STOked Radio Interviews CaptainGeko

pwebranflakes · November 2013

Mav, Nikki, and Irish sat down to talk with Lead Designer Al "CaptainGeko" Rivera about Season 8 and beyond in this week's episode of STOked Radio.

Link to the interview.

cers001 · November 2013

Great!
It is so great to see a dev on STOKED Radio may it be the first of many, loved the bit about updating the stfs to make them more harder to complete and the Geko would like to see the full STFs return so why not up the difficulty and make it the old three hour full STFs?

kirksplat · November 2013

Anything Foundry related?

starfleetownsall · November 2013

kirksplat wrote: »

Anything Foundry related?

There is a couple of things in there about it

kirksplat · November 2013

So far my take away from this is a realization that the "storyline" is defined as a jumbled collection of random things that they're sort of trying to pull together in very directionless fashion. I don't think Geko knows any of the answers to the questions he is asking.

I would be surprised if there is even character art on the Iconians.

"Gameplay! What would be cool? Let's do that! How can we make it fit with the story?"

"We'll make it tie together some day in the future."

A storyline is planned. There is a beginning, middle, and an end. Things are planned accordingly. There is a direction. This stuff seems entirely directionless, other than justifying a new system. Introducing new bad guys and cool gameplay is not a way to advance a story. The question should be more complex than who are the minions and how do their ships fly?

cptshephard · November 2013

Does STOked Radio not update their iTunes Podcast feed anymore?

The only thing showing up are Foundry Files reviews.

Unknown · November 2013

This content has been removed.

entnx01 · November 2013

cers001 wrote: »

Great!
It is so great to see a dev on STOKED Radio may it be the first of many, loved the bit about updating the stfs to make them more harder to complete and the Geko would like to see the full STFs return so why not up the difficulty and make it the old three hour full STFs?

Oooh! I hope if they update the STFs they keep the current ones (even with increased difficulty) available. I think the Dyson Joint Command Rep is an experiment with "Weekend Warriors" (350 Marks to get 5 Commendations to use throughout the week) vs. 2-3+ hours a day-type players (can get Marks up the wazzoo and run those smaller XP projects to jump the tiers up a bit faster). I think the current STFs are perfect for "Weekend Warriors" while the longer combined STFs are good for hardcore players, those with more time on their hands, and those wanting to relive the old days of STFs.

sunfrancks · November 2013

I really hope "Nighmare" mode isn't what Gecko said, and they just up the hitpoints and dps output of the critters....

That would be really lazy :rolleyes:

usscapital · November 2013

cptshephard wrote: »

Does STOked Radio not update their iTunes Podcast feed anymore?

did they not merge/sell out to trek radio to save cash ?

cptshephard · November 2013

I don't know. I used to listen to PriorityOne, G & T, and STOked Radio religiously but now I primarily listen to PriorityOne and G & T, but I like to catch other podcasts when they have special episodes. I just don't have the time to listen to all of them anymore. The only thing that ever shows up on the STOked Radio subscription is Foundry Files stuff.. and I usually delete them because I don't have a lot of interest in the Foundry.

starfleetownsall · November 2013

cptshephard wrote: »

Does STOked Radio not update their iTunes Podcast feed anymore?

The only thing showing up are Foundry Files reviews.

Ill look into it and let mav know about it

cptshephard · November 2013

starfleetownsall wrote: »

Ill look into it and let mav know about it

Awesome! I was starting to wonder if they had discontinued the regular podcast and just switched to a Foundry Files format.

starfleetownsall · November 2013

usscapital wrote: »

did they not merge/sell out to trek radio to save cash ?

It didnt sell out to Trek Radio but we are in the process of merging with them meaning that nothing will change with it except that its under a new flag but mav will still manage the podcast, as well the 2 chats from video and audio will combine.

As well if anyone has anymore questions just use this thread to ask and i will try to reply to all of them!

usscapital · November 2013

starfleetownsall wrote: »

It didnt sell out to Trek Radio but we are in the process of merging with them meaning that nothing will change with it except that its under a new flag but mav will still manage the podcast, as well the 2 chats from video and audio will combine.

As well if anyone has anymore questions just use this thread to ask and i will try to reply to all of them!

it will sometime in the future as it always does when they merge

dontdrunkimshoot · November 2013

surprised there was no winter event questions, thats less then a month out. good otherwise

canis36 · November 2013

After hearing about Mr. Rivera talking about how some of the Fed content is just "spawn after spawn" I have to wonder how much input he had in the creation of "Vengeance" story-line missions.

I'm specifically having issues with the one called "Last Stand" that's just a long, drawn-out slog through Elachi mobs, especially the last map where you basically have to fight your way through three waves that consist of enough ships to qualify as five to seven mobs for each wave.

The other missions also have issues with length and/or the perception of length even with just hammering the "F" button to speed through the dialogue.

zeuxidemus001 · November 2013

Wow we better be careful what we say LOL. I've never intended anything I've ever said to come off the way that sounded LOL. Although I did notice they didn't say a word about the KDF in this podcast pretty much save to say the talk in some other interviews about new things coming to the KDF was part of the hype mill to try to suck some of the ppl back in lol.

starfleetownsall · November 2013

dontdrunkimshoot wrote: »

surprised there was no winter event questions, thats less then a month out. good otherwise

im guessing we kinda knew it was going to be very similar to last year and it would kind of spoiler

starfleetownsall · November 2013

zeuxidemus001 wrote: »

Wow we better be careful what we say LOL. I've never intended anything I've ever said to come off the way that sounded LOL. Although I did notice they didn't say a word about the KDF in this podcast pretty much save to say the talk in some other interviews about new things coming to the KDF was part of the hype mill to try to suck some of the ppl back in lol.

We'll what KDF stuff was there to talk about anyway like there was anything from seaon 8 like how there KDF content in LoR,and it would be kind of rude to talk about the issue about the "promised" KDF ship

kirksplat · November 2013

f2pdrakron wrote: »

http://sto.gamepedia.com/File:Iconian_Concept.png

Of course ...

So yes, there is and there isnt ... in other words, its Cryptic!

sigh... I have stopped caring about the Iconians.

linyive · November 2013

kirksplat wrote: »

I would be surprised if there is even character art on the Iconians.

I personally do not want Cryptic/Perfect World to design the Iconians. Even though the Iconians belong to the storyline, I do not want Cryptic's designs to taint the species.

Species 8472 should have never been called the Undine.

kirksplat wrote: »

A storyline is planned. There is a beginning, middle, and an end. Things are planned accordingly. There is a direction. This stuff seems entirely directionless, other than justifying a new system. Introducing new bad guys and cool gameplay is not a way to advance a story. The question should be more complex than who are the minions and how do their ships fly?

I agree. When it comes to the story development process, Cryptic has the mentality of: (1) create a new mechanic for money, (2) attach the new mechanic to a species, and (3) attempt to stitch everything to the main story.

Do you want to know the irony? Since Geko has an issue with the abandoned social zones, he could have fleshed them out with daily featured episode missions, duty officer missions, and storyline related featured episodes. Andoria, Bajor, Vulcan, and Defera (Visitor Center) are completely wasted maps, which could have been used to extend the main storyline. Even though Bajor and Defera are directly connected to featured episodes, the maps have the potential for more content. All wasted potential.

Utopia Planitia Shipyards is a beautiful waste of space, which could be fleshed out and used for a wide variety of reasons. Its a shame that its used once a year.

Dyson Sphere, New Romulus, and reputation system were created as gimmicks, so Cryptic could make as much money as possible. If Cryptic put this much work into the abandoned social zones, the past year and a half could have been about 'meaningful' storyline progression. Dyson Sphere and New Romulus should have been cross faction PvP maps, which focused on the capture the flag (zone) mentality.

While leveling my last character, I used the patrols to reach level fifty. Some of the game's best environments and assets are hiding within plain sight. I do not think many players know about "STO's" hidden gems.

I cannot believe how much of "Star Trek: Online" has been abandoned and wasted.

venetar90 · November 2013

Well I'm honestly surprised at what they said about Chris and how he basically wants nothing to do with STO or his own show he created...jeez what a flake he is. Not surprised about Jeremy though. They shouldn't ever let him on another social media outlet again after the stupid blunt way he talked about cryptics view on lockboxes....

linyive · November 2013

venetar90 wrote: »

Well I'm honestly surprised at what they said about Chris and how he basically wants nothing to do with STO or his own show he created...jeez what a flake he is. Not surprised about Jeremy though. They shouldn't ever let him on another social media outlet again after the stupid blunt way he talked about cryptics view on lockboxes....

