Following several days of rumours and expectations, Perpetual Entertainment and Viacom Consumer Products announced a new Star Trek online game which will include elements from all five live-action television shows and all ten movies.

StarTrek.com reported that the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), which is not expected to launch until 2007, would have unprecedented scope, allowing players to immerse themselves in the Star Trek universe as a whole. "Players will encounter characters, places, and situations from their favorite Star Trek movies and television series; will explore incredible new worlds; and will cooperate with or battle friendly and hostile races throughout the game," Perpetual Entertainment president Chris McKibbin stated.

Perpetual Entertainment has secured exclusive worldwide rights from Viacom for the game, which will launch in a 24th century timeline and gradually expanded to include previous eras. "Star Trek Online (working title) is a persistent world where thousands of players will...explore the galaxy, defend against incursions, and pursue the needs of the Federation in space, on planet surfaces and in star bases," states the game FAQ. There will be both solo and multiplayer missions, set on starships, starbases and planets.

The CEO of Perpetual Entertainment, Joe Keene, said that the extensive scope of the license provided an extraordinary opportunity to immerse fans in the Star Trek universe. Viacom Consumer Products vice president Terri Helton noted that RPG players had sought such a broad environment, stating, "We have been searching for the right partnership for our time-honored Star Trek to create a game that not only appeals to fans but a broader audience as well. Perpetual's experience, technology and vision for this game make them the clear choice."

The FAQ notes that the game will likely enter beta testing in 2006 and that there will be a monthly fee to participate. It has not yet been determined whether the point of view will be first or third person, but players will become original characters, not known figures from the Star Trek universe.

The original announcement is at StarTrek.com.

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