Jim Tosney: Senior Star Trek Editor (jimt@pde.paramount.com)
It appears that Jim will be taking Guy's place in the scheme of things.

Chris Tragos: VP Marketing and Business Development (ctragos@pde.paramount.com)

Paul Plunkett: News Editor, Star Trek Continuum (no e-mail, too new)

Entertainment Tonight Online: Eric got card of representative

Eric demonstrated the new GUI to the room and it quickly became apparent that those present could see the huge potential for a Star Trek zone. They were particularly impressed with the improved look of the avatars and graphics since it was last demonstrated some months ago and with the amount of subscribers and the speed with which that subscriber base was growing. Those present seemed keen to ‘run with the ball’. More importantly, following the meeting, Chris Tragos took us aside to discuss financial structure for any deal.
Per my brief discussion with David Andrews, I mentioned the proposal of a fee against royalties formula, with royalties decreasing as fees revenue increased. This was all couched in the vaguest of terms.

Some issues raised:
1) As expected, it was my clear impression (though not Eric’s) that the Paramount team were very concerned that if VZStarTrek happened, it be solely a Star Trek zone and users would not be wandering through with cat heads (unless they were Star Trek cats!). They appeared happy with the 'one way' door concept, where avatars would be converted to Star Trek avatars.
2) We were asked if the new GUI was Mac compatible. From memory, Guy once told me The Continuum has a large proportion of Mac users compared with the model Avaterra are finding with its current users base (2 - 3%). This might be a problem -- PDE received considerable complaint when the Continuum was originally launched, as it was completely Windows-based and only accessible through MSN
3) Per our proposal on VZSciFi, we were asked if avatars could start out as specific races as well as sex. There was enthusiasm for the idea object-driven 'experience awards' so avatars could eventually rise in rank or learn skills. (i.e. if an avatar doesn't have a particular object in its possession it can't make a spaceship fly, or enter MedBay as a doctor).
4) Very keen on some level of 'role play' in zone, somehow. Jim Tosney suggested we perhaps contact TSR about a roleplaying VZ.
5) Impressed by the potential of purchase of real world merchandise through clicking on them, either through opening individually tailored web pages or just a straight jump to the Continuum shop.

Future actions:
1) All in all, the discussion was very enthusiastic. Eric is going to send some free accounts and then arrange follow up meetings ASAP.
2) A follow up meeting to be arranged: James to establish exactly our role in this. Demo the ‘dummy zone’ already created.
3) Clarification of Paramount’s concerns, if any over Star Trek avatars in other zones. This is particularly an issue if we license other science fiction zones, such as VZStarWars. From experience I feel Lucasfilm and Paramount will not want to see their two universes mixed and matched.

Suggestions
1) My feeling is that VZStarTrek should be a fee-paying zone in addition to any regular subscription users already pay. This could either be scaled ? offering two separate levels of access ? or a flat fee. It seems to me that the flat fee would be preferable. An additional fee for use of VZStar Trek is vital as a revenue generator against Paramount royalties or charges.
2) There should be a ‘demo area’ for VZStar Trek in VZSciFi and VZEntertainment offering limited access to the Star Trek zone and its unique objects. Maybe four rooms?
3) The existence of VZStarTrek should not preclude the discussion of the shows and guest appearances by Star Trek creators and actors InZone when it launches.