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Should I stay or should I go?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
I am a lifetime subscriber. I have been quitely playing for the past few weeks making my way on Thursday to RA2. I have only ever played one other MMO which was SWG very early on into its run. I didn't like it and quit pretty quickly.

I have enjoyed STO to now, though I have the same complaints most here have...missions are repetitve, lack of end game content, etc.

My concern is whether or not everyone is leaving after the free month? From the volume of the noise on these boards it certainly seems as though many if not most are. I'm honestly afraid of sticking around waiting on content updates that Cryptic won't do from lack of subscribers.

I'm not really polling, more like thinking in writing, I'm kind of curious if anyone has any thoughts on the subject.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    A MMO is very different than an off-the-shelf video game. An off-the-shelf video game is static, fixed, finished and never changing.

    An MMO is a community, an organism, and never perfect: always growing, changing.

    Think of STO as a community, something planted that is only now starting to grow. Stay with us for this journey. Add and contribute or maybe just grab an ale at Quark's.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    A MMO is very different than an off-the-shelf video game. An off-the-shelf video game is static, fixed, finished and never changing.

    An MMO is a community, an organism, and never perfect: always growing, changing.

    Think of STO as a community, something planted that is only now starting to grow. Stay with us for this journey. Add and contribute or maybe just grab an ale at Quark's.

    I couldn't possibly put it better myself.

    All I can add is to ask where else you will get such awesome Star Trek space flight and combat?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    From the volume of the noise on these boards it certainly seems as though many if not most are.
    They just like to yell the hardest.

    Don't forget - their are also plenty of people who play & don't use the forums.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    A MMO is very different than an off-the-shelf video game. An off-the-shelf video game is static, fixed, finished and never changing.

    An MMO is a community, an organism, and never perfect: always growing, changing.

    Think of STO as a community, something planted that is only now starting to grow. Stay with us for this journey. Add and contribute or maybe just grab an ale at Quark's.

    Well said;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I share this regret:

    http://www.keenandgraev.com/?p=3098

    Not worried about content in the medium to long term.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    PhiloPhi wrote:
    They just like to yell the hardest.

    Don't forget - their are also plenty of people who play & don't use the forums.

    Point well taken.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    PhiloPhi wrote:
    They just like to yell the hardest.

    Don't forget - their are also plenty of people who play & don't use the forums.

    /agree
    The forums on mmos are always the place where people come to complain you wont see most of the people who really like the game talking much here so dont assume that most will be leaving only the vocal minority is.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I wouldn't buy a lifetime sub. It's a month in and people are already racing far ahead of what content there is.

    The game itself is the problem, the engine and the layout. They can keep pouring in 'content', but that's just going to be band aid after band aid.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Personally, I think I will take a break after the free month and see how the game developes. But STO does have something going for it and that is the fact that unlinke other MMOs that have a weak start STO has got a solid base system which offers a huge potential for growth. If I had a lifetime sub I don't think I'd go for the refund. In the worst case you can play off and on as I don't believe the game will close down anytime soon.

    PS:...too bad you didn't like SWG, that was my favorite of all time hehehe
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Please stay. As the other poster said have a drink and go along for the ride.
    As the universe grows it's going to bring alot of interesting new things.

    As a growing community with the help of others the universe is a big sand box we can all play in together with our different ideas!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    If you're enjoying playing the game, stay.

    If you're not, evaluate whether you think it will improve enough with time that you would enjoy it later. In that case, go do something else for a few months, but keep the sub. You've already laid down the money anyway.

    If you're not enjoying the game and you don't think it will get to the point that you would enjoy it, get your refund and go enjoy something else.

    It's not a massively complicated decision.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I feel bad for all lifers for wasting that money.

    However as a lifer, it doesn't really matter if you stay or leave. You can always just come back and play it later if it ever gets actually good. If it doesn't (more likely) then that loss of cash is just a life lesson you will take something away from.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    There is still time available for a refund. Now that you have seen the game, ask yourself is there enough to keep you busy for the lifetime price? Or would a reoccurring sub suit your needs? Or enjoy the memories you had for now, no more subs and check out it out later with a monthly, or say goodbye for ever.

    I know my answer, best of luck to you and whatever you choose I hope works.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I feel bad for all lifers for wasting that money.

    However as a lifer, it doesn't really matter if you stay or leave. You can always just come back and play it later if it ever gets actually good. If it doesn't (more likely) then that loss of cash is just a life lesson you will take something away from.

    People said the same thing with LOTRO, seriously, way too early to make that judgment call either way.

    OP you need to make up your own mind!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    In my experience the loudest people are generally the most negative people. So it's easy to see 10-20 people as speaking for the majority of players when there are probably thousands of people playing that never visit the forums. Even in game you might get one or two negative people out of 20 per zone but that still does not speak for a majority.

    Most of the complaints have been regarding the fact that they game is not as perfect and polished as say WoW. The problem with that being that WoW has been out for 5+ years and had a worse release then STO. The truth about that is that STO needs those WoW players with their bloated expectations to subscribe to the game. For the most part though Cryptic has been good about rolling out updates and such. I guess we will see what the subscription numbers look like after the 30 day mark.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    StarTuxia wrote: »
    People said the same thing with LOTRO, seriously, way too early to make that judgment call either way.

