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[The Game Archaeologist salutes Asheron's Call's 12th anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-game-archaeologist-salutes-asherons-calls-12th-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-game-archaeologist-salutes-asherons-calls-12th-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-game-archaeologist-salutes-asherons-calls-12th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Asheron's Call
Turning 12 is a wake-up call for most people because they realize that next year they will officially be teenagers. We just hope that Turbine's ready for that when Asheron's Call breaks curfew, sasses back, and starts developing a romantic interest in other MMOs.

One of the privileges of writing The Game Archaeologist column here on Massively is that I get to watch over these classic MMOs as they marinate in maturity. Despite new titles being announced or released literally every day, these long-running games are the established old guard that have nothing to prove at this point. It's hard not to be a little in awe of that and gush at it.

So congratulations to Asheron's Call, one of the first batch of 3-D MMOs that hit the scene back in the late '90s, for reaching its 12th anniversary! How bizarre is it to think that Asheron's Call came out the same year that we were freaking out about Y2K, seeing how far George Lucas could fall with The Phantom Menace, and paying about $1.22 a gallon for gas in the U.S.? AC almost seems legendary when you realize how far back it stretches.

Join us as we sing the praises of Dereth and its citizens after the jump!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist salutes Asheron's Call's 12th anniversary

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist salutes Asheron's Call's 12th anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12th-anniversary1999acandy-cataldoanniversaryasherons-callderetheqeverquestfeaturedgeorge-lucasretrospectivespecial-editionstatisticstestimoniesthe-game-archaeologistthe-phantom-menacetrailerturbineturbine-entertainmentvideoThu, 03 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: We hope this never comes out of SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/hyperspace-beacon-we-hope-this-never-comes-out-of-swtor-but-kn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/hyperspace-beacon-we-hope-this-never-comes-out-of-swtor-but-kn/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/hyperspace-beacon-we-hope-this-never-comes-out-of-swtor-but-kn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: We hope this never comes out of SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will
When I started the Hyperspace Beacon, I didn't want every article to be a stoic look into the world of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Sometimes we need to kick back and have a little fun with the product that we love. We kind of earned it, right? Within the first couple months of articles, I examined the worst parts of the Star Wars games and movies and what is it that we hope to never see in TOR. That is when I wrote We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will. I speculated on not just what we didn't want to see in the game but how it would implemented.

This week, I visit WHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPW again and ask about merchandising. There have been some horrific ideas that came out of the Star Wars franchise, and I don't just mean the changes in the Blue-Ray release. I shared a couple of these on Google+ this weekend. The Princess Leia Pizza Pringles has to be the worst. I didn't believe it myself until I saw the photographic evidence.

We know that if SWTOR is hugely successful, Lucasfilm will certainly use that as an opportunity to capitalize on the game. Follow after the break for my leap into the world of TOR-vertizing. (OK, not everything works with TOR dropped in front of it.)

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: We hope this never comes out of SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: We hope this never comes out of SWTOR, but knowing our luck, it probably will originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-FleetBilly-Dee-WilliamsBioWaredarth-malgusEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgaloobgeorge-lucashope-trailerlando-calrissianLando-mustacheLucasArtsLucasFilmmicro-machinesmustachePrincess-Leia-Pizza-PringlesRepublic-TrooperscarsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortrooper-scarsWHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPWTue, 06 Sep 2011 18:00:00 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebounty-hunterchewiechuck-norriscompanionscraftingea-biowarefeaturedflashpointforce-usergeorge-lucasgreedohan-shot-firsthan-soloimperial-agentjabba-the-huttjawajawa-jedijedikashyyyklarrylarry-everettlightsaberlukemerit-of-patriotic-poochesrancor-pitreturn-of-the-jedisarlaccsmugglerstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictime-traveltortrooperunionswedge-antilleswookieeworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 07 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Holiday Special]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/hyperspace-beacon-holiday-special/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/hyperspace-beacon-holiday-special/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/hyperspace-beacon-holiday-special/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Ah, the holidays... As young Wookiees, we remember sipping steaming Hoth Chocolate and munching on freshly baked Wookiee-ookiees. You remember growling songs of freedom and peace around the wroshyr tree, right? You don't? Well, that's because you're human. Life Day, the Wookiee holiday, celebrates the diversity of life on the home world of Kashyyyk. Every three years, Wookiee families covet their sacred orbs and tell stories of those long dead and their hope for the young. It sounds like a wonderful and peaceful time for Wookiees every where. Well, you are wrong.

The Imperials of all eras despised Life Day, but none more than those under the rule of Emperor Palpatine during the Galactic Civil War. At the time, Wookiees were an enslaved race. Their home planet of Kashyyyk was strictly patrolled by Imperial soldiers, and most of the population was in forced labor camps. But still, every three years, Wookiees around the galaxy would make their way to their home world in order to celebrate.

Today, I want to take a look at a story that revolves around this holiday, the origins of the holiday, and of course, how this holiday may be celebrated in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Holiday Special

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Holiday Special originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareeaElectronic-Artsgeorge-lucasGyylghrardholiday-speciallife-dayLucasArtsSOEsonySony-Online-EntertainmentStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-holiday-specialstar-wars-the-old-republicthe-old-republictorwookieewookiee-life-dayTue, 14 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with SWTOR's next book: Deceived]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/hands-on-with-swtors-next-book-deceived/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/hands-on-with-swtors-next-book-deceived/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/hands-on-with-swtors-next-book-deceived/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Star Wars universe probably has the richest and most collaborative lore of any fictional world. Literally, thousands of artists and authors have taken George Lucas' creation and turned it into the books, movies, paintings, comic books, and video games we know today. Paul S. Kemp, an author and corporate lawyer from Michigan, added his name to that list with his first Star Wars book, Crosscurrent. On March 22nd, 2011, Kemp's second Star Wars book will hit the shelves. Deceived will also be the second book to deal directly with the lore leading up to LucasArts' and BioWare's MMORPG (maybe you've heard of it): Star Wars: The Old Republic.

The wildly popular Deceived trailer for SWTOR shows us how a Sith named Darth Malgus led the assault on the Jedi Temple during the Sacking of Coruscant. Darth Malgus and his Twi'lek companion rather quietly walk through the front doors of the temple to be surrounded immediately by Jedi who are rather uncertain about what to make of the situation until a stolen transport full of Sith warriors comes crashing through the main hall. A battle of light and dark ensues, which culminates with Maglus facing off with and killing Jedi Master Ven Zallow.

As with everything Star Wars, we only get a piece of the actual story with the trailer. This four minute trailer is the spark which eventually turns into the forest fire. Deceived tells the immediate and personal effects of this battle on Darth Malgus, his Twi'lek companion, a Smuggler, and a Jedi Knight.

The novel hardback will retail for $27 U.S. ($31 Canadian) when it releases, but Massively received an advanced copy of Deceived. Continue reading to scoop up our impressions of the latest in what looks to be a series of SWTOR-related novels. (Oh, there maybe a couple of spoilers to tease you in there, too.)

Continue reading Hands-on with SWTOR's next book: Deceived

MassivelyHands-on with SWTOR's next book: Deceived originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aryn-LeneerBioWarebook-reviewdarth-malgusdeceivedDelReyeaElectronic-Artsgeorge-lucashands-onJediloreLucasArtsnovelpaul-kempPaul-S-Kemprandom-houseSacking-of-CoruscantSithSmugglerStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorven-zallowZeerid-KorrMon, 13 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The BioWare schtick]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/hyperspace-beacon-the-bioware-schtick/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/hyperspace-beacon-the-bioware-schtick/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/hyperspace-beacon-the-bioware-schtick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm going to dote a little on BioWare for a bit. Specifically, I would like to dote on Knights of the Old Republic, the precursor to Star Wars: The Old Republic. I want to accentuate the positive up front here, because in a moment I will say things that may be construed as negative. However, they're not. I have complete respect for what BioWare has done and is doing.

