Cryptic and Atari have announced February 2nd as the official release date for Star Trek Online. The game puts players in the Star Trek universe as high-ranking officers in the Starfleet, complete with their own ships and a license to boldly go where no man has…I think we all get it.

“Throughout the last four decades, Star Trek has been a mainstay in pop culture, influencing legions of fans through television, film, and more. Star Trek Online opens a whole new chapter and expands upon this incredible universe in 2010,” said Atari CEO Jim Wilson. I’m curious to see how the whole thing will play out. I’m not much of a Trekkie, and I honestly find it difficult to imagine the series transitioning well to the MMO genre.

There’s always beta testing though, which is currently underway and should make clear whether the franchise makes sense as an MMO.

Cryptic has announced the first addition of new content to their brand new Champions Online. The game, which launched yesterday in the US and will head to Europe on Friday, features Cryptic’s all new superhero world. The new content, called Blood Moon, adds a spooky spin to the world with zombie uprising, roaming werewolves, and the Undying Lord Takafones coming to town.

I’m glad to see Cryptic adding in-game events so early. Holidays and other festivals were some of my favorite world events in WoW, aside from the really events surrounding expansions. The announcement page for Blood Moon has some interesting warnings – don’t get bit by werewolves or die to zombies or you become part of the horde. I wonder if that’s only temporary or if it’s a permanent change to your hero.

The new content also adds the celestial powerset, which can be used to damage enemies or heal and buff allies depending which way you go.

All in all, I’d say it sounds cool, but I haven’t played the game. Have any of you? Is it worth buying?

If you were hoping to kick back with your Xbox 360 and do a little arch-nemesis stomping, you’ll have to talk to Microsoft. Cryptic, who develops the new superhero MMO, says Redmond is the only thing standing between you and playing Champions over Xbox live.

According to Cryptic CCO Jack Emmert, Microsoft is taking its sweet time with the process. “It just takes time for the big beast known as Microsoft to get moving,” said Emmert. “It’s as baffling to developers as it is to everyone else.”

Every other MMO initially intended for the Xbox 360 has failed to make it to print, save for that Final Fantasy XI port. Cryptic still thinks Champions will see release on the console, but they have no clue when. We heard the same thing with regard to Age of Conan and you can see (or not see) how that turned out.

Source: VG247