Canon vs Game play

[ngille]

I know that a lot of people here are what we affectionately refer to as canon Nazi's not necessarily a bad thing of course, but as I read some of the posts here there seems to be great concern about time lines and the like.

I consider myself a big time trekkie, what I mean by that is I loved all 5 TV series and every single movie (OK the one Shatner directed wasn't the greatest but it was still Star Trek). I think however we must all step back and realize that for this game to be a success, there are going to be situations where Cryptic will have to sacrifice cannon for game play, I would guess there will be TONS of those situations.

The only thing I would suggest (not even asking, just suggesting) is that if and when they mention a game mechanic or some other aspect of the game that doesn't fit canon that we all take a step back and think for a minute. Before we flame the crap out of Cryptic for these blasphemous errors, think for a minute.....OK how can they do it where it will still be cannon, but more importantly still be fun?

We are all here because we want to have a fun game that is long lasting (OK I'm here because I want a fun game that is long lasting) but for that to happen we need to offer suggestions more than flames. If we don't then our community here will end up being like the community over on wow or aoc.

Just my two cents, take it or leave it....and for the record, there is not a single person I was referring to so please don't take offense at the "cannon Nazi" term, its used by gamers all over and not always in a derogatory sense.

[marshalleck]

no fnord here

[ngille]

I have no clue what you are talking about *wink*

[danubus]

The game is set so many years after Nemesis. So, Cryptic is going to be making their own canon. Im all for them doing what they gotta do as long as they respect the past canon as well.

[spokechecker5000]

As Star Trek fans we collectively tend to be some of the most detail oriented people when it comes to our show. We expect things to be perfect. And While we all understand that no one is perfect, we still demand a bit more from our writers. We are an intelligent group so we strive for a higher standard than most so yes if you want to call us Canon Nazi's go right ahead I would not be offended. I do however, think it is important to keep that in mind while creating this game and while I do not expect all the writers for the story lines of this MMO to have seen every episode if they don't want to be crucified by the fans for screwing up which Captain did what or what technology can do what, I think it best to do your homework here. It is true that we all want to have our cake and eat it too so we can't expect perfection so yes there are bound to be lots of little things that don't seem to fit when considering Canon as long as they remain little things but Cryptic I hope will consider that this is what they bought into. This is the challenge they took. Any Star Trek fan will know his or her favorite show inside and out and if they want this game to suceed and be an instant hit with the people who are going to jump on the wagon first (The Fans) then they had better get it right the first time. The Good news is that Cryptic has a huge fan base to start with and that can be a huge advantage but that advantage comes with a price. They need to do their research!

Don't disappoint us Cryptic we know you have the potential and we want to believe, Do this right and we will make this game an instant success!

[ngille]

I hear ya, and I understand they need to RESPECT canon. What I'm talking about are things that just aren't fun. An extreme example would be something like permadeath, we don't want that and we all understand that it just won't work in a mmo.

I think the main thing is for example, ships from different eras. I would love the chance to fly any and all ships created in the Star Trek univers as most of us would. Is it cannon, no. Will they do it, I doubt it but lets just say that for the sake of argument that the beginning ship is something like a smaller version of the ship from the Enterprise series...couple hundred years before TOS, but would still be nice to see in game.

Another example if a bit extreme....say you are flying a defiant and the bridge in game is different for whatever reason cryptic decides they can't do the original bridge. Don't flame them for it, it isn't that big a deal.

Or say a planet you have to go to for a mission was destroyed in episode XXX but its in game....big deal.

Little things is what I'm talking about, also forced grouping something that will absolutely kill this game if done on a large scale. Well, according to canon just about every mission was a group mission. YOu and I both know that won't fly for a mmo.

[Brenelael]

Game play should always be considered before canon but the canon should always be respected. Canon is great but lets face it if they try to stick to it to strictly this game will be about as much fun as watching paint dry. They need to make it a fun to play Star Trek game. Notice how 'fun to play' comes before 'Star Trek' in that last sentence as it should.

Bren

[spokechecker5000]

Ok I agree with the "it needs to be fun and practical" absolutely. Its true perma-death should never be allowed that would just be stupid. And I do understand what your saying about the Defiant bridge I agree so what, who is to say they did not remodel the damn thing anyway in the 25th century. We definately have a lot of room for expansion here and it is true that it has to be a fun game for all to play not just Star Trek fans. (that is if we want the game to survive and succeed) I think I am just mostly trying to convey the importance of being as accurate as possible (within reason) for the sake of those who made star trek what it is today and for those who have been so loyally dedicated to the show over the years. The game is ultimately an MMO and it has to have those elements that make it such I don't think anyone will argue with that. And just because I am a "canon Nazi" lol :D doesn't mean that I can't see the need to make the game fun to play even at the price of a few details.

On the ship front I think it would be cool to see those ships as well, but what if those ships were used for training or what if there were missions where time travel was involved and it required you to go back to those times and assist in a mission with Captain Archer or a series of missions that perhaps you have to constantly revisit? they never even finished that series there is a lot of room for expansion there. Timetravel is a big part of star trek also and I think it would be another way to satisfy what you want of the older ships and characters and yet still maintain a respect for Canon.
There would be a lot of room for expansion in the Mirror Universe as well which could provide opportunities to see old school ships and people all twisted up and it technically it would still conform to canon. Now there are bound to be plenty of little things like you mentioned that just aren't going to match up sometimes thats just life. The detail just makes me and others like me appreciate things so much more. Because of that I am hoping to see a lot of it but I agree that Game play is extremely important in any MMO it can make or break the game so its gonna be an interesting adventure in itself to see how Cryptic blends the two. I am just excited at the prospect of this game finally coming out! ANd I am also terrified like many others of them murdering this game. I will be eagerly anticipating the game play footage on August 10th I think this will be our first opportunity to determine whether the game is going in a good direction or not.

[smalvarado]

Has Trek ever respected its own canon? How long did it take for them to address the klingon forehead issue?:p

[ngille]

I always wondered how they explained the forehead issue.

Spoke, I understand what you are saying and agree with you. The people that I am concerned with are the ones that don't like a particular game mechanic and come up with "canon" reasons why they shouldn't do that. Or come up with ideas to make the game more difficult for the sake of making it difficult, basically sucking the fun out of the game in the name of canon.

Don't get me wrong I'm not looking for a wow clone, I'm not looking for an "easy button". A game can be fun, intriguing and challenging without adding difficulty for the sake of difficulty.

In past games with a franchise name (Conan, swg) I've seen people that want canon more than they want a fun game.

For instance Star Bases, I think would be great for guilds, the possibilities for this particular part are almost limitless but you know some canon folks will come along and say "groups of individuals can't own star bases because it isn't canon" Whether it is or not I don't know. I have seen tons of episodes and all the movies but I know there are some I missed and I certainly haven't read all the novels or remember the cartoon, or even read the comics so I may miss something and you know what, they may as well.

As I think most of us agree (that have responded to this thread) an enjoyable and stable game is vastly superior to a boring "watch the paint dry" game that is strictly canon. Another tightrope I admit, hopefully they will successfully walk that tightrope and not take any pitfalls.