So were is the STO Site Love that Awen Mentioned?

[Loekii]

Prior to CO's launch, I can understand that this would be on the back burner, but now that CO has launched, it would be nice to see some Love given the STO site. It just seems time to give the site its long awaited face lift.

Awen had said that there was some stuff coming and we would just have to wait, but its been 2 more months since those statements:
You sir are absolutely correct. We're working on just that. In the meantime, this activity gives you guys the ability to share your knowledge with each other while you wait.

So here is the good news. Right now Rekhan is working on getting an information skeleton up on the front page. You don't see it yet because it's being writen. :) It's been "in progress" now for the last few weeks.

We know you want more info and we want to give it to you. However, there's information that leads to discovery and spoilers. It's a balance between determining which piece goes where. The biggest aspect of this game is exploration and discovery right? We're going to give you the information that helps you figure out what this game is all about but when it comes to spoilers, I'd like to limit that and I think that the rest of the team is with me on that.

So, I think that I need to TM this quote but as always - Be Patient for just a bit longer. It's coming. :)


Oh - btw, reujwils gets the beta key. That thread indeed has the most concrete information in it. ;) And, I'm throwing one in for Captain Butters as well because that was a kick ass thread.

Looking at the Pre-Lauch CO site, they had a lot more goodies than we have, for example:

Multiple 'Skins' for the Site
Animated Forum Avatars
Picture Signatures


It would be nice if we could get some of the same stuff that is on the CO forum here. And on a side note, we even lost more options when they took away the URL links in signatures.

And not to mention the lack of 'Klingon' detail to the website. Looking at the main page, you would not even know there was a Klingon Player faction in the game.

Are we going to get any of this stuff, or will the site just remain 'as-is', and if that is the case, then why tell us about the stuff that was supposed to be coming 'just a bit longer'?

[Commander_Nate]

Like most girls, she lied, probably got distracted by some shiny object or new reality show/medical drama, and forgot...

:D

[Elta_and_Zletha]

Like most girls, she lied, probably got distracted by some shiny object or new reality show/medical drama, and forgot...

!!!!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad:!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad:!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mile5]

Why would you want the forums perked up with all those things anyway? It does it's job as it's supposed to, it's clean and readable, it's for communicating. Not showing of your moving avatar..

[Loekii]

Well the information on the main site is horrible.

I mean it was ironic that Awen started that thread to find the 'Best Source' of information about STO, and the winners cited a Forum Poster's post, rather than the main site or some Cryptic information source. We have been complaining about the lack of organization of the site, and are continually told 'its comming, its going to improve, etc', but people still have to 'hunt' through numerous posts, blogs, interviews, and dev chats to get information that should be neatly compiled on the first page (like WoW's or WAR's Website).

And people have also been commenting on the lack of Klingon artwork and flare on the website (again, it looks like a Federation only game).

Given that they gave all the perks/flare to their other site (CO) long before launch, it would be nice to see some attention paid to this community.

[Night_Hawke]

I'm not too worried about the shiny extras i want the site to have the juciy details!

things like available ships, races, a galaxy map of the base area, more storyline, better details on each of the factions, a breakdown of the skill system. these are the kinda things i'd like. Picture sigs, animated avatars and site skins a am not too worried about. :)

[cipher_nemo]

Animated Forum Avatars


LOL. Do you really *need* that? I have animations turned off for whenever my browser loads a GIF image. So even if you threw up an animated one, I would only see the first frame of it. I hate animated images on my screen, especially silly avatars. :p

The only thing that *needs* fixing is the horrid PM system. They changed it, so now it's broken (not linked to the forum ones anymore) and you can't view previous messages you sent. Let alone the fact that it has poor visibility with light gray text on medium blue background.

Given that they gave all the perks/flare to their other site (CO) long before launch, it would be nice to see some attention paid to this community.

BTW, I think the site-side of the site is fine. It's clean.

[Loekii]

It is not about 'Needing' it, but rather desiring it.

I do not 'need' a site, but that doesn't mean that they can present a poor site and I should be happy with it.

Its an overall observation about how they treat one group of potential customers, and how they treat another.

Its also an overall comment about the quality/organization of their PR. They can do much better, considering fan sites are arranged much better.

[cipher_nemo]

It is not about 'Needing' it, but rather desiring it.

I do not 'need' a site, but that doesn't mean that they can present a poor site and I should be happy with it.

Yup, I understand it's a want for you.

Its an overall observation about how they treat one group of potential customers, and how they treat another.

Its also an overall comment about the quality/organization of their PR. They can do much better, considering fan sites are arranged much better.

Personally, I would cut them a little slack. The community reps don't want to lie to us. They give us their best guesses, and even then they're leery of doing that because the community can extrapolate too much from it. They might give us some information here and there when Cryptic is planning on doing things (be it STO dev team to web team). And Cryptic is a good sized company (I was told the size and breakdown once for an unrelated topic, but I keep that confidential). So I know they have plenty of people giving a lot of love to STO.

As for PR, that's a separate department from STO team and community reps. Not to mention that fact that major decisions probably have to involve Atari as well. There's all kinds of licensing agreements we won't hear about that limit things like marketing and the site.

Regardless of all of that, the site serves its purpose. And I for one am quite happy with it, especially compared to the navigation wreck of other MMO sites.

[Commander_Nate]

!!!!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad:!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad:!!!!!!!!!!!

I was going to be some response smilies in here but can't due to the 4 image limit...why do smilies count as images anyway?

BTW, are you like a joint account or something?

[Loekii]

I have never said they 'lied' to us.

I am saying that there seems to be a disconnect between what they say, and implementation.

A better organization of the front page, would help educate new vistors. A new visitor should be able to with in the first 5 mins find out:

There are two factions
We are Captains w/ NPC BO Pets
There is both a space and Ground game


This is information that has been established and stated for well over a year for the most part, yet the main site does not display that. You have to dig through various blogs, articles, dev chats, posts, etc to get the information, rather than simply clicking on a side Menu to get the information.

Want to know what Factions are in the Game, you should be able to simply click on the FACTION tab in the Menu.
Want to know about the 'Classes', click on the CAREER tab
Want to know about how the game play is set up, click on the GAMEPLAY tab
etc.


They have acknowledge that the sight is lacking.

So I am asking for a status update, as well as inquiring about if the STO forums will ever get the goddies that the CO forums had at this point from their Launch.

[Zoberraz]

The site is pretty much meant to be a Teaser at the moment. Also, what you perceive as neglect here probably means work is being done elsewhere anyhow.

If I was them, from a game marketing point of view, I'd reserve the facelift to very shortly before Closed Beta at the soonest. It's the point where most of the information will have gone beyond the implementation stages so there's little chance of contradiction.

The best way they have to stoke interest in the site and game, at this time, is to always have something new to post up on the news about everyday (or so I'd wish) - player attention seems close to being at a boiling point so I feel it'd be to their advatnage to do so. After that, all that'd be left for them would be to consolidate and update on what they have.

[mach789]

I'll echo the statement that I am glad they are focusing on the game rather than the website at this point. It will come when it comes. I will however, not echo these statements for the game itself. It better come and it better be good. :D

[cipher_nemo]

I have never said they 'lied' to us.

And I never claimed you said that. :)

A better organization of the front page, would help educate new vistors. A new visitor should be able to with in the first 5 mins find out:

There are two factions
We are Captains w/ NPC BO Pets
There is both a space and Ground game


That is all highly subjective. Those are not necessarily the most important pieces of information for all visitors. Sure, there are some areas most of us are concerned with, but different people are concerned with different things.

Secondly, your view of educating visitors is from a fan's perspective. I'm sure there are plenty of MMO gamers (ie: non-Trekkies) who will come to the site wanting more basic information. Nothing wrong with your view, as I probably share it too. But marketing has already spent plenty of time trying to figure out what a majority of visitors are looking for. The front page and navigation is for new visitors, while the forums and news are geared towards fans and existing community members.

Personally, I'm not sure what would be the best approach for the site's front page to accomplish this goal. But I do have a good feeling that your views about it aren't necessarily any more informed than that of Cryptic marketing and the web development team.

[Rgoodfel]

As I say I have no care about shiny web site bobbles. Give me a game that is great and I will be happy.

[thefrayl]

Patience, Skywalker :)

CO isn't even a month old atm. I'm sure the Cryptic offices are still hectic trying to get everything sorted out on that end.

With that being said, I think the PAX demo and subsequent coverage provided a sizable boost in the information dept. And Rekhan has been doing a great job answering any questions he's able to on the boards, IMO.

[Wallabees]

*stretches arms and looks around sleepily*

Hmm, been a while since I frequented these here boards, been too busy on those shiny, glittery ones over at CO.

I see there is a manifesto brewing as usual...

*yawns and goes back to sleep*

[eNDIE]

As I say I have no care about shiny web site bobbles. Give me a game that is great and I will be happy.

i agree.........

[BreachAndClear]

I have never said they 'lied' to us.

I am saying that there seems to be a disconnect between what they say, and implementation.

A better organization of the front page, would help educate new vistors. A new visitor should be able to with in the first 5 mins find out:

There are two factions
We are Captains w/ NPC BO Pets
There is both a space and Ground game



In about a minute...

From the About STO section:

"In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe will appear for the first time on a truly massive scale. In this massively multiplayer online game from Cryptic Studios, players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation starship. Or, they can become a Klingon Warlord and expand the Empire to the far reaches of the galaxy. [...]

You Are the Captain

Star Trek Online will be the first AAA MMO to feature space and ground combat at launch. Missions will take you and your friends into the depths of space, across exotic planets, and even inside starships! As the Captain of your very own ship, it's up to you to lead your crew on missions that span a number of locations. You call the shots, no matter where you are. When you're in space, you direct the action - be it in the middle of a high-tension battle, where you can maneuver in 3-D space and fire a vast array of weaponry at your enemies, or as you enter warp to explore parts of the galaxy never before documented. On the ground, you lead your away team across exciting terrain, interacting with allies and battling enemies. Every Captain commands five subordinates on the ground, all of which can be directed to act in any manner you choose. Can you lead them safely through dangerous locales?"

[Cassidan]

It's funny how whenever someone talks about a revamp of the web page (and it comes up often so it must be something people do want) there are those who say "I want them working on the game not the website.".

Do you honestly think that the actual game developers would design a web page? It's done by a totally different team, not the team working on the game itself. Do you really think there is a conversation going on at the Cryptic offices that goes...

"Hey Bill how is the new phaser effect coming?".

"Great John, and I also have the new link for our trip to Las Vegas just about done on this computer over here too. I also created a new avatar for people to use on the forums as well.".

"Wow that's great, now we can really focus on the gameplay mechanics tonight as well as writing up a speech for tomorrows press conference and making the calls to Gamespot and IGN to setup interviews.".

If it really is like this then Cryptic needs some help lol.

The design of the web page would not effect the development of the game. Let's get the ball rolling Cryptic PR Team.

[Loekii]

It's funny how whenever someone talks about a revamp of the web page (and it comes up often so it must be something people do want) there are those who say "I want them working on the game not the website.".

Do you honestly think that the actual game developers would design a web page? It's done by a totally different team, not the team working on the game itself. Do you really think there is a conversation going on at the Cryptic offices that goes...

"Hey Bill how is the new phaser effect coming?".

"Great John, and I also have the new link for our trip to Las Vegas just about done on this computer over here too. I also created a new avatar for people to use on the forums as well.".

"Wow that's great, now we can really focus on the gameplay mechanics tonight as well as writing up a speech for tomorrows press conference and making the calls to Gamespot and IGN to setup interviews.".

If it really is like this then Cryptic needs some help lol.

The design of the web page would not effect the development of the game. Let's get the ball rolling Cryptic PR Team.

I think it is that just some people do not understand that there are different people with independent roles with in a company.

[cipher_nemo]

It's funny how whenever someone talks about a revamp of the web page (and it comes up often so it must be something people do want) there are those who say "I want them working on the game not the website.".

Do you honestly think that the actual game developers would design a web page? It's done by a totally different team, not the team working on the game itself.

Absolutely true. :)

This is a good reply for those people (after the game is launched) who post replies such as: "We have bigger issues to worry about".

With a good sized dev team (which Cryptic has dedicated to STO), these sort of arguments that Rgoodfel opted for are irrelevant.