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Forums > Home› The Foundry for Star Trek Online› The Foundry for Star Trek Online - Discussion & Feedback

Technobabble-on

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
edited January 2011 in The Foundry for Star Trek Online - Discussion & Feedback
We're all guilty of using technobabble, it's part of the Star Trek ethos. But, most of the missions I have played on Tribble make my head want to explode. Technobabble does not equal a good story. While it may be fun to adjust the Active Plasma Transference Matrix, or transfer power to the Negative Magnetic Replication Dampener. It's just a short cut for creating BO dialogue. During most missions I just want to say, "Shut Up, Data!" Your BO wouldn't be Chief Engineer if he couldn't relay pertinent information in a succinct fashion, he'd be Reg Barkley, scrubbing plasma coils. So if you please, tell a good story and tone down the technobabblon...
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    Highbone wrote:
    We're all guilty of using technobabble, it's part of the Star Trek ethos. But, most of the missions I have played on Tribble make my head want to explode. Technobabble does not equal a good story. While it may be fun to adjust the Active Plasma Transference Matrix, or transfer power to the Negative Magnetic Replication Dampener. It's just a short cut for creating BO dialogue. During most missions I just want to say, "Shut Up, Data!" Your BO wouldn't be Chief Engineer if he couldn't relay pertinent information in a succinct fashion, he'd be Reg Barkley, scrubbing plasma coils. So if you please, tell a good story and tone down the technobabblon...

    I get the feeling that alot of these authors put alot of effort into making this 'technobabble', so its not exactly a shortcut to creating BO dialogue.

    Most also dont base their stories around their 'technobabble', even when its present.

    That said, i do understand where you're coming from. A good balance is key. Try my mission, i consciously restrained technobabble tendencies when i was making it (shameless plug)

    I think its fine if the complicated details are there, but arent required to full y understand the story. So even if you dont understand it, you get a gist of it and thats good enough.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    Highbone wrote:
    We're all guilty of using technobabble, it's part of the Star Trek ethos. But, most of the missions I have played on Tribble make my head want to explode. Technobabble does not equal a good story. While it may be fun to adjust the Active Plasma Transference Matrix, or transfer power to the Negative Magnetic Replication Dampener. It's just a short cut for creating BO dialogue. During most missions I just want to say, "Shut Up, Data!" Your BO wouldn't be Chief Engineer if he couldn't relay pertinent information in a succinct fashion, he'd be Reg Barkley, scrubbing plasma coils. So if you please, tell a good story and tone down the technobabblon...

    When I use technobabble it has to make sense. I don't just dump in some crazy words that have no relevance.

    E.g. "there's an encryption key locking out the controls. We can break through the encryption by setting up an interlink between the tricorder and the ship's main computer."

    Doesn't that make sense?

    I wouldn't approve of throwing a bunch of random techno words together to blab your way of a real explanation though, e.g. "the Heizenburg uncertainty at the quantum level creates a static warp bubble, channelling the nano-fibres in parallel with the entropic cascade!"

    That just makes no sense.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    I agree with taking it easy with the techno-babble... more important is control of the conversation and establishing command for the player and not being lectured to constantly by underlings. Keep things as short as needed... Put in just enough to make the story work... omit unnecessary details...
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    ...are there some examples of this excessiveness that can be discretely pointed out?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    Yes, have you played any UCM, some are TOP rated....
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    I have been a professional published working writer since I was 14yrs old. My mother is a famous poet and my mother a famous journalist, now children's playwright. And yes I got the dislexic Gene ;), But if I was to give any advice to the technobable, use it sparingly and make sure it is crucial to the Plot. Script writing 101.
    Do not give your characters dialogue, unless it advances the story line.

    With relevance to sto, the potential for cinematic plot lines and exciting adventure is inevitable. Use the tools you have been given to make something original and special, if your unable to do that then completely plagiarise any of Star Trek Content. (Other than Character ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited January 2011
    the correct use of technobabble
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