Cryptic has published another "Ask Cryptic" blog, in which they talk about some of the things coming with Season 6, like enhancements to Fleet functionality and Fleet-owned starbases and updates to The Foundry, as well as giving more insight into the continuing development of the KDF faction.

The Romulan faction, alas, still appears to be far away....

http://startrekonline.com/node/3053

More generalities , more, please wait , it's basically the same song and dance. In case you missed it the first paragraph, this said it all.

  "Longer term improvements to the Foundry that will come post Neverwinter launch  " , and yes while he is speaking about foundry, this has been a typical pattern of behavior of Cryptic. They can't seem to walk and chew gum at the same time. So in a nutshell NwN gets priority and this game will continue to get drips of content.

  Also , I'm still stunned people whine about Romulan content when Cryptic can't even produce a 2 faction game. A third faction would would end up being a loading screen and customization, at the rate Cryptic does things. 

There's been a pretty good rate of content release over the last few months, which is a good thing.  Of course, it's never fast enough, for any game, when looking forward to new content.

Heretic gave some insights into the overall plan for starbases and fleet advancement:

"We are in the process of finalizing the basic framework for starbases and fleet advancement. Once this is done and settled internally, we will be able to speak about it much more freely.

The goals for the system include:

• Provides for long-term endgame advancement
• Fair for both small and large fleets
• Fair for both casual and hardcore fleets
• Creates a foundation upon which can be potentially built things like territorial control
• Create significant opportunities for additional endgame play
• Provide additional use for many existing resources including Energy Credits, Dilithium, Commodities, Duty Officers, etc.
• Integrates with the duty officer system
• Allows for differentiation between fleets
• Directly rewards personal contributions to the fleet
• Provides a low barrier to entry
• Provides functional gameplay both for fleet leaders and also for every member of a fleet

The above list is not complete; this is a very complicated piece of functional design with a lot of moving pieces that touches literally every part of the development team and a significant majority of existing gameplay in one way or the other.

While we are not at a place right now where we can talk about any specifics of the system, the system is big enough that it will roll out over multiple seasons with each season building on the one before it. In other words, we have a longterm path that has a lot of dependencies, each of which we have to develop, refine, test and tune before we move on to the next part."

http://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=4147129&postcount=88

Looks like they are taking it in a good direction, and one that will enhance the long-term playability of the game.

Originally posted by Rohn

There's been a pretty good rate of content release over the last few months, which is a good thing.

Such as?  1 FE series that took over a year to get out?  I would not categorize that as a "good rate" by any stretch of the imagination. 

To comapre, Paragon Studios has done far better with releasing regular content updates with a staff of comparable size to Cryptic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Heroes#Updates_and_history).   They also continued to release content updates while converting the game into a F2P model.

I would also take any statement about Fleet Starbases with a grain of salt.  I can say from experience from City of Heroes that no matter what system they come up with for Fleets (as with Supergroups in CoH), it will not be fair to fleets of all sizes and types.  I will almost guarantee that Fleet starbases will involve a grind that will make the STF grind for MK XII gear pale in comparison.

Originally posted by ShardWarrior

Originally posted by Rohn

There's been a pretty good rate of content release over the last few months, which is a good thing.

Such as?  1 FE series that took over a year to get out?  I would not categorize that as a "good rate" by any stretch of the imagination. 

 

There's been more added than that since the start of Season 5 - why try to make it look otherwise?

It's more than just the 5 part Feature Episode, which was quite good.

Starting back in December with S5, they added 9 new/variant KDF ships, and the Fed Sao Paolo.

They also added the (huge) Duty Officer system at that time, which they have continually expanded.

Since that time, they successfully transitioned to F2P.

Other items of note:

1. Added the Odyssey and Bortas ships in an in-game event.
2. Added officer contacts to the interior of ships.
3. Added 20+ missions to the Defera Borg Invasion Zone event.
4. Added Dilithium mining in EVA suits, introduced in an event.
5. Added the KDF-only "Alpha" episode (which is outstanding), and overhauled Fed Minefield Fleet Action for the KDF. (the Romulan Temple FA has also been cleaned up for both factions).
6. First Contact Day event at Utopia Planitia, with pet Phoenix, and UP map has been added to the Foundry set.
7. Added 800-day veteran rewards.

Originally posted by Rohn

There's been more added than that since the start of Season 5 - why try to make it look otherwise?

Sure, if you count C-Store items as "content", then yes, Cryptic has cranked out "content" at breakneck speed.  If you consider "content" as something other than UGC or brainless button clicking (eg. DOFF system), they have done very little.

Originally posted by ShardWarrior

Originally posted by Rohn

There's been more added than that since the start of Season 5 - why try to make it look otherwise?

Sure, if you count C-Store items as "content", then yes, Cryptic has cranked out "content" at breakneck speed.  If you consider "content" as something other than UGC or brainless button clicking (eg. DOFF system), they have done very little.

LOL.  Take a look at the list again.  The only thing listed there that required the C-Store were some of the ships.  Everything else was free, or the result of a continued subscription.

DOFF system.  Free, huge, and a lot of fun as they add Chains and other rewards.  Innovative within the genre as well.

New Featured Episodes.  Free.

New Borg Invasion Zone content.  Free.

Odyssey and Bortas event.  Free.

New KDF episode.  Free (and really good).

Reworked Fleet Actions.  Free.

Officers on the ship interiors (and elsewhere in the game).  Free.

Dilitium mining.  Free.

Utopia Planitia and Phoenix pet (and IDIC tribble).  Free.

Access to tons of user-generated missions.  Free, and a feature that players enjoy.

It's amusing as the C-Store keeps being toted out, because it's a horribly exaggerated and deceptive criticism.  Not everything has to do with the cash shop.

Of course, everything in the C-Store is available to everyone, provided they just play the game, and earn dilithium to trade for C-points via the in-game Exchange.  It'll take some time, but everything is earnable by anyone.

As I stated, it's not an enormous flood of content, but it has been a steady stream, and a far cry from the "one FE in a year" nonsense.

I've been enjoying the game but I just wish they'd release more than one-time content. All the new episodes are ok and all but why not spend the resources on continual systems? More depth etc.?

I suppose it's a little too late for that dream, it is what it is. Still fun but could be so much better, great even.

I think this best captures these posts. I would just insert STO for Life's.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–28

Originally posted by Zekiah

I've been enjoying the game but I just wish they'd release more than one-time content. All the new episodes are ok and all but why not spend the resources on continual systems? More depth etc.?

I suppose it's a little too late for that dream, it is what it is. Still fun but could be so much better, great even.

Most games need to do a better job of adding meaningful, self-perpetuating content systems, in my opinion, especially the themeparks.  That's why I'm such a fan of  sandbox style games.

I think the DOFF system is a pretty good, longer-term system that can help fill that type of role as it continues to develop.  More than that, I think the Fleet Advancement system, and fleet starbases, that are talked about in the "Ask Cryptic" listed in this thread, are being designed specifically to fill that type of role, in that it appears that things like exploration, colonization, and territorial control will be tied directly to it.

It won't happen overnight, but I think it's a good direction for the game.

Originally posted by Rohn

Originally posted by Zekiah

I've been enjoying the game but I just wish they'd release more than one-time content. All the new episodes are ok and all but why not spend the resources on continual systems? More depth etc.?

I suppose it's a little too late for that dream, it is what it is. Still fun but could be so much better, great even.

 

Most games need to do a better job of adding meaningful, self-perpetuating content systems, in my opinion, especially the themeparks.  That's why I'm such a fan of  sandbox style games.

I think the DOFF system is a pretty good, longer-term system that can help fill that type of role as it continues to develop.  More than that, I think the Fleet Advancement system, and fleet starbases, that are talked about in the "Ask Cryptic" listed in this thread, are being designed specifically to fill that type of role, in that it appears that things like exploration, colonization, and territorial control will be tied directly to it.

It won't happen overnight, but I think it's a good direction for the game.

Yeah, some good ideas there but my major concern with their development team is their "soon/coming/sometime/working on it" mentality. It's always "in the future".

I was reading the Q&A where the log in system had been bothering him for years yet it still hasn't been fixed. Years! That's unacceptable. I don't have much faith in them getting these features implemented without an attitude adjustment from the top down.

We'll see. Maybe we'll get lucky...some day. 

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Originally posted by Rohn
DOFF system.  Free, huge, and a lot of fun as they add Chains and other rewards.  Innovative within the genre as well. 

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If you define "fun" as mindlessly clicking a button without having to go anywhere or do anything, then yes, I would agree the DOFF system is "fun". 
 

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Access to tons of user-generated missions.  Free, and a feature that players enjoy.

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Cryptic did not make any of those UGC missions, so with regard to the "steady flow of updates" this part of your argument is extremely weak.

Originally posted by Rohn

Originally posted by ShardWarrior

Originally posted by Rohn
 

 

Starting back in December with S5, they added 9 new/variant KDF ships, and the Fed Sao Paolo. 

The real question are they variants or skins, and how many are C-store items ?

They also added the (huge) Duty Officer system at that time, which they have continually expanded.

Big deal as was pointed out in a previous post. Not innovative nor entertaining.

Since that time, they successfully transitioned to F2P.

Other items of note:

1. Added the Odyssey and Bortas ships in an in-game event. Stripped down versions of a C-Store item , you're really going with that ?
2. Added officer contacts to the interior of ships. Basically something that can be done from your officer screen , adds no gameplay significants and makes bridges more useful how ?
3. Added 20+ missions to the Defera Borg Invasion Zone event. How many are cut and paste mission with just a few skin changes ?
4. Added Dilithium mining in EVA suits, introduced in an event. Another "Press F " event ?
5. Added the KDF-only "Alpha" episode (which is outstanding), and overhauled Fed Minefield Fleet Action for the KDF. (the Romulan Temple FA has also been cleaned up for both factions).  Adding one event and fixing 2 barely used actions ? To top it off the replayablity of which is small.
6. First Contact Day event at Utopia Planitia, with pet Phoenix, and UP map has been added to the Foundry set.
7. Added 800-day veteran rewards. Big deal , hardly worth mentioning as content since I believe it only applies to Gold memberships and LTS.

Additionally, the game has been localized for French and German.

 

It was originally released like this , they just returned something that was removed.

 

I should also mention the scores and scores of very good user-generated missions that have come out during that time, which is a the beauty of designing and implementing something like the Foundry - it satisfies those that love to design missions, as well as those that like to play them.

 

Unfortunately Cryptic is banking on UGC to cover for it's ineptness

 

These are off the top of my head, I've probably omitted a thing or two.

 

Again, there's been a pretty good, steady release of content - not overwhelming, but steady, and certainly more than "one FE series in a year".

 

As far as the fleet advancement systems, no doubt it'll be the foundation that's laid with Season 6, but from what they are saying, it looks like they intend to build quite a variety of content from that foundation.  It's good that they are developing a solid roadmap toward that end.

 Every so often a CDF 'er pops in and tries to convince the world that this game is the greatest thing since sliced bread and what a wonderful company Cryptic is and what a great job they are doing. While granted they are making improvements , it's about all they can do since the game was poorly designed and so badly abused under Cryptics care. You're entitled to your opinion , but far to many people here are familar with what's gone on in the game and with it. Enjoy the F2P aspect , but don't give them a penny .

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Originally posted by Rohn

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Originally posted by ShardWarrior

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Originally posted by Rohn

There's been more added than that since the start of Season 5 - why try to make it look otherwise?

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Sure, if you count C-Store items as "content", then yes, Cryptic has cranked out "content" at breakneck speed.  If you consider "content" as something other than UGC or brainless button clicking (eg. DOFF system), they have done very little.

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LOL.  Take a look at the list again.  The only thing listed there that required the C-Store were some of the ships.  Everything else was free, or the result of a continued subscription.
DOFF system.  Free, huge, and a lot of fun as they add Chains and other rewards.  Innovative within the genre as well.
New Featured Episodes.  Free.
New Borg Invasion Zone content.  Free.
Odyssey and Bortas event.  Free.
New KDF episode.  Free (and really good).
Reworked Fleet Actions.  Free.
Officers on the ship interiors (and elsewhere in the game).  Free.
Dilitium mining.  Free.
Utopia Planitia and Phoenix pet (and IDIC tribble).  Free.
Access to tons of user-generated missions.  Free, and a feature that players enjoy.
It's amusing as the C-Store keeps being toted out, because it's a horribly exaggerated and deceptive criticism.  Not everything has to do with the cash shop.
Of course, everything in the C-Store is available to everyone, provided they just play the game, and earn dilithium to trade for C-points via the in-game Exchange.  It'll take some time, but everything is earnable by anyone.
As I stated, it's not an enormous flood of content, but it has been a steady stream, and a far cry from the "one FE in a year" nonsense.
 

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Meh. Content is something that some of the people on the STO boards can't agree upon. Take
this thread for example. There are different opinions on content, and some of what you include in your post doesn't qualify, according to who you ask. Is it missions? Is it c-store stuff? Is it everything added to the game? Is it player made foundry missions? Why and why not?

I happen to agree with this guy
and Superchum.

So, while you say that STO has added a good amount of content, I have to ask: Are you sure about that?

How is the "One FE a year" statement nonsense when the EP of STO (before Stahl came back) said something to the affect that 2 FE's a year is about all to expect, and anything more is pushing it? I mean, that came from the horses mouth at the time.

I guess it remains to be seen how many FE's Cryptic can or will push out since the return of Stahl.

Originally posted by Cacaphony

I happen to agree with this guy
and Superchum.

Same here.  Not sure you can really count the DOFF system either as it requires no real thought, strategy or effort.

Originally posted by ShardWarrior

 

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Originally posted by Rohn
DOFF system.  Free, huge, and a lot of fun as they add Chains and other rewards.  Innovative within the genre as well. 

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If you define "fun" as mindlessly clicking a button without having to go anywhere or do anything, then yes, I would agree the DOFF system is "fun". 

Just about every game can be considered "mindless" button clicking.  MMOs aren't known for their difficulty.  Everyone has a different opinion of what is fun.  Hurray for free thought!
 

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Access to tons of user-generated missions.  Free, and a feature that players enjoy.

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Cryptic did not make any of those UGC missions, so with regard to the "steady flow of updates" this part of your argument is extremely weak.

They didn't make each individual mission, but they did design and implement the system that allows it, which is a very rare feature in the MMO space.  It's a feature players wanted, one that is highly anticipated in Neverwinter, and one often asked for by the Champions community.

Yes, they get credit for producing it as a feature.  The entire community - authors and players - benefits from it.

Frankly, MMOs need more of these types of system.  Similar to player-driven content systems in sandbox games, the Foundry is a self-perpetuating source of content.  It continually pays dividends.

 

 

Originally posted by Cacophany

How is the "One FE a year" statement nonsense when the EP of STO (before Stahl came back) said something to the affect that 2 FE's a year is about all to expect, and anything more is pushing it? I mean, that came from the horses mouth at the time.

Simply put, FEs are not the only type of content that can be added, or has been added.

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Originally posted by Rohn

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Originally posted by Cacophany

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How is the "One FE a year" statement nonsense when the EP of STO (before Stahl came back) said something to the affect that 2 FE's a year is about all to expect, and anything more is pushing it? I mean, that came from the horses mouth at the time.

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Simply put, FEs are not the only type of content that can be added, or has been added.

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Ok, I see what you were getting at in your other statement. Reading comprehension fail on my part, I admit.

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Originally posted by Rohn

Just about every game can be considered "mindless" button clicking.  MMOs aren't known for their difficulty.  Everyone has a different opinion of what is fun.  Hurray for free thought!

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You are really trying to compare well designed endgame raiding to the DOFF system? Please, enlighten us to the strategy needed for a DOFF mission.

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They didn't make each individual mission, but they did design and implement the system that allows it, which is a very rare feature in the MMO space.

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Paragon Studios had UGC up and running in City of Heroes years ago. There is an enormous difference between a game with tons of well written and immersive mission/quest content that offers UGC as an option vs. a game with piddly amounts of mission content that relies heavily on UGC.

Well I for one think Crytic is heading in the right direction with their content updates and look foward to the rest they have planned.  Certainly isn't a lack of Peeps playing the game so I'm guessing others feel the same way. 

Since this game released those that wanted something other than what Crytic made have stated this was the worse game ever made and called for doom and gloom.  Instead the game goes on and I still feel their hatred in their posts, think they felt crytic designed this game just to piss them off lol.

I felt from the beginning and still  today that Crytic can greatly improve on the game, and in fact has done so since it released.  Improvement is the nature of a MMO and as this game matures we will see even more improvements to its game play.  One thing to remember was this game was designed to be in a time of war and not the peaceful exploration type of game many had hoped for.  This game will never be that and should not even try to go down that line in my opinion.