New Star Wars: The Old Republic dev video

[Jormagund]

HERE. (http://www.massively.com/2009/01/31/the-old-republic-video-details-tython-shows-off-unexpected-foot/) This game seems to be coming along quite nicely. I'm really quite a fan of the artsy style they've gone for here. Kind of proves that you don't need to be as realistic as possible in order to make an attractive game. The choreography looks excellent as well.

Just wish we had a better idea about the release date!

[Namoric]

That looks pretty good.

[Freejack]

I pretty much hate the core concept of the game. Everyone is a jedi? That's fun? The "choreography" seems goofy. It's just "attack animation 2, attack animation 3, ..." and seems meaningless in terms of what it actually does. Even if they were different attacks, it wouldn't change how silly the combat seems. Yes, I just swiped this cat creature four times with a light saber and it's still cool, still attacking me. And the same goes for the giant cat that's three times the size of a human batting the human around and, you know, the jedi is cool with that. I realize this is a staple in all RPGs, but the incongruity is enhanced when you toss a light saber into the mix. Which is kind of why I come back to the question, why is everyone a jedi again?

[Alicorn]

I pretty much hate the core concept of the game. Everyone is a jedi? That's fun?

Tell us how you really feel!


Yes, I just swiped this cat creature four times with a light saber and it's still cool, still attacking me. And the same goes for the giant cat that's three times the size of a human batting the human around and, you know, the jedi is cool with that. I realize this is a staple in all RPGs, but the incongruity is enhanced when you toss a light saber into the mix.

This is good point and when I watched the video it bothered me too. This games looks like it will really break the internal logic of the Star Wars universe. It was pretty clear in the movies that the Jedi could only be stopped by another Force user or by a heavily armed group.

I suppose that the Jedi in this game will be tanks in a similar way that Paladins are tanks.

:(

[Landro]

I am going to go with the meh opinion on this one too. I think Star Wars is taken too seriously....but that's just me...

[Freejack]

I suppose that the Jedi in this game will be tanks in a similar way that Paladins are tanks.

But you just know, in order to make it fit into the standard MMORPG mold there are going to be "classes" of jedi. So you've got the healer focus, the warrior focus, the "magic" focus, the "tech" focus... and so on. No matter how special they try and make it, it'll still feel exactly like every other MMORPG you've played, except in this case, it'll feel completely incongruent with the fiction we've all come to know and love and now rather dislike because it's been so frequently bastardized.

[Weshy]

Everyone is a jedi?

Nope, there will be other classes as well. I'm sure the majority will be playing a Jedi, or atleast try them out. I'm leaning towards a Scoundrel type of character myself.

[Solostaran]

But you just know, in order to make it fit into the standard MMORPG mold there are going to be "classes" of jedi. So you've got the healer focus, the warrior focus, the "magic" focus, the "tech" focus... and so on. No matter how special they try and make it, it'll still feel exactly like every other MMORPG you've played, except in this case, it'll feel completely incongruent with the fiction we've all come to know and love and now rather dislike because it's been so frequently bastardized.

This is Bioware. Go play one of their sci-fi games (KoTOR/II or Mass Effect); there are no traditional character classes. Players who choose a Jedi will probably end up with these three options, or a variant of them:

(from Knights of the Old Republic)


Guardian: Guardians train themselves more physically than mentally, and may also sacrifice a good bit of flexibility in exchange for thicker armor. Guardians can, of course, use the force, but the effects won't be as spectacular.

Consular: The middle path. Consulars seek balance in all things, and have avoided exclusive training of the body or mind. They can use the force fairly adeptly, aren't aren't wimps either.

Sentinel: Sentinels are "scholarly" Jedi, and have spent great lengths of time studying the Force and training their minds in order to harness it. They may not be the best at running in thick armor, or perhaps even at swinging some lightsabers, but their extensive knowledge of and attunement to the force can be more than enough to overcome said shortfalls.


Alternatively, they could try a variant of the Mass Effect character classes, substituting Force for Biotics:


Soldier: A trained warrior of the Republic, effective with all types of guns.
Engineer: Master of wrenches, stealth kits, and computer spikes.
Jedi: Self-explanatory.
Infiltrator: A soldier with considerable technical knowledge. (Soldier/Engineer)
Vanguard: A Jedi that knows how to fire a gun. (Soldier/Jedi)
Sentinel: A Jedi that has a way with droids and locked doors. (Engineer/Jedi)


Given their track record, it's just as likely that Bioware will create an entirely new class system for the game. They've yet to use a traditional Fantasy RPG system for any of their Sci-Fi games, and I doubt that they'll start now even if it's for their first MMO.


The true question is: Will this be a standard MMORPG by an upstart developer, or a fresh take on a stagnating genre? Only time will tell.

On that note, however, BioWare's other project (Dragon Age: Origins) will be released soon. The quality of the game, and the amount of novel ideas in it, may very well be indicative or what we can expect from The Old Republic.

[Methus]

What this video showed is where you start out WHEN you choose jedi. It's a big deal so they're showing it off. They have stated in the pcgamer interview that there will be other classes to play.

The game will be, as I understand it, from a faction perspective, Sith vs Jedi. But in the sense that Horde is not necessairly the evil race of WoW, the same can be said about the Sith. They just have a different way of life and they feel justified for disliking jedi since they now return from deep space where they were banished.

[Weshy]

From swtor.com.


Dark Horse (http://www.darkhorse.com/) has joined forces with LucasArts and BioWare™ to create a new comic series, published entirely online, to introduce both the gaming and comics worlds to the upcoming massively multiplayer online game Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. Debuting this month, Star Wars: The Old Republic - Threat of Peace will feature action-packed, character-driven episodes written by BioWare’s Rob Chestney and published by Dark Horse. The stories will span the three decades from the pivotal signing of the Treaty of Coruscant to critical events at the beginning of the game.

To view the official press release, click here (http://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/1683/All-New-Star-Wars-The-Old-Republic-Comic-Series-to-be-Published-Exclusively-Online-2-7-09). And to get a sneak peek at the series, click here (http://www.swtor.com/media/concepts/threatofpeace).

Update: Additional information can be found here (http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=14703).

[Harblar]

I'm looking forward to this game for several reasons.


1: I'm a huge star wars fan. I'll admit, the more I see the prequels, the more apt I am to riff on them. Still, I've been a major star wars fan since forever and can kick some serious ass at Star Wars Trivial Pursuit (I don't even break it out cause it isn't even fun.)

<=== mega nerd


2: I like the style they are going for. I like animation in general and the whole reason I play games is to escape reality. The more stylized the better.

3. Finally another MMO that isn't based around medieval weapons. Orcs, Elves and Dwarves are cool and what not, but I've always been a scifi geek and much prefer a game with some tech in it. (if they integrate any kind of ship to ship like in Galaxies Jump to lightspeed ad on, I am so in) I know there are other Space based MMO's, but just cause I want to play a scifi MMO doesn't mean I want to spend another 4+ years earning a degree just so I don't get my ass handed to me every other hour.

4: Sith vs Jedi. that's fine. If you read any of the novels, there are numerous classes of jedi and ways they could come up with a unique and engaging class system. All I can say is go Sith... So jazzed about playing a force user that doesn't have to be goody goody about everything. As long as it isn't uber complicated and semi possible to solo on (love playing with guildies but by the time I get done with work there's hardly anyone on) I'm all about getting involved with this game, which would be cool since I haven't been really involved ingame since WOW a couple years ago.

Just my semi coherent thoughts on the subject at 5am on a Sunday morning.


(I'm also looking forward to the Star Trek MMO, but I haven't heard much in quite awhile)

[Landro]

I think Star Wars is taken too seriously....but that's just me...


I repeat....:diablotin:

[Ganelon]

I'm not ashamed to say I am looking forward to this game more than any other game in the horizon.

Straight up... I'm not going to play a star wars game to NOT be a force user... and I'll want to fight other force users. Like UO, I'm totally fine with everyone being melee and magic... and I'm totally fine with Jedi and Sith being everywhere...hell, I prefer it instead fo the milque toast SWG ... which was essentially "Lion Country Safari" of the future.

And I like the style of the game. I love the Old Republic setting.

Do I have misgivings? Does it both me to see lightsabers whacking on beasts over and over? Do I fear another 'game on rails" quest based theme park? Sure.

But, I have enjoyed WoW, LOTRO and other quest based games... and enjoyed them more than the horrifyingly boring SWG... a "sand box" game.

