Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GDC 2013: James Ohlen on how F2P saved SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/gdc-2013-james-ohlen-on-how-f2p-saved-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/gdc-2013-james-ohlen-on-how-f2p-saved-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/gdc-2013-james-ohlen-on-how-f2p-saved-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GDC swtor panel writeup see team email for the assets
If you've been following BioWare for any length of time, then you know James Ohlen. When I interviewed him a couple of years back at PAX East and again last year at the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild summit, I could feel his sincere passion for the game. Ohlen joined the SWTOR project at its inception and held the creative director position for well over half a decade. SWTOR is as much his game as anyone's.

As is common at the Game Developers Conference, developers speak candidly to other future game-creators about the inner workings of their studios' biggest projects. Sometimes those tales are cautionary; some are inspiring. This time, Ohlen's told the story of SWTOR, the game that currently holds the record as the second largest subscription MMO ever, and how free-to-play turned what could have been a tale of utter failure into a story of success.

Continue reading GDC 2013: James Ohlen on how F2P saved SWTOR

MassivelyGDC 2013: James Ohlen on how F2P saved SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareconconferenceconventioneaelectronic-artseventevent-coverageeventsexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2013gdcgdc-2013greg-zeschukhutt-carteljames-ohlenlucasartsmassively-event-coverageopinionray-muzykarise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicState-of-the-gameswtorthe-old-republictoryear-oneFri, 29 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: A 2012 SWTOR reflection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/hyperspace-beacon-a-2012-swtor-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/hyperspace-beacon-a-2012-swtor-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/hyperspace-beacon-a-2012-swtor-reflection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon A 2012 SWTOR reflection
To say that this year has been interesting for Star Wars: The Old Republic would be a major understatement. I think it's safe to say that in the course of this year this game has gone from being one of the most loved games to one of the most hated. Maybe I just like rooting for the underdog, but I still love the game. (There are other reasons, of course.) Love the game or hate it, 2012 has been a wild ride for the game and this column.

As this is the last Hyperspace Beacon of the year year, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on some of the past opinions and predictions I held, then test them against my current stance or the truth behind what happened.

Before I get into the meat of this column, I want to make mention of an event. The Imperials of The Ebon Hawk server are holding a gala in the name of Darth Nox, commemorating the one-year anniversary of her ascension to the Dark Council. Players are invited to come ready to roleplay and participate in in-character games. Nox will conduct a scavenger hunt, items will be up for raffle and auction, and every participant should walk away with something. If you were looking for an opportunity to get into roleplay or just have some fun, be sure to visit the market area of Dromund Kaas (instance 1, coordinates: 20, 200) at 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 5th, 2013.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: A 2012 SWTOR reflection

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: A 2012 SWTOR reflection originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012best-ofbiowarebug-fixingeaebon-hawkelectronic-artseventf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguild-bankguild-banksguildshyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenlucasartsopinionPredictionsreflectionroleplaysci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-Ebon-Hawkthe-old-republictorTue, 25 Dec 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Will free-to-play save SWTOR?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/hyperspace-beacon-will-free-to-play-save-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/hyperspace-beacon-will-free-to-play-save-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/hyperspace-beacon-will-free-to-play-save-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Will freetoplay save SWTOR
Last week, I discussed the reasons I still play a game that literally a million people have quit playing. I believe a huge part of that discussion stemmed from my expectations of the game. I truly believe that many people expected Star Wars: The Old Republic to be the answer to all MMO problems and Wookiees. Of course, no game could ever live up to that dream. I attempted to curb some of those expectations in a few of my articles, but some community desires were just beyond the scope of BioWare's plans for SWTOR. This led to disappointment and a lot of unreal prospects for the game.

On that note, I'd like to take a look at the free-to-play plans for our Star Wars MMO. Many players hope that F2P will finally launch SWTOR in the right direction. Others believe that if SWTOR had launched F2P, we wouldn't have seen the mass exodus that we saw in March. (Of course, there are also those who claim that F2P is just the next step toward fail and that the game will shut down in less than a year.)

Personally, I'm a fan, so I'm hopeful. However, I take that hope with the realization that this could definitely be the beginning of the end for SWTOR. Ultimately, the potential for success hinges on the disparity between what the players want and what BioWare delivers. Will F2P save SWTOR?

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Will free-to-play save SWTOR?

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Will free-to-play save SWTOR? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-la-cartebiowareeaEd-Parkelectronic-artsendgamef2pfeaturedfree-to-playftphyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenlucasartsopinionPvEPvProleplayroleplayersroleplayingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarzonesTue, 23 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic launches update 1.4 and takes aim at faster patches]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/star-wars-the-old-republic-launches-update-1-4-and-takes-aim-at/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/star-wars-the-old-republic-launches-update-1-4-and-takes-aim-at/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/star-wars-the-old-republic-launches-update-1-4-and-takes-aim-at/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hey, dude. Oh, we're just chilling, fighting alien horrors, you know. What's new with you?
The fourth major update for Star Wars: The Old Republic is live right now, but some players may find patch 1.4 a bit lighter than previous updates. According to a new development blog, this isn't by accident but by design. Creative director James Ohlen explains that the development team's previous strategy of launching a single big update every few months did result in big patches but at the cost of long stretches without anything new for players.

Starting with 1.4 and moving onward, the team is moving to prioritize more frequent updates. Ohlen places a rough estimate of every six weeks but notes that it's only an estimate and a target rather than a firm schedule. He goes on to state that the team is planning on three more patches by the end of the year in addition to the free-to-play conversion, with more large-scale improvements and updates due in 2013. If you're mostly just interested in cutting through 1.4's new raid mode, of course, most of this is immaterial, but you can still check out the trailer for the patch just after the break.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic launches update 1.4 and takes aim at faster patches

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic launches update 1.4 and takes aim at faster patches originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredevelopmentdevelopment-blogeaelectronic-artsjames-ohlenlucasartspatch-launchschedulesci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-patch-1.4the-old-republictortrailertrailersupdate-schedulevideovideosWed, 26 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: It's time for free-to-play, SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/hyperspace-beacon-its-time-for-free-to-play-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/hyperspace-beacon-its-time-for-free-to-play-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/hyperspace-beacon-its-time-for-free-to-play-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon It's time for freetoplay
I'm a positive person, generally. I'm loyal to my favorite franchises even when George Lucas can't make up his mind about who actually shot first. But I don't like it when my loyalty to a product is taken advantage of when I'm told I will get one thing but am ultimately sold another. That's why I say to EA and BioWare, "Make Star Wars: The Old Republic free-to-play already."

