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[Emitan]

Which brings up a new issue. Server pops. Ghost towns on WoW are caused by two reasons. Migration and population decline. With WoW's infrastructure could not handle more than 100+ people actively doing combat in one zone ever. See TM V SS, PvP zones, etc etc. Servers would die everytime.

So they made dozens of new servers for people to move to keep thing stable, while slowly improving their hardware and code as much as they could. So everyone joined the new servers!....then when they(mostly) fixed the high pop most went back. Whether for easier parties, more guilds, or larger markets.

My point: I pray Bioware can keep as few servers as possible. I know most big launches love to show off how they have 60-100 servers online, only to later cull them to 10 or less. This way every server will have effective density to support itself with no need to cross interaction.

Only thing holding it back is technology. WoW simply couldn't do it, hopefully TOR can.

They were bragging about their server tech and how it can dynamically scale to the number of players in a zone. As long as they're not fully of crap TOR should be fine.

EDIT: It's a new day, let's all check our email! Nothing!

 

[Morn]

They were bragging about their server tech and how it can dynamically scale to the number of players in a zone. As long as they're not fully of crap TOR should be fine.

EDIT: It's a new day, let's all check our email! Nothing!

Then why the hell do they instance zones like a Cryptic MMO?

 

[MaddenNFL64]

some semi-decent to shitty quality random images from alterswtor. enjoy!

 

[Souljiro]

So there is cyborg race looks just like a human...is this just something they are testing in beta or will be available when the game launch?

 

[Lombax]

kind of bummed out that there is no PUG tool in Old Republic.

 

[Morn]

So there is cyborg race looks just like a human...is this just something they are testing in beta or will be available when the game launch?

It's one of the playable races, and it's something testers have complained about as it's basically just human but with different customization options. It's taking up the slot of what could have been an actual different race.

 

[Mr. Luchador]

Should have went all out and made a droid race.

 

[Morn]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-26-swtor-wont-launch-unless-its-solid

Despite producing some of the biggest franchises in gaming, Zeschuk admitted SWTOR was "kinda daunting", adding: "This game's launch is going to be one of the biggest launches ever in the history of gaming.

 

[Darklord]

This game's launch is going to be one of the biggest launches ever in the history of gaming.

Yeah, that's why they are giving it a limited release. That's how you get the biggest launches.

 

[Emitan]

Yeah, that's why they are giving it a limited release. That's how you get the biggest launches.

Don't forget that only people living above the equator can buy the game.

 

[DurielBlack]

Should have went all out and made a droid race.

They won't and probably never will.

Because then you won't be able to customize your character with gear, since droids don't wear clothing like humans. And their PR department doesn't understand that a lot of people would just be happy playing a droid, and god forbid they would put lots of costumes/clothing designs in as craftables, let alone real vanity slots.

It's part of the same reason we will never be able to play as wookies, ewoks, or any other species that can't be made to fit the same physical player models already in the game.

 

[Yaska]

They won't and probably never will.

Because then you won't be able to customize your character with gear, since droids don't wear clothing like humans. And their PR department doesn't understand that a lot of people would just be happy playing a droid, and god forbid they would put lots of costumes/clothing designs in as craftables, let alone real vanity slots.

It's part of the same reason we will never be able to play as wookies, ewoks, or any other species that can't be made to fit the same physical player models already in the game.

Maybe ewoks are a hidden easter egg race to play. Can you imagine ewoks with trooper heavy blasters or dual lightsabers? =D

 

[Morn]

Maybe ewoks are a hidden easter egg race to play. Can you imagine ewoks with trooper heavy blasters or dual lightsabers? =D

Unless the race has a human face and speaks English, it won't be playable.

 

[BattleMonkey]

Then why the hell do they instance zones like a Cryptic MMO?

Quite a while ago the Bioware rep in this thread had said that it was largely the beta that has limited the players in instances. The instanced zones are going to remain but they are supposed to be raising the caps on numbers of players in each zone at launch.

People against dual specs puzzle me. They have this dumb idea about the 'purity' of classes and shit. Destroying server communities with cross-server LFG tools is one thing, just letting players have the convenience of fulfilling two roles is another.

Also, they'll never balance every spec of every class for pvp. It's just impossible in a game where gear disparities exist.

It may seem like a "dumb idea", but it's what many people feel. Whats the point in specs and such when every class essentially becomes the exact same character, which is what happens with multi speccing in MMOs. Suddenly every character has need of every item when in groups, the uniqueness of your builds become lost.

I agree with multi specs only for use in PVP, because balancing for PVE and PVP is constant failure in MMOs and I think lot of games have realised it and allow us to have a specific pvp build.

 

[FieryBalrog]

Unless the race has a human face and speaks English, it won't be playable.

"Galactic Basic"!

 

[gatti-man]

Unless the race has a human face and speaks English, it won't be playable.

From the official bioware rep, morn! .