ANd finally, I will play any Bioware game and be assured I will have fun.

[Solostaran]

And finally, I will play any Bioware game and be assured I will have fun.

Yup.

Personally, I probably won't even be a force user. If they have some sort of thickly-armored medic class, I'll take it.

[Jormagund]

Gan crystalizes my own feelings about this game perfectly. I'm not expecting perfection or a game that radically changes the genre. I am expecting something somewhat familiar in a style and setting I enjoy, and crafted to the meticulous standard we have come to expect from Bioware in the past. Anything above and beyond those expectations is gravy.

[Landro]

Here's (http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=11457#img131158) some screenshots for you Star Wars Fanbois

[Demari]

I was excited beyond all belief when this was first announced, but as I've read up I've gotten alittle scared. Yeah the lightsaber combat thing bugs me, yes it bugs me horribly that friggin everyone is going to be a jedi (making jedi widely available is largely what killed SWG), but what really gets me is the fact that, while i love bioware, they have a horrible multiplayer record, and they are super focused on making the game story-driven. Story-driven single player doesn't mesh well with MMO. Unless they have some insanely genius way to overcome that problem the game is going to have issues. They've said they want the player to feel like a central part of the plot. Every single player. I just don't see it working. Can you imagine talking to others about you play experience,
"Dude, I'm going to bring balance to the force"
"No way, they said I'M the one that fulfills the prophecies"
etc.
I just realy don't want a Stars Wars mmo that feels like guild wars (mmo only in social hubs) or conan (single player with lategame/endgame pvp).

[Mablung]

I have to disagree with you on one thing Dremak, a story driven MMO can work. I present to you Tortage of AoC. The first 20 or so levels of Age of Conan were by far the best leveling experience I have had to date in any online game. The solo questing done at "night" was spot on as was the ease to transition back to the "day" so that you could be part of the community again.

Tortage was such a huge success that it was the main contributor to such a successful launch of the game. Everyone who joined the game basically did so because of word of mouth. Had they been able to further the experience and immersion more, the game might have thrived a little longer.

Blizzard took this idea and exanded on it. In their recent expansion, leveling a Death Knight is all solo and story driven with the world changing around you as you advanced the questline. I thought this was by far the best part of the expansion.

I would imagine that Bioware would be able to expand on both conepts and really give us a mind-blowing quest experience. I also expect to have the same feeling of immersion soloing as well as the feeling of being a part of something bigger in the community. I have no doubt that they will not succeed in building a great game.

[Freejack]

I'm sorry, a great single-player story-driven experience in an MMO is like buying a Lamborghini and only sitting in it in the driveway. It's still a great car, but you're completely missing the point. An MMO can draw from fantastic social story-telling, and these developers are, instead, giving you a single-player experience. Why are we trying to reward them for this?

[Weshy]

Why are we trying to reward them for this?

Why not? If the game is fun then I don't really care about the rest.

And about the Jedi ruining SWG, I agree somewhat, it was them adding thousands of Jedi to a world that wasn't supposed to have any but 3 that ruined it for me.

Oh and the whole holo grind...

[Mablung]

MMORPG is what the genre is called. WE have just simplified it by calling it an MMO. Many gamers I feel miss the RPG portion of online gaming.

Personally, I found the Tortage and DK questing experience to be unique and well thought out. IF Bioware can combine great storytelling through the questing system, be it solo or otherwise, then the rest simply falls into place.

AoC is one of those games that is great on paper but in implementation completely failed. That is on the developers of the game though. I have no fear that Bioware is up to the task.

As for rewarding them. Gaming is just another avenue for anyone to escape to. So one could generalize your question to encompass all forms of entertainment. We, as consumers, reward greed.

[Jormagund]

Information revealed about the planet of Ord Mantell. (http://www.swtor.com/info/story/ord-mantell) They have also previously discussed Nal Hutta. (http://www.swtor.com/info/story/hutta)

[Weshy]

And the Bounty Hunter (http://www.swtor.com/info/classes/bounty-hunter).

[Weshy]

One more class revealed (http://www.swtor.com/info/classes/trooper?sourceid=ea3580).

[ceafo]

I am starting to look forward to this game even though I fully expect it not to release until next year.