Johnny's link sums it all nicely. Here's the money quote for me:
In the future I can see a day where we would do a Trandoshan or Wookiee type story but it would have to be just that. Not a simple graphic swap where now your smuggler is a giant lizard man and nobody notices but a full class story where you learn what it means to be this strange alien and deal with the rest of the galaxy and their reactions. For the present, however, our heroes are our projections of self, headed into a galaxy of wonders and adventures.
They really double-down on their narrative and main storyline every time they get a chance. Even to the expense of adding new features or options, it sounds like here. I admire the decision, but the story better be worth it.
It even sounds like if new alien races are added, they'd get their own separate arc, or could only play specialized classes with a unique class arc of their own. I am extrapolating a lot from that one quote I know, but it does suggest they'd want radical aliens to not follow the main arcs of the current classes. Which means a lot of work and meaning we'll get new races in large expansions that come out every few years or so and might even suggest radical aliens get a special class or class arc of their own.
That brings up a point. I'm really not into the lore of Star Wars, in that it doesn't all need to make sense and adhere to canon and whatnot. There are some worlds where I care about plausibility and keeping facts straight, like when I play PnP Faerun or shit like that. With Star Wars, I just want to be reminded of the movies. Give me Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, the droids, and Vader in different outfits with the same music and I'm happy as can be. That's what I loved about the Blur trailers- especially the last one.
I remember playing KotOR and thinking briefly, "Why the hell is there an Empire with similar troopers and gray-suited officers and a big bad Sith lord pacing the bridge 3000 years before Vader?" Then I said, "Who gives a fuck?! I want my Star Wars and this is it!" Doesn't even bother me that every other Jedi Master has to be the same race as Yoda. I want Yoda.
Email surveys going out regarding testing groups. Will complete mine on my pc tomorrow but likely fail it will I. Failing survey leads to anger etc etc
The force is weak with this one
Not sure if this is worse than getting no email.
In a wonderful twist of fate, fail survey but get invited to test anyway.
My best bud got his beta invite and started playing today (after being declined by the survey oddly enough). He is basically my quietest friend and I am having a hard time not bombarding him with questions.
My best bud got his beta invite and started playing today (after being declined by the survey oddly enough). He is basically my quietest friend and I am having a hard time not bombarding him with questions.
My best bud got his beta invite and started playing today (after being declined by the survey oddly enough). He is basically my quietest friend and I am having a hard time not bombarding him with questions.
SLEEPOVER!
Would be great if his fiance didn't require 3 weeks notice and top clearance to hang out with him.
My best bud got his beta invite and started playing today (after being declined by the survey oddly enough). He is basically my quietest friend and I am having a hard time not bombarding him with questions.
SLEEPOVER!
Would be great if his fiance didn't require 3 weeks notice and top clearance to hang out with him.
My real life name is Luke. No joking. And no I wasn't named after the gospel. I DESERVE THIS.
I I'd have had a boy, I would have named him Luke, great name. It wouldn't all have been because of Star Wars, but it would have been part of the reason. Then again, I wanted to call my first two sons, "Ace" and "Deuce", but my wife refused.
And there are three acts? Cool, why do I think there might be more if the game thrives? I am starting to become more confident that it will.
Yup. Daniel Erickson talked about it in an interview.
Regarding more acts in expansions, I can see it happening. It'll be interesting to see how continuity diverges at the end of the story though between players in the same class.
I'm very curious what Bioware is going to do about all of these leaks now that they've expanded testing. My thoughts are that you really need to kick the tires as much as possible with that 2K person test then bring the thunder in phases, so you can stress test while still preventing people from ripping through too much content. I would also think you'd have to do that exceedingly close to release with a game like this because it seems clear they want us to go into this game not really knowing too much or they would have knocked out the NDA.
By the way, who wants to help me run a gambling system for the rugby style game? I'm thinking some teams might want to bet each other credits? We can skim 5% off gross bet as the neutral party.
I'm very curious what Bioware is going to do about all of these leaks now that they've expanded testing. My thoughts are that you really need to kick the tires as much as possible with that 2K person test then bring the thunder in phases, so you can stress test while still preventing people from ripping through too much content. I would also think you'd have to do that exceedingly close to release with a game like this because it seems clear they want us to go into this game not really knowing too much or they would have knocked out the NDA.
It is so hard to keep secrets these days. I think the best you can do is what they are already doing, a tight NDA, a little screening for entry into the test and then just wince when inevitably spoilers are posted.
I was able to avoid KOTOR spoilers due to a lack of public testing (if there was, I did not hear about it), but I sadly am already convinced I will see flashes of spoilers here.
The difficulty is the kind of spoilers that are going to annoy me. I want to know details like specifics of the character generator and specifics of some of the gear, but I don't want the primary plot spoiled in any way.
Can we come up with some "rules" on when to use spoilers on this forum? If I limit my vision to just this thread and we generally agree to use spoiler tags when discussing plot points, I might be able to play the game blissfully unaware of the story.
Mike is a big WoW guy. He really disliked SWG as evidenced by their comics about it. Positive review by a genuine enthusiast would probably go a long way.
I wager he comes out pretty positively. PA needs a good relationship with Bio and EA, the game is set in a time frame where the game has a lot of liberty with lore and I don't think he'd crow in a tweet about his up and coming remarks if they were largely negative.
You'll probably see some SW:TOR advertising roll in on the site right around launch time and you can be sure PA gets all the access (and items) they need in the game.
Certainly, PA's praise of D&D 4th Edition assured them they were showered with gifts and anything they wanted from that brand.
I don't say PA is a payola site, it isn't, far from it and if Gabe or Tycho hate the game they'll tell us. But also, with this kind of staging it is probably more rave than rant. The game is in their wheelhouse, it has enough unique aspects to it for them to crow about it and if they totally felt like dumping on it, they'd politely withdraw from beta and post their thoughts post-release. I think otherwise they'd see that this would scar a relationship with a company that benefits them tremendously with their charity and events.
So I am betting the review is largely positive, with a few quibbles. And anything PA says these days goes a long way. That's why they get free stuff, whenever they want, because their voice is seen as legitimate and trustworthy. If it were negative, I think he keeps his mouth shut until after it launches.
edit: Rather, not in the way you're saying, where they need to be nice. I mean, as I recall, Jerry was pretty clear that he didn't feel DA2 was all that great.
I've recently listened to the podcast about the Disregard for Canon comic again, and in it they've said how great it would be if more games were set outside of the "usual" Star Wars staff, i.e. the movies.
Granted, they were thinking more along the lines of the Yuuzhan Vong and stuff like that, but still. I guess Mike is gonna appreciate TOR.
But you don't want to damage a relationship by inquiring about beta, tweeting you're going to reveal comments about it and then posting a largely negative review, months before launch. That's a pretty hostile gesture.
More likely, he tested it, liked it, asked if he could post some comments (within the NDA) and suggested his overall review would be positive.
I don't think he'd tweet about the game unless he was excited and I don't think he'd flip Bio and EA the bird by tweeting he was doing this and then crapping all over the game. He would have more tact with Bio and EA. That's just a hunch of course, but that's how I read it.
PA does rip games, but I can't remember the last time they ripped a very big game months before release. Not that I pay attention to everything PA says, so maybe I missed it. I do know they dump on games, but they mostly dump on games that deserve it and after they've launched.
But you don't want to damage a relationship by inquiring about beta, tweeting you're going to reveal comments about it and then posting a largely negative review, months before launch. That's a pretty hostile gesture.
More likely, he tested it, liked it, asked if he could post some comments (within the NDA) and suggested his overall review would be positive.
I don't think he'd tweet about the game unless he was excited and I don't think he'd flip Bio and EA the bird by tweeting he was doing this and then crapping all over the game. He would have more tact with Bio and EA. That's just a hunch of course, but that's how I read it.
PA does rip games, but I can't remember the last time they ripped a very big game months before release. Not that I pay attention to everything PA says, so maybe I missed it. I do know they dump on games, but they mostly dump on games that deserve it and after they've launched.
See, this is one thing. The post before is something entirely different. Just to let you know that you called him out for selling his soul for free stuff, charity donations, and money in the form of advertising. You're nice about it and all, as you are about most contrary stuff that you say. But it's still a heavy accusation. It's fine to be cynical about the world we live in, but you made your cynicism personal.
I had a customer come into my store tonight and tell me an interesting bit of news, which I have not been able to confirm or validate so far. I'm hoping maybe someone around here knows what he was talking about or can confirm/deny the truth of it.
So the customer says: "A third party hardware manufacturer accidentally leaked the release date of TOR this week by revealing the release date of their TOR themed mouse/keyboard bundles that will go on sale the same day as TOR."
Anyone know anything about this? I don't want to perpetuate a rumor, but if a real release date has been given, which the customer claims is in November, that's pretty huge news. Just wondering if anyone else has heard anything about this or if the customer was just blowing smoke out his ass...
I had a customer come into my store tonight and tell me an interesting bit of news, which I have not been able to confirm or validate so far. I'm hoping maybe someone around here knows what he was talking about or can confirm/deny the truth of it.
So the customer says: "A third party hardware manufacturer accidentally leaked the release date of TOR this week by revealing the release date of their TOR themed mouse/keyboard bundles that will go on sale the same day as TOR."
Anyone know anything about this? I don't want to perpetuate a rumor, but if a real release date has been given, which the customer claims is in November, that's pretty huge news. Just wondering if anyone else has heard anything about this or if the customer was just blowing smoke out his ass...
That was Razer, one of their (sales?) reps leading up to E3 said they were releasing their TOR based mice and keyboards in November with the game but I haven't heard anything from BioWare or EA.
He was hoping that it was coming by november, it seemed. He was a rep that was fumbling around and speculating. Seeing as those products by razer are basically re-skins, they probably had them ready to go ages ago. I seriously doubt they have any inside info.
I highly doubt they'll release it in November..competing against Skyrim would be stupid. Also, Blizzard is probably gonna release 4.3 around that time.
Why is it dumb to compete against Skyrim? I could see the argument for not releasing near Guild Wars 2's release date, but they have to release some time and theyve already missed the perfect time (May-June when schools are getting out).
And Blizzard is probably going to drop 4.3 right around The Old Republic's launch regardless of when it happens.
Sure, a lot of games are being released by the end of this year, so they're gonna have to compete against something..but going up against your biggest competitor is not smart.
Well, 4.2 is being released next week. They're gonna need at the very least 3 months till they can release the next patch, so I doubt we'll see it before October.
TOR is being promoted as having more elements of single player RPGs than any other MMO. I think both games appeal to a similar set of people.
And if not Skyrim, what other new title is TOR's biggest competitor?
Maybe, but the question is: will they still pay TOR's subscription fee after the first free month?
I think you're overestimating people's financial capabilities.
Very long ballista size bow to draw saying that Skyrim is TOR's biggest competitor, it's a game coming out at about the same time, and that's about it, there is no social aspect to Skyrim, no PvP, different combat system, different world. The question of will people pay a subscription after the first month is relevant to any MMO, it's not a unique problem to TOR. I don't think it's overestimating people's financial capabilities to use a method tried and tested for years. Basically, I don't understand your point at all.
Posts
In the future I can see a day where we would do a Trandoshan or Wookiee type story but it would have to be just that. Not a simple graphic swap where now your smuggler is a giant lizard man and nobody notices but a full class story where you learn what it means to be this strange alien and deal with the rest of the galaxy and their reactions. For the present, however, our heroes are our projections of self, headed into a galaxy of wonders and adventures.
They really double-down on their narrative and main storyline every time they get a chance. Even to the expense of adding new features or options, it sounds like here. I admire the decision, but the story better be worth it.
It even sounds like if new alien races are added, they'd get their own separate arc, or could only play specialized classes with a unique class arc of their own. I am extrapolating a lot from that one quote I know, but it does suggest they'd want radical aliens to not follow the main arcs of the current classes. Which means a lot of work and meaning we'll get new races in large expansions that come out every few years or so and might even suggest radical aliens get a special class or class arc of their own.
I remember playing KotOR and thinking briefly, "Why the hell is there an Empire with similar troopers and gray-suited officers and a big bad Sith lord pacing the bridge 3000 years before Vader?" Then I said, "Who gives a fuck?! I want my Star Wars and this is it!" Doesn't even bother me that every other Jedi Master has to be the same race as Yoda. I want Yoda.
Give me Star Wars damnit.
In a wonderful twist of fate, fail survey but get invited to test anyway.
More than a little bit excited.
I want to know more PA people on Twitter.
SLEEPOVER!
I want to know more PA people on Twitter.
Would be great if his fiance didn't require 3 weeks notice and top clearance to hang out with him.
booooooo
I want to know more PA people on Twitter.
I I'd have had a boy, I would have named him Luke, great name. It wouldn't all have been because of Star Wars, but it would have been part of the reason. Then again, I wanted to call my first two sons, "Ace" and "Deuce", but my wife refused.
And thankfully, I had two daughters anyway.
And no I didn't get to name them Mothma and Leia.
Pro-tip: Smugglers and Bounty Hunters without the included Tom Selleck like moustache lose automatically.
PSN: OrneryRooster
Yup. Daniel Erickson talked about it in an interview.
Regarding more acts in expansions, I can see it happening. It'll be interesting to see how continuity diverges at the end of the story though between players in the same class.
I'm very curious what Bioware is going to do about all of these leaks now that they've expanded testing. My thoughts are that you really need to kick the tires as much as possible with that 2K person test then bring the thunder in phases, so you can stress test while still preventing people from ripping through too much content. I would also think you'd have to do that exceedingly close to release with a game like this because it seems clear they want us to go into this game not really knowing too much or they would have knocked out the NDA.
By the way, who wants to help me run a gambling system for the rugby style game? I'm thinking some teams might want to bet each other credits? We can skim 5% off gross bet as the neutral party.
SteamID: devCharles
twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesewise
It is so hard to keep secrets these days. I think the best you can do is what they are already doing, a tight NDA, a little screening for entry into the test and then just wince when inevitably spoilers are posted.
I was able to avoid KOTOR spoilers due to a lack of public testing (if there was, I did not hear about it), but I sadly am already convinced I will see flashes of spoilers here.
The difficulty is the kind of spoilers that are going to annoy me. I want to know details like specifics of the character generator and specifics of some of the gear, but I don't want the primary plot spoiled in any way.
Can we come up with some "rules" on when to use spoilers on this forum? If I limit my vision to just this thread and we generally agree to use spoiler tags when discussing plot points, I might be able to play the game blissfully unaware of the story.
I bet you wish you were an important webcomic guy now.
Mike is a big WoW guy. He really disliked SWG as evidenced by their comics about it. Positive review by a genuine enthusiast would probably go a long way.
SteamID: devCharles
twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesewise
Enlist in Star Citizen! Citizenship must be earned!
You'll probably see some SW:TOR advertising roll in on the site right around launch time and you can be sure PA gets all the access (and items) they need in the game.
Certainly, PA's praise of D&D 4th Edition assured them they were showered with gifts and anything they wanted from that brand.
I don't say PA is a payola site, it isn't, far from it and if Gabe or Tycho hate the game they'll tell us. But also, with this kind of staging it is probably more rave than rant. The game is in their wheelhouse, it has enough unique aspects to it for them to crow about it and if they totally felt like dumping on it, they'd politely withdraw from beta and post their thoughts post-release. I think otherwise they'd see that this would scar a relationship with a company that benefits them tremendously with their charity and events.
So I am betting the review is largely positive, with a few quibbles. And anything PA says these days goes a long way. That's why they get free stuff, whenever they want, because their voice is seen as legitimate and trustworthy. If it were negative, I think he keeps his mouth shut until after it launches.
Just a hunch of course.
Not really, no.
edit: Rather, not in the way you're saying, where they need to be nice. I mean, as I recall, Jerry was pretty clear that he didn't feel DA2 was all that great.
Granted, they were thinking more along the lines of the Yuuzhan Vong and stuff like that, but still. I guess Mike is gonna appreciate TOR.
More likely, he tested it, liked it, asked if he could post some comments (within the NDA) and suggested his overall review would be positive.
I don't think he'd tweet about the game unless he was excited and I don't think he'd flip Bio and EA the bird by tweeting he was doing this and then crapping all over the game. He would have more tact with Bio and EA. That's just a hunch of course, but that's how I read it.
PA does rip games, but I can't remember the last time they ripped a very big game months before release. Not that I pay attention to everything PA says, so maybe I missed it. I do know they dump on games, but they mostly dump on games that deserve it and after they've launched.
See, this is one thing. The post before is something entirely different. Just to let you know that you called him out for selling his soul for free stuff, charity donations, and money in the form of advertising. You're nice about it and all, as you are about most contrary stuff that you say. But it's still a heavy accusation. It's fine to be cynical about the world we live in, but you made your cynicism personal.
So the customer says: "A third party hardware manufacturer accidentally leaked the release date of TOR this week by revealing the release date of their TOR themed mouse/keyboard bundles that will go on sale the same day as TOR."
Anyone know anything about this? I don't want to perpetuate a rumor, but if a real release date has been given, which the customer claims is in November, that's pretty huge news. Just wondering if anyone else has heard anything about this or if the customer was just blowing smoke out his ass...
That was Razer, one of their (sales?) reps leading up to E3 said they were releasing their TOR based mice and keyboards in November with the game but I haven't heard anything from BioWare or EA.
I'll admit. I hovered over these to see the tooltips.
And Blizzard is probably going to drop 4.3 right around The Old Republic's launch regardless of when it happens.
Well, 4.2 is being released next week. They're gonna need at the very least 3 months till they can release the next patch, so I doubt we'll see it before October.
Oh, and some screenshots. Taken with a cellphone, so not exactly great quality, but this one stills looks rad:
Eh..both are huge, AAA RPGs?
I think a lot of people who are waiting for TOR are interested in Skyrim, and vice versa.
And if not Skyrim, what other new title is TOR's biggest competitor?
Twitter - discolouie PSN - Loupa Steam - Loupa
I think you're overestimating people's financial capabilities.
Oceanic SWTOR Guild - Voidstalker Brigade
Twitter - discolouie PSN - Loupa Steam - Loupa