Search for "bonus" which appears on page 2. The bonus is actually for out performing revenue targets for CO and STO combined. There's two payout periods, the first scheduled for August of this year. The bonus may have something to do with the contractual launch date but I think it's more than likely CBS since they put up with Perpetual's vaporware for so long.
You're right that Atari acquired Cryptic specifically for their ability to quickly develop a MMO with a reduced budget and reduced resources. Cryptic uses that and their proprietary game engine which facilitates this to market themselves. Jack Emmert also mentioned how quickly STO would be finished in Vegas 2008.
There's nothing really wrong with this business wise... *if* that model fit the demand. What went wrong is CBS, Atari and Cryptic underestimated the response to STO. This is proven during Closed Beta where they simply were overwhelmed by the numbers of people who had access. Plans were changed for CB purchasers so the servers wouldn't be overloaded. Then at open beta the test servers had to be converted into live servers, etc. We know the story.
Cryptic is now the little engine that could. I don't believe they are evil people who don't care about Star Trek and who just want to grab our money so they can go onto their next MMO. They were faced with a difficult situation given their size, the overwhelming demand and the grand scope of the Star Trek IP.
They had to launch under contractual agreement. Simply put... They bit off more than they could chew. It explains everything from no TOS mini skirt at launch to an undone Klingon faction. Everything people have been ranting and raving for they want to do but didn't have the time & resources for.
This "minimal resource required" business model continues. Cryptic has lost plenty of subs (some claim a hemorrhage) over them not being able to meet player demands for features and content. I think it's maybe not a hemorrhage but certainly more than that "it's normal for MMOs to loose subs after launch" argument.
I believe they are doing their very best but most everything has to be implemented on a triage basis. I think they are honestly busting their nuggets not only for us players but also so they can show Atari and CBS that they are up to this challenge. If people understand this maybe they would be more understanding.
That being said, I still understand people who are upset about STO. After all, corners were cut to get the game launched. Advertised features are still not available or were made available much later than anticipated. The irate customer is not at fault here. Some understanding should be given to that angry person too, especially those who are staying to fight for the features they want.
Cryptic's plan right from the get go (since their return on the scene) is to keep pumping out whatever crappola they can in a very specific time frame, get whatever revenue they can from the box sales and lifetimes to pay for development, and then whatever is left over (if any) and the monthly subs they end up with is the gravy.
That's how they sold Cryptic.
That's what Atari is expecting out of them for the next few years. A stable of mmos cranked out fast and on the cheap to provide a pool of subscribers. Essentially subscriber volume spread out over multiple games as opposed to one.
That was what they were flogging in the press and to any big company that would let their slimy tails in the door, and that's exactly what a financially troubled company bought. All Atari did was add a clause in there to motivate Cryptic to stick to the plan that Cryptic sold them. The reason the release date for STO got locked in stone in the late summer/fall of 2009 had to do with the very poor performance of CO, and so STO HAD to be released early 2010 for Cryptic to have any chance at the bonus.
CBS doesn't even really come into the picture. All they wanted to see was progress, and the company to have enough resources to continue to pay for the licensing when renewal time rolls around. They don't have any real stake in whether STO does well or not, beyond maybe a set slice of profits if it does well, but that's just icing on the cake for them if it happens. It's not like a company like CBS was thinking the performance of STO would effect the ST IP in any way, except to maybe increase it's profile a bit more with a specific demographic. CBS makes money off the movies and the license (the same as it does for any other genre of game).
Cryptic doesn't give a rat's behind about their customers beyond doing the bare minimum it took to first suck them in to buying, and then keep a portion of them subscribing. If that's "player driven content" then every single mmo that's been released has done it. They didn't "plan" on "putting out a bare skeleton and then developing it with player input" at all. That whole schpeel came out of nowhere near the end of open beta when they were getting hammered by people seeing just how little was there and the word started getting around faster than they anticipated. It's just more snakeoiling.
It's still not their plan either. Ya'll will get what they already long ago decided to give IF they got in trouble (which STO did otherwise they'd have moved more over to the next project as soon as STO was released), and it's simple for them to pretend it's "player driven" (to keep the facade) because the game is so devoid of content and features they can easily find a group that's asking for what they're adding, then point to them and say "see, player driven!". They can also rely on the general forum dweller's ego to just suck that sh..stuff up too.
The story about the Klingon faction and how "rioting on the forums" got them to start adding PvE content I read earlier in the thread? Ya, horsepucky. They didn't make any movement on adding PvE content, and distancing themselves from the "PvP faction" thing, until it became very clear that they had severely underestimated just how many were planning on playing Klingon but were turned off by their decision, and when they were losing pre-orders over it. We were "fighting" to save the faction (not rioting) for over two months after the word leaked out about the decision to make it PvP oriented, and there was nothing but silence from Cryptic on the matter. Well except for one of their producers ridiculing us in IRC, and implanting keywords into the sheep's brains that then came on the forums to use those words in their attacks on us.
Then people that were in CB and later OB started making it clear they were packing it in when it came to STO by canceling their pre-orders and asking for LTS refunds, and entire fleets were folding or moving on. It wasn't till then we heard anything about adding PvE content, and even then all we got was a smoke and mirrors show about what it would be and when it would be there. They made sure to intimate that it was coming in this wonderful "45 day patch" though. So again, enough to have suckers (ya, I'm one of them) buy the game and subscribe for at least a month.
They just keep playing the fiddle too, and some just keep dancing to their tune. :rolleyes:
And as I've stated elsewhere - the program is really intended for players who are enjoying the game and having fun and want to share their love of the game with their friends. If that isn't you, then the program really isn't designed for you. I don't think it does anyone any good (including the community) to bring people into the game who really don't want to play it in the first place - or to purchase their own subs just to get a reward - it doesn't help the game to do that. What helps the game is finding more people who do enjoy and want to play the game. I know its hard to gather from reading these boards sometimes, but there are quite a few people who do enjoy and love this game.
And what about those of us who have already tried bringing friends and associates into this game, only for them to become fustrated and quit due to lack of content and other issues? Even if we could re-recruit these people, they can't count towards your referral system, and we reamain screwed. Even more so for any friends that've actually stayed with the game.
If that's not you - then I can only assume you're here because you want to make the game better - and I can tell you that the team is working breakneck to get updates into the game so that there is always a flow of new features and content that you've been asking for. If you are here just to cause trouble, then don't be surprised if the mods bounce... because it really just isn't helping.
Continuing to witthold canon content from your playerbase behind walls of exclusivity does not and will never make this game better. And yet, we continue to support this game.
Whether or not the community went too far is something you'll have to look at personally. From this perspective your concerns were heard, communicated, and responded to.
This is yet another post of yours responding to this issue that seems to lean towards dismissing your player's concerns and complaints about this and similar issues as invalid, inconvenient, or just mindless 'rioting'. This trend continues to disturb and insult me, sir.
Is the Galaxy X only going to be available via referral? Probably because that is what it was designed for - but who knows... things can always change.
It's been a week since this notion became public, and the vocal complaints and disapproval continue. And all we've gotten in response is a handful of posts like this, implying that you may or may not possibly consider a theoretical change at some point in the future. This hedging and dodging does not help matters at all.
1) We realize it isn't a cake-walk to recruit 5 friends, which is why the reward was asked to be cool.
2) If that's not you - then I can only assume you're here because you want to make the game better - and I can tell you that the team is working breakneck to get updates into the game so that there is always a flow of new features and content that you've been asking for. If you are here just to cause trouble, then don't be surprised if the mods bounce... because it really just isn't helping.
1) It could have been cool, but something else. How logical is it to use something that would rile the community so much, and such a prized ship class that many people asked to be included in the game well before launch? If it's supposed to be cool, I understand. Makes sense, you want to motivate people. But how ideal is it when this same super cool item essentially causes people to also be turned off to you guys by it being made exclusive. Talk about Star Trek dreams... you just essentially alienated part of your community. Again... it could have been something COOL... but something ELSE cool, not Galaxy X. Was this the most ideal decision Dan?
2) Yes, I want to make the game better, and I believe that you guys are busting your (trying to think of something far from ever being considered vulgar to avoid giving Phoxe a reason to..)... baskets of vegetables... to get things out fast. You guys really have no choice with what the end result has been. But at the same time, your community manager Phoxe is outrageously abusing his authority. Unfortunately, I can't talk about specifics out of respect for your forum rules. Your community email address only spits back canned responses, so there is no human touch involved with the process. Sure, there are definite flamers, but even in my critical positions I have aspired to be fair, honest, respectful, AND constructive. Hypothetically speaking Dan, wouldn't you be pretty disappointed if you were cited as being "vulgar" for using a very commonly used word... and at the same time, you were quoting Craig Zinc verbatim? I could give other examples, but I am pretty sure the company in question would loose much credibility if they start STRAINING to find reasons to take action against you. You're not the only one to make mention of this, but its disappointing more so because it seems that you are not even fully aware of whats going on. When someone is contributing to the problem, then there is a bigger problem. I am not speaking about moderation (because that is against the rules), but I am clearly stating that one of your mods is abusing their position grossly.
