new fans and STO

[Trekster]

it is what we've talked about. and it's going to happen. judging by the amount of people flocking into the star trek franchise because of the new movie, (which is cool) i can see alot new fans emotionally buying STO and logging in... only to find out it wasnt what they expected. for instance in a global chat some where these new gamers are going to be asking, why is there a Vulcan? wasnt it destroyed? and all that jibber jabber. and yes we've covered this before.

but what are all of us seasoned brainiacs of the prime canon universe going to do about it?

we can be insecure about the fact that someone doesnt know anything about what youve spent your entire life delving into, and make them feel like cArp.

or you can be the ambassador to what is pretty much the only thing that is shaping to continue the story of our old timeline to a major general audience, by making a new friend and making them feel welcome.

so whats it going to be? :P

[Ruthlessgravity]

just got to kindly show them the way.

[Citationpilot]

Tell em to do what I did, go see it again. I read the comic and watched it the first time knowing that it was an alternate dimension and so on. The second time I was less awed by the awesomeness that I actually computed the conversation between Kirk and Spock (before he is pinched and ejected) where they clearly spell out the paradigm. Only way they could have made it more clear would be to Doc Brown it up on a dry-erase board. Maybe get the UPS guy to draw it out with some brown markers or something.:D

The only possible solution I could see is in a future feature film they manage to send Old Spock back to his time-line/reality and he physically walks on Vulcan. Otherwise it's up to the individual to comprehend what has transpired.

I had to spend 20min explaining it to my g/f on the way home from my second, her first viewing. Just gotta be patient I guess.

[dinendae]

Maybe get the UPS guy to draw it out with some brown markers or something.:D

What can brown do for you?

[No1UKnow]

just tell em to go watch the movie again. then explain to them that - we're still on the other side of the hole see

[daBlade]

WWPD (What would Picard do?)

or you can be the ambassador to what is pretty much the only thing that is shaping to continue the story of our old timeline to a major general audience, by making a new friend and making them feel welcome.

;)

[The.Grand.Nagus]

All you need to know. (http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/the_grand_nagus/timeline6.jpg)

Yes, the new movie takes place in an ALTERNATE timeline, NOT the timeline STO takes place in:

http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=529988#post529988

Thanks :o

[Xanatos]

I think you've got to worry less about new players and more about MMORPG players. The powerguilds who just want to dominate every MMORPG they can. If STO is the new shiny toy i'm worried we'll see planets names along the lines of "buttsecks2009" or "Pwnz".

Just goes with the territory I suppose.

[terranova3y2]

Doesn't really matter, worst case scenario, Cryptic will be able to add them to their "X amount of subscribers" like WoW does with their 6 bajallion subs even tho we all know that isn't their active users, just all time subs.

Best case scenario, people will play the game and enjoy it for what it is instead of dumping it because its not like the movie.

[Blackheart]

I think you've got to worry less about new players and more about MMORPG players. The powerguilds who just want to dominate every MMORPG they can. If STO is the new shiny toy i'm worried we'll see planets names along the lines of "buttsecks2009" or "Pwnz".

Just goes with the territory I suppose.

Now I'm going to have to put planets on ignore? :D



Never crossed my mind before now. something else to worry about.:mad:

[Jsnuk]

If people liked the new movie I don't think this game will turn them away. In truth they are both Trek and both good; if seasoned fans can love both why cant it work the other way round?

[Locrano]

it is what we've talked about. and it's going to happen. judging by the amount of people flocking into the star trek franchise because of the new movie, (which is cool) i can see alot new fans emotionally buying STO and logging in... only to find out it wasnt what they expected. for instance in a global chat some where these new gamers are going to be asking, why is there a Vulcan? wasnt it destroyed? and all that jibber jabber. and yes we've covered this before.

but what are all of us seasoned brainiacs of the prime canon universe going to do about it?

we can be insecure about the fact that someone doesnt know anything about what youve spent your entire life delving into, and make them feel like cArp.

or you can be the ambassador to what is pretty much the only thing that is shaping to continue the story of our old timeline to a major general audience, by making a new friend and making them feel welcome.

so whats it going to be? :P

Well.. like they say in Warhammer 40K... we illuminate them. LOL!

Jokes aside, I take it as a very good sign that the new movie sparks massive new interest to this awesome universe. Of course some will eventually find it boring but many others who were never really exposed to how much depth and character Star Trek has to offer (Compared to what in my opinion is a much more action oriented Star Wars which is also cool). It'll be good to have more people who want to explore the rich universe of Star Trek.

We illuminate them.

[pacejohntom]

Maybe Cryptic could tie in an introduction in the game that would explain the prime universe vs. alternate universe,.

[dyvimtorm]

Tell em to do what I did, go see it again. I read the comic and watched it the first time knowing that it was an alternate dimension and so on. The second time I was less awed by the awesomeness that I actually computed the conversation between Kirk and Spock (before he is pinched and ejected) where they clearly spell out the paradigm. Only way they could have made it more clear would be to Doc Brown it up on a dry-erase board. Maybe get the UPS guy to draw it out with some brown markers or something.:D.

Hmmm...I think this is more a job for the Budwesier drinkability drawing guy.... :p

[Trekster]

All you need to know. (http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/the_grand_nagus/timeline6.jpg)

Yes, the new movie takes place in an ALTERNATE timeline, NOT the timeline STO takes place in:

http://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?p=529988#post529988

Thanks :o

lol, i saw this in another thread.

was that intended for me? or is that what youre going to say to the fans that i was talking about, of whom shows up in the game and has no clue whats going on.

[GorenVeik]

i sorry for all those new fans that having seen the STXI would enter this MMORPG and they would not understand anything, where it came from, who are those guys, why vulcan is there, why spocks mother is alive, why kirk father was not dead, who the hell is picard, data, what is a soong type android, what is an emmiter... i think the move was a double sharp weapon... now the old school fans will have to explain them everything... they have to forget the movie but keep the concept wich is quite different in the new movie than in the old time line, and they will find a chaotic panorama.... i dont know how to do it... maybe someone have to compile a video to quick explain it all. i dont really know.. i feel petty of them...

[The.Grand.Nagus]

or is that what youre going to say to the fans that i was talking about, of whom shows up in the game and has no clue whats going on.

/\/\ This :o

[Rickyroughneck]

Doesn't really matter, worst case scenario, Cryptic will be able to add them to their "X amount of subscribers" like WoW does with their 6 bajallion subs even tho we all know that isn't their active users, just all time subs.

Best case scenario, people will play the game and enjoy it for what it is instead of dumping it because its not like the movie.

The number of subscribers that WoW quotes are active accounts only. Would be a bit silly quoting trial and inactive accounts towards the total- this is coming from a WoW player.

Although being "acquainted" to the star-trek franchise from watching the movie, I want to respect old-timers and learn the proper cannon. I hope I speak for the majority of the new audience acquired from the new star trek film.



One thing though is that in order for the game to be profitable, it will need to appeal to a much wider audience than just star-trek fans. Thus expect many players new to the star trek franchise (many not even having watched the film).


All in all I can only see a wider audience as a good thing :-)

[Condemnation]

Shortsightedness is awesome huh.

First off, the new movie is now the prime universe. Aside from this game (which was started before the movie), i would put money on the fact that you will never see another series, movie, game, show, or Sunday special in the original universe.

If they make more movies, and there is every reason to suspect that they will, they will be taking place in the new universe, which is now the prime. The old universe is only there to keep the shortsighted people who can't let go happy and not bashing new trek.

The absolute smartest thing Cryptic could do would be to just declare that the game takes place in the new universe, and change the label of "Vulcan" to "New Vulcan". Nothing else need change. It can all be explained. Just change the name. Nothing else changes. Nothing at all. All of old Trek still happens, just say that the parents of the Vulcans you see were the survivors of the original Vulcan. It's not like you see a ton of Vulcans in any of the series anyway.

[jakeeyes]

Although being "acquainted" to the star-trek franchise from watching the movie, I want to respect old-timers and learn the proper cannon. I hope I speak for the majority of the new audience acquired from the new star trek film.


What a breathe of fresh air YOU are :p. I can only hope (although I seriously doubt) that the majority of new fans have that same passion and respect for the franchise as you do. Thank you.


One thing though is that in order for the game to be profitable, it will need to appeal to a much wider audience than just star-trek fans. Thus expect many players new to the star trek franchise (many not even having watched the film).

All in all I can only see a wider audience as a good thing :-)
Agreed. It is important to remember that new blood can be a good thing. More fans = more money = more resources for IP (Movies, shows, games, etc.) Same goes for STO. More subs = more money = more resources for updates. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.


Great post Rick