It would also be cool if they dusted off and gussied up the Cardassian Lockbox, and maybe tossed a Keldon-class in the Lobi store.
I would rather them rename the Galor to 'Cardassian Cruiser' and let us customize between the Galor and Keldon, just like we can do between the Excelsior and Excelsior R.
I think they should just add Cardies as a playable race w/ c-store unlock.
They have screen canon/STO canon precedent for working with all three factions anyway.
It would also be cool if they dusted off and gussied up the Cardassian Lockbox, and maybe tossed a Keldon-class in the Lobi store.
This could work well. If the devs. don't want to further spilt their playerbase, maybe it's best to leave it at 3 factions, with the possibility of Romulans becomming more stand alone and independent in the future.
1) They came with the own costume
2) They were unique to the Federation
I would rather them rename the Galor to 'Cardassian Cruiser' and let us customize between the Galor and Keldon, just like we can do between the Excelsior and Excelsior R.
I wholeheartedly agree with the first 2 points. Unique to Feds. as it would be fitting for the story in STO where Starfleet is guarding Cardassian space and the Detapa Council has very close and friendly relations with the Federation. And the costume is pretty much no-brainer, what kind of a Cardassian would you be without one.
But then, to appease the Cardassian fans who'll be getting playable species and not an actual faction, I think they would need to bring back the Cardassian Lockbox but enhanced. So the primary reward would remain a Galor cruiser, but there will also be a Hideki class that could be adopted as an escort ship as secondary prize and there will be the Keldon that would be more of a dreadnought style cruiser (but not a carrier) purchased for lobi crystals from the lobi store.
If however they came to a miraculous conclusion that they want/need to add further factions in the game based on the Romulan model, a Cardassian one is the obvious choice.
They would have the True Way as nemesis and the story will revolve around Starfleet using much of their resources for the protection of New Romulus from RSE, the war with the KDF, Tholians, Borg and such and not being able to provide full protection of Cardassian space. Having the Cardassian government as friendly in the current situation, Starfleet decides to make new arrangements and treaty which will allow Cardassia to start building starships for military purposes again. True Way sees an opportunity and strikes against the Detapa Council and you as a player fight to protect and re-build Cardassia. Liberated from the treaty with the Federation, the Cardassians could forge a more benevolent relations even with the KDF out of mutual interest so the players could chose sides like the Romulans do. There could be a Cardassian rep.system attached after the completion of which you would get the option to make a Jem'Hadar char. (in the story it could be done by defeating the True Way at the end of the rep. and hiring the Alpha Jem'Hadar to help protect Cardassian space untill the whole Cardassian defence is rebuilt).
Well, unlike the Romulans, Cardassians are fully included in the alien generator as all Cardassian parts are there. So, any attempt to create a Cardassian faction should somehow take that into account. Many people have already created Cardassians in game.
Other than that I could see them being added in a similar way to Romulans.
Well, unlike the Romulans, Cardassians are fully included in the alien generator as all Cardassian parts are there. So, any attempt to create a Cardassian faction should somehow take that into account. Many people have already created Cardassians in game.
Other than that I could see them being added in a similar way to Romulans.
IF there's going to be a fourth faction, or a second mini-faction, depending on how you look at it, I'm all but certain that it would be the Cardassians.
My reasoning?
Back when STO launched, there were two active faction icons on the info page, and two that were grayed out as future factions. The two active icons are obvious - Fed and KDF. The two that were grayed out? Romulan and Cardassian. If they've been putting in work on the Romulan faction on and off this whole time, there's no reason to believe that the initially planned Cardassian faction hasn't seen behind the scenes development as well.
While I'm hopeful for a Cardassian faction/mini-faction, I'd settle for them being a premium race for the Feds, considering the backstory. The only reason that I don't currently have a Galor in the air is that I can't make a genuine Cardassian captain to match it. My Kumaris have their Andorian, my D'kora has its Ferengi... but alas, no Cardassian for a Galor.
Make it happen, Cryptic!
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Joined January 2010.
This is complete and unabashedly wild speculation, but it's been gnawing at the back of my mind since I was on Tribble earlier today.
Remember when playing Temporal Ambassador how you have to ask someone to make a diversion, and how if you're Fed the person who agrees is Shon and if you're KDF it's B'Vat? Well when playing as a Romulan, I was pleasantly surprised (not too surprised, but a little bit) than rather than KDF-Roms getting B'Vat and Fed-Roms getting Shon, for all Romulans it's Obisek that helps you out. I also looked at the list of possible contacts you can ask (since it gives you every option, but only one works) and something caught my attention:
In addition to Shon, B'Vat, and Obisek, you can also ask Rugan (Cardassian) and Farek (Ferengi). So, basically, it may not be too far-fetched to say that Cardassian content may be on the drawing board. Not close by any means, but a definite possibility if the Romulans work out well for Cryptic. After all this mission was made with LoR was deep in development, it stands to reason that Obisek and Rugan were put in there for that purpose.
