Trekkies Speak Out

After GameSpot's debut of the Starfleet Academy exclusive feature, hundreds of readers responded to this week's reader poll in Spotlight, GameSpot's official e-mail newsletter.

The question: Which will be more important to the success of Starfleet Academy: excellent gameplay or strict compliance with the Star Trek universe?

The response was initially a landslide in favor of excellent gameplay, but avid Trekkies came back from the final frontier, leaving 66 percent wanting excellent gameplay and 33 percent voting for strict compliance. Here's a sample of the comments:

"Definitely compliance with the Star Trek universe. Gameplay can be included with this, but there are 1,500 other space, flight, mech, and car simulators out there. If I wanted a good 3-D space game, I'd play Wing Commander. Give me a full, technically realized and detailed Star Trek starship, and allow me the freedom to fight strategically in different ways, not just through a first-person, 360-degree dogfight." - Jeff Schall

"Excellent gameplay will be the key to success, no doubt. Most Trekkers will be able to stand some compromises with the universe, but if the gameplay's not there, you just have a very expensive coaster." - Tom Lockhart

"I don't believe a game must choose between gameplay and remaining true to the story's universe. Mr. Lucas has shown this with his Star Wars series. The games remain true to the story, with approved deviations by the creator, while being enjoyable and challenging to play. If made to pick, I would say gameplay is most important. For the game to be successful in the market, it must go beyond the loyal fans and draw in those gamers who may not even know what Star Trek is. A good game is a joy for everyone and if it portrays some of your favorite sci-fi characters, all the better." - Brian

"Gameplay will definitely be the more important aspect of Starfleet Academy - just like in every other game! Converting a series concept to a game concept isn't like converting a book to a movie. Capturing the 'flavor' is important, but if the interface, graphics, and good old-fashioned fun factor aren't there, it's not worth the effort." - Capt. CPU

"Definitely, without a doubt, compliance. For anyone who is really a Trekkie, not just a gamer in disguise, total compliance will be more important. Trekkies will know the difference and won't bother with it. In fact, they may laugh it right out of the market." - Kathleen Landis

"GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!! GAMEPLAY!!" - Steg Hansen

"If the gameplay sucks I'm not going to play it. No matter how strictly it complies with the Star Trek universe. Even though I love Star Trek." - Tom "MAD DOG" Spencer