If you want to see more detailed articles on this game from GDC and other things, go to http://darthhater.com/
It's a really popular fansite for Star Wars The Old Republic and their report is way more detailed than these other ones like MMORPG that are floating around...
Bioware please make Star Wars: The Old Republic awesome.:)
In the recent interviews that have cropped up, the designers have said only 10% of the world is instance, and that's the planets are huge and seamless with loads of room to explore.
In the Darth Hater chat tonight, those who had a chance to play it reassured us about just about every worry one might have. They said the combat was fast and snappy. Many lighting and smoke effects looked impressive to them. The game world appeared to be very open, and they believed they could walk a very long ways without hitting any kind of barrier. Also, the world map showed multiple zones they could go into on the same planet, and this was supposed to be one of the smallest planets in the game, so they were literally shocked when they found that out, because they thought the tested zone was huge. The DarthHater girls and boys are big fans of Bioware, but I could tell by the sound of their voice they were absolutely thrilled with the game, and thought it was immeaditetly engaging and fun, and felt immersive.
Yeah, you don’t want someone talking to you in a MMO do you? Who do these NPC’s think they are, bloody liberty. Next thing you know we will have other players talking to us and interrupting our MMO experience!
We did see it on the vids already, and I am very glad about the fast paced combat. Sounds all very cool to me. I still would like to know, if you walk with a group and have dialogue options: how do you decide what to answer? Do all group members have a say and can people potentially ruin your story by picking "bad" answers? Thats what I worry the most atm. Also looking at the trooper screenshots I felt like ALL male chars have the exact same face texture just differently shaped.
This is a good point you raised and it got me thinking as well. I have a feeling that they will have everyone in the group pick one option and whichever choice gets the most "votes" will get picked for the group. What would be cool though is even if you choice didn't get picked if you character was able to voice his opinion and get credit for the choice you wanted to pick.
Well, well, well. The Darth Hater site is very good and their hands on with the Trooper story was light years from the one here (sorry mmorpg.com but they are simply so much more into the game and it shows). I also read the recent interview with Daniel Erickson and was extremely impressed with the thoughtfulness in the answers. There is some real artistry going on here with the story telling for each class and it is very hard not to get excited about SW:ToR.
I especially liked the comments about actual role playing, and the bits about the planets being open worlds didn't hurt either.
Dare I say that I actually, for once, feel excited for the MMO genre?
One question for Mr. Garret: How dialogue-heavy is the game? Is it as intrusive as in DragonAge?
I love when people describe dialogue as 'intrusive.' It helps me through my day.
/sarcasm on
tell me about it :P
how dare those pesky NPC's convey story line, who do they think they are to get in the way of my blood bath.
especially in dragonage it would of bean so much better with none of that storyline or intrigue getting in the way of the combat and killing and looting :P
I especially liked the comments about actual role playing, and the bits about the planets being open worlds didn't hurt either. Dare I say that I actually, for once, feel excited for the MMO genre?
My favorite Bioware quote out of GDC came from a ZAM interview.
To paraphrase Daniel Erickson (Lead Writer), "MMOs have always been the aspects of an RPG, without the heart of an RPG."
I can't recall truer words regarding the genre.
From the beginning, MMORPGs been more about mechanics to create a 'functoning' virtual world simulator rather than making a good and fun RPG. Bioware's SWTOR could help the genre evolve in a direction that is long overdue.
One question for Mr. Garret: How dialogue-heavy is the game? Is it as intrusive as in DragonAge?
I love when people describe dialogue as 'intrusive.' It helps me through my day.
tell me about it :P
how dare those pesky NPC's convey story line, who do they think they are to get in the way of my blood bath.
especially in dragonage it would of bean so much better with none of that storyline or intrigue getting in the way of the combat and killing and looting :P
Yea really that damn dialogue that Bioware comes up with totally ruins my immersion. I play the way it's meant to be played - by going around slaughtering everyone and everything -cuz I'm L33T.
Our spirit was here long before you
Long before us
And long will it be after your pride brings you to your end
In the Darth Hater chat tonight, those who had a chance to play it reassured us about just about every worry one might have. They said the combat was fast and snappy. Many lighting and smoke effects looked impressive to them. The game world appeared to be very open, and they believed they could walk a very long ways without hitting any kind of barrier. Also, the world map showed multiple zones they could go into on the same planet, and this was supposed to be one of the smallest planets in the game, so they were literally shocked when they found that out, because they thought the tested zone was huge. The DarthHater girls and boys are big fans of Bioware, but I could tell by the sound of their voice they were absolutely thrilled with the game, and thought it was immeaditetly engaging and fun, and felt immersive.
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
In the Darth Hater chat tonight, those who had a chance to play it reassured us about just about every worry one might have. They said the combat was fast and snappy. Many lighting and smoke effects looked impressive to them. The game world appeared to be very open, and they believed they could walk a very long ways without hitting any kind of barrier. Also, the world map showed multiple zones they could go into on the same planet, and this was supposed to be one of the smallest planets in the game, so they were literally shocked when they found that out, because they thought the tested zone was huge. The DarthHater girls and boys are big fans of Bioware, but I could tell by the sound of their voice they were absolutely thrilled with the game, and thought it was immeaditetly engaging and fun, and felt immersive.
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
So your speculation that the world is small and instanced is more valid than their speculations? I'm going to have to trust them over you. Mainly because, you know, they've actually played the game.
I wonder if the game was artificially made easier or the character made extra tough (other than the equipment) for the demo. It looks to me that the game is too easy. I mean, here we have someone who hasn't played the game at all and won all battles including a mini-boss fight with ease.
I left STO because of the same reason... no challenge. My deepest fear with ST:TOR is that it'll follow the trend of recent MMOs and make battles show a lot of lights and particles (i.e. pew pew) but almost no chance of failure.
In the Darth Hater chat tonight, those who had a chance to play it reassured us about just about every worry one might have. They said the combat was fast and snappy. Many lighting and smoke effects looked impressive to them. The game world appeared to be very open, and they believed they could walk a very long ways without hitting any kind of barrier. Also, the world map showed multiple zones they could go into on the same planet, and this was supposed to be one of the smallest planets in the game, so they were literally shocked when they found that out, because they thought the tested zone was huge. The DarthHater girls and boys are big fans of Bioware, but I could tell by the sound of their voice they were absolutely thrilled with the game, and thought it was immeaditetly engaging and fun, and felt immersive.
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
Bioware has already said that only 10% of TOR will be instanced the other 90% will be all open world.
Anyone else a little underwhelmed by the graphics? Seems pretty average for today, certainly not the best... And since it won't release 'till at least Q2 next year (Q4 will be my bet after a push-back), shouldn't they be trying out cryengine2 or something?
I mean, I'm thrilled I'll be able to pass rec. sys req. specs with my present comp... but its just not what I expected from an 'innovative' mmo trying to push the limits >.> Why use an engine that will be 5(?) years old (GoW & R:6 had it in '06 I believe) when it comes out =/
Anyone else a little underwhelmed by the graphics? Seems pretty average for today, certainly not the best... And since it won't release 'till at least Q2 next year (Q4 will be my bet after a push-back), shouldn't they be trying out cryengine2 or something? I mean, I'm thrilled I'll be able to pass rec. sys req. specs with my present comp... but its just not what I expected from an 'innovative' mmo trying to push the limits >.> Why use an engine that will be 5(?) years old (GoW & R:6 had it in '06 I believe) when it comes out =/
i haven't seen the graphics yet and on that note ware did you ? i would like to see
any ways i can say this
well for many of us newer better graphics isn't everything and certainly not more important the game play , game features ,storyline , and innovation , variety
on an off topic i like your cat avatar but what movie is it from? never seen it before
In the Darth Hater chat tonight, those who had a chance to play it reassured us about just about every worry one might have. They said the combat was fast and snappy. Many lighting and smoke effects looked impressive to them. The game world appeared to be very open, and they believed they could walk a very long ways without hitting any kind of barrier. Also, the world map showed multiple zones they could go into on the same planet, and this was supposed to be one of the smallest planets in the game, so they were literally shocked when they found that out, because they thought the tested zone was huge. The DarthHater girls and boys are big fans of Bioware, but I could tell by the sound of their voice they were absolutely thrilled with the game, and thought it was immeaditetly engaging and fun, and felt immersive.
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
So your speculation that the world is small and instanced is more valid than their speculations? I'm going to have to trust them over you. Mainly because, you know, they've actually played the game.
Anyone else a little underwhelmed by the graphics? Seems pretty average for today, certainly not the best... And since it won't release 'till at least Q2 next year (Q4 will be my bet after a push-back), shouldn't they be trying out cryengine2 or something? I mean, I'm thrilled I'll be able to pass rec. sys req. specs with my present comp... but its just not what I expected from an 'innovative' mmo trying to push the limits >.> Why use an engine that will be 5(?) years old (GoW & R:6 had it in '06 I believe) when it comes out =/
I know they're not near as detailed as you can find with some other MMOs, but personally I like them the way they have them.
Comments
If you want to see more detailed articles on this game from GDC and other things, go to http://darthhater.com/
It's a really popular fansite for Star Wars The Old Republic and their report is way more detailed than these other ones like MMORPG that are floating around...
Bioware please make Star Wars: The Old Republic awesome.:)
Good news, hadn't heard this before.
the darth hater review single handedly got me interested about this game again.
In the Darth Hater chat tonight, those who had a chance to play it reassured us about just about every worry one might have. They said the combat was fast and snappy. Many lighting and smoke effects looked impressive to them. The game world appeared to be very open, and they believed they could walk a very long ways without hitting any kind of barrier. Also, the world map showed multiple zones they could go into on the same planet, and this was supposed to be one of the smallest planets in the game, so they were literally shocked when they found that out, because they thought the tested zone was huge. The DarthHater girls and boys are big fans of Bioware, but I could tell by the sound of their voice they were absolutely thrilled with the game, and thought it was immeaditetly engaging and fun, and felt immersive.
Thank you for the article! It's nice to hear some hands on experience with the game.
I was particularly happy to hear that any class can use cover, but some (Smugglers/Spies one would presume) are better at using it.
any word on races
or crafting or if there is any type of housing ?
or if its open pvp , pvp optional , or no pvp ?
I love when people describe dialogue as 'intrusive.' It helps me through my day.
Yeah, you don’t want someone talking to you in a MMO do you? Who do these NPC’s think they are, bloody liberty. Next thing you know we will have other players talking to us and interrupting our MMO experience!
I love when people describe dialogue as 'intrusive.' It helps me through my day.
I've always wondered what goes through this type of person's mind when playing a Bioware game.
"Why does the game keep getting in the way of me killing things!"
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
This is a good point you raised and it got me thinking as well. I have a feeling that they will have everyone in the group pick one option and whichever choice gets the most "votes" will get picked for the group. What would be cool though is even if you choice didn't get picked if you character was able to voice his opinion and get credit for the choice you wanted to pick.
Well, well, well. The Darth Hater site is very good and their hands on with the Trooper story was light years from the one here (sorry mmorpg.com but they are simply so much more into the game and it shows). I also read the recent interview with Daniel Erickson and was extremely impressed with the thoughtfulness in the answers. There is some real artistry going on here with the story telling for each class and it is very hard not to get excited about SW:ToR.
I especially liked the comments about actual role playing, and the bits about the planets being open worlds didn't hurt either.
Dare I say that I actually, for once, feel excited for the MMO genre?
I love when people describe dialogue as 'intrusive.' It helps me through my day.
/sarcasm on
tell me about it :P
how dare those pesky NPC's convey story line, who do they think they are to get in the way of my blood bath.
especially in dragonage it would of bean so much better with none of that storyline or intrigue getting in the way of the combat and killing and looting :P
/sarcasm off :P
My favorite Bioware quote out of GDC came from a ZAM interview.
To paraphrase Daniel Erickson (Lead Writer), "MMOs have always been the aspects of an RPG, without the heart of an RPG."
I can't recall truer words regarding the genre.
From the beginning, MMORPGs been more about mechanics to create a 'functoning' virtual world simulator rather than making a good and fun RPG. Bioware's SWTOR could help the genre evolve in a direction that is long overdue.
I love when people describe dialogue as 'intrusive.' It helps me through my day.
tell me about it :P
how dare those pesky NPC's convey story line, who do they think they are to get in the way of my blood bath.
especially in dragonage it would of bean so much better with none of that storyline or intrigue getting in the way of the combat and killing and looting :P
Yea really that damn dialogue that Bioware comes up with totally ruins my immersion. I play the way it's meant to be played - by going around slaughtering everyone and everything -cuz I'm L33T.
Our spirit was here long before you
Long before us
And long will it be after your pride brings you to your end
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
Furious Fighters
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/13trindx.htm
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
So your speculation that the world is small and instanced is more valid than their speculations? I'm going to have to trust them over you. Mainly because, you know, they've actually played the game.
I wonder if the game was artificially made easier or the character made extra tough (other than the equipment) for the demo. It looks to me that the game is too easy. I mean, here we have someone who hasn't played the game at all and won all battles including a mini-boss fight with ease.
I left STO because of the same reason... no challenge. My deepest fear with ST:TOR is that it'll follow the trend of recent MMOs and make battles show a lot of lights and particles (i.e. pew pew) but almost no chance of failure.
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
Bioware has already said that only 10% of TOR will be instanced the other 90% will be all open world.
Anyone else a little underwhelmed by the graphics? Seems pretty average for today, certainly not the best... And since it won't release 'till at least Q2 next year (Q4 will be my bet after a push-back), shouldn't they be trying out cryengine2 or something?
I mean, I'm thrilled I'll be able to pass rec. sys req. specs with my present comp... but its just not what I expected from an 'innovative' mmo trying to push the limits >.> Why use an engine that will be 5(?) years old (GoW & R:6 had it in '06 I believe) when it comes out =/
i haven't seen the graphics yet and on that note ware did you ? i would like to see
any ways i can say this
well for many of us newer better graphics isn't everything and certainly not more important the game play , game features ,storyline , and innovation , variety
on an off topic i like your cat avatar but what movie is it from? never seen it before
Key words "the world APPEARED to be open, and they BELIEVED they could walk a long way without hitting barriers" so really it's just speculation,not fact.
AOC has open zones where i can walk around but it's still a loading instance game. As of now no one who has played the game can say if it's an open world,meaning no barriers and not forced loading to get to one region or another. As of now all we have had is one playable race which i think think it is only human with companions making up the other playable races,i guess Bioware think controlling a pet is playable.
So you see we have not seen anything new with this latest showing,just another class running around doing some quests.
So your speculation that the world is small and instanced is more valid than their speculations? I'm going to have to trust them over you. Mainly because, you know, they've actually played the game.
QFT
I like you today.
I know they're not near as detailed as you can find with some other MMOs, but personally I like them the way they have them.