All Posts by tman5

Originally posted by Obee

 

 

I'm actually surprised that there wasn't a class action suit filed over the NGE, on behalf of the folks who had paid for multiple months in advance before the changes were announced.  EA was sued over the state UO was launched in (bugs and so forth) and they settled the suit by donating several thousand dollars to museum (I think it was a museum).  The folks who paid for several months based on the pre-NGE version of the game would have had a decent case, which would at the very least led to them receiving refunds, especially with the bait and switch that was done with the ToOW expansion as an example of bad faith on LEC/SOE's behalf.

EULAs haven't been tested in court yet, and many legal experts don't think they would hold up.  There is always the possibility that they will.

The potential website in the original post is pretty much a non-factor.  The folks at SOE aren't going to become less hostile towards their customers over it.  If they are unwilling to not be douche bags to increase their income, they aren't going to do it to prevent a website from documenting their douche bagitude.

 

 

It probably didn't hurt I added my state's attorney general's office on the CC line.

Point is, those who took an intelligent approach got what was due to them.  Those who got screwed were the loudmouth whinebags who simply could not settle down enough to think clearly - or listen to those of us telling them what to do.  A class action suit would have been thrown out because SOE was giving refunds to those who asked.

I don't think FPS is for "kiddies" anymore than I think point-n-click is "crappy."  Both styles have their use.

If SGW is to be an RPG, it should be PnC.  An RPG is about your character's skills.  The player's "skill" input is in knowing the character's skillset and equipment and how best to employ it.

If SGW is to be a frag game, then FPS is all well and good.  Just don't call it an RPG, because it is not. 

I happen to be looking for an RPG, not another FPS.

Originally posted by salvaje

It's come to this...

A website is about to launch that will be a PERMANENT archive of all the lies, incompetence, and worse by SOE vs the SWG player.

Such as Smed's "The CU is here to stay".

Think of it as the threat your teachers used to use on you about "this will go into your PERMANENT RECORD"...  That is what this will be.

 

The way to head this off:

First off Pre NGE classic servers have to be announced as coming.

(this is non negotiable)

Secondly, John Smedley must resign.

(he can stay only if he releases a YouTube video singing the Calvin and Hobbes "I'm sorry" song) Otherwise he has to go.

 

This is as fair a deal as SOE will ever get.

 

I am sure they are trembling before your might.

Get over yourself

I noticed that fairly early the OP abandoned his thread, possibly realizing his tirade was ill-received by the majority who understand the IP means more than shooting the next toon that turns red in front of you.  Usually best to cut you losses early when you realize you are wrong.

I look forward to these puzzles and where they lead gameplay.

Originally posted by SioBabble

 

 

This is an interesting idea, but I strongly suspect that SOE would not have gotten themselves into a position where the game engine itself was not under their complete control.  They were already somewhat out on a limb by contracting with LA for rights to the SW franchise...that's enough of of a risk all by itself.  To compound the risk by not having absolute control over the game sans the SW veneer seems to me to be too great a risk.

Then again, so many decisions made by SOE seem to be driven by ego and emotion, not hard headed no nonsense business.  The entire reaction to WoW that the CU and NGE represent, and the desperation of it, seem to have been driven by emotion...specifically anger that those upstarts made both SOE, the king of MMOs look bad, and LA's world class IP look bad.

Many on these boards don't buy into thise particular take, but then again, many can't fathom what business sense compelled them to go forward with the disaster, on multiple levels, of the NGE.  I contend that the lack of business sense displayed by both supports the case that both the CU and NGE were committed to without regard to the numbers, but on the basis of emotion...specifically, desperation that SWG was not performing to expectations and to compound matters, WoW was kicking SOE ass in the marketplace.

I'm one of those who have argued against the "ego" or "pride" factor, believing SOE didn't reach the top in the industry being led by self-centered idiots.  On the other hand, I've always been at a loss to fully explain what logic could lead them to such a disasterous choice.

While I can't accept "ego" in the traditional sense, I can accept "panic" or "desperation" as a valid emotional reason for the NGE.  It fills all requirements as an explaination.

