As this October’s GDC Online — formerly called GDC Austin — prepares for first content announcements, the Texas-based show has added Playfish and Electric Bat execs to BioWare, Nexon, SOE, and Zenimax notables on its Advisory Board. As this is an industry conference for folks who make games, the focus is not actually on playing them, such as at PAX or GamesCom. As such, we don’t expect any SW:TOR related news to come out here. Still a few interesting news has hit the internet. ZAM.com snagged an interview with BioWare’s Gordon Walton and ZeniMax Online Studios’ Matt Firor while at GDC Online in Austin, TX. In this two-part interview Walton and Firor discuss online gaming trends. Read part one here and part two here. ZAM: Gordon, BioWare has so much coming out, but the major game on most players’ radars is Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. Can you give us…
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Bioware PAX 2010 Presentation in HD
I know it has been a while since PAX, but I recently came across the whole presentation in HD. No more bad sound or pixel’s acting up. The whole presenation of Biowares Star Wars: The old republic is 76 min but it is worth a watch. Video Game – E3 2011
PAX 2010 SW:TOR presentation
The vidoes of BioWares presentation during the Pax 2010 is now finding it’s way into the internet. TOROcast has now uploaded a 32-min video of the complete presentation! The only part that misses is the Q&A you can see it here below: The Q/A part of the show that took place at the end of the presentation is now online. askajedi.com have posted a few videos revealing some spoilers on Jedi story (including on how you will get a lightsaber) and the Republic Smuggler. Darth Hater went there as well and got a few nice tidbits for us. First there’s an interview with Blaine Christine. Here’s an excerpt: There is really a controversy on the forums right now about the Jedi Wizard, and the meanings behind that name and why it was chosen. Blaine Christine: I’m not intimately involved with that particular naming process, but all I can say at…
pax update 1
As you all know, PAX is currently in full swing and BioWare is there as well showing of Star Wars: The old Repulbic . And website Ask A Jedi has the first details. In particular they had a Q&A session with Senior Producer Blaine Christine and Lead Writer Daniel Erickson and posted a few highlights from that (with the full interview to follow later): They’ve definitely heard the “feedback” on the Jedi Wizard. My take is that there is more info coming in this regard. Companions aren’t going to make players gods above those who choose to play without them, but also players won’t necessarily be able to “spec” their character to make up for lost companion stats, if they choose to play without one. Advanced Class choice has been relegated to “still in development” – meaning, very much on the fence as if it will be permanent or not….
Gamescom 2010 Wrap-Up
Today’s official update consists of another issue of Blood of the Empire… and that seems to be it. Luckily I’ve also still got the Gamescom wrap-up to do, so I’ll add that as well to spice things up. But first the comic; here’s the official news: In the tenth issue of Blood of the Empire™, a battle between Republic and Imperial fleets rages over Korriban as Teneb Kel chases down his foe. The fate of the Sith homeworld and the Children of the Emperor is in the hands of one young acolyte and his slave–but duty and patriotism aren’t the only forces guiding them… Check out the latest issue of Blood of the Empire now! As for Gamescom, I felt that The Old Republic didn’t have quite as strong a presence as I was expecting. Maybe it didn’t stand out as much anymore after its E3 presence, but to me…
Gamespot Interview with Daniel Erickson – GamesCom 2010
As we continue our coverage of GamesCom 2010, Giancarlo Varanini from Gamespot interviewed Daniel Erickson about space combat and the advanced classes. Lot’s of new tidbits were revealed including: Space combat may not be entirely optional There will be access to rewards and other things through space combat Advanced classes are “total class systems” not just little offshoots Described advanced classes as very much “works in progress” (no word if that means the names as well) Companions will factor in a big way into your class built Companions may be assigned their abilities by “kits” you give them – for example, any companion can be a healer with the right kit Daniel remarks that the Force is not magic, which makes the choice of the name Wizard for one of the Jedi Consular advanced classes all the more curious
Star Wars: The old republic GAMESCOM Day 2
The German gaming site – gamestar.de managed to film some decent footage of The Old Republic. Below is a Google translated snip from the article plus the movie: In Cologne on the gamescom there is Bioware’s highly anticipated online role-playing game Star Wars: The Old Republic to Preview. Michael Graf has looked at the demo, and played in the video with a Trooper – even if he had to create for themselves a real Storm Trooper. Michael’s impressions and the video with the scenes, see below or in our gamescom area..
Star Wars: The old republic GAMESCOM Day 1
Today is press day at Gamescom 2010 and tons of new information have been reviled. Darth Hater reports the names of all the advanced classes were revealed and they are: Republic: Jedi Consular – Shadow (double-bladed lightsaber) and Wizard (healing / single lightsaber) Trooper – Commando and Vanguard Sith: Imperial Agent – Operative and Sniper Sith Inquisitor – Sorcerer and Assassin Bounty Hunter – Powertech and Mercenary The German Fan Site (they have an English translation button) swtor-station.com had a good 15 min. of playtime today, were they gathered heaps of information. Amongst a detailed list of stuff, they confirmed that the Zabrak trooper was seen as a playable race. Here is a list of what they gathered: 36 people can play at the booth at the same time. The Jedi classes are not playable yet, but the remaining six classes are. Character creation could not be seen, there are…
Star Wars Celebration V: Fans in Costume
(MTV’s Liz Lee smooches a lucky Gamorrean Guard guard) words: Bonnie Burton photos: Bonnie Burton & Jenny Elwick It wouldn’t be Star Wars Celebration without seeing a Gamorrean Guard guard wandering through the crowds or a tiny Jawa waiting in line for nachos. The beginning of Star Wars Celebration already seems like giant photo op with all our favorite characters. Here’s a roundup of some of the coolest costumes we’ve already seen in Orlando. The cutest Jedi you’ll see all day. In a parallel galaxy, Darth Vader fears these two. Bossk would like a word with you! Han Solo, Chewbacca and Slave Leia = 3 x the cool! A clone trooper rainbow! Utini! Thirst first. Empire second. Look out behind you, Yoda! A Whole Lotta Hans! Darth Maul takes romance very seriously! Indiana Jones strikes a pose by the ATMs.
Celebration V: The Old Republic Panel Report
The following is a report from the The Old Republic panel from Star Wars Celebration V. Information was reported by EUCantina staff from the panel, via Twitter or email. Be ready for more updates as the week continues! The Old Republic panel starting. David Collins ask Jedi fans to cheer, followed by Sith. Sith dominate the audience. Hope trailer being shown today. Concept art being created as panel runs. Concept art drawn by TOR artist as panel continues. RT- avgoins- “You will be playing as the best smuggler who has ever lived. Han Solo would just shake his head and retire” – Drew K. RT- avgoins- Smuggler will have a special move called The Dirty Kick. “Use your imagination.” A lot of “we can’t discuss that yet” as the answers to audience questions at the TOR panel. There are a lot of species exclusive to classes. Some species do overlap. Final…
Comic-Con 2010 Recap: Best Star Wars Costumes
It seems you can’t go five steps without running into a stormtrooper at San Diego Comic-Con, and that’s fine by us. While Comic-Con has it’s share of the always-impressive fans in the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion, as well as the ever-stunning Slave Leias, we also wanted to feature our favorite Star Wars costumes that made us smile. May the Force Be With Your Cosplay. Utini! Ahsoka “Snips” Tano! Tusken Raider Darth MaulHan Solo probably wouldn’t resist THIS Boba Fett!Imperial BFF? When you need a costume quick, why not wear the Slave Leia apron?Star Wars Celebration V – Orlando Troopers Slave Leias! Obi-Wan’s expression says it all. Death Trooper! Anyone for a Rebel yell? Yoda, look out! It isn’t Comic-Con without Elvis Trooper! Jedi Aayla Secura! Zam Wesell & Jango Fett This young Jedi is ready for fun! Check out more Star Wars costumes here: Comic-Con 2010 (all photos)
Sean Williams Interview
Author Sean Williams talks about “Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance“, his other books (“The Force Unleashed, New Jedi Order: Force Heretic”)and blogging! at Comic-Con in 2010. Remember to check out our Fatal Alliance Review Update;: You can now read the first 50 pages of the book here.
“Beyond Solo” BioWare tells tales of Star Wars: The Old Republic’s storyline
Fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic managed to shut out a good chunk of media who had hoped to get into the Star Wars: The Old Republic panel today at San Diego Comic Con 2010 proving once again that Comic Con is definitely a fan driven event. The downside is that finding solid early media coverage is a little scarce but those of us who couldn’t attend the event will take what we can get! Gamespot has a small breakdown of what the panel covered. Questing, open worlds and, of course, storylines were the topic. Quests aren’t limited to players’ individual stories, however. The team discussed the concept of world arcs, which take place on a more inclusive scale and involve players joining up to complete a prolonged mission. The BioWare trio offered an example of the Battle of Hoth from the Empire Strikes Back film as one example…
Rob Chestney Signing in Austin, TX
theforce.net is reporting that Rob Chestney will be signing in Austin, TX. this Thursday at 5-7 pm Rob Chestney is an employee of Bioware and one of the game developers of the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic massively multiplayer online game. He also is the writer of the Star Wars: The Old Republic – Threat of Peace webcomic, which will tie into the videogame. He also wrote The Old Republic: Smuggler’s Vanguard, a short story published exclusively on StarWars.com which tells a story about an adventure of the Mirialan smuggler, Hylo Visz. Star Wars: The Old Republic Rob Chestney Signing Thursday 5 – 7pm Austin Books & Comics is thrilled to be joined by writer Rob Chestney for the debut of Star Wars: The Old Republic #1! This new series sets the stage for the hotly-anticipated massive multiplayer online game, and publisher Dark Horse went to the game’s developer…
Star Wars: The Old Republic at Celebration V and Comic-Con
A few days ago, we asked Sean Dahlberg if Bioware will show up at Celebration V convention next month in Orlando. This was confirmed, but he couldn’t share any more details about what there plans at the convent was: Sean Dahlberg said: Actually, we will be there! We’re not quite ready to share what exactly TOR will be doing at Star Wars Celebration V but we will soon. Star Wars Celebration V takes place Aug. 12-15, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. You can find ticket and event information at the official Star Wars Celebration Website. Yesterday Sean posted an official announcement that Star Wars: The Old Republic will have a presence at this month’s Comic-Con International in San Diego! Comic-Con International is coming to San Diego, California! Meet up with The Old Republic team at the panel entitled Beyond Solo: Crafting the Multiplayer Story in Star Wars™: The…
Fan Friday and Summer Events Schedule
This Fan Friday includes details for our upcoming conventions and spotlights from the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ community! Don’t forget to participate in the latest poll and check out our new forum avatars. TOR at GamesCom and Penny Arcade Expo Star Wars: The Old Republic will be will be bringing the power of the Force to two more conventions this year, GamesCom (Cologne, Germany; August 19-24 ) and Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) (Seattle, Washington; September 4 – 6). During the conventions, the team we will be showcasing the first public gameplay demo as well as giving away Star Wars™ goodies to attendees. Stop by the community cantina and hang out with some of the members of the Star Wars: The Old Republic team. If you can’t make the shows, don’t worry! We will have the gameplay demo footage available to the community on our official website. To stay up-to-date…