Star Trek Online Needs an Expansion
If you check the Star Trek Online Wiki, you’ll find that there has been a steady stream of new content added to the MMORPG over the last 15 years. However, it doesn’t quite feel that way, mainly because more recent material seems weaker and less memorable. The last two major story arcs in STO have been somewhat lacklustre and demonstrably inferior to those that went before. Both Terran Gambit and Kings & Queens suffer from uninspired, repetitive ideas as well as an infrequent release schedule. Effectively weak stories have been dragged out over too much time. No doubt changes among the STO writing team have had an impact on content but it also seems that some of the newer stories have been tailored around whatever former Star Trek cast members that are available. As a result there has been a somewhat “square pegs in a round holes” aspect to both story arcs, where the pieces just don’t seem to fit together well.
Another factor that is leading to a sense of fatigue in STO is the never ending treadmill of events. If you want something quick and easy to get into, then STO always has some sort of event or activity going on. Events are devised that if you complete a specific number of Taskforce Operations or episodes from a story arc, you are rewarded with something “useful”. An armour set, or a ship’s console or even a Tier 6 ship. These can be beneficial but they are not essential to all players. A console that enhances plasma damage is of no use to you if you use disruptors on your ship’s build. And talking of ships, there comes a point when you simply don’t need anymore. I have several dozen and have been using an Inquiry Battlecruiser for the last three years. As the saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Which is why I think that STO would benefit greatly from the release of a new expansion for the game. This could include an increase in level cap, possibly a new tier of ship or some sort of tangential system. An additional reputation faction could be added as well. But the most fundamental requirement would be a well written, immersive and engaging story arc. Furthermore, rather than the standard, “the galaxy in peril” storyline, it would be preferable to have something based upon exploration and diplomacy with a new alien culture. A sociopolitical themed story that required thinking and making informed choices, rather than the usual “pew pew” Starfleet just kicked your ass, sort of stuff. A plot that is grounded more in the sort of intrigue we saw in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Sadly, I do not think this is going to happen. DECA Games have been responsible for the ongoing development of STO for over a year now and so far there have been no indication of any ambition beyond events, new ships and scaled down story arcs. No sign of an expansion of the calibre of Legacy of Romulus. There is a degree of similarity between STO and LOTRO (The Lord of the Rings Online) as both MMORPGs have loyal playerbases that effectively have nowhere else to go. Both communities are very accommodating and supportive of their respective games, often finding their own entertainment within the games. Unfortunately, the LOTRO community enjoys a more regular content schedule and a better calibre of writing. I suspect that it is only a matter of time before the STO community gets fed up with the status quo.
