Star Wars: The Old Republic

[bixby]

http://www.slashgamer.com/2008/10/21/confirmed-star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-mmo-info-included/

http://www.slashgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/kotor_header-560x213.jpg (http://www.slashgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/kotor_header.jpg)
It’s official, Bioware and LucasArts‘ just announced the first Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Massively Multiplayer Online game — called, Star Wars: the Old Republic During a press conference in San Francisco, CA BioWare’s CEO Ray Muzyka confirmed the company is working on the second ever Star Wars MMO and promising it’s not just a sequel to the original KOTOR game. “There’s that much to it,” he said; referring to how much more they’re adding to the game. He also noted the MMO won’t be just a planet where the player’s character will interact with other gamers who also on the same server, but everyone will be able to explore a full universe, “It’s a whole galaxy. It’s a galaxy of Star Wars.” He went on to say, “It’s going to take your gaming experience to a higher level.”
The game will take place thousands of years prior to when Darth Vader ruled the empire and about 300 years after the original Knights of the Old Republic — whichwas released back in 2003. If you were to compare the second installment of Knights of the Old Republic to the new MMO — don’t! The next game in series has “dwarfed” the previous entries. Muzyka called it, “A mammoth undertaking.”
Creative director From BioWare James Ohlen, discussed how the project is by far the most ‘challenging’ game he has worked on in his career. He also believes the game will be considered the first MMO to be completely story-driven. “It allows players to carve out their own epic stories,” he said.
Both companies were very adamant about a release date; “We’re less focussed on a release date.” said president of BioWare Greg Zeschuck. Their reason; they wanted to ensure the player to have an unbelievable experience while playing the game.
At one point during a questions and answer panel after the conference, it was confirmed that there will be a beta at some point. But obviously as of now, they don’t know when.
As of now, the game was shown as a PC game, and both companies have yet to confirm it being on a PS3 or Xbox 360.

[Ethix]

300 years after Kotor? So it won't really have anything to do with Kotor then..... I'm not sure I like that idea.

[bixby]

Yeah, I wanted to finish Revan's story. Hopefully we get a legit KOTOR sequel somewhere down the line.

Screenshots (the designs look sort of like Rock Band characters, actually).

http://pc.ign.com/articles/922/922115p4.html

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/922/922115/bioware-mmo-project-untitled-20081021113738237.jpg

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/922/922115/bioware-mmo-project-untitled-20081021113734269.jpg

[Ethix]

It really doesn't look very good from the pictures. I hope that changes alot.

[STDSkillz]

Yeah, I wanted to finish Revan's story. Hopefully we get a legit KOTOR sequel somewhere down the line.



That's why I was happy to hear that the MMO is taking place 300 years after KOTOR. More room for a KOTOR 3.

[One Under]

Yeah, this really doesn't seem like part of the KOTOR series. Most real fans want a normal RPG (like the first two) on a console (like the first two.) The direction they are going with this one doesn't make any sense.

[Warden]

There will be a KOTOR 3, I have faith in that. No way they will end that story line, and 300 years is far to long to not answer those questions.

Far as the screens go, these are what we are just seeing. These are not beta or anything. I expect we won't see this game for at least another two years. Graphics will improve.

[}{arlequin]

got this in my email yesterday:

http://epidm.edgesuite.net/CMS/ElectronicArts/SWTOR/2008/382220/Final/swtor.html

[STDSkillz]

Nice to see that they've got their website up and running. I'm wondering what the timeline on this thing is gonna be.

[}{arlequin]

if they're saying there will be news in the coming 'months', i can't see this being finished anytime before next x-mas

[Warden]

I would say release date on an MMO would be at least two years from now. Far to much work and this is Biowares first MMO. While I am excited as shit for this, it will be some time before it comes out. I mean shit, standard build time on a non-MMO is 2 years. We may have to wait longer

[bixby]

New screenshots
(http://io9.com/5099797/sith-academy-sadly-not-setting-for-amusing-series-of-steve-guttenberg-movies)

[Warden]

Just the idea of this game gets me hard but fuck this Rockband looking claymation characters. That shit NEEDS to change, other wise I will never touch the game. I'm not a graphics nerd, I love WoW but if the characters look like the screens at release, I won't buy it.

[STDSkillz]

Here's a documentary and a first time look at some gameplay footage:

Link (http://www.swtor.com/media/vidcasts/viddoc001?sourceid=ea2829)

[Ethix]

"Stylized Realism" looks pretty crappy.....but not as bad as cell-shading so it could be worse. I probably won't be buying this game when it comes out unless I hear some really good reviews about it.

[Fiend1138]

I think it looks pretty damn good for MMO that's not even near complete yet....

[Warden]

Looks great for an MMO that isnt even in Alpha yet. I hope the graphics improve a lot before Beta even comes close. I also have 100% faith in BioWare as a company. Mass Effect looked better than this and I KNOW that this game will look better at release.

[Ocelot]

Yeah Bioware is one of those companies you can rely on to develop really excellent titles, as they've proven in past releases. I have no doubt they will deliver with this. I'd definitely like to see more of the classes/play mechanics. Hopefully they start to slowly leak some info.

[STDSkillz]

Looks great for an MMO that isnt even in Alpha yet. I hope the graphics improve a lot before Beta even comes close. I also have 100% faith in BioWare as a company. Mass Effect looked better than this and I KNOW that this game will look better at release.

The fact that they were saying that this is by far their most massive, in-depth game surprised me. I've played Mass Effect for upwards of 50 hours, and still haven't seen everything in the game yet.

[Warden]

Well it is a MMO, not a single player game.

[STDSkillz]

The Making of Tython (http://www.swtor.com/media/vidcasts/devdispatch001?sourceid=ea3017)

[STDSkillz]

This developer diary shows off just four of the many diverse worlds players can expect to encounter in Bioware's upcoming MMORPG. No beta sign-up or release date has yet been announced.48839

[L.ulz]

Looks good so far although im not too happy about the character design. But i guess theres always a POSSIBILITY that theyll change it (LOZ:Wind Waker ;])

[Change]

The art style is really growing on me. This and Trek online could be awesome.

[Warden]

The character design is for shit and I pray that its just pre-alpha and not what they are going for. The characters look like they used the Rockband character creator to make. All claymation and crap.

Other then that, I am really looking forward to it, when ever it comes out.

[STDSkillz]

Sorry for the repost, but I thought the discussion was more appropriate here:

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-star-wars/49937?type=flv

A few things:

The trailer is awesome, no denying that. At the same time, I'm sad that we've officially learned when the game is taking place: about 330 years after KOTOR 2 (not the 1,000 years that was reported before). Meaning this is going to be our KOTOR 3, most likely. I really wanted another RPG devoted to Revan's story.

When I was reading through the E3 thread, I was really skeptical of people thinking it was Malak who was in the trailer...but boy, after seeing the trailer, it sure does look like him. And all of his lackeys in the background are wearing a Revan-Style mask. Quite interesting. With a novel and comics being released alongside this game, I'm pretty fucking excited.

Carry on.

[Ethix]

There's a Kotor novel coming out?

[STDSkillz]

Yes sir, but only based on the story that this MMO has to offer:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Untitled_Old_Republic_MMO_novel

[Bizz]

Release Date: TBA
Platforms: http://www.gametrailers.com/images/plat_pc_default.gif (http://www.gametrailers.com/platformlist/pc/index.html)
Publisher: LucasArts (http://www.lucasarts.com/)
Developer: Bioware (http://www.bioware.com/)
Gamesite: Click here (http://www.swtor.com/)
Genres: MMO, Role-Playing
ESRB: RP

49937

[STDSkillz]

Appreciate the SW enthusiasm, Bizzy, but...

http://forum.gorillamask.net/showthread.php?t=9585

[Will-Kill]

Too bad, I was hoping in KOTOR 3 You can play as either as Revan or the Exile and take on the Sith Empire.

[Pete t]

i read somewhere that lucasarts would not leave Kotor behind and possibly finish the story. i mean why wouldn't they it has a huge fanbase and so many people are complaining about the mmo wishing for a rpg instead.

[Bizz]

I put a bunch of threads up today. KOTOR MMO isn't what this shit is called so it makes it difficult to find.

My posting method is as follows. Thread title = Game title. Then the first post in all my game threads are exactly like this one. I keep it simple, then discussion and new media follows.

[STDSkillz]

I'm not yelling at ya, I'm commending ya, you chippy bastard!!

[Bizz]

It was for all the haters, not you hunny buns.

[Face]

I'm not yelling at ya, I'm commending ya, you chippy bastard!!
I'm yelling at him

[STDSkillz]

Smuggler Class Revealed:

Quick, Clever, Answers to No One

Sometimes luck is more important than skill, but it never hurts to have both.

Lawlessness has become common in the wake of the devastating war between the Republic and Empire. Shifting political allegiances and marauding pirates have made independent space travel a dangerous enterprise. Cut off from traditional supply routes, entire star systems waver on the verge of collapse. An adventurous spirit who’s not afraid to break a few rules can make a handsome profit hauling cargo to these hotspots, but it requires fast reflexes, fast wits and a fast draw with a blaster. Even then, the life of a Smuggler is always a gamble.

Stacking up enemies as fast as they stack up credits, Smugglers only survive in this galaxy by being slick, sneaky and street-smart. Whether sweet-talking an attractive alien or bargaining with a hardened criminal contact, the Smuggler’s charm is a notorious asset, and often the ticket to turning around a deteriorating situation. If circumstances get too complicated, though, count on a Smuggler to always have an escape plan. Experienced in flying under the radar, Smugglers are amazingly elusive. Yet when backed into a corner, they quickly become cunning and often deadly combatants.

Above all else, Smugglers make their own destinies. Despite their affinity for credits, Smugglers have been known to turn down lucrative opportunities when the clients have demanded too much control. Some Smugglers are even more discriminating—refusing to work with slavers and representatives of the Sith Empire. It’s a business where one is always looking for trustworthy allies, but they are often few and far between. Whether running an Imperial blockade or shooting down a double-crossing gangster, Smugglers are always flying by the seat of their pants. Every deal carries the chance for wealth beyond their wildest dreams… or an anonymous death in the harsh void of space.

Relations with the Republic
Faced with choosing an allegiance in these uncertain times, Smugglers have been forced to consider the implications of trying to operate under the tight controls imposed by the Sith Empire. Though never the most patriotic members of Republic society, many Smugglers have decided that siding with the Republic is siding with freedom, and of course, freedom is everything.

The Republic has never indulged a systematic prejudice against Smugglers. Generally speaking, they have more commonly tangled with laws and law enforcement measures from specific star systems, not the greater Republic. Thus, it has not been overly difficult for the Jedi and the Republic military to accept Smugglers as allies in resisting the growing dominance of the Sith Empire.

FIELD RECONNAISSANCE
As smart and stealthy as Smugglers might be, surveillance recording from various spaceports and secured warehouses has captured them in the act. These images highlight their ability to adapt to almost any situation. They’re careful and cunning when sneaking into enemy territory, but when caught in the open, whether bluffing or gambling, they appear comfortable staging a courageous stand.

Outfitting
They don’t wear fancy armor or carry high-powered blaster rifles, but Smugglers are outfitted for action nonetheless. Wearing comfortable, flexible clothing with some custom modifications, Smugglers are able to stay light on their feet and quick on the draw. Usually carrying a fast-firing blaster or two, Smugglers have everything they need to shoot their way out of trouble. Though style is rarely their intent, it seems to come naturally to Smugglers, and their dashing duds generally complement their roguish charm.

Combat Tactics
The Smuggler’s approach to fighting is guileful and improvisational. Preferring to tip the odds in their favor from the start, Smugglers often rely on the element of surprise, using stealth and trickery to catch opponents off guard. Despite the sly tactics, they are more than capable of holding their own in a fair fight. Fast on the draw and a crack shot with a blaster, Smugglers tend to shoot first and be the last ones standing.

Pics:

http://cdn-www.swtor.com/sites/all/files/classes/smuggler/images/ss3_800x450.jpg
http://cdn-www.swtor.com/sites/all/files/classes/smuggler/images/ss2_800x450.jpg


Some gameplay footage can be found at the source.

Sauce (http://www.swtor.com/info/holonet/classes/smuggler)

[fadetoblack1985]

that's hawt, i'm very excited for this game to come out! Is there any word on whether it will go cross-platform like to the 360 or ps3?