The MMORPG Star Trek Online has introduced a bundle of cosmetic items. However, not all items that were promised were included. The studio apologizes for the error. Some players see this as a system or at least dangerous behavior that leads to misleading advertising.
This is the situation: Star Trek Online advertised an item package called “Cross Faction Support Carrier Bundle” in a blog post on their site on August 17th.
The package contains 4 starships for Star Trek Online and four “Fleet Ship Modules” (via startrek). Additionally, according to the description, it was also supposed to include 5 “Master Keys”.
The package cost 8000 ZEN during a promotional period – later, the price would rise to 10,000 ZEN. Those who want 8000 ZEN in Star Trek Online pay about €80 for that.
As PCGamesN reports, the bundle with 4 ships was more expensive than bundles usually are. However, it included the 5 Master Keys, making it more worthwhile for players. A Master Key costs 125 ZEN; the keys are used to open loot boxes. 5 keys cost about €6.
This is the accusation: When the bundle went on sale a few days later, the 5 Master Keys were missing from the bundle.
Star Trek Online apologized on Twitter for the confusion caused: The blog post “incorrectly” stated that the bundle included Master Keys. However, that was not the case. The blog post was quietly updated afterward, and the passage was removed.
Players who had already purchased the bundle did not receive the keys additionally.
“You need to correct this”
This is the accusation: Some players accuse Cryptic of illegal behavior. This is “misleading advertising” or “bait and switch”: You show the customer something to lure them in, but then sell them something else.
This is not okay. If you advertise 5 keys, then you have to stick to that.
In this case, frustration is directed at Star Trek Online:
- More well-meaning critics on Twitter say the team urgently needs to revise the quality of blog posts and have them proofread better. This is something one could expect even during a pandemic.
- However, sharp critics argue that these mistakes are accumulating and are intended to extract more money from players. Similar behavior has already been noted by Cryptic in Neverwinter Online, says a user on reddit (via reddit). The topic was discussed in the large gaming showcase.
Ferengi Acquisition Rules are Divided in This Case
Players of Star Trek Online cite various acquisition rules of the Ferengi:
- On the one hand: “Good customers are as rare as Latinum. Value them.” (Acquisition Rule 57)
- However, Rule 239 states: “Never hesitate to mislabel a product.”
The Ferengi are an alien race in Star Trek that do not always adhere strictly to the principle of the “honest merchant”.
This is what it’s about: In any case, an annoying error in the blog post that negatively affects the players. One would hope for a more lenient solution as a player. For example, that the keys would still be added when the mistake clearly lies with the studio.
Star Trek Online is an unusual MMORPG in many ways. With the mix of space battles and ground combat, it provides an interesting perspective. For many fans of Star Trek, it is worth a visit because of the lore, but it also has some interesting gameplay ideas.
How the MMORPG plays solo, our author Maik Schneider knows exactly:
