Star Wars: The Old Republic, now with microtransactions
by Ross Miller 
{ Dec 9th 2008 at 9:55PM }
We're not convinced that it means SW:TOR will be offered sans subscription, so we'll wait until February rolls around to see how the publisher plans to Force Pull your money.
Update: Statement from EA via ShackNews: "No statements have been made about the Star Wars business model." The rep also claimed Mr. Riccitiello's comments were misunderstood.
[Via Massively]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Riley @ Dec 9th 2008 10:02PM
Noooooo....
The Dark Wayne @ Dec 9th 2008 11:03PM
i think you mean: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Strategy_Panda (the artist formally known as Titanium_Orchid) @ Dec 10th 2008 1:21AM
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Mr Khan @ Dec 9th 2008 10:08PM
Honestly i'd much rather pay a flat fee than this "pay for content" bullshit
chispito @ Dec 9th 2008 10:32PM
Sounds like you get both: the subscription and the microtransactions. To me that says they have a lack of confidence in the product, that it won't merrit long term subscribers, and they have to wring as much money out of the players while they can.
antsmarching @ Dec 9th 2008 10:47PM
hopefully (though not likely) they will just be exp rate bonuses or new outfits with no stat advantages
finnith @ Dec 9th 2008 10:50PM
What's so bad about microtransactions? As long as they don't let you purchase goods that give you an unfair advantage (EA probably wont after Battlefield:BC), there's nothing wrong with it.I know that this argument has been echoed everywhere, but it's not like they're forcing you to purchase the content, and it's been proven to be a successful system by games like MapleStory.
If the content did give you an unfair advantage, then it shouldn't be there in the first place, as balance is important in MMOs.
Right now all I'm worried about is the quality of the game... and the art style >.>
HitNRun @ Dec 10th 2008 12:15AM
"What's so bad about microtransactions? As long as they don't let you purchase goods that give you an unfair advantage?"
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what it would become within 15 minutes. No American MMO with "micro"transactions has ever ended up being anything different. The only successful games in this vein are the "free" Asian, unemployed-teen-targeted MMOs which, while some are financially successful, few reading this website (especially quality-hungry Star Wars fans) would have any interest in actually playing.
And
benjor0x0r @ Dec 10th 2008 12:36AM
Honestly i'd much rather not have yet another MMO
rbtroj @ Dec 10th 2008 11:20AM
@benjor0x0r
I'm with you. There's so much shit out and very little of it seems to be sticking. Lately I've found myself back in mostly single-player and smaller group multiplayer games.
Markez @ Dec 9th 2008 10:15PM
The investors must've dialed into the call from the death star, because that move is surely that of the dark side of the force.
johann @ Dec 9th 2008 10:16PM
the size of that lightsaber bothers me
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 9th 2008 10:25PM
Is just the Viagra working its magic.
Oh you meant the sword.
(Like if this is the worst offense towards a lightsaber. I think not being able to cut through regular swords in Soul Calibur takes the cake)
Strategy_Panda (the artist formally known as Titanium_Orchid) @ Dec 9th 2008 10:42PM
There are supposedly going to be a variety of lightsaber loot drops and lightsaber crafting system in the same. The weapon models are intentionally made large so unique/rare sabers can be seen more easily.
Its basically lightsaber porn.
antsmarching @ Dec 9th 2008 10:49PM
right now, lightsaber models are the least of my concerns for this game.
Kael @ Dec 10th 2008 12:07AM
I get that you'd want to see your custom-made saber, but it doesn't matter; that thing is just too freakin' big, no matter the excuse. But I guess that isn't all; the whole game looks like a cartoon. Prince of Persia, Stargate Worlds, Star Trek Online, Diablo 3, Clone Wars, and now The Old Republic; all cartoonified. I don't mean to sound, uh, OUTRAGED or anything, but... The "franchise 'toon-up" trend really, really needs to stop.
RagnarokAngel @ Dec 10th 2008 12:44AM
Those are just alpha shots. they wont be nearly that big.
Strategy_Panda (the artist formally known as Titanium_Orchid) @ Dec 10th 2008 1:26AM
I'll play devil's advocate for a second and defend the cartoony art style.
The style makes sense for MMO games, and Diablo. The style generally looks better when scaling between good and bad gaming rigs. The style also seems to stand the test of time better.
As for the Prince of Persia game, I guess they just wanted their game to look unique... or not look like Assassin's Creed.
I'm not saying the toon style is good or bad. I'm just sayin' is all.
WilhelmThe1st @ Dec 10th 2008 2:52AM
No worries, that is one of the very first screens and the game looks nothing like that anymore.
Here is one of the more recently released screenshots:
http://www.swtor.com/media/screens/dark-and-light-clash
I think it looks great, but I'd still MUCH rather have KOTOR 3. Had to fucking make it a MMO... what a bunch of fuckers...
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 9th 2008 10:23PM
I knew EA was going to find something to screw it up.
MagiKarp @ Dec 9th 2008 11:18PM
I KNEW there was a reason I didn't like red sox fans.
Trulz @ Dec 9th 2008 10:24PM
Well, that pretty much seals the deal for me. Years of waiting ending in disappointment.
SantaDuJuan @ Dec 9th 2008 10:29PM
Shut up, we all barely know nothing about the game and we surely know little about this situation and with the little details you have this is a deal breaker for you?
