Combat is one of the most exciting aspects of any MMO and this week, you get to meet the Combat designer for STO. A little known fact? Steve Nix was the guy that helped Awen learn how to play the game. Before his expert tutelage, she kept dying... a LOT!

What do you do on Star Trek Online?

I am a combat systems designer for STO. My main responsibility has been developing player powers and skill progression, along with their bridge crew. Ultimately, my goal is to make sure that players are provided with fun and interesting game play decisions and build systems to reward those choices.

How long have you worked in gaming, and what did you do before Star Trek Online?

I've been a designer in the game industry for almost 13 years now, working for giants like EA as well as small, one project developers. Just prior to joining Cryptic, I was the Creative Director at Punch Entertainment developing the games 'Reign of Swords' and 'EGO'.

Who is your favorite Star Trek character and why?

Captain Picard. Through various episodes you get to witness the full spectrum of a career Starfleet officer; a brash young bar-brawling officer, first experiences as a captain, family relationships back on Earth, commander of the fleet's flagship, and diplomat for the Federation. You see more than his personal story, but the embodiment of life in Starfleet.

What is an interesting fact about you that players would be surprised to know?

Although I've always had a passion for making games, while I was in college I seriously considered a career as a professional beach volleyball player (living in Santa Barbara will do that to a person).

If you could choose to be an alien on Star Trek, which species would you want to be?

Klingon. They're courageous, honorable, and party after every job well done. Of course, I'd keep around several Romulan and Cardassian adversaries to keep my mind sharp puzzling through their schemes.

If you were faced with the Kobayashi Maru, what would be your solution?

I would first send a message to Starfleet, detailing the distress call and my ship's course into the Neutral Zone. If any non-military personnel were on board, I would put them into shuttle crafts or escape pods prior to entering the Zone. I would then proceed toward the Kobayashi Maru at full speed with an open channel identifying my ship and its rescue mission. When the distress signal is lost and the Klingons open fire, I would target their engines with phaser fire and plot a course out of the Zone, venting warp plasma if necessary to snare any pursuit.

Which is cooler: monkeys, robots, pirates, or ninjas?

Pirates. It is hard to imagine a more heroic setting than upon the high seas, with cannons blazing and swords clashing. Of course, this is the romanticized version without the scurvy.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to break into the gaming industry?

I would encourage anyone to follow their passion for creating games, with the understanding that it is also a professional career. Add to your creative side a foundation of skills built through education or work experience, and you'll be positioned to do well at anything you set out to accomplish.

What was your first favorite video game?

Asteroids was probably the first game where I lost all awareness of time, hunger, or the world outside of the screen.