Fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic have been spoiled at this year's E3, with new game trailers and talks on what we can expect from the game when it launches. Earlier today, we learned the surprising fact that each player would get his own starship and got a first glimpse of what lies ahead for SWTOR's PvP. At their latest presentation, Bioware have now confirmed that space exploration will be a part of the game, using a system very similar to that used by Mass Effect's Normandy. They went on to disclose two of the classes of ship players will be able to get in the game. Players siding with the Republic can get their hands on the Corellian Vanguard light corvette while Imperial players can get the Fury Class Imperial transport.
Skip past the cut to watch this awesome video of SWTOR's ship interiors and find out what's in store for PvP and group gameplay.
Borrowing ideas from other well-established titles, Bioware went on to discuss the game's crafting and PvP systems. Crafting will be "unique but WoW-like", though no specific details have yet been published on it. For PvP, the game will feature some large open PvP areas in addition to instanced warzones. These are intended to act like World of Warcraft's battlegrounds, pitting teams against each other in instanced matches. Transitioning from the game world into an instance is smooth, with absolutely no load time. If it weren't for the glowing green area, you might not even realise you'd entered an instance.
Bioware further announced their plans to push the small group experience in almost every possible way. In a demonstration of group gameplay, they showed a combat scene with a squad of players defending a base. A Trooper acted as the group's main tank, a Jedi Consular healed and the Smuggler ducked from cover to lay down some damage. The Jedi played the role of off-tank, taking care of any additional enemies that strayed into the battle. Keeping the game accessible to the current MMO fanbase, the game will also include raids and a gear progression system. In addition to affecting stats, gear interestingly also affects the abilities your character can use. We got to see some customisation for the Bounty Hunter class, with awesome endgame equipment like rocket launchers and a jetpack.
That's not all we have on SWTOR! Keep an eye on Massively's E3 coverage tonight as we'll be publishing our exclusive interview with Rich Vogel, Vice President and Co-Studio owner of BioWare. Stay with us during E3 as we bring you up-to-date information on SWTOR as we get it.
Reader Comments (30)
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:18PM Mr Angry said
Just gets better and better!
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:25PM (Unverified) said
I just got through watching the G4 coverage, and let me say, wow. At first, I didn't know how I was feeling about this game, I knew it looked good, but I was afraid that it was going to be a single-player rpg with a bunch of my friends talking to me through a chat box, which I wasn't going to pay for.
But after hearing about PvP Lakes or "Warzones", the levels of customization, and the need to have groups for some quests, I'm totally sold.
But after hearing about PvP Lakes or "Warzones", the levels of customization, and the need to have groups for some quests, I'm totally sold.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:27PM Dandmcd said
Open PvP, best news yet!
I'm still confused about the space exploration piece, was there ever really space exploration in Mass Effect? All you did was click where to go on a map, and a quick cut scene took you there.
I'm still confused about the space exploration piece, was there ever really space exploration in Mass Effect? All you did was click where to go on a map, and a quick cut scene took you there.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:33PM Brendan Drain said
It does seem like more of a travel thing. You use your ship as a base of operations and to travel from place to place. Depending on how they make that travel system, it could be really awesome. Personally, I think the idea of the player's base of operations being his travel medium is awesome because it means you've got a home to go back to that you'll actually need to go back to. It makes it more than just instanced housing because it's functional and you'll spend a fair bit of down-time there.
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Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:37PM Dandmcd said
Yeah, it does sound more like housing with a way to travel to quick travel to me, and that sounds great, but they are being real vague about what type of exploration if any you can do while in your ship. I don't know if that means they have some type of exploration or combat system they are working on, but can't divulge details yet, or they are hyping up the space ships without giving any substance. Maybe Massively will get an answer out of them.
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Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:28PM Keen and Graev said
It's player housing. Very cool idea and very nice interiors that I hope we get to decorate and customize.
Not really a starship though if it never takes off.
Not really a starship though if it never takes off.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:29PM Lateris said
So far everything i have heard makes me very interested in this MMO. I wonder if the ships are instanced? Will you actually get to fly them? I hope so.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:31PM Lafajet said
Being an european with no way to watch G4 on my television, I'm pretty annoyed at the fact that I missed the show and all the updates. This article helped a bit though, and it generally seems like good news.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:38PM AlluvianEstEndrati said
Very, very cool.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:43PM (Unverified) said
It's really the logical extension of yet another thing borrowed from Mass Effect, but this is a really fun one... probably the neatest take on player housing I've yet seen. I really like the idea of having my own ship, not just from a housing perspective, but acting as a mobile base of operations as well as my own personal space.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 6:58PM Stillhart said
Some interesting implications here:
1 - They implied before that the Sith Warrior (and thus by extension the Jedi Knight) has a tanking spec. Now they say the Trooper can main tank. This implies that role isn't strictly limited by class, which is great news. Hope for more on this later. It would be cool to know that your choice of role won't force you to choose a certain class.
2 - Space exploration ala ME to me implies that it's going to be more for crafting materials than anything else.
3 - Good to hear that they're putting in crafting! First they've mentioned it AFAIK.
Hope for more good info! E3 has been a gold mine so far!
1 - They implied before that the Sith Warrior (and thus by extension the Jedi Knight) has a tanking spec. Now they say the Trooper can main tank. This implies that role isn't strictly limited by class, which is great news. Hope for more on this later. It would be cool to know that your choice of role won't force you to choose a certain class.
2 - Space exploration ala ME to me implies that it's going to be more for crafting materials than anything else.
3 - Good to hear that they're putting in crafting! First they've mentioned it AFAIK.
Hope for more good info! E3 has been a gold mine so far!
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 7:01PM Lateris said
So flying a ship will not happen? It is just an instance like in Mass Effect 2?
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 7:08PM Graill440 said
Player housing isnt an issue for me, i dont collect junk ingames like some hoarders, crafting access however is an issue along with its storage, a simple footlocker at the base of a tree or building is fine for me. If the ships prove practical then fine.
As for open pvp it sounds good but the word "raid" and "groups" isnt making me a subscriber. From what i have seen the title looks like it is falling back on the old misnomer that MMO means forced grouping to see anything or gain anything worthwhile ingame (item progression) and needing to be in a guild or group to keep up with the joneses.
If so i will pass on this title as it it beginning to sound like more of the same old thing mechanics wise we currently see.
As for open pvp it sounds good but the word "raid" and "groups" isnt making me a subscriber. From what i have seen the title looks like it is falling back on the old misnomer that MMO means forced grouping to see anything or gain anything worthwhile ingame (item progression) and needing to be in a guild or group to keep up with the joneses.
If so i will pass on this title as it it beginning to sound like more of the same old thing mechanics wise we currently see.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 7:24PM Ayenn said
An mmo without raiding or group play isn't an mmo.
A MMO without raiding is a MMO without raiding. Grouping has always been optional in MMOs. In some it behooves the player to group but, strictly speaking, it is generally not a mandatory mode of game play.
I like grouping but I also want the option to solo everything for those times I cannot find a group. If soloing almost all if not all content is not an option there really is a point where, if you have been having repeated trouble getting a group, you will begin to consider not logging in and then eventually you may cancel your sub.
If group play is forced a MMO is more likely to lose subs.
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A MMO without raiding is a MMO without raiding. Grouping has always been optional in MMOs. In some it behooves the player to group but, strictly speaking, it is generally not a mandatory mode of game play.
I like grouping but I also want the option to solo everything for those times I cannot find a group. If soloing almost all if not all content is not an option there really is a point where, if you have been having repeated trouble getting a group, you will begin to consider not logging in and then eventually you may cancel your sub.
If group play is forced a MMO is more likely to lose subs.
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 9:34PM foofad said
I think the true misnomer here is that an MMO without raiding isn't an MMO. As fun as raids might be for some people, I and others do not enjoy being run through a treadmill of gear progression in the vain attempt at making our characters competent. When I hear "raids" all I hear is "time spent being frustrated while trying to get gear I don't really want but have to have if I want to keep playing and progressing through content" - and I hate hearing that.
A lot.
I'm all for raid groups progressing through content - if you like that, great. I can see the appeal. I don't like being required to do that if I want neat things.
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A lot.
I'm all for raid groups progressing through content - if you like that, great. I can see the appeal. I don't like being required to do that if I want neat things.
Posted: Jun 16th 2010 1:57PM Tom in VA said
I think group content is fine, and sometimes I like to participate in it. But the standard mantra of most MMOs in existence is as follows:
-- Player-group content = good gear and exciting and creative adventures
-- Single-player content = mediocre gear and "kill-ten-rats" adventures
Very few MMOs have offered much to those of us who are more solo-ish in our playing style. (Guild Wars being a very notable exception.)
Now, however, that stale MMO mantra is finally changing -- even in traditional MMOs like WoW. What I hear regarding SWTOR and GW2 has been very encouraging for those of us who like to run on our own *most* of the time.
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-- Player-group content = good gear and exciting and creative adventures
-- Single-player content = mediocre gear and "kill-ten-rats" adventures
Very few MMOs have offered much to those of us who are more solo-ish in our playing style. (Guild Wars being a very notable exception.)
Now, however, that stale MMO mantra is finally changing -- even in traditional MMOs like WoW. What I hear regarding SWTOR and GW2 has been very encouraging for those of us who like to run on our own *most* of the time.
Posted: Jun 22nd 2010 3:53PM (Unverified) said
Oh no, you may need a group to do some quests. Boohoo. Can you miss someone if they were never there to begin with?
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Posted: Jun 15th 2010 7:09PM karnisov said
where's the space combat? its not star wars without space combat, and what amounts to a space RV is not an acceptable substitute. :P
Posted: Jun 15th 2010 7:10PM HyperKabuto said
http://www.youtube.com/user/thegalacticstruggle#g/u
The Galactic Struggle has been uploading some class quest footage.
The Galactic Struggle has been uploading some class quest footage.









