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[New Star Trek Online video shows tactical combat, UI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/new-star-trek-online-video-shows-tactical-combat-ui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/new-star-trek-online-video-shows-tactical-combat-ui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/new-star-trek-online-video-shows-tactical-combat-ui/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cryptic has released the first part of a series looking at the tactical ship combat in Star Trek Online. It's definitely worth watching, especially if you've been following the progression of Star Trek Online's combat development; in this regards it's nice to finally see some in-game action as we'll experience it when STO releases in February.

There are a few points that STO Director of Production Craig Zinkievich, Game Designer Zeke Sparkes, and Producer Daniel Stahl make which are worth noting. We've already heard most of it, but the in-game footage demonstrates most of these concepts nicely.

You can watch the video above, or head over to our sister site Big Download to grab the hi res version. The hi res version of this video is worth it.

After the break we'll take a look at the major points, as well as talk about some of the high resolution screen grabs of the UI shown in the video.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Beta User Interface

Continue reading New Star Trek Online video shows tactical combat, UI

MassivelyNew Star Trek Online video shows tactical combat, UI originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-zinkievichcrypticcryptic-studiosdaniel-stahlfeaturedlcarsstar-trek-onlinestar-trek-online-uistar-trek-online-user-interfacestar-trek-online-videostosto-featuredsto-uisto-user-interfacesto-videouser-interfacezeke-sparkesThu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online developers discuss Away Team game mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/star-trek-online-developers-discuss-away-team-game-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/star-trek-online-developers-discuss-away-team-game-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/star-trek-online-developers-discuss-away-team-game-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Cryptic's upcoming Star Trek Online is boldly going where numerous Star Trek PC games have failed before. Only now, for the first time, the Star Trek IP meets massively multiplayer online games, and we're hoping that Cryptic Studios will release a solid sci-fi title that balances Trekkie canon bliss with gameplay that keeps MMO fans happy. A number of Star Trek fans following along with STO's development clearly have high hopes for the game, and so do we at Massively. What's also unique about Star Trek Online is that it's one of the few sci-fi MMOs that has both starship combat and terrestrial gameplay.

Of course, there are many questions that remain about Star Trek Online, particularly when it comes to beaming down to the surface of planets. Have you ever wondered about when you beam down with your Away Team, if you'll visit the planets that are prominent in Star Trek canon, or will these be new worlds? For that matter, will your starship be left defenseless without you there on the bridge? And if you do Away Missions only with other player characters, will your Bridge Officers still level up with you?

Continue reading Star Trek Online developers discuss Away Team game mechanics

MassivelyStar Trek Online developers discuss Away Team game mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al-riveraaway-teamaway-teamscontinuumcryptic-studiosdev-chatgame-mechanicsgekointerviewsirclead-content-designerlead-designernew-titlessci-fistar-trekstar-trek-onlinestozeke-sparkesSun, 16 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX08: Talking with Champions Online's content lead, Zeke Sparkes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax08-talking-with-champions-onlines-content-lead-zeke-sparke/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax08-talking-with-champions-onlines-content-lead-zeke-sparke/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax08-talking-with-champions-onlines-content-lead-zeke-sparke/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


After speaking with John Layman at PAX08, our second Champions Online interview was with content lead Zeke Sparkes. We talked sound effects, travel powers, character creation, controls and zone creation among other things. In fact, we actually got a short period of hands-on time with the game prior to the interview.

So far, Champions Online had only been playable with the Xbox 360 controller, but we were able to finally try the keyboard and mouse controls at PAX. Instead of hitting a face button on the Xbox controller to do your basic attack, you tap an assigned number-key on your keyboard. As you do this, you build up energy and can move through the rest of the powers, which for us were set to the rest of the numbered keys. Overall, the keyboard and mouse controls feel tight and responsive for a game scheduled to launch in Spring of 2009.

Continue reading PAX08: Talking with Champions Online's content lead, Zeke Sparkes

MassivelyPAX08: Talking with Champions Online's content lead, Zeke Sparkes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinecharacter-creationcrypticcryptic-onlinefeaturedjack-emmertjohn-laymanjoystiqfeaturespax-08pax-2008pax08pcpenny-arcadesound-effectstravel-powersxbox-360zeke-sparkeszonesMon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online's content designer talks games, miniatures and fiddles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/champions-onlines-content-designer-talks-games-miniatures-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/champions-onlines-content-designer-talks-games-miniatures-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/champions-onlines-content-designer-talks-games-miniatures-and/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Of all the team members we've met that are working on Champions Online, Zeke Sparkes is possibly the most important yet. That's not to say that the previous team members haven't been anything but incredibly important. You see, Zeke is the guy in charge of designing, creating and testing the "meat n' bones" of Champions Online. The shape, color palette, mob layouts and generally everything you interact with in both persistent and instanced areas are all streaming from this man's brain.

He is -- in a sense -- the Game Master of all our future excursions into the yet-to-be world of Champions Online.

Continue reading Champions Online's content designer talks games, miniatures and fiddles

MassivelyChampions Online's content designer talks games, miniatures and fiddles originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studioslead-content-designermeet-the-teamzeke-sparkesThu, 24 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST