Star Trek Online Discussion Thread (now free to play!)

[J. Allen]

Captain_Amasov wrote:

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Annoyingly Dan said in an interview recently that they're reviewing whether to continue doing FE series. Apparently, since going F2P they aren't seeing the player numbers they'd like playing them in relation to the cost of making such content. No bang for buck, so expect to see more "event" style content in the future I guess.

Which doesn't add up, really. I know 3 people who spent $500 on c-points trying to win that Galor. There were a number of people on the forum talking about how they spent $200, $300, $400, trying to get the Galor. The dilithium exchange went down for days, and you know during that time people were buying c-points instead. So someone's blowing smoke somewhere.

[Noname Given]

Captain_Amasov wrote:

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Annoyingly Dan said in an interview recently that they're reviewing whether to continue doing FE series. Apparently, since going F2P they aren't seeing the player numbers they'd like playing them in relation to the cost of making such content. No bang for buck, so expect to see more "event" style content in the future I guess.

That's interesting as every weekend the FEs were running you had Server queues of 1600+; and server crashes due to player load that you didn't see during the week - and if you looked at the two FE episodes that either were in, or ended in a public social zone - the zone intance numbers were over 100 with 60+ players in most zones.

Bottom line: I don't see how Cryptic or PWE can claim the FE's weren't bringing players into the game because even befopre F2P - every weekend there was a new FE mission, the servers were bursting.

I think it's more that PWE doesn't like the OT they pay when FE's are run on the weekend and may think there's not a lot of profit as I guess the FE's aren't driving players to the C-Store; but to try and claim "not enough are playing them..." - Lol.

[intrinsical]

I suspect Cryptic will ultimately follow something similar to Turbine's model of releasing "adventure packs". For example in DDO, Turbine generally releases 4 adventure packs every year. Subscribers and lifetime members automatically get all adventure packs unlocked so they don't have to pay for these adventure packs.

For F2P players, they generally get one adventure pack for free every year (typically in March, when the number of players are at an all-year low). The remaining three adventure packs, generally released just prior to major school breaks and major holidays, are locked and F2P players have to pay to get these adventure packs unlocked.

[Aeolusdallas]

intrinsical wrote:

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I suspect Cryptic will ultimately follow something similar to Turbine's model of releasing "adventure packs". For example in DDO, Turbine generally releases 4 adventure packs every year. Subscribers and lifetime members automatically get all adventure packs unlocked so they don't have to pay for these adventure packs.

For F2P players, they generally get one adventure pack for free every year (typically in March, when the number of players are at an all-year low). The remaining three adventure packs, generally released just prior to major school breaks and major holidays, are locked and F2P players have to pay to get these adventure packs unlocked.

CO (Cryptic's other MMORPG) used to sell adventure packs but after the first two they started making them free.

[Captain_Amasov]

Noname Given wrote:

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That's interesting as every weekend the FEs were running you had Server queues of 1600+; and server crashes due to player load that you didn't see during the week - and if you looked at the two FE episodes that either were in, or ended in a public social zone - the zone instance numbers were over 100 with 60+ players in most zones.

Bottom line: I don't see how Cryptic or PWE can claim the FE's weren't bringing players into the game because even before F2P - every weekend there was a new FE mission, the servers were bursting.

I think it's more that PWE doesn't like the OT they pay when FE's are run on the weekend and may think there's not a lot of profit as I guess the FE's aren't driving players to the C-Store; but to try and claim "not enough are playing them..." - Lol.

The forums called bullshit on it too, however I think Cryptic somehow "inflating" their figures based on how many transitional free players they have, and using this against making more than what we're getting. This means that there's a lot playing these FE missions, but compared to the overall player base at any one time, there's a clear and substantial amount who aren't.

You see, a lot isn't enough anymore, that's also why you won't be seeing a huge amount of work being done for the KDF either.

[Rocketeer]

Yeah, I also noticed the massive numbers of instances. Cryptic probably isn't counting the number of users anymore. Just counting the dollars spent in the C-store. Show me the money!

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[J. Allen]

I wouldn't doubt it. I get the feeling they're looking at "too much" as being "not enough".
I just know they've made money hand over fist from this whole Galor thing. Hell, during the event I bought a couple of master key packs, just so I could sell them for a million credits a piece on the Exchange, and people just bought them up like they were going out of style!

[Emher]

I figured out what I'm going to to after I've gotten my Escort to the level I want it (sure, I'll still be upgrading since I want it to be my main ship, but when I get it to a complete build).

I like the turret action in the latest Star Trek movie, so I think I'll try a just for kicks build of the Odessey: make it as tanky as I can, up the phaser damage, and put only phaser turrets in all the eight weapons slots. It'll be a tanky turret platform.

[J. Allen]

That sounds like a plan! A turret platform will lay down damage in all directions. I outfitted my new TAC Odyssey yesterday, and while it's okay, I keep going back to my Excelsior. I just can't seem to enjoy any other ship like I can that cruiser. It's just a great ship, IMO.

[USS Mariner]

I'm seriously pissed at the Odyssey variants, mainly because NONE OF THEM ALLOW EXTERIOR CUSTOMIZATION. The shuttle also doesn't count, because it's so minor of a change and it's also not optional.

How god damn hard can it be to think of variant parts? Even having those parts restricted unless you buy the class packs would be infinitely preferable to the current galaxy of IDENTICAL SHIPS.

[syberghost]

Rocketeer wrote:

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Yeah, I also noticed the massive numbers of instances. Cryptic probably isn't counting the number of users anymore. Just counting the dollars spent in the C-store. Show me the money!

.

I've tried to come up with a way they could pay their employees with free accounts, but I'm having a little trouble. Could you detail your plan for how they do this?

[Hartzilla2007]

syberghost wrote:

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I've tried to come up with a way they could pay their employees with free accounts, but I'm having a little trouble. Could you detail your plan for how they do this?

Well they wouldn't have this problem if they put stuff in the C-store WE WANT TO BUY!

I mean all they did was add something we can get in game, an interior bundle with no separate buying options, three ships that are the same except for some boosts and consoles, and another grab bag which usually only works as long as people are convinced they have a good chance to win. This is not really a good idea when the C-store is your main source of income.

So of course they are likely running into problems with cash now, especially since there is no incentive to pay a subscription.

[sbk1234]

Another dumb question. How do you make your own missions? I've played some of the member-made missions (hey, cool alliteration!) and they're pretty fun. Thought I might give it a whirl. As usual, I haven't a clue how to begin.
And to think, I command a starship!

[syberghost]

Hartzilla2007 wrote:

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Well they wouldn't have this problem if they put stuff in the C-store WE WANT TO BUY!

Which is why they're going to focus less on free FEs.

[Hartzilla2007]

syberghost wrote:

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Which is why they're going to focus less on free FEs.

Which runs into the problem of why should one continue to play this game if there is nothing to do except short events and stfs that get boring after a while.