Namco Bandai is making the new Star Trek game
Developed by Namco Bandai and Digital Extremes! Penned by God of War Writer Marianne Krawczyk! Set to launch Q1 2013 before the new movie! And!....just as likely to be disappointing as far as I'm concerned.
Yep, it's the new Star Trek game and in spite of my overall "meh" reaction to 2009's rather generic Trek reboot, I have some valid concerns about new game. Marianne Krawczyk will probably bring some talent to the writing, but she's being helped by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the guys who wrote the jumbled, embarrassing and plot-hole-filled '09 movie. It's also yet another co-op cover shooter, essentially Gears of Star Trek.
This is the biggest problem I have with Abrams and his NuTrek. He's content to turn it into just one more bland, loud summer popcorn experience, without any of the nuance, social commentary or texture of the Star Trek universe. I don't mind a continuity-smashing reboot as long as it's done well (Casino Royale, Batman Begins), but Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman don't seem to understand that the flashy scifi in Star Trek is merely a vehicle for the franchise's many messages, and not the whole point. Turning Star Trek into just a co-op shooter and dumping it into a market flooded with co-op shooters speaks to this massive lack of understanding about what Star Trek is about, so color me even more skeptical of this reboot series and its accompanying game doing anything worthwhile or interesting with the Star Trek name.
You know what game genre would work really well for Star Trek? A huge, galaxy-spanning RPG. Like Mass Effect. But Mass Effect already did that, so I think I'll keep getting my Star Trek from Bioware.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND NAMCO BANDAI TEAM UP FOR
STAR TREK VIDEO GAME
Studio chooses industry leader to co-publish and distribute highly anticipated video game inspired by the new Star Trek film, set to ship the first quarter of 2013 prior to new movie.
SAN JOSE, Calif., (February 10, 2012) – Paramount Pictures and leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced the two companies have signed a deal for NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. to co-publish and distribute the highly anticipated Star Trek video game worldwide during the first quarter of 2013 for all major home consoles and PC.
The action-packed combat game is set to launch the first quarter of 2013 prior to the May 17th theatrical release of the next Star Trek installment from director and producer J.J. Abrams. The game, through a license with CBS Consumer Products, is based on a stand-alone storyline that continues the adventure of iconic characters Kirk and Spock as they work together to stop a legendary enemy race bent on conquering the galaxy.
“With our NAMCO BANDAI partners leading the distribution effort, we are confident that we will meet an overwhelming demand to get this exciting console experience into the hands of gamers and Star Trek fans worldwide”, commented LeeAnne Stables, Paramount Pictures Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships and head of the studio’s video game unit. Stables continued, “The positive response from our initial unveiling at E3 last year was unprecedented, and we are fortunate to have the highest level of production and creative talent on our team that will bring this incredible game out to market next year.”
“Star Trek continues to be one of the most beloved entertainment properties around the world, and NAMCO BANDAI Games America is extremely excited to be teaming up with Paramount Pictures to create the definitive Star Trek interactive experience,” said Carlson Choi, VP of Marketing for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Paramount unveiled the Star Trek video game in pre-alpha phase at 2011’s Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3) and won the praise of critics including the prestigious “Most Valuable Game” awards from Official Xbox Magazine and PlayStation: The Official Magazine, and was included as one of CNN’s Top 5 Games of E3 2011 list. The Star Trek video game also won additional praise with an exclusive trailer that debuted during Sony Computer Entertainment of America’s keynote address at its annual E3 press conference.
The Star Trek video game is being developed by Ontario-based developer Digital Extremes (Bioshock 2, Unreal Tournament, Dark Sector, The Darkness II) with production being overseen by Paramount Creative Executive Brian Miller. “Working with Paramount Pictures and Digital Extremes reinforces NAMCO BANDAI Games’ commitment of expanding its portfolio to include Triple ‘A’ Western developed games in addition to its popular and well-respected Japanese Franchises,” said Carlson Choi. “Digital Extremes’ attention to detail, and the collaboration with Paramount Pictures and the team at Bad Robot Interactive will create an authenticity that is sure to thrill Star Trek fans and gamers alike.”
The game’s original story is being penned by BAFTA award winner and God of War writer Marianne Krawczyk in collaboration with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, writers and producers for the upcoming Star Trek film. Built from the ground up as the ultimate co-op experience, the Star Trek video game lets players control both Kirk and Spock in a sweeping journey of epic proportions across unexplored planets and enemy battleships with the latest 23rd century weapons and gear. Kirk and Spock’s complementary personalities result in the most fully realized and varied co-op experiences for this console generation.
For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games, please visit http://www.namcobandaigames.com. For more information about the upcoming Star Trek movie from Paramount Pictures, please visit http://www.startrekmovie.com.
