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Memory Alpha is a Store

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
It's a store. It just takes different kinds of currency.

I'm enjoying it. It gives me something to do with my ECs. Plus, it makes things like radiation samples sell on the exchange, which is fun, I guess.

I like the changes, but it's a far cry from crafting.

It's basically a complicated set of vendors with very particular demands.
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Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    I like the new interface, but what we're actually making needs to change.

    Really what we should be doing is making items with blank upgrade slots and then making upgrades that can be installed in those slots.

    For example making a 'blank kit' with slots on it (number appropriate to rank of item) and then being able to plug in the abilities we want on it.

    Or making a gun or rifle and plugging in the options we want on them. Thats the kind of thing that would make it awesome.

    But in its current state, yeah its just a store with an annoying payment plan.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kirkfat wrote: »
    It's a store. It just takes different kinds of currency.

    I'm enjoying it. It gives me something to do with my ECs. Plus, it makes things like radiation samples sell on the exchange, which is fun, I guess.

    I like the changes, but it's a far cry from crafting.

    It's basically a complicated set of vendors with very particular demands.

    Actually, almost everything in an MMO boils down to a database transaction.

    Your ship slots are actually "bags" on your ship puppet account.

    Your captain skills are settings on your "captain" account.

    The power tray is an array of inventory items pulled from hidden bags that have region rules.

    Memory alpha uses the "list-row" array gen that pulls items from a database and lists them in a row with specific item data displayed. We then use the secure transaction button to ensure that when you are in the transaction of exchanging several items from your inventory bag for another item (all database transactions) it is a safe transaction and will not result in lost bits if you happen to get disconected or log out at that moment.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Is this a joke? Did you seriously spend over 100 days for this?!! There are no new "Recipes" just a new point system applied to the tired old TRIBBLE that everyone past RA3 doesn't need or want!

    What kind of craptastic up date is this? :mad::mad::mad::mad:

    STO is turning into one big sewer treatment plant, TRIBBLE in - recycle it - TRIBBLE out.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Signalsgt wrote: »
    Is this a joke? Did you seriously spend over 100 days for this?!! There are no new "Recipes" just a new point system applied to the tired old TRIBBLE that everyone past RA3 doesn't need or want!

    What kind of craptastic up date is this?

    STO is turning into one big sewer treatment plant, TRIBBLE in - recycle it - TRIBBLE out.

    Atleast you have a free lifetime membership, so you don't have to pay for it :o

    I rather like the facelift MA has received. I agree that we need more varied and useful items to research and develop though.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    The interface (and explanations) were needed. It's largely the similar system but at least there's visual feedback now.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    thefrayl wrote: »
    Atleast you have a free lifetime membership, so you don't have to pay for it

    .

    300 bucks = Free :confused::confused::confused::confused:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kirkfat wrote: »
    It's a store. It just takes different kinds of currency.

    Not true. If it were a store, it would have its own sub-forum like the C-Store does.

    Ergo, it's not a store.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Zodi-emish wrote:
    300 bucks = Free :confused:

    Hehe, he was a contest winner back in the day (2008). Notice the special member title below the name :)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    thefrayl wrote: »
    Atleast you have a free lifetime membership, so you don't have to pay for it :o

    Which sadly is the only reason I still play.
    I rather like the facelift MA has received. I agree that we need more varied and useful items to research and develop though.

    I like the facelift as well, but its a nothing but graphics which should have taken 30 days at MOST for some code toad to bang out.

    There is no SUBSTANCE ADDED Cryptic continues to set the bar low and fails to clear it. :mad:

    What's even worse is it's a friggen template that is applied to a common item, nothing new nothing different from the same item you could get if it dropped in an instance!!

    How hard is it to put in a template for every item in the stupid game! If thats all the thought, time, effort and energy these devs are going to give Mem Alpha?:mad:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Zodi-emish wrote:
    300 bucks = Free

    Is this a joke? Did you seriously spend over 100 nanoseconds typing that? There are no new "posts" in this thread just a new math formula for lifetime subscription conversion rates applied to the tired old subscription that everyone past the free demo doesn't need or want!

