On the 'vocal minority' point, I don't buy it when that card is played.

I don't see Cryptic taking in game surveys to find the opinion of the silent majority, so how can they have any reason to believe that the vocal minority here on the forums is not representative of the entire game population, when statistically, it should.

It's just a convenient card they can play whenever it suits them, despite the claim having ittle basis.

Uhm, yes? Because most of those likes were achieved long before the drawing that was announced yesterday?

You have a point though. Yes, Crytpic is trying to bump up it's FB likes - why? Because when they post on FB those who "liked" it will get their post on their home page....Yes, it's all about the advertising. Of course it is - but that's what the entertainment industry is based on : advertising reach...

They can monitor game activity of players. Take lock boxes for example. People on the forums may whine and complain a lot on the forums, but there sure are a lot of people in game selling keys, opening boxes, and flying around in their new D'Koras.

The forums are not representative of the player base. The forums are representative of the player base that cares enough to write forum posts.

I realize you're speaking from bitter experience, but look at the words you're using. Is everyone on a forum this way? Is even the majority of people on a game's forum like this? I would say not. Exhibit A: You. =) I get the strong impression that the 'vermin' as you call them -- really? "vermin?" -- are not even a majority.

You did point out one important thing, however:

We're all here because we have a vested emotional interest in the game. Including, as you call them, the 'vermin.'

There are plenty of fine posters, and there are plenty who are not.

I can acknowledge those that are worthy of the title "Forum Vermin" without thinking it applies to the entire community.

But, it is those individuals who are worthy of that title that cause the problems, and are the individuals whom I reference with that term.

I don't worry much about using the term, because if a person isn't worthy of it, they shouldn't feel as tho I am talking about them. If it pings at ones conscious, then that is a personal matter.

I just find it... unhelpful. While I get that some of the more vitriolic posts are not constructive, blind apologetics for Cryptic (which, as a matter of record, I do NOT consider the OP to be) don't help, either. Bad decisions and bad behavior must be called out as such... which I guess, does kind of harken back to what you were saying.

Bah, nevermind, I lack caffeine. =) I think I see what you're getting at; I just see it as pretty much as unhelpful as someone spewing names at the devs, but I guess at that point 'helpful' isn't the goal.

The STO forums are largely a "wretched hive of scum and villainy" (to borrow from another IP) - anyone that tries to post something positive is marginalized with insults about being "too new" or a "fanboy" or what have you.

I think STO is great - see: http://forums.startrekonline.com/sho...d.php?t=266583

I stick around the forums despite it being a den of rage and hate because I consider myself a Starfleet descendant of Fansy the Bard.

They've added 540 fans since I started the OP.

Call me an apologist all you want. It is no secret I applied for a job with them and it fell through. That doesn't mean I'm going to have an instant dislike for them or unadulterated love for them. This is a great game and has the potential to be even better!

I'm merely pointing out that the general opinion of the forum masses does not reflect the general opinion of the rest of the player base. Forum users may be more vocal about their feedback; that doesn't mean they represent the majority.

Sorry, make that 546.

Ahh, where to start.

Firstly, please don't tell me what I should and shouldn't do on these forums. Cryptic can, you cannot. I don't come to Massively and tell you what to write do I?

Your extremely Pro Cryptic and your view points extremely biased, however I will say that you last article was a surprise and a good read and completely threw me.

That said, I will offer what I think Cryptic should do for what it's worth.

1. Lifers and Subbers should get 1 item, FOC from the C-Store every month. No Stipend any item.
2. Lower the prices of C-Store Items to small amounts for costumes and £10 for ships.
3. Get rid of Dilithuim. Make the C-Store the main cash focus, by making the prices so good, even I would buy something.
4. Go for broke. PW have cash so why not take a loss in revenue at first, by finishing off the Klingon faction, adding another full faction,more PVP maps. 1 F/E a month, STFs, better crafting. All this could bring people back to play and buy items as a by product. Even charge for some of these things (ala DLC). Would I pay for a full Romulan faction inculding ships, I would and so would others.

Turn this game into a AAA title that the IP deserves.

Guess what though, it's all pie in the sky. I may care about the IP, Cryptic may care about the IP, but PW doesn't, hence why we are where we are.

I work in a very large hospital... (over 350 Nurses alone, about 180 Dr's.)

I gotta tell ya..., just about every single Nurse & most of the Dr's. (male & female) that I have talked to (and that's most of them over my 35 year career), now have a Facebook Account.

The RN's I work with directly, are constantly checking their FBA's with their cellphones & iPads.
(and constantly haranguing me to update my FBA, so they can post on my wall and get whatever it is that Famville gives them. )

These are Mature Adults I'm talking about...

I wouldn't be so quick to brush this off as being insignificant.

BTW: I care about STO also (but Not-So-Much, about Farmville).