So you're saying I shouldn't go into a TFO and hit the bubblegum field, then pop the Soliton Wave, Neutronic Eddy and BFAW and see how many ships I can take down alone?
The thing with the bubblegum field (Cnidarian Defense Console) is that it disables your weapons, full impulse, and sets your flight speed to very sluggish. Without moving about much it really has limited use.
Don't get me wrong, I went out and tried it (once) in a Defense of Starbase One and for some maps that continuously spawn bad guys in the same spot and then auto-complete it works ok.
What seemed to happen here (just my interpretation) is that the marketing department convinced the boss-man that more vfx is good and instructed the devs to "make it so" despite their protests that it would likely be too much.
Now we have what seems to be nothing more than another "I'm defending this area" (I read this as basically afk) type console that does nothing to encourage participation or spirited game play AND obscures vision over a wide area.
Do they (the marketing dept) really want to encourage afk behavior ?
It must be SO MUCH FUN to sit there and do next to nothing.
Sorry to use your comment as a soap box
Also: don't forget to activate the Bacon of Kahless device when your Soliton Wave, Neutronic Eddy, and bubblegum field are in cool down
You know, it occurs to me that this concern may simply be the result of the modern aesthetic gone berserk.
I mean, when is the lat time we were presented with a starscape that was simply pinpricks of light against the black? It's never that simple anymore is it? Now we get all manner of light filtering through mists, nebulae, and the non-JJ lens flare from the local sun. Not to mention assorted debris fields, planetary rings, asteroid belts and fields... It's like someone is too focused on being artistic regardless of how it impacts the final product. This is not exclusive to STO, BTW.
It's like when color TV first hit big. EVERYTHING had to be in Bright Shiny Colors. Was this for verisimilitude? No. It was "Because we can!"
In many ways we are stuck in that mindset when it comes to visual design because "now we am can make with computer go PRETTY!"
Another more contemporary example; How many modern games look nice but are just okay or lack replayability, while older games with comparatively TRIBBLE graphics are still quite fun?
There should be a Rule of Acquisition that states, "The flashier the product, the lower the long-term satisfaction."
It's easy to come in here and hold the devs accountable for their stated position on the matter (and it seems they are finally looking into some solutions), but I think we should at least be conscious of the possibility that they are unaware that they are trapped within a cultural zeitgeist.
Art for Art's sake is nothing more than a recipe for mimes and interpretive dance.
So you're saying I shouldn't go into a TFO and hit the bubblegum field, then pop the Soliton Wave, Neutronic Eddy and BFAW and see how many ships I can take down alone?
if you wanna do the TFO solo while the rest of the team afk's because they are running out to the car for their ray-bans...
Ugh- just remembered that obnoxious loud space lightning... lightning bolt lightning bolt lightning bolt lightning bolt
Oh my lord! Yes, that freaking lightning bolt that's everywhere. I think it's 'energized anomalies' or something like that, where other players gravity wells seem to shock me once per second, yet don't do any damage, so it's just more noise for me to filter when trying to decide what is enemy and what is friendly. I hate that feature with a passion. I mean, another obscenely over-the-top effect (both visual and audio).
Comments
The thing with the bubblegum field (Cnidarian Defense Console) is that it disables your weapons, full impulse, and sets your flight speed to very sluggish. Without moving about much it really has limited use.
Don't get me wrong, I went out and tried it (once) in a Defense of Starbase One and for some maps that continuously spawn bad guys in the same spot and then auto-complete it works ok.
What seemed to happen here (just my interpretation) is that the marketing department convinced the boss-man that more vfx is good and instructed the devs to "make it so" despite their protests that it would likely be too much.
Now we have what seems to be nothing more than another "I'm defending this area" (I read this as basically afk) type console that does nothing to encourage participation or spirited game play AND obscures vision over a wide area.
Do they (the marketing dept) really want to encourage afk behavior ?
It must be SO MUCH FUN to sit there and do next to nothing.
Sorry to use your comment as a soap box
Also: don't forget to activate the Bacon of Kahless device when your Soliton Wave, Neutronic Eddy, and bubblegum field are in cool down
I mean, when is the lat time we were presented with a starscape that was simply pinpricks of light against the black? It's never that simple anymore is it? Now we get all manner of light filtering through mists, nebulae, and the non-JJ lens flare from the local sun. Not to mention assorted debris fields, planetary rings, asteroid belts and fields... It's like someone is too focused on being artistic regardless of how it impacts the final product. This is not exclusive to STO, BTW.
It's like when color TV first hit big. EVERYTHING had to be in Bright Shiny Colors. Was this for verisimilitude? No. It was "Because we can!"
In many ways we are stuck in that mindset when it comes to visual design because "now we am can make with computer go PRETTY!"
Another more contemporary example; How many modern games look nice but are just okay or lack replayability, while older games with comparatively TRIBBLE graphics are still quite fun?
There should be a Rule of Acquisition that states, "The flashier the product, the lower the long-term satisfaction."
It's easy to come in here and hold the devs accountable for their stated position on the matter (and it seems they are finally looking into some solutions), but I think we should at least be conscious of the possibility that they are unaware that they are trapped within a cultural zeitgeist.
Art for Art's sake is nothing more than a recipe for mimes and interpretive dance.
if you wanna do the TFO solo while the rest of the team afk's because they are running out to the car for their ray-bans...
Oh my lord! Yes, that freaking lightning bolt that's everywhere. I think it's 'energized anomalies' or something like that, where other players gravity wells seem to shock me once per second, yet don't do any damage, so it's just more noise for me to filter when trying to decide what is enemy and what is friendly. I hate that feature with a passion. I mean, another obscenely over-the-top effect (both visual and audio).