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[SWTOR wraps up expansion class changes with the Sith Inquisitor and Jedi Consular]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/swtor-wraps-up-expansion-class-changes-with-the-sith-inquisitor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/swtor-wraps-up-expansion-class-changes-with-the-sith-inquisitor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/swtor-wraps-up-expansion-class-changes-with-the-sith-inquisitor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR wraps up expansion class changes with the Sith Inquisitor and Jedi Consular
Star Wars: The Old Republic has finished up the last of eight dev diaries featuring changes to the game's classes following Rise of the Hutt Cartel's release. On the docket for today is the Sith Inquisitor and Jedi Consular, mirrored classes that have mirrored adjustments.

Both classes now have stronger heals (Dark Heal and Benevolence), cooldown-free shields (Static Barrier and Force Armor), and class-wide access to 10 seconds of faster casting and interrupt blocking (Polarity Shift and Mental Alacrity). Both classes also have been treated to a new skill, Force Barrier, which offers total protection for up to 10 seconds of channeling.

There are plenty of other detailed changes to the advanced classes and roles, so check these diaries out if you're in tune with the Force in a way that makes the rest of us jealous.

MassivelySWTOR wraps up expansion class changes with the Sith Inquisitor and Jedi Consular originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassclass-changesclassesdev-diaryeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-carteljedi-consularlucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fisith-inquisitorstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 19 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR reloads Bounty Hunters and Troopers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/swtor-reloads-bounty-hunters-and-troopers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/swtor-reloads-bounty-hunters-and-troopers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/18/swtor-reloads-bounty-hunters-and-troopers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR reloads Bounty Hunters and Troopers
The dev diary march to cover all of the changes to Star Wars: The Old Republic's classes continues, with today's twin postings focusing on the Bounty Hunter and Trooper.

Bounty Hunters should have an easier go at it now, as BioWare's handing out Hydraulic Overrides and Chaff Flares to everyone. The team also redesigned the Kolto Overload skill to give the class a huge bump to survivability when it activates. Over on the Trooper side of things, the team's brought the class' resource mechanic in line with the Trooper's Bounty Hunter counterpart. All Troopers now get Hold the Line and Diversion skills, as well as a more survival-happy Adrenaline Rush.

The smaller but still significant tweaks to the advanced classes are worth reading carefully if you play one of these classes, as there are plenty to note.

MassivelySWTOR reloads Bounty Hunters and Troopers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebounty-hunterclassclassesdev-diaryeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartellucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictortrooperThu, 18 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Why I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/hyperspace-beacon-why-i-dont-do-swtors-new-gsi-dailies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/hyperspace-beacon-why-i-dont-do-swtors-new-gsi-dailies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/hyperspace-beacon-why-i-dont-do-swtors-new-gsi-dailies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies
Nobody likes doing dailies. Dailies are a grind. Dailies are just something game designers use to keep players occupied until new content comes out. I've heard all those phrases before, and if dailies fall into one of those general categories, I don't do them. It is possible, however, that if doing dailies will help me acquire a significant reward (such as credits to buy that lightsaber hilt I've been eyeing), then I might overlook the grind to do the dailies anyway. But the key factor has to be time. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, time is your biggest investment. Despite what some players will tell you, there's a multitude of things to do at endgame. Unfortunately, a single player cannot do all of them all the time. You have to choose, and time to completion (or better yet, time to fun) weighs heavily in the decision-making process.

Let me help make one of those decisions for you: Don't do the GSI dailies.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Why I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Why I don't do SWTOR's new GSI dailies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredailieseaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playGalactic-Solutions-IndustriesGSIguidehutt-cartelhyperspace-beaconlucasartsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fiseeker-droidstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 16 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR brings Smugglers and Imperial Agents up to date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/swtor-brings-smugglers-and-imperial-agents-up-to-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/swtor-brings-smugglers-and-imperial-agents-up-to-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/swtor-brings-smugglers-and-imperial-agents-up-to-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR brings Smugglers and Imperial Agents up to date
With Rise of the Hutt Cartel finally open for business, the folks at BioWare are doing their best to educate players on the significant changes in Star Wars: The Old Republic's first expansion. Today sees not one but two class dev diaries itemizing the tweaks and upgrades to the Smuggler and the Imperial Agent.

As both classes mirror each other and use similar skills, the twin dev diaries cover mostly the same basic topics. Alacrity has been buffed to genuinely speed up attacks, DoTs are cheaper to throw down, shields now absorb any type of damage, and accuracy's importance has been raised when you're fighting elite and tougher mobs.

The diaries also cover changes to specific advanced classes and skill trees. BioWare says that it will be releasing similar diaries for the remaining six classes in the near future.

MassivelySWTOR brings Smugglers and Imperial Agents up to date originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassclassesdev-diarydeveloper-diaryeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartelimperial-agentlucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fismugglerstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 16 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: SWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/first-impressions-swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/first-impressions-swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/first-impressions-swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This image delivers exactly everything it promises.
How much of an expansion can you really get from one new planet and five new levels?

I've been subscribing to Star Wars: The Old Republic since launch day, so buying Rise of the Hutt Cartel wasn't exactly a difficult decision. I like the game, I'm pleased with it, and I'm going to pick up the expansion. But the pre-launch marketing for the expansion looked pretty sparse. A new planet was nice, and a level cap raise was great, but it seemed very low-key even for the price point. Ten bucks for one new area and more leveling felt thin.

After a week on Makeb, I can comfortably say that it was worth the price of entry. There have been a lot of changes made to the game with the expansion and its connected patch, and with only a handful of exceptions, those improvements make the game universally better. And it all starts with a reversal of the game's status quo.

Continue reading First Impressions: SWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel

MassivelyFirst Impressions: SWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfeaturedfirst-impressionsfree-to-playhands-onhutt-cartelimpressionslaunchlaunch-daylauncheslucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 15 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you grind for max level prior to a cap increase?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-daily-grind-do-you-grind-for-max-level-prior-to-a-cap-incre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-daily-grind-do-you-grind-for-max-level-prior-to-a-cap-incre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-daily-grind-do-you-grind-for-max-level-prior-to-a-cap-incre/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Boss fight with Risha
So Rise of the Hutt Cartel descended on Star Wars: The Old Republic last week, bringing with it some new content and five additional levels.

BioWare hosted a series of double XP weekends leading up to the expansion's early release, presumably to aid players in getting a few of their avatars to the level cap. I partook as much as I could, but I didn't quite make it as I'm still sitting at 48 on my Gunslinger. I'm not usually a grinder, but for some reason I found myself disappointed that I didn't hit the cap before it was raised.

What about you, Massively readers? Do you grind for max level when you know a cap increase is on the way, or do you just go about your normal business and enjoy the experience?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you grind for max level prior to a cap increase? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredaily-grindeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playgrindlevel-caplevelinglevelslucasartsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindthe-old-republictorMon, 15 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel is live on a server near you!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-is-live-on-a-server-near-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-is-live-on-a-server-near-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-is-live-on-a-server-near-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel is live on a server near you!
It's the moment that Star Wars: The Old Republic fans have been waiting for: The game's first "digital expansion," Rise of the Hutt Cartel, is officially up and running. It includes Makeb (made famous as the "gay planet"), a raised level cap (you can go all the way up to 55!), and a heaping helping of new storyline. Macrobinoculars and the new Seeker Droid will allow players to unlock new rewards and story-driven missions.

SWTOR subscribers can pick the expansion up for $9.99, while the general public will have to fork over $19.99.

Not sure if this expansion is for you? Check back with us tomorrow; Massively's Larry has been delivering beta impressions in his Hyperspace Beacon column, and Massively's Eliot will be sharing his thoughts on the new content tomorrow.

MassivelySWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel is live on a server near you! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR dev blog details new GSI faction
BioWare world designers Steven Chew and Michael Ammer want you to know about Galactic Solutions Industries (GSI), a new faction that debuts in Star Wars: The Old Republic's Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion. The firm is a weapons research and manufacturing conglomerate, and you'll find its mission terminals scattered across multiple planets.

When your GSI reputation level is high enough, you'll be able to purchase certain rewards from GSI headquarters on Nar Shaddaa's upper promenade. Full details are yours for the reading via the latest SWTOR dev blog.

MassivelySWTOR dev blog details new GSI faction originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfactionsfree-to-playgalactic-solutionsgrindlucasartsmichael-ammerrise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsteven-chewswtorswtor-reputationthe-old-republictorFri, 12 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's Shroud lifted [updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-shroud-lifted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-shroud-lifted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/hyperspace-beacon-swtors-shroud-lifted/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR's Shroud lifted
I've been covering Star Wars: The Old Republic for going on three years now. My first full-time MMO was Star Wars Galaxies, although I had played a bit of Ultima Online before that. I have also played nearly every major MMO after SWG's launch, ranging from World of Warcraft to Lord of the Rings Online to City of Heroes to DC Universe Online. Although all those games had aspects that I really enjoyed, I was not able to stick with any of those other MMOs for more than a month.

But when I first started playing SWTOR regularly during beta, it had me hooked. Sure, there were many aspects that I didn't like; some areas made me question the strength of the game as an MMO, but I continued to play. Some people would say that it's the lightsabers that have kept me there. I would agree the hiss and buzz of a laser sword is part of the appeal. I have played through many of the class stories to a high level, and I've also watched every class story multiple times on YouTube to catch all the endings. I have personally played through the Sith Warrior and the Sith Inquisitor story twice -- not just to level up but to watch the story again. Some of the dialogue is shaky, but in my opinion, there had never been this level of storytelling in an MMO before. And I will continue to play as long as there is still story to experience.

