I've been giving this more and more thought, and I'd love to see Cryptic stop putting so many resources and people into weekly episodes.
Yes, I love the weeklies too, but it makes more sense to focus on the big picture items, especially since UGC and the Foundry will soon deliver an endless supply of new content for the playerbase. While players have tons of new stuff to do on a weekly basis, the devs can combine the full resources to things like:
The camera tools, episode remastering, and cinematics.
An exploration revamp that really changes the endgame content.
PVP overhaul.
Ground combat overhaul.
The crew system.
Crafting.
A unique gameplay for Admirals (like Fleets or something)
and other overhauls that are really needed.
These weekly episodes are fun, but the replay value is limited. Why not focus instead on the big ideas, the game changers, the overhauls, the upgrades?
UGC gives the devs a unique opportunity: What can be done without worrying about new content on a specific date? What can be done that will REALLY make a difference, beyond satisfying the playerbase for a few hours?
Instead of pooling resources to meet a hectic schedule, make some big changes that affect the game as a whole.
I don't know, I like replaying 'Spin the wheel'. Takes like 6 mins tops to run through the whole thing and you get good XP from it that scales with your level. New content is more important than feature overhauls at this stage.
p.s. And it's most likely that the whole series is complete before they release the first episode. I doubt very seriously they're on some 'hectic' schedule to do them as you describe.
Oh I agree, but the OP implies that by having weekly content that these other things are being pushed off and I was pointing out that IF that was the case, that new content should have priority.
Oh I agree, but the OP implies that by having weekly content that these other things are being pushed off and I was pointing out that IF that was the case, that new content should have priority.
I'm not saying that it's completely pushed to the side, but the resources certainly aren't pooled. One guy, Gozer, is doing the remastered. Other small teams are doing other stuff. In the meantime, it seems that all kinds of people have to coordinate to get a weekly done. Why not use everyone for the big stuff for awhile?
No, honestly I have been thinking lately about how they are putting little things to the side to make way for the big changes that I don't care about. (Yes it is an opinion matter, but so is yours)
Little things have fallen to the wayside due to the FOundry, and various revamps and plans of revamps. Little things that would have added so many just cool details that would have made the game for me.
The weeklies are currently, my favorite thing Cryptic is doing. If they stop I am going to get board really fast. The foundry may help a little, but as I have said so many other times, I want to play the excellently done cryptic episodes, not the "same gameplay but with different words and costumes" missions created by fans. (Not fans fault but that is basically all the tools allow for)
Personally, I think that big features I'd like are more programmer, ui artist oriented, while the weeklies are more cahracter/ship artist and content-team oriented.
No thanks. I hope the weeklies (Featured Episodes) continue for a long time. They totaly rejuvinated 'my' game experience and gave me something to look forward to every week (or so). I am not looking forward to wearing my gumboots while wading through the Foundry while holding my nose.
The camera tools, episode remastering, and cinematics.
An exploration revamp that really changes the endgame content.
PVP overhaul.
Ground combat overhaul.
The crew system.
Crafting.
A unique gameplay for Admirals (like Fleets or something)
and other overhauls that are really needed.
I don't think those people would be the same that work on Missions.
I would say no as well. The weekly's are my favorite part of the game so far. While players may be able to make some very good story's I just do not think the majority will be up to par with Cryptic and I hope that the developers do not use this as an excuse to slow down these releases. I think people really are putting far too much faith into this Foundry at this point.
The weeklies give my Klingon faction characters some episodes to do rather than spending their time doing exploration missions, so more weeklies are good for me.
I do so love the weekly series. But I am with you on this.
I am so eager for an exploration overhaul that I'd give up the weeklies if it meant they could move full steam into the exploration sectors.
Edit: also a key stamenet that makes sense to the op's suggestion is the foundry. Both fed and KDF are soon to get a large injection of UGC content to keep us very busy.
Make the weeklies into missions designed for and located in exploration space. There was talk about adding a sense of individuality to each exploration sector. These missions could be that which defines them just as the Breen series defined the Orellius Sector. Make a new series in a new exploration sector each time. It will be like planting a seed. Afterwords open that sector to the foundry and let it grow.
Absolutely not. Prior to implementing the feature episodes, Cryptic was limited in how much and how fast they could implement mission chains. Since they remain after the episode run, it adds new content on an almost weekly basis whilst not taking away from the teams doing the other necessary work on the game.
If weeklies go or are delayed, I would be very very disappointed. They are very good and hope to see them released on a somewhat regular schedule. Probably one of the best things going for STO are the weeklies
I've been giving this more and more thought, and I'd love to see Cryptic stop putting so many resources and people into weekly episodes.
Yes, I love the weeklies too, but it makes more sense to focus on the big picture items, especially since UGC and the Foundry will soon deliver an endless supply of new content for the playerbase. While players have tons of new stuff to do on a weekly basis, the devs can combine the full resources to things like:
The camera tools, episode remastering, and cinematics.
An exploration revamp that really changes the endgame content.
PVP overhaul.
Ground combat overhaul.
The crew system.
Crafting.
A unique gameplay for Admirals (like Fleets or something)
and other overhauls that are really needed.
These weekly episodes are fun, but the replay value is limited. Why not focus instead on the big ideas, the game changers, the overhauls, the upgrades?
UGC gives the devs a unique opportunity: What can be done without worrying about new content on a specific date? What can be done that will REALLY make a difference, beyond satisfying the playerbase for a few hours?
Instead of pooling resources to meet a hectic schedule, make some big changes that affect the game as a whole.
Honestly, i'd prefer they ditched the foundry if they're going to ditch (read: ditch can also mean put on hold in this context) anything. Not many will agree with that but i think Foundry is a waste and will be an ongoing waste of development (to maintain) and CS (to Police) resources.
I wager Cryptic's taken all that into consideration, but i still think it's a bad decision.
that depends.. are they going to be well designed and balanced, or a complete mess like the current ones?
I don't even want to ever think about running KA or Cure again in my lifetime, it makes me ill just thinking about it/
The Feature Episodes are some of the best missions in the entire game. The quality is higher than almost all other storyline arcs from Lt. to VA. I have to disagree with the OP, keep the Feature Episodes coming.
Also, there are holes when leveling up where there is no storyline content (patrols are extremely generic and don't count). Since you can do the FEs at any level they work well to fill these holes.
Honestly, i'd prefer they ditched the foundry if they're going to ditch (read: ditch can also mean put on hold in this context) anything. Not many will agree with that but i think Foundry is a waste and will be an ongoing waste of development (to maintain) and CS (to Police) resources.
I wager Cryptic's taken all that into consideration, but i still think it's a bad decision.
Have you even played any of the missions people have made?
Character progression is what I'd like to see. Inside weeklies or out, whatever, but hitting a brick wall to further character development a week or two after making VA isn't quite curling my toes.
Character progression is what I'd like to see. Inside weeklies or out, whatever, but hitting a brick wall to further character development a week or two after making VA isn't quite curling my toes.
I would rather have weeklies/dev created content than UGC any day. Given a hard choice I would choose the exact opposite of Kirkfat's desire {or at least not concur}. As was stated above...we can have both. UGC should never be anything but an aside...supplimental material to enjoy should the player give a rats TRIBBLE.
Comments
p.s. And it's most likely that the whole series is complete before they release the first episode. I doubt very seriously they're on some 'hectic' schedule to do them as you describe.
Oh I agree, but the OP implies that by having weekly content that these other things are being pushed off and I was pointing out that IF that was the case, that new content should have priority.
I'm not saying that it's completely pushed to the side, but the resources certainly aren't pooled. One guy, Gozer, is doing the remastered. Other small teams are doing other stuff. In the meantime, it seems that all kinds of people have to coordinate to get a weekly done. Why not use everyone for the big stuff for awhile?
Little things have fallen to the wayside due to the FOundry, and various revamps and plans of revamps. Little things that would have added so many just cool details that would have made the game for me.
The weeklies are currently, my favorite thing Cryptic is doing. If they stop I am going to get board really fast. The foundry may help a little, but as I have said so many other times, I want to play the excellently done cryptic episodes, not the "same gameplay but with different words and costumes" missions created by fans. (Not fans fault but that is basically all the tools allow for)
I don't think those people would be the same that work on Missions.
I am so eager for an exploration overhaul that I'd give up the weeklies if it meant they could move full steam into the exploration sectors.
Edit: also a key stamenet that makes sense to the op's suggestion is the foundry. Both fed and KDF are soon to get a large injection of UGC content to keep us very busy.
Make the weeklies into missions designed for and located in exploration space. There was talk about adding a sense of individuality to each exploration sector. These missions could be that which defines them just as the Breen series defined the Orellius Sector. Make a new series in a new exploration sector each time. It will be like planting a seed. Afterwords open that sector to the foundry and let it grow.
Correct.
/10char
thanks alot for posting that.
I for one is loving the weeklys and it's like a tv episode where you can't wait for the next series/episode.
It's something new and exiting to my normal gameplay, so please, don't stop them
You must not take away my beloved weeklies! Its almost as good as having a new Trek TV show.
I like my weeklies and I like my new features: trick is, we can have both!
/thread
/10chars?
THIS
And not just "this," but it's a good business decision - keeps players coming back for more.
Honestly, i'd prefer they ditched the foundry if they're going to ditch (read: ditch can also mean put on hold in this context) anything. Not many will agree with that but i think Foundry is a waste and will be an ongoing waste of development (to maintain) and CS (to Police) resources.
I wager Cryptic's taken all that into consideration, but i still think it's a bad decision.
Quoted by a dev!?
Does that mean I level up or something?
that depends.. are they going to be well designed and balanced, or a complete mess like the current ones?
I don't even want to ever think about running KA or Cure again in my lifetime, it makes me ill just thinking about it/
Also, there are holes when leveling up where there is no storyline content (patrols are extremely generic and don't count). Since you can do the FEs at any level they work well to fill these holes.
Have you even played any of the missions people have made?
Yes, yes i have link
But you'd have realised that if you'd have read the whole thread :rolleyes:
We just want things to do after hitting VA ; ;
I'll return when that happens <.<