Star Trek Online enters limelight, beta planned

News - An MMO, Jim...

Cryptic's long-speculated Star Trek Online MMO was finally properly revealed during a glamorous event at the Hilton Las Vegas yesterday, with Mr. Spock himself on hand to talk-up the new persistent world game, based on the hugely popular TV and movie series.

The official website includes the first in-game footage, and the developers are also plotting a beta test, which you can also register your interest in, should you wish to.

Project lead Jack Emmert didn't go so far as to date the new MMO at the Vegas shindig, but he did promise something "sooner than you think". He added that the developer's previous work on City of Heroes and Champions Online would mean the game can be delivered fairly rapidly.

In the game, all players will be Star Fleet or Klingon captains, we're told, with players able to build and crew their own ships, complete with Bridge team's of AI pals. Other factions will be delivered post-launch, while the game will be set in 2409 - 30 years after Star Trek Nemesis.

Star ship combat will be slow and tactical, we hear, while on-foot battles will take place on the surface of planets and will be much quicker.

Visually, the game looks stunning, as you'd expect. We'll bring you more soon.