BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Atari and Cryptic Studios Launch Season Two: Ancient Enemies, the Latest Content Update for Star Trek™ Online

- New Star Trek Online Season Launches at the Same Time as a Reduced $19.99 Retail Price - More Content, More Value -

NEW YORK, July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Atari, one of the world's most recognized publishers and producers of interactive entertainment, and renowned MMO developer Cryptic Studios, have today announced the availability of Season Two: Ancient Enemies, the latest content update for the Star Trek Online universe. Season Two: Ancient Enemies is available at no additional cost to current Star Trek Online players. The content update allows players to encounter and battle even more of Star Trek's iconic races, and enjoy all new Episodes. Star Trek Online is also now available for a new low price of $19.99.

Star Trek Online's Season Two: Ancient Enemies boasts the following new features:

  • A new level cap: players can now reach level 51. (The previous level cap was 45.) With the increase come new ranks within the Federation and Klingon factions.

  • All new rewards and content: including new Tier 5 ships, high-level versions of every Special Task Force mission and Fleet Action, and Mark XI gear rewards.

  • Eight brand new Episodes: tailored specifically for the Klingon Empire, these Episodes star the Fek'ihri, the fabled enemy of Kahless, founder of the Klingon Empire. In Season Two, the Fek'ihri have returned and have again set their eyes upon Qo'noS.

  • A brand new gameplay option: the Federation Diplomatic Corps. In this new system, players have the chance to meet and peacefully interact with brand new civilizations. As players progress through the Diplomatic Corps, they earn special ranks and rewards.

  • Feature Episodes: five special new Episodes will debut weekly, beginning in August. These Episodes will introduce a new neutral race: the Deferi. Players of any level from both factions will be able to aid the Deferi against an adversary new to Star Trek Online.

  • Dabo: a longtime staple of social areas in the Star Trek Universe, the casino game Dabo is coming to Star Trek Online. Players can wager energy credits to earn gold-pressed latinum, which they can exchange for special new rewards.

Season Two: Ancient Enemies also permits players to continue interaction with the Undine, venturing into their native Fluidic space to learn more about the enigmatic species and their struggle with the Borg. The Undine story continues with five new Episodes, a Fleet Action and all new Deep Space Encounters.

Taking place in the year 2409, Star Trek Online boasts extraordinary features and lets fans both new and old experience unparalleled adventures. Players have the opportunity to become high-ranking Starfleet officers and participate in missions that take them into the depths of space, across exotic planets and inside other starships. Star Trek Online offers total customization, from a player's avatar to the ship he captains.

Star Trek Online is a licensed product from CBS Consumer Products. For more information, please visit: www.startrekonline.com and www.atari.com

Videos, screens, and additional assets are available at the Atari press vault. Log onto:

www.atari-press.com.

ABOUT ATARI, SA

Atari group is a global creator, producer and publisher of interactive entertainment for key platforms, including online (casual, social, MMO), PC, consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, and advanced smart phones (i.e. iPhone, Android and RIM devices).

Atari benefits from the strength of its worldwide brand and its extensive catalogue of iconic game franchises (Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Lunar Lander®), original owned franchises (Test Drive®, Backyard Sports®, Deer Hunter®, Champions Online) and third party franchises (Ghostbusters®, Rollercoaster Tycoon®, Dungeons and Dragons®, Star Trek).

To play games and get other information please visit www.atari.com

© 2010 Atari Europe SASU. All rights reserved.

Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

About Cryptic Studios

Based in Los Gatos, CA, Cryptic Studios is a leading developer of massively multiplayer online games committed to delivering the next level of MMO gameplay. Cryptic develops AAA titles for PC and consoles, including Star Trek Online and Champions Online. For more information on Cryptic Studios, please visit the official website at: www.crypticstudios.com. Cryptic word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Cryptic Studios, Inc.


http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atari-and-cryptic-studios-launch-season-two-ancient-enemies-the-latest-content-update-for-star-trek-online-99321204.html

Be a Part of the Star Trek Crew with the Four-Set Star Trek Original Series Glass Set

They boldly went where no man ever went before. The crew of the starship, Enterprise, traveled through the stark landscape of deep space, and stood by each other as they encountered mysteries and fought off villains.

The original Star Trek was a pioneer in terms of content and characters. It was probably the first American show to have a Russian navigator, a Japanese helmsman, a Vulcan-Earthling first officer, and an African American female communications officer. This multi-cultural crew was managed by the legendary Captain Kirk, made immortal by William Shatner.

If you have followed the show and are a fan of Star Trek, your ultimate dream is probably to be a part of the crew at the Enterprise and follow their adventures. Well..This dream can now come true with a four-pack Star Trek Original Series glass set.

The glass set contains four frosted glasses, on which a character and the Star Trek logo is imprinted. The graphic art on the glass set is of the highest quality and takes you back to the dawn of science fiction and the cold war. So if you ever wanted to share a drink with your favorite Star Trek characters, then this is your chance.

Each glass in the set features a legendary character of the immortal show. The glass is so designed as to reflect the distinct personality and attitude of each legendary character.

Captain James T. Kirk: Bold, adventurous, instinctive, impulsive, but a born leader. Captain Kirk was not afraid of taking risks and led his crew from the front. If you feel bold and adventurous, then drink from the Captain Kirk glass.

Spock: Emotionally detached, logical, and a highly talented scientific officer. Spock was known for his outside perspective on human behavior and mannerisms. If you are in a detached mood, then the Spock glass is the ideal glass to have a drink from.

Uhura: The dark, dusky, extremely sexy communications officer of the Enterprise. She provided the visual treat to the Enterprise. The Uhura glass is of a similar nature.

Leonard “Bones” McCoy: The passionate physician of the Enterprise. McCoy often essayed the role of Kirk’s conscience. He usually had a counterpoint towards the cold calculating logic of Spock. Drinking from a McCoy glass would seem to suggest that you are in a passionate mood.

Apart from being collectible items, the frosted glass set is an ideal companion from which you can sip your summer drink. Now you can go boldly where no man has gone before with the four-pack Star Trek Original Series glass set. These glasses are available at $14.99.

If this was interesting make sure you also take a look at Pacman Wine Glasses and Bottoms Up Shot Glasses to enjoy beverages.


http://www.walyou.com/blog/2010/07/27/star-trek-original-series-glass-set/

Beam down the Star Trek Captain's Log app

Apple's iPhone might be superior to the Star Trek communicator in many ways, but now you can have the best of both worlds by downloading the Star Trek Captain's Log application, which with the flick of the wrist transforms the iPhone into a Starfleet communicator. The app, which costs $1.99 via iTunes, records audio, takes text entries, snaps photos and maps your location via GPS.

Yes, yes, the iPhone does those things without the app, but the Captain's Log lets you do it in Star Trek style with classic Trek graphics and having you select a "preferred Enterprise class level," including Captain, Engineering and Science/Medical. The app can also log travels over social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and over e-mail. The Captain's Log also taps into iPhone 4 functions like the front-facing camera, the high-resolution display, multitasking and the gyroscope support, showing off a 3-D model of the Starship Enterprise.


http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/99316949.html

'Star Trek' Scribes Are 'Making Significant Progress' On Sequel

The writers of the hit 2009 flick "Star Trek" are pretty stingy about what they can reveal about the much-anticipated sequel, but they can tell us one thing: They're working on it.

