arstechnic has a great interview with Daniel Erickson about who the real bad guys are in Star Wars: “The one thing you’re never going to hear is ‘make the bad guys less interesting.’” I’m sitting in an out-of-the-way room of Lucasarts with Daniel Erickson, who keeps swinging back to one topic: why the people we’ve come to hate in the Star Wars universe act as they do. He’s given this some thought; as the lead writer on Star Wars: The Old Republic, the upcoming Star Wars MMO, it’s his job to help tell both sides of the story. In our time together we discuss the extended universe, he makes the case for Grand Admiral Thrawn, and explains how the Jedi attempted genocide… and why the Sith may just be right. While we’re on the topic of the extended universe, he brings up the Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn. “Thrawn is…
Know your lore: Jolee Bindo
Jolee Bindo is one of the most intriguing characters in the Star Wars universe, particularly for fans of the Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) video game series. A former Jedi who walked away from the Order, Jolee embodies a blend of wisdom, wit, and moral ambiguity that makes him a fan favorite. His journey from a disillusioned Jedi to a critical ally in the fight against the Sith is rich with complexity and depth. Let’s explore the character of Jolee Bindo across the old Legends continuity and the Disney canon. Introduction: The Complex Legacy of Jolee Bindo Jolee Bindo is a character who defies simple categorization, making him one of the most intriguing figures in the Star Wars universe. His journey from a rebellious Jedi to a wise hermit on Kashyyyk offers a deep exploration of the Force, personal growth, and the complexities of morality. This article delves into…
Is SWTOR worth 2 million users
Yesterday IndustryGamers reported that, according to one analyst, EA are looking to get 2 million subscribers when Star Wars: The Old Republic releases next year. Many have since speculated that EA needed this amount of subscribers for the game to break eave. In a genre where only one game has ever exceeded two million subscribers at $15 per month, that’s a very high standard to put yourself up against. Then again, we are talking about Star Wars, beloved by geeks the world over. We’re also talking about BioWare, who have blown many gamers away with the awesomeness of Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age: Origins. Over at massively they discuss this matter in further details. A a really good read I recommend to check out: Two million is possible worldwide, right? The other issue that I’m hanging on is the fact that 2 million subscribers is a far fetch for…
SW:TOR Fan Friday Offers a Look at Facial Markings, Renders, Fan Fiction, and More
As you can see from the image above, this week’s Star Wars: The Old Republic Fan Friday brings us a peek at some of the customization options for character heads. We also get to see some fan art, fan fiction, and a short video of some of the force powers of the Sith via a 3D render, You can see the video below:
GDC 2010 Wrap up
With GDC last week, even though Star Wars: The Old Republic had no specific presence, there were a number of interviews and details popping up all over the web. In particular from the off-site event that LucasArts held where the press got some hands-on time with a Trooper. Over on the official forums Sean Dahlberg made a post listing a lot of them (some of which I already reported on before): While there were no panels this year specifically related to The Old Republic during Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2010, there are a few panels that consisted of BioWare developers. There was also an off-site event specifically for The Old Republic that various press and fan sites were invited to. None of this information will show up till early next week so keep your eyes peeled for that. We will be updating the list in this post as more articles…
EA are looking to get 2 million subscribers for SW:TOR
IndustryGamers reports that, according to one analyst, EA are looking to get 2 million subscribers when Star Wars: The Old Republic releases next year: Between major successes like Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2, BioWare has quickly become one of the most important studios throughout all of Electronic Arts since the publisher acquired the RPG specialists. EA has already indicated that the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO is the “largest ever development project, period, in the history of the company,” and it’s quite clear that expectations for this title are huge. Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia recently came away from a meeting with EA and reported that although “earnings are somewhat depressed due to ongoing expenses of the Star Wars MMO, management has high hopes for this and believes 2M+ subs is possible.” He added that a little over 1 million subscribers is needed to reach the break-even…
Star Wars: The Old Republic isn’t the only Star Wars MMO in development.
According to GamerVision Star Wars: The Old Republic isn’t the only Star Wars MMO in development. They say that “trusted sources” confirm that Sony Online Entertainment is working on a Clone Wars MMO. This is not the first time that we’ve heard this rumor. Here’s what they had to say on it: Thought EA’s The Old Republic was the only Star Wars MMORPG in development? Think again. Trusted Gamervision sources have confirmed that there is a second MMO in development by Sony Online Entertainment, the creators of once awesome, now less-than-awesome Star Wars: Galaxies. Supposedly called Clone Wars Adventures and due by the end of the year, it’s to be a browser-based game aimed at a much younger demographic than The Old Republic. Namely pre-teens, the same audience for the popular Clone Wars television show, and far away from those who might even consider subscribing to BioWare’s RPG. So far…
Planets of Star Wars: The Old Republic – Belsavis
Belsavis was a planet in the Ninth Quadrant, which was a region of the Bozhnee sector. Ice-covered, its average temperature was in the -50s. It was located on the Belsavis Run. History Old Republic era At some unknown point in the past, the planet became one of the many worlds that belonged to the Rakata Infinite Empire. During that time, the Rakata made use of the world as a prison colony where they placed many dangerous prisoners that remained trapped for the millennia. It entered an ice age around 5,000 BBY. Its inhabitants dwelt in three volcanic jungle rifts. During the Great War, the Republic used Belsavis’ prison to confine dangerous Sith lords and war criminals. Plett’s Well, was settled 88 BBY by Jedi Master Plett, and came to be called simply Plawal. The main Republic colonization of the planet occurred 20 BBY, with many plants and animals being imported…
IGN Video Interview with Daniel Erickson
It’s fairly brief at two-and-a-half minutes and has Daniel Erickson talk a little about the Trooper. “A lot more of the game, really soon” is what caught my attention most, though that’s probably referring to E3. [link] to video interview with Daniel Erickson at IGN.
SWTOR Hands On @ GDC
The Game Developers Conference was held last week and several sites had an opportunity to get a “hands on” with Star Wars: The Old Republic. Both 1UP and Eurogamer were afforded the opportunity to check out the game. Here a couple excerpts from their reactions: Story Driven Experience When playing a story mission in Star Trek Online, it’s all text delivered through a little dialog box. More times than not, it’s usually an alien race harassing a Federation colony, and you need to step in and blast them out of the stars. From the little that we’ve seen of The Old Republic so far, this much is certain: you will have many different story arcs available to your character available out of the box on day one. Recently we saw some of this in action as we got a taste of the Trooper’s story arc, and what it was like…
SWTOR in PC Gamer UK Magazine
When I dropped by the supermarket this weekend I noticed that one of the magazines had a familiar Sith Warrior on the cover. And indeed, what I found was PC Gamer UK’s April 2010 issue, which they’ve labeled “The MMO issue”. And indeed it is, with articles looking at WoW: Cataclysm, a number of future MMOs, rating a number of current MMOs against each other, a free trial for EvE Online on the cover DVD and a number of other articles. But the main article of interest is a six-page article, titled “Tour de Force” looking at Star Wars: The Old Republic. Not that there’s much of any new information in it. Considering when the magazine was published it can’t even cover the presentation given last week during GDC. Though it’s still a nice read. I won’t include scans of the article because I’m sure they’d not be happy with…
May the schwartz be with you: Spike TV – Star Wars ads
Unless you’ve been stuck upside down in a wampa cave, you probably have heard that Spike TV was airing the entire Star Wars saga, back in April 2008. In case anybody missed the news, Spike was telling the world about this television premiere with some head-turning outdoor ads, starting at Penn Plaza in New York City. Check it out: Along side the billboard adds Spiked TV also ran some Genius TV ads. Most people I know have only seen the first one that was aired, but here is a collection of all them: See below for the press release from prnewswire.com:Spike TV Enters a New Galaxy With the Complete Star Wars(TM) Saga Features The Broadcast Premiere of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and the Basic Cable Premieres of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones Feel…
