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[Hyperspace Beacon: Force reflection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/hyperspace-beacon-force-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/hyperspace-beacon-force-reflection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/hyperspace-beacon-force-reflection/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecustomizable-shipsdelayEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgeorg-zoellerHK-47james-ohlenlaunch-delayLucasArtsoperationsopinionplanetplanetsraidRevanshipsshutdownspeculationStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsunsettingSWTORthe-old-republicTORTue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Top five SWTOR launch day secrets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/hyperspace-beacon-top-five-launch-day-secrets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/hyperspace-beacon-top-five-launch-day-secrets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/hyperspace-beacon-top-five-launch-day-secrets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hyperspce Beacon: Top 5 launch day secrets
It's official: The year's most highly anticipated MMO is no longer anticipated. As of today, Star Wars: The Old Republic has officially launched in both North America and Europe (and our Australian friends have had it shipped from the US). Despite some earlier issues about the time of delivery, everyone who pre-ordered can play on launch day thanks to the 48-hour grace period and the adjusted shipping date for most retailers. I guess that'll teach BioWare not to release so close to Christmas.

Now that you have the game in your hands, what do you do? Of course, you enter in the code to your SWTOR account, but I mean, what do you do once you get into the game? First, if you have absolutely no clue which direction to go, you should read a couple of the class introductions in Massively's giant SWTOR pre-launch guide. Once you've decided on a class, hop past the break as I give you my top five things you must watch out for very early on in the game -- things that will make your launch day experience just a bit more interesting.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Top five SWTOR launch day secrets

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Top five SWTOR launch day secrets originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AurebeshAverage-brown-wookieeBastila-ShanBioWarecodexDatacronsEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedgalactic-basichungry-eyesJaesa-WillsaamJedi-ExilejukeboxKnights-of-the-Old-RepublicLaunchlaunch-dayloreLucasArtsRevanRevanitessatele-shansith-warriorStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicSWTORthe-old-republicTORTue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Timeline]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/hyperspace-beacon-timeline/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/hyperspace-beacon-timeline/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/hyperspace-beacon-timeline/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon: Timeline
When I started the Holocron Files last week, it slipped my mind that I have been doing this column for a year and a half and that not everyone has been following every issue. When I wrote about the Pureblood Sith, it was really meant to be a refresher course, not a comprehensive chronicle. It's extremely difficult to capture the full history of a species in about a thousand words. That being said, I understand that not everyone has a perspective on the Star Wars timeline, especially the time leading up to Star Wars: The Old Republic.

I don't think it's any secret that BioWare stories are extremely deep, and Lead Writer Daniel Erickson has a nerdgasm every time someone interviews him about Star Wars history. The established history leading up to TOR will play a major role in the story that unfolds in the game, otherwise the development team would not have had the wherewithal to create the timeline videos for the website.

Following the break, I would like to set you up for future, more comprehensive articles about the Star Wars lore. Although this column is certainly not exclusively about lore, when I bring up another Holocron File, I want reader to have a decent understanding of when these events fall in Star Wars history. So rev up your time machine to 88 miles per hour! This Hyperspace Beacon is about to go back in time -- way back!

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Timeline

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Timeline originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdasAjunta-PallAleema-KetoBioWareCorelliacoruscantdaniel-ericksondromund-kaasEAElectronic-Artsexar-kunfeaturedFirst-Great-SchismFreedon-Naddgalactic-republicgreat-hyperspace-warhistoryHuttaHuttsInfinite-empireJedi-ExileKarness-MuurkorribanKrathloreLucasArtsMalakMandalor-the-ultimateMandalore-theFirstmandaloriannaga-sadownomi-sunriderOnderonord-mantellOssusrakataRevanSacking-of-CoruscantSatal-KetoSecond-Great-SchismSithStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-lore-guidethe-old-republicThird-Great-SchismtimelinetorTythonVultarXoXaanYavin-IVTue, 27 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare links SWTOR and KOTOR in a new novel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/bioware-links-swtor-and-kotor-in-a-new-novel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/bioware-links-swtor-and-kotor-in-a-new-novel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/bioware-links-swtor-and-kotor-in-a-new-novel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Just about everyone who has played Knights of the Old Republic wants to know what happened to Revan after the game was done. After all, he was the main character for 60-plus hours of gameplay. Who wouldn't be attached? BioWare announced today that those fans will get their wishes fulfilled. Drew Karpyshyn, a principal writer for Star Wars: The Old Republic and author of the Bane novels, has set his pen to another Star Wars book. This one simply titled after its primary protagonist: Revan.

In an interview on the official SWTOR website, Karpyshyn gives us a tease as to how this novel will relate to the new MMORPG.
I think the novel will give them a much better understanding of the Sith Emperor and the Empire, for one thing. The Old Republic Sith Empire is very different from what people know from the movies, or even from the Great Hyperspace War comics that focus on characters like Naga Sadow and Ludo Kressh.

The novel will also give them some very direct background and detailed information that ties in directly with key Flashpoints in the game. I can't say too much, of course, but like any great prequel the books will give you the details of what came before to add an extra layer of depth to the experiences in the game.
Although he does not mention an exact date for the book's release, we do know that it will come later this year. This reporter hopes that it is before the release of SWTOR.

MassivelyBioWare links SWTOR and KOTOR in a new novel originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebookdarth-revandel-reyDel-Rey-BooksDrew-KarpyshynEAElectronic-ArtsKnights-of-the-Old-RepublickotorLucasArtsnovelprequelRevanStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 22 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Always in motion is the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/hyperspace-beacon-always-in-motion-is-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/hyperspace-beacon-always-in-motion-is-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/hyperspace-beacon-always-in-motion-is-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Boot your navi-computer, angle your deflector shields, and prepare for the jump to lightspeed. This year will be the greatest year in the history of MMO gaming. I don't mean because Star Wars Galaxies is shutting down, because it's not, and that would be a sad year. I mean that the most anticipated game in the history of MMOs will be released this year. Star Wars: The Old Republic will make its way to our doors and our hearts this spring. (I cross my fingers, hoping for no delay, but I know it's probably inevitable.)

As the release nears, we will certainly see a plethora of updates and secret reveals. We had our share of SWTOR news last year, and as with every game, the hype-machine presses on with a fevered fervor towards its zenith. There is so much we know about this game already, yet at the same time, we know very little. We are really like a Miraluka on a Vong ship. (You get 500 fanboy points if you understand that reference.) We keep bumping into walls, but we don't really see the whole picture. Honestly, I question whether I want to know the whole picture before the game is released.

Let's tap into our Force foresight a bit today to see whether we can muster a few visions. Maybe we'll see a city in the clouds; maybe we'll see our friends being tortured. Maybe we'll find out we are really Revan! What will be revealed in 2011? Follow me after the break to find out!

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Always in motion is the future

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Always in motion is the future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareblaine-christinecustomizationEAElectronic-ArtsendgamefeaturedLucasArtsplanetplanetsPredictionsraidingRevanshipshipsspaceshipspaceshipsspeciesspeculationStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 04 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: More hidden messages]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/hyperspace-beacon-more-hidden-messages/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/hyperspace-beacon-more-hidden-messages/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/hyperspace-beacon-more-hidden-messages/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A little over a month ago, I mentioned there were hidden messages within the Star Wars: The Old Republic website. Site designer Alyssa Gobelle had some fun and riddled all the pages with Aurebesh phrases. This gives the site not only an interesting aesthetic but also a direct tie to the story being told. Gobelle said to The Holonet Project in an interview, "[W]e 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."

For those who aren't aware what Aurebesh is, I will explain briefly. Obviously, since Star Wars happens a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the language is not going to be the same as ours. The accepted history of the "language" starts in 1993 when a graphic designer for West End Games, Stephan Crane, wanted to add some extra flavor to the Star Wars Miniatures Battles Companion. So based on symbols seen in Dark Forces and monitor readouts from Return of the Jedi, he created one corresponding Aurebesh letter for every English letter. And the name Aurebesh, like the English word alphabet, is derived from the first two letters: Aurek and Besh. (Alphabet is from the Greek letters Alpha and Beta.)

This week we dive into the messages hidden within the Biography pages and into a bonus screenshot that may give us some insight into a PvP mechanic. Follow me after the break to help me unravel these mysteries.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: More hidden messages

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: More hidden messages originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alyssa-gobelleartusAurebeshBastila-Shanbiographybiography-pagesBioWareBowdaardark-forcesdarth-malgusdarth-revaneaElectronic-Artsfeaturedgalactic-basicgeneral-garzagrand-moff-kilranGreat-HuntGreat-Hunt-ChampionholonetHolonet-projectLucasArtsmandalore-the-lessermandalore-the-vindicatorNemro-the-HuttReturn-of-the-jediRevansatele-shanStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesStar-Wars-Miniatures-Battles-Companionstar-wars-the-old-republicstephan-craneswtorswtor-lore-guidet7-o1the-holonet-projectthe-old-republicTORVettewest-endwest-end-gamesTue, 28 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Lore of Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/the-lore-of-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/the-lore-of-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/the-lore-of-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The hotly anticipated MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) from BioWare has only just been announced, but they've already given us a clear picture of the game's setting and a bit of the lore as well. From what we can tell, you won't need to be a die-hard fan of Star Wars to appreciate the title, which is good news as there's a daunting amount of Star Wars canon out there. That said, it'll certainly help to have at least some grounding in what's going on in Star Wars: The Old Republic. To that end, Massively's put together a brief primer on the lore of SWTOR.

Who is this written for? People who've seen the films but may not necessarily have played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR) on PC or console, and especially those who haven't read the novels or various comic book lines released over the years. Read on, and we'll introduce you to the backdrop and factions of Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading The Lore of Star Wars: The Old Republic

MassivelyThe Lore of Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecoruscantdark-councildarth-vaderemperorempirefeaturedgalactic-republicjedijedi-counciljedi-orderjoystiqfeaturesknights-of-the-old-republickorribankotorlorenaga-sadowrepublicrevansci-fisithsith-empiresith-lordsith-lordsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortreaty-of-coruscanttythonWed, 22 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST