Indeed it was and almost certainly points the finger at what's coming next year.

My predictions:

End to the Klingon Federation war brought about by ensuing greater threats. A rebuilt Romulus and a new faction to group together with the other two and ward off the Borg and Iconians. Perhaps even the Borg will align with these three factions to oppose the Iconians? The future looks very interesting indeed.

I think he just chose the safe answer. If he'd said "Federation", the KDFers would have gone "We knew it!" If he'd said "Klingon", the KDFers would have called him a liar.

I hope you're right (well, maybe except for the Borg alliance part ) but I'm not super optimistic at this point.

Place your bets now on when the mission to build the Crucible to deal with the Iconian invasion gets rolled out.

Naw, he could easily have said "Both, I enjoy playing both factions equally" as many indeed do. DS has a habit of teasing the STO population and it has gotten him in trouble in the past, I think he only dares tease now if it's absolutely something he knows is going to happen.

Actually, I see his point. Think of it like a meriting system, similar to FFXI (for those who played it, reference not intended as a discussion of the same).

Once you reached cap there, the merit system was a way to acquire new abilities. I could see the parallel.

That being said, then yes, "lateral growth or advancement system" would be more accurate, as you are acheiving more within the same level. FFXI did this for years before they broke down and finally increased the level cap some three years ago.

It sounds about right. From what I can tell, the only way the Iconians can be defeated is if the Alpha (and Beta) quadrant can counteract the actions of the Iconian-provoked Undine, the Iconians themselves, and the servants of the Iconians (such as the Tal Shiar).

What other reason would they have for trying to make the galaxy self-destruct?

Then the KDFers would call him a liar anyway.

I don't think a Romulan faction is inevitable; in the last Ask Cryptic is sounded like it was still being debated. It was kind of ambiguous, though, so I guess anything could happen.

I certainly hope so.

These "interviews" are just replying to questions in an email. Even if he did 1 every day that would only take 15 mins at most. You apparently dont understand how the internet works

Dan Stahl has never lied about anything, ever, in the history of humankind.

EVAR.

i know how the internet works very well thx just not sure how cryptic works most of the time