The most recent video to be released by Cryptic Studios for Star Trek Online has been met with enthusiastic response. However there were several details of actual game play mechanics that were shown only briefly in the video for which this post is being written!

I’ve taken the liberty to freeze frame the video at times when I noticed certain elements of the game that weren’t expounded upon. I’ll include some of the text details here:

A general un-official overview of the user interface:

Starship Equipment:
Photon Mine Launcher Mk II
Phaser Mines (?)
Mine Launchers drop a series of automatic mines. When a hostile target gets close, the mines will activate and chase the target before detonating with a heavy kinetic damage blast. Shields drastically reduce the effects of kinetic damage. Photon projectiles deal low damage but they have a fast recharge.
— Dev Info—
EP Value: 1081

Console – Science – Graviton Generator
Mk VIII
10.2 Starship Tractor Beam
Graviton Generators increase the tractor beam (stat?)
— Dev Info —
EP Value: 61.54

Bridge Officers:
Engineering Officer Candidate
Emergency Power to Weapons I
Shield Recharge I
Auxiliary Power to the Structural Integrity Field
Reroute Power to Shields I
Emergency Power to Shields I
Emergency Power to Shields III
Weapons Malfunctions III Exploit
Eject Warp Plasma II
Shield Generator Fabrication III

Science Kit (we only saw one)
Anesthizine Gas III Exploit
Biofilter Sweep III
Stasis Field III Exploit
Medical Tricorder III

Player Skills
Engineering Team Leader
Light Cruiser Captain 9
Science Team Leader 9
Scientific Practice 9
(another thing I can’t read)

Food for thought:

[*] Is there any rhyme or reason for the placement of skills aside from ascending skill level (I, II, III, etc).

[*] Can we mouse over any one of those particular skills in order to see in detail what that ability does (i.e. some people might not know what the inertial dampeners are, or what purpose there serves in ejecting warp plasma).More importantly, can we preview their skill descriptions BEFORE we ask a BO to join us?

[*] Will there be something akin to ‘item levels’ for both items and bridge officers…. Or is there a way to quickly assess the value/ability of a BO?

[*] Is there a reason why some things receive articles and others don’t? (i.e. Reroute Power to Shields/Reroute Power to THE Inertial Dampeners). Not a big thing… but may bother some who are accustomed to consistency)?

[*] What is the difference between Starfleet Merit and Energy Credits?

[*] Is there a loss in effectiveness if I assign an Engineering Officer to a tactical bridge officer seat?

[*] Is there ANYWAY we can avoid a button like “Exit to Sector Space?” I realize these are instances we are looking at, but is there anyway to cut down on the amount of loading screens and make things a little more seamless? (this is based on the assumption, that you press the Exit To Sector Space button, and pops up a loading screen).

[*] Will there be standard skills and abilities inherent to ALL players regardless of career, or ship. (i.e. Scanning for lifeforms, tractoring objects in space, beaming to places without the requisite of a mission/episode, hailing neutral NPC’s).

[*] Can we trade items in space with other players? (i.e. can I beam over a modified sensor array to a fellow player that I don’t need, or transport additional crew to a ship in dire need, etc.)

[*] Will the Klingon faction, have a “Klingon Styled” user interface?

Commentary:
“On the whole, things seem to be shaping up quite well. Combat aspects may very well be the most polished aspects of the game, but many in the community still wonder, how will these Bridge Officer’s play a part in the Exploration or Diplomacy aspects of the games. Are there specific ship load outs that cater more to diplomatic missions, or are item load outs specifically combat oriented. Overall, the game seems to be shaping up well despite concerns amongst the community. I wonder what is in store for us next… Klingons perhaps?”