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Engadget giveaway: win a 'Star Trek' prize package courtesy of ThinkGeek!
On September 8th, 1966, TV audiences were taken on a journey where no one had gone before. This was the date Star Trek first aired and whether you're a fan or not, it's likely made an impact. The 50th anniversary of this space adventure's first voyage is officially just two days away, and to celebrate, ThinkGeek has provided us with some serious Star Trek merch for one lucky reader. Think you'd ace the Kobayashi Maru? Try pitting your strategies against your friends in the Star Trek 50th Anniversary Risk game, or just sit on the couch and zap your TV with this phaser replica remote control. Motorola's StarTAC may have paved the way for real-world flip communicators, but now you can have the real thing (via Bluetooth). These and a pile of other spacey gadgets are all part of this week's prize package. Have no fear, though, everyone can stock up on all they want over at ThinkGeek. For up to three chances at winning this stack of Star Trek gear, all you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below. Live long and prosper! Winner: Congratulations to James D. of Los Angeles, CA!
Captain's Log: What's your (energy) type?
Captain's Log, Stardate 65244.9... Hello, computer (and players)! Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear meeeeeee, happy birthday to me. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yes, today is my birthday, and the best present I could receive is being able to share this week's Captain's Log with you all. As we get closer and closer to the F2P re-launch of Star Trek Online, I expect that there will be new captains tuning into this column each week, so to help support our new comrades in between the weeks that feature an influx of breaking news and developments, I am going to be taking some time to educate everyone on a few of the game's mechanics. When I first started playing STO, I often found myself wondering about many of the choices available to my different characters. From armor to shields, deflectors to engines, and kits to weapons, there is an endless array of options that we can decide to play with and use. One of the most frequently asked questions I get from new players is, "What is the best energy type to use for my ship's weapons?" In the past, when I really did not know much, I would choose my type by the color it emitted. I now know that "pretty" does not equal "power." While each type has its own special bonuses, it's up to you to decide which to use and why. Here's to hoping I can aid in that decision. Ensign, warp 10! Let's take a look at the spectrum of colors and their abilities...
12 new Star Trek Online screens to warm your Klingon heart
Sometimes you get a phaser blast to the face, and other times you get 12 new Star Trek Online screenshots courtesy of Cryptic Studios. Guess which one is today? Oh, we left our phasers at home so you'll have to make due with these 12 new screens. Good thing we had those on standby for just this occasion. Violent threats involving energy weapons capable of vaporizing you in mere seconds aside, these are some substantially great screens. Whether it's some Cardassian love seen here (SFW, it's not literally alien love making) or various gratuitous space shots elsewhere, there's a whole heck of a lot to soak in visually. And with beta now just beginning, we're sure to have plenty more where this came as the weeks slip on by at sub-space speeds.%Gallery-28615%
First Starfleet ship detailed for Star Trek Online
The Star Trek Online official website has a Christmas day present in the form of the first ship description and details. While there's no actual in-game goodies, it's the first information we've been given on something that will probably end up in the final code of the game. We even a pretty good ship to start with: an iteration of the sexy Sovereign-class ship seen in the last Next Generation movies.If there was ever any doubt that there wouldn't be much combat in the game, the NX-91001 (or as we like to call it, "The Nixy") is armed with 16 heavy-duty phaser arrays and 8 torpedoes. For the sci-fi tech nerds out there, the computer systems use a "Bioneural circuitry" that mimics organic neurons for super-crazy-fast computing. And no Star Trek ship would be complete without regenerative shields. Although this ship also boasts some incredibly thick future-alloy armor, as well.We know Star Trek isn't all about combat, and we hope Star Trek Online will be more than that, but there's no denying that the allure of hopping into the bridge of this ship and kicking some space-butt is strong.
Diverting information from shields to weapons in newest STO Ask Cryptic
This edition of Ask Cryptic is especially interesting for Star Trek fans wanting to know how combat is going to play out in Cryptic's Star Trek Online. We now know that it will be possible to divert power from one system in the game to another. So a player will be able to drop engines by 40% and boost weapons with that diverted power, allowing them to make a heavier attack.Related to this is the new knowledge that there won't be a "mana bar" style power system in the game. Players will never have to worry about being able to fire their phasers because their energy is too low, but of course if they divert too much power from said phasers they won't be hitting very hard with them. Another possibility -- although unconfirmed as far as we know -- would be if your phasers were damaged too much from concentrated fire.Finally, we're happy to hear that Cryptic is certain that a grouping of smaller ships will definitely be able to take down a larger battleship. This means that Star Trek Online's leveling system will not be the norm, another plus for anyone hoping that the game won't be "WoW with starships" or anything of the sort.
Star Trek HD DVD phaser promo details uncloaked
All you trekkies who picked up a new Toshiba HD DVD player and the Star Trek: The Original Series set to go along with your new toy, perk up your ears Vulcan style. You should already know the CBS-Toshiba Federation have a phaser-styled remote promotion just for you. A $70 value, the remote will operate any Toshiba HD DVD player (if you have a HD DVD player, chances are it's a Toshiba) with Trek-style lights (ooh) and sounds (ahh). It's the perfect way to stay "in character" as you plow through the 10 disc set. In a press release, Toshiba and CBS direct you to a website to claim your phaser; but get to it right away -- the promotion only runs until February 29, or until the limited supply of this Federation-issue sidearm run out.
Make your own Blu-ray phaser
For the cost of one replica Star Trek phaser and one PlayStation 3, you can have your own blue-beamed version of Captain Kirk's weapon of choice. It's a steep price, to be sure, but think of how impressed the ladies at the Sci-Fi Expo would be with this sexy piece of machinery in hand. What would Shatner do?Instructables has the full rundown on how to turn your gaming monolith into futuristic weaponry. Now we just have to wait for someone to create an HD-DVD phaser, and watch as millions of fanboys argue about which one is better.[Via GameSpot]
The Blu-ray Phaser defends dorks from the HD DVD borg
If the intersection of 1st and 1st in the East Village is the nexus of the universe, then this Blu-ray Laser Phaser is easily the nerdom equivalent. Kipkay -- already Internet-famous for his phone line and remote control hacks -- crosses a toy Star Trek phaser with the PlayStation 3's laser assembly for a weapon of retina sizzling proportions. Check the video after the break for all the hot dremeling action. [Via Blogmond]
Buy Star Trek: TOS HD DVD and a Toshiba HD DVD player, get an uber-rare Phaser remote
If you somehow managed to hold off on picking up a Toshiba HD DVD player along with eight free titles, and you eat, sleep, and breathe Star Trek, we've got a feeling your resistance is futile. In an admittedly interesting promotional move, Toshiba has teamed with CBS to offer those who purchase Star Trek: The Original Series HD DVD box set and any Toshiba HD DVD player a "limited edition Star Trek Phaser remote" that will operate Tosh's HD DVD players. Regrettably, there's no mention as to how many of these things will actually be handed out, but if you're even remotely (ahem) interested, we'd be on the ball as soon as the set lands.
