Filed under: Star Wars: The Old Republic

The Digital Continuum: Can story supplant grind?

by Kyle Horner Feb 8th 2010 at 3:00PM

Filed under: Game mechanics, Opinion, The Digital Continuum, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars offers a setting with incredible chances at strong storytelling and it's for this reason I've been watching closely for any hints at the story elements in Star Wars: The Old Republic. This recent developer blog on the driving forces behind the Sith Inquisitor's tale really dug its claws into my mind.

Before now, I'd always assumed most choice elements within the story of any given class would be mostly binary. That was the easiest solution for BioWare, who has created quite the challenge for themselves with the premise of a full singleplayer storyline experience for each class within the game.

The development of the Sith Inquisitor in Star Wars: The Old Republic

by Eliot Lefebvre Feb 5th 2010 at 9:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Previews, Star Wars: The Old Republic

The Sith Inquisitor is not meant as just another Force-using class. That's one of the central themes behind the most recent developer blog from Star Wars: The Old Republic. Saying even that the Inquisitor is meant as a Palpatine to the Sith Warrior's Darth Vader is only a fraction of the whole story. No, the Inquisitor exists as someone whose diet of dark secrets and forbidden knowledge is as much a survival mechanism as anything, the manipulator and scholar, the calm and reason to balance against the Warrior's bravado and power.

Where the Warrior begins as a member of high society, the Inquisitor begins life as a slave, sent to either become a part of the Empire's almost monastic order of Sith or die unknown and unmourned. Inquisitors face the difficulties of choice, not only of morality but of their personal desires weighed against the needs and demands of the Empire. And through it all, they are the keepers of secrets and mystical knowledge of the Force, learning and studying into the otherworldly aspects it posseses. While we're still more than a year out from the expected launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, fans should still enjoy this look at one of the game's most devious classes.

The opening volley of SWTOR's great Sith War

by Kyle Horner Jan 24th 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Lore, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

The Sith War in Star Wars: The Old Republic opened with a massive surprise attack that shook the Republic to its very core. That's pretty much all you need to know going into the most recent holorecord lore video, not because it's low on details but because we really don't want to ruin it for you.

However, things are definitely heating up in Master Gnost-Dural's studies of the events leading up to the current situation in-game. Plenty of questions are left over by the end of this video, but more details are promised -- and really that's par for the course of these updates. We're happy to want more, as the only other option is being bored with it and that'd be wholly disheartening.

The Digital Continuum: Delay? You can't handle the delay!

by Kyle Horner Jan 19th 2010 at 5:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Opinion, The Digital Continuum, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Rumor: a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts.

Example: Star Wars: The Old Republic will be released in October, 2010.

Yeah, guys, that was never in the wings. The fact of the matter is that the game was never delayed. You need at minimum a projected release date before something can be delayed. I personally find it pretty ridiculous that some people are worried about hype dying down for a game which they themselves thrust a false release date upon because they're so hyped up for it.

SWTOR fan friday introduces 'Developer Corner' feature

by Kyle Horner Jan 15th 2010 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Video, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Fan art and fan fiction are in full effect in this week's Fan Friday for Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, BioWare's added something new to the mix this week -- the Developer Corner. Before getting to that, we'd like to briefly mention that the above preview of scars for our potential characters is superb. We especially appreciate the wide range of options, some of which show of the ability of the game's graphics engine to render subtle details.

The new Developer Corner segment offers the briefest peek at in-progress game elements that are intended to be interesting and completely new. It may not always be a video, but as it happens we lucked out. This week features a short video clip that's void of sound yet full of grandiose level design strokes. Focus is on the Imperial military base of Sobrikill Valley on the planet of Balmorra, where the Republic is raining down laser bombs like nobody's business. Thankfully, the Imperials have setup a large force field overhead, which creates some significant visual oomph. We can only imagine what it must look like from the ground level!

Bioware confirms 2011 SWTOR release

by Rubi Bayer Jan 12th 2010 at 2:30PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Yesterday we talked about a rumor that had been floating around thanks to Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello, who had mentioned the spring 2011 launch of an unnamed MMO on a recent conference call. Of course, the Star Wars: The Old Republic rumor mill sprang into action, with good cause as it turns out.

Sean Dahlberg of Bioware confirmed the rumor on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic forums earlier today: While we have not announced a specific date, we can confirm that we are targeting a spring 2011 release for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. We've got a lot of exciting updates and reveals planned throughout 2010, including the first-ever hands-on testing for the game. It's not too late to sign up to be a game tester, so go to www.swtor.com/tester and sign up today. We can't wait to share more about the game with you as we progress through the year, so make sure you stay tuned to the official website for details.

While it may not be quite as soon as many fans were hoping for, the extra time gives Bioware a chance to add all those final touches and roll out a nicely put-together game for 2011.

Star Wars: The Old Republic rumored for spring in 2011

by Eliot Lefebvre Jan 11th 2010 at 7:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Launches, New titles, Rumors, Star Wars: The Old Republic

A long time from now, in a game store probably not too far away... you might be getting your copy of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Well, all right, spring of 2011 might not be all that far along, but if you're one of the many eagerly looking forward to Bioware's entry into the MMO arena, it certainly feels like an eternity.

ShackNews has recently reported on a rumor that John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts, mentioned that they were looking forward to their next big MMO launch in spring of 2011 while discussing the company's financial outlook. Although he was cautious and stated they had not announced a launch date, he did mention that the team was making "great progress" toward that timeframe.

Obviously, the game was not specified by name, which does technically mean he could have been referring to another game. But unless they've secretly been developing Warhammer Online II: The Warhammering, in all likelihood we can expect to see Star Wars: The Old Republic early next year. Which might be good news if you're a Bioware fan anyway, since Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 are making enough of a dent on your wallet this year.

Threat of Peace issue #23 goes beneath Dantooine

by Kyle Horner Jan 9th 2010 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

In the newest entry of Threat of Peace -- the webcomic prequel to Star Wars: The Old Republic -- it seems like Jedi and Sith will fight just about anywhere. They'll even make battle under Dantooine, especially if there's some degree of revenge involved in the fight. To be fair, Sith Lords Baras and Master Dar'Nala aren't simply fighting in a cave, they're fighting in ancient crystal caves that make for a much more spectacular setting. Of course, none of this would even be happening if the Jedi didn't blame the Sith for upsetting the peace treaty.

Ah, Jedi, always blaming the Sith for their problems. Well, at least it makes for great showdowns beneath Dantooine! If not for that, well... we're not really sure what these comics would be about. Jedi picnics?

Star Wars: The Old Republic reveals Dromund Kaas, seat of imperial power

by Eliot Lefebvre Jan 8th 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Previews, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

It's another Friday, and the recent pattern has shown, Star Wars: The Old Republic has posted a new update on the official site. As we've heard a full reveal of all the playable classes, the site has been focusing more on backstory and locations of late. And we see an important location indeed -- the heart of the Sith Empire that has been obliterating much of the eponymous republic's power base.

Dromund Kaas, a jungle planet, was discovered by the Sith quite some time ago, but the location was lost and the planet forgotten in the recesses of history. That is, until the Sith suffered a horrendous defeat some thousand years back, at which point the remnants of the fleet happened upon the forested world. They spent generations building their force back up, which included turning the atmosphere into a nonstop electrical storm (how that helps with launching an attack on a larger entrenched military is somewhat questionable, but let's not sweat the details).

Even with the Sith powerbase expanding, Dromund Kaas remains the center of intrigue, politics, and all that goes along with the above. No doubt there are a large number of future Star Wars: The Old Republic players already thinking about what adventures might take place on the planet's surface, so take a look at the official update, which includes further screenshots, concept art, and a video flythrough of the planet.

Star Wars: The Old Republic releases more intel on the Imperial Agent

by Eliot Lefebvre Jan 2nd 2010 at 11:00AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Previews, Star Wars: The Old Republic

One of the frequently-voiced concerns about Star Wars: The Old Republic is the possibility that the non-Force classes will wind up becoming almost irrelevant. Who's going to pay attention to being a spy when you can wield an energy sword and fling lightning, right? As a matter of fact, the Imperial Agent would like very much if no one ever notices they exist. They're quite happy to stand in the background and never be observed, because as the latest developer's entry explains, that's precisely what the Agent does best. They exist in the shadow, the man of many faces and a hundred names, a presence whose influence is strongest when it isn't evident at all.

Star Wars: The Old Republic faces the difficult task of making the Sith -- traditionally the villains of the franchise -- into a playable and likable faction rather than monolithic evil. As the developer entry points out, the Imperial Agent is a major part of that, of giving the chance to look at someone who is quite possibly a proud citizen of the Empire and happy to serve in keeping the peace and bring down the Republic. It's also a look at the parts between the lines of the films, the spies and intel operators whose role was important but whose faces were rarely seen. But you might decide not to look at the full discussion of the class anyway -- and as we've mentioned, really, that's what the agent would want.

The Digital Continuum: SWTOR's content conundrums

by Kyle Horner Dec 29th 2009 at 3:00PM

Filed under: New titles, Opinion, The Digital Continuum, Star Wars: The Old Republic

As excited as I am for Star Wars: The Old Republic, I keep wondering whether or not BioWare can pull off three or four games' worth of content. It's no secret that developing an MMO takes considerable time and effort, but adding in all this extra story content has got to require a massive fleet of creative people doing what creative people do best: work on little sleep and lots of caffeine.

Every MMO that's launched, has launched without all the content its designers wanted it to have. In reality, this is true of every videogame, but for MMOs the desire to "perfect" is significantly stronger because they're an ongoing development project. So, for this game, I find myself wondering what exactly it's going to have missing for launch day. As it turns out, there's a lot of potentials.

The Digital Continuum: SWTOR's content conundrums, page 2

by Kyle Horner Dec 29th 2009 at 3:00PM

Filed under: New titles, Opinion, The Digital Continuum, Star Wars: The Old Republic

BioWare on developing the Dark Side of SWTOR

by Kyle Horner Dec 27th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Video, Classes, New titles, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Would you like to know more about BioWare's lengthy effort of creating the dark side classes in Star Wars: The Old Republic? Well, of course you would! We mean, who wouldn't really? Well, probably Jedi, but nobody really listens to those guys anyhow. Except maybe for angst-ridden youth who've just recently discovered their father is a dark lord of the Sith. Oh, wait, nevermind.

In this video glimpse into the game's development, we're treated to some insight on the Sith Warrior and Inquisitor's overall design. BioWare details their thought process behind the various aspects of each class, including lightsaber hilt styles, armor styles and of course overall story focus within the game. Our collective jaws were on the floor during the shots of all the concept art for Sith armor. Players definitely won't find Star Wars: The Old Republic to be a game lacking in depth and breadth of loot.

Check out the full video after the break.

Star Wars: The Old Republic gives an official reveal of Tatooine

by Eliot Lefebvre Dec 18th 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, Virtual worlds, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Despite being an obscure planet on the outer rim in Star Wars: The Old Republic, everyone knew that the desert planet Tatooine was going to be in the game. No, really, everyone. It's like Hoth, it shows up all the time, probably because the first movie in the franchise started on it. BioWare has thrown us a few curveballs, but to think they wouldn't send us to a well-known and iconic planet in the franchise would be silly. And sure enough, today's update to the official site is details on the sprawling desert wasteland with occasional pockets of civilization.

There's plenty to do in the desert, however, even if the traditional stomping of tusken raiders doesn't appeal to you. The official page details the aftermath of the Czerka Corporation's meddling with the biosphere and with unfettered weaponry, which the Sith Empire is attempting to reclaim. There's the promise of something truly horrible under the sand as well, which should provide players of Star Wars: The Old Republic plenty of searching around dunes. Take a look at the official page on the planet, and if that doesn't sate your need for the game's universe, the newest installment of Threat of Peace is also available for your reading pleasure.

The Daily Grind: What's your SWTOR class of choice?

by Kyle Horner Dec 17th 2009 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Classes, News items, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Star Wars: The Old Republic

Well, every class for Star Wars: The Old Republic is out for the world to see and discuss, and you know what that means: time to start considering your first class. We find that most people fall into two categories here. They either pick a class archetype they're very familiar with (tank, DPS or support) or go for whichever class appeals to them thematically. You also have those who simply go with something different for the sake of variety.

As for this particular blogger, it's safe to say the Sith Inquisitor is likely to be the first character rolling off the creation line come launch day. Then again, there's always beta to consider as well... hmm, the choices just don't stop, do they?

Well, what say you, good readers?