Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/hyperspace-beacon-four-reasons-in-character-reporting-is-good-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/hyperspace-beacon-four-reasons-in-character-reporting-is-good-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/hyperspace-beacon-four-reasons-in-character-reporting-is-good-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR
A few weeks back, I wrote an article about why I played Star Wars: The Old Republic. I drew on references from my childhood and how much Star Wars influenced my life. Although I did mention the impact of the roleplay community, I didn't talk about the roleplaying side of my MMO gameplay and how that influences my enjoyment of the game.

When the quests dry up and PvP becomes stale, RP and the RP community hold me to this game. Multiple readers of the Hyperspace Beacon and fans of The Republic have asked how they can get involved in the roleplay in SWTOR. I usually point them to one place: SWTOR-RP.com.

I could go on and on about this site and what it has done for the roleplay community, but nothing stands out more than the metagame that it's created with in-character articles. These news reports and editorials have been a launchpad for many in-character conversations. So let me draw you in and show you what I'm talking about.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Four reasons in-character reporting is good for SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfeaturedguild-eventsguildshyperspace-beaconin-characterin-character-eventsin-character-reportinglive-eventslucasartsopinionroleplayroleplayerroleplayingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-rpthe-old-republictorTue, 22 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's James Ohlen shares the formula behind PvP nerfs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-james-ohlen-shares-the-formula-behind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-james-ohlen-shares-the-formula-behind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-james-ohlen-shares-the-formula-behind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's James Ohlen shares the formula behind PvP nerfs
When Update 1.2 launched for Star Wars: The Old Republic, most players witnessed some major changes to their classes. In my opinion, these changes weren't game-breaking, but they did require that some players re-evaluate how they played. Some classes were changed so drastically in this patch players claimed they felt as if they were truly playing a completely different class.

Major changes like this do not happen without reason, and from my time spent with SWTOR developers, I know that they are passionately interested in making their game the best it can be. So I asked Game Director James Ohlen some questions about these mechanical changes. In true James Ohlen fashion, he was more than happy to answer in intricate detail, and I'm excited to bring you those answers here in the Hyperspace Beacon.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's James Ohlen shares the formula behind PvP nerfs

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's James Ohlen shares the formula behind PvP nerfs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebuff-stackingclass-balanceeaelectronic-artsfeaturedgame-directorGame-Mechanicshyperspace-beaconinterviewjames-ohlenlucasartsopinionplayer-vs-playerPvPsci-fisith-inquisitorsith-sorcerersorcererstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-miraluka/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka
As I mentioned in my Why I Play Star Wars: The Old Republic piece, Dark Forces and Jedi Knight were two of the Star Wars video games I enjoyed most. Obviously, this was before Knights of the Old Republic. In Jedi Knight, the main antagonist was Jerec. Although it's never mentioned where Jerec comes from or even what species he was, his most distinguishing feature is the cover over his eyes. At the time, players thought it was a type of cybernetic implant similar to that worn by Geordi LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It wasn't until the Tales of the Jedi comic book series that we learned that Jerec and others are a part of the Force-seeing humanoid species known as the Miraluka.

If you choose to play a Jedi Knight or a Jedi Consular (or if you have 1.5 million credits to unlock it through the Legacy system), you can play as a Miraluka. I have been fascinated by this species since Jerec of Jedi Knight and Shoaneb Culu in the Tales of the Jedi after that. So this week, let's talk about this captivating species, its culture, its connection to the Force, and what its role is during the time of The Old Republic.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Miraluka originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alpheridiesbiowareclassic-mmocultureeaelectronic-artsfeaturedgalaxiesholocron-fileshyperspace-beaconjedi-consularJedi-KnightJerecKatarrlucasartsmiralukaopinionroleplayroleplayingsandboxsci-fiShoaneb-Culusoesony-online-entertainmentspeciesstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswgoswtorthe-old-republictorVisas-MarrTue, 08 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Six things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/hyperspace-beacon-six-things-swtor-and-gw2-can-learn-from-each/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/hyperspace-beacon-six-things-swtor-and-gw2-can-learn-from-each/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/hyperspace-beacon-six-things-swtor-and-gw2-can-learn-from-each/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: 6 things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other
As I'm sure most of you can guess by the title of this piece, I spent a little time in another MMO this weekend. That doesn't mean that I will be trading in my Jawas and Wookiees for Asura and Charr. However, I will admit that Star Wars: The Old Republic does not contain everything I want from an MMO. That's also not say that Guild Wars 2 has all those missing elements. But I believe there are quite a few things that both of these great MMOs can learn from each other to make the overall MMO experience better for everyone.