Today, BioWare launches the next chapter in the story of Star Wars: The Old Republic, Rise of the Hutt Cartel. The majority of the story takes place on the Hutt-controlled world of Makeb, but we have also been given two major quest that take us all over the galaxy. Today, I would like to talk about one of those: the Shroud.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's Shroud lifted [updated]

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR's Shroud lifted [updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playHall-Hoodhutt-cartelhyperspace-beaconlivestreamlucasartsopinionpreviewpreviewsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fishroudstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstreamstream-teamstreamingstreamteamswtorthe-old-republicthe-shroudtorTue, 09 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic looks at Makeb's movers and shakers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-makebs-movers-and-shakers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-makebs-movers-and-shakers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-looks-at-makebs-movers-and-shakers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In a galaxy far far away, all surveillance is done through very small blinds.
Star Wars: The Old Republic's expansion is sending players into a three-way warzone between the Empire, the Republic, and the Hutt Cartel. Winning that war will require getting the right friends and eliminating the right enemies. Whether you're an early order getting to jump in tomorrow or a player waiting until the official launch, you can benefit from a crash course on some persons of interest on Makeb, courtesy of Imperial Intelligence.

Considering the focus on the Hutt Cartel, it's unsurprising that two of the most prominent figures are Hutts -- Szajin and Toborro. Szajin bucks the usual Hutt trend of self-serving greed, modeling himself as a partisan for his people across the galaxy without concern for profit. Toborro, meanwhile, sits at the top of all operations on Makeb, setting himself as a personal lord for the Hutts to rally behind as the Cartel expands its influence. Check out the full intel rundown for more details on the Hutts as well as other persons of note.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic looks at Makeb's movers and shakers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pflavorfree-to-playhutt-cartelimportant-peoplelorelucasartsnpcsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 08 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic shows off some of the key parts of Makeb]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-the-old-republic-shows-off-some-of-the-key-parts-of-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-the-old-republic-shows-off-some-of-the-key-parts-of-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-the-old-republic-shows-off-some-of-the-key-parts-of-m/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It looks nice, like Alderaan with fewer insects and feuding nobles.
Players who pre-ordered Rise of the Hutt Cartel early enough are less than a week away from their first taste of Star Wars: The Old Republic's expansion content, and it's only 10 days for everyone else who purchased the expansion. That means it's time to start thinking about what conditions will be like on the surface of Makeb, something addressed in the latest development blog showing off the planet. Narrated by SIS agent Theron Shan, the entry outlines several landmarks and the environments to be expected there.

Several regions of the planet are already under the control of the Hutt Cartel, including a few spots that the Hutts have taken without having much use for at the moment. The capital city is especially fortified, prompting the use of small teams rather than a full strike force. But there are a few spots where the Republic can make an approach, spots players will doubtlessly be exploring as soon as the expansion launches and everyone can rush to the new planet.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic shows off some of the key parts of Makeb originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartellorelucasartsmakebmakeb-layoutpreviewrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorThu, 04 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic details Legacy Achievements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-details-legacy-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-details-legacy-achievements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/star-wars-the-old-republic-details-legacy-achievements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If there isn't an achievement for being a de facto tank as a Sentinel or Marauder, there should be.
Achievements aren't really a new addition to games any longer. Star Wars: The Old Republic isn't breaking the mold with their inclusion. What is different is the way that the game tracks achievements via your Legacy rather than individual characters, allowing all of your character accomplishments to work together. The latest development blog explains how the Legacy Achievements will work and what players can expect in terms of rewards for a life spent in the far reaches of the galaxy.

Progress on achievements is tracked across all of your characters, allowing you to complete part of the achievement on one character and the rest on another as needed. Veteran players will be happy to know that many of your existing accomplishments will be converted over to the new system, ensuring that you won't have to repeat your hard work. And the rewards for achievements include both titles and Cartel Coins, both of which should be quite enticing to players. For more details and a breakdown of the major categories, check out the full development blog.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic details Legacy Achievements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsbiowarecross-character-achievementseaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicshutt-cartellegacylegacy-achievementslucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 03 Apr 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Six reasons Rise of the Hutt Cartel makes SWTOR better]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/hyperspace-beacon-six-reasons-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-makes-swt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/hyperspace-beacon-six-reasons-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-makes-swt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/hyperspace-beacon-six-reasons-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-makes-swt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Six reasons Rise of the Hutt Cartel makes SWTOR better
I don't work for BioWare, and I definitely don't believe that Star Wars: The Old Republic is the greatest, most ambitious project in videogame history. However, I do believe that SWTOR is a great game, and its expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel only makes the game better. It's not because Makeb has waterfalls. (Sure, a concept artist said that, but did that really need to make it into the final promotional video?)

I think fans forget that Rise of the Hutt Cartel is not just Makeb. There are multiple additions to the core game, like new armor sets and questlines. Over the past month, I've had the opportunity to play through all of it. And for the first time in a long time, I can't wait to play through the single-player questline. Let me give you the highlights of my experience and what I believe are the best parts of RotHC.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Six reasons Rise of the Hutt Cartel makes SWTOR better

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Six reasons Rise of the Hutt Cartel makes SWTOR better originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhutt-cartelhyperspace-beaconlucasartsmakeboperationopinionraidrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorthe-old-republicthe-shroudtorTue, 02 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2013: James Ohlen on how F2P saved SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/gdc-2013-james-ohlen-on-how-f2p-saved-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/gdc-2013-james-ohlen-on-how-f2p-saved-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/gdc-2013-james-ohlen-on-how-f2p-saved-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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Massively Interview SWTOR's Jeff Hickman reveals more about the Cartel expansion
The Massively Bothan spy network is at it again; there are just too many unanswered questions about the new Star Wars: The Old Republic expansion. We know the primary focus of Rise of the Hutt Cartel is on the contested world of Makeb, but what about these rumors of additional content? Does this expansion have more to offer? We cornered Executive Producer Jeff Hickman and interrogated him until he spilled the beans. And since our IT-O droid was feeling frisky and our Bavo Six supply was ample, we asked Hickman a couple of question regarding the state of the game blog he posted on the SWTOR website as well.

Fortunately, he answered our questions before we were forced to test the firepower of the Massively battlestation on his home planet of Alderaan. Now we can reveal his answers to the whole galaxy.

Continue reading SWTOR's Jeff Hickman on the expansion and the state of the game

MassivelySWTOR's Jeff Hickman on the expansion and the state of the game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhutt-cartelinterviewinterviewsjeff-hickmanlucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorWed, 27 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: A wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/hyperspace-beacon-a-wretched-operation-of-scum-and-villainy-pa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/hyperspace-beacon-a-wretched-operation-of-scum-and-villainy-pa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/hyperspace-beacon-a-wretched-operation-of-scum-and-villainy-pa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon A wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 2
Thankfully, we can all stop wondering when the expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic is releasing and get down to the business of preparing our characters for the new content. Part of preparing for Rise of the Hutt Cartel is knowing what you're getting into when it comes to the new operation. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to run Scum and Villainy with Memories of Xendor, one of the top guilds in the game. You might remember these guys from my Hyperspace Beacon about the tools of the raid. This group created the real-time combat parser that my own guild and I use regularly.

Last week, I reported that the first three bosses were just the calm before the storm. That storm begins right away with the Operations Chief, thunders mightily with Olok, gusts onward with the Warlords, then reaches its pinnacle with Dreadmaster Styrak.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: A wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 2

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: A wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecartel-warlordsDreadmaster-Styrakeaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguideguideshyperspace-beaconlucasartsmemories-of-xendormoxolokoperationoperations-chiefopinionraidrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fiscum-and-villainystar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 26 Mar 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR dares you to face the Legions of Scum and Villiany]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/swtor-dares-you-to-face-the-legions-of-scum-and-villiany/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/swtor-dares-you-to-face-the-legions-of-scum-and-villiany/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/swtor-dares-you-to-face-the-legions-of-scum-and-villiany/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR dares you to face the Legions of Scum and Villiany
Mos Eisley isn't the only place where ne'er-do-wells congregate. Star Wars: The Old Republic says that there's another desert planet, Darvannis, that's also under the thumb of the Hutt Cartel and needs a little player intervention to thwart a gathering army. An operation dealing with this story will take place in the upcoming Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion.

Called Legions of Scum and Villiany, this operation will challenge level 55 players to infiltrate a Hutt town, smack down a few bosses, and figure out what's going on. A couple of interesting twists, including a stealth portion and a droid dealer, promise more angles than a straight-forward fight. The operation will come in both story and hard modes.

BioWare Senior Operations & Flashpoints Designer George Smith gives an overview of Legions of Scum and Villiany in a new dev blog along with the team's philosophy behind the high-level content. When you're done checking that out, don't forget to read our recent hands-on with the expansion and a deeper look at this operation in Hyperspace Beacon.

MassivelySWTOR dares you to face the Legions of Scum and Villiany originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A day with the SWTOR expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel
Last week, BioWare invited a crew of gaming journalists to Austin to experience the latest content for Star Wars: The Old Republic. While I couldn't personally make the trip, BioWare invited me to listen in on the presentation given by Executive Producer Jeff Hickman. The journalists in Austin paired up and began their journey on the Hutt-controlled planet of Makeb, while I, having already been testing Rise of the Hutt Cartel for a few weeks, began writing my impressions of what I saw on that planet.

Before I begin my report, I would like to lay down a couple of disclaimers. In order for me to tell the story behind Makeb, I will have to give some spoilers about the main game. If you haven't completed it, and you don't want to know how it ends, then you will not want to read the first section after the break. Secondly, if you are looking for Rise of the Hutt Cartel to fix all the issues and emotional setbacks you had with SWTOR in the first place, then you might be a little disappointed. However, if you loved the storytelling and overall gameplay of vanilla TOR, then you will absolutely love this expansion.

