It's been just about a month since Star Wars: The Old Republic began its early access period, throwing open the doors for players all around the world. But the release wasn't just an interesting point for the many players anticipating the game -- after all, it had been BioWare's big project for many years. Fan site TORwars recently had a chat with Dr. Greg Zeschuk about his thoughts on the game at launch and a look back at what could have gone differently.
As Zeschuk says, there were definitely some aspects of the development that he would do differently if he could go back in time, including expanding the testing schedule and roster. He also shares his stories of getting his character going once the game went live, something that wound up being unexpectedly problematic. It's not filled with world-shattering revelations about the future of the game, but for players who are starting to look back over their first month with the game, it's certainly a nice look at the other side of the fence.
Reader Comments (35)
Posted: Jan 9th 2012 9:37PM (Unverified) said
For as many people that complained about it, I bet the "Staggered Launch" becomes the standard for huge MMO launches.
I was in on day 1 of early release and I never saw longer than a 15 min queue (and often not one at all), and there was not a single server crash or lag during the entirety of launch week for me. The newbie weren't overloaded and no fighting over quest mobs (the instance layers helped here too).
I was in on day 1 of early release and I never saw longer than a 15 min queue (and often not one at all), and there was not a single server crash or lag during the entirety of launch week for me. The newbie weren't overloaded and no fighting over quest mobs (the instance layers helped here too).
Posted: Jan 9th 2012 10:57PM Mtor said
@(Unverified) I hope that other companies don't copy the SWTOR launch. It was really lame to log in on release day on a high pop server only to see about 2 or 3 other players in the starting zone because the game is so heavily instanced.
If that's the new paradigm for mmo launches, I'll take the old version with queues and actual people in game to play with.
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If that's the new paradigm for mmo launches, I'll take the old version with queues and actual people in game to play with.
Posted: Jan 9th 2012 11:11PM KvanCetre said
@Mtor
Heavily instanced? I was on Balmorra tonight with 130 people. One instance. I saw plenty of people out running around and killing things.
But really, as much as you've trolled every TOR post, I would get some pleasure out of knowing you bought the game...
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Heavily instanced? I was on Balmorra tonight with 130 people. One instance. I saw plenty of people out running around and killing things.
But really, as much as you've trolled every TOR post, I would get some pleasure out of knowing you bought the game...
Posted: Jan 9th 2012 11:44PM Mtor said
@KvanCetre Bought the game?? lolol. Oh god no. I canceled my preorder months before release after 5 minutes in beta. But Bioware didn't track canceled preorders so I had a free week to play during early access. Not that it mattered since I uninstalled after logging in and realizing the live version was even more instanced than the beta.
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Posted: Jan 10th 2012 7:31AM Clemalum07 said
@hereafter the guy is a troll that does nothing more than spread false information. Its pathetic mods here let him get away with it.
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Posted: Jan 10th 2012 8:46AM Joaquin Crowe said
@(Unverified) I hope not. It was implemented very unfairly -- and to be honest I doubt it had to do with server architecture. It had a lot more to do with how the game plays. Even in beta in a crowded zone it was trouble getting quests done with every other player competing for the same thing. I was very frustrated at times. A staggered launch probably helped get people through the theme park more smoothly with less chance of ragequitting.
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Posted: Jan 10th 2012 9:53AM dudemanjac said
@Joaquin Crowe I preordered months after the preorders were available and I was in on the second day of the early pre-release.There was nothing wrong with the staggered release.
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Posted: Jan 10th 2012 11:02AM (Unverified) said
@KvanCetre
Yeah, I had to form full groups to get the bonus bosses on Coruscant which are suppose to be individual quests. I am not seeing this lack of people in game at all.
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Yeah, I had to form full groups to get the bonus bosses on Coruscant which are suppose to be individual quests. I am not seeing this lack of people in game at all.
Posted: Jan 10th 2012 2:43PM (Unverified) said
@Mtor So, basically you're talking crap with the few days you've played the game and no idea of the current situation?
SWTOR has just like Aion and EQ2 had, multiple instances in the starter areas, but only 1 instance after they increased the population cap and in the areas past the first planets.
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SWTOR has just like Aion and EQ2 had, multiple instances in the starter areas, but only 1 instance after they increased the population cap and in the areas past the first planets.
Posted: Jan 9th 2012 10:55PM Monkey D Luffy said
@(Unverified). Those of us on the RP-PVP servers weren't as lucky unless we played in the middle of the night.
Posted: Jan 10th 2012 12:50AM kalipou134 said
Does the other side of the fence know where the hell my armor coloring went?
Posted: Jan 10th 2012 2:13AM (Unverified) said
SWtOR Rocks!!
Posted: Jan 10th 2012 3:39AM Kalec said
Tbh, I lost all interest in this game the second I found out it had a Holy Trinity ... having a dedicated healer in a group is lame .... I mean ... you're either a master of the force and you sit back casting heals or a commando (I played republic commando, best shooter ever) and you ... again sit back and cast heals.
LAME
LAME
Posted: Jan 10th 2012 4:23AM (Unverified) said
@Kalec Healing/support is a very appealing playstyle for a lot of MMO players. Almost every long term MMO player goes through and enjoys a healer phase.
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Posted: Jan 10th 2012 6:59AM rebelyankee said
@Kalec don't know what game you played. I'm a healer on two characters and I spend more than a quarter of fights (including boss fights) tossing rocks at their heads.
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Posted: Jan 10th 2012 8:22AM Leandra said
@Kalec
I play an Imperial Agent healer and I love my army of healing droid. Droids for all! I have a Jedi Consular healer too, and while that's more traditional feeling it's a lot of fun too. I also get plenty of time to dps as well. But, I'm usually not happy unless I'm in a support role. Lots of people like that playstyle.
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I play an Imperial Agent healer and I love my army of healing droid. Droids for all! I have a Jedi Consular healer too, and while that's more traditional feeling it's a lot of fun too. I also get plenty of time to dps as well. But, I'm usually not happy unless I'm in a support role. Lots of people like that playstyle.