I personally think the interview questions should have been blunt and direct. I do not think these interviewers should be holding back any punches. I wanted players and interviewers to ask the hard questions.

Interviewers should be respectable, direct, and honest.

Sugarcoating questions makes them feel artificial.

saltypineapple · November 2013

dontdrunkimshoot wrote: »

surprised there was no winter event questions, thats less then a month out. good otherwise

Yeah I'm thinking Q's Winter Wonderland is going live on the 5th of December when the feature episode reruns end. Really looking forward to that have three toons that needs frosted boots.

zeuxidemus001 · November 2013

starfleetownsall wrote: »

We'll what KDF stuff was there to talk about anyway like there was anything from seaon 8 like how there KDF content in LoR,and it would be kind of rude to talk about the issue about the "promised" KDF ship

Not really promised but more like stated in podcasts around the anniversary that they were working on one but as of last month/this month still working on it LOL.

The part about not going to forums because of certain things said... I know I can get upset about the KDF's state sometime but there are lines people shouldn't cross.

Edit: I will have to admit I am for some reason more interested in what this years winter event is going to be like than new kdf ships... my kids love the snowmen stuff lol. So there is something to look forward too still

cerritourug · November 2013

Thanks for asking good question STOked, and not just about the new ship or the Gal X upgrade.

I think you guys are the first podcast to ask about PVP in months, and for that, most of my fleet took the time to listen the interview.

Also good job on asking about the 2 minutes Infected Space.

Thanks again.

starfleetownsall · November 2013

linyive wrote: »

I personally think the interview questions should have been blunt and direct. I do not think these interviewers should be holding back any punches. I wanted players and interviewers to ask the hard questions.

Interviewers should be respectable, direct, and honest.

Sugarcoating questions makes them feel artificial.

Your only problem there is if you ask those kind of questions, no dev is going to want to come on for an interview with you after that

sunfrancks · November 2013

linyive wrote: »

I personally think the interview questions should have been blunt and direct. I do not think these interviewers should be holding back any punches. I wanted players and interviewers to ask the hard questions.

Interviewers should be respectable, direct, and honest.

Sugarcoating questions makes them feel artificial.

venetar90 wrote: »

I have to agree with you there sir

One slight problem. If the interviewers were as direct and blunt as we want them to be, they would never get anyone back.

Sadly, interviewers have to be just as fanboish and flaky as the devs themselves, to get any exclusives and dev time.
it is a viscous circle in that respect....

carasucia83 · November 2013

Great interview Geko + rest.

Having heard a far more coherent reason why there are Riverasaurus Rexes in the game now other than the initial 'Hey look! Spock's brain!', I've had my view on the issue totally changed. It was the Biosphere premise that made the whole thing seem far less 'JJ' for me.

Also loved how he knew there were more than 2 pilots :P I lol'd.

linyive · November 2013

sunfrancks wrote: »

Sadly, interviewers have to be just as fanboish and flaky as the devs themselves, to get any exclusives and dev time. it is a viscous circle in that respect....

I guess the keyword is 'diplomacy'.

*nods*

I can understand that type of approach.

I do give credit to Geko for being honest. Regardless about how much I do not want to hear certain stuff, I would rather have the truth rather than the brush off. I am glad he was honest.

carasucia83 wrote: »

Great interview Geko + rest.

Having heard a far more coherent reason why there are Riverasaurus Rexes in the game now other than the initial 'Hey look! Spock's brain!', I've had my view on the issue totally changed. It was the Biosphere premise that made the whole thing seem far less 'JJ' for me.

Also loved how he knew there were more than 2 pilots :P I lol'd.

Answer:

"It [science fiction] is untrustworthy as a source of "facts," since these may be wrong, or at least out of date. There is nothing wrong, however, with science fiction as a way of arousing interest in science...it doesn't matter whether the scientific background of a science fiction story is accidentally wrong through ignorance, deliberately wrong through the exigencies of the plot, or simply out-of-date through the progress of science. If the story is interesting, it can be used...that's the educational value of science fiction; that is what makes it a learning device. It stimulates curiosity and the desire to know." ~ Issac Asimov ("Learning Device," IASFM, August 1979 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg.37)

STOked Radio Interviews CaptainGeko

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