Cryptic Studios began sign up for the beta on upcoming Star Trek Online. Last reported on in February ’09 with a release deadline of March 31, 2010 approaching; applications were being taken for the closed beta scheduled for later this year. Users who purchased Champions Online six-month and lifetime subscriptions are automatically accepted for the beta.

Star Trek Online is the first MMORPG to take place in the Star Trek Universe. It will also be the first to feature space and ground combat at launch. It will take place in 2409, 30 years after the last movie (Star Trek Nemesis).

Users will be Federation Captains or Klingon Warlords and will be able to explore iconic locations from Star Trek lore. Everyone will be a ship Captain (not necessarily in title, and role) and have a choice of career paths, such as Engineer, Tactical Officer, Doctor, Science Officer, etc.

Players will be able to form teams with other players in space and complete missions together; on the ground they can build an away team that consists of other players. There will also be many community locations where users can interact. Travel times will be semi-realistic, so transwarp conduit technology and worm holes will aid players in traveling to distant sectors in the galaxy without taking up weeks of their time.

To access beta application: http://www.startrekonline.com/node/365 (must create account)