Impressions and Interview with Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich: Star Trek Online
Even though the skills of the crew will be set once they leave space-dock, Star Trek Online aims to be a more tactical sci-fi game than anything in the MMO space.
Here, Craig reiterates that their charge was to bring Star Trek alive online, and that they would remain true to the creator’s original concepts of exploring both space and planets.
“Every single episode I’ve ever seen [always takes place] in those locations,” says Craig of the property’s focus on exploration. “We want players to come to Star Trek Online because of its content and the ability to explore.”
While navigating space and managing the crew players will have to perform various tasks on their ships. This might include focusing shields on a particular part of the ship, or sending a security team to defend against a boarding party.
Craig also left open the possibility that players could target specific parts of their opponent’s ships.
“You mean like Bridge Commander? We just don’t know yet.”
Something else Cryptic doesn’t quite know yet is what amount of work is still ahead of them. The team is already at a relatively advanced stage of development for only having the project for eight or nine months, but Craig says it never stops with an MMO.
“Launch is the beginning of the game,” Craig insists. “[But players] should get online and register on the forums. Tell us what you want. Get involved.”
Star Trek fans and MMO fans alike are encouraged to sign-up on the game’s official forum, as this is where the first testers will be chosen from. Craig says that everyone on the Star Trek Online team is helping design the game. They practice a philosophy of empowering each employee and giving them the freedom to make the game better.
Cryptic Studios is now ready to offer that same opportunity to the Star Trek Online community. They are a small company in Northern California that hope to connect with gamers and Trekkies alike from all over the world.
Cryptic needs the support of the fans if they intend to live up to their commitment of making this a Star Trek game first and an MMO second. This is surely why they chose to broadcast the first footage of the game live at the Star Trek convention, and I thought it only fitting to ask one geeky question.
“So, do Ferrengi females get more powerful when they’re naked?”
Craig laughs, looks at his public relations person, Tracie, and then looks back and says, “We don’t quite know yet.”
Somehow, I thought that was the one question they would for sure have an answer for – or perhaps that shows just how open they really are.
Nic Stransky – “Kap”
You may find more information about the game at its official website: http://www.startrekonline.com
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I’ve read a few of the articles on this site, and have been disappointed every time. The writers on this site suck, they have an embellished way of saying absolutely nothing at all. I don’t feel any more informed for reading ANYTHING on MMO Gamer.
Try harder or shut up shop.
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