Well my fellow Trekkers and Trekkies, we’ve come to quite the milestone in The Admiral’s Log. For over the course of the past year, we’ve quite literally visited every single corner of the Milky Way Galaxy in Star Trek Online. We’ve been to the inhabited worlds of the Beta Quadrant; we’ve seen how isolated the Alpha Quadrant is. We’ve endured the rampant chaos of the Delta Quadrant and the silence of the Gamma Quadrant and throughout our travels through the galaxy, we’ve also been privy to some incredible beauty and some wonderful moments, since every corner of this tiny little sliver of the universe we call home, features planets and interstellar phenomena that outright take one’s breath away.
 
But of course, this journey has offered up so much more than incredible visuals and light years to traverse. It also brought us to places that instantly allowed for us to bask in the memories of our favorite Star Trek shows, something that was further enhanced by our ability to transport down to famous worlds in the Federation. Yet while we have seen great wonders over the past year, all good things must come to an end, and we have in fact… come to the end of this grand and magnificent journey. For only one world is left to explore, and that would just so happen to be the seat of the United Federation of Planets and the home of Starfleet Command; Earth.
 
Yet what’s truly unique about visiting the world that helped to found the Federation in the first place, is the sheer fact that you can really only beam down to two places here. There’s Bozeman, Montana; wherein you can explore the Zefram Cochrane Warp Test Complex. But that is only available during April to correlate with the celebration of First Contact Day, so really, you’ll spend most of your time on Terra at Starfleet Academy in San Francisco and that’s honestly not a bad thing by any means. Because the beauty of that city and the Golden Gate Bridge are still on display in 2410, making for a lovely view when you’re in need of one, and the Academy has plenty to offer one as well. 

​Because you’re able to walk a fair chunk of the halls that great Starfleet captains once did, and you can bask in the beauty of the topiary that Boothby once cared for. If anything, it’s a shame there’s not a hologram of him still doing his thing and well, I suppose even wishing for something like that, just speaks to how much rich history is in this tiny sliver of the game, since everywhere you turn makes you think about Star Trek’s past. And the memorials and monuments present here only enhance that further since they remind everyone of the good and the bad this proud place has seen, since there’s one memorial honoring the founding of the Federation and another that reminds everybody of the lives lost in the Breen invasion/attack on Earth during the Federation/Dominion war.
 
But while all of this is in incredible to see, it is still Earth, the place where every player in this game goes about their daily lives. Which means there’s little else to say about this place other than, it’s a wonderful place to get away from the depths of space and recharge since it is home for all of us, and it is still beautiful and bright in the 25th Century. However, that is that when it comes to this journey and well, that also means that it is time for me to take a break from this log for just a little while. In part because the holiday season sees a quasi-hiatus for Nerds That Geek in the first place, but also because I think it’s high time to change this log up and do some new things with it in 2020.
 
Because if there’s one great lesson I learned from Stephen King, it is that a writer has to constantly challenge themselves in order to keep any story fresh and that definitely applies here. Because it would be a disservice to you, dear reader, to let this slide into boring territory with weekly updates on how I only finished 23 of my 24 Endeavor Missions for the week, or that I changed things up by using Transwarp to get to Deep Space Nine on Tuesday instead of conventional Warp and the Quantum Slipstream drive. But how exactly this blog will evolve, I haven’t quite decided, but I’m sure something will come to me during the break whilst I cruise amongst the stars. So once again, thank you for taking the time to read this Log, your support means the world to me, and if you see me in game, do say hello because that’s just awesome and I hope all of you have a Happy Holidays as well and I’ll see you out there, in the void, in the new year. Until next time.  

If there’s one important thing I’ve learned in my years as a writer, it is that sometimes a location or an object is as important to the story as the characters themselves. In fact, sometimes the location in question is a character in its own right, since it symbolizes so much and means so much to the characters that visit it or travel through it, and I would venture to say that utilizing that storytelling element is something that Star Trek has outright mastered. Because some of the worlds we’ve visited with various captains really have taken on a life of their own, and the many ships that populate the galaxy in the 23rd Century and beyond, have their own personality thanks to their overall design and unique interior look. But of the many locations we’ve seen in the fifty-plus year run of this franchise, one critical ‘character’, that the saga doesn’t spend enough time exploring is Earth Spacedock.
 
For this grandiose orbital station that circles the Earth night and day, is truly the greatest and most iconic hub that Starfleet has ever used, and she’s truly become a staple of the saga after her first appearance in The Search for Spock since we’ve seen this grandiose station in other Trek films and shows as the years have rolled on and thankfully, she even makes an appearance in Star Trek Online. Which is a wonderful thing since this game gives everything that is featured in the franchise new life and depth and this massive space station is no exception to that rule. Because there is a lot to see within the walls of this massive structure, one that is in essence the gateway to all of the Milky Way Galaxy, and well, it’s so massive and breathtaking in the game that it is honestly a tad difficult to find a good starting point to discuss.
 
So, perhaps the best place to start, is to reflect upon a spot where this wild journey began. For when one first arrives at Earth Spacedock at the beginning of your career in STO, one is expected to report to Admiral Quinn’s office and that’s actually quite a fascinating place to explore in its own right. For not only does the Admiral have a bustling office filled with diplomats and senior officers, there are some exquisite mockups of ships from the fleet on display and a detailed map of what ships are currently in drydock, and some of the names on that list definitely allow for one’s inner geek to take hold and the lovely Easter Eggs present here are extended to the rotunda nearby. For this part of the station also features a massive holographic map that highlights some important vessels that float around the perimeter of ESD and this area also features one hell of a breathtaking view, one that you can easily get lost within if you just stand there and stare at the beautiful blue ball beyond that panel of transparent aluminum.  

But while the Starfleet side of things is awesome and nerdy in its own right, there is so much more to see in this place. For there is a medical center you can visit if you’re in need of a little fix me up and your CMO is vacationing on Risa for the week, plus you can change up your ship’s weapon, shield and panel loadout at the fleet operations center on the lower level, and you can get your hands on some new weapons and gear at the exchange, or change up your uniform at the tailor’s station or take a shuttle to Starfleet Academy. Which, now that I think about it, is a ridiculous number of things that you are able to do at this station. In fact, that’s more than you what can do on some planets for that matter, and believe it or not, we’re not even done with grandiose tour just yet. Because there are a couple more spots that are worth visiting, that just so happen to be quite contrasting in nature.
 
For there is the always popular Club 47 off to the side, where you can legit dance the night away, which is just hilarious to find in a Star Trek game because I had no idea that slamming back some synthehol and busting out The Running Man or the Sprinkler was a popular thing in 2410, but apparently it is. And if dancing isn’t your thing you can head off to the lounge section of the club and once again enjoy fine views of Earth while calmer music soothes your soul. But I made mention of spots that serve as a foil, which brings us to Deck 83 where… there’s nothing but empty hallways that serve a purpose I honestly haven’t explored just yet. But the true centerpiece of this station, is the memorial that resides on the Deck 47 Mezzanine, for it pays tribute to everyone that has ever been associated with this proud franchise and has just so happened to pass away, and it is definitely a humbling and somber place to visit, one that definitely gives you pause.
 
If anything, that powerful memorial serves as the exclamation point on the detail present in this part of the game and well, it’s easy to lose one’s self in the majesty of Earth Spacedock. Because the true icing on the Gagh in this place is the sheer fact that it is also a thriving hub, filled to the brim with Starfleet officers heading for duty, and plenty of your fellow players. Which means you never know what you’ll find or see at ESD, because once I saw a dance party break out at Ship Operations, complete with disco ball because… why not? Either way, this really is just a wonderful place to visit in the game and I’m so glad the folks behind the scenes took their time in enhancing this place because it really does feel like a massive hub for the Federation, one that millions of species make use of on a regular basis. But while it is quite lovely, it pales in comparison to the planet below and the wonder of Earth and Starfleet Academy is where we will end our second journey through the stars in my next log entry. Until then. 

We live in an interesting era when it comes to video games. Simply because the technology used to create these fictional and delightfully beautiful worlds is evolving at an incredible pace, to the point where something that was revolutionary a year or two ago looks quite dated in its own right, today. Which is now prompting video game companies everywhere to revisit some of those ‘older’ properties and clean them up properly for the next generation of consoles, with mixed results of course, for various and unfortunate reasons.
 
For some companies treat this act as an opportunity to get their hands on a boatload of cash, which means that some of the re-dos that come out are subpar, and really don’t offer the fans anything new, and that’s always disappointing when all is said and done. But thankfully, there are some companies that want a remaster to go the extra mile and deliver everything they intended to when the game first came out. And recently, I finally had the opportunity to play one of the better remasters out there by way of the updated re-release of Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
 
Now this particular game, which originally came out in 2009, is one that I firmly believe was supremely overdue for a makeover, so it made me supremely happy to know this one was finally getting a quality update because this one deserved it for so many reasons. The first one being, this was quite the epic adventure with the Ghostbusters, one that was definitely limited by the technology of the time and putting it through the cleanup process would likely allow for this game to look as gorgeous as possible, allowing for the player to truly settle in and enjoy a pseudo-cinematic experience and well, the quality of the graphics are precisely the first thing that once notices when playing this game.

Because the cleanup and redo of New York City and for that matter the world that the Ghostbusters inhabit, is magnificent to say the least. For now, there is genuine detail everywhere that you go in the game, allowing for one to get lost from time to time as you admire the bright lights of Times Square, or the swirling clouds and vortices of the ghost world. But the cleanup of the background and the environment is merely the tip of the iceberg for this remaster. Because even the ghosts got a facelift, since they now feature incredible and haunting detail, and even your weapons have a new feel to them since the proton stream looks exactly like it did on the silver screen.
 
But all glamour and glitz aside, there are two key elements that truly made me happy about this particular remaster. First and foremost, I love the fact that the game now features detailed surround sound support, because that only further enhances the experience when you hear spirits in the darkness growl or enjoy the sound of proton beams cycling over your shoulder as you line with up with the boys to bust ghosts, and I’m also supremely happy with the tweaks present in the gameplay itself. Because from time to time, I couldn’t help but notice that trapping a ghost or getting a capture stream locked onto them was quite the chore in the original game. As was simply getting the proton stream to hit its target, and that’s all been fixed here.
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Which makes for a delightful gaming experience, one that feels complete and natural and of course, it is wonderful to revisit the world of the Ghostbusters once again and fight alongside the original cast and hear Venkman’s quips. But no game is perfect, and I suppose if I have one complaint when it comes to this game, it would have to be that they squandered a grand opportunity to include the missing Thanksgiving Day Parade level that was apparently cut back in the day, because it would have been awesome to have experienced a ghostly bedlam on Turkey Day. Outside of that however, this is a great remaster, one that injects a new level of fun into an old game and one that will definitely tide the fans over until Ghostbusters: Afterlife hits the silver screen in 2020.    

​Something I’ve noticed is an outright constant when it comes to naval vessels, is how many sailors tend to refer to their ships with fond admiration, and as their outright home. It’s something that I’ve seen in television and the Star Trek franchise as well and it is honestly something, I’ve only half understood for the longest time. For part of me gets it, you sleep there, eat there, live there and that is indeed home enough but it’s also just a ship, right? It’s a hunk of metal that sails the seas, or in the case of Trek, it’s an airtight hunk of metal that travels the stars. But as time rolls on, I’ve come to realize that there is a legitimate reason for sailors and Starfleet officers to look upon their vessels so fondly, simply because… there is more to them than meets the eye.
 
Because these vessels really are more than just hunks of metal doing their thing. They are indeed homes, where lives grow and thrive, something that was taught to me by both my father and my brother since they are both Navy men and have been happy to share their experiences aboard a ship. But while that was incredible and fascinating to learn in its own right, one particular element of a sailor’s dedication to a vessel eluded me. Specifically, why so many stand behind their ship as the greatest in the fleet, and view their ship as something more, that is until recently. Because as cheesy as it sounds, Star Trek Online is helping me to understand this particular trait and that’s thanks in large part to the fact that I’ve been flying the U.S.S. Galactica NCC-1775-B for about two years now.
 
Which is funny because when I first started playing this game, I was heavily interested in getting my hands on every ship that I could, just to enjoy the Star Trek experience properly, and I’ll never forget the pride that came with flying the Sovereign class Galactica-A since that was about as close as I was ever going to get to flying the 1701-E. But once I got over the glamour and glitz of flying T.V. and movie ships, I came to realize that I needed a vessel that could handle anything and everything that the game throws at you and that’s when the Galactica-B was commissioned. For an Odyssey class vessel is quite versatile and powerful in its own right and after slowly getting her to my standards weapons and loadout wise, I settled in on this vessel and came to understand her true majesty and everything that sailors hold near and dear about their respective ship.
 
Because eventually you come to know your ship like an old friend and that’s really what she is, a great pal that is always there in a time of need. And by knowing your vessel well, you know exactly how to handle it and what kinds of stresses you can put it through in order to complete the mission and yeah, you quickly do become to believe your vessel is one of the greatest ships out there. For you know the old girl is going to accomplish wonders and is going to get you through tough times if you trust in her abilities and eventually the ship does become a genuine home. Because despite the fact that I visit Earth often in the game, it doesn’t take long for me to order the Galactica back out in deep space because her bridge is where I belong, and it is just wonderful to be home and traveling amongst the stars, armed with the knowledge that your trusted friend is there for you through thick and thin.
 
As an added bonus, the game is also nice enough to let you explore portions of your vessel, and there is just something so supremely cool about standing in your own ready room like other famous captains and admirals in Starfleet, or sitting in the big chair on the bridge with the viewscreen and the vastness of the galaxy ahead of you. And sometimes your ship is so massive that your bridge leaves you in awe, and I feel that every time I visit my own, since the bridge of 1775-B is two stories tall. But all of that aside, one’s ship really is important in the game, and when you’re as big of a Star Trek nerd as I am, being able to command one for years on end like Jim Kirk or Captain Picard were able to do, lets the imagination take hold and brings out the geekiest parts of you and I am not ashamed to share the thrill I enjoy when my avatar sits in that chair because this was all I ever wanted growing up.
 
But all joy and nerdiness aside, our journey through my ship has only delayed the inevitable. Because at long last we have come to the end of our second journey through the Milky Way Galaxy. Which means that for the next couple of weeks, we will explore the heart of the United Federation of Planets; Earth, and everything it has to offer. So be ready for an in depth look at the wonder of Earth Spacedock since it really is a massive structure worth exploring and discussing on its own and of course, we’ll spend plenty of time at Starfleet Academy, as the Admiral’s Log closes out its 2019 entries. Until next time.