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some things you just can't argue with..
kamble
Member Posts: 0 Arc User
Logged in today and read the following post from a recent thread.. It really struck a chord!
Is this not why many of us play games like these? A small escape from reality? A place to spend a little time away from whatever real life is throwing at us? Somewhere to immerse ourselves in something different? Or simply a place to blow off some steam?
This post was open and sincere, making a very reasoned point, using a real life example i'm sure we can all sympathise with. There is nothing I can say that will lighten the OP's situation, there is nothing of worth i can add to the orginal post. I have heard it said that the only way to genuinly express disasisfaction is to close your wallet.
I have a disability, games like this give me the opportunity to escape, so I totally understand and relate to what was written. I will still log in for the odd event, will definately log in to talk to friends, but, I will no longer be handing over money. After reading the above post I cancelled my sub. I know it wont make a single bit of difference to the game or the company, but then thats really not the point.
Regards
http://i.imgur.com/NLC4uPm.png
I can only offer my own experience, and something that occurred to me today. Mods, devs, whomever, take it as you will.
I had a really good day, and I was in a really good mood up into the evening.
The past two months have been rough. This is our critical time of year at work, and a family member was just diagnosed with a potentially fatal condition. I've found myself in a constant stage of exhaustion, headaches, strange kind of pseudo-agitation...you get the picture.
Today, I had some much needed time off. Work is doing just fine without me for a couple of days, the latest round of blood tests came back showing some really positive improvements, and even found a real-world "toy" I've been waiting a few months for - on sale no less. First really good day in a long time.
Late afternoon, I settled down to play STO for a couple of hours. I did the standard duty officers I always do - rinse and repeat - was only able to get into one STF that I'm used to doing due to low player numbers (Azure, failed when the whole team apparently decided to run around the map aimlessly, engaging one camp & then running away to another), and ultimately decided to try a new queue I've never done before just to see what else there is.
I waited at least 10 minutes for a normal to come up, never did and I was still the only one in queue, so I gambled and tried for an Advanced. I guess no one else on the team knew what to do, because they ran around just as lost as me (one even followed me) - needless to say we failed and then actually COULDN'T leave the instance. I googled it, watched a video of what to do, and tried twice more. Even with a couple of people who clearly knew what they were doing, we never even came close to finishing and ran into multiple obvious bugs.
Two hours later, as we were sitting down for dinner, I realized that I was now in a really foul mood with that nagging headache coming back. I've had a really good day, but a couple of hours with this game was enough to sour that until I realized where it was coming.
I use video games as a way to get lost in a fantasy world, spend time playing with said family member having fun and forgetting about the rest of reality. Right now, I don't find this game fun - I find it frustrating and unrewarding.
This is just my two cents, take it or leave it. With so much attention in this thread, I thought I would give you that honest feedback. Maybe I'm just not the customer you want, I don't know.
Is this not why many of us play games like these? A small escape from reality? A place to spend a little time away from whatever real life is throwing at us? Somewhere to immerse ourselves in something different? Or simply a place to blow off some steam?
This post was open and sincere, making a very reasoned point, using a real life example i'm sure we can all sympathise with. There is nothing I can say that will lighten the OP's situation, there is nothing of worth i can add to the orginal post. I have heard it said that the only way to genuinly express disasisfaction is to close your wallet.
I have a disability, games like this give me the opportunity to escape, so I totally understand and relate to what was written. I will still log in for the odd event, will definately log in to talk to friends, but, I will no longer be handing over money. After reading the above post I cancelled my sub. I know it wont make a single bit of difference to the game or the company, but then thats really not the point.
Regards
http://i.imgur.com/NLC4uPm.png
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Post edited by kamble on
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Comments
Stop playing it in that way, or stop playing it altogether.
I find the queues to be fairly depressing, yet I like the adventure zones. After years of playing this game, most things I have disliked about it fell into two categories:
- Things that started out meh and have become better over time (Foundry)
- Things that started out meh and have become complete garbage over time (PVP)
I simply ignore the parts that get worse and focus on the good parts.
If you dislike the game and choose not play (or to unsub) no one can criticize your decisions. No one can criticize the way the person felt in the post you quoted.
Yet I will submit that anyone who lets a game ruin a good day is, I'm afraid, quite simply immature. You said it yourself -- such amusements should be a release. Much like the enjoyment of sports or the pursuit of a craft. When you let such amusements become so important that you have your day ruined by them, ultimately you have crossed a line.
90% of the complaints in the forums focus on one single thing. That is the choice of the person involved. However, STO forces no one to play. It forces no one to invest so much into it that dislike of some of its features is a good reason to feel upset.
Ultimately, you are correct: you leaving will have zero net effect. By doing so, you have decided it isn't worth your time or being upset over, but you have also removed yourself from the narrative.
Or maybe I shouldn't smile... I understand to some extent what you and the person quoted are going through and it sucks.
I really REALLY hope for you, for the OP and for me that they can find some fairy dust to turn this around.
Well said.. I couldn't agree more.
I'll still play a little, as you said, need to find the areas of the game that still appeal or suit, for me that will be the events and whats remains of doffing. I am a little bemused by your comment regarding allowing a game to ruin your day as being immature. If we are talking about allowing the game to cause an undesirable emotional state as being immature, then is the opposite not also true? Enjoyment from playing is also an emotional response to the game, so i guess we are all immature 1 way or another, oh that and the fact we are all playing made up characters in a fantasy environment
I often have problems with context, and read things very literally, so if i'm missinterpretting your comments i do appologise. The OP clearly had no intention of the game ruining his day, he actually states that, so i feel that your interpretation of the situation does come accros a little cold and unfeeling, and is maybe missing the point somewhat.
Playing the game knowing it is going to upset or ruin your day would make little sense, but playing the game with the intention of having fun, then experiancing unexpected irritation or annoyance, that is very valid and understandable situation to be in. No different to planning a day out that ends with the car getting a flat or being rained on or being stung.. examples of unexpected, undersirable occurances that can quite reasonably ruin your day.
Yeah my heart went out to the OP when i read that post, hopefully s/he will find something to help destract from the current situation. I understand that the majority of players are button thumpers, a games a game and only forms a small part of their day, thats cool, but for others it has been a reliable distraction or escape from reality, the current changes are less condusive to that kind of player, hopefully the game will find a good balance at some point, I'll happily re-sub then.
0.03.... I didnt notice till after i'd hit cancel, im sub'd till 5th of December so hopefully it should tick over to a whole number, or that will haunt me lol
The average player might not really understand what takes place behind their computer monitor and what goes into making this game as-it-is. I do that because I want to know!
But in any case sure we all play this game daily, maybe weekly or maybe monthly. What keeps you coming back is the fact you can fly into the space, but really get more deep with Star Trek.
For Star Trek gaming I started out with the following titles;
Star Trek Star Fleet Academy
Windows PC Game
Star Trek Invasion
Play Station One
Star Trek Online
Windows PC Online Steam Game
As for me today I play when I want too since reaching level 60. Still fun way to play for now!
Time will only tell!
I thought this was a MMO with the purpose of playing with other people.
I decided to be part of a large and very active fleet where I only do ADV STFs with other fleet members,
It works best as we get the optionals, everyone says this is better than queues.
We use TeamSpeak to insure our success, we are older guys in our 40s so its very mellow.
The game has paths you can choose some are better than others.
Choosing to not be in a good fleet or not in some of the private channels.
Then deciding to do missions with people you don't know and cannot talk with.
I just don't see how anyone can come here and complain when you have other choices.
Well sorry you are person who does not like the more successful options and sorry you don't want to be social in a MMO.
Thats definately the best attitude to have, I'm a self confessed altoholic, and i played for all the reasons you qouted.. I think the term im going to use for the current state of play is 'exhaustive' its not an issue of time, its just such a draaaaaaaagg, so im taking myself out of that part of the game. Like you said though, they are always tweeking and hopefully stuff will balance itself out in time. Untill then there is the upcoming winter event.. npc volume off and snow guns at the ready!!
Ah, I think you missunderstand my post, Im in a perfectly good fleet network, 2 fed and 1 kdf fleet at pretty much constant capacity. The post i qouted was from someone who doesnt have much time to play and has some pretty heavy 'real life' concerns and responsibilites.
Up untill the release of DR the game has always been very casual player friendy, many people didnt neccesarily feel the need to be part of large fleets or networks, many people dont even realise there are channels for running STF's etc, yeah its great when you have the support and assistance of fleet mates, but not everyone has that, or is comfortable in that enviroment. Things have changed very much over the past 6 weeks, the casual player balance has been very much stomped on.
It is unfair and arrogant for us to expect everyone to play by the standards or methods we each use, especially when the casual, lone player used to be able to function comfortably before the expansion.
Those 2 other older Star Trek game titles, most were pushed out as-is! Not so much help with support or fixing things except for the Windows PC Game Patch. PS1 has a lot of TP but still you could get around them.
Star Trek Online Steam Version is a lot better tech than the prior two I had played. As new tech comes out better features. Still a learning process in current tech and future tech. Game Engine Tech will improve as well as new Producers, Arts, Designers and Programmers join into Star Trek Online Family!
Well have fun!
Time will only tell!
The events are always a nice break for the norm, like bubbles within the game, providing quick short goal oriented objectives that almost hide the grind. Also very easy to keep your doffs busy too.
Have fun, and thanks for posting
So true, the game should be for everyone.
They are not talking about having a gaming experience ruining a good day. They are talking about using the game as an escape from a really &#^#%& day (week... month... year...) and suddenly finding they now are getting stress in the exact place they were trying to avoid it.
Your cold, "stop playing, you won't be missed" response fails to see the point and is , frankly, wrong.
I am in a similar place, as far as escape. I am helping raise 2 kids who come from an abusive and neglectful home. One of them is in a constant state of trying to aggrivate anyone around them (and unless you have actually dealt with a kid with RAD, don't even try to say "Yeah, kids are like that" because frankly, they are not!) so playing this game is a much needed escape/release. The new post-DR grind is making this harder to do. One of the things that keeps me coming back is fleetmates, some of whom have seemingly decided the game isn't worth the hassle anymore. They will be missed.
That is pure Trek ideology, if it was printed on a flag i'd salute it!
A diverse population, is for me, what kept the game bearable, or at least provided an illusion of such. Different ideas.. different attitudes.. different strengths.. and wiggle room for weaknesses, kept it varied and interesting. This new end game model doesnt really seem to allow for that at present. Its more of a funnel into sameness, and that just turns things into a humdrum factory, where I find myself staring at characters i have worked hard on and think to myself.. 'ok, some of you have to go'
I'd like to point out this is inaccurate.
It has not always been "very casual player friendly".
Before the reputation system gave us daily bonuses (so we only needed to do one thing to make good progress) we had to grind, and before the reputation system existed we had practically no chance of getting Omega gear (the only endgame set at the time) without grinding STFs, which were hardcore "raids" that took at least an hour.
(I'm not even going to get into the definition of "casual player"...)
Yep, thats the message I was trying to get accross, I think it propbably makes more sense to those of us is in, or having experienced some kind of situation or need for escape. To others it may just be a game to play to pass the time, or revisiting the IP in high def. MMO's are so convenient for this very reason, its a switch on a box, 2 minutes later you are in-game and playing. I think STO had always been a great game in that regard, as it was so casual player friendly.. And when the stress levels are up and all you may be getting is 30mins peace and quiet (if you are lucky) pre DR, you were almost guarenteed an STF or 2.
Hopefully they will reign in the progressional grind and make some changes to bring back happy casual playing, untill then, at least we have the winter event, thats an easy score right there!!
Also, you are doing a really good thing, I'm going to use the word 'admirable' here, I have so much respect for couples who choose to dedicate themselves to helping children.
Thanks for the post
Yes.
...and, that is why I have come full circle. When a game or piece of entertainment stops being fun, the only logical solution is to find something else to enjoy.
I just bought "Dragon Age: Inquisition".
Its time to save Orlais!
I hope things improve & only time will tell.
I have been playing since January 2012, so I am in no position to comment from before that point. In game terms 'Always' for me is from then until now.
As to the definition of casual.. I would class myself as a casual player, I have characters in Fleet, I have characters not in fleet. Defining something as casual is subjective, its an opinion based on my experiance of the subject. I appreciate what may seem casual to 1 person may not seem casual to another, but then I wasnt writing from your perspective, I was writing from mine.
Thanks for you post
Ive heard some good things about that game.. Have thee much fun!!
Yeah fingers crossed Cap. Im hoping the winter event will take the pressure of, and give the powers that be the space to properly evaluate whats going on. Hopefully they will make some changes that move the game back to a more casual friendly stance, hopefully. The artwork and enviroment is awesome, and I really want to be immersed in it, its just way too unforgiving at the moment.
Thanks for posting
Former Community Moderator, Former SSR DJ, Now Full time father to two kids, Husband, Retail Worker.
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