Pazaak, an ancient game dating back to Old Republic times, was a popular card game in which the goal was to reach 20 without going over, or at least come closer to it than the opponent. The player with the nearest sum to the number 20 won the round, and the player who won three rounds won the match. If in one round the scores of the two players were equal, the round was not counted at all. Gameplay There are three different decks in pazaak: the main (or “table”) deck, composed of cards numbered 1-10 (the total cards in this deck is unbound, though it tended to have four of each number). There was also one side deck for each player in the game. These decks would be assembled by the players themselves and had to have exactly ten cards.At the beginning of the game, each player would randomly…
Author: Soeren Kamper
Timeline 7: Peace for the Republic? – Developer comments
Since the Friday update there have been a couple of developer posts on the official forums related to the subject. First is one by Rob Chestney, who comments on KotOR2 in relation to SWTOR: Hey Folks, always nice to see the healthy debate sparked by the Timeline pieces. I love Star Wars history and particularly anything relating to KotOR. Even though KotOR 2 was developed by another developer, lots of folks at BioWare played and enjoyed it, including myself. If you look closely within the game, you will find several references to events or characters from KotOR 2, and we absolutely treat it as canon. I will also say that there have been discussions about the final fate of the Exile, who was indeed a woman according to the canon. When outlining the Timeline series, though, we skipped over the events of KotOR2 for a few reasons: (SPOILER ALERT if…
Know your lore: Brianna (The Last Handmaiden)
Brianna, also known as “The Last Handmaiden,” or simply “Handmaiden,” was a half-Echani fighter, and illegitimate daughter to the famous Echani General Yusanis and Jedi Master Arren Kae, who both fought in the Mandalorian Wars. She later served along with her five half-sisters as a handmaiden to Jedi Master Atris in the period following the Jedi Civil War. During her service to Atris at the Jedi Academy on Telos IV, Brianna met the Jedi Exile, and was subsequently tasked with accompanying her on her mission to seek out the Jedi Masters who survived the First Jedi Purge. As the Exile’s companion, Brianna helped battle against numerous adversaries, including the resurgent Sith. During the journey, Brianna trained the Exile in Echani techniques and eventually received Jedi training from the Exile in return, becoming one of first new members of the Jedi Order after the Purge. In accepting such training, however, she…
Peace for the Republic?
It’s Friday again and that means it’s time for our weekly fix of Star Wars: The Old Republic content. This week, Master Gnost-Dural voiced by Lance (The Man) Henriksen returns with another HoloNet chronicle video telling of peace, betrayal, and Sith Infiltrators in the Jedi Order. BTC 103 – More than a century before the Sacking of Coruscant, two Jedi scholars embarked on a journey which became one of most inexplicable mysteries of its time. Young Jedi Knight Eison Gynt joined his Master in a mission to investigate the Ancient Sith Temple of Yavin 4. On Yavin, the pair was attacked by the native Massassi and driven into the Tomb of Naga Sadow where a powerful force of darkness emerged. Gynt’s Master returned to Coruscant wounded and half-insane, remorseful that young Eison Gynt had been killed in the chaos. Years later, however, Gynt returned from Yavin on his own and…
Couldn’t finish A New Hope because of your ADD? Never fear! A 4-minute teaser for Star Wars: Uncut is here!
Put on your best Star Wars costume and get ready for a spectacular remake, as PIX becomes the first festival in the world to show ‘Star Wars Uncut. Since August 2009, thousands of Star Wars fans have united in the project Star Wars Uncut in order to recreate George Lucas’s classic ‘Star Wars’ from 1977, which laid the solid foundation for the Star Wars universe. The film has been divided into 473 scenes lasting 15 seconds each, which the fans have re-shot themselves, after which all 15-second clips have been combined to form one big remake of the film. The clips range from home-made remakes via stop motion to professional 3D animation, and the result is a highly innovative reinterpretation, with John Williams’s original score mixed in. We are talking about a true bombardment of creativity, which is sure to take all Star Wars fans by surprise. The film is…
May the schwartz be with you: Star Wars-Inspired Vintage Travel Posters
Thanks to io9, we just discovered artist Justin van Genderen’s minimalist takes on planets and places of the original Star Wars Galaxy. While the vintage graphic design trend is nothing new, and in fact, Zazzle created a series of Star Wars WPA-inspired travel posters last spring, it’s also something that we never tire of. Our inner Stars Wars geek wishes that van Genderen had included Coruscant and Naboo in his series, but he had over 450 fictional planets to choose from. We’ll forgive him this time.
Species of Starwars: Kel Dor
In one of the first screen shots ever published by Bioware, we se a bad ass looking “Kel Dor” This time in Species of Starwars we will take a closer look on this amazing species. The Kel Dors, sometimes referred to as Kel Dorians, were a species hailing from the technological planet Dorin. They required masks to protect them when in oxygen-rich atmospheres. They were also known for the unique Force-using traditions of the Baran Do Sages. One famous Kel Dor was the Jedi Master Plo Koon, who was a member of a famous Kel Dor Jedi family. Sha Koon, a Jedi Knight, was Plo Koon’s niece. Biology and appearance The Kel Dors were a tall race, typically of the same height and weight as Humans. Their skin ranged in color from peach to a crimson red. Most had dark, black eyes, although some were born with silver irises, a…
How stuff works: Hyperspace
The blue tunnel of hyperspace travel. Hyperspace is the alternate state of existence used by starships to achieve faster-than-light travel. It was a phenomenon not completely understood by scientists; it was alternately described as a parallel universe, an extra dimension of space, an alternate mode of physical existence, or simply the universe as viewed traveling faster than the speed of light. To hyperspace was also a verb in Basic, as in phrases like “You are required to hyperspace back to the fleet when you complete the mission.” Technical background Normally, baryonic matter obeys physical principles of relativity: they increase exponentially in mass as they approach the speed of light, requiring more and more energy to approach it, and thus always remain below this threshold. Tachyonic matter, on the other hand, existed solely above the speed of light, and could not pass below said threshold. Hyperdrive technology allowed sentients to break…
Know your lore: Visas Marr
Visas Marr is a fascinating and tragic character from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II. From her beginnings as a Sith apprentice under Darth Nihilus to her eventual redemption and alliance with the Jedi Exile, Visas embodies the struggle between darkness and light in the Star Wars universe. Let’s take a deeper dive into her complex story! Chapter 1: Visas Marr’s Dark Origins – The Apprentice of Darth Nihilus Visas Marr’s early life was pretty much one big tragedy with a side of “how could this get worse?” As a Miraluka, she was born on Katarr, a peaceful planet where her people, though physically blind, “saw” through the Force. Everything was all Force harmony and tranquility until Darth Nihilus decided to crash the party. And by “crash,” I mean he devoured the entire planet’s life force. Imagine having a nightmare where everything you know and love is obliterated—yeah,…
May the schwartz be with you: Antique Star Wars Plates
Next time you have your in-laws over for dinner, impress them with these antique Star Wars plates. (via The Daily What)
Secret Mists of Voss
Today BioWare unveils another planet for Star Wars: The Old Republic, and I think that it’s probably the most intriguing planet to date: Voss. If you’ve never heard that name then it’s because it’s a wholly new planet . Here’s the official news: We’re thrilled to announce not only the next planet to be featured in Star Wars: The Old Republic™ but also a planet never-before-seen in the Star Wars™ mythos: Voss. An alien species resides on the mysterious world of Voss and is said to have an incredible aptitude for the Force. These Voss Mystics – rumored to be enigmatic healers as well as seers – struggle to protect their utopian society from annihilation. Discover the secrets of Voss as you are forced time and again to choose between maintaining the appearance of neutrality so important to your leaders or striking against your enemies while you have the chance….
Playable Species of SW:TOR – Humans
We know as which classes we will fight, but we only know very little about possible species. While some might still grief over the 2011 release, we went ahead and collected information on BioWare’s future MMO. Screenshots, artworks and videos showed several species, which we will have to face in the game. We made it our business to categorize these enemies for you. First off is humans. Humans were the galaxy’s most numerous and politically dominant sentient species with millions of major and minor colonies galaxywide. Believed to have originated on the galactic capital of Coruscant, they could be found anywhere, engaged in many different pursuits: spacers, mercenaries, smugglers, merchants, soldiers, assassins, farmers, crime lords, laborers, slaves, slavers, and many others, including Jedi. Since Humans were the most common sentient species, they were often considered to be a standard or average to which the biology, psychology, and culture of other…
Feudal Japanese Star Wars Art
Artist Steve Bialik represents legendary Star Wars characters as samurai from traditional Japanese art. Darth Vader and Jabba The Hutt are a lot less scary when they are illustrated as a bald dude in a mask and a giant bullfrog. Obi-Wan Kenobi Yoda Han Solo & Chewbacca the Oni Boba Fett Darth Vader Emperor Palpatine Jabba the Hutt
While we wait for The Old Republic: Attack of the Clones Review
Remember the epic, 70-minute video review of Star Wars: Episode I? Well, at long last the followup review of Episode II is out, and it’s everything you hoped it would be and more.
Juhani: The Cathar Jedi from Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR)
Juhani is one of the most fascinating characters in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), bringing depth, complexity, and a whole lot of emotional baggage to the table. From her struggles with the dark side to her journey of redemption, Juhani’s story gives players plenty to talk about. So, let’s dive into her lore and uncover what makes this Cathar Jedi stand out! Chapter 1: Juhani’s Rough Start – From Taris to Tragedy Juhani’s early life was like one long episode of the galaxy’s worst reality show. Born into the Cathar species, she had the misfortune of living during the Mandalorian Wars, where her people were nearly wiped out. Imagine it: the Mandalorians sweeping in, lights blazing, and you’re just trying to make it through your space-day. To say it was rough would be like calling a Wookiee a little hairy—it doesn’t quite capture the gravity of the…
Lead Systems Designer Talks About the Third Element of Creating MMORPGs
SW:TOR Lead Designer talks about the third element of MMORPGs. This week’s update from Star Wars: The Old Republic is an article from Principal Lead Systems Designer Damion Schubert, who talks about designing systems for MMORPGs. Community is one of the major elements that is needed to make a successful MMORPG, one that Schubert refers to as the whole ball of wax. To me, as an MMO designer, community is the whole ball of wax. Let’s face it, if you wanted to play just a ‘game’, you’d be off playing a single player roleplaying game. If you wanted a ‘world’, maybe you’d play a life-simulation game. But community – well, that’s the whole ‘massively multiplayer’ part of MMO. When you look at it this way, ‘community’ is at least as important as ‘game’ or ‘world’ in this debate. While they have added the opportunity for players to solo their way…
Star Wars Pin-Ups
Feng Zhu is an illustrator who work for movie design and cover art, and actually he worked on the designs of the Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith for Lucasfilm As you can see he did some pretty cool Posters for calling young male around the galaxy to Join the empire.
Sarlacc Enforcer, Devourer of Injustice
It’s april fools day, and Bioware has a great one for us – Sarlacc Enforcer, Devourer of Injustice Think you’ve seen all the playable classes in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™? Think again! We’ve saved the best for last! Now you can realize your fantasy of playing as a Sarlacc Enforcer in Star Wars: The Old Republic! For thousands of years, the brave souls who answer to the name Sarlacc have been the ultimate authority on final judgment in the galaxy. A perfect combination of ruthless efficiency and calculated precision, the Sarlacc Enforcers make sure the galaxy’s trash doesn’t have a chance to pile up. Access the latest HoloNet entry now to see a full profile of the deadly Sarlacc Enforcer, including combat footage of the Sarlaccs in action! From the holonet I can read that this is my type of class 😉 Patient, Calculating, & Elusive The galaxy is…
BioWare’s Countdown Clock Reveals the BioWare Bazaar
About a week ago, BioWare launched a new countdown clock on their site that has had gamers watching it patiently to see what exactly it means. The countdown is officially over as of 12:00pm EST today and the big secret revealed by the countdown is the new BioWare Bazaar, a series of week-long mock online auctions that will begin on April 6th, 2010. In order to bid on the more than 400 items ranging from custom Alienware laptops to BioWare apparel, and much more, fans will need to collect tokens through various challenges to acquire tokens for bidding. The first auction is scheduled to begin at Tuesday, April 6th at 9:00am PST. New items will be made available every 15 minutes from there. The auction series will end at 4:00pm PST on Saturday, April 10th, 2010. What are you waiting for? Click here to learn more.
SW:TOR Community Manager Responds to XBox 360 Rumor
Yesterday a rumor surfaced that Star Wars: The Old Republic (SW:TOR) could possibly be heading to the XBox 360 according to a new internal Xbox 360 release list acquired by VG247. The list details scheduled for release next year, but the most curious entry is near the bottom of the document that states SW:TOR on the Xbox 360 list marked with TBC-2011 release. However, it looks like for the moment the rumor is just that, despite the information in the document. SW:TOR Community Manager Sean “Ashen Temper” Dahlberg responded to the discussion on the official SW:TOR forums, emphasizing that SW:TOR is being developed for the PC with Windows as an operating system at this time. I know many of you have heard this before but I’ll go ahead and reiterate it for those of you who may be new: Star Wars: The Old Republic is currently being developed for the…
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Know your lore: T3-M4
T3-M4 might not have the fame of droids like R2-D2 or BB-8, but this little astromech has been pivotal in shaping the events of the Old Republic era. Known for his resourcefulness, loyalty, and a surprising knack for adventure, T3-M4 has been a critical companion to some of the galaxy’s most important figures. This article delves into the life and legacy of T3-M4, exploring his journey across both the Legends continuity and Disney Canon. Introduction: The Unsung Hero of the Old Republic—T3-M4 T3-M4 may not have the fame of R2-D2 or BB-8, but this little astromech droid has played a crucial role in shaping the events of the Old Republic era. Known for his technical prowess, unwavering loyalty, and endearing personality, T3-M4 is a standout character in the Star Wars universe. This article explores his journey, from his origins in the Legends continuity to the hope for his return in…
While we wait for The Old Republic: Immolation
Set during the Great Jedi Civil War, a Sith apprentice is on the run from the Brotherhood, after failing his most important test. A young Jedi Sentinel is drawn by the Force to seek out the failed Sith apprentice, and tracks him to the snowy world Ziost. Can he reach the him before he is destoyed by the Sith trackers? Download the HQ version of this film at: immolationmovie.com or kuatengineer.webs.com This film takes place during the ero of Knights of the Old Republic… During the apex of Sith power during the great Jedi Civil War, just before infighting tore the Sith Order apart, a young recruit was apprenticed to lead a life with the Brotherhood that he had not fully embraced. Failing his last and most important trial, the Brotherhood deemed him unfit to be Sith and hunted him to a snowy training world inside Sith Space to exterminate…
HoloNet offers new character biographies
SW:TOR HoloNet offers new character biographies. . Have you ever wondered who some of those characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic’s Deceived trailer or the Threat of Peace comics are? With the latest release from BioWare you can find out. The HoloNet has been updated with new biographies for several characters that will be expanded over time. For now, you can get a look at some of the biographical profiles of Grand Moff Kilran, Nem’Ro The Hutt, and Grand Master Satele Shan. Curious about some of the characters you’ve seen in Threat of Peace™, the Developer Walkthrough, or the “Deceived” cinematic trailer? Now you can find out all about them! We are thrilled to introduce a new expansion to our HoloNet archives: Biographies! Now you can view profiles of several of the galaxy’s most notable figures. Each entry highlights someone you may meet, travel with, or fight alongside or…