Iconic Worlds Proposal

[Darren_Kitlor]

Iconic World Maps Proposal
creating larger, exterior maps that can support dozens of players and multiple missions

mock-ups:
(==| Click here to see the Proposed UGC Planet Interface v3.7 |==)


Background:

There's a claustrophobic feel to STO for many players: small ground instances make some players feel cut off from their peers. Since most missions don't support more than 5 players, it would make sense to have content geared toward seeing players in greater numbers.

Consider fellow Cryptic game, Champions Online, which has huge, varied exterior locations from which to level amongst dozens of players. While it may be infeasible to commit to such a level of detail in Star Trek Online (especially since STO is divided between space and ground), the idea is still appealing to some.

There are also level gaps for Klingon Players (unless they choose to do exclusively PvP, Exploration, or Defense content). However, Cryptic has shown they can create stunning vistas quickly.

What not create things to do in even larger yet just as stunning vistas?

This could go a long ways toward creating a parallel or lateral experience while creating an alternate character (and still enjoyable to veteran's thanks to the upcoming episode replay).

Base Idea:

Create large, exterior world maps for various factions. These maps would be populated with many short missions - similar to Champions.

Instead of replacing content, this would form some alternative, voluntary content at every tier - which could also replace gaps.

Lastly, focusing on one faction world at a time would allow art assets to be generated with the same "theme" expediting development compared to dozens of unique instance maps with unrelated art assets.

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Mock-ups:

• (==| Click here to see the Proposed UGC Planet Interface v3.7 |==)
  
• ( --| Panoramic Mock-up of Qo'nos Exterior | --)

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Table of Contents:

Overview
Large Scale Maps & Movement

Klingon Defense Force

I. Qo'noS (Grades 1-10)
II. Gorn (Grades 11-20)
III. Nausicaa (Grades 21-30)
IV. Orion (Grades 31-40)

United Federation of Planets

V. Earth (Grades 1-10)
VI. Vulcan(Grades 11-20)
VII. Andoria (Grades 21-30)
VIII. Tellar Prime (Grades 31-40)

Miscellaneous Worlds

?. Bajor
??. Betazed

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Overview:

Each planetary outdoor environment boasts a variety of missions.

The planets would be scaled to different tiers - with a mission per grade to start.

However, the upcoming Season 1.2 Sidekicking feature would allow players who passed up content to play at that level.

Open missions (think of WAR's or Champion's Open Missions) would be difficult challenges suited to parties - rather than individuals. For a start, let's say 1 open mission per iconic world map.

So, at start:

• 10 short but varied missions.
• 1 open world mission (takes a group)
• 1 explorer mission (visit major land features).

Large Scale Maps and Movement:

The engine supports some incredibly large maps.

To give a sense of scale, here are two halves of a Champions Map:

( --| West Half or East Half of "Desert" Map |-- )

Here's a screenshot of the surface of:

( --| Qo'nos, the Klingon Homeworld |-- )

It seem quite possible to see large, detailed maps within the current engine.

Of course, large scale means problems associated with movement.

As Starfleet or KDF captains, we might be able to use shuttlecraft, site-to-site transport, or even levitation boots like Star Trek V.

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Klingon Defense Force Iconic Worlds:
I. Qo'noS (Klingon) (Grades 1-10)

( --| Panoramic Mock-up of Qo'nos Exterior | --)

As a start, have 1 mission per grade in the outdoor map. This would be near the First City, surrounding the outskirts of the Old Quarter and heading into the Hamar Mountains. The missions don't need to be long - just enough variety of them to make the world feel alive (and to supplement the content already available).

Some examples of appropriate missions:

• Bat'leth tournaments with your house faction.
• Targ hunting parties in the Hamar Mountains to make Var'Hama Candles and subsequent targ sacrifices.
• Fight saber bears at Kang's Summit.
• Begin forging your own Bat'leth at the Kri-stak Volcano by harvesting materials from the caves and beasts.
• Cool you blade in the Lake of Lusor - while hearing the legends of Kahless.
• Fight rival factions across the river Skral where Kahless fought Molor

( --| Qo'nos Images - see right hand side |-- )

Gorn Homeworld (Gorn) (Grades 11-20)

Example missions:

• Find and then share a rare blue meridor vintage with a Gorn war hero, dying of internal wounds from combat.
• Be tested by a Gorn tactician: disable their traps before reinforcements arrive (note: using a tricorder to find the traps draws combined fire)
• Track down mirror universe Gorn - found guilty of murdering and enslaving prime universe KDF force.
• Track down Gorn hunters, in the correct order, using their transporter and voice duplicator technology (note: use audio clues to figure our which is which)

Nausicaa (Nausicaan) (Grades 21-30) Contributors: LotD, Bracknell

Example missions:

• Survive a brawl with a Nausicaan after playing a minigame (recall Picard's experience)
• Thwart a group of civilian Nausicaans trying to steal from a museum.
• Join a group of Investigate the disappearance of the wife of a Nausicaan pirate captain and make those responsible pay while breaking her out (note: violent infiltration is a Nausicaan specialty

Orion (Orion) (Grades 31-40) - Thanks goes to capulet

Shopping galore with prices so low their criminal
Slave market (Boff vender)
Raiding supply convoy/slave capture side missions

[Darren_Kitlor]

United Federation of Planets Iconic Worlds:
V. Earth (Human) (Grades 1-10)

As home of starfleet, it might make sense to focus on Starfleet Academy, Starfleet Command in San Francisco.

Example Missions might include:

• Teach a course in a random subject relevent to starfleet (think of starfleet trivia - then randomize questions across various students at the Academy).
• Convince a prospective alien candidate to apply for admissions to the academy (later acquire as a BOFF).
• Test new communications equipment at the Communications Research Center (see minigames)

( --| Images of Starfleet Command/Academy and San Francisco - see right hand side |-- )

VI. Vulcan (Vulcan) (Grades 11-20)

Example missions:

• Cross the Fire Plains of Vulcan to reach the silent monks of Kir (riddles and jumping puzzles).
• Hike through the Vulcan Forge (perhaps taking blood samples of ambient, desert wildlife).
• Survive encounters at the Osana Caverns
• Help a geological team re-stabilize Mount Tar'Hana to prevent volcanic activity (while dodging lava bombs)
• Exchange information and find a spy near Vulcan High Command amongst the V'Shar.

VII. Andoria (Andorians) (Grades 21-30)

[needs information from players

VIII. Tellar Prime (Tellarite) (Grade 31-40)

[needs information]

[Darren_Kitlor]

Miscellaneous Planets:
?.Bajor (Bajoran) (Grades 21-30) Contributors: J-Sheridan

Example missions:

• Finding historical artifacts from the Shakaar resistance cell near the Kola Mountains and Dahkur Hills might be important to the Bajorans - especially any relative of then-Major Kiera.
• Agrobiology expedition (tagging unique flora and fauna amongst standard flora and fauna - maybe no glowies to make it harder) in the Janitza Mountains (we are getting ambient wildlife - why not play "which of these animals doesn't belong?")
• Ease racial tensions between now adult Cardassian war orphans or defectors and disenfranchised Bajoran orphans (who lost their parents in the conflict)

??. Betazed (Betazoid) (Grade 31-40) Contributors: LotD

The matriarchal (yet relatively equal) system of Betazed life would be an interesting juxtaposition to the secretive Orion system (of female covert slave masters)

Example missions:

• The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is missing. Return it to Lwaxana Troi - Betazed Ambassador to the Federation
• Aid refugees arriving to Betazed (gather information, report to a Betazed counselor - can anyone suggest something more compelling?)
• Map potential sites for rebuilding and expansion, following the devastation caused by the Dominion Occupation from 2374-2375

[Darren_Kitlor]

[just in case]

[Pansapien]

Awesome ideas as always.

I'd like to see Vulcan's Forge for the Feds to run around in.

[Darren_Kitlor]

Originally Posted by Pansapien

Awesome ideas as always.

I'd like to see Vulcan's Forge for the Feds to run around in.

If you could help list iconic places and things to do around the vulcan capital (and country-side), it'd go a long way toward fleshing out this proposal.

The coherence of one proposal based on the strengths of many authors.

Also, anyone want to help flesh out the Klingon side? I started with the idea that this could quickly ameliorate content gaps on the KDF side. If no Klingon's blood was raise at the thought of honoring Kahless and sacrifice targ - then I have no idea of what Klingons are like.

[Admiral_Daedelus]

I think this is a must for all planets in the game well atleast Earth, Vulcan,Andoria, Risa,Bajor, Cardassia and the ones you mentioned for klingons.

Take earth for example, we should be able to beam to San Francisco and visit the city, travel across the bay to Starfleet Academy (New skills, Bo's, daily missions) and even take a shuttle to the New Zealand Penal colony (Quell an uprising)

Ill flesh out some ideas myself and post more at a later date.

[Darren_Kitlor]

Added:

• Earth, Vulcan missions/information/etc.
• Placeholders for Bajor, Betazed mission/information

Prompt:

• What would Orions, Gorn, or Nausicaans do? What are their cultures like?

[Darren_Kitlor]

Originally Posted by Admiral_Daedelus

I think this is a must for all planets in the game well atleast Earth, Vulcan,Andoria, Risa,Bajor, Cardassia and the ones you mentioned for klingons.

Take earth for example, we should be able to beam to San Francisco and visit the city, travel across the bay to Starfleet Academy (New skills, Bo's, daily missions) and even take a shuttle to the New Zealand Penal colony (Quell an uprising)

Ill flesh out some ideas myself and post more at a later date.

I must've posted about Starfleet Academy/Command in San Francisco while you were writing.

Feel free to flesh it up (remember - focus on that faction planet's value)!

We can make this process so much more easier for the developers!

[J-Sheridan]

If your going to do this I would have all these areas escalate to player levels.

Although, I do not see Betazed being much of an attraction unless Cryptic implement their marriage traditions...
Yeah, lets see where that goes shall we ?

Bajor, already been done with the Fire Caves so... yeah, whats left ?

Random 'relocation' mission where you have to boot some folk off their land ?

Random 'find buried treasure' mission with more Bajoran junk ?

You might be able to copy that Bajoran village with their 'think good thoughts' monster fight. Although its going to end up being a copy of the DS9 episode in the end.