Star Trek Online set to release next year.

[Threshold]

There is a huge banner on display at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention that states the game is going to be released next year. I believe Cryptic will meet Atari's deadline of the end of Q1.

[WinterPark1701]

What I herd is that pre-orders will ship 26 Jan 2010.

[Swordopolis]

What I herd is that pre-orders will ship 26 Jan 2010.

Sauce plx.

[WinterPark1701]

Sauce plx.

Sure... right here. (http://www.moneysavingmom.com/.a/6a00e552792fa28833010535c1aeee970b-800wi)

[Swordopolis]

Sure... right here. (http://www.moneysavingmom.com/.a/6a00e552792fa28833010535c1aeee970b-800wi)

NOM NOM NOM

[maltzenburgerz]

I can only hope they keep it as Beta hadn't started yet. Forgive my concerns, but IMHO, they are legitimate. X-S

[Jsnuk]

If we have learnt anything about january releases, its that they mean march.

[HittingSmoke]

Sauce plx.

AHHH GO BACK TO 4CHAN!!!!!

[SIMONLEV]

Cccccchhhhhaaannnnn!!!!!!!!!!!

Raaawwwrr!!

[Bigwig]

Most intriguing. Hurry along and bring us more information from this 'convention' you speak of! At once!

[PattonJ007]

...picture...

[USS_Parallax]

Yeah take a photo. Though I'm not surprised. They need like 6 months of Beta before release and Beta hasn't started yet.

[Threshold]

The Meet and Greet is set for the same time the Voyager Panel begins. I'm not sure if they are going to draw the numbers in while Voyager is on.

[Threshold]

Yeah take a photo. Though I'm not surprised. They need like 6 months of Beta before release and Beta hasn't started yet.

I'll take one tomorrow because my camera died on me during Martok and Gowron's rap.

[maltzenburgerz]

Ooh, that's awesome, two Chancellor's rapping! You must take a photo of that too! :D

[Threshold]

They came out in full uniform and were very funny.

[Sorbek]

Stop it your making me jealous!!!!!! Haha J/k

[WinterPark1701]

Ok, I stand corrected. Apparently the new release date isn't 26 January but 31 March 2010 according to this. (http://corporate.atari.com/MT-3.34-en/mt-static/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/052909PR_FY09_earnings_GB_FINAL.pdf)

[USS_Parallax]

That's not a date but a development goal supposedly. That's the end of that quarter.

[FerrariF40LM]

screenshots or it didnt happen

[WinterPark1701]

That's not a date but a development goal supposedly. That's the end of that quarter.

So in reality we're looking at Christmas 2012.

[Varrangian]

So in reality we're looking at Christmas 2012.

Nah 5035. The game will actually be set in the past ;)

[WinterPark1701]

Nah 5035. The game will actually be set in the past ;)

Doesn't matter, don't you know Y2K: The Squeal is going to kill us all here in about 2.5 years.

[Varrangian]

Doesn't matter, don't you know Y2K: The Squeal is going to kill us all here in about 2.5 years.

Haha that's true Y2K: This time it's Mayan

[WinterPark1701]

Haha that's true Y2K: This time it's Mayan

I am infinitely amused that the run up to 2012 is being treated the same way as the run up to Y2K, huge Hollywood disaster movies, people actually believing that this time its for real, ect ect ect.

I had it explained to me like this by an Anthropologist chick I was into for a time, 2012 isn't the end of the Myan calender but rather it just renews its self the same way the Gregorian Calender does on December 31st of every year. But that doesn't make for good Hollywood block busters. 2012: Nothing Happens. Its 2 1/2 hours of Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford having a pleasant dinner fallowed by a night spent seeing the sights in down town Orlando.

[Varrangian]

I am infinitely amused that the run up to 2012 is being treated the same way as the run up to Y2K, huge Hollywood disaster movies, people actually believing that this time its for real, ect ect ect.

I had it explained to me like this by an Anthropologist chick I was into for a time, 2012 isn't the end of the Myan calender but rather it just renews its self the same way the Gregorian Calender does on December 31st of every year. But that doesn't make for good Hollywood block busters. 2012: Nothing Happens. Its 2 1/2 hours of Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford having a pleasant dinner fallowed by a night spent seeing the sights in down town Orlando.

Yeah when I started to hear about this 2012 stuff, I did a little digging and discovered the Mayan calender is cyclical. It makes sense as their calender is based off of astronomy and the cosmos tends to be cyclical as well due the whole gravity thing.

