Star Trek Online Update - Oslo Class

Cryptic have updated their site with a new StarFleet Vessel, the Oslo Class.
the vessel looks very familiar to the Norway and Akira from Star Trek, but the site also mentions that it's similar to the Zephyr Class which is not a known class of Star Trek and is most likely a new Class for Star Trek Online.
Cryptic say the reason for the similarities is because "Starfleet Corps of Engineers championed a plan that called for modular ship designs, with components that could easily be switched out or replaced."

in their talk about the ship, they let slip a possible parts of the game mechanics, "The modular design allows ship's crews to be able to make more repairs in the field and enables salvaged components to be reused on a variety of ships. An added benefit of modular construction is that starships can be modified for specific missions or to accommodate crew needs." This backs up the customisation that the game allows of ships, giving a legitimate reason why it's possible, but it also hints at salvage missions, being able to salvage parts from a battle site.

This particular class is known as a Heavy Escort Class, limited medical facilities and scientific as well. it's not built for sustained attacks, but it's new weapons provide alot of clout. again, Cryptic might have let slip another game mechanic "...it will often work in concert with other ships that have improved sensor arrays and laboratories. Being able to coordinate with an engineering vessel will keep the Oslo fighting for longer than it could without such support, making it an ideal vessel for battle groups and fleet actions." perhaps hinting at how battles/missions can work with other people, being able to use their ships either to help another ship or to be that fighter amongst the science vessels.

New Star Trek Online Competition

http://media3.startrekonline.com/img/alienname.jpg
Think you can provide a description of the aliens above in 300 words or less?
If so, email contest@crypticstudios.com with your description.
And see if you can get yourself a beta spot
Contest page at http://www.startrekonline.com/node/189

Star Trek Online Update - New Vessel Announced

Cyptic have announed on thier website a new Klingon Vessel, to go with the earlier announcement of the NX-91001, The Raptor Class. a vessel like the Defiant, small, powerful, but ill equpied for a medical emergency.

[image http://media3.startrekonline.com/img/raptor.jpg]

The post also hints that there will plenty more ships to come "After the Dominion War, the Klingon Empire embarked on an aggressive period of starship design and construction to replace ships lost during the war and subsequent conflicts."

Star Trek Online Update [Updated]

Cryptic has uploaded another "ask Cryptic" section, and this one has some rather interesting points. catch the full article at http://www.startrekonline.com/node/176 .
here though are some interesting comments when asked about ship customisation that i personally find quite interesting.

• The vessel you choose will have a familiar silhouette, for example a Miranda class or a Centaur class. you won't be able to add say more warp engines to it, the vessel has to look like it's silhouette, but that still means you "...will be able to modify all the parts – the saucer, the nacelles, the pylons, the primary hull, etc. You will also be able to modify colors, decals, and other bits."Basically creating a viariant of the main design, like the Enterprise B Variant of the Excellsior deisgn (with the extra impulse engines)

• You can upgrade internal parts of your vessel. However, the upgrades are specific depending on your Vessels Class, Nova Class, for example, would be more scientific. all sorts of upgradable parts are available however "....rimary items like your weapons, shields, deflector dish, impulse and warp engines, etc. You will also be able to add lots of enhancements to your systems, such as targeting computers for better accuracy, EPS conduits upgrades to improve power transfer rates, better biobeds for your sick bay..."

• The final thing which can be customised is your bridge crew. "...Your Bridge Officers will come with unique skills that can only be used if they are at a duty station." An example which they mention earlier in the article would be the chief engineer, "... your engineer’s skills will determine your maximum warp speed."

Some interesting stuff. i like how the studio is continuing to maintin interest in thier game by slowly divulgeing information about it, pictures. but what impresses me the most is how they are involving the community. they offer contests like thier Kobsyashi maru contests or thier Planet Exploration stories with prizes like Beta Slots and Forum Slots. They have already begun to develop the community, meaning when the game is released they will have greater numbers in the game from the off, and good day 1 sales of course.
They have even worked with the new Star Trek Movie and incorperated some of those story lines into the games, making both as Cannon as each other. a known example is the uniforms, the left is from the book tie in, the right being from the game. expect information on Data later?!

[picture from http://trekmovie.com/images/merchandise/idwcrypsyn.jpg ]

[Update]
Looks like IGN has got some more screen shots for the game that aren't even on Star Trek Online's website. Click on IGN Star Trek Online Pic's to have a look at them.

Star Trek Online Update

Cryptic Studios have released a new video of the character customisation within Star Trek Online.
you can choose from the known famous, and even some of the bad guys, or create your own, whether that is simply modifying a set race, or creating a new one from scratch.
it should be noted that the video also shows quite clearly the new uniform design used within the game as well as the graphic style of the character models.

They are currently at Comic Con, so expect more updates (fingers crossed anyway) and i'll try to update the blog when they happen/ i'll be honest in that i'm excited about this game and the possibility.