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Parallel Universe Exploration Cluster

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
The text of the exploration missions is often what I find lacking but the visual combinations it creates are stark and sometimes stunningly beautiful.

So I was thinking...

What if they borrowed the time anomaly/parallel universe stuff from Trek and made the next exploration cluster a giant space/time anomaly for that added epic feeling. Instead of "Explore Unknown System", you get "Explore Unknown Universe". This works well with randomization and allows for weird things like a "Borg Government". It would also allow more diversity of models as we could find ourselves saving a Cardassian or Ferengi Ship from the Federation, saving a Borg Ship from the Klingons, etc. The logic constraints that the existing system runs up against (Borg government, repeated missions, inability to use certain storyline elements) would be voided out as a consideration, giving the cluster pretty free reign in using any in-game art assets and use the IP itself more fully.

(For example, even without likeness rights, you could have the white, blonde Uhura and black Sulu from the Peter Pan comic books. You could use characters who would be distinct from their actor likenesses, meaning you could be hailed by Neelix of Borg or whatever.)

Going with the facts, Undine live outside our universe. Borg have a non-linear tendency for time travel. The Iconians have gates that go everywhere. One cluster that acts as a giant anomaly could make for a fun and diverse endgame cluster at RA10 in Season 2 or 3.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    This would be fantastic. But I have a feeling that the overlords at CBS would never allow it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kaiserhawk wrote: »
    This would be fantastic. But I have a feeling that the overlords at CBS would never allow it.

    They routinely allowed Voyager to do two and three episodes in a row that dealt with time travel.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kaiserhawk wrote: »
    This would be fantastic. But I have a feeling that the overlords at CBS would never allow it.

    *wispier *Keep it down the masters can hear us. */wispier*
    * talks loud for the overlords to hear. * SO HOW WAS YOUR DAY IN THIS GREAT AND PERFECT GAME.

    ok all silliness aside. I like this idea.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    That really is a great idea!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    They routinely allowed Voyager to do two and three episodes in a row that dealt with time travel.

    They let Enterprise happen.

    Protecting the IP from their licensees just terribly amuses me with how utterly little they've ever done to protect it in-house.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    The text of the exploration missions is often what I find lacking but the visual combinations it creates are stark and sometimes stunningly beautiful.

    So I was thinking...

    What if they borrowed the time anomaly/parallel universe stuff from Trek and made the next exploration cluster a giant space/time anomaly for that added epic feeling. Instead of "Explore Unknown System", you get "Explore Unknown Universe". This works well with randomization and allows for weird things like a "Borg Government". It would also allow more diversity of models as we could find ourselves saving a Cardassian or Ferengi Ship from the Federation, saving a Borg Ship from the Klingons, etc. The logic constraints that the existing system runs up against (Borg government, repeated missions, inability to use certain storyline elements) would be voided out as a consideration, giving the cluster pretty free reign in using any in-game art assets and use the IP itself more fully.

    (For example, even without likeness rights, you could have the white, blonde Uhura and black Sulu from the Peter Pan comic books. You could use characters who would be distinct from their actor likenesses, meaning you could be hailed by Neelix of Borg or whatever.)

    Going with the facts, Undine live outside our universe. Borg have a non-linear tendency for time travel. The Iconians have gates that go everywhere. One cluster that acts as a giant anomaly could make for a fun and diverse endgame cluster at RA10 in Season 2 or 3.

    Now that is a creative idea.

    I have a bit of an idea for some new story arcs. Coming out of the B'Tran cluser. All this testing I've done lately has helped me get to know the Starlian, Phaonians, Crimto and Vito'D.

    I have this crazy notion that they're all super aggressive. And they don't like each other. Or starfleet for that matter.

    With the coming of the FDC (and diplomacy and first contact missions) ... and the promise of new story content also on its way ... I just think it would be awesome if Cryptic developed these "random" races into a story arc. A war. Between those 4. And due to our ongoing exploration of the B'Tran cluster, the federation has fallen right into the middle of it.

    Be a fun way for Cryptic to go off on a tangent all their own.

    But back to YOUR idea. It's really cool. I like it. Definitely a neat way to expand exploration. And since we already run amok of Mirror Universe Terrans in DSEs I think there's already enough in-game precedent for something like this.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    They routinely allowed Voyager to do two and three episodes in a row that dealt with time travel.

    CBS has already allowed it to take place in game, by giving the OK to have Terran Empire as an enemy signal contact.

    I could swear I've killed the IKS Molly multiple times. But everytime a Terran Empire DSE sucks me in ... guess who's there to greet me?

    ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I like the idea, but it just feels like a way to sidestep bad programming with the whole "borg and their third dynasty" missions.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Regarding the specific proposal, I'd like to just be able to poke back into the Mirror Universe specifically first before branching into full Parallels. But I think that would be an interesting future mode of Exploration, and a lot less irritating than the future casual time-meddling shown in Voyager and Enterprise.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Intrepidox wrote: »
    I like the idea, but it just feels like a way to sidestep bad programming with the whole "borg and their third dynasty" missions.

    Well, I doubt they could pull it for every exploration cluster from now on... But they could make it the motif for the RA 10 Exploration Cluster and work on improving exploration on the backend while we enjoy the weird content the current system produces more in the meantime.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Excellent idea and I would also love to see it implemented.
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