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Character Creator - Some Creative Suggestions for the Future

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
It's my intention in this thread to provide Cryptic with my opinions and ideas for the Character Creator. I'm a huge fan of characters and character development and as Trek is about diversity amongst many cultures I think that this is also an important thing for the game (especially with so many people playing - variety is good!)

Ideas for Future Preset Races - Starfleet

The first two options comes directly from the lead character designer in this article. http://www.rarityguide.com/articles/articles/210/1/Exclusive-Interview-Star-Trek-Onlines-Matt-Highison-Lead-Character-Artist/Page1.html

1. Caitians (confirmed 1st post-launch by aforementioned article)
2. Tellarites (confirmed 2nd post-launch by aforementioned article - should have been preset by launch IMO.)

Now I will go on with ideas for future playable races on the Federation side. I had a longer list originally but I am going to choose the races that are more visually different. There's no sense of putting a list of like 40 races.. I doubt anything that immense will ever get done. Nevertheless here they are.

3. Cardassian (Federation is currently allied with the Detapa Council - Dual Citizenship as well)
4. Denobulan
5. Android
6. Hologram
7. Talaxian (Suffice it to say if you like him or not, Neelix and the Talaxians are a big thing on Voyager)
8. Rigelian (The ones with the green faces from Enterprise - not the birds)
9. Zakdorn
10. Antican
11. Selay
12. Grazerite
13. Ithenite
14. Coridan
15. Antedean
16. Edosian (Lt. Arex from TAS)
17. Xindi-Primate
18. Xindi-Arboreal
19. Xindi-Reptilian
20. Xindi-Insectoid

I'm actually going to force myself to stop there as that's a pretty hefty list as it is. I do think that every few months that Cryptic could release a species or two. Most either have slightly remodelled heads or forehead pieces. There are some, that would purely just be awesome to have cause they look different.

In an effort to prevent this post to be too long (since I know 'walls of text' are discouraged I am going to do the next part in a seperate post.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Foreheads, Noses & Ears

    There are a ton of these missing. As already mentioned, most of the forehead pieces that are currently in-game belong to races from the Delta Quadrant.

    With that being said there are quite a few races that could still be put into the game such as the Romulan forehead, Takaran facial features, Zakdorn, Bynars, Elaysians, etc. TONS of races to choose from simply from the Alpha and Beta Quadrants that are just not in the game sadly enough.

    I strongly recommend for Cryptic to look at the following link.

    http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Alpha_and_Beta_Quadrant_species


    Hairstyles

    The hairstyles, like the foreheads are severely lacking. Especially for some of the alien foreheads. Some of them just don't go well together.

    During closed beta and open beta I put up a graphics list of hairstyles that could or should be in the game at some point in time. Again, variety is key. There are tons of characters that end up looking the same either because of not enough alteratation in the facial features or simply because people aren't able to alter them enough to start with (speficially the eyes).

    Though I didn't add it to the images, they should definitely add the Captain Picard and EMH hairstyles to the game.

    Humans 1
    Humans 2
    Humans 3
    Humans 4
    Humans 5
    Humans 6
    Humans 7
    Aliens 1
    Aliens 2
    Klingons
    Orions & Nausicaans
    Cardassians
    Romulans


    I think though it's awesome for Cryptic to add new content, character appearances in its current state will get old really quickly. At least, to me, I know Cryptic can add to what they currently have and I hope that by knowing so many people play the game, that they will expand it both inwardly and by also adding new content post-launch.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Nice work and very thoughtful - I particularly agree with the hairstyle stuff - the choice of women's hair sucks! My character has long hair and the only choices I get are one long style or a ponytail! Would love to gradually see new species introduced over time and the selection mentioned above would be kewl.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I agree, but take out the Androids and put in a *pair* of Binars and you'll have a good, more than good, great vision for cryptic, you DaVinci of STO...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    You forgot the Xindi from "Enterprise." That's five species right there!

    Although I doubt you'd ever be able to implement the Aquatics, they're stuck in their ginormous fishtanks...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    You forgot the Xindi from "Enterprise." That's five species right there!

    Although I doubt you'd ever be able to implement the Aquatics, they're stuck in their ginormous fishtanks...

    I'm a huge fan of the Xindi and I'd love for them to be in there, especially the Insectoids.. but that's something I guess for a wait and see.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    After looking at my initial list of 20 I decided to remove a few rew races and add the Xindi (for their distinctive looks).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I'm surprised that nobody has commented on this thread considering there isn't a whole lot in the Character Creator right now. :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Awesome post, i for one totally agree with you. There is a huge need for more diversity in the game. Id love to see even more choice in the character creation screens aswell as alot more playable races i really do think this would bring in more players and keep the attentions of those already playing.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    /bump

    Great Work, hope Cryptic can use some of these ideas.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    gazsta wrote: »
    Awesome post, i for one totally agree with you. There is a huge need for more diversity in the game. Id love to see even more choice in the character creation screens aswell as alot more playable races i really do think this would bring in more players and keep the attentions of those already playing.

    I'd be content if they could release 1 or 2 new races from my list every few months (1-2 months) as the Federation is all about diversity.

    I'm anxiously awaiting for them to put in my Tellarites as preset. I miss them. :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    JPJappic wrote: »
    It's my intention in this thread to provide Cryptic with my opinions and ideas for the Character Creator. I'm a huge fan of characters and character development and as Trek is about diversity amongst many cultures I think that this is also an important thing for the game (especially with so many people playing - variety is good!)

    Ideas for Future Preset Races - Starfleet

    The first two options comes directly from the lead character designer in this article. http://www.rarityguide.com/articles/articles/210/1/Exclusive-Interview-Star-Trek-Onlines-Matt-Highison-Lead-Character-Artist/Page1.html

    1. Caitians (confirmed 1st post-launch by aforementioned article)
    2. Tellarites (confirmed 2nd post-launch by aforementioned article - should have been preset by launch IMO.)

    Now I will go on with ideas for future playable races on the Federation side. I had a longer list originally but I am going to choose the races that are more visually different. There's no sense of putting a list of like 40 races.. I doubt anything that immense will ever get done. Nevertheless here they are.

    3. Cardassian (Federation is currently allied with the Detapa Council - Dual Citizenship as well)
    4. Denobulan
    5. Android
    6. Hologram
    7. Talaxian (Suffice it to say if you like him or not, Neelix and the Talaxians are a big thing on Voyager)
    8. Rigelian (The ones with the green faces from Enterprise - not the birds)
    9. Zakdorn
    10. Antican
    11. Selay
    12. Grazerite
    13. Ithenite
    14. Coridan
    15. Antedean
    16. Edosian (Lt. Arex from TAS)
    17. Xindi-Primate
    18. Xindi-Arboreal
    19. Xindi-Reptilian
    20. Xindi-Insectoid

    I'm actually going to force myself to stop there as that's a pretty hefty list as it is. I do think that every few months that Cryptic could release a species or two. Most either have slightly remodelled heads or forehead pieces. There are some, that would purely just be awesome to have cause they look different.

    In an effort to prevent this post to be too long (since I know 'walls of text' are discouraged I am going to do the next part in a seperate post.


    Great ideas. Especially interesting playing a hologram!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    omniqix wrote: »
    Great ideas. Especially interesting playing a hologram!

    I think they told us at one point we'd be able to... not sure what happened with that. :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Also how about the Binars?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    omniqix wrote: »
    Also how about the Binars?

    I wouldn't say no to the Bynars, however they always operate in pairs. Though I think there was one Bynar in the novels that lost their other one so they were forced to be alone.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    So apparently according to Zinc on twitter, Saurian females are the least race played by players in STO. I think the Tellarites could beat them. :P

    Come on Cryptic, let's add more races for variety's sake please!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    JPJappic wrote: »
    So apparently according to Zinc on twitter, Saurian females are the least race played by players in STO. I think the Tellarites could beat them. :P

    Come on Cryptic, let's add more races for variety's sake please!

    Do your women have beards too JP? I kid though, let's go Tellarites!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Very much agreed. The hair selection is pretty bad. Most short styles look wrong on Andorians and cut through the antennae. The recending long hair cuts in the upper body and there aren't that many alternatives for Cardassians. Not to mention a lot styles clip into Vorta ears. Jem'Hadar heads are also very different and there isn't a good scaly skin pattern. I tried to make a Flaxian and it turned out as epic fail. The Klingon hairstyles are a real joke, there isn't even something similar to Gowron or Martok.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Indeed we do need better hair styles available for the more unique alien races that are out there. My Cardassian looks so generic and off with his basic receiding short slick backed hair cut.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    In the words of Captain Kirk, "I'm force to agree with JPJappic."
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I support this thread.

    Just one thing to add: They need to make sure ALL race's options are allowed for Alien so people can "remake" a species if they don't like the innates and don't mind giving up the exclusive innate.

    The Borg eyepiece is limited to actual Borg, so no making a human look like a Borg. Well, at least for females. I don't play males ever.

