The big "milestone" [Archive] - Star Trek Online Forums

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 09:01 AM

Could be the Beta .... although I thought it might have been too early? Perhaps they are ahead of schedule! :D

Or .... maybe a demo of the Character Creator for us all to drool over while the game carries on being designed and built in the Cryptic shipyards?

Maybe they release a pre-client that allows you to create (but offline) species and stuff so you can create your own and they got the time to try and spread them in the galaxy on some planets, so you can encounter your own species ;]
Also it would be a major step towards satisfying the needs of the community. By opening the characters creator we could all get awesome avatars and have major fun until the release of open beta :D

Dahakra

03-12-2009, 09:05 AM

Yer, I've noticed some frequent references to "milestone" on twitter myself, being wondering what they are. In a recent interview CZ said something about being behind schedule pre- new year, maybe this milestone is a schedule thing? Like they've met their monthly objectives and everything is running smoothly?

- Dahakra

Varrangian

03-12-2009, 09:06 AM

I get the feeling they are "milestones" in the development process... benchmarks if you will of "where" they plan to be and where they need to be.

dyvimtorm

03-12-2009, 09:06 AM

They've successfully invaded Belgium. That or probably some beta-esque announcement.

Pavel Bester

THORN74

03-12-2009, 09:08 AM

the milestone he was reffering to sounded more like the integration of several different components of the game, that had previously been working indepentantly. Perhaps the ground and space sections combined. or some final art work added ....something like that.

Varrangian

03-12-2009, 09:09 AM

Just so those who don't twitter have a clue... this was Craig's last post.

CrypticZinc Detailing out next milestone. Figuring out priorities is an art - everyone has thier own 'need right now!' - have to keep the big picture.

Ytram

03-12-2009, 09:10 AM

As of the last comment from Cryptic (http://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=374995&postcount=870), they're not even in alpha yet, so I wouldn't count on it.

Software milestones can be very boring from an outside viewpoint. It may not be something nearly as exciting as you guys are making it out to be.

Dahakra

03-12-2009, 09:11 AM

Just so those who don't twitter have a clue... this was Craig's last post.

And Lt_Gozers one less than a day ago.

Lt_Gozer: MIlstone Week Craziness Ensues!!!!

- Dahakra

jbarker82

03-12-2009, 09:11 AM

As of the last comment from Cryptic, they're not even in alpha yet, so I wouldn't count on it.

Software milestones can be very boring from an outside viewpoint. It may not be something nearly as exciting as you guys are making it out to be.

Perhaps ... but the speculation is quite enthralling :)

Dahakra

03-12-2009, 09:13 AM

Perhaps ... but the speculation is quite enthralling :)

It also serves to show Cryptic that we're watching their every move!! muwahaha

- Dahakra

Blackfire2

03-12-2009, 09:14 AM

I get the feeling they are "milestones" in the development process... benchmarks if you will of "where" they plan to be and where they need to be.

Most likely this is what is being talked about. It only makes sense that a company sets certain goals to be reached by the end of a given time frame, then getting to work on the next set, whatever that might be. :)

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 09:15 AM

As of the last comment from Cryptic, they're not even in alpha yet, so I wouldn't count on it.

Software milestones can be very boring from an outside viewpoint. It may not be something nearly as exciting as you guys are making it out to be.

Whow do you know they have not running an alpha right now. Or maybe this is the big milestone itself, who can guess... anyway keep guessing, this is most constructive...:)

Ytram

03-12-2009, 09:17 AM

Whow do you know they have not running an alpha right now. Or maybe this is the big milestone itself, who can guess... anyway keep guessing, this is most constructive...:)
I edited my post to include a link to Awen's comment about not being in Alpha. That was nearly a month ago, so who knows what's going on now? You might be right, perhaps the milestone is the deadline prior to the Alpha testing start.

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 09:21 AM

Most likely this is what is being talked about. It only makes sense that a company sets certain goals to be reached by the end of a given time frame, then getting to work on the next set, whatever that might be. :)

That is true and it is a possibility, nevertheles I think we can expect something more this time. Milestone in the developing (not only software) most likely means the conclusion of a process that first allows to start another process (or processes) for example:
You need to have a sponsor before you can start recruitment of people.
or
You need to have a building site before you can start the building.

so transfering this might suggest that they are about to conclude a major step in developement. Maybe they are about to declare the grafic-developement (features and stuff, not textures or models, something like HDR or motion blur and similar) and are not going to change anything about it at a later point.
Or they have decided to finish the gameplay developement, and are now entirely moving their focus to content.... or ... or...or...

keep guessing :D

CinC-UFPForces-Cardassia

03-12-2009, 09:29 AM

That is true and it is a possibility, nevertheles I think we can expect something more this time. Milestone in the developing (not only software) most likely means the conclusion of a process that first allows to start another process (or processes) for example:
You need to have a sponsor before you can start recruitment of people.
or
You need to have a building site before you can start the building.

so transfering this might suggest that they are about to conclude a major step in developement. Maybe they are about to declare the grafic-developement (features and stuff, not textures or models, something like HDR or motion blur and similar) and are not going to change anything about it at a later point.
Or they have decided to finish the gameplay developement, and are now entirely moving their focus to content.... or ... or...or...

keep guessing :D

That's...really not likely. I'm not saying that Cryptic isn't making good progress - I believe that they are - but you're jumping to wild conclusions here. It's going to lead to significant disappointment.

Loekii

03-12-2009, 09:29 AM

Zinc and others have lately refered to some major "milestone" they are working on.
Do you think they are refering to the eventually upcoming closed beta or is it something much more sinister ;)
Give me your opinion / insights. Maybe you already know more than me...

"Milestone" probably simply means they hit a target goal of getting 'x content' workable -- usually stuff that has taken a long time to get completed correctly. For example, 'mid terms' are a 'milestone' in scholastics, but there still is a long road until 'the Prom'.

IMO, I think 'beta' will be referred to as something else.

It could also mean that they reached a goal of suckering in enough posters into following Twitter. :p

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 09:39 AM

That's...really not likely. I'm not saying that Cryptic isn't making good progress - I believe that they are - but you're jumping to wild conclusions here. It's going to lead to significant disappointment.

All i've written is guesswork, as is everything else written in this thread. That's what it is for ;)
Anyway since we've got nothing really new since the character customization trailer (except for some screenshots) why not starting a little guessing ourselves and bring the useful disputes back to the forum about stuff that might really be going on over there in Cryptics lair ?(hey that rimes)

"Milestone" probably simply means they hit a target goal of getting 'x content' workable -- usually stuff that has taken a long time to get completed correctly. For example, 'mid terms' are a 'milestone' in scholastics, but there still is a long road until 'the Prom'.

IMO, I think 'beta' will be referred to as something else.

I think that milestone can also mean (as stated before) their monthly schedule that they are a few days overdue now... who can really tell. Anyway I won't stop guessing just because you still stick on to reality, I'm a nerd people, I need to spin tails about stuff that isn'T really happening :D

Loekii

03-12-2009, 09:43 AM

I think that milestone can also mean (as stated before) their monthly schedule that they are a few days overdue now... who can really tell. Anyway I won't stop guessing just because you still stick on to reality, I'm a nerd people, I need to spin tails about stuff that isn'T really happening :D

I did not mean to imply that you should not keep guessing, but rather just posting my counter opinion.

Please, have fun.

Vorador

03-12-2009, 09:43 AM

"Milestone" probably simply means they hit a target goal of getting 'x content' workable -- usually stuff that has taken a long time to get completed correctly. For example, 'mid terms' are a 'milestone' in scholastics, but there still is a long road until 'the Prom'.

IMO, I think 'beta' will be referred to as something else.

It could also mean that they reached a goal of suckering in enough posters into following Twitter. :p

Pretty much. Milestone in software engineering is a goal that needs to be met by a certain date. The software cycle is split up into multiple milestones. Alpha and Beta can be considered milestones as well, since the game needs to be in a certain state for these to happen.

I would not read to deeply into this. A Milestone for example could mean they have X number of episodes in a "functional" state.

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 09:45 AM

I did not mean to imply that you should not keep guessing, but rather just posting my counter opinion.

Please, have fun.

Don't worry, you can't stop the rock :D

dyvimtorm

03-12-2009, 09:51 AM

Don't worry, you can't stop the rock :D

Heh heh, reminds me of what the Hatrack on B5 once said: "The avalanche has begun, it is too late for the pebbles to vote."

Much guessing will continue until they announce successfully incorporating Sudoko puzzles into the combat interface.

Pavel Bester

Draighwulf

03-12-2009, 09:53 AM

Isn't it obvious?

they've finally decided what donuts they want with their coffee hence the madness :D

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 09:54 AM

Heh heh, reminds me of what the Hatrack on B5 once said: "The avalanche has begun, it is too late for the pebbles to vote."

Much guessing will continue until they announce successfully incorporating Sudoko puzzles into the combat interface.

Pavel Bester

@ which point I will be of the board never to be heard of again xD
I loved those thins, but I eventually got over them, can't get addicted a second time :p

gogarty

03-12-2009, 10:15 AM

Normally software "milestone weeks" are periods of time in which developmental departments have left to finish up a section of the game development before moving onto another aspect. And it usually only involves certain departments of development. Like the core group and interface groups getting something like a global and local chat interface established. And then the art department and software department implimenting a cutscene at a specific part of the game.

It's basically a kick in the aft to make sure that everyone is on the same page before taking on another task of development. If anyone has ever seen a timetable for game development, it's quite astonishing to imagine all the work people have to do in a short amount of time. Unless it's actually a mentioned milestone (IE: a phase of development.. content, coding, integration, trial, alpha, beta...), it could be something to the effect of a character being able to walk around in an environment without walking through a wall or falling through the floor; or even getting a phaser arc to work correctly and register in impact on an opponent.

indelible

03-12-2009, 10:33 AM

It's really weird that Awen said that as what I and others have taken from Jack Emmert's comments in the past is that the game is well into Alpha testing. In fact, he's championed that everything we've seen from in game has been entirely playable and not rendered. That shows me that they are at least in the early alpha phase of development.

The competition that launched with the announcement of Star Trek Online was offering a lifetime subscription to the game and in the terms and conditions, they had August 2009 pegged as a milestone date (see: prospective release date). Now, we all know that is a little far fetched and whilst I place all faith in Awen as a Community Manager, I can't help but recall interviews with Jack Emmert where he clearly implied they were aiming for a late 2009/early 2010 release date for the game. If that is the case, I don't believe for one second that the game hasn't entered alpha testing by now and with beta keys being thrown around front left and centre, I'm assuming that they are aiming to have it in beta in the next few months.

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 10:50 AM

walker555

03-12-2009, 10:53 AM

Upcoming closed beta, or perhaps MAYBE if all of our dreams come true, an earlier release lol

Azurian

03-12-2009, 11:01 AM

Na, I don't think it has to do with Beta, just yet. I don't see that happening until this summer, after CO is released and running smoothly.

However, this does appear to do with Alpha testing. Perhaps all starship designs in the game are completed and performing within expectations. Then from here, they can focus on adding canon planets and the storyline NPCs.

Rivaris

03-12-2009, 11:01 AM

a yeah the milestone probarly the start of the family and friends closed alpha.

the Dev have been playing the game for a while now to test out all the stuff added and give feed back on wich to change. they even stated this fact in a few interviews.

i render if they still want to gun for a release this fall 2009/ early 2010 they will want to get imput from outside on what they like and dont like.

either that or they finished the major part of the klingon content.

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 11:14 AM

either that or they finished the major part of the klingon content.

Ah you are talking about PVP and... PVP,... oh and maybe about PvE that strongly reminds of PvP :D

Wardog00

03-12-2009, 11:34 AM

In every video and magazine interview, Craig says that they are closer than everyone may think about launch. He also has said numerous times that they already had there engine and base programing done upon first getting the license from Perpetual. He also has stated that the development team are already playing the game in the office on a daily basis.

My opinion is because of the economy state of constant decline lately and The hype about the movie coming in a month and a half, they will release sometime in June or July. This would not only put the release at the begining of a new fiscal year but, allow sales to ride on some of the movie popularity. EA had announced similar fiscal concerns over horrible returns last year so they moved a couple release dates to June (sims 3 for example) to start new fiscal year on top. Remember the economy is crap right now and getting worse. By holding back a game and not taking advantage of the free exposure and popularity of this movie the games sales may suffer.

so I think the Milestone is they are near to open Beta.

If people have no job and can't pay the rent...They aren't buying a game no matter how fun it may be...sorry for the real world check. Just an opinion.

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 11:41 AM

Open Beta???
Are you serious ^^? They have not even launched the closed beta and the closed beta is going to take at least 4 months, very likely way more...

Vorador

03-12-2009, 11:43 AM

The game is done and they are going to launch it next week.

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 11:45 AM

The game is done and they are going to launch it next week.

:D Don't spoil everything, dumbnaz ;)

Moryan_Sorg

03-12-2009, 12:04 PM

Maybe they release a pre-client that allows you to create (but offline) species and stuff so you can create your own and they got the time to try and spread them in the galaxy on some planets, so you can encounter your own species ;]
Also it would be a major step towards satisfying the needs of the community. By opening the characters creator we could all get awesome avatars and have major fun until the release of open beta :D[/COLOR]

YES!! that would be amazing! I don't know how much of a 'milestone' that would be considering they've already shown a pretty well working character creator, but that would be awesome! I'm sure it would keep a lot of us busy for a while and out of their hair. If they would then put your made up races into in game content would be hilariously awesome, I'd probably create 10k. I have the time...

Back to reality, I agree with the people who feel like it's probably just a programming step integrating two+ parts of the game that were developed separately.

Loekii

03-12-2009, 12:25 PM

Milestone, milestone....something big and important.....hmmmmm.:confused:

:eek:

They finally completed the GORN player model!:D

Ytram

03-12-2009, 12:56 PM

True enough, also there have been several statement of people "playing" the game so there needed to be an alpha for that to work obviously... How else could they be playing spacebattles and stuff, if the game isn't already running in an early state alpha (who knows maybe we are closer to a december release than cryptic wants to admit at this point :D)
Internal playtesting does not require a game to be in alpha. It's just that, internal playtesting. An alpha is generally participated in by people outside of the company, as someone else mentioned "friends and family".

In fact, this would require a lot of "pieces of a game [to] click in place", (http://twitter.com/CrypticZinc/statuses/1299363394)so perhaps an Alpha start is very likely!

oleum

03-12-2009, 12:56 PM

Milestone, milestone....something big and important.....hmmmmm.:confused: <snipped gorn irrelevance :) >

I think a few posts ago someone mentioned that alpha hadn't started and gave a linky. Well if release is this year then alpha must be close. IIRC another title they developed went into alpha about 8-9 months before the actual release. So alpha must be on the cards soon, with closed beta 2-3 months later, if they have a plan with milestones that are similar each game. At around the time CB would start (2-3 months after alpha) maybe anytime now +3 months. Then that puts the CB in late June and game release December/Jan. The announcement of release of their other title CO was around Christmas for a June release so maybe we'll get a game release date announcement around the time the movie releases in early may.

Loekii

03-12-2009, 01:53 PM

TreffnonX

03-12-2009, 02:02 PM

I haven't seen anything about 'alpha' being officially mentioned - please link if someone has it. The only thing I have seen recently was the Dev comment about beta being 'sooner than you expect' -- which to me is worring, as it might mean the game is smaller than I hope.

That last sentence is what worries me too. I stated a while ago in one of my first postst that I hope cryptic takes 6 more months to develope the game and include more content such as romulan empire and ship interiors. At that time I got an angry response telling that this would not benefit the game at all and would only damage the fanbase.
I beg to differ though. I think the game yould use another half year to get on strong feet, not only because that would greatly benefit content, but also because it gives the genre more time to figer still unfixed issues such as faction espionage.
The only thing I could imagine might solve this is to allow only one faction characters + making the game pretty expensive like 100$ but you get 6 free months to the game. That would disable people joining a faction to spy on them because it is far too expansive to get someone inside the other faction.
But Cryptic won't do that (it doesn't fit in the market) and thus this whole problem remains...
let the market deal with it another year at least and see what they come up with...

haplo8

03-12-2009, 03:07 PM

It could also mean that they reached a goal of suckering in enough posters into following Twitter. :p

I think you nailed it there...:eek:

oleum

03-12-2009, 03:37 PM

I haven't seen anything about 'alpha' being officially mentioned - please link if someone has it. The only thing I have seen recently was the Dev comment about beta being 'sooner than you expect' -- which to me is worring, as it might mean the game is smaller than I hope.

I tracked down the link earlier in the thread its here (http://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=374995&postcount=870). It clearly says that alpha hasn't started yet and is dated 19th Feb, about a month ago.

I think the game might well release sooner than expected, as its always been stated, and that the game will not be complete at launch. I'm happy to have less content at launch as long as sytems are in place to build on this in a coherent way at a later date.

MMO are not complete games at launch, they grow over time. As long as the core systems work and the game is fun to play at launch, then I think all the players that can be made happy , will be happy. (Some won't ever be happy)

dyvimtorm

03-13-2009, 05:34 AM

That last sentence is what worries me too. I stated a while ago in one of my first postst that I hope cryptic takes 6 more months to develope the game and include more content such as romulan empire and ship interiors. At that time I got an angry response telling that this would not benefit the game at all and would only damage the fanbase.
I beg to differ though. I think the game yould use another half year to get on strong feet, not only because that would greatly benefit content, but also because it gives the genre more time to figer still unfixed issues such as faction espionage.
The only thing I could imagine might solve this is to allow only one faction characters + making the game pretty expensive like 100$ but you get 6 free months to the game. That would disable people joining a faction to spy on them because it is far too expansive to get someone inside the other faction.
But Cryptic won't do that (it doesn't fit in the market) and thus this whole problem remains...
let the market deal with it another year at least and see what they come up with...

Howdy Treff,

Yeah, releasing too soon with less content and bug-testing would be a bummer...but with Atari pushing them, Cryptic might have to give into the almighty dollar and release early :( We'll just have to champion the game (pun intended) through the early period if that happens, knowing these guys do put out good stuff. And heck, they may be so far ahead in terms of programming that early release might be a little content shy, but still stable, playable and fun! Holy cow, that makes me sound like a fanboi...really I'm a pretty critical guy, but I do want STO to succeed!

Pavel Bester

TreffnonX

03-13-2009, 06:14 AM

Howdy Treff,

Yeah, releasing too soon with less content and bug-testing would be a bummer...but with Atari pushing them, Cryptic might have to give into the almighty dollar and release early :( We'll just have to champion the game (pun intended) through the early period if that happens, knowing these guys do put out good stuff. And heck, they may be so far ahead in terms of programming that early release might be a little content shy, but still stable, playable and fun! Holy cow, that makes me sound like a fanboi...really I'm a pretty critical guy, but I do want STO to succeed!

Pavel Bester

signed! I too am worried about Ataris influence on Cryptic not just regarding STO. Atari might be a powerful company having a lot of money to back Cryptic, but I am worried that they will only be out for results...
Well only time will tell us if it has a positive influence or if they are pushing Cryptic to fast releases due to their stable and lasting engine (maybe we will see another two games on this engine after STO). All could be developed within two years, which would result in a major output from Cryptic. Imagine, you put out a successful MMO onto the market every one and a half year... frightening isn't it..?

CinC-UFPForces-Cardassia

03-13-2009, 07:08 AM

I think some folks have some real misconceptions about how long Cryptic has been working on this title, and it's leading to some additional misconceptions about what could be included "if only there was more time."

Cryptic received the license for Star Trek Online sometime in Q1 (the first quarter) of 2008. Therefore, at the least, they've been working on the game for at least a full calendar year. There will be at least six more months of development following today's date. Therefore, Cryptic's version of Star Trek Online will be in development for at least 18 months.

If you believe the above time line is too optimistic, let's say Cryptic didn't really begin full development until early Q2 of 2008; let's say, May. Eighteen full months of development would put a theoretical release in November of 2009.

Personally, I don't think Star Trek Online sees store shelves until January or February of 2010.

I'd remind you also that Cryptic had been pursuing an aggressive release schedule quite a while before the acquisition by Atari was announced. We've been getting the "sooner than you think refrain" since early fall of 2008; indeed, Jack Emmert announced at the August convention that he already knew the release date.

Now, I'm not going to stand here and say that Cryptic isn't pursuing an extremely aggressive release schedule; that just wouldn't be true. That, however, has always been part of the package. And, by itself, it's no indicator of a less-than-expansive game world.