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[League of Legends turns two this Thursday, celebrations planned]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/league-of-legends-turns-two-this-thursday-celebrations-planned/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/league-of-legends-turns-two-this-thursday-celebrations-planned/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/league-of-legends-turns-two-this-thursday-celebrations-planned/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

League of Legends title image
The relatively new MOBA genre has seen a massive surge in popularity over the last few years, due mainly to the popularity of DotA remakes like League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth. It's hard to believe it, but League of Legends is already almost two years old. The free-to-play giant celebrates its second birthday this Thursday the 27th of October, and the developers at Riot Games aim to make sure the day goes down in players' memories. Celebrations have been planned for the big day, but Riot is keeping the details a secret until the day. Players are urged to keep an eye on the LoL website on Thursday.

To help celebrate reaching the two year mark, Riot has released an interactive development timeline page showing the game's development from launch day all the way up to last week's Graves patch. The timeline shows when each of LoL's champions was implemented, as well as major developments like the Twisted Treeline 3v3 map, the player-mediated banning tribunal and the recent release of the Dominion game mode.

MassivelyLeague of Legends turns two this Thursday, celebrations planned originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birthdaydevelopmentleague-of-legendslolmobanewsriot-gamestimelinetwo-year-anniversarytwo-yearstwo-years-oldSun, 23 Oct 2011 14:00:00 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[SWTOR timeline gives us greater clues to the Sith emperor's identity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/swtor-timeline-gives-us-greater-clues-to-the-sith-emperors-iden/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/swtor-timeline-gives-us-greater-clues-to-the-sith-emperors-iden/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/swtor-timeline-gives-us-greater-clues-to-the-sith-emperors-iden/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Star Wars: The Old Republic has engaged its fans with intriguing videos regarding the history leading up to the Sacking of Coruscant. Master Gnost-Dural was tasked with determining the roots of the Sith evil in an attempt to accurately depict the history of the Republic. Who knew that a couple of Republic adventurers would ultimately spark the fire that would erupt into the flames of war, generations later? The Great Hyperspace War would birth the conflict that propels the events in SWTOR.

BioWare interweaves the known lore of this first war between the Sith and the Republic and relates it to the events of the Star Wars MMORPG. The storyteller in the timeline video mentions that the emperor at the end of the Hyperspace War is the same emperor we will face in the game. However, we know Naga Sadow was exiled to Yavin IV and Ludo Kressh was buried in the Valley of the Dark Lords. So who controls the puppet strings of the galaxy's most nefarious overlords?

Perhaps you can answer these and many more questions by watching the video after the cut.

Continue reading SWTOR timeline gives us greater clues to the Sith emperor's identity

MassivelySWTOR timeline gives us greater clues to the Sith emperor's identity originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareeaElectronic-Artsgnost-duralgreat-hyperspace-warhyperspace-warLucasArtsludo-kresshnaga-sadowstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictimelinetorvideoFri, 11 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gnost-Dural discovers the origin of the SWTOR Sith Empire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/gnost-dural-discovers-the-origin-of-the-swtor-sith-empire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/gnost-dural-discovers-the-origin-of-the-swtor-sith-empire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/gnost-dural-discovers-the-origin-of-the-swtor-sith-empire/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


BioWare continues to tease its fans with new and exciting lore entries for Star Wars: The Old Republic. This week, we get a huge glimpse into how the Sith Empire was able to rebuild itself on the jungle world of Dromund Kaas.

When the Sith Emperor's fleet fled Korriban following the Hyperspace War, one human stood out from the rest. His name was Odile Vaiken. This man, who was not a Force wielder, made his mark as an organizer and great military leader. Vaiken eventually became the new Sith Empire's first Grand Moff, and he eventually built what is now the great Imperial Military.

In the most recent entry in the Master Gnost-Dural timeline, Dural follows the Sith history from the time of exile on Dromund Kaas to the building of the Sith fleet. From the carving out of the jungles of Dromund Kaas to the training of Imperial Army, Vaiken was in the center of it all. Vaiken became the highest standard for all common Imperial citizens, proving that even non-Force users have a vital role in the ever growing Sith Empire.

Follow after the cut to see the rebirth of SWTOR's Sith Empire.

Continue reading Gnost-Dural discovers the origin of the SWTOR Sith Empire

MassivelyGnost-Dural discovers the origin of the SWTOR Sith Empire originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareeaElectronic-Artsgnost-duralLucasArtssith-empireStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictimelinetorvaikenvideoFri, 10 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Will our journey take us back to The Hobbit?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-will-our-journey-take-us-back-to-the-hobbit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-will-our-journey-take-us-back-to-the-hobbit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-will-our-journey-take-us-back-to-the-hobbit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The next few years promise to be exciting ones for fans of Middle-earth. Ever since The Return of the King debuted in theaters in 2003, audiences have clamored for more of Tolkien on the big screen -- specifically, The Hobbit. After nearly a decade of back-and-forth negotiating and legal entanglements, it appears that this The Hobbit movies are finally going to happen, with Sir Peter Jackson once again in the director's chair and Martin Freeman taking on the lead role as Bilbo.

That's smashing news for movie buffs, but what does this have to do with Lord of the Rings Online -- y'know, that MMO we sometimes talk about in this column? It could be "very little," with Turbine proceeding on its merry way and perhaps enjoying the free boost to playership as movie buffs hunt around for a game to extend the experience. However, if the company were smart, it would be laying out the groundwork right now to synergize the heck out of the movie with a similar in-game experience.

For a while now, I've been chewing on the notion that Turbine could incorporate the events, locations and characters of The Hobbit into LotRO -- in fact, several of the key pieces are already in place. Could our journey in LotRO eventually take us back to the era of Bilbo's grand adventure? How would such a thing even work?

Hit the jump and I will smack your brain so hard with ideas that you'll forget all of your piano lessons. It's OK -- you didn't really need them.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Will our journey take us back to The Hobbit?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Will our journey take us back to The Hobbit? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>back-to-the-futurebattle-of-the-five-armiesbilbobilbo-bagginschrono-triggerdwalinenedwaithf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgloingoblin-townhobbithobbit-playlonely-mountainlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromartin-freemanmcflymiddle-earthmirkwoodmisty-mountainspeter-jacksonreturn-of-the-kingrhovanionrhunrivendellsession-playsmaugthe-greatest-little-hobbit-of-them-allthe-hobbitthe-return-of-the-kingthe-simarilliontime-traveltimelinetolkientolkien-enterprisestrollshawsturbineTurbine-EntertainmentFri, 12 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sith ancients support Exar Kun, not the SWTOR Emperor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/sith-ancients-support-exar-kun-not-the-swotr-emperor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/sith-ancients-support-exar-kun-not-the-swotr-emperor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/sith-ancients-support-exar-kun-not-the-swotr-emperor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We just learned some breaking news from the archive of Jedi Master Gnost-Dural. For those who do not know, Master Gnost-Dural has been researching and reporting on the the threat of the Sith Empire on The Old Republic. His hopes are to understand the Empire so that one day the Republic might defeat them and save the galaxy.

In his latest report, Master Gnost-Dural discovered the secrets behind Exar Kun and his empire. Kun was indoctrinated by the spirit of Freedon Nadd, was trained by the ghosts of ancient Sith, and was named lord of the Massassi warriors. He was powerful enough to bring the Krath to his service and destroy the Jedi archive at Ossus. However, this Sith marvel had no connection to the current Empire threatening the Republic.

Master Gnost-Dural is under the impression that the Emperor does not have the blessings of the Sith ancients and is in fact working against them. If you recall in one of his earlier reports, a Sith agent trespassed on the tomb of Naga Sadow, and the ancient Sith Lord's spirit attacked the agent. Perhaps this is the Empire's weakness. More research is required.

View the full report after the break.

Continue reading Sith ancients support Exar Kun, not the SWTOR Emperor

MassivelySith ancients support Exar Kun, not the SWTOR Emperor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaElectronic-Artsexar-kungnost-duralLucasArtsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictimelinetortrailervideoFri, 15 Oct 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online's producer: "In hindsight, it was pretty darn risky"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/star-trek-onlines-producer-in-hindsight-it-was-pretty-darn-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/star-trek-onlines-producer-in-hindsight-it-was-pretty-darn-r/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/star-trek-onlines-producer-in-hindsight-it-was-pretty-darn-r/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Trek Online hit some pretty major windfalls, even disregarding the fact that it's built on a popular intellectual property with legions of dedicated fans. It launched during a timeframe when there were no other major releases scheduled, came out not too long after a very popular movie in the franchise, and caught a lot of exposure with its open beta. And as executive producer Craig Zinkievich points out in a new interview, the entire operation relied not just on hard work, but also on luck.

The full interview confirms that the whole game had a two-year development cycle -- an astonishingly short turnaround for a game starting, essentially, from nothing -- and details the scope of problems that the staff had to deal with. The game included a number of major departures from expected norms, up to and including divorcing the player from their avatar to a greater extent than normal and creating two different combat systems with just one team on the assignment.

Whether or not you're happy with the end result is a matter of personal opinion, but Zinkievich is quite pleased with what the team produced operating under their several constraints. He also details some of the planned enhancements for Star Trek Online in the near future, which promises to be a bit less risky and a bit more straightforward.

[Thanks to Randomessa for the tip!]

MassivelyStar Trek Online's producer: "In hindsight, it was pretty darn risky" originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-Zinkievichcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdevelopmentdevelopment-timeframest-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotimelinetrek-onlineThu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's State of the Game: Upcoming additions and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/fallen-earths-state-of-the-game-reveals-upcoming-additions-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/fallen-earths-state-of-the-game-reveals-upcoming-additions-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/fallen-earths-state-of-the-game-reveals-upcoming-additions-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When it comes to transparency regarding patches, Fallen Earth might have just won that category in spades. The latest State of the Game article on their site is more than just an overview of the direction they want to take the game in, it's a patch by patch listing of the features that the development team will be bringing to the table.

Patch 1.3 will be expanding the game with the introduction of Kaibab Forest and Deadfall Point, as players will run a brand new plotline to push back the radiation zone and find more secrets hidden in the wasteland. The new areas come with a brand new level added to the cap, so all of that experience gained from the new area won't go to waste.

Continue reading Fallen Earth's State of the Game: Upcoming additions and more

MassivelyFallen Earth's State of the Game: Upcoming additions and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsanimationsclansdeadfalldeadfall-pointdeath-tollfallen-earthgraphicskaibab-forestpatchpvpradiationrespecstate-of-the-gametimelineupdatesveteran-rewardswastelandThu, 28 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How well is the game aging?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/the-daily-grind-how-well-is-the-game-aging/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/the-daily-grind-how-well-is-the-game-aging/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/the-daily-grind-how-well-is-the-game-aging/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MMOs have a long lifespan, more often than not. Games that have lasted past a year will usually be around for many more besides, part of the reason why 2009's aggressive rate of death was so surprising. EverQuest and Ultima Online, both considered the twin pillars which started the modern MMO genre proper, are both alive and well several years later. While they're not perpetual, they're also fairly robust in their lifespans.

Of course, just because the game isn't dead doesn't mean it's not on life support. Anyone who has played during Final Fantasy XI's glory days will be quick to point out how much more empty the game has gotten in recent years. Graphics advance, and minor improvements seem increasingly minor as time goes by -- City of Heroes is due for an upgrade with its next expansion, but that will only put a new coat of paint on an engine that is several years old now.

How well is your favorite game aging? Does it still look pretty good despite its age, or is it showing definite signs of how long the whole thing has been running? Is it a minor hiccup, or does it make things much less enjoyable, even to the point of being unplayable?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How well is the game aging? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agingcity-of-heroescoheqeverquestffxifinal-fantasy-xigraphicslifespanmmo-lifespanold-gamestimelineultima-onlineuoMon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online lore: 2379 to 2384]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/star-trek-online-lore-2379-to-2384/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/star-trek-online-lore-2379-to-2384/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/star-trek-online-lore-2379-to-2384/#commentsFiled under:

It's rare for an MMO to bring with it a history as rich and generational as Star Trek. The Trek universe is as deep and rich with lore as Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, and just like both those titles the lore has been passed down from parent to child over generations now. This leaves any game which attempts to encapsulate that lore in a precarious situation of both having to remain close to the canon, yet leaving enough creative room for the player to feel like they're making a true difference in the universe.

And while we have yet to see if Star Trek Online lives up to the second part of that criteria, we can take a look at how they are moving the lore forward and dealing with the canocial events of past Trek incarnations. The main conduit for this lesson in lore has been through the sporadic postings of The Path to 2409 on the official STO website. However, there's a lot of information there and it's quite easy to get lost in it all.

So, let's take a look at the Star Trek Online timeline Cryptic has released thus far. To begin with, we'll go over the years 2379 through 2384.

Continue reading Star Trek Online lore: 2379 to 2384

MassivelyStar Trek Online lore: 2379 to 2384 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-timelinebajorcardassiancrypticcryptic-studiosfeaturedfederationjj-abramsklingonremanromulanspockstar-trekstar-trek-moviestar-trek-onlinestar-trek-timelinestark-trek-moviestosto-featuredsto-timelinetimelinevulcanTue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic timeline video chronicles heroic last stand at The Battle of Bothawui]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/the-old-republic-timeline-video-chronicles-heroic-last-stand-at/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/the-old-republic-timeline-video-chronicles-heroic-last-stand-at/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/the-old-republic-timeline-video-chronicles-heroic-last-stand-at/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the things we like about the lead up to the Star Wars: The Old Republic launch is BioWare's series of timeline videos that explains the political and military background of the upcoming MMO. The fifth holorecord from the Jedi Archive is The Battle of Bothawui which recounts a major Republic victory against the Sith. It also chronicles the last stand of a heroic group of Jedi knights and Republic troopers, who became martyrs in the struggle against the Sith Empire.

If you're following along with the lore of Star Wars: The Old Republic you'll want to watch "The Battle of Bothawui" on the game's official site.

MassivelyThe Old Republic timeline video chronicles heroic last stand at The Battle of Bothawui originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorybiowareholorecordjedilance-henriksenlorenew-titlessci-fisithstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictimelinevideoFri, 23 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sling your phasers in STO's first timeline video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/sling-your-phasers-in-stos-first-timeline-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/sling-your-phasers-in-stos-first-timeline-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/sling-your-phasers-in-stos-first-timeline-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You're gonna get two things with this new Star Trek Online timeline video: Lots of in-game footage and plenty of lore at the same time. The footage is 100% ships blowing the ablative plating off each other, and for those hardcore Trekkies out there wondering why the Klingon Empire and Federation are blowing each other up, we've got one word for you: war.

Now of course, you're probably wondering why there's a war going on in the game -- which is set 30 years after Star Trek: The Next Generation's final movie, Nemesis. Well, you'll really need to watch the video for that. Said video -- full of awesome space battles -- can be found after the break.

Continue reading Sling your phasers in STO's first timeline video

MassivelySling your phasers in STO's first timeline video originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricombatcrypticcryptic-studiosfederationgamestopklingonlorestar-trekstar-trek-onlinestotimelinevideoWed, 14 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's patch plans laid out]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/age-of-conans-patch-plans-laid-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/age-of-conans-patch-plans-laid-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/age-of-conans-patch-plans-laid-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Timelines are always subject to change, but it's still nice to know them, right? Age of Conan's patching timeline was just laid out by community manager Oliver "Tarib" Kunz in an informal manner on the forums.

Patch 1.05.6 is currently on the test server, and it will be staying there for about another 2 weeks before it makes its way to the live servers, barring any unforseen testing mishaps, of course. That's the patch that has the new Iron Tower instance and the veteran rewards system.

Once 1.05.6 is out on the live servers, patch 1.06 will be pushed onto the test server. Patch 1.06 is the big one, featuring new tier three dungeons, the House of Crom "social dungeon" where multiple teams of players will work to overcome unknown obstacles, guild renown, and tower PvP. 1.06 will be added slowly to the patch server, however, focusing on the bigger updates like guild renown and tier three dungeons before moving on to the other features of the patch.

MassivelyAge of Conan's patch plans laid out originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocconanfuncomiron-towerpatchpatch-1.05.6patch-1.06taribtimelineveteran-rewardsFri, 02 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mandalorians smack down the Jedi in SWTOR's new timeline update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/mandalorians-smack-down-the-jedi-in-swtors-new-timeline-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/mandalorians-smack-down-the-jedi-in-swtors-new-timeline-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/mandalorians-smack-down-the-jedi-in-swtors-new-timeline-update/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the most common questions asked regarding Star Wars: The Old Republic and the easily accessible Jedi is, "Who's going to take on an army of Jedi?" We've long since had the answer tucked away here at Massively, but now BioWare has been kind enough to illustrate it for us in their latest timeline update, which features the fearsome Mandalorians.

The nomadic Mandalorians are strikingly unique and much like the Jedi and Sith in that sense they're not an actual species; yet war is their singular goal in life. Their mantra is that strength is not merely good, it is great, it brings honor through battle. Thus, it's no surprise that Mandalorians are generally opposed to the Jedi and get along better with the power hungry Sith. At this point, the Republic Trooper's coutnerpart is pretty obvious. That powerful Jedi army doesn't seem so intimidating against legions of Sith, Bounty Hunters and bred-for-war Mandies, now does it?

We highly recommend you check out the timeline video. It's not only informative, but quite entertaining if you've got even the slightest amount of interest in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

MassivelyMandalorians smack down the Jedi in SWTOR's new timeline update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There is perhaps nothing that Star Trek content creators fear more than the collective power of Trekkie nerd rage when the universe's canon is altered. Cryptic Studios is well aware of this and wants to clarify where Star Trek Online falls in the IP's timeline, and they frame this in reference to the latest (and eleventh) film and the deviation from canon it introduces with an altered timeline.

