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Star Trek Online Previews: Inside Beta: Character Customization
MMORPG.com has been given early access into the Star Trek Online beta, and so will be bringing you reports from inside the game. Today, we kick off our series with Dana Massey's preview of the game's character customization system.
By Dana Massey on December 14, 2009
Cryptic found itself in an awkward position when they acquired the Star Trek Online license in the summer of 2008. They are a company built around the idea of customization, specifically character customization. City of Heroes, Villains and later Champions Online would all redefine how much control players expect to have over their characters. With Star Trek came a huge challenge: How do you create top notch character customization in an IP where everyone basically dresses the same? After some exclusive hands-on time with the game, I'm happy to report that they have met that challenge. When Star Trek Online launches in February it will come with some of the best character customization ever seen in a video game.
The initial customization is the usual Cryptic funhouse. There are only a few choices that affect the under-the-hood mechanics of your character, which to me is how it should be. No one knows when they first install a game what they want to be precisely, so why make them pick right away?
Your choices are limited to one of three archetypes and a few character traits. The official descriptions of the careers are as follows:
- Tactical Officer: "Combat damage, stealth recon, and squad tactics. The Tactical Officer can deliver damage in the widest variety of methods, while supporting his away team by drawing off enemy threat or bolstering their combat effectiveness with tactics and squad combat."
- Science Officer: "Weakening or incapacitating the enemy over time, creating energy fields that damage or hinder, and healing their away team from such effects. The Science Officer has the greatest potential to react to a chaotic combat situation through direct enemy holds, weakening an enemy group's combat strength or resistance, or responding to enemy attack by quickly healing damage. The Science Officer's combat effectiveness is their versatility."
- Engineering Officer: "Survivability, support generators, and controlling the paths of enemy advance with fieldworks. The Engineering Officer can withstand the most damage by improving the performance of their own personal shields, while supporting his away team with power generators or by bottlenecking the enemy's advance with defensive minefields. The Engineer's own combat effectiveness is improved by modifications to their firearms or support fire from fabricated turrets and drones."
The second choice is race. Aside from the obvious artistic implications, race also ties a set number of required traits to the character. Traits are innate abilities. Each race gets four of them total, but one or two are pre-defined for every race save the player defined one.
In the build we played, only Starfleet races were available to explore. Below is a list of the races we saw, plus the traits tied to them and what they do:
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Human, Andorian, Bajoran, Bolian, Vulcan, Ferengi
- Human: I'm pretty confident you don't need an explanation for them. They come with two required traits:
- Leadership: 10% increase to "Crew Powers."
- Teamwork: 5% team bonus to Exploit Damage.
- Andorian: The blue aliens with antennas. They come from the frozen moon of Andoria. They have one required trait:
- Acute Senses: 20% improvement to stealth sight, 10% damage bonus to exploit damage.
- Bajoran: You'll remember these guys from Deep Space Nine. They're the ones with the funky earrings and ridged noses. They're also a very spiritual people and don't get along so well with Cardassians. They have two required traits:
- Creative: 5% bonus damage with Kits, 5% heal bonus with kits.
- Spiritual: 10% bonus from Heals, 10% improvement to Regeneration.
- Bolian: These are the blue guys without antennas! They apparently also enjoy a good laugh and rarely have hair.
- Corrosive Blood: 20% resistance to toxic/poison damage, Damage trigger to target if bitten. Deals Toxic DoT with Chance to Vomit.
- Vulcan: These guys require nearly as little explanation as humans. They have pointy ears, they're quite logical, and you need to be able to split your middle and ring finger in salute to be one. Think Spock. They have two required traits:
- Logical: 30% resistance to Psionic damage, 30% resistance to confuse, 30% resistance to Placate.
- Physical Strength: 10% improvement to melee Physical Damage.
- Ferengi: Everyone's favorite space age used car salesmen. The Ferengi love a good deal. They have two required traits:
- Acute Senses: 20% improvement to stealth sight, 10% damage bonus to exploit damage.
- Natural Immunities: 33% resistance to Radiation and Toxic damage.
Finally, there is the option to create your own race. The official pitch the game gives is as follows: "Create your own Species! Maybe your species is part of the Federation. Maybe you're from a species that is one of the Federation's enemies. Or maybe you're something completely new. You've chosen to join Starfleet to uphold the Federation and its ideals. Perhaps you'll discover a new world and introduce its inhabitants to your culture."
This character customization although not new is welcomed information - Thanks!
I love choices and Cryptic looks like they nailed it, can't wait to try it out!
I like the customization ideas that they have here, and it really does sound like the crew members used will have a big impact on how the ship will perform. This at least makes sense when it comes to the series, because a ship with a better captain and tactical officer would do better than one with a less experienced crew.
I guess someone will be kicked out of beta soon for breaking the NDA. It suppose to be illegal to even meention your in beta.
We have special permission for this series of articles we're running this week.
We have special permission for this series of articles we're running this week.
Oh i'm sorry i guess i should of figured. How about getting me early access lol j/k I'll get in an honest way.
One aspect Cryptic always nails is customization. From what I've seen, they're going to stick to their good record on that one.
Character creation looks really good. I can't wait to try it myself.
Good article, I am looking forward for this game.
Looks like winner to me
We have special permission for this series of articles we're running this week
That leaves me to wonder if your special permission is in exchange for positive coverage?
That leaves me to wonder if your special permission is in exchange for positive coverage?
Come on now, that's a pretty low thing to say.
Here's why: You have no grounds for it, and there's no way to disprove it - the only way the writer can prove what you're saying is not true would be by giving negative coverage... but wait, what if they actually think the game is good? By the logic of your slander, there can never be a positive exclusive coverage that is not suspicious.
slander would be "zomg you clearly got paid to lie!!!one! You have no credibility anymore!!!"
Respectfully asking a question is not slander. It was the first question in my head after I read that post, and I'm not going to appologise for asking it. I wasn't accusing anyone of anything.
We have special permission for this series of articles we're running this week.
That sounds good to me. I hope they will be similar to this one and actually show screenshots of whatever they are about. I knew that the game was going to have extensive character customisation but I really like seeing the screenshots of it 'in action'.
Will Feburary ever come? This looks terrific, although with the customization options I figured they would have more canon races available. Maybe they will at launch. Anyway, good to see and hear some positive news. I know the character customization isn't new, but I haven't seen how the abilities work. Thanks for the info!
OK, if you say so... I guess it just did not occur to me that that question could be considered respectful. It's just that, that kind of question is called a "loaded question" in that it accuses by implication rather than outright claim, that's why it's considered even worse form than straight accusation.
I don't see whats so inappropriate about asking how one received special permission and if there were any terms. The mere question itself is not an accusation. That's problem with media these days no one wants to hold them accountable. I don't think its an insult or slander or anything else to ask a single question, that may or may not even be answered.
I care about this game and I'm very unsure about whether the information is hype or substance, all thats really been shown is space combat so far, so im naturally curious.
What's with the little green bug icon in the lower right-hand corner of the creation screens? Does that mean that character is playing as a joined Trill?
I don't know if anyone is allowed to answer this, but seeing as the only races that were shown were from the Federation 'faction' would it be safe to assume that, when creating a character, the first choice/option screen is Federation or Klingon?
Also would it be possible, since you have been given permission by cryptic to talk about and show pictures of the character creation process, to show or talk some more about the Klingon side of the game, since there is currently very little information at all available on this?
Journalistic integrity is tricky in situations like these, where you're being granted your material by the very subject of your writing.
Of course, it's possible (not very likely, but possible all the same), that he's being given access and clearance to break the NDA in exchange for positive coverage. It's also possible that he's very excited about the game and is showing that through his writing.
Here's something else to think about though: what if he didn't like it? And, more importantly, what if it showed? I'd wager that had he written this with an overly negative tone, he'd have someone at Cryptic contacting him about the article, and could possibly lose the both access he's been given and the clearance to write about it.
It's a fine line, and I'm sure he's writing this series of articles as neutral as possible, with more of an informative tone than an opinionated one.
I would imagine like most online games most people play the "goods guys" and since the majority of the player base will probably be federation they are keeping the info about it, don't wanna scare of the people with looking like ugly aliens I guess:P Everyone wants pretty people or elves, aka vulcans this time around.
