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Will the Iconian Story End?
Captain's Blog Stardate 92480.55
Since very early on in STO's story the Iconians have played a huge part. They've been the driving force behind nearly every war that has or is being fought in the game. Without giving away any spoilers I'd like to say that the newest episode to the Delta Quadrant story line revealed more Iconian information, especially in the dialog at the end.
The ending of "What's Left Behind" has made me wonder, how close are we to the end of the Iconian story? I don't doubt Cryptic's ability to drag this story out but at some point it does have to end... doesn't it? Don't we all want the exciting conclusion to a story that has been years in the making? The final confrontation against an enemy so advanced that it takes every power in the galaxy to defeat them? Friends and enemies alike joined together in a common goal! That sounds amazing to me.
There's still so much to explore though and more mysteries that need resolving. If you played the story on Kobali Prime you'll know about the cliffhanger at the end (no spoilers in the comments please). A character has returned at the end of "What's Left Behind" and what will happen to this person? We still have enemies in the Borg, Undine, Elachi, and more. We also have many new allies. When are we returning to the Gamma Quadrant for more exploration and missions. There's still a whole galaxy of adventures just waiting for us.
I guess that's the beauty of STO and Star Trek in general, there's so much that can be used as part of the story. Still, the Iconian should come to an end at some point. When it does, what will the next story be about? Who will be the next enemy? A final defeat of the Borg and Undine? Do the Kelvans return? Is there another force out there who wants to do us harm?
In the comments use your imagination. If the Iconian story were to end what would put the next step for Star Trek Online? Personally, I'd just be happy with some good ol' fashioned exploration of strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Written by Attilio on November 16, 2014 at 09:55 pm
Comments
November 17, 2014 at 12:09 am
The Iconian story line could literally go for a couple more seasons in the game before people start getting tired of it. The writers have done a good job of giving little glimpses and touches of "things unseen" in multiple places through the game. That's actually a nice hallmark for a good story. Keep the reader guessing until the last chapter.
But, it is time to begin ranging out to "strange new worlds" again. We've explored the Alpha and Delta quadrants fairly thoroughly at this point. The Gamma quadrant doesn't exactly want us around, so that leaves the Beta quadrant. I'd suggest a non-story line type exploration pattern. Start off on a path to a random generation star cluster and start snooping. Maybe you only find one planet with life out of every ten or so. Once a cluster is explored, you can return to the Alpha quadrant to pick up a new cluster mission.
I can dream.
November 17, 2014 at 05:54 am
Well, I do not think, that the Iconian Storyline is at an end yet. In "Surface Tension", the Iconians warned us not to attract their attention again. I'd say, that what we did in the Delta Quadrant surely qualifies as attracting their Attention.
Ever since Deep Space Nine and Voyager, we should exercise patience and trust that the Story eventually will come to an end.
As we already seen much of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, the next step should be into the Gamma Quadrant. I trust that the Dominion has become far more peaceful, ever since the Founders were healed by Odo. I wonder, if Rene Auberjonois would reprise his role. There is so much potential to really return to peaceful exploration or relief missions in the Gamma Quadrant. Maybe the Prophets themselves could return to us as may their Emissary.
The possibilities seem endless as we know little about the Gamma Quadrant. All Cryptic needs to do is use their imaginary to their fullest.
November 17, 2014 at 10:42 am
"The trial never ends" (makes me wonder if the whole thing was set up by Q as a test). The beauty of this game and of trek in general is that the "story" is ongoing. Also keeping the Iconians in the shadows as much as possible adds to their mystique. We know things are about to get crazy when they do decide to show up. Right now the game has a very DS9 like (serialized storytelling) vibe which is good. I also agree that we should head out to the Gamma Quadrant, but I've argued that it should happen earlier in the story alongside making the cardassians playable. I agree with TacPaddy that we do not know who else is in the GQ so story telling is endless.
I'd say when the Iconians are finally defeated, the devs transition us to more episodic storytelling akin to TOS/TNG/VOY. Though this is already going on in the Foundry. Perhaps future seasons will consist of Dev created episodes and selected foundry missions.
On final minor note on the story is that I think for the Romulan story they need to make the civil war have a definative ending. Unless they consider Brea III to be the last battle. Would be fun to take part in helping the Republic create a new government with classic Romulan and republican ideals.
November 17, 2014 at 05:07 pm
I do not think the Iconians will go anywhere before Expansion 4 hits (more or less). Anyways, other major potential villains we have not yet seen (sufficiently) in STO would be the already mentioned Kelvans and the Sheliak. I do not think the Talarians, the Tzenkethi, the Dominion, or the Son'a have the potential/charisma to become "super-villains". I am also sceptical about villains from the future à la Temporal Cold War. Although the Sphere Builders and Nakuhl do have a certain appeal to them, I have my doubts Cryptic is going to majorly expand upon a theme whichw as already unpopular during the run of Star Trek: Enterprise (and was a main reason for its cancellation imo).
Reply to Akira-senseiNovember 24, 2014 at 01:19 pm
If Cryptic does do the Temporal Cold War, it would be funny to a degree since that was the most stupid thing that came from the Star Trek: Enterprise. Though if they do they might have some reason why the Temporal Cold WAR IS STILL GOING ON. lol
Reply to ShadowCallerLightNovember 17, 2014 at 11:47 pm
At the end of the Fek'Ihri missions for KDF players, there was a reference to the Hur'q. If I remember correctly, the Hur'q were from the Gamma Quadrant. That seemed like it was setting up for another potential "behind the scenes" villain race as well as establishing a reason for heading to the Gamma Quadrant. Hopefully, Cryptic decides to follow up on that setup. It would also be nice for the KDF to take the lead on a feature mission arc for a change with the Federation and Romulans helping out the Klingons.
Reply to Chan'FeilaxNovember 18, 2014 at 01:51 pm
I would like to see both Gamma quadrant stuff and a continuation of the delta rising season....
but if cryptic continue they trend the next season will be PvE stuff. I hope im wrong. I prefer the episode format stuff.
incidently can anyone tell me if the rank pins change for fleet admiral? i just made lvl 60 and cant change my rank to fleet admiral (5 pins) im stuck at 4 pins....
November 18, 2014 at 03:35 pm
Unfortunately the Fleet Admiral pips are not in the game yet. Hopefully they'll be added soon.
Reply to AttilioNovember 22, 2014 at 08:08 am
The Iconian Story can go on for eternity. Especially since they invaded Andromeda, and we know the kelvan empire wants to evacuate andromeda due to raising radiation levels (mmh, did some "bomb" go off or something like that?) I am quite sure we will either see the kelvans as enemies or friends in one of the next seasons or expansions, when we will use an Iconian gateway to invade Andromeda, and kill where no man has killed before.
If we get a next season or expansion, as Cryptic is really trying to crash STO.
November 27, 2014 at 12:46 pm
You mention in another blog post about other stories for the future of STO, and in this one you elude to bringing all known friends and enemies together for one big push against the Iconians. What if as a future expansion, STO actually moved into the Gamma Quadrant, with the few known Gamma Quadrant races facing a power they don't understand (including the extinction of the founders). In the end, it's the Iconians, and it takes all races from all fronts to take them down. Then, as a show of good will, we are allowed to them explore the GQ.
We would end up with access to all four galactic quadrants, with plenty of room for exploration (i.e. including content from the foundry), which would slowly open up more sectors one by one...
Just a thought our two...
January 23, 2015 at 08:42 pm
I think that the storyline should continue to follow the Iconians, as it could go on for at least another 4 seasons. And, even if the Kelvan Empire is not added, we still have the Nacene (The Caretaker's species) that seem to be similar in ideals to the Federation, so the storyline could continue potentially indefinately. This sounds like DS9 right before the war started... but when the sh*t hits the fan, I will be there shooting Iconians from the skies.
P.S-Star Wars takes place in Andromeda, but aproxametely 2,000,000 (2 million) years before Iconians knew how to start a fire.
January 23, 2015 at 08:49 pm
I almost forgot, It could be possible that the Iconians are in a much larger war, that of two Type III civilizations on the Kardashev Scale (Type III is capable of wormhole or gateway travel, Type IV are like gods, such as Q, and Type V+ are above the universe itself. The Galactic powers are Types I and II, and the most common reference for a Type III civ would be the Galactic [Sith] Empire of Star Wars) Anyways, these 2 powers could be fighting for whole galaxies, or even clusters. The Iconians would have started this conflict with victory in mind; but get a nasty suprise, akin to the Borg-Species 8472 War of 2373. They need all resources and cannot fight thier enemies, and the allied Milky Way, so they say, "Do not attract our attention.." Much like when 15 Borg Cubes completely IGNORED Voyager in Scorpion.
Reply to drtrololo