Pretty hard to avoid in a sense too; even if you stay at home (which I certainly do), the stupidity that accompanies these days generally makes the news.
I'm trying to imagine black friday esque situations in front of Peter Jones in London, or even the other John Lewis store at Oxford street, trafic will be hell. the shops a mess. my poor old colleages xd
I'm very much looking forward to this sale. It'll be great to buy myself a ship, then the ship upgrade, then the fleet ship module, then pay for the weapons and consoles, then pay again to upgrade those weapons and consoles.
Yeah, we do - so we get a double-dose of this stupid behaviour now.
Black Friday and Boxing day. Two days where common sense dies a horrible, horrible death.
You forget the pre-Christmas sale, the New Year sale. Is there are time we don't have a sale over here now? It seems everywhere is becoming DFS.
Eww... I didn't realize you guys did both.
We didn't until recentl, I think last year. I saw it on the news and thought pathetic behaviour. As I saisd I haven't seen people behave like that since the Cabbage Patch Dolls first came out.
I just think it would be a great opportunity for craptic to offer some decent discounts, as a sort of... 'sorry for the recent garbage you have endured but we are trying to fix it... and for your continued support in these troubling times here's some discounted ships'
I just think it would be a great opportunity for craptic to offer some decent discounts, as a sort of... 'sorry for the recent garbage you have endured but we are trying to fix it... and for your continued support in these troubling times here's some discounted ships'
It would go against coercion/condescending principle they are operating on.
You really should suggest simple logical solutions to draw in potential customers, makes D'Angelo feel bad, and when he feels bed his soul needs mending via nerfbatting everything in sight.
Nitpicking is a time-honored tradition of science fiction. Asking your readers not to worry about the "little things" is like asking a dog not to sniff at people's crotches. If there's something that appears to violate natural laws, then you can expect someone's going to point it out. That's just the way things are.
I just think it would be a great opportunity for craptic to offer some decent discounts, as a sort of... 'sorry for the recent garbage you have endured but we are trying to fix it... and for your continued support in these troubling times here's some discounted ships'
As long as they don't discount Tier 5 ships, because that'd be a cynical attempt to get us to pay for a ship, a ship upgrade token and maybe even a fleet ship module.
Actually, I'm betting it'll definitely be Tier 5 ships. Open your wallets and give Cryptic your money, don't ask questions. Just pay them and shut up.
Well if people don't want to open their wallets, by all means that's their chocie. I, however, am going to enjoy the fact that over the last mirror event, on 3 toons, I also got 3 seperate reps done and I'm looking forwards to only paying 2k for my pathfinder since the whales in the dilth exchange have paid for half of it.
Defending The Galaxy By Breaking One Starfleet Regulation After The Next.
Be able to buy rare R&D materials that you don't have to get only by being in PVE missions. Or R&D packs. Its hard for me to stay online with sever problems. Thanks for asking!!!!!
Well Black Friday is only a few days away now, and we will have a blog coming out tomorrow that will include sale info
Stay tuned for more details. I wish I could tell you more, but I don't get to make those decisions.
~CaptainSmirk
I would just like to take this opportunity to say that I'm sorry that you, Trendy, and the other hard workers who are honestly trying to do the right thing at Cryptic for the customer base have been caught in the crossfire. Sometimes it's very easy to forget that there are indeed human beings behind the computer screen.
I would just like to take this opportunity to say that I'm sorry that you, Trendy, and the other hard workers who are honestly trying to do the right thing at Cryptic for the customer base have been caught in the crossfire. Sometimes it's very easy to forget that there are indeed human beings behind the computer screen.
Oh my god, I'm a human? Nooooo! I wanted to be an Andorian
But thank you none the less, that is very kind of you
Well to be fair all that is true, but it's all about context. Highest sales figures but when? For example I bought the DR expansion pack because of the enjoyment of LoR. Did others? How have sales looked since the DR launch? We don't know.
Livestream numbers, again, probably highest ever but why? Is it that everyone's just so excited by tons of grind that they also tune in to exhort, "Please tell me more about the grinding opportunities!" Or is it that people tune in to hear when things will return to a level of enjoyability?
