Music System

[MJLogan75]

So, I was thinking about the game today and systems that could add a definitive "Trek" feel, and I got to thinking about music. Music is such a big part of Star Trek, not just the amazing scores but many of our favorite characters were musically inclined. Uhura, The Doctor, Vic Fontane and Seven were all vocalists. Spock played the Lyre, Scotty The bagpipes. Heck there was a full on hippy jam session in an episode of the original series. Picard played his flute, and was romantically involved with Neela Daren who played the piano (as we saw Seven do once), Riker the trombone, Data and his one time girl friend Jenna D'Sorar the Violin, O'brien and Harry Kim both played the Cello. Concerts were a regular event on the Enterprise in those days. And I'm sure I'm leaving some examples out. In fact I can't think of another sci-fi show where so many of the "Main" characters were musically inclined, and in most of these cases the musical instruments represented something fundamental about the characters themselves.

Game play wise we need look no further than LOTRO for a robust and fun musical system. And while it can be a bit jarring to hear "The Final Countdown" while cruising the halls of Moria it does add something unique to the game. Adding a music system to Star Trek online adds a level of immersion, it would add depth to our characters and it would be true to the property that we all love so dearly. I understand that it is most likely too late in the development cycle to add a system like this for launch, but perhaps by the first or second add on we can get this distinctly Trek flavor into the game.

[Osias]

I fully agree with you that music is a big part of Trek, in both the scores and the characters themselves being musically inclined.

However.

STO Does not require a music system. It would not benefit or suffer if it did or did not have a music system. Many people do not want these sorts of 'fluff' mechanics and many people do.

Cryptic can and is spending their precious time working on other more important game mechanics. They even have a large back list of features and mechanics (Ala Ship Interiors) They have queued up for development after STO has gone on sale.

It would be interesting, but should be on the very bottom of Cryptics list of things to do (right along side Borg as a playable species)

STO is an MMORPG not an MMO-SIM.

[MJLogan75]

I cannot see how ship interiors is going to be any more, or less, fluff than a music system. And you're right, some people will want this and some people won't. In fact between the three, only playable Borg would actually add any thing to gameplay. I mean a music system is fun, ship interiors are essentally going to be player housing (not oppsed to that mind you), but playable Borg actually would affect game play.

[MJLogan75]

Okay, seems like I'm alone in thinking this is a good idea. Go about your business.

[STARRIDER]

While this would be a good idea, a music system is a prime example of a nice extra that could be added in after the games launch. As i'm sure many would agree, cryptic has a lot on their plate as it is already with essential games systems.

As for ship interiors being fluff, as I and several others had discussed in a previous thread, ship interiors could be turned into a viable game mechanic if certain things like ship repairs, engineering/science/tactical output could be marginally enhanced through use of the ships internal systems, but only in such a way that the bonuses given would be tangible, but not a necessity that would force those who would rather just blow things up than muck around in the below decks to do so.

[Thibor]

While this would be a good idea, a music system is a prime example of a nice extra that could be added in after the games launch. As i'm sure many would agree, cryptic has a lot on their plate as it is already with essential games systems.

I'd be happier if they exposed an API that would allow you to have an in-game interface tie to your preferred mp3 player on your computer. But, that said, I have nothing against them adding in an in-game music system. I remember the rudimentary one in Asheron's Call 2 and the bit more robust one in SWG and there was some fun to be had with them. Stil, given all the things that they're kind of pushing to the "we'll get to that after launch" burner, I'd say this falls lower on that list than some of the others.