Bethesda officially beams up Star Trek

Following weeks of rumors, the Elder Scrolls developer takes the wraps off Star Trek: Legacy and Star Trek: Tactical Assault.

Two and a half years ago, Activision jettisoned the license to make games based on the popular sci-fi Star Trek television and film series. The unusual move followed a long and acrimonious struggle that saw the Call of Duty 2 publisher accuse Viacom, owner of Star Trek studio Paramount Pictures, of not producing and promoting Star Trek films and television shows at the rate it was when the two companies signed a 10-year licensing agreement in 1998. Activision alleged that "through its actions and inactions, Viacom has let the once proud Star Trek franchise stagnate and decay," and claimed that Viacom recently admitted that there are no current plans for new Star Trek movies.

The next 30 months saw only two games based on Star Trek, one of the most popular science-fiction franchise of all time, hit the market: The multiconsole space-combat sim Star Trek: Shattered Universe, which critics gave a pummeling akin to a Klingon bar brawl, and Star Trek: The Birds of Prey, which got sparkling reviews...for a mobile-phone game.

Hopes began to rise when novice developer Perpetual Entertainment announced plans for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Star Trek Online. Then, the first word on the non-MMORPG Star Trek license came in January 2005. That's when Harry Lang, director of the licensing division of Paramount Pictures, hinted on the forums of the fan site Star Trek: Gaming Universe that a new Trek game was in the works. Earlier this month, Lang used the same forums to confirm online reports that Mad Doc Software (Empire Earth II) was developing Star Trek: Legacy, a real-time strategy game for the PC and Xbox 360. When contacted by GameSpot, Mad Doc reps redirected questions about the game to Elder Scrolls IV developer/copublisher Bethesda Softworks, which promised an announcement "soon."

"Soon" apparently meant today, which is when Bethesda announced it has indeed acquired the Trek license. "Being able to work with the entire universe of this beloved series is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us," said Todd Vaughn, Bethesda Softworks' vice president of development. "We have some great ideas about where we want to go with this license and having the exclusive right to develop and publish Star Trek games across all platforms ensures that every Star Trek game will be a quality game worthy of its name."

Bethesda confirmed Star Trek: Legacy is indeed being developed by Mad Doc for PCs and the Xbox 360 by the end of 2006, and gave the first concrete details about the game. It will cast players in the role of a Starfleet Admiral charged with commanding a task force of Enterprise-esque starships through large and small-scale battles. Its story will be set during every Star Trek television series, including Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise.

According to Bethesda, Star Trek Legacy will feature cutting-edge graphics, including "dynamic three-dimensional battlefields with graphically stunning space environments filled with fully realized nebulas, wormholes, planets, and stars." The game will also support online multiplayer, and will fully utilize the Xbox 360's statistic-tracking and player-ranking systems.

Today, the traditionally PC- and console-focused Bethesda also announced Star Trek: Tactical Assault, its first foray into the handheld market. Set for release on the PSP and DS in September, the game will sport "real-time spaceship combat from the universe of the original Star Trek series." Its single-player campaign will allow players to assume the role of a Starfleet or Klingon commander, and will sport a storyline with "branching missions and multiple outcomes." In addition, the DS version will let players face off in "head-to-head wireless multiplayer combat." Tactical Assault is being developed by Quicksilver Software, the studio behind the highly popular Star Trek: Starfleet Command.

Neither Star Trek: Tactical Assault nor Star Trek: Legacy has been rated yet by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

45 Comments

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 10:30 am PT

    it looks like it might work...

  • hawkeye1944

    Posted Jan 27, 2006 6:30 pm PT

    Well i hope its good, and some people are a little too hard on some of the older startrek games. We all know they weren't that good but not all of them were terrible either.
    They are making a Star Trek MMO btw, but i think it will fail.
    AND the xbox360 is supposed to have keyboard/mouse support right? Well if its an RTS, then there is your answer for fine control.

  • moocow21

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 3:24 pm PT

    Always thought Star Trek was just retarded, but if Bethesda is developing it - it will most likely be a good game.

  • Kravyn81

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 1:57 pm PT

    Oh man! This is friggin' awesome! If, that is, I was a Trekkie.

  • dagliderpilot

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 10:50 am PT

    What i want to know how you can do a RTS for a consol (assuming its a real RTS like ST Armada, C and C, or act of war.) you just cant get the fine movements of possitioning buildings, or units. C and C tryed it for the N64, and it didnt work.

  • ghostpanther

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 8:07 am PT

    Since Paramount seems to have given up on producing anything new in the Star Trek universe, at least for a while, it will be difficult to get anyone but die-hard fans interested. The combination of the failure of Star Trek: Enterprise and the bad taste left behind by the last craptastic games makes me very wary of putting my money into buying another Star Trek game.

    I did enjoy some of the past efforts in the Star Trek universe, but ... I do think they have already gone into the Final Frontier....

  • wizdom73

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 8:00 am PT

    I really hoping the game get's the attention it deserves.

  • jleeii

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 6:40 am PT

    Well I for one am pleased to see something become of Star Trek. Perhaps this will be the begining of a renewed sense of responsiblilty to keep the entire franchise alive and not shelve it somewhere.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 6:27 am PT

    a star trek MMO could be cool if done right.....but seems that it could get boring after a while.

  • ufopuller

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 5:52 am PT

    Can't wait

  • general_bison

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 2:46 am PT

    Bethesda rock, great news in my opinion.

  • obi-mark

    Posted Jan 25, 2006 2:17 am PT

    If they want to make a space strategy they better don't try to sell us,gamers, some half done 3d mashed in 2d crap... especially with ST. Comanding a fleet attacking dominon would be great if done right for a change. Though I would like to see some element of adventure involved... such as diplomatic mission, away missions... also a reactive univers, if you fire upon romulan starship expect war to errupt...

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 11:33 pm PT

    I'm sure they'll come eventually, Doc. Though I'd love to see a Morrowind-style Star Trek game, personally. Or at least something KOTOR-styled. Granted, to do it right would take tons of space...

  • TheDoctorNW

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 10:25 pm PT

    This is fine, but where are the Star Trek adventure or action/adventure games?!

  • ebonyflame

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 10:07 pm PT

    Sucks to be Activision. Just think, a company that has taken its liberty by publishing numerous Marvel comics games decides to not publish probably one of the most famoush franchises in entertainment history. Oh wait, here's an idea... Take a page out of Bungie software's book, don't publish a game until it is completely done and done right.

  • helluvagood

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 9:26 pm PT

    yay go flashie bashieext 30 months saw only two games based on Star Trek, one of the most popular science-ficti

  • Eribuster_basic

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 8:35 pm PT

    Mmm, this is all well and good. As others have said, make Elite Force 3 and I'll be happy.

  • EzrielKlein

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 8:34 pm PT

    Finally, a new Star Trek Game. I'm just surprised EA didn't attempt to acquire the license. Just one question: Why is it only being developed for the PC and XBOX360?

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 8:31 pm PT

    awesome

  • 777rak

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 8:23 pm PT

    Awesome!! Hopefully this will turn out to be a great RTS game.

  • doolindesperado

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 8:02 pm PT

    I wonder if we are finally going to get Star Trek Elite Force 3. I really liked those games....

  • killa-k

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 7:57 pm PT

    i just hope this game is half decent, i never followed Star trek but i am curious on how this game wil look

  • Curly21029

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 7:43 pm PT

    Nerd alert! Nerd alert! Just kidding! I hope that Bethesda is able to bring some credibility to the franchise. I'm not personally a fan....I've actually never even played a Star Trek game. But I do recall a number of people complaining about the titles released under the liscense. I hope they're able to pull it together and do justice for all the fans. However, I really don't want to see Bethesda getting sucked too far into the liscensed game market. They've done great with original content....let's hope they don't forget about that.

  • giventofly462

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 7:35 pm PT

    I always get so scared whenever I hear a new Trek game is coming out. I love Star Trek to death but hate when developers make half-assed games out of them. And the whole "command the Enterprise is realistic ship-to-ship combat!!!" approach seems tired. Something more like Elite Force is what we need. Star Trek is a big place. So many different cultures and aliens and situations that lend itself to thousands of potential ideas to put in a game. I realize people are most familiar with the Enterprise and flying huge spaceships, but would an RPG ala KOTOR or a Far Cry like shooter be so much to ask for?

  • Enterprise-E

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 6:49 pm PT

    This is great news. It brings new life into the Star Trek games and this Star Trek: Legacy sounds great and looks great. But i have been fooled before.

  • FlashGordon

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 6:48 pm PT

    DaHjaj 'oH QaQ jaj Daq Hegh!

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 6:33 pm PT

    thank our lucky stars EA didnt get the licence. not that I'm buying a 360, mind. Live Long & Prosper ... =/\=

  • altmoonster

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 6:22 pm PT

    the tactical assualt screens for psp look like starfleet command for pc....that is a very, very good thing.

    an online multiplayer tactical game for xbox 360 sounds good.

  • Joint2

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    Man PrvtTucker explain how star wars owns. Is mindless shooting just for personal gain(clone wars) and unbelieveable space ships like the death star make it own techincally?

  • erikers

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    another 360 rts game

  • PRGundam91

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • PRGundam91

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:46 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • DarthMcWord

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:33 pm PT

    Finally. Maybe it will be a good Star Trek game ( the last one I truly played, because the others looked not so good, was for DOS) so I say it's about time some one gets crankin' on a new ST game. I am a fan of all the series and the movies so I am looking foward to it.

  • Shtinky

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:23 pm PT

    They should make an exclusive Star Trek game for the Revolution, I can just imagine using that controller as a phaser, it could work really well.

  • Wolfcp11

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:15 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:07 pm PT

    Sweet! Let's hope these games are good....

  • chknfaqr

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:05 pm PT

    I think they need to incorporate Star Trek: Bridge Commander gameplay into the game. I.e. make it a mix of online strategy (star wars empire) and Star Trek: Brige commander type small battles should u choose to be a captain or what have u. just think of the possiblities of 100,000 player controlled ships roaming a massive space. kligons, romulans, BORG!!!! come on ppl!!! lol

  • prvtTucker

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:02 pm PT

    star wars owns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

  • Formula_50

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 5:01 pm PT

    Not smart at all. This year, Bethesda has the opportunity to bring Elder Scrolls to the prominence of Final Fantasy. Franchise licensing is beneath them. This is something VU or EA would do.

  • LordOfMidnight

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 4:54 pm PT

    Hopefully they can spark a new quality series with the Star Trek franchise.

  • Rossdaboss777

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 4:49 pm PT

    it should be good with new developers and xbox live

  • Truth01

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 4:42 pm PT

    Yay. I loves Star Trek!

  • EqualPlatinum

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 4:39 pm PT

    Sweet, new ST games, really hope there good. Wonder how the Enterprise-era stuff will pan out, hope it plays differently.

  • dlind70

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 4:35 pm PT

    Oh, goodie! Hopefully these won't be as dissapointing as the last Star Trek game.

  • Donkeljohn Site moderator

    Posted Jan 24, 2006 4:29 pm PT

    Hopefully Star Trek can deliver a decent game. Legacy is trying to go where no Mad Doc game has gone before. . . remember they did Dungeon Siege:Legends of Aranna. I didn't think it was that bad, but that was just me.

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