Obtaining NPC crews and giving them life

[BreachAndClear]

One of the things I'm curious about is how we go about obtaining player crews.

I recall some discussion (though I do not recall if it's confirmed information or fan speculation) that we would be creating our whole bridge crew (or at least a few individuals) before even entering the game world. Are these crews then static? How do should a device be implemented to introducing new crew members? Can we visit a planet and recruit generic individuals of the indigenous population to serve aboard our ship. Do new races we encounter have built in racial bonuses that we can recruit, or must all potential crew members be player created.

I.E. can I visit a random planet, bump into local and recruit them, or must new crew members be obtained by swapping their commissions with a member of another player's crew? Can I change my crew at all?

Or perhaps Starfleet regulates potential candidates for player crews?

One thing I thought of was inspired by a game called Europa Universalis, in which you play as a nation but have advisers that can be hired to provide bonuses, and they cost a monthly fee (in the game's economy, not real money) to maintain. Some advisers provide better bonuses than others but are more rare and cost more monthly. The pool of advisers available to a player changes over time, and advisers that are dismissed from court are returned to the available pool.

Perhaps local Starfleet and Klingon starbases will have pools of recruits that can be recruited by the player, with the recruits' stats being influenced by player rank. So that if you're a Lieutenant, you might come across an outstanding recruit that provides a large bonus, but it would be very, very rare. In contrast, if you're an Admiral, access to these outstanding recruits would be far more common. Naturally you can level up your own bridge crew, but later in the game recruiting an "outstanding recruit" would require less time and investment than starting back at square one with a "lowly recruit." If you replace one of your crew members with a new member, then the replaced member would go back to the nearest starbase and would be available to be recruited by other players.

Another thing, this one a concern, is what exactly the bridge crew will do. Without player interiors (at least at launch) I suspect that they will be faceless bonuses to your ship's performance? And planet side they will be able to assist the player as what I assume will be NPC away team members. However, is that it? A lot of talk on these forums seems to center around what ship types will be in the game, how will ship combat play out, etc. There are quite a few ST episodes which do not involve any sort of ship combat, and center solely on relationships and quarrels among crew members.

It was stated that we won't be able to chat it up with our number one in the mess hall, and I never really did expect Mass Effect like depth to character interaction. So, what life will be given to the crew? Will the player's actions affect how they perform?

E.G. if I violate the prime directive during a particular "episode" might one of my senior officers be penalized to reflect low morale (without explicitly failing the mission for such a violation)? I assume that I won't be able to take my entire bridge crew planet side as an away team, as someone has to maintain the bridge. Perhaps if I neglect the same member mission after mission, they will eventually get fed up and "transfer their commission?" or perhaps "be dishonored" (for the klingons)

If such a dynamic system were implemented then perhaps the ship's counselor (at least aboard Federation ship) could be used as a means to reviewing where individual members stand (this NPC would have to be depicted as a window on the interface, at least until interiors are included).

Also, giving that MMOs offer the opportunity to be dynamic. Once the Romulan and Dominion are added, perhaps will see updates where these factions temporarily ally? Such that immediately after they are introduced they might be 4 opposing factions, perhaps a few months later the Romulans ally with the Dominion against the Klingons and Federation, then those alliances break and again they are all against each other, then the Dominion allies with the Klingons, and the Federation with the Romulans, etc. Allowing the exchange of races during periods of alliance? Such that the Federation can obtain a Klingon crew member during the period that the Klingons and Federation are allied (and then this character would stay on the crew even after the alliance breaks down).

Any thoughts, further suggestions, answers, etc.?

[Silverspar]

Well, they've talked about it stating we will have options to create out bridge crew, even able to expand or replace our bridge crew with new personel based on new races we find and discover. I wouldn't expect the yes no sequences you see out of other MMOs to get someone to join.

[mirkrim]

I don't know about the ability to just randomly recruit people from planets you come across. That seems more like Firefly than Star Trek. Taking on new crewmembers would be better served as rewards at the end of specific missions. You could use the example of Voyager recruiting Kes and Neelix as an example for what the episode arc would look like. Or you might undertake a mission that has you collaborating with another NPC Federation ship, at the end of which you would be given the option to transfer aboard one or more personnel. You would then be brought to the character creation screen to create those NPCs, and voila, you have new people.

[Reinkaos]

Discovering ghost ships with new races on them, you could absorb them into your crew or something?

[BreachAndClear]

I don't know about the ability to just randomly recruit people from planets you come across. That seems more like Firefly than Star Trek. Taking on new crewmembers would be better served as rewards at the end of specific missions. You could use the example of Voyager recruiting Kes and Neelix as an example for what the episode arc would look like. Or you might undertake a mission that has you collaborating with another NPC Federation ship, at the end of which you would be given the option to transfer aboard one or more personnel. You would then be brought to the character creation screen to create those NPCs, and voila, you have new people.

That presupposes that players will be able to revisit the bridge crew creator multiple times post character launch, which in itself could be discussed. The ability to transfer new crew members and then creating them from scratch seems a little redundant, since you would be replacing crew - that you had a free hand in defining cosmetic and attribute characteristics for - for new members, that you once again have a free hand in creating attributes for. Perhaps an acquired crew member might (if you're lucky) provide bonuses that you cannot define in the character creator such that you can supplement members you've created with others that seek a commission aboard your ship as a reward for the completion of episodic content.

[OddjobXL]

This is an interesting discussion.

On the one hand, many players will want aesthetic control over a NPC bridge crew/away team so they can recreate or invent a particular assortment. Say, a player with an original race who wants most of his NPC crew to also be of that original race or someone trying to recreate the bridge crew of a canonical Voyager or Enterprise.

On the other hand, it would create a bit more gameplay if it weren't so easy to pick and chose like that. Maybe there could be individuals you recruit as you go that would have unusual benefits even if you have no control over their look or general skill packages. Juggling to create a good balance, especially if these guys are procedurally generated by chance as part of a duty mission, could be a nice little side game.

Of course, the ones you acquire randomly might not have as much overall skill so there would still be a reason to stick with your original crew for a while until they're up to speed.

I like both approaches, to tell the truth. I just wonder if you're allowed to keep a roster of crew besides the active ones at any given time.

[jbarker82]

I think obtaining bridge crew members would probably work like this:

1. You start your new game as a human on the Federation side.
2. The first ship given to you is a Shuttle for doing minor missions and there is room for only one other officer. Your first bridge crew member.
3. As you progress to a larger ship, let's say a Runabout, you gain an extra bridge crew slot and so you have a crew of 2.

And it goes on from there.

It wouldn't surprise me if you can swap and change your bridge crew whenever you orbit a planet or dock at a starbase. It might be that the Andorian tactical officer you picked up from Starbase 123 is better at damaging enemies than the Human one you had from the start? But perhaps the human tactical officer is less reckless and trigger happy and finds the target more often. It would make sense to be able to augment your crews depending on the mission at hand.

Makes sense to me anyway ;)

[Dogbertious]

I would like an option to create a random set of characters to man my bridge. Completely random, race, gender, attributes, I don't care really. The Trek universe is a diverse place....

It won't feel right if I could create the crew that man my bridge. Also, on a more personal note, I'd most probably man the entire thing with humans if I had to create them myself, because I am lazy......

[jbarker82]

Just had a thought about the use of Prestige to 'buy' better crew members. Perhaps you can create your own crew members but they only start off as ensigns? Maybe you can unlock higher ranked crew memebers by spending prestige on them?

[KO_Gilligan]

Just had a thought about the use of Prestige to 'buy' better crew members. Perhaps you can create your own crew members but they only start off as ensigns? Maybe you can unlock higher ranked crew memebers by spending prestige on them?

I see the crew gaining experience. Maybe we will have an active crew and recruits and alternates on-board, like inventory. Move them in and out of the Bridge Crew slots as station assignments, and they advance in whichever specialty they play.

Move them out of slot for an alternative, more scientifically oriented set for your crew for exploration gameplay.

Going for some Fleet play against the Romulans? Put your best tactical people on the bridge.

[THORN74]

I think obtaining bridge crew members would probably work like this:

1. You start your new game as a human on the Federation side.
2. The first ship given to you is a Shuttle for doing minor missions and there is room for only one other officer. Your first bridge crew member.
3. As you progress to a larger ship, let's say a Runabout, you gain an extra bridge crew slot and so you have a crew of 2.

And it goes on from there.

It wouldn't surprise me if you can swap and change your bridge crew whenever you orbit a planet or dock at a starbase. It might be that the Andorian tactical officer you picked up from Starbase 123 is better at damaging enemies than the Human one you had from the start? But perhaps the human tactical officer is less reckless and trigger happy and finds the target more often. It would make sense to be able to augment your crews depending on the mission at hand.

Makes sense to me anyway ;)

1: u dont need to be a human, u can be any race u want as long as its in the faction u pick or u custom make it

2: we have been told we will NOT start with a shutlle

3: we will gain NPCs to our senior staff, but as we will start with abigger ship than an shuttle or runabout, we will most likely start off with 2 or 3 NPCs and grow to upwards of 5-8. but this point hasn't been confirmed yet

i would alos agree that at some point we will beable to swap NPCs as we desire, at least i hope we will.

it has been said we will have awayteams of 5 people (in solo 1 PC and 4 NPC or any combo up to 5 PCs for grouping) so it would stand to reason for mission variables to have a senior staff with up to 8 NPCs. this would allow for variety for mission specific groups (a feature already confirmed).

[Varrangian]

1: u dont need to be a human, u can be any race u want as long as its in the faction u pick or u custom make it

2: we have been told we will NOT start with a shutlle

3: we will gain NPCs to our senior staff, but as we will start with abigger ship than an shuttle or runabout, we will most likely start off with 2 or 3 NPCs and grow to upwards of 5-8. but this point hasn't been confirmed yet

i would alos agree that at some point we will beable to swap NPCs as we desire, at least i hope we will.

it has been said we will have awayteams of 5 people (in solo 1 PC and 4 NPC or any combo up to 5 PCs for grouping) so it would stand to reason for mission variables to have a senior staff with up to 8 NPCs. this would allow for variety for mission specific groups (a feature already confirmed).

To add a little to Thorn's post...

For point 2 - Craig said in a video at NYCC that we will likely start in a light frigate sized ship.

For point 3 - In the GameInformer article is said we will gain "crew" as we progress to bigger ships. I believe also in the GameInformer was the information that we will have the ability to swap out crew members for new recruits.

[tribblehunter]

Hello all.

Its cool to read so many cool ideas about this. I think we all have our own way of looking at the game and I was looking at it this way.... (II'm just going off a little net info and some chat)

The way I would like to play the game is as if I was on the show! That is to say:
Your crew is a part of your body... and I think it would be okay if you could have a new crew member pop in and out but for me... I would like the crew to BE the "show"! You make the crew the way you like to see them and grow with them... just like on all TV and movies. I would'nt want to get new crew members any time it was available because (if they let you build your own guys from head to feet) why would I want to take all the time to build the people I want just to throw them away for another? If I get my "Sulu", or my "Troy" and we lvl up together (or how Cryptc makes the game) why scrap them?

Now I had another way of looking at the crew and ship from another thread and it still seems like a good idea...for my game play... lol
The bridge is your person and the ship is your "mount" (sorry to all if I use a WOW plug) for simple use. An example would be: your comms crewmen is your side quests and group chat, your science officer is your info and maps, helm is your "mount".... speed and places you are going... and so on! That gives you 2 ways of feeling as if you are in the show. #1 it will give you the ability to look at the bridge any time you want and #2 you will be able to talk with your crew and feel as if you are growing with them.
Just the way I am looking at it! It would be the way I would like to play the game but that is not for everyone.
All the best.
See you in space!:D

[BreachAndClear]

Hello all.

Its cool to read so many cool ideas about this. I think we all have our own way of looking at the game and I was looking at it this way.... (II'm just going off a little net info and some chat)

The way I would like to play the game is as if I was on the show! That is to say:
Your crew is a part of your body... and I think it would be okay if you could have a new crew member pop in and out but for me... I would like the crew to BE the "show"! You make the crew the way you like to see them and grow with them... just like on all TV and movies. I would'nt want to get new crew members any time it was available because (if they let you build your own guys from head to feet) why would I want to take all the time to build the people I want just to throw them away for another? If I get my "Sulu", or my "Troy" and we lvl up together (or how Cryptc makes the game) why scrap them?

Now I had another way of looking at the crew and ship from another thread and it still seems like a good idea...for my game play... lol
The bridge is your person and the ship is your "mount" (sorry to all if I use a WOW plug) for simple use. An example would be: your comms crewmen is your side quests and group chat, your science officer is your info and maps, helm is your "mount".... speed and places you are going... and so on! That gives you 2 ways of feeling as if you are in the show. #1 it will give you the ability to look at the bridge any time you want and #2 you will be able to talk with your crew and feel as if you are growing with them.
Just the way I am looking at it! It would be the way I would like to play the game but that is not for everyone.
All the best.
See you in space!:D

I guess it really depends. I don't know (I personally haven't read anything regarding) if players will be able to reassign bridge crew to other positions, such that I can tell my tactical officer that he'd be better served as a science officer in order to better serve my style of gameplay. If so, then the only reason to replace crew members is if you want new racial bonuses. However, if bridge crew are stuck in their position, then it might become necessary to "transfer their commission" (replace them) to get new members that better serve the player's evolving gameplay style.

[tribblehunter]

I guess it really depends. I don't know (I personally haven't read anything regarding) if players will be able to reassign bridge crew to other positions, such that I can tell my tactical officer that he'd be better served as a science officer in order to better serve my style of gameplay. If so, then the only reason to replace crew members is if you want new racial bonuses. However, if bridge crew are stuck in their position, then it might become necessary to "transfer their commission" (replace them) to get new members that better serve the player's evolving gameplay style.

I can see that as well. A good way to work around the idea would work with how the game allows you to lvl up. If every time you make a grade or rank... give the player the ability to give each of the bridge crew... say one point in a science field or two points in the med area. As with many other games if you have a pet or NPC helper... it moves up with you. I'm also looking at it that way.... well because I'm just a BIG KID! I am looking at myself as the Cap and I am seeing other friends and family as the crew! lol I just don't want my wife at the helm.... and if she is reading this I am in deep S**t!!!:eek:

All the best
Keep on treking....
See you in space