This could also lead to the (somewhat baffling) conclusion that they may be thinking even beyond the Cardassians to a Ferengi faction, or maybe even a "non-aligned" loose association of species including them.
Again, this is all just wild speculation. Their presence on the list may just be because they're characters you encountered previously that were of some decent amount of importance, or just that they'd previously had voice-overs in other missions.
Admiral Katrina Tokareva - U.S.S. Cosmos, Yorktown-class Star Cruiser Admiral Dananra Lekall - R.R.W. Teverresh, Deihu-class Warbird General J'Kar son of K'tsulan - I.K.S. Dlahath, Vo'devwl-class Carrier
doubt it, cardassians are one of 4 major powers in the trek lore that has a background to them. the logical point would be to make them a 4th race on the group since they are a permanent face in the quadrant. not to add them would be like trying to create pancakes/drop scones without the milk...
i can see the ferengi becoming a 5th minor race, if there was a class system on the side and using the alliance system as well.
T6 Miranda Hero Ship FTW. Been around since Dec 2010 on STO and bought LTS in Apr 2013 for STO.
Well, unlike the Romulans, Cardassians are fully included in the alien generator as all Cardassian parts are there. So, any attempt to create a Cardassian faction should somehow take that into account. Many people have already created Cardassians in game.
Other than that I could see them being added in a similar way to Romulans.
Well, actually there are some parts missing, I don't remeber it all atm, but it had sth. to do with Cardassian necks and the thing I'm sure of is missing are the hairstyles, especially the female ones.
Furthermore, in one of the past "Ask Cryptic" before the Romulan faction was officialy announced mr.Stahl was asked one question from a player who was asking about the Romulan forehead ridges and Cardassian female hairstyles being added to the alien generator and his answer was that Cryptic is not considering adding the ridges nor the hairstyles in the alien-gen, due to their desire to add them to the actual playable species they belong to at a later date. Some time after, the Romulans are here and I don't think that is too far-fetched to expect Cardassians although I don't expect them to make an enterance in STO as a faction in the following year, year and a half at least.
But then, to appease the Cardassian fans who'll be getting playable species and not an actual faction, I think they would need to bring back the Cardassian Lockbox but enhanced. So the primary reward would remain a Galor cruiser, but there will also be a Hideki class that could be adopted as an escort ship as secondary prize and there will be the Keldon that would be more of a dreadnought style cruiser (but not a carrier) purchased for lobi crystals from the lobi store.
Well, unlike the Romulans, Cardassians are fully included in the alien generator as all Cardassian parts are there. So, any attempt to create a Cardassian faction should somehow take that into account. Many people have already created Cardassians in game.
Whilst true, you'd be amazed just how many people dislike the 'alien' option for the simple reason that it doesn't say Cardassian/Romulan/Vorta etc
I'm amazed myself that we've not had a Cardassian FE Series with a unique Cardassian Boff yet. We've had the Breen, Reman, Jem Hadar and Borg, but no Cardassian. :rolleyes:
They would not be the Cardassians you remember from the shows, but something very very different indeed.
Do you want that done to the Cardassians?
The Romulans aren't the ones we remember from the show either, and many people didn't want it that way, but Cryptic did it anyway and the community has since come to accept it. If they do the Cardassians, they'll do it their way, and we'll again come to accept it.
I could see them adding a Cardassain faction in a way similar to the Romulans, with choosing an ally. (Too bad it wouldn't be either Fed or Dominion).
Could see lots of opportunity in filling the Cardassian storylines, and maybe get Andrew Robinsion to reprise his role as Garak.
And for "Cardassian Reputation", they simply return the DS9 Fleet Action. And we grind our hearts out for months playing the same mission over and over. :P
The Romulans aren't the ones we remember from the show either, and many people didn't want it that way, but Cryptic did it anyway and the community has since come to accept it. If they do the Cardassians, they'll do it their way, and we'll again come to accept it.
Well, I would argue that not everyone in the community accepts it. But it's not like we have a choice either way, really.
You're right though, the Romulans aren't the ones we remember from the show. I don't know if I could get used to changes in the Cardassians either.
Could you imagine Cardassians that are compassionate, trusting, or even laconic? Perish the thought.
They'd have to join the KDF or Federation, too.
No, I just don't think I could get used to the changes that would be made to Cardassians. They are my favourite group after the Romulans, and I would hate to see the Roms fate befall them too.
Well, I would argue that not everyone in the community accepts it. But it's not like we have a choice either way, really.
You're right though, the Romulans aren't the ones we remember from the show. I don't know if I could get used to changes in the Cardassians either.
Could you imagine Cardassians that are compassionate, trusting, or even laconic? Perish the thought.
They'd have to join the KDF or Federation, too.
No, I just don't think I could get used to the changes that would be made to Cardassians. They are my favourite group after the Romulans, and I would hate to see the Roms fate befall them too.
As long as there was a story to be told that was germane to their circumstances, I'd be fine with it. Also, with the Romulans, it's not as though the Romulans that we know from the show ceased to exist or were excluded from the game... they're just not the group that we get to play. That's fine by me - Cryptic wanted to focus on the other side of the story, and so they shall.
In regard to Cardassians being compassionate, trusting, etc... Ziyal is an example of someone who may have been a progressive voice in the civilian government after the Dominion war (even though she wouldn't have gotten to have that influence herself). Also, who knows how attitudes among the new generation of Cardassians may have changed, having grown up under a civilian government instead of an Orwellian nightmare regime? They could just as well have taken the time to re-focus on artistic endeavors, individual liberties, and family.
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Joined January 2010.
Whilst true, you'd be amazed just how many people dislike the 'alien' option for the simple reason that it doesn't say Cardassian/Romulan/Vorta etc
I know I do. I'm one of 'those' people, Cardassians are my favourite Star Trek species, but I never could bare myself to make the 'alien' Cardassian. Just doesn't work for me. Like you said, I need it to say 'Cardassian' when I click on it and I want to have a specific racial traits attached to the char. That's why i have some 500+ Cardie lockboxes in storage waiting to be opened when I'm able to select real Cardassians in STO, as playable species or faction. There ought to be a Galor in one of those. :P
Could see lots of opportunity in filling the Cardassian storylines, and maybe get Andrew Robinsion to reprise his role as Garak.
OMG, I'd love this soo much! After Jean-Luc Picard, Elim Garak is probably my favourite Star Trek character, I'd love to receive missions and orders from Garak in STO and if mr.Robinson is able to do the voiceovers I'd be exalted!
You have to remember that Cryptic could do the same thing they did to the Romulans.
They would not be the Cardassians you remember from the shows, but something very very different indeed.
Do you want that done to the Cardassians?
Actually...yes, yes I do. I'd love to have the Cardassians introduced in STO through the same model as the Romulans with some differencies in the storyline, ofcourse.
I do like the way they decided to create this Romulan faction that is comming in 3 weeks.
And Cardassia as we seen in the shows started dying even in DS9. They were led by a opressive military regime that didn't have the support of every Cardassian soul. That regime began to fail them miserably, losing a war to the Federation, then losing numerous systems to the Klingon Empire and finally forging an alliance with the enemy they tried to destroy together with the Romulans in the first place, resulting with genocide and devastation of Cardassia Prime.
The new face of Cardassia is already born, having Natima Lang as the head of the Detapa Council.
And don't forget, by the closure of the final season of DS9 we even have Legate Damar killing one of his best friends and loyal comrades saying "He was my friend, but his Cardassia is dead. It won't be comming back."
So in fact, this would be the new face of Cardassia, one not being at the whim of the miliatry regime. During the series I was more intrigued by people like Garak, Dukat and Damar about the way the Cardassian mind works, rather than the military system the worked in. I'd love the chance to explore more into the Cardassians as people and the way this Cardassia we have in STO that's returning to it's roots will work out. I think playing in such a faction would be most exciting, well for me at least.
Except that the Cardassians you get to play (if treated like the Romulans) would be fundamentally different from the ones in the shows. They wouldn't be the Cardassians you love anymore, just like the Romulans aren't the Romulans we love anymore.
Imagine if Cryptic made a Star Trek MMO, and the only Humans you could play were the Maquis, who had now become xenophobic isolationists too. You could fight the Federation, but you couldn't be part of the Federation. No exploration, no diplomacy, just Humans being anti-Federation terrorists.
I don't think the majority would stand for it, and the novelty would wear off quite quickly. That's what Cryptic's done to the Romulans, and I'd hate to see it done to the Cardassians too.
If we're ever going to get a 4th faction (one that is playable) it would likely need to be done this way; fleet foundings could work similarly to how LoR will work (level up to #10, then choose to join FED/KDF).
As I was saying not so long ago in a zombie thread since I am such a n00b when it comes to this forum, I also imagine a "Cardassian" to work in a similar way... but with a difference.
I would make Cardassians ABLE to switch factions even later, after the first choice.
Besides, isn't that what Gul Dukat was doing ALL THE TIME? xD
Personally, I would just LOVE a Cardassian character story that start off somewhere in the past compared to the current STO timeline, and offered some choice that would influence the character's stand (Reputation!) with the already existing factions, OR the True Way up to a point when they would actually become able to join them.
Of course, reputation with the different factions would realistically have to be different from the start... for example, I expect it would have to be MUCH easier to join the True Way (it could be a quest chain which leads to that faction if/when accepted at any point, even switching sides from another previously chosen faction?) or be accepted in the Federation (exploration and supply missions which would quickly unlock a number of other already-existing missions upon completion).
Then of course, there could be still the option to start working with the Romulans (perhaps one could be approached by the new Tal Shiar upon reaching certain skill levels?) or (most difficult of all, I would expect) even the Klingon Empire (to whom I assume one's worth would have to be proven in battle against their enemy).
Far-fetched? Probably. But for the members of an empire which not only has been torn apart, but also has already shown for several decades to have been ready to switch sides as best suited them, I think a Cardassian captain would best work starting "rogue" and then being allowed to join/switch sides... buying the "switch" from the C-store, I suppose, or in alternative putting in a LOT of reputation-farming work.
I think they should just add Cardies as a playable race w/ c-store unlock. They have screen canon/STO canon precedent for working with all three factions anyway.
This would allow for the players to play them "as they wish" which would make MUCH more sense than forcing everyone to play them in one way only, seeing how much disagreements there have always been in between Cardassian factions....
Cardassians are my favourite Star Trek species, but I never could bare myself to make the 'alien' Cardassian. Just doesn't work for me. Like you said, I need it to say 'Cardassian' when I click on it and I want to have a specific racial traits attached to the char. That's why i have some 500+ Cardie lockboxes in storage waiting to be opened when I'm able to select real Cardassians in STO, as playable species or faction. There ought to be a Galor in one of those. :P
For myself, as a casual player: all the same, although I have made the "alien"... and then decided not to level it up, because I felt bad about wasting the lockboxes on a character that wasn't EXACTLY what I wanted it to be.
The "faction" could consist of a couple of planets, a couple of rubbish old stations. But to be able to customize my character so that its race tag reads "Cardassian", select an uniform and starship with the right look, and an orange/sand LCARS color scheme... yes. I would probably make it my main character, even having to start from scratch.
Gosh, to play a Cardassian, I would even consider taking up a subscription - which I never even cared doing after playing the first month "free" when the game was released!.
You have to remember that Cryptic could do the same thing they did to the Romulans.
Do you want that done to the Cardassians?
Well... yes. I fear I like them so much that I would be likely to play them in almost any shape they would be offered, even though I would rather be able to make some choices...
The new face of Cardassia is already born, having Natima Lang as the head of the Detapa Council.
And don't forget, by the closure of the final season of DS9 we even have Legate Damar killing one of his best friends and loyal comrades saying "He was my friend, but his Cardassia is dead. It won't be comming back."
So in fact, this would be the new face of Cardassia, one not being at the whim of the military regime. During the series I was more intrigued by people like Garak, Dukat and Damar about the way the Cardassian mind works, rather than the military system the worked in. I'd love the chance to explore more into the Cardassians as people and the way this Cardassia we have in STO that's returning to it's roots will work out. I think playing in such a faction would be most exciting, well for me at least.
....just wanted to say I absolutely love your take on the Cardassians, and I completely agree.
Seen it, and done that. But I am sure that if you asked the "purists" and the "RPGers" out there, you would find enough people willing to pay some C-points to have the character's race displayed as "Vulcan-Human" or "Klingon-Human" rather than just "Alien". I would definitely do that... and usually where is one fool, there may be a whole market.
An easier option from PW's point of view, of course, would be allowing the player to actually NAME their custom-made "Alien" race... :P
There is no need to create a Cardassian clone of our hippie Roms. Cardassia is a Fed protectorate.
Just release them as such. Give them the option to align only with Federation.
True way and Breen should be enough for them to worry about.
This.
Also the Bajorans are members of the Federation. They can't be a faction on their own.
/thread
Cheers from Antonio Valerio Cortez III, Half-Celestial Archduke of the Free Marches Confederacy.
The Cardassians do not deserve to be "Federation Lite v3.0"
They need to be different. The New Romulans are nothing more than bootlickers, and for the Cardassians to fall into the same mold is ridiculous.
Let there be another playable group that has an edge to them. Otherwise, might as well call this game My Little Pony Online.
The Romulans have become pansies.
Let it not happen to the Cardassians also. I'm all for an edgier Cardassia with an Obsidian Order and military coup. But even then, they have tremendous work to do since their military was a wreck by the time the Dominion War ended.
The Cardassians do not deserve to be "Federation Lite v3.0"
According to the Path to 2409, Cardassia has been a Federation protectorate for 26 years and been ruled by a democratically elected civilian government for 20 years by the start of the game. They are, by their very definition at this point, "Federation Lite", since they're all but a member world of the Federation.
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Joined January 2010.
perhaps they could make Cardassian story more prophetic.
I think Gul Dukat + his followers, these bayoran ghosts from the fire caves ..
but i really would have issues to see Cardies aligned with the KDF.
I seriously hope not, those last few episodes of DS9 really irked me. Such a terrible story, badly written, and the only blight on the once magnificent TV series.
According to the Path to 2409, Cardassia has been a Federation protectorate for 26 years and been ruled by a democratically elected civilian government for 20 years by the start of the game. They are, by their very definition at this point, "Federation Lite", since they're all but a member world of the Federation.
Doesn't necessarily have to stay that way. Hence my mentioning of a coup by a resurgent Obsidian Order or the military.
We can't have the Klingon Empire being the only Non-Pansy group in the quadrant, can we? :cool:
The only way to justify a faction for Cardassia is for the Dominion to regain a foothold, as the Cardassians don't have enough ship variety to deal with (well they do, but not to the level of justification).
Of course the Dominion regaining a foothold would be rather silly, so this is likely not to occur, however how about the mirror universe invading as an episode and them working with the Cardassians on this side?
It isnt too over the top with the dominion and it isnt rather feeble with only the cardassians...so it seems logical.
The only way to justify a faction for Cardassia is for the Dominion to regain a foothold, as the Cardassians don't have enough ship variety to deal with (well they do, but not to the level of justification).
Of course the Dominion regaining a foothold would be rather silly, so this is likely not to occur, however how about the mirror universe invading as an episode and them working with the Cardassians on this side?
It isnt too over the top with the dominion and it isnt rather feeble with only the cardassians...so it seems logical.
If you're going straight from show/movie depictions, yes, the Cardassians are among those that have the fewest ship classes shown. But that doesn't mean you can't make them up while trying to stick with their established theme.
The Klingons and Romulans compared to Starfleet have very few ship classes shown onscreen, especially the Romulans, who IIRC, only have 4 different classes shown onscreen at any part of Star Trek. But the lack of canon warships did not stop developers from other companies for other ST games make stuff up for them, while still sticking true to a style for those groups. ST Birth of the Federation, Starfleet Command series for example, expanded a custom lineup for them.
The same could be done for the Cardassians and Dominion, just the same as has been done with the Romulans.
While I'm happy to have Romulans in the game I can't also help but imagine how nice it would have been for the game to have had all that money and man-power put into adding 10 new STFs and 20 new end-game Daily events.
you mean the two things that most people never go anywhere near? No, those resources would have been better spend fixing the klingon faction, fixing the bugs the game still has from beta and improving server stability
im just glad i get to play romulans at all and their story
setting low expectations does nobody any good, least of all a faction
they could of just as easily done another kdf botched job where the only way to level is grind exploration dailies or pvp as it was in the old day
if they had done that nobody would have played them, they quite likely would have killed the game
who cares of the storyline is setup that the romulans are the pets to the kdf or feds, they are here to stay.
the future of the faction isn't a bright one if you have to tie in anything as a neutral storyline because of having linked them together in such a way. and if you'll read between the lines of what dstahl said earlier - the romulan factions future story will not be told through missions but through a single FE. most people didn't seem to notice that little statement
What could be cool is a Dominion plot where the Dominion are seeking to exploit the Fed/Klink war. Why waste your resources when the two major powers are more than willing to level each other? Could do something where the dominion are secretly aiding the two sides of the conflict by sending both resources and captained ships to help fuel their self destructive war (choose a faction a la LoR style). Eventually the Klinks and Feds figure this out and temporarily put aside their differences (once again ) to fend the quadrant from a re-emergent Dominion threat.
this makes no sense at all
. You, as a once dominated servant of the Dominion find yourself drawn to the philosophies of individualism and personal liberties offered by the alpha/beta quadrant races. Having earned the loyalty/honor of your new found allies do you have what it takes to prevent a second Dominion war?
you're forgetting that such loyalty is coded into them on a genetic level, again, makes no sense at all
With a big pvp update coming after the expansion, we will see just how many players really are interested in pvp
very few people are interested in pvp in this game
I wholeheartedly agree with the first 2 points. Unique to Feds. as it would be fitting for the story in STO where Starfleet is guarding Cardassian space and the Detapa Council has very close and friendly relations with the Federation
you're assuming that every cardassian would support what is currently going on between their government and the feds. many don't, which is why the true way exists in the first place. those that side with the KDF would likely be those that support the true way
The only way to justify a faction for Cardassia is for the Dominion to regain a foothold, as the Cardassians don't have enough ship variety to deal with (well they do, but not to the level of justification).
Of course the Dominion regaining a foothold would be rather silly, so this is likely not to occur, however how about the mirror universe invading as an episode and them working with the Cardassians on this side?
It isnt too over the top with the dominion and it isnt rather feeble with only the cardassians...so it seems logical.
Evil Cardassians are as boring as Evil Romulans. Thirty years of game time have passed since DS9. Bad story would have big Romulan shoulder pads and the Obsidian Order. And the Mirror universe works best in limited doses.
If anything, there should be a playable Cardasian race instead of a faction.
Comments
1) They came with the own costume
2) They were unique to the Federation
I would rather them rename the Galor to 'Cardassian Cruiser' and let us customize between the Galor and Keldon, just like we can do between the Excelsior and Excelsior R.
This could work well. If the devs. don't want to further spilt their playerbase, maybe it's best to leave it at 3 factions, with the possibility of Romulans becomming more stand alone and independent in the future.
I wholeheartedly agree with the first 2 points. Unique to Feds. as it would be fitting for the story in STO where Starfleet is guarding Cardassian space and the Detapa Council has very close and friendly relations with the Federation. And the costume is pretty much no-brainer, what kind of a Cardassian would you be without one.
But then, to appease the Cardassian fans who'll be getting playable species and not an actual faction, I think they would need to bring back the Cardassian Lockbox but enhanced. So the primary reward would remain a Galor cruiser, but there will also be a Hideki class that could be adopted as an escort ship as secondary prize and there will be the Keldon that would be more of a dreadnought style cruiser (but not a carrier) purchased for lobi crystals from the lobi store.
If however they came to a miraculous conclusion that they want/need to add further factions in the game based on the Romulan model, a Cardassian one is the obvious choice.
They would have the True Way as nemesis and the story will revolve around Starfleet using much of their resources for the protection of New Romulus from RSE, the war with the KDF, Tholians, Borg and such and not being able to provide full protection of Cardassian space. Having the Cardassian government as friendly in the current situation, Starfleet decides to make new arrangements and treaty which will allow Cardassia to start building starships for military purposes again. True Way sees an opportunity and strikes against the Detapa Council and you as a player fight to protect and re-build Cardassia. Liberated from the treaty with the Federation, the Cardassians could forge a more benevolent relations even with the KDF out of mutual interest so the players could chose sides like the Romulans do. There could be a Cardassian rep.system attached after the completion of which you would get the option to make a Jem'Hadar char. (in the story it could be done by defeating the True Way at the end of the rep. and hiring the Alpha Jem'Hadar to help protect Cardassian space untill the whole Cardassian defence is rebuilt).
Other than that I could see them being added in a similar way to Romulans.
Except that one can not make an aged Cardassian.
My reasoning?
Back when STO launched, there were two active faction icons on the info page, and two that were grayed out as future factions. The two active icons are obvious - Fed and KDF. The two that were grayed out? Romulan and Cardassian. If they've been putting in work on the Romulan faction on and off this whole time, there's no reason to believe that the initially planned Cardassian faction hasn't seen behind the scenes development as well.
While I'm hopeful for a Cardassian faction/mini-faction, I'd settle for them being a premium race for the Feds, considering the backstory. The only reason that I don't currently have a Galor in the air is that I can't make a genuine Cardassian captain to match it. My Kumaris have their Andorian, my D'kora has its Ferengi... but alas, no Cardassian for a Galor.
Make it happen, Cryptic!
Joined January 2010.
In regard to hating Star Trek 2009:
Remember when playing Temporal Ambassador how you have to ask someone to make a diversion, and how if you're Fed the person who agrees is Shon and if you're KDF it's B'Vat? Well when playing as a Romulan, I was pleasantly surprised (not too surprised, but a little bit) than rather than KDF-Roms getting B'Vat and Fed-Roms getting Shon, for all Romulans it's Obisek that helps you out. I also looked at the list of possible contacts you can ask (since it gives you every option, but only one works) and something caught my attention:
In addition to Shon, B'Vat, and Obisek, you can also ask Rugan (Cardassian) and Farek (Ferengi). So, basically, it may not be too far-fetched to say that Cardassian content may be on the drawing board. Not close by any means, but a definite possibility if the Romulans work out well for Cryptic. After all this mission was made with LoR was deep in development, it stands to reason that Obisek and Rugan were put in there for that purpose.
This could also lead to the (somewhat baffling) conclusion that they may be thinking even beyond the Cardassians to a Ferengi faction, or maybe even a "non-aligned" loose association of species including them.
Again, this is all just wild speculation. Their presence on the list may just be because they're characters you encountered previously that were of some decent amount of importance, or just that they'd previously had voice-overs in other missions.
Admiral Dananra Lekall - R.R.W. Teverresh, Deihu-class Warbird
General J'Kar son of K'tsulan - I.K.S. Dlahath, Vo'devwl-class Carrier
i can see the ferengi becoming a 5th minor race, if there was a class system on the side and using the alliance system as well.
Been around since Dec 2010 on STO and bought LTS in Apr 2013 for STO.
Well, actually there are some parts missing, I don't remeber it all atm, but it had sth. to do with Cardassian necks and the thing I'm sure of is missing are the hairstyles, especially the female ones.
Furthermore, in one of the past "Ask Cryptic" before the Romulan faction was officialy announced mr.Stahl was asked one question from a player who was asking about the Romulan forehead ridges and Cardassian female hairstyles being added to the alien generator and his answer was that Cryptic is not considering adding the ridges nor the hairstyles in the alien-gen, due to their desire to add them to the actual playable species they belong to at a later date. Some time after, the Romulans are here and I don't think that is too far-fetched to expect Cardassians although I don't expect them to make an enterance in STO as a faction in the following year, year and a half at least.
They would not be the Cardassians you remember from the shows, but something very very different indeed.
Do you want that done to the Cardassians?
Whilst true, you'd be amazed just how many people dislike the 'alien' option for the simple reason that it doesn't say Cardassian/Romulan/Vorta etc
I'm amazed myself that we've not had a Cardassian FE Series with a unique Cardassian Boff yet. We've had the Breen, Reman, Jem Hadar and Borg, but no Cardassian. :rolleyes:
The Romulans aren't the ones we remember from the show either, and many people didn't want it that way, but Cryptic did it anyway and the community has since come to accept it. If they do the Cardassians, they'll do it their way, and we'll again come to accept it.
Could see lots of opportunity in filling the Cardassian storylines, and maybe get Andrew Robinsion to reprise his role as Garak.
And for "Cardassian Reputation", they simply return the DS9 Fleet Action. And we grind our hearts out for months playing the same mission over and over. :P
Well, I would argue that not everyone in the community accepts it. But it's not like we have a choice either way, really.
You're right though, the Romulans aren't the ones we remember from the show. I don't know if I could get used to changes in the Cardassians either.
Could you imagine Cardassians that are compassionate, trusting, or even laconic? Perish the thought.
They'd have to join the KDF or Federation, too.
No, I just don't think I could get used to the changes that would be made to Cardassians. They are my favourite group after the Romulans, and I would hate to see the Roms fate befall them too.
As long as there was a story to be told that was germane to their circumstances, I'd be fine with it. Also, with the Romulans, it's not as though the Romulans that we know from the show ceased to exist or were excluded from the game... they're just not the group that we get to play. That's fine by me - Cryptic wanted to focus on the other side of the story, and so they shall.
In regard to Cardassians being compassionate, trusting, etc... Ziyal is an example of someone who may have been a progressive voice in the civilian government after the Dominion war (even though she wouldn't have gotten to have that influence herself). Also, who knows how attitudes among the new generation of Cardassians may have changed, having grown up under a civilian government instead of an Orwellian nightmare regime? They could just as well have taken the time to re-focus on artistic endeavors, individual liberties, and family.
Joined January 2010.
In regard to hating Star Trek 2009:
I know I do. I'm one of 'those' people, Cardassians are my favourite Star Trek species, but I never could bare myself to make the 'alien' Cardassian. Just doesn't work for me. Like you said, I need it to say 'Cardassian' when I click on it and I want to have a specific racial traits attached to the char. That's why i have some 500+ Cardie lockboxes in storage waiting to be opened when I'm able to select real Cardassians in STO, as playable species or faction. There ought to be a Galor in one of those. :P
OMG, I'd love this soo much! After Jean-Luc Picard, Elim Garak is probably my favourite Star Trek character, I'd love to receive missions and orders from Garak in STO and if mr.Robinson is able to do the voiceovers I'd be exalted!
Actually...yes, yes I do. I'd love to have the Cardassians introduced in STO through the same model as the Romulans with some differencies in the storyline, ofcourse.
I do like the way they decided to create this Romulan faction that is comming in 3 weeks.
And Cardassia as we seen in the shows started dying even in DS9. They were led by a opressive military regime that didn't have the support of every Cardassian soul. That regime began to fail them miserably, losing a war to the Federation, then losing numerous systems to the Klingon Empire and finally forging an alliance with the enemy they tried to destroy together with the Romulans in the first place, resulting with genocide and devastation of Cardassia Prime.
The new face of Cardassia is already born, having Natima Lang as the head of the Detapa Council.
And don't forget, by the closure of the final season of DS9 we even have Legate Damar killing one of his best friends and loyal comrades saying "He was my friend, but his Cardassia is dead. It won't be comming back."
So in fact, this would be the new face of Cardassia, one not being at the whim of the miliatry regime. During the series I was more intrigued by people like Garak, Dukat and Damar about the way the Cardassian mind works, rather than the military system the worked in. I'd love the chance to explore more into the Cardassians as people and the way this Cardassia we have in STO that's returning to it's roots will work out. I think playing in such a faction would be most exciting, well for me at least.
Imagine if Cryptic made a Star Trek MMO, and the only Humans you could play were the Maquis, who had now become xenophobic isolationists too. You could fight the Federation, but you couldn't be part of the Federation. No exploration, no diplomacy, just Humans being anti-Federation terrorists.
I don't think the majority would stand for it, and the novelty would wear off quite quickly. That's what Cryptic's done to the Romulans, and I'd hate to see it done to the Cardassians too.
As I was saying not so long ago in a zombie thread since I am such a n00b when it comes to this forum, I also imagine a "Cardassian" to work in a similar way... but with a difference.
I would make Cardassians ABLE to switch factions even later, after the first choice.
Besides, isn't that what Gul Dukat was doing ALL THE TIME? xD
Personally, I would just LOVE a Cardassian character story that start off somewhere in the past compared to the current STO timeline, and offered some choice that would influence the character's stand (Reputation!) with the already existing factions, OR the True Way up to a point when they would actually become able to join them.
Of course, reputation with the different factions would realistically have to be different from the start... for example, I expect it would have to be MUCH easier to join the True Way (it could be a quest chain which leads to that faction if/when accepted at any point, even switching sides from another previously chosen faction?) or be accepted in the Federation (exploration and supply missions which would quickly unlock a number of other already-existing missions upon completion).
Then of course, there could be still the option to start working with the Romulans (perhaps one could be approached by the new Tal Shiar upon reaching certain skill levels?) or (most difficult of all, I would expect) even the Klingon Empire (to whom I assume one's worth would have to be proven in battle against their enemy).
Far-fetched? Probably. But for the members of an empire which not only has been torn apart, but also has already shown for several decades to have been ready to switch sides as best suited them, I think a Cardassian captain would best work starting "rogue" and then being allowed to join/switch sides... buying the "switch" from the C-store, I suppose, or in alternative putting in a LOT of reputation-farming work.
Or, as an alternative, at least:
This would allow for the players to play them "as they wish" which would make MUCH more sense than forcing everyone to play them in one way only, seeing how much disagreements there have always been in between Cardassian factions....
For myself, as a casual player: all the same, although I have made the "alien"... and then decided not to level it up, because I felt bad about wasting the lockboxes on a character that wasn't EXACTLY what I wanted it to be.
The "faction" could consist of a couple of planets, a couple of rubbish old stations. But to be able to customize my character so that its race tag reads "Cardassian", select an uniform and starship with the right look, and an orange/sand LCARS color scheme... yes. I would probably make it my main character, even having to start from scratch.
Gosh, to play a Cardassian, I would even consider taking up a subscription - which I never even cared doing after playing the first month "free" when the game was released!.
I think there are enough of us around here, to make us worthy of exploitation...
Well... yes. I fear I like them so much that I would be likely to play them in almost any shape they would be offered, even though I would rather be able to make some choices...
....just wanted to say I absolutely love your take on the Cardassians, and I completely agree.
Fingers crossed!
Besides, they added the Joined Trills... right?
Or even further, in a future release: Human-OtherFedRace hybrids at choice for sale!
Besides, we have seen that work with Vulcans and Klingons in the series... and we know that a Bajoran can carry a Human child...
You can make that with the "Alien" creator
Seen it, and done that. But I am sure that if you asked the "purists" and the "RPGers" out there, you would find enough people willing to pay some C-points to have the character's race displayed as "Vulcan-Human" or "Klingon-Human" rather than just "Alien". I would definitely do that... and usually where is one fool, there may be a whole market.
An easier option from PW's point of view, of course, would be allowing the player to actually NAME their custom-made "Alien" race... :P
This.
Also the Bajorans are members of the Federation. They can't be a faction on their own.
/thread
They need to be different. The New Romulans are nothing more than bootlickers, and for the Cardassians to fall into the same mold is ridiculous.
Let there be another playable group that has an edge to them. Otherwise, might as well call this game My Little Pony Online.
The Romulans have become pansies.
Let it not happen to the Cardassians also. I'm all for an edgier Cardassia with an Obsidian Order and military coup. But even then, they have tremendous work to do since their military was a wreck by the time the Dominion War ended.
According to the Path to 2409, Cardassia has been a Federation protectorate for 26 years and been ruled by a democratically elected civilian government for 20 years by the start of the game. They are, by their very definition at this point, "Federation Lite", since they're all but a member world of the Federation.
Joined January 2010.
In regard to hating Star Trek 2009:
I seriously hope not, those last few episodes of DS9 really irked me. Such a terrible story, badly written, and the only blight on the once magnificent TV series.
Horrible horrible horrible.
Kirk's Protege.
Doesn't necessarily have to stay that way. Hence my mentioning of a coup by a resurgent Obsidian Order or the military.
We can't have the Klingon Empire being the only Non-Pansy group in the quadrant, can we? :cool:
Of course the Dominion regaining a foothold would be rather silly, so this is likely not to occur, however how about the mirror universe invading as an episode and them working with the Cardassians on this side?
It isnt too over the top with the dominion and it isnt rather feeble with only the cardassians...so it seems logical.
If you're going straight from show/movie depictions, yes, the Cardassians are among those that have the fewest ship classes shown. But that doesn't mean you can't make them up while trying to stick with their established theme.
The Klingons and Romulans compared to Starfleet have very few ship classes shown onscreen, especially the Romulans, who IIRC, only have 4 different classes shown onscreen at any part of Star Trek. But the lack of canon warships did not stop developers from other companies for other ST games make stuff up for them, while still sticking true to a style for those groups. ST Birth of the Federation, Starfleet Command series for example, expanded a custom lineup for them.
The same could be done for the Cardassians and Dominion, just the same as has been done with the Romulans.
It's nothing new.
you mean the two things that most people never go anywhere near? No, those resources would have been better spend fixing the klingon faction, fixing the bugs the game still has from beta and improving server stability
setting low expectations does nobody any good, least of all a faction
if they had done that nobody would have played them, they quite likely would have killed the game
the future of the faction isn't a bright one if you have to tie in anything as a neutral storyline because of having linked them together in such a way. and if you'll read between the lines of what dstahl said earlier - the romulan factions future story will not be told through missions but through a single FE. most people didn't seem to notice that little statement
this makes no sense at all
you're forgetting that such loyalty is coded into them on a genetic level, again, makes no sense at all
very few people are interested in pvp in this game
you're assuming that every cardassian would support what is currently going on between their government and the feds. many don't, which is why the true way exists in the first place. those that side with the KDF would likely be those that support the true way
Please by the Prophets get Elim Garak back!
Evil Cardassians are as boring as Evil Romulans. Thirty years of game time have passed since DS9. Bad story would have big Romulan shoulder pads and the Obsidian Order. And the Mirror universe works best in limited doses.
If anything, there should be a playable Cardasian race instead of a faction.