IGN Vault Dev Chat With Craig! [Archive]

nhamlett

03-30-2009, 11:55 AM

Tomorrow, March 31, 2009 at 7 P.M. EDT IGN Vault is hosting a Star Trek Online Developer Chat with Craig Zinkievich, STO's Excecutive Producer. Here are the details -

The Star Trek Online dev chat will be conducted on Voon in the VN_Devchat channel on Tuesday March 31, 2009 at 7PM ET (4PM Pacific Time). Please login to Voon at least 15 minutes before the chat starts.

To install/load Voon:
1. Go to http://voon.vivox.com/ and download and install the Voon client.
2. You will also need to create an account with Voon using the Register link on that page.
3. Login to VOON.
4. Click on the “Rooms” tab and choose “Manage”, then “Join a Room”.
5. Enter “VN” in the search box and click on “Find”.
6. Highlight “VN_Devchat” from the list and click on “Join”.

We hope to see you there!

STO

03-30-2009, 12:01 PM

I will be there!

Another way to join the chat (once voon is open) is:

#1. Click "Events" at the top tabs
#2. Scroll down to "Star Trek Online Dev Chat with IGN"
#3. Double Click "Star Trek Online Dev Chat with IGN"
#4. Click "Join Audio" at the top left to listen in.
#5. Press the little "T" button on the bottom left to talk. Push again to tun off your mic.

knightofhyrule730

03-30-2009, 12:32 PM

haha, i was just about to uninstall Voon too. Guess it still has a reason to be on my HD :)

ill be there!

CaptainLoQTipOfBorg

03-30-2009, 01:48 PM

What is "voon"? You have a lot of techies here but I dont know too much about that stuff. How about creating an official STO Real Time Chat Room? Now that's something to talk about.

Loekii

03-30-2009, 01:54 PM

Are there pre-Chat questions being taken, or is it just during the chat?

STO

03-30-2009, 01:59 PM

Are there pre-Chat questions being taken, or is it just during the chat?

For the last chat in VooN, and the last Champions Online Chat in VooN, there was a discussion that we could not participate in as Craig and then Bill talked about various items in development. Then there was a portion where the audience was able to participate by asking questions that the dev's answered right there live. So write down one or two really good questions in case they repeat that same setup.

Loekii

03-30-2009, 02:02 PM

For the last chat in VooN, and the last Champions Online Chat in VooN, there was a discussion that we could not participate in as Craig and then Bill talked about various items in development. Then there was a portion where the audience was able to participate by asking questions that the dev's answered right there live. So write down one or two really good questions in case they repeat that same setup.

Thank you.

While I understand that they often will repeat known information for the new to STO listeners, I do hope they toss out more brand new information (or further explaination of old information), rather than just repeating stuff that can be found by reading the various websites FAQ.

Pdt_the_confused

03-30-2009, 02:40 PM

so voon is a voice/text chat client?

curious because many developers use IRC chats. much more common client. (plus can be done with a java client on a web page requiring no download)

Voyager24

03-30-2009, 02:41 PM

I'll try and be there, but i'll just be getting off work when its going on.

Trekkie

03-30-2009, 06:00 PM

Thank you very much for the heads up about the chat! I will definitely be there, and I can already think of quite a few questions that I would really like to have answered. Even though I am unfamiliar with the chat client, it is definitely worth figuring out in order to be able to participate in the chat. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of information will be revealed!

CrazyVulcan

03-30-2009, 08:51 PM

i have class :( is there any way to rechord a chat?

oleum

03-30-2009, 11:36 PM

I'll look into recording it, must be possible, can always link it up to you tube later on then.. 7 PDT ugh thats 3 am for me, but I'll try!

T-child

03-31-2009, 01:01 AM

what time is it in GMT? :/

Rivaris

03-31-2009, 02:18 AM

i will have to wait for the written chat to be posted i will be sleeping at that time since i need to get up early the next day.

osena

03-31-2009, 03:11 AM

what time would it be for me on est cost of American i know its 7 pm gmt time i asume but what time is that EST time?

Leonidus

03-31-2009, 04:15 AM

what time is it in GMT? :/

EDT = -4 GMT so that would be 23:00 for the UK i think :confused:

Dext

03-31-2009, 04:31 AM

what time would it be for me on est cost of American i know its 7 pm gmt time i asume but what time is that EST time?

It is at 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM EST so you know.

Edit I did go into the voom chat room an it says this for the time: Message of the day: Reserved for STO Dev Chat; 3/31/2009 7PM EST.