Know your lore: Saul Karath
Saul Karath is a name that resonates with fans of the Star Wars universe, particularly those who have ventured into the rich narratives of Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). Once a decorated Republic admiral, Saul Karath’s descent into treachery and his eventual role as a Sith admiral is one of the most intriguing and tragic arcs in Star Wars lore. This article explores his story, from his origins to his lasting legacy in the broader Star Wars universe. Chapter 1: The Origins of Saul Karath A Star is Born in the Republic Navy Saul Karath’s journey began in the heart of the Galactic Republic, where he quickly established himself as a rising star in the Republic Navy. Picture a young officer with a sharp mind and an even sharper uniform, who had all the qualities of a future military legend: tactical genius, unwavering dedication, and the kind of charisma…
While we wait for The Old Republic: Betrayal
As The Clone Wars rage on, the thirst for power is causing entire Star Systems, along with many of the Jedi, to change sides. Count Dooku, using his knowledge of the dark side as a lure, is causing many to leave the Jedi Order. An award winning short film set in the Star Wars universe, Star Wars Betrayal deals with a Padawans reoccuring dream about his past and his doubts about his current mission assigned to him by his mentor, Jedi Master Allouben.
New SWTOR Webcomic, “Blood of the Empire”
Friday Update features a new webcomic. BioWare™ and LucasArts have once again teamed up with Dark Horse to create this original comic series published entirely online. Blood of the Empire features a new perspective and strong character-driven story written by BioWare’s Senior Writer Alexander Freed and published by Dark Horse. Set in the years before the Treaty of Coruscant and the establishment of peace between the great galactic powers, Blood of the Empire sets the stage for The Old Republic with new heroes, new villains and new revelations about the inner workings of the Emperor’s cabal. Be on the lookout for the release of the first issue of Blood of the Empire coming soon on the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ website. Get a sneak peek at the series below!
New SWTOR Planet! Belsavis
Hey guys… Today they just announced a new planet that will appear in Star Wars: The Old republic! This planet is going to be awesome.. As you will read below, this planet is where many Sith Lords, Mandalorians, and creations of Sith alchemy were sent to be imprisoned during the Great War. The Imperial forces will give it their all to free them but the Republic is going to do THEIR best to keep the evil forces contained.. Read on! Republic knowledge of Belsavis predates the Great Hyperspace War, but for centuries, the planet warranted little attention. With the exception of some unusual volcanic activity, the planet was deemed, in all ways, unremarkable. Belsavis was added to the star charts then summarily dismissed as nothing more than another curiosity of the Outer Rim. Fifty years ago, while investigating the planet’s tropical rifts that seemed to defy the ice shelves in…
Plans for endgame in place
Not really that surprising, but BioWare’s Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk noted that they have plans for The Old Republic’s endgame in place, as noted by VG247: BioWare bossman Ray Muzyka has told VG247’s US editor Stephany Nunneley that plans for what happens after you finish Star Wars: The Old Republic are in place. But speaking at GDC alongside fellow head of the studio Greg Zeschuk, the pair wouldn’t go into specifics as to what would be coming. “We have plans for end game, but can’t be more specific,” said Muzyka, before teasing: “Actually, we can, but we won’t. “But soon actually, it’s nice to be able to reveal things a little bit over time.” “It’s been a long cycle, but we knew that going in and we’ve been very thoughtful about details. People who play MMOs want details,” added Zeschuk. That said, there will be stuff in the game…
SWTOR is EA’s “largest ever” project
Though this should come as no surprise to anyone, Eurogamer is reporting that Star Wars: The Old Republic is EA’s largest ever project. Their text: BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic is the most expensive game ever created at EA. The publisher’s chief banker Eric Brown described the MMO as the “largest ever development project, period, in the history of the company””. He said a packaged game usually costs around $30m to make at EA, but “any MMO costs significantly more than that”. When asked by a member of the Wedbush Morgan Securities audience in New York today how the cost compared to World of Warcraft, Brown said Blizzard spent “$100 million, perhaps more” to ship the game in 2004. “That’s lifetime [research and development] to actually ship it and obviously then there’s maintenance subsequent to ship and expansion packs,” Brown added. These days, WOW makes around $100m a month…
Endgame is “Brand New System”
ComputerAndVideoGames, the digital arm of PC Gamer magazine, has posted a message noting that James Ohlen told them that the endgame content in Star Wars: The Old Republic will be a combination of classic MMO systems and something new. Here’s their article: Bioware has revealed that end game content in Star Wars: The Old Republic will mix the classic MMO system with “something brand new””””””””””””. The ‘endgame’ content offers players incentives to stay in the game once they’ve reached maximum level. Speaking to PC Gamer in its new ‘MMO issue’, the game’s creative director James Olhen said: “We’re looking at classic [endgame] systems, but we’re also doing something brand new that hasn’t been done in an MMO before. So we’re going to mix those two together.” Olhen then got hushed by the game’s product manager, but added that Bioware was keen for players to continue questing after hitting maximum. “We…
May the schwartz be with you: Episode III alternate ending
Hey guys this is a hilarious video! I laughed for like 20 minutes when I first saw it.. It just comes out of nowhere and is kind of unexpected! Enjoy!
Know your lore: Zaalbar
Zaalbar, the towering and loyal Wookiee, is one of the most memorable characters from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). Known for his strength, sense of honor, and unwavering loyalty, Zaalbar plays a significant role in the journey of Revan and his companions. This article will explore Zaalbar’s origins, his role in KOTOR, and his impact on the broader Star Wars lore, while also delving into how his character is remembered in modern Star Wars media. Chapter 1: The Origins of Zaalbar A Wookiee from Kashyyyk Zaalbar, or “Big Z” as his friends fondly call him, hails from the lush and wild planet of Kashyyyk, a world that’s as dangerous as it is beautiful. Imagine living in a place where the trees are so tall that the sunlight barely reaches the ground, and the wildlife isn’t just wild—it’s downright terrifying. But for Zaalbar, this dense, towering forest was…
DEVELOPER BLOG #10 : making the Jedi Consular
This weeks Friday Update features a Developer Blog by writer Joanna Berry as she brings to light some thoughts behind making the Jedi Consular. My favorite Star Wars™ film has always been The Empire Strikes Back™. But while the battle of Hoth will keep me glued to the screen for that second when the AT-ATs appear out of the snow, the film’s defining moments are on Dagobah, while Luke struggles and trains with Master Yoda. Before that, the Force was just a word that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader used, for a power whose glory days were long over. But on Dagobah, with Luke, we saw the Force differently; not as some simple trick that made Imperial Stormtroopers look the other way, but something greater. The Force™ is a living energy binding the galaxy as a whole. It is something that, in the hands of a master, could raise a…
While we wait for The Old Republic:Tales of the New Republic
Tales of the New Republic was a film released with much anticipation on May 25, 2007. There was a lot of speculation at the time that this film was a trailer for The Clone Wars 2008 series. It was actually a class project at The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School in Orlando, FL and I am sure it was done to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars. The film plays like an animated trailer for a possible new series and is very well done. A must see!
Star WarsThe Old Republic: What are YOU most excited about?
Hello everyone! This website has been running since 2008 and we thank you all for supporting us thus far. We have seen some major advancements with the game and we will be posting some more content from the developers themselves! We have been talking and we really want to get into touch with the visitors of our site. We definitely want some more interaction so expect to see some interactive posts in the coming future! So the question I want to ask to you all today is this, what are YOU most excited about for Star Wars: The Old Republic? Is it the awesome gameplay that we will experience? Is it the questing? Which class are you most excited to play in? How much time will you spend trying to master the game before others do? 🙂 Tell us ANY of your thoughts! There is so much to look foward…