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Cryptic boards Star Trek Online

Champions Online dev officially acquires coveted license to Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi epic; first footage of PC and console MMORPG to be webcast from annual Trekkie convention on Aug. 10.

Although not quite at the level of Spock's dramatic demise in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Perpetual Entertainment's closing in January fell heavy on the hearts of those looking forward to beaming aboard Star Trek Online. However, as one of Perpetual's last moves, the studio reportedly fired off its own Genesis capsule containing the coveted Star Trek massively multiplayer online game license, a capsule that reportedly fell on fertile soil in the backyard of City of Heroes creator Cryptic Studios.

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Set graphics to "stun."

Today, that rumor can be confirmed. Cryptic Studios has announced that it has indeed acquired the rights to publish Star Trek Online, and is developing it for the PC and unnamed consoles. The shop is currently developing Champions Online for the PC and Xbox 360, but has not announced any PlayStation 3 projects.

True to TrekMovie.com's initial report, Cryptic accompanied the game's announcement with a handful of screenshots. The developer also said that it will unveil the first gameplay footage at this year's Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. The event will be webcast live, and can be viewed through the game's official Web site on August 10.

Star Trek Online is the second MMOG in Cryptic Studios' stable. After selling off its stake in City of Heroes and City of Villains to NCsoft in November, the game maker announced Champions Online, a spiritual successor of sorts to the canceled Marvel Universe Online. Earlier this month, Take-Two Interactive revealed that it would publish the superhero-themed MMORPG under its 2K Games label, slotting the game's release into its spring 2009 quarter.

Unfortunately, aside from the screenshots, Cryptic offered little other information on the game or its development status. A release date or platforms have yet to be revealed.

70 Comments

  • Predator123

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 8:57 am GMT

    wow its not WoW, cant wait

  • JMizzle

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 3:19 pm GMT

    This game could be so good if they do it right....i don't really want to get my hopes up after they were dashed by Legacy though...

  • tiggerlu

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 3:04 pm GMT

    Star trek Online is a universe i'd be willing to live in ! I'm so happy that it's not dead...let's hope the game is half-decent, that's all it'd take for me to play it, at least for a while.

  • segaraptor

    Posted Jul 30, 2008 9:13 am GMT

    Hm. My previous comments got a lot of negative ratings. I didn't say anything about Star Trek. So does that mean that you other GS users actually LIKE the lame puns Gamespot uses in their headlines?

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 7:31 pm GMT

    It almost has to turn out better than Champions. -Please do not release gimpy, tacky, video this time around Cryptic. -And no Gamepad.

  • Mizeybob

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 4:55 pm GMT

    It's awesome this game is back on track!

    It seems like a great concept for a game, although I was a little disappointed the read that it was going to be launching the player straight into space combat. I kind of liked the idea that you started out as a character who was just a cadet, and worked you way up through the ranks. Each spaceship could then be 'guild owned' and your team would have to work together to run it. I'm sure they would have thought of this too when they planned it out. I just hope it's definitive enough not to be mistaken for an EVE clone.

  • Claverhouse

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 4:17 pm GMT

    I have been looking forward to this game since it was announced some 4 years ago. I am in agreement that there have been many Star Trek games that have been middle to mediocre. Bridge Commander for the pc was one of the most enjoyable and ahead of its time.

    However, this current title could be excellent and bring in for example the Mass Effect crowd. I loved that game also and am looking forward to seeing more of the sequel. Take note Paramount - support this game properly - if you get this wrong after the publicity its had you cause untold harm to the franchise for years to come.

    And with regards to cross function between consoles and pc's I like a few people out there have an xbox 360 and a laptop and play different games on both. Mostly I play strategy on the pc and action on the 360. However, I prefer playing on the 360 and usually only buy for the pc when it is NOT AVAILABLE on the 360. Forget the nonsense about Trekkers this could be one of the games of the early noughties if developed and supported properly. Take heed Mass Effect - I would still be playing your game for the xbox 360 if the download content was still being added. I will buy Microsoft points each month for current games if the add on content is good enough. Right now many game companies where download content are concerned are still playing with us - instead of giving us gamers what we want.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 9:23 am GMT

    Hmmmm.... So along with the license, they passed along the code?? SWEET!

    I'm not sure if this is an MMO that I want to get into. That all depends on the fees and the gameplay. This could turn out really good with Cryptic taking the reins and fine-tuning the game.

  • GaussGoat

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 9:03 am GMT

    AWESOME!!! I am so happy that Cryptic is working on this! City of Heroes is one of the best MMO's out there, and they clearly know how to launch a game and support it's community.

  • necronaux

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 8:52 am GMT

    Hopefully it won't be all flight simulation... Elite Force style would be cool.

  • slappylad

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 8:11 am GMT

    Jack Emmet and the gang at Cryptic have pulled off decent product before (City Of Heroes/Villians) because they "Get It" when it comes to both the balance of experience and gameplay. I have faith this license is going to be done decently and with little to no issues.

  • Lycen

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 7:36 am GMT

    Sweet, cant wait for gameplay!!

  • icym

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 6:45 am GMT

    Hm, if I do get into a sci-fi themed MMO, its gonna be tough to pick between SGW and STO. Hell, can I pass up Warhammer?

  • quietguy

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 6:23 am GMT

    Shields up. Brace for the nerds that are about to smash into the gaming world.

  • FallenMatrix

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 5:56 am GMT

    I'll believe it when I see it.

    Hopefully we'll see it... Now to get to "The Star Trek Experience" in Las Vegas before they close that down too.

  • NA3D

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 5:56 am GMT

    Yeah... I want to know more information before leaning one way or another. I guess at the StarTrek Conv. we will hear more.

  • thekodaman

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 5:54 am GMT

    Why must the gaming world be cursed and despoiled by what must be the nerdiest, lamest TV licence ever created?

    And Star Trek ceased being a good sci-fi show decades ago, now it's just unbearably cheesy and cliched' - so bad in fact that dear Patrick Steward got severe depression while filming the series.

  • jfolds1

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 4:57 am GMT

    pllleeeeaaaseee... for the love of god, please start interviewing these people.. bring us more startrek online.. plleeaaase

  • geldonyetich

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 1:21 am GMT

    Crypic is probably the best MMORPg game developers in the business, at least in terms of overall game quality. (Certainly not in popularity - they make MMORPG fine dining, not MMORPG Big Macs.) It's really good news to hear that the Star Trek MMORPG license is in their hands.

  • bladerunner_tr

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 12:33 am GMT

    Good news at last..
    hope it'll worth waiting..

  • the_real_VIP

    Posted Jul 29, 2008 12:15 am GMT

    It'd be great if the exploration feature would look like Mass Effect and the spaceship battles like Bridge Commander.

  • theone86

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 11:07 pm GMT

    Jesus, what's with all the haters? I can understand if you're not a Trekkie, but where is everyone getting off flaming Trek? It's only the mother of all Sci-Fis.

    This is awesome news. As long as it has better controls than that god-awful Legacy game I'll be devoting the majority of my time to this when it comes out.

  • mathiasX posted Jul 28, 2008 10:30 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mathiasX

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 10:30 pm GMT (hide)

    Set your phasers for crap.

    Star Trek Sucks.

  • mattsnibbs posted Jul 28, 2008 9:59 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mattsnibbs

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 9:59 pm GMT (hide)

    Who cares, really?
    Star Trek is lame always has been always will be...
    but hey I guess there are fans for this type of thing out there

  • CVM_123

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 7:28 pm GMT

    never played it but this sounds interesting

  • peetowser

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 7:27 pm GMT

    This is the best news!
    StarTrek MMORPG has been dead for a while and it looked like it could be a great online game... Thank god a company who has an idea about MMORPG will now produce it, because it has a lot of potential. I'll admit I'm a Star Trek fan, but I would not play that game hoping for something as good as the best episodes, I would do it for the fun of having to cooperate with a bunch of other players to fight in the biggest ships of the fleet or to go onto away missons. I always thought that it's a sure hit game if done right, let's hope Cryptic has a solid back and nerves of steel because Star Trek fans are tired of sub-par games for their favorite license...

    I won't throw a fit if it's still not "the" Star Trek game I think all the fans deserve, but I'll sure keep ready to try that game if it does end up a reality before i knock it down...
    I know someday there will be a great Star Trek game, I just hope that it could that one... We'll see I guess...

  • LordSpleach

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 6:54 pm GMT

    I wonder, will you play it starting as fresh cadet out of Starfleet Academy, or do you start as your own captain.

  • jmrwacko

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 6:44 pm GMT

    Considering the quality games Cryptic studios has developed in the past, this should come to many as very good news.

  • Foolio1

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 5:46 pm GMT

    Yay. It looks like this game will actually get made. As a Trek fan that makes me very happy.

  • Blank2k2

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 5:24 pm GMT

    Gruug, You have a point... Legacy was made for Console & PC and it was a very poor excuse for a star trek game imo.

    Consoles lack on things like this, if its going to be done properly anyway.

    Been looking foward to this game since day 1, can only hope its done properly & not all "eye-candy" cinematic camera angles and no substance like legacy was.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 5:23 pm GMT

    I hope this one is as good as its supposed to be. I have been a fan of startrek since I was a kid many years ago lol. Anyways. I have always been a trek e and cant wait for this.

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 4:48 pm GMT

    can you say too little too late? I have been waiting for a DECENT Star Trek game for over 20 years, and all I have to show for ir is a handful of really bad games. Star Trek is really TOS and TNG, the rest was filler ****
    I can't wait for the new movie though. . . you would think that they would base this on the Star Trek that is gonna take us into the 21 century.

  • Gruug

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 4:15 pm GMT

    From the StarTrekOnline.com site- "Powered by the Cryptic Engine, Star Trek® Online will be developed for both console and PC formats." What caught my eye "developed for both console and PC formates". Not particularly a good thing in my opinion. I will hold off total judgement till I see what they come up with but cross platform is NOT what I am looking for in this game.

  • King_Wii

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 4:02 pm GMT

    Woot I'm so happy, I was realy upset when PE died... because STO died with them (well not realy but it was a major setback).

  • xbox360progamer

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 3:41 pm GMT

    wow i wanna play this game online

  • USS-Voyager

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 3:33 pm GMT

    its about time

  • SmallPower

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 3:21 pm GMT

    Champions Online in spring of next year? That's not too far away. I love City of Heroes, which has only gotten better - wonder if I'll play Champions. Not nearly enough time to play all of these massive games.

  • sportwarrior

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 3:10 pm GMT

    I just want to say that as a Trekkie I totally loved the first paragraph in this article... Awesome.

  • PieCrusher

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:59 pm GMT

    I wonder if this will turn out like Eve did... which was not very good...

  • ssjdagas

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:31 pm GMT

    I had high hopes for Star Trek Legacy and it turned out to be crap. I wish this game will be great, but I fear it won't. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the Star Wars KotOR MMO.

  • ronniepage588

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:23 pm GMT

    hmm not too interested. but jj abrams new star trek movie definitely interests.

  • flackstone

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:20 pm GMT

    i wish they made a battlestar galactica mmo

  • Ardus

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:07 pm GMT

    Just die JRam89.
    This is old news, but I'm glad to see the ball is still rolling for this game. This is my most anticipated game right now, and I don't even like MMOs.

  • Hokkie

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 2:06 pm GMT

    How about you stick to developing 1 MMO and make it good, then go after another once that one is going well, then a few years later release the other.

  • holenjd posted Jul 28, 2008 1:59 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    holenjd

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 1:59 pm GMT (hide)

    I Hate all MMOs!

  • IDarkNight

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 1:46 pm GMT

    looks pretty good the image!

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 1:22 pm GMT

    Neat

  • darkride66

    Posted Jul 28, 2008 1:02 pm GMT

    Yuck_Too said "...things always slow down...so I'm taking a month off...so you'll have to defend the 360 in my absence."
    Have no fear. I'm on it!

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