Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Star Trek Online adds a new flavor of cat people]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/star-trek-online-adds-a-new-flavor-of-cat-people/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/star-trek-online-adds-a-new-flavor-of-cat-people/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/star-trek-online-adds-a-new-flavor-of-cat-people/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yo dawg, I heard you like cats, so I put some cats next to your cats so you can fight cats with your cats.
Do you like cats? Hopefully you do, as Star Trek Online has just seen the felinoid Ferasan added to the C-Store. But wait, didn't the game already add Caitians? Yes, but the Caitians are a Federation race, while the Ferasan are exclusive to the KDF, thereby allowing you to play as a kitty on whichever faction you choose. The Ferasan are related to the Caitians but apparently are not quite the same species (presumably akin to the Romulans and Vulcans).

The Ferasan possess only one specific trait, Predatory Instincts, which increases jump height, melee damage, exploit damage, stealth, and perception. Unlocking the race costs 480 Cryptic Points and also unlocks new customization options for Caitian characters on the Federation side. On the other hand, if you just want to have one on the bridge, you can place a requisition for a Ferasan bridge officer for 400 Cryptic Points. So if you've felt that there's a distinct lack of feline members in the KDF, you've now got an option to rectify that situation.

MassivelyStar Trek Online adds a new flavor of cat people originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bridge-officersc-storecaitiancatscrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfelinoid-racesferasanfree-to-playkittiesmicrotransactionsnew-itemsnew-racesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwesci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoTue, 15 May 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[STO's latest Ask Cryptic tackles War Targs, weekly episodes and free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/stos-latest-ask-cryptic-tackles-war-targs-weekly-episodes-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/stos-latest-ask-cryptic-tackles-war-targs-weekly-episodes-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/stos-latest-ask-cryptic-tackles-war-targs-weekly-episodes-and/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's the beginning of a new month, and that means another Q&A session between Cryptic and fans. Star Trek Online's Executive Producer Dan Stahl stepped up for a comprehensive Ask Cryptic that looked deep into the eyes of the void and came back all the wiser for it.

The questions run across the board, with a large chunk devoted to future content: More bridge officer features? (Season Four.) New weekly episodes? (January, with more to follow.) Better deep space encounters? (The team is overhauling these after Season Three.) The ability to join factions? (Possible, such as a Ferengi trader faction.)

Stahl also admits that there are "too many currencies" in the game at the moment, and the team will be paring those down. One of the most requested features by players is the addition of the classic Enterprise bridge layout from the 1960's series, and it looks as though Cryptic will be delivering: "I can see this getting done in the next several updates."

And if you are among the crowd predicting that STO will quickly follow in Champions Online's F2P footsteps, it doesn't appear to be in the works (at least, not yet): "We're very excited to see Champs go F2P but this has no direct impact on Star Trek Online. Our subscription and C-Store model will continue forward without changes."

MassivelySTO's latest Ask Cryptic tackles War Targs, weekly episodes and free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticbridge-officersc-storechampionschampions-onlinecrypticdan-stahlenterprisef2pferengifree-to-playstar-trek-onlinestoweekly-episodesTue, 02 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic answers the 29 most pressing STO questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/cryptic-answers-the-29-most-pressing-sto-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/cryptic-answers-the-29-most-pressing-sto-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/cryptic-answers-the-29-most-pressing-sto-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Star Trek Online's monthly Ask Cryptic features are always something for fans to look forward to reading, but this month even more so as executive producer Dan Stahl goes well beyond the normal handful of queries to accumulate 29 questions and answers to some of the hottest topics among the community.

Included in this Q&A session is a sneak peek at the work-in-progress Tholian race (above left), the revelation that Season 4 will primarily focus on retooling repeatable end game content, fleet starbases, passive bridge officer abilities, Season 3 item sets, Memory Alpha improvements, sector space expansion and much, much more. Stahl even explains why he picks the questions he does to answer -- basically, he likes to get into topics that aren't repeatedly touched upon in interviews.

Those hoping for a full-fledged STO expansion shouldn't start holding their breath, however: "It is unclear if we will ever produce a paid expansion as the market is leaning away from expansions and more towards smaller microtransactions. However, if we ever did release a paid expansion, it would be a significant update and add some new functionality to the game that would be deemed worth the price of the release."

MassivelyCryptic answers the 29 most pressing STO questions originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticbridge-officerscrypticdan-stahldaniel-stahlend-gameexpansionfleet-starbasememory-alphaq-and-aseason-3season-4star-trek-onlinestotholianSat, 02 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic discusses user-generated content and future improvements for STO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/cryptic-discusses-user-generated-content-and-future-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/cryptic-discusses-user-generated-content-and-future-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/cryptic-discusses-user-generated-content-and-future-improvements/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As Star Trek Online concludes its shakedown cruise of the recent Season 2.0 update, players have turned their eyes to the future and pondered, "What's next?" Coming to their aid is STO's executive producer Dan Stahl, who fields a large number of questions about upcoming features and works in progress in the latest Ask Cryptic article.

One of the inquiries covered was user-generated content, which Stahl confirmed would be coming -- at least in beta form -- with Season 3. "We aren't discussing our specific plans just yet, but we do want the tools to be easy to use so that players can begin to create their own missions and episodes," he said. "This may or may not be the big secret project we are working on."

Other questions into the future development of Star Trek Online included customizable ship interiors, the PvP system, bridge officer promotions, expanding the Sol System, the ability to play as a holographic character, and bridge officer voices. And for those standing at the edge of their captain's chairs, eager to sit down, don't fret: Cryptic is hard at work on the long-awaited "sit in chairs" feature. You can read the full Ask Cryptic over at STO's website.

MassivelyCryptic discusses user-generated content and future improvements for STO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticbetabig-secret-projectbridge-officerscrypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahldaniel-stahlholographic-charactermeet-interesting-new-races-and-shoot-to-killpvpseason-2season-2.0season-3ship-interiorssit-in-chairssol-systemstar-trek-onlinestouser-generated-contentTue, 10 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Nine more tips for ground combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/captains-log-nine-more-tips-for-ground-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/captains-log-nine-more-tips-for-ground-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/captains-log-nine-more-tips-for-ground-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ahoy, space cadets! According to my space calendar, it's Space Thursday again already. That means it's time for another edition of Captain's Log, your weekly peek into Space Star Trek Online.

This week marks the final installment of our ground-combat trilogy. First we covered five basics of ground combat, and last week we discussed melee combat in some depth. Now we round things out with some miscellaneous tips for upping your game in a space firefight. After I rant a little first.

Continue reading Captain's Log: Nine more tips for ground combat

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Nine more tips for ground combat originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bridge-officerscaptains-logfeaturedground-combatStar-Trek-MMOstar-trek-onlinestar-trek-online-beginners-guidestar-trek-online-combat-guidestar-trek-online-gameplaystar-trek-online-guidestosto-combatsto-ground-combatsto-ground-combat-guidesto-guidesto-tribblestrek-onlineThu, 01 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ground combat! Star Trek Online community answers, page 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/ground-combat-star-trek-online-community-answers-page-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/ground-combat-star-trek-online-community-answers-page-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/ground-combat-star-trek-online-community-answers-page-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Continue reading Ground combat! Star Trek Online community answers, page 2

MassivelyGround combat! Star Trek Online community answers, page 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-velasquezataribridge-officerscareer-pathschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-enginecryptic-studiosground-combatground-crewstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestotelepathyWed, 09 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/space-combat-star-trek-online-community-qanda-answers-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/space-combat-star-trek-online-community-qanda-answers-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/space-combat-star-trek-online-community-qanda-answers-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Continue reading Space combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers, part 2

MassivelySpace combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribridge-officerscombatcommuniy-qnacrypticcryptic-studiosqnaspace-combatstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestarfleetstoWed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/space-combat-star-trek-online-community-qanda-answers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/space-combat-star-trek-online-community-qanda-answers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/space-combat-star-trek-online-community-qanda-answers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's a little late due to the impending Thanksgiving day gorging, but we've got your second wave of community answers for space combat in Star Trek Online! As this week lands us on a holiday, we'll be putting up the next post for your third wave of questions on Monday, November 30th. For now, we hope you enjoy the answers given by Al Rivera, senior game designer on Star Trek Online.

Continue reading Space combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers

MassivelySpace combat! Star Trek Online community Q&A answers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al-riveraatariborgbridge-officerscombatcommunity-qnacrypticcryptic-studiosds9featuredklingonklingonsqnaspace-combatstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestowrath-of-khanWed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More details on STO progression and Quarks bar]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/more-details-on-sto-progression-and-quarks-bar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/more-details-on-sto-progression-and-quarks-bar/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/more-details-on-sto-progression-and-quarks-bar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ship tiers and player progression were the topics of this week's dev chat for Star Trek Online and it yielded some pretty good results. Most of the new information clarifies some of the areas we were fuzzy on up until now. The piece of news we were super happy to see was the confirmation of DS9 and Quarks bar being in the game. Mmm, space gambling.

Getting to progression -- and away from gold pressed latinum -- the rate at which a player gains Bridge Officers should ensure that they always have enough to outfit any ship they're using. We also know that BOs get their own pool of skill points as you complete missions. Additionally, anyone worrying about 'nerfing' themselves as they level shouldn't have to, because the BOs a player brings on a ship will help balance out any missing essential skills for a ship type.

That being said, a science captain will always excel the most on a science vessel -- the system merely ensures that anyone can sufficiently fill a role if need be. There's plenty more in the transcript itself and we recommend anyone interested in Star Trek Online give it a look.

MassivelyMore details on STO progression and Quarks bar originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribridge-officerscrypticcryptic-studiosdeep-space-ninedev-chatds9featuredlatinumprogressionquarksquarks-barstar-trek-onlinestoFri, 09 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cryptic Studios devs explain ground combat in Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/cryptic-studios-devs-explain-ground-combat-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/cryptic-studios-devs-explain-ground-combat-in-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/cryptic-studios-devs-explain-ground-combat-in-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ask Cryptic is a regular Q&A series from Cryptic Studios that addresses player questions on Star Trek Online and Champions Online. While previous Q&A's answered a random set of questions posed by the fans, the latest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online is a bit more focused on one topic: ground combat.

Unlike other sci-fi MMOs both on the market and in development, Star Trek Online will have those ill-fated away teams from the Star Trek IP. While things didn't always go smoothly on all those away missions in the shows and films, it could make for some fun gameplay. We're hoping so at least, and what the STO devs have explained about away teams gives us a better idea of what to expect.

Continue reading Cryptic Studios devs explain ground combat in Star Trek Online

MassivelyCryptic Studios devs explain ground combat in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>away-teamaway-teamsbridge-officerscaptainscombatcryptic-studiosengineernew-titlespverekhansci-fisciencestar-trekstar-trek-onlinestotacticalMon, 03 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST