anyone know how many Starships will be made available with the gamestop exclusive?

No idea Patrocles, I'm not even sure if they will have this pre-order promo in Canada for myself, although they usually do.

I don't know either. In fact, I don't even know if I got it, the pre order receipt doesn't mention it.

The preorders sound good but the game is too much of a shot in the dark for me to put down any money. Whoever gets into the beta let us know if the game is worth it or not.

My attitude is that even if the game dissappoints I will get my money's worth out of it for a month or two before I realize it. Kind of like I did with Aion recently.

I haven't found a monthly subscription fee. Hope I didn't jump the gun.
If it starts 30 yrs after the last TNG movie, then why offer the Constitution class if it's outclassed from the start? Maybe we otherwise start off in something even smaller and weaker at the start? Could be a leg up in ranking up quicker.

Some notes from the FAQ



Q: Will a monthly fee be required to play?
A: We haven't decided on pricing plans yet.

Q: How will I be able to play with my friends?
A: In space, you can form teams and do missions together. Space battles will occur between multiple player and NPC vessels. When you do a ground mission, the mission owner can build an away team that consists of other players. Outside of combat, there will be numerous community building features, locations, hubs and events that will bring players together.

Q: Will there be PvP, PvE and RP rule set servers?
A: There will not be separate servers for PvP and PvE rulesets. Open PvP will be restricted to designated sectors of space (far-off reaches of unclaimed territory). Consensual PvP and competitive PvE will occur between the realm borders (the Neutral Zone), where players will be competing over territory and resources with the option to PvP.

Q: When does the game take place?
A: Approximately 30 years after the events in Star Trek Nemesis. The game starts in 2409. Technology has advanced and the galaxy is a much more volatile place.

Q: What races will I be able to play?
A: The plan is Human, Vulcan, Andorian, Klingon, Orion, Gorn and several others. You will also be able to create your own race with its own custom look and attributes.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: The minimum system requirements are:

* OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit)
* CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 Ghz or AMD Athlon X2 3800+
* Memory: 1GB RAM
* Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7950 / ATI Radeon X1800 / Intel HD Graphics
* Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Soundcard
* DirectX: Version 9.0c or Higher
* HDD: 8GB Free Disk Space
* Network: Internet Broadband Connection Required
* Disc: 6X DVD-ROM

The recommended system specifications are:

* OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit)
* CPU: Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 5600+
* Memory: 2GB RAM+
* Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 / ATI Radeon HD 3850+
* Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Soundcard
* DirectX: Version 9.0c or Higher
* HDD: 8GB Free Disk Space
* Network: Internet Broadband Connection Required
* Disc: 6X DVD-ROM


If you don't pre-order, they're taking applications for the closed beta here on the website:
http://www.startrekonline.com/preview_application

New info on pre-order perks for more retailers.

GameStop
GameStop customers receive the ability to command the exclusive and always classic USS Enterprise from Star Trek The Original Series.

Best Buy
Best Buy is offering their customers a fun in-game pet. As a Federation Captain, players own a famed Tribble of Star Trek lore that will accompany them on their travels into the final frontier. As a Klingon commander, players control the boar-like Targ, a beast found on the Klingon home world of Qo'noS.

Amazon
Amazon is offering an exclusive "Liberated Borg" Bridge Officer. This bridge officer, who comes with unique nanotechnology augmentations, assists in missions and gains experience as the player does.

Wal-Mart
With the Wal-Mart Bonus Skill Points package, receive addition skill points that enable players to improve their characters quickly.

Target
Target customers who pre-order Star Trek Online receive a unique ground weapon -- a TR-116. This rare projectile weapon is used in dampening fields and other challenging environments; it is also modified with a micro-transporter which beams the fired projectiles to targets at close range so that a user can fire without a direct line of site.

Direct2Drive
Direct2Drive customers receive an exclusive Multi-Spatial Personal Shield. This advanced personal shield system is based on Borg technology, which constantly regenerates itself and the health of its wearer.

STEAM
STEAM is offering customers Chromodynamic Armor. This armor is based on technology brought back from the Delta Quadrant by USS Voyager improves the damage and critical hits of energy weapons.


Link

I have been dreaming about a good star trek MMO since before MMO's I will have to check this one out.

I have a nasty feeling this is going to suck badly, which is upsetting

I'm not too worried about it sucking, I will ge my money's worth out of it anyway. I am more concerned after reading the STO forums about non MMO trek fans coming to the game. It seems that many of them are not familiar with MMO mechanics and limitations and pretty much think they will be able to play it in a vacuum like a single player game. I can see some potentially very unhappy people when MMO reality hits them, like monthly fees and having to deal with other players that may have their own goals.