According to Cryptic Studios Inc., Star Trek Online’s developer, the new multiplayer online game is ready for release but the official date has not yet been announced.

"You'll venture through space exploring new civilizations and life-forms," explained Jack Emmert, Cryptic Chief Creative Officer, who also offered many other details about the highly anticipated game. The players will begin the game as captains of a Starfleet or a Klingon Empire ship, depending on their preferences. There will be several customization features, allowing users to venture into a complete make-over of their characters, which in time will get higher ranks, bigger crews and larger vessels.

Apparently, the game’s action is set a few generations later than the last Star Trek movie, so popular characters such as James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard will not be present.

"There might be a ship called Enterprise flying around, but it's probably not the same ship anymore," said Emmert. "Most of the characters will have either retired or passed on, but you'll definitely be going to all the places you know and love from 'Star Trek.' Expect to see oldies like Vulcan and Bajor but also fan favorites like Andoria and Qo'noS."

During the annual Star Trek convention held at the Gene Roddenberry Theater inside the Las Vegas Hilton, which ended yesterday, fans were pleased to get all their questions answered and also view several previews and trailers of the game.

Other popular titles available as online games include The Matrix Online, Star Wars Galaxies, The Lord of the Rings Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Also, a DC Universe Online game is currently in development at Sony Online Entertainment’s studios.

Star Trek Online promises a great experience for gamers and the series’ fans, with an extremely wide variety of possibilities meant to avoid boring repetitions and ensure a long and unique game play.