[Idea] New Foundry 'Gateway' and Sector Space interfaces

captainhunter1

This is a follow-up post from a thread I started in the Foundry section ( http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=943451 ). Unfortunately pictures aren't able to be posted there, so I am cross-posting here to show the graphics.

Currently we have a very nice starting point for the Foundry when the 'Content/Hail' button is pressed on the mini-map. Shown here:



Sadly, it becomes a mess after that. You are dumped right onto the "Spotlight" missions list with a small "Browse all" button hidden along the side of the window to get to other missions. If you find this button, you are then taken to a extremely limited list of only the top 50 rated missions out of 1000's that are available.

This is my solution to the problem. After pressing the "More" button in the above window, you would be taken here:



Oops...how did that get in there... :P

What I meant was this:



This would allow a player to easily select any category they wished. Or even do a custom search right from the start (with out the need to find this 'hidden' feature).

(continued)

captainhunter1

Clicking on the hail buttons would then take you to the mission listings for that category. For example this is the one for the Spotlight missions. NOTE: Notice the promenent "Next 50 missions" button at the bottom (if the lists stay restricted to 50 missions being shown at a time - allowing a player to cycle through as many pages of missions as he/she desires.)



Implementing this new "gateway" interface as well as removing the 'weighting' system will really open up the Foundry to a lot more plays.

Further integrating the Foundry into regular Sector Space play would also be a huge benefit to the game - effectively adding massive amounts of free content throughout the Galaxy for Cryptic. It would be as simple as adding an additional button to the System window, as shown below:



Clicking the "Investigate Other Available Missions" button would open up a list of all Foundry missions which used that system as a starting point.

This would also allow for us to get rid of this annoying message at the border to Deep Space areas:



And replace it with the following, opening up Deep Space for exploration by using Foundry missions (although a "Deep Space" starting point tag would have to be added for missions).



I think this is a simple and elegant solution to the issues currently crippling the Foundry. It would certainly open up access a great deal and give every mission a chance to see the light of day. : )

odyssey47

I like the idea to automatically separate the missions by the new tags essentially. But are you suggesting that the new jj Abrams movies are combat missions with little to no story? :eek:

starswordc

Fabulous idea. MAKE IT SO, CRYPTIC!

starswordc

Also, I've already got a mission in the works that could make use of the "Deep Space" starting point. "Bait and Switch, Part II" takes place west of the Sirius block, south of Ferengi space and north of Deep Space 9. Right now I have the player transwarping there from ESD. With a Deep Space starting point I could instead have them travel there from Orellius or something.

captainhunter1

starswordc wrote: »

Also, I've already got a mission in the works that could make use of the "Deep Space" starting point. "Bait and Switch, Part II" takes place west of the Sirius block, south of Ferengi space and north of Deep Space 9. Right now I have the player transwarping there from ESD. With a Deep Space starting point I could instead have them travel there from Orellius or something.

I envision Deep Space content as being accessable from ANY deep space border - making it very easy to start from just about anywhere in Sector Space.

psiameese

I like both concepts. The UI suggestions are good ideas.

Passing the numerous star systems on the sector space map, which offer no content due to lack of specific faction content, seem wasted. Frankly, if the system is visible on the map, there could be something there for everyone. Even if that is Foundry vs. Dev-written content. After this many years, Foundry works have always been too far removed from the core experience. Better integration to offer more choices during casual play would, IMO, be welcome from a player PoV. Let alone the authors. Following this with more refined mission tags can only be a good thing.

jodarkrider

Great idea, wish this would be implemented.

nagorak

This is absolutely what the Foundry needs and it needs it soon. In its current state the Foundry is dying a slow death. We need these sort of UI changes and hooks for missions.

All other development focused on the Foundry can be dropped in favor of this. I think most other authors will agree that addressing this most pressing issue is of utmost importance to the continued functioning of the Foundry.

lincolninspace

nagorak wrote: »

This is absolutely what the Foundry needs and it needs it soon. In its current state the Foundry is dying a slow death. We need these sort of UI changes and hooks for missions.

All other development focused on the Foundry can be dropped in favor of this. I think most other authors will agree that addressing this most pressing issue is of utmost importance to the continued functioning of the Foundry.

Agreed. The current situation has been allowed to continue for too long and it has hurt the community deeply. Even authors involved in the popular Purity series are feeling the burn. I like everything I see here. It has been said the mission journal is scheduled for an overhaul anyways. I think that the in game system map menu's are the most crucial.

lincolninspace

jodarkrider wrote: »

Great idea, wish this would be implemented.

Including the content with terrific assets?

jodarkrider

lincolninspace wrote: »

Including the content with terrific assets?

I have no problem with assets if it's in terms of awesome content and not just candy-eye things. :P

kirksplat

This UI would solve a lot of problems and potentially reinvigorate the Foundry. It is fantastic.

adverbero

just thought i'd put in my appreciation for this idea, as a player i like the idea of using the various systems doors as a menu to open up new missions

so i could say, i fancy visiting vulcan today, lets see whats avalible. Which would be awesome

captainhunter1

odyssey47 wrote: »

I like the idea to automatically separate the missions by the new tags essentially. But are you suggesting that the new jj Abrams movies are combat missions with little to no story? :eek:

Yep...pretty much. :P

(Just like grinder missions, while entertaining, have absolutely no depth to them )

wombat140

They're combat missions with lots of story, that's the trouble. (At least, the first one, I haven't seen the second.) More story than you can keep track of over the noise of all that pow pow. Only way is to ignore the story and enjoy the ride.

Anyway - I agree entirely with Adverbero's comment. The ideal for an MMORPG is that it's a world you can explore - you can just walk around the map, looking for trouble. Not scrolling through what comes up on your mission list and picking one out like you'd pick a film to watch, with the places being barely important, or going back and forth to particular places where you know the action is, but EXPLORING. Set off across your chosen virtual world and see what adventures you meet. This would make that into a reality for STO.

drogyn1701

I think there's some room here for some missions to be in more than one list. I remember some very good story missions that had ginormous amounts of combat in them. The lists would help separate missions that are very heavily one thing or the other, but include those that are a little of both.

worffan101

Love this idea to bits. Absolutely, unconditionally love it.

And Seven's assets appeal to my inner pig man.

kirksplat

nagorak wrote: »

All other development focused on the Foundry can be dropped in favor of this. I think most other authors will agree that addressing this most pressing issue is of utmost importance to the continued functioning of the Foundry.

Agreed. This is the most important thing right now.

theanothername

captainhunter1 wrote: »

.

Thats much better than how it is now

thegalaxy31

Sorry to burst your bubble but: does it make them money? No. So not very likely. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact.

kintisho

thegalaxy31 wrote: »

Sorry to burst your bubble but: does it make them money? No. So not very likely. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact.

Smoothing the whole gaming experience and making this game a higher quality of life for players.. would never spread fan/player base.. which in turn would never cause PWE/cryptic to make more money nooo... People dont like smoother more attractive interfaces and gaming experiences, We just keep playing our commodore 64 games, never buy newer better things.. Oh wait, PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE.. Major marketing ploy that works, newer, prettier, faster and better. These move stock. Make it better we will want more, or let the game age and die (WOW)...

thegalaxy31

kintisho wrote: »

Smoothing the whole gaming experience and making this game a higher quality of life for players.. would never spread fan/player base.. which in turn would never cause PWE/cryptic to make more money nooo... People dont like smoother more attractive interfaces and gaming experiences, We just keep playing our commodore 64 games, never buy newer better things.. Oh wait, PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE.. Major marketing ploy that works, newer, prettier, faster and better. These move stock. Make it better we will want more, or let the game age and die (WOW)...

Most people don't even look at the foundry, why improve it if players (the last time I played a non-RP Foundry map (not a mission and it was usually my own RP map) was 5 months ago).

Unknown

This content has been removed.

rahmkota19

This. Has. My. Support.

druhin

Mine too.

Sadly, knowing Cryptic, it will never happen. They've proven they aren't very good at making life simpler for their players. Why make it easier on the players, when you can constantly make it harder?

wombat140

thegalaxy31 wrote: »

Most people don't even look at the foundry, why improve it if players (the last time I played a non-RP Foundry map (not a mission and it was usually my own RP map) was 5 months ago).

That's what's so brilliant about the Sector Space idea. You don't have to open the Foundry window - the first time you accidentally get within range of a system that has at least one Foundry mission, you'll see the new message and think, hang on, something new's going on here. So even the people who don't currently play the Foundry will get to know about this and that the Foundry now actually works!

Devs? Thoughts?

voporak

To this idea I can only raise this video... Make it so!

geoff484

This is an awesome idea

ashkrik23

Major approval.

macronius

Amazing work. This is exactly what I would wish for the foundry. I would add 1 suggestion where related episodes can be grouped together so people can run series.