A feature that set the two MMORPGs Neverwinter and Star Trek Online apart from competitors was the Foundry, which was designed to provide user-generated content. However, this toolset will soon be removed from the game, which will take away a lot of content from both MMORPGs.
The End of the Foundry
What is the Foundry? The Foundry is a toolset that allows anyone to create their own missions for the MMORPGs Neverwinter and Star Trek Online.
These missions can then be shared with other players. This resulted in both online games being supplied with a steady stream of new content.
Why is the Foundry being discontinued? The Foundry has always been somewhat problematic. There were technical issues, and content had to be approved.
However, as Cryptic Studios announced, the end of the toolset is coming now because the team lacks the earlier knowledge to continue supporting the Foundry. It would take a lot of time and resources to provide support and keep the toolset running.
What does this mean? This statement is interesting because it seems the team is lacking past knowledge. This means that employees who developed the Foundry are likely no longer part of the team. The question arises whether nobody is knowledgeable enough to improve and maintain the toolset.
No More User-Generated Content
What impact will this have on the MMORPGs? Even though Cryptic Studios states that they will continue working on content for Neverwinter and Star Trek Online, this means there will be less content. Even though the player-created missions were not always outstanding, fans of the online games always had something to do. This aspect will be gone.
When will the Foundry be shut down? The toolset will be shut down on April 11. Those who created content through the Foundry will receive some rewards in Neverwinter and Star Trek Online as recognition for their work. It is currently unclear whether the user-generated content created so far will be retained or not.
How does the community react? Players of Star Trek Online and Neverwinter are disappointed by this decision. However, the surprise is limited, as the end of the Foundry has been foreseeable for many. Very little has been done to the toolset in recent years:
- HeidyvonBach writes on Reddit: “The Foundry not only offered players fantastic, creative possibilities, it also made Star Trek Online something special in the sea of MMORPGs.”
- Alnakar says: “I think it was foreseeable, but it still hurts.”
And so the MMORPGs Neverwinter and Star Trek Online lose a unique feature. How this will affect the games in the long term remains to be seen.
