Season 6 Dev Blog #10
By PWE_BranFlakes @ July 2, 2012 at 3:00pm
Designing Tholian Visuals
The Tholian species has only been seen in a few different episodes of Star Trek, starting with TOS and later in Enterprise. In the TOS episode they were simply floating heads, hard to tell much about them visually. In Enterprise, the CGI team fleshed them out pretty well. From that work we can tell that they have a crystalline carapace and some kind of a glowing liquid center. Having six legs and two arms gives them a mantis-like appearance which is a nice change from the predominantly bipedal species in STO. One of the things that I find intriguing is the way Tholians move; they’ve got a strange staccato, insectoid, vaguely robotic style of movement. There’s a scene in “In a Mirror Darkly” where the crew of the ISS Enterprise are torturing a Tholian, he takes a step backwards and the way its hand and wrist move is strange and a little off-putting… but in a good way. That awkwardness inspired much of our artwork.
It’s amazing the amount of people and effort that go into creating the art for a species like this. There are concept artists, ship artists, character artists, FX artists, and animators spending hundreds of hours to get all of the work done. When we started the concept for the basic ‘naked’ Tholian we didn’t have to do much other than draw him in a way that would help Matt Highison. our Lead Character Artist, with modeling him. The fun part of making the characters came in designing the EV suit. Tholians live in extremely hot climates, so they can’t survive in an atmosphere hospitable to humans. They need to wear suits where we live and vice versa. Character customization has been a hallmark of Cryptic’s games going all the way back to City of Heroes, so we tend to make all of our characters modularly. In this case we wanted to create a base EV suit that could be transformed from a simple EV suit into a full on battle suit by adding a few new parts. Even though this is an enemy species, we didn’t want the base suit to be scary necessarily, but more believable as suit that would be used for working or exploration. The aesthetic for Tholians is geometric and angular with lots of facets, they love triangles and tri-symmetry. We carry that motif throughout Tholian design.
When it came time to make the ships, we started by studying little triangular craft seen in Enterprise and elaborated from there using our design rules. Adam Williams, Thomas Marrone, Concept Artist Chris Legaspi and I had quite a few whiteboard drawing sessions figuring out what this group of ships would look like. When you don’t have the benefit of a lot of time it’s really important to have a good team and to get them involved in the process. A good group will feed on each other’s ideas and produce a lot of them quickly. We steered away from shapes that were overly aggressive or streamlined, opting instead for an angular, faceted, slightly quirky feel. Tri-symmetry played a big part in these designs. Most of the ships have three major hull sections with the bridge pod tucked down in the center where it would be protected in a fight. After the concept process, our Ship Artist Ian Richards was tasked with bringing the ships to life in-game. He did it brilliantly. I think these are some of the most interesting ships and creatures in STO now. Then again, I may be biased because I had so much fun making them. So I’ll let you decide; tell us what you think. Either way, Tholians will add some diversity to STO and provide a fresh new group for you to deal with.
We can’t wait for you to check out the Tholians in-game when they are introduced with the launch of Season 6: Under Siege.
Jeremy Mattson
Art Lead
Star Trek Online
utdfederation @ Jul 12th, 2012 10:36AM
Just wanted to say "Thank You Very Much" for the STO game experience, i really love it. waaaaaaaaaaay better than call of duty at the moment due to all the hackers. was left pretty much playing R.U.S.E all the time, but since i stumbled onto this by accident i just can't walk away from it, great game. i really do hope this never comes to an end, as i see more and more people gaming every day. What i would like to see though please if at all possible is a stats screen as to how many gamers are actually playing, i/e when you login stats page would come up saying "150 players are currently online" "Most Players online ever ?" "total new recruits or members today" things like that, just for interest more than anything. thanks
britewolf @ Jul 11th, 2012 10:42AM
First off, I want to say thankyou for the awesome! The tholians do look very good and I can't wait to get to that part (i'm still going through the main story arc). I've had a fair bit of a moan at you guys recently for one thing or another (account changes, Cpoint conversions, low drop rates on certain items, etc. etc.) but this does look like a lot of fun. I must ask though, when do we get to play 'AS' them? Pretty please!
uwankers @ Jul 11th, 2012 8:03AM
I was told by another player that you have to join a fleet in order to play,something about building a starbase.True or false????
linnykealves1 @ Jul 10th, 2012 10:59PM
OMG muito bommm
captainrister @ Jul 10th, 2012 6:06PM
one race i would like to see? the xindi making a return
kasperakuma @ Jul 10th, 2012 12:53PM
when is the season 6 release date is this known at all?