Continue reading Massively's hands-on with SWTOR expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel

MassivelyMassively's hands-on with SWTOR expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexander-freedbiowareeaelectronic-artsexpansionExpansionsf2pfeaturedfirst-impressionsfree-to-playhands-onimpressionsjeff-hickmanlucasartsopinionpreviewpreviewsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 25 Mar 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Hutt Cartel expansion launching April 14]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/swtor-hutt-cartel-expansion-launching-april-14/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/swtor-hutt-cartel-expansion-launching-april-14/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/swtor-hutt-cartel-expansion-launching-april-14/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

SWTOR expansion receives a launch date, producer gives us the deets
Many Bothans died to bring you this information: The first expansion for Star Wars: The Republic, Rise of the Hutt Cartel, will launch on April 14th, 2013.

Our spy network tells us that Makeb continues the player's personal story where it left off at the end of the base game. Whether you're a Jedi Knight who just finished an epic battle on the Imperial homeworld of Dromund Kaas or a Sith Lord who has taken her seat with the Dark Council, the next step is the Hutt-controlled planet of Makeb. For the longest time, the Hutts have remained neutral during the whole galactic conflict, yet recently, they have found new boldness.

Besides Makeb, RotHC brings with it a new level cap (up to 55), at least one brand-new ability for each class, multiple new questlines (on and off Makeb), new level-55 flashpoints, a new level-55 operation, and new gear. Additionally, if you pre-order before 7:00 p.m. EDT on April 13th, you will receive three exclusive in-game items: the title Scourge of the Hutts, a Makrin Seedling mini-pet, a Dr. Oggurobb Hutt holostatue.

We've also obtained a short video with Lead Writer Hall Hood and Lead Concept Artist Ryan Dening that you can view after the break.

Gallery: SWTOR Rise of the Hutt Cartel

Continue reading SWTOR's Hutt Cartel expansion launching April 14

MassivelySWTOR's Hutt Cartel expansion launching April 14 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR - Black Talon group
BioWare executive producer Jeff Hickman has penned a state-of-the-game post for Star Wars: The Old Republic. In it, he says that the firm's "new high-capacity servers are teeming with people." SWTOR has seen more than two million new accounts created since its free-to-play switcheroo, and Hickman also promises that the dev team's "eight-week new content cadence" will continue.

New features are coming, too, including a new avatar customization feature and the new Cathar species, not to mention the Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion.

MassivelyBioWare: SWTOR servers 'teeming with people' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecustomizationeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playjeff-hickmanlucasartsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstate-of-the-gameswtorswtor-customizationswtor-state-of-the-gamethe-old-republictorThu, 21 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR, a wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-a-wretched-operation-of-scum-and-villa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-a-wretched-operation-of-scum-and-villa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-a-wretched-operation-of-scum-and-villa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR a wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 1
Sometimes it's good to be me. When I mentioned that I had not had a chance to test out the latest operation in Star Wars: The Old Republic Rise of the Hutt Cartel on the public test server, one of my Twitch followers known as Jedi Consular put me in touch with the Memories of Xendor guild. You might remember that guild from my column about the tools of the raid. Its members made the real-time parser that I use all the time. MoX invited me to join a 16-man Scum and Villainy operation last Thursday. When we started the raid, I was shocked to find out that we were running hardmode. My groupmates told me they don't even run storymodes anymore. They skip right to the most difficult.

I want to give a big thank you to Tensa, Jedi Consular, and MoX guild for helping make this article possible. Because of this group of awesome gamers, I experienced the complete raid. From Dash'roode to Dread Master Styrak, we fought every boss.

SWTOR has expanded as a raiding game; each boss has its own merits and shows the game's growth from the previous raids. Read on to get my breakdown. However, I will warn you: There are major mechanics and story spoilers.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR, a wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 1

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR, a wretched operation of Scum and Villainy, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredash-roodedashroodeeaelectronic-artsendgameexpansionExpansionsf2pfeaturedFirst-Impressionsfree-to-playhyperspace-beaconimpressionsjedi-consularlucasartsmemories-of-xendorMOXoperationopinionpveraidraidingreviewrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fiscum-and-villainystar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortensathe-old-republicthrashertitan-6titan-sixtorTue, 19 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR panel at SXSW touches on Hutt expansion and other updates]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/swtor-panel-at-sxsw-touches-on-hutt-expansion-and-other-updates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/swtor-panel-at-sxsw-touches-on-hutt-expansion-and-other-updates/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/swtor-panel-at-sxsw-touches-on-hutt-expansion-and-other-updates/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR panel at SXSW touches on Hutt expansion and other updates
If you weren't able to make it to Austin to catch the Star Wars: The Old Republic panel at the SXSW Interactive Gaming Expo this past weekend, we've got you covered; here's a video of a good chunk of it so you don't have to miss out. Of course, we also understand that some of you might be pressed for time due to things like, oh, maybe work, so you can't kick back and watch it all at once right now. For those, we've got a synopsis of the highlights to tide you over.

