German MMO publisher Gameforge announced
Star Trek: Infinite Space, a free-to-play, browser-based game set in the franchise's Deep Space Nine timeline, releasing in summer 2011.
The publisher has enlisted the help of Frankfurt-based independent studio Keen Games (formerly Neon Studios) to develop the title. Keen's previous shipped games include
Dawn of Discovery, G-Force, Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel Edition, and
What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver.
Gameforge also contracted Michael Okuda, who served as scenic art supervisor for every live-action Star Trek series except for the original program, as a consultant. His wife Denise Okuda, who was a video supervisor and scenic artist for several of the sci-fi series' films and shows, will serve as a consultant, too.
In June, Gameforge
struck an agreement with CBS Consumer Products to develop and publish multiple browser-based, free-to-play games based on Star Trek.
The firm said it had two titles under development: a Facebook game developed by a German studio (presumably
Star Trek: Infinite Space), and another release by a studio in California.
The publisher, which reaches over 200 million registered users around the world with free-to-play titles like
Ikariam and
Gladiatus, disclosed plans several months ago to launch its Star Trek games in the United States and Europe simultaneously.
"Bringing Keen Games on board to develop
Star Trek: Infinite Space was an easy decision to make as keen has a strong history of producing outstanding titles," says Gameforge's publishing VP Ralf Adam. "Our production team will work closely with keen games to bring the vision we have for
Star Trek: Infinite Space to fruition."
