That is assuming that you like PvP. If you only do PvE, then SWTOR's space combat is limited to a rail shooter. So SWTOR's space combat is better and worse than STO's space combat. Also, SWTOR suffers from the same problem as STO where certain ships are only available through the Cartel Market. However with STO, I can use my C-Store ship in PvP and PvE content while SWTOR is limited to PvP content.
There is also the problem that if you are a F2Per, then you have to wait months for certain content to become available compared to subscribers. F2Pers are second-class citizens in that game..
It's a great business model tho, isn't it? YOu give the option to play for free and enjoy the content whilst at the same time giving great deals and in-game content to subscribers. Once someone plays as a F2P for a while and decides they like it, they become a subscriber... now you have a monthly income on top of the EXTRA special things one can get from the cartel market...
You have to admit, it makes more sense than STO's dependance upon the Zen store for their only real source of income...
It's a great business model tho, isn't it? YOu give the option to play for free and enjoy the content whilst at the same time giving great deals and in-game content to subscribers. Once someone plays as a F2P for a while and decides they like it, they become a subscriber... now you have a monthly income on top of the EXTRA special things one can get from the cartel market...
You have to admit, it makes more sense than STO's dependance upon the Zen store for their only real source of income...
The F2P system in STO is one of the few things where I respect STO. All content is available all the time in STO provided you can find players to play with you for the Queues. It is a true F2P system unlike the demo version that SWTOR and other MMOs have. There is absolutely no need to upgrade your equipment, buy that ship, or any of the other things that are contained within the C-Store or Lockboxes.
The F2P system in STO is one of the few things where I respect STO. All content is available all the time in STO provided you can find players to play with you for the Queues. It is a true F2P system unlike the demo version that SWTOR and other MMOs have. There is absolutely no need to upgrade your equipment, buy that ship, or any of the other things that are contained within the C-Store or Lockboxes.
True. However, on the flip side, with only one real source of income for Cryptic through STO they feel the pressure to focus on those lockbox ships, items and other store-only things that one needs more than wants if attmepting to play the upper-tiered content with any sense of consistency.
I loved STO when it was a sub-only game and I was shocked when it went to F2P. Still, for a F2P it is one of the better, if not best, game options out there in the MMORPG world. I just happen to be of the belief that offering a sub system as well as F2P will actually improve the game for everyone. Keep all conent, etc available to F2Pers just as it is now, but offer some perks for paying that monthly sub... maybe not the same perks as Lifers get, but they paid through the nose for that privledge so they are entitled to it.
True. However, on the flip side, with only one real source of income for Cryptic through STO they feel the pressure to focus on those lockbox ships, items and other store-only things that one needs more than wants if attmepting to play the upper-tiered content with any sense of consistency.
I loved STO when it was a sub-only game and I was shocked when it went to F2P. Still, for a F2P it is one of the better, if not best, game options out there in the MMORPG world. I just happen to be of the belief that offering a sub system as well as F2P will actually improve the game for everyone. Keep all conent, etc available to F2Pers just as it is now, but offer some perks for paying that monthly sub... maybe not the same perks as Lifers get, but they paid through the nose for that privledge so they are entitled to it.
The only reason why STO is Freemium instead of F2P is due to Lifetime Subscriptions. Neverwinter is completely F2P and it launched after PWE bought Cryptic. This is why the subscription system in STO is pathetic. Therefore to get a decent subscription system, then Cryptic would have to be bought out by some other company.
The only reason why STO is Freemium instead of F2P is due to Lifetime Subscriptions. Neverwinter is completely F2P and it launched after PWE bought Cryptic. This is why the subscription system in STO is pathetic. Therefore to get a decent subscription system, then Cryptic would have to be bought out by some other company.
I would say the problem is higher up in the food chain, above cryptic. sure, there is probably some group think at the dev/cryptic level but I think the worst of it is above them. ((((if I were to tell you why I think that, I might get someone fired, and I won't do that))))
and, it's probably true that this whole enterprise is a siphon hose of cash going from the players to PWE, and STO doesn't see it. There are several indicators there. q/a is stripped to the bone, along with support. basic UI stuff isn't updated. stuff is recycled. like the sheshar, it was 100% previously developed content, it wasn't even a new ship. etc.
a side effect of the investment shortfall is probably reflected on the personnel side in cryptic, basically a shortage of experience, and/or experience with the code. (loadout problems anyone) but, to some degree there, don't slam the underfunded developer for that.
and, it's also possible that someone's fast-talking nephew (or son, or brother, or cousin) was put in charge on the PWE side and is issuing (uncreative destructive short-sighted yes-man group think) directives down the chain. extended family businesses are a thing over there.
it's a bad combination, but, it's limping along, I hope it makes it through a bit longer.
I would say the problem is higher up in the food chain, above cryptic. sure, there is probably some group think at the dev/cryptic level but I think the worst of it is above them. ((((if I were to tell you why I think that, I might get someone fired, and I won't do that))))
and, it's probably true that this whole enterprise is a siphon hose of cash going from the players to PWE, and STO doesn't see it. There are several indicators there. q/a is stripped to the bone, along with support. basic UI stuff isn't updated. stuff is recycled. like the sheshar, it was 100% previously developed content, it wasn't even a new ship. etc.
a side effect of the investment shortfall is probably reflected on the personnel side in cryptic, basically a shortage of experience, and/or experience with the code. (loadout problems anyone) but, to some degree there, don't slam the underfunded developer for that.
and, it's also possible that someone's fast-talking nephew (or son, or brother, or cousin) was put in charge on the PWE side and is issuing (uncreative destructive short-sighted yes-man group think) directives down the chain. extended family businesses are a thing over there.
it's a bad combination, but, it's limping along, I hope it makes it through a bit longer.
its also possible that pwe simply issued the mandate 'make sto profitable' and has let cryptic have near free-reign over the game since the move to f2p. its also possible that once stahl left and d'an was in, geko finally had the freedom to increase their bonus cheques in ways that stahl would never allow.
its also possible that pwe simply issued the mandate 'make sto profitable' and has let cryptic have near free-reign over the game since the move to f2p. its also possible that once stahl left and d'an was in, geko finally had the freedom to increase their bonus cheques in ways that stahl would never allow.
I was curious and did websearch for dStahl, nothing new since he left STO jan 14.
I was curious and did websearch for dStahl, nothing new since he left STO jan 14.
he left to supposedly work on some 'secret project', presumably for pwe. there has been a lot of speculation on what that project was, but i dont think anyone knows for sure what has become of him.
Having almost every C-Store item you can purchase and most of the ships - Extended bank slots, ship slots ... the list is long. I've spent around 1K on this game since I started back in Season 8. I am a role player (say what you want but I really don't care about negative opinions towards role players) almost 2x the cost of a membership - yes I could have purchased one but I live in NZ, buy the time you factor in Exchange rate etc, whet you get in a membership is really just not worth it.
I work 10 hours day's Monday to Friday, I have a family, even grand kids - I know that's know of your guys problems, My life is my life and if I had to I would do it all over again - exactly the same way ... point is I'm making here is a have a couple hours here and there, log in, RP a few adventures, complete a couple STE's with the fleet was a good way to end the day. That was before DR.
DR game along, grinding for EXP came, Dill sinks ... My fleet gave it a chance, some were using Tua Dawa to power along - regardless of what some say - it was not a exploit, the game behaved exactly as intended, just Cryptic stupid oversight on something they were warned about in trebble - I wont say anymore on this, there is probably 100 good rage threads on the matter, point is - most of my fleet left - Good players, Good friends - Like me, all paid threw the teeth to have the new Uniforms, Ships, Keys for lock boxes etc ...
Most of the folks I role play with have move on too - STO is no longer any fun - Its a chore to play these days Grind this, Grind that, Dill for this/that - I have moved on too, I keep an eye on the forums every now and then (good thread OP, hence why I feel compelled to reply and share with you) out of the 11 Toons, I ended 9 so only have 3 FED, ROM and KLINK - even then when I log in once a week to DOFF, the fun and lustre is gone - my fleet is dead, my friends list is empty - I'm lucky if I can stay logged in and DOFF 1 toon (let alone 3) before the taste of vomit hits my mouth.
