View Full Version : How Do You Want Your Tricorder to Work?
Ontas
08-19-2008, 02:31 AM
Obviously, away teams, landing and boarding parties will be an integral part of the game.
When I think of away teams, I think of three main equipment pieces: phasers, communicators, and tricorders. We know how phasers will work, they're pretty straightforward, and communicators seem rather obvious as well, but how should Cryptic handle tricorders?
Obviously, tricorders are scanning devices. They could be used as minimaps, objective finders, and other mission-related functions, but what else should they do? What should they be able to scan, and what kind of information should they give you?
I've seen a lot of interpretations of tricorders in Star Trek games, but I've never felt truly satisfied by one. They seem to serve mostly as objective guides, mission hints and tips sources, or something you use to scan the surrounding area for pre-implanted "clues." Tricorders are flexible and important devices in the television series, often serving to save the day by identifying some obscure and overlooked detail. Like Sherlock Holmes's magnifying glass, the tricorder is an iconic problem-solving tool for Starfleet officers, and I feel that it needs to have a well-thought out function in the game.
What would you like your tricorder to be like? What should it be able to do? What should its limitations be?
Obviously there will be restrictions on a tricorder... it can't scan every molecule in the galaxy or the dev team will never finish the game (or maybe you think it should be able to anyway). Where should those restrictions begin and end? Or maybe you don't think the tricorder needs to be emphasized at all, and would rather see it relegated to the role of a quest log or planet-navigator.
Whatever your opinion, I'm curious to see what features other people would like to see from their tricorders when they flip one open for the first time after installing STO and beaming down to an alien world.
aguila432
08-19-2008, 02:40 AM
I see you Andorian. No we are not plotting against you, no were are not making any sudden moves and no we do not expect you to laugh at our dumb jokes.
Seriously, tricorders, I just kind of expect them to be a medium source of info, granted by this time period they should be chalk full of material but ya know... mmo... limited resources. So yea, general info type things would work.
Bruno1986
08-19-2008, 02:42 AM
Ontas you make a very good point, while most people are worried about other thing noone atactualy thought about the tricorders.
In my opinion i would like to see the tricorder to be more useful that an object finder, they should have much more functions than that.
But what type of functions? I'm not really sure what u could do.
The more thought i give this the more complicated it gets, the tricorder could be a very useful device in sto, but how they will do this is quite a tough one.
Ruthlessgravity
08-19-2008, 02:43 AM
is tricorders going to have a upgrade in this time frame?
Hyperion2206
08-19-2008, 02:44 AM
I liked the way ST Elite Force 2 handled the Tricorder, but I think since ST:O is about exploring strange new worlds as well as combat I think you should be able to scan almost anything on a planet. I know this is a lot of work but I wouldn't feel like a explorer if I could only scan 1 or 2 objects on a new, undiscovered world.
Bruno1986
08-19-2008, 02:44 AM
is tricorders going to have a upgrade in this time frame?
upgrade how?
I don't see how u could improve them (maybe a longer battery life, lol )
Ruthlessgravity
08-19-2008, 02:49 AM
upgrade how?
I don't see how u could improve them (maybe a longer battery life, lol )
The looks, a better computer installed, a ugprade to the library of science, language, tech, etc. More user friendly, you know.
marscentral
08-19-2008, 02:53 AM
I think, since we could be setting up mining facilities and the like, there could be a multitude of uses. Scanning for combat reasons to get an idea on enemy set ups (troops, forcefields etc), scanning for usable resources (dilithium deposits etc), scanning for settlements to make contact with, study, fight or avoid depending on your alignment and theirs.. I'm sure there are more reasons. I think the biggest problem will be to stop them breaking the game by telling you too much!
No1UKnow
08-19-2008, 03:35 AM
Consider that in the past 20 years the cell phone has been introduced and evolved into a multitooled device that functions for many other things besides just a phone. It is a communicator, a camera, an encyclopedia of information if you use the web browser. It is a calculator, a media player, and a general a device for creating havoc on the roads.
If cell phones had been around when Star Trek was created, it is likely that all the tools an away team carries would have been combined into one itself.
By the era this game exists in, maybe all these tools have finally been combined. And this tool can function as nearly anything the average away team would ever need while on assignment.
Vicelance
08-19-2008, 05:20 AM
I'd like my tricorder to be able to find different minerals and tell me what something is made of. The problem with the makeing the tricorder like in the shows is that what ever the crew needs to do on ship or on missions the tricorder seems to be able to do it.
If cell phones had been around when Star Trek was created, it is likely that all the tools an away team carries would have been combined into one itself. Cell phones were inspired by Star Trek
LebowskyBob
08-19-2008, 05:54 AM
Tricorders should be able to perform a variety of functions, but at the same time...its a game and we don't want it to be overpowered. Finding/examining minerals to mine, locating friendly and hostile people on a planet, ...scanning for life-forms...those sorts of things. I think making it do too much more than that would make the tricorder too powerful for a game.
DurMan667
08-19-2008, 06:25 AM
Tricorders in this timframe can SLICE, DICE, AND MAKE JULLIENED FRIES!!!
Seriously though, if you look at the tricorders in TNG, they are already about as good at everything as they can be.
Maybe they have an integrated Medical peripheral =P
Tricorders in this timframe can SLICE, DICE, AND MAKE JULLIENED FRIES!!!
Seriously though, if you look at the tricorders in TNG, they are already about as good at everything as they can be.
Maybe they have an integrated Medical peripheral =P
Medical tricoders are specialized separate devices.
DurMan667
08-19-2008, 06:29 AM
Medical tricoders are specialized separate devices.
My point exactly. INTEGRATE!
noblee
08-22-2008, 01:06 PM
Oh, and smaller. And lighter. And more durable. And with a brighter screen with more battery life.
As for function, what really could they add? I would not be surprised if they made a tactical variety that was a battle monocle or something and gave a heads up display and target assistance. They could potentially do more complex analysis than before without the use of a lab. Other than that, the basic functions would likely be similar.
Smart money is that standard tricorder will be pretty limited in STO simply because few people will spend more than a few minutes scanning rocks to see what they are made of. This is not a simulation... not many people want to spend $15/mo. to play a futuristic geologist.
Kinneas
08-22-2008, 02:06 PM
Since this a 'how would you do it thread..."
Requires MMO is started in the TOS/Late TOS Era.
Use: Extensive. A primary tool to be used all the time on away missions and also on the ship to find the exact location of internal problems (the computer can only direct to the location).
Ability: ONLY The TOS scanning abilities at launch ( DENSITY, GAS, PRESSURE, RADIATION, SPECTRAL, THERMAL). Allows the development team to slowly work in the above features and become very familair how to work these aspects into Trek space and ground missions. To understand how to make the above features happen procedurally (naturally) in the environment or to happen due to NPC activity.
First Year players: Allows first year player the means to locate (invisable and visable) NPC's , environmental hazzards or conditions and to work around or use these conditions to solve problems and complete mission aspects.
Allows the initial subscriber to be eased into Star Trek tricorder technology. To really get a Star Trek feel out of the game. Provides more indirect and intuitive problem solving. A more fun way to interact with the enviroments and npc and each other. To appreciate the fully understand basic functions of the Tricorder and to fully understand WHY these basic features were and are so important to exploring environments.
Sensor readings: Color Overlays (SIMCity4-esque).
--
To sloooolwy work in more and more and more features over time and to continue to add in much more simulation tno Star Trek Online for long-term, hardcore & casual players.
bitgolem
08-22-2008, 02:19 PM
Tricorders, of course, have limited range, maybe 200 meters.
They should be able to scan for lifeforms, in the form of dots on a minimap. The farther they are away, the less chance to tell what species they are.
It should be able to tell you makeup and topology of the surrounding area. Again basically a minimap.
It should be able to tell you the makeup of the atmosphere. Be interesting if you beam down and your crew starts passing out because you didn't think to scan the atmosphere from the ship.
It should also be a source of library like info on various known flora and fauna and tell you if what you're scanning is unclassified.
It should also act as a universal translator.
Spire
08-22-2008, 02:23 PM
I'd like to see the tricorder affect the minimap. (The little circle in the right hand corner for all you MMO newbies.)
For example, if you scan for all life signs in the area, the minimap would have points on it representing life signs. Same for materials, technology, etc. And of course you have to upgrade your gear in an MMO, so different tricorders could scan further, scan for different objects, or multi-task scans.
Just my thoughts. A tricorder would be a very handy tool.
MundaneRaptor
08-22-2008, 02:26 PM
In addition to the standard stuff...
Like EF2, I would like to be able to solve puzzles and fix things with my tricorder, that would be quite fun...
onyxcyclone
08-22-2008, 02:51 PM
I think the tricorder should be an eye piece that allows you to not only help with item searching but also gathering information on whats coming up and other things. I think that would be the easiest way to do it and still get the functionality. I mean we have seen that the borg eye pieces do that and we have seen that having a tricorder in your hand is kind of a waste when you can get all the information you will need right there on your eye piece. Besides those things look really cool.
I also think there should be two types of tricorders. One that does what I wrote above. These are for the security and command personnel. This way they know threats and where there people are at all times not to mention where certain items might be and the like.
The other is for science, medical and engineering specialists. This one is like a holographic glove that allows for intensive data collecting. And because its an electronic piece that connects to the arm its not bulky and it doesn't take up room in your hands when you might need to hold a phaser in one hand and holding on to something else at the same time. Its just my opinion.
Flatfingers
08-22-2008, 06:21 PM
It's a good starting question, but there are two other questions that go along with it that need to be asked:
1. What can be scanned? A tricorder is basically just a glorified web browser unless the gameworld contains "stuff" of various kinds that the tricorder can detect and describe to its user.
2. What gameplay goal should a tricorder address? In other words, what purpose should tricorders serve in the game context?
The answer to "how should tricorders work" should flow from the answers to those two questions.
--Flatfingers
Cuddles
08-22-2008, 06:23 PM
With great difficulty!!! Lol.
I think the same way as Elite Force used it. Providing you information about things, enemies people etc. But allow you to interact with your environment through puzzles.
Random19
08-22-2008, 06:34 PM
The tricorders in-game should play a role in first contact, after you make friends with the alien race you would need to scan them to get their species information like cold blooded, warm blooded, etc.
Cryptic_Fan_101
08-22-2008, 06:44 PM
Consider that in the past 20 years the cell phone has been introduced and evolved into a multitooled device that functions for many other things besides just a phone. It is a communicator, a camera, an encyclopedia of information if you use the web browser. It is a calculator, a media player, and a general a device for creating havoc on the roads.
If cell phones had been around when Star Trek was created, it is likely that all the tools an away team carries would have been combined into one itself.
By the era this game exists in, maybe all these tools have finally been combined. And this tool can function as nearly anything the average away team would ever need while on assignment.
That's all well and good, but let me ask you this. Would you hire a photographer to shoot your wedding... with a cell phone?
Cryptic_Fan_101
08-22-2008, 06:55 PM
It's a good starting question, but there are two other questions that go along with it that need to be asked:
1. What can be scanned? A tricorder is basically just a glorified web browser unless the gameworld contains "stuff" of various kinds that the tricorder can detect and describe to its user.
2. What gameplay goal should a tricorder address? In other words, what purpose should tricorders serve in the game context?
The answer to "how should tricorders work" should flow from the answers to those two questions.
--Flatfingers
1. Cloaked opponents/equipment. Mineral deposits. Structural weaknesses. Toxins. Physical injuries. Energy fields. Pretty much anything a person can't detect/analyze with natural senses, but should be able to identify with advanced technology.
2. Discovery (and perhaps limited manipulation) of all the aforementioned items. And pretty much anything in any other game that otherwise would appear on a HUD; from the mini-map to the health meter(s) of your party. In simplest terms, think of it as a universal lockpick.
SiskoBell
08-22-2008, 07:26 PM
1. Cloaked opponents/equipment. Mineral deposits. Structural weaknesses. Toxins. Physical injuries. Energy fields. Pretty much anything a person can't detect/analyze with natural senses, but should be able to identify with advanced technology.
2. Discovery (and perhaps limited manipulation) of all the aforementioned items. And pretty much anything in any other game that otherwise would appear on a HUD; from the mini-map to the health meter(s) of your party. In simplest terms, think of it as a universal lockpick.
Going along with previous posters, I think the basic functionality Cryptic_Fan describes is on target. The tricorder should scan for various things like lifeforms, signals (strength and direction), minerals. etc. And as quoted above, the device should be able to manipulate most of the technology we'll run into. Star Trek characters have used tricorders to bring down force fields, hack alien computers, detect cloaked objects, interface with other Federation computer systems, etc. Obviously the game can't make tricorders too functional, but a simple list of abilities along these lines would be nice.
Korga
09-04-2008, 11:39 PM
And as said in a Previous post ....I would hope it would help you with fixing equipment and other things such as communication with other species and such.... as well as all the before mentioned stuff.... hey this is what gives starfleet their "edge" so to speak ...they investigate with science! (sorry about spelling am to lazy to fix it):D
It should clearly be used to provide input about the previsously undiscovered energy particle of choice or biological contaniment of choice, that instantly solves the hero's problem and lets them get on to the whitty dialogue and saving the day..:p
Merius
09-05-2008, 05:15 PM
Klingons don't use tri-corders.... They can detect humans 200 meters away just from the stink!
harharharharhar!
Seriously, Tri-corders should be multi-function google devices!
and...factions should have anti-scanning devises, so if I'm rading a federation base on a planet, they can't scan me comming!
Best,
thefreshjedi
09-05-2008, 05:53 PM
Ughghg! Where oh where is Suricata when I need him!!???
Suricata from STO.net created a wonderful Tricorder, and he even suggested making a small mini-game within the game, where you could use your Tricorder to fluxuate power conduits, and you had to "match" certain conduits to re-route the power, etc. It was like playing Tetris kind-of, and you had to switch and swap colored conduits so they would match-up. He even 3d-maxed a tricorder for reference, which was most genious....
I wish we could elaborate with graphical texts here, but oh well...
-Avery
No1UKnow
10-13-2008, 09:58 AM
That's all well and good, but let me ask you this. Would you hire a photographer to shoot your wedding... with a cell phone?
Well no! I'm way too smart to get married!
BTL.357
10-14-2008, 04:58 AM
Besides problem solving and stuff I think the Tricorder should also provide information about other players; their name, maybe a little background like ship they command, missions they did, etc.
I think this would be quite helpful because names will not be displayed over the players' heads.
For problem solving I hope they'll make it like a mini game, more puzzle and less tetris style.