Joystiq

Neverwinter's magic spells are pretty wizard

Mike Schramm — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:00:00 EST

Cryptic Studios and ~~Atari~~ Perfect World Entertainment have shared both the video above and the gallery below, both designed to show you what the upcoming Neverwinter's Control Wizard class is capable of. As you can see in the video especially, the spells are heavily inspired by pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons, and the game will have you casting old favorites like Magic Missile, Ray of Frost, and the destructive Ice Storm.

You can also see a few other 4th Edition D&D mainstays, including Tiefling heroes (they're the ones with the horns) and some NPC zombies and skeletons. The free-to-play MMO is set to be released early next year.

Gallery: Neverwinter (Wizard)

Neverwinter's magic spells are pretty wizard originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Torchlight, Neverwinter MMOs scheduled to launch late 2012-early 2013

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST

Runic Games is scheduled to launch its Torchlight MMO in late 2012 or early 2013, according to an earnings call with Perfect World's Kelvin Lau. Perfect World, a Chinese MMO developer, owns a majority share of Runic and recently acquired the majority interest of Cryptic Studios, which plans to release Neverwinter in the same timeframe as Torchlight, Lau said.

Runic still hopes to launch Torchlight 2 this year. Depending on its sales, the release schedule of its MMO cousin may move, either pushed back so Runic has more time to pamper its success or shoved forward so Runic can hide its screw-up, CEO Max Schaefer said.

Torchlight, Neverwinter MMOs scheduled to launch late 2012-early 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perfect World completes Cryptic Studios acquisition

Mike Schramm — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST

Atari announced earlier this year that it was trying to sell off City of Heroes developer Cryptic Studios, and it's now essentially done just that, according to the company. Chinese MMO developer Perfect World recently bought an equity interest in the studio, and Atari has now divested its own interest, meaning that Cryptic is in the hands of the same company that also owns a majority interest in Torchlight developer Runic Games.

Perfect World reportedly paid $49.8 million for the sale, and Atari says it will put $30.7 million of that total right back into its own debt, leaving the rest for investment in other deals and programs. Cryptic was working on Neverwinter, as well as developing content for Star Trek Online and the free-to-play Champions Online, but any other titles the company was working on with Atari are probably done for. We'll have to see just how the fate of these games plays out as Perfect World oversees things going forward.

Perfect World has said the purchase will use Cryptic's experience in the MMO space to "strengthen our well-established R&D capabilities," as well as "add [the aforementioned] attractive game titles to our portfolio."

Perfect World completes Cryptic Studios acquisition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-Cryptic CCO Bill Roper joins Disney Interactive Media Group

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:10:00 EST

Bill Roper's cultivated an impressive resume during his tenure with the gaming industry, including executive positions with Blizzard North, Flagship Studios and Cryptic Studios. He left the latter developer -- his last place of employment -- last August, and today revealed his new home: The Disney Interactive Media Group, where he'll work as the vice president of the Marvel franchise.

Disney General Manager of Games Alex Seropian said, "With 17 years of experience in the worldwide gaming industry, we are confident that Bill has the creative vision necessary to help guide the next wave of development and product for DIMG's Marvel Games." We too are confident in Roper's abilities. And, considering his legacy, we can't wait to see how much dope loot he can squeeze into the next Spider-Man title.

Ex-Cryptic CCO Bill Roper joins Disney Interactive Media Group originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari seeking to sell Cryptic Studios as another fiscal year ends in losses

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:30:00 EST

In its 2010-11 fiscal year earnings report today, Atari announced it will be dropping, er, "divesting" MMO developer Cryptic Studios. The publisher accounted for the studio under its "discontinued operations" in the report. In other words, it's trying to sell Cryptic.

Overall, Atari reported a net loss of €6.2 million ($8.8 million) for this fiscal year that ended March 31, 2011 -- an admitted improvement over the €19.4 million lost in the previous fiscal year. Cryptic alone was responsible for €5.3 million ($7.5 million) in losses during fiscal 2010-11.

Representatives for Atari and Cryptic declined to offer any statements beyond those in today's financial report. Cryptic's Champions Online went free-to-play earlier this year, and the studio is currently working on a Neverwinter MMO and "Season 4" of Star Trek Online. Atari purchased the developer in 2008 during an optimistic period for the publisher.

Atari seeking to sell Cryptic Studios as another fiscal year ends in losses originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reminder: Champions Online goes free-to-play today

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST

If you've been waiting to try out Champions Online, today is the day to do it. Officially renamed Champions Online: Free-for-All, the game is now free to play for anyone with a PC and an internet connection. Naturally, those who opt for the free "Silver" membership are subject to a few restrictions while those with a paid "Gold" subscription have access to more in-game features like extra costume pieces and adventure packs.

Silver members can pay for some of these items a la carte, though certain features are restricted to Gold members. Still confused? Check out the Champions Online FAQ for more info on the differences between Gold and Silver membership. Anyone interested in trying the game out, just head over to the Champions Online website and sign up. Nobody create a hero named Spider-Dude, though. We call dibs on Spider-Dude. Dibs.

Reminder: Champions Online goes free-to-play today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Champions Online goes free-to-play January 25

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST

Strap on your utility belts, friends -- it's almost crimefightin' time. Well, okay, it's been crimefightin' time for a while now, but on January 25, it's going to be complimentary crimefightin' time. That's the date when Cryptic Studios will flip the switch on Champions Online over to free-to-play, giving players access to the title at no cost with the option of purchasing additional "Adventure Packs" to expand your superheroic experience. If you'd rather have access to all these offerings from the start, you can continue to subscribe to the full game for $14.99.

Oh, the change in price also comes with a change in title -- when the game relaunches, it'll be named Champions Online: Free-for-All. We don't get it. Is there going to be a bunch of new player vs. player functionality? Some kind of gruesome, super-powered bloodsport? Could it be that the heroes are -- oh, they mean "free, for all." Man, Cryptic should really reevaluate its use of punctuation.

Champions Online goes free-to-play January 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online Season 3 starts Dec. 9, adds mission creation beta

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:30:00 EST

As we all know, the third season of The Next Generation was a real doozy. We mean, "Sins of the Father?" "The Bonding?" Oh, man -- they're classics. We've got understandably high hopes for the third "season" of free downloadable content for Star Trek Online, an update which will go live December 9, adding a mission replay option, unlockable Borg technology and a beta for "The Foundry," which allows players to craft their own episodes.

This, of course, means that someone needs to go through and recreate all the episodes from season three of TNG. Heck, how about all the episodes from TNG? We're not sure those wacky Holodeck episodes would be possible, but we're sure players can kludge something together.

Continue reading Star Trek Online Season 3 starts Dec. 9, adds mission creation beta

Star Trek Online Season 3 starts Dec. 9, adds mission creation beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online to incorporate player-made missions

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 01:32:00 EST

Cryptic Studios already enabled City of Heroes players to create their own missions from scratch successfully -- now it's planning on adding the feature to the rest of its MMO catalog. Star Trek Online players can now apply to beta test the "Foundry" toolset, which allows them to create entire Episodes, customizing mission objectives, characters and scenery, which other Captains will then be able to play through.

There's no telling how powerful the Foundry will be until we get a chance to check them out, but we've got our fingers crossed that our Captain Riker/Tribbles slash-fic masterpiece will be able to be realized using these new tools.

Star Trek Online to incorporate player-made missions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Champions Online goes free to play next year

Justin McElroy — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:40:00 EST

If you've been considering checking out Cryptic's superhero MMO Champions Online, you ... well, you may want to wait. Publisher Atari has just announced that the game will transition to a free-to-play model in the first quarter of next year. The revamped Champions will feature premium content in the form of items, powers, costume pieces and Adventure Packs, though most of the content (as well as a few undisclosed perks) will be available to those who pony up the cash to be "Gold subscribers."

It may seem like a move of desperation, but that's not necessarily the case. Turbine set Dungeons and Dragons Online up with a similar structure last year and watched as revenues increased by a whopping 500 percent, which, as you math majors know, is almost five times better. The free-to-play conversion of Lord of the Rings Online met with similar success.

Champions Online goes free to play next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic not yet sure about pricing plan for new Neverwinter title

Mike Schramm — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

You D&D buffs out there were undoubtedly excited to hear that a new Neverwinter game is coming to life, but just like the real D&D, it might end up laying a critical hit down on your wallet.

In an interview at Gamasutra, Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert admitted that the game doesn't have a business model nailed down yet, and that all options are still on the table, from a "free-to-play with microtransactions" model to a "pay-by-the-minute" one. Emmert makes the point that asking for a subscription is still a viable way to run an MMO -- he fully expects BioWare to charge subscriptions for The Old Republic -- but that requires meeting a very high standard in terms of its content and quality.

Of course, Neverwinter is described more as a "co-op experience" than an MMO, and Emmert says it is indicative of a "new direction for Cryptic." Instead of worrying about MMO standards and traditions, he says, Cryptic wants to "just make great games." Specifically, that means "no more 75 Metacritic scores," he jokes at the end of the interview. "My heart just can't take it anymore."

Cryptic not yet sure about pricing plan for new Neverwinter title originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari and Cryptic teaming up on new Neverwinter RPG [update]

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Hey, die-hard fans of fantasy fiction, right about now would be a good time for you to make a saving throw against having your head explode. Atari and Cryptic, whose former unions resulted in Star Trek Online and Champions Online, have announced their next joint effort: A new online RPG set in the frequently game-adapted Dungeons and Dragons universe, Neverwinter.

The PC game allows up to five players (or one player with AI companions) to select between five classes from the pen-and-paper RPG's roster, and play through an all new campaign, the story for which was developed in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast and author R.A. Salvatore. Also, much like previous games in the Neverwinter franchise, this one will include a tool, tentatively named "Forge," that allows players to create their own campaigns. The game's currently set for Q4 2011, but a Salvatore-penned prequel book, titled Gauntlgrym, will hit store shelves on October 5 of this year.

Update: Gamespot recently sat down with Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert to divine a few details about the game, including its five classes (Fighter, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger and Cleric), what the Forge tools will be capable of, and how Neverwinter will adapt the tabletop game's 4th Edition gameplay mechanics. If any of that means anything to you, give the interview a look.

Atari and Cryptic teaming up on new Neverwinter RPG [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bill Roper leaves Cryptic Studios

David Hinkle — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Cryptic Studios, developer of MMOs Champions Online and, more recently, Star Trek Online, has announced that chief creative officer Bill Roper has left the company. He follows in the footsteps of Craig Zinkievich, executive producer on STO who left Cryptic back in July. Talk about a rough summer for the development studio!

Prior to his two-year stint at Cryptic, Roper worked at Blizzard and then Flagship Studios, the developer responsible for creating Hellgate: London. Roper cites his "entrepreneurial spirit" as the reason for his departure, a spirit he says "has become restless" over the last few months. We wish him all of the luck in his future endeavors.

Bill Roper leaves Cryptic Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online Season Two begins, price lowered to $20

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

The recently teased free content expansion for Star Trek Online, titled "Season Two: Ancient Enemies," launched earlier today, bringing with it an increased level and rank cap, new ships and missions, a series of new episodes specifically geared towards the Klingon faction, and more. As with the last STO season, the new stuff doesn't stop coming after today's update -- five new "episodes" (aka missions) will debut every week starting in August. Click past the jump to see all the new features present in the update.

If you're intrigued by Cryptic's habit of giving away its expansions and you've yet to invest in Star Trek Online, the studio's made it that much easier for you to do so by lowering the price of the game to $20. Why, with all the money you'd be saving, you'd certainly be doing an enviable amount of prospering. Though, we're not sure what the secret to "living long" is. Fish oil? We bet it has something to do with fish oil.

Continue reading Star Trek Online Season Two begins, price lowered to $20

Star Trek Online Season Two begins, price lowered to $20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online: Season Two to revive some 'Ancient Enemies'

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:35:00 EST

We weren't exactly sure what qualified as an "Ancient Enemy" in the Star Trek universe -- haven't most of them been around since, like, the 60s, anyway? The debut trailer for the second season of content updates (which carries the "Ancient Enemies" subtitle) for Star Trek Online reveals the true identity of these time-tested foes: Big, scaly dudes with tusks. Oh, and floating, demonic torsos. Oh, and floating, demonic torsos that can fly around in space without a ship.

So, in short, not only are these enemies older than the game's traditional fare, but they're jumpsuit-spoilingly scarier as well. You can catch a glimpse of these second season baddies in the trailer posted after the jump.

Continue reading Star Trek Online: Season Two to revive some 'Ancient Enemies'

Star Trek Online: Season Two to revive some 'Ancient Enemies' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online producer 'could easily see' the game using Turbine freemium model

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:50:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Star Trek Online's new executive producer Daniel Stahl recently stated that he "could easily see" a hybrid free-to-play model working for Cryptic's MMO. Stahl specifically mentions (recent Warner Bros. acquisition) Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online as "interesting plans" worth taking note of. DDO went freemium last year to create a dungeon full of gold for the developer; LotRO will roll the die for the same fate this autumn.

Stahl expressed that Turbine's model creates a "robust way to demo the game" and allows those wanting more to pay for a subscription or purchase items á la carte. With Cryptic's parent-company Atari operating at a loss, ways to beam up revenue would appear logical. It's unclear if it's a sign of the future, but Cryptic did conduct a free-to-play away mission back in May.

Gallery: Star Trek Online

Star Trek Online producer 'could easily see' the game using Turbine freemium model originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online executive producer leaves Cryptic

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Craig Zinkievich, executive producer for Star Trek Online and certified lorekeeper for all things Roddenberrian, recently announced on the game's official blog that he's leaving Cryptic Studios after seven years. His shoes will be filled by producer Daniel Stahl, whom he promises shares his own enthusiasm for the Prime Directive.

So, what's the scandalous reason for Zinkievich's departure? Perhaps there was some inter-departmental drama? Maybe he's going to work for one of Cryptic's competitors? Actually, he explains he's going to "focus on other things, like hanging out with my kids over the summer, walking my goat more and taking care of my bees." Well, that's not all that shocking, but we wish Zinkievich the best all the same.

Star Trek Online executive producer leaves Cryptic originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online gets unlimited trial, former subscribers play free this weekend

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 08 May 2010 19:00:00 EST

Cryptic Studios and Atari are taking a two-fold approach to increasing the player base for their spacefaring MMO, Star Trek Online: First, potential subscribers can now download the game and play through the tutorial and first mission for free. Though they'll have an unlimited amount of time to tool around in their Federation vessel, players will have to purchase the full game to gain access to STO's other offerings.

In addition, former subscribers can play for free this weekend, and check out the new content that's been added as part of the game's first "Season" of updates. The "Welcome Back Weekend" ends Monday at 10 a.m. PST, so we suggest applicable parties should hop online ASAP, so as not to waste any potential Trekking time.

[Via Shacknews]

Star Trek Online gets unlimited trial, former subscribers play free this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Invasion of Deep Space Nine invades Star Trek Online

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:30:00 EST

The next mission from "Season One" of Star Trek Online's free content updates will soon be added to the game. Titled "DS9 Under Siege," the new episode will bring about a massive invasion upon the typically peaceful space station Deep Space Nine. You might know it from the show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Remember? It was right there in the title.

Check out the trailer above to see what players will be up against when the new episode launches. (Spoiler alert: It's lasers. You're going up against lasers. So many lasers.)

Invasion of Deep Space Nine invades Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari picks up former EA Online exec to lead European arm

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST

In Atari's march towards an online-oriented business model, the company issued a press release yesterday announcing the acquisition of John Burns, former senior director of European online publishing at EA. Burns wil be in charge of European operations for Atari, reporting directly to president and CEO Jim Wilson. "John joins Atari at time when we are transitioning our business toward online while maintaining a focused retail business," Wilson says of the new hire, referencing both of the company's Cryptic-developed MMOs and the handful of upcoming console titles on the release calendar.

Meanwhile, Burns has some unsurprisingly kind words for his new corporate overlords. "Atari has the key ingredients of a focused strategy, compelling intellectual property and consumer brand recognition to meet its global growth objectives." And between both of the aforementioned MMOs -- not to mention Atari's publishing deal with Turbine -- Burns has a full plate of properties to push in the EU. And of course there's always the issue of returning to financial solvency sometime this year -- something the company promised in its last revenue statement. Good luck with all that, John!

Atari picks up former EA Online exec to lead European arm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online for consoles 'on the back burner'

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:30:00 EST

In a move that's almost as shocking as a "red shirt" being removed from life duty on the original Enterprise, Cryptic confirms that Star Trek Online for consoles is taking the shuttle to retail reality at impulse speed. The studio told VideoGamer that STO is "pretty much in the same boat as the Champions console version right now." Cryptic had previously stated that the console version of Champions Online is -- as Miracle Max from The Princess Bride would put it -- mostly dead.

Cryptic claims that the technology is there to do the game "on certain consoles" and was ready to move, but "it's a little difficult to make that final leap on the business side of things." Well, if it's any consolation, this console generation appears like it's going to be around for a while. Perhaps the traction required for console MMOs will pick up before it's too late.

Star Trek Online for consoles 'on the back burner' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'No plans' for Xbox 360 version of Champions Online, Cryptic says

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST

Add another tombstone to the increasingly populated Xbox MMO graveyard. The Xbox 360 port of Champions Online is seemingly kaput. A forum user known as Jackalope -- Cryptic Studios CCO Jack Emmert, according to TeamXbox -- responded in a thread regarding the beleaguered port, saying, "100% of our focus is on making the current PC product the best it can be. There are no current plans for a console version of Champions."

Previously, the Xbox 360 version of the MMO had seen its share of setbacks. In August last year, Emmert laid the blame for the delay squarely on Microsoft. "It just takes time for the big beast known as Microsoft to get moving," he said at the time, adding that "it's as baffling to developers as it is to everyone else."

This marks the latest in a long string of failed-to-launch MMOs for the Xbox platform: Ensemble's Halo MMO, True Fantasy Live Online for the original Xbox, Marvel Universe Online, Age of Conan, Huxley -- all of them either canceled or in development limbo. Thus far, the only traditional MMO to see the light of day on the Xbox 360 has been Final Fantasy XI. We can only speculate as to what the bottleneck is for MMOs on the Xbox 360 but, given the litany of failed projects from multiple developers, Microsoft certainly appears to be the common thread.

[Original photo source: Qole Pejorian]

'No plans' for Xbox 360 version of Champions Online, Cryptic says originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Champions Online gets 'Revelation' expansion, goes free for 72 hours

Randy Nelson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:59:00 EST

In celebration of today's launch of the free "Revelation" expansion for Champions Online -- or, really, just because it can -- Atari is opening the game up for free play (installer link) beginning at 10 a.m. EST on Friday, March 26 through 10 a.m. EST on Monday, March 29. This isn't the first time the publisher's done so for the Cryptic Studios title.

This time, however, you can also play sans real-world pants.*

*Only in the privacy of your own home

Champions Online gets 'Revelation' expansion, goes free for 72 hours originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online raid episodes launched with new trailer

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST

Announced last week, the first in a series of new raid episodes is now available in Star Trek Online. The first episode, entitled "The Infected," which tasks five players with assaulting a Borg-infected starbase and investigating a new Borg nanovirus that can "assimilate entire worlds at alarming speeds." Three more Borg episodes are planned, ultimately concluding with a direct attack against the Borg queen herself. If the trailer above is any indication, you can expect plenty of deep space confrontations, lots of ground action and copious explosions.

More raid episodes will arrive in the future, including one that revisits the work of everyone's favorite villain: Khan Noonien Singh.

Star Trek Online raid episodes launched with new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic 'definitely' opening up ships to Star Trek Online players

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST

In the world of Star Trek, there's nothing quite like grabbing a few moments of R&R with your first mate on the holodeck or heading down to engineering to check up on your favorite ship's power core. Unfortunately, as we've been unable to explore the interior of our own ships since we first got our hands on Star Trek Online's pre-release beta program (nonetheless the final product), those wonderfully humdrum space activities will have to be postponed for a little while. But hey, they're coming ... or so says Cryptic executive producer Craig Zinkievich, at least.

"Anything we can do to make the game feel even more like Star Trek is something we want to do ... so, definitely, we want to give people more of their ship," he tells Inc Gamers, adding, "This is one of those things we want to get perfect before introducing it to players, though," indicating that the functionality likely won't be arriving in the near future. And us, well we just want to passive aggressively flirt with crew members -- is that so much to ask?

Gallery: Star Trek Online

[Via 1UP]

Cryptic 'definitely' opening up ships to Star Trek Online players originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Borg soon assimilating Star Trek Online in upcoming content update

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST

A recently added hub page on the official Star Trek Online site has revealed that the nefarious Borg will soon make first contact with the MMO's players in an upcoming free content update, which will be rolled out over the next two months. The patch will add a series of high-level episodes (that's STO-speak for "quests") to the game which will throw players into a number of ground and space conflicts with the cybernetic species, leading up to a climactic raid encounter with the Borg Queen.

You can get an idea of the formidable foe you'll be facing off against in the video above and the gallery below. As a special protip from us to you, here's an instructional video which reminds prospective Borg-fighters exactly where the line must be drawn.

Gallery: Star Trek Online - Borg Update

Borg soon assimilating Star Trek Online in upcoming content update originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pay to become a Ferengi or Federation Klingon in Star Trek Online

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST

Are you somewhat satisfied with your Star Trek Online avatar, but wish he or she possessed more unsightly forehead ridges? Perhaps you desire a pair of ears shaped and sized like funnel cakes? Do you wish it looked like your brain was attempting to escape out of the top of your head? Good news -- the Federation Ferengi race can now be downloaded in-game for 80 Cryptic Points, which translates to a shiny half-dollar in real-world funds.

Federation players also have the option to download what we can only assume to be a reformed species of Klingon for 240 Cryptic points, or $1.50. We're still unsure as to why anyone would play Star Trek Online and not make their own race, since we wouldn't find the game so compelling without the adventures of Barbicane, the only surviving Bonerian in the galaxy.

Pay to become a Ferengi or Federation Klingon in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic would 'love' to get Star Trek Online to consoles

David Hinkle — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:03:00 EST

Sure, we'd like a lot of things, too. Could we get a butterscotch waterfall in the backyard and maybe tiny, invisible robo-men with jetpacks to do the dishes for us every night? Or, better yet, could we get a better explanation for Champions Online's hold-up besides the "blame Microsoft" you said six months ago? But, we digress.

Cryptic's Craig Zinkievich told CVG that a console port of the com-pooter MMO is something the company is "definitely" interested in. "We would love to get STO to the console. At launch it will just be available for the PC but here at Cryptic we want our games across multiple platforms," he said.

However, before you break out your good Starfleet duds and crank the jamz up to eleven in celebration, know that should Cryptic pursue a console port, it likely wouldn't be available for quite some time. Zinkievich puts it this way: "But we'll have to see how Star Trek does and then secondly we want to do it justice and not hurry something along just to get it on the console."

Cryptic would 'love' to get Star Trek Online to consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO developers sound off about World of Warcraft's dominance

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST

We remember a time when every young buck coming out of the MMO development stables would puff up its cheeks and proudly proclaim itself "The World of Warcraft-killer." However, the industry's a bit older and wiser now, and massive online game devs are at peace with the fact that they'll never catch up to Blizzard's irrationally lucrative MMORPG. A handful of these developers recently spoke to MCV about how it feels to compete with an unstoppable juggernaut. (In short: Not awesome.)

Even in an MMO-heavy year which will see the introduction of Star Trek Online, APB, Final Fantasy XIV and others, Jagex COO Rob Smith thinks 2010's online games "are unlikely to topple the likes of World of Warcraft from their throne, at least in the short term." He's probably right -- unless, of course, 2010 is the year that the FarmVille MMO which we all totally know is going to happen actually happens.

MMO developers sound off about World of Warcraft's dominance originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online beta extended by one day

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST

MESSAGE BEGINS

Attention to all members of Starfleet. It has come to the attention of Starfleet's admiralty that the recent Borg activity in the Vega system has resulted in several thousand ensigns suddenly being promoted to the rank of captain. A very strange turn of events, to be sure, though Starfleet is no stranger to such events. Just last week, we encountered a race of people that spoke entirely in metaphor. Crazy, right?

In related Starfleet news, a spacetime anomaly (yes, another one) has manufactured an additional day of what we perceive as time. Please note that there is no need to adjust your ship's internal chronometer. The upshot of all this is that the Star Trek Online beta has been extended by twenty-four hours and will now end at 1800 hours (6:00pm Pacific), January 26. We would advise the thousands of improbable new captains to use this time wisely.

MESSAGE ENDS

[Via Blue's News. Image source: Alex Piskun]

Star Trek Online beta extended by one day originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online going where Del Taco lovers have gone before: Del Taco

David Hinkle — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:20:00 EST

CUUUUUUUPS

It's going to be a long time before mankind invents Replicator technology. Until then, we're all forced to fill our Geo Metros with dead dinos and drive on down to the Del Taco for sustenance like jerks. But, the usual reward of a scrumptious combination of tortilla, beef and spices won't be the only thing to greet you at the end of your trek: Star Trek Online is teaming up with Del Taco to offer some collectible game cups. You know, the same kind that you got for every other thing that ever launches ever. Oh, you also get a free game trial, but oh man cups with ships on them!

In addition to this megaton news item, we've also got two new Star Trek Online trailers, featuring the Cardassians and the Vigilant Class Starship. Set your mouse to click and you'll find them past the break.

Source - Press release
Source - Del Taco promotion page

Continue reading Star Trek Online going where Del Taco lovers have gone before: Del Taco

Star Trek Online going where Del Taco lovers have gone before: Del Taco originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online beta gets huge update, adds more Nimoy

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST

The MMO-developing band over at Cryptic has released an absolutely massive update to the Star Trek Online open beta. There are literally pages of fixes and changes, though Cryptic has thankfully distilled the major "headline" changes into a few bullet points:

The level cap has been removed, which should be music to the ears of the pre-release power levelers out there.
Cardassian and Romulan space is now accessible to Federation players, too, and there are some changes to bridge officer mechanics.
Additionally, the update allows players to use the mini-map to scan anomalies. As we all know, anomalies need scanning like nobody's business, so that's good news.

Perhaps most important of all is that Spock himself, Mr. Leonard Nimoy, now offers an "audio journal overview" upon entering a new sector of space. That's great news because, just like bacon, everything's better with Nimoy. Hit the source link for the full patch release notes (be sure to click through the splash page).

Star Trek Online beta gets huge update, adds more Nimoy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online lifetime, 12-month subscription deals

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:15:00 EST

Cryptic has announced some special Star Trek Online subscription options for anyone planning to sink some serious time into the game. The company is selling a lifetime subscription to the game for $239.99, which will last however long the game does. Also included with the lifetime subscription is a playable Borg character and two extra character slots. If you're not quite that devoted, you can opt for a 12-month subscription for $119.99, which also includes two extra character slots.

Big Download notes that regular subscriptions range from $14.99 per month, $41.97 for three months or $77.94 for six months, so the 12-month subscription is substantially cheaper than the $155.88 it would cost for two six-month subscriptions. Remember that the 12-month and lifetime subscriptions are available only for pre-orders, so you'll have to put some money down if you want to save money in the future.

As for whether you'll actually still be playing it in the future, you'll just have to wait and see. Or you could use a tachyon pulse. That works too.

Star Trek Online lifetime, 12-month subscription deals originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Star Trek Online trailer gets its Kling-on

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST

There are no words spoken in the Star Trek Online trailer you see above -- not that any words are really required. You can easily get the gist from the moving pictures, which give a brief look at the Klingon Empire's homeworld, its floating armadas, and somewhere in the vicinity of 17,000 laser discharges. Forget the fact the game isn't even out yet -- we feel confident calling it the "Most Lasered Game of 2010."

If that sounds like something you want to be a part of, it's not too late to find an entry key for the open beta!

Gallery: Star Trek Online

New Star Trek Online trailer gets its Kling-on originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Star Trek Online beta starts today

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:20:00 EST

MESSAGE BEGINS

Attention Starfleet cadets, this is a reminder that the Star Trek Online open beta testing program begins today, January 12, 2010 (stardate 63497.4). Those cadets wishing to participate will need to acquire a client and a beta access key. A client may be obtained from the Big Download database located here. Massively.com has a cache of 10,000 beta access keys that will be granted to cadets on a first come, first serve basis. Please visit Massively to obtain your access key as soon as possible.

Also, we would like to remind students that transporter pads in transporter room three are still malfunctioning. Anyone not wishing to have their good and evil halves split between two physically identical bodies should avoid transporter room three if at all possible.

That is all.

MESSAGE ENDS

[Image source: Alex Piskun]

PSA: Star Trek Online beta starts today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online 'Exploration Trailer' tours the fatal frontier

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:05:00 EST

These are some clips from Star Trek Online. Its mission: to make you buy the game; to seek out new subscribers and revenue sources; to boldly make money, like no MMO has done before ... except World of Warcraft.

To learn more about Star Trek Online before you beam aboard, check out Massively's coverage of the first few levels of the 25th-century simulator.

Gallery: Star Trek Online

Star Trek Online 'Exploration Trailer' tours the fatal frontier originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively embarks on the first few levels of Star Trek Online

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST

Last week, our MMO-obsessed sister site Massively took a break from their sneak preview of Cryptic's spacefaring sim, Star Trek Online, to share some of their thoughts on the Klingon faction and player vs. player combat. Today, they've got a preview of the first few levels you'll be grinding through. Is there anything more exciting in an MMORPG than those inaugural hours? All those tutorials? The terrible items? The countless woodland rodents and birds you have to slaughter to become marginally less pathetic?

Check out Massively's preview to find out how your astronautical career begins. Spoiler alert: You start the game by fighting the Borg, which are way more intimidating than rabid sewer rats.

Gallery: Star Trek Online

Massively embarks on the first few levels of Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively goes where no blog's gone before with Star Trek Online

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST

Our brief time with Star Trek Online at PAX 2009 offered us a glimpse of the Starfleet's glossy spacecrafts and some player vs. environment gameplay. Recently, our MMO-loving sister site Massively got a chance to see how the other half lives. That is to say, the wrinkle-headed half, and the competitive half. That is to say, Klingons (the eeeeevil faction) and player vs. player combat.

Check out Massively's write-up to get more gooey, insider baseball-filled details about the Klingons' impressive arsenal, and to find out how PvP skirmishes unfold.

Massively goes where no blog's gone before with Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Name a Star Trek ship class for Star Trek Online

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:45:00 EST

Cryptic is giving future Star Trek Online cadets the opportunity to name three different classes of starship in the game's universe. The gallery below features the three as-yet-unnamed classes. From left to right, they represent an escort type, science ship and cruiser. We suggest:

Plot device class
Eventual ghost ship class (alternative: Red Shirt class)
Youessess class (as in: the U.S.S. Distress Beacon Responder is a Youessess class starship)

Make sure to read the full details regarding submissions [PDF link] before submitting ideas, which are due by January 8, 2010. Winners will receive a copy of the game and poster depicting their named class, which they can then fly when the game launches on Stardate 63554.5 (February 2, 2010).

[Via Big Download]

Name a Star Trek ship class for Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leonard Nimoy lending deep, soothing voice to Star Trek Online

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST

Last week, we received word that Zachary Quinto, who provided the fresh face for Spock in this past summer's Star Trek relaunch, would do the voice of Star Trek Online's "Emergency Medical Hologram tutorial." Today, we received further Spock-based news for the title: According to an Atari press release, Leonard Nimoy will narrate the game's introduction, and can also be heard during cut scenes and other events throughout the game. For instance, he'll offer a brief congratulation when your first Seaman egg hatches.

Of course, this announcement has caused fans of the series anticipate the in-game appearance of "old Spock" -- just as Quinto's involvement brought murmurs of a "new Spock" cameo. The somewhat creepier fans began prophesying hot, hot Spock on Spock action. We generally try not to associate with this latter group, for obvious reasons.

Leonard Nimoy lending deep, soothing voice to Star Trek Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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