As per the title, has the Foundry been abandoned by Cryptic?
I'm not talking about the fantastic Devs who put their own time in to keeping it alive (they should NOT be having to do this!), but by the company itself (or PWE).
We haven't seen anything OFFICIALLY added to the Foundry or improved for quite some time now. Sadly, I have a feeling that it may soon be going the way of the old exploration system. It's just a bunch of jumbled code that is taking up expensive server space that Cryptic/PWE can't monetize. Simple suggestions to make the Foundry better, which would take relatively little development time, have been given the blind eye for years. Here's my small list...and there are more great suggestions from other authors out there too:
New Foundry main UI window
arcgames.com/en/forums/startrekonline/#/discussion/1193842/modify-the-foundry-ui-for-better-mission-access
Universal Holodeck panel for 'holo' missions
arcgames.com/en/forums/startrekonline/#/discussion/1193978/universal-holodeck-panel-door-for-holo-missions
The Foundry 'Top 3' system and mission series
arcgames.com/en/forums/startrekonline/#/discussion/1203119/the-top-3-system-and-mission-series
With the upcoming console releases not including access to so many wonderful stories, it's just one more nail in the coffin for the Foundry. There are nearly 100,000 missions that have been created for free for this game, but Cryptic can't be bothered to officially support. I'm not sure how much the suits running the show and making the decisions realize the Foundry is keeping the game afloat by keeping people interested in playing. The Foundry is providing new, fresh content on a daily basis. There is no way any development team could ever do that. The Foundry is a perfect fit for a Star Trek game as it fills an endless universe with endless content. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WONDERFUL RESOURCE CRYPTIC.
I know this post is being written out of frustration, but isn't it time to give a little attention to the Foundry?
Comments
They would be technically correct in believing that. Left to their own devices, players could spend the next 100 years uploading and playing missions with the way things are set up now. But you're right. The Foundry is an invaluable resource, and it's not being used to its utmost potential. Putting in place a bare bones system that barely allows everyone to plumb the depths of what the Foundry has to offer is as good as wasting it, IMO.
Episode Four - Head Of A Needle Episode Five: The Duality of Men Episode Six - Redemption Earned
Episode Seven - Shattered Universe Episode Eight - The Gepetto Condition Episode Nine - One Room, Two Officers
Episode Ten - Beyond The Farthest Star Episode Eleven - It's OK, It Won't Hurt Episode Twelve - A Protracted Officer
Episode Thirteen - Somewhen Episode Fourteen - The Boy Who Lived Episode Fifthteen - Empathy
I'll just comment that the Foundry will never be removed specifically because it can't be directly monetized. That rule does not apply to any other piece of playable content, it wasn't the justification used to remove exploration (that was a non-system), nor was it why the Foundry wasn't included with the consoles (completely separate server environments, no way practical of importing Foundry missions from STO PC, and no way in hell that the Foundry UI could be adapted for controllers to produce native Foundry missions.)
The Foundry gives Cryptic volumes of free content produced frequently and at reasonably high quality (for UGC). It's one place where players can use the ships and gear that they may have directly paid for. In other words, the Foundry is indirectly monetized (just like zones, PVE's, and featured episodes) and it should be noted that since the top 3 system was added Cryptic has seen an increase in the number of Foundry players (source: STLV). It's part of the game, the whole game, and while the Foundry isn't a development priority I don't think there's any prospect that it could be shut down in the foreseeable future (ie. independently of the main game).
Could it use with some updates? Sure can, but I don't think that discussion needs to be prefaced with worried imperatives (Cryptic knows the situation for what it is, just focus on the suggestions.)
Besides those listed, what I'd like to see is additional community outreach an involvement (like AEI). That can be done with the system as is, just with a little more communication between PR and various groups in the Foundry community (for example: Cryptic including the start of voting and other phases of public collaboration in the main news feed, not just challenge winners.)
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
Looking for something new to play? I've started building Foundry missions again in visual novel form!
For anything bigger than that - at some point, maybe they'll return and add new features, new UI or whatever. But they have other things to do, too.
I'd rather have a "choice of marks" type reward from doing Foundry missions (even if it's just once per day), then a completely new reputation.
I'd go for a new rep if it was themed to factions, species, and tech from Foundry missions (ex. AEI new-tier exploration logs, photonic kit modules, various doffs, Ask'kaar weapons, Ji'Goro clone boff ). Whatever the complications may be, between the two ideas I'd have to take the more original one simply because it's more fun.
Notable missions: Apex [AEI], Gemini [SSF], Trident [AEI], Evolution's Smile [SSF], Transcendence
Looking for something new to play? I've started building Foundry missions again in visual novel form!
What about 'box drops' as rewards for completing missions that qualify?
Then dump some random items in them ... then maybe entice the players with a chance of flying these hideous ships.
Generic Frigate
Generic Cruiser
Generic Science Vessel
Generic Escort ( I like this one! )
Generic Battleship
Generic Dreadnought
Foundry Admiralty!
With a 'Generic Dreadnought' card as the T10 reward?
The Ask'kaar have launched an invasion of the Ibi Homeworld. A fleet has been sent to intercept the enemy force, but they are still outgunned, send additional ships to provide support for the fleet.
Reward: Stuff
I think that's a good idea
Foundry Mission Database
Check out my Foundry missions:
Standalone - The Great Escape - The Galaxy's Fair - Purity I: Of Denial - Return to Oblivion
Untitled Series - Duritanium Man - The Improbable Bulk - Commander Rihan
If development time went into the Foundry, I want to see it be things like the Top 3 system that gives our missions more exposure. I want to see the Spotlights be given priority again, with a regular release schedule that makes it into the launcher. That "bring to front" option in the editor... But mostly, I think we're in a pretty comfortable place and just want to see more assets added.
With that in mind, the lack of Foundry system upgrades strikes me as a very good thing, albeit paradoxically so. Any substantial Foundry upgrades now would be a strong sign that maintenance mode is coming, and that the devs are therefore leaning on Foundry authors for new content more than ever.
My Foundry missions | My STO Wiki page | My Twitter home page
OMG.
You mean we have to wait for the game to die, before they start fixing the Foundry? What kind of bizzaro world are we living in!?!?
(Maybe the game wouldn't die...if they actually allocated resources/dev time to the Foundry and began promoting it as a DAILY source of fresh content. 'Course players have to be able to FIND that new content.... see OP)
arcgames.com/en/forums/startrekonline/#/discussion/1203368/pve-content-a-list-of-gamewide-polishing-pass-suggestions
As far as assests. There are plenty there. Just adding new maps and resources would be good. Perhaps a bit of stream lining to make it a bit more user friendly. You know, for object placement. The rest is fine. But could we add a "build map interior" function? One that acts like test play, but allows you to place objects in the map. This way you can build the interior of your map without having to bounce in and out of test play, just to get X, Y, Z and rotation correct. Of course this could also be used as the foundry build section from adding objects and npcs. Then from here, you move in to the regular foundry for NPC actions, appearance and story.
The Stars are Mine.
I might make a discussion post on this possible update. Anyways, the foundry is not dead. Cryptic still holds rewards and fairly recently announced winners for a Foundry competition. With the expansion to consoles and an updated lighting system, Cryptic should seriously consider reworking broken/buggy/outdated parts of the game.
After, why not complete exploration thru the galaxy by unlocking the Gamma Quadrant? (wait, they just redid the Cardassian storyline)
-Q
(hint: click the image to go to my youtube channel)
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EPIC SCREENSHOTS
My character Tsin'xing
What did the bug team do?
Foundry Mission Database
Check out my Foundry missions:
Standalone - The Great Escape - The Galaxy's Fair - Purity I: Of Denial - Return to Oblivion
Untitled Series - Duritanium Man - The Improbable Bulk - Commander Rihan
My character Tsin'xing