Before I begin this breakdown, I should state that this is not a comprehensive list of everything that I liked and disliked from either game. At the same time, I want to also state that, besides the 20 or so minutes at trade shows I had with the game, this weekend marked the first time I've spent any serious time in Guild Wars 2. My opinion here is far from complete, and my experience is really based on the first 10 levels of GW2.

Lastly, I'd like to say that Wookiees will always be cooler than Charr!

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Six things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Six things SWTOR and GW2 can learn from each other originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANetanimationArenaNetBioWarecutscenesEAElectronic-ArtsfantasyfeaturedGuild-WarsGuild-Wars-2GW2impressionsjumpingliving-worldLucasArtsNCSoftopen-world-pvpopinionpersonal-storypreviewpvepvpsci-fiStar-WarsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicswimmingSWTORThe-Old-RepublicTORTue, 01 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/hyperspace-beacon-advice-from-a-master/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/hyperspace-beacon-advice-from-a-master/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/hyperspace-beacon-advice-from-a-master/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master
I had the pleasure of playing Star Wars Galaxies with Brian "OddjobXL" Rucker for at least five years before his unfortunate passing last week. We never met in person, but he was a great influence on my life despite my having only recently found out what he looked like. One of the great things about the internet is that personality really shines through when you don't have a preconceived notion of who someone is based on how he looks. Brian was one of those people whose personality stood out from the rest of the community because of the stories he created and wisdom he imparted to others.

When he played SWG, he posted quite a bit as Mandash Grim on the Starsider Galaxy roleplay website; when a good chunk of those players decided to give Star Wars: The Old Republic a go, he moved with them to SWTOR-RP. On this forum, he talked about how SWTOR influenced RP, even though it was not exactly the way he envisioned it.

It's hard to summarize in a thousand words his gaming philosophies, which had such an influence on me, but I'd like to highlight a few key things he wrote that I believe summarize his feelings on something everyone reading this column probably loves: Star Wars MMO storytelling.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Advice from a master originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebrian-ruckerclassic-mmocommunityeaelectronic-artsfeaturedgalaxieshyperspace-beaconlucasartsoddjob-xloddjobxlopinionroleplayingrpsandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswgoswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 24 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/hyperspace-beacon-outbreak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/hyperspace-beacon-outbreak/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/hyperspace-beacon-outbreak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak
A year ago at PAX East, I spoke to Community Manager Stephen Reid about events in Star Wars: The Old Republic. He asked and answered a popular question at the time: "Will [SWTOR] have events where we randomly spawn NPCs for players to fight? No, but we will have events." He couldn't elaborate, but it did leave me wondering what that could possibly mean, especially when later at PAX East, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson said that SWTOR would not break the fourth wall by holding holiday-type events.

Earlier this year, Update 1.1: Rise of the Rakghouls brought us a new flashpoint called Kaon Under Siege. A ship crash landed in the heart of the Tion Hegemony, taking the Rakghoul virus off the planet Taris and spreading it to a new world. Both the Republic and the Empire sought to find the source of this outbreak. Like all flashpoints, Koan Under Siege is instanced and separate from the rest of the open world.

Relatedly, and quite surprisingly, BioWare started its first world event without announcing it on the official website or even letting anyone know that it was happening. On Sunday morning, everyone who was stopping by Carrick or Vaiken station could overhear an announcement that the planet Tatooine had been quarantined due to an outbreak of the Rakghoul virus.

So started my investigation...

