I've already predicted that the Iconians will figure in the expansion. Consider how closely their plotline has paralleled that of the Dominion's in DS9: At first they tried to covertly destabilize the AQ from afar by manipulating the Undine into pitting its major players against one another, but now that the two big ones - the Federation and Klingon Empire - are not only onto them but apparently on the verge of ending their war, that strategy is failing. In DS9, when the Dominion arrived at this point, they dropped that strategy for the most part, in favor of conquering the quadrant the old-fashioned way.
I suspect that's what we're about to see with the Iconians - they'll re-establish their Alpha (and other) Quadrant presence in a big way: Gateways popping up all over the place, at least one of which leads to their as-yet-unrevealed lair in Delta Quadrant; a new endgame FE series and some new queued events to begin the Iconian War. The Undine will likely have a big role too, as they are roughly the equivalent of the Cardassians in the DS9 analogy - maybe not actual allies or even servitors of the Iconians, but at least someone the Iconians can use as a stalking horse (as, in a way, they already have been doing).
I wouldn't underestimate the Undine in that respect.
S9 should culminate in us making them see the Iconian threat and that it was them who attacked Fluidic Space.
I don't want the Undine to be our friends. I just want them to get off our throats for a while to focus on the Iconians.
I woud love the Undine to force the Iconian's hand.
The expansion is almost certainly about the Delta Quadrant, which is where the story of the game is obviously headed. Perhaps they have finally created a "real" exploration system, and that will be the big draw. You know, the whole "explore strange new worlds" thing that Trek is supposed to be about, but STO has never really had.
OH GOD I HOPE SO!!
I was going to comment that I hope they add features surrounding meeting new species/exploring new worlds, and promoting your factions ideals to them(Fed=Peaceful meeting, inviting to join Federation, helping etc, KDF=raiding, conquering, subjugating more species and worlds into the Empire, Romulans=....what do romulans do?)
This would go along great with my other suggestion on the 10 wish lists thread of more bridge, and ship based activities, as you could meet with delegates in your conference room, show aliens your holodeck, have random encounters etc.
I figure the Iconians will always be the B-plot because they don't really mean a lot to people who aren't already playing STO. Even if you had an Iconian heavy update, I figure the focus would be on who they're allied with or who we're allied with against them because the big selling point of an expansion should be something that attracts the attention of very casual fans of Trek. Big, broad elements. The kind of stuff that would make a good general audience Jeopardy question. Green women. People from mirror universes with goatees.
I'd expect the Ferengi to be spotlighted in an expansion before the Iconians. Doesn't mean the Iconians can't show up but I don't think the name means much to people passingly familiar with Trek.
I am thinking and hoping the mirror universe gets expanded on a lot. It should be a new mirror universe sector block, mirror episode series, mirror battlezone, and holding that allows mirror ships to get upgraded to fleet mirror ships. Lastly, more mirror uniforms since they always sell great, lol. I would like mirror versions of existing 2409 uniforms and whatever the other mirror factions uniforms might be from the Alliance and mirror Romulan Republic.
No, as Sleepers showed, the Borg have known the Iconians for who knows how long (their species number is in double digits) and having to resort to studying their technology via traditional research, with the Iconians even luring them with Omega molecules and then gating out chunks of their cubes. The Iconians are the only race in the galaxy with the power to troll the collective. I've got more money on servitor drones.
Hey they managed after much effort to Assimilate the Undine, don't underestimate the Collective, even though the more recent of the Star Trek franchises, and this game have made the Borg seem less godlike, they are adaptive at their core.
I wouldn't underestimate the Undine in that respect.
S9 should culminate in us making them see the Iconian threat and that it was them who attacked Fluidic Space.
I don't want the Undine to be our friends. I just want them to get off our throats for a while to focus on the Iconians.
I woud love the Undine to force the Iconian's hand.
That, too, would be a close parallel to DS9 (specifically, the last few episodes where the Dominion finally push the Cardassians too far and the Cardassians revolt).
I could get behind an Exploration-themed expansion, and it could feature Voyager material and the Delta Quadrant.
The big flaw with that is, I can't see it being that marketable compared to LoR. It would be great for the game and all, but will that really bring players back into the game to spend money?
Mirror Universe? Well, okay. It's factored in every series with the possible exception of Voyager and it's a major ongoing plot in this game. But will it bring in the $$$?
It doesn't tie in with the Iconian or Solanae storylines very well. (Do the Iconians even exist in the MU?) Plus there are no Voyager hooks to riff off of and that's where the game's story is at the moment.
Time travel? Again, doesn't fit the current metaplot. And if they're smart, they'll never attempt any kind of sweeping Time Travel storyline unless they're making a major revision of the game. Time travel storylines are really difficult to pull off correctly, and STO's forays into that territory have been limited.
