Star Trek MMORPG

[Rywill]

Hopefully you'll be able to purchase a flyable Enterprise. This seems a little odd. Most MMORPGs are heavily combat-centered. That'd work fine for the Klingons, but I have to wonder whether they're going to try and come up with a new gameplay model for the Federation. If not, it'll be pretty funny. "A_Admiral_03 says, 'Bring me back 10 Klingon scalps to prove your worth, Ensign.'" Given that the whole series (or at least, the ones that I watched) was generally pretty cereberal and mostly about diplomacy and exploration, I have my doubts about this project.

I also have my doubts because, frankly, most jobs in the Star Trek universe don't seem that fun. Am I going to run a shop on DS9? Am I going to be the guy who cleans the Jeffries tube on the Enterprise? Unless I get to be Picard, Riker, or Worf, I don't think there are many jobs on a starship that I'd enjoy doing. It might be cool to let you play in the ST universe but on a smaller scale (like as a trader or small ship operator or whatever), but from the FAQ it doesn't look like that's what they're shooting for. They want you to be in Starfleet and working on a big starship.

Still, it's a big license, so I guess if they actually release the game it might do pretty well for them. Think about all the folks who dress up as ST characters and whatnot--that's like a ready-made fanatic audience.

[DivDevlin]

I did some poking around on these guys over the weekend to see who they were and posted it up on my site (not a blatant plug). They actually may be able to pull of a ST:O game. Sims had some great tech, and Earth and Beyond was a decent engine. If they go with a Realm Vs. Realm scenario like DAoC set during ST:TOS where 3 factions (ala Earth and Beyond but with the Federation, Klingons and Romulans) can PvP in the Neutral zones it could be pretty good.

For Starships, no everyone will not command Enterprise (I forget what they were classifed in TOS) class ships, but it could be made that players can control large fleet ships. Instead of player owned and operated cities, they replace it with Ships.

The USS Q2Three could be a guild operated class Frigate as part of the federation. Players working within their fation build up points or credits to become part of the federation, then by doing away missions eventually earn their way to command of a ship.

No different than Shadowbane cities, or SWG PA cities.

Just my rambling thoughts on it.

[Lum]

There was actually a not bad old Trek pen and paper game from, I believe, West End Games (IIRC, it was called "Star Trek III" and was vaguely a movie license) that had a "Choose Your Own Adventure" style mission format. It was amusing in that it had quite a few missions patterned after episodes from the original series - but you could do them as Klingons.

[Rywill]

The USS Q2Three could be a guild operated class Frigate as part of the federation. Players working within their fation build up points or credits to become part of the federation, then by doing away missions eventually earn their way to command of a ship.

I still really have my doubts about it. Assuming they keep it true to the series, the ships are really big, pondorous machines that are crewed by hundreds of people. Commanding one would be fun, but what else? Being the weapons guy might be okay, although in TOS my recollection is that most of the ships had like one phaser bank and one torpedo launcher. Maybe, if you really stretch it, being the pilot (navigator, whatever they call it) might be fun, although even that I kind of think would be not that entertaining--you'd just be flying around, without getting to shoot anything and without even really getting to decide where to go, since you're taking orders from the captain.

And that's about it. Is anyone really going to want to be the engineer or the first officer, much less any of the Ensign Expendables that were always running around the ship? It just doesn't seem suited to a one-player = one-character experience, because most of the jobs you would do are fairly mechanical and uninteresting, and involve carrying out orders/decisions made by another player (the captain). Everyone loves playing America's Army, but you'll notice there isn't any America's Navy.

And is there really going to be that much combat? Enough to keep thousands of people fighting all the time? That works great in a game like DAOC, but doesn't seem to really fit with Star Trek.

Again, I could see it being cool to just be in that universe--to run a small ship with like five of your friends and go off exploring or whatever, with heavy emphasis on adventure, diplomacy, trade, and exploration. I think it would be hard to actually develop all that content, but it would be cool if they did. But that doesn't look like what they're going for.

[RichardC]

"Everyone loves playing America's Army, but you'll notice there isn't any America's Navy."

Aaaaaaaaaaaarhhh, me hearties!

[Nathan Phoenix]

So will you start out as a level 1 red-shirt ensign, and will you have to die in at least 10 episodes before you can advance to the next level?

