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Star Wars: The Old Republic [Releasing Date: Dec 20 NA/EU - NDA Lifted]
- Thread starter Blackface
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HarryDemeanor
Member
Oh boy.antonz said:
Gaf likes to think its the center of the gaming world but the reality is its not. It represents the smallest portion of it.
Just like when Role Play is mentioned all the stupid cybering comments etc come out. I dont think Bioware or TOR deserve any free pass for blatant laziness.
Even free to play MMOs can manage features Bioware apparently cannot. Biowares too busy trying to setup everything like a stage that lighting has to be like a set instead of reality etc. Its laziness. Whats the point of setting up social areas and even calling them as such if everything is an inanimate setpiece that cant even be interacted with.
Just like when Role Play is mentioned all the stupid cybering comments etc come out. I dont think Bioware or TOR deserve any free pass for blatant laziness.
Even free to play MMOs can manage features Bioware apparently cannot. Biowares too busy trying to setup everything like a stage that lighting has to be like a set instead of reality etc. Its laziness. Whats the point of setting up social areas and even calling them as such if everything is an inanimate setpiece that cant even be interacted with.
TeK-DeLorean
Neo Member
Some random impressions and opinions of the game after a week or so, played a few different characters, my highest is a Lv14 Jedi Shadow. I haven't done PvP. If you're going to get offended at my opinions that are negative, I recommend you don't read this.. I know people want this game to succeed, I'm one of them. I'm not trying to bash the game.
-First of all the graphics are better than I expected, but that's not saying much. I play on max settings for the beta, and we're talking slightly below ME1 PC Max settings quality here. Will they release an Ultra texture pack? who knows. Big areas but they are pretty bland looking so far.
-Voiceovers are typical Bioware quality, outstanding. Story is not too engrossing yet imo. (Jedi Consular) They want you to care about certain characters you've JUST MET. Good/evil/neutral answers as usual.
-Music, sounds, (enemy death is amusing), blasters, all sound great. Lightsabers sound perfect, from drawing them, closing them, idling and striking something it sounds perfect. I noticed my double bladed Shadow's saber sounded different from my single bladed one. I'm a sound geek so I love the special attention to this. Music/Sounds/Voiceovers are the best parts of this game I've experienced so far.
-Enemies just standing around in packs waiting to get killed.. Animations (Jedi are the most polished), droids don't break into lego pieces like the movies, (sadface) using the same animations as PC's (dodging, sword fighting). Enemies are just standing around firing at you, not running for cover, and using the same animations. I tried playing a BH but the animations just look silly and out of place to me. The flamethrower, the firing in place, the running, the SHORYUKEN... just seemed off.
-Quest items are global, will be a nightmare in release unless there's a few channels or not global. Same for quest mobs. Competing for quest mobs or items with just ONE other player right now = 3 min. respawn time for that item/mob on average. Retail will be ridiculous.
-Skin tight space suits everywhere, 4 body types, skinny/normal/thicker/huge. No sliders at all on char create. Everything with 2 legs uses the same animations, why are flesh raiders and random thugs using trainer Jedi blades and doing the same battle moves as my trained Jedi?
-Lightsabers sold in stores........
Will things improve from here? Of course. But as it stands right now:
SW geeks will eat this up
People tired of WoW but want more of the same will eat this up.
People looking for "something new" or "the next thing in MMO evolution" are looking at the wrong game I think. It's still beta, what do I know? /flameon
-First of all the graphics are better than I expected, but that's not saying much. I play on max settings for the beta, and we're talking slightly below ME1 PC Max settings quality here. Will they release an Ultra texture pack? who knows. Big areas but they are pretty bland looking so far.
-Voiceovers are typical Bioware quality, outstanding. Story is not too engrossing yet imo. (Jedi Consular) They want you to care about certain characters you've JUST MET. Good/evil/neutral answers as usual.
-Music, sounds, (enemy death is amusing), blasters, all sound great. Lightsabers sound perfect, from drawing them, closing them, idling and striking something it sounds perfect. I noticed my double bladed Shadow's saber sounded different from my single bladed one. I'm a sound geek so I love the special attention to this. Music/Sounds/Voiceovers are the best parts of this game I've experienced so far.
-Enemies just standing around in packs waiting to get killed.. Animations (Jedi are the most polished), droids don't break into lego pieces like the movies, (sadface) using the same animations as PC's (dodging, sword fighting). Enemies are just standing around firing at you, not running for cover, and using the same animations. I tried playing a BH but the animations just look silly and out of place to me. The flamethrower, the firing in place, the running, the SHORYUKEN... just seemed off.
-Quest items are global, will be a nightmare in release unless there's a few channels or not global. Same for quest mobs. Competing for quest mobs or items with just ONE other player right now = 3 min. respawn time for that item/mob on average. Retail will be ridiculous.
-Skin tight space suits everywhere, 4 body types, skinny/normal/thicker/huge. No sliders at all on char create. Everything with 2 legs uses the same animations, why are flesh raiders and random thugs using trainer Jedi blades and doing the same battle moves as my trained Jedi?
-Lightsabers sold in stores........
Will things improve from here? Of course. But as it stands right now:
SW geeks will eat this up
People tired of WoW but want more of the same will eat this up.
People looking for "something new" or "the next thing in MMO evolution" are looking at the wrong game I think. It's still beta, what do I know? /flameon
Giolon
Member
Tek, you realize everything you just posted is against the NDA, right?
@antonz: It's this simple - if you don't like what they're offering, don't buy it. Running around proclaiming the game is shit because there are no sunsets and you can't sit in chairs is a little extreme don't you think? There's a wide spectrum between being perfect and a stinking pile of shit that's an insult upon all human beings. I think it's pretty assinine to call Bioware lazy just because they didn't include a few of your pet features. Would they be cool to have? Sure. Do they invalidate the rest of the game? I don't think so. If you do, as I said, don't buy it!
@gatti-man - I love you.
@antonz: It's this simple - if you don't like what they're offering, don't buy it. Running around proclaiming the game is shit because there are no sunsets and you can't sit in chairs is a little extreme don't you think? There's a wide spectrum between being perfect and a stinking pile of shit that's an insult upon all human beings. I think it's pretty assinine to call Bioware lazy just because they didn't include a few of your pet features. Would they be cool to have? Sure. Do they invalidate the rest of the game? I don't think so. If you do, as I said, don't buy it!
@gatti-man - I love you.
FieryBalrog
Member
Everyone and their mother is breaking the NDA at this point. Numerous times in this thread previously.
Well that info is pretty much what I expected, except for maybe the story. Hopefully, I find that more interesting, but honestly I was never looking for some huge step forward in mmo gaming. I like mmo games how they are right now, if anything I wish they had more incentive to group as that is my favorite part of these type of games.
MaddenNFL64
Member
Geez, over some fucking day cycles & sitting in chairs. Hope it's off all your chests by now.
edit: nevermind, the amount of complaints felt bigger to me. I need to stop browsing this thread once in while.
edit: nevermind, the amount of complaints felt bigger to me. I need to stop browsing this thread once in while.
EA to constrain Old Republic supply
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-18-ea-to-constrain-old-republic-supply
The number of copies of Star Wars: The Old Republic available at launch will be deliberately limited in order to ensure the MMO gets off to a smooth start, publisher EA has claimed.
As reported by GameInformer, EA announced at Gamescom today that it will hold back both digital and physical copies of the game so that servers don't buckle under the pressure.
The EA rep explained it would rather make sure early adopters have a good experience with the game than open the flood gates and overload the system while it's still getting up to speed.
The exact cut-off point wasn't disclosed but the spokesperson added that as soon as the limit was hit, it will work as hard as possible expand its server capabilities and allow more players in.
EA still hasn't announced a firm release date for the BioWare-developed saga, though it's hoping to have it out before the end of the year.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-18-ea-to-constrain-old-republic-supply
The number of copies of Star Wars: The Old Republic available at launch will be deliberately limited in order to ensure the MMO gets off to a smooth start, publisher EA has claimed.
As reported by GameInformer, EA announced at Gamescom today that it will hold back both digital and physical copies of the game so that servers don't buckle under the pressure.
The EA rep explained it would rather make sure early adopters have a good experience with the game than open the flood gates and overload the system while it's still getting up to speed.
The exact cut-off point wasn't disclosed but the spokesperson added that as soon as the limit was hit, it will work as hard as possible expand its server capabilities and allow more players in.
EA still hasn't announced a firm release date for the BioWare-developed saga, though it's hoping to have it out before the end of the year.
It wasn't really the same. Copies of WoW were being pulled off of store shelves because they couldn't handle their current server loads. To deliberately undership seems like a weird tactic, and tells me that EA doesn't have a lot of confidence in the game.Dakota47 said:
If their thinking is "we won't have enough servers to handle launch" then why wouldn't they simply buy more servers to handle the number of copies they think can be sold?Dakota47 said:
This almost seems like a scam to get people to pre-order to be honest.
Dance In My Blood said:
Too few servers at launch at and your customers are angry because of long server queues. Too many servers and your customers are angry because of empty servers.
Getting as many players as possible at day 1 isn't really a good strategy for MMOs, so it kinda makes sense.
On the other hand it's EA, so who knows.
Dinosaur Tamer
Member
Wow at the amount of people going crazy about day/night cycles, sitting on chairs and caves looking like caves. Somehow I always expected the average poster to be more in the hardcore and/or gameplay orientated direction and less in the fluff/spending hours sitting on chairs/RP direction.
Fluff can be added anytime after launch (though day/night cycles are highly unlikely). Core gameplay systems like combat, which is easily the most important system, is what Bioware should be focusing on for launch. And they do - it works great.
It's not as easy as you seem to think it is. You can't just easily throw in more servers and be done with it.
Fluff can be added anytime after launch (though day/night cycles are highly unlikely). Core gameplay systems like combat, which is easily the most important system, is what Bioware should be focusing on for launch. And they do - it works great.
Dance In My Blood said:
It's not as easy as you seem to think it is. You can't just easily throw in more servers and be done with it.
MedIC86 said:Nope it did not, i actually finished Resident Evil 4 because of the nice queu's i got in the first few weeks
I was thinking more about how WoW being sold out didn't stop the hype train and stopped it from turning it into a massive success.
Queues will be there no matter how hard EA/Bioware tries.
So have servers in place but open new ones over time or as needed keeping a close eye on the launch. Honestly the only reason people complain about empty servers on many MMO launches is because people soon stop playing. TOR isn't going to be that MMO out of the gate.Won said:
Fluff never gets added after launch for MMOs because the demand for new content is such that it becomes the only focus of the developers.Dinosaur Tamer said:
And if the problem is that there are too many players it is as easy as buying more servers to handle the load. There have been a large number of MMOs/expansions now that have launched without a hitch that didn't have to artificially limit supply. It would be a ridiculous way to hamstring your game and tell people that they can't join in on the opening of your brand new MMO because EA didn't feel like buying enough servers.
MaddenNFL64
Member
Could be a scheme to drive preorders, sure.
But if it's all a ruse to gain preorders, why not just launch worldwide, and do that with everyone. They're just stopping digital orders, not physical copies, and no one outside of the U.S or part of Europe can even buy a digital copy. Seems like they're missing the boat if this is all a scheme because they think the game can't drive its own sales. I mean if EA is afraid the game will fall flat, why would they stagger the launch, the game may not sell at all in other territories based on bad reviews, or word of mouth.
But if it's all a ruse to gain preorders, why not just launch worldwide, and do that with everyone. They're just stopping digital orders, not physical copies, and no one outside of the U.S or part of Europe can even buy a digital copy. Seems like they're missing the boat if this is all a scheme because they think the game can't drive its own sales. I mean if EA is afraid the game will fall flat, why would they stagger the launch, the game may not sell at all in other territories based on bad reviews, or word of mouth.
ahahaantonz said:
Holy shit, you are the biggest sperglord. I'm going to once again remind you that the game is built using the Hero Engine, and that day/night cycles are already built into the engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTJDKyAjXbg
They made a decision not to use it. It has absolutely nothing to do with laziness. Even if it wasn't built into the engine, it still is hilarious that a development studio producing a fully voiced MMO with eight single-player games worth of content at launch and a bunch of other MMO content can be referred to as lazy because you can't sit in a chair in a virtual environment.
Dinosaur Tamer
Member
Dance In My Blood said:
So you are saying the tons of fluff added to World of Warcraft since 2004/2005 are some kind of weird spawn of my imagination?
Dinosaur Tamer
Member
Won said:
Maybe, but there has been a lot of fluff being added since launch day. Between vanity pets, mounts, tabards, costume potions and wands, barber shops, fluff armor like tuxedos or shirts, the trading card game fluff items, toys, two whole freaking shops full of fluff in Dalaran, a lot of environmental fluff added in both new and redone capitals and all the stuff I am not remembering right now, you really can't say fluff does not get added post launch. And that is just one example.
Gunmonkey36
Member
antonz said:
Clearly you have never done any bit of software development or programming. Calling any video game programmer lazy is just silly, much less a studio developing an MMO. The amount of development necessary for such an endeavor is, well, massive.
Not to mention they had the capabilities to do day and light cycles built into the engine they are using. They made a choice not to use them as they found it detrimental to the overall atmosphere.
You are entitled to your opinion, but honestly if you have never done any bit of software development you shouldn't be calling those who take on such a challenging endeavor lazy.
Dinosaur Tamer said:
Sure, but I think WoW is just a bad example. Blizzard tends to just outright drop "fluff" features (not simple items) and never revisits them, if they aren't finished at launch of an expansion. Player housing is probably the better example here than the Dance Studio. Still MIA.
I'm just happy someone at Blizzard cared enough to push out weather effects back then. Probably wouldn't happy these days. Edit: They will let you finally customize your armor with the next patch though. I guess that's not too bad after so many years.
Dinosaur Tamer
Member
Yeah, you are right. There a better examples. Like MMOs actually getting housing post launch - i.e. Dark Age of Camelot.
Forgot about the weather system. That is some fluff added in the range of day/night cycles or interactive furniture. Now, obviously, day/night cycles won't happen, because it was a design decision rather than a case of saving time. That does not mean there will be no fluff at launch and no fluff will be added post launch.
Forgot about the weather system. That is some fluff added in the range of day/night cycles or interactive furniture. Now, obviously, day/night cycles won't happen, because it was a design decision rather than a case of saving time. That does not mean there will be no fluff at launch and no fluff will be added post launch.
Dance In My Blood said:
All it tells me is that EA has payed attention to previous MMORPG launches and do not want the same shit to happen to them. Servers not being able to handle the initial rush, which leads to people quitting, and servers merging. Which would all be negative press.
Vigilant Walrus
Member
Day/Night cycle debate is legitimate as can be. You don't know how much this sucks before you have played a MMO without it.
Is it a game breaker? Not directly, but indirectly it's fucking weaksauce.
I'm not saying I have a solution, but always seeing Tattooine by midday? seriously. I'm getting sick of just looking at the screens. Across all the moves you had Tattooine at many different types of day.
Day/Night cycles are like getting another version of the level.
Also the argument that night time makes it hard to see, I don't understand. I've never played a MMO where this was the case.
Is it a game breaker? Not directly, but indirectly it's fucking weaksauce.
I'm not saying I have a solution, but always seeing Tattooine by midday? seriously. I'm getting sick of just looking at the screens. Across all the moves you had Tattooine at many different types of day.
Day/Night cycles are like getting another version of the level.
Also the argument that night time makes it hard to see, I don't understand. I've never played a MMO where this was the case.
Jbird34
Member
There weren't day/night cycles in KOTOR and it wasn't a big deal. I think the lack of release date has everyone on edge and ready to play the game. Of course there will be people turned off by the no night/day but everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine is that it won't be that big of a deal once we actually get in game.
Fine Ham Abounds
Member
"If you spent all the time you wasted on coming up with clever-sounding excuses for being lazy on doing your homework instead, it would be done already."Morn said:
Not a big deal to me though, though I feel I'm one of the few people here who loves this game's art direction.
That and it's a plan to ensure server stability at launch since they realize how important the appearance of a trouble-free launch is to the success of an MMO at this point.MaddenNFL64 said:
kyo_daikun
Member
I just can't beleive no ones thinking about the vampires, poor guys have to stay indoors like forever...
Gunmonkey36
Member
kyo_daikun said:
I thought they were allowed to go outside now, just as long as they sparkle?
BattleMonkey
Member
*yawns*
Hey guys whats going on in this thre.....
Oh my....
I'll come back later....
Hey guys whats going on in this thre.....
Oh my....
I'll come back later....
Sato Koiji
Member
I was selected for a testing phase last month and Im not impressed with the game.
The warzones/PvP become boring rather quick and the questing makes me sleep.
The shouldnt have done the voice over because you will feel tired of all the talking and listening.
The world doesnt feel alive at all. There are 5-10 NPCs doing their talking and you basically run across a dead city.
As much as people hated SWG atleast the community had a tremedous impact on the world.
Many people will be dissapointed.
The warzones/PvP become boring rather quick and the questing makes me sleep.
The shouldnt have done the voice over because you will feel tired of all the talking and listening.
The world doesnt feel alive at all. There are 5-10 NPCs doing their talking and you basically run across a dead city.
As much as people hated SWG atleast the community had a tremedous impact on the world.
Many people will be dissapointed.
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