Star Trek Online

Star Trek Online, often shortened to just STO, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game ( MMORPG engl. ), developed by Cryptic Studios. The game is based on the created by Gene Roddenberry series Star Trek, was published on 2 February 2010 and is the first MMORPG in the Star Trek universe.

Action

The action of the game takes place in the 25th century on stardate 86088.58, 30 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis. The game world is fully instantiated, which means that one never encounters a very large amount of players.

Development

It was originally developed by 2008 Perpetual Entertainment Star Trek Online 2004. When the company went bankrupt in January 2008, the license for the game and the already -made concept drawings were sold to Cryptic Studios. The original source code, however, remained the same as the game engine, at Perpetual Entertainment.

On 28 July 2008, the development of the game was officially confirmed by Cryptic Studios. As well as publishing a version of Windows the possible publication for gaming consoles was already mentioned. During the conference in Las Vegas in August 2008, Cryptic had announced that there would be neither Linux nor a Mac version for publication. However, later porting is possible.

As release date of February 2, 2010 and for Europe was called February 5, 2010 for North America. For pre-orders, however, the server should be accessible already on January 29, 2010.

Conference in Las Vegas

On August 10, 2008, a conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. There published Leonard Nimoy - one of the main characters of the original Star Trek series and other Star Trek films - and the head of Cryptic Studios, the first trailer. In addition to various ships of the Federation and Klingons and the Borg were seen. Even a Klingon boarding party on a Starfleet bridge was shown. An exact release date has not yet been revealed at this conference; However, we limited this appointment to the next three years.

Beta testing

The closed beta test began on 22 October 2009. Cryptic Studios guaranteed access to the beta for those who had already purchased a 6- month subscription or a lifetime subscription for Champions Online.

Cryptic announced on 19 November 2009 announced that the closed beta test will be finished and from 12 January to 26 January 2010, the open beta test will take place.

The so-called Head Start program began at 19:00 clock the 29th January. Preordered the game could thus begin a few days before the official release date with the games.

The official launch and its problems

Star Trek Online officially began on February 2, 2010. Versions available in Europe were the " Standard Edition ", " Silver Edition ", " Gold Edition " and the " Collectors Edition" and the " Digital Deluxe " version. The difference between the versions existed in the included package contents as well as extras in the game. The start of the game was fraught with some problems; so it came to delivery problems of the most expensive edition, the Collector's Edition.

Furthermore, it came to criticism due to server difficulties meant that players had trouble logging in. Another problem was that the package contents did not turn out as promised: So were in the packs only three instead of five " tasting series numbers."

Problems with the German version

Already at the beginning of the numerous places not complete German translation was criticized. The screen texts are only a small part of it is translated correctly, many times they change within individual dialogues with non - player characters ( NPCs) between English and German. First Contact missions and series missions make without the translation for players without knowledge of English is also difficult because when choosing a wrong answer fails the mission. According to the official announcement of a non-functioning tool is the reason why the translator of Cryptic their work can not perform. Another point of criticism lies in the fact that the rewards of unique playable content be removed before the content is translated. This German players will be given the choice either to complete the content in English or waive the reward if the player decides to wait for the translation.

Since release

The server capacity has been increased, so there is almost no lag. The test server " Tribble " was commissioned and the first major content patch " Season 1: Common Ground " was released on 25 March 2010. Cryptic tried as a game developer a policy of openness, that is, announce changes directly if they are in the planning phase, and not, as otherwise a common practice when the plans are completed. There is also a calendar on the main page, its content need to be constantly updated.

Through the Test Server Tribble and since the test of Season 5 also by the newly created test server Redshirt players can participate directly in the development of the game. And in the so-called "Engineering Reports" Cryptic informs the player about the planned changes.

In August 2011, the Chinese publisher Perfect World bought Cryptic Studios from the previous publisher Atari and led by a conversion to a free-to - play concept.

Since 22 May 2013, the player can access the extension Legacy of Romulus and thus from now on and for the first time playing the Romulans.

On November 1, 2013 were announced during a live stream of Cryptic Studios, that on November 12, 2013, both the extension ' Season 8 ', as well as a beta version of the game client for Mac systems will appear, which is available online already.

On February 2, 2014 Star Trek Online was four years old. The Cryptic Studios is celebrating with an anniversary celebration, associated events and objects which can lead to a special ship as a grand prize, which at the 8th Season ( The sphere ) was designet.

Season at a Glance Releases

• Season 1: common (25 March 2010)
• Season 2: Ancient Enemies (July 27, 2010)
• Season 3: Genesis (9 December 2010)
• Season 4: Crossfire (7 July 2011)
• Season 5: Call to Arms (1 December 2011)
• Season 6: State of Emergency (12 July 2012)
• Season 7: New Romulus (13 November 2012)
• Extension: Legacy of Romulus (May 12, 2013)
• Season 8: ' The Sphere ' (12 November 2013)
• Season 8.5: ' A step between the stars ' (30 January 2014)
• Season 9: ' A new agreement ' ( April 2014 )

Contributors Star Trek Characters

Michael Dorn, known as Lieutenant Worf from the Star Trek series Star Trek: The Next Generation, brings to the release of the eighth season of " The Sphere" on 9 December 2013 and takes over the role of Ambassador Worf.

With the release of Season 8.5 on 23 January 2014, the mission was launched " A step between the stars." To this end, Tim Russ appeared as "Admiral" Tuvok, known as Commander Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager of the action.

Sales in Atari

In trading the game on behalf of Atari was distributed by Namco Bandai. In the traditional retail three variants were offered: A Collector's Edition, a Gold Edition and a silver edition. All three differ from each other not in the base game, there were only different extras in versions. Also, there was at the beginning of the direct downloads opportunities.

As with other MMOs also fell in Star Trek Online on a monthly fee. In addition to subscriptions for 1, 3 and 6 months, there were during the pre-sales phase still a 12- month subscription and a Lifetime Subscription covering the cost of the game over his entire term. In retail, even prepaid cards for 60 days were sold.

Free-to -play version

The free-to -play version of Star Trek Online offers an alternative subscription option. For a fixed monthly price, the so-called Gold members receive for example a bigger inventory, more character slots and additional Promotional Points.

Since the transition to the free-to -play payment model and the C - Store has been updated. Here prices have been adjusted and added new items.