Bandai America has announced the summer release of Star Trek: The Next Generation Deck Building Game (MSRP $39.99).  Players command a small starship with a standard crew and basic weaponry.  They can use their crew’s experience to improve their ship’s systems, or to recruit more experienced crewmen for their ship.  Players can also choose to promote diplomacy or to attempt to conquer civilizations as they construct their decks during the game.

 

The initial Star Trek Deck Building Game will consist of 300 cards plus accessories that will create an almost unlimited number of possible scenarios for unlimited replay value.  It should be interesting to see how Bandai adapts the nuanced Next Generation ethos to the world of competitive gaming.  Odds are that diplomatic and rational behavior will be rewarded.  After all it was Captain Jean-Luc Picard who famously said, “Being first at any cost is not always the point.”