More celebs. True. I can do the same thing if I hire them.
Coverage in more media. True: the media coverage is there, and it's all almost entirely on the back of "Voyager cast reunite for STO". To note here, its not "STO changes into grindfest, players flock to STO for grinding opportunities".
In a position of an employee, you can't exactly run around hands in the air "The whole thing's a disaster!" so you have to spin what you've got into sounding the best that you can. Whatever you say internally, the outside world has to see the optimistic face. It's like the analogy of the swan: graceful and unfazed up top, paddling like crazy underneath.
Now, I want STO to succeed. By "succeed" I mean "continue to be a source of entertainment that is rewarding and satisfying to play". Currently it's not. From the numbers I've seen, the lack of PvE queues, and the forum posts, I think it's not for a lot more people than just me. My fear is that the PR spin is being believed internally and if that's the case, either it won't change and will become just a mindless grinder with a singular storyline for players with no opportunity to play the way you individually want; or it will be realized too late that it's not really working, and it's not really going to work... it's been five weeks now and at some point, the opportunity to entice players back will be lost. And then, we all lose.
Well to be fair all that is true, but it's all about context. Highest sales figures but when? For example I bought the DR expansion pack because of the enjoyment of LoR. Did others? How have sales looked since the DR launch? We don't know.
Livestream numbers, again, probably highest ever but why? Is it that everyone's just so excited by tons of grind that they also tune in to exhort, "Please tell me more about the grinding opportunities!" Or is it that people tune in to hear when things will return to a level of enjoyability?
More celebs. True. I can do the same thing if I hire them.
Coverage in more media. True: the media coverage is there, and it's all almost entirely on the back of "Voyager cast reunite for STO". To note here, its not "STO changes into grindfest, players flock to STO for grinding opportunities".
In a position of an employee, you can't exactly run around hands in the air "The whole thing's a disaster!" so you have to spin what you've got into sounding the best that you can. Whatever you say internally, the outside world has to see the optimistic face. It's like the analogy of the swan: graceful and unfazed up top, paddling like crazy underneath.
Now, I want STO to succeed. By "succeed" I mean "continue to be a source of entertainment that is rewarding and satisfying to play". Currently it's not. From the numbers I've seen, the lack of PvE queues, and the forum posts, I think it's not for a lot more people than just me. My fear is that the PR spin is being believed internally and if that's the case, either it won't change and will become just a mindless grinder with a singular storyline for players with no opportunity to play the way you individually want; or it will be realized too late that it's not really working, and it's not really going to work... it's been five weeks now and at some point, the opportunity to entice players back will be lost. And then, we all lose.
If it becomes a mindless grinder, that wouldn't be good. I am a month into the game and so far I am not easily impressed. I have probably spent only 20 bucks for the game and the grind was great enough before Delta Rising came about. I was playing WoW before I played STO. Maybe not anymore. I guess we will see.
Well to be fair all that is true, but it's all about context. Highest sales figures but when? For example I bought the DR expansion pack because of the enjoyment of LoR. Did others? How have sales looked since the DR launch? We don't know.
Sales are not always the best measure of success. As you said how many DR sales were because of the reception of LoR? How many will have been lost because of DR next expansion? Hard to say but when your revenue stream relies on repeat business today's sales are less important than tomorrows.
Livestream numbers, again, probably highest ever but why? Is it that everyone's just so excited by tons of grind that they also tune in to exhort, "Please tell me more about the grinding opportunities!" Or is it that people tune in to hear when things will return to a level of enjoyability?
Giveaways. The only reason I left the livestream in the back round for the single one I watched.
Coverage in more media. True: the media coverage is there, and it's all almost entirely on the back of "Voyager cast reunite for STO". To note here, its not "STO changes into grindfest, players flock to STO for grinding opportunities".
I call bull. Media coverage for sto has been terribly lacking mostly being nothing beyond cut'n'paste of the dev blogs. Even massively's coverage has been borderline empty. Their is only one regular podcast left the others are very inconsistent.
Beyond that google 'Star Trek Online Delta Rising Review'. Tell me what you find. The media coverage for this game is awful.
I'll give you slack for everything else because I don't know the details. But when it comes to media coverage both fan based, old media, and new media, it hardly exists. Not exactly sure why either, seems a lack of interest primarily as even youtube videos don't break the 1k mark about STO from what I've seen.
Record sales, highest livestream numbers ever, more celebs joining with each expansion and coverage on more gaming sites and media hosts than ever.
Yeah, it's like a grumpy cat commercial up in here, terrible
I kind of find this hard to believe. For one the livesteam more than likely is fewer % of the player base than the KDF is so like 1 new person watching it would be considered a record breaking feat. Fleets I am in contact with are showing their numbers are pretty much down to nothing and coverage would entail there being some kind of communication which there really hasn't been for over a year(if there is any coverage its about things that are old news by the time they get to us).
I think my main gripe is that while the episodes/missions were nice but the grind in between missions by the time you get to 60 then its more massive of a grind than any grind done before where given this was in production and development for well over a year... A player like myself would expect more than a rep grind(with absolutely garbage gear makes me wish I could turn off that rep box dropping in my inventory), and then the skill point grind which I don't know who decides these changes but they obviously took us for fools thinking we wouldn't see what was happening. Its like one reply awhile back said that Cryptic would give an increase of maybe half a level out of the 10 new levels and give themselves a standing ovation and say we came thru for you players! So a little bit more xp was added to what it was but then a magnitude of 3x longer grind than it was before.
Yeah the cats get grumpy though when they are fed moldy dog food.
Record sales, highest livestream numbers ever, more celebs joining with each expansion and coverage on more gaming sites and media hosts than ever.
Yeah, it's like a grumpy cat commercial up in here, terrible
We've already been told by Taco that we should stop pulling the "Best expansion" ever comment as an example of Cryptic lying to us, and even admits it may not be, yet here you are spouting it again. No wonder people still use it. Oh here's tacos post:
Note that the "Most Successful Expansion Ever!" comment was something like a day after launch. And yes, at that moment, the day prior had been (at least one of) our biggest sales days ever. So yes, it was. Is it now, 6 weeks later? I don't know. But please stop trotting that line around as an example of "Cryptic Lying to us."
We've already been told by Taco that we should stop pulling the "Best expansion" ever comment as an example of Cryptic lying to us, and even admits it may not be, yet here you are spouting it again. No wonder people still use it. Oh here's tacos post:
A day? More like a week. The blog post saying that it was most sucessful expanion was made on Oct 21st and the blog post was about lobi giveaway. Expansion was released week ealier on Oct 14th By that time it was very clear how messed up the expansion was because queues were deader than dead and everyone spent a that week in Japori. Tau Dewa patrols were closed on Oct 22nd. That was the last drop.
Waiting for a cristalline pve and borg disconnected for 10-15 mins is not a success (and they were highest populated lately with 20 ppl playing at the same time)....
We've already been told by Taco that we should stop pulling the "Best expansion" ever comment as an example of Cryptic lying to us, and even admits it may not be, yet here you are spouting it again. No wonder people still use it. Oh here's tacos post:
To be fair, Taco only say he doesn't know anymore. But it's not its job. Misquoting Taco will not help.
As for Smirk, he is the PR guy. Even if DR was the worse release ever, and PWE was screaming all over the place because they are bleeding money, he would still say it's a very successful expansion. Part of the job.
I'm not saying it's the worse release ever and all, I was merely giving an example.
As for Smirk's post itself, he doesn't say much if you read carefully.
Record sales, highest livestream numbers ever, more celebs joining with each expansion and coverage on more gaming sites and media hosts than ever.
Yeah, it's like a grumpy cat commercial up in here, terrible
Record sales -> it was record sale the first day of DR, so before the player truly started to play. It was probably all the pack sales BEFORE DR, and thus, unaffected by the quality of DR itself.
Highest livestream numbers ever->It can also mean a lot of people wanted to have some information scrap about what Cryptic will do. Or they wanted to see more about club 47. If it's the club 47 stream, it's not related to DR anyway.
Celebs joining->Doesn't mean it's successful. It just meant you contacted them, and paid them. I know a lot of movies with celebs that were not successful.
Press coverage->doesn't mean much. He doesn't even mention if they talk in good or bad about the game. And having coverage just mean Smirk did his job to do some hype.
Now, server population, that would be an important information. Is it higher than LoR, lower, dropping rapidly ? Obviously, he will not say that, even if it's very high.
I just know Cryptic had to make 3-4 events to keep players into the game. Including free giveaway. You don't do that much when you have a very successful thing going on.
Comments
I'm trying to imagine black friday esque situations in front of Peter Jones in London, or even the other John Lewis store at Oxford street, trafic will be hell. the shops a mess. my poor old colleages xd
Yep, really looking forward to it.
Free Tibet!
Witty, nice choice of posting, I can see why you are "Super Moderator".
Nice baiting, I presume you get your kicks from banning people who slighted you on the forums or in the game.
You do realize that he follows Cryptic's guidlines and isn't here from the goodness of his little heart?
So that makes him what, a volunteer online bouncer with benefits?
You forget the pre-Christmas sale, the New Year sale. Is there are time we don't have a sale over here now? It seems everywhere is becoming DFS.
We didn't until recentl, I think last year. I saw it on the news and thought pathetic behaviour. As I saisd I haven't seen people behave like that since the Cabbage Patch Dolls first came out.
'sorry for the recent garbage you have endured but we are trying to fix it... and for your continued support in these troubling times here's some discounted ships'
It would go against coercion/condescending principle they are operating on.
You really should suggest simple logical solutions to draw in potential customers, makes D'Angelo feel bad, and when he feels bed his soul needs mending via nerfbatting everything in sight.
*chants* Ser-vice sale! Ser-vice sale! Ser-vice sale!
Joined January 2009
As long as they don't discount Tier 5 ships, because that'd be a cynical attempt to get us to pay for a ship, a ship upgrade token and maybe even a fleet ship module.
Actually, I'm betting it'll definitely be Tier 5 ships. Open your wallets and give Cryptic your money, don't ask questions. Just pay them and shut up.
Free Tibet!
free jkname
Get the Forums Enhancement Extension!
Defending The Galaxy By Breaking One Starfleet Regulation After The Next.
Stay tuned for more details. I wish I could tell you more, but I don't get to make those decisions.
~CaptainSmirk
Good luck with your Christmas bonus. (non-existent)
Aww thanks!
Last year was a lot of fun, and we are all looking forward to this years too.
I even get to be a judge in our Thanksgiving Potluck Cook Off Contest tomorrow!
Yay cooking challenges!
~CaptainSmirk
I would just like to take this opportunity to say that I'm sorry that you, Trendy, and the other hard workers who are honestly trying to do the right thing at Cryptic for the customer base have been caught in the crossfire. Sometimes it's very easy to forget that there are indeed human beings behind the computer screen.
Oh my god, I'm a human? Nooooo! I wanted to be an Andorian
But thank you none the less, that is very kind of you
Have fun. Looks the like the way the game is going, it will be your last. Enjoy it while you still can bro.
Record sales, highest livestream numbers ever, more celebs joining with each expansion and coverage on more gaming sites and media hosts than ever.
Yeah, it's like a grumpy cat commercial up in here, terrible
He's just sore because he wants the game to do badly when it isn't.
I love the exaggerations.
Well to be fair all that is true, but it's all about context. Highest sales figures but when? For example I bought the DR expansion pack because of the enjoyment of LoR. Did others? How have sales looked since the DR launch? We don't know.
Livestream numbers, again, probably highest ever but why? Is it that everyone's just so excited by tons of grind that they also tune in to exhort, "Please tell me more about the grinding opportunities!" Or is it that people tune in to hear when things will return to a level of enjoyability?
More celebs. True. I can do the same thing if I hire them.
Coverage in more media. True: the media coverage is there, and it's all almost entirely on the back of "Voyager cast reunite for STO". To note here, its not "STO changes into grindfest, players flock to STO for grinding opportunities".
In a position of an employee, you can't exactly run around hands in the air "The whole thing's a disaster!" so you have to spin what you've got into sounding the best that you can. Whatever you say internally, the outside world has to see the optimistic face. It's like the analogy of the swan: graceful and unfazed up top, paddling like crazy underneath.
Now, I want STO to succeed. By "succeed" I mean "continue to be a source of entertainment that is rewarding and satisfying to play". Currently it's not. From the numbers I've seen, the lack of PvE queues, and the forum posts, I think it's not for a lot more people than just me. My fear is that the PR spin is being believed internally and if that's the case, either it won't change and will become just a mindless grinder with a singular storyline for players with no opportunity to play the way you individually want; or it will be realized too late that it's not really working, and it's not really going to work... it's been five weeks now and at some point, the opportunity to entice players back will be lost. And then, we all lose.
If it becomes a mindless grinder, that wouldn't be good. I am a month into the game and so far I am not easily impressed. I have probably spent only 20 bucks for the game and the grind was great enough before Delta Rising came about. I was playing WoW before I played STO. Maybe not anymore. I guess we will see.
Sales are not always the best measure of success. As you said how many DR sales were because of the reception of LoR? How many will have been lost because of DR next expansion? Hard to say but when your revenue stream relies on repeat business today's sales are less important than tomorrows.
Giveaways. The only reason I left the livestream in the back round for the single one I watched.
I call bull. Media coverage for sto has been terribly lacking mostly being nothing beyond cut'n'paste of the dev blogs. Even massively's coverage has been borderline empty. Their is only one regular podcast left the others are very inconsistent.
Beyond that google 'Star Trek Online Delta Rising Review'. Tell me what you find. The media coverage for this game is awful.
I'll give you slack for everything else because I don't know the details. But when it comes to media coverage both fan based, old media, and new media, it hardly exists. Not exactly sure why either, seems a lack of interest primarily as even youtube videos don't break the 1k mark about STO from what I've seen.
I kind of find this hard to believe. For one the livesteam more than likely is fewer % of the player base than the KDF is so like 1 new person watching it would be considered a record breaking feat. Fleets I am in contact with are showing their numbers are pretty much down to nothing and coverage would entail there being some kind of communication which there really hasn't been for over a year(if there is any coverage its about things that are old news by the time they get to us).
I think my main gripe is that while the episodes/missions were nice but the grind in between missions by the time you get to 60 then its more massive of a grind than any grind done before where given this was in production and development for well over a year... A player like myself would expect more than a rep grind(with absolutely garbage gear makes me wish I could turn off that rep box dropping in my inventory), and then the skill point grind which I don't know who decides these changes but they obviously took us for fools thinking we wouldn't see what was happening. Its like one reply awhile back said that Cryptic would give an increase of maybe half a level out of the 10 new levels and give themselves a standing ovation and say we came thru for you players! So a little bit more xp was added to what it was but then a magnitude of 3x longer grind than it was before.
Yeah the cats get grumpy though when they are fed moldy dog food.
We've already been told by Taco that we should stop pulling the "Best expansion" ever comment as an example of Cryptic lying to us, and even admits it may not be, yet here you are spouting it again. No wonder people still use it. Oh here's tacos post:
http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showpost.php?p=20901091&postcount=282
A day? More like a week. The blog post saying that it was most sucessful expanion was made on Oct 21st and the blog post was about lobi giveaway. Expansion was released week ealier on Oct 14th By that time it was very clear how messed up the expansion was because queues were deader than dead and everyone spent a that week in Japori. Tau Dewa patrols were closed on Oct 22nd. That was the last drop.
As for Smirk, he is the PR guy. Even if DR was the worse release ever, and PWE was screaming all over the place because they are bleeding money, he would still say it's a very successful expansion. Part of the job.
I'm not saying it's the worse release ever and all, I was merely giving an example.
As for Smirk's post itself, he doesn't say much if you read carefully.
Now, server population, that would be an important information. Is it higher than LoR, lower, dropping rapidly ? Obviously, he will not say that, even if it's very high.
I just know Cryptic had to make 3-4 events to keep players into the game. Including free giveaway. You don't do that much when you have a very successful thing going on.