Search Results for: DICE

First review of Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived

Soeren Kamper

The first reviews of Paul S. Kemp’s upcomming book Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived is starting to show up on Amazon. It’s interesting that so many people already read the book considering the considering the release have been moved to March 22, 2011. One have to wonder if it has be planted or it is a real honest review. Anyways. Anyways. Here it is: First of all, let me say that my biggest peeve with Star Wars novels is that too many authors seem content to fill their books with ridiculous plot devices, endless battle scenes, and shallow characters. I’ve had enough of superweapons – after all, we all know the good guys defeat them. Unfortunately, I thought Sean Williams’ Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance, the first in the Old Republic series, exemplifies these problems. As such, I admit I approached Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived with…

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Massively’s 2010 Player’s Choice Awards – VOTE SWTOR!

Soeren Kamper

A few days ago we asked you to vote for Star Wars: The old Republic in the annual Reader’s Choice award over at MMORPG:com. Today Massively have posted the list of nominees for their Player’s Choice Awards as well, and not surprisingly our all time favourite upcoming mmorpg SWTOR is nominated. As we approach the end of 2010 (yes, already), we look back at not only an interesting year for MMOs, but also an amazing decade for such a young genre. We’ve had our highs and lows since last year’s awards, including the now-hilarious choice of APB as Most Anticipated for 2010 by the Massively staff. This year we have a new survey format, new categories and new nominees. We also have a new title, changing it from Reader’s Choice to Player’s Choice, to reflect the fact that you don’t necessarily need to be a Massively reader to vote. This…

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Friday Update: Closer Look at Crew Skills

Soeren Kamper

Game Systems Designer Patrick Malott talks about the Crew Skill system and reveals another crafting skill (though the systems page hasn’t been updated yet): Armstech. Here’s the blog: Introduction I’m Patrick Malott. I’ve worked as a Game Systems Designer on various titles over the years, but what we’re working on here at BioWare Austin is my dream project: Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. In my current role, designing and building out the Crew Skills system is one of the biggest projects I’m involved in. As a passionate multiplayer online gamer myself, I know that crafting is a critical part of the experience for many of you, and I’m dedicated to making sure you enjoy the way it works in The Old Republic. In this blog, I want to shed some light on the design decisions we’re making with Crew Skills… and I might just drop a few new specifics on the Armstech crafting…

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The Empire Skates Back

Soeren Kamper

Fans who attended Celebration V this year were not only treated to a Star Wars Tattoo Contest, but also had the chance to check out skateboard decks painted by exceptional tattoo artists. The decks were auctioned off during the Make-A-Wish Auction The Force in the Flesh author Shane Turgeon, who organized the event called “The Empire Skates Back,” contacted some incredible talent to transform the decks into one-of-a-kind works of art for a good cause. Can you describe the gist of the Star Wars Tattoo Art show for fans who didn’t get a chance to see it? The show was called “The Empire Skates Back.” In celebration of the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, 30 tattooers were each given a blank skateboard deck to paint, sculpt, or build their homage, rendition or interpretation of this amazing film. Unfortunately, only 22 decks arrived in time for the show, but they were all unbelievable works of art….

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May the schwartz be with you: Ewok Karaoke

Soeren Kamper 1 Comment

Forget singing hits from Journey, Madonna and Lady Gaga. What fans really want is to sing the Ewok celebration song! Here is an excerpt from the newly remastered “Return of the Jedi.” Side note: Wookies aren’t that good at karaoke. They tend to drive everyone else out of the bar. Related Posts Angela Morley: The Transgender Pioneer Behind Star Wars’ Iconic SoundFan FridayInside Star Wars Outlaws: Pioneering the Open-World FrontierRevan: A Star Wars Story Who Is Nico Okarr, The New SWTOR Companion?Best Casino Games To Play Based On House EdgeGuardian Angel: Getting Geared Up for End Game on the Republic SideStar Wars Galaxy of Heroes: Ship 2.0 Reinforcement Abilities List

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Know your lore: Jedi Exile

Soeren Kamper

The Jedi Exile was created by Obsidian Entertainment as the primary protagonist in the 2005 PC and Xbox video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords . As of this time, the character called the Jedi Exile has no name, because the player is prompted to create one, or select a randomly generated identity at the start of the game. Because of this, in game characters only refer to her as “the exile.”Although the character’s canon allegiance has not been stated precisely, she is called a “heroine” in The New Essential Guide to Droids. This is backed up by the fact that, as of the release of The Sith Lords, every canon game ending has been the light side version. The Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide has confirmed that the light-side ending is indeed the canonical one. The Exile’s Jedi class is as…

