Hi Cryptic,
So I just reached RA5. Here are some thoughts/wishes/ideas/opinions after playing through to the first level cap:
This game is a lot of fun
I know the forums are always full of haters, but TRIBBLE 'em. This game is really very enjoyable. It's got its issues and room for improvement, but so does WOW.
I like upgrading, tweaking and modifying
There is plenty of room for messing around with items and stats here; with not only the main captain and ship, but also all the BOs. I found that I really enjoyed spending time farting around with all this stuff, so the more opportunities to add gear, play with abilities, modify stats, etc., the better.
The skill cap needs to be open
I know this is/was a topic of debate on the forums, but after playing this far I find myself in the "completely unlimited skill accumulation" camp. I simply think it would be more fun. An right now, even at cap, it doesn't seem like I should be anywhere near close to done growing my skills.
Don't make me change ships or BOs
I've grown attached to my crew and now to my current ship. I'd like to be able to keep them, no matter how high the level cap goes. For example, I'm now being offered "purple" BOs. I know I don't have to take them on and can use them to train up existing BOs, but they also seem to come with nifty passive skills that can't be transferred. However, I haven't fought through multiple ranks with these guys - I want to be able to make my current BO crew purple-level.
I'm less concerned about ships - I'll sure I'll eventually see something new and shiny. However, I've created a pretty cutting edge-looking Star Cruiser that looks like it would be the latest and greatest produced by Star Fleet, and so I'm not in any hurry to dump it.
So I'd like to suggest new upgrade paths both for BOs and for starships. Maybe these things can be tied together.
First, for BOs I'd like to see the ability to further train these until they can reach "rare/purple" level or higher. Their names should be color coded to reflect this. In other words, instead of having to dump old BOs and replace them with shiny new ones with better stats, I'd like to be able to build my existing crew up to the highest levels available.
Ships also need multiple new upgrade paths. For example, my Star Cruiser is the latest design, crews 1000 and should theoretically represent the cutting edge of Star Fleet design. While its not a science vessel or an escort, I see no reason why it wouldn't have significant science and tactical capabilities. However, with the current slotting, I'll never be able to use my science officer's higher-level skills for instance, or most of my tactical officers'.
So I'd like to suggest several ideas for being able to stick with one ship and upgrade it over time so it can stay viable as the level cap increases:
1. Be able to unlock BO station slots. So even though my Star Cruiser is initially designed for Engineering, I'd like to be able to open up more Science and Tactical station slots, up to the point where all stations are maxed out with four slots each. Maybe opening these slots is tied into enhanced BO training?
2. In the longer term, it would be cool to be able to upgrade with new modules that add functionality. Like an upgraded sick bay that increases crew readiness; enlarged cargo bays that increase your inventory; drone bays that allow you to turn your ship into a pet class; additional shield layers; additional, experimental or alien weapons, etc.
These would all be additional upgrade paths for ships and BOs, and wouldn't replace the current system.
The Bridge
There's a lot you can do with the Bridge. I'd love to see more actual functionality here. Scanning, training, some kind of interaction with your BOs. It would be cool if the bridge was occasionally invaded by aliens, or if you could pick up special distress signals there. What if the main screen, which is currently just a fixed image of a star field, was interactive?
Maps and scanning
These both need a lot of work. Scanning and maps need to be much more reflective of the kind of technology that the Federation would actually have access too. The maps need to be much more detailed, functional and useful. For example, if I get a mission that says I need to go to DS9, I should be able to click something on the map to scroll right to that location, and then click again to have the ship automatically navigate there, through all map changes and without stopping at every warp point to ask if that's where I want to go. Eventually it would be good to have 3D maps and star charts.
Scanning too needs to be upgraded to reflect actually technology that would be available. For example, I go onto a new instance and the mission says I need to go to a space station. Currently, there's no indication of the station on the map, and scans don't pick it up. The only way to find it is to look for the blinking nav beacon. So scanning really needs to provide a lot more detail about what's around, even if that's a bit of a "spoiler" (such as enemy locations). I should be able to scan and find whatever it is I'm looking for, whether a certain asteroid in space or a mushroom on the ground.
Bugs
There are currently some graphic issues that really should be eliminated once and for all. I recently posted about "flickering floors" in the bug forum; but also ship anti-aliasing looks really bad on the sector space map, and there are issues with pop up, weird little anomalies like targs that run sideways and backwards, etc. I'd like to see these get squashed, as they shouldn't be floating around in a AAA MMO.
Character Creator
I like it, but I'd love to see more options. My big wish item is another slider for cheeks; currently all the female characters at least have the same cheek bones. But anything is always good, including better hair styles. More tattoos would also be welcome.
More stuff
I'd love to see more variety in the stuff that drops, both in space and on the ground. I'm sure this will happen in due course, but right now I feel like I'm seeing the same stuff, over and over.
BO skills
I'd like to see more variety here, too. Just more skills to choose from.
C-store
I really like the C-store. I like getting new stuff, even little cosmetic things. Free stuff is always better, but I don't mind paying if the stuff available is sufficiently cool. My personal interest is in things that enhance my current character or ship, as opposed to new races, etc., but that's just me.
In summary...
I really like this game, and would next love to see new ways to enhance my current captain, crew and ship. I like what you're doing, but more is better!
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