test content
Logo
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc
Time for a season dedicated to a ground combat overhaul
genemorph
Member Posts: 404 Arc User
I have to say I prefer space missions, but the reason why is because ground combat handles so terribly for a modern MMO. After playing something like GW2 or SWtoR, STO ground combat is like taking a step 10 years backwards. The walk, run and sprint animation is awful, just isn't fluid enough. If you hit the corner of an object you become stuck. Rolls sometimes work but often don't. The targeting mechanics could be much better and need an overhaul. The objectives for the older stfs need to be streamline and more PUG friendly. I'm sure people can add much more to this. Some of the level designs allow for the poor mechanics (like open world, colony invasion etc.), but most are a clunky experience.
The whole ground combat system is well over due for a total rework. For that amount of work I'm guessing you would need to dedicate a season of work to it. It is possible that there are game engine limitations, but surely it can do better than what we have now.
The whole ground combat system is well over due for a total rework. For that amount of work I'm guessing you would need to dedicate a season of work to it. It is possible that there are game engine limitations, but surely it can do better than what we have now.
0
Comments
Have to admit I would like better ground combat. But I think a lot of it is down to engine limitations. And if they were going to update the engine theyd do space as well and it would be a massive undertaking.
I just don't see it happening.
Yeah pretty much this. ^
In my opinion, ground combat is fairly consistent with Cryptic's other games, which means I don't anticipate that it could be changed. What makes ground combat more or less interesting to me is the reason to use abilities - so environmental factors and map geometry as they can be used to counter the combatants. Encounter design can always be worked on, but there are limitations to what the devs can reasonably do without someone higher up sanctioning an AI code re-write.
I would rather see us expand towards non-combat mechanics, such as map investigation and puzzle solving using our tricorders. Think minigames mixed with batman arkham series detective mode/star trek 2013 game.
I'd be surprised if they are not already thinking about how they can implement a better Genesis 2.0 exploration system (for game longevity). Look at what the competition are publicizing (infinite solar system exploration and actual "dynamic" planets). That'll fall short too, but they not before money is spent elsewhere. Perfect time to consider a ground overhaul in conjunction with an exploration expan. in my opinion.
Really, the only major wish I have for ground now is for universal kits to come out that allow cross-career module use. My healer sci main would love sneaking around with stealth module! I don't know, I'm just hard pressed to imagine many ways ground could be enhanced except maybe increasing weapon ranges some and of course loosening the tailor restrictions, especially for boffs. That's another thing about ground, having awesome outfits for our characters!
Just leave it as it is. At least it isn't broken.
I don't think a complete overhaul is necessary, then again I may simply be missing some things.
Making the missions more PUG-friendly isn't necessary IMO, although some objectives may need to be looked at. For example: Infected ground. The first group that tries to assimilate the player is located around a corner, which means that people who are new to it don't get a chance to see "hey, I just came too close and now that crewman's safety is in jeopardy". By the time they see the red text in their mission objectives screen, they won't have had a chance to see what's going on. Relocating this group so that they're immediately in the line of sight will give people an opportunity to learn. Same thing for example with Bug hunt. Place some markers (on normal) where the alarm bugs will spawn for example, so people learn to look for them. Generally, I think normal missions should give people a chance to learn something, the current design of ground (but also space) missions may be a bit flawed in that respect.
What I would like to see, is more search-and-disable missions like Federation Starbase Incursion. I really like that mission, the searching for enemies, patrolling. More missions like these, with more random maps and such would be a great addition to ground combat in my opinion.
Season 4.
It was supposed to be "The Great Revival" of Ground Combat, with Shooter Mode being the new hawtness.
For a short while (like, two weeks), it was. Ground combat wasn't so bad - until people realized that it was increasingly difficult to use the various buffs and abilities while in Shooter Mode, and Tacs with Shotguns could just run around one shotting everything and Engies formed impenetrable castles.
"Sorry guys. Cryptic doesn't make "ground ships." They don't make any money on it, so they don't want you playing it."
Selling ships is one of the two cash cows in the game. That and lock boxes which have what again? That's right, ships. The profitability of this game is based entirely on ships. Now, of course, the devs do give us new ground adventure zones every once in a while but I seriously doubt that they will focus an entire season on ground combat. It would be nice though.
This is true. But if they made ground combat a good experience they could branch out the C-Store there too. I mean there are only so many different iterations of ships with different seating arrangements and weapon layouts you can make. Putting all your eggs in one basket is a recipe for disaster. T7 and T8 ships incoming.
Indeed, there is a lot of shniies they could create for ground lovers if they put their mind into it. I suppose I should take back some of what I've said earlier, just because I was a little tired at the time of the posting, but there is in fact a lot they could do, like a revamped combat pet system, pet interaction, actual uses for pets, like retrieving loot as a training sold which can be applied to pets, Tricorder types, ground devices, sell extra ground device slots (One of which can be a combat pet module for all classes that functions like a hangar). I'm sure I could think of more now as I ponder it, but they could if they really wanted to. Ships get old after a while, we do need ground love! But that doesn't excuse the broken state of space though.
Think about it, we're fighting in the trenches against our enemy and we have to go over the top. How do you keep from getting killed immediately? Hop in your own personal armored vehicle, courtesy of your local C-store outlet. It's an obvious money grab but I think it'd be fun to play.
If they would lay there hand on it, it would become near-unplayable and undesireable to play.
Its a star trek game. Players dont join for ground combat. They want to play captain and shoot the enemies with their shipweapons. And ground adventure zones are only heavily populated when players need them for a reputation, else they are more or less vacant.
I like the current mechanic because it's simple and follows the basic MMO style. But I agree the animations could be much better. I'm fine with other improvements as long as we're not talking turning ground combat into a first-person shooter.
STO Screenshot Archive
If I wanted good ground combat, I would playing other games. STO should be about space, and space has enough problems as it is that I'd prefer the devs concentrate there.
I agree. cover in startrek is pretty dang important. But i had to tell him that the engine would not be able to do any of that. ^^
I don't think they "Don't want you to play ground", because ground combat is one of the few places to earn Salvaged Tech...maybe the most sought after R&D material.
Maybe the numbers aren't that high for ground combat, therefore they concentrate on space.
I like both quite a lot tbh.