I've seen a lot of people discussing issues with immersion, wanting sector space to feel larger, and with the issue that adding ship interiors is like "Polishing the brass on the Titanic" if you will. I think that simply tying some things together could really help. Since I'm not everyone, I'm only going to speak to what I would like to see.
First, yes, bring ship interiors. Part of Star Trek is spending time aboard your starship, having a feel for the ship. There are not just corridors in the ship, but locations to spend time. 10-Forward, holodecks would be fun, but engineering, transporter rooms, and one in particular: Stellar Cartography.
The Stellar Cartography room could be the access point for Sector Space. If you "want" to see that view, just take your lift to Stellar Cartography, and just see where you are going. You could give orders to where you are going from here, as well as from the bridge. Orders to go to a specific location should be given from the captain's chair. (I'd like to be able to actually sit in it, as well)
I imagine that once you give your orders to go to a location, you could visit your ready room, stellar cartography, 10-forward, the holodeck. The Holodeck could come with some basic programs, maybe some training stuff. the C-Store could even sell additional Holodeck programs, since they like to sell stuff. Imagine in the middle of phaser practice on the Holodeck, you are called by your bridge that you are approaching a planet, and then you go to your standard tactical view to pew pew Klingons, or what-not.
Random quest events could be an additional feature here, as well. Imagine a call from engineering that you need a specific component, because something malfunctioned. voila, new mission.
The goal I think, is to make sure that STO is as immersive as it can be. I've seen lots of good ideas. I have loads of hope for the future of STO. Even WoW wasn't perfect when it launched. STO has received tons of improvement, and Cryptic has shown their love for this particular game in that they want to do well by the fans. So thanks!
I know I'd love to command my ship from the bridge. I -DARE- you to explain to me how any experience could be more Star Trek. Of course, they could do with making the viewscreens larger in that case. Heck, I want to fight from my bridge. The outside view may be convenient and nice, but that's just not how its done. Of course that would likely **** off just as many people as it endeared. Tough one.
However, I love your ideas. Wanted to stress that.
I like your post and only would like to add to the Holodeck idea in that we make it useful as well. Make it so you can simulate skill specs, space designs, costume looks, and test them. Not sure how you like a weapon? Test it out on the holodeck. Trying to get a feel for your new ground combat idea but don't wish to blow the points to respec to test it? Visit the holodeck. Want to design a full away team uniform look? You get the idea, make the holodeck the place you go to test ideas, just like they did in the series.
That's some good additions Oraddis. Since we have our 'tailor' I don't know if Cryptic will add that feature, but I whole heartedly agree with the holodeck being a place to test load-outs.
I imagine you guys have played Starfleet Command. I know its something many people wouldn't be interested in, but you should be in charge of putting your ship and yellow and red alert.
That's off topic, but its an example of some of the Star Trek feel we're being denied.
I like the idea of testing load-outs in the holodeck, and even just using it as a training location. Maybe even having tutorial missions in the holodeck, for advanced concepts not covered in the normal tutorial, or even simple refresher courses on how to do simple stuff.
Red Alert being a player instituted setting could be awesome. You could even get certain buffs for different alerts. Better scanners in "blue" alert mode, speed or diplomacy buffs in yellow alert, and weapons or shield buffs in red. This could be something you spec into!
It occurred to me that having a "guest captain" along on a mission could really be cool. If they were to ever have a cost or timer for repairs on damaged ships, your friend could hop in your ship, and group up to do missions. Not sure how that would work with space combat... maybe letting each person take one part of the ship, in a saucer-separation type style of co-op. How many times did we see other officers, admirals, commanders, captains come on board the enterprise during one mission or another?
I was also thinking about the idea for random in-ship encounters. How many times did we see a crew member taken over from some weird alien? voila! Another kind of mission. It could even just be a quick diversionary event between missions.
I think that any comments about immersion are relevant at this point. And there's a lot. I thing the game is neat. Neat is great for logging into once in a while to see the sights, but neat doesn't sell subscriptions. I think there need to be some depth, some complexity, some path to decide what you really want to do within the game. Looking forward to more updates though, maybe Cryptic will take some suggestions, and not just listen to the nasty out there. Nasty isn't constructive. I think it's important to have ideas about how to fix stuff, if you i'm going to complain about stuff being broken.
I would like to have a doctor in sickbay that can heal you like on the star base. An engineer in the engine room that can do the same. Becouse of the time to go there it would not effect the game.
Comments
I say we put you in charge.
I completely agree.
I know I'd love to command my ship from the bridge. I -DARE- you to explain to me how any experience could be more Star Trek. Of course, they could do with making the viewscreens larger in that case. Heck, I want to fight from my bridge. The outside view may be convenient and nice, but that's just not how its done. Of course that would likely **** off just as many people as it endeared. Tough one.
However, I love your ideas. Wanted to stress that.
I imagine you guys have played Starfleet Command. I know its something many people wouldn't be interested in, but you should be in charge of putting your ship and yellow and red alert.
That's off topic, but its an example of some of the Star Trek feel we're being denied.
Red Alert being a player instituted setting could be awesome. You could even get certain buffs for different alerts. Better scanners in "blue" alert mode, speed or diplomacy buffs in yellow alert, and weapons or shield buffs in red. This could be something you spec into!
It occurred to me that having a "guest captain" along on a mission could really be cool. If they were to ever have a cost or timer for repairs on damaged ships, your friend could hop in your ship, and group up to do missions. Not sure how that would work with space combat... maybe letting each person take one part of the ship, in a saucer-separation type style of co-op. How many times did we see other officers, admirals, commanders, captains come on board the enterprise during one mission or another?
I was also thinking about the idea for random in-ship encounters. How many times did we see a crew member taken over from some weird alien? voila! Another kind of mission. It could even just be a quick diversionary event between missions.
I think that any comments about immersion are relevant at this point. And there's a lot. I thing the game is neat. Neat is great for logging into once in a while to see the sights, but neat doesn't sell subscriptions. I think there need to be some depth, some complexity, some path to decide what you really want to do within the game. Looking forward to more updates though, maybe Cryptic will take some suggestions, and not just listen to the nasty out there. Nasty isn't constructive. I think it's important to have ideas about how to fix stuff, if you i'm going to complain about stuff being broken.