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Upcoming Changes to the 'Ask Cryptic' Feature
pwebranflakes
Member Posts: 7,741
Hi Captains!
As you know, the monthly 'Ask Cryptic' feature has been around since the start of the game. Over the years, it has provided for a great amount of discussion and feedback, and it has been something of a tradition that we (you and the Dev team) have all looked forward to each month. Just as the game has evolved based on player feedback, we would like to evolve this monthly feature in the same way, while maintaining the aspects you all love about it and working on the critical pieces of feedback you've provided.
During the past several months, we have been closely reading and considering the feedback on this feature that has been posted here in the forums monthly, as well as through our social media channels. Based on this, the following can be said about the 'Ask Cryptic' feature:
It's important to note that there are other aspects of this feature that may not be covered by the feedback above, and this list is meant to display only some of the most commonly seen feedback points we've received. As we look to evolve this feature, I'm sure we can all agree that working towards keeping the first-half of the list above intact is crucial, and working to improve the the second-half of the list is just as important.
Keeping this in mind, here are a few new medium ideas we would like to present for this evolution:
The above ideas are just examples, and we'd love to hear what other features you would like to see that keep the spirit of the Ask Cryptic alive, but also keep it fresh, interesting, and are a good, monthly read that you can get much more out of. Also, we would like to rotate the feature monthly between the different mediums listed above and those that may come from your suggestions.
While they are not exactly labeled as 'Ask Cryptic's, many of the podcast and fansite interviews that are conducted feature segments that include questions submitted by the community via question submission threads in these forums. You can look forward to these interviews continuing, as they already occur on a much frequent basis than the 'Ask Cryptic', allowing for us all to enjoy player-submitted questions answered more often. The same goes for all the questions we answer via these forums, Twitter, Facebook, etc. -- we love answering them, so keep them coming!
To start us off, this month's feature will be the "Pick a Blog Topic" feature -- as Legacy of Romulus has just launched, bringing with it new missions, systems, rewards, ships, enemies, and much more, we are excited to hear about all of the topics you are interested in learning more about. I will open a thread in the GNN subforum tomorrow so you can all submit your topics!
While tradition may be changing, we hope you are all just as excited as we are at the new opportunity that presents itself before us. With keeping the spirit of the 'Ask Cryptic', along with combining your feedback into new and exciting web features, you can look forward to something fresh and interesting each month.
Helm, set a course for the future. Engage!
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
As you know, the monthly 'Ask Cryptic' feature has been around since the start of the game. Over the years, it has provided for a great amount of discussion and feedback, and it has been something of a tradition that we (you and the Dev team) have all looked forward to each month. Just as the game has evolved based on player feedback, we would like to evolve this monthly feature in the same way, while maintaining the aspects you all love about it and working on the critical pieces of feedback you've provided.
During the past several months, we have been closely reading and considering the feedback on this feature that has been posted here in the forums monthly, as well as through our social media channels. Based on this, the following can be said about the 'Ask Cryptic' feature:
- It is a great way to hear from the team in an official capacity each month
- It is an avenue to be able to submit questions for those that don't have the opportunity to conduct interviews
- It allows for great discussions between the community and the Dev team
- It is a place where concerns can be voiced
- It brings frequently asked questions to the table, but the answers are also similar month to month
- It often does not provide new information
- It sometimes contains answers that are more "maybe"s or "it's too early to talk about"s
- Depending on where items are in the development cycle, not all answers can be concrete
- It doesn't allow for the opportunity to go into depth on subjects
It's important to note that there are other aspects of this feature that may not be covered by the feedback above, and this list is meant to display only some of the most commonly seen feedback points we've received. As we look to evolve this feature, I'm sure we can all agree that working towards keeping the first-half of the list above intact is crucial, and working to improve the the second-half of the list is just as important.
Keeping this in mind, here are a few new medium ideas we would like to present for this evolution:
- "Interview a Dev" - Similar to the Ask Cryptic, we would open up a thread in the Galactic News Network subforum where you can submit questions for this feature. You would specifically call out the Dev (by name or specialty) you would like to interview (e.g. CaptainGeko, Tacofangs, a Dev from the character art team, someone that works on the Foundry, etc.) and then post a list of questions you, your fleet, etc., would like to see answered. It would flow like a journalistic interview, and we'd pick the submission that would provide the most insight.
- "Pick a Blog Topic" - Similarly, we would open a thread where players can submit Dev Blog topics. Maybe you've always wanted to know how a mission is made from start to finish, or how Voice Over work is done. This your chance to get the inside scoop!
- "State of the Game" - As posted in the past, dStahl will continue to post State of the Games -- these are similar to the old Engineering Reports and give you a glimpse at what's on the current viewscreen, and some teasers and information about what's in the works.
- "Player Surveys/Polls with Dev Feedback" - We also plan to run more player surveys and polls. If you recall this survey from last September, the majority of those who participated voted for "playable Romulans" and "more KDF content." Looking from September to now, we were able to accomplish both! While we may not always be able to development the most requested feature, your feedback and desires to play a role in what gets developed. Also, when we post results of the survey or poll, we'll also be including Dev feedback on your replies and/or choices.
The above ideas are just examples, and we'd love to hear what other features you would like to see that keep the spirit of the Ask Cryptic alive, but also keep it fresh, interesting, and are a good, monthly read that you can get much more out of. Also, we would like to rotate the feature monthly between the different mediums listed above and those that may come from your suggestions.
While they are not exactly labeled as 'Ask Cryptic's, many of the podcast and fansite interviews that are conducted feature segments that include questions submitted by the community via question submission threads in these forums. You can look forward to these interviews continuing, as they already occur on a much frequent basis than the 'Ask Cryptic', allowing for us all to enjoy player-submitted questions answered more often. The same goes for all the questions we answer via these forums, Twitter, Facebook, etc. -- we love answering them, so keep them coming!
To start us off, this month's feature will be the "Pick a Blog Topic" feature -- as Legacy of Romulus has just launched, bringing with it new missions, systems, rewards, ships, enemies, and much more, we are excited to hear about all of the topics you are interested in learning more about. I will open a thread in the GNN subforum tomorrow so you can all submit your topics!
While tradition may be changing, we hope you are all just as excited as we are at the new opportunity that presents itself before us. With keeping the spirit of the 'Ask Cryptic', along with combining your feedback into new and exciting web features, you can look forward to something fresh and interesting each month.
Helm, set a course for the future. Engage!
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Post edited by pwebranflakes on
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Comments
The Foundry
The Foundry has been in Beta for over 2 years now. Some of the authors are feeling that it's time to move past beta. What reasonable criteria does the development team think would mark the Foundry being out of beta? What steps could be taken to achieve those criteria.
:P I'm still working here!
Great suggestion! Looking forward to seeing more like this
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Scrolling down one would find page after page of "Still no word on ___?" and "You are avoiding questions on ___" and "Why did you tell us the same thing you told us last time."
In order for this to work we need answers to questions -- not the same vague answers to the same 20 questions every month. If the devs can't give us a concrete answer besides "Well we are working on it and it will be awesome!" or "soon!" that question should not be selected for answering.
Ask Cryptic should not be a tool for generating buzz, Cryptic generates enough buzz with blog posts and twitter. Ask Cryptic should give real concrete answers to questions asked by the playerbase.
Bring them back. Having even a vague notion of the direction development is going, what is on the radar, what is not on the radar, and any production hiccups that arise (IE: we were trying to do X, but Q came up and our initial idea didn't work out, so we had to back to the drawing board) have always been well received.
Having an inkling of what's going on behind the scenes is an excellent way for players to shed the sense that Cryptic is ignoring a given player's cause celebre.
Also, all of that. I'm beyond tired of reading an entire Ask Cryptic only to have one new entirely superfluous piece of information come to light. ACs are one of your biggest opportunities to actually get solid, detailed information to your playerbase, yet you consistently squander them with vagueness and noncommittal frippery.
Thanks for this feedback
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Add to that, a monthly "State of the Game" report detailing some of the advancements that have been made over the last month, hot topics in the forums and some notification to us on what is currently guaranteed, in development. Engineering Reports promised us the moon, and delivered very little. A monthly update on what exactly the teams are currently working on, and planned within the next 4 weeks (before the next State of the Game) would be a lot better information to us, as players.
I'll close with stating that I agree with themarie. Whenever we submit questions, and these questions are answered, please give us real answers. Not the vague type of answers like "Soon" or "more details later". If you can't give a concrete answer, don't answer it.
My Questions, or other peoples Important questions, won't get answered anyway.
What about things like domimating all mighty Escorts in STO, or Cruisers that serve only as target practice (by design of Cryptic).
Making STO more Trek like and less BSG or Star Wars like?
What about The Galaxy Class or a possible Mirror verson of it, featuring a actually useful BOFF/Console Layout?
I have been asking the same questions about half a year every month and no answer.
Instead we get answers about the next non combat pets and stuff like that, very interesting, really...
Maybe Cryptic should say that they only like to answer to questions they like.
As i said, i couldn't care less.
"Critics who say that the optimistic utopia Star Trek depicted is now outmoded forget the cultural context that gave birth to it: Star Trek was not a manifestation of optimism when optimism was easy. Star Trek declared a hope for a future that nobody stuck in the present could believe in. For all our struggles today, we haven’t outgrown the need for stories like Star Trek. We need tales of optimism, of heroes, of courage and goodness now as much as we’ve ever needed them."
-Thomas Marrone
It could be one, it could be multiple
Also, we're not going to be able to run all the features I suggested in the OP every month, but we'd look at running at least one of them, and switch it up from month to month, rotating between them and the other ideas that have been and will be brought up in this thread.
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
I can pretty much agree on this. It's frustrating when questions get avoided/ignored and the ones that are chose to answer are pretty much the same ones every month. I do appreciate Ask Cryptic don't get me wrong, but when there's something I don't understand, I inquire.
Let us upgrade the Seleya Ceremonial Lirpa and Kri'stak Blade
Some hybrid of Engineering reports/State of the game with possibility for dialog/feedback from the community on key aspects of the ER/SOTG the devs may or may not need specific feedback on.
The single biggest issue for the community right now is the disparity between player classes and ship classes. It would be a good first topic for the devs to give their perspective on the situation, whether they deem it is an issue and if so what avenues they are considering.
Less energy should be spent on podcasts/fansites and more on the community you have right here on this very forum. This is where the heart of the STO community resides. Communication needs to be here first and foremost, not hidden away in some multiple hour long irrelevant corner of the internet.
Ask Cryptic worked well with the engineering reports because we knew where cryptic stood and could ask intelligent questions. But since the PWE acquisition, you guys have been rather tight lipped. For good questions we kinda need to have at least some knowledge about where STO is going. Also the "State of the Game"s aren't really helpful in that regard because all Dan does in them is talk about what Cryptic has done, not where Cryptic is going. Which is what is needed to make Ask Cryptic better.
For me the best solution would be better "State of the Game"s where Dan talks a lot more about what's on the horizon for STO, and then open an Ask Cryptic immediately afterwords so the community can voice questions, clarifications and concerns about info revealed the State of the Game.
Geordi - That's the short definition of Captain" - and the STO Forums
I don't know if rotating them is a good idea. When one gets more popular than the others, if there are months between versions of it players will get restless for its updates.
I'd say do the following:
State of the Game: Monthly. This is practically required. We want whatever info we can get on the upcoming month(s)' releases/updates as frequently as possible.
Player Surveys: Definitely use these for internal decision-making, especially when the internal polls are close. But it doesn't need to expand out to a monthly feature. Perhaps include results as part of one of the other features?
Pick a Blog: Definitely nice every once and a while, but if it interferes with regularly scheduled Dev Blogs watch how frequently it's used.
Interview with a Dev: I was wondering how this would work...would you pick one Dev/department and run a blog with just answers to those questions? Or would you pick and choose among all of them and post a few from Dan, a few from UI, etc.? (EDIT: And by "you", I really mean "whoever's behind running these."
I think "Interview with a Dev" holds the highest potential, and on months where there's not much new coming out do Pick a Blog. Incorporate Player Surveys into a monthly State of the Game.
Just my $.02.
No matter what you do Cryptic is going to get complaining over the questions. They are all player questions, but if they aren't the "right" questions other players will complain, like they are somehow more important than anyone else.
There used to be a time where, Dan especially, would talk more about aspirations for the game, but then he started getting players complaining about overselling features and making false promises.
Its really a matter of Cryptic has to choose what reality it wants to live in, being more accurate about new features/changes/content, which is the direction that has been moved into over time, and also means you guys only talk about things that are pretty set in stone, or being more open about development goals and hoped for features, and accepting that there might be some drift in scope/change of plans/canceled plans, and that some players will get a lot of angst from that.
Personally I like the open conversation approach, where ideas and development concepts can be discussed at length, and where the community would have to accept that not everything said is set in stone. Think about Al's marathon podcast conversations, I sat through all 6 hours between the two. Those were awesome, and gave some real insight into the development process, and also provides some interesting dev side view of theorycrafting.
I respectfully suggest if you actually answered the questions the community REALLY cares about and are affected by, "Ask Cryptic" would be VERY popular and interesting.
Regards.
If the community offers a platter of mostly repetitive rocks with a few gold nuggets mixed in and the chooser selects the rocks, Why does the chooser have no gold?
What is the process behind introduction of a new game feature like the Starbase system or the doff system or reputation or Feature Episode from concept to release? How long does it take? Who is invoved in greenlighting it? How does such a project evolve during production?
And on a related note? Did you ever consider a kickstarter system to get more difficult to finance products and features of the ground because they don't have direct revenue? Players could treat them like a starbase or reputation project, so the system for this is already in place essentially.
People contribute time and in game resources and perhaps even Zen for let's say an improved Risa zone or a new DS9 ground map or a new PvP map.
Everyone who contributes unlocks certain smaller ingame items or a limited stipend of dilithium or some such depending on his contribution.
It's pretty clear that the opinion of the player base doesn't factor into design decisions, so why bother asking our opinion of your new propaganda machine? It will be designed to be mildly interesting to the average player that occasionally stumbles onto the website, not the dedicated type of player that actually comes to the forums to leave feedback and ask questions.
I guess it'll give Cryptic something new to post so they can give "Dilithium 101" a rest, at least.
Perhaps change the philosophy on what questions you guys pick to answer, and how frank you are in those answers.
I'm pretty sure the "player surveys/polls" will be a forum favorite, but I'm also fairly certain that these polls don't actually have any large impact on the design process that is inferred from such a poll/survey. From all the previous surveys, I'm pretty sure all options were/are valid options with at least some work going into them already, with the options going to be released anyway.
Just like the "next playable faction" survey, how was it not going to be Romulans no matter what? It's pretty apparent to me that Romulans were going to be the next faction regardless of whether it was a fan favorite (which again, how could it not be a fan favorite?). More content for KDF as the next topic of focus? How can anyone believe that not already something they were working on?
Raptr profile
How about answers that do not say "I do not want to spoil surprises" or "Maybe"
A straight "No" or "I don't know" would be better
example "can we please have a way to get rid of tovan Khev"
Acceptable answers
"Yes"
"No"
"I have no idea "
I think this is at the crux of the issue with Ask Cryptics. Because it is a propaganda tool, you (Cryptic) want everything in it to be good stuff only. Sometimes that means saying stuff will come "soon", or talking about features that you know people will like, or being vague enough that people can't get angry. But really, you can't be afraid to make people angry. If saying that there will be no further development of PvP (for example) will TRIBBLE people off, that's that. Better to let people know rather than not giving them straight answers, or telling them "it's on our radar" for years.
Perhaps some insight as to how marketing works would help as well. I've seen it written sometimes that "marketing" determines what you can say and when you can say it. Who is marketing? Why do they make the decisions that they do?
And will this new ask cryptic still have the usual tweets and Facebook prompts to submit your questions?
Problem solved.
EDIT - This just seems like a thinly-veiled attempt to further control the conversation. It's always on Cryptic's terms, not the players'.
I know there is a kdf podcast out there, gates of stovokor. but they seem to be the only guys batting for a faction. other podcasts out there seem to cover a wider range of things.
so maybe a focused
fed 20 questions
kdf 20 questions
romulan 20 questions
for them factional specific questions.
polls in general are great. but I would like to also see some polls that are like a kdf only poll. or romulan only poll.
and be brave. your extremely popular poll which romulans was a clear winner and a 2nd placed kdf content.... when people voted they voted for a full romulan faction. not half of 1. so label you intentions better. i'm pretty sure your half faction wouldn't have got many votes against a full faction option. 'playable romulans' was rather misleading and at no point did any one clear that up until it was far too late.
Players should be able to submit questions into a queue system where other players can +1 them or -1 them. Any question over a certain threshold MUST be answered, and the top five or ten questions should be answered in high detail. This will allow you to cut through the junk and answer stuff people care most about.
Additional Suggestion: Have costumes and ships as a mini-ask-Cryptic that occurs separately from the main one.
NeoakiraII like this.
Sounds like a very interesting idea to gain the quality of Ask Cryptic!
There are some ideas already but first I take counsel with my pillow
You get my ideas in the new thread!