Preview by: Toni Schwartz

Cryptic Studios has been relatively mum over its highly anticipated Star Trek Online, satiating excited fans with a few screenshots here and there. But recently I was able to take the upcoming MMO for a test spin. I also spoke with Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich about what we can expect to see when it drops in the spring.

The storyline of Star Trek Online takes place 30 years after the film Star Trek: Nemesis and 22 years after a supernova blew up Romulus -- the basis of the JJ Abrams film Star Trek. While the Abrams reboot takes place in an alternate timeline and the game acknowledges Romulus’ destruction, STO remains in the conventional timeline.

It is a hostile environment for the Federation. The Borg is back and deadlier than ever, while the Romulans are obviously angry over their planet’s destruction. Most importantly, the Khitomer Accord, the long-standing peace treaty between the Klingons and the Federation, has crumbled. It’s an exciting and dangerous time to be a Starfleet Captain. That’s where you come in.

In STO, everyone captains his or her own starship. You can decide what kind of Captain you’d like to be (e.g. Science, Tactical, Engineering). You naturally have a crew – your faithful bridge officers. These NPC officers are highly customizable and are essentially extensions of your skills. Although you start off your journey to strange new worlds with just one officer, you’ll eventually be able to have five or six seats on your ship, with 12-15 officers available to swap in and out of those seats.