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Cryptic hiding in the shadows

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Okay Cryptic and Star Trek fans. Here is my theory and personal take on how this game is being burnt out by cryptic management.
1. They are trying to run an impossible to maintain and employee unfriendly environment.
2. Developers and researchers are outright ignoring what the players want to insure low-cost.
3. Star Trek Online does not utilize its resources correctly.
4. Repeated poor internet noise is being generated on a daily basis sinking Cryptic's ship.
5. Cryptic dumps all its money into fixing its weaknesses rather than tackling one issue at a time and capitalizing on its strengths.
6. Star Trek Online avoids key themes that have been and are associated with the Star Trek franchise.
7. Cryptics poor business model reflects on its product.
8. Lack of precedents.
9. Makes obvious mistakes.

Now, things that Cryptic can do to save face and get out in front of its problems and the publics concerns.
1. Decentralize your efforts and put more work into HR
2. Read and try to please a majority of the players while still considering the minorities.
3. Utilize and reuse programming and reprogramming to help expand the environment as many complain it is claustrophobic.
4. Get out in front of your internet noise and be more receptive to suggestions.
5. Capitalize on your strengths (Space) and conserve/save ground for R&D.
6. Associate Star Trek with more of an ongoing theme to the franchise.
7. Redo Cryptic's business model and totally rewrite Cryptic's mission statement. (You are not a 100 billion
dollar company)
8. Maintain a structured precedent.
9. Avoid costly long run and early on obvious mistakes which can be determined by proper testing.

Lastly, I would like to add that management within cryptic should be able to sit down and have a general idea of programming, what their programmers are working on at all times, and everyone should always be on the same page down to the proper programming standards. (Cryptic reflects little or none of these qualities)
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I would have to agree with most of this. I think I described most of these issues as Group Think and Theory X bosses in another post. One can only gather from what many of us see here in this game that just the work environment cannot be good.

    I don’t see how Jack, and John of Cryptic can be pleased with the results of STO so far. I personally think it is nothing more than infighting at Cryptic. Developers from COH and Champions don’t want the competition and don’t want change in the company….which is why STO looks more like COH with a Star Trek skin on it than an actual Star Trek game.

    The only thing this game STO makes you want to do is go play COH, or Champions Online or something else instead of STO.

    The fact is they at least had 2 years, and in 2 years no one at Cryptic spoke up and said something, or those that did were fired. Even some of these 8 year old kids posting know this was the totally wrong direction for the game and Cryptic is still pushing this bad idea of a Super Hero Star Trek game.

    I personally, don’t think they can help themselves and they will keep pushing one bad idea after another until the Eviction Notice is posted on Cryptic’s door. Honestly, right now this game, and this company are being used all over the US in classrooms as a perfect example of what not to do with a game. If it wasn’t so tragic it would he hilarious. Least its sparking debate in the classrooms which is something positive you can say about STO.

    None of us can really help them at this point because they are still in Group Think Mode and how can you fix that they don’t feel is broken. The developers apparently have GOD complexes and have spent way too much time dealing with little 8 year olds, and comic book fanatics who idealize them.

    Its like they are all standing around scratching their heads trying to figure out why people are complaining so much, and no one likes this game and they keep getting bad reviews. And they will do this till they pull the plug on this game too.

    Perfect example of why you have to diversify your staff. Otherwise you just end up getting the same game over and over again just with a different title on it…. Like this game for example.

    Many of us including a lot of people who review games really thought Cryptic was going to really try with this title [considering it’s a 100million dollar money maker or could have been] to create a real MMO comparable with other MMO titles.

    The only thing Cryptic has done with the Game Title STO is paint themselves in a corner. Anything released from Cryptic from now on with be gone over with a fine toothed comb before even a word is mentioned of it within the gamming community and the review industry and newsblogs.

    The fact is, people are actually angry, and Cryptic is just clueless as to why. They are not hiding they are just clueless.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    lol

    cryptic are a bunch of people at work trying to make a buck

    they made a star trek game- some like it some don't

    no big deal

    cry baby
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    if you think you can do better why don't you write to Atari and ask them to put you in charge!

    oh yeah you have no idea how to run a company OR make a MMO so shut up and go play something else! you obviously hate the game so why bother giving cryptic your money
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    How about a loan then SirPoddington?

    That’s all that is required. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a loan right now for any company, let a long a small one? The grown-ups are talking here, move along SirPoddington.

