Mirror Universe

[Pontious]

I've been searching through the threads, but have not been able to find anything on this subject whatsoever, even though it has been a fan favorite since TOS.

Is there going to be any sort of use of the Mirror Universe in STO? I'm sure that in some ways there will be missions or areas that are considered a part of the mirror universe, but is it something that the developers are planning on using (hopefully more than just a mission where you have to kill a ship or people that have come over from there -- I'm looking for information where you can actually go INTO the mirror universe and interact there).

I'm sure that just it'll be left out, just as the developers left out Vulcans, Romulans, and Cardassians, but I can hope for the best right?

-Pontious

[EnsignSkylarkThibedeau]

I've been searching through the threads, but have not been able to find anything on this subject whatsoever, even though it has been a fan favorite since TOS.

Is there going to be any sort of use of the Mirror Universe in STO? I'm sure that in some ways there will be missions or areas that are considered a part of the mirror universe, but is it something that the developers are planning on using (hopefully more than just a mission where you have to kill a ship or people that have come over from there -- I'm looking for information where you can actually go INTO the mirror universe and interact there).

I'm sure that just it'll be left out, just as the developers left out Vulcans, Romulans, and Cardassians, but I can hope for the best right?

-Pontious

The mirror universe was part of the main storyline of Talden's Star Fleet Command game. I doubt if Cryptic will resurrect them as major villains.

[Allardyn]

According to Jack Emmert "how could we not have the mirror universe"

Expect to see it in some shape or form.

[Trekkie]

I am also a fan of the Mirror Universe and cannot wait to see it in the game, but I think that it would be best if it was saved for an expansion in which it could be the entire focus. I am hoping that playing in the Mirror Universe will be substantially different from the normal universe and I don't see the developers creating two different "universes" in the game at launch.

[stevedogg83]

I am also a fan of the Mirror Universe and cannot wait to see it in the game, but I think that it would be best if it was saved for an expansion in which it could be the entire focus. I am hoping that playing in the Mirror Universe will be substantially different from the normal universe and I don't see the developers creating two different "universes" in the game at launch.

i concur with that

[Boone]

I'm sure the Mirror Universe will appear.

Keep in mind like the mainstream timeline they would have advanced. Who knows perhaps the Human Empire has even resurfaced......

[marscentral]

I doubt it'll be a major focus, but it will lead to some great missions. I suspect the main focus for the time being will be the Federation/Klingon hostilities and this "ancient threat".

[Lateo]

Concur, theres -tons- (content and mechanics wise) to get done for a "working" MMORPG even using pre-exsisting assests, so it'll probably end up expansion pack material, -though- if Cryptic are smart enough in how they do the "basics" (for example instead of creating only one instance of a planets name, make -two- instances available (the second being used by ships in the mirror universe) but only utilising the primary instance for as planets name)

adding in the details of the mirror universe as well as finishing coding the "trigger" for displaying relevant information to the player depending upon the "universe" they're in will be -much- easier come expansion pack time.

could be -very- interesting to see what became of it all.

[ShaggyWook]

Yeah a mirror universe expansion sounds like a lot of fun.

[jtarwin]

Hmmm... a mirror universe expansion where the entire universe is locked in PvP mode... That would be interesting. It could be kind of like an ultimate battle ground for the really combat crazed people who want to play a star fleet captain that likes to go around putting babies on spikes.

[WinterPark1701]

I would like to see a mission or two with the mirrior universe. Might be a fun way to change up game play, keep things fresh. Hi! I'm Captain Timmy from the non-mirrior universe and I see you're all ready to kill everything! Cool!

[Flatfingers]

It's not an idea that has received universal approval (boy, is that an understatement), but I'm a fan of implementing both the regular and mirror universes as part of Star Trek Online.

And then I'd design the game to persuade players whose main interest is in killing things and taking their stuff to create Terran Empire characters over on the Mirror Universe side of the server, while those whose primary gameplay interests are discovery and cooperation would be rewarded for creating Starfleet characters in the "Roddenberry universe."

(Klingon-faction characters could go either way.)

That way the gamers who enjoy Hobbesian/Machiavellian social environments where the strongest and most devious simply take what they want would have an entire universe in which to exert their dominance over other, lesser, players. Meanwhile, the gamers who are looking for a deep online RPG where they don't feel pressured to defend themselves 24/7 would be able to experience the kind of world Roddenberry imagined by playing in the "regular" universe, which would be optimized for creative and socially cooperative player behavior.

Naturally there'd be some practical issues to resolve in making something like this work -- I'm just outlining the broad strokes of the idea here.

I think this approach could work pretty neatly to allow highly diverse gameplay interests to coexist in one game and as a way to implement gameplay that respects classic Star Trek lore... but I've been told that's just me. :)

Hi! I'm Captain Timmy from the non-mirrior universe and I see you're all ready to kill everything! Cool!

Captain Timmy...?

Joel: "Crow, listen, I don't want you to ever, I mean never let a dark specter onto the ship again!"

:D

--Flatfingers

[Urantia]

It's not an idea that has received universal approval (boy, is that an understatement), but I'm a fan of implementing both the regular and mirror universes as part of Star Trek Online.

And then I'd design the game to persuade players whose main interest is in killing things and taking their stuff to create Terran Empire characters over on the Mirror Universe side of the server, while those whose primary gameplay interests are discovery and cooperation would be rewarded for creating Starfleet characters in the "Roddenberry universe."

(Klingon-faction characters could go either way.)

That way the gamers who enjoy Hobbesian/Machiavellian social environments where the strongest and most devious simply take what they want would have an entire universe in which to exert their dominance over other, lesser, players. Meanwhile, the gamers who are looking for a deep online RPG where they don't feel pressured to defend themselves 24/7 would be able to experience the kind of world Roddenberry imagined by playing in the "regular" universe, which would be optimized for creative and socially cooperative player behavior.

Naturally there'd be some practical issues to resolve in making something like this work -- I'm just outlining the broad strokes of the idea here.

I think this approach could work pretty neatly to allow highly diverse gameplay interests to coexist in one game and as a way to implement gameplay that respects classic Star Trek lore... but I've been told that's just me. :)

And me :), but there will always be those that want to be "evil" Fed captains even with a Mirror alternative....because it would be "fun." {more like **** off another on purpose}

[Flatfingers]

And me :), but there will always be those that want to be "evil" Fed captains even with a Mirror alternative....because it would be "fun." {more like **** off another on purpose}

Well, yes, that would be one of those "practical" issues to work out. ;)

Actually, another important element of the idea would be figuring out how to allow players to move their characters into the other universe from time to time. For one thing, I wouldn't want to suggest that the two universes should be hermetically sealed from each other; that wouldn't be much fun for gameplay.

And for the other thing, going to visit the other universe is a classic Star Trek plot device -- how crazy would be it not to have some kind of crossover as an occasional gameplay feature in a Star Trek Online that actually implements both universes?

Those points acknowledged, it really is the element of "everybody gets most of the kind of gameworld they're looking for" that I find most interesting about the two-universes concept. There definitely has to be some mixture between the worlds, but keeping them generally separate and using the Star Trek lore itself to condition gameplay behavior... there's just something very appealing about that notion. Those who are hardcore into very "game-y" play can have all of that they want without significantly reducing the ability of others to "live in" the Roddenberry-like Starfleet universe they've dreamed about.

It seems mostly win-win to me, but there are criics. Still, interesting to speculate on if nothing else.

--Flatfingers

[Urantia]

Well, yes, that would be one of those "practical" issues to work out. ;)

Actually, another important element of the idea would be figuring out how to allow players to move their characters into the other universe from time to time. For one thing, I wouldn't want to suggest that the two universes should be hermetically sealed from each other; that wouldn't be much fun for gameplay.

And for the other thing, going to visit the other universe is a classic Star Trek plot device -- how crazy would be it not to have some kind of crossover as an occasional gameplay feature in a Star Trek Online that actually implements both universes?

Those points acknowledged, it really is the element of "everybody gets most of the kind of gameworld they're looking for" that I find most interesting about the two-universes concept. There definitely has to be some mixture between the worlds, but keeping them generally separate and using the Star Trek lore itself to condition gameplay behavior... there's just something very appealing about that notion. Those who are hardcore into very "game-y" play can have all of that they want without significantly reducing the ability of others to "live in" the Roddenberry-like Starfleet universe they've dreamed about.

It seems mostly win-win to me, but there are criics. Still, interesting to speculate on if nothing else.

--Flatfingers

Well we can dream. I admit I never considered much Mirror content beyond a few missions...possibly even running into your counterpart or that of a possible Mirror version of an NPC/Hero flagship or other trivial dilema....but I really like your idea of a true space...albeit ambitious. Some have suggested an expansion for this type of concept, but in my opinion if it were ever planned I would prefer it at launch as part of the core game...but whom am I kidding?

The Mirror Universe holds a special place for me (and was my original avatar on the old ST.com site and here) as it was one of my first experiences with the concept of an alternate reality...now it seems to be a mainstay concept in Sci-Fi in general...it was this and Doctor Who etc that really and originally sparked my interest in such exotic concepts...and was I suppose some contribution to my desired academic and professional career.

But anyways great idea(s) and I sincerely hope we get to experience this content in some way, shape, or form as opposed to not at all.

[SoongType]

Mirror Borg?Interesting to think of what they have been up to over there.Do you think Mirror Pickard has a real heart and a full head of hair?Lol,i would love to see my STO toons Mirror self,bearded and evil!

[Futuristicdragoon]

The mirror universe was part of the main storyline of Talden's Star Fleet Command game. I doubt if Cryptic will resurrect them as major villains.

Don't be too sure of that Skylark. They'll use it somewhere. I mean... why not?

What'd be REAL surprising is if they programed a mirror universe form of our own character and ship. But I'll stop my dreaming :D

[SoongType]

Don't be too sure of that Skylark. They'll use it somewhere. I mean... why not?

What'd be REAL surprising is if they programed a mirror universe form of our own character and ship. But I'll stop my dreaming :D

Xactly what i was dreaming.

[Urantia]

Mirror Borg?Interesting to think of what they have been up to over there.Do you think Mirror Pickard has a real heart and a full head of hair?Lol,i would love to see my STO toons Mirror self,bearded and evil!

I metioned this in another thread awhile back, but I like what Cryptic is possibly formulating for Champions online....they mentioned a concept that I think would rock here (speaking of beards and all hehe)...allowing players to create their own nemesis (I cannot recall if it was at char. creation or not) that would randomly plague you at times during your play session....maybe not literally every time you log on, but once in awhile they would appears in your "path." and force a confrontation.

Like I stated in that thread I would never suggest a specific game mechanic from another game due to my desire for uniqueness here (one can dream), but as it was the same company and in my opinion a good idea...why not?

[Sevenblade]

It's not an idea that has received universal approval (boy, is that an understatement), but I'm a fan of implementing both the regular and mirror universes as part of Star Trek Online.

And then I'd design the game to persuade players whose main interest is in killing things and taking their stuff to create Terran Empire characters over on the Mirror Universe side of the server, while those whose primary gameplay interests are discovery and cooperation would be rewarded for creating Starfleet characters in the "Roddenberry universe."

(Klingon-faction characters could go either way.)

That way the gamers who enjoy Hobbesian/Machiavellian social environments where the strongest and most devious simply take what they want would have an entire universe in which to exert their dominance over other, lesser, players. Meanwhile, the gamers who are looking for a deep online RPG where they don't feel pressured to defend themselves 24/7 would be able to experience the kind of world Roddenberry imagined by playing in the "regular" universe, which would be optimized for creative and socially cooperative player behavior.

Naturally there'd be some practical issues to resolve in making something like this work -- I'm just outlining the broad strokes of the idea here.

I think this approach could work pretty neatly to allow highly diverse gameplay interests to coexist in one game and as a way to implement gameplay that respects classic Star Trek lore... but I've been told that's just me. :)



Captain Timmy...?

Joel: "Crow, listen, I don't want you to ever, I mean never let a dark specter onto the ship again!"

:D

--Flatfingers

Not a bad idea overall, though, like you said, many have raised issues with this. I would probably recommend that if there was a separate mirror universe, it would be on a hostile server, to better fit with the setting. Also, you create a system for any players who want to spend most of their time just PvPing. Solves a lot of problems at once.

[TheMasterpiece]

According to Jack Emmert "how could we not have the mirror universe"

Expect to see it in some shape or form.



Exactly, and THIS is why star trek things should be made by star trek fans. Im sure that makes sense to us all, but its the small things that only star trek fans understand that will make this great. And fortunately cryptic is full of big star trek fans.