Star Trek Online: Now With More Pre-Order Bonuses!

[DoctorFinger]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3528384476_bcf140b100.jpg

Pre-order bonuses for games are nothing new. Most of them are either plastic tsotchkes (Big Daddy figure), purely cosmetic (gold lancer in Gears 2) or limited to single player (Stone Guardian in Dragon Age). But are we ready for bonuses in an MMO, which is all multiplayer? We're about to find out, because Cryptic and Atari have unveiled the seven bonuses you can get for reserving a copy of Star Trek Online. The catch? Each one comes is exclusive to a specific major retailer.

- GameStop: Exclusive ship: The USS Enterprise from the original series
- Best Buy: A faction specific pet. A Tribble for the Federation, or a Targ for the Klingons.
- Wal-mart: Bonus Skill Package, which gives you extra points which let you improve faster than normal.
- Target: The exclusive TR-116 ground weapon, which beams the projectile to the target, so you can hit enemies without a line of sight.
- Amazon: A "Liberated Borg" (think Seven of Nine) Bridge Officer who levels up with you and possesses unique nanotech augmentations.
- Direct2Drive: Multi-Spatial Personal Shield, which regenerates shield and health for the player.
- Steam: Chromodynamic Armor, brought back by Voyager from the Delta Quadrant, this armor improves energy weapons.

So, will your choice of pre-order be determined by the location, or the loot?

Source - 1UP (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177224).

[Sandman]

- Wal-mart: Bonus Skill Package, which gives you extra points which let you improve faster than normal.
- Target: The exclusive TR-116 ground weapon, which beams the projectile to the target, so you can hit enemies without a line of sight.

These two sound game breaking to me....which is kinda stupid for an MMORPG.

[Widgetcraft]

But are we ready for bonuses in an MMO, which is all multiplayer?

Someone has been out of the loop, apparently <.<

These two sound game breaking to me....which is kinda stupid for an MMORPG.

It is a Jack Emmert game, game-breaking pre-order bonuses will be the least of your worries.

Also: Pretty sure that projectile weapons that teleport their ammunition are illegal under Federation law.

[Ink Asylum]

Bah. Disappointed that they're giving away more than just vanity items. Especially if there's no other way to get them in game. More skill points? That sounds insane.

[BetterOffZED]

Makes me glad I have swore off MMO's....that is until a good Zombie Survival one comes out of course.....

[Superman's Dead]

Jesus. You have to decide between the Enterprise, some kind of self-healing armor, extra SKILL POINTS...and a tribble?

[Savok]

It's like they're trying everything in their power to stop me from getting this game, first Champions now bullshit preorder crap.

I shall heed your wisdom Cryptic!

[Nameless]

I hate unbalancing crap like this. This completely undermines any hope I had in this project. If the game designers don't care enough about their game to even try to maintain balance at release, I don't see why I should care at all.

[Sandman]

I think these game breaking and unbalanced pre-order bonuses are the first time I've canceled a pre-order because of pre-order bonuses.....and I'm not re-ordering it either.

[J Arcane]

Well, between this and the new Cryptic Store for Champions, I think we can also be certain that we can add microrape to the future crimes this game will no doubt commit upon the genre.

[Talanvor]

Yeah... I'm not even interested in a ST MMO, but wtf is with the insane bonuses? Maybe one retailer will have a everything dies now button?

[Lekon]

Yeah... I'm not even interested in a ST MMO, but wtf is with the insane bonuses? Maybe one retailer will have a everything dies now button?

Walmart's got dibs on that. Gamestop has dibs on the "Mute all goldspammers automatically" button.

[BetterOffZED]

We should create a COG virtual store front with the exclusive Red Shirt pre-order bonus. Everywhere you go you will be followed by a Red Shirt that acts as a shield and always dies before you. Think of it as an extra life. Unsure if those mobs agro...send in the Red Shirt. First time in a zone? Send the Red Shirt in first. We could make millions.

[Doogie2K]

We should create a COG virtual store front with the exclusive Red Shirt pre-order bonus. Everywhere you go you will be followed by a Red Shirt that acts as a shield and always dies before you. Think of it as an extra life. Unsure if those mobs agro...send in the Red Shirt. First time in a zone? Send the Red Shirt in first. We could make millions.

I would pay extra for a Red Shirt pet. How quickly do they regen?

Also...fuck the imbalancing shit, I want me an Enterprise.

[Telefrog]

Yeah... This is bullshit. I assumed the Star Trek MMO was going to be a crapfest, and this confirms it.

[Mike Kelehan]

Also: Pretty sure that projectile weapons that teleport their ammunition are illegal under Federation law.

