May 11, 2009 in Features

‘Trek’ gamers battle online

New video game avoids retelling movie

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Associated Press photo

In this video image released by Bender/Helper Impact, a scene is shown from the downloadable game “Star Trek: D.A.C.”
(Full-size photo)

LOS ANGELES – Gamers won’t be able to relive J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated “Star Trek” reboot on their consoles or computers.

The only video game being released alongside the film premiering May 8 – “Star Trek: D.A.C.” – is a simple downloadable arcade-style space shooter that allows players to join either Federation or Romulan forces and engage in galactic online battles.

“We made a conscious choice in making this game that we weren’t going to retell the story of the film,” said lead designer Tarik Soliman. “The film itself is awesome. It’s a new take on ‘Trek.’ It’s fresh. It’s exciting, and it appeals to a much wider audience I think than other ‘Trek’ films may have in the past. We wanted to capture that sensibility in this game.”

The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC game does take a few cues from its big-screen counterpart. “Star Trek: D.A.C.” features film composer Michael Giacchino’s original score. The three Federation and Romulan starships that players can captain in deathmatch, assault and conquest scuffles were inspired by the movie’s designs, including the Enterprise.

“There’s a great sense of responsibility, especially with a title like ‘Star Trek,’ “ said Solimon. “You don’t want to go too far out there.”

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