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Cryptic officially announces Star Trek Online
We may have spoiled Cryptic's little surprise, but even though we were pretty sure we knew what this whole countdown business was about, when midnight pacific time rolled around, we headed over to Cryptic's website to see what would happen next. We were immediately met by errors saying the server failed to respond as geeks world-wide attempted to do the same thing, but when we finally got through, we received the exciting launch message above and the count-down link had been swapped for a banner linking to the Star Trek Online homepage. For those of you concerned by the thought of your favorite sci-fi franchise being shoddily moved to MMO territory (and, come on, if you're Star Trek fans you must be used to the name being a bit abused), we were reassured by Jack Emmert's letter to the community: There are few other fictional backgrounds that fit the MMORPG medium so well. After all, Star Trek was never about a single character, ship or even planet; Star Trek was always about an entire universe. And MMORPGs are uniquely suited to create such a thing and allow players to explore every inch. Admittedly, Star Trek has its challenges. We want to make a game that best captures the real essence of Star Trek. We see Star Trek as much about exploration as combat. As much about the variety of alien civilizations as it is about the core Vulcans, Klingons, Humans, etc. It's going to be an exciting ride over the coming months as we begin to unveil STO. I can't wait. For those of you who can't get enough STO news, on August 10th Cryptic will be unveiling the first gameplay footage at the Official Star Trek Convention in Vegas (if you aren't going to be there, never fear -- they'll stream it on the web, too!) and there are new forums packed full of fans for you to geek out with.%Gallery-28615%
The Daily Grind: What do you want from STO?
We were as giddy as any fanboy (or fangirl!) to discover that Star Trek Online was alive and well -- and in Cryptic Studios' capable hands. However, like any fanboy (or fangirl), we're never satisfied with the information we have... we always want to know more! What classes will we be able to play? What races will we be able to play? Will we be able to pilot our own starships? Will we be able to meet Kirk or Picard? What will space combat be like? What planets will be available? And, above all, when can we play it? So today, as Cryptic's not-so-mysterious countdown winds down, we ask you: what features do you hope to find in STO?
Cryptic Studios job listing reveals Star Trek Online
If you happen to peruse the recent Game Career guide e-newsletter (PDF file; via WarCry), you'll notice on page 43 an advertisement that Cryptic Studios is hiring. While it may not seem like much, the ad does reveal a rather juicy detail that the developer is working on Star Trek Online. In January 2008, work on the Star Trek MMO switched from Perpetual Entertainment to an undisclosed California-based developer. It looks like they're sticking with the Star Trek Online name; we were so hoping to see City of Trekkies instead. [Via Massively]
The Daily Grind: What do you think Cryptic is up to?
The countdown at the Champions Online website is beginning to dwindle down to zero, which begs the question: What do you think it's counting down to? There's been plenty of speculation, especially from our end (hint: Star Trek) but there's always the chance that we're completely wrong. It wouldn't be the first time our predictions haven't panned out.So with that in mind we'd love to hear your take on the -- possibly -- big Cryptic revelation, even if it's some zany pie-in-the-sky sort of stuff. Actually, we especially want to hear it if it's anything like that. Do you think Cryptic is working on a retro-Battlestar Galactica turn-based card game-style strategy MMO? Let us know!
The Daily Grind: Yes or no to STO away missions?
We've been having something of a Star Trek Online kick lately with The Daily Grind, but could you blame us with a suspiciously Cryptic clock ticking away? We figured that there wasn't any point in holding back our continuous thoughts on the possibility of Star Trek Online being announced in less than a month, so today we've got another question to ask you: Do you want away missions in your online space treks? It's not a cut and dry question, because away missions are arguably one of the core mechanics of the Star Trek series. Yet on the other hand, they're almost an entirely separate gameplay type than space exploration and combat.It really comes down to whether or not away missions need to be in the game on launch day or if it could wait until an expansion or large free content update. We would argue -- in devil's advocate form -- that creating a thoroughly complete ship experience may actually be even more important for the game. Then again, it would be sort of strange to never leave your ship and explore the surface of strange planets with other players.
EVE Online story chronicles a little violent oppression
Another Empyrean Age-themed EVE Online chronicle has emerged. This one relates to Tibus Heth, the head honcho of the Caldari faction. It's the fourth out of five in a series CCP has been adding to every single Monday. If you haven't read any of them, and you're an EVE player, you should check them out. The game's lore is one of its most underpraised assets.This chronicle tells the tale of Caldari materials tech who makes a wrong move and gets dragged into some violent consequences. We won't spoil anything beyond that; check it out if you're interested. Our favorite part was a clever Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan reference. See if you can spot it!
The Daily Grind: Do you want to be a ship or control a ship in STO?
Since we get the feeling that something may be announced for Star Trek fans somewhat soon, we thought it a good idea to be topical.The moment anyone begins talking about Star Trek Online we here at Massively begin to wonder whether we want to play a character on the bridge of the ship with a group of other players or whether we want to just be the ship ourselves. It's an important question because it affects how the entire game is perceived and played. So far we've had three space MMOs where the ship was the avatar. Those games are Jumpgate, Earth and Beyond Online and EVE Online. On top of that, Jumpgate Evolution will make for a fourth spaceship-centered MMO.With that in mind, we here at Massively are hoping for something different from Star Trek Online. It seems to us that part of the draw of both MMOs and Star Trek is working together with a group of people to explore space and sometimes do battle. Still, we're not sure if we're on the minority with that opinion and would love to know what you happen to think on the subject.
The Daily Grind: Which Star Trek races do you most want in the MMO?
There are many races within the Star Trek universe to choose from when it comes to your favorites -- and we say that in plural form because lets be honest, you can't pick just one -- so of course we're curious about your personal choices. If you had the power to choose four or five races for Star Trek Online, what would they be? Vulcan? Cardassian, Bajoran, Ferengi, Klingon, or Romulan? Or maybe something less expected like the Voth? We'd totally roll some bipedal hyper-dinosaur characters. Obviously we're assuming that Humans are included in this list, but hey if you want to exclude them feel free.There's certainly a lot of room for discussion on this topic, seeing as there have been six Star Trek series (if you count the animated series) and ten -- but soon to be eleven -- movies. One thing we personally thing is that all Game Masters should be forced to be the Q race, because come on... that just makes too much sense!
LCARS-esque touchscreen controls home, excites Trekkies
za9000's LCARS-like touch panel isn't quite ready to hop aboard any spacecraft, but it sure seems to do a fine job of controlling his home. Truthfully, detailing this thing in words wouldn't do it justice, so we'll leave it to you to don your best Spock face and check out the three-minute clip waiting just past the break.[Thanks, Daniel]
Portable medical scanners built to interface with cellphones
You know those elephant-sized medical scanners? Totally amazing machines, sure, but things like that aren't apt to be shipped into obscure jungles throughout Africa. Thankfully, a team of researchers have developed something that could bring medical scanning to an even larger chunk of the world: a real live Tricorder. Of course, it's not really going by that moniker, but the diminutive scanner is able to interface with a cellphone via USB and utilize its 3G / WiFi access to send raw scan data to servers and receive images back. Granted, you won't get any high-resolution viewing from your average mobile, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.
iPhone as Tricorder
Set phasers to Huge Frakking Nerd.I'll be honest and admit to trying this as soon as I saw it. Point Mobile Safari to http://38i.biz/tricorder and view an iPhone-optimized web page that resembles a Star Trek Tricorder.So, what does it do, you ask? Why, it scans a given area, interprets and displays gathered data and records all findings to isolinear chips.Actually, it doesn't do to much. Once you "turn it on" by clicking the power button, you can switch between three functions and view related animations. Every minute or so, a window pops up with a snide remark like, "The Federation is shocked. The Enterprise actually ferried an alien VIP from one place to another without serious incident." It's even got a snazzy webclip icon.Sadly, there are no sounds to accompany the visuals. It might not offer much more than a little entertainment, but one thing is certain ... it will definitely help you pick up chicks.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Aptera to make cameo in next Star Trek film?
For those unaware, "veiled in secrecy" is an extreme understatement when it comes to the next Star Trek flick -- if there actually is a next Star Trek flick, that is. Nevertheless, an undercover photographer managed to grab some recent shots of a film production operating under the title "Corporate Headquarters," and a few snaps caught a vehicle that looks awfully similar to the 300MPG Aptera. Coincidentally enough, said craft was also missing from last week's New York Auto Show. Look, we aren't piecing together clues in a valiant attempt to get you stoked about seeing a space aged automobile in a movie that may or may not even be real (okay, it's real), but then again, it's hard to shake the evidence.[Via AutoblogGreen]
TrekMovie claims confirmation of Cryptic STO rumors
TrekMovie.com, the web's foremost Star Trek blog, claims that it has "confirmed with sources" that Cryptic is the new developer of Star Trek Online. Just a couple of days ago, some forum-dwellers connected a lawyer representing STO back to Cryptic. A couple days before that, the STO website mysteriously relaunched. The clues don't end there, either.TrekMovie is a fairly credible blog. It has an outstanding track record of inside scoops about the new Star Trek movie, at least. So: you know when two friends in your circle are sleeping together, and they want to keep it a secret, but every one knows, and it would just be easier for all involved (and not involved) if they'd just fess up? This Cryptic/STO relationship is looking a bit like that.
Lawyer might be link between Cryptic and STO
We've got on more tiny little piece of evidence to add to the mountain that already says Cryptic has been chosen as the developer for the new Star Trek Online game. Apparently a lawyer representing the unknown developers of the game sent a C&D to the folks at the Star Trek Games board saying that there is a developer with rights to the property, and that they should stop posting the IP of said developers. But those wacky forumites then connected that lawyer, one Timothy J. Harris of Morrison and Foerster LLP, with none other than Cryptic themselves, by way of Champions Online's privacy policy (he's down there in Part VI -- the first one, since there's two).So. Nothing is still officially confirmed, and to be fair, Morrison and Foerster LLP (or "MoFo" as their webpage designates them) is a huge worldwide firm, and it could be that Timothy J. Harris is their guy for a number of videogame clients. But considering all the other evidence, it's a pretty good bet that Cryptic is working up concept art for an MMO featuring Klingons and the Borg.[Via WarCry]
WinMo 6 ROMs for HTC Star Trek bring it out of the graveyard
HTC's Star Trek can now be safely categorized in the "classic" file, but it'd be a big mistake to put this interesting footnote in HTC's history out to pasture just yet. The handset, after all, ranks among the smallest Windows Mobile phones ever made, among the only clamshells, and arguably, among the most attractive (alright, maybe that's a bit of a stretch). But with that stale Windows Mobile 5 build on there hastening its death, what's an owner to do? Turn to the wizards at xda-developers, of course, who've come out swinging with a number of different Windows Mobile 6-based ROMs for a variety of Star Trek flavors, including the Cingular 3125 likely owned by many American customers, and it's all available for download. Always fun to see new life breathed into perfectly decent hardware, ain't it?[Via pocketnow.com]
GDC Quest Quiz III: Mike Stemmle
We did a terrible thing at last week's Game Developer's Conference. Aside from our usual barrage of photographs and "reporting," a select group of attendees had to endure a particularly inane and utterly pointless line of questioning -- just for laughs. This is what happens when you hunt down several adventure game connoisseurs and challenge them to solve a typically obnoxious adventure game puzzle. The PlayerRecent Telltale Games addition Mike Stemmle, co-designer of Sam & Max Hit the Road and Escape from Monkey Island, and designer on the ill-fated Sam & Max Freelance Police. He also worked on Afterlife, but he doesn't think you remember it. The PuzzleYou're standing in front of a cave. The goal is to get inside the cave, taking care to foil the ferocious robot bear guarding the entrance first. The Inventory (1) perforated parasol (1) rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle (1) sealed manila envelope (1) miniature macaroni Tim Schafer statue Peek hard at Mike Stemmle's Star Trek strategy after the break.
The Digital Continuum: Statistical Anxiety Separation
One thing I've taken to recently is lurking over at the Nerfbat forums, where many great minds discuss a lot of different things concerning massively games. One idea in particular has given me a spark of -- probable -- insanity in regards to something I've been giving plenty of thought to lately. The insane idea is this: What would a massively game be like if character avatars had no stats?After reading though several different concepts presented in the thread responsible for this lunacy of mine, I started to wonder why every one of them focused on keeping with the fantasy motif. To me, it seemed obvious that if you're going to delve into a massively game where the characters have no numerical (or numerical-like) levels, stats or personal equipment it, was going to have to happen in something other than your standard fantasy adventure. That's when two unexpected things came together for me and I realized something. A game where characters don't have any stats attached to them could exist with a difficult-to-design IP that's quite near and dear to me. What's the property, you ask?
Grimwell gives one reason fantasy pwns sci-fi, we go "Huh?"
Watch your head, you don't want it hit by return fire in the ever-present MMO blogosphere discussion of fantasy vs sci-fi. The most recent discussion started up with Massively's own Michael Zenke and his "Five Reasons Sci-Fi Pwns Fantasy" which prompted the return fire in question from Grimwell. Both of the posts are certainly worth reading, especially if you have any kind of lingering interest in the subject matter. As far as we can see, there's truth to be had on both sides of the fence. However, we do have one point of contention to make with Grimwelll's argument. He states that the reason fantasy "pwns" sci-fi is that it's accessible, which is a constant argument on the matter. While we think he may have a point in that less people are inherently familiar with sci-fi, we very much disagree with his assessment that you need to be a math nerd to enjoy good sci-fi -- his example in this case being Star Trek and its now-infamous technobabble.
Star Trek Online dev team laid off yesterday
According to WarCry's sources at P2 Entertainment, yesterday was the last day at work for the members of the Star Trek Online development team. We already heard that some of the team went over to Cryptic Studios for job interviews, but we didn't hear what they might be working on. It might be STO if Cryptic are the ones who purchased the license and content from P2.Everyone at Massively is anticipating specifics about the fate of STO, but the internet community is sitting in the dark for the time being. While we wait for the lights to come back on, we want to wish all the STO refugees the best of luck as they boldly go to whatever strange new worlds await them.
Star Trek Online is under new management
According to WarCry, The Studio Formerly Known as Perpetual Entertainment -- or just "P2 Entertainment" if you want to be less facetious -- has passed or sold ownership of the Star Trek Online project to a new studio headquartered in (fittingly) the Bay Area. This comes after a rocky history for the title, starting with the cancellation of Perpetual's other title Gods & Heroes, all sorts of corporate maneuvering, and a lawsuit.WarCry did not reveal the name of the new steward, but it did learn that while the game's license and content (such as artwork, one presumes) were transferred, the code wasn't. So the new STO team is starting from pretty close to scratch. If you were hoping for a 2008 release, it's time to be disappointed; though at this point none of this is a huge surprise.We don't know if the new owners are related to P2, if any of the old team will be moving with the project, or anything else, really. More info and some clarifications are sure to come eventually, though, so sit tight.
