BioWare just announced that the next stop in the Star Wars: The Old Republic Community Cantina Tour will be happening on Friday, August 15th, in Germany! This is the chance for European players to join the SWTOR community for a development team Q&A as well as complimentary drinks*, food, and giveaways. Every attendee will be receiving a highly coveted M8-3R Astromech code. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by! Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel Date: Friday, August 15th, 2014 Time: 7:00-11:00PM CEST Address: Messe Kreisel 3 (access Brügelmannstr. 1) D-50679 Cologne, Germany Space will be limited, so be sure to arrive early! You can RSVP on Facebook here (Facebook RSVP is not required for and does not guarantee admittance).
Author: Soeren Kamper
Developer Update: Introduction to Galactic Strongholds
More Star Wars: The Old Republic Galactic Strongholds content is revealed today, as BioWare posted a new developer diary. The post details everything from decorating hooks to the decorations for your brand new apartment will be available via loot drops and from crew skills, reputation and PvP rewards and off course the Cartel Market. All housing decorations will be available across your entire Legacy by default. It seems like crafters will play a big part in the process, as BioWare says that tradeskillers “of all levels will provide the components required to obtain these decorations.” But how much it really is, remains to be seen. Another thing that is really cool is the possibility to invites guest home to you apartment to show off your stuff. Also the furniture placement method in below gif looks outstanding. Needing to unlock a second of the same chair to place it again may…
New Galactic Living Twitch Series
BioWare is starting a new show on Twitch beginning today, July 2nd called Galactic Living. From live tours of the various strongholds like the Nar Shaddaa Sky Palace to a behind-the-scenes look at the decoration items and tools, get an inside preview of all the ways you’ll be able to customize your own stronghold in the new Digital Expansion, Galactic Stronghold coming later this year. WHERE: www.twitch.tv/swtor WHEN: Wednesday, July 2nd @ 1:30PM PDT / 8:30PM GMT WHAT: First Look: Galactic Stronghold Decoration System STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT STREAM AND TOPIC AT: www.twitch.tv/swtor OR www.swtor.com/twitch Plus, don’t miss your opportunity to own your own Nar Shaddaa Sky Palace with three room unlocked by becoming a Subscriber by July 15th! Subscriber Early Access begins August 19th.
SWTOR 2.8.1 Patch Notes
Servers are going down tomorrow for maintanence, and during this Patch 2.8.1 will be implemented. Below are the patch notes: Highlights Reap the Spoils of War! The second phase of the Spoils of War event has begun and Warzones now give double Commendations and Credits! Get in there and go berserk! New Cartel Market Pack! The Club Vertica Nightlife Pack and Hypercrate is now available! Bounty Contract Week returns! The event runs from July 8th 12:00 GMT (05:00 PDT) to July 15th 12:00 GMT (05:00 PDT). Progress faster with a Double XP Week! Get twice the experience from July 1st 07:00 GMT (00:00 PDT) to July 8th 07:00 GMT (00:00 PDT). General The High and Very High graphic presets for Shadow Map Cascades and Shadow Map Resolution have changed: High is now 1024 Resolution (down from 1280) and 4 Cascades (down from 6). Very High is now has 6 Cascades…
DOUBLE XP WEEK: JULY 1 – 7, 2014
Star Wars: The old Republic will be having a full week of double xp this summer. So if you are not doing anything this july 4 th, now is the time to level your alts. As always, the double xp bonus stacks with all other leveling bonuses you can get in the game. 06.27.2014 Double XP is back for an entire week! Whether you’re a new or experienced player, take advantage of Double XP and Legacy XP to level up your main character faster or to create an alternate character and enjoy a new class story and gameplay! Double XP and Legacy XP will be active during the following time: Starts: July 1, 2014 (11AM PDT / 6PM GMT) Ends: July 7, 2014 (12AM PDT / 7AM GMT) With the recent release of Game Update 2.8: Spoils of War, now is a great to check out the new Operations group…
Scheduled Maintenance: July 1, 2014 – Patch 2.8.1
On July 1st, all game servers, SWTOR.com, and the launcher will be unavailable while BioWare perform scheduled maintenance. Game Update 2.8.1 will be implemented during this downtime. Details are as follows: Date: Tuesday, July 1st Duration: 7 hours Time: 1AM PDT (8AM GMT) – 8AM PDT (3PM GMT) During maintenance, all updates and additional information will be posted on the official Twitter account. Time Zone Start Time Scheduled End Time UTC Offset HST Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:00 PM Tue Jul 01, 2014 05:00 AM -10 hours AKDT Tue Jul 01, 2014 12:00 AM Tue Jul 01, 2014 07:00 AM -8 hours PDT Tue Jul 01, 2014 01:00 AM Tue Jul 01, 2014 08:00 AM -7 hours MDT Tue Jul 01, 2014 02:00 AM Tue Jul 01, 2014 09:00 AM -6 hours CDT Tue Jul 01, 2014 03:00 AM Tue Jul 01, 2014 10:00 AM -5 hours EDT Tue Jul 01,…
Hillary “Pokket” Nicole joins BioWare as new Community Coordinator
Yesterday BioWare introduced a new member to the community team. Hillary “Pokket” Nicole now joines the team as new Community Coordinator. Her role will be to help maintain relationships with fan sites, streamers, guilds, and any other aspect of the SWTOR community. If you have been following the mmorpg comunity, chance are you already know Pokket for her work on mmorpg.com, or followed her on her own website. Check out the announcements below, and check out her private website over at POKKET.TV Post #1 HillaryNicole A wild Hillary appears… | Today , 03:19 PM Greetings everyone! My name is Hillary Nicole, but some of you may know me as “Pokket.” I recently joined the Bioware Austin team as their new Community Coordinator. My role will be to help maintain relationships with fan sites, streamers, guilds, and any other aspect of the SWTOR community. To give a little history on myself, I’ve…
DICE given ‘creative freedom’ with Star Wars license
DICE general manager Karl Magnus Troedsson was interviewed by CVG, regarding the upcoming Star Wars: Battlefront. Karl Magnus Troedsson told CVG of the partnership: “It’s been a good collaboration, because when you’re working on somebody else’s IP it can often turn into a bit of a challenge I bet. But that’s why this has been so positive, because the teams are working together. Check it out: “I won’t go into specifics, but what I can say is that it’s been extremely positive. We don’t feel limited in any way. We feel completely enabled within this framework. I can’t go into all the details about how that collaboration works, but what I can see is that it’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience. “The way that I would sum it up is we have one game team with a lot of experience building games, who are so passionate about Star Wars, and…
Patch Notes – 2.8.0a
Patch 2.8a is now available for download. Below are the patchnotes: General Group Finder’s Operation queue has been set to 8-Player (down from 16-Player) in order to decrease server load and resolve widespread connectivity and instancing issues. Addressed a bug that caused Legacy cooldown unlocks to not apply properly for certain Abilities. So back to nobody using GF for operations 🙁 I had nothing but positive experiences running DF and SNV using it, capped out two of my characters at the beginning of the week. I was even bringing out my tanks, which are usually too much of a pain to gear but are fine with the bolster and ultimate comms showing up everywhere now. They better bring 16man back
Update on Area Transition Issues & Unscheduled Maintenance 6/13
BioWare will be taking down the servers and perform an Unscheduled Maintenance tomorrow. After this maintenance Group Finder Operation queue from 16-Player to 8-Player will no longer be available do to technical issues. I really hope we do end up getting more details from Bioware about what exactly is happening. But to me it sounds like their servers just buckled under the pressure of all of the instances it had to spawn (most likely due to how many people were queueing up for something new) of a large area (an operation) and 16 people to track. Post #1 TaitWatson Area Transition Issues | 06.12.2014, 12:23 PM Hey everyone, We have identified a fix to the ongoing area transition/instancing and connectivity issues that players have been seeing since the release of Game Update 2.8. In order to alleviate these issues, we are going to be doing unscheduled maintenance tomorrow morning (Friday, June…
EA Opens new Star Wars Website
Leland Chee (Manager of the Holocron over at Lucasfilm Story Group), posted an interesting tweet Yesterday. Unknown to most people, Electronic arts, have now started a website for all thing related to upcoming Star Wars video games in development by EA. Over a year ago, EA and our partners at Lucasfilm and Disney reached a multi-year, multi-title exclusive licensing agreement for the creation of new Star Warsgames aimed at core gamers across consoles, PC, mobile and tablets. Today, we’re excited to be launching a new Web Site for EA’s Star Wars games. StarWars.ea.com is a singular destination for Star Wars fans to learn more about the exciting new games in development at EA. Right now, you can find new videos and the latest on Star Wars™ Battlefront™ from DICE, and Star War™: The Old Republic™ from BioWare. This will be pretty interesting to follow for now on. You can check…
SWTOR Game Update 2.8: Spoils of War Consolidated Bugs List
With a new game update comes new bugs. Here a Consolidated Bugs List of all the know bugs in the game right now. If you have found any that is not on this list, remember to report it to BioWare, either ingame or on the official forums. Post #1 TaitWatson Oversight: NM DF bosses still have same HP | 06.11.2014, 12:26 PM QUOTE Death_By_Smiley The Nightmare Buff removed the increased damage. It however did not remove the extra HP. Frankly, I’d almost prefer it would stay this way. However, this is, by definition, and oversight, as the nightmare buff was supposed to affect HP. I’ll send this along to the team to see what’s going on. Thanks! Post #2 TaitWatson Ajunta Pall‘s Mask clipping | 06.11.2014, 12:25 PM QUOTE PavSalco At least in the preview my beard goes through Ajunta’s mask that does not hide it at all. Can any person that equipped…
Developer Update: Spoils of War
Game update 2.8 Spoils of War is now live, and with it, BioWare posted 3 developer updates and a developer blog. in These designer Chris Schmidt, PvP Designer Alex Modny, Lead Flashpoints and Operation Designer George Smith and Associate Producer Andrew Horwitz ( many new names here? ), outlines what to expect with the new update. You can read them all in there original form over at the official Star Wars: The old Republic website here and here, or you can read it all below as we have shamelessly copy pasted it all for you viewing pleasure. Developer Update: Spoils of War 06.09.2014 With Game Update 2.8: Spoils of War right around the corner, the developers wanted to give you some more details about some of this update’s major features. We hope you are as excited as we are to reap rewards through Story Mode Operations, Galactic Starfighter, Warzones, and…
Patch Notes – 6/10/2014 – Game Update 2.8: Spoils Of War
Tomorrow will see the light of Game Update 2.8: Spoils Of War. The new game update comes with tons of updates and a new gambling event on Nar Shaddaa. Check out the full patch notes below: Game Update 2.8: Spoils Of War Soovada (“Spoils of War” in Huttese) is an annual celebration of total extravagance in Hutt culture, originally celebrated in the summer season of Varl after successful military campaigns. Rival clans compete to prove their superior wealth, attempting to sponsor the most parties, pit fights, bounties, gambling, and every other public display of fortune and excess imaginable. Popularized among outside cultures during visits to Nar Shaddaa, this exuberant holiday is now celebrated on hundreds of worlds across the galaxy, where it’s simply known by its Huttese name; any connection to ancient wartime looting is largely ignored. Highlights New Event: Spoils of War! Players can earn double Ranked Warzone Commendations, Warzone Commendations,…
Gree Event Returns – 7/22 – 7/29
While I’m glad to finally see when it will return, I’m a bit disheartened to learn it’ll be just a week. Got a good friend that wants the armor and is a new player so he’s not gonna get it until the 2nd (or 3rd) week played. He’s cool with it and accepted it but I’m a tad sad… for him. But he’ll survive. 😉 Anyways… been waiting for this for months, can finally finish maxing out rep and get all the legacy weapons. Also kind of a PSA, because I didn’t hear myself, but legacy shotguns and vibroknives are available at the Gree vendor now. I thought they were still missing. Here is the official news from Tait Watson: Emeraldon Tomb of Freedon Nadd 2 points 28 minutes ago (2|0) Come on, BioWare! Give us more information! When is the Gree event? 🙁 July 22nd – July 29th, starting…
Scheduled Maintenance: June 10th, 2014 – Patch 2.8.0
On June 10th, all game servers, SWTOR.com, and the launcher will be unavailable while BioWare perform scheduled maintenance. Game Update 2.8: Spoils of War will be implemented during this downtime. Details are as follows: Date: Tuesday June 10th Duration: 6 hours Time: 2AM PST (9AM GMT) – 8AM PST (3PM GMT) Spoils of War comes with tons of new features including DREAD PALACE NIGHTMARE MODE, Two new Starfighters and a new ingame event. This new event is all about gambling, so it’s time to have fun with the new slot machines!
Coruscant Skyrise Apartment Video
BioWare posted a new video that makes us imagine living in the heart of the Republic capital in our own SWTOR Coruscant Skyrise Apartment! These are all features that I want and am actually looking forward to, though I’d have actually been fine with some of this functionality having simply been made available within the class ships. The strongholds themselves look kind of like fluff, but I’m willing to keep an open mind about it, and I’m not really a power gamer, anyway, so I don’t mind some fluff from time to time. For those not able to view the video or wanted to examine it deeper, below the video are some highlights Dulfy picked out.
New Companion Dialogue being recorded for SWTOR
Voice actors Timothy Omundson (the voice of Aric Jorgan) and Catherine Taber (the voice of Vette), Tweeted about doing new voice work on Star Wars The old Republic yesterday. Timothy Omundson is apparently not only doing work on Aric Jorgan, but also on a new character as well. It’s still unknown if it’s for the upcoming expansion strongholds, a minor gameupdate or a future expansion. Check out Timothy Omundson tweet below, and Catherine Taber’s Instagram picture below: Time to record more @SWTOR. Busted out some Aric Jorgan and a new character, worthy of The Beard. pic.twitter.com/FfIhXd0wic — Timothy Omundson (@Omundson) 2. juni 2014
Game Update 2.8 PTS Testing Closing on June 2
Game update 2.8 is close. The public test servers will be closing down on June 2. Here are the official word from Tait Watson: Hey all! Thank you for all your great feedback, reports, and helping us test out the Spoils of War game update. Just as a heads up, we will be taking the PTS down at 10AM CDT on Monday, June 2nd. Thank you again, and we look forward to having you back on the PTS next time! -Tait
Cartel Pack Sales from May 30 to June 1 (28% OFF)
Cartel Market will be having a sale from May 30 to June 1. When? Friday, May 30th at 8AM Central – Sunday, June 1st at 8AM Central What? The following Hypercrates: Hypercrate: Crime Lord’s Cartel Pack Hypercrate: Galactic Ace’s Starfighter Pack Hypercrate: Opportunist’s Bounty Pack Hypercrate: Hotshot’s Starfighter Pack Hypercrate: Blockade Runner’s Cartel Pack Hypercrate: Vice Commandant’s Contraband Pack Hypercrate: Space Jockey’s Starfighter Pack Hypercrate: Enforcer’s Contraband Pack Hypercrate: Dogfighter’s Starfighter Pack How Much? Each of these Hypercrates will be 28% off. I know what you’re thinking, 28%?! That’s a strange number. The reason that they are 28% is that at that discount they end up being exactly 5500 Cartel Coins, meaning they can be bought in a single purchase. You may also notice that some of these are embargoed packs so make sure to log in and get them while they’re around.
Sage Top 3 Answers
Eric Musco justed posted the answers to the top 3 Sage questions which were submitted earlier in the official forum. Questions 1 & 3 were a waste. More lightsaber attacks, really? The answer to #1 was interesting to me at least, confirming that developers share my belief that dps should just, well.. dps and not try to actively off heal even yourself. Leave healing to your healers. For #2, glad that they will be fixing pvp sage/sorc healing. It’s interesting that they are considering going back to how noble sacrifice/consumption worked in the early 1.x days when it didn’t cost any health to use. Read it all below: PvE – Survivability Are the developers satisfied with Sage/Sorcerer survivability, specifically in PvE operations? What is your philosophy towards the Sage class and its defenses? Are there any plans to improve the class’s current survival tools? For example, by perhaps providing a…
Live Streaming from the International space station
Here is a great window to Space! If this project remains open, it will allow the world witness our reality from another perpective. A beautiful one. And from time to time some wild phenomena out there, like the North Lights and meteors in Summer. I wonder if that is possible from that height. But I guess that going around the equator that must be beyond our reach…Still magnificent.! I wish they installed surround angle moving cameras and a few more. I hope this experiment succeeds and grows wider in budget and resources. The Ustream video from the station is available only when the complex is in contact with the ground through its high-speed communications antenna and NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. During “loss of signal” periods, you will see a blue screen. Since the station orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, it sees a sunrise or a…
TOR TV: It’s Not Unusual To Be Feared By Everyone
Jedi Master Carlton Banks had has great influence over Dread Master Calphayus… There is not hope for the Empire! Jump on it! This video is made with the fresh Emote from the Space Jockey’s Starfighter Pack if anyone was wondering. The dancer is wearing: Crest Of The Dread Master (Head Piece) from Hateful Entity. Battlemaster Force-master Gear (only from GTN or crafter now) Using the Covert Waist Energy Armour for the belt (Cartel Item)
Scheduled Maintenance: May 20th, 2014 – Patch 2.7.2
On May 20th, all game servers, SWTOR.com, and the launcher will be unavailable while BioWare perform scheduled maintenance. Game Update 2.7.2 will be implemented during this downtime. Details are as follows: Date: Tuesday May 20th, 2014 Duration: 5 hours Time: 3AM PST (10AM GMT) – 8AM PST (3PM GMT) During maintenance, all updates and additional information will be posted on the official Twitter account. Below are the patch notes: 2.7.2 Patch Notes General Preferred players no longer have Chat restriction, as intended. Cartel Market Emotes and Moods can now be unlocked in Collections. Jori Daragon’s Loincloth no longer causes missing textures on the wearer’s legs. Flashpoints + Operations Corrected an issue which unintentionally granted Energy Spheres immunity to Challenging Call and Threatening Scream during the Dread Master Brontes encounter in Dread Fortress. Warzones The Lingering Sludge affect from the Toxic Sludge Pipes in the Quesh Huttball Pit is now applied to afflicted…