oldjerseydevil @ Jul 10th, 2012 5:37AM
I think the new content designs look AWESOME, both the Tholians and the new Starbases and I am looking forward to diving in as soon as possible. That's more than enough to satisfy me. That being said I'm not happy with all the griefer's flooding the boards with these negative vibes man! Seriously, give the Dev's a break already! The game is only two years down the road, Rome wasn't built in a day, don't throw the baby out with the bath, etc etc. As a die hard Trek fan from back to the beginning watching TOS in syndication I would love to say the Federation values peace and diplomacy but y'know what IT'S A GAME! As the song says; "Peace sells, but who's buying?" We're at war, and Under Siege! It's in the bloody tittle! Somewhere down the line, maybe, we lucky few who can toe the line and weather the storm may see peace in our futures. Keep an open mind and a fully charged phaser at hand.
catstarsto
Did you just break into a song? :O
celvinj @ Jul 9th, 2012 8:21AM
anyone know when its gonna be releast
catstarsto @ Jul 8th, 2012 11:28AM
Im enjoying myself alot, thanks for the fun game. Ive played for a long time, all the way back in beta when u teleported in the open near the admirals office. The bases look like lots of work, it should keep our fleets busy for a while, the continual added content is why your the best game out there. But i wouldnt be a gamer without one gripe :P The Enterprise set should have included Phase pistols and a full ship interior like you did for the Constitution class - old series pack. That aside, keep up the good work I think I got my moneys worth from my subscription, and plan to play for a long time.
paneth48 @ Jul 7th, 2012 1:36AM
PS. They also made several minis for the game, so you might be able to look those up as well.
mikoto123a
The new ACTA mini's for SFU look (and are) great.
paneth48 @ Jul 7th, 2012 1:34AM
If you want a bit more to look at when it comes to Tholian ships you guys might give the old die counter wargame "Starfleet Battles" a look. they had several Tholian ships made in there (Names and all) for players to use.
burnie1963 @ Jul 6th, 2012 3:24PM
Join Sector 31 Fleet ANTKB Fleet Sector 31 ANTKB is made up of 9 Fleets with a roster of over 1700 fleet members. Our members are from every contenient on Earth. We are a diverse group that is welcoming of all individuals regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or politcal orientation. All of our members work and play together in a respectful and playful manner. We provide mentoring of new fleet members, access to fleet banks, equipment, weapons, consoles, for both space and ground missions, training for crafting and access to fleet resorces. Our website is http:/www.sector31antkb.com Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLMVKd8_Ey4
oldjerseydevil
Seriously?
vadmjasonwolfe @ Jul 6th, 2012 9:05AM
Just a reminder, the devs have plans for the Iconians, Borg, Undine, and other races. Just because content is available now, does not mean that it won't in the future. They are working on a number of ideas for future seasons, so please don't despair. BTW, Devs, you're doing a great job. Your hard work makes this THE BEST MMO on the market. I love being a member of this ever-expanding universe.
kalturock @ Jul 5th, 2012 9:07AM
OK well since this is my first actual post to soemthing like this and since I am a serious Trekky (God love us all!!!) there are some things that I would like to point out. 1st of all you dev's are doing a great job and its hard to do research and create new content etc. so keep up the good work. However there are a few things that should be pointed out as well. I have to agree that i would like to see the bugs fixed on the current and previous missions etc. It seriously takes away from the game itself and is extremely disappointing when something like that happens and is never addressed. Please get these things fixed as I know it will be difficult witht he new content as well but if they are fixed then that puts you above any other MMO out there cuase most never fix them and wonder why they lose players. STO has so much Potential its insane!!! However, there are some disappointing things about the game itself that are seriously Lacking. The episodes are lacking in the Borg, Breen, and Undine. These need some more attention becuase its seriously lacking in content were the Klingon War and Romulan episodes have so much. AS for the Tholians, I think its great and your doing a great job on it and witht he new material as well, (spacestations). I woudl like to see a few other things added as well though. Like the ability to design our own ships and as one person commented on the fact that not everyone can afford Keys for the lockboxes, so why not make them available for C-coins at the store? Coins can be bought with Dilithium as well as with real currency, but for those of us who would like to have some of these it would be nice. Also have you thought about a Romulan playable class for that race or even Reman? Finally, as before the Klingon side is also lacking in content as well. I hope that you Dev's read these thigns and actually talk and discuss these things etc. Other then that thigns look awesome and I seriously applaude and give my sincere gratitude for taking on such a serious task as Star Tek world and universe.
pe124
Wow,it would be very cool design your ships...Also it would be cool design weapons and share these things.More playable factions...STO needs it.See all the factions and we can play with only two...And the Klingon war has 20 episodes and Romulan mistery a bit less,Borg collective has only 4,Breen invasion 5 and also de Undine Advance.And they make more content for the Dominion,for example.I only hope that will be episodes for the Tholians...
azerdraco @ Jul 5th, 2012 8:44AM
For all you haters out there, let me clear up one thing: Starfleet and the Federation were never supposed to be "Peace at any cost". The mentality of ST, from TOS to ENT, was always supposed to be "Diplomacy First". That doesn't mean that the Feds are supposed to just roll over and go passive, it just means that they tell you "Look, there are two options here. Either you stand down and we settle this peacefully or you fire on us and we end up having to beam you to our brig and sickbay before your ship goes poof." With that said, why in the name of Roddenbury are we not going after the Iconians already? These guys are a clear and present danger and are the reason behind the Undine attacking both the Fed and Klinks. The Tholians are nice and all, but we need to get to the core of the problem here.
tayuya2
I agree with you strongly on that, even the borg need more to them than just stfs and like 5 missions.
chexlemino
Thank you all these haters are pissing me off. Plus this is a totally different universe, thanks to JJ Abrams, so screw peace.
oldjerseydevil
The core of the matter is disinformation. Rumors and hysterical conspiracy theories! The Borg conflict is completely under control and relegated to the sectors adjacent to the Gamma system. The Romulan infrastructure is crumbling under it's own weight. Iconian's Undine and Tholian's are nothing more than centuries old myths made up to scare indolent children. Just remain calm and buy more Starfleet bonds and Lock Box Keys, for Your Security. Now please stay tuned to this feed for the Morning with H.F. Mudd Report.
sh0cklance
Don't belive what co-consipirators like Harry Mudd would like you to believe! The end of the universe is nigh! The Tholians are just the newest face to an all-encompasing plot to enslave the masses across the quadrant. Protect your families, box up your tribbles, move to Aldeberan 3 or some other remote location and prepare for the worst! They don't want you to know that their real goal is actually to #^%
starkerruiser @ Jul 5th, 2012 7:36AM
I would have to admit that the Tholian Species would be a handful. Especially if they launch their web at you. These guys are no pushover when it comes down to it. :)
captaingthing @ Jul 5th, 2012 5:32AM
Season 6 is looking to shape up quite nicely with new content, having already been testing it in tribble and excited is the best word to describe my thoughts. However I do worry that you guys keep adding new content without resolving 1. issue's/bugs with current content, which have been in place with some maps/missions for almost 2 years now, on-going problems with tailoring, loads of missions with teaming bugs. 2. There is so many other concepts that have been introduced along the way and not fully realised and left in limbo such as ship interiors being interactive. Reading the forums and seeing dev chats in-game there is sooo much else players are asking you guys to resolve/repair or add but is very rare I see players asking for a new enemy or any mention of Tholians. I am definately excited about star bases and fleet pvp content but have over time been left with a strong feeling all will not run smoothly for a long time. Guys your brilliant at so much but need to spend more time perfecting code on tribble and ironing out current holodeck issue's before adding new content.
jr1457 @ Jul 4th, 2012 4:08PM
yes i did not spell Butt so what
jr1457 @ Jul 4th, 2012 4:07PM
lockbox race my but its a NPC race well be able to fight i say no more lockboxs not everyone can buy keys and its unfair to them.
jr1457 @ Jul 4th, 2012 3:50PM
in the original show they were not an organic race they were crystals(sorry for bad spelling ) it is going to be cool having someone other then borg to fight at level 50 . as for you who say they going to mess up klingon side by ending the war to late by letting Feds hang out in klingon space now its wrong
captainraynolds @ Jul 4th, 2012 1:27PM
wow that ship is awesome... I cant wait to play this new content
hakaishinlegion @ Jul 4th, 2012 8:08AM
I remember the Tholians from Klingon Academy back in the day... were fun to fight back then. Let's hope they live up to that in this new installment.
bludagger @ Jul 4th, 2012 1:31AM
looks good team :), can not wait to see how they are in game along with all the content for them.
xxchiznakoxx @ Jul 3rd, 2012 10:36PM
Thats just mean, just a delicious looking ship - the carnage it could cause, if this is a lockbox ship, I'd adore you Devs! would give me a reason to start using all those Master Keys I have.
mmogamernova @ Jul 3rd, 2012 9:16PM
first of all an release date would be nice to know and second i hope that the station are instanced guild zones otherwise its not so cool but ok.
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