Star Trek
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
'' universe includes a variety of sports, games and other pastimes. Some of these fictional recreational activities are closely associated with one race, although they may have gained adherents from other backgrounds. Others thrive on the interaction of different species.
Some of the games below were central to the plot of a single episode. Others were recurring plot elements, spanning multiple television series of the ''Star Trek'' franchise.
Holodeck games
The holodeck is a facility that simulates reality; it can replicate a wide variety of environments. It is found on starships and starbases in all the series that are set in the 24th century, i.e. '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
'' and '' Star Trek: Voyager''. The holodeck is sometimes used for research or training, but is frequently shown in use for various forms of entertainment.
Some programs depicted in the various ''Star Trek'' shows include a
Klingon
The Klingons ( ; Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a fictional species in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the original ''Star Trek'' (''TOS'') series, Klingons were swarthy humanoids c ...
calisthenics program, used heavily by Lieutenant Commander Worf; a park-like setting where Riker first encounters Data in "
Encounter at Farpoint
"Encounter at Farpoint" is the pilot episode and series premiere of the American science fiction on television, science fiction television series ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', which premiered in first-run syndication, syndication on Septem ...
"; various 'social' programs, such as a mud-bath and a pool hall; and
Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, most often seen as the captain of the Federation starship . Played by Patrick Stewart, Picard has appeared in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (''T ...
's '' Dixon Hill'' holonovels.
Other settings have sometimes been shown, such as the Jupiter Station Diagnostic Program which was used to maintain the Emergency Medical Hologram on various Starfleet vessels, the Utopia Planitia Shipyards, several
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...
programs created by Data for his exploration of humanity, and various Shakespeare programs enjoyed by
Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, most often seen as the captain of the Federation starship . Played by Patrick Stewart, Picard has appeared in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (''T ...
.
In ''Voyager'', an entire holographic village and its population were created. The " Fair Haven" program was originally designed for occasional enjoyment by the crew of ''Voyager'', but the characters become
sentient
Sentience is the capacity to experience feelings and sensations. The word was first coined by philosophers in the 1630s for the concept of an ability to feel, derived from Latin '' sentientem'' (a feeling), to distinguish it from the ability to ...
by the time of the follow-up episode "
Spirit Folk
"Spirit Folk" is the 137th episode of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Voyager'' airing on the UPN network. It is the 17th episode of the sixth season. Set in the science fiction universe of ''Star Trek,'' the titular ...
", and the captain orders that the holodecks be modified so that the program could remain running continuously.
Also in ''Voyager'', Seven of Nine is continuously frustrated by Captain Janeway's superior skill at ''Velocity'', a game played in a racquetball-type arena where opponents try to be the first to acquire the target of a flying discus and shoot it. The game is scored in points. Each time a player is unable to acquire the disc and is hit by it the other player scores a point. The game is played to ten points.
Sports
Ice Hockey
Tom Paris and Harry Kim are seen walking with hockey skates over their shoulders coming out of the holodeck. Tom tells Harry to "watch out for those Nausicaans, they're tough".
Baseball
According to the history presented in ''Star Trek'', the Earth game baseball suffered from a decline in popularity that culminated in the final World Series, which was played in 2042 before a crowd of 300 and won by legendary player Buck Bokai. By the 24th century, the now-obscure game was appreciated by a relatively small number of aficionados including Captain Sisko (who kept a ball on the desk in his office aboard Deep Space Nine), Jake Sisko,
Kasidy Yates
This is a list of secondary characters from the science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Characters are ordered alphabetically by family name, and only characters who played a significant major role in the series are l ...
and astrophysicist Dr. Paul Stubbs. The only organized baseball mentioned is a six-team league on the distant Cestus III. A Vulcan Starfleet crew formed a team under the leadership of their captain and challenged a team led by Captain Sisko in 2375.
Parrises Squares
Parrises Squares is a vigorous athletic game, mentioned in several episodes of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and ''Voyager''.
It is often implied that the game involves a high risk of serious personal injury; nevertheless, much to the concern of parents, the game was quite popular with teenagers during the 24th century. The game involves the use of a piece of equipment called an ion mallet and a ramp, and players often wear special padded uniforms.
While healing a deep cut on William Riker's face, Dr. Beverly Crusher lectured him "to stop playing Parrises Squares as if you're 21", further advising him that "one day, you'll break your neck, and I won't be able to heal that as easily."
When The Doctor created a holographic family for himself in 2373, his 'daughter' Belle was on her school's Parrises Squares team. This worried her 'parents', because Parrises Squares can be a dangerous game for someone her age. It later turned out their worries were justified, as she later 'died' of complications from a Parrises Squares injury.
While in Starfleet Academy, Harry Kim played Parrises Squares, and was the Academy champion three times.
Parrises Squares is mainly mentioned as a game played by humans, but other species participate. M'Kota R'Cho was the first
Klingon
The Klingons ( ; Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a fictional species in the science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the original ''Star Trek'' (''TOS'') series, Klingons were swarthy humanoids c ...
to play the game, when he participated in the controversial Championship Finals of 2342.
Springball
Springball is a sport played by
Bajoran
The Bajorans (variously pronounced , , ) are a fictional species in the science-fiction ''Star Trek'' franchise. They are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor, who have a long-standing enmity with the Cardassians, owi ...
s and is somewhat similar to the human sport of
handball
Handball (also known as team handball, European handball or Olympic handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the g ...
. A game is shown during the ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
'' episode "
For the Cause For the Cause may refer to:
* "For the Cause" (''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''), an episode of the TV series
* ''For the Cause'' (film), a 2000 science fiction film starring Dean Cain
*''For the Cause'' (album), a 2018 album by Madball
Madball ...
."
Racquetball
Racquetball is a game played inside a room where the players use racquets to hit a small ball. In ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
'', Miles O'Brien and Julian Bashir enjoy the sport. Bashir was captain of the Starfleet Medical Academy racquetball team in 2368, when he led the team to victory in the sector championships.
tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis or enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis origin, is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender. The pain may also extend into the back of the forearm. Onset ...
. Later in the episode, the doctor gifts Guinan with a new, state-of-the-art tennis racket, which she is sure will alleviate her elbow problems. As it turns out, Guinan was lying about playing tennis, but nonetheless the game is clearly known by the both of them, and the racket is real.
In ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
'', the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Julian Bashir, during his childhood, briefly considered becoming a professional tennis player (''DS9'', episode 173, "Melora"). It is revealed that he was good enough to play at professional level; however, he chose medicine as his profession.
Water polo
Captain Jonathan Archer (''Star Trek: Enterprise'') enjoyed water polo and played when he was on Earth. In the episode "Catwalk", he is seen watching a water polo match on a portable viewing device while trying to fall asleep. He is also seen on several occasions bouncing a water polo ball off the wall in his quarters.
Basketball
In the ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' episode "The Forge", the bridge crew (except T'Pol) is briefly seen playing basketball. Doctor Phlox has amazing shot accuracy.
Soccer/Football
In the ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' episode "Minefield", Captain Archer mentions to Lieutenant Reed that England has made the World Cup Final (this being in 2152).
Darts
O'Brien and Bashir are frequently seen playing darts at Quark's bar in ''DS9''.
Volleyball
Harry Kim and Tom Paris (''Star Trek: Voyager'') are volleyball players. They are never seen playing, but in the episode "Warlord", Kim adds to an existing holodeck program three holographic characters he says he practices with—a championship team of three beautiful women. Paris remarks that now he knows why Kim has been playing better.
The Gamesters of Triskelion
"The Gamesters of Triskelion" is the sixteenth episode of the Star Trek: The Original Series (season 2), second season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek''. Written by Margaret Armen and d ...
",
Captain Kirk
James Tiberius Kirk is a fictional character in the '' Star Trek'' media franchise. Originally played by Canadian actor William Shatner, Kirk first appeared in '' Star Trek'' serving aboard the starship USS ''Enterprise'' as captain. Kirk lea ...
and some of his crew are forced to participate as gladiators in combat against other humanoids, for the entertainment of unseen masters who wager ''Quatloos'' among themselves on the outcome in the arena.
Anbo-jitsu
Anbo-Jitsu (or anbo-jyutsu) is a fictitious
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
ese sport shown in '' Star Trek: The Next Generation''. In it, two armored opponents facing each other wear a solid visor, rendering them blind, and fight with a large staff. One end of the staff contains a proximity sensor, alerting each contender to their opponent's location with an audio signal. The other end of the staff is rounded and padded and used for direct blows. The staff itself can be used for sweeping attacks. The opponents dress in armor and helmets to protect them from injury. Ceremonial Japanese chants are used to greet the opponent, initiate combat and yield if necessary. It is called "the ultimate evolution in the martial arts" in the context of the show.
William Riker and his father settled a long-standing grudge with this game in the episode " The Icarus Factor".
Tsunkatse
Tsunkatse is a form of martial arts, similar to
kickboxing
Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...
and some Japanese sports. Each opponent wears a round device on both the front and back of their harness which sends the wearer a shock when it is touched by an opponent's counterpart, worn on the feet and hands. Each match is designated by a color code, red meaning to the death, blue meaning until one opponent is defeated.
The sport is practiced by various species in the Delta Quadrant. In the ''Voyager'' episode of the same name, Seven of Nine was kidnapped and forced to compete in the sport.
Fencing
Captain Jean-Luc Picard engages in fencing matches on at least two occasions. First, in the episode " We'll Always Have Paris", Picard is in a match against an unnamed crew member. Picard scores a point, and then the match is cut short because of a strange time loop (which serves as the plot for the main story). Second, he matches against Guinan in the episode "
I, Borg
"I, Borg" is the 23rd episode of the fifth season of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', the 123rd overall. It was originally aired on May 10, 1992, in broadcast syndication. The episode was writte ...
". Guinan feigns injury and Picard lowers his guard to help, at which time she strikes for an easy point. She does this to warn Picard against feeling sorry for the injured Borg that the crew has saved (which serves as the plot for the main story).
In a flashback scene in Star Trek: Picard, Admiral Picard is shown reading part of The Three Musketeers to a young Romulan boy, Elnor. He then teaches Elnor the basics of fencing, as depicted in the book. In the present time of the show, Elnor has grown to become an excellent swordsman.
Hikaru Sulu in the original series is known to be a fencer, as demonstrated in the episode "
The Naked Time
"The Naked Time" is the fourth episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. Written by John D. F. Black and directed by Marc Daniels, it first aired on September 29, 1966.
In the episode, a strang ...
". In the 2009 movie, Sulu mentions he has combat training, which he later tells Kirk is "Fencing." He carries a retractable sword during the space jump to the mining probe over Vulcan, and proves to be a formidable swordsman against his Romulan opponents.
Games of chance
Chula
Chula is a game played by the Wadi race that places real people into a game who face a series of challenges based on dice rolls and decisions made by an outside player. Wagers are placed on the survival of the in-game players. It was the plot of the ''DS9'' episode "
Move Along Home
"Move Along Home" is the tenth episode of the first season of the American syndicated science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. It was originally aired on American television in syndication on March 14, 1993.
Set in th ...
".
Dabo
Dabo ( ) is a
Ferengi
The Ferengi () are a fictional extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were devised in 1987 for the series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', played a prominent role in the following series '' St ...
game of skill and chance. The game relies on the spinning of a "dabo wheel" similar to a
roulette
Roulette is a casino game named after the French word meaning ''little wheel'' which was likely developed from the Italian game Biribi''.'' In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the ...
wheel. During various betting hands (similar to poker) each player either "buys" or "sells" or "converts" their gold-pressed latinum (money) in preparation for the next spin of the dabo wheel.
About ten players can sit around the dabo wheel. When something good happens, everyone around the table shouts "Dabo!"
The game is most often seen played in Quark's bar on ''
Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the '' Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication fr ...
''.
In the online role-playing game ''
Star Trek Online
''Star Trek Online'' is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Cryptic Studios based on the ''Star Trek'' franchise. The game is set in the 25th century, 30 years after the events of '' Star Trek: Nemesis''. ''Sta ...
'', players can play a version of dabo with in-game currency. The wheel has three concentric rings that rotate independently; the players win based on how the symbols align after each spin.
Dabo girls
Dabo girls are attractive women of various species who run the games in Ferengi establishments. Leeta (
Chase Masterson
Chase Masterson (born Christianne Carafano on February 26, 1963) is an American actress and singer.
Early life
Chase Masterson was born Christianne Carafano in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As her father was in the Army,Quark's bar, maintained that dabo girls not only had to look appealing enough to lure customers to play, but also be able to quickly calculate odds and ensure a house victory in the long run, typically by enticing gamers to stay until they lose.
The character therefore turns around the stereotype of the dumb blonde or bimbo; while dabo girls may be intentionally giving that impression to customers, they take advantage of those who view a dabo girl as no more than that. In the ''DS9'' episode " The Abandoned", Jake Sisko's dabo girlfriend Mardah (Jill Sayre) was quoted as saying "The first rule of Dabo is watch the wheel, not the girl", and she makes a good impression on Benjamin Sisko during a private dinner he hosted for her and his son.
While the character Leeta made the role of dabo girl significant in ''Star Trek'' fandom, other dabo girls who appeared or were referred to in multiple episodes include Mardah and M'Pella ( Cathy DeBuono). The sweet and hard working Aluura (Symba Smith), had a central role in the episode " Profit and Lace".
In the non- canon ''Star Trek'' novel series '' Mission Gamma'', one of Quark's dabo girls hires Hetik, an Orion male, as the first ever dabo boy in the game's history. Quark is initially dubious about the introduction of a dabo boy, but Hetik soon becomes popular among female patrons.
Ferengi
The Ferengi () are a fictional extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were devised in 1987 for the series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', played a prominent role in the following series '' St ...
. The game centers around a
roulette
Roulette is a casino game named after the French word meaning ''little wheel'' which was likely developed from the Italian game Biribi''.'' In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the ...
-type wheel with an elevated pot in the middle. On each turn the wheel is spun, and the player has the choice to "evade", "confront", "acquire", or "retreat". Each choice has its purchase price, sell price, and its risk, all of which are interrelated.
A Global Tongo Championship is held each year on
Ferenginar
The Ferengi () are a fictional extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were devised in 1987 for the series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', played a prominent role in the following series '' St ...
.
Jadzia Dax was fond of this game, playing long games into the night with Quark and his
Ferengi
The Ferengi () are a fictional extraterrestrial species in the American science fiction franchise ''Star Trek''. They were devised in 1987 for the series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', played a prominent role in the following series '' St ...
staff.
Poker
Poker
Poker is a family of comparing card games in which players wager over which hand is best according to that specific game's rules. It is played worldwide, however in some places the rules may vary. While the earliest known form of the game w ...
is a card game played on many ''TNG'' episodes. The crew of the ''Enterprise'' (NCC 1701-D) plays dealer's choice, usually five-card stud, which is one of the more rare variants of poker by 20th and 21st century standards. Draws have also been picked as well as an unknown variation on 5 card stud, as well as
7 card stud
Seven-card stud, also known as Seven-Toed Pete or Down-The-River is a List of poker variants, variant of stud poker. Before the 2000s surge of popularity of Texas hold 'em, seven-card stud was the most widely played poker variant in home games acr ...
. William Riker, a highly skilled player, hosts regular games for the senior officers; in the series finale " All Good Things...",
Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, most often seen as the captain of the Federation starship . Played by Patrick Stewart, Picard has appeared in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (''T ...
joins in for the first time.
Fizzbin
Fizzbin is a fictional card game created by
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius Kirk is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. Originally played by Canadian actor William Shatner, Kirk first appeared in ''Star Trek'' serving aboard the starship USS ''Enterprise'' as captain. Kirk leads ...
Spock
Spock is a Character (arts), fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. He first appeared in the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star Trek'' series serving aboard the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), USS ''Enterprise ...
and Leonard McCoy, he spontaneously invented a confusing card game to distract the henchmen guarding them.
The rules were intentionally complex. Each player gets six cards, except for the player on the dealer's right, who gets seven. Simultaneously, the first and second card are turned up, except on Tuesdays, when the first card alone is turned up. Kirk dealt the henchman two like cards (jacks), which are a "half-fizzbin". When the henchman said he needs another jack, Kirk warned that a third jack is a "shralk" and is grounds for disqualification. With a half-fizzbin, one wants a king and a deuce, except at night, when one wants a queen and a four.
At this point, Kirk dealt a third jack, but to keep the ruse going, he ignored the disqualification rule he had just made up. He explained that, had a king been dealt instead of a jack, the player would get another card, except when it is dark, in which case he'd have to give it back. The top hand is a "royal fizzbin", consisting of a king, a two, a jack, a six, two queens and two aces during the day, and a queen, a four, an ace, an eight, two kings, and two jacks at night; however, the odds against getting one are extremely high. He asked Mr. Spock (at the time using the pseudonym 'Spocko') what the odds of such a thing were, to which Mr. Spock replied that he had never calculated them.
Kirk called the last card a "kronk", which is two like cards and either a king, queen, jack, ace, two, four, six, or eight (time of day applicable), and then purposely dealt a card such that it fell on the floor. As the henchman being taught reached down, Spock nerve-pinched him while Kirk and McCoy attacked the other guards, allowing the three to escape.
In the ''
Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the '' Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication fr ...
'' episode "
The Ascent
Ascent or The Ascent may refer to:
Publications
* ''Ascent'' (magazine), an independent, not-for-profit magazine
* ''Ascent'' (journal), a literary journal based at Concordia College
* ''Ascent'' (novel), by Jed Mercurio
* ''Times Ascent'', a ...
",
Quark
A quark () is a type of elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei. All commonly o ...
mentioned the game as a way for him and
Odo
Odo or ODO may refer to:
People
* Odo, a given name; includes a list of people and fictional characters with the name
* Franklin Odo (born 1939), Japanese-American historian
* Seikichi Odo (1927–2002), Japanese karateka
* Yuya Odo (born 1990), J ...
to while away the time while traveling on a runabout; whether it had become a real game or if it had been a reference was not explained. Playable versions of the game have been invented, and it featured in the episode "Nantucket Sleighride" of the animated series '' Starcom''.
Games of strategy and logic
Dom-jot
Dom-jot was featured in the episode " Tapestry". It appears to be a futuristic version of bumper pool. Jean-Luc Picard (as a Starfleet cadet) was stabbed in the heart by a Nausicaan after a fight that ensued because his friend rigged a Dom-jot table to thwart a cheating Nausicaan. In the ''DS9'' episode " The Abandoned", Jake's girlfriend Mardah mentions to Jake's father that Jake is a hustler at the Dom-jot table.
''Kadis-kot''
''Kadis-kot'' is a board game played on a six-sided board with three sets of colored tiles: red, green, and orange. Visually, the game appears to be a variant of Reversi. It appears to be a game of logic and strategy for 2 players, but as many as 5 players have been shown playing together.
The characters of Naomi Wildman and Seven of Nine played the game sometimes, after the events of the episode " Infinite Regress".
Kal-toh
Kal-Toh (kal-toe) is a Vulcan game of logic. According to
Tuvok
Tuvok is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. One of the main characters on the television series '' Star Trek: Voyager'', Tuvok is a member of the fictional Vulcan species who serves as the ship's second officer, Chief of ...
, "Kal-Toh is to chess as chess is to Tic-Tac-Toe". Its goal, according to him, " not about striving for balance utabout finding the seeds of order even in the midst of profound chaos."
Alter Ego (Voyager episode)
"Alter Ego" is the 56th episode of the science fiction television series ''Star Trek: Voyager'', the 14th episode of the Star Trek: Voyager season 3, third season. It was directed by cast member Robert Picardo ("The Doctor").
In this episode, ent ...
It first appeared on ''Star Trek: Voyager'', often played by Tuvok and a partner.
The game itself involves a large number of small gray holographic rods called t'an, generated from a platform below. They are arranged in a specific manner, which eventually produces an icosidodecahedron. Kal-Toh can be played singly or against an opponent, each taking a turn to place a piece.
''Kotra''
''Kotra'' is a Cardassian board game, seen played only once in the entire franchise, in the ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
'' episode "
Empok Nor
"Empok Nor" is the 122nd episode of the television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the 24th episode of the fifth season. The episode aired on television on May 19, 1997. The screenplay was written by Bryan Fuller and Hans Beimler, and it w ...
". It is shown on the table in the ''
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (abbreviated as ''DS9'') is an American science fiction television series created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. The fourth series in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise, it originally aired in syndication from ...
''Strategema'' is a game central to the episode " Peak Performance" of '' Star Trek: The Next Generation''.
''Strategema'' is a strategy game played on a holographic board. The object of ''Strategema'' is to manipulate circular icons to gain control of your opponent's territory while defending your own.
''Strategema'' is generally played on a specially-designed
computer
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to Execution (computing), carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as C ...
. Both players sit at the computer-controlled ''Strategema'' table, facing each other, with the board continuously rotating in the middle. The game is controlled with metal thimbles placed on the players' fingers. Electronics in these thimbles then calculate the movement of the fingers and send the information to the computer.
The duration of a ''Strategema'' game depends on the competence of the players. Generally, games last only a hundred moves at most. However, experienced master players can achieve games of well over a thousand moves.
The longest game of ''Strategema'' on record was between Zakdorn master strategist Sirma Kolrami and Lieutenant Commander Data, lasting over 30,000 moves. Kolrami, realizing that Data was playing to achieve a draw, eventually threw down his controls in disgust and resigned the game to the delight of the ''Enterprise-D'' crewmembers who were watching.
The Game
The Game or The Games may refer to:
Sports and games
* The Game (dice game) (German: ''Das Spiel''), a dice game designed by Reinhold Wittig
* The Game (mind game), a mind game, the objective of which is to avoid thinking about The Game itself
* ...
", an undesignated virtual reality game was introduced to the crew of the ''Enterprise'' in which players wore an optical headset and used mental commands to manipulate holographic funnels to catch virtual disks.
The Game was eventually revealed to be deliberately addictive, stimulating the pleasure centers of the players' brains, and was designed by aliens called the Ktarians, as a stratagem to take control of the ''Enterprise''.
The effects and structure of The Game appear to mirror video game addiction.
Tri-dimensional chess
The game of tri-dimensional chess (tri-d chess) can be seen in many ''Star Trek'' episodes and films, most notably played by
Spock
Spock is a Character (arts), fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. He first appeared in the Star Trek: The Original Series, original ''Star Trek'' series serving aboard the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), USS ''Enterprise ...
against
James T. Kirk
James Tiberius Kirk is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' media franchise. Originally played by Canadian actor William Shatner, Kirk first appeared in ''Star Trek'' serving aboard the starship USS ''Enterprise'' as captain. Kirk leads ...
or Leonard McCoy on the '' Original Series''.
Rules for the game were never explained within the series; in fact, the boards are sometimes not even aligned consistently from one shot to the next within a single episode. The Tri-D chessboard set was made popular by its inclusion in ''
The Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual
The ''Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual'' (, Ballantine Books 1975, reprinted 1986, 1996, 2006) is a fiction reference book by Franz Joseph Schnaubelt, about the workings of Starfleet, a military, exploratory, and diplomatic organization f ...
'' by Franz Joseph, who invented starting positions for the playing pieces and short additional rules. With his approval, Andrew Bartmess first developed the Standard Rules in 1976.
Cogenitor
"Cogenitor" is the 48th episode of the television series ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', the 22nd episode of the second season. Set in the 2100s of the ''Star Trek'' science fiction universe, the NX-01 Enterprise lead by Captain Archer (played by Scott ...
".
''Terrace''
''Terrace'' is a board game introduced in 1992, and was subsequently featured on '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' as a permanent prop.
''Durotta''
''Durotta'' is a board game played by Paris and Torres in the ''Star Trek: Voyager'' episode " Night".
The props used were from the real world game '' Quarto''.
Tapestry episode at StarTrek.com, with a picture of a Nausicaan playing Dom-jot
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Games
A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (such ...
Star Trek
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
Star Trek
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...