Massively's Star Trek Online beta interview

by Kyle Horner Oct 31st 2009 at 11:00AM

Filed under: Betas, News items, Star Trek Online, Massively Interviews

With beta now beginning, we shot some relevant questions at Cryptic's Craig Zinkievich, executive producer on Star Trek Online. He gave us his insight on what the team's goals are during beta and what some of their toughest challenges were from their point of view. Plus, we even got him to spill the beans on when Klingons would be entering the fray for beta testers -- hopefully the rest of us get to see and hear more about the warrior race soon thereafter.

It's a short interview, mostly because we kept our questions on topic and well, also because we didn't want to distract Craig from working on his game for very long. Someone's got to work on fulfilling our childhood fantasies!

Massively: What are some of your goals entering beta?

Craig Zinkievich: Because we're built upon Cryptic's proven MMO technology, we're not going into beta with the same "will it run for this many people?" worry that a lot of Closed Betas experience.

We're lucky that we're allowed to focus on getting as much player feedback on the gameplay as possible! Advancement, moment to moment, balance, content flow – we're watching players and getting information on all of those things.

What do you think new beta testers are going to be most surprised by when first experiencing Star Trek Online?

Wow. That's tough.

In order for it to be a fruitful beta, I'm hoping that they're surprised about things I don't even know yet! : )

I think that Space Combat takes people off guard sometimes. They can see video and demos, they can watch someone else play – but as soon as a person takes the helm it feels totally different. I think people will be surprised the first time they knock down an enemy's shield and successfully unload a salvo of photon torpedoes into their hull.

Will you be testing Klingon and Federation separately or both at the same time?

We're currently starting with the Federation, but we expect people to be making Klingons in a few weeks.

What do you see as some of your biggest challenges going into beta?

Since the technical challenges of running an MMO are secondary for us – the "challenges" are going to be making sure that we properly gather and prioritize the feedback that we're getting. By making sure our playtests are focused and directed, having frequent surveys and really going to the Beta forums to get feedback – I think we're doing a good job.

What aspect of the game are you most interested in hearing beta tester feedback on?

Personally - Content. I love hearing people's reactions to the way content flows and is interpreted by the individual. We've put a lot of effort into making the content feel like Star Trek. That the "missions" and "quests" you get make you feel as though you're participating in one of the shows or movies. I love hearing what people think about that.

For the project – I think that the moment to moment feedback on spaceship and ground combat is the thing that is most vital right now. Star Trek Online is a game, and having approachable and enjoyable moment to moment gameplay is vital to any game's success.

Thanks for your time Craig!

Tags: atari, beta, closed-beta, content, craig-zinkievich, cryptic, cryptic-studios, featured, federation, klingon, klingons, ship-combat, space-combat, star-trek, star-trek-online, sto, sto-featured

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

LaughingTarget said on 12:05PM 10-31-2009

Nice. Now where's my BETA invite? :D

Bryan said on 1:09PM 10-31-2009

While I enjoy combat, since this is Star Trek I hope they don't focus on Combat TOO much in comparison to MMO's that have come before. Part of Star Trek for me is about solving issues peacefully as well. Also Exploration is a MAJOR factor and even solving Scientific Mysteries. These were all major aspects of the show besides the token physical conflict.

Just my 2 cents even though I'm not in Beta. Hope they listen to people who aren't testing their game too. Since I'm the guy they need to convince to buy the game and keep paying to play afterward.(buying it is a given, but will I be drawn in enough to keep playing? that's the key)

pogger said on 4:58PM 10-31-2009

I agree. I think the exploration -- both space and planetary -- are big. I would like to feel the STO universe is as vast as Eve's.

Pingles said on 1:17PM 10-31-2009

Their biggest blunder so far is the fact that they have not invited me to Beta test.

I think everyone should protest until I am invited.

That being said I think this project has the potential to be something "different" and I sure hope it works out. I am no Trekkie (well maybe a little) but am very excited to see how this game plays.

Lateris said on 3:11PM 10-31-2009

I hope they will have a diplomacy system of sorts

UltimateQ said on 3:25PM 10-31-2009

I'm with Lateris.

Scarecrowe said on 4:30PM 10-31-2009

Yeah that would be cool. Well, at long as it's not one of those card games. (I just don't *get* them. I try but I just fail to understand the appeal)

-Drexel- said on 4:20PM 10-31-2009

I am very excited about STO. I always felt games like Eve and Earth and Beyond were left wanting without an ability to meaningfully leave your ship and do things as your character. I am a huge Star Trek fan and really hope they get the feel right. We need ST sights and sounds and compelling gameplay that doesn't always involve blowing stuff to pieces...the first time I get a "Kill 10 Cardassians" quest I am so gone.

pogger said on 5:37PM 10-31-2009

HAHA. You know it's going to be there. Hopefully they'll put a more creative spin on it than...

Bring me 10 Cardassian skins followed by the quest to conquer the mighty Cardassian BO and bring his BO'd Flesh.

Zen said on 9:52PM 11-01-2009

Here's hoping, because that's 90% of Champions Online content right there.

SnuffleKitty said on 2:36PM 11-02-2009

I'm most concerned about the ground combat. I beta tested Champion Online. I don't want to play Champions Online with a Star Trek Wrapper on it. Honestly. That sheet was pretty awful. Just my opinion I suppose.

Brian! said on 4:12PM 11-02-2009

I find this quote amusing: "we're not going into beta with the same "will it run for this many people?" worry that a lot of Closed Betas experience"

The reason is, they seem to have hundreds of HUGE complaints on their forums about not opening the beta to all those people who paid for the access to it. The only reason I have seen posted is that their server capacity can only handle so much right now. I guess they might be a *little* worried about how many people it can handle then, heh.

Fris13 said on 2:05PM 11-05-2009

The thing I'm really keen on testing is the infinite exploration system. I've loved the idea of randomly generated content ever since I played 'Dungeon Hack' back in the day. hehe