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: 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 1)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-the-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-the-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-star-of-the-galaxies-the-players/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I think we can put to bed the rumor that Star Wars Galaxies is dead on its feet, considering the avalanche of emails sent my way asking to be interviewed. Last week's history retrospective sparked a desire in many players to share their experiences and personal epics, and it was not uncommon to read emails longer than this column from players excited to reminisce. There's a lot of love for SWG, both out among MMO players and here in the Massively office (we have at least three confirmed SWG addicts on the team).

When I began this series, I thought that it would be dominated by NGE and nothing else, yet the responses I've read tend to focus on the positives of the title instead of that one ugly month. It might not have been the Star Wars experience everyone wanted, but if one looks hard enough, apparently there's something for everyone in SWG. Sam Schneider encapsulated many opinions perfectly with this: "Despite its problems, and what I believe people mostly remember it for (and I certainly do), the game did allow you do truly create your own Star Wars experience. You weren't Han Solo, you weren't Luke Skywalker, you weren't Leia -- you were YOU."

Unfortunately, I could only interview a small fraction of the people who wrote in, so I randomly chose a handful of players to represent the (mostly) pre-NGE crowd for this week, and a handful of (mostly) post-NGE gamers for next week's column. This week we're talking with Adam "Vayde" Mostel, Jaume "Tsotha Lanti" Sabater, Kate "Syena Runningrider" and Paris "Iweos" Wright.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: The players (part 1)

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Star of the Galaxies: The players (part 1) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cueverquestfeaturedhan-soloi-could-use-a-good-kissinterviewjedijump-to-lightspeednew-game-enhancementsngeretrospectiveroleplayingsandboxsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstormtrooperswgthe-game-archaeologisttwilekTue, 08 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New SWTOR video explores Trooper class development]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/new-swtor-video-explores-trooper-class-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/new-swtor-video-explores-trooper-class-development/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/new-swtor-video-explores-trooper-class-development/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


BioWare offers us a look into the development and philosophy behind the Trooper class for Star Wars: The Old Republic in their latest Developer Dispatch video. They explore the different looks a Trooper can sport, which is everything from Hoth stormtrooper inspired snow gear to the Rebel forces' reds, oranges and whites. Of course, there's plenty of fresh looks as well, for players desiring a less traditional look.

The video also goes into the animation of the Trooper and reveals a little of the motion capture sessions complete with prop miniguns. It's quite easily one of the most interesting videos to come out of the Star Wars: The Old Republic project, so we hope that BioWare sees fit to do the same for each of their classes in the coming months. You can find the full video after the break.

Continue reading New SWTOR video explores Trooper class development

MassivelyNew SWTOR video explores Trooper class development originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredeveloper-dispatcheaelectronic-artshothrebelsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicstormtrooperswtortrooperSat, 30 May 2009 09:00:00 EST