Star Trek Bridge Commander 2 Now On Kickstarter

Remember that old 2002 space simulation game, Star Trek Bridge Commander? It was a truly unique game that allowed players to know what it felt like to sit in the Captain’s chair, and send out commands to raise shields, fire phasers and photon torpedoes, and even focus repair teams on damaged systems of the ship. Players could also control the ship directly, and the game is considered one of the classic and quintessential Star Trek games ever created. So get excited; Bridge Commander 2 is on Kickstarter.

Bridge Commander 2 is set to expand the gameplay and universe provided from the first game. Instead of a sequel, it’s better to consider it a spiritual successor that recreates the original game with several different new and improved features. The game is planned to primarily be an MMO with a single player campaign, and story implemented throughout the explorable universe. The game will also include a familiar skirmish mode played through the ship’s holodeck.

Not including the stretch goals, a successfully funded campaign will allow the team to implement the following features:

– No level loading
– Character creation and customization
– Ship customization
– Character progression, skills, and traits
– Dynamic and realistic environments
– Game commands
– Improved graphics with Unity3D Pro

Bridge Commander 2 will be a fan-made, “truly free to play” game, and has been under development for the past four years. Initially, only one developer, Kenneth Emerson, was working on it, but that has expanded to a team of three. Depending on the success of the campaign, the team will quickly expand to include writers, graphic artists, and likely a few more programmers.

With so much work already put into this game through volunteer hours, Kenneth promises on the Kickstarter page that there is virtually no risk. This no risk promise includes a written blessing from CBS, who own the rights to everything related to Star Trek’s primary universe. However, this game will not be affiliated with CBS or Totally Entertainment (the development studio for the original game).

The Kickstarter campaign will end on August 22, 2014, at which point they will need to have reached their goal of at least $70,000. Gamers can follow the progress of Bridge Commander 2’s development by going to the game’s website, and can be included in the Alpha or Beta tests by pledging at least $50.