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Cryptic beaming up Star Trek Online?

Source: Trekkie-friendly enthusiast site TrekMovie.com.

What we heard: Following months of instability, a beleaguered Perpetual Studios officially closed it doors in January, laying off employees and selling off its coveted license to develop a massively multiplayer online game based on sci-fi canon Star Trek. Initial rumblings that came as a precursor to Perpetual's official shuttering indicated that "another Bay Area development studio" would pick up the license to develop an MMOG set in the far-future universe.

Although the Bay Area is replete with development houses, eyes quickly turned to Los Gatos-based Cryptic Studios, best known as the developer behind NCsoft's City of Heroes. Evidence continues to mount today that Cryptic will indeed be taking the reins on the Star Trek Online MMOG. Saying it has "independently confirmed with sources," Trekkie hub TrekMovie.com is reporting that the shop is "definitely" the new license holder to develop Star Trek Online. As for why the developer is keeping the project cloaked, TrekMovie states, "Since acquiring the game, Cryptic has been assessing the current state of the game and assets, and deciding what to keep and what to change. Cryptic is holding off on making an announcement because they want to make their announcement more than just words and actually have something to show."

Cryptic is certainly positioned to be a likely candidate for salvaging Star Trek Online. After the development house said it would be selling off its interests in City of Heroes/Villains to NCsoft, Cryptic expressly stated that "the decision to sell the franchise allows us to focus resources on our soon to be announced first-party projects." [Emphasis added.] With Microsoft officially pulling the plug on Marvel Universe Online in February, Cryptic's only other announced project is Champions Online. The developer purchased the IP to Champions from pen-and-paper RPG maker Hero Games last month.

However, though the developer has expressed interest in developing multiple IPs, much of its resources will be tied up by the task of self-publishing Champions Online. Creating MMOGs in today's market requires an investment of tens of millions of dollars--or $500 million, if Blizzard's World of Warcraft is the target. It seems unlikely that Cryptic, which is a relatively small independent studio, would be able to bankroll more than one MMOG at a time.

The official story: Cryptic Studios had not returned requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: Cryptic certainly has the pedigree and experience to handle Star Trek Online, although self-publishing two major MMOGs is a task that even Captain Jean-Luc Picard would find challenging. Either way, with Cryptic keeping mum and no other studios stepping up, Star Trek Online officially remains dead in the water.

60 Comments

  • frasierfreak666

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 11:50 am PT

    I hope this gets released...

  • GameSpotXalyx

    Posted May 15, 2008 4:13 pm PT

    I'm just ready for it to come out. My mom is a huge trekkie, and I like the series as well. It would be funny, and smart, for it to come out this Christmas when the movie is supposed to be out in theaters.

  • q_oats GameSpot staff memberWorks for a game publisher or developer

    Posted Mar 19, 2008 2:54 pm PT

    Trekkies Unite!!!

  • viiral

    Posted Mar 18, 2008 2:26 am PT

    RockySquirrel: Cryptic is NOT second rate, infact they are one of the better developers out there.

  • razu_gamer2

    Posted Mar 17, 2008 11:02 am PT

    amazing

  • Dylanius

    Posted Mar 17, 2008 8:59 am PT

    Im gonna be really annoyed if this is still a one-player focused game. Wasnt there talk about how ships served almost as clan headquarters? Youd have holodecks and cafes and rest areas and everyone would serve a role on the ship.. But then I heard they were shifting the focus to make it more 1player and only you'd control your ship in the third person.

    God dammit that'd be lame. Im searching for a truly cooperative mmo. The only thing that ever came close was starship combat in starwars galaxies before it took it's dirt nap.

  • nickelarcade

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 6:06 pm PT

    maybe ill play mmos when they create one with a decent battle system.
    wows system is alright it just feels anticlimactic

  • adamias13

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 6:06 pm PT

    umm i agree this license must be handled with care

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  • thisranks

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 4:52 pm PT

    I am also a big fan of the Star Trek universe, going back as far to the days to the PnP game back in the early 80's

    I love the idea, but i'm not seeing how they are going to work space combat into the game. Sure, checking out new planets by beaming down, and searching can be a great part of the game.

    But, space combat.......see, if, say a PC controlled Klingon vessel, and a PC controlled Federation vessel controlled by me attack each other, i'm wiping that ship out. What happens to the Klingon PC's vessel? Does it blow up? Then what happens to the PC Klingon? Does he respawn like in WoW? How does he get a new ship? Those aren't developed like candy. Until those ideas are submitted to the public, i have very large doubts about the game.

  • Mudvayne84

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 12:59 pm PT

    lame.... another mmorpg

  • console-deity

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 12:18 pm PT

    I see two problems with this: 1st it's star trek, I can't stand ST anymore because I got tired of all the plot and science holes, 2nd MMOs are terrible just look at all the WoW addicts. It would be best if this just silently died.

  • imnodewd

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 11:10 am PT

    Fantastic! I was hoping that someone would pick up the license sooner rather than later. I hope that the folks over at Cryptic are fans themselves and realize what a huge responsibility it is to work on such a beloved franchise. Honestly, I'm not too optimistic that this is going to be a really great game, but I'm holding out hope that at least it won't be a bad one.

  • Nolite

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 9:45 am PT

    I hope anyone does come out with a working Star Trek-MMO in a not to distant future. Cryptic is a good game house so let's hope the rumor is true.

  • Lycen

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 2:33 am PT

    SUPER ZOMG plus a little bit of F*CK YEAH!!! THERE IS STILL HOPE

  • death919

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 11:15 pm PT

    Eh... WoW and Guild Wars are enough for me... and with another expansion pack and a sequal, I doubt I'd have time for this.

  • DeViLzzz

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 10:58 pm PT

    can we smack Wesley Crusher around for fun in it ??

  • Anofalye

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 5:08 pm PT

    Cryptic lost over a dozen staff when they sold CoX.

    They are working on a MMO, called Champions Online and they have barely over a year to complete it, both for PC and 360...

    Weither this news is true or not, it must be good to be a chinese take-out in this area.

  • Overseer76

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 2:53 pm PT

    I read every post above and PseudoFinrod seems to have said it best: 1) "Who has time for MMOs?", 2) "the Trek experience leans more toward ideas than actions", and 3) "a Trek MMO will be difficult to produce in a satisfactory way for its fans".

    I, for one believe Cryptic can pull it off and wish them the best of luck.

    Also, I used to play Champions, the pen and paper RPG and I don't see why anyone would want to develop a generic set of rules into an MMO. The world and its characters as I remember it were unremarkable among superheroes -- with the exception of C.L.O.W.N. the Criminal Legion of Wacky Non-Conformists, a group of bad guys with a sense of humor and a code against killing.

  • StroninSF

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 1:30 pm PT

    Let not all forget Startrek Elite Force? It was arguably one of the most fun, and accessible startrek games made to date, (With Armada taking a Distant second) You know what made it fun??? They focused on designing a good game first, and a good startrek IP second. They polished so it was really fun, and then gave it an excellent Startrek backstory. Thats the only way this is going to work any better than the string of shoddy weak products ST fans, myself included, have gotten to date.

    To all you "hardcore trekkies" out there especially, take a chill pill, I'm just as nerdy as the best of ya, but don't let your dream of having a 2 hour long debate about vulcan logic with some NPC blind you to whats going to be really fun, a well made MMO, set in the Startrek universe. Now, starting naming your ship, have some patience, and relax. I can already seeing the seething biting comments poping up. It, is, simply, a game. If you accept it as such, your going to have an awesome time exploring the univerise in your trick out Akira with spinners!

  • okassar

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 1:21 pm PT

    Enough with the pessimism.Yes,it does seem like a pretty hard task for them if it goes forward,but you never know,it might end up being a cool game.I know I would like it if I had big ship battles and planet take overs online.That brings us to....how much of a hard task that would be.But no,it is not doomed to failure.Just wait and see it might go either way.

  • tclvis

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 12:00 pm PT

    You'd think Stevie Nicks was developing this game they way they keep draggin' my heart around.

  • Jshaw71

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 10:22 am PT

    sounds like an interesting idea, are they going to assign crews to ships, and have away missions, will there be any control except weither you complete a mission or not, i wouldn't mind seeing starfleet academy, logic suggests that's where the game will start, as a tutorial and maybe where you choose your postion (engineer, doctor, security, command staff) hopefully it will take place in the era laid out in tng, but you never can tell...

  • Echo13791

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 9:14 am PT

    No matter what anyone here says MMO's are dangerous! You can't truly be sucessful unless you invest TOO much of your time. I had that happen in WoW at 70 and had to quit.

  • necronaux

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 9:00 am PT

    I'll believe it when I see it. Hopefully it will (would) consist of more than a space flight simulator, like most of their past games.

  • FrankieDooSpace

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 8:48 am PT

    I hope the game will be out on XBOX 360. It will be great! Also Stargate Worlds on this console would be awsome"

  • jazilla

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 8:32 am PT

    If they made this an incredibly dialogue rich, non-PVP MMO I think they could capture Star Trek the right way. I guess you could have some ship fights and stuff, but instead of loot, you should kiss a hot alien chick at the end of each quest or mission, and get badges for the girls you made out with. You could be exactly like James T. Kirk that way! I just think getting loot and upgrades to phasers would be boring, and you can't really have armor or anything. I just think you would have to mess with Star Trek way too much, and Trek fans don't like it when you do that. I know, I have met many a Star Trek fan, and they are crazy that way.

  • yoyoman10

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 8:11 am PT

    it takes balls to come out with an MMO when world of warcraft is stealing all the nerds time.

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 7:40 am PT

    World is full of people who are addicted to games including me ... so no worries there !!! As for the STARTREK Universe its bound to be a success in any shape or form !!!

  • thekodaman

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 4:37 am PT

    Please, save the world from the nerdiest game ever created! Let this travesty of a concept rot in it's coffin.

  • zero9167

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 3:42 am PT

    NO BAD CRYPTIC! make a new super hero MMO!

  • willauqs

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 11:01 pm PT

    haha cjtech those are high hopes considering most people are just hoping the game doesn't get canceled

  • cjtech

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 10:30 pm PT

    I just hope if and when it is released that it will truly be a astounding gaming universe with action, rpg, adventure and a deep story line

  • jogunther

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 9:44 pm PT

    I took a different route. Play Lotr:O. Its fun and got ten percent of the giants votes in the game of the year contest. Only real competitor. Wow is on this PC no disrespect to players my family plays WoW.

  • Maxx_the_Slash

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 9:20 pm PT

    If this is true, Cryptic Studios better knock it off and get the **** back to work on Marvel Universe Online. **** Star Trek.

  • Vanine_28

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 8:56 pm PT

    Gruug ! I totaly agrea with you on this one..this things hopeless.

  • GnothiSeauton

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 8:40 pm PT

    The scoop about Cryptic Studios licensing Star Trek Online is claimed by w00t Studios (*1), which is credited at Wikipedia (*2).

    As noted by Voodoo Extreme 3D IGN (*3), a legal notice posted to the owner of Star Trek Gamers led to the discovery that Cryptic Studios had taken control of the troubled Star Trek Online MMO.

    "The change of developer was rumoured for some time, but the digging of another user on the site revealed that Timothy Harris is representing Cryptic Studios' Champions Online, effectively confirming the rumour."

    Reference links...

    (*1) http://tinyurl.com/2n47et
    (*2) http://tinyurl.com/39xux5
    (*3) http://tinyurl.com/35ykyh

  • Devvy01

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 7:31 pm PT

    Someone has to do a better job that Legacy.

  • Foolio1

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 7:22 pm PT

    I would feel much better if Cryptic really is taking the Star Trek Online game. Maybe then it may actually be released.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    MMORPG's are overdone ... wonder if they would make it based ont he new movie or old material...

  • Xouber

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 6:46 pm PT

    I wish it's true this could be the best game ever.

  • NYJonesy26

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 6:17 pm PT

    "With the building interest in JJ Abram's Star Trek film, Cryptic is positioning itself to find a strong publishing partner - a smart one that wants to capitalize on the game's already partially developed state and the Star Trek film's big 2009 release. Read between the lines. If Cryptic scores this, it's money in the bank and a staff hiring bonanza... and of course, movie tie-in:"

    The big 2009 movie is going to be quite possibly the worst mistake in Star Trek history. If it is successful, what the heck are they supposed to do for a sequel? The original Star Trek should remain only as the Remastered Episodes, which have proven to be very good and have remained true to the original vision held by Gene Roddenberry. There is nothing more that can be done for the TOS era in terms of storyline development, so, as I have already said, just leave it as Remastered episodes and that's it. They should have gone on with The Next Generation, Voyager, or Deep Space Nine casts, but, of course, they're all getting too old now and most of them are miffed about this whole "reboot the franchise" deal, so they don't want anything more to do with Star Trek because of the ridiculous direction the films have taken. Enterprise was the only prequel we needed. Gene Roddenberry should rise from the dead and show Abrams how to make a REAL Star Trek movie.

  • troopershades

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:48 pm PT

    as much as i find MMO's to get tedious after a while, something that is familiar and has a vast universe of content like Star Trek might be cool. i also am looking forward to more info on the Stargate MMO as well.

  • Wonkyman

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:34 pm PT

    I've waited a long time for a quality Star Trek game, and it just hasn't happened. What most developers seem to forget is that they're not handling the Star Wars universe, which is much more game-oriented. Star Wars is very action oriented, whereas Star Trek is character driven. Unless they make a thinking person's Star Trek game, I doubt it will capture the essence of the franchise. But who knows. Stranger things have happened.

  • Land-0-Funk

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:34 pm PT

    Star Trek MMO?..Get your nerd on!!

  • clyde46

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:30 pm PT

    I really hope this is going to be free to play.

  • ericn1976

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:28 pm PT

    Even though I don't know if cryptic is doing the game, but there has been some changes on the website for star trek online. It says now "coming soon."

  • runstalker

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:15 pm PT

    Not like they're obliged to always have it...but it'd cool to see a CoH-style character creation for this one. All sorts of galactic races, tons of sizes/clothes/accessories. I'm pretty sure Perpetual's character creator wasn't as rugged as Cryptic's for the City of ___ games. They really nailed that part of the game.