SWTOR

[Merusk]

Thanks for the links, all who threw me PMs.  I was too late to get in on the vids as EA had already smacked them offline.

Regarding SWOR's budget - it would include other things, like those licensing royalties, toolset development / licenses (BioWare had tapped Perpetual Studios toolset as their MMO engine before moving at least in part to the Hero Engine) and possibly a ton of prototyping.

If the impression was given that SWOR was so important that money was no object, it would be very possible for budgets to be blown wide open on a title that is (allegedly) filled with enough content for 8 games.

Your mention of the Hero Engine made me remember the now-dead Hero's Journey MMO so I went investigating.  Apparently Bioware only licensed the HE for the ability to some of their tools, but aren't actually running on HE itself.

[sam, an eggplant]

You can pretty much decide if you are likely to enjoy the game on that basis.

Well, sure, but there are many more fine points than that, which we can't talk about.

[eldaec]

I've watched those videos, and must have missed the various 'fine points' that aren't equally visible on the developer walk through videos.

[Velorath]

I've watched those videos, and must have missed the various 'fine points' that aren't equally visible on the developer walk through videos.

True.  However some of the beta tester Q&A's they have on that same site go into some details about various things that haven't been discussed.  I had to avoid reading any of that stuff though when I saw that they put massive story spoilers in with everything else without any sort of warning.

[Sky]

I'm trying to boycott the leaks. I know I'm going to play it, I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it quite a bit, even if it ends up devolving into standard mmo tripe at some point. No point on spoiling it, too.

I did peek at the full companion list. Keeping it to officially released infos (out of Daniel's mouth when playing with Blizz); I wonder how big of an impact the kits will have. He made it sound like putting different kits on the companions would change their roles, like dropping a medic kit on Blizz would make him a healer (I think that was the example he gave). I hope that's still the case.

And to echo something I said in the Rift subforum, playing Rift is really making me wary about going into another locked-role system. Since story isn't (apparently) affected by Advanced Class, there should really be cheap respecs and the ability to use a role system like Rift to switch up on the fly, beyond what you can (supposedly) do with companions.

[eldaec]

massive story spoilers in with everything else without any sort of warning.

Incidentally, this is also exactly why beta has no attraction at all for me.

[Reg]

Same with me. Massive story spoilers and half finished game play hold no attraction at all. I didn't even apply.

[Mrbloodworth]

Did they ever give a release date?

[01101010]

Did they ever give a release date?

 internet meme- soon.jpg

[eldaec]

And to echo something I said in the Rift subforum, playing Rift is really making me wary about going into another locked-role system. Since story isn't (apparently) affected by Advanced Class, there should really be cheap respecs and the ability to use a role system like Rift to switch up on the fly, beyond what you can (supposedly) do with companions.

The thing that doesn't worry me about this, is that unlike other mmogs, I can't really concieve of being tied to a main in SWTOR. The whole point being to play through the 8 stories means having a bus load of alts. Fuck all endgames.

OTOH, it looks a lot like advanced class choices are actually all solo spec vs group spec. I can't really imagine that Juggernaughts/Sorcerers/Operatives etc are not prefered in groups and less strong solo than Assassins/Snipers/Whatever etc. Which will probably be annoying.

Did they ever give a release date?

2011. They'd have been more specific by now if they meant August or September. So Q4 2011.

I can't imagine they want this to get lost in christmas noise, so if I were to guess I'd say late October.

[Samprimary]

It's november. Razor goofed and released the date, and that's what most were suspecting anyway.

[sam, an eggplant]

EA hedged their bets in an earnings call and admitted it may slip to 2012, so don't get your hopes up.

And yes, there are discussion points not covered by leaks, lots of them. Is anyone really surprised by that?

[Amaron]

It's november. Razor goofed and released the date, and that's what most were suspecting anyway.

He was talking about their products and he said "hopefully november" after implying they were trying to match dates with SWTOR.   From RAZOR's point of view anything but november is probably a disaster though.   Earlier than Nov would be bad for them for sure.  That said though it sure looks like november.   I guess nobody told EA that using a release date near D3's probable release is fucking crazy.

[Paelos]

Developers should want to release these types of games in the Fall. WoW launched in November. WAR was in September. DAOC was in October. It would make sense to have SWTOR in November. Holidays and everyone's stopped going outside for the summer.

[sam, an eggplant]

I don't think that really needs to be said. Mid-november is the traditional holiday release window, they want to hit it. Will they? Remains to be seen.

[Ingmar]

It's november. Razor goofed and released the date, and that's what most were suspecting anyway.

He was talking about their products and he said "hopefully november" after implying they were trying to match dates with SWTOR.   From RAZOR's point of view anything but november is probably a disaster though.   Earlier than Nov would be bad for them for sure.  That said though it sure looks like november.   I guess nobody told EA that using a release date near D3's probable release is fucking crazy.

You think it will slip to Q2 2012? 

[sam, an eggplant]

No, EA said it may slip to Q1 2012 at the latest. They've got to be applying immense pressure on bioware austin to make 2011, though.

[Merusk]

I figure it's going to be out Q1 2012 at the latest, regardless of how done it is or isn't.

[Shatter]

I figure it's going to be out Q1 2012 at the latest, regardless of how done it is or isn't.

This, I'll be shocked if this comes out 2011

[kaid]

I'm trying to boycott the leaks. I know I'm going to play it, I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it quite a bit, even if it ends up devolving into standard mmo tripe at some point. No point on spoiling it, too.

I did peek at the full companion list. Keeping it to officially released infos (out of Daniel's mouth when playing with Blizz); I wonder how big of an impact the kits will have. He made it sound like putting different kits on the companions would change their roles, like dropping a medic kit on Blizz would make him a healer (I think that was the example he gave). I hope that's still the case.

And to echo something I said in the Rift subforum, playing Rift is really making me wary about going into another locked-role system. Since story isn't (apparently) affected by Advanced Class, there should really be cheap respecs and the ability to use a role system like Rift to switch up on the fly, beyond what you can (supposedly) do with companions.

From what I have gleaned that is indeed how the kits work. Also I think the kits for the more unique looking companions such as the jawa influences their look although this may be a different item. The humanoid companions also can accept normal gear to improve them and to change their looks where droids/jawa/non standard humanoids have specialty gear upgrades for them.

[eldaec]

~Reputable websites~ are now reporting the pre-order bonus leak and box art.

http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/rumor-polish-retailer-leaks-swtor-pre-order-info/


The wording presumably means all energy weapons get colour crystals, not just jedi, which is kind if neat I guess. Dress up is important etcetera.

Honestly this NDA is reaching the stage where Bioware need to just say 'fuck it' because it is becoming laughable.

[WindupAtheist]

Is there any reason why someone who hasn't entered into a non-disclosure agreement with EA (that is to say pretty much everyone here, I assume) isn't blabbing all the details for me to read without having to go to another site? It's an NDA that we're not a party to, not a death-pact to keep secrets from the Nazis.

[Amaron]

The wording presumably means all energy weapons get colour crystals, not just jedi, which is kind if neat I guess. Dress up is important etcetera.

All items get stat "slots" and have no stats themselves from what I understood.   Better quality items slowly get more slots or something.   I can't seem to remember where I read this for some reason.

Also you forgot the good pic:



I spy 4 DVD discs.   

[Rasix]

Is there any reason why someone who hasn't entered into a non-disclosure agreement with EA (that is to say pretty much everyone here, I assume) isn't blabbing all the details for me to read without having to go to another site? It's an NDA that we're not a party to, not a death-pact to keep secrets from the Nazis.

We don't do that here. 

This item is not up for discussion. 

[Sky]

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=13793.0

Want to see the STAP.

[Paelos]

If that's what's in the Collector's Edition, I'm getting that.

[eldaec]

I spy 4 DVD discs.   

Actually the full install set is about 15 discs.

SWTOR's install size is 138 Gb or so I heard.

[eldaec]

I'm also shocked that EA have resisted the temptation stuff 8 class specific cheat mode weapons into that box.

EDIT: Oh silly me I missed the very last bullet point on the list.

[Ashamanchill]

~Reputable websites~ are now reporting the pre-order bonus leak and box art.

http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/rumor-polish-retailer-leaks-swtor-pre-order-info/

So, are there any happy looking sith? Like, even smugly happy, or grinning cause they just killed an enemy or something.

I dunno why that was the first thing that came to me when I saw that box art, but there you go.

Edit: Fucking there and their. Gets me every time.

[Lantyssa]

Fuck.  Bullet-point six is the one that'll get me to buy this.  Damn them all.

[eldaec]

First thing that came to my mind from the art was 'why is neo-Bastilla's lightsaber hilt both longer and thicker than her forearm? I mean, wielding that thing must cause severe cramp in the abductor pollicis brevis'.

But the happy Sith thing is good too.

[Morat20]

I spy 4 DVD discs.   

Actually the full install set is about 15 discs.

SWTOR's install size is 138 Gb or so I heard.

Seriously? Jesus.

[eldaec]

Fuck.  Bullet-point six is the one that'll get me to buy this.  Damn them all.

The mouse droid is good but I can't decide if access to the cheat mode store nullifies the cool factor it would have.

[eldaec]

I spy 4 DVD discs.   

Actually the full install set is about 15 discs.

SWTOR's install size is 138 Gb or so I heard.

Seriously? Jesus.

Someone here has confirmed it independently with two friends they have in beta.

[Rasix]

Not this again.  You are an evil man, eldaec.