Star Trek Online, the sci-fi MMORPG developed by Cryptic Studios, will adopt the free-to-play model later this year, allowing anyone to download and play the game for free without purchasing a retail copy or subscription

All players will be able to take advantage of Star Trek Online's many features for free, from customising avatars, crews and the very ships they command, to exploring a galaxy filled with intrigue and danger. Players will also be able to access additional features a la carte through a virtual goods store. Current players can become Gold Members by continuing to subscribe to the game, while new players can also upgrade to Gold status for a set price. The differences between paying Gold Members and free Silver Players can be found at: http://www.startrekonline.com/f2p

A features matrix, FAQ, overview and various forums can be found on the official Star Trek Online website to better explain the nature of free-to-play to new and existing users.

To learn more about Star Trek Online free-to-play, please visit: http://www.startrekonline.com/f2p ;