    This game launched incomplete!

    Cryptic ignores klingons!

    I spent valueless energy credits to craft to Tier 2 and now have to spend more valueless energy credits to craft in this system!

    I hate the world more than tupac did when got convicted!

    ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Signalsgt wrote: »
    I like the facelift as well, but its a nothing but graphics which should have taken 30 days at MOST for some code toad to bang out.

    There is no SUBSTANCE ADDED Cryptic continues to set the bar low and fails to clear it. :mad:

    Well, you have to admit it's a step in the right direction though. Even just with the UI Facelift, it's much better than the guess work before. I'm confident that this won't be the last update to Memory Alpha.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    thefrayl wrote: »
    Hehe, he was a contest winner back in the day (2008). Notice the special member title below the name

    Oh lol, hey Signalsgt if you don't like the game, don't waste it, send me your account info to the link in my SIG :D:D:D:D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    thefrayl wrote: »
    Well, you have to admit it's a step in the right direction though. Even just with the UI Facelift, it's much better than the guess work before. I'm confident that this won't be the last update to Memory Alpha.

    It's not a step in the right direction, it's the start of the path Cryptic should have set up in the first place. We haven't MOVED anywhere.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    thefrayl wrote: »
    Well, you have to admit it's a step in the right direction though. Even just with the UI Facelift, it's much better than the guess work before. I'm confident that this won't be the last update to Memory Alpha.

    I'm sure a dev said this was the step one on fix memory alpha
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Signalsgt wrote: »
    How hard is it to put in a template for every item in the stupid game! If thats all the thought, time, effort and energy these devs are going to give Mem Alpha?:mad:
    It takes a while - they have to balance the relative value of each item, relative samples required versus benefit, etc.

    I'm hoping a system comes up where we can experiment with our gear by applying attributes ourselves - instead of a set blueprint.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Zodi-emish wrote:
    I'm sure a dev said this was the step one on fix memory alpha

    It has been stated that they wanted to get the new interface/tier system working before adding new recipies or other such expansion.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    It takes a while - they have to balance the relative value of each item, relative samples required versus benefit, etc.

    I'm hoping a system comes up where we can experiment with our gear by applying attributes ourselves - instead of a set blueprint.

    Memory Alpha is negated once you hit RA3 and start running your daily's, this is straight up unacceptable.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Maybe it's just from being an Engineer in Warcraft but the four REAL differences between Memory Alpha and what I'd consider a true crafting system are:

    - Randomness. That means a chance of creating an extra item or getting an extra skill point or creating a higher quality item by mistake. Crafting is not predictable at its best.

    - Blueprints/diagrams/etc. Learning to make something other people can't make. You can do this with drops or currency or even daily quests that award bags with a random blueprint but disparity of recipes is what makes a crafter feel "unique".

    - The ability to either do it anywhere or in more places. Every example of crafting I can think of in another game allows you to either do it everywhere or at a variety of hubs. This might be aboard your ship or at a starbase or a designated hub in each sector block but going one place to do it just feels wrong.

    - The ability to make things other than weapons. Maybe it's new and better consumables. Maybe it's shuttlecraft type pets or android/hologram BOs. Maybe it's moon boots that let you jump around like you can on the Hobus mission or gas grenades that confuse your enemies into attacking eachother or surgical kits to change your race the way we saw them do it on TNG/DS9/Voyager. Maybe it's an item you can consume to reset the cooldown of transwarp. But crafting generally has quality of life/novelty features beyond gear.

    Address these four things and you're solid. I think what you did in the patch was a necessary first step but it's still more like a store than a crafting system because the exchange is so transparent, so limited in terms of what you can do with it and where you can do it and, ultimately, utilitarian enough that it does feel like a store with anomalies basically being Super Mario Bros. coins instead of giving you the feeling that you made something.

    Hope these four points are helpful feedback. I'm sure you've thought of at least some of them, maybe from another angle. But I think you address these four things and you're good.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kirkfat wrote: »
    It's basically a complicated set of vendors with very particular demands.

    kind of like in WoW where you go off and gather herbs, go back to town, buy some empty vials, and 'craft' them into potions?

    yeah..
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    It has been stated that they wanted to get the new interface/tier system working before adding new recipies or other such expansion.

    So Presidents Day of 2013 Memory Alpha will become relevant?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    By the way, Cryptic, the instructions could be less cryptic, although I'm starting to think that you guys take pleasure in confusing players.

    Let people know how to access the other tabs, and who they need to talk to specifically. The instructions here are pretty similar to some of the earlier mission where the admiral tells you what sector to go to, but not what planet to go to... or when he uses one name for the planet while the map uses a different name.

    I'm still confused by this. I was able to get the science npc to unlock Energy fields but the other tabs are not accessible. The other bots don't give me options.

    You should explain stuff.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    We then use the secure transaction button to ensure that when you are in the transaction of exchanging several items from your inventory bag for another item (all database transactions) it is a safe transaction and will not result in lost bits if you happen to get disconected or log out at that moment.

    This made me chuckle.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    superchum wrote: »
    Not true. If it were a store, it would have its own sub-forum like the C-Store does.

    Ergo, it's not a store.

    It doesn't have its own subforum because Cryptic has already maxed out their subforum allotment with like 52 sub-forums.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kirkfat wrote: »
    By the way, Cryptic, the instructions could be less cryptic, although I'm starting to think that you guys take pleasure in confusing players.

    Let people know how to access the other tabs, and who they need to talk to specifically. The instructions here are pretty similar to some of the earlier mission where the admiral tells you what sector to go to, but not what planet to go to... or when he uses one name for the planet while the map uses a different name.

    I'm still confused by this. I was able to get the science npc to unlock Energy fields but the other tabs are not accessible. The other bots don't give me options.

    You should explain stuff.
    You only get to unlock one specialty.
    This is why Romain had you speak to each person before selecting your tier 2 specialty.
    The other grayed-out tabs were specialties you didn't choose.

    The more you know! ==★
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    You only get to unlock one specialty.
    This is why Romain had you speak to each person before selecting your tier 2 specialty.
    The other grayed-out tabs were specialties you didn't choose.

    The more you know! ==★

    So once I max out Energy Fields, then I'll get access to other tabs?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    dstahl wrote: »
    Memory alpha uses the "list-row" array gen that pulls items from a database and lists them in a row with specific item data displayed. We then use the secure transaction button to ensure that when you are in the transaction of exchanging several items from your inventory bag for another item (all database transactions) it is a safe transaction and will not result in lost bits if you happen to get disconected or log out at that moment.

    NO! The mystery is gone! Talk about breaking immersion...

    ;)

    (Just kidding, thanks for the tech side peaking through once in awhile.)
    Duncan
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Kirkfat wrote: »
    So once I max out Energy Fields, then I'll get access to other tabs?

    As far as I know, you're stuck with Energy Fields research. :(

    I may be wrong but I've never been able to add a separate field.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    As far as I know, you're stuck with Energy Fields research. :(

    I may be wrong but I've never been able to add a separate field.

    But Romaine says something like, "If you visit MA often, you can master all fields," or something like that.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    As far as I know, you're stuck with Energy Fields research. :(

    I may be wrong but I've never been able to add a separate field.

    I have all items available to me from all tree's.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2010
    Signalsgt wrote: »
    I have all items available to me from all tree's.

    How did you do that? I earned 500 pts in the "general R and D" and then visited a npc and was given the option "unlock Energy Fields." That tab is unlocked but no other npcs give me similar options. They just want to tell me about themselves.

    BTW: A bit nicer of a job adding some personality to some of the npcs, Cryptic. I liked the mental girl who talks too much.
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