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Captain's Log: Did Cryptic betray the spirit of Star Trek?

Ryan Greene — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Lore, MMO industry, Opinion, Star Trek Online, Captain's Log

Star Trek Online is terrible. Ground combat is tedious and messy. Space combat is repetitive. Missions are boring. The game engine is clunky and cartoony. The developers at Cryptic Studios are smelly doo-doo-heads. In short: STO is the worst.

Or so people would have you believe. In its seven or so months of life, STO has attracted an impressive collection of detractors, naysayers and Debbie Downers. For this week's Captain's Log, let's discuss the phenomenon of anti-STO fervor. We've touched on certain aspects of it before, but the time has come to examine what I think is the biggest claim by those who really loathe STO.

Does STO really betray the spirit of Star Trek? Read on as we play a little point-counterpoint, then feel free to add your two cents in the comments.

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Captain's Log: Did Cryptic betray the spirit of Star Trek? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Captain's Log: Starship interiors and hints of the future

Ryan Greene — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, Opinion, Star Trek Online, Captain's Log, Guides

Oh, hi there, readers! You'll have to excuse me; I was just enjoying a little quiet time in my quarters. My starship quarters. Inside my starship. Because I have those now.

Yes, among many other features, Season 2: Ancient Enemies introduced starship interiors to Star Trek Online. Continuing from last week's discussion of diplomacy, one of Season 2's other big additions, I thought we'd spend this edition of Captain's Log examining ship interiors. Plus, we'll take a special side trip into the future to consider what else STO fans can look forward to -- in the future!

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Captain's Log: Starship interiors and hints of the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Captain's Log: Pros and cons of Season 2

Ryan Greene — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Patches, Opinion, Star Trek Online, Captain's Log

Hail and well met, fellow travelers! Welcome to another edition of Captain's Log, your weekly helping of Star Trek Online infopiniontainment. The past few weeks have been a little crazy around here, between the C-Store kerfuffle and the game's six-month anniversary. Oh, and did I mention Season 2 went live?

Yep, the corking chaps at Cryptic Studios released STO's latest super-patch on July 27, introducing a bevy of new content. Now that most players have had a chance to sink their teeth into Season 2: Ancient Enemies, I thought we'd discuss some of the major new features, as we did when Season 1 hit the scene four months ago.

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Captain's Log: Pros and cons of Season 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Captain's Log: Guide to the Klingon tutorial

Ryan Greene — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Opinion, Star Trek Online, Captain's Log, Guides

Captain to engineering! We've been hit! How bad is it? Our graphics card is shot to oblivion, you say? Of all the dratted luck! Divert auxiliary power to onboard graphics processors. Oh, no, you're right, that's awful. Wow. Yeah, no, it's like an old-school Lucasarts game up in here.

Oh, hey there, everyone. Welcome to a woefully damaged edition of Captain's Log, Massively's weekly column on all things Star Trek Online. Sadly, a Terran Federation attack knocked out our graphics card, and the U.S.S. Bob Wiley has seen better days. So while we limp to our nearest starbase for repairs -- Lieutenant Newegg assures me we'll have a new card replicated within three business days -- I'll hand this week's column over to our Klingon ambassador, Captain Trout. As we've already covered the Federation tutorial, he'll explain the basics of the Klingon beginner's experience.

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Captain's Log: Guide to the Klingon tutorial originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Newest responses to Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online talks Klingons

Eliot Lefebvre — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Interviews, New titles, PvP, Star Trek Online

There's a certain mystique that Klingons hold for Star Trek fans, having shown up for many different stories in every show and even several movies. That's not even counting the fact that they have an entire language to back them up. So it's probably not a huge surprise that the most recent Ask Cryptic has been dedicated to questions about the Klingon Empire in Star Trek Online. Players have enjoyed the concept, but there have been more than a few expressions of disappointment at the lack of non-PvP options for the faction and the customization available (or not available) to the participants.

The short version is that many of the things being asked for by Klingon players are coming -- more customization, more ship types, and more options to advance oneself without blasting honorless Federation ships out of the sky. There's even a promise of opportunities for the two factions to interact outside of combat, although the question of capturing landmarks via PvP is met with a negative. One of the responses also hints that there may be yet more factions in the game. All of the questions may be found here, which promise an interesting future for Klingons and Federation players alike in Star Trek Online.

Newest responses to Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online talks Klingons originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Captain's Log: A non-trekkie guide to Star Trek Online

Kyle Horner — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Guides, Opinion, Star Trek Online, Captain's Log

Perhaps you've been hearing a lot of buzz about Star Trek Online lately. Or, perhaps you're reading this article in the year 2018, after the robots have begun their bloody revolt. Either way, you've never been way into Star Trek, but find yourself curious about this new MMO based on the franchise. In that cast, this iteration of Captain's Log is just for you.

As a side note, this will be the last week you'll find this feature going live on Friday. Henceforth, a new Captain's Log will appear every Thursday -- so keep an eye out!

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Captain's Log: A non-trekkie guide to Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with Klingons and PvP in Star Trek Online

Kyle Horner — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, New titles, Star Trek Online, Massively Hands-on

If there's one thing that's almost more synonymous with Star Trek than classic catch phrases, it's the Klingons. They are the Captain Hook to the Federation's Peter Pan and thus it's important to several potential players that Star Trek Online do them justice. Understandably, when Cryptic made the announcement that Klingons would be primarily a PvP focused faction, people were concerned. Players don't want their beloved gruff 'n tough warrior race to become a second-tier faction.

My time with the Klingon side of Star Trek Online has given me a pretty good sense for what Cryptic is trying to do with the game. It's not exactly what you may be thinking. It's most certainly not anything like Lord of the Rings Online's PvMP, as the Klingons have a substantial chunk of the galaxy map to themselves.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Klingons

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Hands-on with Klingons and PvP in Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zachary Quinto in STO as Klingons gameplay is revealed

Kyle Horner — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Screenshots, New titles, PvP, News items, Star Trek Online

Today we bring Star Trek Online fans two big chunks of information and a whole slew of Klingon screens, too. First is a short trailer featuring Zachary Quinto laying down dialog for the game. Make sure you watch the video until the very end, as there's a fun extra you won't want to miss.

Second -- and arguably much more exciting to specific fans -- is the reveal of Klingon gameplay. Klingons are PvP only, meaning their progression contains no PvE questing of any kind. Just how much information are we talking about here? Well, pretty much all of it. In fact, we're kind of wondering why you're still reading this and not looking below the cut, where vast amounts of Klingon gameplay treasure awaits.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Gallery

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Zachary Quinto in STO as Klingons gameplay is revealed originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic isn't spreading Klingon propaganda, but it's still awesome

Kyle Horner — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, News items, Star Trek Online

You there! You look like the kind of aspiring individual who knows what's best for him or her. Why, we bet that if you had to choose between the cowardly Federation or mighty Klingon Empire, you'd make the right decision. Would you? Of course you would. That's right, you're a proud and courageous warrior, it's so obvious now.

We asked Cryptic if they were involved, but their official response was that, sadly, they weren't. Even still, the video is nothing but pure awesome and we hope that whomever is responsible makes a Federation variant at some point -- or even a Borg version!

Check out the video after the break, and afterwards you will come to love Qo'noS as much as we now do.

Continue reading Cryptic isn't spreading Klingon propaganda, but it's still awesome

Cryptic isn't spreading Klingon propaganda, but it's still awesome originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Klingons make their first Star Trek Online video appearance

Kyle Horner — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, New titles, News items, Star Trek Online

Just when you thought you'd seen enough Star Trek Online space combat videos to keep you satisfied for a day or two, Cryptic Studios whips out a Klingon focused trailer that's sure to get your Pepto Bismol colored blood beating through those hardened, warrior-like veins.

That's right, Klingons are in this game! We almost forgot with all that Federation love coming from Cryptic ever since the game was announced. But that's okay, because Klingon's are accustomed to waiting in secrecy for the right moment to strike. This is only the first small disruptor blast in what's sure to be a volley of ferocious strikes far greater than any puny Federation ship could handle.

See the glory of the Klingon Empire after the break.

Continue reading Klingons make their first Star Trek Online video appearance

Klingons make their first Star Trek Online video appearance originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See the full Star Trek Online Federation player ship list

Kyle Horner — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, News items, Star Trek Online

The final list of player-flyable Federation ships has been revealed on the official Star Trek Online website and it's quite lengthy. Several of the new ships are based on one seen in the movies or TV series, including their names. For instance, the Sovereign class -- best known as the Enterprise-E or "That ship in the later Star Trek movies" to everyone else -- is only available to Admirals and has two kingly-named variants known as the Noble and Majestic.

With the entire list of flyable Federation ships known, it's safe to say we'll start hearing more about Klingon ships sometime soon. And with a substantially smaller list of established Klingon ships to pull from the movies and series, we're looking forward to see what Cryptic has up their sleeves.

See the full Star Trek Online Federation player ship list originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online unveils cloaking Klingon warship: Vo'Quv Class

James Egan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Lore, New titles, Star Trek Online

Some of us at Massively are big fans of stealth classes and gameplay in MMOs. When it comes to space combat, even moreso when you can decloak with enough firepower to wipe out an opponent before they realize what's happening and disappear just as fast. However, will this stealth-focused gameplay be viable in the tactical PvP of Star Trek Online? We can't say for sure yet as there hasn't been much in the way of in-game combat footage, but the info they've released on this latest Klingon Empire warship, the Vo'Quv Class, suggests this type of gameplay might just be possible.

Of course the ship profile is heavy on the lore elements we're sure Star Trek Online fans will want to sink their teeth into, but the specifications released for the Vo'Quv Class offensive and defensive systems list a "Class 7 Cloaking Device" backed up by a complement of disruptor beams which can fire in any direction taking out enemy shields, while multiple torpedo launchers finish the job.

Continue reading Star Trek Online unveils cloaking Klingon warship: Vo'Quv Class

Star Trek Online unveils cloaking Klingon warship: Vo'Quv Class originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online lore interview style at Quark's Bar

Kyle Horner — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Lore, New titles, News items, Star Trek Online

In an inventive -- if not creatively fun for whoever wrote it -- display of storytelling, the most recent "Path to 2409" update on the official Star Trek Online website takes the form of an in-character interview set against the backdrop of Quark's Bar. Now it just may be us, but placing your characters in Deep Space Nine fans' favorite locale seems like a great way to pique interest among usually too-long-to-read types.

And hopefully it works, because this interview details the beginnings of the war between the Federation and Klingon Empire from an engaging first person perspective. Historical logs can be interesting for some but yawn-inducing for many others -- so more of this wonderfully more interesting approach is definitely for the best.

Hopefully if enough people check this one out, Cryptic will see the demand and create even more dynamic media for the game's lore. It's certainly been working well for Star Wars: The Old Republic, so why not for this game as well?

Star Trek Online lore interview style at Quark's Bar originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online assaults our allegiances with Klingon Raptor

Kyle Horner — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Star Trek Online

Another Star Trek Online ship -- this time a Klingon vessel -- has be tossed up on the official game site. This time around, we get a look at the beautifully designed Raptor class. Now, it's been a forgone conclusion that some of us here at Massively are rolling Federation, while others are most certainly rolling Klingon. But with ship designs like these, the Federation had better step it up or we may start considering a pre-launch defection.

The Raptor class is packed with more weaponry than it ought to be allowed to have. In fact, it's got so much that the medical bays are in a very bad way. Let's put it this way: you don't want to break, burn or otherwise cut anything while serving on this ship. Although if the captain makes good use of the speed, cloaking and front-facing weapons of pure death, the lack of proper medical facilities probably won't matter too much. At least... we think.

Star Trek Online assaults our allegiances with Klingon Raptor originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382

Kyle Horner — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lore, New titles, News items, Star Trek Online

Cryptic has updated the Star Trek Online timeline that leads up to when the game takes place. Just to refresh everyone's memory, Star Trek Online is set in the year 2409, which is thirty years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis. The newest update on the official website covers the events of the year 2382, or 27 years prior to the game.

The biggest part of this updates deals with the Romulans (biological cousins to the Vulcans) who are heading down a path to civil war, as political in-fighting continues to grow. Meanwhile the Unification movement, represented by Ambassador Spock, once again attempts to push their agenda by seeking the support of the Federation Council. Ultimately though, the Federation declines to support the movement to unify the two races, as the Vulcan members of the council aren't too keen on such an uncertain and essentially illogical idea.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Gallery

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Star Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some fresh Star Trek Online customization info (for humanoids only)

Samuel Axon — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Game mechanics, Interviews, Star Trek Online

Cryptic Studios made clear the basic framework of its vision for Star Trek Online immediately after announcing the game, but the occasional interview or FAQ has revealed greater detail over the past few days. The latest example is a video interview at MMORPG with Cryptic's Jack Emmert, who in the interview reveals specifics about character, race, and starship customization. He also talks about Cryptic's relationship with the previous holders of the Star Trek Online mantle, Perpetual Entertainment.

As far as the customization goes, you'll be able to customize the "skin, eyebrows, antennae, and hair" of your characters and races. At launch, it's likely that all players will be humanoids. Ship geometry, colors, decals, names, and even serial numbers can all be set by players. It sounds like they'll use basic "kits" of tools based on which faction (Federation or Klingon) they choose.

Emmert also says that "war games" within factions would be possible, allowing players to engage in PvP with members of their own factions in a limited way. He doesn't sound at all certain that it will be possible at launch, though.

Some fresh Star Trek Online customization info (for humanoids only) originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: The Federation or the Klingons?

Samuel Axon — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, Opinion, Star Trek Online, The Daily Grind

Star Trek Online details have been flooding in since the Las Vegas announcement. Everyone who's interested has his or her favorite bit of info about the game, but hardcore Trek fans might make the case that the biggest news is that the two factions in the game will be the Federation and the Klingons. After a century of (only occasionally broken) peace, the two old enemies are clashing once again!

Turns out the first choice you'll make as a new player will be choosing between the two factions. So which one will you choose? Will you join the United Federation of Planets, an idealistic democracy and diverse coalition of races that Roddenberry based on the (perhaps unreal) American ideal? Or will you take the path of Awesome[TM] and choose the Klingon Empire, a battle-crazed, feudalistic warrior culture dedicated to honorable bloodshed?

The Daily Grind: The Federation or the Klingons? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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