Season 4 includes behind-the-scenes improvements (“very un-sexy”)
– S4 marks a conjunction of “Code Branches” between all projects using Cryptic engine.
– Micro-patching, partitioning, animation sequencing.
– DX11 support?

June 17-19, Q will return for Double XP

C-Store Sale thru May 26th
– no discount on Section 31 uniform, or Fighter crafts.

Fighters
VIDEO
C-Store Items: 400 tokens each ($4.99 US)
– More fragile than existing shuttles, but more firepower.
– Shuttles/Fighters to feature in STF Revamps

New Prize for “Stranded in Space”
New reward for Stranded in Space summons a commodity dealer that also works as a bank and mailbox! Thank you Captain Brott!
– 4 hour cooldown, useable in any sector space map

TWEET LEAKS:
Two more pics of 500-day Vet Uniforms (Pic 1 // Pic 2)
Andorian Badge: https://twitpic.com/4ynr6x
Golden Gate Bridge: https://yfrog.com/z/h74bahpj

Atari intends to SELL CRYPTIC ?!

– Business as usual, for now. Seeking a buyer.
– The term “Discontinued Operation” doesn’t sound good.
– Could be worse… Eden Studios having workforce cut by 60+% instead of being sold off.
– Future of Neverwinter is unclear. Atari owns publishing rights on D&D franchise until 2017.
– If profits continue to rise, next year could be “in the black”
– Atari Second Half and Full Year 2010/2011 Consolidated Result

Atari has it’s reasons:
“ Sharp reduction in research and development costs year over year due to lower amortization in relation to the products released and lower investment requirements of the current product pipeline as the Company continues to focus and fewer profitable  releases with reduced research and development  investments”

Followed by…
“In line with the previously stated strategy of fewer but more profitable releases and further expansion into casual online and mobile games, the Company has determined that external development creates more flexibility in the changing marketplace. Therefore, the Company has made the decision to divest itself from Cryptic Studios. The divestiture process is underway and more details will be provided as appropriate.”

Instant Feedback Poll:

TACTICAL VIEW:

Remastered Imaga/P’Jem

P’JEM / DIPLOMATIC ORDERS
– Badass reward (Pocket Spock)
– Vulcan has a space station. Who knew?
– Shuttle interior! (Briefly)
– Vulcan landing was EEEEEPPPPIIIICCCC
– New social area on the ground.
– Cutscenes and voiceovers

IMAGA / DOOMSDAY DEVICE
– No more hargh’peng torpedos (360 targeting)
* New ones have a neat effect, though!

– Holoshimmer effect on KDF costume is really nice
– High quality Klingon voiceovers.
– You’re actually flying a B’rel !!
* Have to reset your hotkeys. WORTH IT.
* Bridge cutscene IN SPACE! (no zoning)
– Avoid the targs. You WILL get deaded.
– oh. em. gee.  The Doomsday Device
– Klingon singing!

Community Feedback:

More Duty Officer info and Q&A

We’re still collecting Duty Officer questions for Heretic, but he won’t be able to appear for a few more weeks.

Around the same time he’ll be on, we’ll also have Al Rivera back to talk in-depth about the new Ground Combat. So…

Send us your questions for Al Rivera, re: Ground Combat!

Foundry Suggestions:

Cryptic spotlights “Sins of the Son” (video) by Netherblood

Brains Before Bounty
Ice Station Gamma
To Free or Not To Free