The devs opened with a few words about the upcoming Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion. Sadly, no date announced, but they did mention the bonus items coming with each pre-order. Folks who spring for the expansion early (which is $10 cheaper for subscribers) will get a holostatue, a pet, and an exclusive title. The devs also emphasized the new content coming with the expansion, including gear, abilities, and two storylines on the new planet -- one for the Republic and one for the Empire.

During the audience Q&A session, the devs also revealed that the cartel market update expected today will offer a cartel pack with almost entirely new items instead of repeats. All of the items can also be sold via auction. There are more tidbits to be had in this video, so pull up a chair and watch the final 22 minutes of the panel after the break.

[Thanks to Jose for the tip!]

Continue reading SWTOR panel at SXSW touches on Hutt expansion and other updates

MassivelySWTOR panel at SXSW touches on Hutt expansion and other updates originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've found the inspiration for krogan helmets, everyone.
Here's how it goes in Star Wars: The Old Republic. There's a war taking place, which is more or less a constant event in the franchise. After several years of the Republic falling back and regrouping, it's finally pushing ahead. Unfortunately for both the Empire and the Republic, fighting a war for that long means using up a lot of resources... resources that can be found on the neutral planet of Makeb. The neutral planet that the Hutt Cartel has just invaded in a bid to become a galactic superpower.

The latest video from the SWTOR development team shares more story setup and design previews from the planet Makeb, centerpiece of the upcoming expansion Rise of the Hutt Cartel. If you're looking forward to cascading waterfalls or orbital elevators, you'll want to take a look at the full video just past the break, but if you're just in it for the story, there are a few more tantalizing glimpses in there as well.

[Update: BioWare has also just released a dev blog with some gorgeous concept art for the planet.]

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic shows off how to make Makeb [Updated]

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic shows off how to make Makeb [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecreativedigital-expansioneaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartellucasartsnew-areasnew-regionspreviewrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorvideovideosFri, 08 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic sets the stage for Makeb]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-sets-the-stage-for-makeb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-sets-the-stage-for-makeb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/star-wars-the-old-republic-sets-the-stage-for-makeb/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's just more of him to shoot.
The war between the Empire and the Republic in Star Wars: The Old Republic has been two-sided thus far. Sure, there have been some minor incursions by other powers, but it's fundamentally been a conflict between those two sides. Makeb in Rise of the Hutt Cartel represents a major departure from that dynamic, and the latest development blog focuses on the changing face of the galactic conflict. And it's more complex than just the addition of the Hutts.

The Hutts certainly play a major role, of course, but part of the reason for their presence is that the ongoing war makes open conflict seem more appealing to groups like the Hutt Cartel. Meanwhile, the Republic is finally in a position where it's not on the back foot compared to the Empire, meaning that the people in charge have to balance fighting the Hutts and maintaining the advantage. And amidst all of that, there's the planet Makeb itself, which is in the throes of severe ecological disaster. There's a lot going on in the expansion planet, enough to turn what seems like a two-sided conflict into a multi-faceted melee.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic sets the stage for Makeb originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareconflictdynamicseaelectronic-artsexpansionf2pfree-to-playhutt-cartellorelucasartsmakebrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorwarThu, 07 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/hyperspace-beacon-swtor-consolidates-comms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon SWTOR consolidates comms
Star Wars: The Old Republic's Rise of the Hutt Cartel hit the public test server last week, prompting a lot of players to rush to see the latest changes to this Star Wars MMORPG. Unfortunately, the majority of content slated to come out with this expansion has not been released publicly -- namely, the new planet of Makeb. Fortunately, we did get a sneak peek into the new gear progression as well as the Scum and Villainy operation.

Gear progression is a common subject for this column and with good reason. Although there is skill involved when playing SWTOR, gear is the great equalizer. As in many themepark MMOs, a player's gear greatly determines whether or not he can defeat specific instances or bosses. Because of this, how a player earns gear and which gear happens to be the best at any given moment becomes top priority when new content comes out. With an additional five levels being added with Rise of the Hutt Cartel, gear becomes especially important. Let's examine how everything breaks down.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: SWTOR consolidates comms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.0biowarecommendationsdailieseaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedflashpointsfree-to-playgearguidehyperspace-beaconlucasartsoperationsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorSWTOR-2.0the-old-republictorTue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare tweaking SWTOR commendations in new expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/bioware-tweaking-swtor-commendations-in-new-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/bioware-tweaking-swtor-commendations-in-new-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/bioware-tweaking-swtor-commendations-in-new-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR commendations window
Does your Star Wars: The Old Republic avatar have a bunch of unused Coruscant commendations in his currency window? The upcoming Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion seeks to rectify that by introducing a new commendation system which will bundle all of the previously planet-specific commendations into a single unit.

Darth Hater has some new details on this and other Game Update 2.0 currency tweaks, including new classic commendations which will replace the current Black Hole variant as the default entry-level gear currency.

MassivelyBioWare tweaking SWTOR commendations in new expansion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every time you see someone frothing in the comments, take a shot. Oh, dear, now you have alcohol poisoning.
We've known for a while that the first digital expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be releasing in the spring. Those waiting eagerly for Rise of the Hutt Cartel won't have too much longer to wait, it seems, as the expansion has been put up for testing on the game's public test server. This build includes gear, operations, and flashpoints for characters at the new level cap of 55, as well as the extra abilities and skills you'd expect from an extra five levels.

Notably not included is all of the content from Makeb that would allow players to actually reach level 55, which necessitates the addition of a special NPC to boost player levels and allow corresponding equipment unlocks. Still, if you're looking to take your main characters for a test drive in the post-expansion world, head over to the public test server and start seeing what changes with five more levels under your belt. And even if you'd rather wait for the release, this round of testing means the expansion can't be too far off.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic opens up test servers for patch 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsendgame-contentexpansionf2pfree-to-playgearhutt-cartellevel-caplevel-testinglucasartsnew-endgamenewspreviewrise-of-the-hutt-cartelrothcsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortest-phasetest-servertestingthe-old-republictorWed, 20 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Making a deal with the Hutts in SWTOR]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/hyperspace-beacon-making-a-deal-with-the-hutts-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/hyperspace-beacon-making-a-deal-with-the-hutts-in-swtor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/hyperspace-beacon-making-a-deal-with-the-hutts-in-swtor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hyperspace Beacon Dealing with the Hutts in SWTOR
Hutts. When you say that word to a layman, he probably thinks that you're talking about grass-topped houses, but if you say that word to the Star Wars fan, the image that springs to his mind is Jabba the Hutt. The giant green and yellow slug was mentioned all the way back in 1977 when Star Wars was first released. In fact, he was supposed to show up in that movie, but due to budget restraints, the special effects department couldn't mask over the late Declan Mulholland. The scene was later added back in for the special edition, but it really nullified the mystery of Jabba and made the Hutt appear to be more of a joke than the dangerous gangster that he should have been.

Hutts. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, Nem'ro is the central figure to both the Bounty Hunter and the Imperial Agent storylines for the first 10 levels. On the Republic side, you run into an overarching story on Nar Shaddaa involving Bareesh the Hutt and Republic Ambassador Averdon, one that pits you against warring criminal organizations. These gargantuan blobs are central to both the Republic and Imperial stories on Quesh and the endgame operation for Karagga's Palace. And now, the first SWTOR expansion will center around the Hutts and the planet of Makeb.

Hutts. Where did they come from? How did they come to power? Are they different in TOR than they are in the movies? Let's take a moment to explore these criminal overlords.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Making a deal with the Hutts in SWTOR

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Making a deal with the Hutts in SWTOR originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhuttballHuttshyperspace-beaconlorelucasartsopinionrise-of-the-hutt-cartelroleplayroleplayingsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryswtorswtor-expansionthe-old-republictorTue, 12 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare releases Makeb first-look video for SWTOR's upcoming expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/bioware-releases-makeb-first-look-video-for-swtors-upcoming-exp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/bioware-releases-makeb-first-look-video-for-swtors-upcoming-exp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/bioware-releases-makeb-first-look-video-for-swtors-upcoming-exp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Makeb group
BioWare has released a first-look video for Star Wars: The Old Republic's Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion. The clip takes us on a fly-through of Makeb, the new planet that features "new story-based missions pitting both Republic and Imperial forces against the nefarious Hutt Cartel."

The firm also wants you to know that you can pre-order the expansion and receive several in-game rewards. These include a "Scourge of the Hutts" title, a Dr. Oggurobb Hutt holostatue, and a creepy crawly Makrin Seedling minipet.

We've embedded the video for your viewing pleasure after the cut.

[Source: BioWare press release]

Continue reading BioWare releases Makeb first-look video for SWTOR's upcoming expansion

MassivelyBioWare releases Makeb first-look video for SWTOR's upcoming expansion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfirst-lookfree-to-playlucasartsmakebmakeb-first-lookrise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-trailerthe-old-republictortrailervideoWed, 23 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fox News discusses Star Wars: The Old Republic's gay expansion planet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/fox-news-discusses-star-wars-the-old-republics-gay-expansion-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/fox-news-discusses-star-wars-the-old-republics-gay-expansion-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/fox-news-discusses-star-wars-the-old-republics-gay-expansion-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's funnier when you realize that Hutts are hermaphrodites and thereby incapable of being homosexual or heterosexual.
Star Wars: The Old Republic fans already know that Makeb is the Planet of Gay, containing far more gay than even the fabled Gay Level on Coruscant. Or perhaps it's just the sight of the game's upcoming expansion, Rise of the Hutt Cartel, which will feature the first implementation of same-gender romances in the game. These romances will be limited to characters already on the planet rather than new or existing companions. This is not new information for most players. However, it's news to Fox News, whose take on the planet's status is... slightly different.