To put your mind at ease, there is no deal in place to give positive coverage for early coverage. That really wouldn't serve us very well in the long run, would it. If we said great and glowing things about the game now, and in February it turned out to be terrible and proved that we were lying, I'm pretty sure we'd get called on it... and that's assuming that we're the kind of people who would do that in the first place, which I'm happy to say we're not.
Hope that clears things up for you.
I'm curious what it is that those of you who are suggesting this article may be biased are taking issue with? I personally do not like several of the decisions cryptic have made, but in this particular instance I am quite happy with the character creation process. There seem to be enough sliders for all the necessary customisation options, so I'm not sure what there would be to write negatively about.
Well, considering that the site has put out articles that could be viewed as negative about Champions Online (Cyrptic's other game), I don't think there's any sort of foul-play involved. Also, while I have to admit I think Dana's articles that he comes up with himself (ie, the Why Not series) are cruddy (sorry Dana, just personal opinion, lol), I also have to admit that when Dana is given a solid topic to write about, such as a game for preview or the like, he does some quite good writing indeed.
It wasn't. Cryptic was allowed to look at the articles first and request feedback (normally, we don't let anyone see the article first, but unfortunately, that's the price you pay for early coverage), but had they asked me to change anything of import, I would not have let this article see the light of day.
The only thing they asked we change was a reminder that the UI is work in progress (a point I intended to have in there anyway) and they disallowed one of our screenshots.
And as others said... it's character creation and awesome like Cryptic character creation always is ;) Really, there was nothing to complain about. A few of the later articles are likely to have a bit more critique in there.
Oh i'm sorry i guess i should of figured. How about getting me early access lol j/k I'll get in an honest way.
beishang is a troll! Let me help you troll . . . what does "I should of figured" mean? Maybe you "should HAVE figured."
Learn some grammar.
Very nice.. Although I wish they would have given you some Klingon info... but good info nonetheles.
Thank you both for taking the time to explain the special permissions as well as your stances on letting your content be dictated to you, this is what responsible journalism is all about. Very Classy! I greatly appreciate it!
I like what I've seen of the character creator so far. The different races and their descriptions are pretty cool. Even though it's kind of worrying to allow people to create their own races, I will be taking advantage of this for at least one character I create.
So no Tellarites, Benzites, Betazoids, or Caitians? Yet they included the non-Federation members the Feremgi? Why? Did Cryptic need a "dwarf" race in there? Are they that unoriginal? I'm completely against having the Ferengi in Starfleet as that would make about as much sense as having Klingons in Starfleet (meaning it's OK for special circumstances, but not en masse.)
No Klingons!!!! Im like what kind of universe is this. So much for getting a bird of prey and raking over some cardasians.
That leaves me to wonder if your special permission is in exchange for positive coverage?
ok since she gave a factual discription of how it works and just gave a small opinon as to that she liked it not sure how you could wonder that. If it had mostly been ohh and ahhs and how great this is I could understand your sceptism but saying there are 4 slider and a list of skills does not take favortism
she stated she only had access to federation so problably she is not able to answer that question
she stated she only had access to federation so problably she is not able to answer that question
He only saw Federation. Klingon is not an option in the build we played.
He only saw Federation. Klingon is not an option in the build we played.
sorry but.. /snicker
And...now I am definitely trying out this game. Thanks for the coverage!
This looks amazing. Cryptic sure has a handle on character customization. I had assumed I was just going to go human, but now who knows?
Can't wait til other playable factions are added too. cough-Cardassian-cough
He only saw Federation. Klingon is not an option in the build we played.
Thank you for your response, and sorry for asking something that was already made clear in the article.
I got a bit too excited by the character creation screenshots and the traits, which I didn't know any specifics about before, so I skimmed over the archetype part a bit too quickly, figuring I already knew most of that, and missed the bit on the end about only starfleet races being available.
He only saw Federation. Klingon is not an option in the build we played.
I've heard that Klingons aren't even in closed beta yet. That does not bode well for those wanting the play Klingon I think...
Not a fan of the Trek but looks like the game is forming up well, the make your own race is a good move will help break the cookie cutter race set that other games have, hope the let you have Multi Chars per account so you can a few out.
I hope so too. A Cardassian faction would be amazing.
If that really is the complete list of traits available to the custom races and nothing was accidentally left out by Dana, then we now know that custom races do not have access to:
I assume this is meant to encourage players to choose one of the more common races—and I think it's a nice, simple, unobtrusive way of doing so—but it is interesting to note that neither the Andorians nor the Ferengi have an exclusive trait.
From the sounds of it, this game will be a roleplayer's wet dream come true... *droole* I can hardly wait! So glad I pre-ordered the collector's edition *squee* ^_^
Didn't Cryptic say they would be adding more 'default' races in future expansions? It makes sense from a business perspective to not give away all the good stuff at once. Personally, I think these options are fine for the initial release, it gives people something to start with and learn how the game works, then we can go on to other stuff in expansion packs or patches later on. As for Ferengi in Starfleet, I don't see a huge issue with it, personally. But, to each their own ^_^
I agree with you on it being a nice and unobtrusive way of doing this, and overall I am very happy with the way character creation seems to be turning out. I also think it's a fair bet that traits will be added and/or tweaked between now and launch so I am going to hold off any criticism of specific traits/races until there is a 'final' product available.
As far as I'm concerned, with the changes Grand Nagus Rom has been bringing to Ferenginar, there's only as much problem with Ferengi in Starfleet as there is Bajorans in Starfleet, yet no one seems to take issue with the latter.
With the war on, I can completely imagine Rom doing everything in his power to help the Ferengi oblige the Federation.
I noticed a few missing from the Custom list myself when writing it, however, I don't think the specific trait assignments are entirely nailed down so that may be one thing worth waiting to see how it pans out.
Keeps getting BETTER AND BETTER!!!!
He only saw Federation. Klingon is not an option in the build we played.
Let's look at that statement for a moment. The game is now 7 weeks from launch. That's about a month from going gold and having its release candidate build sent off for production, packaging and distribution. It's also, what? 3 weeks from the start of open beta?
Being Klingon is a pretty major game system. It should also be a big chunk of content in terms of missions, art, skills, etc. Not to mention a lot of balancing to ensure that PvP plays in a way that's fun. Just how much real testing can it possibly get before the game goes into open beta, even if that content were to suddenly be added tomorrow?
It sounds more and more to me like this game is going to be Champions Online Part Deux. Awesome character creation and possibly a decent early game -- followed by big problems the farther in you get. Either that or there's a 2-3 month delay on the horizon.
This is Cryptic's third MMO. You'd think they would have learned by now!
One of the points of Deep Space Nine was that the Ferengi culture was so different from human/Federation culture that they weren't all that compatible. I also strongly feel that swallowing major races up into the Federation is a good way to dilute them and to remove their uniqueness. I wouldn't want the Grand Nagus to abdicate in favour of a Federation Council representative.
Bajorans are in Starfleet partly because many of them were forced to flee the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, and many Bajorans are in Starfleet because Bajor joins the Federation. The Ferengi has their own populated homeworld, their own religion and culture, their own stable government, they don't need to join the Federation. I think it makes about as much sense to have the Ferengi join the Federation as it does the Klingons or Romulans.
One of the points of Deep Space Nine was that the Ferengi culture was so different from human/Federation culture that they weren't all that compatible. I also strongly feel that swallowing major races up into the Federation is a good way to dilute them and to remove their uniqueness. I wouldn't want the Grand Nagus to abdicate in favour of a Federation Council representative.
Bajorans are in Starfleet partly because many of them were forced to flee the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, and many Bajorans are in Starfleet because Bajor joins the Federation. The Ferengi has their own populated homeworld, their own religion and culture, their own stable government, they don't need to join the Federation. I think it makes about as much sense to have the Ferengi join the Federation as it does the Klingons or Romulans.
There is an episode in Voyager with some kind of federation time ship, a Romulan is sat in federation uniform on the helm console or whatever it was, but it was clearly a Romulan. Too different from other Vulcans. The point is, these races, if they were to join, they would join sometime. Nothing to say it can't be now. Perhaps the Ferengi aren't in the federation, but are allies, and thus so, allow their citizens to join Starfleet. It's not too far fetched to believe.
