Also, if Cryptic is hurting for server power in the face of so many possible trial accounts, then why are they giving out buddy tokens to players to try to get their friends interested? I'll give you a hint: the reason isn't inadequate server architecture otherwise they'd seriously restrict the number of buddy tokens they give out.
I was about to provide enough of supportive arguments from CCP fanfest presenting +10% of active trial accounts along with much higher numbers from year before, before new player experience was reworked, as well as stats for other games, but after reading this last paragraph of your post, I am not going to bother.
Also, if Cryptic is hurting for server power in the face of so many possible trial accounts, then why are they giving out buddy tokens to players to try to get their friends interested? I'll give you a hint: the reason isn't inadequate server architecture otherwise they'd seriously restrict the number of buddy tokens they give out.
I was about to provide enough of supportive arguments from CCP fanfest presenting +10% of active trial accounts along with much higher numbers from year before, before new player experience was reworked, as well as stats for other games, but after reading this last paragraph of your post, I am not going to bother.
[Mod Edit]
You said 20-30%, not 10%, remember? Also, +10% of active trial accounts what? +10% of the entire game population of 500,000 are trial accounts? +10% retention rates for trial account holders? What?
Do these other mystical sources you aren't citing because you think I'm stupid and/or a troll even exist? Did you read/comprehend my last paragraph? Did you forget that people have said in this very thread that Cryptic is giving out buddy tokens quite freely to subscribers?
Come to think of it, these sources don't exist. Why? Because MMO developers don't even give out subscriber numbers.
I think a lot of posters are taking liberties to voice their personal opinions and reviews on this game
That is NOT the subject.
The subject is clear and its purpose is to provided advice to players who, despite the nay-sayers or over-praisers, are going to try it out.
There are dozens of 'opinion' threads on the subject of STO and gameplay.. please direct your comments and discussions to one of those.
Is it possible to stick to the subject, or are posters here unable to exercise some basic self-control?
This post is not in advocation of the game, its functions, its developer, its publisher, or anything of the sorts. Please put your protest or promotional posts somewhere else.
Back to the subject:
- Yes, definately treat this game causally for starters, it does not have the depth to keep you busy 24x7. A few hours a day is plenty to both progress and explore a mission or two.
- Space combat is probably the better of the two (space vs ground). There are a LOT more ground-based combat games that have more variety than STO currently has. The STO space game is solid compared to other space-based combat games, in this one area STO stands out pretty good.
Originally posted by Xondar123 You said 20-30%, not 10%, remember? Also, +10% of active trial accounts what? +10% of the entire game population of 500,000 are trial accounts? +10% retention rates for trial account holders? What? Do these other mystical sources you aren't citing because you think I'm stupid and/or a troll even exist? Did you read/comprehend my last paragraph? Did you forget that people have said in this very thread that Cryptic is giving out buddy tokens quite freely to subscribers? Come to think of it, these sources don't exist. Why? Because MMO developers don't even give out subscriber numbers.
This 10% is a result of an effort done to new player experience as well as numerous restrictions on trial accounts itself being done over the years. The number couple years back was much higher - about 20-25%, iirc.
When you add that STO is a new game and lots of people will want to try it out, 30% is a bare minimum you can reasonably expect.
Similar numbers can be found for other games if needed but that is what you don't need for your trolling, right?
If you think that giving out unlimited supply of trial accounts is the same as limited, player effort conditioned buddy keys then...oh well.
It does not take 'effort' to make the game enjoyable, its fun.. but you can easily spoil that fun by treating this MMO-Lite like a hard-core 24x7 6 year old MMO game.
Right now, STO is thin on many systems, but its not entirely devoid of some fun systems, depending on your personal tastes and expectations.
Also, please, this is NOT a thread about subscription count or lifespan expectancy or anything of the sorts.
There are plenty of other threads to voice your concerns. If you have nothing to add on this topic please just move along as originally stated at the very top of this thread.
I am asking for nothing more than basic forum-etiquette... post on this subject or make your own discussion thread if you have something off-topic you want to discuss.
Put a DVD from any seasons from The Original Series, The Next Generation, DS9 or Voyager
Watch the 4 episodes
When finished, close the game.
P.D. You'll need to put something on your spacebar so the game doesn't AFK log you out.
----
Ok, now more seriously. If you're like me and the main problem you have with the game is how ridiculously easy it is, and the hardest challenge you have is not falling asleep during combat, try the following (and I'm not joking here):
- Space combat: The best solution I've found is to group with someone, but each person does his/her own missions alone. Basically, enemies will spawn as if for two people, but tackling it alone actually makes it really fun (what the game should be imho)
- Ground combat: The previous trick doesn't work for ground combat because teams are always 5 members regardless of how many people are in the group (you and 4 BOs, or 2 people and 3 BOs, etc). What I've seen in the forums is people playing without shields. Remove the shields from yourself and all your BOs and now fights are actually worth fighting.
I did the space combat trick for a while, and it really made the game much more fun, but the problem is finding people to do this. I grew tired of looking all over the place for a partner every session, but if you know people in the game willing to do it, it's great.
Comments
I was about to provide enough of supportive arguments from CCP fanfest presenting +10% of active trial accounts along with much higher numbers from year before, before new player experience was reworked, as well as stats for other games, but after reading this last paragraph of your post, I am not going to bother.
[Mod Edit]
I was about to provide enough of supportive arguments from CCP fanfest presenting +10% of active trial accounts along with much higher numbers from year before, before new player experience was reworked, as well as stats for other games, but after reading this last paragraph of your post, I am not going to bother.
[Mod Edit]
You said 20-30%, not 10%, remember? Also, +10% of active trial accounts what? +10% of the entire game population of 500,000 are trial accounts? +10% retention rates for trial account holders? What?
Do these other mystical sources you aren't citing because you think I'm stupid and/or a troll even exist? Did you read/comprehend my last paragraph? Did you forget that people have said in this very thread that Cryptic is giving out buddy tokens quite freely to subscribers?
Come to think of it, these sources don't exist. Why? Because MMO developers don't even give out subscriber numbers.
I think a lot of posters are taking liberties to voice their personal opinions and reviews on this game
That is NOT the subject.
The subject is clear and its purpose is to provided advice to players who, despite the nay-sayers or over-praisers, are going to try it out.
There are dozens of 'opinion' threads on the subject of STO and gameplay.. please direct your comments and discussions to one of those.
Is it possible to stick to the subject, or are posters here unable to exercise some basic self-control?
This post is not in advocation of the game, its functions, its developer, its publisher, or anything of the sorts. Please put your protest or promotional posts somewhere else.
Back to the subject:
- Yes, definately treat this game causally for starters, it does not have the depth to keep you busy 24x7. A few hours a day is plenty to both progress and explore a mission or two.
- Space combat is probably the better of the two (space vs ground). There are a LOT more ground-based combat games that have more variety than STO currently has. The STO space game is solid compared to other space-based combat games, in this one area STO stands out pretty good.
SWG/STO/(SWTOR)
+10% of active accounts are trials:
http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/14/feature/3599/By-The-Numbers-EVE-Statistics.html
This 10% is a result of an effort done to new player experience as well as numerous restrictions on trial accounts itself being done over the years. The number couple years back was much higher - about 20-25%, iirc.
When you add that STO is a new game and lots of people will want to try it out, 30% is a bare minimum you can reasonably expect.
Similar numbers can be found for other games if needed but that is what you don't need for your trolling, right?
If you think that giving out unlimited supply of trial accounts is the same as limited, player effort conditioned buddy keys then...oh well.
None of these tips require additional 'effort'.
It does not take 'effort' to make the game enjoyable, its fun.. but you can easily spoil that fun by treating this MMO-Lite like a hard-core 24x7 6 year old MMO game.
Right now, STO is thin on many systems, but its not entirely devoid of some fun systems, depending on your personal tastes and expectations.
Also, please, this is NOT a thread about subscription count or lifespan expectancy or anything of the sorts.
There are plenty of other threads to voice your concerns. If you have nothing to add on this topic please just move along as originally stated at the very top of this thread.
I am asking for nothing more than basic forum-etiquette... post on this subject or make your own discussion thread if you have something off-topic you want to discuss.
SWG/STO/(SWTOR)
Please stay on topic.
Start the game.
Put a DVD from any seasons from The Original Series, The Next Generation, DS9 or Voyager
Watch the 4 episodes
When finished, close the game.
P.D. You'll need to put something on your spacebar so the game doesn't AFK log you out.
----
Ok, now more seriously. If you're like me and the main problem you have with the game is how ridiculously easy it is, and the hardest challenge you have is not falling asleep during combat, try the following (and I'm not joking here):
- Space combat: The best solution I've found is to group with someone, but each person does his/her own missions alone. Basically, enemies will spawn as if for two people, but tackling it alone actually makes it really fun (what the game should be imho)
- Ground combat: The previous trick doesn't work for ground combat because teams are always 5 members regardless of how many people are in the group (you and 4 BOs, or 2 people and 3 BOs, etc). What I've seen in the forums is people playing without shields. Remove the shields from yourself and all your BOs and now fights are actually worth fighting.
I did the space combat trick for a while, and it really made the game much more fun, but the problem is finding people to do this. I grew tired of looking all over the place for a partner every session, but if you know people in the game willing to do it, it's great.