We're excited to announce that our 35th season, Star Trek Online: Corruption, will launch on February 17, 2026 for PC and on March 10, 2026 for PlayStation and Xbox consoles!

As part of the 16th anniversary celebrations for Star Trek Online, this latest content update will feature the Chimerans who threaten to invade the galaxy, with their goals and desires, so far, unknown. As the Chimerans’ influence spreads, Starfleet Captain Ezri Dax, voiced by Star Trek alum and fan-favorite Nicole de Boer, joins you in confronting the escalating crisis. Combat the Chimerans in new upcoming features, including the “Curse of Phrygia” episode, the “Belly of the Beast” Task Force Operation, and the Corruption event.

• New Episode: Curse of Phrygia – Old allies reunite, as Captain Ezri Dax urgently summons you to the MIDAS Array. Join her in quelling a Chimeran incursion that threatens both the integrity of the corrupted comms array, and the stability of the galaxy. Battle through waves of psionic beacons that call on enemy reinforcements in space, and push through a dangerously infested environment. Peril lurks in every dimly lit corner of the array -- so watch your step, and don't look back. The fate of the Multiversal War depends on your courage.
  
• New Task Force Operation: Belly of the Beast (Ground TFO) – The MIDAS Array is under siege! Chimerans have compromised several decks of the communications array, threatening to overtake the entire structure. Starfleet Captain Ezri Dax is calling on a task force capable of tackling this relentless onslaught, and surviving until further back-up can arrive. Do you have what it takes to secure the decks, hold the line, and prevent the MIDAS Array from falling to the Chimerans?
  
• New Event: Corruption – Chimerans are spreading across the galaxy, corrupting all that stands in their way. As major fleets fall to ongoing sabotage and key Alliance structures are infested beyond repair, every victory now feels infinitesimal in the face of total annihilation. Confronting the Chimerans is no longer a choice, but the only viable path forward. Summon every ounce of your strength and join the fight, before it's too late.

Additionally, we'd like you to join us in welcoming Thomas Marrone as the new Executive Producer of Star Trek Online! Formerly the Art Director for Star Trek Online, Thomas Marrone will be leading its current and future development. His career has helped define the visual identity and creative direction of Star Trek Online, while his starship models, like the Pathfinder-class U.S.S. Voyager-B and the Odyssey-class Enterprise-F have been featured in the television show Star Trek: Picard. Taking on broader leadership responsibilities, Marrone is focused on keeping fidelity to the Star Trek universe and working together with the community to ensure the game’s longevity for many more years to come.

We can't wait to celebrate the 16th anniversary of Star Trek Online together with you, Captains!

When I left Cryptic Studios in 2016, I thought it was to seek new challenges and adventures – to prove that I could do more than just Cryptic. I had been there for sixteen years; I was one of its founders. I was the Lead Designer on City of Heroes/Villains, the Chief Creative Officer for Champions Online, the COO for Star Trek Online and ultimately the CEO when Neverwinter launched. Cryptic Studios was my very first job in the video game industry – and to be frank, when I first started, I really had zero clue of things outside my little corner. But most of all, after sixteen years at Cryptic, I’d become stale. I’d pretty much given what I could at that point, and I needed to go to school elsewhere to figure things out.

I joined Daybreak Games to oversee DC Universe Online, and a little later Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online, though to be fair to everyone, I think I learned more from them than vice versa! I even had a chance to work alongside the venerable devs on Everquest I and II – and boy, did they have stories! But not just that, everyone at Daybreak had brand new perspectives about how to make and operate games. I saw new game mechanics and types of content that I’d never seen before. I was humbled by how much was out there.

Cryptic Studios has been through just as many changes as I have. But the teams have held strong through the past few years and continued to put out great products. It’s amazing to see the games I helped develop, Champions Online, Star Trek Online and Neverwinter still thriving several years later. The teams are only one part of the equation: what’s made those games last is you – the player. Our communities always made the Cryptic games special.

Why am I excited to return to Cryptic? First, the team is still terrific. Many faces have changed, but the commitment to the players has remained steadfast. Second, I love these games. There were very few Cryptic employees who played any of our games more than me. Third, Arc Games has promised full support to make Champions Online, Star Trek Online and Neverwinter the best they can be. I believe in the team, the games and their players. Of course, there might be more to come…but that’s a story for another day!

I cannot promise results, but I can promise effort. I’m going to do everything I can to live up to the team’s and your expectations. I want to make sure that together we make our games flourish. If you’re a current player, THANK YOU! And if you’ve once played but are reading and simply curious, COME BACK! I’ll be actively getting feedback from all our various channels and even more importantly, I’ll be holding a LIVE Q&A session regularly. Anyone can get in and ask questions – the harder, the better (and yes, I regret nerfing Invuln Tanks – inside joke there). I’m planning on doing it quarterly, but that might change depending on demand.

Thank you for reading and I’m excited to be back at Cryptic! Looking forward to what this year will bring and beyond.

~ Jack Emmert, CEO of Cryptic Studios

Mark your calendars, Captains! We will be hosting a live Q&A livestream with Jack on our Cryptic Studios Twitch channel[www.twitch.tv] next Tuesday, February 3 at 11:00am PT / 8:00pm CET, giving you a chance to hear more about his vision for the future of Cryptic Studios.

If you can’t make it for the livestream, don’t fret. There will also be an exclusive AMA with Jack on the Star Trek Online subreddit (r/sto), next Wednesday, February 4 at 11:00am Pacific Time / 8:00pm CET where you ask questions, share feedback and engage in an open discussion about the road ahead. See you there!