Simply because the launch is focused on maximizing existing content doesn't mean future races can't be entered. Maybe not wookies but a driod class is more than possible Imo.

 

[FieryBalrog]

From the official bioware rep, morn! .

Simply because the launch is focused on maximizing existing content doesn't mean future races can't be entered. Maybe not wookies but a driod class is more than possible Imo.

He has a point though. Bioware has specifically avoided including any races that would cause problems for the storyline.

Having a droid go through the same storyline as a human member of the class would be weird, so they'd have to write whole new reactions and versions of each class storyline for the droid race.

Not to mention the whole gear and clothing problem. Separate gear only for droids because they can't use robes and such? Really doubt that's going to happen.

 

[border]

Looking at that chart of Advanced Classes, is there a reason that ANYONE would want to be a Marauder/Gunslinger or a Gunslinger/Sniper? Every other class can fulfill 2 roles, but those classes are strictly DPS.

 

[Emitan]

Looking at that chart of Advanced Classes, is there a reason that ANYONE would want to be a Marauder/Gunslinger or a Gunslinger/Sniper? Every other class can fulfill 2 roles, but those classes are strictly DPS.

You can only fill one role at a time. Why does it matter?

 

[Won]

Looking at that chart of Advanced Classes, is there a reason that ANYONE would want to be a Marauder/Gunslinger or a Gunslinger/Sniper? Every other class can fulfill 2 roles, but those classes are strictly DPS.

Dual wielding stuff is cool! Sucks to be a Sniper though.

 

[Morn]

You can only fill one role at a time. Why does it matter?

Because other classes can respec to fill a different role?

 

[gatti-man]

He has a point though. Bioware has specifically avoided including any races that would cause problems for the storyline.

Having a droid go through the same storyline as a human member of the class would be weird, so they'd have to write whole new reactions and versions of each class storyline for the droid race.

Not to mention the whole gear and clothing problem. Separate gear only for droids because they can't use robes and such? Really doubt that's going to happen.

So by extension no more race additions ever? That's why I think the point he has is kindof moot. They could make droids a deathknight style class.

 

[Mastamind]

Dual wielding stuff is cool! Sucks to be a Sniper though.

Sniper + orbital strike + laser sight >>>>> dual wield.

 

[FieryBalrog]

So by extension no more race additions ever? That's why I think the point he has is kindof moot. They could make droids a deathknight style class.

I imagine their "Legacy" race system will have something to do with this.

There seems to be a lot of stealth classes or at least classes that have some form of stealth.

 

[LowParry]

Just a heads up, Q&A, demos', ect. are being done Sunday at PAX. I hope we get to hear some beta details about Sept. I doubt we'll get any release date info.

 

[Baller. PhD]

Looking at that chart of Advanced Classes, is there a reason that ANYONE would want to be a Marauder/Gunslinger or a Gunslinger/Sniper? Every other class can fulfill 2 roles, but those classes are strictly DPS.

Some players want to play the DPS role and not feel pressured by their guild to tank and/or heal. I totally understand that. I'll be rolling a strictly DPS class for that very reason.

 

[Gvaz]

Dual Wielding is boss. Everyone knows DW is the best.

 

[gatti-man]

Dual Wielding is boss. Everyone knows DW is the best.

Dw is second only to double sided lightsaber.

 

[Dakota47]

Dual Wielding is boss. Everyone knows DW is the best.

I strongly believe that people who are waving around glowsticks are compensating for something.

 

[Gvaz]

I strongly believe that people who are waving around glowsticks are compensating for something.

A glowstick that can cut blast doors in two!

 

[WarMacheen]

I strongly believe that people who are waving around glowsticks are compensating for something.

So if someone plays a force user in a Star Wars game, then they are compensating?



Maybe someone that has issues with people that play with "glow sticks" is compensating for something. You feeling left out or something?

Go look down your nose elsewhere.

 

[Dakota47]

A glowstick that can cut blast doors in two!

You are only further proving my point.

So if someone plays a force user they are compensating?



Maybe someone that has issues with people that play with "glow sticks" is compensating for something. You feeling left out or something?

It's a joke. Lighten up, junior.

 

[Lombax]

I strongly believe that people who are waving around glowsticks are compensating for something.

 

[WarMacheen]

You are only further proving my point.




It's a joke. Lighten up, junior.

Ah, the junior response, classic. A response from someone who hasn't been here as long has less value, forgot about that one.

But wait, I've been here 2 years longer, lol

 

[Dakota47]

Ah, the junior response, classic. A response from someone who hasn't been here as long has less value, forgot about that one.

It is not about value, it is about tone. Why are you acting so hostile? Did I touch a nerve or something?

 

[WarMacheen]

It is not about value, it is about tone. Why are you acting so hostile? Did I touch a nerve or something?

Yeah, the passive aggressive approach

Also, if you think that I've responded with hostility you should go take a break.

 

[Jbird34]

Friday Update has arrived and it's more Eternity Vault footage...

http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110825

 

[Dresden]

Yeah, the passive aggressive approach

Also, if you think that I've responded with hostility you should go take a break.

Glowstick users are always so touchy.

 

[Sigfodr]

I think you guys are ignoring this.

 

[Rflagg]

Friday Update has arrived and it's more Eternity Vault footage...

http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110825

Why do they still call them updates 8/

 

[Moaradin]

Why do they still call them updates 8/

It was a pretty nice update. It showed some new stuff and even the old stuff they showed at gamescon looked more polished.

 

[CzarTim]

Friday Update has arrived and it's more Eternity Vault footage...

http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110825

dat Mandalorian armor

 

[bill0527]

Which brings up a new issue. Server pops. Ghost towns on WoW are caused by two reasons. Migration and population decline. With WoW's infrastructure could not handle more than 100+ people actively doing combat in one zone ever. See TM V SS, PvP zones, etc etc. Servers would die everytime.

So they made dozens of new servers for people to move to keep thing stable, while slowly improving their hardware and code as much as they could. So everyone joined the new servers!....then when they(mostly) fixed the high pop most went back. Whether for easier parties, more guilds, or larger markets.

My point: I pray Bioware can keep as few servers as possible. I know most big launches love to show off how they have 60-100 servers online, only to later cull them to 10 or less. This way every server will have effective density to support itself with no need to cross interaction.

Only thing holding it back is technology. WoW simply couldn't do it, hopefully TOR can.

There's another reason why people move around. When they opened paid transfers, it allowed all the really great players to move where the other great players were at.

I went to one of those brand new servers you are talking about in February 2009. (Nesingwary). The server has always sucked for raiding. Lots of raid guilds out there - not many that can down bosses. The server has always been ranked 120+ in progression because anyone that's a decent raider finds out pretty quickly that you need to get the hell off the server if you want to progress. Its always been a low pop server. I don't think it ever got to the 'medium' listing. A couple of months after Cata launched it even regressed down to the 'New Players' category.

That's the main reason I quit. I had several Alliance 85s, but I ran out of things to do with them. There were only a handful of guilds that did any raiding and even less that were even successful at it.

Blizzard's entire end game is raid raid raid raid raid and raid some more, so you can't blame people for wanting to be on servers where they've got the best shot at being successful at it.

 

[Giolon]

Looking at that chart of Advanced Classes, is there a reason that ANYONE would want to be a Marauder/Gunslinger or a Gunslinger/Sniper? Every other class can fulfill 2 roles, but those classes are strictly DPS.

Why does anyone play a rogue or a mage or a hunter or a warlock? Every other class can fulfill 2 or 3 roles, but those classes are strictly DPS.

Sometimes you just like the way a class plays.

 

[Morn]

Friday Update has arrived and it's more Eternity Vault footage...

http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110825

OMG they had to use a GM /kill command to cheat in the video. They dropped the boss while it still had health in the health bar. LOL.

 

[Dakota47]

OMG they had to use a GM /kill command to cheat in the video. They dropped the boss while it still had health in the health bar. LOL.

 

[BattleMonkey]

So by extension no more race additions ever? That's why I think the point he has is kindof moot. They could make droids a deathknight style class.

They can add lot of races to the game without issue, many of which speak basic and heck lot of near human races also they can add without much work at all. Even the more exotic species could be added with some work but some I imagine would never be put in like wookies as playable... but many would be just different heads with human like bodies anyways. Droids would be tricky to add just because they don't fit in with any of the class stories really.

 

[gatti-man]

They can add lot of races to the game without issue, many of which speak basic and heck lot of near human races also they can add without much work at all. Even the more exotic species could be added with some work but some I imagine would never be put in like wookies as playable... but many would be just different heads with human like bodies anyways. Droids would be tricky to add just because they don't fit in with any of the class stories really.

Droids would be the next obvious addition Imo. Even in the movies droids played a noticeable roll. They will get in eventually.

Edit: I wish we could spoiler pics, I feel like I've seen so much its spoiling the game.

 

[Morn]

I highlighted it in case you didn't see it:

The little sliver of red in the life bar means it's not dead. They cheated because the group was wiping again.

 

[BattleMonkey]

It wasn't dead, it was about to assume it's true form!.....

Droids would be the next obvious addition Imo. Even in the movies droids played a noticeable roll. They will get in eventually.

Edit: I wish we could spoiler pics, I feel like I've seen so much its spoiling the game.

Droids for the most part fill secondary roles, they fit well for companion characters but for a "hero" it's tough. Even in the pen and paper games they had to put in tons of rules to fit droids in as playable characters.

They would most likely take the easy route with just adding more races as droids would take a lot of work just for a single race choice. Only way possibly would be through the legacy like system or such or creating a whole new race/class combat that is just droid that a person can build up multiple ways. In the 3rd edition of WOTC SW RPG they originally had droids as a race choice who then you customized with class choices, but they redid the rules for them as to make droids a complete unique class/race combo that was not tied into the normal classes.