If that something else were "cool" the same thing would have happened. Maybe from different posters, since that something else would have been something other posters wanted. But the reaction would have been the same.
The only way this would not have been the reaction was if the reward was not something cool.
And then the threads would have been complaint threads about how the reward sucks, no one will do it because the reward sucks and that devs are wasting time on things that suck. It's a catch-22.
If that something else were "cool" the same thing would have happened. Maybe from different posters, since that something else would have been something other posters wanted. But the reaction would have been the same.
I think it should have been a Q mini-pet that appears at random and follows you around for a while making snarky comments.
If that something else were "cool" the same thing would have happened. Maybe from different posters, since that something else would have been something other posters wanted. But the reaction would have been the same.
The only way this would not have been the reaction was if the reward was not something cool.
And then the threads would have been complaint threads about how the reward sucks, no one will do it because the reward sucks and that devs are wasting time on things that suck. It's a catch-22.
What you say is POSSIBLE for sure, I will definitely grant you that.
But what adds insult to injury in this case, is that the Galaxy X was plainly an item that people repeatedly asked for before the launch of the game, closed beta, etc. And now to pour a bit of salt on the wound... it isn't just any ship... its Canon.
We have so few canon ships to choose from as it is, whereas they could make a seemingly endless supply of cryptic star trekesque ships.
Making a canon ship
which many people wanted
exclusive
makes me a sad vegetable. (and others apparently).
It would have been probably far less pronounced if the offered item had a functional clickie ability, but was an originally built in house item. Or maybe a new ship. Or a VARIANT of the Galaxy X, hah. But, in my opinion, they choose the greater of two evils... withholding a coveted canon ship and choosing to keep it out of reach for many people.
I've said this before... but if the Galaxy X as a T5 would have been made available in game... it is something big enough to have actually made me log in to the game. It would have been a "WOW... thats cool and GREAT Cryptic". I and many others would have been excited about it. Instead... well... look what affect their decision had.
So in essence, I'm only talking about what would have been most ideal in this situation. Know what I mean? And did you like my semi-haiku (i know its not even close)?
And then the threads would have been complaint threads about how the reward sucks, no one will do it because the reward sucks and that devs are wasting time on things that suck. It's a catch-22.
Well, I haven't seen any whole threads, but I've definitely seen posts saying the Galaxy-X is a TRIBBLE reward anyway. Mostly from people who would prefer some manner of escort, science ship, or Klingon vessel. It's amusing.
I think it should have been a Q mini-pet that appears at random and follows you around for a while making snarky comments.
If THAT were the reward, even I'd be trying to get 5 people to join the game. The Snarky Comments AI alone would motivate me. The best thing is ... I think they could design this. And simply pull quotations from their very own forums. We could be the fuel that makes this awesome go.
What you say is POSSIBLE for sure, I will definitely grant you that.
But what adds insult to injury in this case, is that the Galaxy X was plainly an item that people repeatedly asked for before the launch of the game, closed beta, etc. And now to pour a bit of salt on the wound... it isn't just any ship... its Canon.
We have so few canon ships to choose from as it is, whereas they could make a seemingly endless supply of cryptic star trekesque ships.
Making a canon ship
which many people wanted
exclusive
makes me a sad vegetable. (and others apparently).
It would have been probably far less pronounced if the offered item had a functional clickie ability, but was an originally built in house item. Or maybe a new ship. Or a VARIANT of the Galaxy X, hah. But, in my opinion, they choose the greater of two evils... withholding a coveted canon ship and choosing to keep it out of reach for many people.
I've said this before... but if the Galaxy X as a T5 would have been made available in game... it is something big enough to have actually made me log in to the game. It would have been a "WOW... thats cool and GREAT Cryptic". I and many others would have been excited about it. Instead... well... look what affect their decision had.
So in essence, I'm only talking about what would have been most ideal in this situation. Know what I mean? And did you like my semi-haiku (i know its not even close)?
I still don't quite buy it. I've seen far more people push for the Excelsior than the Galaxy X. I've seen a post or two about the All Good Things enterprise. But as a concerted community effort, there's been so much more outcry about the Excelsior.
If THAT were the reward, even I'd be trying to get 5 people to join the game. The Snarky Comments AI alone would motivate me. The best thing is ... I think they could design this. And simply pull quotations from their very own forums. We could be the fuel that makes this awesome go.
Lol. I imagine a mini-Q wandering around muttering 'Fail...all fail'.
I still don't quite buy it. I've seen far more people push for the Excelsior than the Galaxy X. I've seen a post or two about the All Good Things enterprise. But as a concerted community effort, there's been so much more outcry about the Excelsior.
I agree. Many more people who would prefer an Excelsior or even a Nebula.
If that something else were "cool" the same thing would have happened. Maybe from different posters, since that something else would have been something other posters wanted. But the reaction would have been the same.
The only way this would not have been the reaction was if the reward was not something cool.
And then the threads would have been complaint threads about how the reward sucks, no one will do it because the reward sucks and that devs are wasting time on things that suck. It's a catch-22.
Maybe then the idea isnt to do it? I know sometimes inactivity is not in vogue but discretion is often the better part of valor for a reason. Besides, instead of creating stupid gimmicks to make people play the game. Perhaps ALL effort should be to make the game better and have it sell itself?
Naaaa what am i thinking, like that would ever happen.
And as I've stated elsewhere - the program is really intended for players who are enjoying the game and having fun and want to share their love of the game with their friends.
Sorry, but that statement is flawed. Just because a person is playing and enjoying the game doesnt mean they can get their friends to play. Afterall, you cant force someone to do something. TBH, I think putting that spin on it is a little insulting to the players who arent able to get their friends to play.
personally, i think the forums are just filled with people who would rather whine about the game then play
or, the few of us, who (like me ) can't play at a particular time do to w/e reason, and so instead we browse the forums ( though i find these people tend to be the logically reasonable people )
Heh, yes. Browsing the forums is what I do when I can't play. And from what browsing I do, it seems it's mostly the same dozen people or so doing ninety percent of the griping/trolling. The species Concern Troll seems particularly widespread. I hope people don't really think they are representative of the player base. While there are things I could stand to see improved with the game, it's barely opened yet and being improved week by week. Developers hard at work!
Sorry, but that statement is flawed. Just because a person is playing and enjoying the game doesnt mean they can get their friends to play. Afterall, you cant force someone to do something. TBH, I think putting that spin on it is a little insulting to the players who arent able to get their friends to play.
insulting is really the only word for it. you're right
If THAT were the reward, even I'd be trying to get 5 people to join the game. The Snarky Comments AI alone would motivate me. The best thing is ... I think they could design this. And simply pull quotations from their very own forums. We could be the fuel that makes this awesome go.
They have data from Champions and from other MMOs that demonstrates the idea of a referral program is a valid idea that can and does work.
Try to understand that the mere fact so many posters demonstrate how badly they want this reward, does actually enhance the validity of this idea. For it to work they want the carrot to be tempting.
As I said, the alternative is to put something not cool in. Which as I said, people will complain about.
All these complaints really do is solidify their choice of reward as being a good one.
I know sometimes inactivity is not in vogue but discretion is often the better part of valor for a reason. Besides, instead of creating stupid gimmicks to make people play the game.
It's an effective marketing tool. Marketing isn't about being discrete.
Perhaps ALL effort should be to make the game better and have it sell itself?
Naaaa what am i thinking, like that would ever happen.
Try to understand that the mere fact so many posters demonstrate how badly they want this reward, does actually enhance the validity of this idea. For it to work they want the carrot to be tempting.
As I said, the alternative is to put something not cool in. Which as I said, people will complain about.
All these complaints really do is solidify their choice of reward as being a good one.
I'm glad someone else besides myself noticed this. While the Galaxy carrot isn't to my tastes, clearly it is to a great many other people. But the Holo Tribble/BOff certainly piqued my interest in trying a light salad.
I still don't quite buy it. I've seen far more people push for the Excelsior than the Galaxy X. I've seen a post or two about the All Good Things enterprise. But as a concerted community effort, there's been so much more outcry about the Excelsior.
Sure, your right. There has been more feedback on the Excelsior, naturally of course since that ship received far more on screen time than the Galaxy X (which is another reference actually for the All Good Things Enterprise). Regardless though, my question still stands with the points previously made... was using the All Good Things Enterprise the most ideal notion?
They have data from Champions and from other MMOs that demonstrates the idea of a referral program is a valid idea that can and does work.
Try to understand that the mere fact so many posters demonstrate how badly they want this reward, does actually enhance the validity of this idea. For it to work they want the carrot to be tempting.
As I said, the alternative is to put something not cool in. Which as I said, people will complain about.
All these complaints really do is solidify their choice of reward as being a good one.
Or they could be so disgusted or turned off by the fact that Cryptic is choosing not listen to the community in this instance, that they decidedly choose to not participate in the RAF program, or quit all together (as I have seen some people threaten to do).
Sure, the attention is on the RAF program. But I am by no means motivated to go after the Galaxy X. In fact, I am even more put off by them, than I was before. Heck, as I said before, if they made it available in game... it is actually something that could have made me LOG IN TO THE GAME.
But as it is now... well, that won't be happening.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it backfired on them. As opposed to being motivated to get the Galaxy X... meh... I can't be bothered, and people seem put out by this whole Galaxy Gate, than having their cookies baked.
Or they could be so disgusted or turned off by the fact that Cryptic is choosing not listen to the community in this instance, that they decidedly choose to not participate in the RAF program, or quit all together (as I have seen some people threaten to do).
Sure, the attention is on the RAF program. But I am by no means motivated to go after the Galaxy X. In fact, I am even more put off by them, than I was before. Heck, as I said before, if they made it available in game... it is actually something that could have made me LOG IN TO THE GAME.
But as it is now... well, that won't be happening.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it backfired on them. As opposed to being motivated to get the Galaxy X... meh... I can't be bothered, and people seem put out by this whole Galaxy Gate, than having their cookies baked.
Imagine a scenario where STO copied the CO recruitment program almost exactly and added the other bits to the game as something you could earn. Part of the discussion when recruiting a friend could be "And they just added some cool things to the game to kick this off, like that crazy Enterprise from the TNG finale. Y'know, the one that goes all Death Star on a pair of Vor'cha's. And they have the frikkin' laser!"
Then these things that are walled off behind exclusives with the referral program become part of the general enticement for everyone to actually sign up rather than for people to shill. And since, in this scenario, the Galaxy-X with its Frikkin' Laser Beam :cool: is something that can be worked towards in game, Cryptic can go crazy with it without me considering them unethical. Not that they care, obviously.
Or they could be so disgusted or turned off by the fact that Cryptic is choosing not listen to the community in this instance, that they decidedly choose to not participate in the RAF program, or quit all together (as I have seen some people threaten to do).
Sure, the attention is on the RAF program. But I am by no means motivated to go after the Galaxy X. In fact, I am even more put off by them, than I was before. Heck, as I said before, if they made it available in game... it is actually something that could have made me LOG IN TO THE GAME.
But as it is now... well, that won't be happening.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it backfired on them. As opposed to being motivated to get the Galaxy X... meh... I can't be bothered, and people seem put out by this whole Galaxy Gate, than having their cookies baked.
Would seem be be smart thing right? add the Gal X to the game makes 99% of the customers happy. Make it RAF and QQthe entire community for a short term cash flow but losing out more on long term subscribers due to continuing bad PR and quitters.
'Maybe thats the whole idea, they dont see STO surviving long and looking for periodic cash infusions "peaks" to look good on the books for the bonuses.
Sorry, but that statement is flawed. Just because a person is playing and enjoying the game doesnt mean they can get their friends to play. Afterall, you cant force someone to do something. TBH, I think putting that spin on it is a little insulting to the players who arent able to get their friends to play.
Although I very much appreciate Dstahl going to the CEO about the Galaxy X, this is true but not Dstahl's fault. He did what he could and got an answer that I'm personally disappointed with. I won't shoot the messenger in this instance.
The real blame lies at the feet of the marketing department. They designed this program for anyone who loves the game and who is also a top notch salesperson ONLY. No consideration was made at all for those who don't have the social connections or skills necessary to complete this task.
They could have at least given credit to people who successfully used their buddy keys. 1) It's 100% doable but they don't want to spend any resources on incorporating it into RAF. And 2) They don't want to give credit for the past. They want a new influx of players.
In the end marketing's design will stand as they want a reward so cool it will motivate people to hit the streets and sell STO for them. It also stands to reason that the Galaxy X will have a cloak and a weapon that may not be as balanced as some think. I kinda doubt it will be junk else it defeats the purpose for creating this little motivational ship. And if they can keep this reward rare it will cut down on calls for nerfs.
you have just killed this community.
If you think that we are going to chase around many different, dead, forums to continue conversations you are mistaken. I have no doubt that's exactly what you want.
Comments
Cryptic's plan right from the get go (since their return on the scene) is to keep pumping out whatever crappola they can in a very specific time frame, get whatever revenue they can from the box sales and lifetimes to pay for development, and then whatever is left over (if any) and the monthly subs they end up with is the gravy.
That's how they sold Cryptic.
That's what Atari is expecting out of them for the next few years. A stable of mmos cranked out fast and on the cheap to provide a pool of subscribers. Essentially subscriber volume spread out over multiple games as opposed to one.
That was what they were flogging in the press and to any big company that would let their slimy tails in the door, and that's exactly what a financially troubled company bought. All Atari did was add a clause in there to motivate Cryptic to stick to the plan that Cryptic sold them. The reason the release date for STO got locked in stone in the late summer/fall of 2009 had to do with the very poor performance of CO, and so STO HAD to be released early 2010 for Cryptic to have any chance at the bonus.
CBS doesn't even really come into the picture. All they wanted to see was progress, and the company to have enough resources to continue to pay for the licensing when renewal time rolls around. They don't have any real stake in whether STO does well or not, beyond maybe a set slice of profits if it does well, but that's just icing on the cake for them if it happens. It's not like a company like CBS was thinking the performance of STO would effect the ST IP in any way, except to maybe increase it's profile a bit more with a specific demographic. CBS makes money off the movies and the license (the same as it does for any other genre of game).
Cryptic doesn't give a rat's behind about their customers beyond doing the bare minimum it took to first suck them in to buying, and then keep a portion of them subscribing. If that's "player driven content" then every single mmo that's been released has done it. They didn't "plan" on "putting out a bare skeleton and then developing it with player input" at all. That whole schpeel came out of nowhere near the end of open beta when they were getting hammered by people seeing just how little was there and the word started getting around faster than they anticipated. It's just more snakeoiling.
It's still not their plan either. Ya'll will get what they already long ago decided to give IF they got in trouble (which STO did otherwise they'd have moved more over to the next project as soon as STO was released), and it's simple for them to pretend it's "player driven" (to keep the facade) because the game is so devoid of content and features they can easily find a group that's asking for what they're adding, then point to them and say "see, player driven!". They can also rely on the general forum dweller's ego to just suck that sh..stuff up too.
The story about the Klingon faction and how "rioting on the forums" got them to start adding PvE content I read earlier in the thread? Ya, horsepucky. They didn't make any movement on adding PvE content, and distancing themselves from the "PvP faction" thing, until it became very clear that they had severely underestimated just how many were planning on playing Klingon but were turned off by their decision, and when they were losing pre-orders over it. We were "fighting" to save the faction (not rioting) for over two months after the word leaked out about the decision to make it PvP oriented, and there was nothing but silence from Cryptic on the matter. Well except for one of their producers ridiculing us in IRC, and implanting keywords into the sheep's brains that then came on the forums to use those words in their attacks on us.
Then people that were in CB and later OB started making it clear they were packing it in when it came to STO by canceling their pre-orders and asking for LTS refunds, and entire fleets were folding or moving on. It wasn't till then we heard anything about adding PvE content, and even then all we got was a smoke and mirrors show about what it would be and when it would be there. They made sure to intimate that it was coming in this wonderful "45 day patch" though. So again, enough to have suckers (ya, I'm one of them) buy the game and subscribe for at least a month.
They just keep playing the fiddle too, and some just keep dancing to their tune. :rolleyes:
Continuing to witthold canon content from your playerbase behind walls of exclusivity does not and will never make this game better. And yet, we continue to support this game.
This is yet another post of yours responding to this issue that seems to lean towards dismissing your player's concerns and complaints about this and similar issues as invalid, inconvenient, or just mindless 'rioting'. This trend continues to disturb and insult me, sir.
It's been a week since this notion became public, and the vocal complaints and disapproval continue. And all we've gotten in response is a handful of posts like this, implying that you may or may not possibly consider a theoretical change at some point in the future. This hedging and dodging does not help matters at all.
You arent the only one...
