test content
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc

Color Nerf – a reasonable thought(repost)

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
(re-posted for the masses from http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=101091 )

Several things, I understand that it was not the intent to allow power-hue open to the players, however it was done. Moreover, this was a good thing. Why? Because more customization is good, however I do not think it should be on done on the fly, nor should it be cheap.

Why leave color changing.

Distinction, during game play I have noticed an issue. When two groups converge whether it is PVP or PVE the abundance of weapons fire and all of it being the same color sometimes makes it difficult to tell who is shooting whom. Now a few PVP players have been using to gain victory, and they do not want others to see who is firing at whom. In addition, some of us Role-play different racial factions, such as Romulans. Moreover, we have gone to great lengths to achieve a distinct look. If you saw my escort, you would think it was a Romulan Bird of prey, and I have colored all my weapons to match.

However the handful of Canon purists don’t like the idea of weapons not following the TNG patterns, and ignoring that TOS the NCC-1701 Enterprise had more than three colors of weapons fire, and all of them where the Phasers, I counted 4 different colors, Red, Blue, Violet, and Orange.

Therefore, what is the compromise what would be the gesture of good faith, take the slash command out of the game. Then add a vendor on Memory Alpha and on Qo'noS. This vendor for a slight fee and some resources would color a single weapon a single color based on the Hue scale. Since the powers are tied to the Weapons and the BO’s this could be done rather easy and it would keep the customization ability and keep it with in lore. This would also keep the few basic powers the intended color, and we would not see blue explosions, even though it is pleasant to see.

I think this would be a good way to show that Cryptic had listened to both points of view and did something positive.

:):D

---

from deep in the thread:

--
this way it is a form of weapon upgrade and not just a simple hue swap. it should even put a new name or description on the weapon

(basic weapon before color upgrade)
Basic weapon MK??
Statline- DPS

(Basic weapon after color upgrade)
Pink Basic weapon MK??
Bound
Statline- DPS
Weapon has been upgraded with pink emitters

By using my idea they can limit the hues to weapons so as to not brake immersion as well

example:

Federation Phasers in canon have been Red, Blue, Purple, yellow, and Orange
with the Vendor they could set the Hue options to several distinct versions of these colors your Phasers would be individual and still the right color.
ie. 5 different yellows, 5 different reds, ect.

same with Disruptors
ie. 10 different greens

---

I think if Cryptic did this it could be in in less than a week and would make everyone Happy.
Post edited by baddmoonrizin on
«1

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Leaving Powerhue in makes special items, such as the Connie phasers, pointless. Part of the fun of getting to use the Connie is the blue phasers. I'd imagine there's going to be other hued weapons (not inclusing the normal Disruptors, Plasma, etc) in the game eventually that Powerhue would also mess up. I'm content to shoot my normal-colored weapons.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I agree, I had the same thought about teaming and setting beam weapons so all members could assist on the same enemy. This should be feature that you could change easily at a starbase or something. For all the purist out there, I should think it would be possible in the 25th century to change the color of beams rather easily.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Cosmic_One wrote: »
    Leaving Powerhue in makes special items, such as the Connie phasers, pointless. Part of the fun of getting to use the Connie is the blue phasers. I'd imagine there's going to be other hued weapons (not inclusing the normal Disruptors, Plasma, etc) in the game eventually that Powerhue would also mess up. I'm content to shoot my normal-colored weapons.

    I agree that the ability to type a slash command should go, however I think a vendor in game should be added to do the same, however some colors can be limited. if they feel only the players with the special order should have blue they could keep blue out of the list with this vendor. however the players who had that special order should always be able to get blue.

    as for colors like pink they could make them special mission unlocks, and it could all be through the vendor.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Cosmic_One wrote: »
    Leaving Powerhue in makes special items, such as the Connie phasers, pointless. Part of the fun of getting to use the Connie is the blue phasers. I'd imagine there's going to be other hued weapons (not inclusing the normal Disruptors, Plasma, etc) in the game eventually that Powerhue would also mess up. I'm content to shoot my normal-colored weapons.

    but i want my connie to have the blue phasers when i upgrade away from the defults to type 1 or 2
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Cosmic_One wrote: »
    Leaving Powerhue in makes special items, such as the Connie phasers, pointless. Part of the fun of getting to use the Connie is the blue phasers. I'd imagine there's going to be other hued weapons (not inclusing the normal Disruptors, Plasma, etc) in the game eventually that Powerhue would also mess up. I'm content to shoot my normal-colored weapons.

    As has been stated elsewhere, the Connie phasers are unique and can't be replicated with a /powerhue color...it loses it's effect.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I think that that need to make the connie phasers EVER MORE special in some way and leave the color selection intact. It would be great for the connie (and other special) weapons to leave a lingering trail or slowly degrade visually. This would make them unique and still leave color changing open.

    I understand though if those with a connie disagree and would never want to infringe on that specialness. In the long run color selection is something I adore (especially the RPer side of me that has a borg with teal weapons), but I wouldn't want to take away from the connie. She is a special girl indeed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I have yet to see a single player post that they are afriad of losng thier exclusiveness if someone else has blue phasers. Especially since the Connie loses the blue hinge as soon as it upgrades the phaser banks, making the blue phaser only good for an hour or two of gameplay, which sucks...

    My connie will be using /powerhue because I want to keep my phasers blue :) and becuase they look better in teal anyway...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Color to know what type of weapon is being used is helpful, since some shields protect better against some weapons.

    Maybe they could add some textures to different beams, like spirals or fuzzyness that adds to distinction of type, then that would open up color for player purchased, or earned customizations.

    I also like the idea of the Connie blue color being unique, it was sold as a feature that is special and it seems fair that it should be unique for that reason. Although I don't got a Connie, it seems fair.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Why are there all the counterpoints to these color arguments stated purely from the "I want my weapons to stay the color they are"?

    If you want your weapons to stay the default color... fine... mission accomplished. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you change it.

    If you don't want this option included then help the dev's out and your fellow players out by giving specific reasons why you feel it isn't "fair" or why it breaks canon (in a game where Klingon warriors drop Feline Supplement 24) instead of just talking about your intention to use or not use the feature.

    Personally I like it... Because space combat is currently a little messed up and enemy ships often fly into places I cannot shoot them but they can shoot me, I like to know if my weapons are going off. My current UI settings (and having "fire all weapons" mapped to a mouse button) don't allow me to see the weapons cooldown happen and often my only cue is seeing my unique blue shots amid a sea of green and red.

    I don't PvP so for me the only thing I get out of this current "feature" is the ability to get around a coding problem inherent in space combat.

    I wouldn't mind it being something I have to purchase as an upgrade.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Zathurus wrote: »
    Color to know what type of weapon is being used is helpful, since some shields protect better against some weapons.

    Maybe they could add some textures to different beams, like spirals or fuzzyness that adds to distinction of type, then that would open up color for player purchased, or earned customizations.

    It should be noted that beam weapons are already textured by weapon type.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    lunatec wrote: »
    As has been stated elsewhere, the Connie phasers are unique and can't be replicated with a /powerhue color...it loses it's effect.

    that is why I am saying take the slash command out and give a vendor, this way it is a form of weapon upgrade and not just a simple hue swap. it should even put a new name or description on the weapon

    (basic weapon before color upgrade)
    Basic weapon MK??
    Statline- DPS

    (Basic weapon after color upgrade)
    Pink Basic weapon MK??
    Bound
    Statline- DPS
    Weapon has been upgraded with pink emitters
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Another option is different views for different clients, although that could be bad.

    A person could buy a colored phasor color only to find that every client viewing his shots, has an option, use original colors for weapons.

    Different clients doing different things for different users is not a new idea, and can add to player customization, although it can also be abused if not in the open.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    It is as I said in another thread about this. They should not take the functionality out, but rather, add an option to toggle "see other players' custom weapon/explosion colors" on or off. That way, those who don't want to see weapons colors that are outside of canon don't have to, but those who want that extra bit of personalization for their character/ship can have it, even though they may be the only one who sees it.

    Problem solved. Everyone goes home happy.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Look, here is what it breaks down to.

    Some of the community are able to derive more enjoyment from the customization of weapon colors than the non adherence to canon detracts; a net positive result.

    However, for some of the community, the detraction from canon takes away more enjoyment than the inclusion of customization adds back; a net negative result.

    This trade of between giving additional enjoyment to some and removing it from others is at the heart of all "wishlists" on the "it's a game and should be fun" category.
    It would be the same for Federation cloaks, federation carriers, Joined Trill for the Klingon faction, and any number of similar aspects which might be fun, but would detract from what is reasonable in the Star Trek Universe.

    When you add up the positive from those who want it and the negative from those who don't... there's either balance or not. When there is balance you err on the side of canon, when it's not you look for solutions to add that enjoyment without blatantly ignoring canon.

    Ensigns don't command ships. But cryptic felt the community as a whole was at a net negative in terms of working your way up to commanding a ship... so in favor of making the game "fun" they invented a story to get around canon without blatantly ignoring it: ie all senior officers dead, you step up to the plate and impress an Admiral so you get a field promotion.

    Those who don't like the idea of picking the color of your weapon REALLY don't like it... and those who do like the idea would certainly not walk away from the game if it went away. Being humble, I'd say that the net positive is equivalent to the net negative; the community is at the very least split on this.

    Canon is the tie breaker. I'm sorry, but in the 25th Century, phasers are orange and disruptors are green and when I see someone firing at me and I see green I want to know what type of weapon is being used.

    Cryptic goal was not JUST to make a good space game, it was to make a good Star Trek game. If the "Star Trek" part wasn't important they could have ignored the IP and had all kinds of unique customization options as a result; that's not an invalid approach. They however, chose to make a Star Trek game, which means that Ferengi have big ears, the Klingons like to stab you with bat'leths and phasers are orange.

    They gave up the option to have infinite customization options as a means of enjoyment, but they gained the option to immerse the player in the atmosphere of Trek instead. Might as well have Federation flying in Birds of Prey... cause it's fun... if that's how you all feel.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    1) There is already a thread about this, and its even on the 1st page right now. Creating another is just spamming.

    2) It has already been stated that this bug will be squashed, and that powerhue is going away. Please move on to the acceptance stage.

    3) No amount of whining is likely to change this. I suspect that it has been mandated by the owners of the intellectual property.

    4) No, you really don't need purple phasers.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Here's the problem with changing colors. If it were up to Cryptic, I'm sure they'd allow it, they are famous for their customization options. But I'm willing to bet it's not up to them, that weapon colors are mandated by CBS as a part of the Star Trek IP. Phasers are Red / Orange, Disruptors are Green, yadda yadda yadda, and since that is how they are portrayed in the series (excluding TOS) then that is how CBS wants them portrayed in the game, no customization allowed.

    Again, I don't know this for a fact, or have any evidence at all to support this, but it makes sense. It's only a theory, which happens to fit the facts.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Isn't a nerf if it doesn't affect gameplay. Cosmetic is cosmetic.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Cosmic_One wrote: »
    Leaving Powerhue in makes special items, such as the Connie phasers, pointless. Part of the fun of getting to use the Connie is the blue phasers. I'd imagine there's going to be other hued weapons (not inclusing the normal Disruptors, Plasma, etc) in the game eventually that Powerhue would also mess up. I'm content to shoot my normal-colored weapons.

    getting part starter equipment makes the Connie phasers pointless.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Vexiom wrote:
    1) There is already a thread about this, and its even on the 1st page right now. Creating another is just spamming.

    2) It has already been stated that this bug will be squashed, and that powerhue is going away. Please move on to the acceptance stage.

    3) No amount of whining is likely to change this. I suspect that it has been mandated by the owners of the intellectual property.

    4) No, you really don't need purple phasers.


    Agreed. Lets leave something intact and appropriate to the IP... the folks that wanted to play Star Trek Super Heroes already won their color war for unforms (thankfully controlled to a degree), please leave the weapon colors to canon standards.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I think that that need to make the connie phasers EVER MORE special in some way and leave the color selection intact. It would be great for the connie (and other special) weapons to leave a lingering trail or slowly degrade visually. This would make them unique and still leave color changing open.

    I understand though if those with a connie disagree and would never want to infringe on that specialness. In the long run color selection is something I adore (especially the RPer side of me that has a borg with teal weapons), but I wouldn't want to take away from the connie. She is a special girl indeed.

    I've got a connie, and I could care less about what color the phasers are.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I counted 4 different colors, Red, Blue, Violet, and Orange

    Tuntz..Tuntz..Tuntz..TunTunTuntz..Tuntz..Tuntz..Tuntz..TunTunTuntz..Tuntz..Tuntz..Tuntz..TunTunTuntz..
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    darmak wrote:
    , but they gained the option to immerse the player in the atmosphere of Trek instead. Might as well have Federation flying in Birds of Prey... cause it's fun... if that's how you all feel.

    ummm compare my ship to a Romulan Bird of Prey..
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/gothicshark/Star%20Trek/screenshot_2010-01-31-04-16-34.jpg
    http://technologizer.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/romulan_bird-of-prey_ent-aft_cloaking.jpg

    What I am Suggesting is a Compromise that would work. I have noticed it is only the PVP players who are upset, since they are the only ones really effected, and why are they upset? because some folks have different shields and boffs aimed at specific weapon systems and when they see a random color they don't know what it is, personally giving in to PVP players is what killed CO, I hope they don't do it here.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Sorry for the second post but I had to reply to these.
    Vexiom wrote:
    1) There is already a thread about this, and its even on the 1st page right now. Creating another is just spamming.

    2) It has already been stated that this bug will be squashed, and that powerhue is going away. Please move on to the acceptance stage.

    3) No amount of whining is likely to change this. I suspect that it has been mandated by the owners of the intellectual property.

    4) No, you really don't need purple phasers.


    1. Actually the Other post has turned into a Flame war and I am making a reasonable suggestion for a good compromise.

    2. yes but the cat has been let out of the bag, and there is a lot of folks who like it.

    3. sadly you sound like you are Whining I am submitting a reasonable and logical approach.

    4. Actually yes we do, also green, yellow, pink and 360 different hues, well maybe not that many but as I have stated if you run disruptors and you are in pve with a full team it is rather difficult sometimes to tell who you are firing at, and who your team is firing at adding color options would fix this and it is already there no need for a big change.
    Isn't a nerf if it doesn't affect gameplay. Cosmetic is cosmetic.

    Actually it effects two things, having color options messes with some PVP players who swap weapons and powers based on who is shooting what, and as far as I can tell they are the most upset group, even if they hide behind "its not lore". and second in a team enviroment in space and everyone has the same weapon type including the NPCs it is easy to get lost as to who has what, and where is my target.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    The Connie, already has a better hull 12K vs 10K for tier 1, it has an extra engineer station, anf the phasers do more damage. and buy far the best of the pre-order bonus. The power hue will allow us to have the blue phaser on upgraded phasers. You also can move the connie's phasers to other ships so from now on my tier 2 ships have connie lphhasers until I get some Mk3 to replace them.

    I think the fact the can be used to disquish ships is a great reason to keep the colors in. Howeve, it should be via UI. But there is presidennt for changing them during battle.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    The Connie, already has a better hull 12K vs 10K for tier 1, it has an extra engineer station, anf the phasers do more damage. and buy far the best of the pre-order bonus. The power hue will allow us to have the blue phaser on upgraded phasers. You also can move the connie's phasers to other ships so from now on my tier 2 ships have connie lphhasers until I get some Mk3 to replace them.

    I think the fact the can be used to disquish ships is a great reason to keep the colors in. Howeve, it should be via UI. But there is presidennt for changing them during battle.

    More reasons to find a way to have a color change option ....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Fixing a bug is not a Nerf. No abilities are being impacted.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    St.Sinner wrote:
    Fixing a bug is not a Nerf. No abilities are being impacted.

    You obviously didn't read anything but the title, please read and think before jumping to conclusions.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Cryptic has stated several times that powerhue is a bug and is being removed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I would keep weapons as per their default colors to better assist with "conning" enemies. Green phasers and orange disruptors would really just confuse things greatly. As for vender-purchased colors, I would allow minor variation only. More red photon torpedoes, and more yellow ones, and quantum options that are more teal and more deep blue, perhaps. But no more than that, and I think having single, fixed colors is better in this regard.

    If a player should be able to look at a ship and know in a glance what class it is, then they should also be able to look at weapon fire and know in a glance know what type it is.

    I think Cracked1701 is right on track, though, just as all cryptic ship designs had to be approved by CBS, I'd bet that the weapon colors are right in there too.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    You obviously didn't read anything but the title, please read and think before jumping to conclusions.

    No, I read your entire post. That is my well thought out response.

    Please don't use the term nerf to describe something that is not being nerfed.


    I have already stated for the record that I don't care if people wish to change their own colors as long as when I see them, it is the default colors. I care less what happens on your screen, but I care much more about what I'm subjected to on mine.

    To do this requires more coding than disabling the bug. The next patch will most likely kill this bug, If they wish to re-enable the ability with the above feature, that's fine, but make it low priority as the development time could be used to squash more bugs.

    My original response was enough. There's already numerous threads on this topic.
This discussion has been closed.