Marshall Bids Farewell To New Voyages...

source:Slice of Sci-Fi
wirtten by: Uncle Sam

After three years Jack Marshall is stepping down as the primary director of the extremely successful online fanfilm series "Star Trek: New Voyages."

Marshall, along with the series star James Cawley (James T. Kirk) were the inspirational and driving force behind the fan based project. In his official statement Marshall gave no reason for leaving but thanked everyone involved in the project for allowing him to be part of something so groundbreaking and for having "such an enjoyable time." He did indicate that he has some new edeavors in his future, however.

New Voyages is still moving forward with all of its production plans including its next important landmark achievment, a two-part episode "To Serve All My Days" starring Star Trek legend Walter Koenig as Paval Chekov.

Work on the shows will continues with Max Rem and Erik Goodrich as head of production until a new helmer can be signed.

James Cawley spoke to fans on the site's forum pages and reassured them that New Voyages was doing fine and in capable hands. "There are many exciting developments coming to 'New Voyages', all of you may rest easy,and know that this show is in good, capable hands," Cawley said. He went on to say that "A new website, with many new features is on the way soon."

I find this intriquing in one respect, with the coming onboard of names like Walter Koenig and writer D.C. Fontana, could this signal a change in the status of New Voyages? This is pure speculation on my part but with the vacancy of Marshall in the director's chair, could this be a sign that big Hollywood directors like Frakes or Burton may be seriously looking at this project? As Spock would say, now that would be "Fascinating."

Star Trek.com To Stay Open...

In a report placed on the Forum Boards on Star Trek.com, the official website won't be closing down as of Dec.31 as had been originally reported earlier this month.

Due in large part to the overwhelming response of Star Trek, and Sci-Fi fans worldwide, Paramount has decided to keep the site up, and running as a tribute to the 40 year old franchise started by the late Gene Roddenberry.

After a hugely abysmal year for the franchise, and her fans, this is more than welcome piece of news for not only us here at Sci-Fi News, but to each and every Trek fan around the world! At least for the forseeable future, Star Trek.com is here to stay.

So cheer, give yourself a pat on the back, and head over to Star Trek.ocm, and say thanks!

ST:O Moving Forward...

Star Trek: Online is moving forward with it's design of the game's structure.

Just after we published the interview from Daron Stinnett, the graphic at the left was published (click for larger image) to the Dev Blogs which can be found here.

Mike Stemmle, Story Lead for the dev team also published a possible storyline for the intial release, done in remarkably good Captain's log-esque style. the post for this can be found here.

We'll keep you posted as information becomes more available, and we're already on the sensors watching for the opening of the official website!

Happy Holidays From Sci-Fi News!

Alvin and I, along with all the other folks here at Sci-Fi News want to wish all of you a joyus holliday season, and a propserous new year!

Merry Christmas
Happy Chanukah
A Blessed Kwanzaa

Carl's Bribing Santa..

Carl's bribing Santa to keep Star Trek.com open.

Unless a new host can be found by the end of the year, Star Trek's official website will be closed to the public.

The Trek Life is a webisode comic started by David Reddick after talks with the site's staff about adding in the weekly strip.

Trek Core Gathers Games...

Trek Core is on the move for adding content.

TC's gaming section has been adding lstings, and content since it's launch a few weeks ago, and the listing has gotten impressive. With over 280 games in the listing, each will have it's own "exhibit"with information, screenshots, reviews, downloads, cheats, and more information then Spock's Datatapes can handle.

The gang over at the site has also released thier first version of an exclusive copy of Star Trek Solitaire, that is playable from their site as well.

Whlie most of the site is still unopened at this time, TC's team has also released screencaps from the first 6 seasons of DS9 to the viewers, with the promise of more content to come after the first of the year.

If it's this good now, We can hardly wait to see a fully opened site!

Stinnett Discusses Plans...

Source: Trek Today

Daron Stinnett, the executive producer of Star Trek Online, called massively multiplayer games "the new frontier for both game players and developers" and talked about his plans for the Star Trek MMORPG.

"The characters, themes, and stories of Star Trek are loved around the world. And it is our goal to make a MMORPG based on Star Trek that will appeal to everyone with an affinity to the series," Stinnett told MMORPG.COM. "At the same time, we feel a responsibility to the trekkers out there who have very detailed expectations. So the greatest challenge that the team and I face is meeting the expectations of the hard-core Star Trek fans while also delivering a MMORPG that is appealing and approachable to the millions of more casual fans."

