Well then the Atrox I recently bought is helping to pay for your paycheck your welcome by the way and Welcome to the STO community hope you enjoy it. See you Starside.
Cryptic uses the money you spend on the game to hire people like me!
The money spent on any MMO is spent keeping the development team on staff producing new content and systems and to keep the MMO up and running. If you want evidence that money is being invested in the development of this game, just look to any new hires you see introducing themselves on these forums.
Cryptic uses the money you spend on the game to hire people like me!
The money spent on any MMO is spent keeping the development team on staff producing new content and systems and to keep the MMO up and running. If you want evidence that money is being invested in the development of this game, just look to any new hires you see introducing themselves on these forums.
You forgot : giving a few millions to the shareholders so that they can do this too.
One thing to note: When they say that story content, which I take to mean Featured Episode Content as-we-have-known-it?, is too expensive, they are not talking about the money. They are talking about the resources they have at their disposal not being enough. Because the way they have been handling FEs, the entire team gets pulled into it. Art team creates the new art assets. Writing team creates the dialogue. Programming team works on the latest new gimmick. etc. They are not a large team.
Frankly, I don't care about new art and new programming-based gimmicks. Just give me new stories to experience... Either that or open STO up as a sandbox game and give me ALL the tools I need to tell my own story...
I am in 100% agreement with that.
Cryptic needs to hire another writer and a couple of level editors and give us many, many more missions continuing the storyline they abandoned two years ago.
I don't care about voiceovers and cutscenes. Use the art assets and effects already present and build stories around them.
You hear that sound devs? That was the sound of your credibility gurgling loudly down the ****ter. In what universe is it justifiable to claim story content is too expensive in a game that's sitting on an 85-******n-% profit margin? There are companies out there that would literally murder people to get that kind of a return.
Only 15% of their total operation is expenses and they're complaining they don't have enough money to do anything...
(Please note that this is not grounds for a rage topic, I am simply asking a question for something that does not add up to me.)
I have been on this game since its initial launch, or there about, so I have seen all the updates and patches Cryptic have done and the changes in management. STO started strong with a high list of people all ready to immerse themselves in the love of Star Trek.
What they got however was a buggy, slightly broken disaster that after almost three years has not changed significantly to warrant how much people paid before the game went free to play.
My question is, what does Cryptic do with all the money for micro-transactions and Gold membership subscriptions because I do not for one second believe it is being put into active game development. EvE Online's price came down to ?9.99 and their expansions are large, full of content that makes you seem that you get what you pay for.
If the "Seasons" were full of additional content, I could understand but both Season 4 and 5 with the exception of the Doff System have been complete let downs and the awards for loyalty are getting somewhat lazy.
With WoW, you have to pay for expansion packs but at least there is lots and lots of new content. Cryptic consider one STF to be sufficient "End-game" content and who knows when "Enter the Hive" is coming out. My point is, Cryptic get all this money and just do not put enough back in the game to justify paying out for anything?
I understand, as an American Company, they are here to make profit but something tells me that Cryptic sit around a table and go "Oh, we'll just throw that in to keep them occupied", like the T5 Carrier Akira which was broken when it was released. It seems like they are just trying to keep everyone distracted with toys so that they do not have to write or develop any additional content with the game.
Advancing the story would be nice, little "side-activities" like "Dabo" and the "Doff System" or the upcoming Fleet Starbase system is all well and good but it ultimately does not cover the big hole in the game which is obviously not being paid for. I think Cryptic employees probably get paid too much for this and Perfect World should crack the whip and make them work.
What do they do with our money??
Simple they buy cheese. Lots and lots of cheese! Developers love cheese! It's like freaking crack to them. I once knew a developer who sold his wedding ring just for a 10 slice pack of cheese! Oh Chinese like cheese as well. I?m married to one of them and she eats it as well.
Keep in mind the report was for the 2011 year, in which Cryptic was acquired in August for $50 million.
It also had this tidbit that hasn't been mentioned in the thread:
We have excluded Cryptic Studios, Inc. from the assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 because it was acquired by us in a business combination during 2011. The total assets and total revenues of Cryptic Studios, Inc. represent 7.1% and 2.0%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Thus Cryptic's total revenue being 2.0% of $474,020,000 is $9,480,400 (for 2011).
Do you use the same criteria to determine where you buy a burger from?
Obviously yes, if money isn't getting reinvested in any business, that business is bound to fail. The restocking of ground beef, buns, lettuce, tomato, onions, and condiments all constitute a reinvestment of profits. Cryptic is putting nearly 3 year old lettuce on our KDF burger and serving it to us. :mad:
Simple they buy cheese. Lots and lots of cheese! Developers love cheese! It's like freaking crack to them. I once knew a developer who sold his wedding ring just for a 10 slice pack of cheese! Oh Chinese like cheese as well. I?m married to one of them and she eats it as well.