So I would pop in an at all 6,7,8 an you would have to hit the right time.

Sarile

03-31-2009, 05:40 AM

Hopefully this chat will be publsihed for those of us unable to listen to it.

Live Long and Prosper

osena

03-31-2009, 06:02 AM

It is at 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM EST so you know.

Edit I did go into the voom chat room an it says this for the time: Message of the day: Reserved for STO Dev Chat; 3/31/2009 7PM EST.

So I would pop in an at all 6,7,8 an you would have to hit the right time.

kk but they want you in the room 15 minutes befor hand

man_on_the_moon

03-31-2009, 06:35 AM

Hopefully this chat will be publsihed for those of us unable to listen to it.

I second that.

I'm 6 hours ahead of EDT. That makes the startingtime 1 A.M. for me... :(

apexearth

03-31-2009, 07:14 AM

I'll be waiting in that chat room all day while I work. FUN! :)

apexearth

03-31-2009, 07:16 AM

Also, It appears VOON can save recordings...It can even save multiple tracks for each speaker. Pretty cool.

marscentral

03-31-2009, 08:26 AM

EDT = -4 GMT so that would be 23:00 for the UK i think :confused:

We're on British Summer Time since Sunday, which means GMT+1 as GMT doesn't change for summer. I believe it's midnight for us in the UK.

oleum

03-31-2009, 09:47 AM

yes indeed it is, I thought it said PDT at first, hence 3 am BST.. Midnight I can probably make if I can get voon d/l that is

Foxstab

03-31-2009, 10:24 AM

Blah.

EDT = GMT+11
And I'm GMT+2
so that means 7 PM EDT is 8 AM GMT, so 10 AM for me, so I'm at work...and didn't I miss it already anyway?

CherryTerri

03-31-2009, 10:32 AM

I'll be there!

Look for me as CherryTerri!

And yes, I *will* be asking something about the Gorn!

Dext

03-31-2009, 11:14 AM

An I will try to stay up for the chat an if I do I will Record it an an soon as it is over will upload it to www.startrekfleet.com

Loekii

03-31-2009, 11:20 AM

I'll be there!

Look for me as CherryTerri!

And yes, I *will* be asking something about the Gorn!

What Style Gorn ships (SFB or something different)?
What Gorn race version (TOS or ENT).
When do we get to see some Gorn content

phifur

03-31-2009, 12:45 PM

I will be there count on it :D

Youkilis

03-31-2009, 02:36 PM

Can anyone tell what ship (class) that is on the background to this thread's headline? Looks damn funky......

INVAD3R_J

03-31-2009, 03:06 PM

Am I missing something or is it running late because I'm in the room but no users and no Audio to join :S

Manx

03-31-2009, 03:15 PM

Can anyone tell what ship (class) that is on the background to this thread's headline? Looks damn funky......

It is a ship the previous developers came up with called the Excalibur class (dunno if Cryptic is still using that name). The 'peace sign' ships in the trailer seem to be of this class, although with a different saucer section.

Prospero

03-31-2009, 03:32 PM

Am I missing something or is it running late because I'm in the room but no users and no Audio to join :S

Yeah i had the same problem.

apexearth

03-31-2009, 04:21 PM

I uploaded an mp3 recording @ http://apexearth.info/VN_Devchat.apexearth.20090331_200147.mp3

Loekii

03-31-2009, 04:33 PM

VOON worked well. First timer in Audio chat, and I liked it very much.

Would be nice to have a default STO Voon Chat room set up -- (pokes Awen).

Angelphoenix12

03-31-2009, 04:37 PM

I uploaded an mp3 recording @ http://apexearth.info/VN_Devchat.apexearth.20090331_200147.mp3

ty apex, i missed the chat.

Solomon555

03-31-2009, 04:38 PM

I uploaded an mp3 recording @ http://apexearth.info/VN_Devchat.apexearth.20090331_200147.mp3

Thank you! I had to miss it this time...

Jafeeio

03-31-2009, 04:55 PM

Great chat.

Nice people, good software, good questions and Zink scared the hell out of everybody by saying that you have to buy the game again if you die :D

I hope you do this again in the near future.

CaptXpendable

03-31-2009, 06:23 PM

Just listened to a recording of it, some nice info (all Feds, bone up on your Miranda Class) :D
If they're going to continue using this chat system though, they definitely have some kinks to work out.

Loekii

03-31-2009, 06:59 PM

CaptXpendable

03-31-2009, 07:21 PM

Ah, a case of the error being somewhere between the chair and the keyboard. ;)
We'll just have to insist on lots of Dev chats so that everyone can get used to it.

apexearth

03-31-2009, 08:56 PM

When I installed VOON, joined the chat, and then enabled the audio, my microphone started enabled. I am guessing that is what happened to most other users too. Things like this are probably what need to be addressed in VOON.

man_on_the_moon

03-31-2009, 11:53 PM

I uploaded an mp3 recording @ http://apexearth.info/VN_Devchat.apexearth.20090331_200147.mp3

Thanks for that. Had to miss the chat. Thumbs up! :)

Edit after listening to the recording:
Interesting chat. Thanks to the Devs. Its cool to have the ability asking all these questions to a dev. Informative answers.

Thanks to Craig Zinkievich and Nicole!

Youkilis

04-01-2009, 04:13 AM

It is a ship the previous developers came up with called the Excalibur class (dunno if Cryptic is still using that name). The 'peace sign' ships in the trailer seem to be of this class, although with a different saucer section.

Many thanks!

jbarker82

04-01-2009, 05:53 AM

Will there be a transcript of this? I can't listen to the Mp3 at work :(

Loekii

04-01-2009, 11:07 AM

CherryTerri

04-01-2009, 11:16 AM

I would check IGN.

Try here:

http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/45858/Star-Trek-Online-Dev-Chat-Transcripts-Highlights-Audio
or here for just the Transcript: http://vault.ign.com/View.php?view=editorials.detail&id=249

No worries everyone ... I asked a question about the Gorn!

Let's see if Mr. Craig posts those Gorn pics like he promised! :D

Loekii

04-01-2009, 11:19 AM

No worries everyone ... I asked a question about the Gorn!

Let's see if Mr. Craig posts those Gorn pics like he promised! :D

Already stacking kindling for torches and the wife is gathering pitchforks. Just need to practice our "rabble rabble grrrrrrrroooorrrrrnnnn rabble rabble".

However, can certainly wait a day after Zinc's gift. Got a new Avatar out of it. Thanks Devs. :D

Manx

04-01-2009, 11:54 AM

I would check IGN.

Try here:

http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/45858/Star-Trek-Online-Dev-Chat-Transcripts-Highlights-Audio
or here for just the Transcript: http://vault.ign.com/View.php?view=editorials.detail&id=249

Thanks for that. I just read the transcript; great stuff :D

It has left me a little confused about the ground combat though... I just can't form a clear image of what to expect anymore. Ah well, all will be revealed in time I suppose.

CherryTerri

04-01-2009, 12:21 PM

Thanks for that. I just read the transcript; great stuff :D

It has left me a little confused about the ground combat though... I just can't form a clear image of what to expect anymore. Ah well, all will be revealed in time I suppose.

Well, keep your eyes peeled for any more of these chats. Maybe you can get someone to send a question about ground combat to be answered there!

oleum

04-01-2009, 01:27 PM

No worries everyone ... I asked a question about the Gorn!

Let's see if Mr. Craig posts those Gorn pics like he promised! :D

You gotta remember Craig said that after midnight (BST) and before 12 am so technically it could have been another April Fools ;)

BorgsPost

04-01-2009, 03:18 PM

Voon works well and a lot of good questions were asked. I hope we can do it again ;)

doam

04-02-2009, 12:03 AM

I just listened to this, and I have to say I liked most of the info given, and that there were some good questions asked. So good job to both sides.

But, and this is important to me, please keep accuracy in the game! I can't possibly imagine how a game would play without accuracy (figurative) and I don't want to! It seems like it would be very horrible. That's only my impression, of course, but it really seems like it'd be a terrible stupid idea to not have accuracy in your game. Terribly stupid. Accuracy is a great balancing tool, and, yes, it IS fun to miss. Or rather, it's fun to be missed. :p

Please keep accuracy in the game! PLEASE!

jbarker82

04-02-2009, 12:35 AM

Hagon

04-02-2009, 04:23 AM

I think many of the 'kinks' were 'user error', rather than a problem with the program.

Having been there, I heard people forgetting to mute themselves, having their mics too close to speakers or their phone, etc.

The chat system itself was surprisingly easy to use, and the audio was very clear. You can adjust each users volume, to address those that have their mic levels too low or too high, the 'mute' system works well (Hold LCntrl+D to talk, and it auto returns to mute). I would consider it for an ingame VOIP system if I were to set one up.Really don't see many of the errors being people's fault. Some I'm sure, but the program is pretty buggy. It does random things all on it's own, like enables open mics when people have their PTT set, raises people's outputs all on it's own, etc.

Loekii

04-02-2009, 10:32 AM

Really don't see many of the errors being people's fault. Some I'm sure, but the program is pretty buggy. It does random things all on it's own, like enables open mics when people have their PTT set, raises people's outputs all on it's own, etc.

I disagree. I know you said you had such an issue, but I would say MOST people forgot to turn off their mic, or accidentally turned it on -- instead of 'most' being turned on by the Program.

Given that we can all set the individual mic volumes, I would say that most mic volume issues were more likely user error (people adjusting their output volume, etc), than the program assigning random volume changes.

People tend to make far more mistakes than what they acknowledge -- sort of like how cars 'mysteriously' tend to go faster than the speed limit, especially when someone is in a hurry or no officers are around. :p

Kinneas

04-02-2009, 01:07 PM

Oh, I had a great time! lol

Someone said: "Wow! This feels like a press conference!"
It sure did.
Sorry I did not have my mic working. I wanted to open my questions with: "Kinneas from Hailing Frequency..." All reporter like.

All the questions were great.

It was a blast (and an honor) to listen to Craig & Awen.

Thanks, folks!
Thanks, IGN, Autumn
---

Reinkaos

04-02-2009, 01:42 PM

Q: Are the career paths going to have a major effect on the types of missions we'll be given?

We really want to make it so that no matter what career you choose or no matter what role you want to play with in the game that you can still experience the content that, you know, maybe your friend who is going the tactical route saw and thinks is really really cool too. We want you to be able to go over and experience that as well.

I havea question similar to this..

if I'm a science or engineering guy, can I approach the content from a science/engineering angle and solve it with a science/engineering-based solution as opposed to a tactical solution?

Say, if each tree has 4 tiers, and you're a tier 4 science guy, you get a special option (on top of the readily available options) to solve the issue at hand, that a tier 4 tactical guy wouldn't get.

Basically any specialized Captain (i.e any Tier 4 Captain) has access to a unique option, be it dialogue, battle tactic, speech/scan, research.. maybe more than one of these, to solve the query they are confronted with, that any lesser Captain (say, one that's spread their skills across trees such that they're tier 2 in all of them) doesn't have.

Or perhaps each tier unlocks an skill that can be used to resolve problems you come across on missions/in space, and the further down a tier you go, the more likely the option is to work?

keeperofthepies

04-02-2009, 04:57 PM

The whole thing went down pretty well. Voon is a great tool, and the chat was a lot of fun! I'm hoping to see more things like this in the near future.

CherryTerri

04-04-2009, 03:32 PM

I havea question similar to this..

if I'm a science or engineering guy, can I approach the content from a science/engineering angle and solve it with a science/engineering-based solution as opposed to a tactical solution?

I think that is what they are trying to portray. Kind of like that game "So You Want to be a Hero?" where you choose to start as fighter/thief/mage and the game is completely the same, except you solve riddles based on what you are (fighter would kick down a door, thief would pick same door's lock, mage would enchant a guard to unlock same door)

Loekii

04-05-2009, 06:54 AM

I think that is what they are trying to portray. Kind of like that game "So You Want to be a Hero?" where you choose to start as fighter/thief/mage and the game is completely the same, except you solve riddles based on what you are (fighter would kick down a door, thief would pick same door's lock, mage would enchant a guard to unlock same door)

While I hope that is the basis, I don't want to see such a clear division between the career paths. Picard did not defeat the Borg by throwing ancient tablets at them.

What I would want to see is were we are all Captains first, and our careers second. So when facing a Borg cube, we all still have to use 'violence' to defeat them -- but our career path offers an edge in how effective we are in our approach -- but in the end, we are still shooting them to pieces.

Flatfingers

04-05-2009, 10:35 AM

What I would want to see is were we are all Captains first, and our careers second. So when facing a Borg cube, we all still have to use 'violence' to defeat them -- but our career path offers an edge in how effective we are in our approach -- but in the end, we are still shooting them to pieces.

I suspect that's how it's going to play out. It's not an unreasonable approach.

I'm just hoping the same will hold true -- and to the same degree as in combat -- for things like exploration and crafting and diplomacy. In the end, everyone will need to be perceptive and creative and empathic when enjoying those forms of content, but characters with specialized skills in those areas will tend to be more effective at them.

--Flatfingers