"We actually are making significant progress on the story," Alex Kurtzman told MTV News at Comic-Con in San Diego. "I will tell you nothing more. That's something we've never told anyone."

Kurtzman was quick to point out that while he and co-writer Roberto Orci are busy with other projects, they are making sure they get in plenty of time for "Star Trek 2," which star Zachary Quinto said probably wouldn't begin filming until next year.

"Our days are regimented by the hour; it's the only way to get through it," Kurtzman explained. And if they're on the set of another film, he said, "We can step into the trailer and do work on 'Star Trek.' "

The writers said they are developing storylines for "Trek" characters both new and old.

"There were new characters in the first one, so we really want to focus in on them," Orci said. "For example, Scotty (Simon Pegg), who you met at the end of the last movie, who [was] so important to the crew but had the shortest screen time, now is going to be in the movie from the very beginning. In fact, the whole crew is in it from the beginning.

"Now, the whole family is there," he continued, "and you want to focus on them first before you worry too much about new characters, and then make sure you have them taken care of."

And that means their personal favorites may make the cut for the next flick.

"I loved, and a lot of people loved, Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood)," Orci said. "I loved Bones, who a lot of people thought, '[Karl Urban is] too good-looking to be cast as Bones.' ... He was a fan favorite and ours too."


http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1644446/20100726/story.jhtml

Trekkers offered cave tours in Klingon


The Jenolan Caves near the Blue Mountains west of Sydney is about to become possibly the first tourist attraction in the world to launch tours in the fictional Star Trek language of Klingon.

The link between the world's oldest dated limestone cave system and the fictional Star Trek language is through a spaceship, the USS Jenolan, which featured in an episode of the Next Generation series.

Earlier this month two Klingon scholars from the United States flew to Australia to tour the caves and finalise the translation of a self-guided tour.

They have recorded it at a Sydney studio and the commentary will be available late next month on a digital audio device.

Jenolan Caves tours will also be available in 10 other more commonly-spoken languages.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/27/2965059.htm

SDCC10: New Comic Series Based On ‘Star Trek’ Villain Khan Coming From IDW


Sure, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Picard, Riker and the rest of the “good guys” have always been the primary focus of Star Trek movies, TV shows and even comic based on the series. But what about the cool bad guys?

Well, at least one of them is finally getting his due in IDW’s just announced comic series based on the hugely popular Star Trek villain Khan. First made popular by the late Ricardo Montalban in the priginal Star Trek series, Khan will now live on and continue his story in comic book form.

According IDW:

“What happened to Khan and his followers on Ceti Alpha V? Star Trek: Khan: Ruling in Hell answers just that, explaining how this once proud warrior-king turns into the grizzled maniac seen in Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan.”

In addition to the comic, IDW will also be offering a plush doll in conjunction with the release, available exclusively at comic dealers or via comicshoplocator.com.

Star Trek: Khan: Ruling in Hell will be written by Scott and David Tipton, with Fabio Mantovani bringing the story to life by doing the art. The first comic will be 32 pages and will be released in October.


http://theflickcast.com/2010/07/25/sdcc10-new-comic-series-based-on-star-trek-villain-khan/

Saturday, July 24, 2010

William Shatner On Whether Khan Should Appear in The Star Trek Sequel

At Comic-Con, IGN had a chance to speak with William Shatner and asked whether he thought J.J. Abrams should explore the character of Khan in his second Star Trek movie. Check out what he said below.


"I think that would be... In my opinion, if it were me, I wouldn't go back to that well again," Shatner said. "I'm not saying that it can be done in a good way, but there's just so much imagination out there. There're so many new things that could be explored. Why tap into what's been done twice already?"

I would rather they keep making original villains. The original series didn't have that many great villains.



http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/Destroyer14/news/?a=20480


Hallmark 2011 Star Trek Ornaments from Comic Con, Including Romulan Bird of Prey


TrekMovie.com posted photos and info on the three Star Trek 2011 Hallmark Keepsake Christmas ornaments being debuted at San Diego Comic Con.

Here you can see the Romulan Bird of Prey with lights ornament.

The three 2011 Star Trek Keepsake Ornaments will be available in July 2011 (prices are TBA). All three can be seen at the Hallmark Booth (#2913).

More photos and details at TrekMovie.

http://trekweb.com/articles/2010/07/22/Hallmark-2011-Star-Trek-Ornaments-from-Comic-Con-Including-Romulan-Bird-of-Prey.shtml


Exclusive: Karl Urban Talks JUDGE DREDD, STAR TREK 2, and RED at Comic-Con; Confirms He’s Been Offered DREDD and a Lot More!

Earlier today I got to sit down with Karl Urban after the Red press conference for an exclusive interview. Since I spoke to him on the set of Red for a very long time and got answers on why he wanted to get involved in Red and what it was like on set, at the beginning of the interview we covered some of the new developments on the project but then we jumped into something I really wanted to know: is he going to be the new Judge Dredd (we reported the rumor yesterday) and what’s up with the sequel to J.J. Abrams Star Trek.

The good news is Urban was down to talk about anything and he gave me some awesome updates on both projects. The big news on Star Trek is he’s heard they start filming next summer. He specifically said May or June. And regarding Judge Dredd…he said he’s definitely been offered the role and they are right now working out the deal. He also said the plan is to shoot in South Africa in late October or early November and for fans of the source material, he said the film it will be very faithful and he will NOT be taking off the mask in the film! So much more after the jump!

Further down the page I’ve got the complete transcript with audio, but here’s some of the highlights on his future projects:

Judge Dredd

Has been offered the part by director Pete Travis and they are working out the deal right now. His exact quote:

“I’ve met with Pete Travis, Andrew McDonald and we’ve had a really wonderful meeting of the minds and long story short, they have offered me the role and we’re in the process of making that happen.”

Says, “To have the opportunity to play such an iconic and enigmatic character as Joe Dredd is a phenomenal opportunity and I’m really thrilled and looking forward to getting into it.”

They are going to shoot Dredd in South Africa in late October or early November

Confirms the character will use “great ironic witty one liners set in this futuristic post apocalyptic world.”

Regarding the rating, I asked him if he’s heard if it’s PG-13 or R. Urban said, “I’m honestly not too sure. I have just heard and it’s my understanding that it going to be harder, grittier, and above all faithful to the comic.”

He also confirmed he’s ALWAYS going to be wearing the Mask! If you see his face, it will only be part of it. His response was:

“If anyone is familiar with Dredd, over the years there are many times when Dredd removes his helmet but you never fully see his face and that was construct by the creator, Mr. Wagner. He represents that faceless system of justice and law. I will say this, hypothetically if I went to a movie that was called “Judge Dredd” and the character or the actor who played Judge Dredd took the helmet and I would see his full face and features I would puke in my popcorn because that’s not Dredd. He’s mysterious and enigmatic. We’re going to do it right.”

