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Players: Become the Enemy!

wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
I was reading a few other threads and everyone keeps complaining about not being able to play enemy factions or fly those ships.
Well, how about this? There is a system in use in the game Champions Online (also by Cryptic), which can turn a player into the enemy for a short time and it a free for all situation with them attacking player areas and players mobbing them until they die or the enemy does. Unfortunately, the ratio is extremely low for people to use the device there because of the extreme cost of it on the store in that game. To use it here it needs to be easily accessible and not the whole point of pursuing a consumable item for days on end just to play the enemy for 5 minutes. No, it needs a high turn-over to make this concept valid in STO. So -

We already have the holo from the Ferengi.
We have Q.

Why not add something to the game that turns a player into say a Borg - Cube (space), Queen (ground). Make it have a time limit of say 30 minutes to 1 hour in which if a player doesn't use it, but gets removed if not used by then, but once used last for up to say 2 hours, starting from the time the player activates it. On activation, have it generate separate map instance (something simple with enough room to play). If you're dealing with a Borg Queen, then have a random chance for a player to become assimulated and become a Drone/Sphere - who also fights players until defeated or time runs out for the Change Device. Perhaps the winning player (last kill? highest score? total damage/heals? etc.) should get the device as a final prize in order to keep the queue active. Perhaps the top 3 should. There are considerations on total devices in the game at any one time, but also of what to do when there are none.

Why?

1. It's lets players do something the would not ordinarily be allowed to do by game rules.
2. It adds a whole new aspect to the game, something the majority of the players would persue if it showed up on a PVE/PVP Queue.

Issues to consider? Basic award system should be like that of standard PVE queues, except for those who become the enemy. How to deal with that side? Perhaps a point system per kill? Or just a flat 'Good Play' award.

Should it be a C-Store item? Possibly. But when you consider it could be something that generates an instance, it might be best to have it as an award, both the random drop (from what? where? how often? Boss drop from other PVE instance [would generate more interest in those]? etc.) and a C-store item. Could be included as lockbox item as well. But to really get use out of the concept, it needs to be readily available to everyone, and C-store and lockbox items aren't.

And here's another point, they don't have to just be Borg. The device could be for a whole series of different 'Bosses' or enemy types. Perhaps, one of their abilities would be to summon additional enemies of that faction, as players can summon Security/ support ships.

Anyway, just tossing this out there for people to think about and for @Tacofangs to consider passing on.
It's only an idea. As mentioned, a similar concept is already use in Champions Online.

Comments

  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    it is only an idea, @azrael605. I'm thinking of how it'd open up other things, such as more pve interest, not just the one.
    concept only.
  • leemwatsonleemwatson Member Posts: 5,331 Arc User
    I wouldn't like any playable Borg ships at all. The game needs a fallback 'uber' nemesis, and the Borg fit that role, once Cryptic decides to make them so. I think it's bad enough already with TOS ships, but giving players uber-cubes would just wreck the fun.

    What we need back in this game is a real challenge that the Dev's won't cow to player's complaints that it's too hard, a la Delta Rising and the Original Crystalline Entity STF.
    "You don't want to patrol!? You don't want to escort!? You don't want to defend the Federation's Starbases!? Then why are you flying my Starships!? If you were a Klingon you'd be killed on the spot, but lucky for you.....you WERE in Starfleet. Let's see how New Zealand Penal Colony suits you." Adm A. Necheyev.
  • nickodaemusnickodaemus Member Posts: 711 Arc User
    Isn't this idea called PvP? I heard it was dead in this game.
  • ikonn#1068 ikonn Member Posts: 1,448 Arc User
    Porting over the Onslaught concept to STO is good, in theory. But in practice, the Onslaught system in Champions is nothing more than an exploit system for Onslaught tokens. Most of the people that I see engaged in that on either side just use their energy builder auto attacks and not really bring down the villain. When the villain's timer expires, the parties merely switch roles and repeat.

    Granted, it might not be like this during the course of an average 24 hour period, but during my game time over there, that is all I ever see.

    No, for STO, something else needs to be put in place if we are to have a "Monster play" element, IMO.

    With PvP dead here, I personally don't see any kind of competitive play being brought in to fill the PvP void.
    -AoP- Warrior's Blood (KDF Armada) / -AoP- Qu' raD qulbo'Degh / -AoP- Project Phoenix
    Join Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    As said, it's an idea only. It would work great - if it was properly applied. Champions version is a massive fail and agreed, that's monster system, where as what I was referring to isn't really. It's the only way I can see to give people something they'd want, and satisfy the entire crowd at once. Only problem is with the 'It's not star trek' players.

    Yes, pvp is dead in sto. That's not the point of the concept. It just drifted that way as I was thinking, since in essence part of it would fall into that area. But as the player with the device wouldn't be listed as a player, technically, it isn't pvp, but pve. Instead of an AI you'd have a live opponent.

    I didn't like the way Champions handled the Onslaught concept. It has potential - great potential - but failed in implementation. Something like this requires a high turn-over to be practical or else it's a waste of time for everyone. Champions messed up by limiting what they can do with it and the ease with which it can be used by most players. It's more of a 'throw it out there for no reason at all' with them.

    what I was suggesting actually applies to the type of players in STO. Not a Conquest system. Not a go blow up random places thing. It'd be more of a PVE instance. Purpose: to cause a higher player interest. This doesn't give people a playable ship. It let's them play from the other side for a time, within reason.

    As said, it's an idea only. It would work great - if it was properly applied.
  • ikonn#1068 ikonn Member Posts: 1,448 Arc User
    Something that "might" work better is like what Monster play is in LotRO. There, you have separate classes, level progression, gear, etc. Instead of logging in as a regular character, you can login as your monster instead, but still change over to your regular character if you wish.

    To make it worthwhile here, unlock things for your account as you rank up your monster character.
    -AoP- Warrior's Blood (KDF Armada) / -AoP- Qu' raD qulbo'Degh / -AoP- Project Phoenix
    Join Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    edited January 2017
    True. What I meant by not giving players a playable ship isn't actually what I meant. I meant that you wouldn't get that ship for your list of ships but as a thing to use in game. Yes, it's actually a lot like those missions you listed.

    but not exactly like them. One difference would be the need to have the skill slot all preset and 'fixed', etc., in order to streamline the game play. Give the players powers they wouldn't have any other way in the game. Just for use as 'that type' of enemy. Avoid the whole problem by eliminating the issue. Perhaps a list of 3 different loadout types to choose when you activate the device. Something quick, easy, preset, and right up front before anything can happen. Activate device, choose type of ship/ loadouts, choose map instance type, etc. Standardized quick-choice system. Of course, this would mean you're probably not going to use anything you already own or have.

    "Do you agree to these selections?" Click 'Start'. Pve instance starts with a minimum waiting time and maximum players, etc...
  • echattyechatty Member Posts: 5,913 Arc User
    Nope, not interested.
    Now a LTS and loving it.
    Just because you spend money on this game, it does not entitle you to be a jerk if things don't go your way.
    I have come to the conclusion that I have a memory like Etch-A-Sketch. I shake my head and forget everything. :D
  • ikonn#1068 ikonn Member Posts: 1,448 Arc User
    edited January 2017
    Right, but in the LotRO example, you are playing a character, albeit a monster character. You don't have to worry about switching your tray around (at least not anymore than we have to already). For all intents and purposes, you are creating/playing another character. The downside is you are playing in one specific zone (in the LotRO case, the Ettenmoors). All your leveling is done in that area and uses a different leveling system than the regular game. Actually it is quite fun, but as I said, you are restricted to that one map.
    -AoP- Warrior's Blood (KDF Armada) / -AoP- Qu' raD qulbo'Degh / -AoP- Project Phoenix
    Join Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    well, it is just a pve concept.
  • cidjackcidjack Member Posts: 2,017 Arc User
    Another, "I am bored with the game, lets just start makin TRIBBLE up" thread.
    Armada: Multiplying fleet projects in need of dilithium by 13."
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  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    cidjack wrote: »
    Another, "I am bored with the game, lets just start makin **** up" thread.

    uh. nope. there is no harm tossing out an idea. If the idea is feasible. It's not like I'm allowed to contact Cryptic and give them a proposal, due to job restrictions. If they play with the idea - fine. If they ignore it - fine.

    What am I saying? I've said all this on another thread. :/
  • kodachikunokodachikuno Member Posts: 6,020 Arc User1
    not a feature I'd use really
  • xyquarzexyquarze Member Posts: 2,114 Arc User
    azrael605 wrote: »
    I don't like "monster play" and its unwieldy in STO anyway unless your going to give each queue a 20 minute waiting period to allow the "monsters" to set up their power tray each time they switch over.

    I DO like the concept of "monster play". But I don't think it is as great in a game like STO, and would especially not be interested in Borg PvP. (This apart from the fact that I'll probably never PvP again in STO unless it's with friends)
    My mother was an epohh and my father smelled of tulaberries
  • centurian821centurian821 Member Posts: 274 Arc User
    Tried the LotRO version with my wife. Got ganked twice within a few minutes of each other. Might work for others, but this wouldn't be my cup of tea. Sorry.
    cidjack wrote: »
    Another, "I am bored with the game, lets just start makin **** up" thread.

    The USS Make-****-Up is canon!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bBD5yyT-s0​​

    Oh Voltaire, you rascal you ^_^
  • warpangelwarpangel Member Posts: 9,427 Arc User
    wendysue53 wrote: »
    I was reading a few other threads and everyone keeps complaining about not being able to play enemy factions or fly those ships.
    Except we CAN fly most enemy ships and we CAN replicate most of their species with custom aliens.

    There could of course always be more parts available for alien customization. And sure why not even straight up "enemy" species. We can get "enemy" doffs and boffs, so we could just as well get "enemy" captains.

    We don't need any complicated systems for that.
  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    edited January 2017
    warpangel wrote: »
    wendysue53 wrote: »
    I was reading a few other threads and everyone keeps complaining about not being able to play enemy factions or fly those ships.
    Except we CAN fly most enemy ships and we CAN replicate most of their species with custom aliens.

    There could of course always be more parts available for alien customization. And sure why not even straight up "enemy" species. We can get "enemy" doffs and boffs, so we could just as well get "enemy" captains.

    We don't need any complicated systems for that.

    But - that wasn't the point of the concept. That and this aren't the same things at all...
  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    And another thread that seems to have gone belly up due to miscommunications...
  • jbmonroejbmonroe Member Posts: 809 Arc User
    wendysue53 wrote: »
    2. It adds a whole new aspect to the game, something the majority of the players would persue [sic] if it showed up on a PVE/PVP Queue.

    Was there a poll I missed on this? (It could totally happen because I miss a lot of polls.)
    boldly-watched.png
  • wendysue53wendysue53 Member Posts: 1,569 Arc User
    no.. was based off of what people keep fussing about. Not those that replied to this thread tho. Besides, it was only an idea.
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