[Kool Moe Dee]

This, along with a single-player RPG, always seemed to me to be the most obvious applications of the Star Trek license...yet Activision always seemed uninterested in pursuing either. :roll:

[Matthew Gallant]

"Everyone loves playing America's Army, but you'll notice there isn't any America's Navy."

For a second I thought this was an opening line from a new republican effort designed to get the gamer vote angry at Kerry.

[Euri]

This, along with a single-player RPG, always seemed to me to be the most obvious applications of the Star Trek license...yet Activision always seemed uninterested in pursuing either. :roll:

But.. but we need more Star Trek FPS games!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mike O'Malley]

Another small step for MMOG gamers, but a huge step for Klingon weddings.

Frightening.

[tronnc]

Imagine the possibilities.

Virtual Star Trek conventions.

People reenacting scenes from episodes and fan fiction, then making cheesy videos of them with fraps.

[russellmz00]

what we need is a star wars/gtaiii/T*RO*O*P*S mmorpg, with players being stormtroopers on patrol on tatooine. even a single player fps would be cool. riding around, racially profiling jawas...

"all suspects are guilty. otherwise they wouldn't be suspects, now would they?"

"oh, it's your cousin's."

"look out! she's got a thermal detonator!"

[Chowhound]

I'd be the guy that owns and operates the bar/lounge/restaurant on the Enterprise. I'd wear funny hats all the time and say cryptic things when crewmembers come to me for advice.

[Supertanker]

And that's about it. Is anyone really going to want to be the engineer or the first officer, much less any of the Ensign Expendables that were always running around the ship? It just doesn't seem suited to a one-player = one-character experience, because most of the jobs you would do are fairly mechanical and uninteresting, and involve carrying out orders/decisions made by another player (the captain). Everyone loves playing America's Army, but you'll notice there isn't any America's Navy.

People pay to be dancers, cooks, and tailors in SWG. Paramount sees money on the table in offering similar alternate lives to the ST fans.

"You have failed to remove the beru stew."

[Rywill]

It's funny, but I think you're actually right. I think there are people--maybe a lot of people--who would rather be a futuristic janitor than a present-day insurance adjuster or whatever.

[Alex Handy]

For Starships, no everyone will not command Enterprise (I forget what they were classifed in TOS) class ships, but it could be made that players can control large fleet ships. Instead of player owned and operated cities, they replace it with Ships.

I believe that the Enterprise was a Galaxy class starship. There were a few more of the same class out there, but the gods of Trek Nerdia are not with me at the moment.

Anyway, I would love to be a trader in the Star Trek universe. I always felt that pirates in the Roddenbury world would be very interesting.

"Quick! Hide the raktagina! There's a federation ship asking to inspect our cargo!"

and yes, Raktagina is not illegal, but I couldn't think of any illicit substances due to a post lunch food coma.

[Robert Sharp]

I thought the original was constitution class.

Anyway, did anyone play the old FASA Star Trek game? Something like that might work. Personally, I think it woudl be fund to be in engineering, or transporter (ops) as long as those roles were made significant in combat situations. I could image transporting bombs in front of other ships, or trying to time troop transports through downed shields or fighting back other ships' troops. There are lots of possibilities for action for all involved.

[Lum]

ST nerdvana:

http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Starship

[Brian Rubin]

I did enjoy the old ST PNP RPG quite a bit. I'd love to try this new one out.

[Walter Yarbrough]

Another small step for MMOG gamers, but a huge step for Klingon weddings.

Frightening.

ROFL

Back on topic, I wish these guys luck.

-Walt

[Robert Sharp]

ST nerdvana:

http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Starship

You know, as much as I wanted to be right, I was still kind of hoping I was wrong. Why would I remember such a thing as what class of starship the original Enterprise was? Damnit! I get the nerd of the day prize. Someone please take it from me tomorrow.

[Alex Handy]

Ah yes, the sweet taste of nerd victory.

Although, technically, only the Enterprise D was actually a Galaxy class star ship....

[il_matto]

While Activision had the Star Trek license they worked on both an MMP and an RPG. For different reasons, neither made it past the first greenlight.

Until and unless the license is revitalized, I don't believe that an RPG is feasible. One that would meet the current standards of Paramount and the fans would not sell enough to pay for itself. The Star Trek license is currently more of a negative than a positive for high budget console/standard PC games.

An MMP on the other hand has great potential. There are still lots of people out there who want to live in the Star Trek universe. Lots who will be very happy to fill the non-combat roles. As somebody said earlier, its a permanent convention, with you in costume and part of the universe.

We also kicked around a bunch of ideas of how to run a multi-person starship in combat. We came up with several things that seemed worth trying. I'm sure a team working on it for real, with sufficient time, will be able to come up with something cool that works. It is possible.

[Alex Handy]

Here's a cool idea: revisit Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Fallen. The game was kinda lacking, but, MAN, did they get the Tricorder right. It was an excellent aspect of gameplay, and when the engine wasn't hanging, freezing, and generally ruining the experience in this run-of-the-mill shooter, the Tricorder offered a wildly unique bit of gameplay.

Aside from that, however, i can't think of anything useful to take from previous trek games.

[Terrene]

I also have my doubts because, frankly, most jobs in the Star Trek universe don't seem that fun. Am I going to run a shop on DS9? Am I going to be the guy who cleans the Jeffries tube on the Enterprise? Unless I get to be Picard, Riker, or Worf, I don't think there are many jobs on a starship that I'd enjoy doing.

I just had a vision of someone working to become the ship's empath counselor.

"Pain.... *Pain*.... Hurting...."

[tronnc]

This could be a fun MMORPG as long as they do it right. If they had capital ships+third person stuff. There should be no fields of npc monsters that you need to beat with your klingon dagger. For NPC monsters it should just be enemy ships that spawn and if you disable their sheilds you can board them. The big ships should require multiperson crews of around 3-8 basically groups.

It could make for some fun griefing situations.

Capt.: sheilds up

Lt.: Negative sir I don't feel like raising them.


Or
Capt: Were going to teleport down to the planet to check out this distress signal in the neutral zone, you stay here and bring us back if any more klingons show up.

Lt: aye aye capt.

Capt and crew beam down.

Lt: Computer set course for earth warp 6. engage. Have fun in your new home Capt.

[Calistas]

Damn! I picthed an idea for a ST MMO to codies before I left hehe, and now no chance to see my idea come to life :)

I always figured you'd do it federation only at the start (much easier to do the art for one group rather than many and you can concentrate on making the gameplay top notch rather than generic for each side)..

And there would be an academy of course

On graduation there would be various postings and missions and you could join a fleet (guild) who would own various ships (for groups) you could tool around in. Some would have a minimum number of player crew required to run (or at least, would run baddly if they were undercrewed). Having a ship under your command would open up complex and long missions..

The big ships could have week-long missions, almost like trials, with every day you logged in there being new tests/trials for the crew to work through, almost a sort-of ATITD cooperative thing. Some would involve away team trials, others.. other things :)

Expansion packs would bring in other races and wars and stuff.

Peter

[Tom McNamara]

It's not really meant to be an RPG, per se. It's more action-adventure oriented, at least in this phase of development. They may eventually veer more towards crafting and questing and whatnot, but it doesn't sound like it.

[Charles Stevenson]

I just had a vision of someone working on the ship's empath counselor.

"ooh.... *oh!*.... yum!...."

I think I misread that!

[mouselock]

It's funny, but I think you're actually right. I think there are people--maybe a lot of people--who would rather be a futuristic janitor than a present-day insurance adjuster or whatever.

Janitor? Probably not. But ship's engineer? Surely. Science officer? Why not?

A design like that is a lot more of a role playing game than stuff like EQ which is really just a slow FPS or dungeon hack type idea. If people will sit around and build cities/theme parks/virtual families for entertainment, why not live a virtual life for the same purpose?

There are a lot of folks out there who aren't so goal oriented that they need to drive the ship/blow up the most klingons/save the federation all the time. Sometimes it's not bad to be a cog in the wheel as long as you can be a cog in a way that's enjoyable to you. The key is in making something compelling and interesting about cleaning out the jeffries tube. If, for example, failure to do so could result in tribble takeover, it suddenly matters that you have folks not doing the job. If the process of zapping tribbles is, additionally, fun, then you have a compelling game. If the jeffries tube tends to collect all sorts of creatures, you have to choose which baits to use and judge what's in there based on which baits disappear, and then choose an appropriate regimen of treatment, all with amusing or compelling special effects, how is that different than any of a number of puzzle games which are wildly popular?