Star Trek sequel

Regarding when it’s going to shoot, Urban said it’s “most likely going to happen mid next year. May or June next year.”

He believes J.J. will direct the sequel. He said:

“I haven’t heard anything. I certainly hope so. Knowing J.J. I think he will have a pretty tough time handing this baby off to someone off. He was such an instrumental force of nature in delivering that film and creating those characters and ensuring that the Star Trek that was released was not some vacuous special effects extravaganza and that it was a character driven film. My hopes are that he will come back to the director’s char.”

Other Films

Says he is NOT involved in the next Final Destination movie. He is also not involved with Relentless and Hired Guns.

-

And with that, here’s the entire interview from Comic-Con. If you’d like to listen to the interview, click here. Otherwise I’ve provided the full transcript below.

-

Collider: The second trailer for Red just went online today. When you’re making a movie you never know how its going to turn out. In my opinion both trailers look just awesome and great. So, are you just feeling really good about the movie right now?

Red-movie-poster-Karl-UrbanKarl Urban: As good as I can considering that I haven’t seen the movie myself. I’ve seen excerpts of it. The buzz is phonemically good. The producers tested the film two nights ago and it went ballistic. It got high 90s. They’re just crazy about how well the film tested so that’s a really good sign for everybody. I feel very positive and I can’t wait to see it.

Have you not done ADR?

Urban: Yeah, I’ve done ADR but you don’t get to see the whole film. You just get to see your portions you just go “hey wait a minute! Can you play the whole scene? I need to get a feel of it” while doing your lines. From what I’ve seen it’s super funny and there is great action it. It’s just insane. The cast we have on this film is just ballistic.

In the trailer we get pieces of this gnarly fight between you and Bruce Willis

Urban: It’s gnarly. That is a great word to describe it. It is nothing but gnarly. It’s brutal.

How long did you guys film that sequence? Did you get injured? How was it to train for it?

Urban: To tell you the truth, I’m still sore from it. I’m not shitting this. This is no bullshit. I still have shoulder issues from that fight. That’s how intense it was. The training was about 3 weeks and then we shot it at least of over a period of 4-5 weeks. Obviously not consecutively but we come do portions of it, go away and shoot something else, and then come back. It was quite a long engagement. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It was actually being able to pick up Bruce willis and throw him across the room and see him smash into furniture. I mean it doesn’t get better than that.

That’s fantastic. Is that sequence in the middle or end of the film? Where can people look forward to seeing it? Or is that too much of a spoiler?

Urban: About middle of the film

I definitely want to switch gears. We’re here at Comic-Con. You’ve been asked a million questions I’m sure today. So what do you actually want to talk about? What’s going on with you? What have you been able to geek out about over here?

Urban: To tell you the truth, I just arrived here this morning and went straight into doing press. So I haven’t actually had the opportunity to get on the floor and have a good look around, which I am going to do.

Are you going to wear a mask or go out as you?

Urban: I have this great theory. I think I should go out dressed as one of my characters like Eomer from Lord of the Rings or Bones. Fully get the costume on. I could actually walk around incognito and I’ll be like “Yeah. I’ve had the surgery. I look just like him, right?” I’m reckon’ I could pretty much go around incognito

That would be unbelievable

Karl UrbanUrban: I could do it. Peter Jackson gave me the helmet from Lord of the Rings so I could totally do it.

Honest to god, if you could do that, I would be very impressed. I really would. Before I run out of time with you, let’s just throw the rumor of the day out there on the table. I don’t know if you’ve been asked this yet today. It broke yesterday that you might be doing Judge Dredd

Urban: I heard that.

Is there any truth to the rumor?

Urban: Well, it’s in its very, very early days, but I feel pretty safe to say “Yes. I am the law.” I’ve met with Pete Travis, Andrew McDonald and we’ve had a really wonderful meeting of the minds and long story short, they have offered me the role and we’re in the process of making that happen. You know, 25 years ago when I was working in a pizza parlor I was introduced to the character and the comic of Judge Dredd and it’s something that is pretty dear to my heart. To have the opportunity to play such an iconic and enigmatic character as Joe Dredd is a phenomenal opportunity and I’m really thrilled and looking forward to getting into it.

Did they tell you when they actually want to shoot this movie?

Urban: I believe it’s slated to start shooting in late October or early November in South Africa.

This is before your commitment to Star Trek 2?

Urban: Oh yeah. Star Trek 2 is most likely going to happen mid next year. May or June next year

Yeah there was a lot of talk it might be January.

Urban: I think it was for awhile. First of all, I think J.J. has commitments to direct another film before that. I think that it’s great because it really gives J.J., Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and the team at Paramount a good amount of time to invest in the characters and the story. It’s fantastic because the first film was just phenomenally received and now we have to raise the bar.

Without a doubt. I have to ask you one more question about Judge Dredd. Do you know if they are going for PG, PG-13, or R? Do you know what kind of tone they are going for?

Urban: I’m honestly not too sure. I have just heard and it’s my understanding that it going to be harder, grittier, and above all faithful to the comic.

One of my writers told me today, and this could be completely wrong, that the goal of the movie is to always see Judge Dredd in the mask. Is that true?

Urban: Uh…no. Well, I mean here’s the thing…In the script that Pete is going to direct it’s very faithful to the comic book character. If anyone is familiar with Dredd, over the years there are many times when Dredd removes his helmet but you never fully see his face and that was construct by the creator, Mr. Wagner. He represents that faceless system of justice and law. I will say this, hypothetically if I went to a movie that was called “Judge Dredd” and the character or the actor who played Judge Dredd took the helmet and I would see his full face and features I would puke in my popcorn because that’s not Dredd. He’s mysterious and enigmatic. We’re going to do it right.

That’s really cool to hear. To be honest with you, if it was a different actor or person possibly playing the character they might say “I do want my face on screen” but you’re saying it’s all about the character.

Urban: You know what? This Dredd is not going to be wrapped up in ego. This Dredd is going to be faithful. The cool thing about Dredd to me was that with Dredd you always know where he stands. His attitudes are strong. What he does is strong. He’s an iconic badass tough lawman with great ironic witty one liners set in this futuristic post apocalyptic world. I’m very excited about seeing this authentic and faithful adaption of that character and world on the screen.

I was looking at your IMDB page which is, of course, always accurate.

Urban: (laughs) There is a bunch of films on there that I’m not doing.

I wanted to ask you specifically…next to your name is the next Final Destination. Are you involved with that?

Urban: No. That’s not true. There is a movie on there called Relentless, that’s not true. There is a movie on there called Hired Guns, that’s not true. That’s all crap. I’ve been asking for years to take that off but they haven’t

I’ve heard many actors and directors mention the exact same thing.

Urban: Yeah.

I have to ask you, obviously the big thing that everyone wants to know is J.J. Abrams. Do you think in your gut that he is going to come back and do the sequel to Star Trek?

Urban: I haven’t heard anything. I certainly hope so. Knowing J.J. I think he will have a pretty tough time handing this baby off to someone off. He was such an instrumental force of nature in delivering that film and creating those characters and ensuring that the Star Trek that was released was not some vacuous special effects extravaganza and that it was a character driven film. My hopes are that he will come back to the director’s char.


http://www.collider.com/2010/07/23/karl-urban-interview-judge-dredd-star-trek-2-red-comic-con-shoots-next-summer-confirms-dredd/

'Star Trek' Writers Roberto Orci And Alex Kurtzman Expect To Broaden Their Focus In The Sequel

The sequel to "Star Trek" isn't a focus at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, but it would hardly be the biggest geek gathering of the year without some talk of J.J. Abrams' exceptionally strong franchise reboots. And we've got it, from writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who joined MTV's Kara Warner to discuss their upcoming TV series reboot of "Hawaii Five-0."

"We actually are making significant process on the story," Kurtzman said, pausing. "I will tell you nothing more." Kara pressed, knowing full well that these guys hear this same question in just about every interview. Tell us something new, she pleaded. "That's something we've never told anyone," Kurtzman replied. "We actually are making significant process on the story."

Taking a different approach, Kara asked about the duo's workflow. One glance at either of their IMDb pages reveals that they're developing a vast number of projects, more than any one person -- or two! -- could possibly handle. So how do they do it?

"Our [work] days are regimented by the hour, it's the only way to get through it," Kurtzman explained. "The good news is that on [the set of whatever we're working on] we can step into the trailer and do work on 'Star Trek.'" Orci added, "It's been kind of a noon to 2 kind of thing for some reason. Lunch is nice."

So fans, if you want to send good thoughts out to Kurtzman and Orci while they're writing "Trek," you heard it straight from the source: "Lighting a candle between noon and 2 is good," Kurtzman said, with Orci adding, "Western time."

I know what you're thinking now. Clearly, we're not getting anything new or useful out this interview. Right? Wrong! Kurtzman and Orci did share a little bit on how they're bringing the previous film's characters back in for the new story.

"Now that we've set up everybody-- there were new characters in the last one, so we really want to focus in on them," Orci said. "For example Scotty, who you met at the end of the last movie, who [was] so important to the crew but had the shortest screen time, now is going to be in the movie from the very beginning. In fact, the whole crew is in it from the beginning."

In other word, the narrow focus of the last movie will broaden in the sequel. "Now the whole family is there and you want to focus on them first. Before you worry too much about new characters, make sure you have them taken care of."

Which characters will be getting more screen time? No definites yet, but Orci definitely has his ideas. "I loved, and a lot of people loved, Captain Pike. I loved Bones, who a lot of people thought he's too good-looking to be cast as Bones... he was a fan-favorite. We'd worked with Karl way back in TV land days, so to get back together and have him surprise everyone was great."


http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/07/23/star-trek-writers-roberto-orci-and-alex-kurtzman-expect-to-broaden-their-focus-in-the-sequel/

Boldly Blow Up New Foes in Star Trek Online's "Ancient Enemies"

The new season of Star Trek Online has a slew of new content, but its biggest addition is the new races for players to go to war with.

Cryptic Studios' new trailer for the "Season Two: Ancient Enemies" content update to Star Trek Online has hit the Web, giving players a look at what they can expect to see added to the space-oriented MMOG. Unsurprisingly, the game is set to feature new places to boldly go, and new races and new civilizations to meet and do mighty battle with.

What races qualify as "ancient enemies", anyway? No names are dropped, but one species looks like they're suffering from World of Warcraft envy thanks to their orc-like tusks, spiky shoulders, and chain-wrapped arms. The other race looks even more out of place, since they seem to be floating demonic torsos that can fly through space without the aid of a starship and ... uh ... hang around menacingly while they watch laser battles between different factions, I guess.

Season Two actually contains a huge amount of new content, aside from new enemy species. You can see a full list on the game's official site, but highlights include an increased level cap, new ranks, missions into fluid space to learn more about the Undine (AKA "Species 8472"), and the introduction of minigames to the MMOG.



http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102317-Boldly-Blow-Up-New-Foes-in-Star-Trek-Onlines-Ancient-Enemies

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

“Star Trek” Sequel To Begin Shooting in Spring According to Producer Bryan Burk

Bruce Greenwood recently gave an interview to Hollywood.com where he talked about the upcoming Star Trek sequel, and gave the start date for shooting as January.

“I just know that the plan is to film it in January, more than that, I don’t know,” Greenwood said.

Greenwood also discussed the fate of Admiral Pike, and how he hopes to have a part in the next film.

It was later announced by TrekMovie.com that Greenwood’s information was false, producer Bryan Burk said that shooting will not begin until late spring or early summer.

The Star Trek sequel sure is taking its time being released. J.J. Abrams and crew don’t seem to be on the same two year sequel release that everyone else seems to be on. Hopefully, this is a signal that they are aiming for a quality return, rather than an excuse to make a quick profit. Although, the wait could be due to the heavy schedules of some of its stars which include Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, and Zachery Quinto.

Star Trek 2 has a set release date of June 29, 2012.


http://www.reviewstl.com/star-trek-sequel-to-begin-shooting-in-spring-according-to-producer-bryan-burk072110/

Bruce Greenwood talks Star Trek 2




Hollywood.com is reporting that "Star Trek 2" starts filming this January! This news comes from a source on the red carpet premiere for his new movie "Dinner for Schumcks." They asked him about the status of the film. Greenwood, who portrayed Captain Pike, had this to say: "I just know that the plan is to film it in January, more than that, I don't know." When asked if he will return, he replied with: "I hope, I hope..."

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/The4thWall/news/?a=20245

How to speak Klingon: Aliens at Comic-Con

With San Diego Comic-Con little more than a day away, a group of Klingons gathered at the Gaslamp Quarter trolley stop at 6 a.m. They watched as English signs were replaced with placards written with the Klingon language.

iReporter Chris Morrow, a serial Comic-Con attendee, got up early to take pictures of the Klingon hostile takeover staged by transit officials in San Diego, California, to promote the trolley system.

She's more of a Federation girl herself, but Morrow did buy a Klingon dictionary at a past Comic-Con and knows a Klingon when she sees one. This familiarity makes them a good choice, she said.

"Here at Comic-Con, it's the costumes," Morrow said. "I think because of 'Star Trek' and everything else with sci-fi on TV, that Klingons are something recognizeable. ... Whenever I see a Klingon, I can say, 'That's a Klingon.' "

See photos and video of the Klingons

If Comic-Con was one big Rorschach test, "Klingons" would probably be among the top words conjured. The fictional warriors, can frequently be seen prowling in costume or performing in groups. As ubiquitous as they are, Klingons helped drive the cultural symbolism that made "Star Trek" a cultural force and helped popularize the massively attended conventions that we now enjoy today.

Screenwriter and producer Gene L. Coon is usually credited for creating the species. Their first appearance, smooth foreheads and all, was in a 1967 episode of the original series of "Star Trek" called "Errand of Mercy." Captain Kirk's crew battles with a group of Klingons for the loyalties of the Organians. The truce at the end foreshadows later events in Klingon history.

Robert Thompson, a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, notes that their appearance was almost "Oriental" and that these Klingons were a product of the Cold War mindset, symbolizing the conflicts with the then-Soviet Union.

"Star Trek" resonated with viewers because it played out social and political issues in the safe theater of science fiction. The show's popularity led to the start of "Star Trek" conventions in the early 1970s, which was about the same time as the first Comic-Con.

In 1974, a year after Comic-Con got its current name, the listed stars included Majel Barrett-Roddenberry and Walter Koenig from the "Star Trek" canon. The number of attendees and celebrities had about doubled and "Star Trek" was beginning to invade Comic-Con.

Going to San Diego Comic-Con?

Klingons got a language five years later when "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" came out. The Klingons in the film uttered a few lines that were mostly gibberish conjured up by James Doohan. For future films, "Star Trek" producers consulted linguists to come up with language constructs. They stumbled upon closed-captioning linguist Marc Okrand by chance and picked him up to build a few Vulcan lines for "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and then to develop a language for Klingons in the third "Trek" film.

Okrand says he had to balance the need for an easy-to-learn language with something that is at once believable and foreign-sounding. He used statistical probability to create language constructs that are less commonly spoken in the human world.

Klingons evolved to take on Samurai and Viking warrior characteristics after the Cold War. By this time, they had more-advanced makeup designs and their foreheads had their bumpy appearance. To get over the hump of the makeup design change, a 2005 episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise" called "Affliction" attempts to give a back story by saying that a disease caused the appearance seen in the original series.

Star Trek's popularity peaked during the "Next Generation" era, in which the Klingons became friendly with the Federation. Costuming followed suit throughout the 1990s as Klingons' warrior ethic and culture was explored in greater detail.

Fast-forward to now: Director JJ Abrams' recent "Star Trek" interpretation earned about $385 million at the box office. But the movie omitted Klingons in favor of Romulans and a widely circulated deleted scene, included as a DVD bonus, left fans hoping the warriors would appear in a future film.

The Klingon characters have inspired an entire fan-driven cultural movement surrounding their language and mythological history. Beyond the countless action figures and costumes sold, Klingon-mania dominates conventions of various stripes.

Kevin Parker of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is one of many who likes to dress up as a Klingon and associate himself with a certain Klingon house. He knows a few phrases of the language and compares Klingons' popularity to the enthusiasm surrounding biker culture.

"Klingons are fun, the bad boys. Everybody loves to gravitate toward that group. The Federation is always clean and neat. The Klingons are like a gang of bikers. We cruise the galaxy looking for trouble."

Okrand says he's astonished at the passion people have shown for the Klingon language, going so far as to speak it fluently and perhaps know it better than he does. Entire Shakespearean works like "Hamlet" have been translated into their "original Klingon," in reference to a line in the sixth "Star Trek" film implying that the Bard's text has Klingon origins.

Okrand created entire Klingon dictionaries that sold hundreds of thousand copies over the years. The Klingon Language Institute sprouted up to foster development of the language and now has an estimated 2,500 members in 50 countries. In 2006's Guiness World Records, Klingon was listed as the fictional language with the most speakers.

Theater troupes perform plays in Klingon, and Okrand says he's currently helping out with a project to develop a full Klingon opera in The Hague, Netherlands, called "u." The opera will tell the story of Kahless the Unforgettable, the historical Klingon leader.

Klingon weddings take place at many conventions, borrowing on weddings performed in "Star Trek. Parker has been to many of these, including his own.

He says met his wife at a Klingon wedding at Dragon*Con in Atlanta in 2001. The couple met up the next year and married in their own Klingon wedding in 2003.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/07/21/klingons.sdcc/

'Food printer' cranks out meals like a Star Trek replicator


Star Trek replicator" src="http://dvice.com/assets_c/2010/07/MIT-food-printer-thumb-550xauto-43183.jpg" border="0">

Why Star Trek continues to inspire its legions of fans like no other TV show

THE Scottish Borders are preparing for an invasion of Trekkies after a rock was revealed to be carrying a message in Klingon.

The mysterious inscription on the Glentress "stane" on the Spooky Wood bike route in a Tweeddale forest has mystified thousands of visitors since it appeared two years ago.

But now the man behind the strange message, artist Gordon Young, has finally let on that his inscription comes from the Final Frontier.

The stone's inscription, which was funded by the European Union and the Forestry Commission, reads: "Due to bad management by its current inhabitants, the Klingon Empire claims the right to take this planet for the benefit of the greater universe.

"This rock is an official legally binding claim marker. We'll be arriving soon, your future is assured."

Artist Young said the stone's message was a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the hugely successful sci-fi series Star Trek, which originated in the 1960s.

Starring William Shatner, it has spawned endless spin-off shows, and even seen a Klingon, Lieutenant Worf, rise through the ranks. It has also been the subject of 11 major movies, with another in the making.

Young said: "I had heard that Scotland was a stronghold of Trekkiedom and we wanted to reflect that."

With products and events associated with Star Trek generating about £1billion a year, it is no wonder the Borders are expecting an influx of Trekkie tourism.

Here we take a look at some of the bizarre facts surrounding the show and its dedicated fans.

The only UK Star Trek fan film, called Star Trek: Intrepid, was filmed and produced in Scotland three years ago. Set in the 24th century, it revolves around an attempt to colonise a far and unexplored area of the galaxy.

GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly even made a cameo appearance.

The original Klingon dialogue was devised by actor James Doohan who played Scotty, the crew's Doohan who played Scotty, the crew's Scots engineer.

Writer Mark Okrand later took this dialogue and developed an entire Klingon vocabulary. His Klingon dictionary has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide.

Doohan was actually Canadian but his accent was so convincing, many Trekkies still believe him to be Scottish.

When the actor died in 2005, there was a huge surge in interest in his character. Much Star Trek lore points to Linlithgow being Scotty's birthplace, where the town's council are reportedly planning a monument to the character. Aberdeen, Elgin and Edinburgh are also said to have laid claim to him.

Riverside, Iowa, has become a pilgrimage site for fans after it was named as the place where Captain James T Kirk will one day be born. The town now boasts a replica starship, a statue of Captain Kirk and a Star Trek museum.

Star Trek characters Spock and Kirk are at the heart of an internet craze known as "fanfic" or fantasy fiction.

Obsessive fans of the show indulge themselves by writing fictional love stories about the pair and posting them on the net.

In 1996, Barbara Adams served as a juror in the US, turning up wearing a Star Trek: The Next Generation-style Starfleet Command uniform, including a commbadge, phaser and tricorder.

She was dropped from the jury. However, it was not because she wore the outfit, as was widely reported, but because she had given an interview to the American Journal during the trial about her uniform.

Comedian Bill Bailey named his son Dax after a character in spin-off show Deep Space Nine.

Former vice-president Al Gore was known for watching reruns of Star Trek in his dorm at Harvard, while scientist Stephen Hawking is such a fan he starred as a holographic version of himself in The Next Generation.

After sharing the first on-screen interracial kiss with William Shantner, actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura, was urged not to leave the show by none other than Martin Luther King.

He said: "You have opened a door that must not be allowed to close. For the first time, the world sees us as we should be seen, as equals, as intelligent people."

As the latest Star Trek movie hit cinema screens last year, a firm in America had Trekkies in a tizz by creating an exact copy of Captain Kirk's chair from the original series.

Another must-have for Trekkies is Star Trek Pon Farr Perfume. The Pon Farr, as every Trekkie knows, is what happens to a Vulcan every seven years when they go into heat, experience a blood fever and may die if they do not mate. The perfume is said to be a refreshing fragrance.

If fans fancy having a Klingon wedding, there are any number of internet sites offering advice on Klingon etiquette, traditions and vows.

A Trekkie gathering in Las Vegas next month is expecting 16,000 fans to turn up to pay homage to everything Star Trek-related.

A remote Canadian town called Vulcan, in Alberta, has been transformed into a tourist hotspot af ter declaring itself the birthplace of Mr Spock.


http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/editors-choice/2010/07/19/why-star-trek-continues-to-inspire-its-legions-of-fans-like-no-other-86908-22423645/

VSS Enterprise Reaches The Stratosphere

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Enterprise, named after Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, successfully reached the stratosphere in a test flight.

The VSS Enterprise is carried by a mothership, the WhiteKnightTwo (VMS Eve) and on this test flight, remained attached to the VMS Eve.

“This is a momentous day for the Scaled and Virgin Teams,” said Burt Rutan, the mastermind behind Virgin Galactic’s engineering. “The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test program.” More tests will run through 2011. No date for a first flight has been set.

The VSS Enterprise is an eight-person vehicle; six passengers, and two crewmembers.

When tests are complete and the first flight launches, the VMS Eve will carry the VSS Enterprise to its launch altitude of 50,000 feet, to the edge of the atmosphere, and back again. The two-and-a-half hour trips, up and down flights that won’t orbit the earth, will include about five minutes of weightlessness.

http://www.trektoday.com/content/2010/07/vss-enterprise-reaches-the-stratosphere/


Star Trek': William Shatner's jacket sells for over $44,000

"Star Trek" auctions may often have a variety of memorabilia up for sale, but one thing almost always seems to be a constant -- the product almost always goes for more than the asking price.

Take for instance a red jacket worn by William Shatner in "The Wrath of Khan", which reportedly sold for $44,812.50 over the weekend. The projected final bid was less than half of this total, meaning that someone truly went above and beyond to hold a small piece of "Trek" history.

We do know that "Trek" memorabilia has sky-rocketed even further since the motion picture remake, though the clothing worn by the original captains of the USS Enterprise will almost assuredly have the higher asking prices in the end.

http://www.examiner.com/x-11363-TV-Examiner~y2010m7d19-Star-Trek-William-Shatners-jacket-sells-for-over-44000


Nana Visitor Says Deep Space Nine Would Make a Great Star Trek Movie

Retro Repost time. Here’s an interview I did with Nana Visitor, AKA Major Kira Nerys. This went down way back in 2000, after the series came to an end, and after the release of the PC shooter Deep Space Nine: The Fallen. Times have changed: check out the references to Simon & Schuster Interactive and Stomped.com.

We go way back. Jason and Nana at E3 2000.

Nana Visitor played Major Kira on TV’s Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She lent her voice and character to the shooter Deep Space Nine: The Fallen, developed by The Collective and published by Simon & Schuster Interactive. We participated in a phone conference with her and other gaming and science fiction sites (like Startrek.com and Stomped).

Us game and scifi geeks peppered her with questions, and she cheerfully responded. And yes, someone did have the stones to ask who would win in a fight: Major Kira or Ro Laren? (Her answer was “I’d have to say that’s a fight I’d like to see, because they’re pretty equally matched. We’d just have to see who remains standing.”)]

Visitor is pretty pleased with the game’s response so far. She told us:

Nana Visitor: I’m thrilled! I’m thrilled because my fellow cast members and I always said that the show would be discovered later on. From what I can tell, just from the guy-on-the-street response, I think it’s true. I think people are finding the show now. That there is a game to go along with that trend, at this time… it’s kinda like perfect timing, and I’m thrilled that it lives up to what I think DS9 was about.

It’s an interesting reaction, considering what she said when I asked if she’d played the game, and if she was much of a gamer herself.

Nana Visitor: I am not a gamer. At all. In any way, shape or form. But I have played the game. And I take great pleasure…[laughs] Of course I made Kira do all kinds of things. That was a lot of fun. I can see where I might actually sit down and seriously learn it and play it. I don’t think I’ll let my sons [editor's note: Buster and Django] play it, it’ll be “how many ways can we make momma die.” There’s something really perverse about that.

The fact that her likeness has been added to so many different things–comic books, 3D models, action figures, etc.–might sound a little freaky, but Visitor says she’s adjusted.

Nana Visitor: You know there are so many things about it that are spooky, and I find myself going into some safe haven in my mind. When I look at the [action figure] for the first time…this little effigy of yourself. You go, “Wow, I have an effigy and it’s in plastic” and stuff. It just suddenly becomes normal life. It’s like, yeah, you put coffee in a cup, yeah, there are my castmates’ voices, and I’m [in] a game and I’m able to make myself run through this corridor and die in some horrific way. [laughter] It just becomes part of life.

Virtual Nana attacks.

Virtual Nana attacks.

Visitor said that lending her voice to the game fit unusually well, since that seems to be one of her most distinctive features.

Nana Visitor: It’s funny, when I get recognized it’s usually by people hearing my voice. My look changes, but my voice seems to clue people in. They go “Major Kira!” even if they’re not looking at me. So I’m pleased that they bothered enough to get me in there to do the sound. That’s a big deal. And it seemed to be very quick and simple. The guys connected to the game were charming and easy, and it was fun. I got to see what it was about, and what it looked like–the look of it, which is pretty stunning–before I actually went into a studio and laid it down.

Recording the different sounds of her character was particularly entertaining.

Nana Visitor: It’s always interesting: like, okay now you die falling off a cliff. Now you die drowning, you know [laughs]. It’s more challenging than people realize, because you’re dealing with the ultimate experiences in life and death and big moments of crisis within a couple of hours. It’s more than you can imagine: every way to die… every way to be in crisis.

Visitor also liked doing the game because it gave her a chance to get back into a role–and a crew–she enjoys being with.

Nana Visitor: [Kira]‘s just a heartbeat away from me. She’s a thought away. I can just remember her background, and she’s back with me. Yeah, you know, one never knows, especially in the Star Trek universe. I would love to play an incarnation of her again. I thought she was a very cool chick.

It's a long way down.

There has been lots of fan speculation about a DS9 movie. Visitor says she’s all for it happening.

Nana Visitor: I think that it would make a great movie, because we were like a repertory company. Almost all of us came from theatre, and we could all hit. I think that we could handle a movie very well. The important thing is, do I think they’re going to do a DS9 movie? No, I don’t think so.

Talk turned to the TV show and Vistor’s take on the writing and the future of the characters (after the seven-season series concluded). She does miss her days working on the show–well, certain things about it anyway.

Nana Visitor: I miss being part of a tribe, and we were a huge tribe. When all of the regular cast members were in a scene, that was a director’s nightmare because we were like a pack and we were uncontrollable. You know when you get a group of people together, like-minded and [having] gone through a lot, it’s so powerful and satisfying, and I miss that the most.

The thing I miss the least is the hours. Through the seven years, our hours were 16 to 20 hours a day. You don’t have a life. It certainly allows your mind to slip very comfortably into the universe you’re existing in. I remember being on the promenade and going “This is starting to feel like where I actually live.” Lack of sleep and spending so much time in one place can do that to you. And that’s something that people don’t think of: you’re trying to do great work and sometimes the situation is stacked against you because you’re just exhausted. Your brain is turning to jelly. If I’d had my druthers I would have done all the shows in peak condition, but it’s impossible when you are doing an hour television series. That’s what I miss the least.

She probably doesn’t miss the make-up sessions either. That prosthetic nose she wore took a long time to get on.

Nana Visitor: It took two hours in the morning, and 20 minutes to take off. I thought they’d have some special glue that you put prosthetics on with, and it comes off easily but it sticks all day…uh uh. They just use GLUE. I mean like, practically wood glue. So it would take 20 minutes to get the damned thing off at the end of the day. Ouch is right.

We asked Visitor to speculate what happens to Kira after the series run.

The bridge of the Defiant in DS9: The Fallen.

Nana Visitor: She definitely gets another promotion. And, she’s commanding the Defiant. That’s for sure. The Defiant goes out, she’s in the chair. Those things were very inappropriately important to me when I was doing the series [laughs]. Now that she’s commanding the station, I imagine her getting more and more politically involved in Bajor. And, frankly, although I don’t think it will ever happen, I’d like to see her become Star Fleet.

And why is that?

Nana Visitor: Because I would like to see what would happen when you take a loose cannon and put them in that universe. I mean, the whole premise of the show was to put Star Fleet up against these people who didn’t live by those rules, and see what happens. One step further to me would be to put her right inside of it, and see what the actual struggle is to live that way. It seems that no one has a problem living by the prime directive. I’d like to see someone struggle with it. Like she would. Like a real loose cannon would.

And her favourite episode of DS9?

Nana Visitor: My favourite episode is still “Duet”. It was done early on as a bottle show. It was to save money because they’d spent all their funds on special effects for other episodes [laughs]. So they had this idea of two people in a cell…It’s my favourite episode because I thought they pulled off the writing beautifully, and it was a moving and important show about racism (and Major Kira’s racism). It was the episode that made me think the most, just as an actor. I had to think really hard about where this woman lay. And also playing someone who is just wrong, who is flawed in her thinking…and doing that honestly.

Now that the show is over, Visitor has gone on to other things. Her most recent roll:

Nana Visitor: I’m doing a musical in New Haven, that has aspirations to go to Broadway, called “Golden Boy.” So I am in a small theatre, singing my heart out at the moment. It’s about two hours from New York City and the boys are in school, so I go back and forth and they go back and forth and what can I tell you? Their mom is an actress.

Visitor likes her theatre work, and has ambitions.

Taking aim at a Jem'Hadar soldier.

Nana Visitor: I do have a dream stage roll, and what I love is that I’m too young for it. So in 20 years, I’d love to do Mama Rose and Gypsy. I watched Angela Lansbury do it when I was working with her. I’d watch her offstage just about every night, and she was amazing. She was so wonderful. I would love to do my own version. Some day.

During her DS9 days, Visitor was a woman acting in a field that has traditionally appealed mainly to men (both scifi and gaming), and she was asked if that gave her a new perspective on the men that consume the media she works with.

Nana Visitor: No. I do not think of it as me having a unique angle on men, but maybe men finding a way into seeing a unique angle on a woman. I think that I got such a great opportunity with Kira, to be this creature that didn’t follow certain gender rules, and I loved it. I loved it when 10-year-old boys came up to me and say “You’re my hero. You’re a big hero to me.” That’s great. I’m not sure how many years ago that that would have happened. So that was such ginger to me with the show. But in terms of what appeals to men…You know, we didn’t know what we were doing. I didn’t approach Kira going “Ok, so I gotta appeal to the 18-49 year old male.” I just really tried to be truthful about what I thought this person was, and it seemed to appeal to a great many people.

While on the show, the male staff writers occasionally needed guidance from Visitor.

Nana Visitor: I did find, here and there, that there would be natural gaps in their understanding of female-specific responses. When Kira has a baby and its Keiko’s baby she’s carrying, she hands the baby over. They had written it that she’s just “Ok, glad that’s over, bye-bye.” No matter whose baby you’re carrying, what a woman knows is that your hormones respond in such a way that it wouldn’t be an easy process, no matter what. There would be some kind of difficulty; there would be some kind of crossed wires about the whole thing. Which, of course, makes it so much more interesting and more complex. And I was never shy about giving my input…and they were never shy about giving me trouble about it, when they thought that I was coming out of left field. I felt like I had to go to battle 100% of the time, and maybe 75 percent of the time I got my way and I thought that was pretty good. It’s just the responsibility you have as an actor, and the writers, I must say, were very responsive.

Although she wasn’t shy about expressing her take on her character, Visitor says she’s not interested in going further–such as writing a script or directing.

Kyra on the prowl.

Nana Visitor: I’m strictly an actor. My mates on the show wanted to direct, wanted to write and did. A couple of the actors have written books based on their Star Trek character–I take my hat off. My input has always been as an actor, and the collaborative effort has usually been me yelling across a table at the writers [laughs] what my ideas for Kira were. But beyond that, I never had any thoughts of doing that.

If The Fallen is a success, a sequel is inevitable. We asked if Visitor would be interested in participating.

Nana Visitor: Oh God, I’d love to be involved, absolutely. As we touched upon before, I’d love to be hooked up with Kira.

I asked her if her positive experiences with The Fallen opened her up to the possibility of doing other games, perhaps a non-Star Trek one.

Nana Visitor: It would depend upon the game. I’d have to say the violence of a lot of games does concern me, and I wouldn’t want to be involved in something like that. The minute you say that it’s something to do with Star Trek, there’s some kind of ethical structure around it. Just with the name itself, so that makes me comfortable being involved. I’m not saying that you can’t kill, or do this and do that, but it’s not quite the same violence that I’ve seen in some of the games. So it would entirely depend.

Speaking of violence, that’s a big issue in all the entertainment industries right now. Visitor has an interesting perspective on that, being a parent and a worker in one of those industries.

Nana Visitor: My very specific perspective is that it’s impossible to deny that violence is a part of life, and that people are the way people are, and treat each other the way they do. [Are] there irresponsible depictions of it? Yes, I think so. Do I think that it incites people? Yes I do. I know that a lot of people would argue that, but that’s personally what I believe. I think there are really irresponsible people, and it always seems it’s people out to make a huge profit, so how disgusting can we be? How far can we push that particular envelope? And then they come up with a concept, and it doesn’t really have a structure around it, or any kind rhyme or reason to it, and then I think it’s pornography. Then violence becomes pornography, and it’s to make a buck, and that’s when I think it becomes dangerous.

Visitor would obviously like to stay on familiar ground. So I asked her if a game was designed specifically about Major Kira, what did she think it would be?

The Promenade, as seen in The Fallen.

Nana Visitor: Interesting… The fact that I’m a parent comes into the thing. I would love to see it be a very mind-bending, chess-type game. I don’t know what sells. I’m sure that’s how they design these games–by what people love to do. You know, it would be fun if it was Ultima Online. If it was that kind of universe–where you would have to chop your own wood, and build your house, and someone steals your keys…I mean, if you really had to live life during an occupation. That would be a very interesting idea to me. Go through what she went through when the Cardassians were occupying Bajor. What life is like: the hardship, running from the enemy, all that stuff. That might be very interesting.

We asked her to write a synopsis and put it on her official webpage. She said she would.

Visitor is pleased with her work on DS9, and likes the idea of its continuation in non-TV formats, such as novels and games.

Nana Visitor: I think it’s an amazing phenomenon and one that I didn’t expect–that the life of this show goes on and on. I think its fantastic. I don’t know what my real contribution to it will be, other than just people living with the show for years after I’ve been involved…and that’s really satisfying. It’s not a job that I’d go “Oh God. I gotta look at that now for the next some odd years.” I’m proud of it. I’m very proud of it.

Jason MacIsaac is the Executive Editor of Electric Playground. Beam him up.


http://jason.con.ca/2010/07/11/interview-nana-visitor/

Friday, July 16, 2010

Atari Launches Star Trek Online Architect

Atari has just launched the Star Trek Online Architect (http://www.startrekonline.com/architect/), which lets you create starships and share them with your other trekkie friends. They also have a sweepstakes sponsored by Intel where you can win prizes like a replica captain’s chair, Intel CoreTM i7-920 Processors and copies of the Star Trek Online game.

Or if you're bored, you can just play the Ship Shaper minigame.

'Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy welcomes fans to new website

The official Star Trek website has been relaunched "with newcomers and longtime fans alike in mind" following the 2009 movie reboot and Leonard Nimoy, who played the half-Vulcan Spock in the original 1960s series as well as the film, welcomes fans to boldly go where millions are set to go.

"I couldn't have imagined -- no one could have, really -- that the TV shows we did so long ago would find a new audience today, that the films would continue, and that there would be so many spin-offs," Nimoy, 79, says in a posted message.

"For those of you who are new to Star Trek, who are discovering it through the recent movie and are about to explore the franchise in its infinite diversity... welcome," he said. "Come aboard and enjoy. And to all, Live Long and Prosper!"

The new website features video downloads, a giant database of Star Trek facts, character bios from every adaptation of the franchise and is touted as the most reliable source of future Star Trek news.

Several movies based on the original Star Trek series, which starred William Shatner as Captain James Tiberias Kirk, have been produced. Spin-off shows with different main characters include the 1980s series Star Trek: The Next Generation with Sir Patrick Stewart, which has also spurred its own films.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine came out in the 1990s and was often referred to as a "space opera" due to the majority of the events taking place on board a space station. Star Trek: Voyager began in 1995 and featured the most prominent female captain seen on the show, Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew Star Trek: Enterprise, with Scott Bakula at the helm, followed in 2001 and ended in 2005.

Through its various on-screen adaptations, Star Trek has gained millions of new fans throughout the years and the franchise is known for breaking the media taboos of its time, including one of the first interracial on-screen kisses of the 1960s.

The show has even been said to have inspired innovations in real-life technology, such as automatic sliding doors, wireless communication devices and personal laptop computers. Even the tablet devices used on the original 1960s series appear similar to one of today's most sought-after devices - the iPad.

The 2009 Star Trek film, which starred Chris Pine as Kirk, has grossed more than $385 million worldwide since its release, takes viewers back to the younger days of the characters on the original U.S.S. Enterprise star ship.

Through a series of events that disrupt the show's famed "Spacetime Continuum," the crew is thrust into an alternate reality, essentially giving screenwriters the creative freedom to allow the characters to act and do things differently then they had on the series and on the movies, and more importantly for die-hard "Trekkie", this means the original story lines can remain in tact.


http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/2010/07/star-treks-leonard-nimoy-welcomes-fans-to-new-website.html

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

William Shatner joins Tweet House event at Comic-Com: Live broadcast on Outerspace.com


If you are a Star Trek fan or just a fan of pop culture icon William Shatner, he'll be appearing at the Tweet House party at Comic-Com.
The party is scheduled for July 23rd aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway. Shatner’s latest entrepreneurial undertaking, Myouterspace.com, will be broadcasting a live Webcast from the Tweet House.

“I'm excited as all get out about the burgeoning possibilities of what's happening at Comic-Con ...The brand new platform for creativity in film, in gaming, in animation is now alive in Myouterspace.com. With the big launch in conjunction with Tweet House and on an aircraft carrier, can you get more with it?” - William Shatner

William Shatner launches sci-fi social networking site: The final frontier for Trekkies

Steve Broback, host of the Tweet House and 140tc conferences states,“Given his phenomenal presence on Twitter along with his upcoming new Twitter-based prime-time series, we were ecstatic he and the Myouterspace.com team could join us.

If you're in San Diego on July, the event will be held from 6 pm until Midnight. Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased online at www.tweet-house.com/register.

http://www.examiner.com/x-14552-Social-Media-Examiner~y2010m7d13-William-Shatner-joins-Tweet-House-event-at-ComicCom-Live-broadcast-on-Outerspacecom


Rumor: Star Trek Online Might Boldly Become Free

Cryptic Studios isn't planning to make its latest MMOG free-to-play any time soon, but the developer is considering it for the eventual future.

image

Free-to-play MMOGs have proven to be financially viable, based on examples like browser-based titles like Farmville and the more hardcore games like Dungeons & Dragons Online. Star Trek Online might be the next big MMOG to (eventually) adopt a similar payment plan, based on a comment from the game's developer.

Daniel Stahl, Star Trek Online's executive producer, addressed a forum question about the game eventually becoming free-to-play. "I could easily see STO going into a hybrid model similar to what LOTRO is doing," he stated. "In that model, subscriptions stay as is - but you allow people to play for free but heavily limit what they can do - which in essence creates a robust way to demo the game and then if you want to keep playing, you either pay for every little thing you are interested in, or you subscribe and don't have to worry about it.

"Turbine seems to have some interesting plans and looking at how DDO has turned around, its worth taking note."

Creating a demo-like version of the game certainly makes a lot of sense, since it would allow players to explore the title at their leisure — at no cost to them — and figure out if they want to take up a career with the Federation. While Stahl's statement is far from an official business announcement, it's interesting to hear that a recently-released game like Star Trek Online could potentially adopt a form of the free-to-play system in the future.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102017-Rumor-Star-Trek-Online-Might-Boldly-Become-Free