Those Role Player's I mention before, most went back to SWTOR - like me, I don't mind saying I paid for the SoR expansion pack, and loved it. Yes it was bugged, yes I did expect that coz you know ... its a MMO - I sent a ticket, got a reply, yeah there were problems but they were fixing it - I few days later .. presto ... all done and I'm back in action. I don't mind teething issues, anyone who is sitting there and reads this and expects a Expansion to go threw with a hitch ... is dreaming. In saying that Its the other 100 + bugs with STO that don't get addressed, why a company decided nerfing content is paramount to fixing, say a tray load out issue is beyond me.
EA suck - plain and simple - but Bio Wear are pretty decent, yes they have had issues in the past (don't get me started on the ME3 ending ... just don't) , but they come across as a company that learns and improve - this is only my opinion - based on personal interaction with them, if you have a hate BW story then rage away - I'm not your Mum, I'm 55 years old and have had a pretty decent life - I wont stop you. In saying that, It there is a problem with SWTOR, the Devs are in the forums to advise, its not always what you want to hear, but they are there making an effort to communicate with the fan base. NO - I'm not the BW poster boy - but i give a company credit when credit is due - BW have lifted their game, I'm happy to support a company that values me (or my credit card)
I read somewhere that Gecko made a post on some site called Reedit or something (sorry, cant quite remember when I read it, or the name of that site) about his thoughts on STO - honestly I felt insulted ... these are the forums - THE OFFICAL GAME FOURMS!! ... nuff said - Take my pills and calm down ... bad ticker and all ...
point is - customer service - and how there is none DEV interaction .. NONE ... with STO anymore. when I stared just after the game went F2P, cryptic were on to it, now a days - what do you get? I've been waiting over a year for them to fix my Omega Rep to allow my to purchase adaptive Armour ...
There are sooo many things that have gone wrong with STO since DR - wither its Cryptic or PWE? don't know and don't care - I sorry if this post has turned into a Rage - its not the intention, I love Star Trek, in all its incarnations, but like I said, I'm old and need to vent. I don't post often as English is not my first language, not even my second ...
these are just my thoughts I thought I would share - thank you for reading.
PS. EA suck (said it again) but Cryptic are fast apprching that too.
its also possible that pwe simply issued the mandate 'make sto profitable' and has let cryptic have near free-reign over the game since the move to f2p. its also possible that once stahl left and d'an was in, geko finally had the freedom to increase their bonus cheques in ways that stahl would never allow.
actually they asked Cryptic, which game to concentrate on. STO was picked.
to the OP, You say in one paragraph it's great to buy all these cosmetic items but then in the next you complain about Cryptic selling costume packs, which are.. cosmetic items.
This fantasy people have about CBS puling the license is cute.
CBS has never pulled the Star Trek license from anything, including now three vaporware and one live mobile/facebook games and a cancelled Asteroids-style arcade shooter MMO. The Star Trek license as a whole has only been pulled twice: Once all the way back in the late 80's because Paramount thought licensed properties would compete with a new show, and once more recently because Activision threw a hissy fit and tried to get Viacom to pay the debts they ran up making games that were flopping.
A couple people have even posted their replies when they think they're getting Cryptic in trouble by telling on them, and they're somehow blind to the fact that CBS explicitly said they don't care.
CBS carries zero risk and zero cost. Paramount has effectively blocked them from having another TV series, they're not allowed to relaunch the pre-reboot timeline anymore, all they have is their licensing fees.
I would agree with everything except for the no risk part. I would say, at this particular point, that STO could feasably drive a person away from watching/buying movies of the IP. The story and artwork is great but gets detracted from by all the nickle and diming.
Good post, OP. I think you captured the frustration of a lot of players. I know you captured my sentiments nicely. On your points, I would only disagree with Cryptic losing good will. They haven't had that since shortly after launch and honestly, some who work/have worked there kind of made their own bed with the abysmal way they've chosen to communicate, or not communicate, in the past. They once said pre-F2p that everything would still be able to be gotten in-game just by playing. That was somewhat true and then DR came along and Cryptic's actions were a "Gimme yur lootz" to the players. Now, that statement is only "technically" true, provided a player lives to 137 and plays STO 24/7.
Comments
It's a great business model tho, isn't it? YOu give the option to play for free and enjoy the content whilst at the same time giving great deals and in-game content to subscribers. Once someone plays as a F2P for a while and decides they like it, they become a subscriber... now you have a monthly income on top of the EXTRA special things one can get from the cartel market...
You have to admit, it makes more sense than STO's dependance upon the Zen store for their only real source of income...
The F2P system in STO is one of the few things where I respect STO. All content is available all the time in STO provided you can find players to play with you for the Queues. It is a true F2P system unlike the demo version that SWTOR and other MMOs have. There is absolutely no need to upgrade your equipment, buy that ship, or any of the other things that are contained within the C-Store or Lockboxes.
True. However, on the flip side, with only one real source of income for Cryptic through STO they feel the pressure to focus on those lockbox ships, items and other store-only things that one needs more than wants if attmepting to play the upper-tiered content with any sense of consistency.
I loved STO when it was a sub-only game and I was shocked when it went to F2P. Still, for a F2P it is one of the better, if not best, game options out there in the MMORPG world. I just happen to be of the belief that offering a sub system as well as F2P will actually improve the game for everyone. Keep all conent, etc available to F2Pers just as it is now, but offer some perks for paying that monthly sub... maybe not the same perks as Lifers get, but they paid through the nose for that privledge so they are entitled to it.
The only reason why STO is Freemium instead of F2P is due to Lifetime Subscriptions. Neverwinter is completely F2P and it launched after PWE bought Cryptic. This is why the subscription system in STO is pathetic. Therefore to get a decent subscription system, then Cryptic would have to be bought out by some other company.
Maybe....
10charsFTW
Please, please, please - if you're going to keep arguing - learn how to spell "whining" and "whiners."
But thank you for restoring my faith in the 237th Rule of Acquisition.
I would say the problem is higher up in the food chain, above cryptic. sure, there is probably some group think at the dev/cryptic level but I think the worst of it is above them. ((((if I were to tell you why I think that, I might get someone fired, and I won't do that))))
and, it's probably true that this whole enterprise is a siphon hose of cash going from the players to PWE, and STO doesn't see it. There are several indicators there. q/a is stripped to the bone, along with support. basic UI stuff isn't updated. stuff is recycled. like the sheshar, it was 100% previously developed content, it wasn't even a new ship. etc.
a side effect of the investment shortfall is probably reflected on the personnel side in cryptic, basically a shortage of experience, and/or experience with the code. (loadout problems anyone) but, to some degree there, don't slam the underfunded developer for that.
and, it's also possible that someone's fast-talking nephew (or son, or brother, or cousin) was put in charge on the PWE side and is issuing (uncreative destructive short-sighted yes-man group think) directives down the chain. extended family businesses are a thing over there.
it's a bad combination, but, it's limping along, I hope it makes it through a bit longer.
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I was curious and did websearch for dStahl, nothing new since he left STO jan 14.
Holy Grail of Gamification is Addiction | 5 Ways to Accomplisch | and the Psychology of Freemium
he left to supposedly work on some 'secret project', presumably for pwe. there has been a lot of speculation on what that project was, but i dont think anyone knows for sure what has become of him.
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Having almost every C-Store item you can purchase and most of the ships - Extended bank slots, ship slots ... the list is long. I've spent around 1K on this game since I started back in Season 8. I am a role player (say what you want but I really don't care about negative opinions towards role players) almost 2x the cost of a membership - yes I could have purchased one but I live in NZ, buy the time you factor in Exchange rate etc, whet you get in a membership is really just not worth it.
I work 10 hours day's Monday to Friday, I have a family, even grand kids - I know that's know of your guys problems, My life is my life and if I had to I would do it all over again - exactly the same way ... point is I'm making here is a have a couple hours here and there, log in, RP a few adventures, complete a couple STE's with the fleet was a good way to end the day. That was before DR.
DR game along, grinding for EXP came, Dill sinks ... My fleet gave it a chance, some were using Tua Dawa to power along - regardless of what some say - it was not a exploit, the game behaved exactly as intended, just Cryptic stupid oversight on something they were warned about in trebble - I wont say anymore on this, there is probably 100 good rage threads on the matter, point is - most of my fleet left - Good players, Good friends - Like me, all paid threw the teeth to have the new Uniforms, Ships, Keys for lock boxes etc ...
Most of the folks I role play with have move on too - STO is no longer any fun - Its a chore to play these days Grind this, Grind that, Dill for this/that - I have moved on too, I keep an eye on the forums every now and then (good thread OP, hence why I feel compelled to reply and share with you) out of the 11 Toons, I ended 9 so only have 3 FED, ROM and KLINK - even then when I log in once a week to DOFF, the fun and lustre is gone - my fleet is dead, my friends list is empty - I'm lucky if I can stay logged in and DOFF 1 toon (let alone 3) before the taste of vomit hits my mouth.
Those Role Player's I mention before, most went back to SWTOR - like me, I don't mind saying I paid for the SoR expansion pack, and loved it. Yes it was bugged, yes I did expect that coz you know ... its a MMO - I sent a ticket, got a reply, yeah there were problems but they were fixing it - I few days later .. presto ... all done and I'm back in action. I don't mind teething issues, anyone who is sitting there and reads this and expects a Expansion to go threw with a hitch ... is dreaming. In saying that Its the other 100 + bugs with STO that don't get addressed, why a company decided nerfing content is paramount to fixing, say a tray load out issue is beyond me.
EA suck - plain and simple - but Bio Wear are pretty decent, yes they have had issues in the past (don't get me started on the ME3 ending ... just don't) , but they come across as a company that learns and improve - this is only my opinion - based on personal interaction with them, if you have a hate BW story then rage away - I'm not your Mum, I'm 55 years old and have had a pretty decent life - I wont stop you. In saying that, It there is a problem with SWTOR, the Devs are in the forums to advise, its not always what you want to hear, but they are there making an effort to communicate with the fan base. NO - I'm not the BW poster boy - but i give a company credit when credit is due - BW have lifted their game, I'm happy to support a company that values me (or my credit card)
I read somewhere that Gecko made a post on some site called Reedit or something (sorry, cant quite remember when I read it, or the name of that site) about his thoughts on STO - honestly I felt insulted ... these are the forums - THE OFFICAL GAME FOURMS!! ... nuff said - Take my pills and calm down ... bad ticker and all ...
point is - customer service - and how there is none DEV interaction .. NONE ... with STO anymore. when I stared just after the game went F2P, cryptic were on to it, now a days - what do you get? I've been waiting over a year for them to fix my Omega Rep to allow my to purchase adaptive Armour ...
There are sooo many things that have gone wrong with STO since DR - wither its Cryptic or PWE? don't know and don't care - I sorry if this post has turned into a Rage - its not the intention, I love Star Trek, in all its incarnations, but like I said, I'm old and need to vent. I don't post often as English is not my first language, not even my second ...
these are just my thoughts I thought I would share - thank you for reading.
PS. EA suck (said it again) but Cryptic are fast apprching that too.
actually they asked Cryptic, which game to concentrate on. STO was picked.
to the OP, You say in one paragraph it's great to buy all these cosmetic items but then in the next you complain about Cryptic selling costume packs, which are.. cosmetic items.
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I would agree with everything except for the no risk part. I would say, at this particular point, that STO could feasably drive a person away from watching/buying movies of the IP. The story and artwork is great but gets detracted from by all the nickle and diming.
Good post, OP. I think you captured the frustration of a lot of players. I know you captured my sentiments nicely. On your points, I would only disagree with Cryptic losing good will. They haven't had that since shortly after launch and honestly, some who work/have worked there kind of made their own bed with the abysmal way they've chosen to communicate, or not communicate, in the past. They once said pre-F2p that everything would still be able to be gotten in-game just by playing. That was somewhat true and then DR came along and Cryptic's actions were a "Gimme yur lootz" to the players. Now, that statement is only "technically" true, provided a player lives to 137 and plays STO 24/7.
Discouraging.
From a player whose friends list is also now empty and fleet channels deserted, my thoughts entirely...
...#LLAP...