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My oh my. The sky is falling!

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Sorry in advance for the wall of text.

Not a great forum poster and usually lurk and check in about once a week. I'm a casual gamer and a ST fan and like many others, haven't been playing STO recently. Just thought I'd give a few reasons and my opinions about the state of the game with relation to me directly and hope it strikes a chord with other players and at least gets a viewing by someone at Crytic or someone on the advisory council.

The forums are too full of negativity, and while a lot of it is understandable and I empathise, I really couldn't care less about about posting here regularly and subjecting myself to trolls and abuse.

I purchased lifetime membership, like many others, as a act of faith, my friends did not. None of us are playing regularly now, and my friends have not renewed their subscriptions. We, however, have not quit the game. We enjoyed the experience until RA, and now there is nothing for us to do. We have not left the game, we are simply waiting for new content, and doing other things with our time.

That the game lacks content and endgame activities is not a shock to anyone, but even the new content being added in the form of Fleet Actions and STFs are to a casual gamer like myself, a complete waste of time. They seem to be nothing more than time-sinks and completely inaccessable to my prefered style of gaming. I'm not a fleet player, I don't use vent for STO. STFs ,if I want to do them, require teaming up with a bunch of random strangers and wasting hours in a meaningless grind that more often than not, ends in failure with players rage quitting during the mission. I enjoy PvE, and mmo's like STO, Guildwars and Airrivals, is where I like to hang out when I'm in a casual mood. When I want to PvP, I play FPS games.

I'm not saying that I don't see myself playing PvP in STO, but as one of the previously silent majority and someone who is no longer active in the game, I don't want people suggesting that my absence and the drop off in player numbers is evidence that I and others have quit the game. From my own point of view and those of my friends, we're in hiatus, waiting to come back for something substantial, we haven't quit.

C-store items, inaccessable STFs and bug fixes are being called new content, but to what I suspect is the silent majority, it is not enough to warrant logging in, and doing, and redoing, the same grind like missions day after day after day.

I am happy with my gear. I have no need to go out and grind to get better equipment. I have better things to be doing with my time than repeating the same 3-4 missions. I like PvE, and I like to solo 90% of the time, and there has been no new content for players like me. The new STF content has been aimed at the hardcore fleet players, not the casual gamer. Therefore, I'm not active ... not retired!

I think you have a beautiful looking game on your hands Crytic. I found it enjoyable while I was aiming for RA and there was a sense of achievement. I know that you are working hard on providing new content. I still have faith that you can pull this off and take us places and into situations that are unique and exciting. I'm just asking you to please remember that in your rush to satisfy the need for new content, that you remember the casual players and the reasons we purchased and subscribed in the first place.

The game I played during beta and after release didn't have STFs and the ones you've released so far are not bringing casual gamers back. Please consider making these and future STFs a single/multi player option and let us enjoy the new content as episodes, and I promise that I'll log right back in to enjoy them and any other new content you have to offer us.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Currently, assuming 4 seasons a year, the plan seems to be 6 STFs per season. IMHO, they should cut that number back to 4-5 STFs and take the manhours that would go into the missing two and apply them towards creating new sector blocks, episodic content and richer, more rewarding and more diverse exploration missions.

    Raiding/endgame group content is important and should be a high priority but it shouldn't be the priority to the exclusion of all else.

    Star Trek's galaxy is big enough that they could add 2-3 sector blocks per season, IMHO.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Just like to say that its not a wall of text :) Walls of Texts usually don't have sentences and gaps in between, They tend to hurt my eyes and yours does not.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    so in order to explain your absence you thought the best thing to do was post an overly long I quit thread with an inflammatory title?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Interesting.

    I think it's no secret that I dislike a lot of this game. It's very naive in places and for the most part, tedious and repetitive.
    However there are parts I do like ( or did, up until recently ) and I always said during beta that I would play my 30 days, judge it on that experience then come back later in the year to view later content.
    So I cancelled after my 30 days. There was never anything in game that was going to make it worth a monthly subscription. I got plenty of abuse over that from the usual suspects. The usual "why are you still here, you've left, you don't belong, go back to wow" ad nauseum
    And that's the point. I never said I'd left. I just cancelled a subscription. Here I am again, I've purchased more game time to see if the season 1 update lives up to the hype of the faithful. Personally I think I've wasted another $30 but that's my business. The game still does not warrant a subscription and in my opinion, because of the very nature of the way it's built and played, it never will. However I too, again, have not left or will not leave. If Cryptic can do enough on actual content rather than spin advertising new content as far more than it is then I will always pay for another month or two just to take a look.
    If it survives long enough that is.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Interesting.
    I think it's no secret that I dislike a lot of this game.


    I dislike this game more than you TBH...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    bstiff wrote:
    so in order to explain your absence you thought the best thing to do was post an overly long I quit thread with an inflammatory title?

    Oviously you need to read the OP post again, no where did he ever mention 'I quit':rolleyes:

    And I conccur with Loxanna, this is not a WoT :D Just a well written critique.

    All I can say is to the OP is wait for a wee bit, more content is coming down the pipe.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Sinyari wrote:
    Oviously
    All I can say is to the OP is wait for a wee bit, more content is coming down the pipe.


    I despair when I see this.
    Some of you have no choice but to put on a brave face and wait for whatever is given you but can you seriously expect people to pay $15 a month on the promise that every few weeks or so there may be something that adds a few hours gameplay and a whole host of fluffy dice they can buy for the cockpit of their ship?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I despair when I see this.
    Some of you have no choice but to put on a brave face and wait for whatever is given you but can you seriously expect people to pay $15 a month on the promise that every few weeks or so there may be something that adds a few hours gameplay and a whole host of fluffy dice they can buy for the cockpit of their ship?

    Why pay $15 a month (in the case of non-lifers, as the OP is a lifer)?

    If you've done the content that's here now, stop paying and check the updates - if you see something that sounds like it's added what you needed then re-sub.
    In the case of lifers they can just keep coming back every month or so, so the OP can 'wait it out'.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I despair when I see this.
    Some of you have no choice but to put on a brave face and wait for whatever is given you but can you seriously expect people to pay $15 a month on the promise that every few weeks or so there may be something that adds a few hours gameplay and a whole host of fluffy dice they can buy for the cockpit of their ship?

    *Giggles* Says the one with the cancelled account link, funny thing is you had to renew since that screen shot was taken.


    ZOMG they are going to have fluffy dice!! Ooo I want one now! ^^
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Parrek wrote:
    Why pay $15 a month (in the case of non-lifers, as the OP is a lifer)?

    If you've done the content that's here now, stop paying and check the updates - if you see something that sounds like it's added what you needed then re-sub.
    In the case of lifers they can just keep coming back every month or so, so the OP can 'wait it out'.

    if you read the previous post I made in this thread that's exactly what I have done. I just get a little tired of seeing lifers glibly respond with the Cryptic mantra of 'coming soon' without giving any thought to what that actually means for monthly players. It's all very well saying "stop paying2 because if everybody stops paying waiting for further content then unless the lifers can rack up some spectacular c-store purchases there will be no new content for lack of funding. ( Atari's next financial reports are going to speak volumes about there being any money around for further development of this game, considering that will need liquid cash ( that they currently don't have ) to fund their 3rd mmo ( providing they get over the legal issues for the licensing of that )

    As for me personally, I have not played all the content, not by far. The problem is that I have no impetus to do so given that it's all the same repetitive missions with a bit of dialogue thrown around to distinguish parts from others. But that's an opinion ( and one that has got me no end of abuse from people more easily pleased than I )
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Sinyari wrote:
    *Giggles* Says the one with the cancelled account link, funny thing is you had to renew since that screen shot was taken.


    ZOMG they are going to have fluffy dice!! Ooo I want one now! ^^

    Yes. I explained that in my post above. I did not have to renew. I chose to to look at what had changed. Sadly the hype did not match the reality.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Yes. I explained that in my post above. I did not have to renew. I chose to to look at what had changed. Sadly the hype did not match the reality.

    Nods, that I will give you. But they have given us a road map that points out what they are doing and a general timetable in which it should be accomplished. Now if they fail to meet my expectations I will go from all giggles and grins, to a demeanor that is suited for that given situation, but I doubt that will ever happen, so far they are keeping to their game plan, and I am happy with it, hence the LTS a fully month after the free trial period.

    As for the game in developement that is something to be discussed in another thread, as its developement has nothing to do with STO or the OP.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    if you read the previous post I made in this thread that's exactly what I have done. I just get a little tired of seeing lifers glibly respond with the Cryptic mantra of 'coming soon' without giving any thought to what that actually means for monthly players.

    I was responding mostly to your second post which criticised one lifer's advice to another. I would have given the same advice in those circumstances, but to a monthly sub-er my advice would be what you have done and what I said.
    If you hate most of the game then look again maybe 6-12 months down the line, if there's just minor irks keep checking in.

    Ultimately the cash-stream from subs drying up will kill STO, or relegate it to very minor title. Given the IP involved though I would suggest that they should endeavour to fix this as a priority over, certainly MMO no. 3, and IMO champions online.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Parrek wrote:
    I was responding mostly to your second post which criticised one lifer's advice to another. I would have given the same advice in those circumstances, but to a monthly sub-er my advice would be what you have done and what I said.
    If you hate most of the game then look again maybe 6-12 months down the line, if there's just minor irks keep checking in.

    Ultimately the cash-stream from subs drying up will kill STO, or relegate it to very minor title. Given the IP involved though I would suggest that they should endeavour to fix this as a priority over, certainly MMO no. 3, and IMO champions online.

    Yeah I understand that, and with respect to yourself and Sinyari, my comments were not meant to be directed at you personally but were just more of a conversational response to the things being brought up in the thread.
    That's the problem with the written word. Difficult to read intent, especially if you have a pre-conceived idea of a person.

    I'm not meaning to criticise, insult ar inflame anyone. I really am just trying to open up conversational points and I have my happy face on, just for clarification :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I'm not meaning to criticise, insult ar inflame anyone. I really am just trying to open up conversational points and I have my happy face on, just for clarification :)

    *Giggles* you are only offering words of wisdom and your own opinion, in a constructive manner, there is no harm or foul. I tend to find most of your posts quite informative and thought provoking which is a good thing right?

    But back to the subject on hand. Calender We know that S2 will be june/july, now If S2 doesn't live up to it's hype I will be rocking the boat with your Zoot.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I think it's easy to see lifer comments as glib when it comes to the long-term development of the game.

    I believe though that this game - more than most needs both types of player.

    The lifer capitol should (hopefully) mean they can put more resources on to geting the stuff we were told would be there now and the ongoing subs mean development continues once the lifer money dries up.

    If they've blown the lifer budget already then :eek:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Oh... And welcome back, Zoot.

    I see you just did City on the Edge of Never and Doomsday Weapon. Those are about as good as it gets but there are about two chains every rank that have similarly memorable stuff.

    Ghost Ship is really well done.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Parrek wrote:
    I think it's easy to see lifer comments as glib when it comes to the long-term development of the game.

    I believe though that this game - more than most needs both types of player.

    The lifer capitol should (hopefully) mean they can put more resources on to geting the stuff we were told would be there now and the ongoing subs mean development continues once the lifer money dries up.

    If they've blown the lifer budget already then :eek:

    I'll not bore you with financials. I made enough posts about that in the past and Atari's new financial reports are not too far away so I'll not go over the half-year reports again but I will point out that the lifetime revenue is not being counted up front ( as in income already in the bank ) but more in line with it being a subscription. So for financial reports the lifetime subs are being dripped in ( from what I understand from Atari's statements to shareholders ) and whatever the reasoning ( likely to be to bolster later year figures ) it means that for the purposes of budget that money is not available.
    Also remember that even should Cryptic be in profit this is not their money. Cryptic is now just a sign over a door of an Atari company. Atari will decide what funding is available and given.
    Atari are in a mountain of debt and running at a loss now and they have projected that at the next financial period they fully expect to announce a loss. That loss is going to come even with all of the income from Cryptic studios (apart from about half the LTS and 1 year subs factored in, but that's not really as much as you might think. I've probably lost more in a casino in one night ;))
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Oh... And welcome back, Zoot.

    I see you just did City on the Edge of Never and Doomsday Weapon. Those are about as good as it gets but there are about two chains every rank that have similarly memorable stuff.

    Ghost Ship is really well done.

    I'm giving it my best shot. The last sub period I just stopped playing, a good 2 weeks before it ran out. I could not get motivated. I have 2 months now in which I fully expect to cover most of the content. ( I doubt I'll do the STF's but that's no big deal )

    I still think that it's tedious and repetitive. Just 'bland' is a good description. But maybe it's me I don't know. I would not say I'm hard to please. I've been playing Football Manager ( used to be Championship Manager ) over 10 years and that's nothing more than a fancy looking database where nothing but the numbers matter. It's not all about bells and whistles for me. I just need something to tax my mind and for me this is child's play.

    Also. How can you stalk my progress? This is ominous ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Also. How can you stalk my progress? This is ominous ;)

    Captain's database
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Parrek wrote:

    I was aware of that thing. I have not looked at it in enough detail to see that it actually tells players what you have done in game. I suppose it's like bioware though.

    I'll have to be sure I have completed some content before I rubbish it now ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    leprech wrote: »
    -snip-
    This post is fabulous. Very well written, and makes a lot of good points. People should be sure to read every word.
    ...take the manhours that would go into the missing two and apply them towards creating new sector blocks, episodic content and richer, more rewarding and more diverse exploration missions...
    This also sounds like a great idea!
    Also. How can you stalk my progress?
    Your captain's online profile shows the missions you complete and what date you played them. http://www.startrekonline.com/character_profiles/my_characters
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Only two of my captains show up well on the database last time I checked.

    It made me sad. I wanted more pictures of my dooders available.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    if you read the previous post I made in this thread that's exactly what I have done. I just get a little tired of seeing lifers glibly respond with the Cryptic mantra of 'coming soon' without giving any thought to what that actually means for monthly players. It's all very well saying "stop paying2 because if everybody stops paying waiting for further content then unless the lifers can rack up some spectacular c-store purchases there will be no new content for lack of funding. ( Atari's next financial reports are going to speak volumes about there being any money around for further development of this game, considering that will need liquid cash ( that they currently don't have ) to fund their 3rd mmo ( providing they get over the legal issues for the licensing of that )

    As for me personally, I have not played all the content, not by far. The problem is that I have no impetus to do so given that it's all the same repetitive missions with a bit of dialogue thrown around to distinguish parts from others. But that's an opinion ( and one that has got me no end of abuse from people more easily pleased than I )

    I'm a lifer... and to me... I think this is more painful than being a subber.

    As it is, I don't play the game. I'm of the opinion that is sucks. So I get miffed when subbers, lifers, and fanbois ALIKE all try to tell me "hang in there... it will get better. " and "Don't worry, you're a lifer, you don't have to worry about paying month to month". Its bullocks.

    I wanted a product that was worth my money. As it is, I got something that I am very dissatisfied with that I don't EVEN USE!!!!!!! It would be so much better to be a subber... so that I will have a) SAVED money... and b) I would have the option of actually paying Cryptic when they finish the product to where it is up to a certain point of quality.

    I paid for 1.4 years of sub time... that I'm not even using now. Would have been much better to just pay as I go. Given the casual nature of this game... not even a recurring subscription is logical.

    bah-humbug
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I'm a lifer... and to me... I think this is more painful than being a subber.

    As it is, I don't play the game. I'm of the opinion that is sucks. So I get miffed when subbers, lifers, and fanbois ALIKE all try to tell me "hang in there... it will get better. " and "Don't worry, you're a lifer, you don't have to worry about paying month to month". Its bullocks.

    I wanted a product that was worth my money. As it is, I got something that I am very dissatisfied with that I don't EVEN USE!!!!!!! It would be so much better to be a subber... so that I will have a) SAVED money... and b) I would have the option of actually paying Cryptic when they finish the product to where it is up to a certain point of quality.

    I paid for 1.4 years of sub time... that I'm not even using now. Would have been much better to just pay as I go. Given the casual nature of this game... not even a recurring subscription is logical.

    bah-humbug


    I hear you. I am truly baffled by anyone who seriously claims that they are satisfied with this game and find it worth their money and their time. Honestly I can't understand it. I wonder what kind of minds they must have that they can not see what stares me clearly in the face but I suppose we are all different. Or some of them are not being truthful to save face....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I hear you. I am truly baffled by anyone who seriously claims that they are satisfied with this game and find it worth their money and their time. Honestly I can't understand it. I wonder what kind of minds they must have that they can not see what stares me clearly in the face but I suppose we are all different. Or some of them are not being truthful to save face....

    I've always held that an MMO that gives me 2-3 hours of satisfaction a month for $15 is worth it and in that sense, STO more than succeeds.

    However, where it fails is that other MMOs can provide more for my $15.

    In a vacuum or compared with going to the movies, collecting comics, etc. it's economical for me. Where it lacks is in comparison to what other MMOs will offer for the same fee and the lifetime is what tips the game into the positive for me.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I hear you. I am truly baffled by anyone who seriously claims that they are satisfied with this game and find it worth their money and their time. Honestly I can't understand it. I wonder what kind of minds they must have that they can not see what stares me clearly in the face but I suppose we are all different. Or some of them are not being truthful to save face....

    Its possible for many STO is their first "MMO" experience. Therefore, they do not have any precedent to reasonably compare STO too.

    I probably would have LOVED STO... had I never tried EVE. And maybe thought it was passable or decent if I'd only played CoX or CO.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I've always held that an MMO that gives me 2-3 hours of satisfaction a month for $15 is worth it and in that sense, STO more than succeeds.

    However, where it fails is that other MMOs can provide more for my $15.

    In a vacuum or compared with going to the movies, collecting comics, etc. it's economical for me. Where it lacks is in comparison to what other MMOs will offer for the same fee and the lifetime is what tips the game into the positive for me.

    2-3 hours A MONTH :eek::eek:

    Wow. What is the point of playing an massively multiplayer online roleplaying game if you are only going to be involved with the community for 2-3 hours a month?

    How on earth could you even develop a character at a reasonable pace with that much play time?

    For 2-3 hours a month... in the MMO genre... it has to be free to play for me. And given the recent economic climate of the world, I'd say that a lot of people may feel the same, what with 2-3hrs/mo there are excellent Free to play MMOs (even ones that far exceed STO in depth, personality, and quality).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010

    2-3 hours A MONTH :eek::eek:

    Wow. What is the point of playing an massively multiplayer online roleplaying game if you are only going to be involved with the community for 2-3 hours a month?

    How on earth could you even develop a character at a reasonable pace with that much play time?

    For 2-3 hours a month... in the MMO genre... it has to be free to play for me. And given the recent economic climate of the world, I'd say that a lot of people may feel the same, what with 2-3hrs/mo there are excellent Free to play MMOs (even ones that far exceed STO in depth, personality, and quality).

    You missed his point entirely I'm afraid. 2-3 hours of entertainment for $15 is a decent value. That's cheaper than taking a date to a movie, or eating a nice dinner, or buying a DVD. I can spend more than that at the Comic store on books that I read in under that. You could pay far more than that for a month of Cable TV or a Cell Phone.

    He wasn't saying that he only plays that long. Thats why he said it 'more than succeeds.' He plays more than that. It was just dollar to time value of an online game compared to nearly anything else.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Well this is interesting reads. You have people saying hey this game needs content. Then you have the folks that look like they are on this site to tell everyone that this game sucks and you are to ignorant and need to accept it.

    For one I am a lifer...notice the blue name. I know right off the bat that has lessened my creditability on some of your eyes. IE fanboy, Cryptic lover...etc. This will be especially pronounced when I say I enjoy the game. Is it the best game ever? No, will it be? Most likely no. But never less the space combat is allot of fun for me. I will sit in DSE content for hours on end and just try different things.

    For you all that are, this game is terrible, it will not get better, it is a total failure.... I have some quick questions. These are simple ones. What are you still doing here? Why are you still posting? Why do you not go and find something else to do? Let the ones that do enjoy the game do just that and enjoy the game.

    WHAT HOW CAN YOU ENJOY THIS GAME...YOU CRETIN IGNORANT FOOL. Well I do, So there! :)

    RM

    "Do not take life too seriously....You will not get out alive!"
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