And they send it all to China, like the government lol:D
perhaps the OP is referring to Cryptic as a group (replace Cryptic for they) in which case Do is correct. If he is referring to Cryptic as a singular entity then you are correct Does should be substituted for do.
Simple they buy cheese. Lots and lots of cheese! Developers love cheese! It's like freaking crack to them. I once knew a developer who sold his wedding ring just for a 10 slice pack of cheese! Oh Chinese like cheese as well. I?m married to one of them and she eats it as well.
Obviously yes, if money isn't getting reinvested in any business, that business is bound to fail. The restocking of ground beef, buns, lettuce, tomato, onions, and condiments all constitute a reinvestment of profits. Cryptic is putting nearly 3 year old lettuce on our KDF burger and serving it to us. :mad:
You are making the mistake of comparing the cost of developing new burgers with the cost of serving the burgers they already offer.
McDonalds doesn't serve 3 year old lettuce, but they don't add new burgers to their menu that often. Many of those they do add are gated, at least initially, until they are certain they are worth keeping as permanent menu items.
Edit : That applies for pretty much every burger chain, not singling out or highlighting McD's.
perhaps the OP is referring to Cryptic as a group (replace Cryptic for they) in which case Do is correct. If he is referring to Cryptic as a singular entity then you are correct Does should be substituted for do.
You are making the mistake of comparing the cost of developing new burgers with the cost of serving the burgers they already offer.
McDonalds doesn't serve 3 year old lettuce, but they don't add new burgers to their menu that often. Many of those they do add are gated, at least initially, until they are certain they are worth keeping as permanent menu items.
Edit : That applies for pretty much every burger chain, not singling out or highlighting McD's.
I stand by the analogy as the business of any MMO requires the constant release of new content. I don't really like WoW (it's the graphical style that turns me off), but that 800 pound gorilla has been around this long because they constantly release new content, and not just in the form of expansion packs.
If a burger chain needed (because of customer demand) to release new sandwiches every thirty days, you'd better believe they'd do it or they'd go out of business. I don't think Cryptic is going to some video arcade or casino and blowing the profits, but I've yet to see any serious content released to show us all that lockbox profit is going back into STO. I hope not all of that profit is going into PWE's coffers to fund other games.
I stand by the analogy as the business of any MMO requires the constant release of new content. I don't really like WoW (it's the graphical style that turns me off), but that 800 pound gorilla has been around this long because they constantly release new content, and not just in the form of expansion packs.
If a burger chain needed (because of customer demand) to release new sandwiches every thirty days, you'd better believe they'd do it or they'd go out of business. I don't think Cryptic is going to some video arcade or casino and blowing the profits, but I've yet to see any serious content released to show us all that lockbox profit is going back into STO. I hope not all of that profit is going into PWE's coffers to fund other games.
What an MMO requires to survive is still a red herring though. Most MMO's charge for expansions or any significant content additions.
You are still expecting the burger chain to be releasing not just new sandwiches, but different sandwiches at no extra charge, regardless of the costs and logistical problems with that.
You continue to completely ignore the existence of operating expenses as well as the fact that this particular 'burger chain' offers most of its menu completely free, charging only for extra toppings for those who wish a slightly more decadent burger.
Profit is what you have left after paying expenses. Oh and by the way, even to whatever extent STO is financing the development of Neverwinter, that was a Cryptic operation originating before Cryptic was bought from Atari by PWE.
Regardless, you seem to be confused. You are a patron, not an owner. I am not sure what you do for a living, but your complaint amounts to saying you should forsake your salary because a customer thinks you should spend it differently.
What an MMO requires to survive is still a red herring though. Most MMO's charge for expansions or any significant content additions.
You are still expecting the burger chain to be releasing not just new sandwiches, but different sandwiches at no extra charge, regardless of the costs and logistical problems with that.
You continue to completely ignore the existence of operating expenses as well as the fact that this particular 'burger chain' offers most of its menu completely free, charging only for extra toppings for those who wish a slightly more decadent burger.
Profit is what you have left after paying expenses. Oh and by the way, even to whatever extent STO is financing the development of Neverwinter, that was a Cryptic operation originating before Cryptic was bought from Atari by PWE.
Regardless, you seem to be confused. You are a patron, not an owner. I am not sure what you do for a living, but your complaint amounts to saying you should forsake your salary because a customer thinks you should spend it differently.
