Star Trek Online

With the end of development of STO by PE/P2 I thought to take some time to post of some Lessons Learned.

The Winners:

• Cheyenne Mountain and Star Gate Worlds (one less Sci-Fi competitor to worry about in the near future)
• The new developer acquiring the license
• Fans and gamers who did not like the direction that STO was being developed
• Other MMO competitors

The Losers:

• Employees, Owners and Investors of Pee-Too’ee
• Fans and gamers who did like the direction that STO was being developed
• Current and future MMO developers seeking investors

Lessons Learned:

• Never take on more ambitious projects unless experience has been proven
• Have a stable platform first, before making games
• Never make short milestones with ambitious projects (Ex: Two year development cycle for a full fledge MMO)
• Build a game in phases and release in phases.  Better off in having a smaller-scaled MMO (less features) published than to have a full-scale MMO canceled. (Build small then expand)
• Yes, big IP’s have problems in which the fans are passionate and not all can be satisfied.  So come up with one vision and stick to it.  Changing later on, annoys all groups.
• Don’t sign an exclusive license for an IP; rather sign an non-exclusive license, to allow for multiple versions of the same IP.  Better yet, develop more than one version of the MMO, but with just rule and play-style changes. (Ex: Basic and Advanced; Grinder and Role-Playing)
• Engage and support the fan base and they will support you.
• Tap into the fan base for content, they will gladly aid and provide.
• Minimal use of PR spins, as the gamer community is intelligent and getting use to the same corporate lines.
• Come up with some better replies than of, “All is fine and okay. Nothing to worry about.”
• Avoid using the word, “Soon.”
• Never believe in obtaining the same number of subscribers as WoW when planning on using the same strategies.
• Avoid the pitfall of chasing the buck.
• Do not create games in which additional investors are required for launching a MMO.
• Don't rely on fan sites to house your fanbase...launch an official forum!
• Respond to major news incidents within 24 hours, detailed responses are not necessary, knowing the Devs are there and aware of your responses however, is.
• Give the fans following the game rewards for their perseverance; don't treat them as though they've only followed the game for a week.
• Be careful of engaging the communities of fan sites, more importantly, avoid favoritism if there is no official forum...

By all means, post any other entries and I'll update the list.

/updated

• Don't relie on fansites to house your fanbase...launch an offical forum!
• Respond to major news incidents within 24 hours, detailed responces arn't nessacary, knowing the devs are there and aware of your responces however, is.
• Give the fans following the game rewards for thier perserverance, don't treat them as though they've only followed the game for a week.
• Be careful of engaging the community of fansites, more importantly, avoid fovourtism if you don't have an offical forum...

Sad to say but with you making this post, it sounds like you cared more than you want to show. When will people just get over it. Ask me something. Does it matter now that you made this thread? Or could this of easily been posted in the other thread about STO dying. Seriously, STO is dead, we get it! There was no good, no bad, no ugly, its just dead. But since you decided to talk about STO, ill make points about you.

The Good!

- You apparently care more for STO and P2 then you fail to realise

The Bad!

- You can't get over this certain feeling

The Ugly

- So you wasted a thread to talk about another failed game in attempts to clear your mind

You my friend have succeded in wasting my time, good day sir!

I think the most value added thing to do would be to compile the list of lessons MMOGers can take from this.  We can't change the way companies act directly, but we can raise the bar of consumer expectations so that investment money no longer flows to two-bit organizations operating without a clue.

We can learn to see the warning signs.

We can learn not to hitch ourselves to the wagon of any operation.

We can learn not to delude ourselves into thinking that we are 'partners' or receiving special insider treatment.

We can cause the going perception game companies have of gamers as uninformed, slack-jawed, floormats they can walk over, and simply squeeze money from to change.

We can watch for signs that the organizations making the games of the future are mature.  That they can set goals, and deadlines and drive to them.  That they understand that MMOGs are more than games, they are service offerings; and that they are in the business of building virtual communities.  These communities don't like being shit on any more than real ones do.

We can learn to be informed consumers, and make these companies grown up if they want to earn our dollars.

Originally posted by mackdawg19
...

You my friend have succeded in wasting my time, good day sir!

But thank you for taking the time to read and post your feedback.

Next caller.

Originally posted by Suricata

• Don't relie on fansites to house your fanbase...launch an offical forum!
• Respond to major news incidents within 24 hours, detailed responces arn't nessacary, knowing the devs are there and aware of your responces however, is.
• Give the fans following the game rewards for thier perserverance, don't treat them as though they've only followed the game for a week.
• Be careful of engaging the community of fansites, more importantly, avoid fovourtism if you don't have an offical forum...

Damn Suricata, that is deep!

I agree with you 100% on this post right here. I think ultimately, every game will figure out that fansites are a lazy man's game and that they should put up a single core site with class leads ( I say this will never change and have worked so far with every game).

I think the developers hid too much on STO.net and didn't feel out enough on every other site to feel the heat or get to the real questions that weren't patrolled. Don't get me wrong, I like STO.net and the moderator's (just didn't like the way you all covered for  the P2 noobs) and hope that Jon can pull through on this one with perhaps another game or a relaunch "with Cryptic".

Maybe the next generation of developers won't be scared to step into the final frontier and answer the non fruit loop questions from "ALL" their fans (not just the ones in denial).

Originally posted by Tonev

 

Originally posted by Suricata

• Don't relie on fansites to house your fanbase...launch an offical forum!
• Respond to major news incidents within 24 hours, detailed responces arn't nessacary, knowing the devs are there and aware of your responces however, is.
• Give the fans following the game rewards for thier perserverance, don't treat them as though they've only followed the game for a week.
• Be careful of engaging the community of fansites, more importantly, avoid fovourtism if you don't have an offical forum...

Damn Suricata, that is deep!

 

I agree with you 100% on this post right here. I think ultimately, every game will figure out that fansites are a lazy man's game and that they should put up a single core site with class leads ( I say this will never change and have worked so far with every game).

I think the developers hid too much on STO.net and didn't feel out enough on every other site to feel the heat or get to the real questions that weren't patrolled. Don't get me wrong, I like STO.net and the moderator's (just didn't like the way you all covered for  the P2 noobs) and hope that Jon can pull through on this one with perhaps another game or a relaunch "with Cryptic".

Maybe the next generation of developers won't be scared to step into the final frontier and answer the non fruit loop questions from "ALL" their fans (not just the ones in denial).

 Seems that its acceptable moderation as Suricata has stated on this site. That sites just as currupt  and mis-managed as PE and P2 themselves.

Originally posted by JayBirdz

 

 

That right there is the last thing that needs to happen. Considering the morals that site has with privacy. Unless of course your ok with people discussing and passing around information that you thought was private  with others.  Such as PM's :)

 

 Seems that its acceptable moderation as Suricata has stated on this site. That sites just as currupt  and mis-managed as PE and P2 themselves.

I'm not understanding what your getting at Jay.

I know that they got information from PE nubs through PMs. I know Cryptic won't be pushing out bon bons for kudos since they have their own site. I'm just saying maybe the man can actually salvage what's left of STO.net now and start over fresh "they get to see who their real friends are now".

Not having the uber tribunal power that they did for the game this time but as a general Star Trek guild site or something for Trekkers and MMOers who wanna share in a "Trek" experience (how the site started out in the beginning).

All things considering, it's kinda refreshing to see Cinc not spreading the gospel of Trek online anymore (maybe Bec will join us over here for some good ole fashion STO flamin ).