When EA was voted the worst company in America by the Consumerist, it was not because the products suck. If a customer has a constant feeling that she is not going to get what she pays for from a specific publisher, then it will start to wear on her. Now whenever someone from EA speaks, we have to ask ourselves whether there is any double meaning to what was said.

I believe SWTOR will be free-to-play by the time the first expansion comes out, and not directly because of subscription numbers or rumors. My evidence comes from those who speak for SWTOR and the actions of BioWare's management. I can also guess as to how the studio is going to spin it.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: It's time for free-to-play, SWTOR

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: It's time for free-to-play, SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebusiness-modelseaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftphyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenJohn-riccitiellolay-offslucasartsopinionrumorssci-fispeculationstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 24 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Ohlen: F2P 'not super easy to do']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/swtors-ohlen-f2p-not-super-easy-to-do/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/swtors-ohlen-f2p-not-super-easy-to-do/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/swtors-ohlen-f2p-not-super-easy-to-do/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR's Ohlen F2P 'not super easy to do'Does BioWare think free-to-play can work for Star Wars: The Old Republic? It's probably a bit early to know for sure despite the scuttlebutt circulating in the gaming press recently. If you're looking for further insight into what many see as the inevitable, though, you should check out PC Gamer's recap of an E3 interview with game director James Ohlen.

"I think [F2P] can work for different games. It really depends on how you go with your game. Games that have been built to be free-to-play from the start definitely work out," Ohlen explains.

"Now, there have been games that weren't free to play from the start and transferred over to becoming free-to-play that have worked as well. But it's definitely not something that's super easy to do."

MassivelySWTOR's Ohlen: F2P 'not super easy to do' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playit-is-your-destinyjames-ohlenlucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-f2pswtor-free-to-playthe-old-republictortor-f2pMon, 18 Jun 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: PR nightmare]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/hyperspace-beacon-pr-nightmare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/hyperspace-beacon-pr-nightmare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/hyperspace-beacon-pr-nightmare/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: PR nightmare
It's my sincerest hope that we never again have a news week like we did last week. Every mistake that could be made in MMO development was made this past week.

Obviously, the biggest news revolved around the 38 Studios fiasco. Perhaps it's hard when you're in the midst of a development cycle and concentrating on deadlines and milestones to see the larger picture and the proverbial writing on the wall. It should have been obvious to the developers behind the scenes the project was doomed, but I say that with 20/20 hindsight.

Of course, Star Wars: The Old Republic won't be outdone by 38 Studios. BioWare had to flood the feeds with its own bad news in the form of layoffs. Then almost in the same breath, it announced that the game will be merging servers. I guess SWTOR couldn't be outdone by itself, either. It had to add insult to its own injury. Although the timing of the layoffs was a bit surprising, those of us observing from the outside could see the server merges coming.

The stories in Star Wars aren't just about good conquering evil, but they are also about redemption and good coming out of a bad situation. The tragedy of Luke's aunt and uncle being killed was the catalyst that started his journey to becoming a great hero and Jedi Knight. Darth Vader was ultimately redeemed when he killed the emperor. But is there the same redemption for SWTOR? Will it ultimately become the great game everyone was hoping that it would be?

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: PR nightmare

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: PR nightmare originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-newsbiowaredaniel-ericksoneaelectronic-artsfeaturedgreg-zeschukhyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenlay-offslayoffslucasartsmythic-entertainmentopinionsci-fiserver-mergesstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 29 May 2012 14:00:00 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.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic - sith chick
We've been telling you about Star Wars: The Old Republic's 1.2 Legends patch for a while now. Thankfully we've finally got a release date to share as well. Actually, let's call it a release window, and let's call it next week, thanks to statements made by BioWare's James Ohlen at PAX East earlier today.

"We have our update 1.2 coming in the next week, and then after that, it's going to continue to roll out month after month. It's exciting," he told Boston-area convention-goers.

Ohlen's optimism springs from what's to come in SWTOR over the next few months. "The scope of our game updates in 2012 is going to be unimaginable. You're going to see so many changes and additions to the Star Wars Universe; it's going to be impressive," he said.

Massively's on the ground in Boston during the weekend of April 6-8, bringing you all the best news from PAX East 2012. Whether you're dying to know more about TERA or PlanetSide 2 or any MMO in between, we aim to have it covered!

MassivelyPAX East 2012: SWTOR 1.2 coming next week originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.21.2-patchbiowareconconventioneaelectronic-artsexpojames-ohlenlucasartspaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-exposci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorswtor-1.2swtor-legendsthe-old-republictorFri, 06 Apr 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/epic-in-scope-swtors-james-ohlen-explains-plans-for-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

James Ohlen
As the Star Wars: The Old Republic guild leaders lined up to get a taste of the Lost Island flashpoint, I was at BioWare studios getting my hands dirty with deeper PvE and PvP content as well as speaking with developers like Combat Designer Georg Zoeller, Lead Writer Daniel Erickson, Art Director Jeff Dobson, and Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi. However, the best part was at the end of the day when I was able to speak one-on-one with Creative Director James Ohlen.

Ohlen touches nearly every aspect of the game's development. It was important to me to find out why this game is as popular as it is and what BioWare was going to do to retain its current playerbase. The first stop was the latest game update, which should hit test servers really soon.