Plainly stated, Star Trek Online adheres to the standard timeline. STO will be set in the same reality as the first ten films and the various TV series, from First Contact right through Voyager and beyond. Cryptic Studios has put together a graphical timeline of the entirety of the Star Trek legacy, showing exactly when the game picks after the shows and films leave off, with the events of Star Trek Online taking place in 2409. Have a look at Cryptic's Star Trek Universe Timelines for more.

MassivelyStar Trek Online timeline shows where game falls in with TV and film canon originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canoncryptic-studiosnerd-ragesci-fistar-trek-onlinestotimelinetrekkieSat, 13 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hints of the Smuggler class in new SWTOR timeline update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/17/hints-of-the-smuggler-class-in-new-swtor-timeline-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/17/hints-of-the-smuggler-class-in-new-swtor-timeline-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/17/hints-of-the-smuggler-class-in-new-swtor-timeline-update/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Who broke the Mandalorian blockade on Coruscant? Why, it was those wily Smugglers, that's who! The Sith weren't expecting the Galactic Republic to find assistance with that particular criminal aspect, but find it they did -- and you can learn all about it through the latest Star Wars: The Old Republic timeline update.

Of course, if this second update doesn't just scream, "Smuggler class!" then we're not sure you were paying close enough attention. Then again, BioWare could just be trying to throw us off the trail by making the Smugglers such an obvious component to the back story. The problem is that, either way, you really cany have Star Wars without these guys somewhere in the story. Who knows, maybe they'll be called Scoundrels instead?

And of course there's the possibility that Mandalorians will be featured as an Empire class, or at least the new update seems to loosely imply as much. Either way, we should expect some kind of shady character classes to be announced sometime in the near future.

MassivelyHints of the Smuggler class in new SWTOR timeline update originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecoruscanteaelectronic-artsgalactic-republiclorelucas-artsmandalorianrepublicsithsmugglerstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortimelineSun, 17 May 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Old Republic's timeline as voiced by Lance Henriksen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/the-old-republics-timeline-as-voiced-by-lance-henriksen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/the-old-republics-timeline-as-voiced-by-lance-henriksen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/the-old-republics-timeline-as-voiced-by-lance-henriksen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If there's one thing a self indulging Star Wars fan knows, it's that lore is bountiful in our favorite science fiction pastime. So it comes as little surprised that a series high quality weekly webcomics just isn't enough for Star Wars: The Old Republic. BioWare has gone the distance and begun to put forth an audio timeline leading up to the current peace between the Galatic Republic and Sith Empire.

The historical record will be spoken by Master Gnost-Dural, Keeper of the Jedi Archives, who is in turn voiced by actor Lance Henriksen. BioWare fans will recognize him as the voice of Mass Effect's Admiral Hackett of the Human Systems Alliance. As for how many of these we should plan for, looking at the timeline reveals several more historical points (we counted 18) that took place before this inaugural first.

We'll try to feign a little surprise when "history" from the Knights of the Old Republic RPGs crops up somewhere in here, although hopefully it'll be more than a recap of those game's storylines.

MassivelyThe Old Republic's timeline as voiced by Lance Henriksen originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsgalactic-republicgnost-duralknights-of-the-old-republickotorlucas-artsmass-effectsith-empirestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republictimelineSat, 28 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/star-trek-online-timeline-update-covers-the-year-2382/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/star-trek-online-timeline-update-covers-the-year-2382/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/star-trek-online-timeline-update-covers-the-year-2382/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Cryptic has updated the Star Trek Online timeline that leads up to when the game takes place. Just to refresh everyone's memory, Star Trek Online is set in the year 2409, which is thirty years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis. The newest update on the official website covers the events of the year 2382, or 27 years prior to the game.

The biggest part of this updates deals with the Romulans (biological cousins to the Vulcans) who are heading down a path to civil war, as political in-fighting continues to grow. Meanwhile the Unification movement, represented by Ambassador Spock, once again attempts to push their agenda by seeking the support of the Federation Council. Ultimately though, the Federation declines to support the movement to unify the two races, as the Vulcan members of the council aren't too keen on such an uncertain and essentially illogical idea.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Gallery

Continue reading Star Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382

MassivelyStar Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamescryptic-studiosfederationfederation-councilklingon-empireklingonsloreromulansspockstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestarfleetstotimelinevulcansMon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST