Star Trek Online

[CaptainRAVE]

looks like website is taking a hammering as well.

Might have something to do with the pricing plan that is going up soon? Hope the server issues get fixed by launch. Although to be fair to Cryptic they have been working hard to get them up again quickly.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

MMO launches are always plauged with server issues. I've yet to come across one that has launched without any problems. Wish they would learn and make sure they have plenty of extra servers/bandwidth available.

The problem is, it just isn't economically viable to have enough servers just for the spike of users at launch and start of open beta. They are still doing better than they did with Champions Online - I think it was down most of the first weekend of open beta.

It will get more annoying as launch. Nothing more annoying than getting to the end of a lair that has taken a few hours, only for them to announce emergency maintenance in 10 minutes

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Trailer looks horrible, explosions where ships vanish you can see, standing boring shooting no movement and crappy effects and loads of other crap i see gfx and animation wise. Looks like a game from 2004 or somit. Id have expected far better like from bridge commander with kobayashi maru mod for the space combat and half life 2 gfx for ground stuff.

You can't possibly base it on a trailer. Bridge Commander's graphics don't even come close - the kobayashi maru just used some high quality textures on the ships. Everything else looked rubbish.

Most people complaing about graphics in STO don't have the ability to turn everything up. I actually thought they looked pretty good - certainly by MMO standards. AA will also help when they re-enable it - soon hopefully!

My captain:

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Ah thanks for that, puzzle solved. Should've just added top and bottom shields with a little more strength instead so that X + Y could be used better. Ach well.

I really wish they had added these shields. Who knows, they might after release.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Well when in star trek do they go, "Oh noes captain. Top shield is down!" or "Aiieee Bottom shield down, we're doooooomed!".

They aren't mentioned in star trek, and it makes sense that each shield generator covers the whole section of the hull on that zone.

Thats because they do ""Oh noes captain. Dorsal shield is down!" or "Aiieee ventral shield down, we're doooooomed!".

More shields would add more strategy. SFC was much better when ships had 6 shield facing and Bridge Commander was great with its dorsal and ventral shields.

4 shields just remind you that while the environment feels 3D it is still 2D like SFC.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Is it direct x 10 or 11?

...................9

 

[CaptainRAVE]

I'm considering purchasing it over steam. If it runs on 9, then it will cover all the pcs in the house.

The Cryptic engine for Champions Online and Star Trek Online is Directx9. Read it in an FAQ somewhere.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Does anyone know if this game makes use of crossfire cards? (I.e. 5770s) ? Im not sure its using both my cards tbh.

From what I can remember their engine isn't very good at using multiple GPUs - not even sure if it is able to. Can't answer your question much better than this. I am sure they will know on the official forums!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Sub deals are up - http://www.startrekonline.com/exclusive_specials

Lifetime sub and playable borg, here I come

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Looks like VAT is added on top

Yep. Expensive, but the game will easily last two years - it is Star Trek. I always like the ability to stop playing for a while and to just be able to drop in whenever.

And yes - it means your captain can be an ex Borg. You cant play as the Borg - yet! Still pretty cool

Anyway, going away for the weekend shortly. Will check back here on Sunday to see if there are any more names to add to the friends list!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

This map was posted by someone on the main forum a few days ago, i found it dead handy at the start when trying to get used to things.

Very useful

Can you add me to the list please - handle is -B-

Added!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Aye, although just to correct since you couldn't log in, it's the general credits that you spend on the extra ships. If you picked the Escort for example, the Science and Cruiser vessels would cost 20,500 credits each.

Only use so far I've found for Merits is for candidates and officers for your ship.

Yes, this was a recent change at the end of CB. The ships used to cost Starfleet merits, but now cost credits.

Seems Cryptic's server reached maximum capacity while I was away. Hope it is big enough for release! Must be quite a popular open beta!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

No, it goes Ensign 1 and 2, Lieutenant Commander 3, 4 and 5, and so on. Can't remember what exactly rank 11 is.

# Lieutenant
# Lieutenant Commander <<<< Rank 11
# Commander
# Captain
# Admiral

About 10 levels for each rank equalling roughly 50 "levels".

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Always says server busy!! fat lot of use that is, no use paying for something you cant use.

They are expanding the servers. Don't think they expected quite so many people - What did they expect? It is Star Trek

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Haven't been able to get on all night

Took me a while too. Hope they have their new server capacity ready for launch!

Well i've played it quite a bit today and i'm still loving this game.

I'm a huge Star Trek fan and this is just what i wanted. Yes, some things could be improved but i think Cryptic have done a great job so far.

Anyone know the cheapest place to pre-order from?

Thanks.

http://www.startrekonline.com/retail

Think the rainforest is the cheapest - however, shipping cost adds to the price if you want it quickly.

You can do that from anywhere? The last time I tried to just do that on the ship screen nothing happened, although that could have just been due to the lag time it takes to swap items.

You should be able to press U, select either yourself, your ship or one of your bridge officers - you cannot equip items in combat. Sometimes keys on the keyboard don't seem to work, another bug I hope they fix (especially during away missions).

Do you get kits from doing mission or do you need to buy them? Also whats the best way of making some money? I sold a few healing items but it didn't get me much.

Oh, one more thing, could someone give me an idea of which skills are worth raising? I know its different for each class but which are generally worth increasing? I'm a bit baffled by the skill system tbh.

I make money by equiping the best drops and selling everything else. I always raise starship command and energy weapons first. Don't worry about making mistakes, there is no limit to the skill points you can earn.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

I have to admit, the more I play this game the more hooked I get! I'm level 7 just now (Lt grade 7?) so it won’t be long until I can get my cruiser. One thing I was wondering though, will all accounts be erased when the game goes live? I ask because some open beta games allow you to keep your account.

All characters will be wiped before the headstart.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Im really enjoying the beta, but trying not to play it too much so its all new to me when the game starts

Same here. I drop in now and again to do a genesis mission in a star cluster - but don't want to burn out, especially considering I played quite a lot in closed beta.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

i only have one quest left "city on the edge of never" or something like that. Level 14... I did the last patrol mission and that was REALLY hard, im in a cruiser yet 3 bird of prey ripped right through my shields really easily.

How is the cruiser treating you? I haven't played enough to get one yet. I hear escrots are so fragile they are tough to play as. However, I planned to play as a cruiser all along (even if people do say there are balance issues)

 

[CaptainRAVE]

If anyone want to be added to the STO OcUK friends list in the first post - post it here (and remind me if I forget!)

Also remember the "OcUK" in-game, private chat channel

 

[CaptainRAVE]

It's a sector not a system. Check the galaxy map out. I think its the default one you start in.

For first page, my handle is @Isenduil

Added

Also cruisers have a lot more crew, and in Beta death penalty is disabled, I imagine crew will be needed to maintain performance of your ship, so cruisers will have the edge there

Yes, I keep forgetting about that! Anyone know where we will be able to buy crew? I can only assume at a starbase. I wonder how much "crew" will cost?