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Playable Species of SW:TOR – Rattataki

Soeren Kamper

The Rattataki were a Near-Human species characterized by their chalk-white skin and bald heads, similar to the Umbaran race. Virtually isolated from the rest of the galaxy, the Rattataki developed a violent society on their home planet of Rattatak, which involved extensive gladiatorial combat. Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress and warrior Aidus were both Rattataki. Aurra Sing may also have been part Rattataki. Society and culture The small, red world of Rattatak floats in the far Outer Rim like a drop of blood. The planet is so remote that it remained undiscovered by the Republic, and the native humanoid species evolved without the guidance or influence of other galactic forces. Although the species remained primitive, they quickly learned how to kill one another. Scattered resources on the planet led to struggles for survival, and the Rattataki never bothered with the benefits of barter and trade amongst themselves. As technology evolved, the…

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Daniel Erickson shares more insight on the Sith

Soeren Kamper

Mondays story about Star Wars: The Old Republic writer Daniel Erickson’s explanation of how someone writes for the Sith Empire sparked a huge amount of discussion on the official forums. There was so much discussion in fact, that Daniel Erickson took to the official forums to further explain his reasoning and thought process behind writing from the Empire’s point of view. Of the conversation occurring across the official forums, Erickson had to say, “An interesting thread. I always like to see what responses the philosophical discussions provoke. Hopefully people noticed that there were no quotes from me saying the Sith were good — even the interviewer ended on it being an excuse to unleash ones hate.“” After that intro, Erickson goes on to deftly explain the complexities behind writing for ostensibly the “evil side” in a manner that makes them more than dastardly villains with cape and cane. It’s a…

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Mission Vao

Know your lore: Mission Vao

Soeren Kamper

Mission Vao is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, known for her spunky attitude, street smarts, and unwavering loyalty. As a central character in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), Mission has captured the hearts of fans with her youthful exuberance and the depth of her character. This article delves into the life and legacy of Mission Vao, exploring her role in the Old Republic, her connection to Revan, and her enduring impact on the Star Wars galaxy. Chapter 1: The Origins of Mission Vao Growing Up on the Streets of Taris Mission Vao’s story begins in the grimy, neon-lit streets of Taris, a planet with a divide as stark as day and night. If you were lucky, you lived in the Upper City, where the rich and powerful enjoyed their luxuries. If you weren’t so lucky—like Mission—you called the Lower City home,…

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Planets of Star Wars: The Old Republic – Taris

Planets of Star Wars: The Old Republic – Taris

Soeren Kamper

Taris was an urban planet in the Outer Rim Territories. The term Tarisian was used to describe people and products from the planet. The planet’s ecumenopolis quickly developed over a century of prosperity, and as a result the planet suffered from massive overpopulation. Once a galactic nexus, Taris’ importance declined with the introduction of improved trade routes, and the planet rapidly fell into decay. The remainder of the planet’s history was wrought with civil disorder and social unrest. As it turned to industry as a means of compensation for its economic troubles, its oceans became polluted, eliminating the planet’s main food source. Famine spread among the lower classes while the rich hoarded what few supplies remained. The resulting strife led to the Tarisian Civil War, the start of lasting prejudices between the Humanocentric Tarisian nobles and the largely alien underclass. The city became segmented, and the lower classes were banned…

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Galaxy Map of known TOR planets

Soeren Kamper

You may disagree with the location of some of the planets, but I think its pretty spot on. I have done a lot of research and looked up all the planets (description, history, rims, location etc.) White planets on map is confirmed and yellow is unconfirmed. Please feel free to drop a comment. Confirmed planets: Tython Korriban Hutta Ord Mantell Coruscant Balmorra Alderaan Tatooine Dromund Kaas Taris Uncomfirmed Planets: Illum: Ilum was the ice planet home to many of the Adegan crystals used in the construction of Jedi lightsabers. The caverns containing the crystals were long ago turned into a Jedi temple. Unlike the crystals of other planets, the crystals of Ilum could only produce green and blue lightsaber crystals. Naboo: Naboo was a planet that was the sector capital of the Chommell Sector near the Outer Rim territories. It was a largely unspoilt world with large plains and forests…

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EA Earnings Call

Soeren Kamper

Yesterday EA had its Q3 FY10 earnings call, during which (as I understand) they let shareholders know how the company is doing and where it is going. That means that we get a sneak peak at what they’re planning to publish in the coming year. Regarding Star Wars: The Old Republic they made statements which seem to suggest that (unsurprisingly) the game won’t be released before March 31, 2011. As VG247 reports: EA’s confirmed that BioWare’s Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic, won’t make the publisher’s next financial year. Speaking in EA’s Q3 earnings call last night, CFO Eric Brown said the game won’t ship in the 12 months ending March 31, 2011. “We are not assuming that we bring a major new MMO to market in fiscal ‘11. We will continue to increase significant development cost as we prepare this title for launch,” he said. Both EA and Lucas…

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Timeline 6: Onslaught of the Sith Empire

Soeren Kamper

Today BioWare gives us a new Timeline update, in which Master Gnost-Dural talks about the surprise attack of the Empire on the Republic. Here’s the official news: A new holorecord in the Jedi Archive tells the story of the Sith Empire’s surprise attack at the start of the Great War over 28 years before the Sacking of Coruscant. Master Gnost-Dural notes the brilliance of the Imperial military’s carefully orchestrated assault which put the Republic at a disadvantage for the duration of the conflict. BTC 28 – Centuries after being driven into exile, the Sith Empire returned from deep space to launch the most calculated military assault in Republic history. Strategically revealing its attack in a menacing manner, the Sith struck fear into the hearts of the Republic’s defenders even while orchestrating surprise attacks at carefully targeted locations across the galaxy. When the Republic fleet rushed to respond, they discovered the…

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Know your lore: Kreia

Soeren Kamper

Kreia is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in the Star Wars universe, standing out not just for her deep philosophical insights but also for her intricate ties to key events and characters across the galaxy. From her mysterious origins in the Old Republic era to her enduring influence in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Kreia remains a character shrouded in both mystery and wisdom. In this article, we’ll explore the lore surrounding Kreia, her connections to Revan, her pivotal role in Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (KOTOR II), and her lasting impact on the Star Wars universe, including more recent appearances in comics and books. Chapter 1: Kreia’s Origins and Early Life Let’s talk about Kreia—because when it comes to mysterious backstories in the Star Wars universe, she’s got one of the best (or most frustrating, depending on how you look at it)….

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Faction lore: Mandalorian

Soeren Kamper

The Mandalorians (called Mando’ade in Mando’a, meaning “children of Mandalore”) were a warlike, nomadic group of clan-based people consisting of members from multiple species. Often, they served as mercenaries and bounty hunters. Their culture revolved around that of battle and war being a source of honor and pride in their community. The leader of the Mandalorians typically took on the title of “Mandalore.” Mandalorians were frequently allied with the Sith, most notably Exar Kun and much later as a prototype for the Clone trooper under the power of Darth Sidious and the Galactic Republic, though they would not hesitate to cooperate with the Jedi if it suited them. In later years Mandalorian Warriors wore very distinctive battle helmets with T-shaped visors that covered the entirety of their faces, which would provide inspiration for the helmets of the clone troopers. These helmets would eventually become strongly associated with the Mandalorian people….

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Know your Lore: HK-47

Soeren Kamper

In the vast galaxy of Star Wars, few droids stand out like HK-47. Known for his ruthless efficiency and a darkly humorous personality, HK-47 has left an indelible mark on the Star Wars universe. This article will dive into the character’s origins, his significant roles in various Star Wars stories, and his enduring legacy across games, comics, and novels. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the galaxy far, far away, HK-47’s tale is one worth exploring. Chapter 1: The Origins of HK-47 HK-47’s origins are deeply rooted in the tumultuous period of the Star Wars galaxy known as the Old Republic era. To fully appreciate the character of HK-47, one must first understand the mind of his creator, Darth Revan—a Jedi Knight who turned Sith Lord, and whose impact on the galaxy was profound and far-reaching. The Rise of Darth Revan Darth Revan was a figure of immense…

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The Sith Empire

Soeren Kamper

The true origins of the Sith remain shrouded in mystery. The Sith race was, in fact, largely unimportant until three thousand years ago, when Dark Jedi exiles arrived on Korriban and subjugated the Sith beneath their rule and their philosophy. As the years passed, the Dark Jedi intermarried with those they ruled, and within generations, the word “Sith” took on new meaning. This powerful new civilization began expanding rapidly, led by a growing population of ambitious dark Force-users. Fifteen hundred years ago, the Sith civilization’s boundaries reached the Republic, and the Great Hyperspace War began. Dark Lord of the Sith Naga Sadow led his armies in an aggressive campaign to destroy the Galactic Republic. Though the Sith were successful at first, the Jedi Order rallied back to defeat their dark counterparts, systematically destroying the Sith civilization on Korriban. Unbeknownst to the Jedi however, the last Emperor of the Sith managed…

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