If it is then obviously it wasn't a big deal to begin with
Trulz @ Dec 9th 2008 10:32PM
Micro transactions are always awful.
The game already looks like crap based on the few screen shots they've released, and the interviews aren't making me feel much better.
Have fun with your stupid giant lightsabers though. That looks real good.
bjbrains @ Dec 9th 2008 11:21PM
That is an OLD screenshot. They reduced the size of the lightsabers in more recent screenshots, get your information right before flaming people.
Reader @ Dec 10th 2008 12:06AM
Same... Wasn't sure if I was going to anticipate this game yet, but I know now I won't even bother getting excited. I'll give it a few months until after release, definitely won't buy the day it comes out.
RagnarokAngel @ Dec 10th 2008 12:47AM
Just gonna jerk mah knee in a reactionary fashion...
*kicks leg*
yep. that'll do.
Marmot @ Dec 9th 2008 10:27PM
Oh EA, even if you side with the light on the 'mirrors edge' and 'dead space' side quests, they're all for nought if you go dark on the main quest.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 9th 2008 10:32PM
Pfff they only did the light quest for the EXP.
Leo McKelvin @ Dec 9th 2008 10:48PM
i really hope this come out for the ps3 and/or 360. we need some good mmo games on console. i think the agency & dc universe online are going to be coming next year and they fit that bill.
Nick @ Dec 9th 2008 10:55PM
Microtransation MMOs never work.
Massmass @ Dec 10th 2008 4:14AM
They seem to do quite well for those crafty Koreans.
I'm all for a MT KOTOR if it means no subscription fees.
Then again, I'd rather have a true KOTOR...
Lard @ Dec 9th 2008 11:19PM
Microtransactions are bullshit.
Congratulations on trying to get people to try and pay *more* during hard economic times EA! Brilliant idea!
john annonymous @ Dec 9th 2008 11:28PM
IT'S A TRAP!
SuckItTrebek @ Dec 9th 2008 11:41PM
This deal is getting worse all the time!
Asylum Night @ Dec 9th 2008 11:45PM
This screenshot is ridiculously outdated.
Bioware has polished the visual style a lot since the initial slew of images. That aside, I worry about micro-transactions - they're usually attached to games that can't stand on their feet from a player base alone.
-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Dec 9th 2008 11:55PM
good because it resembled that new clone wars tv show. the one that resurrected jar jar. damn you cartoon network! damn you to hell! err....mustafar!!!
ryan @ Dec 10th 2008 1:06AM
Jar Jar actually is more enjoyable in the Cartoon Network show.
twocows @ Dec 10th 2008 12:48AM
http://darthno.ytmnd.com/
Deck @ Dec 10th 2008 2:13AM
I love Star Wars. I love KOTOR. I love BioWare. I really enjoy a good MMO as well.
I don't however like this notion of micro transactions. Granted I have never played a game that uses them but it doesn't sound good.
I will however reserve my judgment for this February conference call. Perhaps we will learn more and it will turn out alright. It could be correctly, but it also could be done horribly. I will wait and see. I still have faith in BioWare.
Riley @ Dec 10th 2008 2:51AM
that's my thought exactly, i was really looking forward to this until now, now i'm not so sure
Jigsaw hc @ Dec 10th 2008 2:53AM
That does not sound cool
Snowblind @ Dec 10th 2008 5:35AM
I'm not sure why there's so much hate of microtransactions, if it means we don't have to pay a monthly subscription fee, I'm all for it.
Guild Wars took this route, of releasing big expansions that we had to pay for every few months, as well as a few smaller pieces of content. And yes, in the long run you're likely going to end up paying just as much as you would if the game were subscription based..
But the difference is you dont NEED to buy all the content, if you want to stick with the base game, you can pay the $50 and never worry about needing to spend another dime on it. Like-wise, you don't need to worry about paying a subscription for something you've put aside for a few weeks/months to play something else.
As long as they don't go overboard with it, this is great news. Unless it turns out there's a subscription and microtransactions.. In which case - the game has already failed.
Capgun @ Dec 10th 2008 3:41PM
You forget, this is EA we're talking about. We'll see AT LEAST 10 expansion packs, if not more. The Old Republic: Livin Large anyone?
Tom @ Dec 10th 2008 9:40AM
Didn't they claim this would be the game to dethrone WoW? Those odds just went from 1% to 0. Good job EA!
Dralthi @ Dec 10th 2008 11:11AM
Why couldn't they had just made KOTOR III? Microtransactions are the last nail in the coffin for me. This game is is officially dead to me. Thank you. Good night.
Snowblind @ Dec 10th 2008 12:00PM
A Bioware rep on the forums has made a post regarding this. He doesn't outright deny it, but does claim that it's inaccurate.
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=6018
Again.. Microtransactions that break the game by making players who spend more better than those who dont, would be awful. But I'd far prefer a Guild Wars style model over a subscription based game. Yes, I have a job, but I just can't justify spending $15 per month on a game.
Guild Wars only made us pay for expansions and it still recieved far more, and bigger free updates than the majority of subscription based games.
Arkanaloth @ Dec 10th 2008 2:55PM
I must admit.. this news is a pretty massive yellow flag. Let's see what they do.
Edgewalker_001 @ Jan 8th 2009 2:50PM
I wonder if it will be possible to play as droids in this?