Star Trek Demo no more?

[PacerDawn]

So, Star Trek online has a demo mode, where you can download the client and play through the first mission and then fly around the galaxy, but that's it. I did this back in June after I bought the full game during a steam sale (not really going to subscribe, but figured $4 was worth 30 days of play time), but I didn't activate my account because I was going on vacation and didn't want to waste the days.

Now that I'm back, I figure I'll go ahead and activate, so I just brought the game up expecting to get the demo again, but was presented with "Account Error" instead. WTF?

It links me to the Cryptic (developer) web site, and nowhere on this site can I find any mention of a Demo any more, but I do find this in the forums:

Greetings!

We are working on some sweeping changes to the way the Demo (and Demo Accounts) functions for Star Trek Online. While these changes are underway, we have turned off the Star Trek Online Demo. This means that users who are currently not subscribed to Star Trek Online will not be able to access the Demo.

Please keep an eye on the homepage, where we will announce when our changes are ready and interested players can come try STO again without a retail key or a subscription.

Thanks!


Now, I'm not one to go 'round spreadin' rumors. No, really I'm just not the gossiping type. But... Could this be the start of Star Trek going free-to-play?

Interesting to say the least.

[lockwoodx]

I bet the demo is for "new" customers only. You already have/had an existing account.

[stalazon]

AFAIK demo's been disable across the board while they revamp it. (maybe f2p prep?). So if you want to play now you'd have to input your CD key you received from Steam to activate your account to live status.