Atari announced today the release of a browser game by the name of Star Trek Online Architect. This is, of course, attached to the MMORPG Star Trek Online by Cryptic Studios. Architect has been developed by the Game Agency, and features a simple “build your ship” menu-based design mode in which players can mix and match parts to create the ship of their dreams before it sharing it with their friends. In addition to this, there is actually a mini-game ..read the full article

It should be amusing, I suppose, that Haunted House could be considered a licence worth digging up and remaking. A classic status for this game means it is, by the rules of the games industry, destined to be brought back with physics and 3D graphics. That’s what Atari are working on, of course, and the game is due to arrive at some point in the autumn. There’s a video below, which neatly contrasts the past with the present. (Also I ..read the full article

Test Drive Unlimited was great, and not nearly enough people played it. For which you should feel just awful. There’s a sequel coming out on 21st September. Perhaps you’ve already signed up for the beta, checked out the details known so far, and I hope to goodness you’ve read Alec’s review of the original. What you should do today is watch the latest trailer showing off the islands’ environments.

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The folks over at Cryptic Studios and Atari recently released a new screenshot for Star Trek Online. The shot takes us into what appears to be a captains quarters, at least that is what I imagine when I look at it. I can picture Captain Picard sitting at his desk across from Commander Riker, giving him orders and telling him to “Make it so.”

Aside from imagining, we can plainly see one of those very cool touch interface systems. Although when ..read the full article

Dungeons & Dragons Online Update 5: Rise of the Guilds is on course to go live on June 28th, 2010. Among the many changes, including new hirelings, enhancements, spells, feats and traps, the most interesting new feature is probably that of Guild Airships. Unsurprisingly, given the name of the update, several new guild features are planned, such as changes to Guild Renown, which allows guilds to level, and trophies, but it’s really the airships that have caught my eye. Guilds ..read the full article

So it seems that Atari are going to insist that side-scrolling action platformers are a thing that can happen, by announcing Blade Kitten. Atari say: “Players will jump right in and easily begin exploring and fighting their way through 19 levels, including three exploration levels with Noot (a rideable alien mount). Blade Kitten also features straight forward gameplay mechanics, intuitive “scramble style” exploration, fully voiced dialogue, dramatic narrative and powerful visual direction.” Powerfully pink, anyway. The game is out in ..read the full article

Cheap Punning Rule #48 – if in doubt, tautology. What other Cheap Punning Rules do you know, beautiful readers?

Anyway, the point: Atari has opened up beta signups for its driving/infinite wealth MMO Test Drive Unlimited 2. You should sign up. Why? Because the first TDU was by and large excellent, exploring fascinating and fundamental concepts of virtual-world existence that the vast bulk of MMOs simply ignore. Those being self-indulgence, posing and being completely free of responsibility. Allow me to explain ..read the full article

Interesting times for racing games, what with the fantastical feature sets of Blur and Split/Second, and then open-worldiness descending this summer in the form of Test Drive Unlimited 2 (and, I suppose, in the form of the Need For Speed MMO). Eden Games have sent word that there’s a limited sign up for the beta phase of the new Test Drive Unlimited, although no details on exactly what that entails. Presumably, getting to play some of the game early, and ..read the full article

Atari has released a brand new trailer for Champions Online: Serpent Lantern Adventure Pack. The Serpent Lantern Adventure pack will take Champions Online players on an epic adventure for the magical artifact, capable of granting unimaginable powers to its possessor through the skyscrapers of Millennium City to the jungles of Africa. You just need a character who’s level is above 11 and some free time on your hands. The trailer is available for watching here.

There have been some fairly peculiar games optioned for movies recently. Last year we heard about Asteroids getting picked up, for instance. But then as daft as that may first sound, what you’re really saying is: film about aliens that attack tanks. Well, Roland Emerich probably just weed in his trousers reading that. Then there’s the more obvious, your Max Paynes and your Princes of Persia. None ever seem to be especially good, sometimes they’re egregiously awful, but at least ..read the full article

It should stand to reason that pre-ordering an MMO should result in nothing but benefit; at least compared to someone who purchases it within the next few months. Over the weekend Atari offered Star Trek Online at a discounted rate of $10 off plus 60 days of additional free gameplay (for a total of 90 days). I would expect this kind of promotion to run a year or more after release, but certainly not 3 weeks after launch. Are players ..read the full article

After less than two weeks since its launch, Star Trek Online is starting to release content updates for the game, with the Borg Hub being one of the first.

Previously, the Borg were thought to be severely weakened by the actions the USS Voyager, as fans of the show will remember. But in 2409, the Borg have regained and surpassed much of their old strength, and Episodes in the Borg Update will add more substance to that portion of STO’s story. ..read the full article

Vigilant Class Ship

Today Atari released details regarding the Star Trek Online Vigilant class ship. The tier-4 tactical escort is based off the designs of the Defiant class ship seen during the Dominion War. The ship is designed for front-line attack and is configurable for massive, single-target strikes or multi-target volleys. The Vigilant also features dual phaser coils, improved torpedo guidance systems, dual-ablative armor, and can be outfitted with tetryon, plasma or polaron weapons. This ship can be obtained at ..read the full article

Cryptic Studios have just released the latest trailer for their upcoming space MMO Star Trek Online. The clip, which you can view below curtesy of Blue’s News, highlights the game’s exploration moments, showing off some of the environments in the game.

Via Blue’s News.

Star Trek Online.  It’s coming.

Okay, so the myriad of pre-order and special edition options that Atari and Cryptic have announced so far (are they done yet?)  have certainly made the task of what to buy a little more challenging than is common for an MMO launch.

Still, we all have another choice here.

We can complain about how Cryptic and Atari have apparently gone off the rails on the bonus item front.

Or we can embrace change and encourage it towards it ultimate ..read the full article

We have already been exposed to the variety of pre-order options that Star Trek Online offers.  To get the item you want you have to purchase your pre-order from the right vendor.

Now Atari and Cryptic have announced another wrinkle in the decision process with their press release regarding the Collector’s Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition of the game.

ATARI PRESENTS STAR TREK™ ONLINE COLLECTOR’S EDITION AND DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Special Packages Contain Exclusive Content, Collectibles, and ..read the full article

The sheer amount of promotional materials pouring out of the Cryptic/Atari for Star Trek Online seems to suggest that MMO means to come out fighting. It’s got some serious competition to go up against, even if we discount all the other bajillion games coming out in the early part of next year, there’s going to be the looming threat of The Old Republic, which threatens to suck up sci-fi fans like a space-hoover when it arrives. Nevertheless I’m quietly confident ..read the full article

Cryptic Studios and Atari will be releasing a Collector’s Edition of Star Trek Online alongside the standard edition.  The premium pricing, unconfirmed price of $79.99, will net bold gamers a collection of extra goodies:

The full game (duh) in “deluxe packaging.” A “Deluxe manual” A metallic reproduction of the in-game communicator. Three guest passes that are valid for three days. An in-game Red Matter Capacitor that recharges your ship’s energy for a short time. The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine uniform options.

Deluxe is described as ..read the full article