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GDC Studio Visit: The Directions of STO
While in San Francisco at the Game Developer's Conference, Managing Editor Jon Wood had the opportunity to attend a press event at Perpetual Entertainment, the makers of Star Trek Online. In this article, Jon looks at how the direction of the game fits in with the legend of its IP.
Last night, members of the press were treated to a visit to Perpetual Studios' offices in downtown San Francisco. During that time, we got a hands-on look at Gods and Heroes (the subject of another article) and a look at some of what they're doing with Star Trek Online.
;)
While we didn't get to look at the game itself (they're still in a very early stage of development), we did get a chance to look at the game's assets: race models, ships, planets, and the like. It was enough to get a good idea of the feel of this new incarnation of the Star Trek franchise.
For folks who might not know, Star Trek Online is set about 20 years after the movie, Star Trek Nemesis. Setting the game outside of the direct timeline of the movies and the television show gives Perpetual the opportunity to branch out and put their own stamp on the Trek universe. As with any IP, that can be a risky business. The games industry is full of tales of IPs gone horribly wrong, where the spirit of the original incarnation is lost because the company was more interested in capitalizing on the brand recognition of the IP than they were about making a solid game that would entertain fans and non fans alike.
;)
As a Star Trek fan, I can honestly say that I am enjoying what I'm seeing from Perpetual. The new uniforms, for example, seem to be a combination of the war-time jacket uniforms that debuted in Deep Space Nine and the popular, more form-fitting costumes of the later seasons of The Next Generation. To me, this is a logical progression that sets the game apart from its television predecessors while at the same time retains the familiar feel that Trek fans have come to know and love. In fact, that would be a good way to describe the direction that STO seems to be taking; familiar, but different. Heck, just look at the new Starfleet emblem.
;)
One of the highlights of the evening, for me, was having the chance to take a look at some of the concept art that was on display for us. Ships, planets, and races (both playable and NPC) covered the walls of one of the rooms in the studio. Browsing along, I saw: burly, mean-looking Klingons and stout, almost dwarf-like Tellerites posted on the wall near some of the most unique starship designs that I could imagine. Starfleet, it seems, has gone through an evolution of design in the 20 years between the game and Nemesis. The ships are sleeker, more interesting versions of the vessels that we are used to seeing. The new version of the Enterprise (I suppose it must be NCC-1701-F or G) provides the same stark contrast to its predecessor as the Enterprise D did to the much-beloved ship from the Original Series. The neck of the ship (between the drive and saucer sections) has been elongated and curved, but the original feel remains intact with a deflector array (that piece on the bottom front of the ship) that looks surprisingly like the one from the Enterprise D and a large saucer section. These new ship designs (the Enterprise is only one of many new classes of Starfleet vessel) stood next to familiar designs like the Defiant class ships, Maquis Fighters and a ship that looked a lot like the Voyager's Delta Flyer. Again, this keeps with Star Trek tradition as The Next Generation often saw an Excelsior class ship (from the Original Series movies) running alongside the newer, bigger, better Enterprise D.
;)
Throughout the evening, it became clearer and clearer that Perpetual was taking full advantage of the fact that they were not held to the limitations of a film or a television series in terms of the look of the game. Remember the Gorn? That species that Kirk (and later Archer) had to battle that, even in the recently produced Enterprise series, looked more like a guy in a rubber mask than a threatening monster? Well, the concept drawing of the Gorn that I saw bore enough resemblance to be recognizable, but was edgier, more hunched, less human, and looked more like a dangerous beast than a laughable, campy monster. One of the biggest complaints that I've heard from people about Star Trek is that the aliens are just "Humans with crinkly noses". While it's true that in the world of prosthetics and make-up an actor can only be made to look so inhuman, the same isn't true in the world of video games. Darren Stinnett, the game's Executive Producer, told me that they wanted each race to be distinctly recognizable from a distance. If you see a Klingon from far away, for example, you should know that it's a Klingon before you get close enough to see his head ridges. If the drawings that I saw bare any resemblance to what we will eventually see on our screens, they have managed to accomplish that goal without really changing the race. A few small tweaks and suddenly you can believe that these aren't just Humans in make-up, but real, living, breathing aliens.
Clearly, it's too early to tell or even speculate about the success of the game, but when I looked at those displays last night, when I heard the game's theme music play (Trek fans will be happy to know that they've abandoned the lyrics in Enterprise in favor of a more traditional sounding theme), the Trekkie in me got a little bit excited about the prospect of living in Perpetual's Star Trek universe.
Awesome.
That is real great news. I have a lot of faith in Perpetual and I really hope they can pull it off. This just increased my faith :P
We all know the graphics are going to be pretty, but what would be much more helpful and interesting is to know what they are actually planning for the mechanics of the game. Is it going to be level or skill based, is it going to be quest or "sandbox" based, how will combat and ship control work. How will they do "crafting" in a universe where everything can be made for you in the little machine?
These would have been much better questions to ask than "how is the ship going to look".
I doubt that PE is releasing that type of info yet. They could ask until they are blue in the face and they won't give anything out.
I really doubt we will start hearing anything about the mechanics of this game until AT LEAST God's and Heros is released.
And as far as crafting is concerned, when was the last time you saw them cook up anything besides food and drink with a replicator. You think they make Warp Nacelles with those things? It won't be an issue.
Oh, wow. The image of the ship approaching the starbase is awesome.
The background has nebula type effects, like a certain other space based MMO. I would prefer black, but that is just a small niggle. The station looks great, all blue and glowy.
I can't wait for the real thing now.
Jayanti has hit the nail on the head. AS the editorial alludes to, most companies will make a hash of IP conversion to mmorpg. Why? Because the traditional method of game making is distorted by the introduction of IP. Image replaces content is the bottom line. A lot of effort has gone into making the game look for no better word "pretty" and all credit to the designers and illustrators. But much like a car, it can look the dog's bollox but if the engine in the car is total pants no one should be buying that car. If the game's designers have yet to figure out what engine is going in their game then god help us! Usually a game has a core idea and elements, such as if the game will be skill or level based, and these elements should filter through all the design of the game. You don't just tag it on at the end. Of course maybe they just won't tell us for fear of alienating anybody at this stage by making bold but essential decisions about how the game will play. Gamers are rapidly evolving with more sophisicated tastes and the fact that only one in every hundred games makes any money demonstrates how big the stakes are. My opinion is this. If they have not got sound game mechanics to flesh out the IP over then this is a ninety-niner! If they have not told us it is all part of the methodology of building suspence i.e. a marketing ploy.
Have you heard of this thing called the internet? It has a thing called google. A giant leap forward for the intelect of the human race once you know how to use it.
Wait, I take that back.
Unfortunately, there's a long history of the entire license being screwed up and screwed with.
Somebody needs to stop J.J. Abrams before he puts the last nail in my beloved Star Trek's coffin.
I want you to think about something for a second please...if you will. When I and many others look for a MMORPG to call home, we look for a MMORPG whose company knows what they are doing and can handle the monetary responsibilities of our demands. It is not encouraging to know that STO doesn't even have the answers to those questions that the earlier poster asked. They have been in development for almost a year now, maybe more (can't remember exactly). Mythic, as we all know, is a good company. When they announced that they were developing WAR, they already have been working on it for 6 months. But even then they knew the mechanics of the game and were able to answer the above questions for their game. That is what I expect from a good solid company, that is likely to finish a MMORPG in a decent amount of time and release it in a finished state, instead of a severely bug ridden state with performance and serious lag issues that plague games released by companies that don't have the budget or know how to do better.
So wouldn't it be reasonable to expect the same amount of information, which is really basic, from Perpetual considering they are about a year into development now? I just thought it's something to think about. If the company is worth a damn, they would know already what they plan to implement, whether it's skill based or level based, quest based or sandbox. Or, they could just be witholding information, which is also fine, since they have a MMORPG that should soon be released this year. But it would be nice to know if they have figured out what they are doing, even if they wouldn't tell us. It would go a long way of telling us how stable of a company they are.
Google gives you lots of information about Internet Protocol. That doesn't help much when discussing what an IP is in relation to an mmorpg.
IP - Intellectual Property ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property )
PE probably does know where this title is going. Who really knows how far along they are? We certainatly don't, because they ain't telling us.
Honestly people, I doubt this was an open forum where they invited the people in and they got to ask questions. And instead of asking questions about gameplay, all they asked was "Can we see another screenshot/concept art piece?"
PE released the info they wanted to release. The are probably not trying to show up their original IP MMO game called God's and Heros. If you really want to know how STO is going to be handled, pay attention to GnH. After that is released later this year, I'm sure we will get all sorts of STO goodies :D
Last I read (in an article of MMORPG.COM no less) the game was going to be class/level based (a little fuzzy on that detail), with missions instanced for your crew - the only time you will be likely to run into another player not on your crew will be at starbases - no PvP combat or even playable races hostile to the Federation, and when you get injured, you are always instantly saved 100% healthy via Star Trek teleporter + hypospray magic.
I can see where some of the design decisions came from in order to keep with the theme of Star Trek, but I'm not sure if I'll be wanting to play it. But despite all my negativity, I will say that they seem to have a rather interesting approach to Ship control/flight. Haven't seen any solid details yet, but it look like it will be a crew effort, with each person managing a system in a sort of mini-game.
I used google to look up pompus rude idiot and guess what ? Your name came up....
I wanted to step in here now and clear some things up. For those of you asking for gameplay information, I can see where you're coming from. I' m as curious as anyone about how the game will be constructed, whether or not it will be a sandbox, is it level or skill based? The fact of the matter is that Perpetual, as a company, isn't talking about that aspect of their game yet. The fact of the matter is that there's a lot that changes in the development of an MMORPG between pre-production (where they are now) and launch. Announcing what features are going to be in the game, before they are locked down (or close to it) is not only a pain in the butt for companies (who then have to go out and say "We changed our minds") but also a pain in the butt for fans of the game like you and I who are looking forward to it. I know that's something that always aggrivates me.
I figured though, since I was there and saw what I saw, that I'd pass on any information I had. I know I was starved for it, and I figured others were as well.
Cheers
Jon
Personaly, I love hearing any information about STO. Thanks for getting what you could for us guys, really hope to hear more soon of cousre.
I think this game is going to attract players who want to be part of a crew and experience the true Star Trek feel in a game. Concerning the topic of instances wouldn’t that promote a sense of a “unique experience” on a mission with crew mates? I can't see how this game is going to cater to a solo mentality and I am quite happy with that concept. But is it going to feel like a guild wars game in the sense of how instances work? I am still waiting to see how STO debuts & hope it does well. We all need a good sci-fi!
The artwork looks amazing= thanks for the articleGreat to see something on this project. Give us more give us more!
Have you heard of this thing called common sense? What you typed took longer than just answering the question. Not sure if that makes you a jerk or a moron.
Anyway... I'm really looking forward to this game. Not just because I've been a Star Trek fan since my mother first let me stay up to watch the original series reruns back in the mid 1970's... but because, frankly, I'm fantasy-ed out. I'd like to play a new MMORPG that isn't fantasy-based. I'm just glad to have read even one little tidbit about how the game's coming, even if the article didn't tell us a whole lot of new information.
It's people like you Endemondia, that show the arrogant, juvenile side of game forums. You need to take that giant leap forward yourself. If you can't answer the question for the person, just don't post. As opposed to a sarcastic worthless answer that only shows your own stupidity.
On a better note, I think any news on this game is good news at this point. If they want to share some information, great. I look forward to more.
Bren
Oh and for the guy who asked what IP meant, it stands for Intellectual Property. Which like the other poster stated in this case stands for existing entertainment franchises from say film or TV.
intellectual property
I'm hungry for a new sci-fi MMORPG so this reads good to me. Just hope it's not an Elf and Orc is space kind of thing.
A Post Apoc Mad Max type with skill points rather then levels would make me pretty happy too.
I've been following the STO development since I first heard about it. I run a small gaming community that was started in the Star Trek genre. We've been looking for a new ST game to expand into and Legacy failed at any attempt to satisfy us. PE seems to have their heads in the game and with people like Michael Okuda onboard, I'm confident that the game will meet most expectations. I'd rather have them take thier time and do it right than release it when it won't do the job or fill the shoes we expect it to fill.
The closer it gets to GnH's release the more info about STO we'll get. They may even wait to tackle our 'demands' until afterwards. Wouldn't you as a company? I'm going to sit back and relax... and wait for it. They'll give us what we want. If they don't.... Trekkies from all over the world will hunt them down. hehe....
I can think of a few roles for separate players to fill:
Helmsman - steers the ship
Weapons - fires torp's etc
Navigator - sees map and plots waypoints for helmsman to pilot to
Engineer - regulates power between drives, weapons, shields, life support etc
Radioman - scans 'local chat' and/or npc distress signals that launch a mission (non radio types can't decode transmission)
Mechanic - runs about the ship repairing damaged sectors
Doctor - to stand over dead body and say "He's dead Jim."
There must must must be pvp, even if only racial pvp. Maybe even cycle who can attack who each month based on a story arc as the relations and treaties are made and broken.
it is true. I am a pompous rude idiot. But i can't help it. luckily it is just my day job....but i did laugh too!
STO FTW ;D
<3 Star Trek <3
I think more female players will play online games if just the simple questions (to you guys) could be answered without the rudeness our little friend felt he had 2 answer his way.
I'm not a big Star Trek fan but I like this one space game I played "Earth & Beyond" and I'm hoping this game will bring back what I lost when E&B shut down.
Yup. I've watched everything Trek, and I have to admit, I mis-wrote. By the time I got back from the event, it was quite late and I guess I wasn't thinking clearly. It would indeed be beyond the Enterprise E, probably F, but to be honest, I didn't see call numbers, but was told by the devs that it was the Enterprise. Could be G for all I know. :)
http://images.mmorpg.com/features/1151/images/1151_4.jpg - Is there anyway to get this one a bit bigger so I can use it as backgroud? :)
The author supposes it must be the Enterprise E? I'm pretty sure anyone who calls themself a trekkie would know whether or not they're looking at the Enterprise E, or for that matter a Sovereign class starship.
However, that concept art of the "Sacagawea class" ship looks suspiciously like a Saber class ship. I'm not sure what's worse, trying to be too original or mimicing something very closely and calling it new.
As with all STO related posts I'm obligated to point out that having 2D space combat ranks right up there in the "worst design decision" category.
I thought it was the Sabre class at first too. Then I looked closer. It is basically a moving bridge. I think it has one... maybe two decks. It is much smaller than the Sabre class. Do a google search (not to sound rude like previous posters) and check out the comparison. The difference in size suprised me.
That Sacagawea strongly resembles an early Romulan Bird of Prey, Federationised.
Eagerly awaiting ST:O also. As to your wish for a "Mad Max" post Apoc MMO, check out "Fallen Earth" http://www.fallenearth.com/ and the info on here on MMORPG.com. They've been pretty tight-lipped as to if they are going to be skill or level based, but worth watching in the near future.
LOL, no worries, I've heard nothing of the kind ;)
Jon
I just hope Perpetual takes enough time to really polish this game before it's released. I'm tired of buggy MMOs being launched (SOE, I'm looking at you).
No faction vs. faction is a bit of a bummer, though. :(
You know when I first wanted to see a Star Trek MMO was when Star Wars released theirs. When I heard one was in development I was so excited....Now some time later I am more in reserved caution like many I am very worried about seeing something I love so much in the hands of people who could screw it up.
THat being said, I am GLAD they are being so hushed about the game until they know whats going on that means they are not doing this to follow the leader of the trend who we all know its name. I like people who have original ideas for their games and Im glad they are taking their time...They can take 10 years if they need to if thats what it takes to get a Real Star Trek game then I can wait. Ive been waiting all this time I can wait longer. It does look beautiful...
I do hate to nitpick but in his article he said:Enterprise E which is a Soverign Class starship 600+ meters long we have all seen it. I think he actually mean Enterprise F in which case Im curious what happened to E lol and what, Im now sure is Admiral Picard one cant put off those promotions forever unless he went down with his ship, is up to. (After all Janeway said there are 2 rules as Starfleet Captain Go down with your ship and never leave a crewmember behind) So that tidbit of history is very interesting to me at least.
Bearing in mind the necessary marketing aspects of what developers say before a game in development launches, I'm still with jayanti -- I'd have preferred to learn something more about the core game design.
I don't mind eye candy. Heck, for a game set in space, slick ships and pretty scenery are non-optional. So it's nice to be shown these things.
But they aren't what matter most. What matter most are the core design goals that drive everything else, including gameplay and artwork. An honest statement of those goals is what will either keep me interested in STO until it launches, or clue me in that this isn't the MMOG I'm looking for. Telling me that stuff now, rather than leading me on until some site like MMORPG.com is given a preview tour, seems to me to be a good way to gain my respect for a company even if a particular product doesn't strike my fancy. I might not subscribe to Game A, but I'll definitely be willing to take a look at the other products offered by a company I feel I can trust because they act like they trust me.
Not so much, OTOH, for a game developer whose attitude is "we know what's best for you, stop questioning us, just wait, you'll love it." I won't play any games from someone like that. (I'm not thinking of Perpetual here, but I definitely have a couple of development houses in mind with this criticism.)
I'm not asking for gameplay details. Of course that stuff is going to change. But the core design philosophy -- the statements that describe who this game is targeting and the general strategy for attracting those gamers -- I'd be shocked if that isn't well-understood and stable at this point in STO's development.
So why not let us gamers in on that? Next time there's an opportunity to sit down with Daron S. or one of the other leads, I'd definitely visit MMORPG.com to read their comments about the core design goals of STO.
--Flatfingers
One of the more soothing things I read in there was about the music and their decision to keep the familiarity of the original themes so it feels more Star Trekky. In my opinion that is a VERY important aspect that creates incredible immersion.
When SWG came out I was really confused by the music that was "new" to me because they didn't have any music associated with A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The only music they had was from the first trilogy... which was not that familiar to me at the time. But they were also trying to promote that series quite a bit... but in doing so they sacrificed some vital immersion. It would have had that Star Wars feel from the start if they included the original Star Wars theme in their game.
So if I hear the original Star Trek music (from the original series) in the game, I'm gonna get that tingle of warm familiarity right off the bat.
Thank you for explaining this to the masses. I think some folks are under the impression that you were a reporter at a State of the Union Address where the speaker MUST answer questions posed to them. Perpetual was not under an inquisition, but rather was offering what they DO have to show us. I'm glad time wasn't wasted asking gameplay questions that we know there is no answer to yet. At this early stage it's better to listen to what they have done already than to push for things yet to come under development or ready to be released to the public.
Oooh, that is so true. I am so tired of seeing trolls, orcs, elves, faeries, magic missiles, paladins, wizards... PTOOIE!
I really hope i'm misstaken. Instead of guilds.. Starship crews. Now that would make this game friggin groundbreaking in a good way.
I don't know if you misunderstood the info PE gave about combat, but if you refer to graphics and camera, it will be 3D, only moving around will be 2D. Isn't that what they do in the series as well? I can't say I'm as big a fan as you appear to be (I know nothing about ship classes and stuff like that), but I can't recall seing an attacking ship in ST approach its prey at a vertical angle or upside down, it's more or less always(?) 2D.
Even if it's just so-so, I'll probably stick with it for awhile. I mean c'mon, I stuck with Galaxies until the NGE slammed it.... lol.
Not sure if this is what you mean, but I think it qualifies for justification for 3d battle between starships.
[edit] The second battle between Enterprise and Reliant
Kirk manages to lure Khan into the nearby Mutara Nebula, where he subsequently outmaneuvers him by taking advantage of all three dimensions of space. With the Reliant disabled and about to be boarded, Khan sets the Genesis Device to detonate. The Enterprise lost warp power in the initial battle, and on limited impulse, has no chance to escape. Spock, unnoticed in the desperation, goes down to Engineering. He is about to enter the reactor room when McCoy stops him, saying "No human can tolerate the radiation that's in there!" Spock replies that as McCoy himself frequently points out, he isn't human; he then distracts McCoy and nerve-pinches him, apologizing that he has "no time to discuss this logically." Pressing his hand against McCoy's forehead to initiate a mind-meld, Spock intones "Remember". Spock then enters the room and successfully makes repairs amidst heavy radiation streams. On the bridge, a cadet monitoring the Engineering station announces that the main engines have come back online. With seconds to spare, Kirk orders Commander Hikaru Sulu to engage the warp engines, and the Enterprise narrowly escapes just as the Genesis Device detonates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_II:_The_Wrath_of_Khan
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/Enterprise_%28TWOK%29.jpg
I stand corrected, I just never saw it in the series. I guess there's an exception to every rule :)