Stinnett described himself as a professional gamer for the past 25 years, beginning on small games in high school and eventually working for Spectrum HoloByte on Falcon 3.0 and later LucasArts on several projects. "I enjoy so many things about the games industry," he explained. "One of the more rewarding aspects is the diversity of skills and knowledge that one can bring to bear in this field...just about any subject has relevance to games development." He added that continuing his education in order to make games "has been a consistent source of personal satisfaction."

After several years working on console games, Stninett decided to switch to MMO development by joining Perpetual Entertainment. "For the last few years I've been working mostly on console games where there tends to be less contact with the gaming community," he noted. "Now that I'm making an MMORPG, I've had a chance to reconnect with gamers in a way I haven’t experienced since my time working on Falcon."

Stinnett said that Star Trek Online is in pre-production, "which means we're doing a lot of planning and prototyping." The engineering team has begun work on a gameplay prototype for starship combat while the design and art teams begin to create environments.

The original article is here.

Animated Series Comming To DVD

Source:Trek Today


Paramount has officially confirmed that Star Trek: The Animated Series will be released on DVD in 2006.

The Digital Bits confirmed with "multiple sources" as well as the studio that work was in progress for a mid-to-late 2006 release of the complete animated series. "One source told us not to expect the title on the studio's release schedule before June, and a couple of others have let us know that September or October is tentatively planned," noted the site.

The animated Star Trek debuted on television on September 8th, 1973, the seventh anniversary of the original series' release on September 8th, 1966. The Digital Bits predicted that the animated series DVDs might be released to coincide with Star Trek's 40th anniversary in September 2006.

Twenty-two original stories were produced for the animated series over two seasons, with most of the original series cast returning to voice their characters. There has been no word yet on how many discs might comprise the DVD set(s).

The full article is in The Digital Bits.

G4 Network Snags 'Trek'

Source: CNN Entertainment

If deal goes through, cable station to get original series, 'TNG'

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) -- G4 is about to boldly go where many networks have gone before.

The Comcast-owned cable network is close to acquiring the syndication rights to the original Star Trek and one of its spinoffs, Star Trek: The Next Generation from Paramount Domestic Television, sources said. "Trek" has been a syndication fixture since the first edition blossomed there after its brief network run in the late '60s.

Sources also suggest that "Trek" will be part of a Comcast effort next year to reposition the channel brand of G4, which struggled to establish itself as the TV home for video gamers, in a broader play for young male viewers. A name change also is being considered.

A spokeswoman for G4 declined comment on the acquisition but issued a statement regarding the channel's positioning. Paramount declined comment.

"Video games are the core of G4's programming strategy," the spokeswoman said. "They are the foundation and basis of our network. Any programming we add to our slate will be attractive to a gamer audience and serve the male 18-34 demographic."

Financial terms of the acquisition were unavailable, but G4 is believed to be double-running both series weekdays, including a primetime window.

Next Gen starts January 8 on G4; it will continue to run on Spike TV as well with time-period restrictions keeping the programs from running in the same daypart. Spike TV will continue to run other "Trek" spinoffs including "Deep Space 9." T.O.S. will begin on G4 in the second quarter.

"Trek" is the latest acquisition G4 has made for a program that isn't overtly about video games. The short-lived Fox series "Fastlane" and Comedy Central franchise "The Man Show" are other recent purchases. The network also has had success with the anime genre, a leftover from G4's merger with a Comcast acquisition, TechTV.

In terms of G4's channel positioning, Comcast has to walk a fine line lest it violate affiliate agreements for G4 with other cable operators that specify the channel focus on video games. However, video games will likely still be part of the mix at G4 given how popular they are with the young males the channel targets.

"Trek" isn't exactly alien to the gamer world; the brand has generated more than 70 video game titles.

Moore Signs for 'nother round

Source: Variety
Written By: Denise Martin

Moore Sci-Fi at NBC U - 'Galactica' producer inks 2-year deal

HOLLYWOOD -- "Battlestar Galactica" exec producer Ronald D. Moore has inked a rich overall pact with NBC Universal Television Studio, reupping for another two years.
Deal calls for Moore, who exec produced the first season of HBO's "Carnivale" before joining "Battlestar," to create and develop series, with an emphasis on sci-fi-themed projects.

He's already set up the NBC fantasy skein "Pen and the Sword" and "Warehouse 13," a quirky one-hour for Sci Fi Channel. Moore also will continue to steer "Battlestar," which kicks off the second half of season two Jan. 6.

Producer-scribe said he's never considered himself a sci-fi writer, but having penned numerous episodes for three series in the "Star Trek" franchise, he's come to embrace the genre.

"It's something I've become known for, but the stories I tell are character-driven narratives," Moore said. "I'm especially happy to see that 'Battlestar' has gotten recognition from critics. I've always believed in the show."

NUTS prexy Angela Bromstad said it was imperative to keep Moore inhouse. His "prolific work is recognized throughout the industry for its wit and creativity."

"Pen and the Sword" revolves around a young man at a temp agency who comes to realize the building he works in is a portal to a sort of medieval alternate reality. Show will follow the man as he slides between worlds, trying to unravel the connection between the two -- i.e., verbal spats between colleagues in one dimension are sword fights in the other.

"It's definitely something different for a broadcast network," Moore said. "At its heart, 'Pen and the Sword' is really the story of this guy and his late father, who was somehow involved in the office."

For Sci Fi, Moore will oversee "Warehouse 13" from writer Brent Mote. Project concerns a pair of government officials banished to a storage facility in North Dakota where they spend their days cataloguing artifacts and other odds and ends collected by the government over the years. Unbeknownst to them, every item has a backstory, pulling them into fantastic and supernatural quests each week.

"It's 'Northern Exposure'-esque and more comedic than anything else I've seen on Sci Fi," Moore said. "What interested me was that it was a fun concept anchored by real characters."

Moore is best known for his work on "Star Trek" skeins "Deep Space Nine," "The Next Generation" and "Voyager." He wrote and exec produced the "Battlestar Galactica" miniseries that spun off the weekly skein and also worked on "Good vs. Evil" and USA's "Touching Evil."

Moore is credited with the story for "Mission: Impossible II" and the screenplay for "Star Trek: First Contact."

Star Wars Galaxies Report 12/19/05

Changes Go On, Players Still Waiting...


Publish 26 has now been live for almost a week, and players are still waiting for promised changed to the gaming software.

The highly hyped, and promised character slots to have two toons on the same server for a total of 8 toons per account has finally passed muster, and is now on the live servers. But, players still aren't happy with alot of the problems, and server lag that still plague the game title that has been there since it's inception back in 2002. SOE has promised thay are renewing their commitment to resolve this, along with a horde of issues that were brought on with the changes to the title's New Game Expirience (NGE for short) along with a possible return of the Creature Handler profession, and of making Star Distroyers available to guilds.

However, SOE still has major issues to repair before they can call this upgrade a success. It's my hope that we all can see those repairs, and changes soon!

As I see this situation, SOE and LA could have placed the NGE on servers of it's own to properly beta test this fiasco that they've published, and given it a total run through, and put it through it's paces before they released it. And they wonder why people are defacing their software in the stores?!?!?!

Archer, Picard, and Kirk on Big Screen?

According to a SyFy Portal unnamed 'trusted' source, there's a rumor floating around at Paramount about a possible feature film with Scott Backula, Patrick Stewart, and Willaim Shatner is spreading like wildfire...

At best, it's nothing more than a speculation, at worst a rumor.

With the schedules of the three actors, while not impossible, would be a monumental undertaking, and highly improbable for all three actors to be free for a shooting schedule.

However, even SyFy Portal admits that there is no Official conformation has come form a Paramount, or Viacom spokesperaon.

Super Sized Season 7...

Rob Caves, in a production release has announced that the 7th, and final season of Star Trek: Hidden Frontier is now in production through March, 2007 with all 8 episodes having air times of 35-40 minutes

Picking up where last year’s cliffhanger, "Her Battle Lanterns Lit" leaves off, season 7 features the continued war between the Tholians and the Federation alliance, as well as developments in the lives of the Excelsior’s crew. Season 7's premiere "Heavy Losses" showcases the return of Hidden Frontier's popular villains as well as some surprising additions.

Caves also announced that principal photography on season 7 would begin in January 2006 in Los Angeles. Veteran director Risha Denney (Capt. Elizabeth Shelby) will helm the season premiere. Visitors to Hidden Frontier’s weekly production chat will continue to have the first look at CGI, stills and other season 7 materials as they become available.

Check out the Hidden Frontier site for further updates by clicking here!

New Voyages Episode 3 Delayed Til Summer '06

Star Trek: New Voyages has announced that the Episode 'To Serve All My Days' with special guest Walter Koenig won't be available for download until sometime next summer, do to production scheduleing.

With that in mind, Jack Marshall has announced a series of Vignettes that were shot during the filming of the Koenig appearance on the series to be released in increments until the release of episode 3.

The First, titled 'Center Seat' was to have been released last month. However, due to new enhancements being added to all of the vignettes, They too have been delayed in post production until they are announced on the New Voyages website.

To keep up on the release dates of the vignettes, and 'To Serve All My Days' you can reach the New Voyages site by clicking
here.

Save Star Trek.com!

In The Eyes of Paramount, Viacom, CBS, or whomever has the plug, it has been decided to officially pull the largest online resource for Star Trek media on the net.

Since 1995, Star Trek.com has been the gahering place for hundereds of thousands of fans to get the official infomration on the current shows, movies, and news tidbits about the franchise, and it's family, started from an idea by Gene Roddenberry.

The time has come, no mtter what your thoughts are on the series, movies, or anything you have for personal feelings for against others, and let us all come togehter in the spirit of Gene's legacy, and save Star Trek.com!

We here at Sci-Fi News, are joining in the Save Star Trek.com Campaign with the folks at Trek United to gather the troops once more to help one of the largest icon's in Sci-Fi entertainment.

Tim Brazeal presents the idea of getting at least 100,000 fans to send e-mails to
editor@startrek.com with all the upeat feelings you can muster to the editors of Star Trek.com to keep the site, domain, and Gene's vision alive.

Add 'Save Star Trek.com' sigs to your e-mail, and forum posts as well! we want to pass this on to as many people as possible before the Dec.31 deadline!

Join us in the fight to save the resource we enjoy! send that e-mail today!!!

Chat With The Roddenberry Family

On Dec. 18, Fans will have the chance to chat with Rod, and Majel Roddenberry by linking here to roddenberry.com and joining into the chat rooms!

One of the founding members of the francise, Majel starred in the original pilot as 'Number One' the XO on Captain Pike's (Jeffery Hunter) Enterprise in the original pilot. After the pilot wasn't well received by NBC, Majel was recast as 'Nurse Chappel' and started on the 40 year voyage that took her to multiple roles within the franchise. From 'Dr. Chappel' in the preceeding movies to 'Luxanna Troi' The lively mother to Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) on Next Gen, to the intangeble voice of the ships computers, Majel is a huge part of the legacy that Gene started.

Rod, son of the 'Great Bird' and Majel, is the executive producer of a documentary titled 'Trek Nation' along with becomming a huge supporter of the franchise that he himself once worked on as a production assistant on the Next Generation set.

Majel and Rod will both be answering questions, and Rod will be talking about the documentary. Check it out!!

Star Trek.com May Be in Jeopardy...

source: Trek Today

Tim Gaskill, editorial director at the official Star Trek web site, has sent out an e-mail to people involved with Star Trek to alert them that Paramount Digital Entertainment will be shut down at the end of the year, leaving the fate of StarTrek.com in limbo.

"As if we needed further reminding that the fate of Star Trek is a tenuous one at best, it has been announced that Paramount Digital Entertainment, the home to STARTREK.COM since 1996, is shutting its doors as of 12/31/05," Gaskill wrote to current and former Paramount and Star Trek staffers. "Rather than go quietly, we are in the midst of preparing a presentation for the powers-that-be designed to show the vast scope and depth to the site, and how it is a 'go to' site for anyone in the world in search of Star Trek information."

Gaskill noted that the split of Viacom and CBS had cost many jobs on the Paramount lot. Moreover, he explained that the division of the giant media corporation had not yet settled Star Trek with either Paramount Pictures or the television production division: "We think CBS will be taking it over. (Even though it will be forever identified as a Paramount product.) As a result of this lack of clarification on the ownership of the franchise, the fate of STARTREK.COM also hangs in the balance."

Gaskill asked people involved with Star Trek whether they would be willing to write testimonials on behalf of StarTrek.com to use in the presentation to try to preserve the web site. "It would be very gratefully received," he said, admitting that his own job, which has included recording commentary for podcasts, is one that will terminate at the end of 2005 unless new plans are made for the site.

"This is a great franchise and it would be sad to see it sink into an abyss of lost TV and movie franchises. I would like to think that we could do better...STARTREK.COM is used not only by fans of the show, but by licensees to promote their products, various Paramount departments (including production), convention organizers, news organizations, advertisers, etc." Gaskill concluded, saying that the site's value for the franchise and the studio would be difficult to assess.

Update: 12/8/05
Trek United has confirmed through 'numerous sources' that in fact Star Trek.com will be closed as of Dec.31 of this year. The website, which has been in operation since 1995 has been the gathering place, and clearing house for all information related to the sereis based on Gene Roddenberry's vision started almost 40 years ago.

Tim Brazeal, The head of Trek United, has contacted Eugene'Rod'Roddenberry (Rod's site is here) to ask if there would be any way possible for the Roddenberry family to become involved in a project to save the Site, and continue it's operation. Roddenberry stated that if there was any possible way he copuld help, that he would. Rod also mentioned that he had the capibillity to manage the site, and domain. Mr. Roddenberry is in the process of placing together a proposal to be presented to Paramount Pictures within the next 2 weeks to see if there could be a relationship worked out between then to keep the site alive.

Rod has the backing of the fans. Trek United, and Sci-Fi News support Rod, and the chance of saving one of the worlds greatest television masterpieces.

Jack Colvin Passes...

Jack Colvin, best known for playing relentless tabloid reporter Jack McGee in the 1970s series The Incredible Hulk, died last Thursday of complications following a stroke. He was 71.

Recalling his most memorable TV foray, Colvin once told the Los Angeles Times, "When they told me the title, I laughed. But then they gave me two scripts to read and I knew the series would go."

Hulk, with Bill Bixby in the lead, ran from 1977 to 1982.

Wheaton Jumps Into Podcasting...

Wil Wheaton has jumped into the realm of running a podcast!

Radio Free Burrito, was started recently by Wheaton two weeks ago with episode 0 with Ep. 1 released on the 5th.

Be warrned folks, these shows are not for the feint of heart, not to mention language content at times can be off color, but all in all it is a great podcast!

You can reach his podcast, by logging on to his website, here to reach his blog WWdN:IX (Will Wheaton dot Net:In Exile) and look for the post titled Radio Free Burrito, Episode 1.

Trek Core Comming Soon...

Source:Trek United

Adam and Mike, formally of TrekPulse are building a new site called TrekCore using some of the material from TrekPulse as well as adding new and innovative content.

TrekPulse was a heavy media content site that closed down recently.

We are happy to see this new site launch. It is important to have sites dedicated to showcasing STAR TREK and keeping its presence on the web strong and vibrant. So, kudos to Adam and Mike for helping to keep the vision alive.

Until the TrekCore site is fully up and operational they can be found as a BBS at The Omega Sector.

Picard Returns To Center Seat?

It looks as though Jean-Luc Picard may return to the big screen, but not for a while...

Today SFX was at the press launch for Patrick Stewart's new TV series Eleventh Hour, which airs on ITV in January - and was surprised by a guest appearance by the star himself.

As well as chatting about X-Men 3 (he was very defensive about new director Brett Ratner), he also discussed the possibility of a return to his most famous role, Jean-Luc Picard.

Following the box office failure of Nemesis, Stewart's been saying he believed the franchise was dead in the water for ages, but it seems there's been a turnaround, because he revealed there've been lots of serious meetings lately about a new film, and there are money men who want it to happen.

However, he also made it clear that he's signed up to working with the Royal Shakespeare company for the next 16 months, so even if another Next Gen film did get greenlit, he wouldn't be able to start filming it until after that.

NCIS In Trek? Make It So!

After 5 years of 8 episodes or less on over 12 incarnations of Star Trek: Poseidon, Starliner Productions (STN) is proud to release this short press release:

NCIS is CBS' hit naval criminal investigative show - taking on elements of JAG and CSI. We have adopted this winning formula and are proud to present our new series.

As yet untitled (see below), the new show will focus on Starfleet criminal investigations. You may think that everything is peachy in the 24th century - but with the events of the last decade, many humans are not pleased to be sharing their hard work with aliens. Xenophobia not seen since the Xindi attack of 2153 is sweeping Earth and all colonies. It is up to a new crack team to investigate criminal activity onboard Federation starships.

Racial attacks and calls of hate are rife and Head of Starfleet Admiral Ross calls on his old friend - from the academy - Captain Montgomery Jamieson to resurrect his team, last together to deal with the Maquis mutiny.

Strap yourself in for a thrill ride as over the course of the first 5 episodes we discover the plights facing the Federation as it enters this bold new era.

A radical re-think of Star Trek by an avid group of fans, this new series will still be written and released weekly - starting early 2006 (yet to be confirmed).

You can get involved, email your ideas for the title of the show to editor@trekzone.org.

Starline Productions is Australia's only dedicated Sci-Fi production company.