After having waited along with many others for a MMORPG based on Star Trek -- through the rise and fall of Perpetual, from the first hours of Cryptic's STO web site opening up, and through early beta testing -- it looks like I won't be playing this game. It's just too far away from the Star Trek MMORPG that could have been. There's not enough here that I care about to be worth my spending money month after month not to play it.
My purpose here is not to bash Cryptic's version of Star Trek Online, or the good folks at Cryptic themselves. They made the game they wanted to make given constraints of time and money. The fact that it's not to my taste is not a flaw in either them or me, and I sincerely wish everyone at Cryptic well.
I'm writing simply to say farewell, rather than simply disappearing. I truly enjoyed the many conversations I had with folks at the wonderful STOnet fan site, and here on Cryptic's site. Even when I disagreed strongly with some people -- you know who you are

-- I appreciated the passion that people had for trying to find an impossible balance point between conventional MMORPG mechanics and a world that feels like the universe of Star Trek. Those were fun, thought-provoking discussions, and I thank everyone who ever took the time to swap ideas with me.
I expect I may still have some Star Trek MMORPG-related comments to make from time to time on my personal blog. And who knows? Maybe some years from now I'll read that Cryptic was able to add many of the things to STO that I care about, and I might give that game a try. Or maybe BioWare will get a chance to make a new MMORPG set in the Star Trek universe, as they're doing now with the Star Wars universe.

So perhaps some day you'll see the mighty U.S.S. Zimbula patroling the Alpha Quadrant, with Captain Flatfingers in command. If so, I hope you'll say hi.
Until then, congratulations to Cryptic for the real accomplishment of shipping a major MMORPG, and good luck to everyone who chooses to play that game.
Live long and prosper!
--Flatfingers
Comments
Finding an mmo that is actually 'your' game can be a daunting task. I have not found one yet that is close to the things I truly want to see, so I am just flexible in what comes out.
And who knows, STO could eventually swing back towards what you are looking for, or you might find that the game has developed to a point that you find it enjoyable none the less.
godspeed.
~ Loekii
Can I have your stuff instead then?
seems like its just a mellow version of the ragequit posts and lawyer posts, and BOF posts...
seriously, pm your friends and quit trying to call a soapbox what it isnt
Check back in 6 months, maybe they add things you are looking for? till then relax and enjoy single player games or maybe some other MMO
Have fun!!
I jest
Sad to see you go man, t'was fun and challenging chatting with you.
Qapla'!!
- Dahakra
I too have been here since the beginning, it will be sad to see you go.
Come back soon okay? In a few months the game will be much better.
Whether they do it in a rant or as a "farewell" message, it is them getting the last word in on their frustrations with the game. either way, I don't feel it ever deserves a second of thought more to read/respond beyond "can I have your stuff?" Every one is the same message and deserves the exact same response.
The people who TRULY want change are the ones that stick around and see it through. The ones who leave and post a suicide note are just looking for the last word.
Exploration. Check. Not as much variety, yet, as I'd like but they're definitely on to something with Genesis/Exploration. That's simply my favorite part of the game and where I spend the most time.
Ship as Home, Crew as Family. Semi-check. There's not the multiplayer ship angle but we do have at least ship's bridges and a very detailed NPC officer system. So good in fact I think it may have cured my altaholism.
Utopian Federation and interesting science content. Double negative. But the first isn't that big a deal for me and the second can be remedied by creative use of the Genesis engine as they add more content to it Also by player created content which Cryptic's suggested will be in at some point. Hopefully soon, so people who want angles to their gameplay that aren't in the game can put it in there themselves.
Entertaining ground and space combat. Check.
Optional PvP off in PvP land. Check.
And much more stuff I'm finding endlessly entertaining like the character customization system.
Is STO the ultimate Star Trek sim? No. Is STO a solid version of a Star Trek MMO that carries the torch without embarrassing itself completely? Yes. Compared to Age of Conan or SWG, STO's really got it together and it does rank up there with Lord of The Rings Online as a pretty good representation of its version of the mythos.
Well, Flatfingers, I'm sorry to see you heading out but I definitely understand. Back in April when we were both posting more frequently it was always a pleasure to read your posts and interact with you here.
real adult of you there...the OP's post was constructive and not a troll at all. your blind fanboyism is showing.
I appreciate that he posted it, and even stated why he posted it.
you REEALLLY need to look up the definition of the word constructive. While their wasn't anything directly incendiary in his post, there wasn't a single constructive thing in it either. Hey, maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't see one thing in there other then him getting in the last word on how he doesn't like it, and maybe other games will come out that suits his style.... pretty backhanded for a good natured post, wouldn't you say?
edit - and while I can respect his "status" in the community, the bottom line was that for a simple goodbye he made sure to put in a few times that he was very unhappy with the game. Not seeing as that was really necessary if his intent was to just say goodbye.
Because he has been a member of this community for 18 months. It's quite an investment on his part. Give him some respect and let him say goodbye. He's earned it.
I can see where you could come to the conclusion based on just one post, but Flatfingers history speaks for itself, imo.
The thing is that unlike some goodbye threads, Flatfingers is a known member of the community. He has a posting history of being respectful and well through out (even wordy at times, but thats more a tell of his signature).
hey fanboy...read the other posts in the thread. stop being a zealot and open your eyes to other possibilities than something you think is right.
an investment to post on a free message forum and play a game for free? holy **** the hyperbole in this thread is thick. the guy may be a really great guy but let's stop sugar coating what is essentially a ragequit/suicide note.
my argument to you was that there was nothing constructive about THIS post of his, and the only quote you come back with was from someone else..... ok.
If you decide to come back, I'm sure that Cryptic will be glad to accept your monthly payment. So until we see you again, take care of yourself and give your little Trekker heart a great big hug for me! Good luck!
I agree. PM those who care to read your "farewell" post.
So he's who we blame?
We make our own misery, you know? So you've decided STO is one place where you'll lodge a discontent flag. Is that an achievement?
In any case, I suppose the only critique I could level against the OP is that goodbye threads are probably not at all necessary. Perhaps they're selfish in a way - you're getting closure, sure, but at what cost?
describing his contribution to the community. from someone else OTHER than himself. grow up . stop being a tool.
But I have to say, it seems like you are giving up a little early? We are not even at retail launch yet and you are done. Seems a little premature to me, but that's just my humble opinion.
WoW reached the status of having literally 100 times the number of subscribers of any other MMORPG in history, and it's launch was rocky. OG raid content was TRIBBLE. Molten core anyone? I spent hours of my life in there, hours I can never get back.
All I'm saying is maybe you need to give STO a little more time, or check back in 6 months...
Take Care
well said.
sigh....there is no hope for you.