After months of rumors, Cryptic Studios announced in July that it had acquired the license to develop the massively multiplayer role-playing game Star Trek Online. The studio also surprised some by revealing that the TV series-inspired title would not just be developed for the PC, but for unnamed "consoles" as well. The fact Crytpic's other current project is Champions Online for the PC and the Xbox 360 means it is likely the game will come to Microsoft's console, although the possibility of a PlayStation 3 version also remains.

　　Now, a FAQ posted this week has spiked interest in possible interaction between the console and PC editions of Star Trek Online. When asked "Will console and PC players be on the same servers?," Cryptic gave an intriguing response: "We would like that to be the case. There is nothing technologically keeping us from making it so." If Star Trek Online does allow PC and console gamers to interact, it will be the first MMORPG since Final Fantasy XI to do so.

　　In other Star Trek Online developments, the FAQ also confirmed that the game will have player-versus-player combat. There will be factions in the game, along with a variety of races, including Human, Vulcan, Andorian, Klingon, Orion, Gorn, and "several others." Each player will command their own space vessel, with the power of said vessels increasing as they earn experience and prestige. Players can team up for space battles, which will involve both players and computer-controlled craft.

　　For more details on Star Trek Online, read GameSpot News' interview with Cryptic Studio executive producer Craig Zinkievich.