Carolyn Koh had the chance recently to get her hands on a demo of Cryptic's Star Trek Online. Today, she recounts her impressions.

If they say that a picture paints a thousand words, then hands-on gameplay must be ten times that. I had interviewed Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich a number of times about Star Trek Online, and frankly, together with a number of my fellow journalists, were in a “wait and see” frame of mind about the game. Could Cryptic really take what seemed to be an old tired TV series and create a fresh gaming experience out of it? Would it appeal to fans and also to gamers who knew close to nothing about the original TV series? I had always enjoyed the Star Trek series. How would Cryptic port the essence of Star Trek into an MMO? We already knew the basics. They set it in the year 2409, 30 years after Star Trek: Nemesis to allow it to be familiar enough to fans, and yet be able to write their own story based on the Star Trek lore and canon.

At PAX this year, Cryptic was providing hands-on game-play demos. We flew a short mission in the iconic Enterprise against a few Klingon Birds of Prey, small nimble fighters that made us feel like a lumbering freighter. The experience brought out the Star Trek “fangirl” in me as phrases such as “Launch rear photon torpedoes!” and “Thrusters on full!” as well as “Divert power to rear shields” leapt to my lips but were hardily and barely suppressed (perhaps a few did escape) as we performed the functions in game. A young girl did, excitedly unabashed, as Craig turned the controls over and we got some hands-on time.

Read the Hands-On Preview

Interesting. Thank you.

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Egged on by the same young fan, Craig showed every ship she could name ...

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It was cool how Craig changed gender by the end of the demonstration. Now that's customization! ;)

(And yes, I know the "she" probably referred to the fan, but I still did a double-take.)

Thanks for the article. I look forward to hearing more about this game.

I noticed she kept saying "we".  We did this and we did that.  I thought that was odd when relating a solo play experience.  I suppose she was refering to the AI henchmen crew.

Anyway, it sounds like an ok single player game.  Do you have to be online to play it?

This is slated as an MMO, not a single player game. By definition it must be played online.

"Cryptic has shown pure love in the handling of the Star Trek franchise at this point, "

What a steaming load. If the OP is working for Cryptic, she should state it at the start.

Originally posted by dj-wedge

This is slated as an MMO, not a single player game. By definition it must be played online.

But why?  Just so I can see other people's ships floating around a space station in some public hub before I head out alone to a private instance for a mission?  What's the point in that? 

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

"Cryptic has shown pure love in the handling of the Star Trek franchise at this point, "

What a steaming load. If the OP is working for Cryptic, she should state it at the start.

I understand, anyone who doesn't share you opinions must be working for Cryptic.

Look, I get where you're coming from. You don't feel like Cryptic has done much with the treatment of the IP. That's cool. That's your call. Someone else doesn't share your opinion, maybe have some respect for that even if you don't happen to agree?

Originally posted by Stradden

I understand, anyone who doesn't share you opinions must be working for Cryptic.

Look, I get where you're coming from. You don't feel like Cryptic has done much with the treatment of the IP. That's cool. That's your call. Someone else doesn't share your opinion, maybe have some respect for that even if you don't happen to agree?

Well, read it again. She was practically gushing. Not very professional, IMO.

Anyone with open eyes can see Cryptic isn't being true to the IP. There is no teamwork. Trek isn't populated with captains and faceless technicians.

Originally posted by Neanderthal

I noticed she kept saying "we".  We did this and we did that.  I thought that was odd when relating a solo play experience.  I suppose she was refering to the AI henchmen crew.

Anyway, it sounds like an ok single player game.  Do you have to be online to play it?

"We" is more inclusive to the reader.

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Well, read it again. She was practically gushing. Not very professional, IMO.

Anyone with open eyes can see Cryptic isn't being true to the IP. There is no teamwork. Trek isn't populated with captains and faceless technicians.

I can see both sides to the story. As a long-time Trek fan, I don't really get how you get to dictate to me or anyone else what the IP was about.

You're pissed cause you wanted player crews and the lot. The thing is, there's still plenty of teamwork, it's just not in the form you wanted. Starfleet is FULL of Captains... One for each ship, by my count and player crews aren't going to be faceless. Just because they're NPCs, doesn't make them meaningless.

Look, I'm not asking you to change your mind. You have valid concerns and obviously this game isn't going to be what you wanted. So I suggest that you don't play it. All I'm asking you to do is have some level of respect for people who don't share your opinions. Disagree, fine. Make wild, baseless, trolling accusations... Less fine. Common courtesy.

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Well, read it again. She was practically gushing. Not very professional, IMO.

Anyone with open eyes can see Cryptic isn't being true to the IP. There is no teamwork. Trek isn't populated with captains and faceless technicians.

I can see both sides to the story. As a long-time Trek fan, I don't really get how you get to dictate to me or anyone else what the IP was about.

You're pissed cause you wanted player crews and the lot. The thing is, there's still plenty of teamwork, it's just not in the form you wanted. Starfleet is FULL of Captains... One for each ship, by my count and player crews aren't going to be faceless. Just because they're NPCs, doesn't make them meaningless.

Look, I'm not asking you to change your mind. You have valid concerns and obviously this game isn't going to be what you wanted. So I suggest that you don't play it. All I'm asking you to do is have some level of respect for people who don't share your opinions. Disagree, fine. Make wild, baseless, trolling accusations... Less fine. Common courtesy.

nicely written Stradden. could use similar comments in many other threads of similar or even worse "complaining" nature.

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by Stradden

I understand, anyone who doesn't share you opinions must be working for Cryptic.

Look, I get where you're coming from. You don't feel like Cryptic has done much with the treatment of the IP. That's cool. That's your call. Someone else doesn't share your opinion, maybe have some respect for that even if you don't happen to agree?

Well, read it again. She was practically gushing. Not very professional, IMO.

Anyone with open eyes can see Cryptic isn't being true to the IP. There is no teamwork. Trek isn't populated with captains and faceless technicians.

Think of it as Starfleet Battle MMO. THAT game is populated with captains and faceless technicians.

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by Stradden

I understand, anyone who doesn't share you opinions must be working for Cryptic.

Look, I get where you're coming from. You don't feel like Cryptic has done much with the treatment of the IP. That's cool. That's your call. Someone else doesn't share your opinion, maybe have some respect for that even if you don't happen to agree?

Well, read it again. She was practically gushing. Not very professional, IMO.

Anyone with open eyes can see Cryptic isn't being true to the IP. There is no teamwork. Trek isn't populated with captains and faceless technicians.

I'm not really a Trek fan, but I went through the same thing with Star Wars Galaxies and LotRo, both of which  respect their original IP's in name only.  I think it's folly to expect any licensed mmo to be faithful to it's source material beyond skin-deep aesthetics (i.e. getting the ship visual models correct, using source music, etc).  These games are all basically the same:  kill mob, get loot, level, etc.  There's no way anyone can translate that into a world as layered and complex as Star Trek and maintain said complexity.

MMO devs have repeatedly proven that they aren't capable of making a game that respects established lore.  It's always "fun is greater than lore" or whatever the excuse is, but it boils down to them not having the time/money/knowledge to make an accurate translation.

Cryptic doesn't want to please hardcore Trek fans because they're dwarfed in number by casual fans.  If you're expecting STO to be faithful to Star Trek, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.  I'm not defending Cryptic or other companies who piss on great stories, but it's just a business reality.

Originally posted by nariusseldon

Think of it as Starfleet Battle MMO. THAT game is populated with captains and faceless technicians.

I have already made that suggestion in earlier posts on the game. That's not what they are calling it though.

There are going to be lots of Trek fans who buy this game thinking they can be a science, medical, tactical, or engineering officer and work as a team with other crew members. Well, they can't.

When a lead dev says 'everyone wants to be the captain' that shows the game isn't true to the IP.

It just doesn't make sense to me that 5 captains will go down on an away mission together.

It also doesn't make sense to me that your going to have 1000's of captains piloting star ships around.

This game does not make any sense!

Would it not have been better to base the game on a space station like Deep Space 9?  Something on the fringe of federation space in which you can be Klingon, Ferengi, Human, Cardacean, Romulan or Vulcans as individuals trying to make a name for themselves.  You can be a merchant, smuggler, pilot, mercenary or security.  Set up a shop on the station.  Your own quarters (housing) in the station.  Not about the big huge star ships but the small craft.

I agree that allot of people are not going to be happy with the game Cryptic is going to put out. I would have liked something else, but it looks like fun it's not the Trek we've seen from the movies and shows but I think it will be fun. Al Rivera is going to be the guy that get either ridicule and discust, or fame and graditude, which do you think.

I for one like the direction they are taking it. Having specific roles inside of a starship just wouldn't work in the long run, it’s much too complicated. Yes, this game will appeal more to the masses but that’s to be expected of any mmo.

Well I am going to have to agree with Veritas-X here. The idea of being "true" to a IP is near impossible in today's money generated gaming society. I've been coming here for years and it really disappoints me to see people going to such extreme's over a game. Liking a game does not make you a "fanboi" or disagreeing does not make you a troll. EVERYONE is entitled to a opinion, even you, lol. I agree I would have liked to have seen the game take a different direction. But hey, they have chosen this one so I'm going to just wait and see how it turns out. And Ruyn, I can understand the game does not meet your expectations but it does make sense. In fact i personally think this could well be a fun version of the game.  They can only make so many people happy. Pleasing everyone is impossible and everyone has a opposing view as to how the game should play. I will say your ideas on a version of the game are quite interesting. I would indeed like to see a version done like that. For now I'll just watch the drama unfold as it appears a beta may not be far off. Till then, LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!

Originally posted by Ruyn

It just doesn't make sense to me that 5 captains will go down on an away mission together.

It also doesn't make sense to me that your going to have 1000's of captains piloting star ships around.

This game does not make any sense!

 

Would it not have been better to base the game on a space station like Deep Space 9?  Something on the fringe of federation space in which you can be Klingon, Ferengi, Human, Cardacean, Romulan or Vulcans as individuals trying to make a name for themselves.  You can be a merchant, smuggler, pilot, mercenary or security.  Set up a shop on the station.  Your own quarters (housing) in the station.  Not about the big huge star ships but the small craft.

You do get small craft though, if you follow the STO site their are classes of ship. The Enterprise is one, the transport figate is another. Not everyone is Picard.

That said your DS9 idea presents it's own problems. I mean your esientialy setting it as one hub zone with small fish flying in and out, no one can be a starfleet cpatian in yours. Atleast with cryptics design you have a varity of what KIND of captian you are...

What gets me is this:

In mmorpgs, there's always been a level divide between players that have been around for a while (high level) and the newb just starting out. They don't interact unless someone is getting ganked...

Star Trek would have been the perfect opportunity to have every level of experience work together from the start. The guy at lvl cap would be the captain, while the newb would be the ensign. It's so easy in games for the content in games to become an overlooked  sideshow on the way to the level cap.

If everyone was expected to work together from the start, mmorpgs would feel more like a game, and less like a grind.

Oh well... golden opportunity missed. It looks like the game could be fun, but I don't think it looks like something that will be satisfying to me. I was hoping they'd try to adjust the mmorpg genre to fit the Star Trek Universe instead of adjusting Star Trek to fit mmorpgs....

Originally posted by Cacolaco

What gets me is this:

 

In mmorpgs, there's always been a level divide between players that have been around for a while (high level) and the newb just starting out. They don't interact unless someone is getting ganked...

 

Star Trek would have been the perfect opportunity to have every level of experience work together from the start. The guy at lvl cap would be the captain, while the newb would be the ensign. It's so easy in games for the content in games to become an overlooked  sideshow on the way to the level cap.

If everyone was expected to work together from the start, mmorpgs would feel more like a game, and less like a grind.

 

Oh well... golden opportunity missed. It looks like the game could be fun, but I don't think it looks like something that will be satisfying to me. I was hoping they'd try to adjust the mmorpg genre to fit the Star Trek Universe instead of adjusting Star Trek to fit mmorpgs....

Sooooooo your advocating 1 ship with every postion a player working theyir way up the ranks?

What happens when your cheif enginner isn't online?

What if the captian is geting drunk irl and isn't in game? How does a ship run when the crew isnt on 24/7?

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Well, read it again. She was practically gushing. Not very professional, IMO.

Anyone with open eyes can see Cryptic isn't being true to the IP. There is no teamwork. Trek isn't populated with captains and faceless technicians.

I can see both sides to the story. As a long-time Trek fan, I don't really get how you get to dictate to me or anyone else what the IP was about.

You're pissed cause you wanted player crews and the lot. The thing is, there's still plenty of teamwork, it's just not in the form you wanted. Starfleet is FULL of Captains... One for each ship, by my count and player crews aren't going to be faceless. Just because they're NPCs, doesn't make them meaningless.

Look, I'm not asking you to change your mind. You have valid concerns and obviously this game isn't going to be what you wanted. So I suggest that you don't play it. All I'm asking you to do is have some level of respect for people who don't share your opinions. Disagree, fine. Make wild, baseless, trolling accusations... Less fine. Common courtesy.

Why is it that these closed-minded and obviously ignorant posts to undermine the credibility of the writer or game are tolerated when other posters are receiving warnings for threads/posts that are an attempt to attack/combat this very thing?

I'm honestly intrigued by this.

Look people, we don't need to take every article/opinion that is written/given at this site as a personal attack. We all can either agree of disagree with what is being said, but blanket assumptions like these fail.

 

Man, I hate to say it, but this reads more like a fluff piece than an objective preview.

I have not been closely following this game, so I really have no preconceived thoughts on how cryptic is handling this IP.  But seriously, not one, single thing to say that isn't a negative, or even a 'meh' about the experience?

Any review that is completely negative or positive, I kind of view as suspect. In that you generate revenue from advertisements for the games you review, I am not completely surprised. Especially one that will likely pay major dollars for ads when it launches. /shurg. That's how the world works, I guess.

Of course, no game is perfect, and all things are usually subjective. However,experience says that the only people who address a game as such are persons who are obligated to the game in some way shape, or form.

Not intending to troll, but this piece does feel rather Viral.

Originally posted by nekollx

Originally posted by Cacolaco

What gets me is this:

 

In mmorpgs, there's always been a level divide between players that have been around for a while (high level) and the newb just starting out. They don't interact unless someone is getting ganked...

 

Star Trek would have been the perfect opportunity to have every level of experience work together from the start. The guy at lvl cap would be the captain, while the newb would be the ensign. It's so easy in games for the content in games to become an overlooked  sideshow on the way to the level cap.

If everyone was expected to work together from the start, mmorpgs would feel more like a game, and less like a grind.

 

Oh well... golden opportunity missed. It looks like the game could be fun, but I don't think it looks like something that will be satisfying to me. I was hoping they'd try to adjust the mmorpg genre to fit the Star Trek Universe instead of adjusting Star Trek to fit mmorpgs....

 

Sooooooo your advocating 1 ship with every postion a player working theyir way up the ranks?

What happens when your cheif enginner isn't online?

What if the captian is geting drunk irl and isn't in game? How does a ship run when the crew isnt on 24/7?

These are points I brought up when I first started posting about this game.

The answer is: Not all IPs are suitable for an MMORPG. I can't think of an IP less suited to solo play than Star Trek. If you can't get the grouping right (and clearly it would be a challenge to do so), then you can't do Trek right.Maybe someone has a good idea about how to make it work, but it's clear that Cryptic isn't even trying to, and what chance is there that another Star Trek MMO will be produced while this one is running?

If you can't do the IP justice, then leave it alone.