Behold Star Trek Online’s console UI

Say no to LCARS

Generally speaking, it’s a good thing when a game is made available on both PC and console. Then again, it’s not always an easy or smooth process, getting a game from one platform dynamic to the other, and many players are justifiably wary of titles that aim to make that transition.

Star Trek Online‘s getting ready to explore that frontier, and the devs at Cryptic are eager to show off what they’re trying for the free-to-play MMO’s console iteration. Based on the trailer below, the key mechanic seems to be the use of radial command wheels, combined with freely reassigned face buttons and a “smart autofire” system that help automate some of the keyboard-centric aspects of the PC interface. For my part, I’d like to see a system like that make its way to PC as well, given that a lot of high-level play in STO depends on maintaining maximum “uptime” for one’s various abilities. The video also shows off some of the new lighting tech that makes Klingon ships look like appropriately shitty places to serve on. It’s like flying a photographer’s darkroom.

Players who want to get their mitts on the game and can’t be bothered to try the PC version can try it out at the Star Trek Mission New York event in early September. The game itself is due on consoles later in the year, and the PS4 version won’t require a PS Plus subscription to take online.