Star Trek Flash MMO Interview

MMORPG.com:

Tell us about how you got the Star Trek IP to create the game?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

We came into contact with CBS through our extensive international network. We were looking for an IP that would translate well into a free-to-play game and works for a broad consumer base. Star Trek is one of those brands that appeal to people all around the world and from all age groups. Under the license agreement, Gameforge will publish casual free-to-play browser and social media games, starting in 2011.

MMORPG.com:

What plans do you have to reach fans of Star Trek and bring them into the game?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

The Star Trek franchise offers a great variety of different universes, timelines and stories, which gives us a broad pool of settings to pick from for our games. Our expertise lies in developing and publishing free-to-play games that appeal to people all over the world because they are easily accessible and provide fun gameplay for years to come. For our upcoming games under the agreement, we want to bring both Star Trek and browser gaming fans high quality experiences that will entertain them for a long time. The first two games we will release in 2011 will cover different settings from the universe: One will be a Facebook game, the other a browser game. They will also be different in tone and style.

MMORPG.com:

Can you talk about the game design? What will players be able to do?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

We are still in pre-production for the first two games. The browser game will feature strategic space combat with lots of RPG elements. The Facebook game will be more about space exploration and character customization. That’s all we can reveal at this point.

MMORPG.com:

How does the game tap into the Star Trek Universe? What time period will be the setting?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

Our license covers all six TV series and the ten movies up to 2002. The Facebook game will be set in Star Trek: The Original Series, and the browser game will feature a setting in the timeline of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

MMORPG.com:

Why do you think Star Trek appeals to so many people?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

Star Trek emerged at a time when the world was fascinated with space travel, so I think it really hit a nerve in the public consciousness at the time. The other thing that makes it so appealing is the fact that despite being set in such a highly technical and scientific universe, at the core the series was always about very universal themes.

MMORPG.com:

Do you have a schedule for the game yet, launch, beta, etc.?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

We will go live with the first two games in 2011, that’s all we can confirm right now.

MMORPG.com:

Will you be at any game shows this summer to promote the game?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

Since we are a Germany-based company, gamescom in Cologne is obviously big on our list.

MMORPG.com:

What would you like to tell players about the game in these early stages?

Ralf Valm - VP of Publishing:

That we are very excited about the license agreement and the entire team is extremely dedicated to making great games for you and staying true to the Star Trek franchise and honoring the legacy that it is.