One day, it will likely be known that the Romulan Star Empire was manipulated into war with the Dominion. When that day comes, it will brush aside the other legacies of Captain Benjamin Sisko like footnotes for all but Bajor’s faithful.
Easily the most interesting thing in the post for me. Are the secrets of the past going to come to light in STO?
Has a new lockbox ever been released before without a new lobi store ship being released at the same time? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the first time that's happened.
I was wondering the same thing... unless the 4 nacelle version has yet to be announced?
Interesting ship, needs more Saucer thou. Look forward to ship blogs.
I would support this game in the C-Store if lock boxes got nerfed. Not sure what other method would be employed? It would kill Lobi too, unless we could earn it ingame or convert GPL to it.
If things go well, this will probably be the last lock box STO will see, at least here in the U.S.
??
There's been talks of making Loot Boxes illegal thru federal law in the US, that said it might still take months or even years before that law becomes a reality.
And depeding on the law it might mean that C-store must be closed as well. thus killing STO permamently as there's no revenue for Cryptic anymore. Unless it means return to subcriptions.
I Agree the Nacelles should fold and there should also be a bridge.
Nacelle folding is possible but I would say an unique bridge is highly unlikely unless said bridge is used in a mission or TFO, it just takes too much resources to make one.
Interesting ship, needs more Saucer thou. Look forward to ship blogs.
I would support this game in the C-Store if lock boxes got nerfed. Not sure what other method would be employed? It would kill Lobi too, unless we could earn it ingame or convert GPL to it.
Maybe do an occasional Kickstart to raise funds.
Aternatively, the Lobi items could also be moved over to the GPL store... But, in the interim, they could go with your idea of converting GPL into Lobi, as an alternative means of gaining Lobi items.
The legislation, introduced into the US Senate, aims to ban loot boxes, and pay-to-win micro-transactions. Not all MTX.
That does not, of course, answer the question of whether STO could survive without loot boxes. And there's no guarantee that this bill will pass the Senate and become law (or when that law would take effect). Plus, I'm sure there will be debate on what exactly constitutes a "pay to win" MTX. I doubt the C-Store would be closed. But without Loot Boxes, something would have to be done about the Lobi store.
Personally, I would not mind seeing loot boxes banned. Even if it means some games would have to shut down. The industry has had years to self regulate, and they have refused to do so.
There's also the issue of how its implimented. Battlefront 2's implimentation was a disaster, as you HAD to open boxes in order to progress. Meanwhile Team Fortress 2's lockbox system is entirely optional as there's like 5 different ways to get things from them including through the box, and the only thing you get special out of it is maybe a Strange quality that has a score tracker. Literally nothing required to stay competative. Its all cosmetic.
STO's is pretty similar to TF2's in that way. They're nice to have, but are not necessary and someone who doesn't open boxes can still get the shiny.
Unless they make sure to specify SPECIFICALLY predatory behavior of sticking required items in lootbox mechanics that have viruturally no alternative way of getting them, they are threatening pretty much every F2P game in existance. I say virturally because EA's attempt at mitigating by saying "oh you CAN grind them out for free" was laughable because you'd practically have no choice anyways unless you want to LIVE in the game for over a year. It was basically blackmailing you into spending money just to keep your head above water.
Has a new lockbox ever been released before without a new lobi store ship being released at the same time? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the first time that's happened.
I came on to ask about that too. I don't remember it happening. @ambassadorkael#6946 can you shed some light on that? Thanks!
Don't let them promote you. Don't let them transfer you. Don't let them do anything that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you're there... you can make a difference.
-Captain James T. Kirk
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,596Community Moderator
Nacelle folding is possible but I would say an unique bridge is highly unlikely unless said bridge is used in a mission or TFO, it just takes too much resources to make one.
Not just possible. It WILL because its a transformer. Its got the Dyson transforming mechanic that was recently revamped with the release of the Mirror Crossfield.
As for a bridge... I'd say its 50/50 on that. We've had a few that weren't in a mission, like the 26th Century bridges on Temporal ships like the Paladin. Also the Kelvin ships all came with unique bridges, and we only ever saw the Connie bridge in a mission.