Back to the topic - SOE is listening.  Reading between the lines, I've concluded they would love to roll back or open classic servers.  Something more than stubborness is stopping them, whether it is licensing, technical issues or simple cost (my choice).  It doesn't matter now; that ship has sailed.

My point  - and I didn't make it very well - is what purpose is served for the folks at STO.net to be "down" about PE's legal troubles?  Assuming they are not in "denial" and do understand the implications at least as well as the Johnny Cochran legal geniuses found here, what purpose is served by debating the unknown, if all they are really interested in is the game?

Sure, the game could cease development at any time - whether because of backruptcy through litigation, fire ripping through the development offices or a pet monkey spreading ebola.  Gamers on a forum - most, who at best, have an introductory-level understanding of the legal process - debating on speculation and rumor - because no one out here knows the facts of the case - does nothing toward resolving the legal issues and simply fills space on a server.

On the other hand, nothing may happen.  These charges may vanish, PE may be exonerated and the game may actually be released.  In which case, continued discussion of the merits of the development would have served a purpose.  So if you are a gamer, interested in a game, why not continue positive support and feedback?

If fan support bails now in fear of what might happen, this game may never be developed and everyone loses (except the PE-hater faction I notice developing).

BTW, I'm not a PE supporter and am only marginally watching STOs development.  I'm just curious why one group of gamers should knock another simply because they don't share the same outlook.

Originally posted by Keogh

 

 

 

Oh my, I'm puzzeled.

Please go visit STO.net at the following link: 

http://www.startrek-online.net/messageboard/showthread.php?t=11725

I read this thread about Stinnett's latest STO interview with Warcry.com

I don't think I live on the same planet as most of the people over at STO.net. The thread is overwhelmingly positive with an sense of excitement and anticipation.

Its like the fraud charges never happened. Its like everything is back to normal and PE is going to make a great game that will be in beta soon.

Boy, maybe I'm just too cynical.

I'm puzzled, too.  Why do you think they should be negative about this legal issue?  How does it affect them?

Nothing is to be gained at this stage with "OMG PE IS TEH PWND!! TEH SKY IS FALLNG!! LOL!!"  The case will make its way through the process toward resolution.  In the meantime, development on STO continues.  As long as develoment continues, that is all any of us should be concerned with. 

Is there some reason anyone outside PE should care otherwise?

I don't know about the rest of Ch 8, but I did find this:

http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/posts/list.m?topic_id=553172

Seems there are new commands to move stuff around your house, tilt and pitch, something players have asked about for sometime (I remember asking about it in my day).  These commands are now bestowed as reward for a collection.  This is not a new ability or skill (unless you think twisting a lamp on a table is a skill) but a game enhancement that instead of just pushing live, they decided to make the players work for.

This has to be the weakest thing I have heard of from this dev team.  And I'm one of those "benefit of the doubt" guys.

Originally posted by oronisi

 

 

When SWG launched it was impossible to unlock jedi, and hundreds of thousands of people still played the game and enjoyed it.

Take a step back and re-watch the first three films.  Jedi were not so prominent at all, and weren't (to me at least) the center fixture of what makes up Star Wars.  The planet Tatooine was more 'starwarsy' to me than a lightsaber.

Yes, but we didn't know at the time it was impossible to unlock Jedi.  SOE kept that little secret to themsleves.  A large number of those "hundreds of thousands" were looking to unlock Jedi.

The eventual number of glow sticks demonstrates that a large number of people want to play a Jedi.  I unfortunately believe we who do not are in the minority.

OT, I'm sure, but is that an actual ship in EvE shown in the first image?  I haven't played in awhile and am sure I would have remembered that.

If actual, how do the EvE gang avoid Paramount's lawyers?

Originally posted by Ghosthauk

So can anyone tell me what other reason they could have to remake a company with the same staff under a different name? Other than trying to move assets? I'm not that knowledgeable about that side of business, but that move alone seems shady to me. They failed to finish Gods and Heroes and were trying to retain the STO rights to still try and make a buck off it, while trying to get away with screwing their investors for the other game. 

Actually, there are a number of very legitimate reasons to reform or restructure a company that impact tax and legal liability, management control and personal executive liability.  Many companies restructure when their business changes or form subsidiaries, which are usually nothing more than  "the same staff under a different name."

Also, "moving" assets does not immediately translate to trying to hide those assets.  There are legitimate reasons to do that, as well.

I'm not addressing the particulars of PEs move.  Just answering your question.

Browsing the official forums and found this:

http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/posts/list.m?topic_id=550449

I was impressed with this and wanted to share.  Here is a problem existing since JTL released- no PnP joystick support .  Along comes Dev AdeptStrain, who goes right in and makes a fix.  Problem solved.

Granted, it's an issue that should have been fixed long ago -or shouldn't have existed in the first place.  But notice AdeptStrain learns of the problem and jumps right in to fix it.  No hemmin' an' hawin', just doin'.

Too few instances of this with this game, from my view.  If this would happen more often, it would go a long way to reviving the game.

No, I don't expect people to start running back to the game over this.  I just thought with all the bashing the devs usually get- both here and on the official forums - it was only fair to give them a pat on the back when deserved.

Originally posted by xPaladin

 

<GREAT STUFF>

That frackin' made my morning!  Thank you!

Originally posted by kwai

 

Originally posted by Terranah

Companies go where the money is.  In this case, the number of potential mmo players and money that would generate far exceeds the Kotor rpg player base. 

 

That being said, game design is not necessarily either / or.   Various play styles can and are incorporated into today's mmo's, and I see no reason why this would not be the case in a KOTOR  mmo. 

 

 

 

 

So pissing off 200.000 people to try and be like Blizzard was a success ? , look again.

Developers should look more to the community than to what other companies decide to make, i mean let WoW have their immature kids playing, and let the SWG players play their game.

 

Personally i still dont understand why Smedley havent been fired yet for his disaster moves.

 

SWG Pre-CU was the most perfect Sandbox game , until a certain somebody got greedy and shot him self in the head practially.

Developers need more than community to decide what type of game to create.  The fact is, MMOs are mighty expensive.  As much as some of you believe game companies should be altruistic to your desires, in the real world, game companies are out to make money.  They require a massive payback, sooner than later.  This is why you will continue to see more of the same rather than more innovation.  It's faster, cheaper, with less risk.

Why wasn't Smed fired?  I'll bet that despite the massive drop in subscriptions, the NGE acheived its goal numbers of reducing cost and becoming marginally profitable.  I'm sure no one is doing backflips over SWG numbers, but the fact that it is still around and so is Smed, tells me they're managing to squeeze some cash out of it. 

Originally posted by pineapples

My favourite is in Star Trek Generations (TNG movie # 1), when the ship was plummeting towards the planet he says "Ohh sh*t"

Hilarious!

Yes, funny.  But anachronistic and completely unnecessary.  Were they afraid they might not get a PG rating?

Not so much a Data moment, but a "Data sequence," when Soong's sleeper program activiated and Data proceded to single-handedly take control of the Enterprise, anticipating every counter move by the crew and locking them out of control for a couple of days (I believe).  Made me grateful Data was on "our" side.

I had read somewhere this was to be a Spock flashback, which I find a bit weak and unnecessary.  I also read somewhere this was a time travel plot, which would be very weak.  But I think that was more a rumor.  God, please be just a rumor.

Personally, if the plan is to start the franchise new, just leave out the old actors.  No point in bringing them in at all.  There have been so many nods to the original series from the new shows, my neck hurts.

Originally posted by Mordacai

Well I am, and I'm damn near close enough to being a grandfather and am a solid TREKKIE from watching the original series on TV when I was a kid through the T'pol nekkidness experience ;-). In my opinion, the screenshot/pic/makeover shot whatever they want to call it is fine. It looks ok for a game in alpha, but it does worry me. Key things stick out to me about the shot, which is things like.

The ship: It looks familiar, it looks trek but for the life of me I have not and cannot identify this class of vessel with my the cells in my noggin. It's almost a voyager/reliant mixer upper. It confuses me. Again i'm pretty much a trekkie and if this is a ship for a mmo game thats fine, but if its a ship for a trek game, i'm concerned. I'm concerned cause its only a ship, am I only a ship, why? Trek is about people not ships, ships are things. I hate EVE for that same reason. Am I going to hate STO as well because i'm ONLY a ship an not an avatar. When/what do I get to see on the ground as opposed to this? I'm just not getting a good feeling on it right now, I am worried for the IP. What i'm seeing doesn't seem right to me, not trek enough, no people in space....wagon train to the stars as it was first sold to the studios.

The Alien: Looks kinda cool, but what is it? I've been around the alpha, delta quadrants as much as the next guy but i've never seen that thing. Not to say that it doesn't look cool but what's its background? Where's it from, where's the lore? What the hell am was I talking about? Oh yeah, it looks fine, but there's no information on what/who/how this thing is lets get more info before we get shocked with a non-familiar trek species. Speaking of which, Klingons. Can I play as a klingon and fly a bird of prey old school? Do I follow the Council or am I a worf woopingboy?

Environment: Not bad, we got space. We got some planets, we got some astroids, can those be mined for dilithium? If I run into them do I take damage or do I pass through them or bounce off them like Jump to Lightspeed.. The other part of this where i'm clicking on planets, starbases and astroids comment leads me to think that I can't even get close enough to them to actually physically do those things other then just interact with it in a interface manner.

Speaking of interface, it seems a little on the light side to me. I'm thinking those are phasers, shields, comms at the bottom and i'm kinda lost on the rest. Doesn't seem to be to much at the 3yr mark for what'd I'd expect to see but its ok I guess. Just not up to speed for what normal mmo's have nowadays. The alien interface screen seems a little under done IMHO though, what am I looking at just a picture of an alien with his mouth open or is that an actual video? They can do that in games now you know, put interactive video streaming content into the applet. Just wondering what i'm looking at.

 

So, I guess I CAN say that I'm a trek fan but I don't know if i'd play this. I don't want to be a ship, I want to be part of a crew on a ship. I don't want to be a wuss in a SF uniform. I want to be a Klingon warrior on a mission from the council as a gunner on a BOP. I might even want to be a Romulan spy or how bout a preatorian can I? I don't visit STO at all so no use for me going there, but at 3yrs this is not what I'd expect for a TREK mmoprg......but ....maybe I'm just old.

Like you, I realize ST is about people and not hardware.  I am concerned - from not only this screen shot, but other input/ rumors received - that STO is going the way of EvE and E&B.  This will close the book for me, because that is not Star Trek.  Just a space MMO with a Star Trek skin.  PE must realize this or they are doomed to fail.

The unrecognizable ship design is okay, given the later series' have given the Federation has far too many unique designs anyway, and I think this game is set sometime after TNG.  New races are cool, too.  But as someone else wrote, wouldn't it have made more sense that, in the first released graphic, they showed an identifiable race?

I'm with you.  I draw no conclusions about this game yet, but if I'm not part of a crew, I'm not signing on.

I've said before that setting any MMO in the KOTOR timeline would likely be a mistake.  No one knows KOTOR outside of a relatively narrow game community.  The KOTOR stories are not part of the better-known Star Wars - the movies.  Any successful Star Wars MMO must incorporate the movies in some way.  That portion of the franchise has the largest penetration in world culture and LA has shown they want distribution as wide as possible.

Perhaps set in the timeline during or just before the Clone Wwars, which would allow many KOTOR elements along with movie tie-ins (just not the better movies).  Even better would be the timeline just after the death of the Emperor.  You'd still have remnants of the Empire to deal with, most of the major characters from the original trilogy, and player Jedi could be the reemerging force-sensitives coming out of hiding.

As to game play, I won't hold my breath for a sandbox game ala preCU SWG.  Bioware does quest games very well and even the linear KOTOR feels open with the many side quests.  Given a broader landscape, a quest driven game, done right, could feel open-ended. I think Bioware could pull it off - if LA stays out of the kitchen.

Originally posted by Keogh

If you view the promo video, you can hear Stinnett discribe the diffrent class of ships, engineering, combat, medical, etc. That screems of groups of 3 - 5 ships, and "Fleet forming, need an engineering ship (for healing) and a combat ship (for tanking)."

I noticed this, too, and fear the same.

My bottom line is this:  I won't even try the game without crewed vessels.  EvE or