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Why are they called "first contact"?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
This was discussed before(cant remember where), but the people we meet in the "first contact" missions have obviously ALREADY been contacted by the Federation since they know about Federation history and culture. Diplomacy sure, by why misrepresent the missions with the name "first contact"? When people hear that they think they are going to actually MAKE first contact with an alien race.
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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    I haven't played the newer FC missions, but I remember one mission in an exploration sector:

    "Explore Unexplored System?" Yes!
    "Approach Unknown Planet?" Yes?

    "Captain, we're being hailed... on screen?" Yes!
    Alien: "Hey Starfleet! Where the provisions you promised to bring us last month?"

    DOH! There is no hope hope for this Starfleet of the future. It makes about as much sense as leaving your bridge to fly your ship.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    This was discussed before(cant remember where), but the people we meet in the "first contact" missions have obviously ALREADY been contacted by the Federation since they know about Federation history and culture. Diplomacy sure, by why misrepresent the missions with the name "first contact"? When people hear that they think they are going to actually MAKE first contact with an alien race.

    Good question. Maybe it is the "first" time interacting with them without knocking them into next week lol?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Because pretty soon, REAL first contact missions will be on the C-Store, I'm sure. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    well, since they use can dialogue in their vaunted mission/content generator, one would think the answer to a true 'first contact' is NEVER.

    I suppose they could add a new string of logic to the generator that would offer wording based on a new race that you meet and they tell you a few lines about themselves... then you blast their attackers out of the sky... or give them entertainment provisions... 20 should do it.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    The mission dialog itself explains how they know what they know.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    I remember reading somewhere that they read our databases and find out stuff about us and so they ask us the questions based on their curiosity about you know what hey read. So yaaaa these are first contact
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Urantia wrote: »
    Good question. Maybe it is the "first" time interacting with them without knocking them into next week lol?

    50 quatloos says when next we meet them we'll be back to knocking them into next week! Which would be really cool if it actually is next week when we next meet them...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    I thought is was because the first contact missions were actually the "Official Diplomatic" first contact, after all you can't really have a first contact without already meeting the people to set the appointment right?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    I thought is was because the first contact missions were actually the "Official Diplomatic" first contact, after all you can't really have a first contact without already meeting the people to set the appointment right?

    Oh yeah, like how the Vulcans set up an appointment with Zephram Cochrane :o
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    This was discussed before(cant remember where), but the people we meet in the "first contact" missions have obviously ALREADY been contacted by the Federation since they know about Federation history and culture. Diplomacy sure, by why misrepresent the missions with the name "first contact"? When people hear that they think they are going to actually MAKE first contact with an alien race.

    I think the race hadn't met the Federation UNTIL your Boffs started briefing them (remember, the first contact is underway when you arrive in the Observation Lounge). They're trying to figure out what all the information your boffs shared meant
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    Oh yeah, like how the Vulcans set up an appointment with Zephram Cochrane :o

    First contact mission in this game is more like that diplomatic mission from TNG with the fish people, and a lot less like the special first contact time travel snafu that frist contact the movie was.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    superchum wrote: »
    First contact mission in this game is more like that diplomatic mission from TNG with the fish people, and a lot less like the special first contact time travel snafu that frist contact the movie was.

    The Vulcan first contact itself had nothing to do with time travel. Supposedly Picard and crew just made sure it went the way it was "supposed to" according to their history.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    It seems modeled primarily on the "First Contact" reception from Insurrection, which seems to be the ceremonial name for the opening of diplomatic relations.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited July 2010
    It seems modeled primarily on the "First Contact" reception from Insurrection, which seems to be the ceremonial name for the opening of diplomatic relations.

    I agree, as a Starfleet diplomat you're sent there to make sure formal relations go as planned. That way you don't have some idiot phaser jocky telling a peaceful people that all he's done the past year is shoot Klingons, while ignoring the rest of the Federation and non-combat roles of Starfleet.
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