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First in-game screenshot from Star Trek Online |
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Written by Derek Kessler on
Wednesday, 05 December 2007
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 All pessmism about the future of Star Trek Online aside, the developers have blessed the internet with the first in-game screenshot from the upcoming MMORPG. The screenshot was released with the latest 'DevLog' posting, which also details some of the inner workings of the new Interaction System that controls all non-combat functions of Star Trek Online. Their mantra is a time-tested and sure-fire technique: keep it simple.
So, what does the Interaction System cover? Frankly, just about everything. Training, purchases, in-game games, communication, transportation, etc. Essentially, if it doesn't involve phasers, disruptors, shields, torpedoes, or bat'leths, it's handled through the Interaction Systerm. While this may seem like an overwhemling number of tasks to handle through one interface, Perpetual Entertainment's developers followed a set of rules to ensure that it stayed playable:
- Keep it Simple - The less clicks and extraneous buttons the better.
- Keep it Intuitive - The best Interaction System is one the player can figure out without any instruction.
- Keep it Consistent - No matter where the player is (ground, space, another dimension) or what kind of interaction he’s engaged in (dialogue, buying, training, obtaining missions, etc.) the widgets of the Interaction System’s interface should behave in a consistent manner.
- Keep it Trek - A blanket goal of STO, but one that bears repeating.
- Keep if Fun - You’d be surprised how often this gets forgotten.
With those goals in mind, the Star Trek Online team set about creating a strong and cohesive engine that drives much of the play in the game. And everything is achieved through a simple right-click of the mouse.
Here's an example of the Interaction System at work, answering a hail from the planet:
Click here for the full size image.
Read: Star Trek Online DevLog
Discuss: TrekUnited Forum
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"The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe."
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