With the closed beta coming to an end and the open beta starting tomorrow, Star Trek Online is finally getting into the hands of Trek fans everywhere.  In anticipation of the launch, ZAM has just released a preview of ST:O's away mission mode.  We'll be participating in the open beta and look forward to seeing our faithful readers in the world of 2409!

Two of our favorite PC games over the past decade have been "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" and "Fallout 3".  Imagine, an RPG much like those two amazing games, but in the Star Trek: TOS Universe.  This could have been a reality according to Bethesda studio head Todd Howard.  Bethesda had the rights to Star Trek for a very short period and considered the game.  Unfortunately, it never made it past the pitch phase.  We found the article via The Escapist, but Howard made that revelation on Kotaku's podcast last week.  Check out the article excerpt below.

As reported by IGN, both Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy will lend their voices to the forthcoming MMO Star Trek Online. "I'm happy to be involved with Star Trek Online. In this game, the essence of Star Trek -- exploration and adventure -- lives long and prospers. I'm pleased that a whole new generation of fans will be able to discover new frontiers in the Star Trek universe." Says Leonard Nimoy. Check out the article excerpt below, as-well-as studio footage of Spock Prime recording in-game narrative.

In less than two months we all be able to get our Vulcan hands on of the most anticipated MMOs of all time, Star Trek Online.  Until then, the folks at Rock, Paper Shotgun have given us a little preview of the Star Trek Online character creation process.  Among other things, you can make a hideous looking Bolian, check out the article excerpt below.

We learned a bit of interesting info, apparently Star Trek Online's Klingon faction will be Player-vs-Player only when the game launches in February.  Klingons also have their own special rank progression with different ship types available to different ranks.  Check out the info below.

Klingon gameplay is one of Star Trek Online’s most unique features. It exists as an additional advancement path for players, and offers different gameplay options to players more interested in player-vs.-player combat.

In closed beta now and slowly approaching open beta, Star Trek Online is closer than we think.  From a fans perspective, the bridge has been one of the most talked about features of ST:O.  So much so, that the fan outcry made Cryptic Studios re-think the improtance of bridge access on game launch.  Now Executive Producer Craig Zinkievich talk with MMORPG.com about bridges and exactly how they're going to work in-game on release day.

Paramount Digital Entertainment, Bad Robot Interactive, CBS Consumer Products and Naked Sky Entertainment today announced that new content for the Star Trek®: D-A-C video game is now available for download via Xbox LIVE® Arcade. For players that previously purchased the game on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the new content for Star Trek: D-A-C is available as a free download. New players can purchase the updated game on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 Microsoft points.

Earlier this week we posted a few Star Trek Online videos in our Star Trek Online Videos and Updates A'Plenty article. Cryptic has released the second half of their Star Ship Tactics video and we've embedded it below for your viewing pleasure.

Michael Farley of Kotaku posted an interesting comment about the vid and it's mention of boarding parties.

Gamespy just released a hands-on preview of Cryptic Studios upcoming Star Trek Online.  Being one of the few not-so-positive previews, writer Ryan Scott brings up some valid points and good insight into the game.  It's definitely worth a read.  Check out the excerpt below.