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Outbreak

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Outbreak originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artseventeventsfeaturedhyperspace-beaconin-game-eventlucasartsmini-gamesopinionoutbreakrakghoulRise-of-the-Rakghoulssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtortatooinethe-old-republictorworld-eventTue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-chiss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss
For some players, deciding which species to play in Star Wars: The Old Republic comes down to which skin tone is the coolest. Wasn't it said when the species were first announced that the choices were human with blue skin, human with green skin, bald human, human with head tails, and human with horns? Although hyperbolic, the sentiment contains an element of truth, especially when judged by aesthetics alone. Then again, no one complains in fantasy games when you have a choice between human, short human, and human with pointy ears. Elves and dwarves are viewed through the lens of pre-existing culture and folk-lore.

The Holocron Files are designed to lay the cultural foundation for some of SWTOR's species. From the horned Zabrak to the red-skinned Sith Pureblood, each Star Wars species has a rich history and backstory. Thankfully, BioWare kept that in mind when considering which species you could play.

In honor of my newest character, it's only fitting that we discuss the Chiss this week.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Chiss originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendancybiowareblue-skinchisscultureeaelectronic-artsEmpirefactionfeaturedholocron-fileshyperspace-beaconImperial-Agentlorelucasartsopinionracessci-fispeciesstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicthrawntorTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Breaking the bank]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/hyperspace-beacon-breaking-the-bank/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/hyperspace-beacon-breaking-the-bank/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/hyperspace-beacon-breaking-the-bank/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Breaking the bank
Originally, when I set out to cover the guild bank, I wasn't expecting there to be so much information to parse. After all, a guild bank is just a bank, right? Wrong. So let me give a quick introduction to those of you just catching on to Update 1.2 for Star Wars: The Old Republic.

SWTOR's Update 1.2: Legacy introduces a boatload of content and other useful changes to the game. From the Legacy system itself, which rewards different types of solo gameplay, to additional story elements, such as a new PvP warzone and 16-man operation on the new planet of Denova, this game update attempts to show the subscribers that the monthly fee actually gets them something.

Many of the new additions to the game have been described as systems that should have been in at launch but for whatever reason had to be shelved for a later date. Some gaming media personalities believe that BioWare is hanging a lot of hope on this patch, labeling it "the Jesus Patch." And the guild bank is intended as a key feature of that patch. Thanks to Yll of the Test Guild on the public test server, I learned first-hand what the guild banks have to offer.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Breaking the bank

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Breaking the bank originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsfeaturedguild-bankguild-banksguild-managementhyperspace-beaconlegacylucasartsopinionsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorTest-Guildthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2YllTue, 03 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The crew skills story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/hyperspace-beacon-the-crew-skills-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/hyperspace-beacon-the-crew-skills-story/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/hyperspace-beacon-the-crew-skills-story/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: The crew skills story
Forgive my fanboy-ism a bit, please. Update 1.2: Legacy excites me. My friends on the Star Wars: The Old Republic live server wonder where I've got off to since the patch hit the test server. Not to worry, guys. I'm still in game; I'm just playing with the new UI and character builds.

We know that the major part of this update is the Legacy system. In a system that is rarely seen across MMOs, BioWare has created a tangible connection between alts. Now, Aaron Shaddoe can be the brother of Maacus Shaddoe and the son of Ryctur Shaddoe, and the game will reward me for doing that. Aaron could be a Smuggler, Maacus a Jedi Consular, and Ryctur a Bounty Hunter, all with interconnecting abilities between them. It's an interesting concept, but I'm curious how many people are going to seriously use it for its intended purpose.

Update 1.2 holds a couple of other changes that interest me more -- namely, crew skills and story content. Lead Combat Designer Georg Zoeller and Writer Charles Boyd spoke about the changes to crew skills and the story update in two developer blogs last week. And despite the legacy system's being the biggest part of this update, it's these two areas that will impact the greater game.

[Warning: Some minor spoilers are contained within. It's been three months, so I hope they are not spoilers any more, but I should warn you just in case.]

