State of the Game, 9/15

[Morgan Shackelford]

Executive Producer Dan Stahl checks in with September's state of the game.

http://www.startrekonline.com/node/2089

[Anomalous Life Form]

Nice, ground combat going twitch based.

[Morgan Shackelford]

Ya, that should be interesting. I think for pvp at least, they should force it. Ground combat isn't terrible, but it lacks the same level of ... focus required that ship to ship combat does. I have at least 30+ skills available as a VA when in space... on the ground you get like 10. Shoot, shoot, sniper attack, shoot shoot, shoot, gets old. The option to have an actual shooter style of ground combat will liven things up a lot more. Give us crits for head shots, let us disable folks that get hit in the limbs... would be much more interesting.

I also like that he's talking up the Klingons. They need a LOT of work to be even half as interesting as the Feds. They are way too grindy right now and there's no story. Call me crazy, but some of us out here actually enjoy reading the comms and mission directives, getting a story out of the game. Some of the best missions are the ones with the most interesting storylines.

I really don't like the C-store, again no secret. They really do need to make sure they have ways for something like the VA Excelsior to be earned in game and not exclusive to the Store. Even though the reqs to get a Galaxy Dreadnought are not easy - there is at least a way to get it without having to actually pay for it. Recruiting people to play STO isn't really an in game activity though, and I'd like to see a way to get those two ships by doing something in the game. The best option I think would be a method whereby players can actually earn C-Store points - possibly through the accolades system - that sort of insures that anything that ends up in the store is potentially available through in game activities. Or, just make them cost 500 emblems :P The VA refit ships are expensive in game, - but it CAN be done, and that's what matters to me in terms of principle.

[Anomalous Life Form]

I agree 100% about the C-Store. There should be multiple options available to earn everything. What the hell are accolade points for anyways?

And yeah, Klingons are long overdue for enhancements of any kind to their game play. The really good thing that will come out of all this is that he mentioned those plans are for all future factions in the game.

Good stuff.