Continue reading Epic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future

MassivelyEpic in scope: SWTOR's James Ohlen explains plans for the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaniel-ericksone-sportseaelectronic-artsemmanuel-lusinchiendgameendgame-contentesportsfeaturedgame-testinggeorg-zoellerinterviewinterviewsjames-ohlenjeff-dobsonlevel-50lucasartspublic-test-serverPvPsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on with Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/massivelys-hands-on-with-star-wars-the-old-republic-update-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/massivelys-hands-on-with-star-wars-the-old-republic-update-1-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/massivelys-hands-on-with-star-wars-the-old-republic-update-1-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2
Goodness, I hope you have heard that Star Wars: The Old Republic is releasing a new patch soon. It's been jokingly dubbed the "Jesus Patch" because it's supposed to contain everything, and incidentally, it may "save" the game. Many critics have written off the game because developers missed some essential MMO ingredients when it launched. Despite that, SWTOR currently stands as the fastest-growing MMO ever and retains the second largest subscription base, according to Electronic Arts' investor calls.

During the recent Guild Summit, while the guild leaders and fan site press were shuttled off, the press made its way to BioWare studios to try out the new content in Update 1.2. Each member was given his or her station to tool around with. Immediately, I noticed that the two Bounty Hunters in the character selection screen wore armor I had never seen before: Black Hole armor and War Hero armor. We were about to step into the new flashpoint called the Lost Island as well as the new Novare Coast warzone.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinbiowareDenovaeaelectronic-artsemmanuel-lusinchifeaturedflashpointguild-summithands-onhyperspace-beaconjames-ohlenlost-islandslucasartsnovarenovare-coastopinionpreviewpreviewssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2warzoneTue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic posts new video for future content updates [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/star-wars-the-old-republic-posts-new-video-for-future-content-u/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/star-wars-the-old-republic-posts-new-video-for-future-content-u/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/star-wars-the-old-republic-posts-new-video-for-future-content-u/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Maybe he's just a human Sith with sensitive eyes?
It's safe to say the past two days haven't been the best for the nascent Star Wars: The Old Republic, with its bugs, breaks, and bearish concerns. That doesn't mean that BioWare is packing it in and heading for the hills, however; the studio has just put out a new video detailing the content slated for the game in the coming months. Director James Ohlen lays out several new additions planned for the near future, several of which are features players had been asking for.

PvP will see the addition of a new Warzone as well as an overall ranking system for avid PvP players to track personal progress. UI customization is also coming, starting with a fully resizable and reconfigurable layout. And the Legacy system is being rolled out in full, complete with the promise of new races being available as Legacy rewards for the factions. So if you're a Star Wars: The Old Republic fan and have been feeling a bit down with recent news, this might help perk you back up.

[Update: A reader named Jon has tipped us off to an article on Gamesradar in which BioWare's Daniel Erickson confirms that the character in today's video is "definitely a Miraluka Sith," which suggests that the Miraluka may be ported cross-faction as part of the Legacy system rewards.]

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic posts new video for future content updates [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>additionsbioware-mythiccoming-attractionscoming-sooneaea-biowareelectronic-artsimprovementsjames-ohlenpatchesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortrailertrailersuiupcoming-patchesvideovideoswarzonesThu, 19 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[James Ohlen hits back against critics, defends SWTOR's innovation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/james-ohlen-hits-back-against-critics-defends-swtors-innovatio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/james-ohlen-hits-back-against-critics-defends-swtors-innovatio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/james-ohlen-hits-back-against-critics-defends-swtors-innovatio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR metacritic
Star Wars: The Old Republic Game Director James Ohlen isn't surprised that the game's received the flak it has from a segment of reviews and fans. In a candid interview with Eurogamer, Ohlen addresses both the issues of being a "big target" for critics and the claims that SWTOR's lacking innovation.

For the most part, players and critics have praised the game, Ohlen shares, and BioWare is seeing an "exceptionally high" desire among its playerbase for continued subscriptions. But was BioWare prepared for the backlash as well? Ohlen says it was: "We knew that there was going to be people who wanted us to fail. But that's just the nature of the game. If you're going to build a huge game and try to go out to a lot of people, you're going to have people who just react poorly."

He does push back hard against claims that SWTOR failed on the innovation front, stating, "We wanted to take the lessons that have been developed in that genre over years and years and years and basically refine them, much like other companies do with other genres. So, I don't know, it's just the way it is, but I don't see us as not being innovative. We're actually a lot more innovative within the MMO space than comparable games in other spaces like the first-person genre, the action genre -- games like that."

MassivelyJames Ohlen hits back against critics, defends SWTOR's innovation originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backlashbiowarecriticea-biowareeurogamerinnovationinnovativejames-ohlenmetacriticmetacritic-scorereviewreview-scoresstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorvideo-game-genresThu, 12 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare responds to The Old Republic performance issues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/bioware-responds-to-the-old-republic-performance-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/bioware-responds-to-the-old-republic-performance-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/bioware-responds-to-the-old-republic-performance-issues/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Many Star Wars: The Old Republic players have raised complaints on the official forums about the game's technical performance. A disconcertingly large number of users report poor framerates despite lowering the game's graphic settings or running the game on a high-end PC. BioWare, however, is not convinced that there's anything wrong with the game, and instead the company asserts that users' lame rigs must be to blame.

OK, not really. But game director James Ohlen told Eurogamer that "most players aren't really having performance concerns" and chalks the reported performance issues up to low-end hardware. He goes on to add that "[the team] knows that it's important that there is a smaller group of people usually with lower end machines that are having problems in some areas. And one of the most important things for [the team is] to grow [its] service is to continue to bring in more players, including those players who only have low-end machines." In light of this, the studio has a team of developers who are devoted to fixing performance-inhibiting bugs, so if all goes well, we poor low-end-rig-users will be able to play the game comfortably soon enough.