Yes, profit IS what's left after expenses, so obviously I'm not asking anyone to forsake their salary since that WOULD be an expense. And I will not spend time rebutting a straw man argument.
Comments
Welcome aboard!
Do we have tech support in the PC/Technical issues forum yet? I'd like to be able to play STO again.
ROFL, it is a tough job to make sure all cups are recycled properly and are always filled with the finest vintages of bloodwine
You forgot : giving a few millions to the shareholders so that they can do this too.
God, lvl 60 CW. 17k.
In charge of sayin' what's up to my cup-ahhhhhhh.
I am in 100% agreement with that.
Cryptic needs to hire another writer and a couple of level editors and give us many, many more missions continuing the storyline they abandoned two years ago.
I don't care about voiceovers and cutscenes. Use the art assets and effects already present and build stories around them.
Only 15% of their total operation is expenses and they're complaining they don't have enough money to do anything...
*facepalm*
What do they do with our money??
Simple they buy cheese. Lots and lots of cheese! Developers love cheese! It's like freaking crack to them. I once knew a developer who sold his wedding ring just for a 10 slice pack of cheese! Oh Chinese like cheese as well. I?m married to one of them and she eats it as well.
It also had this tidbit that hasn't been mentioned in the thread:
Thus Cryptic's total revenue being 2.0% of $474,020,000 is $9,480,400 (for 2011).
My STOwiki page | Reachable in-game @PhyrexianHero
Fed Armada: Section 31 (level 730, 2700+ members)
KDF Armada: Klingon Intelligence (level 699, 2100+ members)
Obviously yes, if money isn't getting reinvested in any business, that business is bound to fail. The restocking of ground beef, buns, lettuce, tomato, onions, and condiments all constitute a reinvestment of profits. Cryptic is putting nearly 3 year old lettuce on our KDF burger and serving it to us. :mad:
Smochee
Sorry, that has been annoying me all day.
And they send it all to China, like the government lol:D
Nuff said
DeltaFox
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
perhaps the OP is referring to Cryptic as a group (replace Cryptic for they) in which case Do is correct. If he is referring to Cryptic as a singular entity then you are correct Does should be substituted for do.
Grammar Police FTW!
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haha! Great
Oh yeah? I'll call your Smoochee and raise you with some Timer. This is STILL America after all.
People are broken. - Lum the Mad
Surprised?
It just so happens that many players aren't happy with the prioritizing that Cryptic employes between numbers 1, 2 and 3.
The poster formerly known as LordOfPit, and his blog.
* Dec 2007 (CO)
* Oct 2008 (STO)
Well that certainly explains a lot.
You are making the mistake of comparing the cost of developing new burgers with the cost of serving the burgers they already offer.
McDonalds doesn't serve 3 year old lettuce, but they don't add new burgers to their menu that often. Many of those they do add are gated, at least initially, until they are certain they are worth keeping as permanent menu items.
Edit : That applies for pretty much every burger chain, not singling out or highlighting McD's.
You know it's wrong.
End.
I stand by the analogy as the business of any MMO requires the constant release of new content. I don't really like WoW (it's the graphical style that turns me off), but that 800 pound gorilla has been around this long because they constantly release new content, and not just in the form of expansion packs.
If a burger chain needed (because of customer demand) to release new sandwiches every thirty days, you'd better believe they'd do it or they'd go out of business. I don't think Cryptic is going to some video arcade or casino and blowing the profits, but I've yet to see any serious content released to show us all that lockbox profit is going back into STO. I hope not all of that profit is going into PWE's coffers to fund other games.
What an MMO requires to survive is still a red herring though. Most MMO's charge for expansions or any significant content additions.
You are still expecting the burger chain to be releasing not just new sandwiches, but different sandwiches at no extra charge, regardless of the costs and logistical problems with that.
You continue to completely ignore the existence of operating expenses as well as the fact that this particular 'burger chain' offers most of its menu completely free, charging only for extra toppings for those who wish a slightly more decadent burger.
Profit is what you have left after paying expenses. Oh and by the way, even to whatever extent STO is financing the development of Neverwinter, that was a Cryptic operation originating before Cryptic was bought from Atari by PWE.
Regardless, you seem to be confused. You are a patron, not an owner. I am not sure what you do for a living, but your complaint amounts to saying you should forsake your salary because a customer thinks you should spend it differently.
Yes, profit IS what's left after expenses, so obviously I'm not asking anyone to forsake their salary since that WOULD be an expense. And I will not spend time rebutting a straw man argument.
I agree. This thread is making me hungry.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] "I weary of the chase. Wait for me. I shall be merciful and quick."