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The crew skills story

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The crew skills story originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmentaugment-slotbiowarecharles-boydcraftingcrew-skillscustom-craftingeaelectronic-artsfeaturedflashpointgeorg-zoellerhyperspace-beaconlegacylost-islandlucasartsopinionRise-of-the-Rakghoulssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-fourth-pillarthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Gooey GUI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/hyperspace-beacon-gooey-gui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/hyperspace-beacon-gooey-gui/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/hyperspace-beacon-gooey-gui/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Gooey GUI
As far back as my interview with Blaine Christine at PAX 2010, I have been concerned with the user interface of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Although the question did make it into that article way back when, I did ask him about the UI because at that time, it was mostly black and rather clunky. We knew that incarnation would not be the final product. Animations were being touted as innovative at the time; I had asked about the UI's drawing the player's attention to the center of the screen because that's where the action was happening. Of course, he answered that the ultimate goal with the UI was to enhance the player's overall experience. That's what all UIs should do, right?

One the sticking-points during my beta impressions centered around my having to stare at my UI as I waited for cooldowns. I know that it's not a new thing for MMOs. In fact, nearly every MMO I can think of has some sort of abilities that require cooldown. Generally speaking, I am OK with having to look at the UI for those cooldowns. However, the positioning of SWTOR's UI really drew my attention away from what was happening on the main part of the screen.

Exactly three months after release, I have become comfortable with how the Star Wars whack-a-mole works, but with the changes in Update 1.2, I can dream of something better...

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Gooey GUI

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Gooey GUI originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbiowareblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcustom-uieaelectronic-artsEmmanuel-LusinchifantasyfeaturedGUIhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionriftrift-planes-of-telarasci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortriontrion-worldsUIupdate-1.2user-interfacevideovideoswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 20 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Making sense of Legacy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/hyperspace-beacon-making-sense-of-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/hyperspace-beacon-making-sense-of-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/hyperspace-beacon-making-sense-of-legacy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Making sense of Legacy
Last week, I spent some time in Austin, Texas, at BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic studio. One of the many things I saw was the Legacy System. Although it's a great tool, it is far from the good storytelling device it's intended to be. But perhaps we can make some sense out of it.

The Legacy leveling system begins when one of your characters completes chapter one. Without revealing too many spoilers, I can say that chapter one ends in a non-planetary quest just after the main Alderaan quest line. Based on the average, your character should be level 32 when this happens (or if you're like me, you were level 30 and a friend helped you pass the final stage). At this point, you begin to gain legacy levels, which Lead Systems Designer Damion Schubert says cap at level 50 currently (that's 50 legacy levels, not 50 combat levels).

Until last week, we were uncertain what the legacy levels would actually give us. Thanks to the latest SWTOR video, we now know that the Legacy System provides rewards ranging from ship customization items to species unlocks. I won't be able to talk about all the Legacy additions in this article, but I can hit the highlights.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Making sense of Legacy

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Making sense of Legacy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredamion-schubertdaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artsfeaturedgalaxiesgeorg-zoellerheroic-abilitieshyperspace-beaconlegacy-systemlucasartsopinionpatch-1.2patchessandboxsci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentspecies-unlockstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 13 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: One step forward...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/hyperspace-beacon-one-step-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/hyperspace-beacon-one-step-forward/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/hyperspace-beacon-one-step-forward/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: One Step Forward...
You might notice that the Hyperspace Beacon changed its face a bit. That's because I'm reporting from the Guild Summit in Austin, Texas -- BioWare's headquarters. Over 250 guilds and fan sites were invited to not only see the team's plans for Star Wars: The Old Republic but also voice their ideas for what they want from the game.

Of course, a game carrying the Star Wars name appeals to a large diverse group of people, and not just because of the Star Wars IP; BioWare has created a name for itself with incredible story-driven games like Mass Effect 3, which released this morning. Among the pre-summit discussion was the question of whether and how much BioWare leans on the Star Wars IP for the success of the game. The consensus among the guild leaders I spoke to was an interesting and surprising one: Although BioWare certainly leaned on Star Wars for the story elements of the game, the lack of huge success for the most recent LucasArts games suggests that the Star Wars IP actually leaned on BioWare's reputation.

When I jumped into Q&A with the guild leaders, I half-expected a bunch of over-enthusiastic fanboys. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, although they were fans, those invited to this summit were very level-headed and oftentimes critical of the game's development. Thankfully, during the course of the summit, the developers were equally willing to address these concerns.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: One step forward...

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: One step forward... originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-a-jedibiowarechris-elwoodcombat-logcondemneddamion-schuberteaelectronic-artsevent-coveragefeaturedgear-grindgeorg-zoellerguild-summitguildshyperspace-beaconlucasartsold-timers-guildopinionport-nowherePvEPvPsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/hyperspace-beacon-holocron-files-zabraks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks
Holocrons serve as storage devices for Jedi and Sith lore. These objects store not only information from their creators but also their essence. Every once in a while, I highlight a specific aspect of Star Wars lore and apply it directly to Star Wars: The Old Republic. I want to impart my knowledge of that part of the Star Wars universe as well as what I have learned from roleplaying in games like Star Wars Galaxies and other venues.

Since the first appearance of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, fans have been curious about the Sith with the horns on his head. Some fans also noticed the Jedi council member with horns on his head and wondered if he was related to the previously mentioned Sith. Both are, in fact, Zabraks, a humanoid species originating on the planet Iridonia.

A freighter full of lore has been written about this species, from a fan-fic language to canon medical analysis. There is no way I can dissect it all in this article, but let's talk about the specifics of how you can apply Zabrak lore to your Zabrak character.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holocron Files -- Zabraks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedHyperspace-BeaconloreLucasArtsopinionroleplayroleplayingSOESony-Online-EntertainmentStar-WarsStar-Wars-GalaxiesStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicSWTORTORzabrakzabraksTue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/hyperspace-beacon-call-the-exterminator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/hyperspace-beacon-call-the-exterminator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/hyperspace-beacon-call-the-exterminator/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator
When deciding what I want to talk about on the Hyperspace Beacon every week, I check over the buzz from various news outlets, personal experiences, and columns from the community. An internet community will inevitably steer toward the negative -- that's just the nature of the internet. And one of the most common themes out there is bugs. I am not talking about Killiks; I mean parts of the game that are not working as intended.

When we -- the press and other fansites -- gave our impressions of Star Wars: The Old Republic, we were at conventions or at lower levels in the game. Level 28 was the highest I ever reached in any beta, and conventions set us on a predetermined path. At that time, I was completely impressed with the level of polish the game had received. I still believe that this game has fewer bugs than a good chunk of MMOs; however, there are certainly more bugs in this game than I'd expect from a single-player release.

I could probably spend a whole article just listing unintended issues with the game, but I do like to be the voice of reason as well. On top of that, I want to see SWTOR succeed. Therefore, beyond just talking about bugs, let's deal with the overall issue of why these critters pop up in the first place.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Call the exterminator originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebugsdc-universe-onlinedcuoeaelectronic-artsendgamefeaturedhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionptspublic-test-serversci-fisoesony-online-entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortestingthe-old-republictorTue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hyperspace-beacon-finally-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hyperspace-beacon-finally-50/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hyperspace-beacon-finally-50/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50
I see you there -- you've made a name for yourself in Star Wars: The Old Republic, but where do you really fit within these wars? I know what you're thinking: What is this guy trying to sell? Stick with me for a moment; I'm not just a used-speeder salesman (speeders are way over-priced, by the way -- it's 570 thousand creds just for licensing, and the Empire's making a killing on that). I wanna talk to you about what you do after you conquer the galaxy

Of course, you've taken a bit of time to explore this wondrous universe. If you're a space explorer extraordinaire like I am, then you've danced with your share of Twi'leks on Nar Shaddaa. It's a good thing they have enough Twi'leks to balance out the Hutts, amirite? Hoth was cold, of course, but there's nothing like a war and a couple of Wampa battles to warm the blood. And what's up with the Voss? People who wear such funky make-up shouldn't be that stuffy. Still, it does make me think: How many Voss can fit in a speeder?

