Cryptic's last massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Champions Online, has had people grinding for just over two months, but that won't stop the developer from working overdrive on its next MMORPG. Star Trek Online is announced for release on February 2, 2010, and its developers have now announced an open beta test session for January. The two-week long session will start on the 12 of the month and end on the 26.

A closed beta is currently ongoing for the game, having started in late October, but, to get in on that action, you have to prove yourself as being worthy in front of Cryptic and receive one of its special beta keys. If you're dying to get in on the action, or even killing, you can still apply for a key on its site, but don't hold your, or any anybody else's, breath either.

With about three months to go to the beta, fans will have to wait quite a bit, but at least, with an eager clicking-finger, they'll be able to get a free peek at the game three weeks before it launches. The open beta will run on a “first-come, first-served” principle, so at least it's a free-for-all with everyone sharing equal chances of participation. Cryptic did not announce how many beta keys it would be making available, nor when the accepted players would be announced that they'd made the cut.

Star Trek Online's developing rights were picked up by Cryptic in 2008, when the previous developer that had been responsible for its development since 2004, Perpetual Entertainment, went bankrupt in January 2008. Players will be able to choose one of two sides and join either the United Federation of Planets or the Klingon empire. The Borgs will also be making an appearance in the game, so, when out there, in the final frontier, keep an eye out for any cubes you might encounter.