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4 Simple Things to Make STO Better

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
STO is a good game in my mind. Not great....yet but good. Having played since open beta I have seen a lot of changes that seem to be headed in the right direction. However, there a few simple thins that can be done to take this from good to great. From meeting their subscrition mark to blowing it away. There are complex issues within this game and some may take a while to work out my suggestions focus on some really simple concepts that would go a long way toward STO getting over the hurdle from good to great.

1) Diplomacy: Its coming. The form it will take is still vague but I have high hopes. I realize in this setting the Federation is at war. However, that should not be the end of diplomacy attempts. Perhaps not with the Klingons but we encounter many non-aligned races. Diplomacy is a must.

2) True Exploration. One of the hallmarks of Star Trek has always been exploring the unknown. Theoretically the Star cluster missions represent this. Really they do not. More the half of the unknown Star systems I warp into have already heard of the Federation. Not really unknown is it? I know first contact is coming with the diplomacy system. My idea is even more basic then that. Let us warp into planetary systems and discover new celestial bodies. Be it twin suns, rogue comets, gas giants, black holes, etc etc. The key is let us name them. Now I realize that naming them and making them permanent would quickly clutter up Star clusters. This is not a vialbe option. What is is maintaing a database through the computer that lists what was discovered , by whom, and what they named it. I mean something a simple as that would go a long way toward establishing permanancy and immersion. As an example I warp into the Hromi cluster and enter a star system with twin suns revolving around one another. Previously unknown. A database entry might look as follows:

Region system name anomoly name(s) type discovred by

Hromi cluster Alpah Triangulari David and Goliath twin suns Lt. Commander Jacom Smith

3) Random missions: I have advocated this before. My stance has changed slighty on this. I think it would be easy to simply have random missions pop up in secotr and systems we have already done the primary patro missions on. These could take the from of distress signals or messages from Starfleet that pop up when you get near them. Much like Starbase 24 and the distress signal you get in the sirrius sector. The tech to reuse systems is already in place. I would like to see most of these missions be more non-combat types. specifically things like disaster relife, trade negatiations, planetary disaster prevention etc.

4) Pvp.. while I am not a big Pvper I understand the desire of many who do like. Frankly the current system makes no sense to me. I can be parsecs away but if I am in a que I magically warp across the galaxy to the Pvp arenas? Wow why can't my ship always do that? I truly agree that the current Pvp system needs to be scrapped. Specific open Pvp areas need to be created. Whether its true territory control or simply an open map where you can challenge any one of an opposite fation to a duel it needs changing. An open map with specific areas for larger matches would be even better. No waiting in ques and magically warping across the galaxy. You want to enter a larger cpature the system match. You have to physically go to that system and enter it. Nice thing being it would be a continous match. Meaning once objectives are complete it resest and match starts again. You can come and go as you please. Limits of course would have to be set but the basic point is there. That is just one idea. My basic thought is open secotr maps with specific larger system matches in isolated instances.


Sorry for the long wall of text but I felt I had to get this off my chest. Thanks for reading.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Going to add point 5 as well:

    5) The difficulty slider is awesome but please adjust other things to match. Ie the universal cool downs on ground devices. They need to go. On Elite at least. 15 seconds of a cool down vs the way over powered (i know i know a fix for this is in the works) Klingon swordmater is an enternity. Please drop them to 5 seconds at most.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    which of those 4 points in the OP was the simple one? help me to find it...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I agree with you overall, but a small critique on point 4.

    MMOs just act that way. When Warcraft required you to walk your butt out to bumfrick wherever, just to queue to PvP... you probably guessed what happened. No one PvPed!

    Also, they tried to include PvP objective areas throughout questing areas in the game... another pretty big failure, overall.

    So, because it's an MMO, the rules get broken a little in terms of queues and being instantly moved around "space." It has to be done, if you had to fly out to a pvp system just to sit there and wait for an hour for others to show up....... would you?

    Although, I have to say, it might be a good idea to make a PvP area like how they do the "cluster" random exploration areas now.... Then when you go in there, you know you're going in to PvP... And everyone who wants open PvP goes there (which I have a feeling would be a lot of klingons and not a lot of feds, but only one way to find out! Though there's no reason you couldn't do KvK or FvF)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I agree those things could be worked on. I don't really care about the PvP but other people do.
    Snowpig wrote: »
    which of those 4 points in the OP was the simple one? help me to find it...

