Cryptic Announces Star Trek Online, Posts ScreenshotsCryptic Announces Star Trek Online, Posts Screenshots

Online games developer Cryptic Studios on Monday said it has licensed the right to develop a massively multiplayer game set in the Star Trek universe and posted screenshots of the forthcoming title to its Web site.

Cryptic, developer of the highly acclaimed game "City of Heroes," said it obtained the rights from CBS Consumer Products. Financial details were not disclosed.

Cryptic said it plans to unveil video footage of the game at the upcoming Star Trek convention in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. The company also plans a live Web cast of the event.

Trekkies won't have to wait that long to get a glimpse of the title, however. Cryptic has posted several Star Trek Online screenshots to the game's Web site. Some depict shots of various types of vessels in outer space, while others show planet surfaces that presumably will be used in game play.

"Can you find the Gorn in this forest?" asks the caption on one of the screenshots, referring to a lizard-like creature that battles Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek episode "Arena."

According to the Web site, the game will feature "everything from the elegant domes of Starfleet Academy to the ancient temples of Vulcan," home planet of Leonard Nimoy's legendary character, Mr. Spock.

Players also will be able to choose from multiple races for their characters. "Command your own starship as a Federation Captain or a Klingon Warrior," the site teases. Missions will take place in deep space or on planet surfaces. "Command your vessel in thrilling space battles, or beam down to planets with your away team," the Web site says.

Cryptic said the game will use the same graphics and game-play engine that powered its previous titles. The game will be available in both console and PC formats. The company did not announce a ship date.