As if inspired by the multi-episode arcs in its namesake shows, Star Trek Online announced today the arrival of Feature Episodes, which are inter-connected missions added on a weekly basis.

The first three Feature Episodes (collectively known as a Series, yeah, just like a TV series) will feature the Breen as antagonists set on invading the planet Defera.

Both factions will have access to the episodes, with the Klingons harboring a deeper animosity for the armor-clad Breen. Cryptic Studios didn’t say for how long the Breen series will run, but the initial Feature Episodes below sound packed with world-saving drama:

I wouldn’t cross my fingers for a final boss reveal–the Breen have been a notorious tease in the Star Trek franchise, never showing what’s under those cumbersome fridge-suits. So just be contented with the loot and bonus STO energy credits that’s sure to come from defeating them.

It’s great when MMO developers go out of their way to inform subscribers of possible game upgrades. But it was a bit disappointing to get a checklist of maybes in the latest Ask Cryptic newsletter.The Star Trek Online developer just ho-hummed on timelines for future PvP features that most current titles have.

On the much-requested open world PvP, Cryptic said plans are underway but “at this point, we have no ETA when you can expect this.” The developer is also eager to offer 1-on-1 dueling, but they are first focused on creating a “better queue and matchmaking experience, along with new, more interesting instanced PvP games.”

Recent interviews with STO executive producer Craig Zinkievich also suggest that expanded PvP features will be put in the backburner. What’s more important to Cryptic these days than letting us trade phaser fire wherever and with whoever we want? Well, Mr. Zinkievich said their top priority is to work on “big issues” and develop the Season Two update set for July.

“Over the next few months there are big issues that we want to address… Things like difficulty slider, death penalty, being able to trade and do more training with your Bridge Officers, working on Memory Alpha and expanding that as the players want to see that expanded, and, of course, more Special Task Forces coming,” Mr. Zinkievich said in an interview with videogamer.com.

The STO producer said the Season Two update, which follows the just released Season One: Common Ground update, will have new episodes and tons of non-combat content–think crime investigation and diplomatic intervention missions similar to what we see in Star Trek TV episodes.

Now even I have to admit that sounds super cool. The thought of channeling Jean Luc-Picard almost made me forget about my urgent need to pew-pew fellow Federation captains and pillage them of their hard-earned STO energy credits. Almost.

It’s been more than a month since Star Trek Online launched, and Trekkies have spun round the galaxy (and blown up tons of ships along the way). With many now reaching Admiral rank, pilots are itching to know what else they’ll be able to blow up in the next content update.

Well, Cryptic quelled the eager fan base with detailed notes on “Season One: Common Ground”. Here are the major changes you should know about:

Spend C-Points on Respecs, Character Slots and Fed Species. I don’t know if you guys find it easy to earn Cryptic Points in game (I don’t), but it seems we might be forced to buy from the store to respec our captain skills or expand our character slots beyond the default three. The playable Federation Tellarite, Pakled and Rigelian species also cost C-Points to be unlocked.

I’m a bit disappointed–these should have been free or at least cost STO energy credits instead. *Frowns like the Tellarite above*

Intra-faction PvP is a Go. There are times when I can’t find a suitable Klingon opponent, so it’s good news that us Federation pilots can fight amongst ourselves in the form of Wargames. But the real test comes when the Klingons challenge us to the new cross-faction ground assault map called “Shanty Town”.

Dress-Down Fridays in the Dock. Want a more casual atmosphere in your starship? Now your whole crew can take the chill pill as they wear off-duty outfits like those seen in the TV series. There’s even a new “Relaxed” stance to give your avatar that approachable captain look.

Guys: “We need to come up with a plan… Ooh, short skirt!!!” Spock’s Girl: “Imma cut somebody.”

24/7 Surveillance. If you’re a stalker type (or just ultra competitive), the new Captain’s Log web application will let you monitor your account, as well as your friends’ captains and their ships. Think WoW Armory equivalent in  Star Trek Online.

More Fleet Actions. Cause a ruckus in Romulan space with the “The Big Dig” or prove the True Way wrong by repelling them in “DS9 Under Siege”. Klingons who feel they grabbed the short stick when it comes to missions will, in turn, gain access to fleet actions like “Crystalline Entity” and “Breaking the Planet”.

A more comprehensive list of the Season One features can be found in the official STO forums. These are still being finalized, but expect most to make it live if all goes smoothly in Tribble.

The biggest question I have now is: When exactly is “middle of March” indicated for the release… it’s the 17th already!

Sci-fi gamers must be the new it-market this year. A crazy amount of top IP titles are developing games for them. There’s the just released Star Trek Online, the upcoming Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and now One of the Top 100 TV series of all time?

Good times indeed.

MMO publisher Bigpoint announced the big news Monday that it will handle Battlestar Galactica Online, “a tactical space combat and adventure MMO game… [with] state of the art graphics that can be played directly in an Internet browser.”

In not so many words: an iPhone-capable pew-pew MMO.

I browsed through the list of browser games at MMO Hut and methinks BSG Online should play great, especially with the level of polish seen in other Bigpoint titles like DarkOrbit, SeaFight and Deepolis.

Focus on space combat, though, means iconic scenes like the Starbuck fight scene will be left out. But whatever happens, please please please let me control my very own Number Six. Even if it means having thousands of Abs-pollo characters hitting on me–I don’t care!

Now, now girls don’t hate on Number Six just cause she towers over you and can seduce a man to betray his whole race. She’s a Cylon you know, and it just comes with the whole package.

Anyway, for those of you near the sunny San Francisco area, you have until March 13 to visit the Games Developer Conference 2010 where BSG Online is being featured. We’ll give you game shots as soon as we get them as well, but until then, enjoy the next best thing to cheap STO energy credits–pouty pics of Number Six!

That starship collection you’ve been dreaming of is now within reach, Trekkies! Star Trek Online Energy Credits are now available for purchase at the EpicToon store so head there now to fill up on this valuable currency.

Whether you need 50,000 or up to 1,000,000 energy credits, EpicToon store can deliver fast and safe without interrupting your intergalactic adventures.

STO energy credits is one of the main in-game currencies, and can be spent on upgrading to bigger and better ships as you rise in rank. Since piloting the right ship can make mission runs easier than ever, having more ships means a faster and more exciting game experience.

Why worry about losing in space battles just because you don’t have enough STO energy credits to outfit your ship properly? Hop on over to EpicToon.com for more than enough to fit your new ships with powerful vendor equipment right from the get go.

EpicToon.com doesn’t take sides! Delivery is just as fast and hassle-free for Federation or Klingon players. All orders receive the full escort treatment–you can track it via our website and our friendly customer support are just a ‘warp-speed’ click away from answering all your questions.

So stop worrying about how to save up for that ship you’ve been drooling over. Head to EpicToon store for your first order of STO energy credits now!

If you have no getaway plans on Valentine’s Day, live near London, and have a spare Starfleet uniform hanging in your closet, then the developers of Star Trek Online want to recruit you.

The mission? Break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Star Trek characters. To be held just after noon at the iconic Millenium Bridge, the record attempt promises to be an uber-gathering for Trekkies.

Klingon and Borg wannabes will have to brush up on their make-up and prosthetic craft skills, though, at least if they want to win the nifty lifetime subscriptions and Star Trek DVDs. (Sadly, no hard-to-earn STO energy credits are up for grabs.)

It puzzled me at first why the record try was being held in London as opposed to a more cosplay-friendly country like Japan. But a little digging revealed the bustling gaming scene of London, as seen these videos of the annual London MCM (movie-comic-media) Expo.

Lore Trekkies will also point out that England is a more than fitting location  story-wise, as two notable Starfleet officers hail from this country.

These promotional events for the just released Star Trek Online MMO is comforting news for fans, making up for the small hiccups that came with the open beta and launch. EpicToon blogger Chris Coker shares his latest forays with the STO game, so read up and greet him a happy birthday as well.