KOTOR was built on an original gaming engine (the Odyssey Engine). This gaming engine was designed as a 3-D version of the Infinity Engine, which is video game engine specifically designed to emulate mechanics found in the Dungeons and Dragons pen and paper game. In 1998, Baldur's Gate (Infinity Engine) -- which was said, at the time, to be like Diablo but more story-driven -- won the Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Computer Game. KOTOR, using a 3-D version of the same engine, is not lacking in its awards. It won game of the year from the Game Developers Choice Awards, Computer Gaming World, IGN, GMR Magazine, PC Gamer, Xbox Magazine, and G4, among other awards too long to list here.

The point of this is to show BioWare's track record and to show that BioWare went so far as to build a story-making game from the ground up. Now, based on reports from Gamasutra, BioWare is using the HeroEngine for SWTOR, but that, obviously, does not mean there will be less focus on storytelling in the game.

But has BioWare's storytelling energy finally run out? Have the original ideas presented in KOTOR and Baldur's Gate diminished to monotony? Has BioWare become -- dare I say it -- predictable? If it has, is that a bad thing? Continue reading to explore these ideas.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The BioWare schtick

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The BioWare schtick originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A-Fire-in-the-Mindbaldurs-gateBioWaredaniel-ericksoneaElectronic-Artsfeaturedgameroitgeorge-lucashero-journeyIan-Miles-Cheongjoseph-campbellKnights-of-the-Old-RepublicKOTORLucasArtsStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-hero-with-a-thousand-facesthe-old-republictorTue, 07 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but, knowing our luck, it probably will]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/hyperspace-beacon-we-hope-this-never-makes-it-into-swtor-but/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/hyperspace-beacon-we-hope-this-never-makes-it-into-swtor-but/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/hyperspace-beacon-we-hope-this-never-makes-it-into-swtor-but/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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

In a world where speculation runs rampant, it seems everyone has his own ideas of what is going to be in Star Wars: The Old Republic. From swoop races to appearance tabs, we have heard them all, but, to be quite frank, it is very unlikely that most of these speculated items will ever make it into the final release of this highly anticipated game. Also, some of the ideas are so far removed from anything that would make sense in the game, that I have a hard time wrapping my wee-little brain around them. I won't name any here because I still want people to read the column, but if your friend's head twitches when you tell him your wicked-cool idea, then it probably will not make it in the game.

In this week's column, I want to go the other direction. Sometimes producers, writers, and game designers will pitch ideas that cause uncontrollable ticks for the listeners, but, for some unknown reason, the design launches anyway. Every once in a while, I would like to turn our attention to some of these kooky concepts in series I like to call: We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but, knowing our luck, it probably will -- or WHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPW, for short.

Click "Read more" to read about the first couple of things I am praying do not find their way into the game.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but, knowing our luck, it probably will

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: We hope this never makes it into SWTOR, but, knowing our luck, it probably will originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearance-tabawdrystra-pinaBioWareBioware-MMOchris-fieldDathomirDeath-troopersEAea-biowareElectronic-ArtsewokEwok-festival-of-loveewoksfeaturedgeorge-lucasGoraxgundarkhumorlife-dayLucasArtsmonty-pythonReturn-of-the-jedisean-dahlbergspeculationStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicSWGswoop-racesSWTORthe-old-republicTORtrooper-classVandarWHTNMIISWTORBKOLIPWwookiee-life-dayMon, 19 Jul 2010 10:00:00 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[The Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: The players (part 2)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-the-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-the-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-the-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Did you hear this wildly overplayed news story about Darth Vader lately? According to a group of French psychiatrists and psychologists who have way too much time on their hands and not enough free press coverage, they broke down Vader's personality and "discovered" that he had borderline personality disorder.

Pardon my meme, but O RLY? Sure, the guy killed kids, committed domestic abuse, went on an extreme power trip, betrayed his mentor, tortured one of his kids and tried to kill the other, choked any underling who failed him and struggled with sexual repression -- but thank goodness that we have professionals around to tell us the obvious. Now, if those psychiatrists can turn their attention to George Lucas and his making of Howard the Duck, we'd be making progress.

Anyway, continuing from my history retrospective of Star Wars Galaxies and last week's interview with the first batch of SWG vets, the Game Archaeologist now ventures into a subculture long believed to be extinct: post-NGE players who love the game. Join me in welcoming our newest expedition members: Bill "Flynne Cordova" Van Malsen, Alex "Danick Jett" Wiberg, Stephanie "Jao" Koehler and Earth Eternal's Andrew "Titas Lightdust" Sipotz. Never tell them the odds and they'll get you there safe every time.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: The players (part 2)

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: The players (part 2) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bio-engineercreature-handlercudarth-vaderdurnisentertainerfeaturedgeorge-lucasholy-grailhoward-the-duckinterviewjump-to-lightspeedkiller-bunnynew-game-enhancementsngeo-rlypvprodiansandboxsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiesswgtcgteras-kasithe-game-archaeologisttwilekwookieeyodaTue, 15 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[George Lucas involved with The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/george-lucas-involved-with-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/george-lucas-involved-with-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/george-lucas-involved-with-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This may not come as much of a surprise to Star Wars fans but according to BioWare's own Ray Muzyka, George Lucas is keeping an eye on Star Wars: The Old Republic. Of course, Lucas tends to keep an eye on generally everything LucasArts does, so this isn't so much a revelation as it is confirmation. Although it's important to point out that Muzyka has never personally shown anything to Lucas, not even that awesome CG trailer from E3, apparently.

We can't say we're too surprised, either. While Lucas may have never played World of Warcraft, he certainly must've felt a disturbance in the cash-flow force. With the potential of Star Wars: The Old Republic reaching new heights in the MMO industry, you can bet Lucas isn't the only one keeping an eye on things.

MassivelyGeorge Lucas involved with The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsgeorge-lucaslucasartsray-muzykastar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorFri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Fantasy, and not Science Fiction, Part Eleventy-Billion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/why-fantasy-and-not-science-fiction-part-eleventy-billion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/why-fantasy-and-not-science-fiction-part-eleventy-billion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/why-fantasy-and-not-science-fiction-part-eleventy-billion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

As my compadre Eli writes here, there is reasoning available that Fantasy MMOs have flourished due to there being a greater preponderance of Fantasy titles, in various media, upon which to draw inspiration to sustain an MMO. The lack of substantive Science Fiction titles of the time, therefore, leads to the correlating dearth of such MMOs. However, this argument only mentions in passing what I think is the more crucial element, which is this:

Fantasy titles are about the Hero's Journey, or the Epic. Science Fiction titles are about exploration of ideas. One of these story types makes for better adaptation to immersive gameplay. Guess which?

Now, I will back up a bit and acknowledge that as a blanket statement, what I said does not (and should not be considered to) cover every Fantasy or Science Fiction title everywhere. Clearly, Star Wars is the most well-known Epic SF story, but then again, Lucas based the plot almost entirely on Joseph Campbell's monomyth, which was itself formulated around the epic myths and stories of history. And perhaps one of the finest Fantasy titles ever written, John Crowley's Little, Big, uses Fantasy tropes to examine the idea of the complexity of human relationships, rather than one character's journey to overcome evil. But having made those concessions, let me make my case.

Continue reading Why Fantasy, and not Science Fiction, Part Eleventy-Billion

MassivelyWhy Fantasy, and not Science Fiction, Part Eleventy-Billion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blade-runnercyberpunkepiceve-onlineextrapolativefantasygeorge-lucasheros-journeyjohn-crowleyjohnny-mnemonicjoseph-campbelllittle-bigmax-headroommonomythneocron-onlinescience-fictionspace-operastarship-troopersstrange-daystabula-rasathe-matrixthe-terminatorworld-of-warcraftWed, 23 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Witness the power of this fully armed and operational SWG update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/witness-the-power-of-this-fully-armed-and-operational-swg-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/witness-the-power-of-this-fully-armed-and-operational-swg-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/witness-the-power-of-this-fully-armed-and-operational-swg-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Despite its rocky past, Star Wars Galaxies still has a solid base of players who crave new content. To meet the demand, SOE has been releasing major updates every couple of months. It's been a longer wait than usual since the last Chapter, which went live way back in May.

