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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic -- BOOM! Goes the Bounty Hunter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-boom-goes-the-bounty-hunter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-boom-goes-the-bounty-hunter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-boom-goes-the-bounty-hunter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Boba Fett, eat your heart out. Nothing compares to the tricks and tactics of the Star Wars: The Old Republic Bounty Hunter class. IGN was able to give us a sneak peek at the latest class video for BioWare's Star Wars MMO. The Bounty Hunter was the first class to be revealed for SWTOR about two years ago, but it still generates the excitement it always has.

As the video shows us, the Bounty Hunter is all about gadgets -- Holy kriff! Did he just flash-freeze someone in carbonite?! -- right, gadgets. From flamethrowers to jetpacks, these devices are what keeps the Bounty Hunter in business. From the moment we first heard Boba Fett say "As you wish" in the Empire Strikes back, we knew the definition of awesome in the Star Wars universe was "Bounty Hunter."

Catch the full video after the break, check out the IGN interview, then stay tuned to Massively tomorrow as -- most assuredly -- more information will be released on this powerful class.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic -- BOOM! Goes the Bounty Hunter

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic -- BOOM! Goes the Bounty Hunter originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareboba-fettbounty-hunterclassclassesEAElectronic-Artsflash-freeze-in-carbonite-babyLucasArtsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortrailervideoThu, 03 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Loyal to their cause]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-loyal-to-their-cause/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-loyal-to-their-cause/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/hyperspace-beacon-loyal-to-their-cause/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

As some of you may know, I love roleplaying in MMOs. Most of the MMOs I've played have had RPG tagged at the end. Even though it's not required to roleplay to enjoy an MMORPG, immersion is compounded when you do, therefore fun is compounded, too. In the Star Wars universe, I could not help but wrap myself in lore when I played a soldier or agent of the Galactic Empire. From line and formation to order and procedure -- all of this was in service to His Majesty, the Emperor. Of all the characters I made over my seven years of Star Wars Galaxies, my Imperial characters were the most purpose-driven.

When Bioware announced the trooper class for Star Wars: The Old Republic, many players asked who would want to play a clone. There's no personality there, no motivation or character development, right? I disagree very strongly. In fact, I will go so far as to say I believe there is only one binding factor between soldier types: loyalty. Even then there are different types of loyalties and different motivations behind an individual character's loyalties.

Step past the break and watch as I contrast the loyalty of famous factions of existing Star Wars soldiers and compare them to the trooper and agent classes of SWTOR.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Loyal to their cause

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Loyal to their cause originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agentagent-classBioWarebioware-swtorboba-fettCaridacloneclone-trooperclone-warscompnorEAElectronic-ArtsEmpirefeaturedgeorge-lucasHumanImperialimperial-intelligenceimperial-security-bureauinquisitorinquisitoriusIsardisbJango-fettKaminoloyaltyLucasArtsroleplayroleplayerRolePlayingStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicStormtrooperstormtroopersswtorswtor-lore-guidetortroopertrooper-classMon, 12 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Blaster at my side]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/hyperspace-beacon-blaster-at-my-side/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/hyperspace-beacon-blaster-at-my-side/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/hyperspace-beacon-blaster-at-my-side/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hey, kids, the name's Han Solo. I've been asked to step in here because I know a thing or two about smuggling. I know many of you are lookin' to jump into this line of work, and I'm going to tell you right now: it ain't gonna be easy. You gotta live by your guts, kids. You hav'ta be smooth, and you can't let crazy green Rodians get under your skin. In fact, if a Rodian does come lookin' for you, I suggest you shoot him first. It'll save you some trouble in the long run, but don't forget to pay for the mess.

Maybe I should start with some of the greatest smugglers out there. That should help detour you from the insanity of this profession. Although none of 'em is as good as I am, Lando Calrissian, Dash Rendar, and even an old smuggler named Hylo Visz made their marks on history. Their lives were wrought with risky maneuvers, near-misses, and some damned good luck. So I guess if you think you've got what it takes, keep reading -- I'll meet you after the break.

[Thank you to Lois van Baarle for letting us use her artwork for the main banner. You can see more of her work at Loish.net.]

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Blaster at my side

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Blaster at my side originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bespinBioWareboba-fettChewbaccacloud-citydash-rendarEAhan-solohothHydian-wayhylo-viszlando-calrissianlorelucas-artsLucasArtsmandaloriannerf-herderoutriderrole-playrole-playingroleplayRolePlayingsabaccsmugglesmuggledsmugglersmugglerssmugglers-rulesmugglingStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstorystorytellingswtorswtor-lore-guideMon, 05 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: My expedition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-my-expediti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-my-expediti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-my-expediti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After cracking open the history textbooks on one of the most famous (and infamous) MMOs of the past decade and talking to two groups of crack veterans, it was finally time for the Game Archaeologist to strap on his lightwhip, kick over the nearest Astromech droid, and dive headfirst into Star Wars Galaxies.

Although I've been interested in Star Wars Galaxies since 2003, its apparent complexity scared me off back in the beginning (when I made the choice to scoot over to the equally complex Anarchy Online during that time). Later on, I felt as if it was too late to jump on the SWG bandwagon, feeling as if the entire Galaxies playerbase was finishing up their Master's degrees and I'd be entering the equivalent of preschool. Fortunately, this article series gave me an excellent excuse to stop coming up with excuses and simply go for it -- and with the counsel of several friends and Massively writers who know the SWG ropes, I found my footing just fine.

Click on the first picture of the gallery to join me on my journey to the stars -- and don't forget to read my impressions under each screenshot!

Gallery: The Game Archaeologist journeys into Star Wars Galaxies

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: My expedition originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineastromechboba-fettfeaturedhan-soloi-bounty-hunt-for-jabba-hutt-to-finance-my-vettejump-to-lightspeedlandos-co-pilotlightwhipmountpreschoolsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgtatooinethe-game-archaeologisttrialwookieeTue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Enter the Mandalorians]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/07/hyperspace-beacon-enter-the-mandalorians/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/07/hyperspace-beacon-enter-the-mandalorians/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/07/hyperspace-beacon-enter-the-mandalorians/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Welcome, fans of Star Wars and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Some would say you cannot be a true Star Wars fan unless you are a fan of Mandalorians. Followers of these space-Spartans bury themselves deep in the warrior culture. The bearers of the iconic T-shaped visor have inspired costume after costume, scores of fan sites, collections of comic books, and bunches of books. The author of many of those books, Karen Traviss, created a whole independent language called Mando'a.

The Mandalorians' history starts with a species called the Taung, who were renowned throughout the galaxy for their amazing conquests and advanced war technology. Calling themselves Mandalorians after their leader, Mandalore the First, these crusaders conquered all of what would be known as the Mandalore Sector, assimilating the native species into the culture of war and honor.

The depth of the Mandalorian culture cannot be covered in one article, but I would like to take a few key figures from the culture, study them, and contemplate their role in shaping Star Wars: The Old Republic. Let us explore this together after the break.

Ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur!

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Enter the Mandalorians

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Enter the Mandalorians originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artusBioWareboba-fettbounty-hunterCanderous-Ordodaniel-ericksonEAElectronic-ArtsFandalorianfetts-vetteKaren-Travissmandaloremandalore-the-lessermandalorianmandaloriansMC-Chrisstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-lore-guideTaungMon, 07 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: SWTOR's 'inquistoring' Consular conundrum]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/the-digital-continuum-swtors-inquistoring-consular-conundrum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/the-digital-continuum-swtors-inquistoring-consular-conundrum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/the-digital-continuum-swtors-inquistoring-consular-conundrum/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The revealing of Star Wars: The Old Republic's final two classes has incited much discussion amongst the community and inside my own brain. On one hand, lots of people are happy to have more Sith and Jedi classes to choose from. However, on the other hand, some people are disappointed in the lack of creative and unexpected class options.

In all reality, BioWare probably made the right choice, but let's look at the view of both sides for the sake of argument and to have a little fun.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: SWTOR's 'inquistoring' Consular conundrum

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: SWTOR's 'inquistoring' Consular conundrum originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareboba-fettbounty-hunterconsulareaelectronic-artsfeaturedhan-soloinquistorjedi-consularknights-of-the-old-republickotorlucasartsopinionsith-inquisitorstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-digital-continuumthe-old-republicMon, 30 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2009: Star Wars: The Old Republic demonstration]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/e3-2009-star-wars-the-old-republic-demonstration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/e3-2009-star-wars-the-old-republic-demonstration/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/e3-2009-star-wars-the-old-republic-demonstration/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic blew nerds around the world away, and has managed to build some of the greatest hype possible for an MMO in just a few short days. The question has been asked whether or not a trailer which contains absolutely no gameplay footage should be producing that sort of hype, but that trailer wasn't all that we saw of the upcoming MMORPG at E3. A panel dedicated to The Old Republic had much more to say.

The panel opened up with the stage being set: The Old Republic begins 3,000 years before the rise of Darth Vader, 300 years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic, which would give BioWare an excellent opportunity to define and expand upon key events of Star Wars "pre-history."

The entire presentation laid a significant emphasis on story and story elements. Right from the beginning, the developers lay out it: RPGs have four primary elements. Exploration, combat, progression, and story. The story element is the one most overlooked in MMOs, and The Old Republic intends to address that head on. They intend to embrace story right alongside the other RPG elements. It will be a major player, and not something just used to justify the other elements.

Gallery: Star Wars: The Old Republic Screenshots

A HuttCantina of the Hutt PalaceDroids with blastersTomb Lightsaber Duel Trooper opens fire

Continue reading E3 2009: Star Wars: The Old Republic demonstration

MassivelyE3 2009: Star Wars: The Old Republic demonstration originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NetDevil recently unleashed a ton of new images from Jumpgate Evolution, including both concept art and screen shots. And while the new screens are full of amazing space battles, we had to put the spotlight on this concept piece you see above. Are primary reason is because this early captial ship sketch is pretty amazingly designed, and there was no way we couldn't point out how impressive it'll be to see it fully rendered in-game come launch this June.

Still, our favorite newest screen is easily this shot of the spacecraft with the wing-design. Now, is it just us, or is that ship one 90 degree wing-turn away from highly resembling bounty hunter Boba Fett's Slave I spacecraft? Hmm, seems like the guys and gals over at NetDevil are letting their Star Wars geek show. Groovy!

Gallery: Jumpgate Evolution Gallery

MassivelyNewest Jumpgate Evolution screens would make Boba Fett proud originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boba-fettbounty-huntercaptial-shipcodemasterscodemasters-onlineconcept-artjumpgate-evolutionnetdevilscreenshotsslave-istar-warsSat, 28 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST