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[Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/hyperspace-beacon-the-swtor-f2p-experiment-coruscant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/hyperspace-beacon-the-swtor-f2p-experiment-coruscant/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/hyperspace-beacon-the-swtor-f2p-experiment-coruscant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant
I was asked last week why I chose The Ebon Hawk as the server on which to run my Star Wars: The Old Republic free-to-play experiment, especially since it's my home server. Some people believed that the experiment would be flawed because I would have many people to call on to help me out in different areas. This is only partially true. I do have some people to call on if I absolutely need it, but remember that I play on the Imperial side normally; this test character is Republic-side. My guildies and friends do not play Republic characters on a regular basis. And I have already said that I will not take gifts from other characters. The only thing that they can offer me is a partner for leveling, and currently, no one that I know is the same level as my Smuggler. I won't catch up to any of them until I hit level 35.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bag-slotsbiowarecartel-coinscartel-marketeaelectronic-artsesselesexperience-pointsf2pf2p-experimentfeaturedflashpointfree-to-playfree-to-play-experimentgalactic-trade-networkGTNhyperspace-beaconinventory-managementlucasartsopinionsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-f2p-experimentthe-free-to-play-experimentthe-old-republictorXPTue, 30 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Gear grinding is unfun]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/hyperspace-beacon-gear-grinding-is-unfun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/hyperspace-beacon-gear-grinding-is-unfun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/hyperspace-beacon-gear-grinding-is-unfun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Gear grinding is unfun
If you have been following me for the last few years on this column and some of the podcasts that I've done, then you are aware that hardcore progression raiding and PvP are not my thing. You will also know that I don't fault players for having their own fun, but the MMO industry often assumes raiders and PvPers are the ones game developers need to target and pursue. It could be that they are the loudest, the fastest, or maybe just the most competitive. I appreciate the players who blast through content. They are usually ones who make the guides that the slower players use to fight the "unbeatable boss." Unfortunately for developers, these are not the players who stick to the game.

BioWare made a lot of naive mistakes with Star Wars: The Old Republic, but one of the biggest is that it listened too much to the vocal minority instead of attempting to make a game that caters to the long-term player. I consider myself and my guild long-term players. We play SWTOR for a multitude of reasons, ranging from basic Star Wars fanboyism to exploring new content to engaging in intense PvP battles. But one thing that is consistent among all of us is that we don't like to gear grind.

Don't get me wrong; I understand that there need be a carrot for the players who complete high-level content, but I believe that SWTOR, along with other MMOs, is doing it wrong, and frankly, it's not fun.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Gear grinding is unfun

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Gear grinding is unfun originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareDaedalus-Projecteaelectronic-artsfeaturedflashpointflashpointshyperspace-beaconlucasartsmmo-cultureoperationoperationsopinionprogressionPvEraidingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 04 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guided tour of the new SWTOR flashpoint]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/guided-tour-of-the-new-swtor-flashpoint/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/guided-tour-of-the-new-swtor-flashpoint/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/guided-tour-of-the-new-swtor-flashpoint/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR flashpoint: The Lost Island
Yesterday, BioWare invited some members of the press to take part in a guided tour of the latest update for Star Wars: The Old Republic. In recent Hyperspace Beacons, we've covered everything from the user interface changes to the crew skills system. However, the specifics of some of the new story content have been a bit sparse. Thanks to help from BioWare, that's now changed.

Beyond the break, we have put together a 15-minute video describing the ins and outs of the latest flashpoint: The Lost Island. Together with a member of the BioWare development team, we explored this new level-50 zone, destroying everything in our path and maybe learning something along the way.

Continue reading Guided tour of the new SWTOR flashpoint

MassivelyGuided tour of the new SWTOR flashpoint originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredr-lorrickdungeoneaelectronic-artsflashpointguided-tourinstancelucasartsnew-contentopinionord-mantellpreviewrakghoulRise-of-the-Rakghoulssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-lost-islandthe-old-republictorupdate-1.2videoFri, 06 Apr 2012 19:00:00 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[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 highlights upcoming Kaon Under Siege flashpoint]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-highlights-upcoming-kaon-under-siege/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-highlights-upcoming-kaon-under-siege/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-highlights-upcoming-kaon-under-siege/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Screenshot -- Star Wars: The Old Republic
Despite only having launched about a month ago, Star Wars: The Old Republic is already gearing up for its next content update. As BioWare ramps up to release the update, it wants its fans to be getting excited for it as well. In that vein, the studio has released a new video highlighting Kaon Under Siege, one of the new flashpoints in the upcoming patch,

The story behind this flashpoint continues the game's current storyline, this time giving players a glimpse at the Tion Hegemony sector of the galaxy. Prior to the flashpoint, the Rakghoul plague has spread across multiple world in the system, killing the lucky and transforming those less fortunate into Rakghouls themselves. A few lucky survivors on the planet of Kaon have managed to hold out against the Rakghoul menace, and of course both the Empire and the Republic wish to rescue these survivors, eradicate the Rakghoul plague, and ultimately negotiate an alliance with the Tion Hegemony. For the full video preview of Kaon Under Siege, just click on past the cut.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic highlights upcoming Kaon Under Siege flashpoint

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic highlights upcoming Kaon Under Siege flashpoint originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecontent-updatecontent-updateseaelectronic-artsflashpointflashpointskaon-under-siegepatchpatchesplayer-vs-environmentpvestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republiction-hegemonytorupdateupdatesvideovideosFri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rakghouls and raging Hutts with SWTOR's Gabe Amatangelo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/rakghouls-and-raging-hutts-with-swtors-gabe-amatangelo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/rakghouls-and-raging-hutts-with-swtors-gabe-amatangelo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/rakghouls-and-raging-hutts-with-swtors-gabe-amatangelo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

A month after Star Wars: The Old Republic began its official journey in the public eye, the developers of this game-changing MMO are ready to extend the story, which they call the fourth pillar of the MMO genre. In patch 1.1, which also brings the usual round of bug fixes, players will be introduced to a brand-new level 50 flashpoint as well as a completed version of the Karagga's Palace 8-to-16-man operation.

In the official press release for 1.1, BioWare founder Greg Zeschuk notes, "A month ago when we launched the Early Game Access program for Star Wars: The Old Republic, we promised our fans that this would just be the beginning of our journey together." That's all well and good, but we want details. So we rang up BioWare's Gabe Amatangelo to discuss the new flashpoint, Karagga's palace, Ilum, and the future of SWTOR PvP.

Be aware that there will be some minor spoilers, but we'll warn you in advance!

Continue reading Rakghouls and raging Hutts with SWTOR's Gabe Amatangelo

MassivelyRakghouls and raging Hutts with SWTOR's Gabe Amatangelo originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artsemmanuel-lusinchifeaturedflashpointgabe-amatangelogame-update-1.1greg-zeschukiluminterviewkaraggas-palaceLucasArtsoperationsoutlaws-denPatch-1.1PvEPvPraidsRise-of-the-Rakghoulssci-fiStar-WaStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORvideovideosThu, 12 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's 1.1 patch adds anti-aliasing, level 50 Flashpoint]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/swtors-1-1-patch-adds-anti-aliasing-level-50-flashpoint/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/swtors-1-1-patch-adds-anti-aliasing-level-50-flashpoint/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/swtors-1-1-patch-adds-anti-aliasing-level-50-flashpoint/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Smuggler freighter, which has little to do with this article other than being cool
Star Wars: The Old Republic's next big update is live on the game's public test shard. BioWare says that the 1.1 patch is chock full of bug fixes and is "the first of many content updates" for the sci-fi MMO.

New stuff includes a level 50 Flashpoint (Kaon Under Siege) and four new bosses for Operation: Karagga's Palace. Also of note is an anti-aliasing option in the preferences menu and a correction for the problems plaguing Kira Carsen's affection conversations. The full patch notes are viewable on the official SWTOR website.

MassivelySWTOR's 1.1 patch adds anti-aliasing, level 50 Flashpoint originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.1-patchbiowarebug-fixesbugsea-biowareElectronic-Artsflashpointkaonkaon-under-siegekaraggas-palacekira-carsenoperation-karaggas-palacesci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 06 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Sensing the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/hyperspace-beacon-sensing-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/hyperspace-beacon-sensing-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/hyperspace-beacon-sensing-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

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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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexander-freedbiowarecontentea-biowareElectronic-Artsflashpointjames-ohlennew-contentoperationsci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 23 Dec 2011 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's guide to SWTOR's launch and beyond]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/massivelys-guide-to-swtors-launch-and-beyond/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/massivelys-guide-to-swtors-launch-and-beyond/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/massivelys-guide-to-swtors-launch-and-beyond/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Massively's SWTOR Launch Guide (Original graphic by Larry Everett)
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, we first heard mention of a new Star Wars MMO set in the popular Knights of the Old Republic era. Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare named it, and we've waited patiently impatiently through months years of hope and hype, fanboys and haters, and at least eight million articles about the fourth pillar of story.

This week, The Old Republic is the new hotness, and the Massively staffers are right there with you, champing at the bit to get in the head start already! But what if you're not an expert on Star Wars lore or TOR's gameplay? What if you don't know the first thing about purple lightsabers, astromechs, and the Kessel Run? What if you can't decide which class to play? When do you get a starship? Can you really romance your companions? How do flashpoints work? And why are there no bathrooms on Coruscant?!

Relax, young Padawan. Put your blast-shield down and let Massively be your guide... literally. We've rounded up a massive collection of helpful introductory guides for each of the eight classes, along with overviews of gameplay mechanics like companions, starships, flashpoints, warzones, and crafting. We've also curated the most illuminating lore essays from our regular SWTOR column, Hyperspace Beacon, in addition to our extensive hands-on previews from the last few years.

Take your first step into a larger world...

Continue reading Massively's guide to SWTOR's launch and beyond

MassivelyMassively's guide to SWTOR's launch and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classbiowareclassclassescompanionscraftingeaElectronic-Artsflashpointgameplayguideguidesheadstartlaunchlauncheslorelucasartsmilestonesnewbie-guidepreviewpreviewsroundupsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstarshipsswtorswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidethe-old-republictorwarzoneMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR lifts NDA and reveals Legacy system, new flashpoint, art book]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/star-wars-the-old-republic-lifts-nda-bothan-spies-spared-furth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/star-wars-the-old-republic-lifts-nda-bothan-spies-spared-furth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/star-wars-the-old-republic-lifts-nda-bothan-spies-spared-furth/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
Do you hear that? That's the sound of a million voices who were silenced suddenly freed to share their experiences with Star Wars: The Old Republic. That's because BioWare has officially lifted the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) allowing testers to talk about the game.

BioWare VP Greg Zeschuk posted the announcement just minutes ago on the forums:
As of now, the non-disclosure portion of our Game Testing Agreement is officially lifted. While all players must still accept the Game Testing Agreement, from this point on testers may now freely talk about their experiences this past weekend in the game, as well as post screenshots and gameplay videos of their testing experiences. We encourage you to come join us on the official Star Wars[TM]: The Old Republic[TM] Forums to share your experiences!

The Star Wars: The Old Republic community site will have a copy of this message on the forums and it will also appear in the Patcher. Players may not talk about nor reprint posts from our testing forums as they are still fully covered by the confidentiality portions of our Game Testing Agreement. And all players who want to participate in the upcoming Beta Test Weekends still have to accept all terms of the Game Testing Agreement. So, other than that, free feel to talk about and share your experiences in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
If all that wasn't exciting enough, the dev team also released articles covering the flashpoint Bringing Down the Hammer, the book, The Art and Making of The Old Republic, and the Legacy system, which allows for a family last name shared across characters.

MassivelySWTOR lifts NDA and reveals Legacy system, new flashpoint, art book originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-testingbiowarebringing-down-the-hammerea-biowareflashpointgame-testinggame-testing-agreementGreg-Zeschukndanon-disclosure-agreementstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-art-and-making-of-the-old-republicFri, 18 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR walks us through the Flashpoint 'Esseles']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/swtor-walks-us-through-the-flashpoint-esseles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/swtor-walks-us-through-the-flashpoint-esseles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/swtor-walks-us-through-the-flashpoint-esseles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BioWare and LucasArts have said since the first announcement of Star Wars: The Old Republic that choices will matter. No one witnessed that more than visitors to the BioWare booth at San Diego Comic-Con. These fans had to choose between saving the engineering crew or saving the bridge crew in the Flashpoint called The Esseles.

In this fast-paced instance, you and your party are trapped aboard the Republic cruiser called the Esseles. Like Darth Vader asking for the ambassador on board the Corellian Corvette at the beginning of A New Hope, the commander of an Imperial Star Destroyer in this Flashpoint is also seeking a Republic ambassador. The difference here is the Imperial forces haven't boarded yet. It is your job to hold them off.

After the break, catch the full 13-and-a-half-minute walkthrough narrated by Director of Production Dallas Dickinson, sans epic beard unfortunately.

Continue reading SWTOR walks us through the Flashpoint 'Esseles'

MassivelySWTOR walks us through the Flashpoint 'Esseles' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarechoicesdallas-dickinsondungeonEAElectronic-ArtsesselesflashpointinstanceLucasArtsrepublicsan-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2011sdccsdcc-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwalkthroughFri, 29 Jul 2011 13:00:00 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACadvanced-classesBioWarecompanionsdallas-dickinsonEAElectronic-Artsendgamefeaturedflashpointgeorg-zoellerHolly-FieldIlumjames-ohlenLucasArtsmountspet-classPvEPvPrich-vogelsan-diegosan-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2011sdccsdcc-2011Star-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorvehicleTue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Predictions for The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/the-perfect-ten-predictions-for-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/the-perfect-ten-predictions-for-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/the-perfect-ten-predictions-for-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm going to share with you a deep secret about the Massively staff: Pretty much all of us hate Larry. Oh, as a person he's likable enough, and he showers regularly, so no complaints there. He even saved the President's dog once and earned the Merit of Patriotic Pooches. Women swoon at his feet, and men occasionally throw their billfolds at him just so that he can afford to live the luxurious lifestyle that he obviously deserves.

No, we hate him for a different reason entirely. You see, Larry gets the privilege and honor of being the Star Wars: The Old Republic reporter in these here parts, which has earned him no end of envy from the rest of us. Whenever we're all talking about TOR, Shawn will come in the room and tell all of us to cut it out -- except Larry. "Larry, it's your job to talk about The Old Republic. Keep on truckin', pal! You're the best!"

And then Larry sticks his tongue out at us and makes pretend lightsaber noises for an hour or so while we grit our teeth.

But then I remembered: I have a top ten column! In which I can talk about anything! And if that subject so happened to be TOR, then for one glorious week I could actually talk about BioWare's upcoming MMO without fear of reprisal from upper management! So today is all about my predictions for The Old Republic. Nine of them will come true; one will not. Have fun guessing which one!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Predictions for The Old Republic

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Predictions for The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic was an obvious hit at PAX East. Fans stood in line for hours just to get a chance to touch one of the most anticipated games of this year and to catch a glimpse of Taral V, the first publicly shown Flashpoint. The excitement to be one of the first to get hands on SWTOR group content was palpable. Our contributing editors Larry Everett and Eliot Lefebvre scored that opportunity to play the game last Saturday. Read on as our intrepid reporters showcase their experiences in the Star Wars universe. Draw your blaster and ignite your lightsaber as we head to a galaxy far, far away...

Larry Everett: There are many things that can distract you from actually playing Star Wars: The Old Republic. Who wouldn't be distracted by the incredible layered scenery? I'd think the spot-on animations would make you want to attack more, although it is possible that you could attack the wrong target. Perhaps it was the vivid facial expressions that would cause someone to not make a dialogue choice. These have to be the reasons behind the fact that the Jedi Knight on our team completely failed to do his job in one of the most incredibly polished games and easy-to-slide-into games I have have ever played.

Continue reading PAX East 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Taral V

MassivelyPAX East 2011: Hands-on with SWTOR's Taral V originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredungeonEAElectronic-ArtsfeaturedFlashpointhands-oninstancejedi-knightlearn-to-tankLucasArtspaxpax-2011pax-eastpax-east-2011smugglerStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-hands-onthe-old-republictorWed, 16 Mar 2011 15:30:00 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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We all know BioWare is acclaimed for the presentation of its games. Single-player games like Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and DragonAge have a way of capturing a player and immersing him in the world. How many of you have ever wondered what it would be like to invite your friends along for a ride on a BioWare game, too? This could be the key reason BioWare decided to make Flashpoints in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Jesse Sky is a world designer at BioWare Austin. In the most resent developers blog for SWTOR, he details what it takes to build a Flashpoint. He explains that it's not all about getting to the next boss fight: "Fighting through legions of enemies is part of what makes the cooperative gameplay feel heroic, but we find it helps if your enemies do more than just stand around waiting to be attacked." According to Sky, many players have run dungeons that have them wondering why they are there, with no sense of purpose. "We want you to feel like you are the heroes in a Star Wars action sequence, but we also want to give you opportunities to roleplay with your friends." Sky indicates again that SWTOR's emphasis is not only making a great game but also making a great story.

Be sure to read the whole developers blog on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic website.

MassivelySWTOR dev builds mini-movies in Flashpoints originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareBioWare-has-got-storydeveloper-blogdeveloper-diarydungeondungeonseaElectronic-ArtsflashpointflashpointsinstanceinstancesJesse-SkyLucasArtsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorworld-designFri, 04 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[[Updated] SWTOR unveils the Taral V flashpoint]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/swtor-unveils-the-taral-v-flashpoint/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/swtor-unveils-the-taral-v-flashpoint/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/swtor-unveils-the-taral-v-flashpoint/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We've been told about Star Wars: The Old Republic flashpoints for over a year now, since the Developer Walkthrough, but no one outside of BioWare has seen, touched, or really known anything about them -- until today. Gamespot was lucky enough to land the first glimpse into one of the Republic flashpoints: Taral V.

This 90-minute story arc within SWTOR was summed up in a subsequent interview with Jesse Sky, World Designer for SWTOR. A powerful Jedi is being held prisoner inside a nebula, and only one specific computer can navigate the maelstrom. Sky highlights the flashpoint like so: "Your mission is to infiltrate the hidden Imperial fortress on Taral V and recover this computer. Success will mean that the Republic fleet can launch an assault on the prison where you can, perhaps, rescue the Jedi prisoner."

For more on the interview with Jesse Sky, you can run over to Gamespot or follow after the break right here on Massively for the full Taral V video.

[Update: The official SWTOR website has added a new section for Flashpoints including four other instances besides Taral V. We also updated the video so it does not have the three minutes of nothing at the end.]

Continue reading [Updated] SWTOR unveils the Taral V flashpoint

Massively[Updated] SWTOR unveils the Taral V flashpoint originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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