Law could've changed after the Dominion War.

[Deadend]

We should create a COG virtual store front with the exclusive Red Shirt pre-order bonus. Everywhere you go you will be followed by a Red Shirt that acts as a shield and always dies before you. Think of it as an extra life. Unsure if those mobs agro...send in the Red Shirt. First time in a zone? Send the Red Shirt in first. We could make millions.

Reading the previews.. you do get redshirts to die for you.

[Savok]

Reading the previews.. you do get redshirts to die for you.
It's a trap!

They make things sound awesome and then you actually play it... or try to because it doesn't fucking work. Then rather then fix anything, they'll try to balance everything by nerfing until the game is unrecognizable. It becomes a trail of never ending disappointment then.

[CappinCanuck]

Not to be a dick, but do you guys actually know that any of those would be game breaking/imbalancing? If we're in it just for the Cryptic hate, that's fine with me... I'd even join in. Gamers are supposed to be, PC specifically (yeah, I said it), have above average intelligence - let's keep it logical.

After I looked over the bonuses again there doesn't seem to be anything imbalanced.

- GameStop: Exclusive ship: The USS Enterprise from the original series
Goodie, a different ship.

- Best Buy: A faction specific pet. A Tribble for the Federation, or a Targ for the Klingons.
As opposed to a different pet you'll get in-game?

- Wal-mart: Bonus Skill Package, which gives you extra points which let you improve faster than normal.
Fancy. Too bad it's not stat points. I get an extra skill point earlier on, now I can get that laser one level earlier - or not, because even with one extra point, anyone can still get that piece at the min. level. Do, I maybe do .5 dmg more? Sweet.

- Target: The exclusive TR-116 ground weapon, which beams the projectile to the target, so you can hit enemies without a line of sight.
Great, now I don't have to wait until I find one in-game.

- Amazon: A "Liberated Borg" (think Seven of Nine) Bridge Officer who levels up with you and possesses unique nanotech augmentations.
A different borg bridge officer than I could get, with maybe a couple different techs. This will be fun to see for a few levels before they get replaced.

- Direct2Drive: Multi-Spatial Personal Shield, which regenerates shield and health for the player.
Good at the start until I find something better?

- Steam: Chromodynamic Armor, brought back by Voyager from the Delta Quadrant, this armor improves energy weapons.
Good at the start until I find something better?

[n3rdXcore]

I agree completely with Cappin. I highly doubt they didn't balance these items so as to not ruin the rest of the game. Like most MMO bonuses they probably don't even matter after you've gone up a couple levels anyways.

[J Arcane]

I agree completely with Cappin. I highly doubt they didn't balance these items so as to not ruin the rest of the game. Like most MMO bonuses they probably don't even matter after you've gone up a couple levels anyways.
This is a company whose other major game just started charging $12.50 for respecs, and who still hasn't balanced fuck or all some 6 months after launch.

I don't doubt it at all. Jack Emmert is a fucking idiot.

[Hawkzombie]

I was not interested in this game at all until I saw the bit about the Borg.

Seven of my Penis. AMIRTIE GUYS?

[Wilkz07]

"assimilate borg touch ring"

[Wolvie]

Man, being able to use the Enterprise sounds cool... until you see one every five minutes.

Edit: I think the Borg officer would be cool. Having a leveling bonus and the shield bonus would be great.

[Lint of Death]

- Target: The exclusive TR-116 ground weapon, which beams the projectile to the target, so you can hit enemies without a line of sight.
Great, now I don't have to wait until I find one in-game.
If it's truly exclusive, you will never find one in-game unless you preordered from Target.

In any case, I don't understand the outrage about these preorder bonuses. An MMO is a very serious investment of time and money for both the developers and the players; it is to everyone's benefit - assuming it is a game worth playing - to preorder because it will help the game stay in business longer so that those who do not preorder can potentially play for longer and the developers might be able to provide better support.

While it is natural and human to have such a strong response to perceived unfairness, especially in the context of a potentially competitive game, is there really enough information available on how this game plays for one to judge how much of an edge these bonuses provide? Or even if having an edge matters at all?

[ShivaX]

Personally I'm just sick of there being 20 different pre-order bonus things with games period.

If you pre-order with X you get Y.
If you pre-order with G you get H.

How about I just get a game?

If you want to bump pre-orders then give me everything, don't make me hunt down every retailer in the Western world and then pick which widget I get. And for the love of GOD don't make pre-order stuff the best crap or super unique.

I loved Dragon Age, but I really hate the Blood Dragon armor. I hate that it starts in my bag for no reason. Let me buy it someplace, thats fine, but just giving me a piece of the best armor there is for no reason at all bugs me.

Plus I feel like no matter what I do in these scenarioes I'm losing out on content. I want more stuff in my games, not less. If its extra fluff crap I don't really care (ie Blizzard and their CE pets). If its actual game stuff, I start caring a lot more.

I really, really dislike this trend and this one just seems like its finally jumped the shark. We're talking about 7 different pre-order things, only one of which doesn't effect gameplay. I mean if you have a tribble, thats cool, more power to you. If you have the fucking Enterprise and I can never get it cause I didn't pre-order at Gamestop and it turns out to be one of the better ships then I feel like I'm getting fucked over. On the same account when I shoot you through a wall or someshit you'll be equally pissed.

[IIntrude]

I'll just say that I am confident that i will buy this day 1, most likely from Amazon as a Borg BO will be fantastic, especially if it is a Science Officer.

[CappinCanuck]

This is a company whose other major game just started charging $12.50 for respecs, and who still hasn't balanced fuck or all some 6 months after launch.

I don't doubt it at all. Jack Emmert is a fucking idiot.

I don't have a problem with conjecture, just label it as such. I'm not at all worried about these creating any imbalance, but I can understand why some people might.

I was not interested in this game at all until I saw the bit about the Borg.

Seven of my Penis. AMIRTIE GUYS?

You are, Sir.

If it's truly exclusive, you will never find one in-game unless you preordered from Target.


No, the TR-insert stupid model number, is exclusive. The way the exclusive reads, is that you get that model as an exclusive, not that type of weapon. Creative marketing is my bet. But, in case you are correct, if this is the only one of that type, I doubt this will be useful aside from the cool factor.

[Telefrog]

But, in case you are correct, if this is the only one of that type, I doubt this will be useful aside from the cool factor.

What makes you say that? There have been plenty of preorder bonuses that did, in fact, upset the balance of the game they were associated with. Look at Dragon Age. Depending on where you got it, you could have a ring that gave you +1 to all your stats, or The Edge, which was arguably one of the best Rogue weapons in the game. (Of course, most PC players just got them all by adjusting a couple of files thanks to creative modders, but the initial intent was to entice buyers to one retaikler or another.)

I'd say the trend is to give away very important things over just cosmetic junk.

[Zanzibar]

I was not interested in this game at all until I saw the bit about the Borg.

Seven of my Penis. AMIRTIE GUYS?

If I can't bend 7 of 9 over one of the bridge railings and have at her, then I'm going to be disappointed.

[Xerxes]

Jesus. You have to decide between the Enterprise, some kind of self-healing armor, extra SKILL POINTS...and a tribble?

Well it's the ORIGINAL Enterprise. It's not like there giving you the Defiant. Then we are talking about a game breaking exclusive.

[KillerMcDead]

What makes you say that? There have been plenty of preorder bonuses that did, in fact, upset the balance of the game they were associated with. Look at Dragon Age. Depending on where you got it, you could have a ring that gave you +1 to all your stats, or The Edge, which was arguably one of the best Rogue weapons in the game. (Of course, most PC players just got them all by adjusting a couple of files thanks to creative modders, but the initial intent was to entice buyers to one retaikler or another.)

I'd say the trend is to give away very important things over just cosmetic junk.


Dragon Age isn't an MMO...Overpowered, gamebreaking bonuses dont suck as badly when theres no competitive aspect of the game. If you dont like it, dont use it. Nobody else will be.

And I dont see how anyone who was excited about the game would let this announcement get to them. Without context there's no way to tell if these bonuses will be gamebreaking.

The Enterprise is cool, but this game takes place after Romulus is destroyed. I'm rusty on my Star Trek facts but I'm pretty sure that makes the Constitution class at least 100 years old. I doubt its going to be very powerful.

A Gun that can hit you without line of sight sounds overpowered, unless it hits for 2 damage or something. The Regen armor could be the same deal.

Anyways, I'll be pre-ordering. Probably from Best Buy because the idea of walking around with a pet Targ just sounds way too fucking awesome to pass up. I love Star Trek, and it wouldn't be the first time I took my chances on fledgling MMO. The Matrix online was flawed at best, but I loved playing it. I guess I'm just craving something aside from the Sword/Sandal, Orc/Elf MMO's I'm used to.

[DeathtollWRX]

Dragon Age isn't an MMO...Overpowered, gamebreaking bonuses dont suck as badly when theres no competitive aspect of the game. If you dont like it, dont use it. Nobody else will be.

And I dont see how anyone who was excited about the game would let this announcement get to them. Without context there's no way to tell if these bonuses will be gamebreaking.

The Enterprise is cool, but this game takes place after Romulus is destroyed. I'm rusty on my Star Trek facts but I'm pretty sure that makes the Constitution class at least 100 years old. I doubt its going to be very powerful.

A Gun that can hit you without line of sight sounds overpowered, unless it hits for 2 damage or something. The Regen armor could be the same deal.

Anyways, I'll be pre-ordering. Probably from Gamestop because the idea of walking around with a pet Targ just sounds way too fucking awesome to pass up. I love Star Trek, and it wouldn't be the first time I took my chances on fledgling MMO. The Matrix online was flawed at best, but I loved playing it. I guess I'm just craving something aside from the Sword/Sandal, Orc/Elf MMO's I'm used to.


What is the time frame for this game? If I remember correctly Romulus was never actually destroyed in any continuity besides the latest movie that came out.
`

[DeathtollWRX]

by the way, I used to work at a school where 7 of 9's son went (it's in Encino) while she does have a great figure I would have to say that the skin on her face is about has nice as Ray Liotta's moon scared face. I was deeply disapointed and shocked!!!

[Zanzibar]

by the way, I used to work at a school where 7 of 9's son went (it's in Encino) while she does have a great figure I would have to say that the skin on her face is about has nice as Ray Liotta's moon scared face. I was deeply disapointed and shocked!!!

She has a face?

[KillerMcDead]

What is the time frame for this game? If I remember correctly Romulus was never actually destroyed in any continuity besides the latest movie that came out.
`

In the new movie, Romulus is destroyed. As a result Nero travels back in time, creating a separate continuity. Up until that point, everything that happened (Spock promising to save Romulus and failing) does actually occur in the original timeline. Thats where this game takes place. In the original continuity, after Romulus is destroyed.

[Xerxes]

by the way, I used to work at a school where 7 of 9's son went (it's in Encino) while she does have a great figure I would have to say that the skin on her face is about has nice as Ray Liotta's moon scared face. I was deeply disapointed and shocked!!!

I can believe it, but I bet it looks better if she was trying NOT to be hit on. Let that rough skin really come through.

[Darkmatter]

- Steam: Chromodynamic Armor, brought back by Voyager from the Delta Quadrant, this armor improves energy weapons.

Did they even WATCH the last episode?

As for the Transporter gun I bet its useful for the first 5-10 levels.

[KillerMcDead]

- Steam: Chromodynamic Armor, brought back by Voyager from the Delta Quadrant, this armor improves energy weapons.

Did they even WATCH the last episode?




Did anyone?.....

DS9 ftmfw.

[Widgetcraft]

No, the TR-insert stupid model number, is exclusive. The way the exclusive reads, is that you get that model as an exclusive, not that type of weapon. Creative marketing is my bet. But, in case you are correct, if this is the only one of that type, I doubt this will be useful aside from the cool factor.

To my knowledge, the modified TR-116 (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/TR-116) is the only weapon with this teleporting projectile characteristic, as seen in the DS9 episode "Field of Fire." However, I may have been wrong about such weapons being illegal in the Federation.

[Darkmatter]

Since the Borg has never shown any ability to stop a solid projectile (First Contact comes to mind) it is mind boggeling that the TR, swords (except Worf) and god knows what else was never used in fights. Duuuuhhhhhh WTF seriously? You really can't explain away that level of stupidity. Except ofcourse the standard, "its not in the script."

Alright I'm gonna turn my geek off for a while.

[Savok]

That always annoyed me too. They can defend against any high tech attack? Go low tech, humans were capable of killing each other well before even fire was discovered. Or hell, go classic 20th century, replicate some shotguns and go zombie hunting, lets see them adapt to a point blank shot to the face.

Becomes even more laughable with the Klingons who basically live for close quarters combat.

[Xerxes]

That always annoyed me too. They can defend against any high tech attack? Go low tech, humans were capable of killing each other well before even fire was discovered. Or hell, go classic 20th century, replicate some shotguns and go zombie hunting, lets see them adapt to a point blank shot to the face.

Becomes even more laughable with the Klingons who basically live for close quarters combat.

Meh... They act that way but Worf had a glass jaw. Everyone use to beat him up. I mean it became less a thing over time but it use to be funny time. Villain or the week beats up Worf, so he has to be tough.

[Savok]

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheWorfEffect

[DeathtollWRX]

I can believe it, but I bet it looks better if she was trying NOT to be hit on. Let that rough skin really come through.

The neat thing is she is actually a pretty cool person. The school I worked at had alot of movie stars kids go to it.

She was a member of the PTA for that particular school and did alot of the school activities.

[Vigil80]

So, here's my question. How do you preorder at Wal-Mart? I didn't think they worked that way.