MassivelyBioWare responds to The Old Republic performance issues originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR
With the abundance of bugs and glitches in Star Wars: The Old Republic, fans are looking to James Ohlen's promise of weekly patches to shore up the faults. Yesterday we saw patch 1.0.2 go live with some -- but certainly not all -- of these fixes, as well as an increase in the PvP lockbox rewards and allowing players to emote while mounted.

In addition to yesterday's patch, today BioWare plans to roll out an emergency fix to address a few important issues: players crashing to desktop at character select, a problem with the chat channels in which they would stop functioning for some people, and the now-infamous /getdown bug.

PvP Lead Gabe Amatangelo also emerged from the BioWare fortress to chat about plans for the future of the game's PvP combat. According to Amatangelo, the team is working on level 50 brackets for warzones, vastly improving open world PvP on Ilum, a new same-faction vs. same-faction warzone, team vs. team queuing, ranked warzone matches, and more. He says that to date, over a million warzone matches have been played, with 39% of those matches played being Huttball and the Empire winning 53% of every match fought.

MassivelySWTOR goes bug hunting with 1.0.2 and prognosticates PvP improvements originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebugbug-fixbug-fixesbugsea-biowareemergency-hotfixgabe-amatangelogetdowngetdown-bughotfixhuttballjames-ohlenopen-world-pvppatchpatch-1.0.2pvpstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorwarzonewarzonesThu, 05 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare's James Ohlen: Bug fixes coming weekly]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/biowares-james-ohlen-bug-fixes-coming-weekly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/biowares-james-ohlen-bug-fixes-coming-weekly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/biowares-james-ohlen-bug-fixes-coming-weekly/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Any new MMO, even big-budget behemoths like BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic, is often fraught with bugs and exploits that can keep the game from living up to its full potential. The Old Republic's game director, James Ohlen, recognizes this and has stopped by the official forums to let players know how the company will be handling the game's bugs, glitches, and exploits.

Ohlen states that "almost every week [BioWare] will be releasing a new patch." These pseudo-weekly patches will be focused almost entirely on fixing bugs, exploits, and glaring balance issues within the game. Ohlen does remind players, however, that bug-fixing is not always a simple task. "There are issues that we will fix immediately," he says, with the caveat that "these are rare and not every issue can be fixed in this manner. We usually reserve these 'emergency fixes' for bugs that are stopping players from playing the game or to exploits that could unbalance the entire game if not corrected." I'm sure players have a few things in mind to which an emergency fix could be applied, but we'll just have to wait for the next patch to see what the devs have cooked up.

MassivelyBioWare's James Ohlen: Bug fixes coming weekly originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Sensing the future
I like making predictions. When it comes to Star Wars: The Old Republic, I've been spot on about several things, but I've missed the boat on some too. "Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the dark side," Yoda warned the young Jedi Knight in Revenge of the Sith. It's a good thing I don't have anything to lose by guessing what I think will happen in the future for this game.

In 2011, we saw TOR launch with astronomical numbers, and all you have to do is look at our front page to realize how much people have been talking about this game. Hopefully, the future of the game is just as bright. Thankfully, developers at BioWare have been very talkative about what's coming in the future.

Let's combine what players have said with the plans developers have spoken about to predict the future of the game. After the break, I'll mix the news with my Force powers to see in the the future... the future... the future... echo... echo...

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Sensing the future

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Sensing the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Force reflection
"Always in motion is the future," Yoda reflected to Luke Skywalker in the greatest of all Star Wars movies, The Empire Strikes Back. Even for a Jedi master, the future is unpredictable and always fluid. Likewise, I made predictions about Star Wars: The Old Republic that were completely off base and some that were spot on. Of course, the ones I got wrong were part of the BioWare plot to subvert everything I do. That's right, I'm looking at you, Georg Zoeller.

This week, I'm going to borrow a phrase from the SWTOR-RP website: Force Reflection. Every weekday, these roleplayers pose a question about SWTOR, Star Wars, or some sort of roleplay trope to get you to think about how you play you character. However, I'm going to use the phrase to think back on the predictions I made in this column, specifically the first article of this year. Which ideas did I get correct? Which ideas did I get totally wrong? I can't be one hundred percent correct all the time. I have to leave room for some errors or else I'd lose my secret job as a psychic-hotline operator.

Jump past the break to judge for yourself.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Force reflection

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Force reflection originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic - new boss
Star Wars: The Old Republic is less than a week old, and many players are already wondering if and when BioWare is going to add new content. Yes, there are some 50s on the servers already, and James Ohlen has penned a post on the game's official website that should excite those who have already rushed through the game's content.

For starters, January will bring a new flashpoint to the game as well as an expanded operation instance. The former "takes place on a brand new world and involves some pretty epic battles." The latter "takes the existing Karagga's palace scenario and more than triples it in size."

Ohlen says that's just the beginning, too, and BioWare plans on releasing similar new content with regularity. Finally, players concerned over the company's ability to add new story (and voiceover content) will want to check out writer Alexander Freed's post on the official forums. In a nutshell, he says not to worry, as BioWare does have voice actors under contract and can proceed with development without adding much time to the content creation process.

Finally, our sister site reports that TOR has topped one million registered players and over 28 million hours played!

[Thanks to Scratches for the tip!]

MassivelyBioWare hints at new SWTOR content, tops one million players originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
December 20th is finally here, and Star Wars: The Old Republic is as live as it's going to get. The title's official launch has sent ripples through the interwebs, and MSNBC, Gamasutra, and Kotaku all have new features highlighting various facets of the new title. Gamasutra has a few words with BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk and creative director James Ohlen regarding the game's post-launch strategy. Zeschuk claims that the team is "really busy working on future SWTOR content as well as continuing to improve the service. This will never end." Never is quite a long time, we think, but we'll see how that goes.

Meanwhile, MSNBC sits down with SWTOR's Lead Writer, Daniel Erickson, about BioWare's much-touted story pillar. He claims that the game's 20 writers worked together for a total of over 60 man-years of labor on the game's story and writing. And lastly, Kotaku has another few words with Zeschuk. When asked if SWTOR could potentially make a move to F2P like, say, DC Universe Online, Zeschuk replied, "Free-to-play works best when a game is built that way from the ground up... We're not saying never ever, but we certainly have no plans like that in the foreseeable future." For the full features, click on through the links below.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic's hype train barrels onward originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fans have been sitting on pins and needles, waiting for their blessed early access emails for Star Wars: The Old Republic. What can you do while we wait to reserve your character names before the noobie rush on December 20th? You could check out the awesome guide Massively released on Monday to scout out which class you want to play before you play it. You could read the Hyperspace Beacon that came out yesterday; it may take the edge off the anticipation. Or maybe you could have a chat with SWTOR Creative Director James Ohlen about the current state of the game and what's coming down the bend.

We went with the last one.

After the break, find out what Ohlen had to say about SWTOR's legacy system, customizable ships, and other future content.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: The Force ghosts of past, present, and future with SWTOR's James Ohlen [Updated]

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: The Force ghosts of past, present, and future with SWTOR's James Ohlen [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classesBioWareEAearly-accessElectronic-ArtsfeaturedguildsinterviewinterviewsJames-Ohlenlaunchlegacy-systemLucasArtssci-fispaceStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORuiuser-interfaceWed, 14 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Social gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/hyperspace-beacon-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/hyperspace-beacon-social-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/hyperspace-beacon-social-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Social gaming
As a roleplayer, I primarily do social things in MMOs. I take on a character, then via local chat, I communicate as if I were a smuggler attempting to swindle a gangster out of a few more credits. However, that's not the only kind of social gaming found in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Group activities of all sorts have sparked friendships that have lasted years. The people I adventure with mostly started in Star Wars Galaxies, then moved to City of Heroes, then went back to Galaxies, and now are headed to SWTOR. Because of the breadth of the internet, we have never met each other in person, but I still consider them close friends.

The social dynamics have always been a byproduct of MMOs. However, few online games give direct rewards for being social. In fact, there was a time shortly after the Combat Upgrade when Star Wars Galaxies actually punished players for grouping up by giving less XP. Perhaps the reasoning was that the larger the group, the more mobs players could kill in the same amount of time, but at the time the solo XP far outweighed the loss in group XP. Thankfully, that was eventually fixed.

In my recent venture into the SWTOR beta, I noticed several different social activities for which the game rewards players. Follow me past the cut and we will discuss them.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Social gaming

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Social gaming originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars The Old Republic - Jedi and droid
BioWare project director James Ohlen is apparently on the PR circuit of late, as a new interview at Gamasutra marks his second major gaming publication appearance in the last two days. This time around, there's nary a mention of Star Wars: The Old Republic's companions.

There is, however, some interesting chit-chat about polish, post-release content plans, and the necessity of MMORPG playtesting. Ohlen downplays the notion that large-scale fan testing is paramount to a game's success, saying that "the big changes that we've been making were planned from way before."

He acknowledges that beta testers have their uses, but says that the BioWare devs would be "terrible game designers" if they didn't figure things out on their own. "It's good for fans to feel like they're having an impact, and sometimes they do," Ohlen says. "There [have] been surprises on the project, but mostly they've come from us playtesting this stuff."

MassivelyBioWare talks SWTOR testing, post-release content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars The Old Republic - companions
So, who wants to learn about companions? No, not that kind (and more's the pity). We're talking about the traveling chums BioWare is providing for your savior-of-the-galaxy in its upcoming Star Wars The Old Republic science-fantasy opus.

A new video and interview at Gamespot has all the companion-related info that's fit to print -- or compress into a seven-minute clip and throw on a file server, to be more precise -- and game director James Ohlen has a lot to say about companion customization, gameplay mechanics, and the fact that your computer-controlled co-stars "are going to be a significant innovation to MMORPGs."

While the recent brouhaha over same-gender companion romance generated much rancor both in and out of the SWTOR community, BioWare steers clear of the topic here and focuses squarely on the launch-day features. Have a look at the video after the cut, and head to Gamespot for the interview text.

Continue reading SWTOR companions detailed in new video, interview

MassivelySWTOR companions detailed in new video, interview originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR: Cross-faction communication
At Comic-Con this year, Star Wars: The Old Republic Game Director James Ohlen told us that in current testing, all cross-faction communication was open. While the developers were confident that communication methods would change before the game launched, the team wasn't sure which exact channels would be available for cross-faction messaging.

In an interview with TenTonHammer, James Ohlen has now indicated that cross-faction communication had changed. Is this good or bad? We will let you judge for yourself with a direct quote from the article. Ohlen replied to a question about sending items to cross-faction alts via mailboxes.
Currently no, you have to do it the old fashioned way through the mailbox, but only if they're the same faction. There are multiple reasons why we don't want the different factions to communicate with each other.

We had the big argument that this isn't like Horde and Alliance, we all speak Galactic Standard so we should just allow it. So we actually did allow it for a little while. The argument against it was that, what happens is people start saying inappropriate things to the other side. That's just the way it is when you're on a different side and you gank each other, people tend to say inappropriate things.
To be fair, the question only concerned mailboxes. Ohlen later clarified in the interview: "You won't see the other faction's chat at all, so they can't chat with you and you can't chat with them." We know for certain there will be a large group of SWTOR fans upset about this design choice because it will inhibit their style of gameplay. We will look for further clarification on this subject, so stay tuned to Massively for more information.

[Update: Georg Zoeller has clarified the issue in a post on the official forums. We've included his response behind the break.]

Continue reading SWTOR's James Ohlen says no cross-faction communication [Updated]

MassivelySWTOR's James Ohlen says no cross-faction communication [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Bucket list
Once we start Star Wars: The Old Republic, we will not be able to stop. After only playing the game twice, I have a hard time going back to other games because -- among other things -- voice-over dialogue is far superior to walls of text any day. Then, of course, we can't forget character choices. We will be able to tell the quest-giver what we think of fetching that item for him at the shop when he could just as easily get it himself if he decided to walk 10 feet to the building next to him. That leads me to the point of this article.

Despite all the incredible things we will be able to do in SWTOR, certain others will be missed once the game launches. Particular staples of MMO games, in general, will never be seen again. As someone who is placing his MMO future in TOR, I suggest creating a bucket list. Let's face it: When The Old Republic releases, we cannot look back to other MMOs. They will be dead to us. After the cut, I have complied a list of 10 items that we will never see again once we start playing TOR. Count them down with me.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Bucket list

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Bucket list originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AskAJediBioWareclown-armorcory-butlerdaniel-ericksonEAElectronic-ArtselfselvesfeaturedGalaxiesGamespothan-shot-firstholiday-eventsjames-ohlenkill-ten-ratslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroLucasArtsluteno-more-elvessitting-in-chairsStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicSWGswimmingswtorthe-old-republictorVentrilowall-of-textWorld-of-WarcraftWoWTue, 16 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/hyperspace-beacon-illusion-of-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/hyperspace-beacon-illusion-of-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/hyperspace-beacon-illusion-of-choice/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Before I begin this little rant about Star Wars: The Old Republic, there are a couple things I want to make clear: This edition of the Hyperspace Beacon will have a lot of spoilers, and I really like SWTOR as a whole.

First off, the spoilers mentioned here will be about the DragonAge and Mass Effect series of games. If you have not played through either one of those games and do not want to know how some of that story turns out, then you may not want to read this article. Secondly, SWTOR is a wonderful game. I have played it on a couple of occasions, and I believe it exhibits some of the qualities that have been missing from many of the current MMOs -- specifically, story. By no means do I want to discourage anyone from playing or pre-ordering this game, so if you're on the fence about this game, you may not want to read on because this article is not for you.

Surely, fans of BioWare have played games like Mass Effect and DragonAge, and I hope you have played Knights of the Old Republic. These games really define what BioWare is and the types of games it can make. However, given some of the most recent announcements, I have to wonder if some of the staples that made these BioWare games great are going to be missing in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Have BioWare games gone from having choice to just the illusion of choice?

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Illusion of choice originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarechoicedaniel-ericksonDragon-AgeDragon-Age-2EAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedGame-Mechanicshyperspace-beaconIllusion-of-choicejames-ohlenKnights-of-the-Old-RepublicLucasArtsMass-EffectMass-Effect-2opinionStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/hyperspace-beacon-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/hyperspace-beacon-nuna-bites/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/hyperspace-beacon-nuna-bites/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you happened to be in San Diego this weekend then you may have noticed a large gathering of geekery known as Comic-Con. Usually, this mecca of nerdom focuses on comic book related publications. Although Star Wars: The Old Republic isn't exactly comic book gold, Dark Horse comics rose through the ranks of pulp royalty because of its vast library of Star Wars-related publications. It only seems right that TOR presents itself to this audience.

Besides the panel in Comic-Con proper, BioWare developers hosted three separate question and answer sessions focusing on Star Wars: The Old Republic. As with most Q&As, the majority of questions asked have been answered already in the past. If you were hanging out in Darth Hater's Ventrilo server like I was during the live broadcasts, then you heard a lot of "We knew that already." That being said, there were some pieces of juicy meat tossed to the crowd that we had not heard before. I will call them nuna bites, and you can find your slice after the break.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Nuna bites originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those of you worried about The Old Republic's longevity (all three of you) can rest easy according to BioWare. Game director James Ohlen told Comic-Con attendees that the company hopes the game will stand the test of time.

"And our goal -- this being an online game that we're hoping is going to last for decades -- we're going to be, obviously, adding more to the galaxy map as the game progresses," he said. Ohlen went on to say that BioWare plans to add lots of content over the game's lifespan. "In 2025, we'll hopefully have 500 worlds," he remarked.

Star Wars: The Old Republic officially unveiled its pre-order packages last week, and the game is expected to release before the end of 2011.

MassivelyBioWare hopes SWTOR lasts for decades originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's interesting: When I'm intrenched in the news of Star Wars: The Old Republic, I tend to forget sometimes what people know and don't know. For instance, I love what I've seen of Guild Wars 2, but if you were to ask me, "Who is that tiny race with the big machines?" I would have to look it up. So it shouldn't have surprised me when I received an email a couple of days ago asking about non-combat activities in SWTOR. I know there has been talk of non-combat activities, but it's usually pushed to the side so that combat can take the forefront. I certainly don't blame anyone for that. Most players are interested in combat, and BioWare's marketing is, of course, going to focus on that.

This message I received from Isaiah was concerning his whole guild. He asked the following:
We are primarily interested in the RP aspects of the game. I theorized that the RP elements and player interactions on the RP servers will be community-regulated, meaning the players drive the RP as opposed to BioWare. BioWare briefly touched on crafting months ago, but nothing new has been revealed. What about mounts? Player housing and the ability to name our ships? What about non-armor clothing options and general RP immersion into the universe? I know it's a rather open-ended line of questioning, but do you have any insights or theories about non-combat activities in game?
Beyond the break, I will answer these questions, and since he asked me about my theories, I will do a bit of that, too. See you on the other side.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I have definitely been on a bit of a high horse about the social side of Star Wars: The Old Republic. If you have been following this column, then you know that, despite the statics to the contrary, I believe that one of the greatest dynamics of MMOs is the social system built strictly via human interaction. I always thought that one of the coolest things I ever saw in this type of game was the organic growth and change of these games. EVE Online interested me most in that regard. The cycle of corporations and rivalries of individual players seems to be the crux of the stories coming from the game -- with CCP acting as a type of god, throwing in elements to see how its subjects would react.

Although I understand that SWTOR is a themepark game (to be honest, I don't want it to be anything but), that social element will still exist, if for no other reason than that there are hundreds of thousands of people running around occupying the same space. I also find it very interesting that the social aspects of the game were pushed pretty hard in recent news, even up to last week with the April Fools' Day Wookiee jokes -- the emotes of the characters were the actual update. BioWare wished to show us that it realizes how important social elements are to players.

After the cut are some quotes and impressions I have received from developers regarding the more social aspects of TOR.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: That can be arranged

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: That can be arranged originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In 2009, the staffers of Massively were more than aware of the changes happening in the MMO industry. The game was changing; technology was allowing the MMO to step out of its turn-based comfort zone and take on new challenges. We began to see the MMO-shooter, the MMO-RTS, and the MMO-does-that-even-fit-in-a-genre. The staff penned a series of articles called Redefining MMOs. Have things changed in two years? On the surface, I'd say no. We still can't figure out exactly what an MMO is. If you ask six different people the same question, you'll get six different answers (if not more). In fact, while I was at PAX East, I did just that.

I spoke to six different designers: three from the most anticipated games of this year, two from studios that have been doing this MMO thing for a long time, and one from a studio that refuses to label its game as an MMO. After the break, find out what developers of Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, City of Heroes, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, and Firefall have to say about the new definition of MMOs.

Continue reading Redefining MMOs: More developers weigh in

MassivelyRedefining MMOs: More developers weigh in originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-merskyarenanetBioWarecity-of-heroesCity-of-Villainscohcolin-johansoncovcoxddodefinitiondefinition-of-mmodefinitionsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineEAeletronic-artsfeaturedfirefallGuild-Wars-2gw2james-ohlenlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromark-kernMike-Zadorojnymmo-definitionmmosnate-birkholzNCsoftparagon-studiosred-5-studiosstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTurbineWorld-of-WarcraftwowWed, 30 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Community news round-up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/hyperspace-beacon-community-news-round-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/hyperspace-beacon-community-news-round-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/hyperspace-beacon-community-news-round-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As I mentioned in the last edition of the Hyperspace Beacon, the Star Wars: The Old Republic community played a large part in what made PAX East so great this time around. It would also be silly of me to believe that I could catch every single tidbit at PAX personally or even that Massively could nab every granular morsel of the SWTOR pie. However, unlike some MMORPG communities, our TOR community isn't limited to just one site for all of its information. In fact, PAX East 2011 was probably the biggest showing of SWTOR fansites of any convention.

This week, I'm going to take a break from reporting news myself and instead give you a taste of some of the news that was released this week from other sites. As I've said before, I don't expect you to have read or to follow every site that is reporting on The Old Republic. In fact, I think that would burn most people out. However, there are great reporters on other sites, and I think it would be a mistake if I didn't let the Massively audience in on some of their great work.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Community news round-up

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Community news round-up originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PAX East panel that almost made me late for the Star Wars: The Old Republic Meet 'n' Greet was a panel hosted by MMORPG.com and featuring some of the heavy hitters in MMO development for this year. I am certainly glad I did not skip this one. This was the chance for the fans to hear what the future of MMOs will bring from the people who are making them.

Let me give you a rundown of the panel members -- and tell me you don't just stand in awe of these guys: (from left to right) Curt Schilling, the founder of 38 Studios; Craig Alexander, the VP of Product Development for Turbine; Jeremy Gaffney, Executive Producer at Carbine Studios; Scott Hartsman, Executive Producer for Trion Worlds; Brian Knox, Senior Producer for En Masse Entertainment; James Ohlen, Creative Director for BioWare; and Colin Johanson, Lead Content Designer for ArenaNet.

The opening question really set the stage for the panel. It let us know where the minds of these producers and executives are. The question was simple: Where do you see online games going in the next 10 years? Follow after the cut to find out their thought provoking answers.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: The future of MMOs from the mouths of the developers

MassivelyPAX East 2011: The future of MMOs from the mouths of the developers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-StudiosArenaNetBioWareBrian-KnoxCarbine-StudiosColin-JohansonCraig-AlexanderCurt-Schillingdungeons-and-dragons-onlineEn-Masse-Entertainmentfeaturedfuture-of-mmosGuild-Wars-2James-OhlenJeremy-Gaffneylord-of-the-rings-onlinePaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011RIFTScott-Hartsmanstar-wars-the-old-republicTERATrion-WorldsTurbineThu, 17 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Sithing up for PAX East]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/hyperspace-beacon-sithing-up-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/hyperspace-beacon-sithing-up-for-pax-east/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/hyperspace-beacon-sithing-up-for-pax-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you haven't been paying attention, then you wouldn't know that Star Wars: The Old Republic is going to make a huge appearance at PAX East this year. However, unlike past appearances, this presentation is all about giving the fans a first-hand experience with the game. The SWTOR community team has promised Flashpoints, Jedi classes, and origin worlds that the fans can see, hear, touch, and feel. For a fan who has been following the game since before October of 2008, this is far more exciting than any on-stage performance.

With all of the hoopla, it may be difficult to know every single thing that is going on. And as your guide through the vastness of hyperspace, I should give you a guideline so you do not miss a vital piece of the event. Follow me after the cut for a breakdown of the planned events and some suggestions for things to do while attending PAX.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Sithing up for PAX East

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Sithing up for PAX East originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big news exploded from the Star Wars: The Old Republic camp today. We knew BioWare was going to be at PAX East this year, but we knew nothing of the team's specific plans. In today's updates, the SWTOR devs not only revealed more about the Bounty Hunter profession as we predicted from yesterday's IGN video reveal but also told us that visitors to their PAX booth would be the first of the general public to play the Taral V flashpoint.

The Bounty Hunter page has been overhauled to reflect the advanced classes of Powertech and Mercenary. On the starships page, catch the detailed specs of the Kuat Drive Yards D5-Mantis Patrol Craft -- or the D5-Mantis, for those who think KDYD5MPC is a silly acronym. Mako, the Nar Shaddaa slicer, was officially revealed as a companion for the Bounty Hunter. Also, don't forget the Rattataki species on the inhabitants page.

SWTOR fans who were waiting on endgame reveals will hopefully be going to PAX East this year. You will be able to play a Trooper, Smuggler, Jedi Knight, or Jedi Consular in the Republic Taral V flashpoint, with Lead Designer James Ohlen and Lead Writer Daniel Erickson in the booth to answer all your questions. While you're at booth 912, don't forget to ask for your invitation to the Community Meet and Greet, which starts directly after the booth closes Saturday night -- the event's at the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel right next to the convention center.

Gallery: SWTOR Bounty Hunter reveal

MassivelySWTOR says BAM! is the word for today's update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BioWare and LucasArts have not always been very forthcoming with secrets of Star Wars: The Old Republic, but Star Wars Insider Magazine has learned a few tidbits of information that may give us a tingle in the Force.

In the article, James Ohlen talks about nearly every major aspect of the game: starting levels, space combat, armor progression, and even the sounds and score of the game, most of which we have covered in here in some way or another. However, he did give a very interesting quote regarding casual gameplay. "A lot of people are scared of massively multiplayer games because a lot of MMOs can become a grind... We've chosen to avoid that. We always give the player a story to drive the game forward."

The most interesting part of the article is when Ohlen outlined the Sith storyline. He explains in the article that one of first Sith Warrior missions is to kill your master as well as other students. When that is complete, you are tasked with tracking down and corrupting a very important Jedi Knight. He continues later to explain that the choices a player makes is reflected in his storyline, the light/dark side system, the rewards received, as well as your character's appearance. He explains, "If you're familiar Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, one of the things that we showed was how the dark side started to corrupt you. Your appearance started to change, your flesh started to age and become more like Palpatine from the movies, and your abilities started to change as well. This also occurs in The Old Republic."

Go to your local newsstand (do they still have those?) or comic book store and pick up the latest issue of Star Wars Insider to nab more detailed information.

MassivelyStar Wars Insider share the secrets it learned from SWTOR designer James Ohlen originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's hidden messages
"Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future," were Yoda's words from The Empire Strikes Back, but contrary to the Jedi Master's belief, most of the time there are clues to what our future holds. Like the smell right before a rain storm, or little ticks of involuntary action that give away when someone is bluffing in poker, or that face your mother used to give you which said you were in trouble, clues to what the future holds are everywhere. Star Wars: The Old Republic is no exception. Clues to what the game holds are hidden all over its website.

Alyssa Gobelle is the web designer for SWTOR. She has done a beautiful job of constructing a site that is entertaining as well as interesting to look at. Although the busy lettering, Aurebesh, entices the eyes, it also gives away secrets to the game. In April, Gobelle was interviewed by the Holonet Project fan site, where she revealed that the messages are totally intentional: "When they first brought me on, our first major task was to design the HoloNet. We wanted the HoloNet's voice to be as much 'within the lore of the game' as possible so we planned to add some generic Aurebesh to start. But we also wanted to add some hidden teases and notes for you guys to devour and ponder upon and play with. Give some more fuel to the speculation festivities."

Continue after the break to find out what some of these "hidden teases" are. Perhaps you can help me figure out what the rest of them mean.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's hidden messages

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's hidden messages originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alderaanalyssa-gobelleAurebeshbalmorrabelsavisBioWareComic-concoruscantczerka-corporationdromund-kaase3EAea-biowareeaster-eggsElectronic-ArtsfeaturedholonetHolonet-projectHothhuttajames-ohlenLucasArtsNar-Shaddaaord-mantellOrganaplanetssecret-messageStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-lore-guidetarisTatooinethe-old-republicThultortythonvossvrbltherswebsiteWookieepediaMon, 02 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Space combat has been confirmed for SWTOR! [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/space-combat-has-been-comfirmed-for-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/space-combat-has-been-comfirmed-for-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/23/space-combat-has-been-comfirmed-for-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While at Comic-Con, the fan site Mos Eisley Radio tweeted a rumor that there will be space combat in SWTOR. Space combat has been strongly suspected since the announcement of player ships at E3, but there was nothing to confirm our suspicions. According to the folks at Mos Eisley Radio, James Ohlen said that each ship will be customizable, and, of course, that the player will be able to use this ship in space combat.

Not moments later, this rumor was completely confirmed by SWTOR's community manager, Sean Dahlberg, on the official forum. He confesses in his announcement, "While we didn't quite make the numbers [of Facebook and Twitter followers], we definitely saw how excited the community is about this and how everyone came together. After all of that, there's no way we could hold back with our special reveal at Comic-Con!" So it seems the devs did not punish the fans for not reaching the social media goal after all. He reveals that further details will be available in the October edition of PC Gamer.

[Thank you, Mos Eisley Radio, for keeping your ears open!]

[Editor's Note: Brooks from Mos Eisley Radio just mailed us to say that all of his information is coming from Darth Hater's liveblog, so props to Darth Hater, and thanks for letting us know, Brooks! ~Sera]

MassivelySpace combat has been confirmed for SWTOR! [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic.

No matter where you were this week, if you are a Star Wars fan, you saw the new SWTOR trailer: Hope. I'm sure you also read the Daily Grind asking, "Do cinematics make you want to play?" It's an honest question. Lots of times these over-the-top trailers mask some of the things producers aren't telling you about the game you are interested in playing. In fact, it may give you greater expectations than the game has to offer. There have been quite a few comments about Star Wars Galaxies' trailers which have caused some players of the seven-year-old MMO to ask rhetorically, "I want to play that game. Where is that game?" So let me tell you up front, Star Wars: The Old Republic does not look like either of the cinematic trailers, but that does not mean it is not a great game.

I believe as a fan of this game and as a reporter for this website that I would be doing you, the reader, an injustice by totally giving into the (albeit mostly fan-created) hype that surrounds this game. So this week I want to take things back a notch and hopefully give you a realistic outlook on a couple of announced aspects of the game.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Fires of Hope from E3 2010

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Fires of Hope from E3 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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