In a first significant step to finally getting Star Trek Online to the point of release, developer Cryptic Studios has announced that they will be starting a closed beta for initial testing of the title that has been described by many as a MMORPG.

Those that want to participate are encouraged to visit www.startrekonline.com very quickly to sign up for a shot at being part of the closed beta. Cryptic isn’t saying how many will be invited to join the closed beta, but it is likely that it will fill up quickly.

According to our inside sources, depending on how well the closed beta goes will dictate what the next step will be for Cryptic in finishing the game for release. It seems that actual information on the state of what participants will actually be beta testing is in short supply. While the closed beta is being called “The Initial Frontier” it is likely that the end result for the Star Trek Online could lead to a big payday for Cryptic if the title does, in fact, deliver on many of the previews that have been seen so far.

The real question is when it will it finally be released; right now that continues to remain a mystery, but our sources insist that it will not arrive until at least the spring of 2010.