Star Wars the Old Republic Q&A Session (Comic-Con)

This video, released thursday, is a Q&A session at the Bioware base in Comic Con discusses some very interesting information. View the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChrqpYv1wqM

 

Some information of note:

• Exclusive Collector Edition shop announced; items in the “lounge” will not give players any advantages to power in-game; some cosmetic, some weapons and armor. Also similar items will be available to ALL players through other means in-game but with different looks.
• Cosmetic modification to weapons has been confirmed. Similarly the color stone you will receive through the pre-order bonus will be “gold” and add certain effects to your weapon as well as just modifying the color.
• Sharding technology (multiple instances of a zone) has been confirmed to be in-game, however they assure us it will only be used very “sparingly”. Upon the initial release they may use it to ensure server stability due to the large number of players logging on, but then after the population stabilizes they will try to use it less and less often or remove it entirely.
• Advanced Class re-speccing is confirmed to be in-game for launch. It will be free the first time you do it, then it will become more and more “expensive” and “difficult”.
• Due to overwhelming feedback received in response to the current speeders we have seen in-game, Bioware has decided to totally re-tool their entire philosophy in regards to mounts. Instead of having a system where players start with slower, less attractive speeders that “do not look great” and then “upgrade” them, NOW they are remodeling speeders so they are all aesthetically more pleasing to the player-base as a whole.
• An unannounced feature will unlock new races and species to players. This is speculated to be the “Legacy” system in SWTOR.
• Each class will have approximately 30 abilities at level 50.
• Ship interior customization is currently being planned for the future, but WILL NOT be in-game at launch.
• Titles will be in-game and very plentiful and are totally cosmetic.
• There are no currently plans for a Mac client, however Bioware confirms that SWTOR “runs great” in Bootcamp.

Some great information in this Q&A and I suggest everyone give it a watch!

 

 

 

 

The Old Republic now Available for Preorder

Great news for all Star Wars Fans! Star Wars the Old Republic, the latest triple A MMORPG from BioWare (the Makers of KoTOR, the Mass Effect series, and many other amazing RPGs) have just released pre-order information! You can visit the Origin store to preorder 3 different versions of the games: The Standard Edition, the Deluxe Digital Edition, and the Collectors Edition. The Collectors Edition is only available as a physical copy. You can read more about it at the official SWTOR website here. The information on that webpage is as follows:

 

The Standard Edition of Star Wars: The Old Republic comes with all of the essentials that you will need to get into the game, including the game software and thirty days of game time. The Standard Edition will be available in both physical copies that will be sold at most video game retailers, and a digital edition that is exclusive to Origin.com. Learn more at our Pre-Order page.

The Digital Deluxe Edition of Star Wars: The Old Republic, is available exclusively throughOrigin.com, comes with both the game software and thirty days of game time. In addition, the Digital Deluxe Edition of Star Wars: The Old Republic comes with the following digital items that your characters can use in the game:

• Flare Gun: Fires flares into the air.
• Training Droid: Hovers at your side for combat assistance.
• HoloDancer: Project your own holographic dancer.
• HoloCam: Keep visual records of in-game adventures.
• STAP (Single Trooper Aerial Platform): Sleek and unique in-game vehicle.

he limited Collector’s Edition of Star Wars: The Old Republic can only be purchased physically. Packaged with thirty days of game time and all of the virtual items that are included in the Digital Deluxe Edition, the Collector’s Edition comes with a number of physical and digital collector’s items that you cannot get anywhere else:

• The Journal of Master Gnost-Dural: 111 pages of notes and sketches by the revered Jedi Master from the early years of the Great Hyperspace War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Features never-before-seen artwork and all-new information.
• Darth Malgus statue: The villainous Darth Malgus comes to life with this exclusive 9 in. collectible statue from Gentle Giant studios.
• The Old Republic Galaxy Map: 14 x 20 in. at-a-glance look at the known galaxy.
• Security Authentication Key Fob: Keep your Lightsaber and credits safe with this custom Security Authentication Key Fob for your game account.
• Music of Star Wars: The Old Republic CD: Seventeen orchestral music tracks from The Old Republic.
• Star Wars: The Old Republic game: The full Star Wars: The Old Republic game on DVD-ROM in a collectible metal case.

The following virtual in-game items are exclusive to the Collector’s Edition:

• Exclusive Mouse Droid: A faithful droid to join you on your adventures.
• Exclusive Collector’s Edition Store: Unique in-game store with a dynamic array of items to assist you from your humble beginnings through your journey to become a galactic legend.

Be sure to act fast and pre-order your copy of Star Wars: The Old Republic now to ensure your place in Early Game Access!

 

*PRE-ORDER OFFER EXPIRES WHEN PRODUCT RELEASES. CODE EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2012. GOOD ONLY FOR NEW PURCHASES OF “STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC” (“PRODUCT”). VALID ONLY AT PARTICIPATING RETAILERS. CODE WILL BE EMAILED WITH CONFIRMATION OF OFFER AND MAY NOT BE SUBSTITUTED, EXCHANGED, TRADED, SOLD OR REDEEMED FOR CASH OR OTHER GOODS OR SERVICES. VALID WHEREVER PRODUCT IS SOLD. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, GIFT CARD, REBATE OR DISCOUNT COUPON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED, TAXED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. ACCEPTANCE OF END USER ACCESS AND LICENSE AGREEMENT, PERSISTENT INTERNET CONNECTION, ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (13+ TO REGISTER), PAID SUBSCRIPTION AND VALID PAYMENT METHOD REQUIRED TO ACCESS GAMEPLAY. ONLINE DOWNLOAD OF THE PRODUCT REQUIRES ACCEPTANCE OF ORIGIN END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT AND INSTALLATION OF ORIGIN APPLICATION SOFTWARE (WWW.ORIGIN.COM/ABOUT). EULAS AND DISCLOSURES CAN BE FOUND ATWWW.EA.COM/1/PRODUCT-EULAS. ENTITLEMENT TO EARLY ACCESS IS CONTINGENT ON THE DATE OF YOUR PRE-ORDER AND THE RELEASE DATE OF THE PRODUCT. SEE PRE-ORDER FAQ’S AT WWW.SWTOR.COM/PREORDER/FAQ FOR DETAILS. PAYMENT METHOD AGE RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. SWTOR ONLINE SERVICE MAY BE RETIRED AFTER 90 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON WWW.SWTOR.COM. AGREEMENT TO SHARE ACCOUNT INFORMATION WITH LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. (“LUCASFILM”) IS REQUIRED. PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE AVAILABLE ATWWW.SWTOR.COM. THE FIRST 30 DAYS OF SUBSCRIPTION IS INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT. SUBSCRIPTIONS MAY BE CANCELLED AT ANY TIME. SEE WWW.SWTOR.COM FOR DETAILS. PRE-ORDER QUANTITIES LIMITED.

 

Now this news may have some serious implications. As anyone who has been following this game knows, Bioware has been very secretive about the release date for this game. However, Stephen Reid, the lead writer for the game has stated that the release of the release date would be preempted by some information. Could this be the start of the information train that leads to the release date? I think so, and so do many others. I am expecting a release date to be discussed in the next few weeks, or a month at the most. Perhaps we will even get some information from Comic-Con.