Now Chapter 7 has finally hit the streets. Is it worth the delay? Read the release notes and come to your own conclusions. The quick of it is: new epic encounter instances, a new town where high-level players can congregate in preparation for said encounters, and over 90 "collections" for the patient, OCD gamer.

Oh, and RPG Vault's Jonric interviewed LucasArts Associate Producer Tim Temmerman about the update yesterday; be sure and glance over that for some more insight. Of course, if you're a Star Wars Galaxies player you can just log in and play the thing yourself.

MassivelyWitness the power of this fully armed and operational SWG update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auriliachapterchapter-7collectionsepicepic-encountersgeorge-lucasjonriclucasartspatchrpg-vaultrpgvaultsoestar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesswgtim-temmermanFri, 02 Nov 2007 14:47:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasArts, BioWare announce the KotOR MMO ... maybe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/lucasarts-bioware-announce-the-kotor-mmo-maybe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/lucasarts-bioware-announce-the-kotor-mmo-maybe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/lucasarts-bioware-announce-the-kotor-mmo-maybe/#commentsFiled under: ,

So far rumors that BioWare's super-secretive MMO project is a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic MMO have been subtle but nevertheless hard to ignore; it's almost as if we've felt a disturbance in the Force. There's been an anonymous leak here, a clue there, but we've not yet heard anything in official channels about BioWare's Star Wars plans ... until now (maybe).

LucasArts and BioWare jointly posted a press release that says the two companies are sharing both development and publishing duties on a new project, with details to be unveiled "at a later date." The spin is that the game "will deliver an experience that will span the traditional boundaries of video game entertainment." Whatever that means. There's no way to be certain, but this might be the KotOR MMO. We're not the only ones who are suspicious about it.

If it is, then we may have learned something exciting about the project. Each company's president provided a blurb quote emphasizing storytelling in games. If this mystery title is the KotOR MMO and not KotOR 3 , then it's clear that both companies want to adapt BioWare's proven expertise in character-driven storytelling to massively multiplayer gaming. That would be notable change of pace compared to most recent MMO titles. Of course we wouldn't expect anything less from BioWare, but it's an exciting clue nonetheless.

[Via Joystiq]

MassivelyLucasArts, BioWare announce the KotOR MMO ... maybe originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austinbiowaregeorge-lucaskotorkotor-3kotor-mmolucasartssecretspeculationstar-warstop-secretTue, 30 Oct 2007 15:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Bioware and the KotOR MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/bioware-and-the-kotor-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/bioware-and-the-kotor-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/bioware-and-the-kotor-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Primo has just confirmed some juicy news about the Bioware Star Wars MMO project we have been hearing rumors about. Well, if you've perhaps been living under a rock, let me summarize: people have been talking about the possibility of Bioware working in conjunction with Lucas Arts to build an MMO set in the Star Wars universe that isn't, you know Star Wars Galaxies. I'm here to tell you that we now know this game will be based on the incredibly popular Knights of the Old Republic.

Now, despite my firm belief that George Lucas is a hack of a writer, he has some brilliance when it comes to world building and the marketing of those created worlds. To that end, I admit that this non-Star Wars fan is kinda excited about this news. It remains to be seen if the new Star Wars MMO will suck less than the current iteration of SWG. But then again, it is Bioware we are talking about, and that bodes all kind of well for this project.

MassivelyBioware and the KotOR MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaregeorge-lucasknights-of-the-old-republicKOTORlucasartsstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesSWGMon, 22 Oct 2007 09:01:00 EST