star-trek-online
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Star Trek Online wallpapers are 75% generic, 25% gorgeous
There's been a dearth of Star Trek Online news or information these past few weeks. We've been upset about it. Cryptic just broke radio science at long last, though: four Star Trek Online wallpapers have been posted at the game site. We've got all of 'em here for you to see, but head over to the official gallery for the full breadth of resolution choices. One of them is a rare in-game glimpse at a planet surface. It looks gorgeous, although we're suddenly worried about the minimum system requirements. Hopefully those nice lighting and shadow effects will scale back for low-end desktops and notebooks. %Gallery-33932%
The Daily Grind: Sick of high fantasy yet?
Alright, we get it. The high fantasy genre is popular. It became massively popular with J.R.R. Tolkien's massively popular The Lord of the Rings trilogy of books, which then became massively popular, massively expensive movies, and now all that has turned into a slightly less massively popular but still impressive massively multiplayer game called The Lord of the Rings Online. Of course, before LotRO there were already lots of high fantasy MMOs. Like, almost all of them, including Ultima Online, EverQuest, Final Fantasy XI, and World of Warcraft. Now there's Warhammer Online. If we're gonna be technical, Warhammer precedes all of these except for The Lord of the Rings and Ultima, but let's at least try to stay grounded here. Point is, developers and publishers keep doing high fantasy MMOs, and players keep buying them.There are a few samples from other genres on the way -- Star Trek Online and The Agency, for example. But non-fantasy MMOs have had a difficult history. The only very succesful ones have been City of Heroes and EVE Online. Maybe Star Wars Galaxies or Anarchy Online, but that's being awfully generous. So really, ya'll; are you sick of this fantasy thing yet? Are you ready to give Sci-Fi another chance, or even something based on (prepare to gasp) the real world?
Revealed: Star Trek Online ship classes and more customization
It's that time again! The latest issue of "Ask Cryptic" has found its way onto the internet. It includes answers from the development team to six Star Trek Online-related questions.Here's the critical information up front! The ships in the game are based off of canon ships such as the Enterprise and the Defiant. Ships will be divided into three categories: Cruisers, Escorts, and Science Vessels. Any player character will be able to train to use any ship, although his or her specialized crew and attributes will affect its performance. Starfleet and Klingon uniforms will be highly customizable, as will bridge officers (including name, race, appearance, and gender). Ground PvP will be in the game, and PvP instances probably will be too.Finally -- and perhaps best of all -- the article teases playable Horta and 3D chess games as planned-for post-launch content. But how can the Horta play 3D chess with no appendages? Oh, they don't necessarily mean they'll be playable at the same time. Okay. Or do they?
Star Trek Online is Game Informer's October cover story
Magazine Game Informer's October issue (due to appear on stands any day now) will feature a ten page report on Star Trek Online, with new information and artwork. The game even graces the cover of the issue, which can already be seen online (to the right here). It's not a screenshot, though. It's just some artwork depicting Sovereign and Galaxy class starships.Previously featured articles in Game Informer have generally been quite substantial; they have combined tons of new images with descriptions of gameplay and dozens of quotes from developers. We haven't seen the STO piece yet, but it's probably worth flipping through at your local newsstand.There has to be at least something new to fill up ten pages, right? There probably aren't ten pages worth of info on the game out there at this point!
Ask Cryptic explains how Star Trek Online will handle canon
The latest Ask Cryptic focusing on Star Trek Online addresses a number of questions sci-fi fans have about where the IP is heading in the MMO space. Not surprisingly, many of the questions asked of Cryptic deal with how well they'll adhere to Star Trek canon. The Cryptic Studios devs were asked about how they would handle the iconic story and characters of Star Trek, namely with voiceovers and cut scenes. The devs state that Star Trek Online avoids issues of tampering with Trekkie canon by setting the game in 2409, a good 30 years after Star Trek: Nemesis and Star Trek: Voyager. So while some of the locales familiar to Star Trek fans will be present in the game, players shouldn't expect to bump into any (or many) familiar faces.
Star Trek Online official site offers free history lesson
Cryptic Studios promised that it would explain what happens in the Star Trek universe between the film Star Trek: Nemesis (the last canon entry in the franchise) and the time period of Star Trek Online. Fulfilling that promise, it posted on the official STO website the first of a series of articles of fiction describing events from Nemesis onward.The article covers 2379 and 2380. Hardcore Trekkies or Trekkers will be satisfied to find that canon is respected, right down to details such as the number of Cardassian casualties in the Dominion War, as revealed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. We're not sure what we think of the idea that pretty much every character, no matter how minor (such as Keiko O'Brien) moved on to an historically significant role. It's probably meant to please the fans but it seems like a bit of a stretch.The Star Trek franchise is already known for that sort of stretching though; that's one of the reasons we love it so much, right?
A Star Trek Online interview about time travel and travel time
We've said before that the main source of information on Star Trek Online at this point is hints and implications peppered through interviews with Cryptic Studios' Jack Emmert. The latest of those interviews is lighter on details than were previous conversations, but it's still worth a read.Speaking to Ten Ton Hammer at Gen Con, Emmert started out vaguely answering questions about character customization. Nothing new there. But it got a bit more interesting when he used time travel as an example of something pivotal to the franchise, but that's made difficult to implement by technological and budgetary limitations. He spoke as if he'd already given a great deal of thought to it; perhaps that's a clue that despite the problems, time travel is something Cryptic intends to put in the game.Other topics included the uniqueness of Star Trek ship design, instancing, procedurally-generated areas for exploration, and travel time.
First Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online addresses ship customization
The very first Ask Cryptic leveled at Star Trek Online takes some time to address cannon questions about the game. With regards to whether or not Cryptic plans to make the game as close as possible to the official canon, worry not. They're watching and re-watching all the TV shows and movies to make sure your Gorn attacks are as authentic as possible. They've also received all the sound effects featured in the movies and TV series from CBS. So your phaser blasts and teleports will sound pitch-perfect. As for the music, Michael Henry -- Cryptic's director of audio -- has been a huge trek fan for a long number of years. So plan on hearing music both new and old that helps recall you to many a days spent watching Star Trek.Other answers include adherence to exploration as an "integral" and encouraged aspect of the game, not just a side thought. We really like hearing that said. Although, what we especially like hearing is further confirmation that extensive customization (a Cryptic trademark, really) for both interiors and exteriors of player ships is definitely part of the game. Now we can finally dress our Klingon ships in bright pink stripes, oh happy day!
Some fresh Star Trek Online customization info (for humanoids only)
Cryptic Studios made clear the basic framework of its vision for Star Trek Online immediately after announcing the game, but the occasional interview or FAQ has revealed greater detail over the past few days. The latest example is a video interview at MMORPG with Cryptic's Jack Emmert, who in the interview reveals specifics about character, race, and starship customization. He also talks about Cryptic's relationship with the previous holders of the Star Trek Online mantle, Perpetual Entertainment.As far as the customization goes, you'll be able to customize the "skin, eyebrows, antennae, and hair" of your characters and races. At launch, it's likely that all players will be humanoids. Ship geometry, colors, decals, names, and even serial numbers can all be set by players. It sounds like they'll use basic "kits" of tools based on which faction (Federation or Klingon) they choose.Emmert also says that "war games" within factions would be possible, allowing players to engage in PvP with members of their own factions in a limited way. He doesn't sound at all certain that it will be possible at launch, though.
The Daily Grind: Is WAR the WoW killer?
The Warhammer Online NDA has been lifted, and a veritable tidal wave of WAR-related information has struck the internet. The open beta test is imminent, but countless pre-order customers are already in the closed beta. The game's launch is only a month away! So this is a great time to ask for your predictions: is Warhammer Online the long-awaited World of Warcraft killer?Some folks hoped it would be Age of Conan, but while that game is doing all right, it hasn't lived up for the hype for everyone. Are all your hopes placed in WAR now, or will it take BioWare's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Online or Cryptic's Star Trek Online to move the genre into the next era? Hell, maybe WoW will never be dethroned by one game.Make your predictions here, but we have a disclaimer: we won't be held responsible for any shame and embarrassment when you're proven way off base in the future!
The Digital Continuum: Pondering Star Trek Online
As a kid, I grew up on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Mostly because my parents watched it constantly, but also because I found that I enjoyed the show. Another staple of my nerd-influenced upbringing was a steady diet of Star Trek movies. Since those formative years I've also watched Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5, Voyager and more recently Battlestar Galactica. So it's safe to say I'm at least a casual sci-fi and space nerd. In fact, when I'm not entrenched in some form of entertainment, I tend to spend my extra time over at the official website of Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Of course Star Trek has never been purely about Science. It's always been -- to me, at least -- a mixture of social-political issues, engaging drama and several degrees of actual science. Different writers and directors have, over several decades, writ large their envisioned versions of Star Trek, with varying amounts of the three critical factors that make up a Star Trek experience. So, obviously, I now find myself wondering what Cryptic Studio's massively multiplayer online version is going to be like.
Star Trek Online could have cross-platform play
Think about it, is it really very strange that Star Trek Online could have cross-platform play? After all, Captain Kirk had all kinds of cross-species lovin', so why not? According to the Star Trek Online FAQ, the upcoming muhmohrpuguh from Cryptic Studios might have cross-platform play between the PC and it's console cousins. Regarding the possibility, the FAQ states "We would like that to be the case. There is nothing technologically keeping us from making it so." It's not an outright declaration that there will be cross-platform play, but it's not a denial either.For the sake of peace throughout the galaxy, let's hope that Cryptic does indeed make it so.[Via Joystiq]
Star Trek Online FAQ hints at cross-platform play
It's the first question everyone has when confronted with an MMO targeted for both PCs and consoles: "Will console and PC players be on the same servers?" Lucky for us, the MMO nerds at Cryptic expected your (frankly) predictable inquiry and met it with the following response, helpfully contained on Star Trek Online's official FAQ page: "We would like that to be the case. There is nothing technologically keeping us from making it so." The more astute amongst you will undoubtedly taken note note that the above response is not technically the same as "yes" but it perhaps gets us one step closer to having an MMO besides Final Fantasy XI that actually plays across platforms.Until then, we'll toss Star Trek Online into the same pile as other MMOs that are considering cross-platform play but have yet to actually deliver it: The Agency, DC Universe Online, Age of Conan, and Cryptic's own Champions Online. Wanna make it off that list, Cryptic? Make it so. %Gallery-28626%
The Daily Grind: The Federation or the Klingons?
Star Trek Online details have been flooding in since the Las Vegas announcement. Everyone who's interested has his or her favorite bit of info about the game, but hardcore Trek fans might make the case that the biggest news is that the two factions in the game will be the Federation and the Klingons. After a century of (only occasionally broken) peace, the two old enemies are clashing once again!Turns out the first choice you'll make as a new player will be choosing between the two factions. So which one will you choose? Will you join the United Federation of Planets, an idealistic democracy and diverse coalition of races that Roddenberry based on the (perhaps unreal) American ideal? Or will you take the path of Awesome™ and choose the Klingon Empire, a battle-crazed, feudalistic warrior culture dedicated to honorable bloodshed?
Star Trek Online FAQ describes PvP rules
Even more Star Trek Online information has beamed in. This time, it's in the FAQ page just published by Cryptic Studios. The FAQ is a good place to catch up on the highlights from the recent revelations, but there's new stuff too.The most substantial revelation is that there won't be PvP, PvE, or RP server types as in World of Warcraft and other games. There will only be one server type. There will be far-flung regions of space in which open PvP will be possible. In the nuetral zone (the border between factions), consensual PvP engagements will occur. It's implied that PvP will not be possible deep within Federation or Klingon space.Oh, and the FAQ includes some grim news for certain would-be players. It turns out that you'll actually need an internet connection to play Star Trek Online! Oh man! Say it ain't so! That's unacceptable, right? Maybe we should start a petition.
Podcast interviews two Star Trek Online guys, gets lots of new info
Star Trek gaming podcast Hailing Frequency interviewed Cryptic Studios Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert in the wake of the big Las Vegas unveiling of Star Trek Online. The two part interview is available in both audio and video, and it's one of the best sources of details beyond the unveiling video itself at this point.There are a lot of reveals and hints in the interview. Some examples of interview topics: post-launch plans for user-generated content, an economy without a monetary currency, and details about starship combat. Emmert speculates that cross-platform play and non-region-specific servers are possible, but that no final determinations have been made. Listen to the interview for more!Hailing Frequency also spoke with STO's new community manager, JR Sutich, who is better known to folks in the MMO community as Razor. He was a regular writer at WarCry before he started with Cryptic. That interview, also available in both audio and video, deals exclusively with the game's community and forums.
Liveblog, info, videos and more from the Star Trek Online livecast
Last night we noted that videos and information had become available from the grand unveiling of Star Trek Online, Cryptic's newest in-development game. While there isn't a ton of information out there, there is quite a bit of coverage, and we've got the rundown for you this morning. Our own sister site Big Download has a great highlight reel from the event, noting that there are only going to be two factions at game launch. 1up has an extensive liveblog of the event, which gets point for catching all the nuances but is at about Warp Factor 8 for Trekkie-hating snark.Though the liveblog gives the idea short shrift, we think the thought that you might be able to go onto other players' ships is particularly interesting. Player-created content, perhaps? Combine that with a Web 2.0 website where players can show off their ships online, and you've got a deep space version of Better Homes and Gardens. The official site offers something almost as good as a home decoration magazine: a chance to win a lifetime subscription to STO when it is released. Check out the official website for details, and navigate your craft over to West Karana for our own Brenda Holloway's lovingly-cynical take on the announcement. Finally, you can click through below the cut for the trailer and Jack's introduction by Leonard Nimoy.
Star Trek Online gameplay trailer debuts
Welcome, Trekkies! [Insert clever Star Trek reference here] Cryptic Studios has beamed up (har) a gameplay trailer for Star Trek Online as it debuted today at the Star Trek Experience Event in Las Vegas. All footage is in-game, according to the developer. As revealed earlier, you'll be able to create your own alien species to play as, possibly even a Super Smurf (our conjecture). We imagine the cartoony art style will have a better reception than, say, Diablo 3.The trailer is available via the official site; we've also made a new gallery of images from the trailer if you're too impatient to download. (Update: Video embedded after the break.)%Gallery-29372%
Cryptic reveals first Star Trek Online in-game trailer
This download is for all of you -- us included -- who've been patiently awaiting the arrival of some in-game footage of Cryptic's Star Trek Online. Everything you're seeing in this trailer is in-game footage and while the art direction is a tiny bit "cartoonish" for our tastes it's certainly not bad by any means. Though we do have to admit that EVE Online looks like it may trump Star Trek Online in terms of shockingly beautiful objects floating around in space. It's still early though so all bets are off. In fact, for all we know there could be some crazy black holes or binary star systems just waiting for the chance to grab ahold of our jaws and slam them to the floor.We do have to admit that the combat looked pretty well developed for a game that just got announced. The fact that there's both space-battles and in-ship battles being shown in the first trailer gives us hope for an earlier-than-expected release date. We guess that we'll just whittle our time away with some superhero MMO until that time comes. Right, Cryptic?
Associated Press reveals new Star Trek Online details
We're just hours away from Cryptic's world reveal of Star Trek Online during the Star Trek Experience event in Las Vegas, but those wishing to jump the phaser on all the hubbub would be wise to read a recent AP interview with Cryptic Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert. In said interview, a number of intriguing details about the MMO are revealed -- chief among these include word that players will be able to choose an alien species to play as, or create their own, in an uncharacteristic show of disregard for Star Trek canon.New players will then captain their own Starfleet or Klingon ship, the size and crew of which will grow as the player progresses. Players will also be able to leave their ships to explore planets in true Trek fashion. Don't expect to see many familiar, pointy-eared faces on your travels, however -- Emmert explained that the game takes place "a few generations" after the last Star Trek film. It seems your best bet of running into Shatner in an MMO is to continue searching World of Warcraft for a shaman with unusual vocalized pauses.[Via 1UP]
