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Star Trek Online 101: Currency
Welcome to the first edition of Star Trek Online 101. Over the next week and a half we'll be taking a look basic skills and information you need to be successful in STO. Each day we'll look at a different subject, and we'll kick it all off by talking about the different types of STO currency. There are three types of currency in Star Trek Online: Energy Credits Starfleet Merits Explorer Badges Each type of currency is gained through completing various actions in game, be it completing quests or selling off items. Each type is earned in distinctly different ways and provides different rewards, meaning that a successful STO player will need to be concerned with amassing all three types. Fortunately this shouldn't be too much of an issue -- in the closed and open beta energy credits and Starfleet merits seem easy enough to come by. Some people think that STO shouldn't have a currency system, while others point to the fact that Star Trek always did have a currency system, just that it wasn't really used in the shows. Either way, for an MMO to properly function there has to be some sort of reward unit, and Cryptic has developed a system which could potentially allow for a vibrant economy to develop. After the break we'll take a look at the different ways to earn these three types of currency and what you can spend them on.
Captain's Log: A non-trekkie guide to Star Trek Online
Perhaps you've been hearing a lot of buzz about Star Trek Online lately. Or, perhaps you're reading this article in the year 2018, after the robots have begun their bloody revolt. Either way, you've never been way into Star Trek, but find yourself curious about this new MMO based on the franchise. In that cast, this iteration of Captain's Log is just for you. As a side note, this will be the last week you'll find this feature going live on Friday. Henceforth, a new Captain's Log will appear every Thursday -- so keep an eye out!
Star Trek Online character customization in pictures
Cryptic Studios, the developer behind Star Trek Online, is well known for their character customization options. I know that I spent more time making characters in City of Heroes than beating up bad guys. Cryptic has brought that same design aesthetic to STO. For those of you not currently in open Beta, I've captured a gallery of shots below spotlighting all the available races in open beta (Federation and Klingon factions.) I've also shown the cosmetic customization screens for both factions and the color palettes available. However the true fun lies not in tweaking the familiar Vulcan, Bajoran or Klingon races, but in the build-you-own-alien race tool. For both factions you can randomly create an alien species based on a humanoid model. Blotchy skin, tentacles, protrusions, ridges, antennae and more await those players looking for a unique presence in the game. I've taken screenshots of some crazy creations randomly generated, too. You can also customize your alien if you have something specific in mind. Not seeing the alien life form you're looking for? Borg will be available as a Federation faction playable race to those who pay for the Lifetime subscription option. Ferengi and Risian will be added as playable races right after launch and future expansions promise more familiar faction race sets including Romulan. Star Trek Online launches on February 2, 2010. %Gallery-83416% Enter the Star Trek universe with Cryptic Studios' Star Trek Online. From hands on reviews of the early levels and space combat, through noob question and developer interviews, we've got everything you need to know about the game trekkies are dying for.
Ginormous Star Trek Online beta patch is live
It looks like the beta testers for Star Trek Online have been doing their job well, and Cryptic has been listening. As we mentioned a few days ago, the State of the Game address touched on these changes, but the official patch notes are now up and the update is live. The list of fixes and changes is huge, but they're not done yet. If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the patch notes, you'll see a list of "known issues", presumably there to say "we know and we are working on it." The most interesting section of the notes, however, is listed at the top under "headline updates." Players will find that the level cap is removed, Cardassian and Romulan Sectors are open for Federation players, and that they can scan for the nearest anomaly via the MiniMap HUD. Bridge officers are a bit more interesting too: when they join your crew they'll come with a basic customization option, and as they advance they'll periodically request transfers. Finally, as you enter a new Sector Block, you'll hear a familiar voice. Leonard Nimoy has provided an audio journal overview for each Sector Block. While these are just the high points of this patch, the list is much, much longer and warrants a look from anyone who's participated in beta testing. [Thanks Amana!]
One Shots: Ship to shore
Every so often we love to check in and see what members of our staff are doing. Today's One Shots comes to us from our Features Editor, Dan O'Halloran, who has been spending some time away from World of Warcraft to play Star Trek Online. While there, he ran into a weird glitch that many of us may have seen during the run (I know I have) but we'll let him talk about it. When I was in the Star Trek Online beta over the weekend, the server lag caused a funny graphical glitch. When I zoned into a Ground Combat mission I appeared as my Federation Starship instead of as my personal avatar. Too bad it fixed itself in a few minutes. Would have made the Away Team mission much easier! Every MMO from big to small is welcome, but we need you to send those MMO screenshots in. Pop 'em into an email and send it to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post it out here for everyone to check out and give you the credit. %Gallery-9798%
STO's 'Look out, Sulu's behind you!' state of the game
There's a lot to absorb in the new Star Trek Online official "State of the Game" but we'd like to focus on some key points found in the update from Cryptic. Akira Sulu? Yeah, he's on the other side of the Admiral's quarters, behind the other desk. We kid, but really, he's there. There's a bevy of future bug fixes, UI improvements, exploration and combat tweaks coming soon to open beta, which will soon see a level cap removal as well. That means DS9 and Memory Alpha will open up as well as the higher tiers of ships -- just keep in mind you'll need to re-do much of that work when the game goes live. Also well worth mentioning is that the open beta has had a huge turnout, which explains the stability issues. We kinda had a feeling that was the case, but it's nice to hear it from the horse's mouth. The near future sounds bright for Star Trek Online, and we can only imagine the first bouts of content updates the team is putting together already.
Massively's Guide to the Character Traits of Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online offers several levels of character customization beyond the visual aspects, and that first level the player is introduced to is character traits. You select these traits when creating your character, and the choices are numerous. In Massively's guide to the character traits of Star Trek Online, we'll look at the different classes of traits and suggest some builds to get you started. Please remember a few things when reading this guide. First, the information was all obtained in the late closed beta -- so it could have changed without notice at release. If that's the case we'll update the guide as soon as we know about the changes, but double check everything and don't click blindly. Secondly, the traits are only a recommendation and should be adapted to your personal play style. If you're one of those players who always needs that extra bit of health, get the Peak Health trait no matter what role you're going to play. Finally, there is currently no way to retrain your traits (or skills), so be sure to select them carefully. Character Traits Guide Table of Contents How Traits Work Species Traits Federation Klingon Empire Space Traits Ground Traits Suggested Trait Builds Suggested Species and Trait Builds Federation Klingon Empire
Captain's Log: Community guide to Star Trek Online
Captain's Log, Supplemental, Stardate 64684.5... As you all know, we here at Massively are dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on all the latest MMO news as well as entertaining you to your wits' end. Over the past year, our Star Trek Online coverage has been phenomenal, including the introduction of our weekly column, Captain's Log. As I mentioned in my first entry, I am honored to be a part of the team and to bring STO out of the dark recesses of space and onto your (computer, iWhatever, etc.) screens. When the game first launched, the original Community Guide to STO came to fruition as well -- since then, many things have changed, so it is time for an update. Beyond the jump, you will find an ever-evolving list of podcasts, fansites, dev blogs, Twitter accounts, and more. As things further change, I will be updating this guide, so keep it bookmarked! Got a new STO podcast you want everyone to hear? Working on a fansite for the community? Found something that everyone else should know? Let me know by sending the info in to brandon@massively.com. Ensign, warp 10! Let's get these players updated on their resources...
Phasers set to fun, sit back and bust out the popcorn
Got a couple hours to burn? Love Star Trek and subsequently find yourself enjoying Star Trek Online? Well, we've got a couple videos you may want to watch, for entertainment purposes as opposed to tips related purposes. Giant Bomb has two -- although the "parts" aspects suggests further entries -- videos of a few guys sitting around playing Cryptic's upcoming Trek MMO and, well, basically being silly dorks. They start at character creation and hit the ground running, all while providing the kind of commentary that quite possibly could make you want to have on headphones if you're on a lunch break at work. It's fun stuff, and if you've got some time to kill the videos will most certainly help make time fly by more quickly. You can find the two videos embedded after the break.
Seven tips for Star Trek Online newbies
There's certainly a lot of lesser known MMO concepts to learn in Star Trek Online, and there's also some familiar aspects as well. With open beta ongoing and launch looming, this guide is here to help brand new players ease into the swing of things. We'll cover the odd class system, progression and several other tips and suggestions for those of you just beginning your venture into a galaxy full of Gorn raiders, Orion slavers and uh, Tribbles.
Cryptic releases Star Trek Online Exploration trailer
The launch of Cryptic's Star Trek Online is less than a month away, and player feelings are mixed. Whether you can't wait for launch, or are apprehensive that Cryptic is rolling it out so quickly, it's safe to say that people are very interested to see how it turns out. To help alleviate the wait, Cryptic has released a brand new trailer entitled Exploration. It's a great look at...well, exploration in Star Trek Online, both on the ground and in space. There are some great looking landscapes -- both familiar and unfamiliar -- and a look at several different races throughout the trailer. As a little bonus, we get a peek at some battle scenes and weaponry, which seems to consist heavily of various types of phaser fire exchange. No actual hand-to-hand is seen, but Cryptic has assured us it exists, so we'll keep our fingers crossed. For now, follow along after the jump and enjoy the trailer.
Hands-on with Star Trek Online's early levels
There's been a lot of Star Trek Online coverage lately here at Massively, which is only normal given the looming early February release date. This particular feature is a look at the game over the course of around seven or eight "levels" of play. Sadly, that means I haven't acquired my first non-starter ship, although that goal will soon be reached even if it costs me more sleep. Still, you should check out the brand new beta gallery, because I was still able to catch plenty of cool stuff -- plus a classic Enterprise. Now, onto the preview!%Gallery-81223%
