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| MARCH 17, 2008 |
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We are ready to be beamed up...
Cryptic Studios confirmed as possible new host for
Star Trek MMO.
Cryptic Studios confirmed as possible new host for
Star Trek MMO.
www.gamespot.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.
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.
As of this time Cryptic Studios has not commented on this, other than the Star Trek Online site stating
"coming soon". -BG Crew
"coming soon". -BG Crew