One for the moderators: Are we being paid attention to?

[Beef]

A questions has arisen completely from the back of my mind regarding the wery core this web page exists. To see how we would respond to the... well... "stimuli" of STO being under construction.

From this point onwards everyone has offered their advice and it has worked relatively unresponsive from any key figures in the production of STO itself (at least it feels this way). Some ideas even had large endorsements from the population of STO.

Now... the question that suddenly came out from me is:

IS ANYONE TAKING OUR ADVICE SEROUSLY?

ARE OUR IDEAS BEING USED IN THE CREATION OF THE GAME IF THEY RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HERE?

No offence was intended in the question, I would just like to know wether this aspect from which is one of the reasons this forum exists is being exploited. After all, it is we, the users that are going to play this game.:o

[VirtuaCory]

I doubt they care what we think.

[Sorez]

I'm sure the community reps are doing the job of any community team and noting thing from posts and maybe referring posts to the devs where necessary. Although this will probably be for future ideas etc rather than changes to the current game, They'll already have that pretty mapped out

I'd imagine once the beta arrives posts about changes on the beta forums may be taken more into consideration but as none of us have played the game proper we can't really expect them to be making many changes based on current assumptions

[Beef]

Price,if you are one of the startrek designers then why are you listed only as member?

[TruthSeer]

You seriously haven't noticed all the posts from Devs like Rekhan who if anything have been on more lately than before? Also there is very limited amount of information they can actually release.

[Chastian]

Are we being listen to? Yes. Does everything get filtered to the top? No.

Im sure the community reps have meetings with the producers, then producers trickle the stuff to the Dept. heads (Art, programming, etc) that he thinks may be worth while as far as cost, development time, etc. Something like that.

[Jackalope]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

[Evil_Custard91]

i dont expect any ideas to be taken seriously. we aren't professionals and the devs are. i know Rekhan has said once or twice that some threads had generated good ideas (i think) but i don't expect we will make any real impact.

Besides most ideas revolve around including fan made ships and demanding that players be able to work in engineering. :rolleyes:

[Evil_Custard91]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

perhaps i shouldnt have been so cynical :p

[Xenoshaft]

[QUOTE=Jackalope;788766]The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.[/QUOTE
Sweet deal

[sir_theodorik]

They should listen to us, but by no stretch of the imagination should they actually take our "advice". We do not have enough information to make intelligent suggestions. Constructive threads get their attention when they can read the OP without rolling their eyes. Complaining about feature X or mechanic Y makes them roll their eyes, I guarrentee it.

Try starting threads about how to design and implement a diplomatic mission that is group friendly, or how to accomplish chat when you have 500,000 on a single "server" with multiple instances and you will get their attention. Whining will only get you ignored. Whining louder will get you a "we are listening" post (as above) but they won't address your complaint because they are designing a game, and it needs to be playable before it is perfect.

[Zander_Hawk]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

This makes sense, especially when you're selling a product, it's good business sense to listen to the people who are going to purchase your product, spread the word about your product, and invest in a monthly ongoing subscription to actually play your product. So fear not, Cryptic is all eyes and ears.

[wrussandrews]

So at the end of the day do you point and laugh?

Wow I am a mean person.

[knightofhyrule730]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

All Hail Jack Emmert. Boss of everyone in Cryptic. He hears and sees all. What other company has the Super Boss down in the forums with us mortals? :O

[MattTreck]

Dude, they are always posting...... especially Rekhan

[Tribbler]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

Play SWG for a few months and you will change this attitude.

It ruined them. IMHO

[TruthSeer]

Play SWG for a few months and you will change this attitude.

It ruined them. IMHO

He said listen not act upon. :)

[beast0382]

Star Wars Galaxies after they implimented that NGE... something they did on thier own.... basically became another version of WoW..... the community was screaming for them not to and they ignored the community when they did that..... they lost I believe over half thier active subscriptions. Keeping an eye on the community and keeping them happy is what MMO companies need to do. But they have to limit the community influence to keep the game from being bogged down with too much junk. Its a pick and choose thing.

Some of thiese ideas are absolutely great... others are complete crap.... its just what the devs can work with and impliment smoothly without taking away from the original intent of hte game

[Kaybok]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

I believe this and I believed it when it was said that lots of the Cryptic staff are actual Trek fans who want to make a game that fans will enjoy. I think we are being listened to but large portions of the game are already done and decisions we debate have already been made. This will cause some to be skeptical and feel they are not being heard.

I think what would help us all is a similar but condensed Report To The Community. I'm sure that we would all love to know which of our ideas are being discussed with the dev team. I'm not asking for a micro-detail report on the date devs discussed something, why this idea was denied, etc. I think a simple bullet point list of our ideas that you have discussed would be great. Even better if we could know of any community ideas that are floating to the top for implementation. Sticky it and it might cut down on the duplicate threads that we see every day all day (Peregrine_Falcon would love it and endlessly refer to it!! :p)

I know a report to the community may open up more cans of worms (WOW are we passionate about every intricacy or what??). So if I were on the dev team, I would post such a report as long as the community understands the following:

1) Cryptic is providing it as a courtesy only. Any misuse of the reports (overly negative rumor mongering, dev bashing, rampant impolite discussions, etc) would terminate any further reports.
2) Cryptic is under no obligation to give further information on any item in the report (NDA policy).
3) Cryptic posts such reports regularly but at its leisure. (I think we would love a weekly report but we know your plates are full.)

I believe something like this would help us all feel listened to. It would also boost community relations and community trust. It would be a very good thing as long as we don't use the report as ammunition to fire back at the devs (See #1 above - Be nice dammit or no cookie!).

I welcome any additions/changes/corrections on this from the community.

[nhamlett]

I believe this and I believed it when it was said that lots of the Cryptic staff are actual Trek fans who want to make a game that fans will enjoy. I think we are being listened to but large portions of the game are already done and decisions we debate have already been made. This will cause some to be skeptical and feel they are not being heard.

I think what would help us all is a similar but condensed Report To The Community. I'm sure that we would all love to know which of our ideas are being discussed with the dev team. I'm not asking for a micro-detail report on the date devs discussed something, why this idea was denied, etc. I think a simple bullet point list of our ideas that you have discussed would be great. Even better if we could know of any community ideas that are floating to the top for implementation. Sticky it and it might cut down on the duplicate threads that we see every day all day (Peregrine_Falcon would love it and endlessly refer to it!! :p)

I know a report to the community may open up more cans of worms (WOW are we passionate about every intricacy or what??). So if I were on the dev team, I would post such a report as long as the community understands the following:

1) Cryptic is providing it as a courtesy only. Any misuse of the reports (overly negative rumor mongering, dev bashing, rampant impolite discussions, etc) would terminate any further reports.
2) Cryptic is under no obligation to give further information on any item in the report (NDA policy).
3) Cryptic posts such reports regularly but at its leisure. (I think we would love a weekly report but we know your plates are full.)

I believe something like this would help us all feel listened to. It would also boost community relations and community trust. It would be a very good thing as long as we don't use the report as ammunition to fire back at the devs (See #1 above - Be nice dammit or no cookie!).

I welcome any additions/changes/corrections on this from the community. This is not a bad idea. Let's try it.

[Archangelwoghd]

I have on several occasions been critical of Cryptic or expressed concerns, and just like in this thread, Cryptic has stepped up every single time. I know for a fact that they read these posts and when appropriate, act on what they read.

I think the Devs are doing a GREAT job in this regard.

[mach789]

Really good idea Mirror-Master, I am happy to know Awen and Cryptic are taking your offer up. This report would overshadow any other MMO community I have ever been a part of. Hats off to you Mirror-Master and Cryptic.

[Night_Hawke]

This is not a bad idea. Let's try it.

sweet! that could be some really interesting and good info in this report. it would also function to help us talk about the things the dev's are looking at instead of wasting our time talking about something that is a done deal already. :)

[Kriss]

You seriously haven't noticed all the posts from Devs like Rekhan who if anything have been on more lately than before? Also there is very limited amount of information they can actually release.

One thing to set straight. Rekhan is NOT a part of the Dev(development) team. He is part of the community team and nothing more.

He is (or was now that Awen is back??) our community tie with the actual Dev teams.

[Commodore_Rook]

A few months back, the Devs asked us for insight on a good weapon name. A phased torpedo or some such.

[HittingSmoke]

A questions has arisen completely from the back of my mind regarding the wery core this web page exists. To see how we would respond to the... well... "stimuli" of STO being under construction.

From this point onwards everyone has offered their advice and it has worked relatively unresponsive from any key figures in the production of STO itself (at least it feels this way). Some ideas even had large endorsements from the population of STO.

Now... the question that suddenly came out from me is:

IS ANYONE TAKING OUR ADVICE SEROUSLY?

ARE OUR IDEAS BEING USED IN THE CREATION OF THE GAME IF THEY RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HERE?

No offence was intended in the question, I would just like to know wether this aspect from which is one of the reasons this forum exists is being exploited. After all, it is we, the users that are going to play this game.:o

Well if you had been paying attention you would already know the answer to your question.

I see replies from the community reps every day. Many times on question and suggestions about the game, and other times just fun interaction with the forum members. Just the fact that they take time out of their days to have a little fun with us shows that they give a damn. Not to mention that the executive producer himself takes time now and then for a forum post or to drop into IRC and ask what people think about certain things...

You can find the community reps in IRC almost all day during business hours and during that time will usually answer a question if asked.

So, after reading your post, how have you contributed to this community, because it sounds like you think you're entitled to something that you wont take the time to seek out yourself.

[FINALCUT]

Well if you had been paying attention you would already know the answer to your question.

I see replies from the community reps every day. Many times on question and suggestions about the game, and other times just fun interaction with the forum members. Just the fact that they take time out of their days to have a little fun with us shows that they give a damn. Not to mention that the executive producer himself takes time now and then for a forum post or to drop into IRC and ask what people think about certain things...

You can find the community reps in IRC almost all day during business hours and during that time will usually answer a question if asked.

So, after reading your post, how have you contributed to this community, because it sounds like you think you're entitled to something that you wont take the time to seek out yourself. I have contributed alot of entertaining threads to this community,most of which I regret.:o,but heck,I made alot of people laugh,guess that counts for something.:D

[naynayz]

This is not a bad idea. Let's try it.

I think that this is a great idea. I like to see what they are considering this as a plan. Mirror may deserve a beta key (if he doesn't already have one :))

I would also like to take the opportunity to point out that there have been several instances that Cryptic has interfaced with the community and we worked together on things.

- They asked our help on naming a shield enhancement.

- When the community had complained about 3d, they said it was 3D but no rolls. Now that I see what they have done, I think it is ok if rolls aren't in the game (but I think a type of a High Energy Turn should be utilized as an officer ability).

- When the community complained they wanted more video/ game footage, we had it within a reasonable amount of time.

- When we said that we wanted more proof that an actual game was in development because we felt burned by Perpetual, they saw that resistance was futile. ;) They provided exactly that.

I am as impatient as the next person. But shouting your point on your OP doesn't help you or your situation at all. Rather it denotes a lack of control over your feelings.... What would the vulcans say? :D

[Kaybok]

This is not a bad idea. Let's try it.

Thanks, Awen! I think lots here would really appreciate it. You, Rekhan and all of the community team are doing a wonderful job. Kudos to you all.

[Kaybok]

Really good idea Mirror-Master, I am happy to know Awen and Cryptic are taking your offer up. This report would overshadow any other MMO community I have ever been a part of. Hats off to you Mirror-Master and Cryptic.

Ty, mach. I think this community is amazing and I hope this helps everyone out there. I just hope we don't get nasty over some issue or another and it ends up back-firing. :eek:

I think that this is a great idea. I like to see what they are considering this as a plan. Mirror may deserve a beta key (if he doesn't already have one :))

Ty, naynayz. Don't worry about the beta key. The Ferengi's suckered me into the $200 mirror universe costume which had a key in the pocket along with a comic book game that I didn't think I would like at first but is now strangely addictive. ;)

[Nasedo]

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

and Jack... thats why im here.. no other company doesnt listen to there fans more then you guys :)

[Rota]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

Really? Because i see dozens of questions daily that you know the answers to. yet refuse to assuage anyone's concerns with an official response. You let forum members bicker over what the right answer is which leads to confusion and rumor.

If your monitoring the forums, then please get active.

[Kaybok]

Yep and the Big Ideas Thread has several layers of dust on it... it's kinda looking like my house right now. LOL

[pyriel2005]

I agree it doesn't seem as though the popular ideas generated by the forums are given much merit in the end. I certainly have yet to see one of those ideas actually be implemented or even talked about being implemented for that matter. All we get is a carbon copy corporate response "assuring" the community of Cryptic's omni-benevolent intentions. Well sorry Jack but it's just not enough in my book, we need to actually see this philosophy in action.

I will go so far as to say that Cryptic does seem to engage the community more than the average developer, however, I still believe that there are numerous, beyond numerous, suggestions that were passed up, and many of those suggestions were valid and could have been implemented in some way without having to redesign the game.

[Loekii]

The reality is that forums have very little impact on shaping games.

It is sort of like how you are not allowed to go back into the kitchen and tell the michellen star Chief, how to prepare your meal.

Overall, I think Cryptic has been pretty interactive with the community, and pretty candid. No, they are not telling us everything, nor even telling us what we want to know when we want to know it -- but that is not how it works on any forum.

[Peregrine_Falcon]

Listening to the players doesn't mean implementing everything they suggest.

Many suggestions are made by one person and are not necessarily something that many people would like. Many suggestions are even contradictory. some even go against the developers plans for the game or are impossible to add to the game in a reasonable amount of time.

As for not answering questions... well they could have someone spend all day answering questions on the forums and someone would still complain that they asked a question that wasn't answered. Besides, a lot of things are in flux right now. Decisions and numbers get tweaked in beta testing, that's what it's for. A lot of questions they can't answer because those answers may longer be accurate by the time the game is ready to launch.

I'm sure they don't want to find themselves locked into something because they answered a question on the forums about it. Nor do they want to deal with the negative backlash that comes with changing something when they've already said how it will be. As an example, just look at the backlash on the forums with the whole beta key thing.

[mirkrim]

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.
It would be nice if someone could address the Admiral issue then. There were a significant number of threads discussing the topic, but none of those were officially acknowledged and now they are all pages and pages back. The main questions could be summed up as such:

What is the reason for de-valuing the rank of Captain by making Admirals have the highest tier of skills and ships? Why is there no tradeoff for ranking up to Admiral, thereby creating a situation where all players will want to be Admirals and nobody will want to stay at the rank of Captain because they would be gimping themselves? Is the rank of Captain now meaningless?

If the devs are already reviewing this issue, even something as simple as "we are working on something to address this issue" would be appreciated. Other issues have at least gotten that much attention, I don't see what makes this one different.

[Manta2015]

They're making a great effort ~ it's more than many game companies do =)


-Manta-

[Paulo999]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.


Chants "8472 pc 8472 pc 8472 pc 8472 pc 8472 pc" :D

[Dr._Sskarno]

Also keep in mind that with the game in beta, asking for sweeping changes would DELAY the game if they acted on them. Of course, if something is not working right it should be fixed. But one thing I've noticed from a lot of the posts on here is that there's a big difference between something that's not working and something a person just doesn't like. Keep that in mind.[/I]

[Tribbler]

He said listen not act upon. :)

Yeah I remember it well:

They listened to everyone screaming about Jedi are too strong, Spies are too strong, Neutral ships are too strong, not enough high level adventures, not enough clothes, not enough high end resources for crafting, not enough players on between 2:00 am & 6:00 am, yada yada.

If you don't give this to us, we will go elsewhere yada yada.

Then they acted:

They got everything they asked for, screamed about wanting more, and they ruined it for everyone else.

The 20 people that screamed the loudest and kept getting what they wanted, I think, are the only ones left. :(

[Zandtar]

The devs definitely do read the boards. OCR also creates daily reports of what's being talked about, ideas, thoughts, opinions.

My goal is that Cryptic is the MMORPG company that listens to its fans. That the community is part of the game.

I just hope Cryptic continues with the philosophy of making games fun to play, for the casual gamer as well. I loved CoH for that ability, and I'm hoping STO follows along the same lines.