Here at the Federation News Service, we realize that you - the player - are a busy person. You may have kids, a job, a cat (or seven) or a busy school schedule. Every so often, there is a piece of STO news or a forum post that you may not catch that we feel is important. We at FNS would like to help you with that. Here are some pieces of news from the last few weeks we have found particularly interesting. These articles and posts could contain anything; gameplay mechanics, cosmetics changes, and everything in between.
Every few weeks we try to select a few items that we feel every player should know. There may be more or less depending on the information available. These items could come from the Star Trek Online official forums, a developer interview from another news outlet, or a player. In addition to a link to the source, we will provide our opinions on the topic as to why we think it matters to you.
Upgrades, Dates, MSD’s and a familiar face! What’s happening this week?
ARC News - Delta Rising Official Release Date
With considerable anticipation and expectation, Cryptic have finally announced the official release date of “Delta Rising” as the 14th October 2014. Whilst this hasn’t come as a huge shock to the community at large, this is a confirmation of much debate and discussion, and gives a focal time-point for fans to look forward to.
ARC News - Neelix Returns
Love him or loathe him, Star Trek fans will expect to see the greatest citizen of the Delta Quadrant in X2, and Cryptic don’t disapoint. With a rich backstory that explains what Neelix and the Talaxian remnants have been up to since Voyager left the Delta Quadrant, fans will be pleased with the level of effort and dedication that has gone into making Neelix life-like and an enjoyable interaction.
ARC News - Gear Upgrade System
One of the most burning questions that have plagued end-game players since X2 announced that the level cap would move to 60, was what happens to my Mk 12 gear? Well, Cryptic have confirmed the details of the much rumoured upgrade system. Tailing on from the revamped RnD system released in 9.5, the upgrade system will use specially crafted components to allow captains to increase the level of their favourite gear - with the chance to increase its rarity as well!
ARC News - The Dauntless Arrives
One of the promised new ships has officially been announced in the form of the Dauntless class Experimental Science Ship. No specific details have been launched regarding the Dauntless class, other than its a T6 variant ship that will be included in the new Delta Operations Pack, that was launched earlier this month. Whilst not strictly a ‘canon’ class, it is from the Voyager series, which this latest expansion seems to be focused primarily on.
ARC News - The Art of Intelligence Ships
Director of Artwork, Brad Stokan has blogged about how the designs for the new Tier 6 Intelligence ships came about. He shows us the rough sketches of the new designs, and other design variants that were proposed in the drive to provide gamers with totally unique and futuristic looking starships. It’s an inside view into the decision making process that surrounded the final decision on the visuals of the new ships, and is well worth a read.
WE HOPE YOU LIKED THIS ROUNDUP, WHAT PART OF DELTA RISING ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD FOR?
LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
WRITTEN BY KERRYMALONE
EDITED BY TORINTH - STEPHEN.HALL@UFPLANETS.COM
HEADER IMAGE COURTESY OF JETFREAK-7 @ DEVIANTART
