The MMO STO puts you in control of a starship and crew "from day one", Emmert told the Vegas convention. You then work to become a captain in Starfleet or Klingon colours. Vulkans, Endorians and Tellarites will also be playable at launch, and Cryptic "will definitely be adding to that", promising Romulans and Dominion after release. But you may need enough STO Gold in Stock to achieve that.

Captains will be your customisable avatars. Emmert was coy about specific class options, but suggested the various Star Trek captains as examples: Kirk was a brawler, Picard was a diplomat, Janeway was boring, etc.

The other people on your ship are bridge crew, who are essentially "pets" or henchmen that can be customised, levelled up, and taken with you on away missions. Red-shirts make up the rest - from several dozen to a hundred - and keep your ship ticking over. The red-shirt legions will be made up of lots of races and professions, which grant various bonuses.