A Gameplay System Centered Around The Klingon Great Houses

nynik

I was having a discussion with a pal recently about new game systems, particularly ones that could add more depth to existing faction immersion, when she suggested one centered around the Klingon Great Houses. I don't think she'll post about it, but I thought it was a great hook to build upon.

If you agree, what type of content could involve the great houses such that players would choose sides and wreap the benefits of that house's victories over another?

It could use some of the new systems like the delta recruit server-wide progress bars and reward stores.

Some ideas:

• Custom house themed editions of existing ships
• Custom costumes naturally
• Perhaps new fleet holdings unlocked by winning house battles
• New specialisation trees that are unique to each house's fighting style
• New armaments and gear
• Opportunity for devs re-use some existing missions by adding a Delta Recruit like section - but themed to each house "Perform this action on behalf of your house"
• Structured pvp reward system is undeniably fitting

I think something like this could counterbalance a similar UFP style introspective content expansion. Once the systems can be shared across all factions, perhaps it allows the content to be distinct.

rezking

I like the idea to adapt the Delta Recruit schtick.
Being KDF-focused, however, means it will never happen.

Good idea, though.

markhawkman

That and you're all members, honorary or otherwise, of J'mpok's house. I don't think J'mpok would like it if you side with one of his enemies.

majesticmsfc

Anything KDF unique and is full of KDF feel and lore I support.

But this is Federation Online so I doubt we'll ever see any real KDF missions that replace all that cross faction Federation POV TRIBBLE. Same with the Romulans too, they'll never get the attention and uniqueness they deserve either.

stofsk

Hmm. What about that klingon game that was featured in John Ford's classic 'The Final Reflection'? Granted it's non-canon, but as if that stopped anyone in this game. :V

trillbuffet

majesticmsfc wrote: »

Anything KDF unique and is full of KDF feel and lore I support.

But this is Federation Online so I doubt we'll ever see any real KDF missions that replace all that cross faction Federation POV TRIBBLE. Same with the Romulans too, they'll never get the attention and uniqueness they deserve either.

Yeah its sort of blending together on event he note of the federation how its not even becoming unique anymore even you are piloting some kind of warship and your officer tells you thank god the replicators came back online.

warmaker001b

patrickngo wrote: »

Once upon a long time ago (well, going on a long time ago-a long time ago in game-time) there was this tihng called "KvK", and it was "PvP".

and it was empty most of the time, but you could still get one going if you had a long enough contact list.

It was, even, the ONLY way you could level a Klingon for a while. THis was back in the "Klingons are the PvP faction" days-long (in game time) before I joined, and rather likely before you did-the game wasn't F2P, and the faction was unfinished.

There are still vestiges of that time on the map- the N'Vak battlezone, for instance, where you as a KDF can wind up on one side or the other and it's no bug-it's designed that way, and vestiges in the "Available" tab of your mission journal, with the PvP missions for defeaiting klingon officers and ships, as well as the term "...house battles".

What you're proposing hearkens back to those auld and auncient days of yore...days that are now long, long gone.

A bit off though I do get where you're coming from.

At launch, KvK and FvK existed. They were the preferred means to level your KDF character unless you like running Kahless Expanse missions to infinity and beyond. KvK almost never popped off unless you got guys to go in. FvK? That was popping all the time. There was a long congo line of Feds that hit the queues. You actually had to wait as a Fed when you hit the Join button. For KDF, the moment you hit Join for FvK content, you were in. There were fewer KDF to cycle around for PVP but far more Feds. I do miss those days when there were many guys PVP'ing. Across all levels, all ranks. You could level solely from PVP back then.

It was because of the KDF being devoid of PVE content and literally only doing PVP was why, IMO, the typical KDF player was far better in PVP than the typical Fed player. The Feds had all sorts of missions and stuff to absorb their game time in. KDF? Khaless Expanse was it. Either that or you PVP. It would be years before I could say that faction edge started petering out.

Organized teams were a different thing altogether. You can pull in good PVPers regardless of faction but hell, some played both.

But in PUGs, I would confidently take any KDF PUG vs any Fed PUG to win. The chances were better. KDF players typically understood the importance of staying together and supporting each other. It was a sort of "unspoken rule" even for PUGs back then. Because of this, it was challenging for me switching over to play Fed in the queues. Unless you got lucky with some guys that "got it," Feds in general just didn't understand it like KDF did.

There's a reasons why the PVP insult of a player repeatedly trying to solo an enemy team was called a "Kirk" and not anything else :cool:

I miss those first years of STO's PVP.
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Anyways, on topic, Cryptic isn't going to implement a sophisticated "House" mechanic. Not unless it somehow includes Fed, Rom into the equation. We're talking about a dev team that celebrates not having to do Klingon faction content.