The Old Republic video details Tython, shows off unexpected footage
by Kyle Horner 
Jan 31st 2009 at 10:00AM
Filed under: Video, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic
Disappointingly, no new combat footage was given up this time around. Mostly, we weren't given any gameplay to indulge upon. What was offered was soothing geek-surances like the above image of lightsaber concept-to-game model. This is BioWare saying, "See? Our concept art translates quite well into game engine!" and they're basically on the mark.
One thing BioWare was able to do is say a lot with just a little. The gameplay footage that was revealed caught us a little off guard. Not only did this fresh early footage bare what most MMOs have a player staring at for hours -- their avatar jogging along complacently -- but it looked pretty good. Obviously, we're not raising The Old Republic's right hand in victory over "pretty good" looking footage. Yet at this early date, such a routine-but-key visual looks like it's been pretty well nailed down. Check out the full video after the break.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
david said on 10:43AM 1-31-2009
This game looks sooo amazing... I am going to preorder it as soon as possible... :')
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Tony said on 11:03AM 1-31-2009
I really just can't get into the character models for this, but I like the look of everything else.
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moo said on 11:38AM 1-31-2009
I like the graphics apart from the lame character models and the weapons look more like toys. I bet you're gonna have to loot your lightsabers too which would be lame seeing as Jedi craft their own. It just doesn't feel like Star Wars to me and Star Wars died after the original trilogy because everything else since has been shit. The look of the game is too comic book, cartoony and clean.... Star Wars is realistic and gritty. so while i like the backgrounds and the style, it doesn't feel like Star Wars to me and I just don't understand how anyone could like any of the new Star Wars stuff because noone liked the new trilogy or the clone wars so why are they copying that instead of the style of the original trilogy?
Also I bet the game is going to be solo based and it'll have lots of zoning and you'll be able to solo everything with no death penalty and a lack of crafting etc etc........
For me an mmorpg has to do these things well:
1. In Depth crafting because I enjoy the whole playing run economy and that is far better than everything being loot based.
2. Seamless, because I want to feel immersed in an online world and if I'm zoning all the time like AoC and Everquest 2 then..... I will hate it. World of Warcraft had the right idea when it came to the world so why don't people copy that instead of all the dumbing down crap?
3. Needs to force the community together to socialize because with games like WoW and that everyones always soloing and it is no fun. I remember the EQ2 beta where it was basically forced grouping for the most part. It was so much fun cause everyone was grouping and it was the most amazing experience I ever had. However in WoW everyone solo'd all the way through and I was bored and might aswel have been playing a solo RPG.
4. Needs to be Hard because if I feel like I did with WoW where everything was uber easy then the quests don't feel satisfying when you do them and they turn into a grind. I want a death penalty, I would love a social one like SWG had where you needed other professions to get rid of your death penalty because that would force people to talk to eachother and make new friends. I don't want the game to be easy and I want to lose items and levels because then you fear death and its more of a rush like EVE Online.
If ToR is gonna be some dumbed down easy solo mmorpg and copy WoW then I'm not interested. I've already lost interest with the art style because it doesn't look like Star Wars.
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Holgar said on 1:08PM 1-31-2009
I can't believe I'm saying this but: Have you tried WAR on for size? Depending on what server your on RVR can be a real teamwork challange when its working right....
Also I agree with the gritty aspect of star wars, that was the most awsome part of the first three movies everything looked like it had been through years of wear and tear.
Wjowski said on 11:33PM 1-31-2009
'Forced socialization' doesn't do a damn thing besides alienate newcomers. If there's a surest path to failure for MMOs it's ignoring solo gameplay.
Niff said on 7:44PM 2-12-2009
The reason there is a differance between the look of the trilogy and the prilogy is the fact the trilogy was ment to show the dark times of the galexy under the empire, everything dirty and broken down (millenium falcon is a prime example) and the with the prilogy is ment to show what it was like before the empire took control, a clean, modern, free world (queen amidala's ship in comparison with the falcon)
i know this isnt related to the game per say, but just felt like that needed explaining
but the game looks good, just wondering the class aspect of this though, cause if everyone is jedi, and in direct combat, not sure how it will work =/
but looks wise, looking good, knt wait to see more
zigzagkill said on 2:30PM 4-21-2009
Hey that's a nice set of OPINIONS based on what YOU like .... and WoW people are just going to be generally upset that something NEW might possibly better than it ... and all their hard earned raiding time of infinite amounts of sifting thru recycled loot and /content / single minded strategies/ no actual challenge , will be of wasted effort >.< And just so you know I played WoW since launch and recently gave it up ... Why might you ask ? Because there is nothing really new with the new patch , as in challenging to the mind . This new SW game is bringing back what alllll MMO's are lacking ( my OPINION ) which is story !!! Something that brings your character to life instead of the new sword of the latest patch that you had to farm for the last month and a half to get . 'Nuff said ... ZZK
Lateris said on 1:09PM 1-31-2009
The production and the lore behind the game is amazing. But they need to address questions that the entire Star Wars fan base is asking about the game or this fan base will turn its back on the game much like we did with SWG. I do respect BioWare but I have no respect for EA or Lucas Arts. So I am worried due to EA's and Lucas Arts frakking up of games.
I want to know if there will be;
1- player homes
2- space
3- vehicles
4- Is this a dumbed down version of WoW?
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xtrmlybad said on 12:38PM 1-31-2009
I do like the artstyle very much. I'm all for clean/artistic colorful assets than grim brown straight lines.
@ Moo: Hope it proves to do 1-3, but I REALLY don't think 4 will show up once the game launches.
Let us hope and wait.
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Bossy said on 8:36PM 1-31-2009
Incredible really.
You see only some ... footage and the thing you get is ... a fight between a rather stiff avatar swinging a light saber and a ... tiger in a green Strangleton Vale wilderness.
KOTOR - I am afraid - will be Wow with light sabers.
Jesus. For those waiting for a space SF game, better look at Star Trek or perhaps even the next MMO from Blizzard.
I want Space battles, Hi tech space ships and recon missions to planets.
I don't want ... Paladin Jedis fighting ... boars with light sabers.
TR...is already dead.
Another bad Wow clone and the PC game market could be dead forever.
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Derek K. said on 9:34PM 1-31-2009
I despise the internet. I really do.
I can't really say more than that.
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Mr Rodgers said on 5:29AM 2-01-2009
Wow. Apparently I'm the only left alive who is still excited about this game.
Instead of hating on the game for not going the fiscally stupid route and alienating a HUGE market by making the game too complicated and difficult for the average person, it looks like Bioware is aiming for making a massive version of the Knigts of the Old Republic games...which completely makes sense. If they play their cards right, they really could tear a huge chunk out of WoW's kindgom.
In short, instead of thinking this is going to be the hardcore MMO players dream (which doesn't actually exist -- MMO players are both vocal and impossible to please), think of this as the next AAA KotOR game, but with a multiplayer mode.
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Trippin Ninja said on 12:16PM 2-01-2009
Your not alone Mr Rodgers! Great post btw.
I'm really liking the looks of this game so far. I have never been a big fan of realistic graphics in games, I prefer the rich colors of cartoony/stylized graphics. So far this game looks like its on track to be something special and I will be keeping my eyes on it.
And for the record, I like the new Clone Wars cartoons because even though they are still for kids they are more action oriented than the movies. Plus with animation you get to see more exciting jedi combat. In fact I think I might enjoy the cartoons more than either movie trilogy. To each his own I guess.
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Sworm said on 1:37PM 2-03-2009
wow...just wow, I'm amazed at how good those graphics look!
Realistic graphics aren't bad, but I think stylized/cartoony graphics can transmit a better feel in the world. It just feel much more alive (my own opinion of course...)
Oh and yeah I'm also one of those "heretics" that actually liked the new trilogy. I just see where the problem is.
In the old trilogy everything is grim. It's just like Holgar said: "everything looked like it had been through years of wear and tear." and i totaly agree with that! The Empire dominating the galaxy with an iron fist and the rebels struggling with their not-so-shiny crafts. It makes sense!
But the new trilogy is about the fall of magnificent era, where everything was elegent and civilised, not dark, grim and harsh!
But I can understand that some people don't enjoy the new trilogy and that even think it's crap. Not everybody has the same taste.
Anyway, for now, I think the graphics ar emore then satisfactory (if you enjoy stylized...) and I will most definetly get this game unless Bioware does some massive screw up with the gameplay. But seeing as they aren't amatures, I think this game will be pretty solid.
Wait & See
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Sworm said on 1:42PM 2-03-2009
wow...just wow, I'm amazed at how good those graphics look!
Realistic graphics aren't bad, but I think stylized/cartoony graphics
can transmit a better feel in the world. It just feels much more alive (my own opinion of course...)
Oh and yeah I'm also one of those "heretics" that actually liked the new trilogy. I just don't see where the problem is.
In the old trilogy everything is grim. It's just like Holgar said: "everything looked like it had been through years of wear and tear." and i totaly agree with that! The Empire is dominating the galaxy with
an iron fist and the rebels struggling with their not-so-shiny crafts in a dark era. It makes sense!
But the new trilogy is about the fall of magnificent era, where everything was elegent and civilised, not dark, grim and harsh!
But I can understand that some people don't enjoy the new trilogy and that even think it's crap. Not everybody has the same taste.
Anyway for now, I think the graphics are more then satisfactory (if you enjoy stylized...) and I will most definetly get this game unless Bioware does some massive screw up with the gameplay. But seeing as
they aren't inexperienced, I think this game will be pretty solid.
Wait & See
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Shadouwolf said on 11:03PM 2-09-2009
I love the comment "MMO players are both vocal and impossible to please" It is SO true. this is some of the first footage and already there are haters. Nothing about gameplay, or how the whole world looks. and already they are saying "its no beter than wow". All I have to say to those people is...Slow your role homies! DAMN! Give it some time and see what it develops in to.
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