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Convince Cryptic why the most useful threads should be linked into the STO Launcher.

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Yes I'm being serious, there's a number of threads I think should be linked into the STO launcher, I personally believe that the best as well as most interactive, and creative threads should get a chance to be linked into the launcher, for a little while.

Here are my suggestions, I would like to see the following threads linked into the launcher for a while at some point in the future.


  1. Dr Otto STO Research Post Release Phase Alpha.

  2. Comprehensive List of Suggestions for STO.

  3. Popular Ideas Poll.

  4. The Campaign to get more Star Trek alumni to do voice overs.

  5. Draft Leeta - The Dabo/Cryptic Campaign.

  6. Diplomacy - How it could work.

  7. New Idea: Prestige Classes.

  8. Revival: Minigames for Non-Combat Missions (with pictures!).

  9. C-Store Product Feedback, Suggestions, Polls, Discussion & Information!

  10. Fleet Administration: Help & Support.

  11. STO Acronyms & Contractions Database.

  12. Cryptic, can we have 11 Ranks instead of 6 please?

  13. POLL: Klingon Rank Structure Display Language.

  14. Invent New Items and / or Modify Existing Items for STO here.

  15. STO merchandise.

  16. Random Deep Space Encouters: Re-visitng a needed addition.

Ok that’s 16 threads to get us started, now you post links to threads that you think deserve to get a chance to be linked into the STO launcher, then post why you think the thread you have posted deserves to be linked into the STO launcher and convince Cryptic why it's a good idea or you can talk about the threads I have linked in, some of them I started, others I did not.

Maybe we could set up some kind of poll for a contest to see which thread gets linked into the launcher each week, just an idea.

Some of you may have noticed the huge amount of votes that the latest official Cryptic poll has recieved, simply because it is linked to the STO launcher, well I believe that we should all have a chance to get a shout out to all of the STO players that don't visit the forums, don't you?
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Reserved for future info.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I can get behind this idea.
    A dev post that links to the above posts would make forum information wading easier.
    Edit: Oops. Saw it in the list by the OP already. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Well as for the first thread that I linked in, I think it's pretty obvious why number 1. "Dr Otto STO Research Post Release Phase Alpha" should get a link into the STO launcher, that dudes doing some awesome research and his results would be so much more incredibly accurate if the entire player base gave him their feedback, well maybe not the entire player base, but the majority of players who saw the link and took the time take part would help Dr Otto out a great deal I'm sure.

    Not to mention the amount of work the Doc is putting into hi research and inevitably his results could really help teh game out in the future, marketing wise.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I think the stickied "Looking for STO game info?" thread from the starffleet academy forum might be very useful being included in threads linked in the launcher. Because that thread has links to a ton of other threads which give very detailed info on gameplay that new players might not immediately find.

    I just know that sometimes in both Champions and in STO the information isn't always made readily available to players. And giving them a link to finding the basics (which that thread does a great job of) is probably worth having advertised in the launcher.

    Linkage:
    http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=118581
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I second that notion Superchum, awesome suggestion!

    The "Looking for STO game info? - Academy Information Index" thread most definately deserves a perma sticky in the STO launcher!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I can't help but notice you haven't justified any of your sixteen threads. How about we pare it down to 5 instead? Few enough to actually fit in the launch window.

    Here's three that make sense to me:

    #



    # C-Store Product Feedback, Suggestions, Polls, Discussion & Information!

    # Fleet Administration: Help & Support.

    # STO Acronyms & Contractions Database.

    All the rest just seem like usual forum chatter. Don't see why anyone who isn't already in the forums would want to see them.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Haruen wrote:
    I can't help but notice you haven't justified any of your sixteen threads. How about we pare it down to 5 instead? Few enough to actually fit in the launch window.

    Hey Haruen, how are you?

    I think you may be taking the thread suggestion out of context, I only suggested those 16 to get the thread started, to get some discussion going and justified one, then pretty much thought I would wait for some more posts before justifying the rest of them, as I honestly didn't think this thread would get bumped up, while I also didn't want to build a wall of text within the OP. I was also hoping that others would discuss why they think the 16 I've listed would be justified as well as there own ideas for other threads.

    I only stated "Here are my suggestions, I would like to see the following threads linked into the launcher for a while at some point in the future." and I most definitely did not ask for all 16 threads to be linked into the ST launcher all at once, that wouldn't even be possible.


    Haruen wrote:
    All the rest just seem like usual forum chatter. Don't see why anyone who isn't already in the forums would want to see them.

    Well I personally believe that those of us who have expressed very well thought out ideas should have a chance to share them with the player base that doesn't visit the forum, and then we can really find out whether or not they are approved of by the majority.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    you do relize that not everyone comes to these forums right? Y forcefeed people the forums if they dont want them, if they want useful threrads they will come here and find them.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Karvashio wrote: »
    you do relize that not everyone comes to these forums right? Y forcefeed people the forums if they dont want them, if they want useful threrads they will come here and find them.

    That's an easy question, adding a thread link to the STO launcher doesn't "force" any player to come to the forums, especially if they do not want to, all it will do is bring the attention of the majority to the threads linked in, and if the thread title catches the eye of a players who feels they would like to contribute, then they can.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    It would be far less biased -- and less indicative of Cryptic's 'preferences' or 'favourites' -- if they simply linked to the forums.

    Perhaps have a random link algorithm that randomly links different threads (no pre-selected threads) whenever the launcher is opened.

    Otherwise, no, I don't want to see bias toward individuals or individual ideas. Whether or not there is real bias is beside the point -- those seeing the links will assume that bias exists, and it may simply turn them away from the game rather than draw them to the forums.

    ===

    Even links to player-made guides -- even the stickied ones -- can be considered bias. As much as I would love for everyone to read my Space PvP guide (sticky), linking something like that in the launcher just tells players that Cryptic has outsourced its documentation to its players.

    Cryptic needs to create its own documentation, and link to those documents.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Perhaps have a random link algorithm that randomly links different threads (no pre-selected threads) whenever the launcher is opened.

    This is a great idea, I have no idea if it's possible, but it's still a great idea and shows no bias towards and forum users ideas or suggestions, however I still don't see how it would be bias to have the community vote for which thread they would like to have linked into the STO launcher, say once a week, for a day or two, maybe the weekend.

    I mean if there is one or say 3 user generated threads linked to the majority once a week and different threads continue to roll out, then there is no bias and a lot of the threads are useless, but there are some great threads out there, like your Space PvP Guide Matt.

    I have to go down town but please feel free to discuss the concept, the benefits and the flaws etc.

    Cheers!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    How about a section for revamping Exploration missions.

    Instead of the Approach Planet or Enemy Confrontation, how about we merge the 2 types into 1.

    Where you take out enemy ship or ships in orbit and then on the planet. Also if you are exploring t he planet and the Enemy shows up you have to defeat them there and then the ship pr ships in orbit.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Well as for the second thread that I linked in, I think it's pretty obvious why number 2. "Comprehensive List of Suggestions for STO." should get a chance to be linked into the STO launcher at some point, shikamaru317 has by far put more work into this thread than any other and as it states in the title, it is a "Comprehensive List of Suggestions for STO".

    The thread allows the community to take surveys for most of the great suggestions around he forums and more, there's a huge list of ships, shuttles, races, factions, mini games, just to name a few, and seriously, if you haven't read this thread, you most definately should give it a go. ;)

    Now if you have more suggestions, please feel free to post links and discuss why you think a certain thread sould be linked into the STO launcher, not for good, just for a short while.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    uhm important threads... "Undine faction plox" :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Alecto wrote: »
    Well as for the second thread that I linked in, I think it's pretty obvious why number 2. "Comprehensive List of Suggestions for STO." should get a chance to be linked into the STO launcher at some point, shikamaru317 has by far put more work into this thread than any other and as it states in the title, it is a "Comprehensive List of Suggestions for STO".
    No, it isn't. 'Comprehensive' suggests 'complete', and it does -not- include every single suggestion for change on these forums. While it is a nice compilation of (mostly immersion) content additions, it does not represent, for example, suggestions for gameplay mechanics. Furthermore, the author himself -- like all of us -- is biased; post a suggestion and he decides whether or not it should be included in the original post, regardless of merit.

    For these reasons, I do not want to see the spotlight thrown on any pre-selected threads, and certainly not based on post-counts or view-counts, because it just re-inforces the perception of bias, regardless of whether or not that perception is justified or real.

    Regarding a random link algorithm (i.e., randomly links a few threads, which changes every time the launcher would be opened), it is very possible, and already exists on other web sites.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Personally, I think the only posts that should be added to the launcher are posts that only Cryptic has created (i.e., the ship interior poll, perhaps the engineering reports), not just random forum posters.

    Honestly, I'd rather see a "rate thread up/rate thread down" mechanism added to the forums before anything forum related is posted anywhere.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    No, it isn't. 'Comprehensive' suggests 'complete', and it does -not- include every single suggestion for change on these forums. While it is a nice compilation of (mostly immersion) content additions, it does not represent, for example, suggestions for gameplay mechanics. Furthermore, the author himself -- like all of us -- is biased; post a suggestion and he decides whether or not it should be included in the original post, regardless of merit.

    For these reasons, I do not want to see the spotlight thrown on any pre-selected threads, and certainly not based on post-counts or view-counts, because it just re-inforces the perception of bias, regardless of whether or not that perception is justified or real.

    Regarding a random link algorithm (i.e., randomly links a few threads, which changes every time the launcher would be opened), it is very possible, and already exists on other web sites.

    spot on....as it is evedent in every thread that one starts and only wants pro content in it.
    i have to agree here and this is by far the largest reason to not link threads in the launcher...
    Personally, I think the only posts that should be added to the launcher are posts that only Cryptic has created (i.e., the ship interior poll, perhaps the engineering reports), not just random forum posters.

    best idea for any links in the launcher....cryptic only threads.

    (note to alecto: your threads are very constructive, and do not mix this "against" as a connection to the other "against" i have with your rank thread...but i must say you put great effort into your threads and posts...even if i disagree with your rank thread, i would suport it being put in front of cryptic or a council ro further review....but this i dont like aside from cryptic created threads to be linked)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    not just random forum posters.

    The point I was trying to make with this thread, was that it wouldn't just be "random forum posters" threads, only the most useful, the most deserving for feedback purposes and the most constructive threads would get linked into the launcher, not just any thread.

    Also, it's not all about the threads that I specifically suggested in the OP, it about the communities suggestions as well, but only one other user has bothered to suggest any other thread and the thread he suggested is awesome!
    :D

    best idea for any links in the launcher....cryptic only threads.

    I really don't see any harm in community user generated threads being linked to the majority, to allow the majority of players to give accurate feedback and in return the threads from users would truly gather the responses they deserve. The results for threads with ideas would give Cryptic the feedback that could push them into taking action and the results for threads with polls as well as surveys would really show accurate results!

    As for the generally useful and informative threads, well there just simply useful and informative.


    (note to alecto: your threads are very constructive, and do not mix this "against" as a connection to the other "against" i have with your rank thread...but i must say you put great effort into your threads and posts...even if i disagree with your rank thread, i would suport it being put in front of cryptic or a council ro further review....but this i dont like aside from cryptic created threads to be linked)

    Thank you, but why don't you like the idea of certain threads from the forum being linked into the STO launcher for the majority of players to optionally take a look at and provide their feedback?

    I mean the whole reason Cryptic started that whole advisory council thing was to attempt to reach more players so they could get feedback from the players who don't visit the forums, and there are literally thousands of players who don't use these forums. So by giving the silent majority a little peak at a title of a thread might just get them to be motivated into taking a look at the linked threads and then providing their opinions, or simply voting in polls, taking part in surveys or taking a look at a really useful informative thread.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Alecto wrote: »
    The point I was trying to make with this thread, was that it wouldn't just be "random forum posters" threads, only the most useful, the most deserving for feedback purposes and the most constructive threads would get linked into the launcher, not just any thread.
    I think the problem is that even the some of the "best" threads in the game are filled with counter opinions, DOOMsayers, etc. Ultimately you'd be drawing as much attention to the negative ideas on the forum as you would the good, and Cryptic gains nothing from that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I don't think this is a very good idea, but if it were to happen the only threads that should be linked are some of the stickies or a link to the forum in general. I don't mean this as a flame, but I disagree that most of your 16 threads are useful. Opinions are opinions, and mine are different.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Alecto wrote: »
    The point I was trying to make with this thread, was that it wouldn't just be "random forum posters" threads, only the most useful, the most deserving for feedback purposes and the most constructive threads would get linked into the launcher, not just any thread.

    Also, it's not all about the threads that I specifically suggested in the OP, it about the communities suggestions as well, but only one other user has bothered to suggest any other thread and the thread he suggested is awesome!
    :D

    Yes, I caught the point, but what is "important and most deserving" to you, or to Cryptic even, might not be to me. To me, they might appear to be "some random forum poster". If you want to try to boost more attention to the "better" (and I use that word loosely) posts, then again I suggest for a thread "rating" system as opposed to adding this kind of stuff to the launcher. If Cryptic wants to boost attention to those points that another poster has brought up, then they should create their own thread.

    I'll be blunt...The only stuff I want to see on the launcher better be from Cryptic. Even though I see a lot of decent posts on here, I could give a targ's left buttock about seeing them on my launcher.

    [Edit: Consider this. If people are really interested in what's being brought up on the forums, there are better delivery mechanisms than the launcher. An RSS feed, an iPhone app, etc. Something [I]optional[/I]. Then tell folks via the launcher about those options. At that point it's on the user to decide whether or not they want to deal with the forums.]
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I believe that's purely speculation Cosmic_One, we would never find out the true results of doing such a thing without Cryptic actually doing it and I would really love them to give it a trial run. Hey, if it fails resulting in the forum users going all QQ, then they can just go right ahead and scrap the idea or simply do what there doing with the "Advisory Council", which is delaying it until they can basically refine the idea, rename it etc.

    Also, sure some of the forum posters are bias, but their is nothing bias about putting something in front of someone and saying hey, try this out, then tell us what you think of it, just like they have done with the "DP" on the Tribble Server, but that effort only reached a very small amount of players.

    Cryptic wants to reach out to the entire player base, potentially anyway and Cryptic wants to know what the huge majority of players think about what there doing with the game as well as where the majority of players think the game should be heading.

    Lets use my rank thread as an example, the one James brought up, and lets say that thread was linked to the launcher. Let’s say player were asked politely to provide their feedback on my suggestions in that thread or in a poll.

    So the results are going to go one of two ways, my ideas to open up the maximum amount of potential for the game will be disapproved of by the majority or approved of by the majority. If my suggestions were to be disapproved of by the majority of players then I would have nothing more to say, other than I tried and if the majority approved then Cryptic would have to take action.

    That's just an example and something they should have done with the DP a long time ago and can do more of in the future, they've started now with their own projects, like the Ship Interiors, but only giving the majority of players the incentive t o visit as well as vote on Cryptics own priority projects is bias against the forum user base, so works both ways.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Alecto wrote: »
    The point I was trying to make with this thread, was that it wouldn't just be "random forum posters" threads, only the most useful, the most deserving for feedback purposes and the most constructive threads would get linked into the launcher, not just any thread.
    This is the problem. Who decides which threads are "the most useful, the most deserving ... the most constructive"? If a player decides that, it becomes a popularity contest, and some genuinely good ideas might go overlooked because their threads were buried. If Cryptic decides that, it becomes favouritism, and players might be further discouraged from the forums.
    Alecto wrote: »
    So by giving the silent majority a little peak at a title of a thread might just get them to be motivated into taking a look at the linked threads and then providing their opinions, or simply voting in polls, taking part in surveys or taking a look at a really useful informative thread.
    I agree with your intention, but your proposed solution -- selecting threads and labelling them as 'the most useful, the most deserving, the most constructive' -- is not the way to go about it.

    I like QueenVoodoo's idea of only presenting Cryptic-started threads. Or go with a random display. The problem with Cryptic-started threads is that they might not necessarily reflect your intention, as they tend to be very limited in scope. The problem with random player threads is, again, they might simply display flames that would otherwise discourage players from using the forums.

    ===

    Really, any solution along these lines would best be served by stricter moderation as a pre-requisite. Only then would the forums become more attractive to those who do not otherwise use them.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    RedneckTrek and QueenVoodoo, this is not about the minority of forum users opinions such as yourselves, we've all voiced our opinions plenty of times, it's about reaching out to the majority of the non-forum users and attempting to get them to voice their opinions. Which of course is there prerogative; no one would be forcing them to even click on the links.

    I really don't understand why you wouldn't want the majority of the player base to be informed about the most useful, constructive and creative threads in these forums, I mean what are you scared of?

    What’s would be the harm in allowing other people, other than us regular forum users to voice their opinions?

    Come on seriously?

    as I said previously, the results can only go one of two ways with threads with creative suggestions, and that's they disapprove or they approve.

    Any other thread would just give them info or allow them to vote.

    Why is it that I and like one other poster in this thread approve of this idea and everyone else has to criticise and dismiss it before they even know what the results of doing such a thing would be.

    Pretty much the same as usual I guess, if you don't like the idea of something, it's pretty much disapprove without even knowing if it would work, just the same as the DP, loads of players complained about that without having even tried it and those that did try it, still exacerbated their testing results or simply said "I tried it and I don’t like it", then it was gone.

    Anyway, are you getting my point, your not being constructive by saying I don't like this idea, other than Matt who is being constructive as he always is, but anyway theirs no point arguing over this with any of you who disapprove of the thing that you don't even know what the results would result in now is there?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    You know Matt I first thought your idea of providing a random thread generating link in the launcher was a great suggestion, but now I've had a little time to think about it, the forum I so full of useless nonsense, that unless someone did provide the "most useful" or "deserving" threads, there would be no point in trying, as every other thread that popped up in the launcher with your random generator idea wouldn't be worth any players time.

    The original concept of this thread was to allow forum users to suggest the "most useful" and the "most constructive", but instead it's the same old "I don't like it" and "no you can't show the majority of players that thread because they might have an opinion" or "what about the other threads?".

    Well the point is, if the threads worth linking in, it'll get the chance and this thread was supposed to compile the best of the best using your help, but no.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Alecto wrote: »
    Well the point is, if the threads worth linking in, it'll get the chance and this thread was supposed to compile the best of the best using your help, but no.
    Like I said, I like your intention. I just feel that if I, personally, offer any suggestions merely to serve as -examples- of constructive threads, I might overlook many other equally valuable threads, and it would unintentionally give more attention to some rather than all.

    I want to help, really, but I fear that my attempts would make it worse. Not sure if you understand my feeling of helplessness. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Just had a thought with the random link generator. Instead of random -threads-, have it display random -posts- by Cryptic staff, using the DEV Tracker.

    That alone is great encouragement to any reader that Cryptic not only listens, but they also respond.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Just had a thought with the random link generator. Instead of random -threads-, have it display random -posts- by Cryptic staff, using the DEV Tracker.

    That alone is great encouragement to any reader that Cryptic not only listens, but they also respond.

    Now that combined with your first idea, is by far THE BEST suggestion in this thread, thank you Matt!

    Cryptic, make it so! LoL

    So if this idea was implemented, all I would have to do to get the attention of the “majority”, would be to convince one of the STO Team members to post in the threads of mine that they haven't already posted in, well the ones that I really want them to, there's one in particular that I'm sure you're aware of.

    Well anyway, it's been a very interesting discussion and I do hope Cryptic gives the idea some thought as I think you Matt have provided a perfect solution, obviously the idea would need a little tweaking, but anyway I have leave the forum and spend some time with my girl friend as I've spent far to long on here.

    Good night, goodbye and have a wonderful <Insert your time zone here>,

    Cheers!
    :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    I guess I would have to disagree with this thread considering I can't stand most of the ideas (or the way people went about them) in that list.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited April 2010
    Alecto wrote: »
    RedneckTrek and QueenVoodoo, this is not about the minority of forum users opinions such as yourselves, we've all voiced our opinions plenty of times, it's about reaching out to the majority of the non-forum users and attempting to get them to voice their opinions. Which of course is there prerogative; no one would be forcing them to even click on the links.

    I really don't understand why you wouldn't want the majority of the player base to be informed about the most useful, constructive and creative threads in these forums, I mean what are you scared of?

    What’s would be the harm in allowing other people, other than us regular forum users to voice their opinions?

    Come on seriously?


    See, now you're putting words in my mouth and getting defensive because we don't support your idea 100%. Chill, this isn't a contest. It's a fleshing out of your idea. It's why you posted it, no?

    Never in any of my posts did I say that the "if the minority doesn't speak up they shouldn't be included. Let the majority rule". In fact, I gave you some alternative delivery methods to the launcher that would influence just that (i.e., those that aren't on the forums for a majority of their time).

    1. Cryptic-only forum posts on the launcher
    2. Get the dang Facebook/Twitter/etc. functionality working so perhaps we could have an RSS feed(ish) type thing for forum posts.
    3. Rating system for forum threads
    4. Get crackin' on that iPhone app (where a forum thread "viewer" option could be included)

    Also consider that a lot of that minority (which I'm not convinced is a minority by the way) avoid the forums like the plague for a reason. For example, my husband and friends won't go near the forums. They think the forums are a hive of scum and villainy in any game. Guess what, they look to me (yeah me) to brave the forum to find out what's going on.
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