As we believe that the next expansion project does not involve another new faction, I think we can rule out Gamma Quadrant (Cardassians) as a theme. That would make more sense later on.
There is one theme that does tie in with Voyager and the game quite well and would be a logical progression for the escalating conflict to control the Omega molecules: "The Borg Strike Back". Along the lines of the Undine revamp, the Borg could get one more pass. The problem with that is, there's so much Borg material already that it would dilute the hype potential.
So what's really left?
My views may not represent those of Cryptic Studios or Perfect World Entertainment. You can file a "forums and website" support ticket here Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
...
The big flaw with that is, I can't see it being that marketable compared to LoR. It would be great for the game and all, but will that really bring players back into the game to spend money?...
And why not? I've read enough posts of people, that actually want this badly (I mean new sectors + an Exploration Update + new "real" Story/Mission content that is NOT related to another Reputation) and I strongly believe those people would even gladly pay for something like this.. well, at least I know I would.. even as much as for LoR (if they'd add enough new stuff that is).
"We might get pretty singed at that range, but not as singed as they're going to get. Engage."
- Captain Six of Nine aka Ashley "Don't Call Me Ash" Campbell
And why not? I've read enough posts of people, that actually want this badly (I mean new sectors + an Exploration Update + new "real" Story/Mission content that is NOT related to another Reputation) and I strongly believe those people would even gladly pay for something like this.. well, at least I know I would.. even as much as for LoR (if they'd add enough new stuff that is).
Because they're not going to make people pay for the expansion content. That runs against their F2P strategy. They have to sell ships, costumes, services, gear, and gimmicks.
I personally would get excited about it and a lot of other people here would too. I'm just not sure PWE is going to be convinced that's the best way to bring in players and money.
My views may not represent those of Cryptic Studios or Perfect World Entertainment. You can file a "forums and website" support ticket here Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
The next expansion, as opposed to a regular "Season" will, of course, be "Keeping Up With The Cardassians", which will finally bring an end to the era of Romulans Online and usher us into the glorious new age of Cardassians Online.
Because they're not going to make people pay for the expansion content. That runs against their F2P strategy. They have to sell ships, costumes, services, gear, and gimmicks.
I personally would get excited about it and a lot of other people here would too. I'm just not sure PWE is going to be convinced that's the best way to bring in players and money.
Yeah, this is what really makes me wonder. so much so that I'm NOT convinced it isn't a new faction after all.
The only other possibility is a level cap increase, but..... I dunno.
I could get behind an Exploration-themed expansion, and it could feature Voyager material and the Delta Quadrant.
The big flaw with that is, I can't see it being that marketable compared to LoR. It would be great for the game and all, but will that really bring players back into the game to spend money?
Mirror Universe? Well, okay. It's factored in every series with the possible exception of Voyager and it's a major ongoing plot in this game. But will it bring in the $$$?
It doesn't tie in with the Iconian or Solanae storylines very well. (Do the Iconians even exist in the MU?) Plus there are no Voyager hooks to riff off of and that's where the game's story is at the moment.
Time travel? Again, doesn't fit the current metaplot. And if they're smart, they'll never attempt any kind of sweeping Time Travel storyline unless they're making a major revision of the game. Time travel storylines are really difficult to pull off correctly, and STO's forays into that territory have been limited.
As we believe that the next expansion project does not involve another new faction, I think we can rule out Gamma Quadrant (Cardassians) as a theme. That would make more sense later on.
There is one theme that does tie in with Voyager and the game quite well and would be a logical progression for the escalating conflict to control the Omega molecules: "The Borg Strike Back". Along the lines of the Undine revamp, the Borg could get one more pass. The problem with that is, there's so much Borg material already that it would dilute the hype potential.
Hm, I think you're right. Parallel universes, yes. But I don't recall any TNG mirror episodes.
My views may not represent those of Cryptic Studios or Perfect World Entertainment. You can file a "forums and website" support ticket here Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
2: take elements of the Nemisis system over in CO and use it to allow us to generate our "mirror double" I mean how cool would it be to run around chasing our double around?
I agree, this would be awesome. However, I can also foresee a problem: on the ground, I play a science tank - a tonne of healing but only basic DPS. As such, it would likely work well if my mirror double was a DPS tactical captain, but if we were both science tanks, it would become the stalemate of the ages.
I agree, this would be awesome. However, I can also foresee a problem: on the ground, I play a science tank - a tonne of healing but only basic DPS. As such, it would likely work well if my mirror double was a DPS tactical captain, but if we were both science tanks, it would become the stalemate of the ages.
That would depend on if it is an instance for your captain and crew or if it is an open encounter. IE anyone entering the battlesone has a mirror counter part.
For the first part your Boffs tip the scale.
For the second I wish to paraphrase Teen Titans:
Beastboy; "Man, I didn't know I was so tough!"
Cyborg; "You're not, I could kick your b***."
Look of realization. "Switch partners!"
:)
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
Comments
I wouldn't underestimate the Undine in that respect.
S9 should culminate in us making them see the Iconian threat and that it was them who attacked Fluidic Space.
I don't want the Undine to be our friends. I just want them to get off our throats for a while to focus on the Iconians.
I woud love the Undine to force the Iconian's hand.
OH GOD I HOPE SO!!
I was going to comment that I hope they add features surrounding meeting new species/exploring new worlds, and promoting your factions ideals to them(Fed=Peaceful meeting, inviting to join Federation, helping etc, KDF=raiding, conquering, subjugating more species and worlds into the Empire, Romulans=....what do romulans do?)
This would go along great with my other suggestion on the 10 wish lists thread of more bridge, and ship based activities, as you could meet with delegates in your conference room, show aliens your holodeck, have random encounters etc.
I thought WoW's forums had angry elitist snobs, but I never could have imagined the level STO forums has.
Will we eventually see Assimilated Iconians?!
I thought WoW's forums had angry elitist snobs, but I never could have imagined the level STO forums has.
No, as Sleepers showed, the Borg have known the Iconians for who knows how long (their species number is in double digits) and having to resort to studying their technology via traditional research, with the Iconians even luring them with Omega molecules and then gating out chunks of their cubes. The Iconians are the only race in the galaxy with the power to troll the collective. I've got more money on servitor drones.
TRIBBLE Hydra! Hail Janeway!
I thought WoW's forums had angry elitist snobs, but I never could have imagined the level STO forums has.
That, too, would be a close parallel to DS9 (specifically, the last few episodes where the Dominion finally push the Cardassians too far and the Cardassians revolt).
My Foundry missions | My STO Wiki page | My Twitter home page
The big flaw with that is, I can't see it being that marketable compared to LoR. It would be great for the game and all, but will that really bring players back into the game to spend money?
Mirror Universe? Well, okay. It's factored in every series with the possible exception of Voyager and it's a major ongoing plot in this game. But will it bring in the $$$?
It doesn't tie in with the Iconian or Solanae storylines very well. (Do the Iconians even exist in the MU?) Plus there are no Voyager hooks to riff off of and that's where the game's story is at the moment.
Time travel? Again, doesn't fit the current metaplot. And if they're smart, they'll never attempt any kind of sweeping Time Travel storyline unless they're making a major revision of the game. Time travel storylines are really difficult to pull off correctly, and STO's forays into that territory have been limited.
As we believe that the next expansion project does not involve another new faction, I think we can rule out Gamma Quadrant (Cardassians) as a theme. That would make more sense later on.
There is one theme that does tie in with Voyager and the game quite well and would be a logical progression for the escalating conflict to control the Omega molecules: "The Borg Strike Back". Along the lines of the Undine revamp, the Borg could get one more pass. The problem with that is, there's so much Borg material already that it would dilute the hype potential.
So what's really left?
Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
And why not? I've read enough posts of people, that actually want this badly (I mean new sectors + an Exploration Update + new "real" Story/Mission content that is NOT related to another Reputation) and I strongly believe those people would even gladly pay for something like this.. well, at least I know I would.. even as much as for LoR (if they'd add enough new stuff that is).
Because they're not going to make people pay for the expansion content. That runs against their F2P strategy. They have to sell ships, costumes, services, gear, and gimmicks.
I personally would get excited about it and a lot of other people here would too. I'm just not sure PWE is going to be convinced that's the best way to bring in players and money.
Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
The only other possibility is a level cap increase, but..... I dunno.
My character Tsin'xing
Tng also never did a mirror universe arc.
[/SIGPIC]
Hm, I think you're right. Parallel universes, yes. But I don't recall any TNG mirror episodes.
Link: How to PM - Twitter @STOMod_Bluegeek
I agree, this would be awesome. However, I can also foresee a problem: on the ground, I play a science tank - a tonne of healing but only basic DPS. As such, it would likely work well if my mirror double was a DPS tactical captain, but if we were both science tanks, it would become the stalemate of the ages.
That would depend on if it is an instance for your captain and crew or if it is an open encounter. IE anyone entering the battlesone has a mirror counter part.
For the first part your Boffs tip the scale.
For the second I wish to paraphrase Teen Titans:
Beastboy; "Man, I didn't know I was so tough!"
Cyborg; "You're not, I could kick your b***."
Look of realization. "Switch partners!"
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.