Yet another preview with no mention of the Klingon faction. I am more and more convinced they wont be included at launch.
It wasn't. Cryptic was allowed to look at the articles first and request feedback (normally, we don't let anyone see the article first, but unfortunately, that's the price you pay for early coverage), but had they asked me to change anything of import, I would not have let this article see the light of day.
The only thing they asked we change was a reminder that the UI is work in progress (a point I intended to have in there anyway) and they disallowed one of our screenshots.
And as others said... it's character creation and awesome like Cryptic character creation always is ;) Really, there was nothing to complain about. A few of the later articles are likely to have a bit more critique in there.
One of the most important duties as a journalist is to critical and raise to uncomfortable questions. For example, why is it not mentioned that this close to release there are no customization options for the Klingon faction?
A valid and obvious question that needs a clear answer. You as a journalist should ask that question. Why haven't you?
Most likely Cryptic does not want to talk about it since they want people to order as many pre-orders as possible before announcing that Klingons wont be included at launch. But that is all speculations on my part but you as an independend journalist should raise those questions.
He's not a journalist.
I have to agree.
Getting slightly worried, though i now know they will be a PvP side only. Which is totally unacceptable to force a player into PvP. (I'll play as a fed, and do both religiously.) But the fact remains that alot of people had their hearts set on klingons. It's starting to get worried.
Hey. Look!
Is that a money costing expansion i see in the distance? I think so.
Disappointing Cryptic, very disappointing. Sure i'll still play, but damn. That is a bad let down. Tell you what though, if they suddenly release the klingons before launch it'll be one of the biggest 'stealth' releases i've seen. Alas it'll be PvP only.
They may have learned that good box sales, along with CEs and long-term subs equal a profitable release.
And there is the reason they do it. People like you. They don't care if you're happy, as long as you pay.
And there is the reason they do it. People like you. They don't care if you're happy, as long as you pay.
Well, to be honest, selfishly, i'll still be happy, because i'll primarily be a federation player. So i've not exactly lost anything, so theres no reason for me not to play this game. They are just catering for people with my wishes and hopes though, which are federation orientated, which is wrong.
So i was hopeing to play a Klingon did I miss something here its not going to be a playable race (is it like the Balaur in Aion an ai controled race to fight ?) I like playing the the bad guy example in SWTOR I will be a Sith in Aion I play an Asmo depending on your point of veiw each race is good or bad but naturally we are all good in RL and playing the villian is , well my bag baby so to speak! can someplease fill me in on the deatials from what I read ,I see the only fraction in game are the FED's so please let me know and I am asking a question or point me to the article sorry for being such a noob! thank you .
Well, best way i can describe it, is have you played Lord of the Rings online? If so im sure you've been aqquainted or at least heard of something called 'MonsterPlay', which allows players to play as the creeps (Orcs, Uruks etc, even trolls come to think of it.) Star trek online will feature something similair.
However, i DO think it will be more in depth, with more control, socializing abiltities and hubs for players to choose from.
A good question is, what does this mean for klingon fleets? Guilds or whatever. Surely they still allow you to do this, after all, cryptic have seen people forming klingon fleets on their official forums since the announcement they were taking over, so i really, seriously doubt the ability to be a fleet of klingons would be taken away so sneakily like this.
For people who reckon the feds will have an advantage. No, they get a head start, but just you watch as soon as they expand the klingon faction, how many flock over, and the numbers will soon crank up.
Considering the game is still in Beta I can bet there are a few beta Testers who are possibly gnashing at the teeth to clarify a few points.
but they are possibly sticking to the NDA and dont want to lost that, so sit silently thinking to themselves 'Just a while longer, and the truth will be known'
Roll on Open Beta and the news we will get from that. I think there will be a lot of 'See, its in, its great, and we tested it for AGES to get it right for everyone'
*Gnashing of teeth and wailing of despair*
Yeah thats a fair point. Now, yesterday someone leaked footage on youtube and i caught a glimpse. I've got to say, the ground combat looked better than i expected. The space, i caught a glimpse at how you travel etc, it looks good. Good enough infact, that i will play this game come launch.
i hope Klingons are a playable race at launch or it will be a dely from me to share my money with them :-P.
Depends what your expecting. Yes you'll be able to play as one, but not to the full extend as a federation player can play their captain.
Looks good. They never fail to let down on their Character Creation Creator.
Yeah it is very impressive. I think i'll spend a long time playing around on it, creating character's i'll probably never use lol.
Most of us could care less about customization, game play is the king here, the customization is just fluff...
Who are "us"? You guild mates?
He's got a point. Customization, while an awesome feature (and one I personally look to as one of the biggest deciding factors in whether or not I play an MMO), doesn't matter to a lot of people.
Look at games like City of Heroes and Champions Online, games with unmatched customization. If character creation/customization *really* mattered to most people, those games would be bursting at the seams with players.
You have to remember, character creation and customization are awesome, yes, but what really matters is what you actually do with your characters.
One of the most important duties as a journalist is to critical and raise to uncomfortable questions. For example, why is it not mentioned that this close to release there are no customization options for the Klingon faction?
A valid and obvious question that needs a clear answer. You as a journalist should ask that question. Why haven't you?
Most likely Cryptic does not want to talk about it since they want people to order as many pre-orders as possible before announcing that Klingons wont be included at launch. But that is all speculations on my part but you as an independend journalist should raise those questions.
This was a hands-on preview of what the game is right now, not a sit down with the team. I did that a few weeks ago and at that time had no idea that they hadn't released Klingons to us.
That said, a lot of games add content near launch. Hibernia for DAoC was a very late addition, for example. Just because it isn't in the build I played doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Anyway, the build on public test is rarely up to date. In fact, I imagine one of our previews next week or later this one will answer all your Klingon questions.
This was a very finite article about a set of features. Read the article for what it's about and not what it isn't about.
It does look good and it will be a winner imo. as long as they have all the key componets in place it will be a hella fun game. been a trek fan for a long time and I cant wait to get on line with thousands of others who enjoy the uni as much as I do.
One of the most important duties as a journalist is to critical and raise to uncomfortable questions. For example, why is it not mentioned that this close to release there are no customization options for the Klingon faction?
A valid and obvious question that needs a clear answer. You as a journalist should ask that question. Why haven't you?
Most likely Cryptic does not want to talk about it since they want people to order as many pre-orders as possible before announcing that Klingons wont be included at launch. But that is all speculations on my part but you as an independend journalist should raise those questions.
This was a hands-on preview of what the game is right now, not a sit down with the team. I did that a few weeks ago and at that time had no idea that they hadn't released Klingons to us.
That said, a lot of games add content near launch. Hibernia for DAoC was a very late addition, for example. Just because it isn't in the build I played doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Anyway, the build on public test is rarely up to date. In fact, I imagine one of our previews next week or later this one will answer all your Klingon questions.
This was a very finite article about a set of features. Read the article for what it's about and not what it isn't about.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I mentioned earlier how its rediculous to judge an incomplete thing, and then to judge it souly on what 'YOU' think the star trek experience is all about. Some enjoyment, others with more deeper meanings. If its not looking like 'your' star trek experience, then thats a shame, but at the same time, the game must go on.
The space combat alone would sell copies, but with the ability to walk around aswell, with combat and exploration, there all bonuses. Time to start thinking about what is there, rather than what isn't. Like a rich universe to explore. New races to meet as a personal experience of first contact. Large fleet actions with multiple ships, tackling huge borg cubes, which by the way, look more to scale than any other game has portrayed so far.
It's going to be good, and i say this and believe it because i didn't sit there and think out in my head how it should be. I sat there, and waited to be entertained. It seems like im in for a treat, but you never know.
sorry Dana just seemed like a female name I appoligize Mia Cupa
Great review. Is it just me or does it seem like the graphics are getting better every few weeks? Textures, lighting, shaders? When they do get around to releasing other playable races, I am pretty sure Romulans will be high on the list. And who doesn't want to be a Changeling? I'm kind of over Klingons, every time there's some new info or pics you get someone QQing about Klingons. lol *skip post*
Yes the graphics are looking better IMO too. "You cant paint a house til the foundation is layed and the walls are put up". Same goes for games in production imo, the mechanics and how things work are a tad more important first, then the graphics can start to come together.
Yes definately. What really interests me is all these uniform designs im seeing. I can't wait to see what we get to play with.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who wants a "uniform creation/customization preview"
One of the things I'm looking forward for information about as well.
Great article by the way, lots of insight on racial bonuses (kinda sucks, looks like humans aren't getting the best ones, and I kinda have a thing about being human in my games...we'll see how that crew bonus works though)
Cryptic should just make character customization engines, for other devopment houses to buy. So they can integrate them into games that are actually worth playing your creative personalized character in.
Was a nice job with the article, and had alot shown that i had been curious about. While highly in depth customization is partially fluff like alot of people its usually a strong point in determining whether ill try a game. Part of playing mmos for me involves being able to design how i would truly want to look in that game and world for the sake of immersion and whatnot. Sounds like i wont have any complaints there with STO. I also noticed through past trailers I've watched they got the sound effects down which adds alot to the trek theme of things. To see how the traits and base archetype options affect the gameplay later though ill be curious on. Just as I'm sure a cruiser has its inherent strengths i dont believe that will hinder it from being able to do other things well enough and I'm hoping for the same with the skills and archetype selection of our captain. Id hoping that even if we say choose a science type archetype that we can still develop strong combat abilities , etc. All in all while its still to early to say for sure as i never let myself get to engrossed into hype of mmos launching that STO is still of interest to me so ill keep my reserve in place. I for sure will try this out for the initial month after purchase.
It's looking better with every review I read!
I'm worried im going to spend way too much time on the creator, making up new races with Biographies attached. That is one of the selling points for me. A game that can constantly flush out new races for me to meet and interact with, player, or NPC, is a game thats worth my monthly fee. That being said i'll likely roll a human (lol), but that's because i want to do my star trek fantasy and be a captain in my image. Which this game will allow us to do quite nicely.
Im interested to hear the music and score's throughout the game. For a reviewer to comment on them, tells me for a fact that this game will give you the 'To boldly go' feeling.
Bring it on i say.
I can't remember for the life of me where I watched/read it, but I could swear I remember hearing about the ability to Save your Race and than upload/save/share it with guild mates (so you could say for example make a guild with the newly created race),and that way your freinds and/or guild mates did not have to mess with all the slider bar options and such to try and make a duplicate one.
I can't remember for the life of me where I watched/read it, but I could swear I remember hearing about the ability to Save your Race and than upload/save/share it with guild mates (so you could say for example make a guild with the newly created race),and that way your freinds and/or guild mates did not have to mess with all the slider bar options and such to try and make a duplicate one.
Don't worry, you've not gone mad. I recall reading something like that in an 'Ask Cryptic' on the startrek online official site. That is a good feature. I think it's time someone sat down, and posted a 'features' section of the game so all these things that people dont actually know exist, get brought into the light, because right now it's like, "No klingon PvE?! Im leaving!!". Sure that will be a deal breaker for some people, but that's the way it was always going to be. It was always clear it was a PvP faction. For me, the genesis system alone is reason enough to pick up a copy.
Don't worry, you've not gone mad. I recall reading something like that in an 'Ask Cryptic' on the startrek online official site. That is a good feature. I think it's time someone sat down, and posted a 'features' section of the game so all these things that people dont actually know exist, get brought into the light, because right now it's like, "No klingon PvE?! Im leaving!!". Sure that will be a deal breaker for some people, but that's the way it was always going to be. It was always clear it was a PvP faction. For me, the genesis system alone is reason enough to pick up a copy.
I've been telling one of my some what not into sci fi friend about this supposed feature and its one of the things thats making her thing about playing STO :). also a good interview is with Morgan from G4's X play
http://g4tv.com/videos/42667/Star-Trek-Online-MMO-All-Access-Preview/
witch mentions a little bit about the Genesis system.
OOh thats actually the first ive heard about the Genesis system. THAT sounds really appealling.