[Solomon555]

Does anyone know if "quarter" as Atari and STO use it, refers to a period such as Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, etc (as in a calendar Quarter) or is it it a fiscal quarter? My company calls the "first quarter" Feb-Apr.

And from the Atari report, "This game is expected to benefit from the success of the newest Star Trek film (release for the video game expected by the end of this fiscal year)."

I don't see how the movie coming out on DVD on October and STO in the following March will give it any real boost. That's a lifetime in the movie industry.

[Beaver8]

Plus there are more dates referenced in like the year 3,012 and 4,260. The 2012 junk is just a way to sell books, make movies and probably try to stimulate the economy to get people buying stuff with their last few years of life :p

[Desterion]

march of next year seems like a plausible development goal. So we're looking at maybe a year from now if they really build up from beta and create new systems and content based on player feedback. I hope they don't decide to ram it through to keep it on schedule like age of conan or warhammer online. Both Funcom and Mythic completely refused to listen to player feedback during the beta thinking they knew what players wanted best. While i'd love an earlier release, i've been through too many betas of games that failed misreably because the beta period was too short.

[Captain_Intrepid]

Then again, if CO's release date was pushed back, due to feedback from Beta testers, there may be a chance the same thing may happen with STO.

And no, I don't consider that a bad thing. :)

[TheMasterpiece]

January release would fit the time frame pretty well. It also means beta will be starting up here very shortly (CO sub beta keys would also lead to that conclusion)

[cipher_nemo]

January release would fit the time frame pretty well. It also means beta will be starting up here very shortly (CO sub beta keys would also lead to that conclusion)

In last year's Las Vegas on-stage presentation and Q&A session for STO, Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert, mentioned that an ETA would be less than 4 years, then clarified a little more and said less than 3 years. That was almost exactly one year ago, which would date the release for 2011.

I think 2011 is a little off, though, considering that the Closed Beta is going to be later this year. If I had to guess, my money would be on by summer of 2010. The Closed Beta is still a long ways off from any open beta. And even then, a Closed Beta doesn't have to be immediately followed by an open beta, although it typically is.

[pacejohntom]

In last year's Las Vegas on-stage presentation and Q&A session for STO, Chief Creative Officer Jack Emmert, mentioned that an ETA would be less than 4 years, then clarified a little more and said less than 3 years. That was almost exactly one year ago, which would date the release for 2011.

I think 2011 is a little off, though, considering that the Closed Beta is going to be later this year. If I had to guess, my money would be on by summer of 2010. The Closed Beta is still a long ways off from any open beta. And even then, a Closed Beta doesn't have to be immediately followed by an open beta, although it typically is.

Yeah, I think the "less than 3 years" comment was meant to give them lots of breathing room, so as not to break any promises. I think March 2009 sounds like a winner to me.

[Beaver8]

march of next year seems like a plausible development goal. So we're looking at maybe a year from now if they really build up from beta and create new systems and content based on player feedback. I hope they don't decide to ram it through to keep it on schedule like age of conan or warhammer online. Both Funcom and Mythic completely refused to listen to player feedback during the beta thinking they knew what players wanted best. While i'd love an earlier release, i've been through too many betas of games that failed misreably because the beta period was too short.

This seems quite accurate to me. All of my friends have even boycotted any game created by FAILcom because of what they did with conan. I just recently filled out a survey because somehow they think i'm an active level 80 which I quit the game in 08 but whatever. I added to the survey that if they gave old subscribers 6 months of free play we MIGHT consider checking the game out again but even then it's not likely.

I would much rather the game be complete and finished when it's released rather than being in a late beta stage. The free month we get shouldn't be free because it's going to be horrid, it should be free because of purchasing the game. If the game isn't finished when it's released we shouldn't have to pay for any of that time and get our free month when the game is actually finished. SO yeah....I want it soon, but I don't want it now if it's going to be messed up.

[cipher_nemo]

I would much rather the game be complete and finished when it's released rather than being in a late beta stage.[/COLOR]

I agree. Although we're all excited about STO, I would much rather see a stable and finished game when it's released. By finished, I think these goals need to be met first:

Basic controls and UI should have a smooth feel to them. It doesn't have to be highly polished, but it should be clean and reliable.
No game-breaking bugs. This includes the main storyline, if any can be considered "main". We understand MMOs have bugs at release and throughout their updates, but things such as not being able to complete X because of Y and Z should be fixed before launch. Bugs should be minor or superficial for initial gameplay and content. I am going to be part of the Closed Beta testing, so I will certainly do my part here, and I hope all beta testers do theirs, let alone the devs having to review and address bugs reported in your bug tracking software.
Enough content to last at least 6-months, if not a year for the typical gamer. This is the 4-hour a day gaming model, not the 16-hour a day hardcore player or the casual 2-hours every couple of days player. Content update may be sooner or later than this, but regardless of schedule, the initial game should have enough content to keep us busy with quests and other in-game things to do without having to resort to pure PvP, repeatable quests, or repeatable resource mining, etc. at each end game plateau.
Advertised features fully available and function smoothly.
Character and ship upgrade/customization line is completely mapped out and fully available until next content update.
No hardware incompatibilities with widely used components. For a real example, I was extremely disappointed that it took another developer more than a year before they fixed compatibility with Creative Labs X-Fi audio chipsets. Granted, I was fortunate enough not to use that chipset, but the watching it from the sidelines was no less painful when a developer can't seem to get their act together. I know Cryptic will put forward a good effort here, especially with using a pre-existing engine, which should help.

I am certainly willing to wait for a solid game. :)

[redleader]

What I herd is that pre-orders will ship 26 Jan 2010.

Hope you are right :D

[knightofhyrule730]

Ahhhh. It feels good being right. All those nay sayers who thought it would release in 2011 or never and have been dead wrong :)

[rogerwroten]

I am surprised no one has said anything about the statement about the STO release being sooner than we expect. I forgot who said it tho. Would Q1 of 2010 bee sooner then we expected? Seriously?

[knightofhyrule730]

I am surprised no one has said anything about the statement about the STO release being sooner than we expect. I forgot who said it tho. Would Q1 of 2010 bee sooner then we expected? Seriously?

that was Jack Emertt. Yes, this is sooner than you think. STO has been in Cryptics hands for a bit more than a year. MMO development is usually 3-5 years.

[Loekii]

I agree. Although we're all excited about STO, I would much rather see a stable and finished game when it's released. By finished, I think these goals need to be met first:

Basic controls and UI should have a smooth feel to them. It doesn't have to be highly polished, but it should be clean and reliable.
No game-breaking bugs. This includes the main storyline, if any can be considered "main". We understand MMOs have bugs at release and throughout their updates, but things such as not being able to complete X because of Y and Z should be fixed before launch. Bugs should be minor or superficial for initial gameplay and content. I am going to be part of the Closed Beta testing, so I will certainly do my part here, and I hope all beta testers do theirs, let alone the devs having to review and address bugs reported in your bug tracking software.
Enough content to last at least 6-months, if not a year for the typical gamer. This is the 4-hour a day gaming model, not the 16-hour a day hardcore player or the casual 2-hours every couple of days player. Content update may be sooner or later than this, but regardless of schedule, the initial game should have enough content to keep us busy with quests and other in-game things to do without having to resort to pure PvP, repeatable quests, or repeatable resource mining, etc. at each end game plateau.
Advertised features fully available and function smoothly.
Character and ship upgrade/customization line is completely mapped out and fully available until next content update.
No hardware incompatibilities with widely used components. For a real example, I was extremely disappointed that it took another developer more than a year before they fixed compatibility with Creative Labs X-Fi audio chipsets. Granted, I was fortunate enough not to use that chipset, but the watching it from the sidelines was no less painful when a developer can't seem to get their act together. I know Cryptic will put forward a good effort here, especially with using a pre-existing engine, which should help.

I am certainly willing to wait for a solid game. :)

Well some things in an MMO cannot be fixed in beta, and actually needs the numbers from release to really hammer out the solution. However, most of your comments seemed to be on the mark, especially for the current gamer mindset -- which expects more than say the MMORPG gamer of 2003.

I suspect the game target date has already been pushed back -- I think they were hoping for a Xmas release, but ran into delays (perhaps the CO delay splashed over into STO).

I think the release will also be affected by how well CO does. If it can support itself, then I think Atrari will be flexible on the release of STO, otherwise I can see pressure to push it out and start trying to turn a profit, rather than being a continued expense for the Quarter.

[obsidian_farmer]

I'd like to add a note, CO has been in closed beta since November of '08 so it's been in closed 10 months or so. had they not pushed it back it would have been around 7-8 months.

Depending on what stage of testing STO is in, Q1 is extremely optimistic

[Loekii]

I'd like to add a note, CO has been in closed beta since November of '08 so it's been in closed 10 months or so. had they not pushed it back it would have been around 8 months.

Depending on what stage of testing STO is in, Q1 is extremely optimistic

However, CO was the first time they used the engine, so it would take longer to develop.

STO shares the engine with CO, thus cutting down the development time required.

Given that Craig was intially hinting at a Fall 2009 release, and Atari publicly stated to shareholders that it will be released by Q1 2010, I would say that they are looking at a much shorter process. If they were thinking STO would need 8 months of testing, they would not have made those statements.

[Chastian]

I would love for STO to be released Q1. I just dont see that right now. I can see however beta starting end of this year, but not launching so fast. But then again we dont know exactly what stages of development they are in.

[Kyias]

I could see closed beta starting in September, next month.

Since CO is going out the door for launch at that point and they have offered beta keys asa promo for the game I would look at September or early October as a possible date for closed beta in STO.

[Varrangian]

I'd like to add a note, CO has been in closed beta since November of '08 so it's been in closed 10 months or so. had they not pushed it back it would have been around 7-8 months.

Depending on what stage of testing STO is in, Q1 is extremely optimistic

However, CO was the first time they used the engine, so it would take longer to develop.

STO shares the engine with CO, thus cutting down the development time required.

Given that Craig was intially hinting at a Fall 2009 release, and Atari publicly stated to shareholders that it will be released by Q1 2010, I would say that they are looking at a much shorter process. If they were thinking STO would need 8 months of testing, they would not have made those statements.


Also keep in mind that CO started it's life as Marvel Universe Online and the project changed mid-development. The development process for CO is not typical.

[triguy616]

I hate to be too optimistic, but I think March would be a very reasonable goal. As has been stated, they've been using this engine for awhile and are playing the game on a weekly basis at work (not to mention playing on the external server after-hours). I agree that the closed beta will start very soon, October at the latest.

They seem to be flying through development, but from what we've heard, I think it's legitimate.

[Chastian]

I hate to be too optimistic, but I think March would be a very reasonable goal. As has been stated, they've been using this engine for awhile and are playing the game on a weekly basis at work (not to mention playing on the external server after-hours). I agree that the closed beta will start very soon, October at the latest.

They seem to be flying through development, but from what we've heard, I think it's legitimate.

Could very well be! I know they have a large team and alot of experience.

[PattonJ007]

...still waiting on that picture...

[Loekii]

I think March is the end target, barring any major set backs -- beta testers burn down cryptic because of poor game design. It doesn't seem like they are hitting any tech issues, so the set backs are likely to be with evaluation of design choices.

I would rather see the game release in 2011, and be a fun enjoyable game, than it be released in Q1 2010, and be a blah game or be lack luster like PotBS or other failed MMOs.

[trebort5050]

If we have learnt anything about january releases, its that they mean march.

But....

Jan is my Birthday! So it has to release then. :eek:

[Varrangian]

I think March is the end target, barring any major set backs -- beta testers burn down cryptic because of poor game design. It doesn't seem like they are hitting any tech issues, so the set backs are likely to be with evaluation of design choices.

I would rather see the game release in 2011, and be a fun enjoyable game, than it be released in Q1 2010, and be a blah game or be lack luster like PotBS or other failed MMOs.

While I agree. I will be honest, extended development time often doesn't change a lack luster game into a good game. The longer a game goes in development the more likely a company is to panic and rush things at the end.

This is why I've liked hearing Cryptic say things like, "we wanted that for launch, but it is going to have to wait." If it were a month or so before launch yeah I'd be worried, but making those decisions early usually means they are more likely to focus on what they do plan to launch with.

[cipher_nemo]

But....

Jan is my Birthday! So it has to release then. :eek:

<leaves the closed beta door cracked a bit and beckons his liege to enter>

[cipher_nemo]

This is why I've liked hearing Cryptic say things like, "we wanted that for launch, but it is going to have to wait."

Yup, I'm happy to get additional features and such for content updates or expansions in the future so long as of the advertised features are there and stable. :)

[trebort5050]

Yup, I'm happy to get additional features and such for content updates or expansions in the future so long as of the advertised features are there and stable. :)

Yes. I'm happy Interiors will get the attention they need after launch. Rushing them would have been DOOM! :eek:

[Threshold]

Here is a picture of the banner that states the 2010 release.

Image (http://i26.tinypic.com/2cdfr4p.jpg)

[cipher_nemo]

Here is a picture of the banner that states the 2010 release.

Image (http://i26.tinypic.com/2cdfr4p.jpg)

Nice! Thanks for sharing. :) When was that picture taken?

EDIT: I saved the image to my PC to spelunk for its date. Grrr, the person taking this photo didn't set their Olympus camera's date correctly. The capture date says: 9/7/2009 6:32 PM which is obviously wrong since it's in the future (unless the month and day are reversed, ie: European camera).

[Threshold]

I haven't even messed with the options for this camera aha. I received as a gift and haven't really used it or messed around with it. I think that the date is set up in that format. It was taken today at six pm, its been up there at the con since it started

[cipher_nemo]

I haven't even messed with the options for this camera aha. I received as a gift and haven't really used it or messed around with it. I think that the date is set up in that format. It was taken today at six pm, its been up there at the con since it started

Ah, thanks. :) Now all we need to do is narrow down the month, lol. ;) My bet is still on summer, but I'd be just taking a shot in the dark if I had to name a month.

[Highlander]

Thanks for the pic! lets hope its jan-feb 2010 lol

[headlockman]

I really think the Devs should respons to that banner !!!!!!

[RSCFenix]

Roper said that they wanted to release before April 2010
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6209711.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;6

[headlockman]

Fenix]Roper said that they wanted to release before April 2010
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6209711.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;6

What happened to fall 2009 ?

[RSCFenix]

What happened to fall 2009 ?
The Article was posted back in May, before they pushed the release of CO from July 14 to Sept 1,
Not sure where you got the Fall thing from.
The close beta should start in the fall... if they plan on releasing before April.... I doubt they make it, tho, either way.

[Varrangian]

Fenix]The Article was posted back in May, before they pushed the release of CO from July 14 to Sept 1,
Not sure where you got the Fall thing from.
The close beta should start in the fall... if they plan on releasing before April.... I doubt they make it, tho, either way.

The Fall of 09 date comes from the October 08 issue of GameInformer. While I was one who believed they could possibly make that date, it was never an official date. Even at winter/spring 2010 they are not that far off from the Fall 09 date.

[Kinjiru]

The Fall of 09 date comes from the October 08 issue of GameInformer. While I was one who believed they could possibly make that date, it was never an official date. Even at winter/spring 2010 they are not that far off from the Fall 09 date.

Yep. Personally, I'm betting on March, 2010. :)

[IIntrude]

If Closed Beta starts soon, that would be 7-8 months of CB, that sounds reasonable.

[Fixed]

"Furthermore, Cryptic Studios is working on the development of a series of new games based on Atari’s
existing and historically successful IPs."


Hurry up and announce never winter nights please! :D

[Varrangian]

"Furthermore, Cryptic Studios is working on the development of a series of new games based on Atari’s
existing and historically successful IPs."


Hurry up and announce never winter nights please! :D

Lol... I'd love a DnD MMO set in Faerun/Forgotten Realms. Not sure it will happen though given DDO and the wreak that was.

[Darksplinter]

What I herd is that pre-orders will ship 26 Jan 2010.


This I have heard as well...Actually I can reserve STO at Gamestop for this date. But I my self do not belive this because Gamestop alot of times makes dates so they can at least start taking reservations.

[trebort5050]

This I have heard as well...Actually I can reserve STO at Gamestop for this date. But I my self do not belive this because Gamestop alot of times makes dates so they can at least start taking reservations.

STO is on the Game.co.uk website. It's got no information though.

[Chastian]

Q4 of 09. You heard it here first.

[Darksplinter]

STO is on the Game.co.uk website. It's got no information though.

Im just going by what my local Gamestop I can reserve at...Thats why alot of times they have a release date in a store but you find nothing online...just a way for them to start taking reservations they need a date for there computer...they did the same stuff with WoW expansions.

[naynayz]

Wow. These threads really make me crazy. Talking about 2011 and stuff that is simply not been mentioned anytime in recent years. Please understand that a business DOES NOT SET A SPECIFIC DATE FOR RELEASE EVA!!!! They have time frames that they use to guide their progress in what is commonly called a benchmark. It is one thing to talk of the anticipation of the game but throwing crazy dates out there only perpetuates (if you can forgive the pun) the confusion. We have a banner that says stardate 2010. They wouldn't make a BIG banner saying 2010 and not hold to it considering development has not said anything past Q1 2010. Everything they have sent out has given a window pointing toward the end of the year/ early next year and have set limits of no later than march of 2010.

So to recap, CO is now entering open beta, STO will go to closed beta soon. The realease of STO Is a window of 1/1/10 - 3/31/10 according to their press releases, financial forecasts and SEC filings. If you don't believe me, believe cryptic.

[JMD10222]

I figured early 2010 anyway so im not disappointed. Id rather it come out and be good than a glorified beta.;)