One of the things we've heard from the developers for a long time now is that they are putting equal weight into both the combat mechanics of the game and the exploration mechanics. They want to see both be appropriate ways to progress through the "levels" in STO.

It's likely that these trailers are more a result of marketing/PR initiative rather than trailers requested by the game designers. These trailers are going to get lots of eyes on them on the general gaming websites where it's all about "OH AH BIG ASPOLISN." Not that there's anything wrong with that, we all love big booms once in a while.

But the trailer that shows exploration of space and finding new planets might not be very visually appealing for the 30-second-attention-span-MTV-generation. I am holding out hopes, however, that the exploration gameplay will be compelling.

I have a feeling that it *WILL* be all about the battles or at least some sort of 60%/20%/20% split between Combat, Exploration, and Other.

The plot of the universe as written is a Federation/Klingon shooting war with the odd "inscrutable threat" (Romulans/Borg/8472 etc) I seriously doubt the designers will change the setting (and the war itself is part of the setting) in any meaningful way by the players.

Maybe they'll suprise us and have something revolutionary in the explorer system, but to get an audience you need to lead off with the Explosions and Phasers.

But you have to remember - and people like you seem to keep forgetting - that the STO universe is set in a time of heavy conflict. So, in theory, there wouldn't be as much time to go an explore if, say, the Federation, for example, was in the middle of the Dominion War, or the Borg were attacking Federation space, threatening earth. Most Star Trek series are set in a time of peace, with short periods of war. STO, however, will be constantly in a state of war. There will be exploration, but don't forget your duty to protect the galaxy in the name of the Federation, or to defend the honor of the Empire as a Klingon.

Problem is, reason most players do the exploring at all is to dig up better weapons to fight with. (See "Gambit".)

And large battles are rarely, if ever, handle through diplomacy - because they can't be. Small missions - like the "episodes" mentioned by the developers with surely have this option. But the Klingons and the Feds are at war - so, they can't be reasoned with - and the Borg never could be reasoned with, so sorry about that. You always have to fight the Borg if they want to fight.

Plus - I have to say it:
If this game was only about exploration and diplomacy, it would, quite simply, FAIL. :p