    Cryptic did not set out to make a game. They set out to make a product and that is the crux of the issue right here.

    This is happening all over the gamming industry right now and why they last six months of game sales is down and will continue to fall and fall and fall. Sales will continue to drop and drop as most of these companies forgot what business they are in. Most of them are in the Production Business, not the game building business.

    Could do better?
    There are college students that can do better than this but they never get the chance too because its all about business, and a production timeline, and pumping out repetitive games, not creativity.

    The simple fact is code is just a language and just because someone can speak French does not mean they should be Ambassador to France… Just because some guy knows programming code doesn’t not mean he should be a developer either.

    Cryptic is no different than any other company right now and that’s why all the sales are down.

    In fact, they did exactly what I have describe above. They did the safe and sure thing by making the same thing they have always made, and they slapped a Star Trek game title on it.

    That’s not Developing, that called Production. And who wants to work in a Production Plant!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    FoulCraven wrote:
    Cryptic is no different than any other company right now and that’s why all the sales are down.

    Or it could be due to a poor economy that we have been experiencing here for the past couple of years... sales all over the place, not just the gaming industry, have gone down and in some cases significantly.

    I'd also add that it makes sense to me that a company would want to produce several titles. It broadens their market reach to players interested in diverse genres (Fantasy/Scifi etc). They're not limiting themselves to one niche.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Excellent posts.

    This is my first cryptic game so I was in the dark as to how they operate. On the surface, STO seemed like it had a very strong model for success; Highly customizable captain's and ships, diverse bridge crew, and most of all, eye deep level tv, motion pictures, and books to draw content from.

    So what went horribly wrong?

    First, failure to capitalize on Star Trek's biggest strength, it's fans. They did not come to play Cryptic's other games, they came to play Star Trek. That means keeping the nose to the millstone regarding canon.

    Second, because of canon, typical and overused methods of leveling and end game content published by other mmo's will not work with STO. Who had the brainfart that said everyone would reach the rank of Admiral? Hello, canon.

    As to end game content presented in STO thus far, it fails to convey the significance of being a starship captain. Daily Infected is hardly Captain's Log material. What I am saying is its hard to feel like a captain when the game makes you feel like a "redshirt". Group content needed to play out at a slower, and far less spammie pace.

    Lastly, overall a lot of the mechanics in this game are crushing the life right out of it. The Klingon War was a terrible mistake. By pushing for a pvp element for the game at release you butchered the hell out of a very beloved race in the Star Trek Universe. And where did all this total lockdown crowd control come from. it did not come from Star Trek. Again, hard to feel like the captain of a starship when your chain stunned, in space or ground. And ship durability is way, way too low. These are Star Trek Starships, not Star Wars Tie Fighters.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    There is only one real problem with Cryptic, I see, there amateurs.

    They make stupid mistakes in everything they do, even the simple things, that you just dont expect a professional company to make.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    True Shadow-Warrior, the gamming industry is just going through its infancy. Over the next 10 to 15 years things will radically change and will move away from just a financial moneymaker as its viewed right now by many, to full blown entertainment industry.

    The Publishing industry, and the Film industry went through the same thing. The truth is the gamming industry is just filled with snake oil salesman and Bernie Madoff “want-to-bes” and too many clowns with a Get Rich Quick scam are basically running the show and holding the purse strings.

    It wont always be like this, and there are people working on code right now so anyone can make a game even if they don’t know code at all. Just like people going out and buying a Camcorder these days can almost make a movie at almost production type quality. The day will come….when all these people who view themselves as indispensable, will be disposable.

    Which is exactly why you have to know more than just code. Only companies with the most creative minds and people are going to make it over the next 10 years.

    People tend to forget, Einstein, was a Paten Clerk.

    Oh, and bye the way, if Einstein were alive to day working as a paten clerk, Cryptic wouldn’t hire him. No Experience.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    That's true about Einstein.
    I'll use an example from the workplace:
    everyone gets average ratings, so no one knows when they are doing well in an area or doing poorly.
    In Einstein's case he actually got bad grades in basic math.

    Does anyone know what programming language Cryptic uses? I hear assembly level language is necessary to create efficient code. A kid recommened i learn Python, cause "its easier". I'd rather learn both C++ and python (only then could i determine the better coding method).

    The job of design is one job. Coding that design is another job. They ar actually two seperate jobs at most game companies. The 2 positions of course collaborate to make the content workable.
    I am not a developer, i have just read many books/articles.