    If they limit the Caitian ears to actual Caitians, I'm gonna be very distraught.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I for one support anything that moves us away from just recreating modified humans.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I forgot what they are called, but Lt. Janos from the New Frontier series. They appeared once or twice in TOS, too....Mugato, I think is the species name. Big, white, furry things. Kirk fought one once or twice.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Something I'd like to see with both the Character and Ship creator guides:

    The ability to move the camera around the character. Not just move the character around and zoom in and out, but actually move the camera to focus on certain parts of the body.

    It's kinda hard to see good detail on your character's boots when the interface itself gets in the way because the camera is constantly centered on the character's torso. With the character always constantly in motion because of the standing position you put them in, sometimes it's hard to look at certain details.


    The same applies to the Ship builder. Not being able to center in on certain parts of the ship makes it hard to tell if you really like a certain paint scheme or appearance sometime.


    More importantly for the Ship Builder is the positioning of the Lighting. You have to rotate the ship to the right in order for the light to shine more on it. From the angle you look at it, it's pretty shaded and you can't properly see what each color really looks like in a well illuminated view. This also makes things a little difficult if you want to see which paint colors, paint schemes, and parts look best for your ship.

    Please put the lighting on the ship builder directly from the camera itself.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I couldn't agree more about the ship creator!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Keep the ideas coming! There are so many awesome things from the Star Trek universe we want to add to the game, it's good to hear what the player favorites are.


    PS... For the record, that interview linked to in the first post has some quotes and information that is "questionable at best", so I'd advise you to take it with a small mountain of salt. ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I had one idea that might help for characters wanting to wear swimwear on Risa, but I could see the concern of having people running around Earth Space Dock in bathing suits breaking immersion for others.

    My suggestion would be to create a vendor on Risa. Have this vendor sell an item for 1-100 energy that will go into the "Armor" or "Kit" slot. This item when equipped and set to show appearance, would give the wearer the outfit you see the Risa NPC's wearing. Then, when you finally decide to leave Risa, you beam to your ship where the temporary item in your Armor or Kit slot then disappears from your inventory. If you return to Risa, you can go right back to the vendor and cheaply purchase another temporary swim wear outfit. If possible the vendor could sell the items listed by their primary colors for diversity.

    This would allow everyone who visits Risa to fit in and not have to wear your uniform while "on leave". Also by making it use the Armor/Kit slot, it completely over rights your appearance so you don't have to worry about the swim wear outfit conflicting with any other uniform options. Finally by making the temporary item disappear when you beam out, you don't have to worry about people running around space stations breaking immersion for others.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Agreed :cool:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    mhighison wrote: »
    Keep the ideas coming! There are so many awesome things from the Star Trek universe we want to add to the game, it's good to hear what the player favorites are.


    PS... For the record, that interview linked to in the first post has some quotes and information that is "questionable at best", so I'd advise you to take it with a small mountain of salt. ;)

    Exactly which part is "questionable at best"? We already know the Tellarites will be hitting Tribble shortly, if they haven't already (I haven't read the patch notes yet). Unless I'm missing something this leaves only one option.

    Why do I have a sinking feeling your pushing off the Caitians? Please tell me this isn't true. As it is I've spent most of my time in game so far messing around with alts waiting on Caitians so I can finally have my "main", and I know for a fact I'm not the only one doing this. The information from this article was a major part of the reason I've been waiting. Tell me that your working on the Caitians and their coming next, please! :confused:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Exactly which part is "questionable at best"? We already know the Tellarites will be hitting Tribble shortly, if they haven't already (I haven't read the patch notes yet). Unless I'm missing something this leaves only one option.

    Why do I have a sinking feeling your pushing off the Caitians? Please tell me this isn't true. As it is I've spent most of my time in game so far messing around with alts waiting on Caitians so I can finally have my "main", and I know for a fact I'm not the only one doing this. The information from this article was a major part of the reason I've been waiting. Tell me that your working on the Caitians and their coming next, please! :confused:

    One of the other Dev's already confirmed that things changed and Tellerites are going to come before Caitians do. They didn't exactly say why, but I would bet it has to do with issues from adding a animated tail to the character models and that they can't wear footwear and have different ankles/feet than the humanoids do. They are working on them, their just not ready as of yet.

    Edit: Here's the post from dstahl where he confirmed it. LINK
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Ripcurl wrote:
    One of the other Dev's already confirmed that things changed and Tellerites are going to come before Caitians do. They didn't exactly say why, but I would bet it has to do with issues from adding a animated tail to the character models and that they can't wear footwear and have different ankles/feet than the humanoids do. They are working on them, their just not ready as of yet.

    Edit: Here's the post from dstahl where he confirmed it. LINK

    Tellarites SHOULD come first. Heck, they should have already been in the game. They're one of the founding members of the Federation.
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