Much like the dreaded Kobayashi Maru, there really is no right answer to the question, “Where should I pre-order Star Trek Online?” In its ongoing mission to make games as hard to purchase as possible, Starfleet has issued different pre-order bonuses to each major American retailer. Want to pilot the Enterprise? You’ll have to order from GameStop. Need a pet Tribble? Best Buy. How about a gun that beams projectiles directly to their intended target? Target. That “Liberated Borg” bridge officer you always wanted? Amazon.

And here we thought all we had to do to get the full enjoyment out of our games was buy them. Those days are over, friend. Check out the full list of pre-order bonuses — and where to find them

• GameStop: Exclusive ship: The classic USS Enterprise
• Best Buy: Pet Tribble or Targ (based on faction)
• Amazon: “Liberated Borg” Bridge Officer with “unique nanotechnology augmentations”
• Direct2Drive: Multi-Spatial Personal Shield (regenerates itself and player health)
• Wal-mart: Bonus Skill Points (bestows additional skill points)
• Target: TR-116 ground weapon (micro-transporter beams projectiles to target, no line of sight required)
• Steam: Chromodynamic Armor, improves critical hits and damage of energy weapons

2:18AM - I know, the suspense is killing me, too. Check back later this morning for live coverage!

12:19AM - While you’re killing time waiting for the keynote to start, make sure you check out some of the contests we’ve got running right now!

We’re giving away a Sony DSLR-A330 camera, Sony HDR-CX100 HD camcorder, and Sonos S5 wireless music system — all pretty amazing devices. Go on, we’ll still be here.

8:29AM - Also, be sure to check out the “iSlate” page on gdgt, it’s where all the news and discussions about the Apple tablet is going down. (Yes, we’ll change the name when/if Apple announces the damned thing today!)

9:01AM - Almost to the event!

9:05AM - Yowch, media line this time is fairly crazy! Standing by for admission.

9:17AM - Alright, we’re in! Doors aren’t open yet though, so we’re huddled in with all the other reporters and guests.

9:28AM - Doors opening in just a sec! (Photos are coming!)

9:41AM - Alright, we’re in! Dylan playing on the PA — Steve’s favorite! more…

A Conversation With Brian Buckley:

A good friend and fellow video game enthusiast beta testing STO.

me:I was just going to ask what your final take on STO was and what you thought about it…
Brian: Final? It is not over yet
me: it will be at 6pm our time and I will not be playing it again before its done… more…

This is an awesome game that I saw today. They people hosting made 100 cupcakes, each one representing a certain game, board, video, or otherwise. This was an amazing effort, considering the detailed work and imagination that went into it.

The goal of the game was to identify all the games from the clues on top of the cupcakes. I challenge you to do the same and leave a list (left to right top to bottom) with the name of the game.