From Star Trek Game Information
The following interview is no longer online at HomeLan Fed. It was conducted by John Callaham of HomeLan Fed on the 14th December 2001.
HomeLan: The Star Trek gaming franchise once again had a busy year in 2001 with a number of games, mostly for the PC, released from three different publishers (Interplay, Simon and Schuster, and Activision). However, there is one person who is in charge of all of these games. Harry Lang is the point man at Paramount Pictures who supervises all of the Trek games and many more licenced properties. HomeLAN got a chance to chat with Lang about his job and get some tiny hints as to what the future holds for Star Trek games in 2002.
HomeLan: For our readers who don't know what you do at Paramount, what are your job responsibilities?
Harry Lang: I'm Director of Interactive Product Development at Viacom Consumer Products, the licensing group for Paramount Pictures. My team and I approve all aspects of development for games based on various properties such as Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, Sabrina The Teenage Witch and many more. This includes working closely with the publishers and developers from the very beginning throughout development including marketing. In addition, I also work on branded accessories and electronics such as our Top Gun Thrustmaster joysticks. All in all, there are probably about 20 different games currently in development at VCP.
HomeLan: Once again there were a number of Star Trek games released this year Overall, how do you rate this year in terms of the quality of games that have appeared on store shelves?
Harry Lang: We've had a pretty good year. Armada II has just shipped and the response is very good. Also coming this month is Star Trek: Voyager-Elite Force for the Playstation 2. We're very happy with what our partners were able to accomplish this year. And we�re even more excited about what is in store for next year.
HomeLan: This year is the last for both Interplay and Simon and Schuster Interactive to publish Star Trek games. Do you believe that it will now be easier to develop games now that Activision is the sole publisher of Star Trek titles?
Harry Lang: It doesn't necessarily make developing a Star Trek game any easier. However, it will definitely allow more crossovers between characters, ships, and races, which were always difficult in the past. It will open up new possibilities for crossovers and more 'epic' storylines. You will also see a far less crowded release schedule. With only one publisher, the release schedule can be more carefully and strategically planned.
HomeLan: With all of the Star Trek series and movies under the Activision banner in 2002, can we expect to see more crossover in upcoming Star Trek games between the various versions of the properties?
Harry Lang: Yes, as I mentioned there are now more possibilities for a variety of storylines based on various properties. This is something we've wanted to do more of in the past, and now it will open up numerous possibilities for some very interesting storylines.
HomeLan: At the moment, there is only one Star Trek PC game announced as being released in 2002 (Bridge Commander). What hints can you give us as to upcoming Star Trek PC games?
Harry Lang: There are several projects in the works after Bridge Commander for next year and beyond. Unfortunately, right now there isn�t much I can say, but we're really excited about what is coming up! You�ll be hearing more about these in the coming months when the timing is right.
HomeLan: For the past several years the Star Trek properties have mostly been on PC with only a couple of original console games like Invasion and the upcoming Shattered Universe released. Will we see more console games showing up for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube in 2002 and beyond and if so what can we expect from those titles?
Harry Lang: Elite Force is coming to the Playstation 2 this month. Beyond that, we are carefully assessing the opportunities on the various consoles.
HomeLan: Have there been any thoughts for Star Trek games to be developed for handheld consoles like the Game Boy Advance or perhaps wireless phones and handheld PCs?
Harry Lang: The first Star Trek mobile phone game has just launched in the U.S. called Star Trek: First Duty. Another one is in the works for early '02 as well. First Duty allows the player the chance to enter the prestigious Starfleet Academy. There, he/she will learn all aspects of Starfleet and the various ships. After graduation, they will have the opportunity to use their skills in the second game, Star Trek: Prime Directive. Handheld PC's/PDA's and Game Boy Advance are a possibility down the line, but we want to be sure we have the right kind of Star Trek game for those platforms just as we do for mobile phones.
HomeLan: As you know, LucasArts and Verant are currently developing Star Wars Galaxies, a massively multiplayer game. Are there any plans to release a similar game set in the Star Trek universe at some point in the future and if so what would you like to see in such a game?
Harry Lang: Massively Multiplayer games are definitely not something you want to just jump into. It's an enormous expense and you need the right partner who can deliver a solid game and stick with it for the long haul. It's also getting to be a pretty crowded market. So it needs to be something entirely unique. I think a Star Trek massively multiplayer game needs to bring the universe alive by allowing players to have a career in any number of empires. People are going to want to serve on starships, have a crew, explore strange new worlds, go out on away team missions, etc we need to deliver that kind of experience and it's something we hope to make possible.
HomeLan: Are there any plans for any games to be based on the new Enterprise TV series and if so what can you tell us about it?
Harry Lang: Yes, but as you know, it can take longer to create a great game than it does a new show or movie. We also want to give the show some time to establish the characters, races, enemies, ships, etc.... And we chose not to just quickly put out a game to capitalize on it. It definitely has some appealing qualities that will allow us to do things a little differently than with the other shows.
HomeLan: In your experience, what makes the difference between a good Star Trek game and a bad one?
Harry Lang: No one sets out to intentionally make a bad game, no matter if it is Star Trek or not. A good Star Trek game captures the essence of the show, while also keeping it open for gamers who are not necessarily hardcore fans. We always strive for the games to deliver great gameplay while remaining true to core elements of the various shows and movies.
HomeLan: Finally, in LucasArts' Star Wars games you always hear the familiar music themes of the Star Wars movies yet we almost never hear the recognizable music from Star Trek TV shows and movies in the game. Why is this so and is there any possiblity of having the real Star Trek themes in future games?
Harry Lang: Some of the games in the past have used the theme. The music rights for the movies and television shows are controlled by a different group within Viacom and require a separate license. There is always the possibility of having them included in future games, and we hope to be able to do that down the line.
