Happy Birthday Star Trek Online. For the tenth anniversary of the space MMORPG, we conducted an interview with the developers.
In line with the launch of the new series Star Trek: Picard, there is also something to celebrate in Cryptic’s MMORPG Star Trek Online. The game will turn ten years old on February 4th. We spoke with designer Jeremy Randall, among other things, about how the game remains current after all this time.
Mein-MMO: Throughout the story of Star Trek Online, we have experienced guest star appearances from the series. Are you planning more such appearances?
Jeremy Randall: It’s always very exciting when we get to work with real Star Trek actors. We do this whenever possible, and this anniversary is one of those occasions.
We have secured the faces and voices of various actors and are also bringing back some good old friends from the past of Star Trek Online. Keep an eye out for more info!
Mein-MMO: How difficult is it to keep a game fresh and interesting that has been running for ten years?
Jeremy Randall: Honestly, it’s a huge challenge! But it’s a challenge that my team and I gladly take on with every update. It helps tremendously that everyone involved in this project is a Star Trek fan. When you have the opportunity to expand Star Trek with your own creations or create a tribute for someone else’s creations on screen, it keeps excitement high for both developers and players.
This excitement is further fueled by the new Star Trek series of recent times – Discovery, Short Treks, Picard, and many more books and comics. Star Trek is currently enjoying a lot of attention, and being part of this family certainly helps keep our game relevant and popular.
Classic Version was intended as an April Fool’s joke
Mein-MMO: Do you have any plans for a vanilla or classic version of the MMORPG?
Jeremy Randall: A few years ago, we uploaded a “classic” version of Star Trek Online on our public test server (Tribble) as an April Fool’s joke. Our players were amused, but everyone agreed that the game is now in a much better state than before. I don’t think we have any plans to present the product that we are so proud of in its modern form in an older, lower-quality version.
Mein-MMO: How will you consider the events of the new series Star Trek: Picard?
Jeremy Randall: The short answer is: “As often as we can!” The entire Star Trek Online team watches all new media content produced for Star Trek, and typically we are enthusiastic about implementing these new ideas that others have come up with for this franchise.
However, a lot of it is still in the works, and there are many unanswered questions regarding that. We have a very good working relationship with CBS and have regular discussions about a possible collaboration, but it’s still too early to make the specific details public.
The brand helps the success of Star Trek Online
Mein-MMO: There are not many MMORPGs that have been running as long as Star Trek Online. What makes your game so special?
Jeremy Randall: Keeping an MMORPG alive for such a long time is a challenge for everyone in the industry. I believe our strength lies primarily in having a game based on a very well-known franchise that has had fans and support for generations. And our development team respects and appreciates the fan community with the content we create for it.
Over the years, Star Trek Online has developed into a sort of online Star Trek convention that never ends – a space where fans can come together to play and express their love for Star Trek. In my opinion, that’s the magic that keeps an MMORPG alive – the people.
Mein-MMO: When you started Star Trek Online, did you think it would last this long?
Jeremy Randall: When Star Trek Online was first released, I was no more than an enthusiastic player. More than a year later, I joined the team that was busy with the transition to free-to-play.
Even then, I was optimistic that the arrival of a virtual world based on the Star Trek universe could survive for a long time. This is a franchise that has lasted for more than half a century! If fans and players want it, maybe our small part of this universe can also have a positive fate.
Mein-MMO: Are you planning new gameplay features or larger changes to the game that are more in line with modern player experiences?
Jeremy Randall: Expanding an MMORPG into other gameplay forms is a challenging proposal, especially in a game that has an established fan base of a decade. We want to explore new experiences in Star Trek Online, but these concepts must always balance with the expectations of our current players. If we were to make a decision that spoils their enjoyment of the game or is not in their interest, we would risk losing the great community and engaged player base we have built over the years.
Radical gameplay shifts are unlikely, but not completely ruled out. At least in the immediate future, it is much more likely that we will focus on improving the core of our gameplay and making things even more exciting, rewarding, and engaging for players with elements they already enjoy – space combat, character customization, progression – to enhance the overall experience.
Or we look for new ways to improve systems that aren’t performing well or have become outdated, so we can once again be proud to have them in the game and that players will enjoy them again.
Mein-MMO: Thank you for the conversation.
