Iconians, for as of yet still unknown reasons have pushed everyone in the Alpha Quadrant towards fighting each other, utilizing the Shapeshifter Species 8472 aka "Undine" as infiltrators in high Positions... (basically doing what everybody was afraid of in the Dominion War) .... Iconians did Stuff with Romulans lately... captured/rescued Sela (unknown).
want to know what happens next?
Wait for Cryptic to continue their Storyline, 5 Episode Missions with at best one Token mentioning of "Iconians" ...per Year.
....
I don't even know yet whats going on with the Tholians at the moment.
Why are they doing what they are doing? *shrug* no idea, i only know they started shooting (or was it us who started shooting at them at Nukara and they are the ones shooting back?!) in any case i'll shoot back and wait for the Diplomats to figure out whats going on.
I'm just here to pew pew and chew bubblegum...
This. And in the end, it comes down to gameplay and systems driven story rather than story driven systems and gameplay.
As if there's an effort to shy away from anything that isn't game design and it's the consumers and maybe a few devs dragging the company kicking and screaming towards anything other than pure gameplay design.
Bookmarking a few choice summary posts, if mainly for the aid of some of my poor fleetmates.
I'm still facepalming over hearing their exchange of 'Why do the Klingons hate us? What's STO's story?' 'Dunno. They just do'.
And I can't really expect some of them to sit down and read the Path to 2409, either from the wiki or in bite-sized chunks here, so..
Anyway, OP, plenty of resources which've already been pored over earlier in this thread, around all the bored jokestering and sarcasm. Should set you straight. The story hasn't advanced at all since launch and has only gone sideways as Cryptic has filled out STO with systems and ideas they probably felt should have been in place since launch. When they feel they're done playing catch-up, we may actually get back to what 2409 (which should be about 2412 now) is all about.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] The Artist Formerly Known As Nikotaka ][ Join Date: Jan 2010 "Can anyone remember when we used to be explorers...?"
I'm still facepalming over hearing their exchange of 'Why do the Klingons hate us? What's STO's story?' 'Dunno. They just do'.
And I can't really expect some of them to sit down and read the Path to 2409, either from the wiki or in bite-sized chunks here, so..
I must agree. If every player read the Path to 2409 they would understand more about the the Why's, What's and Where's or STO. Like why the current Hostilities exist between the KDF and the Fed.
Its an excellent backstory that if done correctly could have led the player up the ranks, made sense of the KDF/fed war and put the player in the position as being the "special" person whom can save us all.
MMO's may be designed for social interaction but thier story mechanics are usaually focused on individual purpose and involvment in it before endgame and STO has a good BS to fall back on.
Why they wrote it and then ran the opposite direction is a mystery to me.
By Orions you mean the Orion Syndicate and not the Orion race or civilization itself.
The whole race is considered to have entered into the Empire. This does not preclude an individual from making thier Orion backstory different though.
Stardate 2388
Also occupying Martok's time this year is a possible treaty with the Orions. Realizing that their homeworld in the Rigel system is beset with pollution and is almost completely depleted of natural resources and that Starfleet crackdowns on criminal activity are becoming a serious problem for Syndicate operations, a delegation of Orions led by Melani D'ian opens talks with both the Klingons and the Breen for possible assistance. Melani dangles the promise of Orion support and stockpiles of ancient knowledge and treasures, but refuses to commit to either side until they detail what they could offer the Orions in return.
Stardate 2394
Chancellor J'mpok of the Klingon High Council moves to cement his position by launch the negotiations with Melani Di'an of the Orion Syndicate into high gear.
"Martok was interested in the secrets she claimed to offer, but he knew that any agreement with the Syndicate would be difficult," said Tag Morkek, a political analyst for the Tellar News Service who specializes in Klingon affairs. "The Emerald Empress is slippery. Melani's idea of 'truth' can change from minute to minute.
"Still, J'mpok's House is weak. He's going to need support if he wants to stay in power." Federation informants inside the Klingon Empire say that the House of J'mpok, which is one of the smallest of the Great Houses, is being pressured by the House of Martok and its allies. J'mpok's rapid rise to the Chancellorship has improved the House's prospects, but it lacks resources and ships and its lands in the Pheben system are poor.
"The only thing keeping the House of Martok from declaring open war is Drax," said one anonymous source. "Once he recovers from his wounds, it's only a matter of time." When that happens, however, J'mpok may have the Orion Syndicate fighting at his side. On Stardate 71283.12, Melani Di'an meets J'mpok in person on Ter'jas Mor. After four days of negotiations, the two agree to sign a non-aggression and mutual defense pact.
In exchange for the Syndicate's allegiance, the Klingon Empire will provide them with ships and weapons. In addition, Melani Di'an further agreed to share technology and information with the Klingons in exchange for a planet in Klingon space that the Orions can rule as a vassal state.
"Having access to the Syndicate information network could be a huge advantage for the Empire," Tag said. "Klingon Intelligence is good, but they're not everywhere like the Syndicate is."
The Federation Council condemns the new alliance as support for criminals, and Starfleet Command vows to continue pursuing and shutting down Syndicate operations in Federation space. "There's nothing in the Khitomer Accords that say we need to stand by and let allies of the Klingons sell illegal substances, raid our commercial transports and traffic in restricted technology."
In fact, reviews of Starfleet reports show that Syndicate traffic has increased significantly since Melani Di'an seized control. Melani has ruthlessly purged anyone she deems "untrustworthy," and fused the remaining Orions into a unified organization that answers to her alone.
"She's dangerous," admitted Admiral Jorel Quinn on an episode of the Federation News Service program Illuminating the City of Light. "Before, the Syndicate was controllable because there were multiple leaders competing for influence and power. Now Starfleet Command has to dedicate more resources to keeping them in check."
As a gift to celebrate their new alliance, Melani sends 1,500 Orion women to be servants in the Great Houses on Qo'noS. Melani herself settles into an estate on Ter'jas Mor, and the remaining Orions still on the Orion homeworld make plans to emigrate by the end of 2394
like I said, they pulled elements from alternate time lines and puked out this game. the JJ Abrams Star Trek movie, to my knowledge, is the only thing out side of this game that mentioned Romulus exploding (and subsequently, the loss of Spock). The DS9 arc with the return of the 2600... someone had to think it was a good idea. Don't get me wrong, it was an interesting mini plot, just... wtf is all i'm saying.
Everything about this game is combat centric. The feds are fighting against... lets count em up... the borg, the Klingons, the Romulans, the Orions, the Tholians, the mirror universe, the Hirogen, the True Way (Cardasian and Jem'Hedar), and im sure im forgetting someone. I wouldn't be surprised if Risa attacked the Federation next.
From what I can remember off the top of my head, that's 8 different enemies with 8 different agendas. Not all of them are large like the borg or Klingons, but... come on, that's a bit much, ya think?
If you're looking for some kinda deep well though out story, I promise you it doesn't exist in this game unless you make it up yourself. This game is what it is, Star Trek IP. I'm sure if Roddenberry were still around, he would prolly march over to china and slap the pwe execs around... well maybe not but im sure the way this game has turned out, he wouldn't approve.
How will you be at peace with the Borg? Other than being part of their Collective?
How would you be at peace with the Romulans, as they blame you for the destruction of their homeworld?
How would you be at peace with species like Undine, who only want to conquer?
How would you possibly dream of being at peace with the Klingons, whose very nature is to be warriors and there is no greater honor than fall in battle?
I mean, come on!
Blame the people, who have created those nations by cannon in a first place, not Cryptic.
The Federation is in a position to fight for its very survival agains those foes. Not everyone in the galaxy is like betazoids or vulcans...
Remember what Archer said in ?nterprise to the captain of the second NX-01? "Take a full squad of MACOs out there. Believe me, you will need them."
The Galaxy is a harsh place and most of the time you have to fight hostile species, no matter how peaceful and liberal your ideals are. The Federation itself started as a military alliance against the Romulans...
It's just a human nature, humans evolved fighting, so you cannot excape from this nature, no matter how utopic you want the Faderation Future to be.
Yes, we have evolved to higher moral and ethic standarts... But many of other major powers in the galaxy must be still evil and antagonistic, so they can reinforce the belief our cause is just and we are the good guys. How else will you be good, if you don't have an antagonist to face?
How would you possibly dream of being at peace with the Klingons, whose very nature is to be warriors and there is no greater honor than fall in battle?
...
Blame the people, who have created those nations by cannon in a first place, not Cryptic.
...
The Galaxy is a harsh place and most of the time you have to fight hostile species, no matter how peaceful and liberal your ideals are. The Federation itself started as a military alliance against the Romulans...
This is an excellent point.
Actually, I should add to it.
The Klingon culture is an empire - and a conquering one at that. If one takes a good look at TNG, most Klingons seemed to have a contemptuous obedience towards the alliance with the Federation, with members of their government ready and willing to throw it down the toilet. They are in many ways highly incompatible with the Federation.
I don't see how this peace can be maintained indefinitely, and ultimately it may be that either the Federation or the Klingon Empire must be broken, barring a fundamental shift in either's positions. The Klingon Empire might undergo one after a long while, but other than that, it doesn't seem likely. Other than that, it seems inevitable that the two are destined to clash periodically until one or the other falls.
Once upon time these people made a game without a timeline, stuck firmly in the year 2409. They asked, should we make a protagonist and antagonist? Nah! This is just an online game, so who gives a TRIBBLE in the wind? They thought an open ended game would be cool.
Meanwhile in other MMOs they have main villains to defeat. Campaigns offer new stories, new villains, new heroes, and time has advanced. At least a few years. But their MMO offers seasons and remains stuck in time. Looping endlessly in a prison of its own making. The story of endless war between two factions with no heroes or villains on either side.
It is a bleak and gray and bland outlook without a future.
BTW I just popped on yesterday for a quick look around and sadly very little has changed.
kirksplat, have you read the Path to 2409? It was posted on the website before beta, and is now available in game through the Academy. Talk to Commander Viala.
Edit: Does anyone know where the addendums to the Path to 2409 are now? There were a few Jake Sisko interviews, supplemental logs, things like that. Are they in the Academy now?
Yes, however judging by Starfleet's previous track record for competent and honourable Admirals, it does make sense that they would promote us to that rank. We've all surely violated Starfleet's guiding principles enough to warrant our promotions to Vice Admiral! :P
Makes sense, anyone not competent enough to ignore the Prime Directive at least TWICE before their morning coffee just isn't worth promoting to admiral.
Comments
lmao this ^^^^^^^^^^
system Lord Baal is dead
This. And in the end, it comes down to gameplay and systems driven story rather than story driven systems and gameplay.
As if there's an effort to shy away from anything that isn't game design and it's the consumers and maybe a few devs dragging the company kicking and screaming towards anything other than pure gameplay design.
The Syndicate is considered the Orion government by Cryptic.
My character Tsin'xing
I'm still facepalming over hearing their exchange of 'Why do the Klingons hate us? What's STO's story?' 'Dunno. They just do'.
And I can't really expect some of them to sit down and read the Path to 2409, either from the wiki or in bite-sized chunks here, so..
Anyway, OP, plenty of resources which've already been pored over earlier in this thread, around all the bored jokestering and sarcasm. Should set you straight. The story hasn't advanced at all since launch and has only gone sideways as Cryptic has filled out STO with systems and ideas they probably felt should have been in place since launch. When they feel they're done playing catch-up, we may actually get back to what 2409 (which should be about 2412 now) is all about.
The Artist Formerly Known As Nikotaka ][ Join Date: Jan 2010
"Can anyone remember when we used to be explorers...?"
R.I.P
The whole race is considered to have entered into the Empire. This does not preclude an individual from making thier Orion backstory different though.
R.I.P
How would you be at peace with the Romulans, as they blame you for the destruction of their homeworld?
How would you be at peace with species like Undine, who only want to conquer?
How would you possibly dream of being at peace with the Klingons, whose very nature is to be warriors and there is no greater honor than fall in battle?
I mean, come on!
Blame the people, who have created those nations by cannon in a first place, not Cryptic.
The Federation is in a position to fight for its very survival agains those foes. Not everyone in the galaxy is like betazoids or vulcans...
Remember what Archer said in ?nterprise to the captain of the second NX-01? "Take a full squad of MACOs out there. Believe me, you will need them."
The Galaxy is a harsh place and most of the time you have to fight hostile species, no matter how peaceful and liberal your ideals are. The Federation itself started as a military alliance against the Romulans...
It's just a human nature, humans evolved fighting, so you cannot excape from this nature, no matter how utopic you want the Faderation Future to be.
Yes, we have evolved to higher moral and ethic standarts... But many of other major powers in the galaxy must be still evil and antagonistic, so they can reinforce the belief our cause is just and we are the good guys. How else will you be good, if you don't have an antagonist to face?
This is an excellent point.
Actually, I should add to it.
The Klingon culture is an empire - and a conquering one at that. If one takes a good look at TNG, most Klingons seemed to have a contemptuous obedience towards the alliance with the Federation, with members of their government ready and willing to throw it down the toilet. They are in many ways highly incompatible with the Federation.
I don't see how this peace can be maintained indefinitely, and ultimately it may be that either the Federation or the Klingon Empire must be broken, barring a fundamental shift in either's positions. The Klingon Empire might undergo one after a long while, but other than that, it doesn't seem likely. Other than that, it seems inevitable that the two are destined to clash periodically until one or the other falls.
Just IMO.
Meanwhile in other MMOs they have main villains to defeat. Campaigns offer new stories, new villains, new heroes, and time has advanced. At least a few years. But their MMO offers seasons and remains stuck in time. Looping endlessly in a prison of its own making. The story of endless war between two factions with no heroes or villains on either side.
It is a bleak and gray and bland outlook without a future.
BTW I just popped on yesterday for a quick look around and sadly very little has changed.
Or are you being disingenuous?
That's my question. I don't think it is, really, per my post here: http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=199656
Edit: Does anyone know where the addendums to the Path to 2409 are now? There were a few Jake Sisko interviews, supplemental logs, things like that. Are they in the Academy now?
Makes sense, anyone not competent enough to ignore the Prime Directive at least TWICE before their morning coffee just isn't worth promoting to admiral.