Star Trek Online is slowly approaching the release of another big update called Season 2.  With this in mind, Cryptic Studios just held another round of "Ask Cryptic".  If you're not familiar with this, Cryptic invites players to ask anything and everything about STO & the STO universe.  We've picked out a few of the questions that we thought most interesting.  To read the rest, check out the link at the bottom of the article.

Q: Direphoenix: Are we going to see any adventures taking us beyond the Galactic Barrier or bringing some action from beyond it?

Cryptic Studios is preparing the next update to the current Star Trek Online: Season 1.  Set for release tomorrow and Called Update 2 (catchy right?), the release will feature brand new additions to STO's gameplay as well as updates to game balancing, the fleet system and C-store.  Check out the upcoming updates below.

Accolades

Looking for more ways to challenge yourself in Star Trek Online? Do we have a system for you! The Accolades System is a brand new way to track your stats, show off your tactical skills and advance in Star Trek Online.

Star Trek Online Publisher Atari just announced that thanks to Star Trek Online, Champions Online, & the Ghostbusters Video Game, it was able to shed some of the financial losses for FY 2010.  According to a recent article at el33tonline.com, the former Pong maker was able to reduce it's over all loss from $272.4 million in Fiscal Year 2009 to $23.8 million for FY 2010.  In fact Atari was able to return a profit in the last half of FY 2010 to the amount of $4.7 million.

It’s been four months since the initial release of Star Trek Online and the game has been through several highs and lows over that time.  From disturbing news of low player retention all the way to lots of brand new fantastic game content with the launch of Season 1. Through this, the fine folks at Cryptic have been hard at work trying to make this game as enjoyable as possible.  

Now executive producer Craig Z. tells us what we have to look for over the next several months in the wonderful world of Star Trek Online.  Outside of the upcoming releases Season 2, it appears that cryptic has an accolade and squad system planned as well as balance adjustments and UI improvements.

Cryptic Studios launches a brand new Special Task Force mission for admiral ranked players.   Called the "Undine Terradome", the new mission presents all a brand new menace to the STO universe.  Apparently the Undine (species 8472) have planned to invade Federation space by replacing a very familiar space station.  Check out the details below.

Atari, one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, and acclaimed developer Cryptic Studios™, are pleased to announce a range of new reward programs for Star Trek Online, the massively multiplayer online game for the PC. These programs include: the Star Trek Online Veterans Rewards, Star Trek Online Referral program, Star Trek Online Winback Weekend and Star Trek Online Demo. The new offers begin May 7, 2010.

Cryptic Studios just released a brand new video detailing the new Special Task Force missions that will be available over the next few months.  First show on the video is the already released STF: Khitomer Accord.  Don't know much about STF: Khitomer Accord? Check out the details below.

The Borg seemed unusually weak, unable to adapt and most of their fleet was already seriously damaged. It seems like someone may have got to them first and softened them up, because if the Borg were at full strength that day, you may not have fared so well.

Taxes, they're unavoidable.  Some people even say something about taxes and death that's really profound.  Huh, wish I could remember it.  Anyway, to help you spend some of your forthcoming tax return, or just elevate some of the stress of the whole tax experience, Cryptic Studios is offering a 25 percent discount on all C-Store purchases.  That includes Star Trek Online and Champions Online.  Check out the info below for more details.

By the way, in the 24th century there is NO tax day.  Take that Uncle Sam!

In another episode of "Ask Cryptic", Star Trek Online players got the chance to ask specific questions concerning the future of PVP.  One of the more interesting topics was the possibility of open PvP, using a war front scenario.  Cryptic says it's a distinct possibility.  Also, one player asks specifically about players receiving rewards for healing.  That's definitely something we've been wondering about for a long time.  Ya see, we play as an escort, need we say more?