    OP you need to make up your own mind!

    The fact you are advocating the "wait to see if it gets better" approach already warrants judging this game unfit as it is.

    Besides, you can extrapolate from their history. Just look at city of heroes and how little they did with the game as far as end game and mechanics while they still owned it. Then look at champions which has several months on STO and is a pretty good window to the future of how things will play out here.

    The company has very specific practices that it does not deviate from, you shouldn't expect anything amazing to spontaneously happen some day.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    You'll find that as with most things, the loudest complainers tend to falsely appear like they are the majority, since those who have nothing to complain about rarely come on a forum and make loud noises about not having any problems, that's just the way it is.

    Anyone with any sense should base a decision to stay/go on their own opinion and not the perception of a vocal few who fall either side of the pro/con line. They might be large in number on this forum, but there have been over a million keys for STO, thus we are a long way from seeing a million people complaining on these forums. If you take a step back and disregard both the TRIBBLE-kissers and the complainers (yup there are some overly-vocal pro people too), and simply judge Cryptic on what they have done, you can make a choice that is your own.

    I've tried to do that myself, and the conclusion I drew was enough to warrant me purchasing a lifetime sub. This is because I've seen Cryptic do what I think is a pretty good job on the whole. Others might disagree, and I daresay some will be along shortly to voice that disagreement on this thread, but here's how I drew that conclusion:

    It's no secret that Cryptic were up against the clock to get STO out, since it was hoped that it would tie in with renewed interest in Star Trek courtesy of the JJ Abrams movies, but not simply because of it, since there is a forty-plus year legacy of fans who have come to STO based on their love of one or all of the various incarnations of Star Trek over the years.

    Given that Cryptic had a limited time in which to get a game out, there are limitations on what they could do in that time, and when I considered that, rather than slag them off, I have nothing but praise for the fact that they got something out the door in the allotted time. It has some issues sure, but it is a very stable game, it looks and sounds like Star Trek, and it is therefore a decent platform upon which to hang adventures in a Star Trek ilk, and given the time constraints, we can certainly understand why perhaps not all the icing was complete on the cake when actually making a cake was the priority at the time. So I'm fairly confident that it will received said icing in time, and it is merely that Cryptic had to prioritise things in a fairly pragmatic fashion in order to get us to this point that sees it currently awaiting decoration.

    Now that the framework is in place, Cryptic can capitalise on what they have done. There were a few people who complained about Cryptic being more concerned with raking in cash, but if you choose to look at that in a less cynical fashion, then if you accept that STO is a money-making exercise, how is it more likely to make money? By having content that attracts players, Or not doing so? Yup, the answer is, the former. And guess what? With over a million sales, they can afford to pay some decent writers, and decent designers to do just that.

    Disagree with that assessment if you like. But it makes perfect sense to me, and I'm willing to bet it makes perfect sense to the accountants at Cryptic and Atari too. So I'm staying, and I'm prepared to bet that those who do not stay, will probably return when they see that has happened in a few months' time, at which point they will realise that they were not ripped off at all, because they will see what their money can do given a bit of time.

    Al
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Trillenium wrote: »
    In my experience the loudest people are generally the most negative people. So it's easy to see 10-20 people as speaking for the majority of players when there are probably thousands of people playing that never visit the forums. Even in game you might get one or two negative people out of 20 per zone but that still does not speak for a majority.

    Most of the complaints have been regarding the fact that they game is not as perfect and polished as say WoW. The problem with that being that WoW has been out for 5+ years and had a worse release then STO. The truth about that is that STO needs those WoW players with their bloated expectations to subscribe to the game. For the most part though Cryptic has been good about rolling out updates and such. I guess we will see what the subscription numbers look like after the 30 day mark.

    I'm looking at the 2nd quarter results and conference call.
    As an investor myself that's the part I'm interested in.
    How much cash and what's the expectation and plans and that;s it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Chock wrote:
    there have been over a million keys for STO

    One million forum accounts. Cryptic has never released figures on box sales or actual game accounts created.

    Like the game or hate, I don't care, but for pity's sake, get your information straight.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    I am a lifetime subscriber. I have been quitely playing for the past few weeks making my way on Thursday to RA2. I have only ever played one other MMO which was SWG very early on into its run. I didn't like it and quit pretty quickly.

    I have enjoyed STO to now, though I have the same complaints most here have...missions are repetitve, lack of end game content, etc.

    My concern is whether or not everyone is leaving after the free month? From the volume of the noise on these boards it certainly seems as though many if not most are. I'm honestly afraid of sticking around waiting on content updates that Cryptic won't do from lack of subscribers.

    I'm not really polling, more like thinking in writing, I'm kind of curious if anyone has any thoughts on the subject.

    Hay man, like many have said , if your having fun then stay , things will change they always do , new content will be added, twicks will happen over time some for the good some for the bad, MMO is a living breathing thing it will change evolve all the time.

    Don't worry about the forums , most of the population that plays the game go our stays without ever coming to the boards, I have quit games years ago that are still running, most people that you see here on the forums are hardcore gamers (if they admit it or not) they are the "Vocal Minority" ether they love it or hate it extremists on both sides of the issue, only you can decide if you stay or not , they game will still be here if you decide to come back later believe me.

    MY advice to you would be only check the boards for info , its the best way to enjoy a game
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    If you're enjoying playing the game, stay.

    If you're not, evaluate whether you think it will improve enough with time that you would enjoy it later. In that case, go do something else for a few months, but keep the sub. You've already laid down the money anyway.

    If you're not enjoying the game and you don't think it will get to the point that you would enjoy it, get your refund and go enjoy something else.

    It's not a massively complicated decision.

    This right here, OP. If you have the LTS, it means that you can leave and come back at any time, without any penalty whatsoever. You basically have a space-based version of Guild Wars, in that you can literally leave and come back a year later, patch up and you're in the same place you left.

    Look at it this way - if you get a refund on the LTS, you may decide in a year's time to come back. If you do that, you'd have to pay for game time, just to sign in, and if you absolutely love what you're playing, you could end up kicking yourself in the TRIBBLE about giving the sub up.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    One million forum accounts. Cryptic has never released figures on box sales or actual game accounts created.

    Like the game or hate, I don't care, but for pity's sake, get your information straight.

    Actually, if you really want to get technical, it's just ACCOUNTS. We don't know what kind, be it game accounts, game accounts including beta accounts, or forum accounts.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    The fact you are advocating the "wait to see if it gets better" approach already warrants judging this game unfit as it is.

    :rolleyes:

    Thanks for making an assumption, what part of "way too early either way" did you fail to read or comprehend? Actually I think you did, but wanted to twist meanings to make people look stupid. Attack the argument, which you did OK with when pointing out other games from Cryptic.

    Sure, I used LOTRO as an example, saw the same arguments seen there as I have seen here, but it is a gamble and on that game it failed.

    Will it happen to STO? It could, but we're dealing with a much larger IP.

    Anyway, the poster needs to make up their own mind and not have it made for them by you or me or anyone else.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Actually, if you really want to get technical, it's just ACCOUNTS. We don't know what kind, be it game accounts, game accounts including beta accounts, or forum accounts.
    Atari announced that “over 1 million Star Trek fans have created accounts at the official websites”. The websites mentioned in the statement refer to the Champions Online official site, as well as the Star Trek Online one.

    http://www.incgamers.com/News/20843/star-trek-online-does-not-have-1m-users
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    StarTuxia wrote: »
    :rolleyes:

    Thanks for making an assumption, what part of "way too early either way" did you fail to read or comprehend? Actually I think you did, but wanted to twist meanings to make people look stupid. Attack the argument, which you did OK with when pointing out other games from Cryptic.

    Sure, I used LOTRO as an example, saw the same arguments seen there as I have seen here, but it is a gamble and on that game it failed.

    Will it happen to STO? It could, but we're dealing with a much larger IP.

    Anyway, the poster needs to make up their own mind and not have it made for them by you or me or anyone else.

    While I wasn't vocal about it, I was actually very anti LotRO after playing it in beta. A while after launch I decided to give it another try, out of boredom more than anything. The first 10 levels I hated just as much as when in beta, then the game stepped up from what it had been prior to post launch patches. Its actually turned out to be one of the best MMORPGs I've played.

    Just like the guy in the thread you posted I quit after completing all the content (i.e. was one of the first level 50 and in the first raid group to down the raid bosses). I went back when Moria was released, but left again after a while. Now wish I'd got the lifetime subsciption, as I still think its a really good MMORPG and would really like to just keep popping back to it. The number of months I've played added together already come to more than I would have paid.

    I have the same gut feeling for STO. I know at some point I'll burn out, but I know I'll want to come back.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Oh. My bad.

    Yeah, it is accounts. Although also take into concideration that was before EU accounts were added, as the game hadn't launched over here when the annoucement was made.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    One million forum accounts. Cryptic has never released figures on box sales or actual game accounts created.

    Like the game or hate, I don't care, but for pity's sake, get your information straight.

    Alright, forum accounts, I stand pedantically corrected, but that merely supports what I was saying if you look at the context of where I wrote that, since it was a comment directly related to opinions expressed on the forum. I'm guessing that if people have come on the forum, there's an outside chance they've played the game, since the forum is actually related to it.

    Al
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    Chock wrote:
    Alright, forum accounts, I stand pedantically corrected, but that merely supports what I was saying if you look at the context of where I wrote that, since it was a comment directly related to opinions expressed on the forum. I'm guessing that if people have come on the forum, there's an outside chance they've played the game, since the forum is actually related to it.

    Al
    With over a million sales, they can afford to pay some decent writers, and decent designers to do just that.

    It has nothing to do with semantics. Your information is just wrong.

    I make no commentary on your opinion either way, but at least do intelligent discussion the courtesy of checking your facts first.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2010
    If you go there will be trouble, and if you stay it will be double. So come on and let me know if you're staying or going, this indecision’s bugging me.
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