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Star Trek Online 'Exploration Trailer' tours the fatal frontier

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 6th 2010 at 10:05AM }

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

Massively embarks on the first few levels of Star Trek Online

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 3rd 2010 at 8:00PM }

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

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 28th 2009 at 6:00PM }

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.

Name a Star Trek ship class for Star Trek Online

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 24th 2009 at 10:45PM }

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).

Gallery: Star Trek Online Name That Ship Screenshots

[Via Big Download]

Leonard Nimoy lending deep, soothing voice to Star Trek Online

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 22nd 2009 at 4:40PM }

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.

Star Trek Online trailer packs explosions, thoughtful narration

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 14th 2009 at 11:00PM }

Atari has released yet another new trailer for Cryptic's upcoming MMO, Star Trek Online. The trailer features a particularly grim entry in a Starfleet admiral's log. Long story short, the battle between the Klingons and the Federation in the space surrounding starbase 24 isn't going too well. On the plus side, it makes for some great viewing, with lots of phasers, disruptors, torpedos and, most importantly, explosions.

Alas, it looks like the ol' "STO Assets" folder is still slated for quite a beating before the game finally releases in February.

From Hell's heart, the Star Trek Online Digital Deluxe Edition stabs at thee

by JC Fletcher { Dec 12th 2009 at 12:30AM }

Atari has just basically announced ahead of time who the most annoying Star Trek Online players will be -- those who buy the Digital Deluxe Edition. This special edition of the game, available for $59.99 at launch from both Direct2Drive and Steam (the retail Collector's Edition is $80 and includes different stuff -- see an image here), gives players the ability to "relive Kirk's unforgettable moment of fury, with the timeless cry... 'KHAAAN!'" And just like that, the game is ruined. You will never hear another sound in Star Trek Online. It will be one continuous refrain of "KHAAAN" on every starship, every planet, every Starbase in the galaxy.

The Digital Deluxe Edition also includes Original Series-style uniforms, a Klingon Blood Wine Toast emote, the NX- registry prefix for your ships, an "Automated Defense Battery" tactical module and the exclusive "Joined Trill" species (like Dax on Deep Space Nine).

Gallery: Star Trek Online (12-09-09)

[Via Big Download, image: I Can Haz Cheezburger]

Star Trek Online screens are multiplying with Tribble-like speed

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 9th 2009 at 7:10PM }

Click the image above to Enterprise-size

Seriously, Cryptic Studios and Atari -- you are drowning us in screenshots for Star Trek Online. We had to go out and purchase another external hard drive just so we could keep tabs on our ever-burgeoning "STO Assets" folder. We feel like, if scanned through quickly enough, we could accurately recreate gameplay segments from the title. Really, really disjointed gameplay segments.

Check out the latest batch in the gallery below, then check out all 104 images we've received to date and dropped in this gallery. Then, try to approximate how many more we'll receive before the game's February 2 release date. We're guessing somewhere within the vicinity of 3,000, but that's a fairly conservative estimate.

Gallery: Star Trek Online (12-09-09)

No-win scenario: Star Trek Online pre-order bonuses

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 7th 2009 at 8:00PM }

Much like the dreaded Kobayashi Maru, there really is no right answer to the question, "Where should I pre-order Star Trek Online?" In its ongoing mission to make games as hard to purchase as possible, Starfleet has issued different pre-order bonuses to each major American retailer. Want to pilot the Enterprise? You'll have to order from GameStop. Need a pet Tribble? Best Buy. How about a gun that beams projectiles directly to their intended target? Target. That "Liberated Borg" bridge officer you always wanted? Amazon.

And here we thought all we had to do to get the full enjoyment out of our games was buy them. Those days are over, friend. Check out the full list of pre-order bonuses -- and where to find them -- after the break.

Continued →

GameStop beams down Star Trek Online Collector's Edition info (plus, new trailer!)

by David Hinkle { Dec 3rd 2009 at 4:30PM }

Klingons aren't the only thing in the galaxy you should fear, as your inner desire for paraphernalia and in-game items could push you over the edge to purchase the Star Trek Online Collector's Edition from GameStop. The online retailer details the $80 package as including a small, metal Communicator Badge, an in-game Red Matter Capacitor that gives all of your ships a little extra energy and exclusive Next Generation and Deep Space Nine uniforms for your crew. You'll also score some guest passes for a few friends and a deluxe, hardcover manual and requisite special packaging.

Above, you can check out a new trailer showing off some of the ship-based combat and, should you desire a look at the full Collector's Edition packaging, you can make it so by engaging past the break.

[Via Big Download]

Continued →

Engage: New Star Trek Online screens and dev diary

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 24th 2009 at 9:00PM }

With our rudimentary knowledge of the expanded Star Trek universe, we have a hard time following Cryptic Studios' series of lore briefings for Star Trek Online (the latest installment of which is posted above). Still, you don't have to have a Ph.D. in Klingon-Starfleet relations to appreciate the gargantuan space battles featured in the video. You just have to have eyes. We suppose an appreciation for lasers helps, too.

In addition to the moving pictures, Atari has released a batch of new stills, as well, which we've tossed into the gallery below. Unless you have some aversion to wrinkle-headed alien species, we think you'll like what you see.

Gallery: Star Trek Online (11/24/09)

We sense Star Trek Online's Beta-zed delegation arrives Jan. 12

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 20th 2009 at 9:25AM }

Star Trek Online may launch on Stardate 63554.5 (February 2, 2010), but beginning January 12, fans can beam into the open beta. The intergalactic guinea pig session will take place from January 12 until January 26. Players interested in kicking the warp nacelles should head on over to startrekonline.com to enroll.

If you're also interested in learning more about life in the 25th century, check out some of Star Trek Online's videos and developer interviews.

Gallery: Star Trek Online

Visit the bridge and destroy others in new Star Trek Online videos

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 18th 2009 at 12:15AM }

Atari has released some new videos of Star Trek Online. The first, embedded above, is a detailed look at the game's space combat. In it, the developers at Cryptic discuss the overall thrust of combat and also the many things that players can do to customize their ships. Everything from ship type to different equipment to a player's choice of bridge officers has an impact on combat effectiveness. Oh, and once again, there's a Borg cube. Only this time ... it explodes.

After the break, find a quick trailer showcasing the ability for players to visit their ship's bridge. Thrill as you watch your avatar stand up and point at the view screen! Just try to keep it quiet when muttering the words, "Make it so." The video also touches on ground combat, visits alien landscapes and throws in some phasers and explosions for good measure. Enjoy.

Continued →

Cryptic answers your Star Trek Online questions

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 16th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Cryptic understands that you have questions about Star Trek Online, and now, thanks to Massively, you've got answers. The Joystiq sister site got hold of the folks at Cryptic and got some answers to burning questions about the ships featured in the game. Want to know the gameplay difference between a Klingon Bird of Prey and a Carrier? Does the custom look of your ship affect its performance? Can you visit the inside of your ship? Head over to Massively for answers to all these questions, and be sure to keep an eye out for more Star Trek Online Q&A sessions soon.

Star Trek Online shipping on Stardate 63554.5 (Feb. 2, 2010)

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 9th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Star Trek Online officially beams into retail on February 2, 2010, keeping in line with what an unearthed Atari financial document expected last May. Players will boldly enter 2409 and continue "the story of the latest film installment," according to the press release. Huh, and here we thought it took place after the poorly-received Nemesis and not the "latest" Star Trek movie, which was actually the acclaimed reboot.

We contacted Atari to find out which layer of the sci-fi series' multiverse we'll be playing in and a representative apologized for the confusion, saying , "Events in the movie that happened in the prime timeline -- the destruction of Romulus, and the disappearance of Spock and Nero -- have affected STO. You can learn more about the aftermath of these events in the Path to 2409 and in STO itself."