hairstyles. The character editor has the ability to do a lot more than it currently does, but it's largely up to CBS Studios to decide what is allowed and what isn't.

This is why we'll never get unrestricted character editing.

Wow, so I'm assuming this is out of the question in the game itself?
P.S. Love that signature.

yiweitech

centersolace wrote: »

The fact that there is no crossover from Uniforms and Off Duty clothing is rather absurd. Plenty of characters have mixed and matched over the course of the series.

I agree, I really don't see why CBS would have an issue...

yiweitech

inkrunner wrote: »

Something similar to what you're talking about exists in the Foundry, but even there it has limits.

As for the CO creator, it excels with its robust drop-down and menu choices for customization, whereas STO has more customization in its scaling sliders.

Really? Can I have the name? I'd like to check it out.

yiweitech

oracion666 wrote: »

Are you talking about a stand alone creator? If so, that would be pretty fun. Don't see it happening in game though. As for character customization, I find the model used in Champions Online to be superior. Much more freedom allowed than the rather ridged form we must contend with here.

Yeah, I guess, really anything that allows this would be pretty awesome, maybe insert via demo record or something? That would be amazing to see on a map.

yreodred

Seeing the Character creator apparently being artificially being imited because CBS cares about canon, lol.
They should take their time and look at STOs gameplay and some ships, THERE would be some stuff worth of a veto.

But the Character creator? Lol.
I am all for unlocking as many options as possible.
I mean Cryptics uniforms are already not reckoginzeable as Star Trek uniforms, what difference would it make if we would get a good color palette at least?

Someone understand that logic...

tacofangs

Step 1: Get hired at Cryptic.
Step 2: Open the Costume Editor.
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Horrifying Abomination of various species and costume parts.

ashkrik23

tacofangs wrote: »

Step 1: Get hired at Cryptic.
Step 2: Open the Costume Editor.
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Horrifying Abomination of various species and costume parts.

I bet you wouldn't have any complaints if there was an unrestricted map maker :P.

futurepastnow

tacofangs wrote: »

Step 1: Get hired at Cryptic.
Step 2: Open the Costume Editor.
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Horrifying Abomination of various species and costume parts.

I've seen some of JamJamz' creations.

I think the tailor is... over-restrictive. Especially on the mixing of costume parts.

yreodred

tacofangs wrote: »

Step 1: Get hired at Cryptic.
Step 2: Open the Costume Editor.
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Horrifying Abomination of various species and costume parts.

"do it better" nice argument

Seriously, i think there are things that could easily be mixed without anyone being offended.

Especially the color palettes should be reworked, to allow more color variations.
Of course i can understand if CBS vetos a pink colored Starfleet uniform. But at least introduce one single color palette that applies for any piece likewise. I just hate it if the same colors look totally different on two uniform pieces.
(like some shades of black or white, that's just unnecessary and annoying)

senatorvreenak

There was a truly glorious bug KDF side many years ago with the Off-Duty Uniform slot, which allowed KDF characters to mix and match any and all of their factions costume parts without restrictions.
Sadly it was fixed. =/

Personally I would love to be able to throw my orion into the usual metal bikini and then accessorise her with STF Honor Guard boots, shoulder pads, colllar, gauntlets, arm guards etc.

At the very least i think there should be an option for a character to be allowed to mix and match freely of ALL the costume pieces in their own faction.
It could even have a disclaimer that says "use this option at your own risk" to highlight the potential incompatibility of costume pieces.

sampa4

yiweitech wrote: »

STO already has one of the best characters in any game, but wouldn't it be awesome if you had access to every uniform/body option from every faction/race? I don't expect to actually wear something like this in-game, but it would be amazing just to bring out the character creator's full unrestricted potential.

Now I get that there will be glitches/species differences, but the possibilities there are too great to ignore and I'm sure that workarounds can be found.

So is there anything like this out there? Any way to run the creator by itself? Anything that can achieve something like this (first rule)? If there isn't, is anyone interested in developing one?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Are you thinking of something like what Maxis has with the game Spore?

iconians

yiweitech wrote: »

Wow, so I'm assuming this is out of the question in the game itself?
P.S. Love that signature.

Short Answer: Yes.

Long Answer: It's not completely out of the question, but whenever CBS Studios says 'Jump', Cryptic's only response is 'How high?'. I would not mind loosened restrictions, but CBS Studios would have to change their mind. Which is possible, just not probable.

Also, thank you. It's glad to see my wit is appreciated.

Seeing the Character creator apparently being artificially being imited because CBS cares about canon, lol.
They should take their time and look at STOs gameplay and some ships, THERE would be some stuff worth of a veto.

But the Character creator? Lol.
I am all for unlocking as many options as possible.
I mean Cryptics uniforms are already not reckoginzeable as Star Trek uniforms, what difference would it make if we would get a good color palette at least?

Someone understand that logic...

Read my previous part about "It doesn't matter what your opinion is regarding canon."

The only logic there is, is that CBS Studios owns the intellectual property of Star Trek. An owner can do with their property whatever and however they wish. Your opinion on Star Trek canon is irrelevant. When you own the Star Trek IP, then you can tell Cryptic Studios to look at the gameplay and ships and whatever else you want to nitpick over and force Cryptic to conform to your personal beliefs and opinions.

But you don't own the Star Trek IP. You may be a fan of Star Trek, but your personal beliefs and opinions do not matter. Cryptic might be your voice to CBS Studios (I seem to recall Mr. Stahl trying to push for a T5 Connie on multiple occasions), but that's all. They can only suggest and inform, they can not 'demand' or 'make'.

It doesn't matter if I agree with CBS Studios, it doesn't matter if I disagree with them. It's not my property.

lazarus51166

Step 1: Get hired at Cryptic.
Step 2: Open the Costume Editor.
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Horrifying Abomination of various species and costume parts.

I take it thats an accurate description of your first day at cryptic taco? :P

starmada1

iconians wrote: »

Short Answer: Yes.

Long Answer: It's not completely out of the question, but whenever CBS Studios says 'Jump', Cryptic's only response is 'How high?'. I would not mind loosened restrictions, but CBS Studios would have to change their mind. Which is possible, just not probable.

Also, thank you. It's glad to see my wit is appreciated.



Read my previous part about "It doesn't matter what your opinion is regarding canon."

The only logic there is, is that CBS Studios owns the intellectual property of Star Trek. An owner can do with their property whatever and however they wish. Your opinion on Star Trek canon is irrelevant. When you own the Star Trek IP, then you can tell Cryptic Studios to look at the gameplay and ships and whatever else you want to nitpick over and force Cryptic to conform to your personal beliefs and opinions.

But you don't own the Star Trek IP. You may be a fan of Star Trek, but your personal beliefs and opinions do not matter. Cryptic might be your voice to CBS Studios (I seem to recall Mr. Stahl trying to push for a T5 Connie on multiple occasions), but that's all. They can only suggest and inform, they can not 'demand' or 'make'.

It doesn't matter if I agree with CBS Studios, it doesn't matter if I disagree with them. It's not my property.

That's the same reason top tier Constitution class and Enterprise class ships aren't allowed, yea?

iconians

starmada1 wrote: »

That's the same reason top tier Constitution class and Enterprise class ships aren't allowed, yea?

Among other things (like being able to color your energy beams), and Cryptic's uphill battle to get Orion bikinis in the game. Costumes/ships/etc. have to be approved by CBS Studios, and they can intervene as much or as little as they want for little or no reason at all. Yes.

yiweitech

Well I may as well share my opinion on this, until the moment CBS makes a new Trek series, and I mean continuation of prime universe, not JJ retelling of everything, I hate every fiber of their being for owning the licence to ST, Roddenberry is heaving in his grave by now...
But hey, looks like I started something here, even got a Cryptic staff to reply, though I have no idea what the relevance of that is, and even if it will never come to anything, let's keep getting this out there!

tacofangs

yreodred wrote: »

I just hate it if the same colors look totally different on two uniform pieces.

As you say, they are the same colors. What changes between pieces is the textures that those colors are being applied on. The costume guys do a lot to ensure that any given costume set works together, but if you're grabbing the shoulders from one set, and the shirt from another, it might not match up exactly.

lazarus51166 wrote: »

I take it thats an accurate description of your first day at cryptic taco? :P

Mine involved the World Editor, and Horrifying Abominations of various kit pieces and boats.

But in essence, yes.

robdmc

Taco, can we see screen shots of some of your more prized "Horrifying Abominations"?

carasucia83

tacofangs wrote: »

As you say, they are the same colors. What changes between pieces is the textures that those colors are being applied on. The costume guys do a lot to ensure that any given costume set works together, but if you're grabbing the shoulders from one set, and the shirt from another, it might not match up exactly.




Mine involved the World Editor, and Horrifying Abominations of various kit pieces and boats.

But in essence, yes.

This is where I plug the campaign to get Romulan palettes fixed on pieces that are part of the same (bought with zen) uniform.

Regarding the actual thread, I really miss that command we used to be able to put in to unrestrict the uniforms.

senatorvreenak

Someone posted this photoshop a long time ago back on the old forums.


Would be great if you guys would let us make costume combo's like this!
What do ya say taco? at least un-restrict STF pieces???
We KDF already have so little variety to choose from for our main costume, unlike the Feds =/.

reximuz

senatorvreenak wrote: »

Someone posted this photoshop a long time ago back on the old forums.

We KDF already have so little variety to choose from for our main costume, unlike the Feds =/.

Since KDF has a bunch of individual pieces that can be adjusted, and fed doesn't, despite the fed having more uniforms, KDF has a lot more combinations. I did some quick and dirty math on it, and KDF has over 48 billion (yes billion, with a possible combos, and that doesn't even touch the color combos, while Feds only have around 6 billion. I did this before Romulans, so no idea what they have. This is for males, Females would have more options.

So just because that list of Fed jackets is long, that doesn't give the fed more overall options.

centersolace

tacofangs wrote: »

As you say, they are the same colors. What changes between pieces is the textures that those colors are being applied on. The costume guys do a lot to ensure that any given costume set works together, but if you're grabbing the shoulders from one set, and the shirt from another, it might not match up exactly.

What weirds me out is when it happens with outfits from the same set. *Cough*Ferengi Skirts*Cough*

lordhavelock

tacofangs wrote: »

As you say, they are the same colors. What changes between pieces is the textures that those colors are being applied on. The costume guys do a lot to ensure that any given costume set works together, but if you're grabbing the shoulders from one set, and the shirt from another, it might not match up exactly...

As other have said, this isn't always the case... Sometimes pieces from the same uniform set have different pallets (this is often the case with the Romulans, but others as well), so you can't choose the same color, to say nothing of how textures alter colors.

tacofangs

robdmc wrote: »

Taco, can we see screen shots of some of your more prized "Horrifying Abominations"?

Fortunately, I didn't keep any screenshots of those abominations. However, my first actual task was placing thousands of pieces of trash (papers, boxes, cups, bottles) around Bloody Bay (City of Villains). My quick google search didn't turn any of that up, but I did find this screenshot of the meteorite I put in for the Shivans to dance around. Also in Bloody Bay, so would have been shortly after my hire (circa Summer 2005)

iconians

tacofangs wrote: »

Fortunately, I didn't keep any screenshots of those abominations. However, my first actual task was placing thousands of pieces of trash (papers, boxes, cups, bottles) around Bloody Bay (City of Villains). My quick google search didn't turn any of that up, but I did find this screenshot of the meteorite I put in for the Shivans to dance around. Also in Bloody Bay, so would have been shortly after my hire (circa Summer 2005)

I spent so much time getting Shivan pets from Bloody Bay to do the Statesman task force... ah memories.

Always liked the Shivans. I hoped they'd be featured elsewhere in the game, since I liked their origin story.

Of course, the Shivans were just a Nemesis plot. And Lord Nemesis is an Iconian plot.

yreodred

tacofangs wrote: »

As you say, they are the same colors. What changes between pieces is the textures that those colors are being applied on. The costume guys do a lot to ensure that any given costume set works together, but if you're grabbing the shoulders from one set, and the shirt from another, it might not match up exactly.

But that's my point.
You can't mix the wells uniform with the Academy trousers for instance without getting two different shades of black. That was just an example, almost every non-plastic looking uniform has a different (internal) color palette.
Very annoying... :mad: