Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
MMORPG.COM News: Star Trek MMORPG
Koltrane
Member UncommonPosts: 1,049
Perpetual Entertainment, a San Francisco-based software developer, has just announced that it is working on a MMORPG based on the Star Trek universe. The press release on their website reads as follows:
Perpetual Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it has secured the exclusive worldwide rights from Viacom Consumer Products to develop and publish a massively multiplayer online game based on Paramount Pictures' Star Trek franchise.
Star Trek is one of the world's most popular, longest-running, and beloved sci-fi properties, with millions of passionately devoted fans throughout the world. As Star Trek celebrates its 38th anniversary, Star Trek gaming begins its next evolution.
The license encompasses all live-action motion pictures and television series including, Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. "The scope of the content license is extraordinary for a game of this kind, giving us the opportunity to immerse fans and players in the incredibly rich, diverse and exciting universe of Star Trek,"said Joe Keene, CEO of Perpetual Entertainment.
The game will deliver action, adventure and combat mechanics unique to persistent world games. Its design includes a rich array of solo and multiplayer missions set in space, on planets and in starbases throughout the universe. At launch, it will take place during the 24th century timeline in the series with other aspects of the Star Trek universe to be interwoven and added through expansions.
"Players will encounter characters, places, and situations from their favorite Star Trek movies and television series; will explore incredible new worlds; and will cooperate with or battle friendly and hostile races throughout the game," said Chris McKibbin, President of Perpetual Entertainment.
"Fans of Star Trek have been longing for a game that lets them participate in and explore the Star Trek universe," said Terri Helton, Executive Vice President of Viacom Consumer Products. "We have been searching for the right partnership for our time-honored Star Trek to create a game that not only appeals to fans but a broader audience as well. Perpetual's experience, technology and vision for this game make them the clear choice."
The game is expected to enter public beta testing in 2006 and to launch by early 2007. For more information, see http://gaming.startrek.com for "Frequently Asked Questions" about the game.
OK, all you Trekkies (excuse me...Trekkers) out there, this is your dream come true. It looks like a Star Trek MMO will see the light of day and that a solid developer is behind it. As of this writing, the link in the press release has no information about the game, but you can check out the official press release by clicking here.
UPDATE: The official FAQ may be found at this link.
-----
Old timer.
Comments
Now this looks very interesting
not very much to go on at the moment but I will follow with anticipation..... Can't wait to find out more about this.
What would solo play be? Running around putting things in a Vulcan neck pinch for exp? Does sleeping with green woman count as exp?
I'd think a Trek MMORPG would mean your a helmsmen, or engineer or something... and that would probably be a boring MMO.
-=-=-=-=-
"We're a game that's focused on grouping and on solo play, you know, more group oriented, more solo play..."
John Blakely Senior lead for EQ2. Link
Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% The Test. Learn what it means here.
-=-=-=-=-
Achievers realise that killers as a concept are necessary in order to make achievement meaningful and worthwhile (there being no way to "lose" the game if any fool can "win" just by plodding slowly unchallenged). -bartle
Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% The Test. Learn what it means here.
Now all *I* would want is a mmorpg based on the Wheel of Time series from Robert Jordan. Not gonna happen, but that's what would get me exited.
I can imagine a few ways to make this interesting:
1. Low levels start at StarFleet and get training missions or missions in our solar sytem.
2. Mid level join a ship or starport and be a part of the crew. Explore the ship and solve some ship issues, then get missions to beam to other worlds.
3. High level become Captain of your own ship, recruit your own crew (The concept of guilds come in play here?) and gain prestige in the Starfleet Armada with ship to ship battles, executing missions, and discovering stuff of course!
4. If they are going to use "classes" you can serve in the Science branch (perhaps discovering skills and enhancing ship systems, weapons, etc.), Medical branch (healing others, curing afflictions, protecting against radiation and other dangers), Security branch ( melee combat, weapon combat skills), Engineering (repairing items, crafting personal and shipwide items).
5. Races: Human, Vulcan, Klingon, Romulan, Cardassian, Bjoran, (please add more!)
I'd love to hear your comments and critiques.
09.07.2004
FAQ for Star Trek Online
September 2004
Star Trek fans have been eagerly awaiting the chance to adventure in the time of the United Federation of Planets in a massively multiplayer setting. Perpetual Entertainment is developing just such a game. While much work lies ahead, this initial FAQ should address some fundamental questions about the upcoming game. We realize that plenty of unanswered questions remain, and we will be updating the FAQ as we pin down the answers.
General
What is the game?
Star Trek Online (working title) is a persistent world where thousands of players will immerse themselves in the life and times of the Federation. You will explore the galaxy, defend against incursions, and pursue the needs of the Federation in space, on planet surfaces and in star bases.
Who is making this game?
Perpetual Entertainment is a two year-old company founded and built by MMO and game industry veterans with the express purpose of developing ground-breaking persistent-world games. We've spent the last two years developing genre-defining game designs, server and graphics technologies and we're excited to apply this work to one of the best-known franchises in the world.
When is the Beta date?
2006.
Will there be a monthly fee?
Yes, the fee will be competitive with other products in our genre.
Will the content grow during the lifetime of the game?
Yes, through updates and expansions.
On which platform will this game be available?
PC.
Game Play
What is the point of view?
You are a person, not a ship. We're considering both first and third person, and potentially both.
Will you be able to travel and explore space?
Yes. Space travel is going to be a fun and unique experience. Mission assignments will include dozens of ship types which are open environments that move through space.
Will you be able to explore the surface of planets?
Yes. Action on planets will be an important part of game-play.
Will there be starship versus starship combat?
Yes. You and your crewmates will work together to navigate and fight your way across hostile space.
Will there be ground combat?
Definitely. Ground combat will be fast paced and unique to the genre.
Will there be player vs. player combat?
Some. PvP will not be a primary means of advancement at game launch, but there will be opportunities to test your skills against other players.
How will grouping and team play work?
Groups of both "pick-up? players and more permanent crewmates will have access to interesting missions, ships, ground-battles and game-play opportunities.
How will solo play work?
It will be possible to advance and have fun while playing solo, but you will miss out on some exciting team-play experiences.
Will there be missions or quests with a storyline?
We will use dynamically-created space and ground areas to provide missions that will include conversations with non-player characters, key decision points, interesting puzzles and enemies to dispatch or avoid.
How will characters advance and grow?
Characters will gain skills and rank by completing missions assigned by Starfleet command or by otherwise advancing the needs of Starfleet.
Setting
Which time period or series does this game occur in?
The game will take place primarily in the 24th Century. However, there will be missions with storylines and characters from much of the Star Trek franchise.
Will I be on the Enterprise? Can I be a famous character from the TV show?
You may encounter the Enterprise and characters from the Star Trek series, but you will be your own hero discovering your own story.
Which races can I play?
You can play several of the expected Star Trek races; the exact selection is yet to be determined.
Which enemies will I encounter?
You will encounter many of the classic enemies from the various series as well as some new ones.
Ownership
Can I or my crew own a starship?
You and/or your crew (clan, guild, etc.) can be made responsible for a starship for the purpose of an individual mission or an official commission.
Will there be housing?
The exact design is yet to be determined, but even Ensigns should have a cabin.
Will there be crafting?
At launch, the closest activities to crafting will be related to ship modification, repair and improvement.
I've been waiting for a game like this. It seems though that they may already be limiting the game's scope, which I don't like. They don't talk about being part of anything except for Starfleet and while it does say there will be mutilple races, it doesn't look like you'll get the opportunity to play as anything but starfleet. I hope they do it right and let the player play for things like the Vulcan High Command, The Klingon High Council, etc.
I will be waiting for this, just hope they do it right the first time.
Please don't screw up! This could be what i was and will be waiting for!
Great news indeed!
There is great potenetial but... potential needs to be unlocked so it all depends on how much the developing company is serious , IMO a Star Trek MMO is defiantly a hard work to do
I hope for the best though
YO YO YO
YO YO YO
Hey who cares!
I wouldn't play that if it was free. WHEN are people going to learn that Sci fi mmorpg's do not sell.
City of Heroes
Pinnacle Server
DaBurner (30+ Fire/Dev Blaster)
DaBruuzer(30+ Energy/Energy Blaster)
DaBlock(low level Invuln./Fire Tanker)
BengalCat(30+ Empathy/Radiation Defender)
A Little Dab'll Do Ya!
Have you not read the Bible?
Oh, yeah, yeah... Not all of it. Actually, I'm listening to it on tape.
Don't tell me how it ends.
OMG! YES! Seems like they have been reading our boards here on the topic! lol.
I just hope that this is another potential mmorpg that gets droped....but if it works out this could be what I have been waiting for.
Lets hope they dont screw this up......
Common guys, let's face reality here and not set people up for such an obivious disappointment. This rosy nonsense is bad for everyone.
This is not a "a Star Trek MMO will see the light of day and that a solid developer is behind it" ... this is, "Yet another MMO that will never make it to beta because it's woefully underfunded and has an unproven team."
Go read their website, they've only got $10Mil ... War Hammer never made it to beta because SEGA lacked $20 Mil to give them to complete it. These guys, according to their own website, are producing 2 MMORPGs with $10 Mil? Think of the scope required to capture the whole Star Trek Universe. Even an established team would be hard pressed to do this with amazing funding. This is just a few EA defectors and a little cash, there is no way they are releasing a damn thing in 2007 and if they do it won't be worth anything.
Don't get your hopes up and start flaming each other over this being the <insert game of fanboi> killer.
THANK THE NERDS GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here I am a grown man, bouncing up and down in my chair like a kid on Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally, a game the wife will play with me!
In the press release, they said Star Trek fans have been yearning for this game.
I'll admit it, I have.
Seriously, this is the best news I've heard gaming-wise in a LONG time.
I obviously, hope that this game is all it should be, as everyone does.
But even if its crap, I might just play it for the RP value. (you know the nerds are gonna be coming out of the WOODWORK for this one!)
I cannot WAIT to see what they come up for this!
I really hope that *insert game name here* will be the first game to ever live up to all of its pre-release promises, maintain a manageable hype level and have a clean release. Just don't expect me to hold my breath.
With all due respect I doubt whatever their cash holdings are now equals the sum total of financing for the project. Thats is their start-up cash. As development starts and they have at least a solid proposal to pitch, next comes the presentation to the venture-capital community. Generaly speaking, a company will only finance 20-30% of a project out of its own start-up funds. (Unless they are a mega corp like EA who raises funds via open market stock sales...not prefered stock, investment groups etc etc). That cash is seed money.
With paramount and other traditional film and television companies looking to break into the gaming market given the declining television audience (Taken away by videogames), and the Overall startrek franchises proven reputation for slavish fans and for being a steady profit center, I really dont see funding of all things being the hurdle here.
This project can easily cost 30 million plus. Given that it is startrek, this wont be as huge a hurdle for this game as it was for some of the other failed franchise games. No the real issue here is that the company behind this announcement is made up of ex EA mmorpg people. All Ea mmorpg's have sucked ass or been canned in development. Pease god no dont let this be earth & beyond 2 lol.
Well, i would like very much to be excited about this, but i am a bit jaded on mmo-games in the sense that many have tried-not many succeed, but, having said that, i am pleased by the announcement. I hope they can pull this off. They would be well-served bystudying the lessons learned by those who brought us the star wars mmog, by not repeating the mistakes that made there. Though star wars will survive,and has improved,imho, i dont care that much about heir game,lol. I do care about star trek though, so i will be following its development closely
Lothlore
Heh, ANYTHING kicks SWG ass. Its a crap game. But sadly SWG has alot of fans. I guess it says alot about Star Wars fans....