Dev Suggestion: TrekkBook

[thefreshjedi]

Hey fellas, just thinking out loud, but post production STO 1 or 2 years from now, it would be nice to see a webspace that allowed us to link-up and stay connected both in and out of game, via a Facebook-stylized interface that was created in total conjunction with STO.

I use Facebook, Myspace, etc, but it would be nice to have an interface that strictly advertised and dealt with Star Trek, it's various fans, etc. Would/could the dev team and programmers be able to create their own user interface like this?

This would be a wonderful utility to really get to know your fellow members, players etc, and could pull data from the game about your Avatars, etc. We players could update our profiles, etc, and stay in touch with each other as we have here.

Basically I'm thinking of longevity for the Forums even post production, but giving it a new spin where members can come and go and deal strictly with game issues, etc. I think it would be a wonderful way for even non-game members to sign-up and stay in touch, maybe even find out more about the game, etc.

You could pimp out advertisement to various groups, etc, generate revenue just for the use of the site, and also spur interest in the game, but keep the community together. You could allow players to choose their factional interface, but also display more about themselves, etc., maybe?

Just some thoughts. Maybe it's not worth it, but I think it could be profitable and functional in the long run. Not to mention self-sustaining. I think something like this would take a life of it's own. Connecting users, non-users, gamers, geeks, casual browsers, and other people into one community that has a Star-Trek theme.

When I think of all of these other MMO's out there, none of them really focus the spotlight on their community in this light. I think this would be nice to serve multiple purposes, and be self sufficient. Not to mention free advertisement for the game, etc.

What do you guys think?

-avery

[knightofhyrule730]

these forums arent going anywhere. though they may wipe the system and have a new layout when the game launches.

[LebowskyBob]

TrekBook or whatever they would call it sounds like a cool idea. I would definitely take part in it.

[LordDave]

Oooohhh... .we can call it "Captain's Log" where you can post blog or "logs" of your missions, status, what-ever.

[thefreshjedi]

Oooohhh... .we can call it "Captain's Log" where you can post blog or "logs" of your missions, status, what-ever.

Yep, or anything. It could be as complicated or as simple as you like it to be. I think it would give more power to the developers in the long run too, as issues arose, or even as a way to get feedback directly or even indirectly about the game. The possibilities are limitless in my opinion, and don't quote me on this, but it would be totally original. I can't think of any other MMO out there that has done something similiar to this, as yet.

There is of-course the fan-based run websites that sponsor game stuff, but the community and the game itself are two stand alone issues. I'm talking about something that is run, hosted and sponsored by the developers for the gamers and other people that are interested. It can be just as professional as the other community websites out there such as Myspace or Facebook, with it's own spin.

The only other game that I've noticed that has a nice community-bases forum is EvE, but not nearly as complex as what I'm describing here.

-avery

[hustlecore]

yea i would love to be a part of TrekBook lol or what ever it is called also they could have like a "captain of the week on there" Highlighting a player who was done alot, acomplished something unique, explored the most planets, or racked up the most faction kills that month/week

[The.Grand.Nagus]

IMHO, there is no point in having forums AND some type of facebook/myspace. If there is ONE official webpage to discuss STO, then it will bring all of the players together. If there are more than one it will only divide them between the two. In short, we already have something to keep track of the game and each other; and if your reading this post youve already found it :o

[thefreshjedi]

IMHO, there is no point in having forums AND some type of facebook/myspace. If there is ONE official webpage to discuss STO, then it will bring all of the players together. If there are more than one it will only divide them between the two. In short, we already have something to keep track of the game and each other; and if your reading this post youve already found it :o

Aye, but the gist of what I'm talking about is taking something like this and enhancing it, adding another layer to it. So instead of being somewhat reclusive and limited to the myriad fans of just the game, you're really opening it up to the general public, giving it a reboot, while maintaining existing content.

-avery

[LordDave]

IMHO, there is no point in having forums AND some type of facebook/myspace. If there is ONE official webpage to discuss STO, then it will bring all of the players together. If there are more than one it will only divide them between the two. In short, we already have something to keep track of the game and each other; and if your reading this post youve already found it :o

Or we could merge them. Forum profiles link to the player's "Captain's log" which lists the episodes they have completed and anything they note about them.

As well as personal logs.

[Sumoben]

TrekSpace sounds more, Trekky. TrekBook sounds.. like a failed apple product. :cool:

[thefreshjedi]

TrekSpace sounds more, Trekky. TrekBook sounds.. like a failed apple product. :cool:

Oh I agree, Trekkbook just demostrates a point I guess, sounds familiar. It could be called whatever honestly. I just picked the first words that came to me to make it recognizable. I kinda liked Dave's suggestion of The Logbook.

Names can come later, but content and development is the real heart of it, and I wonder if that is even feasible.

-avery

[thefreshjedi]

yea i would love to be a part of TrekBook lol or what ever it is called also they could have like a "captain of the week on there" Highlighting a player who was done alot, acomplished something unique, explored the most planets, or racked up the most faction kills that month/week

That's a great idea. I mean that's exactly what this could be all about. Introductions, noteworthy mentions, etc.

It's no different that what we use now, but essentially revamping the the site a little to have added enhanced content. I mean there is limitless opportunities.

For another example, something else you could add would be a way to send ingame e-mails to people, out-of game on the site. How cool would that be? You could check-up on the game remotely, or organize your community based on your "Fleets", post "Fleet Actions", or enable the ability to keep the community updated on content, expansions, etc. You could lurk there independently, browse player profiles, hook-up with gamers that have common interests, and actually have the ability to maybe convene in other interests out of the game as well, like go to the movies together, date each other, etc. etc. etc. Just as powerful as one of those other big name community sites, but specifically for those of us that love "Trek". It would be a common interest group thing that could end-up paying for itself in the long run, especially if it sparked enough interest, and could get sponsored externally by 3rd party companies seeking to advertise.

I mean Myspace and Facebook generate millions of dollars in advertisement alone. If you could create your own homepage from within the context of STO, you could host groups, list your friends, both in-game and out, and socially network, just as you would in those other tools. It would add additional revenue to the game and the company itself in my opinion, and could take on a life of its own.

-avery

[Deyvid]

TrekSpace sounds kinda cool, a take-off of MySpace. But what about SubSpace, or Star Trek SubSpace. It could lead to the use of the term "subspace communique" :) Like, "hey I got a new SubSpace communique" or telling people "Send me a SubSpace communique".

The Trekkies would be familiar with that but maybe non-Trekkies would be like huh?