State of the Game: Jan. 2013
By PWE_BranFlakes @ January 28, 2013 at 11:00am
Greetings, and Happy New Year Star Trek Online!
As STO expands into its fourth year, let’s celebrate by reflecting on the accomplishments of the last year and by looking forward to the exciting expansion of the game approaching on the horizon.
As Executive Producer, it is my personal joy to share with you the successes of this last year, and my responsibility to acknowledge where we have improved and where we still have need of improvement. Every year has brought its own triumphs and challenges for the game and the development staff, but the continued devotion from fans and the steady achievements made by the team have yielded another year of Star Trek Online that is better than the last.
After 3 Years, Star Trek Online continues to deliver new missions, new features, and strange new worlds. Together as developers, players, and Foundry authors, we are expanding and enriching the Star Trek experience. With a robust player-to-player economy and a game design that empathizes alternative ways to earn premium items through gameplay, we are proud that industry game sites like Massively and Gamespy have recently recognized Star Trek Online as one of the most player friendly free-to-play games. We were also honored that the MMORPG Center acknowledged Star Trek Online as the Best Free MMORPG of the year.
Thanks to your support, the game continues to grow. You may have noticed that more than 2 million Captains are continuing their voyages in Star Trek Online. With sustained increases in daily participation, the game is richer and more alive than ever before. All of the development, advancement, and improvements over the last year are once again thanks to the feedback you provide and the tireless staff that pour their life into this work. What started as a labor of love with improbable deadlines grew into a passion that has yielded remarkable results.
Here are some of our favorite moments of the last year:
- Converting what was once a subscription-only game into a hybrid game that allows both subscribers and free players the opportunity to experience everything in the game.
- Appearing for the first time as a panel at the Official Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Building relationships and sharing stories with the official Star Trek website and Star Trek Magazine.
- Unveiling the fan designed Odyssey Class starship by Adam Ilhe, winner of the Design the Next Enterprise contest. This included introducing the new crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, 1701-F.
- Answering the question of what happened to the Dominion Fleet in “The 2800” Feature Episode series. This included new zones like Bajor, a maximum security prison, and the Gamma Quadrant.
- Allowing captains to don EV Suits and perform missions in the vacuum of space or in hostile environments.
- Celebrating First Contact Day and opening up the Utopia Planetia starship facilities to visitors for the first time.
- Creating our first small-craft event in the Vault and implementing a way to select a “default” small craft for missions like these.
- Adding more mini-games, like Dilithium Mining or the Radiation Scan.
- Adding more Klingon faction enhancements like the Bortasqu’ War Cruiser, unique Klingon Starbase designs, and the “Alpha” Episode.
- Introduction of the Tholians, along with their secret bases at Nukara and the Azure Nebula.
- Our first major update for Fleets, allowing them to have advancement and the ability to construct Starbase and Embassy holdings where missions and rewards can be earned.
- Finally unveiling the Borg Queen in the Borg STF finale, “Into the Hive.”
- All the new Events, like “Starbase Incursion,” “Colony Rescue,” “Azure Nebula Rescue,” and many others that provide fun, multiplayer gameplay challenges to max-level captains.
- The Reputation system, which allows max-level players the ability to earn and choose new power and abilities for their Captains.
- The massive New Romulus adventure zone and the new Tau Dewa sector, in addition to the way that the story on the planet evolves as players progress relations with these new allies.
- The return of Q and the improvement he made to the Winter Event with all the holiday joy he could muster.
- The ever growing list of starships, like the Vesta, the Cardassian Galor Class, the Ferengi D’Kora Maurader, the Tholian Orb Weaver, the Breen Chel Grett Warship, and countless other starships that allow players to fly their favorite ship from Star Trek.
- Finally making the Foundry Spotlight Missions officially recognized in game.
- As well as the many little things that aren’t in the list above that also contributed to the great year we had together.
We accomplished a lot, but there’s still a long way to go and many improvements needed and old bugs to squash before we can be satisfied that we’ve built the best Star Trek game ever. We steadily improve and, if anything, our appetite to advance the game has only grown as we move forward into 2013.
In the coming months, we will begin to reveal our vision for the future. We’ll discuss and preview new adventures, new enemies, new events, and even more surprises that will define the roadmap for the years to come. We’ll answer some long standing questions about how we view existing and future factions in the game, and we’ll give details about how we plan to advance the overall storyline and resolve outstanding issues in the game. With the full effort of the development staff cranking it to Warp 9 (even moving to a 6 day work week!) this is poised to be the best year of Star Trek Online yet.
ENGAGE!
And now, as part of our upcoming anniversary celebration, we are pleased to announce that we’ll be releasing a special Feature Episode this Thursday – we’ll be sharing exciting details about it with you in tomorrow’s Dev Blog. All players who complete the new episode between Jan 31st and Feb 14th will receive a free Ambassador Class (Fed) or Kamarag Class (KDF) starship as a reward. You won’t want to miss out! This is going to be fun.
So, join us in-game and have a good time celebrating 3 Years of Star Trek Online.
May we all Live Long and Prosper,
Daniel Stahl
Executive Producer
Star Trek Online
chyeane @ Feb 11th, 2013 7:30AM
ive been trying to play difreant games on star trek but the onlyone is fighting the borg on vega how do i get of the planit says icannot beam to ship howcan i go to other games on startrek
fruitvendor12 @ Feb 7th, 2013 12:52PM
Count me among those who love how much has been done with the game.
ghqcommand @ Feb 6th, 2013 8:57AM
After what you guys pulled of Season 6 and 7 I have total faith that not only will this set a new level in the Sci-Fi MMO genre but it is going to become so "trek" that it will actually do something positive for the Star Trek franchise. I'm sticking around to see this game unfold its an adventure.
akumawraith @ Feb 4th, 2013 9:25PM
I would love to see more klingon content, fixes and hell even to see costume options made available to the klingons. I personally paid for the formal costume and the mercenary outfit for the fed side and am now playing KDF and have nothing of the same quality. Give us Klingons some nice costumes for gods sake! As for Ships i have purchased several off the fed side and looked at the KDF and was seriously disappointed. KDF need more ships to balance it all out. how about some nice desings? im sick of looking at the ugly shaes of the KDF side ships where the feds get nice streamlined ships. Content wise id love to start a klingon from level 1 and see what story line KDF characters experience like maybe why the KDF and Fed are at war or maybe even the KDFs involvement in the borg assault in the alpha quardrant. starting at lvl 20 is nice but not fulfilling as the fed side is. I have the ships on KDF side for the 03 year event and have to admit i like them Nice designs and definately fitting into the canon of Star Trek. Please give more! Other than these listed things I love this game and am considering a life time pay out. Please give the KDF some TLC and many more years to STO!
oakland4life @ Feb 3rd, 2013 9:48AM
Handing out alot more Alien ships that is not allied to the Federation or the Klingon Empire, they should not even be consider as them factions anymore. with people flying around with Breen, Cardassian and Dominions ships, they might as well rename the Federation and Klingon Empire as the ''Dominion'' or the ''True Way''.
vimzul
I think in part that is due to being restricted to the Escort/Cruiser/Science and BoP/Raptor/Battlecruiser model where the most important thing a new ship offers you is turn rate and boff layout. There really isn't a whole lot to look forward to, how many combinations can you get until you pretty much cover all bases? I think any MMO that has been around 5 years needs to have a significant overhaul at some point in time and I believe STO has to come early for it to have longevity. There should be a whole lot more to look forward to with new ships than turn rate, shield modifer and boff layout. The problem is that ships really play a trivial role in combat and too much is focused on the boff, it really even makes your own character trivial by comparison. I think they need to expand both character development but also expand the role of the ship itself and that of the captain so you have a lot more variety and gives you far greater scope to introduce a greater variety of ships which have a real impact. I haven't unboxed any of the aniversary ships. People like the new ships because they at least look different.
christopharmacis @ Feb 2nd, 2013 2:07AM
Dont get me wrong, I really do like this game, and it is a good free mmorpg, because I would never pay for it. But I do wish it could be a little bit more 'Star Trekky', as I think at the moment it is a bit 'Look at me weapons cap'n' Other than that, Not bad cryptic, Not bad. Oh and a fully explorable solar system would be great, Going to the sun, jupiter station etc.
