Complexgamer: Does Star Trek Online feature the same engine from Champions Online?

Cryptic Studios:

Yes. Both Champions Online and Star Trek Online use the Cryptic Engine, a proprietary MMO engine developed in house here at Cryptic Studios.

Complexgamer: Since Cryptic is a team used to making mostly MMORPGs, how will they go about differentiating STO and making STO unique in its own way?

Cryptic Studios:

One of the key things that we set out to do when making STO was to NOT just take traditional MMO conventions and merely skin them to be “Star Trek”.

Delivering our content through the Episodes is one way that we are different from most MMOs. Rather than starting in a forest killing wolves for 10 hours before moving onto the mines where you kill rats for hours players will instantly be experiencing chunks of content that send them to many locations in a short amount of time. Start in space exploring a system, follow the wreckage of an unknown cruiser to the surface of a planet, defend the survivors from some pirates and then beam back to your ship for a climactic space battle. This is an example of what players can expect to do in a given play session.

Tactical space battles, away team missions, ground and space content, and the bridge officer systems are also great examples of how STO stands apart from traditional MMOs.

Complexgamer: As an MMORPG can you call on friends and give them your coordinates to jump light years away for help if your ship is under attack and needs assistance.

Cryptic Studios:

There isn’t a single mechanic that lets you “Beam to a Friend’s Coordinates” but there are ways to get around the vast vast universe quickly. Sector space is the way we have chosen to represent the various sectors that make up the universe and it is the view that captain’s see the game world when they are moving at warp speeds.

In sector space players will be able to see and travel to various systems on a single “map”. So if you are in the sol system and your friend is orbiting the planet Vulcan you can hop out to sector space and zoom over there at faster than light speeds to meet up with your buddy.

That being said space is big and we wanted to convey that feeling to players.

Complexgamer: Will there be cross platform support for the Xbox 360

Cryptic Studios:

At launch STO will be PC exclusive. We will definitely be looking into releasing for different platforms post launch.

Complexgamer: How will the transfer between space and planets work?  For example, do you fly your ship into a docking bay on the planet or will you just instantly be on foot once you get near the planet?

Cryptic Studios:

As you approach a planet, station or docking area the player will be prompted by one of their crewman letting them know that they are in transporter range. Captains can then decide if they want to assemble an away team and explore the surface or interior of that given location.

Complexgamer: How will the PvP work in Star Trek Online?  Since all servers are open PvP, where will it happen and what different modes are there?

Cryptic Studios:

PvP will be available for both Federation and Klingon players. Since the two factions are at war in 2409 players can cruise around the neutral zone and engage in open hostilities with the opposing faction.

Players will also be able to participate in structured PvP games fighting against both Friends and Foes using our queue system. Players will be able to complete episodes and continue their rise from Ensign to Admiral and when a game becomes available they can decide to join the PvP fun.

Complexgamer: How does Cryptic think Star Trek Online will fair against Champions Online and City of Heroes?  Since there is a huge fanbase for Star Trek, does Cryptic think this will be a huge hit?

Cryptic Studios:

As you mentioned Star Trek is one of the premiere science fiction IPs and we are excited about giving fans of this storied franchise an amazing interactive Trek experience. I am personally excited about the new things that we are bringing to the MMO space and I definitely hope that everyone has as much fun playing STO as I’ve had making it.

Cheesy? yes. True? Yes.

Complexgamer: What should people do on February 2, 2010? And February 5, 2010

Cryptic Studios:

Go play STO!

Complexgamer.com would like to thank Cryptic Studios for this opportunity and their time

special thanks to  Andy Velasquez, Michael Burshteyn, David Tremblay,  Derick Thomas &  Tricia Gray