    What Cryptic needs to do is hire a crotchety old programmer(or two). At the team meetings he could complain about what needs doing, thus cutting out the management cycle of euphemism communication that continually holds up change.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Diaper wrote: »
    Okay Cryptic and Star Trek fans. Here is my theory and personal take on how this game is being burnt out by cryptic management.
    My personal take on your personal take should be fairly easy to spot below.

    1. They are trying to run an impossible to maintain and employee unfriendly environment.
    And you know this how? Have you been to Cryptic Studios and talked to the employees?

    2. Developers and researchers are outright ignoring what the players want to insure low-cost.
    I believe that they're doing what they can as fast as they can. Since neither one of us has any proof then I guess my opinion is as likely to be correct as yours is.

    3. Star Trek Online does not utilize its resources correctly.
    I don't understand this statement. Which resources are you referring to?

    4. Repeated poor internet noise is being generated on a daily basis sinking Cryptic's ship.
    So a bunch of 13 year old whiners, whose only experience with finances is the allowance they get from their mom, are making noise on the internet about Cryptic's financial situation, and you're wasing brain cells believing what they say? Think objectively about what I just wrote for a minute and then honestly tell me how much sense that makes.

    5. Cryptic dumps all its money into fixing its weaknesses rather than tackling one issue at a time and capitalizing on its strengths.
    Right. Because they should ignore the bugs (or other weaknesses) and "capitalize on their strengths." Which is what again exactly?

    6. Star Trek Online avoids key themes that have been and are associated with the Star Trek franchise.
    Now this I agree with you on. However, the developers have said that they are working on fixing this.

    7. Cryptics poor business model reflects on its product.
    What do you know of their business model? Have you been to their business meetings? Please fax me a copy of your business degree while you're at it.

    8. Lack of precedents.
    Once again, this is too vague a statement. Please explain.

    9. Makes obvious mistakes.
    Well, I'd like to disagree with you here, but I admit that it does appear to me that you're right. They have indeed made some mistakes that I at least thought were obvious.

    Now, things that Cryptic can do to save face and get out in front of its problems and the publics concerns.
    First of all Cryptic is an American corporation and not a 15th century Japanese Samurai. I really doubt they feel the need to save face.

    1. Decentralize your efforts and put more work into HR
    So this post was made as your way to beg them for a job?

    2. Read and try to please a majority of the players while still considering the minorities.
    In case you haven't noticed they've at least been trying to do just that. Did you miss the recent poll, and the annoucements that followed?

    3. Utilize and reuse programming and reprogramming to help expand the environment as many complain it is claustrophobic.
    Ok, so not only are you a business major, now you're also an experienced computer programmer? Wow, that's quite a resume sir.

    4. Get out in front of your internet noise and be more receptive to suggestions.
    I will once again state my belief that they have been. Bridges? Exploration missions? They have been adding the things that we've requested.

    5. Capitalize on your strengths (Space) and conserve/save ground for R&D.
    While I agree that the ground missions need work, I happen to like them a lot and I hope that Cryptic works to improve them and add more of them. I guess that you really don't speak for all of us.

    6. Associate Star Trek with more of an ongoing theme to the franchise.
    What? Once again this statement is too vague for me to understand the point? Do you mean add a consistent story line to STO?

    7. Redo Cryptic's business model and totally rewrite Cryptic's mission statement. (You are not a 100 billion
    dollar company)
    How do you know that they haven't? And why do you believe that they think they are a $100 Bil company? Are you honestly insisting that the people at Cryptic don't know how much their company is actually worth? By the way, do you even know what Cryptic's mission statement is?

    8. Maintain a structured precedent.
    Once again a vague statement that could mean absolutely anything. These kinds of vague statements are worthless because they mean nothing.

    9. Avoid costly long run and early on obvious mistakes which can be determined by proper testing.
    I'll agree with you that longer and better testing of patches is certainly something that Cryptic should work on.

    Lastly, I would like to add that management within cryptic should be able to sit down and have a general idea of programming, what their programmers are working on at all times, and everyone should always be on the same page down to the proper programming standards. (Cryptic reflects little or none of these qualities)
    While I agree with you that in a perfect world this is what should happen, the fact is that it doesn't. That you've even written this shows me that you've never worked in a corporate environment before. (And no, wearing a paper hat for McD's does not count as working in a corporate environment.)

    The honest truth is that when I read your post I immediately thought that it was written by an intelligent 15 year old who wants his opinion to be taken seriously, so he decided to write this post in an attempt to look like a college-educated professional. However, it is immediately obvious to me that that is not the case. If you want to convince us otherwise, I recommend that you drop the lame attempt at business lingo and just state clearly and precisely exactly what it is about Star Trek Online that you don't like, and would like to see changed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    @OP: All those "points" made there sound like generalized, management biz pseudo-babble.

    I am surprised no trademark words used ike "synergy", "paradigm" ... so on.
    ... "Get out in front of your internet noise"
    ... "Maintain a structured precedent"
    ... what the heck do these mean??
    Nothing, I'd wager.

    Here are some suggestions for your next post (if you haven't already, I can't really tell):
    http://www.outofservice.com/buzzword

    Am honestly not sure if this was a joke or not.
    :confused:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    FoulCraven wrote:
    Oh, and bye the way, if Einstein were alive to day working as a paten clerk, Cryptic wouldn’t hire him. No Experience.

    You might want to go over and look at the Cryptic Studios page. Experience is favorable but It is not the ONLY thing they look at. They have some fairly unconventional hiring practices. As an employers Cryptic Studios is not your run of the mill "suck the marrow from the bones of your employees" type of company.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    This topic is ludicrous. Unless you work there or know anyone that works there, then you're just making up wild theories based on absolutely nothing. Even if the game completely crashed on startup and was unplayable, that still says absolutely nothing about what's going on in the company.

    Granted you're some random person on an Internet forum, but these are actual people that you're spouting garbage about, not nameless corporate statistics. They put a lot of work into this stuff, and its just rude to make these kind of unfounded comments.

    EDIT: EnsignKoala - completely agreed
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I think Diaper needs a new diaper.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    FoulCraven wrote:
    How about a loan then SirPoddington?

    With your superior business model and doubtlessly flawless MMO idea, I would think a bank would be overjoyed to finance you. INvestors beating down the door and all that...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    For the record, I have been onboard with this game since open beta. I would have signed up for closed beta but RL has really been busy for me. Now, that said, I have been on the forums just as long. I have seen this, since we're talking of buzzwords, nega-noise for a very long time. I did an experiment. I went to other game sites(WoW, Warhammer, Aion) and checked their forums, and do you know what I found? More of the same. So I am inclined to believe that some people can never be satisfied. I'm with Falcon, why are you still here? I am going to give some guidance then explain the guidance I have given so no one gets confused.

    1. Be constructive or be gone. If you state a problem that's only half the battle. Have a solution ready or or a suggestion. Ragequits only get flamed.

    2. If you hate the game that much, stop paying for it. I know its a scary thought but this is the only way you get your point across. This is your vote, your voice. Coming here are trying to exist in a job title you know nothing of performing, gets you nowhere.

    3. Realize these things take time. I have a friend who's playing an MMO that came out 3 years ago and I've heard about the rise and fall of this game. Its no different here, we're just beginning the journey. Some say it won't last much longer, I say, you don't know that. Some will leave, some will stay but the show will go on. How long is up to the players and investors(almost one in the same but not quite).


    I'm not trying to be hateful, I've just witnessed so much of this behavior that I had to say it gets people nowhere. People make these posts then do a disappearing act or browbeat all those who post that don't agree. STOP. ENOUGH. Make a mature choice to DO SOMETHING that MATTERS.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    My personal take on your personal take should be fairly easy to spot below.

    1. They are trying to run an impossible to maintain and employee unfriendly environment.
    And you know this how? Have you been to Cryptic Studios and talked to the employees?

    2. Developers and researchers are outright ignoring what the players want to insure low-cost.
    I believe that they're doing what they can as fast as they can. Since neither one of us has any proof then I guess my opinion is as likely to be correct as yours is.

    3. Star Trek Online does not utilize its resources correctly.
    I don't understand this statement. Which resources are you referring to?

    4. Repeated poor internet noise is being generated on a daily basis sinking Cryptic's ship.
    So a bunch of 13 year old whiners, whose only experience with finances is the allowance they get from their mom, are making noise on the internet about Cryptic's financial situation, and you're wasing brain cells believing what they say? Think objectively about what I just wrote for a minute and then honestly tell me how much sense that makes.

    5. Cryptic dumps all its money into fixing its weaknesses rather than tackling one issue at a time and capitalizing on its strengths.
    Right. Because they should ignore the bugs (or other weaknesses) and "capitalize on their strengths." Which is what again exactly?

    6. Star Trek Online avoids key themes that have been and are associated with the Star Trek franchise.
    Now this I agree with you on. However, the developers have said that they are working on fixing this.

    7. Cryptics poor business model reflects on its product.
    What do you know of their business model? Have you been to their business meetings? Please fax me a copy of your business degree while you're at it.

    8. Lack of precedents.
    Once again, this is too vague a statement. Please explain.

    9. Makes obvious mistakes.
    Well, I'd like to disagree with you here, but I admit that it does appear to me that you're right. They have indeed made some mistakes that I at least thought were obvious.

    Now, things that Cryptic can do to save face and get out in front of its problems and the publics concerns.
    First of all Cryptic is an American corporation and not a 15th century Japanese Samurai. I really doubt they feel the need to save face.

    1. Decentralize your efforts and put more work into HR
    So this post was made as your way to beg them for a job?

    2. Read and try to please a majority of the players while still considering the minorities.
    In case you haven't noticed they've at least been trying to do just that. Did you miss the recent poll, and the annoucements that followed?

    3. Utilize and reuse programming and reprogramming to help expand the environment as many complain it is claustrophobic.
    Ok, so not only are you a business major, now you're also an experienced computer programmer? Wow, that's quite a resume sir.

    4. Get out in front of your internet noise and be more receptive to suggestions.
    I will once again state my belief that they have been. Bridges? Exploration missions? They have been adding the things that we've requested.

    5. Capitalize on your strengths (Space) and conserve/save ground for R&D.
    While I agree that the ground missions need work, I happen to like them a lot and I hope that Cryptic works to improve them and add more of them. I guess that you really don't speak for all of us.

    6. Associate Star Trek with more of an ongoing theme to the franchise.
    What? Once again this statement is too vague for me to understand the point? Do you mean add a consistent story line to STO?

    7. Redo Cryptic's business model and totally rewrite Cryptic's mission statement. (You are not a 100 billion
    dollar company)
    How do you know that they haven't? And why do you believe that they think they are a $100 Bil company? Are you honestly insisting that the people at Cryptic don't know how much their company is actually worth? By the way, do you even know what Cryptic's mission statement is?

    8. Maintain a structured precedent.
    Once again a vague statement that could mean absolutely anything. These kinds of vague statements are worthless because they mean nothing.

    9. Avoid costly long run and early on obvious mistakes which can be determined by proper testing.
    I'll agree with you that longer and better testing of patches is certainly something that Cryptic should work on.

    Lastly, I would like to add that management within cryptic should be able to sit down and have a general idea of programming, what their programmers are working on at all times, and everyone should always be on the same page down to the proper programming standards. (Cryptic reflects little or none of these qualities)
    While I agree with you that in a perfect world this is what should happen, the fact is that it doesn't. That you've even written this shows me that you've never worked in a corporate environment before. (And no, wearing a paper hat for McD's does not count as working in a corporate environment.)

    The honest truth is that when I read your post I immediately thought that it was written by an intelligent 15 year old who wants his opinion to be taken seriously, so he decided to write this post in an attempt to look like a college-educated professional. However, it is immediately obvious to me that that is not the case. If you want to convince us otherwise, I recommend that you drop the lame attempt at business lingo and just state clearly and precisely exactly what it is about Star Trek Online that you don't like, and would like to see changed.

    QFT...except your last paragraph. You fell apart there bud by getting personal.... other than that I agree with you 100%.

    I have played several MMOs and personally I think Cryptic, while falling into the same traps as most of them (releasing a major patch on a FRIDAY! is BAD), overall they rank high in my book. Im impressed by the content they are releasing and the changes they are making.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    if you think you can do better why don't you write to Atari and ask them to put you in charge!

    oh yeah you have no idea how to run a company OR make a MMO so shut up and go play something else! you obviously hate the game so why bother giving cryptic your money

    yay for the anti-hater!!! all hail the anti-hater!!!

    couldn't agree with this guy more :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Getting out in front of a problem? hmm...what does this mean? I dont know?
    Precedent? ....take an English class.
    If you cant identify or correctly determine what I'm talking about with any of these statements your degree is dirt and don't comment.
    This is obviously constructive turnaround criticism and when i pay 120 dollars for a game that doesn't meet satisfactory or predetermined game play speculations which were originally put forth by Atari, damn right it becomes personal. Did anyone take a look at the screen shots or what Atari had in mind for Star Trek? Have you ever turned in a project and completely failed because your teacher was not an idiot and could see flaws in your report or the lack of serious coordination or agreement on a standard? Give me a break, I'm not the only one that has these same opinions.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    My personal take on your personal take should be fairly easy to spot below.


    The honest truth is that when I read your post I immediately thought that it was written by an intelligent 15 year old who wants his opinion to be taken seriously, so he decided to write this post in an attempt to look like a college-educated professional. However, it is immediately obvious to me that that is not the case. If you want to convince us otherwise, I recommend that you drop the lame attempt at business lingo and just state clearly and precisely exactly what it is about Star Trek Online that you don't like, and would like to see changed.[/COLOR][/B][/FONT]

    You're honestly some bitter old conservative baby. No sir, I don't don't just give people handouts that don't deserve it. The 9 changes i listed are meant as a means to an end, not a direct or indirect band-aid solution.
    You didn't offer anything for a solution dude, so while you're at it, you can sit there and twiddle your thumbs wondering what the smart people trying to come up with ideas are talking about while you sit in your box and put your side visors on to shut out ingenuity. Also, read some books and actually digest the material, you will find most of the terminology in there if you open up a law, economics, or MIS book. There's a difference between skimming and actually reading if you know how to read which i would guess would be your weak point. I bet you anything you don't even know the SDLC? If i knew you didn't know this and I were managing Atari, you would be out of any software development company in a flash. Newsflash, to be a manager, you have to know what your employees do as a requirement for most managing careers. Wake up to the turn of the century.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    FoulCraven wrote:
    How about a loan then SirPoddington?

    That’s all that is required. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a loan right now for any company, let a long a small one? The grown-ups are talking here, move along SirPoddington.!

    actually i run my own IT service company and have never needed a loan as i worked my TRIBBLE of to save money and do it all my self! i know exactly what it takes to run a business!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Hah, you can really see the cognitive dissonance expressing itself in the lifetime membership zombies.

    I'm angry about the state of the game so I'll lash out at the people I essentially agree with. Oh the complex psychology of buyer's remorse.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Diaper wrote: »
    You're honestly some bitter old conservative baby. No sir, I don't don't just give people handouts that don't deserve it. The 9 changes i listed are meant as a means to an end, not a direct or indirect band-aid solution.
    You didn't offer anything for a solution dude, so while you're at it, you can sit there and twiddle your thumbs wondering what the smart people trying to come up with ideas are talking about while you sit in your box and put your side visors on to shut out ingenuity. Also, read some books and actually digest the material, you will find most of the terminology in there if you open up a law, economics, or MIS book. There's a difference between skimming and actually reading if you know how to read which i would guess would be your weak point. I bet you anything you don't even know the SDLC? If i knew you didn't know this and I were managing Atari, you would be out of any software development company in a flash. Newsflash, to be a manager, you have to know what your employees do as a requirement for most managing careers. Wake up to the turn of the century.
    First, I appologize if my post offended you, that was not my intention. I simply prefer to be honest when I speak to people and I often forget that many people cannot handle honesty.

    Secondly, while the internet is a great medium for communication, the suits that run Cryptic/Atari aren't going to use it to determine their financial plan. If you want to suggest changes or tweaks to the game this forum is a great way to do so. However, the MBAs in thousand dollar suits that run Cryptic/Atari make their financial and business plans and present those plans to their stockholders a year or two in advance, and they are not going to take advice on how to run their corporation from some faceless poster on the internet. If you really want to have a chance to shape Cryptic/Atari's business model and/or plan, the only possible way for that to happen is to get your MBA and apply for a job at Atari.

    And finally, based on your gratuitous and inappropriate use of several "marketing speak" terms, it's obvious to me that you're an intelligent person, but I do not believe that you've ever managed anything.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Okay..first allow me to post my prejudices...one I am a fan of COH...I like the format, I think cryptic hit a home run with it in '04 and NC Soft hasn't killed it since buying it...now with that in mind I do not mind having the similarities of the mechanics of this game mirroring the mechanics of COH. In fact, I found it very easy to start right off with familar things to look at. Next, Cryptic should not make away missions more of the same of a COH warehouse, "Blast the baddies away" scenario. I don't mind the 'glowie' hints of 'this is something to pay attention to'...but don't make the ship interiors you are runiing around in like the office interiors of COH. Ship interiors should not be so wide. Ok looks like I'm getting into a nit picking thing so let me go back to some broad brushstrokes.
    One..you are good at making this more like COH than Champions online because Champions online stinks for me.
    Two: Veer away from the easy layouts of COH building interiors with a 'tech edge' to them..make the interior of ships more Trek canon oriented.

    Three: GO back to writing good story arcs..instead of making the player...shoot ships, beam down and shoot people, then listen to a whiny sceintist and then shoot some more people and then beam out and shoot more ships. Write good interavctive dramatic story arcs that again do what you ae trying to do, follow a story arc like a television episode. I know tha writing the story could be and is probably a headache to the programmer but listen guys youo have one of the greatest assests in your little universe paying you monthly...THE FANS! Look to them for story support...we would love to submit little dramas to you...look to the fan fiction section on the forums..hey this a gold mine to work with.
    Four: Stick to the core values of the TREK universe and its mythos and do not try to make this a super hero game with starships....use the success with the one game that still is doing well you created and use that to launch yourself in the incredibly rich world Trek has forty years to offer you!
    Best wishes..and I mean that..I'd love for this to last...
    Logan Mercury out.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    attacko wrote:
    lol

    cryptic are a bunch of people at work trying to make a buck

    they made a star trek game- some like it some don't

    no big deal

    cry baby

    That was well thought out. Your born - you die, Its the dash that counts.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    First, I appologize if my post offended you, that was not my intention. I simply prefer to be honest when I speak to people and I often forget that many people cannot handle honesty.

    Are you still this stupid. You are still being insulting and telling me to leave. You know how many people you probably have convinced to leave rather than actually doing something about getting them not to leave? Stop stinking like a smelly troll.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010


    Secondly, while the internet is a great medium for communication, the suits that run Cryptic/Atari aren't going to use it to determine their financial plan. If you want to suggest changes or tweaks to the game this forum is a great way to do so. However, the MBAs in thousand dollar suits that run Cryptic/Atari make their financial and business plans and present those plans to their stockholders a year or two in advance, and they are not going to take advice on how to run their corporation from some faceless poster on the internet. If you really want to have a chance to shape Cryptic/Atari's business model and/or plan, the only possible way for that to happen is to get your MBA and apply for a job at Atari.

    And finally, based on your gratuitous and inappropriate use of several "marketing speak" terms, it's obvious to me that you're an intelligent person, but I do not believe that you've ever managed anything.

    Don't sit here and act like you researched what I wrote. You know two things, jack and TRIBBLE.
    Secondly, you have a very narrow minded perception of things. "Thousand dollar suits" are you that stupid?
    Why would you ever want to rub that in anyone's face? In my opinion you're just some Cryptic lacky that loves to brown nose until you cant smell anything. You really should try reading a book or two or at least buy hooked on phonics. You clearly have no concept of what I said and have no idea what you're talking about. Three words.... Textual analysis software. Now go look it up and you can come back with some silly tort because of how insecure you are.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    @OP: All those "points" made there sound like generalized, management biz pseudo-babble.

    I am surprised no trademark words used ike "synergy", "paradigm" ... so on.
    ... "Get out in front of your internet noise"
    ... "Maintain a structured precedent"
    ... what the heck do these mean??
    Nothing, I'd wager.

    Here are some suggestions for your next post (if you haven't already, I can't really tell):
    http://www.outofservice.com/buzzword

    Am honestly not sure if this was a joke or not.
    :confused:

    This comment clearly eliminates you from this discussion. Paradigm and synergy are both universal terms.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I guess all I can add here is that in all my experience playing MMOs (sadly, it's extensive :(), I have never seen a gaming company more communicative with, and responsive to its player base.

    Brad McQuaid of Everquest fame once said that the players don't really know what they want, and thus had no problem ignoring player demands and expectations, only to see his game last 10+ years while making Sony obscene amounts of money. There were those that had their problems with Verant and Sony back in the day, but there was nothing to match the sheer venom that Cryptic has to put up with on a daily basis. Maybe Cryptic should take a page from Brad's book and follow their own vision of what the game should be (assuming they have one).

    Cryptic is, unfortunately, trying to please everyone, when pleasing everyone is impossible. I think a Bill Cosby quote found on this site http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnpleasableFanbase is applicable here, "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    My personal take on your personal take should be fairly easy to spot below.

    1. They are trying to run an impossible to maintain and employee unfriendly environment.
    And you know this how? Have you been to Cryptic Studios and talked to the employees?

    2. Developers and researchers are outright ignoring what the players want to insure low-cost.
    I believe that they're doing what they can as fast as they can. Since neither one of us has any proof then I guess my opinion is as likely to be correct as yours is.

    3. Star Trek Online does not utilize its resources correctly.
    I don't understand this statement. Which resources are you referring to?

    4. Repeated poor internet noise is being generated on a daily basis sinking Cryptic's ship.
    So a bunch of 13 year old whiners, whose only experience with finances is the allowance they get from their mom, are making noise on the internet about Cryptic's financial situation, and you're wasing brain cells believing what they say? Think objectively about what I just wrote for a minute and then honestly tell me how much sense that makes.

    5. Cryptic dumps all its money into fixing its weaknesses rather than tackling one issue at a time and capitalizing on its strengths.
    Right. Because they should ignore the bugs (or other weaknesses) and "capitalize on their strengths." Which is what again exactly?

    6. Star Trek Online avoids key themes that have been and are associated with the Star Trek franchise.
    Now this I agree with you on. However, the developers have said that they are working on fixing this.

    7. Cryptics poor business model reflects on its product.
    What do you know of their business model? Have you been to their business meetings? Please fax me a copy of your business degree while you're at it.

    8. Lack of precedents.
    Once again, this is too vague a statement. Please explain.

    9. Makes obvious mistakes.
    Well, I'd like to disagree with you here, but I admit that it does appear to me that you're right. They have indeed made some mistakes that I at least thought were obvious.

    Now, things that Cryptic can do to save face and get out in front of its problems and the publics concerns.
    First of all Cryptic is an American corporation and not a 15th century Japanese Samurai. I really doubt they feel the need to save face.

    1. Decentralize your efforts and put more work into HR
    So this post was made as your way to beg them for a job?

    2. Read and try to please a majority of the players while still considering the minorities.
    In case you haven't noticed they've at least been trying to do just that. Did you miss the recent poll, and the annoucements that followed?

    3. Utilize and reuse programming and reprogramming to help expand the environment as many complain it is claustrophobic.
    Ok, so not only are you a business major, now you're also an experienced computer programmer? Wow, that's quite a resume sir.

    4. Get out in front of your internet noise and be more receptive to suggestions.
    I will once again state my belief that they have been. Bridges? Exploration missions? They have been adding the things that we've requested.

    5. Capitalize on your strengths (Space) and conserve/save ground for R&D.
    While I agree that the ground missions need work, I happen to like them a lot and I hope that Cryptic works to improve them and add more of them. I guess that you really don't speak for all of us.

    6. Associate Star Trek with more of an ongoing theme to the franchise.
    What? Once again this statement is too vague for me to understand the point? Do you mean add a consistent story line to STO?

    7. Redo Cryptic's business model and totally rewrite Cryptic's mission statement. (You are not a 100 billion
    dollar company)
    How do you know that they haven't? And why do you believe that they think they are a $100 Bil company? Are you honestly insisting that the people at Cryptic don't know how much their company is actually worth? By the way, do you even know what Cryptic's mission statement is?

    8. Maintain a structured precedent.
    Once again a vague statement that could mean absolutely anything. These kinds of vague statements are worthless because they mean nothing.

    9. Avoid costly long run and early on obvious mistakes which can be determined by proper testing.
    I'll agree with you that longer and better testing of patches is certainly something that Cryptic should work on.

    Lastly, I would like to add that management within cryptic should be able to sit down and have a general idea of programming, what their programmers are working on at all times, and everyone should always be on the same page down to the proper programming standards. (Cryptic reflects little or none of these qualities)
    While I agree with you that in a perfect world this is what should happen, the fact is that it doesn't. That you've even written this shows me that you've never worked in a corporate environment before. (And no, wearing a paper hat for McD's does not count as working in a corporate environment.)

    The honest truth is that when I read your post I immediately thought that it was written by an intelligent 15 year old who wants his opinion to be taken seriously, so he decided to write this post in an attempt to look like a college-educated professional. However, it is immediately obvious to me that that is not the case. If you want to convince us otherwise, I recommend that you drop the lame attempt at business lingo and just state clearly and precisely exactly what it is about Star Trek Online that you don't like, and would like to see changed.

    I agree with everything falcon said. Diaper, taking business management 101 isn't enough for anyone to be telling a large corporation what they should be doing, and thinking anyone will listen to your points is just silly. If you want to be constructive elaborate on the aspects of the game you don't like and move on.
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