Author Topic: Story Q+A  (Read 5998 times)

Offline Mark

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Story Q+A
« on: August 10, 2010, 03:33:45 AM »


As the story continues to develop I wanted to take a minute to answer a few of the questions which I have had about the story. There are obviously a lot of things we don't want you to know until you play it for yourself but the points below will hopefully give you all an idea of what to expect.

When is the story set?

Excalibur takes place about half a year after the events in Star Trek: Nemesis, in our current calendar that’s early 2380.

What is the inspiration for the story?

The story is largely inspired by the terrible events surrounding the end of the Dominion war which saw the Cardassian Union and the Breen Confederacy brought to their knees, and the Alpha quadrant Alliance reeling from huge losses. The story also deals with the collapse of the Romulan political system as seen in Star Trek: Nemesis which saw the deaths of the entire senate and the praetor.

Despite the huge impact these events must have had we never see the repercussions aside from some verbal references in Star Trek: Insurrection. The story of Excalibur deals with a turbulent political landscape as the balance of power resettles in the Alpha quadrant.

What event does the story follow?

Barely out of dry-dock the USS Excalibur is beginning her shakedown cruise when Starfleet Command sends an emergency assignment. The story follows the ship and her crew as they investigate the fate of the USS Titan which went missing in the Romulan Neutral Zone as it returned to Federation space from its mission at Romulus.

You will play as the Captain of the USS Excalibur as he learns to deal with his new ship and crew whilst also struggling to come to terms with the guilt of his actions during the Dominion War.

Does this relate to Star Trek XI?

The story takes place a little while before Star Trek XI, and although some of the events could be seen to tie in with events in Star Trek XI, they could also be seen to tie in with events in some of the Star Trek novels. There are no direct references to the new films.

What kind of ship is the USS Excalibur?

During the Dominion War Starfleet fought in huge space battles which had never been seen before. The experience highlighted the need for a new class of vessel which could act as a hub for organisation of task forces and attack wings.

The USS Excalibur is the first production vessel of this new ship class. The huge ship is capable of acting as a hub of communication, storage, medical care and repairs for ships under its banner. Despite its size the Excalibur is not an offensive ship and is designed to support other ships as they attack a target; fewer weapons and stronger shields reflect the more defensive posture of the Excalibur class.


Offline Ryan

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2010, 03:53:01 AM »
This is perfect.  I feel like this where a new series or film could pick up/should have picked up with.  Good thing Excalibur will be better than having a tv series or a movie.
oh hai

Offline Poseidon

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2010, 05:14:37 AM »
A peek at what the Excalibur Class of Star Ship is all about!

All of the newer bash kits and designs all elude to bigger and more powerful dreadnoughts.  What a real fleet structure requires are many classes of support ships.  The Galaxy class was not designed for combat, rather deep space exploration.  The Nebula was designed for long range and "in depth" scanning, as well as early warning capabilities.  The Sovereign Class is a ship of the line.  Capable of many/multi missions, but a master of none.  Your Prometheus and New Orleans and Akira class starships are your front line combat vessels.  There is room for more advanced combat capabilities and another newer class or 2, but not hundreds of dreadnought type classes are needed.  Each ship performs specific rolls in combat.  At least, that is what should be done here.  It definitely leads to a more immersive and detailed game that should resemble canon. 
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Offline Red Ace

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2010, 07:15:16 AM »
Quote
The story follows the ship and her crew as they investigate the fate of the USS Titan which went missing in the Romulan Neutral Zone as it returned to Federation space from its mission at Romulus.

Oh no....I hope Riker and Troi are okay....

(But kickass story never the less)

Offline 411-RED

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2010, 07:44:20 AM »
Is Jonathan Frakes going to make a cameo appearance? :P

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Offline Poseidon

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2010, 09:02:07 AM »
Is Jonathan Frakes going to make a cameo appearance? :P

You never know.  I personally, think the next TV series (if they do decide to do one) will feature Johnathan Frakes.  Perhaps, to be the new captain of the Enterprise G (or F, but I don't think the F will be used IMO).  One never knows.
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Offline furswift

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2010, 12:02:31 PM »
Barely out of dry-dock the USS Excalibur is beginning her shakedown cruise when Starfleet Command sends an emergency assignment.

I love that the new ship must go on a dangerous mission half baked. It's true Trek style. :)

Offline 411-RED

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2010, 12:41:36 PM »
You never know.  I personally, think the next TV series (if they do decide to do one) will feature Johnathan Frakes.  Perhaps, to be the new captain of the Enterprise G (or F, but I don't think the F will be used IMO).  One never knows.

Hmm, I don't know. Why would Riker be on the Enterprise-G, after he left on the Titan?

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Offline MajorD

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2010, 01:59:53 PM »
If the player's character is guilty over his actions during the war I hope his actions were at least Sisko levels of moral uncertainty, if not worse.  The guy was mentioned as being somewhat Kirk like, at least in his taking care of things in person attitude, and if, like Kirk, he can't hear people over his own awesomeness then he isn't going to question his actions either, unless they as bad as previously mentioned. Anyway, it sounds interesting.

I'm hoping for little to no book influence, they tend to be bad, and I don't care if the story doesn't lead into Star Trek XI. I don't need it to, and a connection like that, or any outside connection, except pertaining to canon characterization, doesn't concern me as much as the story. And, getting the technology right, and the style of story right. I find the old stand alone stories tend to get the story the most right, despite egregious inaccuracy even in characterization, while the new series style books seem to do, well, I don't know what they're thinking. Actually, in one book the bad characterization of Worf was actually somewhat good. It seemed to be based on a character bio or watching on his first episode, rather than anything that would have been up to date for him. It resulted in a... Well I would have to check, but it was enjoyable. It might have been Devil's Heart, or the one where they find a Preserver planet in a normally impassable Nebula.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2010, 02:06:48 PM by MajorD »
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Offline Poseidon

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2010, 02:35:53 PM »
Hmm, I don't know. Why would Riker be on the Enterprise-G, after he left on the Titan?

I envision a beginning where Riker and the Titan get ripped up pretty good.  The Titan is a total loss.  I also envision the Enterprise E being destroyed on a mission as well.  I see this because I think no one will want to to the episodes of Captain Riker and the Titan.  Rather, another Star Trek series with the Enterprise would be the best way to go about it IMHO.  So, that is what I see.  At least, that is what makes sense to me. 
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Offline MR_7

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2010, 02:56:43 PM »
It does sound like a deep storyline and i'm sure it'll be full of many surprising finds.

One request though, since every one finds her annoying including me , do you think you could get that annoying first officer from Bridge Commander in the game :P comedy value

Offline Toxa

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2010, 05:09:30 PM »


Does this relate to Star Trek XI?

The story takes place a little while before Star Trek XI, and although some of the events could be seen to tie in with events in Star Trek XI, they could also be seen to tie in with events in some of the Star Trek novels. There are no direct references to the new films.

I personally do not consider the events of ST XI as cannon, So we could say Exacalibur is another timeline  :D
I Hate Star Trek XI !

Offline Skaleton

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2010, 05:56:40 PM »
Hello!

Good to hear something about the story line. It`s sound good. I`m waiting for the game release!!!!

Just one question: Can we get later a detailed information about the ship?


Thank`s guys!!!!
Sorry about my English!

Offline Mark

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2010, 11:26:44 PM »
Hello!

Good to hear something about the story line. It`s sound good. I`m waiting for the game release!!!!

Just one question: Can we get later a detailed information about the ship?


Thank`s guys!!!!

PM me some specific questions and I may put together another blog item soon.

Offline 11001001

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2010, 11:52:49 PM »
I like the fact that the captain feels guilt for what he did during the war. Maybe a scenario which put's him in a difficult position which threatens the lives of his crew.

Offline zzz

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2010, 12:04:23 AM »
In TNG even war games were an affront to their sensibilities.

Offline MajorD

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2010, 08:04:53 AM »
In TNG even war games were an affront to their sensibilities.
Except that was Picard and his handpicked man, Riker. Obviously, Starfleet Command felt differently, as did several other captains, when it came to military matters.  Starfleet Command ordered the training done, Captain Jellico was pure modern military professionalism, there is the other guy who actually attacked the Cardassians, and earlier Starfleet Command ordered the genocide of the Borg by way of the mathematical virus.
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Offline furswift

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #17 on: August 11, 2010, 09:27:18 PM »
One request though, since every one finds her annoying including me , do you think you could get that annoying first officer from Bridge Commander in the game :P comedy value

A cameo by Saffi would be hilarious. Maybe she gets a warp core dropped on her or something. Photon torpedo to the face?

Offline 411-RED

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #18 on: August 12, 2010, 12:00:54 AM »
A cameo by Saffi would be hilarious. Maybe she gets a warp core dropped on her or something. Photon torpedo to the face?

Maybe she could be traveling from a nearby Starbase to your vessel, when a Romulan Warbird decloaks and blasts her shuttle to pieces?

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Offline MR_7

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Re: Story Q+A
« Reply #19 on: August 12, 2010, 12:42:03 AM »
Maybe she could be traveling from a nearby Starbase to your vessel, when a Romulan Warbird decloaks and blasts her shuttle to pieces?

A cameo by Saffi would be hilarious. Maybe she gets a warp core dropped on her or something. Photon torpedo to the face?

I was thinking more of her being a Captian but haveing to deal with a mutiny :P then you can find her in a escape pod