Infinite space Vs Excalibur

[webxro]

how do we stand in a cat-fight against ST: Infinite Space , here is a image released for the press
http://www.verticalwire.com/images/uploads/images/0001/3485/ST-IS_Still_legal.jpg?1285675068

[Michael]

We'll see I guess, their game will be an MMO.  Ours is more focused on a single player story.  If you are talking graphics-wise, we'll see there as well.  The engine they use is a web based one (java), so you run it from your browser.  The graphics level seem to be slightly higher than a PS2 (which is actually impressive to be able to run from your browser.  So we should be able to obtain a higher detail level than them because we could go up to DX11 technologies if we need to.

It's too early to really say because we don't know what they have planned, but to me it don't matter, I'm going to do my best to contribute my talents to help Excalibur be an outstanding game!

[webxro]

Nano i know you are a the best man for this , i am sure that you will do the best thing you can do , but i was asking about spreading the word about STE , our game might be 10x better but if people don't find out about it , then it's bad , and i think that they use opengl in php for that kind of graphics ( or at least i would ) but it could be a cookie and not the finished mmo game that would look like c**p .

[Michael]

We are getting out there... We are getting more Public Relations staff soon to spread the word, and we are getting interviews and articles out there, and once we can get to the point where we can put out a working demo (estimating within 1 year), the word will get out rather easy.

If you are still refering to the image you posted, that is definately not an in-game picture, it's a promo pic rendered in Max or something... a pretty accurately detailed one, so at least they have artists that can pay attention to detail

It will be interesting to see what they can do and if they are fans of the show, and how much they pay attention to detail.  We are true fans, so you can pretty much count on us getting it right.

[MajorD]

Seriously? It's a free to play browser game, there's no comparison, unless they have better writers and story delivery. They still won't have gameplay comparable to Excalibur's, because it will be completely different.

[Aresius]

Well, at least story-wise, STE will have the upper edge. MMOs tend to have a rather weak story, with many loops and repetive passages.
That might be a nice thing if STE would have a multi-player universe akin to an MMO, but since it's focussing on Single-Player, the story has to be much higher in content, seriousness, and depth. And in essence, that's where the MMOs tendency to repetive archs induces boredom. And honestly, would you prefer boredom for the sake of detail, if you can get a good story AND details in the same pack?

[Toxa]

thank god the game is set during the DS9 era  and not STXI

[ii123]

how do we stand in a cat-fight against ST: Infinite Space , here is a image released for the press
http://www.verticalwire.com/images/uploads/images/0001/3485/ST-IS_Still_legal.jpg?1285675068

Chalk and cheese mostly, as MMOs tend to be significantly based around (the same set of) player-player interaction mechanics.. Either WOW style or EVE style interaction mechanics..

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30659/Gameforge_Reveals_Star_Trek_Infinite_Space_FreeToPlay_Browser_Game.php
Presumably a face book game, so it would be limited in extent/restricted in content size for easy download I imagine..also perhaps their free-to-play model probably implies a project smaller than ST:Online.

We are getting out there... We are getting more Public Relations staff soon to spread the word, and we are getting interviews and articles out there, and once we can get to the point where we can put out a working demo (estimating within 1 year), the word will get out rather easy.

Be careful what you wish for!

Given the sheer amount of facets in Excalibur and the extent they are extended to, there no reason these forums should not get absolutely swamped like Infinity forum once word gets out. Perhaps waiting until the Encylopedia/wiki is online and having a subforum for 'already addressed questions/suggestions' to move topics into will save a billion routinely answered questions/suggestions from clogging discussion (Vegastrike has a categorised suggestion archive/summary in wiki with links to threads,which helps new users avoid having to read through long threads. This enables future modders and devs to look through relevant areas quickly to see if anything strikes their attention also).

I imagine the only reason that Excalibur is rather unknown is because of its origins as a mod..and the fact that the audience and devs need to originate only from a limited and game specific community.

-------------------------------------------



A few thoughts on reaching audiences:


Potential audience of millions of trek original series/non technical people through print media

A significant part of the audience interested and would enjoy Excalibur would be the people who grew up with the original star trek series ..and I imagine who are no longer in touch with developments in gaming or internet spheres mostly due to job/real life commitments..also those from less computer oriented backgrounds but who still like star trek (but probably number in the many millions who would enjoy the game all the same and since it is a non-commercial project and they can try it without cost). There might be advantages for development/modding as some would have improved less common skills (like in music which mods/games tend to lack frequently)..

They would be best reached via printed news media..all major publications have a technology section, but journalists will probably need to be actively contacted. Things like the potential scope of the game, quality comparisons and evidence, estimates of target audience with an interest in the game, past success of similar series based non-commercial games (the free recent doctor who games) etc. replete with demonstrations evidence would need to be spelled out one letter at a time and all the article content researched for them as probably they will not be attuned if their publication only covers games very rarely/only controversial issues in gaming.

Probably there should be a 'for printed media journalists' section on the website (in addition to a for media section).

Leveraging current obscurity (hence newsworthiness) by contacting print media first

Speaking of which..publications both digital and printed get their revenue from readership numbers and are dependent upon providing information not commonly available..therefore they are very responsive to exclusives and near exclusives such projects like Excalibur which are currently not widely known. So there is an opportunity here to use that fact to identify and contact printed media first (it will not matter much for digital media as word will spread through out the internet in due course).


Increase coverage by pre-releasing final version slightly early exclusively to media

Another idea would be to publicly release the final version with the story integrated (I assume it will be closed in beta due to potential for spoiling plot) a few days after it goes final in order to allow gaming magazines time to review it (with a media restriction in the mean time as is regularly done). Prominently mentioning this fact on the site and allowing publications to sign up via a mailing list etc. would ensure Excalibur gets blanket review coverage (as publications will have their readership gaining exclusivity)..which is a worthwhile tradeoff even for a non-commercial game if the all the hard work ends up being appreciated by a wider audience, especially when a portion is dependent on print media.

[Poseidon]

Chalk and cheese mostly, as MMOs tend to be significantly based around (the same set of) player-player interaction mechanics.. Either WOW style or EVE style interaction mechanics..

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/30659/Gameforge_Reveals_Star_Trek_Infinite_Space_FreeToPlay_Browser_Game.php
Presumably a face book game, so it would be limited in extent/restricted in content size for easy download I imagine..also perhaps their free-to-play model probably implies a project smaller than ST:Online.

Be careful what you wish for!

Given the sheer amount of facets in Excalibur and the extent they are extended to, there no reason these forums should not get absolutely swamped like Infinity forum once word gets out. Perhaps waiting until the Encylopedia/wiki is online and having a subforum for 'already addressed questions/suggestions' to move topics into will save a billion routinely answered questions/suggestions from clogging discussion (Vegastrike has a categorised suggestion archive/summary in wiki with links to threads,which helps new users avoid having to read through long threads. This enables future modders and devs to look through relevant areas quickly to see if anything strikes their attention also).

I imagine the only reason that Excalibur is rather unknown is because of its origins as a mod..and the fact that the audience and devs need to originate only from a limited and game specific community.

-------------------------------------------



A few thoughts on reaching audiences:


Potential audience of millions of trek original series/non technical people through print media

A significant part of the audience interested and would enjoy Excalibur would be the people who grew up with the original star trek series ..and I imagine who are no longer in touch with developments in gaming or internet spheres mostly due to job/real life commitments..also those from less computer oriented backgrounds but who still like star trek (but probably number in the many millions who would enjoy the game all the same and since it is a non-commercial project and they can try it without cost). There might be advantages for development/modding as some would have improved less common skills (like in music which mods/games tend to lack frequently)..

They would be best reached via printed news media..all major publications have a technology section, but journalists will probably need to be actively contacted. Things like the potential scope of the game, quality comparisons and evidence, estimates of target audience with an interest in the game, past success of similar series based non-commercial games (the free recent doctor who games) etc. replete with demonstrations evidence would need to be spelled out one letter at a time and all the article content researched for them as probably they will not be attuned if their publication only covers games very rarely/only controversial issues in gaming.

Probably there should be a 'for printed media journalists' section on the website (in addition to a for media section).

Leveraging current obscurity (hence newsworthiness) by contacting print media first

Speaking of which..publications both digital and printed get their revenue from readership numbers and are dependent upon providing information not commonly available..therefore they are very responsive to exclusives and near exclusives such projects like Excalibur which are currently not widely known. So there is an opportunity here to use that fact to identify and contact printed media first (it will not matter much for digital media as word will spread through out the internet in due course).


Increase coverage by pre-releasing final version slightly early exclusively to media

Another idea would be to publicly release the final version with the story integrated (I assume it will be closed in beta due to potential for spoiling plot) a few days after it goes final in order to allow gaming magazines time to review it (with a media restriction in the mean time as is regularly done). Prominently mentioning this fact on the site and allowing publications to sign up via a mailing list etc. would ensure Excalibur gets blanket review coverage (as publications will have their readership gaining exclusivity)..which is a worthwhile tradeoff even for a non-commercial game if the all the hard work ends up being appreciated by a wider audience, especially when a portion is dependent on print media.

Just to chime in on a few points about marketing. 

The product sells itself.  If the product is good, no matter how much marketing you provide, will sell and keep on selling for up to years.  Star Trek fans  are glued to the internet.  Many more fans will join this sight in the future once word has spread and the demo is out there.  In fact, a lot of new faces have shown up since I found out about this project.  So, marketing is a good philosophy, the product, if good enough will keep them coming back for more. 

[ii123]

Just to chime in on a few points about marketing. 

The product sells itself.  If the product is good, no matter how much marketing you provide, will sell and keep on selling for up to years.  Star Trek fans  are glued to the internet.  Many more fans will join this sight in the future once word has spread and the demo is out there.  In fact, a lot of new faces have shown up since I found out about this project.  So, marketing is a good philosophy, the product, if good enough will keep them coming back for more. 

Oh, yes, as far as the internet audience goes it should take care of itself..I suspect it's a critical mass thing..once popularity exceeds a certain point, the forums will be flooded..of course getting a kickstart with publicity at the beginning will accelerate dev of mods etc.

My post was more about people from the older generation, who aren't really gamers (and may have missed the computer game era altogether as the series started a long, long time ago..around 60s sometime if I recall) but whose childhood probably had trek as a major part (as star trek/doctor who represents more than just a series, and by extension Excalibur will represent more than just a game)..and would probably be interested nevertheless given the scope of the universe and Excalibur gameplay not being just about trivial move, look, click to shoot..

[webxro]

Let ME tell you something about marketing and advertising , if people don't know about your products they ( buyers ,public ) can't like and i can give some examples like Serenity and Idiocracy and the list can go on and on , so it  would be a good thing if we would have a article on every website we can , i've started to care about STE and i don't want to see it as a small ( in popularity ) game   developed by a small ( in numbers ) community and the game to be 20x better the what you would get on the market .

[zzz]

The product sells itself.

No it doesn't.

[Photorp Tech]

Be careful what you wish for!

Given the sheer amount of facets in Excalibur and the extent they are extended to, there no reason these forums should not get absolutely swamped like Infinity forum once word gets out. Perhaps waiting until the Encylopedia/wiki is online and having a subforum for 'already addressed questions/suggestions' to move topics into will save a billion routinely answered questions/suggestions from clogging discussion (Vegastrike has a categorised suggestion archive/summary in wiki with links to threads,which helps new users avoid having to read through long threads. This enables future modders and devs to look through relevant areas quickly to see if anything strikes their attention also).

That is a good point and I agree there should be a place for those topics.

[MajorD]

The product sells itself.

Only if it's the most awesome or useful product ever, like yogurt and Minecraft. Being a Star Trek product ensures people will try it, but that only goes so far.

[ii123]

I think Poseidon was making a comment about marketing in general, i.e. that word of mouth is also a viable means provided the product is extraordinarily good..and using, as an example, what has already happened to Excalibur with regards to new users and what would happen in theory without marketing..no need to worry..

[zzz]

CGI trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-galaxy-star-trek/706686

Let the histrionics over it being a combat-oriented game and not trying to simulate every single aspect of the ST universe commence.

[Black Patriot]

CGI trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-galaxy-star-trek/706686

Let the histrionics over it being a combat-oriented game and not trying to simulate every single aspect of the ST universe commence.

It's a browser based game, so the CGI is soft of setting everyone up for disappointment. Looks nice though, got to give them credit for that.

[Toxa]

CGI trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-galaxy-star-trek/706686

Let the histrionics over it being a combat-oriented game and not trying to simulate every single aspect of the ST universe commence.

Nice trailer

[MajorD]

CGI trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-galaxy-star-trek/706686

Let the histrionics over it being a combat-oriented game and not trying to simulate every single aspect of the ST universe commence.

Great trailer, Excalibur will probably look just like it once it's done.

I have no problem with a Trek game being pure combat as long as it is completely honest about the gameplay.

[Josh]

Good CGI Trailer, just wondering why the Defiant sounds like the Star Wars ship of Boba Fett, the Slave 1.