Star Wars: The Old Republic

[keg in kc]

Don't believe there's a dedicated thread, and since they're starting to release information now, I figure it's time for one.

[Pants]

NnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnLEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOY JENKINS!

[keg in kc]

Pretty awesome first real look at space combat, from PAX:



You guys saw the awesome trailer before the whole 'elitists suck ass' tangent started, right?

[bowener]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Pretty awesome first real look at space combat, from PAX:



You guys saw the awesome trailer before the whole 'elitists suck ass' tangent started, right?

Looks pretty sweet. I played EVE online for about 4 months (3 or 4 years ago), and the space game reminds me of that. I always thought it would be cool if a game could take EVE and WoW and combine them... looks like that is what has happened!

[keg in kc]

Gameplay videos are starting to show up from pax.

Not sure what's going on in the first one. Smuggler healing I think.



Longer video, about 15 minutes.

[keg in kc]

Official developer walkthrough of Taral V.

This looks ****ing amazing...

[keg in kc]

This week's update, a Jedi Knight progression video:

[keg in kc]

They've outdone themselves with their April Fool's update (remember the sarlaac last year?):

http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110401

[Pants]

When is this damn game coming out?

[keg in kc]

If I had to guess, I'd say September. If it was coming sooner than that, I think we'd know, and I don't believe they'll want to hold off for a holiday release, especially not with ME3 hitting sometime in that time frame. I think (hope) they're going to announce open beta at E3.

The reaction to PAX has been pretty overwhelmingly positive, as is everything I've heard out of beta (no direct sources there, though).

[keg in kc]

So, there was an event in London last evening where various people from the official swtor forums got to play the game for about an hour each, and the response is overwhelmingly positive. This is notable in part because a few of the people posting these glowing reviews have been blasting bioware on the forums for months/years over certain design decisions. And, as it turns out, they love the game. Whodathunkit...

Write-ups are here: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=292974

Consensus from some of the people there is an August/September release.

[bowener]

I can honestly say that I am glad I have managed to remain almost entirely free of mmorpgs. I know I would get hooked, especially on one that looks as immersive as what SWTOR appears to be. Hell, I was bored playing EVE for 3-4 months, but I couldn't stop playing the ****er... and there you don't even get a person/humanoid to look at, just a ****ing spaceship... though they can be pretty epic as you go up in skills.

What I am trying to say is, I really hope I can avoid this game when it finally comes out. I want to continue to have a life

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by bowener

I can honestly say that I am glad I have managed to remain almost entirely free of mmorpgs. I know I would get hooked, especially on one that looks as immersive as what SWTOR appears to be. Hell, I was bored playing EVE for 3-4 months, but I couldn't stop playing the ****er... and there you don't even get a person/humanoid to look at, just a ****ing spaceship... though they can be pretty epic as you go up in skills.

What I am trying to say is, I really hope I can avoid this game when it finally comes out. I want to continue to have a life

Then I would probably stop reading this thread. Because I have a feeling it's going to get crazy when a few of us finally get our hands on it. It's looking like it's going to be an incredible game.

And I'm totally with you on how time-consuming they are. I've wasted a lot of time in a number of MMOs I really didn't like all that much, whether it was EQ or WoW or SWG or even LotRO now (haven't played in weeks, probably done). If what people are saying about TOR is true, that it's basically an online BioWare game and about as good a Star Wars experience as any game has ever had, it's going to end me.

[thecoffeeguy]

So scared for this game...its going to own me. hehhe

[keg in kc]

Big update on Advanced Classes today:

Hello there, I’m Georg Zoeller, and I’m Principal Lead Combat Designer on Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. In my previous developer blog, I introduced you to the Advanced Classes Game System in the game. In today’s blog I’m going to explain how the system has evolved over the last few months based on iteration, gameplay testing and focus groups.

Advanced Classes (often abbreviated ACs) are chosen on your faction’s capital world – either Coruscant or Dromund Kaas - when your character reaches level 10 or above. Each base class gets a choice of two Advanced Classes; for example if you are playing a Jedi Knight, you will be able to choose to play the Jedi Guardian or Jedi Sentinel Advanced Class.

Choosing an Advanced Class is very important in The Old Republic, as within your Advanced Class, your character will reach their full potential. Your Advanced Class choice dramatically alters the gameplay experience of your base class by providing access to two exclusive skill trees per Advanced Class, with a third being shared between both Advanced Classes.
Class Abilities

As you level up, your character will gain abilities from three sources:

• Through trainers, from their base class (e.g. Sith Warrior)
• Through trainers, from their advanced class (e.g. Marauder)
• Through skill points spent in the skill trees of their Advanced Class

Skill Trees

Each skill tree provides access to a number of active abilities (which are added to your ability bar, and can be activated during play). You can also assign your training points to passive abilities. Passive abilities are ‘always on’, and alter how your base class abilities work.

It is important to note that the choices you make in your skill tree never subtract from your base class abilities; they instead improve and add to the character’s arsenal.

Skill Tree Choices

Imagine a Sith Warrior character, with the Juggernaut Advanced Class. As part of the tanking and control themed ‘Immortal’ skill tree, he may choose to learn Force Grip. This upgrades the base class ability Force Choke from being a channeled ability, requiring several seconds to activate, to being an instantly used ability. This increases the Juggernaut’s effectiveness at engaging multiple enemies at once, as those being choked not only take significant damage, but are also unable to act. The Force is indeed strong with this ability!

The Marauder Advanced Class on the other hand, as part of the ‘Annihilation’ skill tree, can opt to learn the Close Quarters ability, removing the minimum range requirement from Force Charge. A Marauder with Close Quarters, instead of just opening combat with Force Charge, can use it multiple times in the course of a fight – reinforcing the Marauder’s role as a highly mobile melee damage dealer who moves quickly between multiple enemies on the battlefield.

As well as these two Advanced Class-specific skill trees, both the Juggernaut and the Marauder have access to the shared ‘Rage’ skill tree. Abilities in this skill tree improve the control, mobility and burst damage capability of characters who invest into it – all traits desirable to both the Marauder and the Juggernaut. A sample ability here would be Force Crush, a powerful and very iconic force power that crushes every bone in an enemy’s body.

Remember, you will always have access to a limited number of training points to spend in your skill tree, so your choices are important. You may choose – for an in-game credits fee – to re-assign your skill points if you wish, so you can experiment to find your perfect combination. Any one of the three skill trees are valid to specialize in, or you can spend training points in all of them for a more well-rounded character.
Improvements through Game Testing

We thought it might be good to give you a peek at some of the recent changes made to each Advanced Class since they were announced. While we’re constantly iterating and balancing each class based on our own objectives, we also pay attention to feedback from internal testing, the (ever expanding) Game Testing Program, and the community.

The following list of changes is by no means complete or definitive for the final game, but it should give you a good idea of where the class you are planning to play is heading.

Bounty Hunter Advanced Classes

Mercenary (Roles: Close - Mid Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

PowerTech (Roles: Mid - Long Range Damage Dealing, Tanking)

As previously announced, the Bounty Hunter’s Mercenary Advanced Class now features the ‘Bodyguard’ skill tree, allowing this iconic class to fill the role of a medic if desired.
The ‘Advanced Prototype’ skill tree, shared between both Bounty Hunter ACs, now features an upgrade to the base class flamethrower, which allows the player to rotate while using the ability.


Imperial Agent Advanced Classes

Sniper (Roles: Mid - Long Range Damage Dealing)

Operative (Roles: Close - Mid Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

The Sniper’s entire skill tree has been reworked to include PvP feedback from internal and external tests. The Sniper is now able to entrench himself, providing a viable initial counter against attacks that would previously knock him out of cover. The Sniper also gained Cover Pulse, a player triggered pulse mine that can knock an unsuspecting attacker away from the Sniper.

The Operative has received a number of updates aimed at providing an alternative, less cover dependent gameplay option if skilled accordingly. Operatives are now more viable in mid and close range combat, using their stealth field generator to approach the enemy unseen before delivering heavy burst damage with their energy blade.


Jedi Knight Advanced Classes

Jedi Sentinel (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing. Wields dual Lightsabers)

Jedi Guardian (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing, Tanking. Wields a single Lightsaber)

Based on feedback from testing and requests from the general community, we reworked one of the skill trees on the Jedi Guardian Advanced Class to be focused on dealing damage while utilizing a single Lightsaber. Previously, the Guardian’s only available role was as a tank.

The Sentinel Advanced Class remains targeted at players that prefer damage dealing gameplay over other roles. The variety between Sentinel skill trees has been increased, allowing players to specialize in several very different ways of dealing damage.


Jedi Consular Advanced Classes

Jedi Shadow (Roles: Close - Mid Range Damage Dealing, Tanking)

Jedi Sage (Roles: Mid-Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

The Shadow Advanced Class now has a skill tree that allows them to fill the role of a tank effectively, using Lightsaber defense and Force powers.

Based on testing feedback, the Force Slam ability shown in early videos of the class was replaced with Project, which we decided to make more versatile through skill tree abilities (e.g. the ability to project multiple objects at a target). It’s proved more popular with our Game Testers, so it stays in!


Smuggler Advanced Classes

Gunslinger (Roles: Mid - Long Range Damage Dealing, wields dual pistols)

Scoundrel (Roles: Close - Mid Range Damage Dealing, Healing, wields scatter gun)

While we demonstrated a healing-focused Scoundrel at PAX East (watch our Developer Walkthrough for details), the scatter gun-centric ‘Scrapper’ skill tree has not been forgotten. Recently, we made several updates aimed at making the Advanced Class more viable in PvP.

The Gunslinger’s Sweeping Gunfire ability has been updated to allow the player to move the cone of fire while the ability is active. While this improves the feel of the attack quite a bit, it also introduces a bit of a risk factor for Smugglers who are not overly concerned with what they are hitting!


Sith Inquisitor Advanced Classes

Sith Assassin (Roles: Close - Mid Range Damage Dealing, Tanking)

Sith Sorcerer (Roles: Mid-Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

Similar to the Jedi Shadow, an Inquisitor trained in the Assassin Advanced Class now are able to fill the role of a tank, if they work their way up the ‘Darkness’ skill tree, which includes abilities to increase defensive Lightsaber capabilities and area-of-effect damage.

The ‘Madness’ skill tree, shared between both the Assassin and the Sorcerer, has received considerable upgrades with the goal of creating a range/melee hybrid gameplay option.


Sith Warrior Advanced Classes

Sith Marauder (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing. Wields dual Lightsabers)

Sith Juggernaut (Roles: Close Range Damage Dealing, Tanking. Wields a single Lightsaber)

As with the Jedi Guardian, we have given the Juggernaut Advanced Class access to a skill tree that focuses on damage dealing using a single Lightsaber. Previously the high damage dealing option was only available to the Marauder Advanced Class.

Similar to the Jedi Sentinel, the damage dealing-centric Marauder Advanced Class’ offensive arsenal has been significantly reworked and diversified, now allowing for several very different play styles. The Marauder also gained access to a new ability called Force Cloak, granting a short term combat stealth.


Trooper Advanced Classes

Vanguard (Roles: Close - Mid Range Damage Dealing, Ranged Tanking)

Commando (Roles: Mid - Long Range Damage Dealing, Healing)

Like the Bounty Hunter, the Trooper’s Commando Advanced class now has access to a healing focused skill tree, making the Trooper a completely viable medic. An example ability is an Advanced Medical Probe for quick on the field triage, which can also be upgraded to deploy a temporary defense screen on the target.

If you follow the link there are some cool images as well as a bit I didn't copy about how they use their testing metrics. And obviously, all these AC's are subject to change...

[thecoffeeguy]

I cannot wait for this game!!!!