Star Trek Online open beta to launch Jan. 12

Star Trek Online for PC will launch its open beta starting Jan. 12 next year, giving gamers and Star Trek fans a first look at Atari’s “massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or (MMORPG) rendered in high-definition (HD).

The game will take place in the year 2409 (30 years after Nemesis), where players start as a captain and can become a high ranking Starfleet admiral. Players can choose to command a Klingon or Federation ship, participate in missions, customize ships, and create their own species within the game.

“We expect Star Trek Online to explode onto the scene, giving fans and gamers a Star Trek experience like no other,” said Craig Zinkievich, Executive Producer on Star Trek Online.

Star Trek Online is produced by Atari and Cryptic Studios, creators of Champions Online, City of Heroes and City of Villains.

The game will officially arrive Feb. 2, 2010. Beta testing will run from Jan. 12 through Jan. 26, and the key will only be given to a select number of players. Pre-order the game from Amazon and get access to the open beta as well as a Borg Bridge Officer.