lowieke @ Feb 1st, 2013 8:53AM
I've been critical and even had comment posts removed (yes. there's no denying it) I played the anniversary mission and was totally happy, you've made a great mission available. I now will only be very happy with the game, as I recognize the effort made by the STO staff. Well Done and Keep Up The Good Work!
tavny @ Jan 31st, 2013 4:14PM
Tired of people complaining about things instead of appreciating what this game does offer. Yes there could be improvements...Yes, you or I may have done things diferently here or there... But we are not doing the job, we are sitting on our asses and enjoying the fruits of other peoples labor. Appreciate the effort that has been made to enable us to do all the things we enjoy doing. If you can do better then go do it, anyone can criticise other peoples creative endeavors. Tearing other people down is far easier than building yourself up. I for one would like to thank the devs for all their hard work... Sure there are some things I wish they would do diferently, but its impossible to please everyone all the time, even if they were empathic and could read our wishes and desires.. they would still have to pick and choose who's desires to fullfil and who's to dismiss. Thanks STO for many fun times and many wishes you have fulfilled for me :)
tylerjames1
totally agree...there is too much complaining about this and that...no appreciation to what the game brings ..a chance to relive the star trek episodes..intermingle with it's characters...the abliity to command a starship...things that u could only dream of someday doing in our lifetime..these guys have done a great job in my opinion..i have never come across a star trek game with so much depth
daedalus36 @ Jan 31st, 2013 12:19PM
I've been back to playing STO for a few months now and am enjoying it greatly. I have been a Star Trek fan since my uncle first took me to see Star Trek II when I was 6 years old. There seems to be something for everyone, from Foundry missions to immerse yourself in the mission and exploration to the "best ship, best build" players. Anyway, thanks for the good work and for providing such an ejoyable game for those of us who are just happy to be able to participate in the Star Trek world we've only been able to watch on television to this point. One suggestion, a Ferengi homeworld would be much appreciated. Thanks.
jotorobo @ Jan 31st, 2013 2:03AM
Thanks for all the fun, STO Staff.
silverfaustx @ Jan 30th, 2013 10:34AM
lmao @ 2 million players, u wish ! not even that many play cod..
mattyp448
Its not two million players, its two million Captains, most people have more than one character
mrcaton1 @ Jan 30th, 2013 7:49AM
So much complaining on the forums. I feel compelled to say I started playing in October, and have not enjoyed a game this much in years. I literally can't wait to get home everyday and log back on. What I loved from my first hours in the game--the fact that it can play like both a space combat game and a party-style RPG with the away team missions--is still drawing me in. I've enjoyed working through the rep system, love the doff system, ship/uniform/boff customization, the winter event, my super-fun Nausicaan pirate alt on the KDF side--I could go on. Looking forward to the anniversary event and the new ships as well My one request would be to have more to do in my Peregrine fighter . . . but perhaps I can remedy that with some foundry missions. Looking forward to the new year in STO!
mortotheman @ Jan 30th, 2013 5:58AM
I own every ship there is ..... i need more ships spots since i cant get any more. I am now stuck with 7 ships i cant unpack. Please raise the limit so we can actualy get all the ships.
ahilles7
Buy ship slots that is in the Z-store with zen.
curs0r @ Jan 30th, 2013 12:53AM
"before we can be satisfied that we’ve built the best Star Trek game ever" I don't think you can win that distinction from me. Prove me wrong.
nyiad
I have to agree with you....after they allowed selling off "Veteren" status, Cryptic completely lost me...then there was the Great Content Drought and many more negative events before that haha... I'm mainly here now due to friends.
love4space @ Jan 29th, 2013 7:43PM
I looking forward to year #4 because i'm hope to see improvements an more real life movements to be able enjoy life. Let real talk with our crew aboard our ships give our chatchers more freedom to enjoy there time off if they want to read a good book, play hockey or just got soak in hot tub they should be able to do so. this would be more real like with in the gaming world I know STO is only 4 years young an i know you guy/ladies are still working on improvements to STO. Great work u guys looking forward to this year an many more years to come.
intrepid4 @ Jan 29th, 2013 5:59PM
When will we get to see more real-physics combos? for example: Power to structual integrity ramming speed = complete destruction of most ships and in most cases your survival. (As read in the Star Trek book: Federation) Honestly, I would rather have lifelike physics than another sector block.
reaperwrighty @ Jan 29th, 2013 4:42PM
Listen am a F2P player I love this game and I think is awesome to play a decent Star Trek game online, even though I am a F2P player ive brought loads ships and gear from the C-store for both my Feds and KDF toons. And i hope that it continues for a long time to come. Many Thanks
collinstonpwe
LOL, it's not a game any more, it's a shop with basic game. The experience is grind or replays for nearly just 4 years. Good game offers storydriven content to play and get rewards. Here u need to buy useful rewards instead of using crap - and the best there is no difference between f2p and gold players. You're an victim of circumstances, sadly. The cash-cow system hasn't help any game before - it was mostly just euthanasia.
rocketsoldier @ Jan 29th, 2013 3:28PM
I cant start up my launcher, yesterday it opened and it said that there trying to find a solution to the problem but ive done everything I can do but it still wont open. how can I play the 3 year anniversary event if my launcher wont open up. can someone help?
yousuckashell @ Jan 29th, 2013 2:10PM
Mr.Stahl ..... PLEASE READ THIS; you can make any changes to this game; respond to users demands; cahnges the games toward our opinions; EVEN; make the games the ebst MMORPG in the world ..... ONE thing will remain unchanges becaused of your choice to become Free To Play .... THE STO FORUM will continue to be lead by immature; irresponsible players who think they can threat you just beacaused they have the possibility to ban you from sites ... i have lots of admiration for your work here; but since you lead us toward a free games; the forum is rule by rules that does not makes senses and even people coming in the games threathening us caused they are dev's .... Smal cumminity star trek is Mr.stahl; i urge you to considering a changes in the STO forum over the incompetent people .... thanks you.
es0archer @ Jan 29th, 2013 1:53PM
"After 3 Years, Star Trek Online continues to deliver new missions...." What new missions ???????
kuwayuo @ Jan 29th, 2013 1:52PM
I though season 5 was well with introductions of the lock boxes but still needing some tweets current lock box the mining claims was a ddation for fix long days of grind although the it could been done in prior boxes. reputaions borg lack insight for romulans were better done although tier 4 did lack from actually doing ev suits for away team went over weekend and field the whole map and tolian set on one toon and a lot redoing and made fleet mark, if new marks come in domion area i could se a story as we go for time building and more about domion war from 2800 series last year. i did get the teporal ship and lobied the set i could done better with that idea when i got ship would been better planning on my side, but did upgrade the jem had'er attack ship lobies to mk 12 space set and did get ground set to test. and got lot boxes to open yet space big on several of my toons. there still thing to work on and that will be key for season 8,9 and new feature.
cabldawg @ Jan 29th, 2013 1:18PM
Thanks for 3 years of STO. I look forward to many more to come.
sqwished @ Jan 29th, 2013 12:34PM
It might help if they would actually sort this damn launcher issue out! After why am I paying for a service that I cant use? No doubt the Ambassador class ship is nice and a lot of work has gone into it. But all that will be for nothing if people cant connect to make use of it! So come on guy's do yourselfs and us a favour sort the connection issues out. But just wondering if you guys are planning on doing a c store version of the Ambassador class along the lines of the Oddyssey class
mkilczewski @ Jan 29th, 2013 11:07AM
I kind of see STO dying off this way. Eventually, all the Johnny come Lately F2Pers, will level through all the original content, done by all the people that have long since evacuated Cryptic's hallowed halls, realize there's nothing left to do, and move on to their next free meal. At that point I imagine Delusional Danny locking himself up in his office, and playing with the millions, of imaginary players that don't exist. Kind of like Adolph Hitler in the final days of WWII. Is that the Soviet guns across the Rhein, that I hear?
collinstonpwe
All the incompetence in 4 years dazzled by free shipping is the final touch.
collinstonpwe
All the incompetence in 4 years blinded by free ships is the final touch. And suddenly boom, all the problems like forgotten. I wonder if the free ships get a coveted console or will they be available for purchase in the shop, again.
sjokruhlica @ Jan 29th, 2013 10:42AM
If I could ask for one thing, it would be full interiors for the specialty/lock box ships, such as the Galor and Jem'Hadar ships. Other than that, I have no complaints at all.
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