Nacelle folding is possible but I would say an unique bridge is highly unlikely unless said bridge is used in a mission or TFO, it just takes too much resources to make one.
Not just possible. It WILL because its a transformer. Its got the Dyson transforming mechanic that was recently revamped with the release of the Mirror Crossfield.
As for a bridge... I'd say its 50/50 on that. We've had a few that weren't in a mission, like the 26th Century bridges on Temporal ships like the Paladin. Also the Kelvin ships all came with unique bridges, and we only ever saw the Connie bridge in a mission.
I hope it does have the folding nacelles and bridge but I don't think we are going to get em, The only way we can get the bridge is if there is a mission with that bridge in.
The transformation to Tactical Mode is cool, but where the nacelles pivot leaves 2 giant open gaps in the armor, seems a bad thing. I'd think there'd be some sort of armor cover that moves over.
Plus, the pivot is at the bottom of the break, making me think there's no conduits, or whatever, that actually run from the ship to the nacelles.
Just some 'reality' thoughts that popped into my head when I saw the animation.
Nacelle folding is possible but I would say an unique bridge is highly unlikely unless said bridge is used in a mission or TFO, it just takes too much resources to make one.
Not just possible. It WILL because its a transformer. Its got the Dyson transforming mechanic that was recently revamped with the release of the Mirror Crossfield.
As for a bridge... I'd say its 50/50 on that. We've had a few that weren't in a mission, like the 26th Century bridges on Temporal ships like the Paladin. Also the Kelvin ships all came with unique bridges, and we only ever saw the Connie bridge in a mission.
When I posted this the stats had not been posted yet. Cryptic has said that it takes around the same time to make s bridge/interior map as it takes to make a episode or was it a ship one or the other, either way making a bridge is a lot of work, I'm not saying they won't but what I'm saying is that you should expect a generic bridge and if you get a unique one it's a bonus.
In the first, whoever actually types up these posts really should be better acquainted with the formatting functions; having naked URLs is a touch untidy from a presentation standpoint.
Cryptic has said that it takes around the same time to make s bridge/interior map as it takes to make a episode or was it a ship one or the other, either way making a bridge is a lot of work,
Is anyone else unconvinced that 1-2 rooms can take as much time and effort to make as an entire episode, especially with the latter having cutscenes, voice acting, and everything else that goes into it? Okay, moving on...
While there are interesting toys to be had, I for one also see missed opportunities. To elaborate in part:
having the covert weapons available in disruptor form as well would be entirely consistent with canon (in fact, it could be argued that they should only come as disruptors, because phasers are practically the Federation's signature weapon);
the covert phaser pistol is interesting, but why stop there? This item instead should have been a 'clearance' which makes the full roster of covert weapons - pistols and longarms (all rifles; pulsewaves); for obvious reasons miniguns and blast-assault weapons are not included - purchasable from that character's dilithium store. Mechanically, I would not be surprised if these weapons also have a bonus to flanking and ambush damage;
again - the vanity shields should be a line item in their own right, not a possibility-within-a-possibility
In fact, point two above inspires this possible consideration. For a while I've been saying that there is little in-universe justification for much of this technology being exclusively available from this Lobi Consortium... for example, it would not be unreasonable to expect to be able to requisition Elachi gear from the New Romulus rep store, unlocked at the same thresholds as the existing reputation weapons. With that in mind, I suggest this compromise, inspired by how Grinding Gear Games handles these things: a new lockbox with a new weapon flavor arrives, and runs for X period of time. Y period after the expiration of X, said weapons are added to an appropriate rep store (or the general dilithium store if none is available).
> @rattler2 said: > nathankirts wrote: » > > The legislation, introduced into the US Senate, aims to ban loot boxes, and pay-to-win micro-transactions. Not all MTX. > > That does not, of course, answer the question of whether STO could survive without loot boxes. And there's no guarantee that this bill will pass the Senate and become law (or when that law would take effect). Plus, I'm sure there will be debate on what exactly constitutes a "pay to win" MTX. I doubt the C-Store would be closed. But without Loot Boxes, something would have to be done about the Lobi store. > > Personally, I would not mind seeing loot boxes banned. Even if it means some games would have to shut down. The industry has had years to self regulate, and they have refused to do so. > > > > > There's also the issue of how its implimented. Battlefront 2's implimentation was a disaster, as you HAD to open boxes in order to progress. Meanwhile Team Fortress 2's lockbox system is entirely optional as there's like 5 different ways to get things from them including through the box, and the only thing you get special out of it is maybe a Strange quality that has a score tracker. Literally nothing required to stay competative. Its all cosmetic. > > STO's is pretty similar to TF2's in that way. They're nice to have, but are not necessary and someone who doesn't open boxes can still get the shiny. > > Unless they make sure to specify SPECIFICALLY predatory behavior of sticking required items in lootbox mechanics that have viruturally no alternative way of getting them, they are threatening pretty much every F2P game in existance. I say virturally because EA's attempt at mitigating by saying "oh you CAN grind them out for free" was laughable because you'd practically have no choice anyways unless you want to LIVE in the game for over a year. It was basically blackmailing you into spending money just to keep your head above water.
I think the lock boxes in STO are somewhere between cosmetic and necessary. There are ships and items that you can only get via the boxes. And ships are not simply cosmetic. They have varied configurations of bridge officer stations, console slots, and, as to T6, unique traits that you cannot otherwise acquire. The Lobi store is also problematic, but only because of the steep item prices. Have you ever calculated the average price of the items there, based on the average drop rate of Lobi?
At the very least, there should be two improvements implemented. One, the odds on lock boxes should be posted. When I buy a lottery ticket, for example, the odds of winning every prize is printed on the back of the ticket. Consumers have the right to know what they're buying. Informed choice and all that. Two, all items in the Zen Store, Dil Store, or Lobi Store should have a real world currency value listed for reference.
Comments
Easily the most interesting thing in the post for me. Are the secrets of the past going to come to light in STO?
I would support this game in the C-Store if lock boxes got nerfed. Not sure what other method would be employed? It would kill Lobi too, unless we could earn it ingame or convert GPL to it.
Maybe do an occasional Kickstart to raise funds.
There's been talks of making Loot Boxes illegal thru federal law in the US, that said it might still take months or even years before that law becomes a reality.
And depeding on the law it might mean that C-store must be closed as well. thus killing STO permamently as there's no revenue for Cryptic anymore. Unless it means return to subcriptions.
Nacelle folding is possible but I would say an unique bridge is highly unlikely unless said bridge is used in a mission or TFO, it just takes too much resources to make one.
There's also the issue of how its implimented. Battlefront 2's implimentation was a disaster, as you HAD to open boxes in order to progress. Meanwhile Team Fortress 2's lockbox system is entirely optional as there's like 5 different ways to get things from them including through the box, and the only thing you get special out of it is maybe a Strange quality that has a score tracker. Literally nothing required to stay competative. Its all cosmetic.
STO's is pretty similar to TF2's in that way. They're nice to have, but are not necessary and someone who doesn't open boxes can still get the shiny.
Unless they make sure to specify SPECIFICALLY predatory behavior of sticking required items in lootbox mechanics that have viruturally no alternative way of getting them, they are threatening pretty much every F2P game in existance. I say virturally because EA's attempt at mitigating by saying "oh you CAN grind them out for free" was laughable because you'd practically have no choice anyways unless you want to LIVE in the game for over a year. It was basically blackmailing you into spending money just to keep your head above water.
I came on to ask about that too. I don't remember it happening. @ambassadorkael#6946 can you shed some light on that? Thanks!
Don't let them promote you. Don't let them transfer you. Don't let them do anything that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you're there... you can make a difference.
-Captain James T. Kirk
Not just possible. It WILL because its a transformer. Its got the Dyson transforming mechanic that was recently revamped with the release of the Mirror Crossfield.
As for a bridge... I'd say its 50/50 on that. We've had a few that weren't in a mission, like the 26th Century bridges on Temporal ships like the Paladin. Also the Kelvin ships all came with unique bridges, and we only ever saw the Connie bridge in a mission.
I hope it does have the folding nacelles and bridge but I don't think we are going to get em, The only way we can get the bridge is if there is a mission with that bridge in.
I hope i'm wrong however
https://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/11157083-command-the-ships-of-the-section-31-lock-box!
I'd bring in the animation, but its a full on video but not YouTube so I don't know how to bring it over into this thread.
Anyone want to give me a Temporal Heavy Dreadnought pack? I'll be your friend
Plus, the pivot is at the bottom of the break, making me think there's no conduits, or whatever, that actually run from the ship to the nacelles.
Just some 'reality' thoughts that popped into my head when I saw the animation.
When I posted this the stats had not been posted yet. Cryptic has said that it takes around the same time to make s bridge/interior map as it takes to make a episode or was it a ship one or the other, either way making a bridge is a lot of work, I'm not saying they won't but what I'm saying is that you should expect a generic bridge and if you get a unique one it's a bonus.
Is anyone else unconvinced that 1-2 rooms can take as much time and effort to make as an entire episode, especially with the latter having cutscenes, voice acting, and everything else that goes into it? Okay, moving on...
While there are interesting toys to be had, I for one also see missed opportunities. To elaborate in part:
In fact, point two above inspires this possible consideration. For a while I've been saying that there is little in-universe justification for much of this technology being exclusively available from this Lobi Consortium... for example, it would not be unreasonable to expect to be able to requisition Elachi gear from the New Romulus rep store, unlocked at the same thresholds as the existing reputation weapons. With that in mind, I suggest this compromise, inspired by how Grinding Gear Games handles these things: a new lockbox with a new weapon flavor arrives, and runs for X period of time. Y period after the expiration of X, said weapons are added to an appropriate rep store (or the general dilithium store if none is available).
> nathankirts wrote: »
>
> The legislation, introduced into the US Senate, aims to ban loot boxes, and pay-to-win micro-transactions. Not all MTX.
>
> That does not, of course, answer the question of whether STO could survive without loot boxes. And there's no guarantee that this bill will pass the Senate and become law (or when that law would take effect). Plus, I'm sure there will be debate on what exactly constitutes a "pay to win" MTX. I doubt the C-Store would be closed. But without Loot Boxes, something would have to be done about the Lobi store.
>
> Personally, I would not mind seeing loot boxes banned. Even if it means some games would have to shut down. The industry has had years to self regulate, and they have refused to do so.
>
>
>
>
> There's also the issue of how its implimented. Battlefront 2's implimentation was a disaster, as you HAD to open boxes in order to progress. Meanwhile Team Fortress 2's lockbox system is entirely optional as there's like 5 different ways to get things from them including through the box, and the only thing you get special out of it is maybe a Strange quality that has a score tracker. Literally nothing required to stay competative. Its all cosmetic.
>
> STO's is pretty similar to TF2's in that way. They're nice to have, but are not necessary and someone who doesn't open boxes can still get the shiny.
>
> Unless they make sure to specify SPECIFICALLY predatory behavior of sticking required items in lootbox mechanics that have viruturally no alternative way of getting them, they are threatening pretty much every F2P game in existance. I say virturally because EA's attempt at mitigating by saying "oh you CAN grind them out for free" was laughable because you'd practically have no choice anyways unless you want to LIVE in the game for over a year. It was basically blackmailing you into spending money just to keep your head above water.
I think the lock boxes in STO are somewhere between cosmetic and necessary. There are ships and items that you can only get via the boxes. And ships are not simply cosmetic. They have varied configurations of bridge officer stations, console slots, and, as to T6, unique traits that you cannot otherwise acquire. The Lobi store is also problematic, but only because of the steep item prices. Have you ever calculated the average price of the items there, based on the average drop rate of Lobi?
At the very least, there should be two improvements implemented. One, the odds on lock boxes should be posted. When I buy a lottery ticket, for example, the odds of winning every prize is printed on the back of the ticket. Consumers have the right to know what they're buying. Informed choice and all that. Two, all items in the Zen Store, Dil Store, or Lobi Store should have a real world currency value listed for reference.