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SWTOR post-mortem: it’s more innovative than an FPS

January 17, 2012 By

Labelling Star Wars: The Old Republic competent but not innovative is “unfair”, BioWare told Eurogamer – the MMO does more than today’s FPS and action games to push its respective genre forward.

“It’s been a little bit of an unfair characterisation,” SWTOR game director James Ohlen remarked to Eurogamer. “Because if you look at other game genres, if you look at a Battlefield or a Call of Duty or a Gears of War or even a Half-Life – those games use the same tried and true interface and the same tried and true game mechanics of the first-person shooter genre that’s been around for 20 years.

“If you look at real-time strategy games, they kept the same tried and true interface and the same tried and true mechanics that existed for 20 years. Same with adventure games, same with platformers, same with fighting games, sports games.

“I don’t know why the MMORPG genre is not considered to be a genre,” Ohlen shrugged. “It could be that World of Warcraft has dominated for so long that people just think of it as just a single game genre.

“But it is a genre, and we wanted to appeal to fans of that genre – we don’t want to turn them away by making something that’s radically different. And we wanted to take the lessons that have been developed in that genre over years and years and years and basically refine them, much like other companies do with other genres.
Via www.eurogamer.net

Filed Under: From the internets!

‘Doctor Who: Worlds In Time’ MMO now open

December 30, 2011 By

Sick of playing SWTOR? No, me neither, but if you want something a little different, jump in the TARDIS:

“If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be the Doctor’s companion, then wonder no longer as you can now undergo the experience yourself… at least digitally. ‘Doctor Who: Worlds in Time’ is a new MMO game from BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games and Three Rings Design which allows players around the world to enter the TARDIS and follow in the footsteps of the famous Time Lord while defending the universe from destruction.

The online game just went public yesterday and is still in the beta phase so expect a few changes along the way while in the preview period. Players can choose from four different races then personalize their avatar by choosing such attributes as hair color, skin color and facial features. Once you create an account, you can enter the TARDIS and join the Doctor.”

[Via sciencefiction.com]

Filed Under: From the internets!

‘Star Wars: The Old Republic’ Is Off to a Very Good Start

December 28, 2011 By


Star Wars: the Old Republic already has a million registered users, and momentum seems to be picking up a week after the game’s launch.
Via mashable.com

Filed Under: From the internets!

Pics from SWTOR’s Austin and New York Launches

December 21, 2011 By

The launch events from the New York and Austin events are now done and dusted, and Bioware have posted a bunch of pictures up on their Facebook page. Here’s three as a taster:

Some serious costumes going on there!

Filed Under: From the internets! Tagged With:

Develop your own arsenal of Jedi mind tricks

December 5, 2011 By

Now that the beta is over, one’s mind turns to other Star Wars related activities. One obvious one is practising your own Jedi mind tricks.

Thanks to Reddit, there’s a great thread on just that. Some examples:

“Whenever you are negotiating take long…very long pauses before you ask questions. It makes people vomit the truth”

“If you’re being confronted by people handing stuff out, put your hands in your pockets or behind your back. If they’re in front of, you’ll somehow always end up with the flyer. Also, if you do take it, they may be encouraged to start talking it up. Take it, look at it, and then firmly hand it back. They’ll be so confused they’ll shut up. If a religious person asks you if you’re going to Heaven, tell them that you believe in God and you’re definitely going to Hell. If someone is going door to door, open the door naked. Or my favorite, open it just a crack, give them a scared look, and say something like “You gotta go quick, my mom/dad/roommate/SO is a (insert name of group that hates them.)”

There’s dozens more, but be aware some have some strong language. And try any at your own peril. Especially this one:

“If you want to keep the seat next to you free on a crowded train/bus/etc. Look at the people walking towards you and tap the seat with your hand.”

Thanks to TOROZ reader Phil for the heads-up!

Filed Under: From the internets!, Humour, News Tagged With: ,

SWTOR mega beta test: around the grounds wrap-up

November 28, 2011 By

Time for some more views via Twitter from the troops on the ground fighting the beta war!

Based on a totally subjective, non-scientific analysis of a few hundred individuals tweeting, I’m happy to report that most enjoyed playing SWTOR and are looking forward to the launch. Who’d a thunk?

Most gripes came around installation issues and queues, although the queue issue seemed pretty tame on most servers given the size of the test. Then there were those who’ve burnt out on MMOs and don’t see enough new in SWTOR to get too excited.

Onto the Twitter randomness:

archonsg: Has #swtor beta ended or will cut out in several hours? Hoping EA/Bioware will extend it one more day. :p

hulgarth: after playing all weekend I just pre-ordered #swtor the leveling alone with companions + story alone will be worth the 60 bones like #skyrim

SabrinaLianne: Really enjoyed flashpoints in #SWTOR – felt much more interesting to play through, more invested in outcome than other MMOs.

VexingVision: So the general consensus among the non-WoW-players seems to be that #SWTOR is a bit boring, despite the voice-acting. Ah well. :(

EvionFox: Okay, the beta has definitely sold me on #SWTOR. I was iffy about the graphics, but they use light so well, looks like a SW painting.

Lunatich: While #SWTOR did slightly scratch my MMO itch, it doesn’t do anything new and I’m bored w/ hotkey MMO’s. Will not buy it – sad as I love SW.

josmiller: #swtor Beta weekend was fantastic. Great combination of the familiar and the new all in an immersive realisation of the Star Wars I.P.

Crazycommander: #SWTOR weekend was great. Will I subscribe? Probably not, I think I’m fed up with that type of game.

chung105: And btw if #swtor is canon then Luke, Vader, Palpatine, Darth Maul, Darth Oldballs, and all the rest really sucked at the force.

andrealessi: Tatooine is where #SWTOR really comes in to its own, I think. It’s a huge area with so much to do, and the Czerka quest line is great.

Trayionlh: You know you’ve been playing too much @dragonage when you notice protocol droids in #swtor going “thank the maker”

Shades_of_Mauve: #SWTOR ran pretty well, except for my miraculous disappearing pants. Who cares? When you’re a jedi you can run around in your skivvies.

GirlyGamerSite: really liking #SWTOR Went from not interested in even playing the beta to most likely getting the game for release in a weekends time.

Bullet_beast: So after watching the chat in #SWTOR I’ve realized I don’t think I’ve ever talked to big fans of star wars before, at least not knowingly.

Elastoman: Sooooo…. fewer drunk tweets tonight than last night. But I think I can say I Jedi’d the shit out of this weekend. #swtor

AgentStephens: Sitting here in a Jedi Bathrobe playing #SWToR :D

sevquis: want 2 play more #swtor but that leads 2 unhappy wife, which leads 2 fear, fear leads 2 anger, anger leads 2 hate, hate leads 2 suffering.

Now it’s your turn: how did you find the beta weekend?

Filed Under: From the internets!, News, Opinion Tagged With:

SWTOR mega beta test: around the grounds

November 26, 2011 By

Most people should have fought their way on shore of the country called SWTOR to fight the good fight for a weekend. Ok, that’s a lame analogy but I wanted to match the picture.

Anyway, we thought it might be fun to bring you some reactions from testers on their experiences in the first handful of hours of the test. All quotes are from Twitter and the only selection criteria were that they were amusing, informative or both:

201d: If your #SWTOR opening cinematic-induced boner lasts for more than 4 hours, it’s normal. #smugglerFTW

WizDeuces: im sure everyone is tweeting about #SWTOR today. but wow it really is an amazing game.

RealDaq: Biggest problem so far: I have yet to meet an enemy that I actually feel like I might not win against. Of course-only level six :p #SWTOR

onoj: it turns out #swtor is just WoW in the starwars universe. this is a good thing.

TheeJMorgan: Next 70 hours of my life is being dedicated to #SWTOR

ainilome: Oh, and #SWTOR is even more amazingly fun than I thought it would be.

ainilome: Khem Val is like a two legged force eating pit bull. I like him more than I thought I would. #swtor

count_01: Impression so far: runs a hell of a lot faster than Rift, but that may be on severely-throttled servers. EATS BATTERY ALIVE. #SWtOR

Christarius: Hmmz some of the music in #SWTOR sounds a bit like the #SCII Main Theme! Don’t mind too much, soundtrack is good in both games.

Dave797: Quite impressed, #SWTOR runs in High on my average PC will minimal fuss. Classic MMO formula tho. Bioware dialogue epic as always.

linenboy: Is it wrong that I find my Twi’lek toon attractive? #swtor

Juelles666: tried #swtor not overly impressed, bit laggy and a bit dull, nothing there to grab u! just felt a bit – oh, kill 8 of those guys

Leiralei: Ok how did I just get light side points for betraying someone? O.O #SWTOR

Abriael: There’s a #swtor server named “The fatman”, yeah I know what it is, I still find it funny.

Gamecrashers: Yay, I just found Karaoke village. Time to rock out like a Jedi rock star! #notreally #swtor

neimhaille: I can’t see what I just shot! But I did manage to survice this time, woo! #swtor test in NZ on Telecom ;)

Icarus_Tyler: The first thing I did in #swtor: /dance

FrickaM: #SWTOR Female run is atrociously bad. Yup, Worse than Rift and Lineage “i shove my arse in the camera” 2

randomlyrossy: Love the way the overlaid map goes transparent if you’re moving. Such a small but really useful touch. #SWTOR

Over to you: what are you loving / hating about the beta so far? C’mon, post a comment while you’re queuing!

Filed Under: From the internets!, News
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