According to Fox News, Makeb will be the "gay planet" added in the expansion, likening the current limitation of this new content to segregation and noting that many players are opposed the inclusion of same-sex relationships in the game. There is no mention of the number of players requesting the feature, nor of the variety of (presumably) non-gay quests and content available on Makeb. In short, it's missing a number of nuances regarding the situation, something that might be good for a raised eyebrow or two from fans and detractors alike.

MassivelyFox News discusses Star Wars: The Old Republic's gay expansion planet originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecontroversyculturedetailsdialogueeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playhomosexualityhutt-cartellucasartsmakebnpcsrelationshipsrise-of-the-hutt-cartelromancesame-gender-romancesci-fisgrstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorMon, 14 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic confirms same-gender romance, more endgame content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/star-wars-the-old-republic-confirms-same-gender-romance-more-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/star-wars-the-old-republic-confirms-same-gender-romance-more-e/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/02/star-wars-the-old-republic-confirms-same-gender-romance-more-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars The Old Republic confirms samegender romance, promises more endgame content
Executive Producer Jeff Hickman is riding in the new year with a bold state of the game letter for Star Wars: The Old Republic. In it, he not only trumpets the benefits of free-to-play but addresses several pressing questions from the community and gives a few hints at Update 1.7 and the Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion.

Hickman says that F2P has done well by SWTOR, although he doesn't deliver specific numbers: "The game is incredibly healthy with an ever increasing number of players who are actively playing (the servers are rocking!)."

He also said that players will soon see changes to "a special PvP area," a lot more content for endgame customers, improvements to Ilum, and the ability to copy characters to the test server. Regarding PvP, Hickman indicated that pure open-world PvP will not be coming to the game any time soon.

Finally, the state of the game address confirms that same-gender romance will be added to SWTOR in the expansion, although it will initially be confined to interactions with NPCs and not companions. "I want to reveal today that we are adding SGR with some NPCs on Makeb and do intend on pursuing more SGR options in the future," Hickman said.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic confirms same-gender romance, more endgame content originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.7biowareeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playillumjeff-hickmanlucasartsopen-world-pvppvprise-of-the-hutt-cartelsame-gender-romancesame-gender-romance-arcssci-fisgrsgrastar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorupdate-1.7Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR dev talks expansion skills, planet, and gear]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/swtor-dev-talks-expansion-skills-planet-and-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/swtor-dev-talks-expansion-skills-planet-and-gear/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/swtor-dev-talks-expansion-skills-planet-and-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR dev talks expansion skills, planet, and gear
"Questions you have, hmm? Answers you seek? Go read a dev round-up, you will! Hmmm!" That's the advice that a certain green puppet told us after the Star Wars: The Old Republic: Rise of the Hutt Cartel announcement left a lot to be discovered. Fan site Darth Hater did its good deed of the day by hoovering up and redistributing important dev posts on the forums about the expansion about some of these missing details.

Senior Community Coordinator Allison Berryman addressed some of the most common questions, such as the viability of current endgame gear (answer: very viable) and how big this new planet will be. "To give you all a better idea of Makeb's scope," she said, "it's a planet of equal size to our larger planets and it contains a variety of areas -- sprawling mesas, underground caverns, garden estates, and more."

Berryman also says that character development is a big part of the expansion agenda: "As part of the new content, every skill tree will be expanding and you can expect significant updates. Players will earn a new skill point with each level, and new skills will be available in each skill tree. Additionally, a new active ability will be introduced for each advanced class."

MassivelySWTOR dev talks expansion skills, planet, and gear originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allison-Berrymanbiowaredev-roundupdev-trackereaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playlucasartsmakebq-and-arise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-expansionswtor-rise-of-the-hutt-cartelthe-old-republictorWed, 19 Dec 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion set for spring 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-expansion-set-for-spring-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-expansion-set-for-spring-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/swtors-rise-of-the-hutt-cartel-expansion-set-for-spring-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Rise of the Hutt Cartel
Ready for Star Wars: The Old Republic's first expansion? BioWare is prepping Rise of the Hutt Cartel for a Spring 2013 release according to the game's official website. The content will be available as a digital download for $19.99 (or $9.99 if you're a subscriber).

New features include the planet Makeb, a level-cap bump to 55, new story content with fully-voiced cinematics, and new gear, skill points, and abilities. BioWare is also gifting pre-order customers with five days of early access to all of the new stuff provided you place your order by January 7th. The company promises further details in the coming days.

MassivelySWTOR's Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion set for spring 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebreakingeaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playlucasartsmakebrise-of-the-hutt-cartelsci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-expansionswtor-rise-of-the-hutt-cartelthe-old-republictorTue, 18 Dec 2012 08:05:00 EST