The galaxy is yours, and you're now a Darth or a Moff or something. Do you sit back and twiddle your thumbs? Of course not! A new game begins. It's a vastly different adventure than the one you just finished, but the features are still shiny.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Finally 50

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Finally 50 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-for-ilumbiowaredailieseaelectronic-artsendgamefeaturedflashpointshyperspace-beaconlevel-50lucasartsoperationsopinionraidssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/hyperspace-beacon-mos-eisley-radio-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio Part 2
Last week, I introduced to you again to the crew at Mos Eisley Radio. This podcast and web site launched itself to the Star Wars: The Old Republic community in 2009 and has been growing strong ever since. In fact, it's hard not to be shocked at the growth in viewers and content since SWTOR launched. Some of the other fan sites have actually streamlined their content to compensate for the fact that their crews are busy playing the game. But Mos Eisley Radio's producers have actually expanded its reach -- so much that I had to talk with them about what they are doing.

Executive producer Zach Brown, host Evan Lewis, and guild leader Alan Nauman joined me in a chat about the site, the guild, and the future of the community they are building. If you missed the first part of the conversation, be sure to read that first, then jump past the cut for the rest.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Mos Eisley Radio part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Naumanbiowarecommunityeaelectronic-artsEvan-Lewisfeaturedguildshyperspace-beaconlucasartsMERCMos-Eisley-Radioopinionsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorZach-brownTue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Wretched radio of scum and villainy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/hyperspace-beacon-wretched-radio-of-scum-and-villainy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/hyperspace-beacon-wretched-radio-of-scum-and-villainy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/hyperspace-beacon-wretched-radio-of-scum-and-villainy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Wretched radio of scum and villainy
Many fan sites pull back just a bit when the game launches to absorb the traffic dip, especially when it's as large a game as Star Wars: The Old Republic. It's expected, right? All the fans are playing the game; why put work into something might not be read or listened to? However, the guys over at Mos Eisley Radio did the exact opposite. The MER crew expanded the number of podcasts and created one of the largest guilds in the game. (They hit the member cap pre-launch and had to turn people away.)

This week, I appeared on the site's weekly broadcast, and in exchange, I sat down to interview three of the leads for the site: Executive producer Zach Brown, MER co-host and producer Evan Lewis, and producer of Alan Shot First and guild leader Alan Nauman. We talked about everything -- what has happened since launch, what they think of the game so far, and what they see for the future of the site and the game itself.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Wretched radio of scum and villainy

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Wretched radio of scum and villainy originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedhyperspace-beaconinterviewinterviewsLucasArtsopinionsci-fiStar-WarsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicSWTORThe-Old-RepublicTORTue, 31 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/hyperspace-beacon-roleplayers-rant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant
I don't like to rant. Really! Usually, ranting is full of emotionally charged rhetoric, and oftentimes it's riddled with inaccurate statements. I especially don't like to rant about something that I like a lot. For instance, Star Wars: The Old Republic has, by far, exceeded my personal expectations for any MMO; however, some missteps in production have tainted its perfection. (No, I'm not going to talk about Ilum again.) Of course, we are all looking for our version of perfection in an MMO, right? Unfortunately, no MMO will live up to that expectation. In fact, if I did find my version of MMO perfection, I would probably be the only one playing it. But I do believe I have ideas that those in my community could latch on to. They are also relatively simple. Yes, yes, I know nothing is ever as simple as it seems, but indulge me for a few moments.

As many of you know, I enjoy roleplaying in my MMOs -- character creation, really. I'm not one of those roleplayers who hang out in a pub all day never experiencing any gameplay. Although there's nothing wrong with that, I find it a be a waste of $15 a month.

I have complied what I believe will make the experience of SWTOR more enjoyable for those who enjoy playing the game like I do, and I think that those of you who don't necessarily like to roleplay per se but do like to create unique characters in the MMO space will agree that these are a must. I did set some personal criteria when compiling the list. For instance, I didn't want to break BioWare's general vision for the game. I also wanted to use existing items in the game so that my expectations were realistic -- no guild capital ships or image design system. And all of these items have been mentioned in print someplace before, so I'm not the only one who believes these should be implemented.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Roleplayer's rant originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armorBaraslanBioWarechatchat-bubblesclothingcompanionscustomizationEAElectronic-Artsemoteemotesemotingfeaturedgeorg-zoellerLucasArtsroleplayRolePlayingsitting-in-chairsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORTue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Star Wars zombies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/hyperspace-beacon-star-wars-zombies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/hyperspace-beacon-star-wars-zombies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/hyperspace-beacon-star-wars-zombies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Star Wars zombies
Tomorrow, Star Wars: The Old Republic will launch its first content update, and you will most like be up to your eyeballs in Rakghouls and Hutts... or maybe you've not made it to 50 yet because you've been absorbed in the story and leveling alts. According to BioWare developers, there are 200 hours of gameplay in each class story, so even if someone were to have played eight hours a day every day over the last month, he would only have one level 50. I say, don't feel bad if you haven't hit 50 yet. It means that you are enjoying the game the way it was meant to be enjoyed and not skipping anything.

That said, it's not going to hurt to learn about this new update, although I suggest that, if you're into the story as much as I am, you don't read the patch notes... spoilers! Dang, BioWare, could you be a bit more ambiguous about the PTS patch notes next time? It's like someone leaning over halfway through the first screening Empire Strikes Back and saying, "Oh, by the way, Darth Vader is Luke's father." NOOOOO! It's impossible!

Being someone who is interested in the story revolving around SWTOR, I do love the continued use of Rakghouls in the newest update. Sure, some would call it an easy storytelling trope (zombies and all that). I'll admit it. I'm not going to hide behind "these are ghouls, not zombies." I love the story, but in truth these are Star Wars zombies. But I do find the history of the Rakghouls interesting. Honestly, I don't know how much of the story has been retcon'd after their first appearance in BioWare's first venture into the Star Wars IP, Knights of the Old Republic, but the roots of the Rakghouls stem from the birth of the Sith Empire. I love the way it all comes together.

[Update: BioWare postponed the patch to the 18th after the column was written. The first paragraph has been changed to reflect that.]

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Star Wars zombies

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Star Wars zombies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgabe-amatangeloGame-UpdateLucasArtsPatch-1.1Rise-of-the-Rakghoulsspace-zombiesStar-WarsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicSWTORThe-Old-RepublicTORzombiesTue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Cheating vs. poor design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/hyperspace-beacon-cheating-or-poor-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/hyperspace-beacon-cheating-or-poor-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/hyperspace-beacon-cheating-or-poor-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Cheating or poor design?
Recently, Ilum took center stage in an argument about exploits, and I honestly cannot say which side of the fence I'm on. When do the intentions of the designers take precedent over the players taking advantage of poor design? Well before Star Wars: The Old Republic even crossed the mind of BioWare's creative brain-trust, exploiters have been taking advantage of unintentional game design. Even more interesting about the situation with Ilum was that the design was not exactly flawed; instead, players did not respond to the designs the way the developers intended. The game was "working as intended," but the players weren't.

At what point do we blame the designers? In a game as large as SWTOR, we know that if someone is allowed to do something, he will. At the same time, players are lazy efficient when playing the game: They will find the fastest and easiest way to level or gear up despite the intended path. Designers should know this. I remember in Ultima Online when players would raise skills by poking each other with low-level swords for hours on end. I am sure the designers intended that players would earn skills by actually battling each other, but the simplest solution was to prod one another with a dull stick. I honestly don't know if that was ever fixed, but I certainly don't remember a GM tossing out a ban hammer for it.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Cheating vs. poor design

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Cheating vs. poor design originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebugsdarth-haterdesign-flawsEAElectronic-ArtsexploitsfeaturedIlumLucasArtsrules-of-conductStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORworking-as-intendedTue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST