This is something that bugs me endlessly. I look at those ST:D ships and not one is interesting to me because they are all ugly. So many of them (at least on the FED side; the kdf ships need totally different meshes to ever be interesting) are just this close to being nice ships though, if not for the boxy, ugly shapes, and to a lesser extent the skins. I guess you could say if they were about oh, say, ~25% different I might like them. And having never watched ST:D, I don't have any connection or interest to them for any other reason.
So, I don't buy them. I don't want to fly any of them. Yes it is me being completely shallow and superficial, but space barbie matters. At the end of the day, I can't help but thinking if they had TNG style aesthetics and curves to them, I'd actually want to fly a number of them.
Yes. So much of the game (and the fanbase) are keyed around the TNG-DS9-VOY era aesthetics, that honestly every Federation ship should have an option of an alternate skin in that style, or a really good reason why not (like the Wells/Verne).
That's not to say they need to be screen-canon ships though. The devs did a good job emulating the style with ships like the Guardian and the Command Battlecruisers and the Miracle Worker Cruisers. Heck, even the Phantom and the Pilot Escorts have a certain Defiant-ish-ness to them.
Yes, I've always been impressed with Cryptic designs, even those MW cruisers. They look like they actually fit in with the canon ships very well.
No. I prefer to fly the main/hero ships from the various shows/movies, so most of the non-main ships don't really interest me. That said, my personal preference is irrelevant to market demand, so Cryptic should do whatever their data shows them there is a demand for.
I'd love it if they allowed us to kitbash with parts from every type of Connie. It would be...interesting, to say the least.
That specific style wouldn't be appropriate for every ship, though.
The Mirandas do not have parts that are exactly appropriate either...but you can still select them. Hell, thar be plenty of clippings on char outfits too.
No. I prefer to fly the main/hero ships from the various shows/movies, so most of the non-main ships don't really interest me. That said, my personal preference is irrelevant to market demand, so Cryptic should do whatever their data shows them there is a demand for.
Well I think that's the benefit of releasing the Engle + Earhart, right? Folk who want the original have it, plus folk who want the STO-timeline variant have it. I'm really happy when they do that.
The DSC do have 2410 parts, which are all decent, with the exception of the cartoonish nacelles on a couple of them. However, mixing them up produces some decent variations.
"You don't want to patrol!? You don't want to escort!? You don't want to defend the Federation's Starbases!? Then why are you flying my Starships!? If you were a Klingon you'd be killed on the spot, but lucky for you.....you WERE in Starfleet. Let's see how New Zealand Penal Colony suits you." Adm A. Necheyev.
I'd love it if they allowed us to kitbash with parts from every type of Connie. It would be...interesting, to say the least.
That specific style wouldn't be appropriate for every ship, though.
The Mirandas do not have parts that are exactly appropriate either...but you can still select them. Hell, thar be plenty of clippings on char outfits too.
well yes, but you're missing my point (and moving the goalposts).
I was just saying that the Connie parts specifically might not be appropriate, but something vaguely in the "design language" of the TNG-to-VOY era should be available for every Fed ship unless there's a good story reason there would not be (i.e. timeships). That could be something unique to that particular ship (to preserve the basic shape/mesh uniqueness)... but giving the feel of a ship that, for example, would not look out of place in a Dominion War battle scene.
Oh, I know what you were saying, and yes...I was moving the goalposts a little, why not? I'd be for any expansion on ship aesthetics; choice is good. We are well beyond the immersion factor of this game...and even wonky aesthetics would be grand.
I too wish that my disco connie could use original skin myself. I would do that in a heartbeat if it was allowed.
Well... it DOES have access to the Type 0 hull material, which is the default for the TOS Connie. And Legendery DSC Connies can have a hull material that gives it a more TOS look, along with a few more TOS cosmetic details like straight pylons.
I too wish that my disco connie could use original skin myself. I would do that in a heartbeat if it was allowed.
Well... it DOES have access to the Type 0 hull material, which is the default for the TOS Connie. And Legendery DSC Connies can have a hull material that gives it a more TOS look, along with a few more TOS cosmetic details like straight pylons.
It would be nice if we could select different aspects of a ship skin...type 0 hull, with type 8 deflector, and say...nx engines.
Well... it DOES have access to the Type 0 hull material, which is the default for the TOS Connie. And Legendery DSC Connies can have a hull material that gives it a more TOS look, along with a few more TOS cosmetic details like straight pylons.
I just dislike the nacells. I like the legendary temp connie from the original series, those parts are what I would use, to be honest.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
I just dislike the nacells. I like the legendary temp connie from the original series, those parts are what I would use, to be honest.
I think a lot of people would love the ability to kitbash all connie variants. Hell... I wouldn't mind seeing the DSC nacelles on the TOS. But unfortunately the models are all different sizes and not compatable with each other. So, to quote a certain gun nut protagonist in Tremors...
The DSC do have 2410 parts, which are all decent, with the exception of the cartoonish nacelles on a couple of them. However, mixing them up produces some decent variations.
I'd disagree with that entirely. The only one that really comes close is the Earhart that has many of the sleeker lines fitting the era. Everything else is very boxy and ugly.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
The Gagarin could probably do with different nacelles, but I think that one was a good adaptation of the Shepard class.
Also not all TMP redesigns feel right. The Georgiou refit of the Walker feels alright, except maybe the nacelles, but the Columbia TMP refit of the NX (Legendary)... the pylons and Secondary hull just do NOT sit right with me. Also the Nacelles feel like a hybrid of Excelsior and Constitution Refit, and overall the design just feels... chunky.
The Gagarin could probably do with different nacelles, but I think that one was a good adaptation of the Shepard class.
Also not all TMP redesigns feel right. The Georgiou refit of the Walker feels alright, except maybe the nacelles, but the Columbia TMP refit of the NX (Legendary)... the pylons and Secondary hull just do NOT sit right with me. Also the Nacelles feel like a hybrid of Excelsior and Constitution Refit, and overall the design just feels... chunky.
The Georgiou's multiple torpedo tubes would like to have a word with you
But yeah, different styles are gonna appear to different folks. I love the Georgiou, but there are more than enough ships for everyone to find something they like. And I like how many options we have, from different eras.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
The Georgiou's multiple torpedo tubes would like to have a word with you
I actually have a T6 Walker I'm using that underslung Torp module on. I admit I'm using almost all Walker parts, but that torp module was too good to pass up. Also I'm using one of the NX hull materials. Had to use MACO engines for cosmetic but... doesn't look bad at all.
A TOS, or TMP, Gagarin/Walker class; I'd buy that for a dollar. A mod community would help this game quite a bit...imagine the possibilities.
The problem is you can't really have mod support for an MMO. The closest we had was the Foundry. And that was an ad hoc system itself.
True, there is no mod support for MMOs, but there is always an opportunity for firsts. They can release limited tools that allow mods to create models, and textures, for the game. They'd submit their work for review...fit/finish QA; if models work out they are placed in game with creator credits.
🤷🏽♂️ Something outside the box for MMOs. Yes, there are legal hurdles, but it could add a boost to an old game.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
In the case of models, legal hurdles turn into literal mountains because of copyright laws. That's why we don't have fan submitted designs anymore. The Design the Next Enterprise contect was a legal nightmare apparently. You open the mod door, you're not only going to have god knows how many fan designs flooding the game (like the Excalibur class that I've seen floating around for years), but designs from games owned by other companies (like the Achilles class from Dominion Wars).
And any fan designs that Cryptic likes... they'd have to not only do the whole legal dance with the creator to obtain rights to use it, they have to get the green light from CBS as well, which means giving CBS the rights to the design as well, like with the Design the Next Enterprise contest.
Its not gonna happen with an MMO.
Now FF14 does have some client side mods that only show up locally, like model replacements for weapons and hairstyles, but again that is pure client side. Not only that... its easier to do in FF14 because you don't have customizable weapons and mounts the way we have customizable starships. I could see a Dark Knight with a basic claymore, but the Dark Knight might be holding the frickin' Biggeron Sword or Buster Sword on their screen.
I can't see anything like that happening in STO.
In the case of models, legal hurdles turn into literal mountains because of copyright laws. That's why we don't have fan submitted designs anymore. The Design the Next Enterprise contect was a legal nightmare apparently. You open the mod door, you're not only going to have god knows how many fan designs flooding the game (like the Excalibur class that I've seen floating around for years), but designs from games owned by other companies (like the Achilles class from Dominion Wars).
Design the Next Enterprise is an FCT topic, saying that exactly.
15) Inclusion of Fan-Designed Ships or Ships from Other Star Trek Licensees
Short answer: No, this is not likely to happen.
For ships from other Star Trek licensed properties, for example Star Trek: Starfleet Command, the tabletop RPGs by FASA or Last Unicorn Games, or any original ships Pocket Books' novel writers may invent in the future, Cryptic has to negotiate for the rights to each design individually with the other license-holder, as they did pre-launch with the Luna-class reconnaissance science vessel (Pocket Books' Star Trek: Titan) and Vesta-class multi-mission explorer (Pocket Books' Star Trek: Destiny). It's simply faster and cheaper for them to create their own original ships.
There are several fan-designed or fan-named ships already in the game, but the fracas that ensued over the "Design the Next Enterprise" contest has led the development team to decide against soliciting any further designs. There was one other competition since then to design what became the Jupiter-class carrier, but it involved variations of developer-made designs.
Any ship that appeared in a Star Trek TV show or film is still potentially fair game, though.
EDIT: I should add they've since done the Jupiter design process again, with the Summer ship. So that's clearly where they want to go.
I run from Like to don't terribly dislike on the Fed side Disco ships.
The KDF stuff on the other hand can be quite...um...not appealing.
I would never say no to more skins for ships.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
I run from Like to don't terribly dislike on the Fed side Disco ships.
The KDF stuff on the other hand can be quite...um...not appealing.
I would never say no to more skins for ships.
Some of the DSC Klingon ships actually look a bit better when you put the older stock hull materials on them. At least in my opinion.
I run from Like to don't terribly dislike on the Fed side Disco ships.
The KDF stuff on the other hand can be quite...um...not appealing.
I would never say no to more skins for ships.
Some of the DSC Klingon ships actually look a bit better when you put the older stock hull materials on them. At least in my opinion.
I take what you mean at face value.
For me, it is more an issue of the complete departure from design than the polish of the hull
I run from Like to don't terribly dislike on the Fed side Disco ships.
The KDF stuff on the other hand can be quite...um...not appealing.
I would never say no to more skins for ships.
Some of the DSC Klingon ships actually look a bit better when you put the older stock hull materials on them. At least in my opinion.
I take what you mean at face value.
For me, it is more an issue of the complete departure from design than the polish of the hull
Yeah Disco Klingon ships are an entirely different beast than TNG-onwards. I do agree though, slapping one of the 'current' paint jobs on say a Disco BoP makes a big difference.
I too wish that my disco connie could use original skin myself. I would do that in a heartbeat if it was allowed.
Well... it DOES have access to the Type 0 hull material, which is the default for the TOS Connie. And Legendery DSC Connies can have a hull material that gives it a more TOS look, along with a few more TOS cosmetic details like straight pylons.
Comments
I think the idea of refitting DSC-style ships into TMP-style is great, and we have the on-screen precedent of the original Enterprise, right?
That said, I also really do love the STO originals, like the Buran and Earhart.
Yes, I've always been impressed with Cryptic designs, even those MW cruisers. They look like they actually fit in with the canon ships very well.
The-Grand-Nagus
Join Date: Sep 2008
The Mirandas do not have parts that are exactly appropriate either...but you can still select them. Hell, thar be plenty of clippings on char outfits too.
Oh, I know what you were saying, and yes...I was moving the goalposts a little, why not? I'd be for any expansion on ship aesthetics; choice is good. We are well beyond the immersion factor of this game...and even wonky aesthetics would be grand.
Well... it DOES have access to the Type 0 hull material, which is the default for the TOS Connie. And Legendery DSC Connies can have a hull material that gives it a more TOS look, along with a few more TOS cosmetic details like straight pylons.
It would be nice if we could select different aspects of a ship skin...type 0 hull, with type 8 deflector, and say...nx engines.
I just dislike the nacells. I like the legendary temp connie from the original series, those parts are what I would use, to be honest.
Hm... very interesting indeed.
I think a lot of people would love the ability to kitbash all connie variants. Hell... I wouldn't mind seeing the DSC nacelles on the TOS. But unfortunately the models are all different sizes and not compatable with each other. So, to quote a certain gun nut protagonist in Tremors...
I'd disagree with that entirely. The only one that really comes close is the Earhart that has many of the sleeker lines fitting the era. Everything else is very boxy and ugly.
Also not all TMP redesigns feel right. The Georgiou refit of the Walker feels alright, except maybe the nacelles, but the Columbia TMP refit of the NX (Legendary)... the pylons and Secondary hull just do NOT sit right with me. Also the Nacelles feel like a hybrid of Excelsior and Constitution Refit, and overall the design just feels... chunky.
But yeah, different styles are gonna appear to different folks. I love the Georgiou, but there are more than enough ships for everyone to find something they like. And I like how many options we have, from different eras.
I actually have a T6 Walker I'm using that underslung Torp module on. I admit I'm using almost all Walker parts, but that torp module was too good to pass up. Also I'm using one of the NX hull materials. Had to use MACO engines for cosmetic but... doesn't look bad at all.
The problem is you can't really have mod support for an MMO. The closest we had was the Foundry. And that was an ad hoc system itself.
True, there is no mod support for MMOs, but there is always an opportunity for firsts. They can release limited tools that allow mods to create models, and textures, for the game. They'd submit their work for review...fit/finish QA; if models work out they are placed in game with creator credits.
🤷🏽♂️ Something outside the box for MMOs. Yes, there are legal hurdles, but it could add a boost to an old game.
And any fan designs that Cryptic likes... they'd have to not only do the whole legal dance with the creator to obtain rights to use it, they have to get the green light from CBS as well, which means giving CBS the rights to the design as well, like with the Design the Next Enterprise contest.
Its not gonna happen with an MMO.
Now FF14 does have some client side mods that only show up locally, like model replacements for weapons and hairstyles, but again that is pure client side. Not only that... its easier to do in FF14 because you don't have customizable weapons and mounts the way we have customizable starships. I could see a Dark Knight with a basic claymore, but the Dark Knight might be holding the frickin' Biggeron Sword or Buster Sword on their screen.
I can't see anything like that happening in STO.
The KDF stuff on the other hand can be quite...um...not appealing.
I would never say no to more skins for ships.
Some of the DSC Klingon ships actually look a bit better when you put the older stock hull materials on them. At least in my opinion.
I take what you mean at face value.
For me, it is more an issue of the complete departure from design than the polish of the hull
A lil pricey for some of us.