1) It could have been cool, but something else. How logical is it to use something that would rile the community so much, and such a prized ship class that many people asked to be included in the game well before launch? If it's supposed to be cool, I understand. Makes sense, you want to motivate people. But how ideal is it when this same super cool item essentially causes people to also be turned off to you guys by it being made exclusive. Talk about Star Trek dreams... you just essentially alienated part of your community. Again... it could have been something COOL... but something ELSE cool, not Galaxy X. Was this the most ideal decision Dan?
2) Yes, I want to make the game better, and I believe that you guys are busting your (trying to think of something far from ever being considered vulgar to avoid giving Phoxe a reason to..)... baskets of vegetables... to get things out fast. You guys really have no choice with what the end result has been. But at the same time, your community manager Phoxe is outrageously abusing his authority. Unfortunately, I can't talk about specifics out of respect for your forum rules. Your community email address only spits back canned responses, so there is no human touch involved with the process. Sure, there are definite flamers, but even in my critical positions I have aspired to be fair, honest, respectful, AND constructive. Hypothetically speaking Dan, wouldn't you be pretty disappointed if you were cited as being "vulgar" for using a very commonly used word... and at the same time, you were quoting Craig Zinc verbatim? I could give other examples, but I am pretty sure the company in question would loose much credibility if they start STRAINING to find reasons to take action against you. You're not the only one to make mention of this, but its disappointing more so because it seems that you are not even fully aware of whats going on. When someone is contributing to the problem, then there is a bigger problem. I am not speaking about moderation (because that is against the rules), but I am clearly stating that one of your mods is abusing their position grossly.
If that something else were "cool" the same thing would have happened. Maybe from different posters, since that something else would have been something other posters wanted. But the reaction would have been the same.
The only way this would not have been the reaction was if the reward was not something cool.
And then the threads would have been complaint threads about how the reward sucks, no one will do it because the reward sucks and that devs are wasting time on things that suck. It's a catch-22.
I think it should have been a Q mini-pet that appears at random and follows you around for a while making snarky comments.
What you say is POSSIBLE for sure, I will definitely grant you that.
But what adds insult to injury in this case, is that the Galaxy X was plainly an item that people repeatedly asked for before the launch of the game, closed beta, etc. And now to pour a bit of salt on the wound... it isn't just any ship... its Canon.
We have so few canon ships to choose from as it is, whereas they could make a seemingly endless supply of cryptic star trekesque ships.
Making a canon ship
which many people wanted
exclusive
makes me a sad vegetable. (and others apparently).
It would have been probably far less pronounced if the offered item had a functional clickie ability, but was an originally built in house item. Or maybe a new ship. Or a VARIANT of the Galaxy X, hah. But, in my opinion, they choose the greater of two evils... withholding a coveted canon ship and choosing to keep it out of reach for many people.
I've said this before... but if the Galaxy X as a T5 would have been made available in game... it is something big enough to have actually made me log in to the game. It would have been a "WOW... thats cool and GREAT Cryptic". I and many others would have been excited about it. Instead... well... look what affect their decision had.
So in essence, I'm only talking about what would have been most ideal in this situation. Know what I mean? And did you like my semi-haiku (i know its not even close)?
Well, I haven't seen any whole threads, but I've definitely seen posts saying the Galaxy-X is a TRIBBLE reward anyway. Mostly from people who would prefer some manner of escort, science ship, or Klingon vessel. It's amusing.
If THAT were the reward, even I'd be trying to get 5 people to join the game. The Snarky Comments AI alone would motivate me. The best thing is ... I think they could design this. And simply pull quotations from their very own forums. We could be the fuel that makes this awesome go.
I still don't quite buy it. I've seen far more people push for the Excelsior than the Galaxy X. I've seen a post or two about the All Good Things enterprise. But as a concerted community effort, there's been so much more outcry about the Excelsior.
Lol. I imagine a mini-Q wandering around muttering 'Fail...all fail'.
Best of all, they could call it "QQ".
OMG. You have now picked up a fan for life. That ... is ... perfect!
They have the Pets in game. There are targs. There's tons of action figures in their other game. They could do this. They really really could.
I agree. Many more people who would prefer an Excelsior or even a Nebula.
Hah! Absolutely CLASSIC!
Maybe then the idea isnt to do it? I know sometimes inactivity is not in vogue but discretion is often the better part of valor for a reason. Besides, instead of creating stupid gimmicks to make people play the game. Perhaps ALL effort should be to make the game better and have it sell itself?
Naaaa what am i thinking, like that would ever happen.
Sorry, but that statement is flawed. Just because a person is playing and enjoying the game doesnt mean they can get their friends to play. Afterall, you cant force someone to do something. TBH, I think putting that spin on it is a little insulting to the players who arent able to get their friends to play.
Heh, yes. Browsing the forums is what I do when I can't play. And from what browsing I do, it seems it's mostly the same dozen people or so doing ninety percent of the griping/trolling. The species Concern Troll seems particularly widespread. I hope people don't really think they are representative of the player base. While there are things I could stand to see improved with the game, it's barely opened yet and being improved week by week. Developers hard at work!
insulting is really the only word for it. you're right
Hah! Awesome lulz powered by the forums.
*giggle*
They have data from Champions and from other MMOs that demonstrates the idea of a referral program is a valid idea that can and does work.
Try to understand that the mere fact so many posters demonstrate how badly they want this reward, does actually enhance the validity of this idea. For it to work they want the carrot to be tempting.
As I said, the alternative is to put something not cool in. Which as I said, people will complain about.
All these complaints really do is solidify their choice of reward as being a good one.
It's an effective marketing tool. Marketing isn't about being discrete.
There's this forum. It's called Engineering Reports
It details what the devs are doing to make the game better.
Have you missed this?
I'm glad someone else besides myself noticed this. While the Galaxy carrot isn't to my tastes, clearly it is to a great many other people. But the Holo Tribble/BOff certainly piqued my interest in trying a light salad.
Not sure where I was going with that metaphor...
Sure, your right. There has been more feedback on the Excelsior, naturally of course since that ship received far more on screen time than the Galaxy X (which is another reference actually for the All Good Things Enterprise). Regardless though, my question still stands with the points previously made... was using the All Good Things Enterprise the most ideal notion?
Or they could be so disgusted or turned off by the fact that Cryptic is choosing not listen to the community in this instance, that they decidedly choose to not participate in the RAF program, or quit all together (as I have seen some people threaten to do).
Sure, the attention is on the RAF program. But I am by no means motivated to go after the Galaxy X. In fact, I am even more put off by them, than I was before. Heck, as I said before, if they made it available in game... it is actually something that could have made me LOG IN TO THE GAME.
But as it is now... well, that won't be happening.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it backfired on them. As opposed to being motivated to get the Galaxy X... meh... I can't be bothered, and people seem put out by this whole Galaxy Gate, than having their cookies baked.
Imagine a scenario where STO copied the CO recruitment program almost exactly and added the other bits to the game as something you could earn. Part of the discussion when recruiting a friend could be "And they just added some cool things to the game to kick this off, like that crazy Enterprise from the TNG finale. Y'know, the one that goes all Death Star on a pair of Vor'cha's. And they have the frikkin' laser!"
Then these things that are walled off behind exclusives with the referral program become part of the general enticement for everyone to actually sign up rather than for people to shill. And since, in this scenario, the Galaxy-X with its Frikkin' Laser Beam :cool: is something that can be worked towards in game, Cryptic can go crazy with it without me considering them unethical. Not that they care, obviously.
Would seem be be smart thing right? add the Gal X to the game makes 99% of the customers happy. Make it RAF and QQthe entire community for a short term cash flow but losing out more on long term subscribers due to continuing bad PR and quitters.
'Maybe thats the whole idea, they dont see STO surviving long and looking for periodic cash infusions "peaks" to look good on the books for the bonuses.
Although I very much appreciate Dstahl going to the CEO about the Galaxy X, this is true but not Dstahl's fault. He did what he could and got an answer that I'm personally disappointed with. I won't shoot the messenger in this instance.
The real blame lies at the feet of the marketing department. They designed this program for anyone who loves the game and who is also a top notch salesperson ONLY. No consideration was made at all for those who don't have the social connections or skills necessary to complete this task.
They could have at least given credit to people who successfully used their buddy keys. 1) It's 100% doable but they don't want to spend any resources on incorporating it into RAF. And 2) They don't want to give credit for the past. They want a new influx of players.
In the end marketing's design will stand as they want a reward so cool it will motivate people to hit the streets and sell STO for them. It also stands to reason that the Galaxy X will have a cloak and a weapon that may not be as balanced as some think. I kinda doubt it will be junk else it defeats the purpose for creating this little motivational ship. And if they can keep this reward rare it will cut down on calls for nerfs.
If you think that we are going to chase around many different, dead, forums to continue conversations you are mistaken. I have no doubt that's exactly what you want.