I'm feeling the same as the OP. I've been through the hype mill more than a few times now and it's worn thin. The devs seem to want to create a single player rpg with some co-op elements. It has been suggested that some of the worlds are quite large, but with the focus on quest type character progression what awaits off the beaten path remains to be seen. With heavy emphasis on story which may have branching options, you are still being led down a path instead of creating your own, which makes progression seem very predictable.
Predictable is boring.
You get your own housing, ala spaceship. But you can't decorate it, so bla. What's the point except maybe storage? Perhaps some rp. Maybe the setting for story elements to be played out like minimovies while we sit passively, admiring the quality lipsyncing with voice. Space combat is not rails, more like tube it seems. But whatever it is, it isn't free. Space will be fed to us predictably in a linear fashion, similar to the way they handle their stories, with the occasional branching options.
Combat is nothing innovative, but here I think innovation can sometimes get in the way. They play it safe and that's ok. But I've experienced it many times before so nothing really exciting here. Oh, I suppose I will have my pets to interact with. That may be more nuisance than anything else unless AI and pathing are well executed.
Still, I'm getting the game. Looking forward to hearing the Star Wars music and running around on Tat. Maybe looking forward to meeting up with old SWG friends and others I've made along the way. No preorder here. I was gonna, but meh.
Playing it is something entirely different than just watching videos. But if I explain, I get another ban, lol.
Yes, Isabella, I too have this special love in my heart for SWG. It was my first MMO love and will always be special to me. But time moves on. Tbh, I haven't read much substantial critique against TOR in your article why you are not excited. *shrug* But each to his/hers.
EDIT: It reminds me: when LOTRO was in the making (aka Middle Earth Online), there was huge debate about things like LORE and how making a MMO like LOTRO was raping the lore asf. Before a MMO starts there are always things which are under heavy critique, but when the game launches these debates vanish very quickly. Beside a few diehard zealots. I expect that to happen with some discussions about TOR just as well. Once it launched, we won't really remember a lot of debates we have had anymore. Let's just say: TOR is a different sort of MMO and we should open ourselves to this new paradigm.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
What worries me are all these people that are "meh" about ToR but are buying it anyway. Are we gonna end up with a bunch of emo bitches on our servers? Thats gonna be just great for a healthy game community let me tell ya heh.
Really? This required an 'editorial' from you? If you're not looking forward to it, fine. Find something more suited to you. but we really don't need yet ANOTHER forum mess started by "why SWTOR doesn't do it for me'!, and started by a staffer to boot?
Times like this really make me question why I've stayed here for the past 7 years!
Im in agreement with the author and many of the replies here. I will be far more blunt and/or direct about it though. The game WREAKS of wow. Wait, I should begin by saying I have watched every trailer. I have read more forum posts, blogs, tweats, etc about this game than I can even name. I have seen live streams of beta play. I still want my chance to take a hands on look at the game. Despite all of this I still cling to the idea that this game wreaks of wow in many ways.
First off the game should not be target and swing/fire till the target drops. How many times should a trooper be shot in the face with a blaster before he goes down? How many slashes of the light saber through the body should it take to bring a creature to the ground? Now I don't expect the game to necessarily merge the mechanics of the Jedi Knight series with the physics of The Force Unleashed but I certainly don't think that a targeting system belongs in a sudo-realistic combat game. It should be somewhere in between. Jedi Knight and Jedi Academy took some skill to play. You had to know lots of movement combinations to execute combos and take down an apponent. Blasters and heavy weapons could kill "Jedi" just as well as "Jedi" could take down other weapons.
Next, the play along story sequences are little more than option A B or C events. Much like KOTOR I doubt we will really feel much effect from our choices in the game. In the end the results will be the same. The players will not have any real effect on the game. This is evident in the official video releases and other clips that can be found if you look hard enough. I have not seen end game yet but I can tell you that if it continues to mirror the WoW formula and make you hunt for gear I will certainly not play this game. Palpatine did not go over to the Jedi Academy every week and raid the place looking for that rare +10% dex +15 dmg sabaer Yoda hid in his "other cloak". Skills, abilities and other attributes should be affected by your accomplishments rather than the next lightsaber or blaster you find.
Finally I do not see much room in this incarnation of the Star Wars Galaxy for true exploration and adventure. Honestly I have not seen much of it since the days of Asherons Call and SWG. Though I do not think that this game should be another SWG or the next installment I do think that this kind of game is required to have a sandbox element to it. We should be able to shape areas of the game around the interests of the community. WoW really hurt the industry when it turned the playable world into "Zones" and it may not have been the first game to do this but it is the first game to really standardize the concept into a cookie cutter design. It simply feels fake. There is no emmersion in a world with such small static boundries. If any game should have massive borderless playing areas, it is Star Wars.
Now as I stated before I still want to get my hands on it and give it a chance but everything in me screams to wait for a free opportunity (open beta, trial, etc). I will not indulge in Preorders and other extras. I have simply been screwed too many times. It was said very well earlier in the post that every failed game hurts the entire industry and I am an example of someone who has wasted too much money on over hyped flops.
Keep in mind that I am not saying that this game will be a failure in any way. I think this game is aimed at the WoW generation of gamers and will offer a streamlined "take you by the hand and lead you to the loot at the end of the rainbow" concept. I am of the old generation that likes freedom in the game, space to explore and true adventure in an emmersive world. The kind of game that makes you check the clock and say "WTF happened to my saturday afternoon" rather than "holy F I still have to spend another hour and a half just to finish the dailies!" Opinions vary and I don't expect you to share all of mine. I am simply sharing my thoughts so that you have something to think about. My spelling and grammar probably suck. Deal with it!
I will say this as a blanket statement about video games in general though - you can't judge a game by its hype. There have been a lot of games which have failed to live up to their hype (COD Black Ops) and plenty which have quietly surpassed all of the much-hyped games competing with them (The Witcher 2 is so much better than DA2). Before you've had a chance to play a game (any game) all you can really do is look at the available information. If that doesn't excite you that's fine. If it does that's fine too. Personally I get at least a little bit excited whenever I hear about any new MMO. If you can't get excited about all of them at least a little bit, perhaps it is time to find a new hobby, or at least take a break for a while.
Too long, did not read. I did read a few statements, some of which just stabed my eyes.
"Its a fantasy with fricken' laser beams"
Really, this has to be the most annoying thing I heard. MAIN REASON I want SWTOR is because it has 0 fantasy stuff I am so tired of. I escape from fantasy here, so dont call it that. And its obvious you dont know anything about the game, you entire post is about price/meh.
"Vast majority of people are going to hit general chat and the first thing they’ll ask is “Where’s Luke? Where’s Han Solo?”"
Oh my God the moment they announced the game they said its gonna be 3500 years before movies, they kept repeating that statement over the years.. do you really think people are that blunt??
...a bunch of stuff before and this: are that blunt??
Just so you know, the word you are looking for is obtuse.
As for the article, I agree with the premise of it. I don't buy hype anymore, either. That being said, I trust Bioware to make something at least worth my initial attention while I see how people respond to it. No, I won't be foaming at the mouth or anything to find out, but I'll be curious.
no thx, SWG will die at december and its a good thing
TOR willbe anothing like it, grow up and live with it...
next time please just name the topic : "rants of venomous SWG vet" and noone will have to read it, we've seen hundreds of those posts on this forum already
Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind. Dr.Seuss
I can not stress enough how sick I am of all these super TOR fanboys screaming and telling everyone that this game will be the second coming of jesus christ. If thats their opinion fine, but no need telling everyone over and over that they have to like the game, cause its "Bioware".
No this is not Bioware its Bioware under EA and while people will say EA is just the publisher well sure guess that worked out well for Warhammer and Dragon Age 2?
Greg Zoeller also has been the most arrogant official poster I've ever seen that for me is enough reason wanting this game not to life up to the hype and for sure it wont no game ever will.
If you ignore all the fanboys, Biowares paid viral marketers (even ton this site) and their PR crap, one will start seeing the hard facts:
story driven solo MMORPG with other players and a Star Wars skin. Oh yes since its Bioware it will be loaded with cutscenes good luck having 5 minute fights and 5 minute cutscenes. Might be fun the first time but I am sure after you are used to it people will want to skip it but yet the option is not included.
{mod edit} The planet they have shown so far are looking heavily undercrowded you will see SOME mobs here and there but mostly just meh planets...
The UI looks horrible I mean the chat window at the left top corner? Character and targeting window docked to the actionbar? Hopefully they are wise enough letting people move them around, just like Rift did.
I am glad I not one of those hypeboys who will soon turn into hateboys telling everyone and their mother again why the game sucked and (insert next game) will be (again) the second coming of Jesus Christ.
In fact it will be Kotor with a monthly fee and knowing EA an item shop on top of that...
@hekke you dont have to read it. I know some fanboys will defend the game till the end lol
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
I can not stress enough how sick I am of all these super TOR fanboys screaming and telling everyone that this game will be the second coming of jesus christ. If thats their opinion fine, but no need telling everyone over and over that they have to like the game, cause its "Bioware".
@hekke you dont have to read it. I know some fanboys will defend the game till the end lol
First of all insults were uncalled for. Secondly, i haven't seena single post from TOR fanboys claiming it to be second coming of jesus. if anything TOR fans are surprisingly mature and have been saying from day one that it is a themepark MMO based on KOTOR universe.
I think you are confusing TOR fans with GW2 fans. (i kid..lol).
Just look at the pub you will see plenty of threads about how great TOR will be and if you dare to say something negative some people (without even a clue) will labeling you as a hater, SWG vet (although you never played it) and what not. I am really looking forward to Archeage too but I know it wont be perfect no game ever will be perfect.
I am glad this site is not buying into the hype.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
Just look at the pub you will see plenty of threads about how great TOR will be and if you dare to say something negative some people (without even a clue) will labeling you as a hater, SWG vet (although you never played it) and what not. I am really looking forward to Archeage too but I know it wont be perfect no game ever will be perfect.
I am glad this site is not buying into the hype.
Saying TOR will be great is not same as 'claiming it to be coming of second jesus'. Sorry but you were exaggerating there.. a lot. Also how do you know i never played SWG?lol. Infact, i never stopped playing even after NGE i came back and found some fun in it. As far 'fans with no clue' i see more clueless posts from people who claim SWTOR is a single player game with online option. Even though there is a huge sticky on front page to prove them wrong.
Please stop using your psychic powers ok? thank you. Also, remember where i said 'SWTOR fans are a lot more mature'? thanks for proving my point ;{mod edit}
First off labeling "you" = they are labeling everyone saying something negative about TOR as a hater, SWG vet and whatever.
Oh yeah look at the combat thread and see how mature some of them are. The OP stated his concerns in a respectful way and some responses were like "you did not play it so how can you know?"
{mod edit}
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but just look at the swtor.com forums you will find tons of threads about Tor leading the way (what way?!) or how it will destroy ever other game outthere. No one can predict if this game will to well (longterm based) or fail.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
First off labeling "you" = they are labeling everyone saying something negative about TOR as a hater, SWG vet and whatever.
Oh yeah look at the combat thread and see how mature some of them are. The OP stated his concerns in a respectful way and some responses were like "you did not play it so how can you know?"
{mod edit}
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but just look at the swtor.com forums you will find tons of threads about Tor leading the way (what way?!) or how it will destroy ever other game outthere. No one can predict if this game will to well (longterm based) or fail.
What is ironic is that you are calling others ' clueless' when you yourself make comments like 'story driven solo MMORPG with other players and a Star Wars skin'. i repeat, there is a sticky on front page with videos, links, interviews to prove how group oriented game SWTOR is.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions as long as it is not muddled with lies and wrong information. And that is the biggest problem here, people trying to spread false information. Hate the game all you like but atleast do it on basis of correct information and facts.
I dont hate or love a game just as a start, I am just not buying into hype or viral marketing techniques thats all.
Once again the opionion is based on the videos and information I have read about the game. Facts:
+ you can solo till max level
{mod edit}
+ heavily instanced YES Bioware stated starting planets will be instanced
so..when do you need other players oh yes: opterations and flashpoints
so please SHOW me a link, video where people are not in a flashpoint or operation and actually need working together? If you can find one wish will prove me wrong I will gladfully admit it.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
I dont hate or love a game just as a start, I am just not buying into hype or viral marketing techniques thats all.
Once again the opionion is based on the videos and information I have read about the game. Facts:
+ you can solo till max level
{mod edit}
+ heavily instanced YES Bioware stated starting planets will be instanced
so..when do you need other players oh yes: opterations and flashpoints
so please SHOW me a link, video where people are not in a flashpoint or operation and actually need working together? If you can find one wish will prove me wrong I will gladfully admit it.
Most of the recent MMOS and even old ones one can solo to max levels but how does that makes grouping less important? why? only because MMOS these days do not force you into grouping? i don't remember any recent MMOS which do not have instances even GW2 is using instances. Again how does that make grouping part any less important? sorry nothign you said makes swtor a 'solo game'. Like any modern MMO soloing is an option and not a necessity.
And no not just operation and flaspoints but also for bonus quests, heroics, open world pvp etc. The sticky is on the very front page. Are you telling me it is too much effort to go through that thread?
I think SWTOR will have an awesome story progression which I'm a sucker for and I like the graphics as well.
However, the combat does not seem to be what I am looking for in 2 ways:
1. Lasers and light-sabres fail to have that actiony movie feel of a few deft shots and the enemy is blown to smithereens.
2. In PvP I'd like to play a smuggler or imperial agent, yet I suspect in 1v1 these classes will like WAR's Engi or Squig herder simply not be able to touch some of the other classes. Why not? If I get the drop in pvp and I'm recon the area or have a ranged ambush point that's the style of play I'd like to be able to indulge in. But according to this hands-on:
It turns out that Imperial Agents, and Snipers in particular, are useless on their own and in any kind of close-range combat situation. I had a melee attack that I couldn’t seem to do much with and not a lot of other options. Unfortunately, my primary function was to hide behind stronger teammates, so I had to time my deployments to make sure there were lots of other characters to keep the enemy busy. This likely sounds elementary to most, but it took some effort to learn the movements of my team and I found it a little frustrating to realize I had few options for defending myself if someone happened to sneak up behind me.
This scenario is unviable. It's like watching your toon behind glass get mowed down despite shouting at it to MOVE! SHOOT! HIDE! for 10s before - too late: *Urrghzffz*
Dang Dang and Dang now we have a winner! See the reason I am labeling Tor as a "story driven solo game with others players" is I am labeling games like World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, War...GW 2 the same way.
I have read the thread yes and I know the comments from Bioware devs but they have yet show me an open world video were people are working together against some tough opponents. In Aion you have open world dungeons thats something I havent seen in Tor yet.
Anyway I am sure you will play it and maybe share your opinion once you have hit 50 or whatever their maxlevel is .)
So once again I am not saying it will succeed or "fail" (only in lifing up to the hype) but for me by looking at the hard facts its just not what I am expecting from a game with so much budget, PR stuff and development time.
Something no one has brought up yet
Can you guys even imagine how hard it will be for Bioware delivering new fully voiced content? So patches could take a long long time before they are released leaving some non altoholics bored and quitting the game.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play." "Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
I dont hate or love a game just as a start, I am just not buying into hype or viral marketing techniques thats all.
Once again the opionion is based on the videos and information I have read about the game. Facts:
+ you can solo till max level
Like in every themepark MMORPG
+ others can help you with your own story but wont see it (confirmed with a leaked video some weeks ago)
This works that way in every themepark MMorpg, someone can help you doing your personnal quest without seeing the quest text attached to it; i don't know where you've been for the 6 past years but it's easier to find people and group with them in the Open World....if you want to.
+ heavily instanced YES Bioware stated starting planets will be instanced
so..when do you need other players oh yes: opterations and flashpoints
For the average planet, I'd say that 85+% of space is located in open, non phased areas.
That's average of course. Origin planets, with their focus on introducing the player to the story and their character, generally have a higher density of phased space, while vast open planets like Hoth or Tatooine have less in relation to their huge size.
Its seems you have a different conception of what "heavy instanced" is.
so please SHOW me a link, video where people are not in a flashpoint or operation and actually need working together? If you can find one wish will prove me wrong I will gladfully admit it.
Dang Dang and Dang now we have a winner! See the reason I am labeling Tor as a "story driven solo game with others players" is I am labeling games like World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, War...GW 2 the same way.
I have read the thread yes and I know the comments from Bioware devs but they have yet show me an open world video were people are working together against some tough opponents. In Aion you have open world dungeons thats something I havent seen in Tor yet.
Anyway I am sure you will play it and maybe share your opinion once you have hit 50 or whatever their maxlevel is .)
So once again I am not saying it will succeed or "fail" (only in lifing up to the hype) but for me by looking at the hard facts its just not what I am expecting from a game with so much budget, PR stuff and development time.
Something no one has brought up yet
Can you guys even imagine how hard it will be for Bioware delivering new fully voiced content? So patches could take a long long time before they are released leaving some non altoholics bored and quitting the game.
Heh! you are free to put labels on any MMO you like but it doesn't make you any more right whether you are talking about WOW, AOC, WAR, GW2 or SWTOR. These days MMOS are about giving players a choice between solo and grouping. it is upto players how they want to approach the game.
Your not the only one when I seen the flashpoint walkthru my hype for the game pretty much died, since the game looks to pretty much be world of warcraft with a star wars skin, which honestly is not exciting at all. The combat looks absoultly boring and generic, the VA class quests are nice i guess but thats just Bioware's way of hiding the world of warcraft like linear quest grind to max level. Raiding at endgame might just be as pointless as it is in WoW as well, unless raid gear is the best gear for pvp, and if sw:tor offers some pvp worth doing like land control with bonuses for entire faction based on spots held etc. Though since the game looks and feels like another in a long line of world of warcraft carbon copys with a new skin.. I won't hold my breath. The shit is going to hit the fan when fanboys and girls relize their game they been obsessing over is just world of warcraft with a starwars skin over it, it'll feel like Rift did with a major "been there, done that" feel to the game.
I honestly was gonna buy SW:ToR at launch just because I am so bored and not because I expected anything out of it. The flashpoint vid confirmed what I was afraid of, which was SW:ToR just being nothing more than yet another WoW clone at its core. Now imma wait till there is a free trial and then decide from there if I wanna waste money on it, I probally will end up not buying it though if it just feels like WoW again, Kinda sick of mmo's that use formula's like wow (combat, progression etc).
Being a pessimist is a win-win pattern of thinking. If you're a pessimist (I'll admit that I am!) you're either:
A. Proven right (if something bad happens)
or
B. Pleasantly surprised (if something good happens)
Comments
The Secret World? u must be joke
I'm feeling the same as the OP. I've been through the hype mill more than a few times now and it's worn thin. The devs seem to want to create a single player rpg with some co-op elements. It has been suggested that some of the worlds are quite large, but with the focus on quest type character progression what awaits off the beaten path remains to be seen. With heavy emphasis on story which may have branching options, you are still being led down a path instead of creating your own, which makes progression seem very predictable.
Predictable is boring.
You get your own housing, ala spaceship. But you can't decorate it, so bla. What's the point except maybe storage? Perhaps some rp. Maybe the setting for story elements to be played out like minimovies while we sit passively, admiring the quality lipsyncing with voice. Space combat is not rails, more like tube it seems. But whatever it is, it isn't free. Space will be fed to us predictably in a linear fashion, similar to the way they handle their stories, with the occasional branching options.
Combat is nothing innovative, but here I think innovation can sometimes get in the way. They play it safe and that's ok. But I've experienced it many times before so nothing really exciting here. Oh, I suppose I will have my pets to interact with. That may be more nuisance than anything else unless AI and pathing are well executed.
Still, I'm getting the game. Looking forward to hearing the Star Wars music and running around on Tat. Maybe looking forward to meeting up with old SWG friends and others I've made along the way. No preorder here. I was gonna, but meh.
Playing it is something entirely different than just watching videos. But if I explain, I get another ban, lol.
Yes, Isabella, I too have this special love in my heart for SWG. It was my first MMO love and will always be special to me. But time moves on. Tbh, I haven't read much substantial critique against TOR in your article why you are not excited. *shrug* But each to his/hers.
EDIT: It reminds me: when LOTRO was in the making (aka Middle Earth Online), there was huge debate about things like LORE and how making a MMO like LOTRO was raping the lore asf. Before a MMO starts there are always things which are under heavy critique, but when the game launches these debates vanish very quickly. Beside a few diehard zealots. I expect that to happen with some discussions about TOR just as well. Once it launched, we won't really remember a lot of debates we have had anymore. Let's just say: TOR is a different sort of MMO and we should open ourselves to this new paradigm.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
What worries me are all these people that are "meh" about ToR but are buying it anyway. Are we gonna end up with a bunch of emo bitches on our servers? Thats gonna be just great for a healthy game community let me tell ya heh.
Really? This required an 'editorial' from you? If you're not looking forward to it, fine. Find something more suited to you. but we really don't need yet ANOTHER forum mess started by "why SWTOR doesn't do it for me'!, and started by a staffer to boot?
Times like this really make me question why I've stayed here for the past 7 years!
Im in agreement with the author and many of the replies here. I will be far more blunt and/or direct about it though. The game WREAKS of wow. Wait, I should begin by saying I have watched every trailer. I have read more forum posts, blogs, tweats, etc about this game than I can even name. I have seen live streams of beta play. I still want my chance to take a hands on look at the game. Despite all of this I still cling to the idea that this game wreaks of wow in many ways.
First off the game should not be target and swing/fire till the target drops. How many times should a trooper be shot in the face with a blaster before he goes down? How many slashes of the light saber through the body should it take to bring a creature to the ground? Now I don't expect the game to necessarily merge the mechanics of the Jedi Knight series with the physics of The Force Unleashed but I certainly don't think that a targeting system belongs in a sudo-realistic combat game. It should be somewhere in between. Jedi Knight and Jedi Academy took some skill to play. You had to know lots of movement combinations to execute combos and take down an apponent. Blasters and heavy weapons could kill "Jedi" just as well as "Jedi" could take down other weapons.
Next, the play along story sequences are little more than option A B or C events. Much like KOTOR I doubt we will really feel much effect from our choices in the game. In the end the results will be the same. The players will not have any real effect on the game. This is evident in the official video releases and other clips that can be found if you look hard enough. I have not seen end game yet but I can tell you that if it continues to mirror the WoW formula and make you hunt for gear I will certainly not play this game. Palpatine did not go over to the Jedi Academy every week and raid the place looking for that rare +10% dex +15 dmg sabaer Yoda hid in his "other cloak". Skills, abilities and other attributes should be affected by your accomplishments rather than the next lightsaber or blaster you find.
Finally I do not see much room in this incarnation of the Star Wars Galaxy for true exploration and adventure. Honestly I have not seen much of it since the days of Asherons Call and SWG. Though I do not think that this game should be another SWG or the next installment I do think that this kind of game is required to have a sandbox element to it. We should be able to shape areas of the game around the interests of the community. WoW really hurt the industry when it turned the playable world into "Zones" and it may not have been the first game to do this but it is the first game to really standardize the concept into a cookie cutter design. It simply feels fake. There is no emmersion in a world with such small static boundries. If any game should have massive borderless playing areas, it is Star Wars.
Now as I stated before I still want to get my hands on it and give it a chance but everything in me screams to wait for a free opportunity (open beta, trial, etc). I will not indulge in Preorders and other extras. I have simply been screwed too many times. It was said very well earlier in the post that every failed game hurts the entire industry and I am an example of someone who has wasted too much money on over hyped flops.
Keep in mind that I am not saying that this game will be a failure in any way. I think this game is aimed at the WoW generation of gamers and will offer a streamlined "take you by the hand and lead you to the loot at the end of the rainbow" concept. I am of the old generation that likes freedom in the game, space to explore and true adventure in an emmersive world. The kind of game that makes you check the clock and say "WTF happened to my saturday afternoon" rather than "holy F I still have to spend another hour and a half just to finish the dailies!" Opinions vary and I don't expect you to share all of mine. I am simply sharing my thoughts so that you have something to think about. My spelling and grammar probably suck. Deal with it!
I can't talk about TOR because of the NDA.
I will say this as a blanket statement about video games in general though - you can't judge a game by its hype. There have been a lot of games which have failed to live up to their hype (COD Black Ops) and plenty which have quietly surpassed all of the much-hyped games competing with them (The Witcher 2 is so much better than DA2). Before you've had a chance to play a game (any game) all you can really do is look at the available information. If that doesn't excite you that's fine. If it does that's fine too. Personally I get at least a little bit excited whenever I hear about any new MMO. If you can't get excited about all of them at least a little bit, perhaps it is time to find a new hobby, or at least take a break for a while.
Too long, did not read. I did read a few statements, some of which just stabed my eyes.
"Its a fantasy with fricken' laser beams"
Really, this has to be the most annoying thing I heard. MAIN REASON I want SWTOR is because it has 0 fantasy stuff I am so tired of. I escape from fantasy here, so dont call it that. And its obvious you dont know anything about the game, you entire post is about price/meh.
"Vast majority of people are going to hit general chat and the first thing they’ll ask is “Where’s Luke? Where’s Han Solo?”"
Oh my God the moment they announced the game they said its gonna be 3500 years before movies, they kept repeating that statement over the years.. do you really think people are that blunt??
"To be a rock and not to roll..."
Apparently they are.
Many felt shocked and betrayed once they saw that SW:TOR was the themepark type MMO that BioWare stated it was from the start.
-Azure Prower
http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower
no thx, SWG will die at december and its a good thing
TOR willbe anothing like it, grow up and live with it...
next time please just name the topic : "rants of venomous SWG vet" and noone will have to read it, we've seen hundreds of those posts on this forum already
Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind. Dr.Seuss
No you are not alone, by far not.
I can not stress enough how sick I am of all these super TOR fanboys screaming and telling everyone that this game will be the second coming of jesus christ. If thats their opinion fine, but no need telling everyone over and over that they have to like the game, cause its "Bioware".
No this is not Bioware its Bioware under EA and while people will say EA is just the publisher well sure guess that worked out well for Warhammer and Dragon Age 2?
Greg Zoeller also has been the most arrogant official poster I've ever seen that for me is enough reason wanting this game not to life up to the hype and for sure it wont no game ever will.
If you ignore all the fanboys, Biowares paid viral marketers (even ton this site) and their PR crap, one will start seeing the hard facts:
story driven solo MMORPG with other players and a Star Wars skin. Oh yes since its Bioware it will be loaded with cutscenes good luck having 5 minute fights and 5 minute cutscenes. Might be fun the first time but I am sure after you are used to it people will want to skip it but yet the option is not included.
{mod edit} The planet they have shown so far are looking heavily undercrowded you will see SOME mobs here and there but mostly just meh planets...
The UI looks horrible I mean the chat window at the left top corner? Character and targeting window docked to the actionbar? Hopefully they are wise enough letting people move them around, just like Rift did.
I am glad I not one of those hypeboys who will soon turn into hateboys telling everyone and their mother again why the game sucked and (insert next game) will be (again) the second coming of Jesus Christ.
In fact it will be Kotor with a monthly fee and knowing EA an item shop on top of that...
@hekke you dont have to read it. I know some fanboys will defend the game till the end lol
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
First of all insults were uncalled for. Secondly, i haven't seena single post from TOR fanboys claiming it to be second coming of jesus. if anything TOR fans are surprisingly mature and have been saying from day one that it is a themepark MMO based on KOTOR universe.
I think you are confusing TOR fans with GW2 fans. (i kid..lol).
Just look at the pub you will see plenty of threads about how great TOR will be and if you dare to say something negative some people (without even a clue) will labeling you as a hater, SWG vet (although you never played it) and what not. I am really looking forward to Archeage too but I know it wont be perfect no game ever will be perfect.
I am glad this site is not buying into the hype.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
Saying TOR will be great is not same as 'claiming it to be coming of second jesus'. Sorry but you were exaggerating there.. a lot. Also how do you know i never played SWG?lol. Infact, i never stopped playing even after NGE i came back and found some fun in it. As far 'fans with no clue' i see more clueless posts from people who claim SWTOR is a single player game with online option. Even though there is a huge sticky on front page to prove them wrong.
Please stop using your psychic powers ok? thank you. Also, remember where i said 'SWTOR fans are a lot more mature'? thanks for proving my point ;{mod edit}
First off labeling "you" = they are labeling everyone saying something negative about TOR as a hater, SWG vet and whatever.
Oh yeah look at the combat thread and see how mature some of them are. The OP stated his concerns in a respectful way and some responses were like "you did not play it so how can you know?"
{mod edit}
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but just look at the swtor.com forums you will find tons of threads about Tor leading the way (what way?!) or how it will destroy ever other game outthere. No one can predict if this game will to well (longterm based) or fail.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
What is ironic is that you are calling others ' clueless' when you yourself make comments like 'story driven solo MMORPG with other players and a Star Wars skin'. i repeat, there is a sticky on front page with videos, links, interviews to prove how group oriented game SWTOR is.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions as long as it is not muddled with lies and wrong information. And that is the biggest problem here, people trying to spread false information. Hate the game all you like but atleast do it on basis of correct information and facts.
I dont hate or love a game just as a start, I am just not buying into hype or viral marketing techniques thats all.
Once again the opionion is based on the videos and information I have read about the game. Facts:
+ you can solo till max level
{mod edit}
+ heavily instanced YES Bioware stated starting planets will be instanced
so..when do you need other players oh yes: opterations and flashpoints
so please SHOW me a link, video where people are not in a flashpoint or operation and actually need working together? If you can find one wish will prove me wrong I will gladfully admit it.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
Most of the recent MMOS and even old ones one can solo to max levels but how does that makes grouping less important? why? only because MMOS these days do not force you into grouping? i don't remember any recent MMOS which do not have instances even GW2 is using instances. Again how does that make grouping part any less important? sorry nothign you said makes swtor a 'solo game'. Like any modern MMO soloing is an option and not a necessity.
And no not just operation and flaspoints but also for bonus quests, heroics, open world pvp etc. The sticky is on the very front page. Are you telling me it is too much effort to go through that thread?
As much as I hate having to agree with women when it comes to the gaming world I have to in this case.
I think SWTOR will have an awesome story progression which I'm a sucker for and I like the graphics as well.
However, the combat does not seem to be what I am looking for in 2 ways:
1. Lasers and light-sabres fail to have that actiony movie feel of a few deft shots and the enemy is blown to smithereens.
2. In PvP I'd like to play a smuggler or imperial agent, yet I suspect in 1v1 these classes will like WAR's Engi or Squig herder simply not be able to touch some of the other classes. Why not? If I get the drop in pvp and I'm recon the area or have a ranged ambush point that's the style of play I'd like to be able to indulge in. But according to this hands-on:
This scenario is unviable. It's like watching your toon behind glass get mowed down despite shouting at it to MOVE! SHOOT! HIDE! for 10s before - too late: *Urrghzffz*
http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1014633/Classic-Game-Postmortem
Dang Dang and Dang now we have a winner! See the reason I am labeling Tor as a "story driven solo game with others players" is I am labeling games like World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, War...GW 2 the same way.
I have read the thread yes and I know the comments from Bioware devs but they have yet show me an open world video were people are working together against some tough opponents. In Aion you have open world dungeons thats something I havent seen in Tor yet.
Anyway I am sure you will play it and maybe share your opinion once you have hit 50 or whatever their maxlevel is .)
So once again I am not saying it will succeed or "fail" (only in lifing up to the hype) but for me by looking at the hard facts its just not what I am expecting from a game with so much budget, PR stuff and development time.
Something no one has brought up yet
Can you guys even imagine how hard it will be for Bioware delivering new fully voiced content? So patches could take a long long time before they are released leaving some non altoholics bored and quitting the game.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
"Everything you're bitching about is wrong. People don't have the time to invest in corpse runs, impossible zones, or long winded quests. Sometimes, they just want to pop on and play."
"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7shHhCd5IA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOT_9LVy9eE(post edit)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWJhZESdRmM (post edit)
here some links in which you can hear people that played in group because it was a pretty challenging Open world.
http://www.gamebreaker.tv/swtor-the-republic-38-hands-on/
http://www.curse.com/articles/swtor-en-news/950700.aspx
"Tanking is like mathematics...healing is like an art" Kimi (ex TOROcast Member)
Heh! you are free to put labels on any MMO you like but it doesn't make you any more right whether you are talking about WOW, AOC, WAR, GW2 or SWTOR. These days MMOS are about giving players a choice between solo and grouping. it is upto players how they want to approach the game.
Your not the only one when I seen the flashpoint walkthru my hype for the game pretty much died, since the game looks to pretty much be world of warcraft with a star wars skin, which honestly is not exciting at all. The combat looks absoultly boring and generic, the VA class quests are nice i guess but thats just Bioware's way of hiding the world of warcraft like linear quest grind to max level. Raiding at endgame might just be as pointless as it is in WoW as well, unless raid gear is the best gear for pvp, and if sw:tor offers some pvp worth doing like land control with bonuses for entire faction based on spots held etc. Though since the game looks and feels like another in a long line of world of warcraft carbon copys with a new skin.. I won't hold my breath. The shit is going to hit the fan when fanboys and girls relize their game they been obsessing over is just world of warcraft with a starwars skin over it, it'll feel like Rift did with a major "been there, done that" feel to the game.
I honestly was gonna buy SW:ToR at launch just because I am so bored and not because I expected anything out of it. The flashpoint vid confirmed what I was afraid of, which was SW:ToR just being nothing more than yet another WoW clone at its core. Now imma wait till there is a free trial and then decide from there if I wanna waste money on it, I probally will end up not buying it though if it just feels like WoW again, Kinda sick of mmo's that use formula's like wow (combat, progression etc).
Being a pessimist is a win-win pattern of thinking. If you're a pessimist (I'll admit that I am!) you're either:
A. Proven right (if something bad happens)
or
B. Pleasantly surprised (if something good happens)
Either way, you can't lose! Try it out sometime!