The presentation of a trailer for an unknown game was a Star Trek surprise during Tuesday’s opening night of Gamescom in Germany. As a “VR full-body narrative survival experience set in the Star Trek universe,” the virtual reality game is called Star Trek: Infection. We have some screenshots, release dates, and the official trailer.
Star Trek: Infection Trailer
You are invited to “step into the unsettling world” of Star Trek: Infection in the announcement video.
Here is the official synopsis:
You’re a Vulcan Starfleet officer, sent on a special mission aboard the U.S.S. Lumen, but something has gone horribly wrong.
There’s no crew in sight, and an unknown entity has infested the ship. Now it’s inside your body, physically mutating you, unlocking dangerous new abilities at the cost of your sanity.
Here’s a longer narrative description…
The ship is empty.
The crew is missing.But something sentient and sinister has taken hold of everything, and now… it’s inside your body too.
Mutating you physically and unlocking dangerous new abilities at the cost of your renowned Vulcan mind and composure.
Explore the U.S.S. Lumen. Fight or embrace the infection. And confront the darkness within the ship… and yourself.
Step into the boots of a Vulcan Starfleet officer tasked with a covert mission aboard the U.S.S. Lumen where things quickly spiral into a psychological and physical nightmare.
Infection Game Features
The goal of the game is to “explore the U.S.S. Lumen. Withstand or embrace the infection inside you. Confront the darkness within the ship… and your mind.” Here are the game features:
- Tend to Your VR Body
Inhabit a full-body avatar. Use your Medical Tricorder to track your condition, treating your infection with a hypospray or embracing its mutations. - Meld With Dangerous DNA
Manage or exploit your mutation’s side effects to unlock powerful but unstable abilities. - Face Horrors in Your Mind
You’re a Vulcan. Rational, disciplined, in control. But your sanity and resolve are faltering. Something aboard is learning your fears and using them against you. - Set Phasers to Stun & Scan for Life
Use your Phaser, stealth, or Vulcan nerve pinch to deal with threats. Use your Tricorder to scan for dangers and uncover vital resources. - Get Your Hands Dirty
Use your VR hands to interact with the ship, crafting tools, and weapons essential for survival.
The game comes courtesy of Broken Mirror and Played With Fire, subsidiaries of Polish publisher Bloober Team, which is well-known for horror titles including Blair Witch, Layers of Fear, and the Silent Hill 2 remake. Later this year, the new game will be available on Steam VR and Meta Quest.
Here are some terrifying images from the game.
Since this was a surprise announcement, additional information about the game should become available when it gets closer to release later this year.
The game seems to be a combination of action, riddles, and problem-solving, and it is set on board the USS Lumen and Deep Space 38. It’s interesting to note that you portray a Vulcan (perhaps a Lt. Ferak) whose mind is being distorted by an alien virus. It looks a lot like the protomolecule from The Expanse, as shown in the teaser, and the eerie narration definitely adds to the atmosphere. Star Trek episodes like Enterprise’s “Impulse” and Deep Space Nine’s “Whispers” have successfully used this unsettling horror scenario.
As diverse as they have been rare, recent Star Trek video games have also been few. With the classic MMO Star Trek: Online, strategic games like Star Trek: Infinite, and narrative-style games like Star Trek: Resurgence. Additionally, there is “Supernova” in Star Trek: Prodigy, which is targeted toward younger players. Additionally, there are mobile games like Timelines, Star Trek: Legends, and Star Trek: Lower Decks.
You can already add Star Trek: Infection to your Wish List in the Meta store. The game is a virtual reality survival story with a strong horror element, joining the extensive list of prior Trek games. Together with its PEGI 16 rating, it represents a significant departure from its more recent predecessors.
Although game release delays are normal, Star Trek: Infection is now aiming for a 2025 release date, even though it is already August. However, Season 3 of Strange New Worlds is rapidly approaching its conclusion. With a lengthy wait before the premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy in early 2026, it will undoubtedly be a pleasant diversion. As soon as we learn anything new, we’ll let you know.