    haha well if you read the title of each paragraph it is pretty simple lol
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I think there's a lot of little things which can be added to the game to make it more immersive. Having a BO or the ship's computer actually say "Setting course for Risa, Captain" when you set a new destination would be very cool. I think a randomizer on Exploration Missions allowing each mission to be a conglomerate of objectives (Example: defeat 2 ship squads, scan 1 item in space, beam down and check a computer, and then defeat 1 squad in the base, and then the next person to do it get an entirely difference series of 5 objectives) would go a long way toward making EMs less repetitive. Having NPCs say different things to you in missions based on your Race or Class would be great (having a Klingon call your Klingon Fed Captain a P'tah and a traitor would be cool, as would being insulted because you're a Science officer rather then a real warrior). There's a lot of little things that could make this game extra-special, IMO.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    ]
    4) Pvp.. while I am not a big Pvper I understand the desire of many who do like. Frankly the current system makes no sense to me. I can be parsecs away but if I am in a que I magically warp across the galaxy to the Pvp arenas? Wow why can't my ship always do that? I truly agree that the current Pvp system needs to be scrapped. Specific open Pvp areas need to be created. Whether its true territory control or simply an open map where you can challenge any one of an opposite fation to a duel it needs changing. An open map with specific areas for larger matches would be even better. No waiting in ques and magically warping across the galaxy. You want to enter a larger cpature the system match. You have to physically go to that system and enter it. Nice thing being it would be a continous match. Meaning once objectives are complete it resest and match starts again. You can come and go as you please. Limits of course would have to be set but the basic point is there. That is just one idea. My basic thought is open secotr maps with specific larger system matches in isolated instances.

    yes, something I would love to have. Though it probably won't happen for a while.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    These are nowhere near the biggest problems with STO right now.

    You didn't list content, you didn't list fleshing out PvE for non-Fed factions, and you didn't list the "crafting" system (or rather joke for a crafting system).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    These are nowhere near the biggest problems with STO right now.

    You didn't list content, you didn't list fleshing out PvE for non-Fed factions, and you didn't list the "crafting" system (or rather joke for a crafting system).

    Well let me address that:

    1) Content: yes I did under random missions if you read it. Its content. A lot of it in fact if you add up the number of systems within each sector block.

    2) I didn't have to list PvE for the Klingons. It is already being worked on.

    3) Crafting is a non issue for me. There are far more important things in my eyes. Besides rarely did a Starfleet captain "craft" they improvised devices needed to complete a mission...but you hardly saw Kirk or Picard crafting better torpedos or shields. Its not canon and silly really. Personally I think crafting should be taken out of the game.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Snowpig wrote: »
    which of those 4 points in the OP was the simple one? help me to find it...


    The concepts are simple enough. Especially random missions as I desribed it. The tech already exists in the game for it. It would simply be a matter of creating the missions. Not hard given that the star systems have already been completed.

    The exlporation tech really isn't that hard either... just need to add a few features to the genesis system. Creating the database and usee interface is a little more difficult but not impossible.

    See it really is fairly simple all things considered especially given some of the more complex ideas I have seen posted.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    3) Crafting is a non issue for me. There are far more important things in my eyes. Besides rarely did a Starfleet captain "craft" they improvised devices needed to complete a mission...but you hardly saw Kirk or Picard crafting better torpedos or shields. Its not canon and silly really. Personally I think crafting should be taken out of the game.

    I don't think crafting should be taken out of the game, but I do agree with you that crafting isn't that important for sto.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Cosmic_One wrote: »
    I think there's a lot of little things which can be added to the game to make it more immersive. Having a BO or the ship's computer actually say "Setting course for Risa, Captain" when you set a new destination would be very cool. I think a randomizer on Exploration Missions allowing each mission to be a conglomerate of objectives (Example: defeat 2 ship squads, scan 1 item in space, beam down and check a computer, and then defeat 1 squad in the base, and then the next person to do it get an entirely difference series of 5 objectives) would go a long way toward making EMs less repetitive. Having NPCs say different things to you in missions based on your Race or Class would be great (having a Klingon call your Klingon Fed Captain a P'tah and a traitor would be cool, as would being insulted because you're a Science officer rather then a real warrior). There's a lot of little things that could make this game extra-special, IMO.

    Some good ideas here, randomizing the mission content rather than the archetype. Probably not an easy feat, but not impossible. Most likely lacking realism in the short term (but it is a really good idea, in fact).

    I wish we could assign our first officer, chief medical officer, chief of security, and that kind of thing. Because it's really weird getting updates during missions from random members of your BO crew. Immersion is good.

    I agree with the mission text thing too, although, I do remember a cryptic writer commenting on how hard it is to come up with mission text that is acceptable coming from any race (like, how they would talk)... it would be quite an undertaking to simply make quest text have 3 or 4 different flavors based on something like race.

    A more realistic goal might be "aggressive, passive, neutral" but you're still talking about 3x the text per mission update.

    There's only been a few things that have set me off about mission text. One was where my LT. told me good work, in a pretty condescending manner. It's like: "I'm the cap'n, beyotch, don't talk to me like that!"

    Kinda wanted to put him on jeffries tube maintenance for a week after that. Hehe.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    1) Content: yes I did under random missions if you read it. Its content. A lot of it in fact if you add up the number of systems within each sector block.

    Content is not just random missions. For STO it also includes scripted missions and end-game with a higher level cap.
    3) Crafting is a non issue for me. There are far more important things in my eyes. Besides rarely did a Starfleet captain "craft" they improvised devices needed to complete a mission...but you hardly saw Kirk or Picard crafting better torpedos or shields. Its not canon and silly really. Personally I think crafting should be taken out of the game.

    I completely disagree. I feel the existing crafting system is nothing more than a glorified barter system. I think it's a horrid excuse for "crafting" in an MMO.

    I think your points in the OP won't turn around STO at all.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    As for crafting, I think it's just approached all wrong. It should really be an extension of the officer type.

    I mean, engineers have skills to create mortars and turrets and things on the battlefield. And so many episodes of trek included engineers or science officers creating solutions to problems.

    I could see things like unique hypo sprays for medical officers (unique buffs) or unique devices for ships and ground for engineers.

    Honestly, the whole health hypo spray, batteries, and other devices probably shouldn't be such random drops found anywhere in the game... It seems like those should be perks your officer can make to aid their ship and away team.

    See where I'm going with this? Crafting shouldn't be making new deflector dishes, it should be something interesting with our device slots rather than the junk found in our loot orbs all day long.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dacatchman wrote: »
    See where I'm going with this? Crafting shouldn't be making new deflector dishes, it should be something interesting with our device slots rather than the junk found in our loot orbs all day long.

    I agree. Cryptic has a history of not handling item progression well at end-game. Not only just crafting, but getting purple items end-game is sub-par in differences.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Many community members covered 3 of the 4 thing you mention in the following thread:
    http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=2519303

    Granted, it wasn't as simple a suggestion - a lot of detail went into it.


    Explore the System and Diplomacy Proposals
    ======================
    ( - View PDF on GoogleDocs - )

    Revisit the System Proposal
    ======================
    ( - View PDF on GoogleDocs - )

    The cool thing is the second proposal was created in order to answer developer feedback on the first proposal. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Content is not just random missions. For STO it also includes scripted missions and end-game with a higher level cap.



    I completely disagree. I feel the existing crafting system is nothing more than a glorified barter system. I think it's a horrid excuse for "crafting" in an MMO.

    I think your points in the OP won't turn around STO at all.

    Wel I suppose you fail to understand me. By random I mean missions you encounter by having to fly by said system. Those can be scripted and frankly I would really only open them up once you hit Admiral.

    Secondly you really have a reading comprehension problem. I never said the crafting system was good. In fact I said it made no sense and should be taken out of the game. Captains do not craft better photon torpedos. Period. Never happened in the moives/shows and never should. I will agree with another poster that having your officers "craft" better things such as the mortors/turrets set up by engineers or your doctor craft a better hypo would be cool but starship weapons? Absolutely not. Its not canon.

    As for my points they would absolutley make this game better. In fact another poster refered to a thread that had similiar suggestions to mine.

    Your idea of crafting is simply unrealistic and a childish fantasy.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Many community members covered 3 of the 4 thing you mention in the following thread:
    http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=2519303

    Granted, it wasn't as simple a suggestion - a lot of detail went into it.


    Explore the System and Diplomacy Proposals
    ======================
    ( - View PDF on GoogleDocs - )

    Revisit the System Proposal
    ======================
    ( - View PDF on GoogleDocs - )

    The cool thing is the second proposal was created in order to answer developer feedback on the first proposal. :)


    I know I read your work. Really good actually. I just re-suggested it. The more the devs see different people coming to the same conclusions the more likely it is we will get some of this in to the game.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Secondly you really have a reading comprehension problem.

    (...)

    Your idea of crafting is simply unrealistic and a childish fantasy.

    ...said the "mature" person. Suurrrre. :rolleyes: I disagree with you, but I don't attack you, yet you attack me for no reason. Why so many immature people on the forums?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    ...said the "mature" person. Suurrrre. :rolleyes: I disagree with you, but I don't attack you, yet you attack me for no reason. Why so many immature people on the forums?

    No I was not attacking you I was making an observation. your statement that I was replying to implied that I thought the crafting system was great. Something I never said or even hinted at. Therefore you did have a reading comprehension problem. Its a simple statement of fact. I am sorry but if you can not correctly infer what someone is saying then obviously you have a problem, Secondly your idea of the craftingt system as you presented your case is unrealistic for the true STO universe, You can not argue with facts. I presented facts. They do not lie. Sorry you feel attacked, Perhaps next time understand what someone is saying before spouting off.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    No I was not attacking you I was making an observation. your statement that I was replying to implied that I thought the crafting system was great. Something I never said or even hinted at. Therefore you did have a reading comprehension problem. Its a simple statement of fact. I am sorry but if you can not correctly infer what someone is saying then obviously you have a problem, Secondly your idea of the craftingt system as you presented your case is unrealistic for the true STO universe, You can not argue with facts. I presented facts. They do not lie. Sorry you feel attacked, Perhaps next time understand what someone is saying before spouting off.

    Learn the difference between opinion and facts, because you're spouting opinions. You might want to double check want an insult is, because you're spouting them like mad. And you're just attacking people who disagree with you. I hope they lock your thread. This thread is now a pile of flaming TRIBBLE thanks to you.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    No I was not attacking you I was making an observation. your statement that I was replying to implied that I thought the crafting system was great. Something I never said or even hinted at. Therefore you did have a reading comprehension problem. Its a simple statement of fact. I am sorry but if you can not correctly infer what someone is saying then obviously you have a problem, Secondly your idea of the craftingt system as you presented your case is unrealistic for the true STO universe, You can not argue with facts. I presented facts. They do not lie. Sorry you feel attacked, Perhaps next time understand what someone is saying before spouting off.


    the ability of someone to infer, or deduce by reasoning what a person is saying relies solely upon the person speaking, what they say and the ability of that person to be coherent and descriptive. Making oneself understood is entirely the job of the speaker.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    the ability of someone to infer, or deduce by reasoning what a person is saying relies solely upon the person speaking, what they say and the ability of that person to be coherent and descriptive. Making oneself understood is entirely the job of the speaker.

    I agree; however, I am not sure how it cam be any more clearer my feelings on crafting when I stated it should be taken out of the game. That is as straighforwarded as possible. He disagreed with me in a fashion the clearly suggested I think crafting is wonderfull an obvious untruth since I wanted it out of the game. So you tell me zoot who made the clearer point?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Learn the difference between opinion and facts, because you're spouting opinions. You might want to double check want an insult is, because you're spouting them like mad. And you're just attacking people who disagree with you. I hope they lock your thread. This thread is now a pile of flaming TRIBBLE thanks to you.

    I will and you please learn to open with a civil discussion. Your first post was dismissive of my original points and instead interjected your own opinions. Your second post then completely dismissed my opinion with no valid reason given. Frankly, you opened the door with your dismissive attitude as if your opinion were the only ones that mattered.

    For the record I apologize for the reading comprehension remark. I was having a terrible day at work and they way you presented yourself simply touched a nerve.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Players should get to explore their own ship or at least have one mission on it. Also, expanding on the creation of alien species, since other MMO's have the option of building guild houses would it be unreasonable for users to be able to create bases, planets, or systems? And where is the Q?: eek:

    "This Farpoint Station will be an excellent test for my macaroni salad." - Q
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I will and you please learn to open with a civil discussion. Your first post was dismissive of my original points and instead interjected your own opinions. Your second post then completely dismissed my opinion with no valid reason given. Frankly, you opened the door with your dismissive attitude as if your opinion were the only ones that mattered.

    This was my 1st post...
    These are nowhere near the biggest problems with STO right now.

    You didn't list content, you didn't list fleshing out PvE for non-Fed factions, and you didn't list the "crafting" system (or rather joke for a crafting system).

    This was my 2nd post...
    Content is not just random missions. For STO it also includes scripted missions and end-game with a higher level cap.

    (...quote from you...)

    I completely disagree. I feel the existing crafting system is nothing more than a glorified barter system. I think it's a horrid excuse for "crafting" in an MMO.

    I think your points in the OP won't turn around STO at all.

    I think you're being overly defensive and then lashing out at people who disagree with you.

    You edited your post to add this...
    For the record I apologize for the reading comprehension remark. I was having a terrible day at work and they way you presented yourself simply touched a nerve.

    Thank you. I can understand that and appreciate it. I will be happy to drop the matter. I hope you won't do that to others in the future. :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    This was my 1st post...



    This was my 2nd post...



    I think you're being overly defensive and then lashing out at people who disagree with you.

    You edited your post to add this...



    Thank you. I can understand that and appreciate it. I will be happy to drop the matter. I hope you won't do that to others in the future. :)

    Thanks I am an ER doc and it was a day from hell and nothin was going the way it should and my nerves were frayed beyond redemption. Reading it back today I realized I was being overtly sensitive. Peace to you Cipher-nemo.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Thanks I am an ER doc and it was a day from hell and nothin was going the way it should and my nerves were frayed beyond redemption. Reading it back today I realized I was being overtly sensitive. Peace to you Cipher-nemo.

    Ouch, sorry to hear. That career is probably more stressful than I could ever imagine. Thanks.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Ouch, sorry to hear. That career is probably more stressful than I could ever imagine. Thanks.


    Thanks for understanding. I love my job but sometimes the stress level is unreal. Gaming is my stress reliever:D
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