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General Category => Entertainment and Media => Topic started by: Rage on November 10, 2008, 04:07:33 am

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rage on November 10, 2008, 04:07:33 am
One of BioWares' and LucasArts' most anticipated game yet, and MMO for Knights of the Old Republic.

(http://gamingw.net/pubaccess/64584/wp_20081021_wall3_1024x768.jpg)



Quote from: Swtor.com
OCTOBER 21, SAN FRANCISCO – LucasArts and BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced the development of Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe of the Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ franchise. Star Wars: The Old Republic, being developed and published by BioWare and LucasArts, represents an innovative approach to interactive entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters.

This was actually their first news release, and it was announced not all that long ago.  For more info, read here (http://www.swtor.com/news/article/press-release-001).
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Keith Stones on November 10, 2008, 04:31:12 am
I can't wait. I will play anything Star Wars if it doesn't suck complete ball.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on November 10, 2008, 04:44:29 am
Don't get your hopes up, Murex. It will most likely be another garbage MMO that will promise the world, and fall woefully short of meeting even the most realistic expectations.

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: hobomasterxxx on November 10, 2008, 05:26:58 am
I Cant see them compressign the awesomness of KotOR into multiplayer. I just cant.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: DoctorEars on November 10, 2008, 06:22:25 am
It's Bioware, guys. They usually make pretty good games, most of their games are great.

I'm looking forward to this, just waiting for more announcements about the battle system and these supposed "storylines." It sounds promising so far though.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on November 10, 2008, 06:46:35 am
It's Bioware, guys. They usually make pretty good games, most of their games are great.

I'm looking forward to this, just waiting for more announcements about the battle system and these supposed "storylines." It sounds promising so far though.

Usually.

(https://legacy.gamingw.net/etc/www.pixfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/sonic-chronicles.jpeg)

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: DoctorEars on November 10, 2008, 06:51:27 am
I see your point. I'm talking Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire and the KOTOR's. Apparently Mass Effect is good but I haven't played it yet.

I'm sure Bioware can tackle a KOTOR MMO the right way.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on November 10, 2008, 06:57:52 am
I see your point. I'm talking Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire and the KOTOR's. Apparently Mass Effect is good but I haven't played it yet.

I'm sure Bioware can tackle a KOTOR MMO the right way.

Bioware is no doubt a good developer, (a rarity these days) but an MMO is a very different from what they usually make. I don't know; maybe I'm just jaded. After being ripped off by Age of Conan and Warhammer online like some rube; I'm very skeptical that any MMO can transcend the nonsense second job design model.

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Farren on November 10, 2008, 07:45:55 am
I wish it wasn't an MMO but I might try it out if they can actually make it good
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Ghost_Aspergers on November 10, 2008, 10:37:25 am
Usually.

Odds are you didn't even play it.

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: FrostyPink on November 10, 2008, 11:30:56 am
I just want to see something experimental rather than a WoW clone (risky, but it could pay off) and Nightblade is right about the second job. I think it will desert the second job structure, as the class system in KOTOR was one of three.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rage on November 10, 2008, 08:01:53 pm
It's Bioware, guys. They usually make pretty good games, most of their games are great.

I'm looking forward to this, just waiting for more announcements about the battle system and these supposed "storylines." It sounds promising so far though.

I second that;  Something most people wouldn't know, is that this was the biggest BioWare and LucasArts secret, and THE most talked about MMO.  As it stands now I am not sure;  I myself am not a big Starwars fan, but I am sure it will be a hit.


Check out the screenshots guys, its epic and it has xbox 360 graphics.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Nemesis101 on November 10, 2008, 08:06:03 pm
Knowing how MMOs go, it's probably just going to be WoW with light sabers.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: tuxedo marx on November 10, 2008, 08:09:36 pm
thank you Nemesis for sharing your insider knowledge of all MMOs !!!
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rage on November 10, 2008, 08:11:51 pm
Its based off of Knights of the old republic.... WoW is not the definition of MMO's, the just got it right the first time.  However, WoW has gotten really old.  Their next expansion is just like the one that is comming out.  Guess what? 10 more levels....yay...

I can't complain really though, its the main game I play.

I have to say though, everyone is awaiting the wow killer.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: FrostyPink on November 10, 2008, 08:20:33 pm
Check out the screenshots guys, its epic and it has xbox 360 graphics.
You're taking the piss... Right?

Xbox360:
Not Xbox360:

Graphics are standard MMO.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Liman on November 10, 2008, 08:29:00 pm
Yeah, it's understandable that they made the graphics more like WoW - it helps older computers (such as mine) to work with the game. LucasArts and Sony Online screwed up bigtime with Star Wars Galaxies, both with graphics and programming. It lagged as hell and you had to reduce the graphics and the few good things disappeared.

Other than the giant weapons featured in the few alpha screenshots of The Old Republic, the game sounds good so far.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Nemesis101 on November 10, 2008, 08:46:36 pm
thank you Nemesis for sharing your insider knowledge of all MMOs !!!
Your welcome, it took years of research and dedication to the field.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rage on November 10, 2008, 08:49:24 pm
It was an exaggeration but you get the point, they are pretty good.  The game (games in general I mean) actually running looks better than a screenshot anyhow.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on November 10, 2008, 09:09:00 pm
Odds are you didn't even play it.



R4DS is a wonderful thing.

Yes, I did play it. Yes, I couldn't very well stand much of it before shutting it off and deleting it off my flash card.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: FrostyPink on November 10, 2008, 10:03:12 pm
It was an exaggeration but you get the point, they are pretty good.  The game (games in general I mean) actually running looks better than a screenshot anyhow.
I'm sure the game does look better running and I know it's still in Alpha stages but still...
Despite the fact you were exaggerating, I personally think it looks kind of fugly in terms of art direction (colours are horribly Teletubby in some shots and it looks quite... Bland) as well as the actual textures and renders appearing to be just about to fall back into the wake of 2003!
Sorry if it seems I'm a trolling bastard, but I hate every screen I've seen.
Bioware should have waited untill a later stage of development before showing it.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Mr. Actionist on November 11, 2008, 06:49:35 am
It's tempting to believe that Bioware will actually do a good job on this, but I've just been really, really disappointed with their games lately. If their trend of making games really short continues...well, I don't know what we'll get. An utterly boring endgame? Most likely. What I'd really like to see is stop people focusing on creating awesome graphics and start a greater focus on a good plot and non-repetitive gameplay.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: DoctorEars on November 11, 2008, 06:52:35 am
What I'd really like to see is stop people focusing on creating awesome graphics and start a greater focus on a good plot and non-repetitive gameplay.

???

These graphics are rather crap compared to games coming out these days, what are you saying? Have you even read any of what's been announced? Did you realise that Bioware is focusing on plot rather than being a generic MMO?
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Mr. Actionist on November 11, 2008, 10:27:15 am
I know, but I was referring to the above comments being centred on quality of graphics and not actual content of the game. Also, Bioware promises many things. I seem to remember words describing KotOR as "dynamic dialogue choices" which basically equated to "You can be the evil ruler of the galaxy or not". Repeat with Jade Empire. Look, a combat system that requires no thought whatsoever to play! Wow, so much meaningless backstory! Wonder at the one-dimensional characters!

Mass Effect was similarly linear. Sure, it was more of a challenge combat-wise, but the plot was basically "chase Saren because he will destroy stuff".

What I'm trying to say is that I'll remain cautiously pessimistic about this one.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Liman on December 12, 2008, 08:00:34 pm
The first video presentation of "The Old Republic" has finally been released, showing some in-game footage of stuff like combat in it's current stage of development.

I personally think it looks pretty darn good for being Pre-Alpha!

http://www.swtor.com/media/vidcasts/viddoc001
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Keith Stones on December 13, 2008, 03:41:54 am
I don't think you guys understand. Star Wars. BioWare. Knights of the Old Republic. A persistent world where I can show off my lightsaber to the ladies. Togruta. TOGRUTA. It would have to blow hard to deter me.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: something bizarre and impractical on December 13, 2008, 04:17:46 am
I'm skeptical of any MMO. I'm skeptical of any Starwars game.

You can see where I'm going...
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: DoctorEars on December 13, 2008, 05:52:45 am
Fuck yeah that footage is awesome! I'm looking forward to this game even more now, that footage was great especially for pre-alpha.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Warped655 on December 13, 2008, 12:58:29 pm
Odds are you didn't even play it.
Yeah, most sonic games are shit, and this game got decent reviews so I'd say congrats on just making a DECENT sonic game (though I haven't played it so maybe it is shit).

As for the old republic, I'm interested in it and if I play it it will be the first MMORPG I'll play other then the five minutes I spent playing some god awful browser based MMO (I don't remember its name, and it isn't the adventure quest MMO)

But I'm interested in purely because its connections to KOTOR, not because its a MMO or it even that it is a Star Wars game. just that it is KOTOR.

I definitely would have preferred a straight up non-MMO KOTOR sequel, a la KOTOR 3.
Another thing that I'm disappointed by is that they made it very cartoony looking, and any seriousness in the story will be lost on me because of the cartooy-iness (after I watched Dead Space: Downfall, a movie that is animated by someone that animates a lot of kids action cartoons that I watched with all the blood and gore seemed weird to me and I could not take it seriously) and honestly I wouldn't want this to have KOTOR story lines, I'd rather wait for this to release, and then have them make a non mmo KOTOR. but if it does, I might just play it long enough to beat they story and then drop the game (that is if the story and gameplay actually seems good to me).

I haven't played KOTOR 2 yet, I might just get started on that game to prep for this one.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Liman on December 13, 2008, 03:40:44 pm
I can't really agree that it looks much different from the previous KOTOR games. To me it simply looks sharper and more detailed. The main difference between the games and this are the character models (the humanoids) that have a bit of cartoon-feeling to them. Other than that, I don't think it's "very cartoon-looking" compared to previous installments.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rowain on December 13, 2008, 03:44:41 pm
They stated the cartoony look was to add a sense of style to the game (ie WoW which DOES look different from every other generic fantasy MMO) and to give it a more timeless quality. I can't say I disagree. I also appreciate the fact that cartoony games generally run a lot better than ones that simply try to pump out the most realistic graphics imaginable. Warhammer Online and WoW both run really well for me, whereas stuff like Everquest 2 and Star Wars Galaxies run like shit (and also look like shit despite boasting CINEMATIC QUALITY REALISTIC GRAPHICS). It's a solid trade off for performance and graphics quality.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: General Robert E. Lee on December 13, 2008, 04:02:31 pm
Did you guys know that this game is MICRO-TRANSACTION BASED?
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rowain on December 13, 2008, 04:05:50 pm
Did you guys know that this game is MICRO-TRANSACTION BASED?

No, maybe you should elaborate??

Though I thought I heard something about EA being involved so it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Liman on December 13, 2008, 04:29:18 pm
Did you guys know that this game is MICRO-TRANSACTION BASED?

Just a rumor so far, based on a comment by some dude on EA. Nothing confirmed.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: headphonics on December 13, 2008, 11:44:31 pm
btw this game will blow.  like nightblade said, this is what all mmos do!  they make these promises about HEH WELL WHAT OTHER MMOS DO IS BLAHBLAHBLAH AND WHAT WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND DO IS ETC ETC and rarely deliver on any of it.  just from the trailer and the way the faggots are talking about their game the way EVERY developer talks about the mmo they're working on, it's obvious it is going to be a typical shitty mmo with typical shitty mmo gameplay and typical shitty mmo flaws.  i guarantee you the DIFFERENCE your decisions make will probably boil down to what color armor you get for being light/dark side.  they even said the same thing about kotor and the fact of the matter was, your decisions didn't really mean dick in it, either.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: xanque on December 16, 2008, 01:30:18 am
I'm not an MMO player AT ALL, but KOTOR is my favorite game ever.  It's not the best game ever made or anything, but it's the only game I can still go back and play years later and still love it just as much as I did my first time playing it.  I play KOTOR through probably twice a year, and I always find something new.

But an MMO of KOTOR is kind of like a slap in the face to me.  There's a story that hasn't yet been completed.  Spoiler:

Also, what made KOTOR great was that you felt like you actually made a difference in the story.  I don't see how that could really work in an MMO.  Plus the makers said you won't be able to save the game and go back and redo bad decisions, but I like being able to play through KOTOR a different way every time.  I liked to see all the sides of the game.

That being said, if this game really is as great as they're making it out to be, I'll give it a shot.  I want to know what happens in the story, but this isn't the way I wanted it.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Rowain on December 16, 2008, 02:24:46 am
Dont worry Xanqui. Six years from now, when Star Wars The Old Republic: Behind the Black Veil (Expansion Pack) launches, you'll be able to face that Evil greater than the Sith. Or, in a REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN DECISION FOR THE MMORPG GENRE, join it. And grind Faction rep for that epic +3 Lightsaber.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on December 16, 2008, 05:24:23 am
Quote
Also, what made KOTOR great was that you felt like you actually made a difference in the story.  I don't see how that could really work in an MMO.  Plus the makers said you won't be able to save the game and go back and redo bad decisions, but I like being able to play through KOTOR a different way every time.  I liked to see all the sides of the game.

They will probably use the same method Age of Conan used; making one wonder why they don't simply make another single player RPG. I'd rather see KOTOR3 then see them try to get a piece of the MMO cash cow pie.

...And for no apparent reason, here's one of my favorite cutscenes.

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: xanque on December 16, 2008, 05:26:26 pm
They will probably use the same method Age of Conan used; making one wonder why they don't simply make another single player RPG. I'd rather see KOTOR3 then see them try to get a piece of the MMO cash cow pie.

...And for no apparent reason, here's one of my favorite cutscenes.

That was by far the best part of KOTOR 2.  You only get to see it if you are good though.  Being evil in that game kind of sucked because the ending was so disappointing. 

Quote
Dont worry Xanqui. Six years from now, when Star Wars The Old Republic: Behind the Black Veil (Expansion Pack) launches, you'll be able to face that Evil greater than the Sith. Or, in a REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN DECISION FOR THE MMORPG GENRE, join it. And grind Faction rep for that epic +3 Lightsaber.
I have no idea what "grind Faction rep" means.  Is that an MMO term?
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: esiann on December 16, 2008, 05:36:02 pm
yeah. it means doing quests/killing things that increase your reputation with a certain group in the game over and over.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on December 16, 2008, 11:10:09 pm
Quote
I have no idea what "grind Faction rep" means.  Is that an MMO term?

It's a term made popular by WoW. Faction rep is just another boring time sink employed by these developers to artificially increase re playability by adding an independent (from level) progression meter. So, in certain cases you kill one one testicled jackal; and gain +10 rep out of say, 40,000 you need to get to the max rep level and get that piece of marginally better gear.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: xanque on December 17, 2008, 01:09:36 am
Yeah that's the crap I hate about MMOs.  Nothing you do feels important.  The games also feel more like work than play, too.  You spend hours leveling up whatever to do something fun.  I never felt like I was wasting time leveling up in KOTOR because the only battling I did was between point A and point B, and that was enough to keep me powerful enough.

I hate running around in fields killing shit because it's just not fun.  Battle systems get old after a while no matter how innovative they are. 
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: charles on December 21, 2008, 12:38:53 pm
That's why I get bored of them quickly. I will play WoW every once in a while with my brother, but I get bored of it for a few months. Kind of a waste to pay $15/month just to play every once in a while.

Now for some info on the connection to the previous games:
Quote
How does Star Wars: The Old Republic relate to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic?
 
Star Wars: The Old Republic takes place approximately three hundred years after the events of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). At the conclusion of the Jedi Civil War in KOTOR, Revan disappeared into unknown space in search of a great threat to the Republic, an expanding Sith Empire led by a mysterious Emperor who planned vengeance for his ancient Jedi enemies. Revan never returned from unknown space, but the Sith Empire did, kicking off a war with the Republic that lasted for decades. Now, despite the uneasy truce created by the Treaty of Coruscant, the tension among the divided star systems is threatening to once again tear the galaxy apart.
Hmm, so the greater threat was just more sith? Kind of disappointing.

Quote
Will I see any characters from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic?
 
Given that it is approximately 300 years since the events of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, many of the characters have passed away. However, their legacy does live on as many of their descendants will be part of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Some droids can last a long time as well.
I wonder if we'll see T3-M4?

I am curious as to how they plan to accomplish the fact that your actions supposedly affect the plot. How will you interact with other players, if they may have made other choices? How can you play along with them if their story is different?
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Dead Phoenix on December 21, 2008, 08:08:23 pm
Hmm, so the greater threat was just more sith? Kind of disappointing.
I'm pretty sure in the end of KotOR 2 Kriea pretty much tells you that the real threat is the true Sith(everyone else is just a wanna be).  Been awhile since I played though, so I could be wrong.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: xanque on December 21, 2008, 08:30:57 pm
Yeah, the true Sith were a species of their own, I think.  The Sith in the games and movies are just idealists who wish to be like the original Sith. 
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: charles on December 21, 2008, 09:16:11 pm
Ohhh... I didn't remember that.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Artis Leon Ivey Jr on December 21, 2008, 09:17:43 pm
Yeah, the true Sith were a species of their own, I think.  The Sith in the games and movies are just idealists who wish to be like the original Sith. 

what for real? I was a big gay star wars dork, I don't remember this in the EU, which I thought KOTOR took place in.

hey explain this a little more I don't get it. were they just physical manifestations of the dark side or something?
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: charles on December 21, 2008, 09:38:47 pm
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sith_%28species%29
I guess they were the original inhabitants of Korriban.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Artis Leon Ivey Jr on December 21, 2008, 09:40:30 pm
huh that's actually somewhat clever. they named themselves after the servants of the original dark side people. I always forget how insane nerd canon can get!
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Brown on December 21, 2008, 10:04:07 pm
they fucked up . KoTOR 3 would have been much more suitable. This is going to be some stupid pay to play bs (unless its not?). @@#@#
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Grogrog on December 24, 2008, 02:38:53 pm
they fucked up . KoTOR 3 would have been much more suitable. This is going to be some stupid pay to play bs (unless its not?). @@#@#

How'd they fuck up? There is quite a large market for a good (not Galaxies) Star Wars MMO and they are simply filling it. Just because somebody may not like MMOs, does not mean making an MMO is a shitty idea.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: Farren on December 24, 2008, 07:54:28 pm
if they made it an actual game and not just online grindshitongetgoodgear bullshit, it could be good.
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: xanque on December 25, 2008, 03:04:54 am
if they made it an actual game and not just online grindshitongetgoodgear bullshit, it could be good.
I can't imagine it would be hard to translate the KOTOR combat to online play. 
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: The Truth on December 25, 2008, 03:30:53 am
It's a term made popular by WoW. Faction rep is just another boring time sink employed by these developers to artificially increase re playability by adding an independent (from level) progression meter. So, in certain cases you kill one one testicled jackal; and gain +10 rep out of say, 40,000 you need to get to the max rep level and get that piece of marginally better gear.

everquest had 100x as much rep grind as wow, saying wow popularized the term is kind of misleading
Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic
Post by: NightBlade on December 25, 2008, 03:32:33 am
everquest had 100x as much rep grind as wow, saying wow popularized the term is kind of misleading


Everquest may have had more of it, but I can guarantee you WoW made this annoying little mechanism far more well known than it was back in the old days.