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Star Trek Online needs a more serious, mature tone and mood - Desperatly.

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
I've stopped playing EVE online since november when i started a new training schedule, and then began CB'ing STO. Been playing STO ever since then.

Today my training schedule finished and i resumed playing EVE for a few hours per week (enough to get me 300m ISK or so each week), still favoring STO since i'm having a blast, even at RA5. But one thing i've noticed in contrast is the jovial, light-hearted mood of this game.

The game feels more like a top of the morning animated comic cartoon then something in par with the mood present in series like Deep Space Nine, or in movies like Star Trek VI and VIII.

The Klingons have absoultely no depth, they talk and sound like average lunatic villains of a B-Rated sci-fi movie. Federation officers sound too overly entusiastic about everything, the amount of exclamation points in their dialog is incredible.

The very small amount of music in this game are of good quality, but they too need to be a little darker, again like in Star Trek VI and Star Trek VIII


Also, i think that the biggest thing that add to this not-so-serious mood is the UI and the sector map. It is too colorfull, the font is too reminescent of Champions Online, stars on the sector map are these huge blobs of light instead of tiny dots, and the engine trails could be optional. System space is indeed beautifull, but at this time i am longing for a clear, pitch-black with tiny white dots space, with only a few small nebulae here and there.

Devs, you could make it so we can change the color of the HUD by ourselves (Like in EVE), or even choose between several different themes and skins. Also, please, make it so the sector map grids are a client-based option, so that we can turn it off, or at least make it a generic grid, with subtle colors to show in what sector we're at. And the space background, they could also be client-based, so we can turn nebulae off.


What you guys at the community think? Is there anyone who thinks that STO could have a more serious and mature mood, and not feel like a teenager superhero animated series like X-Men?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I couldn't agree more. I have an entire thread just to adding corpses to the game buried in the forums here somewhere. Part of the tension and mystery was discovering ghost ships full of slaughtered crew but have no clue how. Romance and affairs were common. Hard moral decisions were constantly having to be made. The Starfleet captains who went Rogue were antagonists in some of the most exciting adventures Star Trek had to offer.
    "Well-behaved women rarely make history." Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


    STO is also too well behaved to stay exciting for long. Lets hope they kick things up a notch.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I agree 300% but really this is a matter of tastes. I'm not sure what you or I would like is what the target audience wants to see. Actually I'm even almost sure it is not. The lore cannot help you here since the IP has both dark and lighthearted moments.

    I remember reading on Champions Online forum some kind of poll (can't remember who did it, some website, so I don't know if it is serious stuff) showing that the audience of STO was older than CO's audience. It could explain some things, but the truth is that if you enjoy EvE, you're probably much more "hardcore" than the target audience for this game.

    As for me, I'm willing to compromise : I can bear the "Oh captain delazure is da best and his noobiranda is the best ship in the fleet" TRIBBLE on SB1 if they add a little depth to the game. But unless the game becomes a viable niche and you wait for a few years (because the development would be much slower then), I don't see it changing the way you and I would like any time soon.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    When the adolescents who are complaining this isnt like WOW are gone in 30 days (subscirption kicks in) perhaps we more "mature" players will be heard by the Devs over the din of the childish whining.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I agree as well. A more mature and adult level of gameplay would be nice. I enjoy STO, but do crave a more adult venue at times.
    Which brings up my next thought.......

    DO you think Borg strippers would be to much? and I wonder if they can take credit cards? They must have a reader somewhere mixed in with all that technology.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Roach wrote: »
    I agree as well. A more mature and adult level of gameplay would be nice. I enjoy STO, but do crave a more adult venue at times.
    Which brings up my next thought.......

    DO you think Borg strippers would be to much? and I wonder if they can take credit cards? They must have a reader somewhere mixed in with all that technology.

    See what I mean about "target audience" ? :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Delazure wrote: »
    I agree 300% but really this is a matter of tastes. I'm not sure what you or I would like is what the target audience wants to see. Actually I'm even almost sure it is not. The lore cannot help you here since the IP has both dark and lighthearted moments.

    I remember reading on Champions Online forum some kind of poll (can't remember who did it, some website, so I don't know if it is serious stuff) showing that the audience of STO was older than CO's audience. It could explain some things, but the truth is that if you enjoy EvE, you're probably much more "hardcore" than the target audience for this game.

    As for me, I'm willing to compromise : I can bear the "Oh captain delazure is da best and his noobiranda is the best ship in the fleet" TRIBBLE on SB1 if they add a little depth to the game. But unless the game becomes a viable niche and you wait for a few years (because the development would be much slower then), I don't see it changing the way you and I would like any time soon.

    Indeed EVE is hardcore... been playing for two years and, by EVE's standards, i'm still a noob :p Although EVE's hardcoredom is because of its complexity, not necessarely it's tone.

    At the moment, if i may say, Star Trek Online should be named Captain Proton Online :)
    When the adolescents who are complaining this isnt like WOW are gone in 30 days (subscirption kicks in) perhaps we more "mature" players will be heard by the Devs over the din of the childish whining.

    Thy words be made holy!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Roach wrote: »
    DO you think Borg strippers would be to much? and I wonder if they can take credit cards? They must have a reader somewhere mixed in with all that technology.

    My liberated borg bridge officer kept 2 of the best implants for herself. Now I just need to get that pole installed on the bridge next to Ops.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I had an interesting conversation with one of my fleetmates the other day - she said she actually preferred star trek to some other recent sci-fi shows because it wasn't all dark and gritty.

    That said, I do think the game could stand with being a little darker in some places. Like for example, when you do the exploration mission where <insert group here> has lost contact with a science facility. You get to the science facility and learn that some horrible thing happened and the scientists were all slaughtered. Yet.... there's no signs of struggle. No broken consoles, no blast marks from phaser fire, no bodies of dead scientists or their attackers... everything is squeaky clean. While this works for some storylines, it really doesn't work for all of them. I'm not saying we need to see blood spatter on the walls or anything, but some kind of "dungeon dressing" would be nice.

    Although, I did have a Gorn call me a "Federation Do-gooder" the other day. One of my fleetmates commented that it was probably the Universal Translator trying to interpret an insult :P My response: I shot him in the face.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Although, I did have a Gorn call me a "Federation Do-gooder" the other day. One of my fleetmates commented that it was probably the Universal Translator trying to interpret an insult :P My response: I shot him in the face.

    All STO in three lines. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Lx31 wrote:
    My liberated borg bridge officer kept 2 of the best implants for herself. Now I just need to get that pole installed on the bridge next to Ops.

    I was thinking to Transporter would be better since it already has a lighted sub-floor. Add some speakers, pump in some music and smoky air - I'm ready to go.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ruivo wrote:
    System space is indeed beautifull, but at this time i am longing for a clear, pitch-black with tiny white dots space, with only a few small nebulae here and there.

    Yeah that.

    Devs: I know it's hard to imagine with those pesky clouds in the sky when you look out the window, but, space is BLACK, mostly BLACK. I'm almost stunned when I go into a system and it actually looks like space. The clouds are really beautiful, but they shouldn't be there for the most part.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Delazure wrote: »
    See what I mean about "target audience" ? :D

    without humor life in very boring, I'll take it where I find it. :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ruivo wrote:
    I've stopped playing EVE online since november when i started a new training schedule, and then began CB'ing STO. Been playing STO ever since then.

    Today my training schedule finished and i resumed playing EVE for a few hours per week (enough to get me 300m ISK or so each week), still favoring STO since i'm having a blast, even at RA5. But one thing i've noticed in contrast is the jovial, light-hearted mood of this game.

    The game feels more like a top of the morning animated comic cartoon then something in par with the mood present in series like Deep Space Nine, or in movies like Star Trek VI and VIII.

    The Klingons have absoultely no depth, they talk and sound like average lunatic villains of a B-Rated sci-fi movie. Federation officers sound too overly entusiastic about everything, the amount of exclamation points in their dialog is incredible.

    The very small amount of music in this game are of good quality, but they too need to be a little darker, again like in Star Trek VI and Star Trek VIII


    Also, i think that the biggest thing that add to this not-so-serious mood is the UI and the sector map. It is too colorfull, the font is too reminescent of Champions Online, stars on the sector map are these huge blobs of light instead of tiny dots, and the engine trails could be optional. System space is indeed beautifull, but at this time i am longing for a clear, pitch-black with tiny white dots space, with only a few small nebulae here and there.

    Devs, you could make it so we can change the color of the HUD by ourselves (Like in EVE), or even choose between several different themes and skins. Also, please, make it so the sector map grids are a client-based option, so that we can turn it off, or at least make it a generic grid, with subtle colors to show in what sector we're at. And the space background, they could also be client-based, so we can turn nebulae off.


    What you guys at the community think? Is there anyone who thinks that STO could have a more serious and mature mood, and not feel like a teenager superhero animated series like X-Men?

    When I initially read this thread title I thought it was another whiny complaint, but this is a well written critique, and I actually agree with almost every point you've made here.

    I do think the sector map could use some work, the presentation just seems very unfinished. The colors are far to bright (I like some bright colors and contrast, but when everything is bright it looses it's punch).
    And the font in game is absolutely horrible, some letters are unreadable.

    The music, this is something I've thought really needed work since day one. What little music there is, well it's not bad. However there's only like 4-5 tracks, when you're in romulan space, or klingon space it doesn't feel any different at all, just a different color grid. And the exploration missions have no sound at all, not even ambient music with whirring of star ship engines, or pinging of exploration devices.

    I know the game just came out, and many games have UI changes as they go. The UI in LOTRO at launch compaired to now is totally different. I'm sure things will be improve. Hopefully they look at post like this and get some ideas.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Roach wrote: »
    without humor life in very boring, I'll take it where I find it. :p

    Indeed it is. I was joking too Roach, I know you love the game tremendously, much more than I do, but I also know that you always keep an open mind. If all the STO fans were as mature as you are, this place would be a paradise. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    What i am surely hoping it'll happen is exactly what the guy on the first page said. That one or two months from now the free-30 days people will be gone and this game will rely solely on subscriptions. And since that most star trek fans are well over 16 years old our voices will start to have more sound :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ruivo wrote:
    What i am surely hoping it'll happen is exactly what the guy on the first page said. That one or two months from now the free-30 days people will be gone and this game will rely solely on subscriptions. And since that most star trek fans are well over 16 years old our voices will start to have more sound :)

    While I agree 100%, there is a big difference between being 'heard' and 'listened' to - food for thought...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I have a solution. Throw in a well written epic quest with sinister voice over by David Warner. Antoher option is to have a romantic quest with the voice over of Jennifer Hale. Hey, romance belongs in star trek if you know anything about Kirk, he was a romantic... but don't lay it on thick and cheesy like Kirk lol
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I have to agree with most of what's here. The Sector UI needs some polish, some options


    as for the tone, I agree, but what we do in the 45th is pretty much ignore the story, write our own, and RP through missions. For example

    *SPOILER*

    The New Link - We're writting another version of it where we aren't there to be all happy and make peacy. In the end, we kill them all. the Lass fight is the Founders trying to save themselves. We leave and use orbital strikes.

    *END SPOILER*

    Where there is a lack of dark, DS9 imperfect universe tone, we place it in. We're playing up the Undine involvment to the level of the Bluegill infestation in the TNG episode 'Conspiracy', one of my personal favorites.

    So untill Cryptic adds some reality and grit to STO, we just put it in.


    And as for the music, well, i just turn off STO and play my own soundtrack made up of all the best ST film/series music. I know a few people who listen to Starfox game music XD

    Also, shameless plug here, the 45th SOG, small RP fleet, interested in mature, dark universe, send me a mail/tell at Garrus Holden@Anubis714
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I hate it when people keep saying 'We need to be more like EVE Online'. THere's already a dark, hardcore non-new player friendly MMO out there; why not have a lighter, more casual MMO for once?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    We're not saying that it needs to be ALL dark. TOS was very light, so was alot of TNG. But this game should represent all of Trek. For example, the Tribble with Klingons. HILARIOUS mission, and it fits in Trek's humor. But there should be more, better executed 'Grey Area' missions, like the DS9 episodes involving Section 31. Suspect was cool, but it didnt convey the feeling of walking both sides of the fence, skirting along the lines of morality. Trek makes you think hard. So far the plotlines that exist are mediocre at best. They have promise, but they arent as developed and deep as they could be
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    ChargerIIC wrote: »
    I hate it when people keep saying 'We need to be more like EVE Online'. THere's already a dark, hardcore non-new player friendly MMO out there; why not have a lighter, more casual MMO for once?

    No, i haven't suggested that STO shouldn't be a more casual MMO. I just used EVE as an example because it has exactly the more serious, deep mood and feel that Star Trek needs.

    Star Trek Online right now feels like a comic book, whereas it should feel like a graphic novel.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ruivo wrote:
    Star Trek Online right now feels like a comic book, whereas it should feel like a graphic novel.

    exactly. too light hearted. Light hearted in Trek is good, in moderation, but as TNG, DS9, and to some extent, VOY demonstrated, the Trek 'verse isnt pure and happy and good. I mean even the supposed WAR thats going on is jovial and amusing.

    Fed: Hi ho, chaps, shall we have an altercation?
    Klingon: We would indeed be game!
    Fed: Righto then, shall we have at it?
    Klingon: Indoubitably!

    Battle

    Fed: Good show, gents.
    Klingon: Bloody good show, shall we have afternoon tea then?
    Fed: Splendid idea!


    srsly. too light hearted.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    ChargerIIC wrote: »
    I hate it when people keep saying 'We need to be more like EVE Online'. THere's already a dark, hardcore non-new player friendly MMO out there; why not have a lighter, more casual MMO for once?

    I respect EvE Online but I don't play it anymore and won't play it again. Actually the only feature from EvE I'd like to see in STO is a dumbed down version of its exploration probes system. Now, "casual" doesn't mean "childish" and I, for one, don't need to read a bunch of NPCs pretending I am the best captain in the universe all over SB1 even though I am a Lt. 5 in a noobiranda. Another example : I don't need to see my ego boosted by killing three heavy Klingons battleships with my light cruiser in every noob mission, etc.

    Now, as I said previously, to each his own, and I think you shouldn't worry too much about it : Cryptic won't turn this game into EvE Online anytime soon.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    @op

    /agree
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Think back on episodes like Tapestry (TNG), In The Pale Moonlight(DS9), Latent Image(VOY) and Court Martial(TOS). These are by far some of the fan-favorite episodes of the series.

    Also, my favorite amongst all series being The Visitor (DS9), should tell you exactly what kind of depth i'd like to see in STO :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    YES. The Visitor is a FANTASTIC episode. Now while we really cant expect THAT much depth out of an MMO, simply because of engine/gameplay constraints and realities, can we atleast get something closer to that much emotional pull?


    inb4 if you want emotion play a SP game
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Ruivo wrote:
    Think back on episodes like Tapestry (TNG), In The Pale Moonlight(DS9), Latent Image(VOY) and Court Martial(TOS). These are by far some of the fan-favorite episodes of the series.

    Also, my favorite amongst all series being The Visitor (DS9), should tell you exactly what kind of depth i'd like to see in STO :)

    It would be hard to reach such an amount of immersion in a Cryptic game. Bioware perhaps might do it but even ME2 is childish compared to The Visitor.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Delazure wrote: »
    It would be hard to reach such an amount of immersion in a Cryptic game. Bioware perhaps might do it but even ME2 is childish compared to The Visitor.

    That is true, even small flashbacks from the episode sends chills down my spine and makes me want to watch it again :)

    Now, i am truly hoping that somoene at cryptic will give this thread even an small look. Perhaps someone will read it then e-mail the link to someone else up the ladder with the subject "Check this one out".

    So, Cryptic, we're handing you gold here, invest in this kind of immersion and you will have a very, very successfull game. I am yet to see someone who will complain at the addition of more depth

    But try not to take this in the wrong way. We want more seriousness, and not more blingness. No one wants to see Batman-like "BAAAM!!!" "WHAAAM!!" "BOOM!!" "SHOOOSH!!" baloons on screen when we punch someone on ground or fire a torpedo in space. Because the game as it is now, almost throws these at you :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I approve of this message.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I remember Harlan Ellison whining about the constraints that Gene imposed on him in writing "City on the Edge of Forever". Ellison was regarded as the "angry young man" of science fiction, and very much in the dark and moody vein. His original script featured a crew on the verge of mutiny. Gene made him rewrite it, and Gene was right, because IT WASN'T TREK. Roddenberry's vision of the future was always awash in bright primary colors and infused with the optimistic energy of discovery. Yes, there were moral dilemas and interpersonal conflicts, but they were always resolved by a crew that functioned as an idealized family.

    TNG was very much in the same spirit. There were episodes of despair and self-doubt, as when Picard was recovering from his transformation into Locutus. But the overall tone was optimistic, upbeat, and in general a heroic journey.

    DS9 and VOY lost some of that spirit; consequently, they both lost my attention about halfway through their respective runs.

    I'd love to see more depth, interaction and choices in the game, unquestionably. But tone? If anything, it's TOO dark. We need to end this pointless war and get focused on the threats that the Alpha Quadrant can face with a united front. Let's get back to seeking out new life and new civilizations and away from the STO addendum, "... and blow them to smithereens!"
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