test content
  • Games
  • Social
  • Arc News
  • Support
  • Zen
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc
Forums > Home› Star Trek Online General Discussion

So what's with the patches recently?

ragestroke008ragestroke008 Member Posts: 203 Arc User
edited March 2014 in Star Trek Online General Discussion
I am confused about the recent patches. According to the notes, they fix a handful of things, yet the patches themselves are several hundred megabytes in size. Makes you wonder what kind of stuff is coming through with it, what kind of changes are being implemented but not documented.

I'm not out and out saying it's shady, but I would like to know why a few small changes require such a large patch.
Time is a funny thing; There is always too much of it. Except when you need it the most, then there is never enough.
Post edited by ragestroke008 on

Comments

  • fatman592fatman592 Member Posts: 1,207 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    The bulk of the patch applied today was to introduce the new Mirror Event. We probably won't see another patch until the MU has completed and they gear up for Season 9.

    ... sigh, my Klinks really want a functioning tailor.
    startrek.44thfleet.com/
  • genrldestructiongenrldestruction Member Posts: 194 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    Possibly because they updated some art assets (Geometry, Textures, sound effects, music, etc. These types of files can be pretty large). Possibly some of it might be for season 9 (sending out finished art assets a few weeks early means less patching time when the major patch hits). Power fixes and text changes for tool tips certainly aren't going to be hundreds of megs.
  • zipagatzipagat Member Posts: 1,204 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    Megabites are large patches? What is this the 90s? Its not uncommon for some patches to be multi GB in size for a MMO.
  • genrldestructiongenrldestruction Member Posts: 194 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    zipagat wrote: »
    Megabites are large patches? What is this the 90s? Its not uncommon for some patches to be multi GB in size for a MMO.

    The OP is trying to compare the size of the patch to the length of the patch notes, not so much to say that megabytes are large or small. He/she is saying that (at least as far as I understand, and I could be wrong) that the relatively short patch notes with a comparably larger patch are incongruous.
  • edgecrysgeredgecrysger Member Posts: 2,740 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    That could only mean a really lack of skills for the devs part to optimize the code or the graphic data. Thats all. Maybe the size is not really big, keeping in mind a few megabytes are nothing today, but im sure it could be really smaller.
  • starkaosstarkaos Member Posts: 11,556 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    fatman592 wrote: »
    The bulk of the patch applied today was to introduce the new Mirror Event. We probably won't see another patch until the MU has completed and they gear up for Season 9.

    ... sigh, my Klinks really want a functioning tailor.

    We will get patches during the Mirror Event since something is usually broken or player feedback requires them to change the Event.

    Patches usually contain something that is not mentioned in the patch notes. Some players dive for unreleased content and some of this content in the patches will be available eventually or never available. Of course, this diving is frowned upon by the devs and can result in a suspension or ban if this information is released to the public.
  • anodynesanodynes Member Posts: 1,999 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    ragestroke008 wrote: »
    I am confused about the recent patches. According to the notes, they fix a handful of things, yet the patches themselves are several hundred megabytes in size. Makes you wonder what kind of stuff is coming through with it, what kind of changes are being implemented but not documented.

    I'm not out and out saying it's shady, but I would like to know why a few small changes require such a large patch.

    Usually the patch that we download is actually only several tens of megabytes in size or so. The files that it is then applied to are several hundred megabytes in size.
    This is an MMO, not a Star Trek episode simulator. That would make for a terrible game.
  • iconiansiconians Member Posts: 6,987 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    There are usually a lot of back-end fixes that don't make the patch notes. Cryptic (like most MMOs) have a policy to only release the important info in the patch notes. Back-end stuff is either too complicated (or boring) to explain in lay terms, or it's stuff that they're forbidden from releasing due to confidentiality stuff regarding the game engine.
    ExtxpTp.jpg
  • dukeskyloaferdukeskyloafer Member Posts: 101 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    ragestroke008 wrote: »
    I am confused about the recent patches. According to the notes, they fix a handful of things, yet the patches themselves are several hundred megabytes in size. Makes you wonder what kind of stuff is coming through with it, what kind of changes are being implemented but not documented.

    I'm not out and out saying it's shady, but I would like to know why a few small changes require such a large patch.

    The large size was probably due in part to Obisek's voice over files.
  • askrayaskray Member Posts: 3,329 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    When the patcher is going you can hit ctrl x to see what files are being updated ;)

    From what I saw today it was mostly graphics and such which are huge files.
    Yes, I'm that Askray@Batbayer in game. Yes, I still play. No, I don't care.
    Former Community Moderator, Former SSR DJ, Now Full time father to two kids, Husband, Retail Worker.
    Tiktok: @Askray Facebook: Askray113


  • legetdumarlegetdumar Member Posts: 263
    edited March 2014
    askray wrote: »
    When the patcher is going you can hit ctrl x to see what files are being updated ;)

    From what I saw today it was mostly graphics and such which are huge files.

    Hmm..good to know! ;)
    Criticism, while never agreeable, is necessary. It is like pain in the body. It brings attention to an unhealthy state of things---Winston Churchill
  • mirrorchaosmirrorchaos Member Posts: 9,844 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    ragestroke008 wrote: »
    I am confused about the recent patches. According to the notes, they fix a handful of things, yet the patches themselves are several hundred megabytes in size. Makes you wonder what kind of stuff is coming through with it, what kind of changes are being implemented but not documented.

    I'm not out and out saying it's shady, but I would like to know why a few small changes require such a large patch.

    there was an issue with the dreadie and mu portal destruction that made it impossible to complete the mission. so yeah it needed the emergency fix. make sure to check patch notes first chance you can before making such a thread.
    iconians wrote: »
    There are usually a lot of back-end fixes that don't make the patch notes. Cryptic (like most MMOs) have a policy to only release the important info in the patch notes. Back-end stuff is either too complicated (or boring) to explain in lay terms, or it's stuff that they're forbidden from releasing due to confidentiality stuff regarding the game engine.

    in other words, stealth fixes or nerfs.

    and for the op, PWE is not the only mmo company to do such a thing either.
    T6 Miranda Hero Ship FTW.
    Been around since Dec 2010 on STO and bought LTS in Apr 2013 for STO.
  • zipagatzipagat Member Posts: 1,204 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    mirrorchaos wrote: »
    there was an issue with the dreadie and mu portal destruction that made it impossible to complete the mission. so yeah it needed the emergency fix. make sure to check patch notes first chance you can before making such a thread.



    in other words, stealth fixes or nerfs.

    and for the op, PWE is not the only mmo company to do such a thing either.

    Or more likely fixes to exploits or security patches which make sense to not release info to the general public about.
  • kamenriderzero1kamenriderzero1 Member Posts: 906 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    The map graphic's file

    the NPC Terran Oddy's skin files

    Obisek's new lines

    the new event project

    the transdimensonal transporter rewards.

    the new doff

    The change to the PVE que to add the missions.

    removing the "Qmendation" pack from the lobi store.

    adding the bug ship or lobi drop crate to the survivor pack instead of having to open the pack itself.

    none of those are in the patch notes from Thursday. So it's quite obvious some things just aren't noted.
    Everywhere I look, people are screaming about how bad Cryptic is.
    What's my position?
    That people should know what they're screaming about!
    (paraphrased from "The Newsroom)
  • anazondaanazonda Member Posts: 8,399 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    General misconception here:

    When the patcher says "Patching 110 MB", it's not downloading 110 Mb, it is simply patching files of total size 110 mb inside the .hogg files.

    The actualy file may be no larger than 5-10 mb... perhaps even less.
    Don't look silly... Don't call it the "Z-Store/Zen Store"...
    pwebranflakes wrote: »
    Let me put the rumors to rest: it's definitely still the C-Store (Cryptic Store) It just takes ZEN.
    Like Duty Officers? Support effords to gather ideas
  • dracounguisdracounguis Member Posts: 5,358 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    Don't worry it's just PWE spyware. And getting your computer ready for the soon to be mandatory move to ARC.
  • edgecrysgeredgecrysger Member Posts: 2,740 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    askray wrote: »
    When the patcher is going you can hit ctrl x to see what files are being updated ;)

    From what I saw today it was mostly graphics and such which are huge files.

    Didnt know this.:D, thanks for the info
  • edgecrysgeredgecrysger Member Posts: 2,740 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    anazonda wrote: »
    General misconception here:

    When the patcher says "Patching 110 MB", it's not downloading 110 Mb, it is simply patching files of total size 110 mb inside the .hogg files.

    The actualy file may be no larger than 5-10 mb... perhaps even less.

    Maybe sometimes, but most of the times you will be downloading about 4x the size of the files that are being "patched". That extra size, i presume its about revamped graphics or something like that (sound files or watever).
  • seannewboyseannewboy Member Posts: 667 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    Are we sure it wasnt an NSA imbed?
    New home of the Romulan Republic.
    I have an idea for what Season 11 should be; Season 11: The Big Bug Fix.
    I have not been able to read my bug tickets in over a year, not even the tickets about not being able to see my tickets.
    I find the drama of your signature proof of your immaturity, this means you, DR whiners.
  • mirrorchaosmirrorchaos Member Posts: 9,844 Arc User
    edited March 2014
    anazonda wrote: »
    General misconception here:

    When the patcher says "Patching 110 MB", it's not downloading 110 Mb, it is simply patching files of total size 110 mb inside the .hogg files.

    The actualy file may be no larger than 5-10 mb... perhaps even less.

    ive seen 5gb patched with only 1mb of data downloaded at one point. just downloading same files to write the 0 to a 1 and let loose on what was locked.
    T6 Miranda Hero Ship FTW.
    Been around since Dec 2010 on STO and bought LTS in Apr 2013 for STO.
Sign In or Register to comment.