20 December 2009
Star Trek Online - Explore - Discover - Engage Trailer
Star Trek Online - Explore - Discover - Engage Trailer
Star Trek Online trailer packs explosions
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.
Star Trek Online in game details
Developers Cryptic have revealed that, unlike the opposing Federation class, Star Trek MMO Star Trek Online’s Klingon faction will be almost exclusively PvP-based when the PC MMORPG launches in February.
According to press statement issued by Cryptic, Klingons must “advance through PvP, as they will not have access to robust player-vs.-environment content at launch," adding that "PvP is something we designed from the ground up to be a viable advancement path."
"We are trying to get some PvE in (there's already a tad bit). And, if the players demand it, we'll add more content (like episodes)," revealed chief creative officer Jack Emmert in a recent forum post. "I want us to be agile as a company and respond to what the customers want."
In addition players will not be able to unlock Klingon characters to begin with and will instead be required to "unlock the first sector block of Federation content, about five hours into the game"
Star Trek Online will also feature a number of PvP modes including duel 'Challenges,' team vs. team 'Arenas,' objective-based 'Scenarios' and open PvP 'War Zones.'
As Klingons level up they will gain access to more advanced ships and weaponry.
The upcoming MMORPG, which will be released on the 2nd of February 2010 is currently in its beta testing phase and has been billed by its developers as “the first MMO to offer both space and ground game play."
In the game each player will be a captain of his or her own ship, with the mention of ‘Federation Captain’ and ‘Klingon Warrior’ as class possibilities.
It has also been suggested that players will be able to beam down onto the face of different planets for more hand -to -hand orientated confrontations.
According to press statement issued by Cryptic, Klingons must “advance through PvP, as they will not have access to robust player-vs.-environment content at launch," adding that "PvP is something we designed from the ground up to be a viable advancement path."
"We are trying to get some PvE in (there's already a tad bit). And, if the players demand it, we'll add more content (like episodes)," revealed chief creative officer Jack Emmert in a recent forum post. "I want us to be agile as a company and respond to what the customers want."
In addition players will not be able to unlock Klingon characters to begin with and will instead be required to "unlock the first sector block of Federation content, about five hours into the game"
Star Trek Online will also feature a number of PvP modes including duel 'Challenges,' team vs. team 'Arenas,' objective-based 'Scenarios' and open PvP 'War Zones.'
As Klingons level up they will gain access to more advanced ships and weaponry.
The upcoming MMORPG, which will be released on the 2nd of February 2010 is currently in its beta testing phase and has been billed by its developers as “the first MMO to offer both space and ground game play."
In the game each player will be a captain of his or her own ship, with the mention of ‘Federation Captain’ and ‘Klingon Warrior’ as class possibilities.
It has also been suggested that players will be able to beam down onto the face of different planets for more hand -to -hand orientated confrontations.
Star Trek Online Klingon Player
Klingon gameplay is one of Star Trek Online’s most unique features. It exists as an additional advancement path for players, and offers different gameplay options to players more interested in player-vs.-player (PvP) combat.
Players will be able to create a Klingon character after they unlock the first sector block of Federation content, about five hours into the game. Their Klingon character will begin at a rank approximately equal to the Federation character that unlocked the content.
Klingon Captains have the same number of skills available as their Federation counterparts, including the same professions. The Klingon Captain can be a Science, Engineering or Tactical officer. However, they must advance through PvP, as they will not have access to the same amount of player-vs.-environment (PvE) content as Federation players at launch.
While they are PvP-focused, PvP in Star Trek Online is something that was designed from the ground up to be a viable advancement path, meaning both Klingon and Federation players can reach a rank of Admiral solely through PvP. Players can engage in team vs. team, Federation vs. Klingon, Klingon vs. Klingon and Federation vs. Federation combat. What’s more, certain PvP maps will have PvE objectives over which opposing players can struggle.
Scenarios include:
* Challenges allow two teams to square off in a private instance created for them on-the-fly.
* Arena maps are team-vs.-team match-ups in instances, played either by teams that challenge one another, or by randomly-assigned teams created via a global queue system.
* Scenarios feature objective-oriented gameplay like Assault and Area Control. The Assault scenario is straightforward: Move forces from your area to the opponents’, inflicting more casualties than you suffer. The Area Control scenario is more subtle: Capture key objectives and hold them longer than your opponents to win the day.
* War Zone maps are static maps that are always open for players to join. Both factions may enter this may enter this map, which has Open Mission-style PvE objectives to achieve, with the twist that members of opposing factions can hinder each other’s progress via PvP.
Klingons will also progress through ships in their own way, receiving special variants of ships as they achieve new ranks.
Players will be able to create a Klingon character after they unlock the first sector block of Federation content, about five hours into the game. Their Klingon character will begin at a rank approximately equal to the Federation character that unlocked the content.
Klingon Captains have the same number of skills available as their Federation counterparts, including the same professions. The Klingon Captain can be a Science, Engineering or Tactical officer. However, they must advance through PvP, as they will not have access to the same amount of player-vs.-environment (PvE) content as Federation players at launch.
While they are PvP-focused, PvP in Star Trek Online is something that was designed from the ground up to be a viable advancement path, meaning both Klingon and Federation players can reach a rank of Admiral solely through PvP. Players can engage in team vs. team, Federation vs. Klingon, Klingon vs. Klingon and Federation vs. Federation combat. What’s more, certain PvP maps will have PvE objectives over which opposing players can struggle.
Scenarios include:
* Challenges allow two teams to square off in a private instance created for them on-the-fly.
* Arena maps are team-vs.-team match-ups in instances, played either by teams that challenge one another, or by randomly-assigned teams created via a global queue system.
* Scenarios feature objective-oriented gameplay like Assault and Area Control. The Assault scenario is straightforward: Move forces from your area to the opponents’, inflicting more casualties than you suffer. The Area Control scenario is more subtle: Capture key objectives and hold them longer than your opponents to win the day.
* War Zone maps are static maps that are always open for players to join. Both factions may enter this may enter this map, which has Open Mission-style PvE objectives to achieve, with the twist that members of opposing factions can hinder each other’s progress via PvP.
Klingons will also progress through ships in their own way, receiving special variants of ships as they achieve new ranks.
Star Trek Online's episode missions
Cryptic Studios posted the latest in a series of "Ask Cryptic" Q&As about Star Trek Online. This one concerns Episode missions and their rewards.
It looks like Cryptic has worked to make certain Episodes important to other Episodes later on in a "season" without making it absolutely necessary to complete those earlier Episodes. Very few Episodes are prerequisites to others, and when it does happen it's usually a "two-parter." There are lots of potential rewards for completing Episodes, including skill points, additional bridge officers, and items and weapons for yourself and your ship. Similar rewards are also available by engaging in PvP or exploring the galaxy.
Most Episode missions are said to be able to be completed by the solo player, but Episodes will scale based on how many players you have in your group, giving both soloists and groups an adequate challenge. Cryptic looks to release updates to Star Trek Online every three to four months.
Star Trek Online is scheduled to be released on February 2nd, 2010.
It looks like Cryptic has worked to make certain Episodes important to other Episodes later on in a "season" without making it absolutely necessary to complete those earlier Episodes. Very few Episodes are prerequisites to others, and when it does happen it's usually a "two-parter." There are lots of potential rewards for completing Episodes, including skill points, additional bridge officers, and items and weapons for yourself and your ship. Similar rewards are also available by engaging in PvP or exploring the galaxy.
Most Episode missions are said to be able to be completed by the solo player, but Episodes will scale based on how many players you have in your group, giving both soloists and groups an adequate challenge. Cryptic looks to release updates to Star Trek Online every three to four months.
Star Trek Online is scheduled to be released on February 2nd, 2010.
Star Trek Online "Fleet Action" trailers
In STO, world events are referred to as "Fleet Action." As you traverse the universe in your starship, you'll stumble upon random ongoing battles here and there, and the game lets you engage or come back another time to participate. In other words, these are quests of epic proportions. Then again, isn't something automatically "epic" if it occurs in space?
The first video is a developer diary, in which the team explains these large-scale events. Check it out:
The first video is a developer diary, in which the team explains these large-scale events. Check it out:
The STO Story
The upcoming Star Trek Online didn't quite know what to expect from Cryptic Studios; the company acquired the rights to develop the MMO in 2008, after its original developer folded. The community found solace in the notion that Star Trek Online was finally in capable hands, yet Cryptic kept a tight-lid on its newfound development. It wasn't until last summer that even the smallest details began coming in on a regular basis, presumably in response to J. J. Abrams' movie reboot, Star Trek. Around the same time, we published a feature-editorial about the relationship between the MMO, the original series and the "parallel timeline" explored in Abrams' new movie. Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich confirmed that Star Trek Online would, as fans expected, follow the original timeline last seen in Star Trek: Nemesis. However, many events in Abrams' reboot will affect the "prime" universe/timeline of the MMO as well.
In early autumn, Cryptic finally put an end to the absolute secrecy surrounding Star Trek Online and started releasing tangible media and gameplay details. After being left in the dark for five years, the 'Trek community has gleaned a wealth of information in just the last few months. If you haven't been following the news since then—or you simply need a little help in piecing it all together—this installment of ZAM's "What We Know So Far" takes an updated look at Star Trek Online's unfolding story.
Despite the first closed beta already underway and a scheduled release date of Feb. 2, 2010, Cryptic hasn't fully explained the story that will drive STO at launch. Small bits of information were gradually released in developer videos and a fiction series, called "The Path to 2409," throughout the past few months. But these are just fragments of a bigger story; one that will ultimately piece together the history of the Star Trek universe since we last saw it in Nemesis.
What we do know is that, by the year 2381, the Romulan Star Empire was in disarray, approaching a civil war between the Romulans and Remans. Intent on liberating a homeworld of their own, the Remans found themselves at odds with the Romulans. Meanwhile, the Klingon Empire exploited the brewing civil war by launching an assault to reclaim the Khitomer sector, an area it had long-since lost to the Romulans.
The Federation denounced the attack, but the Klingons—being Klingons, of course—didn't give a damn. By 2392, the Klingons and Romulans were engaged in total war, and the Federation's relationship with the Klingon High Council had rapidly deteriorated. Meanwhile, from seemingly out-of-nowhere, the Nausicaans and the Gorn (the big lizard-looking race first seen in the original series) attacked a Klingon-occupied planet while the Klingons' backs were turned, just as they did to the Romulans.
The Klingons were fighting a war on two fronts; against both the Romulan Empire and the Gorn-Nausicaan alliance. The Federation has lost control of diplomatic relations, and the Klingons eventually claimed substantial Romulan space. But in 2395, the plot thickened when the Klingon Empire discovered that an unknown race of shape-shifting aliens had been pulling the strings all along; these shape-shifters infiltrated the Gorn by disguising themselves as high-ranking officials, and instigating the war.
These are the events that set the stage for STO's launch; the Klingons have joined forces with the Orions, Gorn and Nasicaans after discovering the shape-shifters' role in manipulating recent events. It was only recently revealed STO's "Klingon faction" will consist of these four races. By 2406, the Klingon faction had become aggressive, paranoid and xenophobic because of the shape-shifting alien threat. The Klingon Empire began encroaching Federation space, ordering it to evacuate various Klingon-claimed territories.
In 2409, when STO begins, the Federation and Klingon Empire have presumably declared war on each other, or are extremely close to doing so. The "rub" is the unknown alien menace; a race of shape-shifters who might have been orchestrating these events all along. Cryptic has also dropped hints that "Species 8472," the beings discovered in "fluidic space" by the Voyager crew in the Delta Quadrant, play a role in STO's story. And that's only the beginning of a bigger story that draws inspiration from every Star Trek series ever produced.
To find out more, you can read the complete "Path to 2409" fiction series to see the direction in which Cryptic has steered the IP. Most Trekkers won't be disappointed when they find an abundance of familiar names, places and events in Star Trek lore that the developers used to build STO. You can also watch the main story events play out with developer commentary and in-game footage by checking out the two-part "Future Past" video series.
In our next STO-related installment of "What We Know So Far," ZAM will cover the gameplay aspects and features of the MMO, including ship combat, away missions and character progression. Also, be sure to keep an eye on our STO portal site to read our ongoing "Exploration" series from the closed beta; last week, we previewed the character creation system.
In early autumn, Cryptic finally put an end to the absolute secrecy surrounding Star Trek Online and started releasing tangible media and gameplay details. After being left in the dark for five years, the 'Trek community has gleaned a wealth of information in just the last few months. If you haven't been following the news since then—or you simply need a little help in piecing it all together—this installment of ZAM's "What We Know So Far" takes an updated look at Star Trek Online's unfolding story.
Despite the first closed beta already underway and a scheduled release date of Feb. 2, 2010, Cryptic hasn't fully explained the story that will drive STO at launch. Small bits of information were gradually released in developer videos and a fiction series, called "The Path to 2409," throughout the past few months. But these are just fragments of a bigger story; one that will ultimately piece together the history of the Star Trek universe since we last saw it in Nemesis.
What we do know is that, by the year 2381, the Romulan Star Empire was in disarray, approaching a civil war between the Romulans and Remans. Intent on liberating a homeworld of their own, the Remans found themselves at odds with the Romulans. Meanwhile, the Klingon Empire exploited the brewing civil war by launching an assault to reclaim the Khitomer sector, an area it had long-since lost to the Romulans.
The Federation denounced the attack, but the Klingons—being Klingons, of course—didn't give a damn. By 2392, the Klingons and Romulans were engaged in total war, and the Federation's relationship with the Klingon High Council had rapidly deteriorated. Meanwhile, from seemingly out-of-nowhere, the Nausicaans and the Gorn (the big lizard-looking race first seen in the original series) attacked a Klingon-occupied planet while the Klingons' backs were turned, just as they did to the Romulans.
The Klingons were fighting a war on two fronts; against both the Romulan Empire and the Gorn-Nausicaan alliance. The Federation has lost control of diplomatic relations, and the Klingons eventually claimed substantial Romulan space. But in 2395, the plot thickened when the Klingon Empire discovered that an unknown race of shape-shifting aliens had been pulling the strings all along; these shape-shifters infiltrated the Gorn by disguising themselves as high-ranking officials, and instigating the war.
These are the events that set the stage for STO's launch; the Klingons have joined forces with the Orions, Gorn and Nasicaans after discovering the shape-shifters' role in manipulating recent events. It was only recently revealed STO's "Klingon faction" will consist of these four races. By 2406, the Klingon faction had become aggressive, paranoid and xenophobic because of the shape-shifting alien threat. The Klingon Empire began encroaching Federation space, ordering it to evacuate various Klingon-claimed territories.
In 2409, when STO begins, the Federation and Klingon Empire have presumably declared war on each other, or are extremely close to doing so. The "rub" is the unknown alien menace; a race of shape-shifters who might have been orchestrating these events all along. Cryptic has also dropped hints that "Species 8472," the beings discovered in "fluidic space" by the Voyager crew in the Delta Quadrant, play a role in STO's story. And that's only the beginning of a bigger story that draws inspiration from every Star Trek series ever produced.
To find out more, you can read the complete "Path to 2409" fiction series to see the direction in which Cryptic has steered the IP. Most Trekkers won't be disappointed when they find an abundance of familiar names, places and events in Star Trek lore that the developers used to build STO. You can also watch the main story events play out with developer commentary and in-game footage by checking out the two-part "Future Past" video series.
In our next STO-related installment of "What We Know So Far," ZAM will cover the gameplay aspects and features of the MMO, including ship combat, away missions and character progression. Also, be sure to keep an eye on our STO portal site to read our ongoing "Exploration" series from the closed beta; last week, we previewed the character creation system.
2010: The Better PC Games?
Blizzard will, we hope, stick to its early 2010 release date for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, the first entry in the planned real-time strategy trilogy. And the publisher developer is threatening to release two titles next year, including the third World of Warcraft expansion, Cataclysm. will it finally die in 2010? No. C’mon, stop already with that. Sure, 2009 had its ups and downs, PC gaming is very much alive and maybe looking healthier than ever in 2010.
Thankfully, there are many strong contenders due in the following year, including highly anticipated MMOs like Star Wars: The Old Republic, DC Universe Online, Star Trek Online and APB, to name but a few. So let’s take a look at what’s will be pushing PCs to their limits in 2010, starting right now.
Note: We’ll be looking at every platform’s currently announced and estimated 2010 slate over the course of the rest of the week – and much, much more.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
APB: All Points Bulletin
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight
Star Wars: The Old Republic
DC Universe Online
Natural Selection II
Deathspank
Global Agenda
Kingdom Under Fire II
Metro 2033
Silent Hunter V
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
Star Trek Online
Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online
Alan Wake
Thankfully, there are many strong contenders due in the following year, including highly anticipated MMOs like Star Wars: The Old Republic, DC Universe Online, Star Trek Online and APB, to name but a few. So let’s take a look at what’s will be pushing PCs to their limits in 2010, starting right now.
Note: We’ll be looking at every platform’s currently announced and estimated 2010 slate over the course of the rest of the week – and much, much more.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
APB: All Points Bulletin
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight
Star Wars: The Old Republic
DC Universe Online
Natural Selection II
Deathspank
Global Agenda
Kingdom Under Fire II
Metro 2033
Silent Hunter V
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
Star Trek Online
Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online
Alan Wake
Star Trek Online open beta dates
I have always enjoyed Star Trek. I hope this game will be good but with Bioware making KOTOR MMO I'm not sure how Star Trek can compete.Turns out it isn't OSX compatible so I'm out of luck. This is probably a good thing since WarCraft sucked so much time from my life.
With the official launch date for Star Trek Online set for February 2, 2010 Cryptic is now entering the next phase of its launch preparations in the shape of a beta test program. To sign up, simply head over to the official Star Trek Online site, and put in your application. Move quickly though, as applications are being processed on a first-come-first-served basis we're assured. All you have to do is sign up for a community account and answer some questions about your gaming habits and your PC hardware. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. The open beta period for the game will run from January 12 to January 26.
19 December 2009
upcoming Star Trek Online tie-in novel
Devoted to Star Trek gaming, unearthed an interesting piece of news a few days ago: an upcoming Star Trek Online tie-in novel. The author of the book is Michael A. Martin, author of several Star Trek novels such as Star Trek Enterprise Romulan Wars. The title will be Star Trek Online: The Needs of the Many, it will have 340 pages, and the release date is set for March 30th, 2010.
The actual content of the novel is of course not known yet, but it is possible that the novel takes place in the timeframe of the game, 30 years after Star TreK Nemesis. The book can be preordered through Amazon.com now, or directly from the publisher.
The actual content of the novel is of course not known yet, but it is possible that the novel takes place in the timeframe of the game, 30 years after Star TreK Nemesis. The book can be preordered through Amazon.com now, or directly from the publisher.
STO:The Next Next Generation
Really play up to the Star Trek The Next Next Generation. As the video reveals, it directly follows on from the last Picard’n'chums movie, thus continues the long-standing timeline that the new Star Trek movie effectively calls a halt to. So, olden Trek-types will be glad to hear that STO brings resolution/continuance of the Romulan conflict, the re-outing of the Klingons as this universe’s Third Reich, and lots of very specific stardates. So, enthusiastic geekery from Cryptic below, replete with a splodge of pre-beta footage. Good news for the Trek devout, but I won’t be at all surprised if the marketing shifts to bigger, broader action as the release date gets closer.
Star Trek Online Character Creator
The Star Trek Online beta has for some reason allowed us in. So of course playing with the character creator made by Cryptic.If you’ve played City of Heroes or Champions Online you’ll know quite how extraordinary Cryptic’s character creators are. Others attempt to offer the same lists of options, but almost none are able to produce the same results. The same is true here. The nuance available to you with the tiniest of tweaks is fantastic, and unlike so many competitors’ creators, changing one value doesn’t obliterate your hard work with the others.
Each setting is able to interact with the others without distorting it, so if you want to mess around with your head width, it isn’t going to muck up the mouth size or nostril depth you so carefully picked out. Rather than letting you go crazy-go-mad with the settings, each is carefully fixed so you can’t step outside the boundaries of realistic. So for instance, pick a Bolian and it will offer you a generic blue seamed head. Attempt to go crazy and you’ll be able to make something odd, but not insane. And most of all, you won’t be able to give him hair.
Star Trek Online Klingon overworld and PvP
Feast your glorious ridged foreheads and dreadlocks on the Klingon homeworld, watch as two warriors battle it out with bat'leth, and gaze upon the fantastic Birds of Prey you'll be able to commandeer on your missions. This is the class to play if you like some honor and bloodlust on your plate so have a look at the gallery below. The Klingon Empire is only available for PvP-usage, at least when the game launches.
Star Trek Online Closed Beta applications
If you’ve already got a Champions Online account, you don’t need to create a new one - just log in using that information, and you’ll be all set.
Star Trek Online Closed Beta applications
Star Trek Online Closed Beta applications
Star Trek Closed Beta Tester Key competition
For two weeks only, the Star Trek™ Closed Beta Tester Key competition is now running on the dedicated MMO area of the Alltern8.com site. Get in your entry now for this exclusive Star Trek™ Beta Tester Key now and begin to play this epic MMO before the rush!. To enter, register with Alltern8.com www.alltern8.com and head straight to the competition at: http://www.alltern8.com/competitions/Star_Trek_Online/
for your chance to be one of the lucky winners
Also Alltern8 are recruiting members for its new STO Federation Fleet, visit:
http://www.alltern8.com/library/mmo_games/the_federation_wants_you/l-4564.html
Signup to the Alltern8 site today and become involved with one of the most anticipated MMO’s in recent years.
Star Trek Online is massively multiplayer online game from Cryptic Studios, players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation star ship. Or, they can become a Klingon Warlord and expand the Empire to the far reaches of the galaxy. Players will have the opportunity to visit iconic locations from the popular Star Trek fiction, reach out to unexplored star systems, and make contact with new alien species. With Episode Missions, every moment spent playing Star Trek Online will feel like a new Star Trek episode in which you are the star. Immerse yourself in the future of the Trek universe as it moves into the 25th century: a time of shifting alliances and new discoveries.
for your chance to be one of the lucky winners
Also Alltern8 are recruiting members for its new STO Federation Fleet, visit:
http://www.alltern8.com/library/mmo_games/the_federation_wants_you/l-4564.html
Signup to the Alltern8 site today and become involved with one of the most anticipated MMO’s in recent years.
Star Trek Online is massively multiplayer online game from Cryptic Studios, players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation star ship. Or, they can become a Klingon Warlord and expand the Empire to the far reaches of the galaxy. Players will have the opportunity to visit iconic locations from the popular Star Trek fiction, reach out to unexplored star systems, and make contact with new alien species. With Episode Missions, every moment spent playing Star Trek Online will feel like a new Star Trek episode in which you are the star. Immerse yourself in the future of the Trek universe as it moves into the 25th century: a time of shifting alliances and new discoveries.
Star Wars: The Old Republic Review
Star Wars: The Old Republic (TOR) is an upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game based in the Star Wars universe. Currently in development by BioWare and a supplemental team at BioWare Edmonton, the game was first announced on October 21, 2008 at an invitation-only press event. The Old Republic will be released as a PC title. Members of the two main factions – the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire – will have different moralities; the project's key focus is to differentiate between the player's faction and morality. Each faction will contain different classes, each with a distinct backstory and a branching storyline affected by players' moral choices.Classes will also be exclusive to one faction or the other. All eight of the classes have been confirmed: the Bounty Hunter, Sith Warrior,Imperial Agent, and Sith Inquisitor for the Sith Empire; and the Trooper, Smuggler,Jedi Knight,and Jedi Consular for the Galactic Republic. Although each class will have a distinct storyline, they will be integrated with the game's overall arc.
Players' choices will permanently open or close storylines and affect players' non-player character (NPC) companions. The game's developers believe that the game will provide more context for characters' missions and quests than other MMORPGs offer. Every character in the game, including the player character, will feature full voice dialog to enhance gameplay, and interactions with those characters will feature a dialogue system similar to that used in the Mass Effect series. Players will be able to choose from a variety of NPCs, although spending time with a single companion will help more in developing story and content than dividing time among several, and may even develop a love interest. It is possible for players to "blow it big time" if they fail to meet NPCs' expectation. Players will also have access to dozens of planets, including Korriban, Ord Mantell, Nal Hutta, Tython, Coruscant, Balmorra, Alderaan, and Tatooine.
Players' choices will permanently open or close storylines and affect players' non-player character (NPC) companions. The game's developers believe that the game will provide more context for characters' missions and quests than other MMORPGs offer. Every character in the game, including the player character, will feature full voice dialog to enhance gameplay, and interactions with those characters will feature a dialogue system similar to that used in the Mass Effect series. Players will be able to choose from a variety of NPCs, although spending time with a single companion will help more in developing story and content than dividing time among several, and may even develop a love interest. It is possible for players to "blow it big time" if they fail to meet NPCs' expectation. Players will also have access to dozens of planets, including Korriban, Ord Mantell, Nal Hutta, Tython, Coruscant, Balmorra, Alderaan, and Tatooine.
Star Trek Online GC 09: Press Conference Demo
Star Trek Online PC Games Event Video - GC 09: Press Conference Demo
Star Trek Online Pre-Orders Available
Cryptic Studios' Star Trek Online is orbiting completion, and for fans who are ready to preorder, there's a pretty huge decision to make. As is the growing trend, where you preorder determines what kind of funky in-game freebie you'll nab. If you plan on ordering online, you've got three options: Direct2Drive customers will receive a Multi-Spatial Personal Shield – a personal shield that constantly regenerates itself and the health of its wearer. STEAM customers get Chromodynamic Armor, which improves the damage and critical hits of energy weapons, while purchasing from Amazon will net you a "Liberated Borg" Bridge Officer, who will assist you in missions and grow with you.
Wal-Mart loyalists get free skill points to buff their characters up, GameStop customers get to man the USS Enterprise (from The Original Series), and Best Buy-ers, well, they get a glamour-pet. All preorders will give you access to the beta test between January 12th – 26th, and participating retailers will also give you access to the retail game on January 29th – giving you a few days head-start on all those who decided not to preorder.
Wal-Mart loyalists get free skill points to buff their characters up, GameStop customers get to man the USS Enterprise (from The Original Series), and Best Buy-ers, well, they get a glamour-pet. All preorders will give you access to the beta test between January 12th – 26th, and participating retailers will also give you access to the retail game on January 29th – giving you a few days head-start on all those who decided not to preorder.
Star Trek Online Collector's Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition
Cryptic Studios, announced today a Collector's Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition of Star Trek Online, available for purchase on February 2, 2010, for a limited time only. Both packages include exclusive content, collectibles and game access. Right now, the $79.99 Collector's Edition can be pre-ordered at GameStop.com and the $59.99 Digital Deluxe Edition can be pre-ordered at Direct2Drive and STEAM. Both special editions are also available at Atari.com.
The Star Trek Online Collector's Edition adds to the experience with such bonus features as:
* Deluxe Packaging: Futuristic 3dX holography set in a high quality brushed aluminum finish. Heavy duty construction with magnetic closures and nested compartments for all components.
* Deluxe Manual: High-end, hardbound, art book, manual and disc case in a single, elegant package. "HD Printing" on over 40 glossy pages highlights exclusive art from the Star Trek Online universe.
* Communicator Badge: High-quality cast-metal design based on the in-game badge model. Fully 3D sculpted with recessed burst and curved contours.
* Guest Passes: Credit card style buddy passes to invite three of your friends for a three-day trial of Star Trek Online. Codes can be transmitted digitally or physically.
* Red Matter Capacitor (in-game item): A unique item that charges up and delivers extra energy to all of your ship's equipment for a short time.
* "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Uniform (in-game item): Uniform Options from "The Next Generation" Series. The timeless look worn by Picard, Data and Riker.
* "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" Uniform (in-game item): Uniform Options from the "Deep Space Nine" Series. Gray shoulders on a black uniform, just like Sisko, Worf and Dax.
The Star Trek Online Digital Deluxe Edition offers such bonuses as five exclusive in-game items as well as the ability to play as a "Joined Trill" – a symbiote that grants you several lifetimes of experience. The five exclusive in-game items include:
* Original Star Trek Uniform Set: Three uniforms from the original series (blue, red, yellow).
* Exclusive "KHAAAN!" Emote: An unforgettable moment from the second Star Trek Film. This exclusive emote allows players to relive Kirk's unforgettable moment of fury, with the timeless cry… "KHAAAN!"
* Exclusive Klingon Blood Wine Toast Emote: Raise a glass like a Klingon! Greet other players with an exclusive Klingon gesture –the blood wine toast.
* Unique Registry Prefix: Give your ship the coveted NX prefix, seen only on a handful of elite Starfleet vessels like the Defiant, 22nd century Enterprise, and Prometheus.
* Unique Ship Item: Automated Defense Battery. This Tactical Module grants any ship a passive 360 arc attack power with a short range.
In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe will appear for the first time one a truly massive scale. In this massively multiplayer online game, players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation ship or become a Klingon Warlord and expand the Empire to the far reaches of the galaxy. Players will visit iconic locations from the popular Star Trek fiction, travel to unexplored star systems, and contact new alien species. Every moment spent playing Star Trek Online will feel like a new Star Trek episode in which you are the hero. Immerse yourself in the future of the Trek universe as it moves into the 25th century: a time of shifting alliances and new discoveries. As the Captain of your very own ship, it's up to you to lead your crew on missions that span the galaxy.
Star Trek Online is a licensed product from CBS Consumer Products. For more information, please visit: www.startrekonline.com
The Star Trek Online Collector's Edition adds to the experience with such bonus features as:
* Deluxe Packaging: Futuristic 3dX holography set in a high quality brushed aluminum finish. Heavy duty construction with magnetic closures and nested compartments for all components.
* Deluxe Manual: High-end, hardbound, art book, manual and disc case in a single, elegant package. "HD Printing" on over 40 glossy pages highlights exclusive art from the Star Trek Online universe.
* Communicator Badge: High-quality cast-metal design based on the in-game badge model. Fully 3D sculpted with recessed burst and curved contours.
* Guest Passes: Credit card style buddy passes to invite three of your friends for a three-day trial of Star Trek Online. Codes can be transmitted digitally or physically.
* Red Matter Capacitor (in-game item): A unique item that charges up and delivers extra energy to all of your ship's equipment for a short time.
* "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Uniform (in-game item): Uniform Options from "The Next Generation" Series. The timeless look worn by Picard, Data and Riker.
* "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" Uniform (in-game item): Uniform Options from the "Deep Space Nine" Series. Gray shoulders on a black uniform, just like Sisko, Worf and Dax.
The Star Trek Online Digital Deluxe Edition offers such bonuses as five exclusive in-game items as well as the ability to play as a "Joined Trill" – a symbiote that grants you several lifetimes of experience. The five exclusive in-game items include:
* Original Star Trek Uniform Set: Three uniforms from the original series (blue, red, yellow).
* Exclusive "KHAAAN!" Emote: An unforgettable moment from the second Star Trek Film. This exclusive emote allows players to relive Kirk's unforgettable moment of fury, with the timeless cry… "KHAAAN!"
* Exclusive Klingon Blood Wine Toast Emote: Raise a glass like a Klingon! Greet other players with an exclusive Klingon gesture –the blood wine toast.
* Unique Registry Prefix: Give your ship the coveted NX prefix, seen only on a handful of elite Starfleet vessels like the Defiant, 22nd century Enterprise, and Prometheus.
* Unique Ship Item: Automated Defense Battery. This Tactical Module grants any ship a passive 360 arc attack power with a short range.
In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe will appear for the first time one a truly massive scale. In this massively multiplayer online game, players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation ship or become a Klingon Warlord and expand the Empire to the far reaches of the galaxy. Players will visit iconic locations from the popular Star Trek fiction, travel to unexplored star systems, and contact new alien species. Every moment spent playing Star Trek Online will feel like a new Star Trek episode in which you are the hero. Immerse yourself in the future of the Trek universe as it moves into the 25th century: a time of shifting alliances and new discoveries. As the Captain of your very own ship, it's up to you to lead your crew on missions that span the galaxy.
Star Trek Online is a licensed product from CBS Consumer Products. For more information, please visit: www.startrekonline.com
Star Trek Online Hands-on
Star Trek Online is set during the original series timeline of Star Trek history, and takes place twenty years after the events that sent Spock back in time (a facet that played a large role in the recent Star Trek film). This is a universe in chaos, with Romulus being destroyed, the Cardassian Union fragmented, the Borg having returned to assimilate worlds, and the Federation and Klingon Empire are on the brink of war once again. Into this tumultuous time, players choose to be either a Federation or Klingon captain, fighting and exploring through the galaxy as they see fit. Like other MMOs, players won't be forced to complete the main storyline of the game, but those choosing to see the story of their side play through will experience a series of adventures that Cryptic is calling "episodes," with content similar to the older television shows. This means that you'll participate in tasks such as delivering an ambassador to a planet, beaming down to ensure their safety, and then returning to space to potentially repel incoming raiders from nearing the planet to kidnap the VIP.
You're a Star Trek fan, you've probably wondered what it's like to explore the final frontier at the helm of your very own ship, following or breaking the Prime Directive as you sail across the universe. However, most Trek games have given players pre-set characters and ships, restricting the feeling of leaving Starfleet Academy and rising through the ranks of the Federation to become a respected captain. The same could be said if you wanted to play as another race, rivaling Starfleet for control of the galaxy. Seeking to fulfill these fan wishes, Cryptic Studios has been hard at work on Star Trek Online, their upcoming MMO based on the classic sci-fi franchise. At a recent press tour, I commanded my own vessel and an away crew mission to see what it was like in the captain's chair. While I saw an early version, Cryptic Studios is hard at work making sure that the experience is ready for Star Trek fans when the game is launched in February 2010. There are still a number of questions that I had which couldn't fully be answered, such as how guilds will operate within the confines of Starfleet or the Klingon Empire, as well as some of the trading and crafting elements, but I was told that those answers would be coming rather soon. For now, however, Star Trek fans should start to imagine how boldly they will choose to explore space, as their skills will soon be needed.
Each episode is tuned for up to five players to group together and complete (scaling difficulty based on the "fleet" or party that is taking on a mission), and eventually culminate in a major milestone at a galactic hub known as a season ender, which frequently require larger groups of fleets to accomplish, which is known as a fleet action. For example, repelling a Borg Cube or two from entering Sol and attacking earth is a large scale fleet action for the Federation.
But before you can engage in these activities, you have to build your ship and select your path. Every player will start out with a light cruiser, but will quickly be given the option to determine what kind of ship they want to command, from a cruiser, science or escort vessel. From there, they are given the ability to manipulate their ship's configuration, down to the placement of the nacelles, material that it's made from and its overall geometry. These decisions impact some of the elements regarding the direction of your character: choosing to specialize in being a cruiser captain doesn't prevent you from flying the other classes, but it does give you some advantages to commanding those ships.
The decision of which ship you want to command also affects the crew that you can have manning your ship. Each ship has slots for Science, Engineering and Tactical officers, although based on the class, a ship may have more use for a particular "seat" that another. For example, a science vessel will have multiple science seats, perhaps an engineering seat or two and maybe no tactical seats at all. Seats are important because they allow crewmembers to use their skills (or powers) to affect the performance of your ship, such as providing a beam that can strip away an enemy ship's shields, faster photon torpedo firing or faster impulse power during combat. I was told that there would be hundreds of these skills to match the hundreds of potential recruits that you can acquire over the course of your adventures.
I had a chance to check this out as I was able to control a vessel in battle against a group of raiders, who were trying to destroy a Federation space station. Controlling the cruiser under my command was slow, even at full impulse power; however, I was told that this was to allow me to tactically determine how to use my phaser arrays and photon torpedoes to strip away enemy shields for a lethal strike. Maneuvering was controlled with the WASD keys, while the mouse could be used to allocate power for your systems in battle. For example, if you're going into battle against faster ships, you may want to sink a lot of power into your phasers so you can respond to their quick maneuvers with fast weapon fire. On the other hand, if you're facing off against slower, more powerful ships, you may want to power up your forward shields to defend against direct assaults. You can control these factors with basic presets, or continually boost your weapons on the fly as the battle commands.
After blasting through the vessels and beaming aboard, I was able to take on four other crewmembers to help me explore the station and see if there were any survivors. The crewmembers were interesting because not only was I able to direct them individually in battle (like a pet from other MMOs), but I could tailor the crew to my own specifications. See, every player will have the ability to select a crewmember from the various known alien races in the galaxy, like Trill, Bajoran or Vulcan, but you can choose to abandon these standards and choose to create your own species, creating their look, history and other features. From there, you can save and send out your newly created aliens to other crews, allowing them to populate the universe. On top of that, you can adjust their individual "kits," profession specific traits that give then different abilities in battle, like a Bones kit that lets them heal nearby characters, or a Kirk kit that gives attack bonuses. These can be further manipulated by weaponry, allowing characters to engage in what Cryptic calls their expose and exploit system during ground battle.
The system plays out like this: players can use one of their weapon skills to potentially expose a weakness in an enemy's defense. For example, my captain held a rather powerful photon gatling gun that could hit multiple targets at once and instantly stun them based on proximity. This would instantly leave the enemies vulnerable for a follow up attack from my captain or a crewmember. That led to the exploit phase, where characters could cause critical damage and potentially end the battle faster. What I discovered is that some battles would require these tactics, as you'd be forced to fight against large numbers of enemies at once (again, scaling in number and difficulty based on the number of human players in your party).
You're a Star Trek fan, you've probably wondered what it's like to explore the final frontier at the helm of your very own ship, following or breaking the Prime Directive as you sail across the universe. However, most Trek games have given players pre-set characters and ships, restricting the feeling of leaving Starfleet Academy and rising through the ranks of the Federation to become a respected captain. The same could be said if you wanted to play as another race, rivaling Starfleet for control of the galaxy. Seeking to fulfill these fan wishes, Cryptic Studios has been hard at work on Star Trek Online, their upcoming MMO based on the classic sci-fi franchise. At a recent press tour, I commanded my own vessel and an away crew mission to see what it was like in the captain's chair. While I saw an early version, Cryptic Studios is hard at work making sure that the experience is ready for Star Trek fans when the game is launched in February 2010. There are still a number of questions that I had which couldn't fully be answered, such as how guilds will operate within the confines of Starfleet or the Klingon Empire, as well as some of the trading and crafting elements, but I was told that those answers would be coming rather soon. For now, however, Star Trek fans should start to imagine how boldly they will choose to explore space, as their skills will soon be needed.
Each episode is tuned for up to five players to group together and complete (scaling difficulty based on the "fleet" or party that is taking on a mission), and eventually culminate in a major milestone at a galactic hub known as a season ender, which frequently require larger groups of fleets to accomplish, which is known as a fleet action. For example, repelling a Borg Cube or two from entering Sol and attacking earth is a large scale fleet action for the Federation.
But before you can engage in these activities, you have to build your ship and select your path. Every player will start out with a light cruiser, but will quickly be given the option to determine what kind of ship they want to command, from a cruiser, science or escort vessel. From there, they are given the ability to manipulate their ship's configuration, down to the placement of the nacelles, material that it's made from and its overall geometry. These decisions impact some of the elements regarding the direction of your character: choosing to specialize in being a cruiser captain doesn't prevent you from flying the other classes, but it does give you some advantages to commanding those ships.
The decision of which ship you want to command also affects the crew that you can have manning your ship. Each ship has slots for Science, Engineering and Tactical officers, although based on the class, a ship may have more use for a particular "seat" that another. For example, a science vessel will have multiple science seats, perhaps an engineering seat or two and maybe no tactical seats at all. Seats are important because they allow crewmembers to use their skills (or powers) to affect the performance of your ship, such as providing a beam that can strip away an enemy ship's shields, faster photon torpedo firing or faster impulse power during combat. I was told that there would be hundreds of these skills to match the hundreds of potential recruits that you can acquire over the course of your adventures.
I had a chance to check this out as I was able to control a vessel in battle against a group of raiders, who were trying to destroy a Federation space station. Controlling the cruiser under my command was slow, even at full impulse power; however, I was told that this was to allow me to tactically determine how to use my phaser arrays and photon torpedoes to strip away enemy shields for a lethal strike. Maneuvering was controlled with the WASD keys, while the mouse could be used to allocate power for your systems in battle. For example, if you're going into battle against faster ships, you may want to sink a lot of power into your phasers so you can respond to their quick maneuvers with fast weapon fire. On the other hand, if you're facing off against slower, more powerful ships, you may want to power up your forward shields to defend against direct assaults. You can control these factors with basic presets, or continually boost your weapons on the fly as the battle commands.
After blasting through the vessels and beaming aboard, I was able to take on four other crewmembers to help me explore the station and see if there were any survivors. The crewmembers were interesting because not only was I able to direct them individually in battle (like a pet from other MMOs), but I could tailor the crew to my own specifications. See, every player will have the ability to select a crewmember from the various known alien races in the galaxy, like Trill, Bajoran or Vulcan, but you can choose to abandon these standards and choose to create your own species, creating their look, history and other features. From there, you can save and send out your newly created aliens to other crews, allowing them to populate the universe. On top of that, you can adjust their individual "kits," profession specific traits that give then different abilities in battle, like a Bones kit that lets them heal nearby characters, or a Kirk kit that gives attack bonuses. These can be further manipulated by weaponry, allowing characters to engage in what Cryptic calls their expose and exploit system during ground battle.
The system plays out like this: players can use one of their weapon skills to potentially expose a weakness in an enemy's defense. For example, my captain held a rather powerful photon gatling gun that could hit multiple targets at once and instantly stun them based on proximity. This would instantly leave the enemies vulnerable for a follow up attack from my captain or a crewmember. That led to the exploit phase, where characters could cause critical damage and potentially end the battle faster. What I discovered is that some battles would require these tactics, as you'd be forced to fight against large numbers of enemies at once (again, scaling in number and difficulty based on the number of human players in your party).
18 December 2009
Star Wars: The old republic
Star Wars: The old republic games is a big war, massive war betwen the republic vs the empire. You can play as jedi, sith, and many other.
Star Wars: The old republic
Star Wars: The old republic games is a big war, massive war betwen the republic vs the empire. You can play as jedi, sith, and many other.
Star Trek Online Game
Star Trek Online Game set in the year 2409, the game allow you to immerse yourself 4 the star trek universe future, exploring free world, seeking new civilization and also expanding universe.
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