Yesterday Bioware released the fourth and final installment in the “Choose Your Side” series, pitting the Sith Warrior vs the Smuggler class. In the video, the developers give you details on the type of playstyle and story you can expect from each class and then pit them against each other in a one-on-one battle to the death. From the moment we announced the eight classes in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ fans have been pitting them against each other, arguing who would have the advantage in a one-on-one fight. The hallways of BioWare echo this debate, with the writers, combat designers and other developers all chiming in on which classes they feel will have the upper hand. In the fourth and final installment of “Choose Your Side,” writers and developers discuss the ins and outs of the Smuggler and Sith Warrior classes, highlighting some of the skills and abilities that…
friday update
Friday Update: Sith Inquisitor Character Progression
Yesterdays Friday update brought us the last remaining character progression video, featuring the Sith Inquisitor. This is kind of a historic update, as it is the last update before early access begins. As you progress in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, your character will acquire new skills and abilities that complement their more powerful weapons and armor. Feared across the galaxy for both their mastery of the Dark Side of the Force™ and their ability to manipulate those around them, even those within the Empire know to watch themselves when in the presence of a Sith Inquisitor. Some acolytes who complete the trials use their newfound powers to channel the Force into devastating mental and lightning attacks. Others command the Force to deceive their enemies both in conversation and on the battlefield.
Friday update – Choose Your Side: Imperial Agent vs. Jedi Consular
This Friday’s Update brings us a new Choose Your Side video featuring the Consular vs. the Agent, and a Pre-Order Announcement for Razer’s Old Republic Peripherals. The Agent vs. Consular video contains footage of the many abilities available to each class, along with testimonials from members of the Bioware team like Alexander Freed, and Jo Berry stating their cases on who’d win. Lisa already covered the Razer story yesterday, so I won’t get any more into that one, but enjoy the movie below: From the moment we announced the eight classes in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, fans have been pitting them against each other, arguing who would have the advantage in a one-on-one fight. The hallways of BioWare echo this debate, with the writers, combat designers and other developers all chiming in on which class they feel reigns supreme. In the latest entry of our series “Choose Your Side,”…
Friday Update: Jedi Consular Class Progression
In this weeks Friday Update, Bioware highlight the character progression of the Jedi Consular with a new video. Will you choose to don the dark, stealthy robes of the Shadow; or take the lighter path of the Sage? As your character grows more powerful, you will see them gain new skills and abilities to complement the superior gear they acquire. Channeling the power of the Force to give them strength in combat and clarity in diplomacy, Jedi Consulars are respected for their leadership on the battlefield as well as their evenhanded demeanor at the negotiating table. While many devote themselves to uncovering the ancient secrets of the Jedi and use their command of the Force to defend and protect their allies, others use the Force as a means of slipping into the shadows and becoming powerful servants for the Republic. Watch just a few of the many ways the Jedi…
Friday Update: “Bringing Down the Hammer”
Yesterday BioWare updated us with yet another of there always anticipated Friday updates. This time the guys shed some insight to the new flashpoint “The Hammer”. The Hammer, is a powerful battelstation that was thought destroyed but is now occupied by the less than friendly Advozsec. The Hammer, a powerful prototype battle station developed by the Republic, was believed to have been destroyed during the war. However, this terrible weapon has re-emerged in the hands of the Advozsec, who are using it to conquer unaligned worlds in the Outer Rim. Setting out to stop the Advozsec’s campaign, an Imperial strike team assaults the Hammer and battles to take control.
Choose Your Side: Inquisitor vs Trooper
as if beta for everyone wasn’t enough of a news update this Friday, BioWare also gave us a new instalment of the “choose your side” series. IN this one, the Republic Trooper takes on the Sith Inquisitor. As last time, ome of the games developers give their two cents on which class they believe will come out on top. In the new video series “Choose Your Side,” members of the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ team plead their cases, highlighting some of the many skills and abilities that set each class apart from the rest. In the second video of the four-part series, two of the most iconic classes in the Star Wars™ universe face off as the Force-wielding Sith Inquisitor ambushes the stalwart Republic Troope
Friday Update: Imperial Agent Progression Video
It’s progression video time as the folks from Bioware give us a glimpse into the progression of an Imperial Agent. In this video we are being shown both the differences in equipment and abilities players can expect as they level up as one of the subtle hands of the Sith Empire’s will. As players grow in power, they can either take the route of the stealthy and aggressive Operative or the resourceful ranged Sniper. As you progress in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, your character will gain experience, growing more powerful and discovering new skills while also acquiring more advanced gear. Through cunning, stealth, and ruthless tactics, the Imperial Agent has no shortage of ways to complete his objectives. Even so, as the complexity and importance of his missions increase, the Agent will have to acquire new skills and equipment to help him combat the ever-growing threat to the Empire….
Friday Update: Voidstar Warzon
This weeks Friday Update is out and it brings with it a new systems page on the official SWTOR site. TheWarzone Systems page contains details on all three of the available PVP confrontations including a brief description and accompanying video. Those Warzones are: The Voidstar, an assault style Warzone set upon a derelict Imperial Battle Cruiser. One faction attempts to fight its way to access the ship’s data core, while the opposing faction defends the ship and attempts to prevent the other side from reaching the data core. The factions are then switched, with the attackers becoming the defenders. Huttball, an highly tactical Warzone set in a pit-like arena. Teams battle for control of a ball which appears in the center of the arena. The team which collects the ball must run with it, pass it, or use whatever means necessary to carry it across the opposing team’s goal line,…
Friday Update: CE Unboxing, Eurogamer Highlights, and Fan Friday
Continuing with the theme of multi-content Friday Updates, Bioware has hit us with the CE Unboxing, Eurogamer Highlights Video, and some Fan Artwork. First up are the Collectors Edition Unboxing. Everyone already knows what’s included with the collectors edition for Star Wars: The Old Republic , there as been some confusion as to what items come with what edition of the game. So to clarify, BioWare released a bread down of what is included in each version and a video of the items you’ll find inside the Collectors Edition box. Below we have the digital items listed for all pre-orders, the Digital Deluxe Editions and the Collectors edition. Below that is the video. All Pre-Orders: Color Stone. Included as part of every pre-order of Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Color Stone is a special crystal that players can use to change the color of any lightsaber blade or blaster…
Friday Update: Signs of War Trailer & Operations Systems Page
It’s a good day for fans of The Old Republic. Not only did we get some juicy new info out of the NYCC Panel but we also get to feast our eyes on a new Trailer and Operations Systems Page. It looks like BioWare decided to let the floodgates open today with a collection of five announcements! Here’s the list: They debuted the new “Signs of War” trailer at New York Comic Con. You can watch it below. The game will now launch simultaneously in North America and Europea on December 20. Learn about high-level Operations on the new Game Systems page. Drew Karpyshyn, author of the upcoming Revan novel, will be signing books and participating in panels all weekend at New York Comic Con. SWTOR will be featured at Paris Games Week from October 21-25. The trailer titled “Signs of War” is narrated by Satele Shan and features the trooper from…
Friday Update: Companion Character Dev Blog
In todays second Friday update Senior Game Designer William Wallace has written a blog entry that delves into the subject of companion AI and how it will affect the group dynamic. In particular he touches on the ability of the various companions to fill the role of a player character during more challenging quests. Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ features a large amount of group content, including Heroic Quests (challenging quests requiring 2 or 4 players to complete) and Flashpoints (highly engaging instanced story content for groups of 4 players). One benefit we’re seeing from our new, fully featured companions is additional flexibility about how players approach group content. A full group in The Old Republic always has four players. Any player leaving the group can be substituted by a companion of the group’s choice, with the party leader in control of which player gets to use their companion.
Friday Update: Choose Your Side: Jedi Knight vs. Bounty Hunter
It’s another double header Friday update as we get to see BioWares first episode of the new four-part “Choose Your Side” video series, in which two classes are pitted against each other one on one. During the video members of the Star Wars: The Old Republic team choosing their favorite class in a one-on-one fight. The first episode pits the Jedi Knight against the Bounty Hunter. In “Choose Your Side,” members of the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ development team debate the merits of the various in-game classes to see who will truly reign supreme. In the first installment in this four-part series, the noble Jedi Knight squares off against the nefarious Bounty Hunter. In support of the Jedi Knight is Senior Writer Hall Hood and Designer Austin Peckenpaugh, while Senior System Designer Pete Warner and Writer Randy Begel defend the Bounty Hunter. Take a look at the Jedi Knight…
Friday Update: Galaxy Map
This weeks update brings us a new updates to the SWTOR Holonet — Galaxy Maps. Now you have the chance to explore the five regions of known space in a standard or 3d view. There you can find information on all notable planets as well as a video for each. Here are the 17 planets and six starships you can learn about in the new Galaxy Map: Coreward Worlds: Alderaan, Corellia, Coruscant, Ord Mantell, Balmorra, Tython Seat of the Empire: Dromund Kaas, Korriban, Taris Hutt Space: Hutta, Nar Shaddaa, Quesh, Voss Distant Outer Rim: Belsavis, Hoth, Tatooine Unknown Regions: Illum Starships: XS Freighter, Defender, BT-7 Thunderclap, X70-B Phantom, D5-Mantis, FURY Official Devtracker Post: The Star Wars™ galaxy is massive and you will be able to visit numerous worlds during your travels in the The Old Republic™. To give you an early taste of what the experience will be, we’ve added…
Friday Update: Studio Insider – Combat Animation
Today’s Friday updates features a Studio Insider on combat animation and details too Bioware’s plans for the Eurogamer Expo next week. In the Studio Inside, Principal Lead Animator Mark How, goes through the process of creating combat animations, from the idea stage to a finished product. The Studio insider also features Q and A were a number of community questions is being answered. The most interesting news we get here is that Dual Speccing is something BioWare wan’t to add soon after the launch of the game. Q: Since it has been clearly stated that there will not be dual specs for characters in the game, can you explain your philosophy behind the skill trees and how you are taking into account players that want to be able to play PvP and PvE content on the same character? – illumineart A: Dual Speccing is something we want to add soon after…
Friday Update: Smuggler Progression, PAX Highlights, & Developer Blog
BioWare was late with the updates yesterday. witch means us Europeans don’t get to see it before the day after, but it was worth waiting for. This weeks update comes fully loaded with the Smuggler Progression Video, Pax Highlight, and a Developer Blog from senior writer Alexander Freed. The developer blog gives us a good look at what goes into creating relevant stories and characters for the game and comics/novels alike. There’s also a few good tips in there for anyone looking to take a shot at creating their own story in the Old Republic universe. Here is a snip: “The first thing that any potential tie-in to Star Wars™ and The Old Republic should do is answer a series of questions: What does this story contribute to mythology of The Old Republic? What does a reader get from this story that changes the way he or she experiences the…
Friday Update: GamesCom 2011 Highlight Video
It’s friday and time for new BioWares weekly updates. This weeks update is a Highlight video of GamesCom which was held in Germany 2 weeks ago. I wouldn’t say GamesCom info, which I’m sure we have all poured over already, is much of an update. But it’s up nonetheless. Check it out below:
Friday Update: Eternity Vault Developer Walkthrough
Today’s Friday update comes in the form of a developer walk throug of the Eternity Vault. Once again Dallas Dickinson is the host – this time of a high level Operation in Star Wars: The old Republic. During this video Dallas Dickinson provides commentary on the encounters players will face in this large endgame Raid. Throughout the video we see multiple class abilities, from the Bounty Hunter firing rockets, to what seem to be combat rez. A prison discovered buried in the ice on Belsavis is thought to house an ancient and deadly evil that could threaten the galaxy. To counter this threat, General Threnoldt dispatches Imperial forces to investigate the prison and confront the dangers within. Watch as a group of players work their way towards the prison gates in the opening section of the Eternity Vault, one of the high-level Operations in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. Check…
Friday Update: Huttball Video
In yesterdays Friday Update Dallas Dickinson gave us a look at Huttball, the new warzone variety that takes place in SWTOR on a map called “The Pit”. It functions much like a game of capture the flag, the “Huttball” being placed in the middle and carried over the opposing team’s line to score points. This type of PVP is going to be really interesting if you ask me. I can imagine Entire guilds and specs will come about JUST for Huttball. “In a time of turmoil where two mighty armies ready themselves, many citizens of both the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire have begun to look for an escape from the uncertainty of impending war. For many people on Nar Shaddaa this escape can be found in the gladiatorial confines of ‘The Pit,’ where two teams compete in a violent game for the amusement of Giradda the Hutt and thousands of spectators!”” Here…
SWTOR Fan Friday and Gamescom Plans
It’s Friday witch means it’s the last work day of the week ( for most of us) and time for BioWare to update us on Star Wars: the old republic. Ihave to admit that this Friday is a kind of slow one, as one of today’s updates is simply an announcement outlining the team’s Gamescom plans. Attendees will get hands-on play time on each of the Origin Worlds, and lucky players will get to try out the Alderaan player-vs-player Warzone as we wrote about ealier today. The festivities taking place include an EA press conference on Tuesday, August 16 at 10am EDT. As an added bonus to those members of the The Old Republic community, we will be housing a special area within the stand where you can play Warzone PvP. This area is designed to allow members of the community to play Warzone matches in a slightly more relaxed…
Jedi Consular Records
There is power in wisdom, study, and diplomacy. These are the words of the Jedi Consular Records as reported on the SWTOR.com news feed. “There is power in wisdom, study, and diplomacy. The Jedi Consular wields that power with an even hand. Consulars study the mysteries of the Force. They use their knowledge to bring peace, but when words fail, their understanding of the Force makes them dangerous foes. Choose your Consular’s path – become the strong, silent hand of the Jedi Council as a Shadow, or immerse yourself in the mysteries of the Force as a Sage, healing and empowering your allies. Learn more details about the Jedi Consular: · Meet Qyzen Fess, a mighty Trandoshan hunter who joins the Consular’s cause · Find out more about the mystical Mirialan, wise Force-sensitives who often become Jedi Consulars · Take a tour of the Jedi Starship, the Corellian Defender-Class…
Friday Update: “The Esseles” Developer Walkthrough
This weeks Friday update brings us a developer walk-through of “The Esseles”, one of the earlier flashpoints in the game. The flashpoint is Republic only and tasks players with protecting a diplomat from Sith boarding parties. Commentary is provided by Director of Production Dallas Dickinson. The Esseles, a Republic transport that carries some of the most high-profiled members of the Galactic Senate across the galaxy, has come under siege from the opportunistic Grand Moff Kilran. Dallas Dickinson guides you along as a group of Republic heroes must band together to repel the Imperial boarding parties and retake their ship in this Developer Walkthrough.
New Trailer: ‘Join The Fight’
BioWare has used this Friday update to release a new Trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic. The video was also shown at yesterdays official SWTOR Comic-Con panel discussion. The trailer is made up of only in-game footage and looks really nice. We are excited to present Join the Fight, an all-new in-game trailer for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ that premiered at San Diego Comic-Con 2011. The uneasy peace established by the Treaty of Coruscant is broken and both the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire build their armies. As both sides prepare for open war, a new generation of heroes must rise up to meet the challenges of a volatile age, declaring their allegiances and fighting for what they believe in.
SWTOR Friday Update Recap
This week’s Friday update from SWTOR.com came in a two-part series. First, we learned about San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) which most of us are already aware of. This update contains all the info you need to know about SDCC and what to expect. BioWare will be at the Hilton Gaslamp: Thursday: 12:00PM – 7:00PM Friday: 12:00PM – 7:00PM Saturday: 12:00PM – 7:00PM Sunday: 12:00PM – 5:30PM Don’t worry if you won’t be making it to Comic Con because they also had this to say: “If you are unable to attend Comic-Con, you won’t be left out in the cold. We’ll have exciting updates for you on the website throughout the week and you can get live updates straight from the showfloor by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook.” Now on to the new Friday update news: Crafting the Class Intros- SWTOR is all about storyline and…
Friday Update: Maps
In this weeks friday update Damion Schubert writes a Developer Blog update on Maps. The official forums are in total rage over this update, so if you’re interested in the drama check that out. The article is actually pretty decent, and outlines how much we as players rely on the map. What most players are looking for on their map are missions. We want to ensure players can find all of the cool stuff that our worldbuilders put into the world, so every mission has one or more icons on the map that show you where to go. Moving your mouse over an icon shows you which mission is satisfied in that area, your progress in that mission, and a rough area where mission objectives can be found. FTWBroadcasting also made an awesome video about the update, check it out below: