Star Wars: The Old Republic goes multiplayer in latest gameplay clip
by Ben Gilbert 
on Jul 4th 2010 2:30PM
54
Reader Comments (54)
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 3:28PM Iroquois said
Yeah. You'd think it would be the other way around with the Jedi using force powers and force focus and lightsaber deflections and stuff to hold off enemies while the rooper pounds them with a big old gun. Trooper always struck me as more of a hold-your-own kind of DPS than a tank even if he is in the heavy armor.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 3:40PM RogueJedi86 said
@Cleric
Luke was never actually touched by the rancor. He knew it was a bad idea to deal with the rancor, so he stayed out of range of him.
And the Trooper had better be the main tank. I'd have cried foul if the guy in cloth robes could take more damage than the guy in heavy frikkin armor. Plus Troopers are Ranged Tanks, something rarely/never done in MMOs. Would you really have TOR not try something new, and instead go with the cliche of the melee guy with a sword being the tank?
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Luke was never actually touched by the rancor. He knew it was a bad idea to deal with the rancor, so he stayed out of range of him.
And the Trooper had better be the main tank. I'd have cried foul if the guy in cloth robes could take more damage than the guy in heavy frikkin armor. Plus Troopers are Ranged Tanks, something rarely/never done in MMOs. Would you really have TOR not try something new, and instead go with the cliche of the melee guy with a sword being the tank?
Posted: Jul 5th 2010 1:11AM RonnocoMail said
@RogueJedi86 What? Yes he was. The rancor picked him up and Luke put the bone in his mouth.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 2:47PM Hyperion45 said
The whole thing looked pretty disappointing to me., but I'm hoping that's just because of the poor video quality and not the game's fault.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 3:09PM C1ph3rDivyne said
@Hyperion45
Well BioWare did mention in an interview that graphically the system requirements aren't going to be ridiculous and through-the-roof like many PC titles are in order to attract a wider audience. And personally, I love the idea because I'm actually really considering having The Old Republic be my first MMO as I'm a 100% console player. Sure, they're not Uncharted 2 but the graphics look absolutely fine to me. Don't need ultra-hyper-realism to be enjoyable IMO.
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Well BioWare did mention in an interview that graphically the system requirements aren't going to be ridiculous and through-the-roof like many PC titles are in order to attract a wider audience. And personally, I love the idea because I'm actually really considering having The Old Republic be my first MMO as I'm a 100% console player. Sure, they're not Uncharted 2 but the graphics look absolutely fine to me. Don't need ultra-hyper-realism to be enjoyable IMO.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 6:35PM (Unverified) said
@Hyperion45
kind of what i was thinking... anybody else notice how there are no shadows on ANYTHING?
do shadows cost extra?
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kind of what i was thinking... anybody else notice how there are no shadows on ANYTHING?
do shadows cost extra?
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 7:49PM RogueJedi86 said
@(Unverified)
Eldee, did you notice how this game is a year from launch and is still technically in alpha and that shadows can be added later, and have already been seen many times? Here's a pic of the War Zones from E3. Notice how every character has shadows, even the BH jetpacking around in the air.
http://www.swtor.com/media/screens/war-zones-0
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Eldee, did you notice how this game is a year from launch and is still technically in alpha and that shadows can be added later, and have already been seen many times? Here's a pic of the War Zones from E3. Notice how every character has shadows, even the BH jetpacking around in the air.
http://www.swtor.com/media/screens/war-zones-0
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 4:52PM kenny goo said
@zack11190
I love how I essentially said the exact same thing you did on the post *right above* you, but I get downvoted and you get upvoted because at the end of the day that's what you want out of a Star Wars MMO, which isn't my take on the matter. Wow. I really cannot stand the fanboys on Joystiq sometimes.
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I love how I essentially said the exact same thing you did on the post *right above* you, but I get downvoted and you get upvoted because at the end of the day that's what you want out of a Star Wars MMO, which isn't my take on the matter. Wow. I really cannot stand the fanboys on Joystiq sometimes.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 3:23PM Iroquois said
@Wiizer lol by what criteria? A better graphics engine? Is graphics all that determines the next generation of gaming? MMOs aren't all going to have stellar graphics. They're going to have graphics that are attractive and moderatly good, but they aren;t gonna have graphics as good as something on the CryEngine. It takes a lot of power just to keep a persistant world like that in the first place. Besides, thw lower the reqs, the more people can run it, the larger player base they'll have. And they can focus on improving on all areas besides just visuals.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 3:31PM Wiizer said
Oh, don't get your panties in a wad! I said "LOOKS".
I'm not a fan of being like a blacksmith or shopkeeper, but if you want to talk about a game being more accessible to more people, than maybe they should've added some different job classes for more casual players. My two cents.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 3:13PM (Unverified) said
Oblivion with Guns.
Shit.
I mean WoW with Lightsabers.
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Shit.
I mean WoW with Lightsabers.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 4:13PM DanielMeier said
Can't wait for this game, looks damn sweet. Just can't decide what to play.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 4:33PM DarknessBear said
I'm sort of worried that they are just now showing Multiplayer footage of an MMORPG. They've been talking/showing this game for a couple years now. It's not like they just announced it at E3.
And it's also sad to see that there, "It's basically KOTOR3-7 and you can play it like a singleplayer game" is not really the case. KOTOR1 looked/played better...
But, we'll see I guess.
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And it's also sad to see that there, "It's basically KOTOR3-7 and you can play it like a singleplayer game" is not really the case. KOTOR1 looked/played better...
But, we'll see I guess.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 8:32PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said
@DarknessBear
How can you say something plays better then something you've never played.
Oh that's right, you can't.
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How can you say something plays better then something you've never played.
Oh that's right, you can't.
Posted: Jul 5th 2010 3:24PM DarknessBear said
@This Little Man Says His Name Is
Because I'm not a moron and you can tell from gameplay videos that the quality of play wont be close to a Mass Effect or KOTOR - because it's a Multiplayer game. Obviously. So them saying the Old Republic is a replacement for making true KOTOR sequel's is asinine.
And I was hoping the talented team at Bioware would be able to closely resemble the quality, but from THIS footage (and other gameplay) it's obviously not. But there is still time... just viewing something and stating my opinion.
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Because I'm not a moron and you can tell from gameplay videos that the quality of play wont be close to a Mass Effect or KOTOR - because it's a Multiplayer game. Obviously. So them saying the Old Republic is a replacement for making true KOTOR sequel's is asinine.
And I was hoping the talented team at Bioware would be able to closely resemble the quality, but from THIS footage (and other gameplay) it's obviously not. But there is still time... just viewing something and stating my opinion.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 4:44PM RickGhastly said
She doesn't look like much but hopefully she's got it where it counts.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 5:20PM Follisimo said
I hate the people always crying about graphics. Gameplay will always trump graphics. When you push the envelope on graphics then you skimp on gameplay and you are left with a game like Aion that is total fail but had so much potential. WoW's graphics are not bad. Neither are SWTOR's from the images. You will love the cutscenes they have anyways.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 5:41PM Draugdraugr said
It looks like crap, but thats pretty standard for MMOs.
gameplay wise, to me, it looks like nothing new is being brought to the table. hardly surprising.
I'm into bioware games for characters/story. and they seem to be keen on making sure that element is in the game, but ultimately I wonder if it will be enough. You can keep playing but eventually you'd hit the storyline wall then its back to the old grindstone till the next content update/expansion.
I don't see this being a WoW killer, as the only people they'll need to worry about hemorrhaging (beyond the normal retention concerns) are people who like Star Wars More than Warcraft, and sure those people exist, but all their MMO pals are already playing wow, so it's not cut and dry. I think it will do quite well to begin with though, staying power is another story but that can be said of every new MMO released.
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gameplay wise, to me, it looks like nothing new is being brought to the table. hardly surprising.
I'm into bioware games for characters/story. and they seem to be keen on making sure that element is in the game, but ultimately I wonder if it will be enough. You can keep playing but eventually you'd hit the storyline wall then its back to the old grindstone till the next content update/expansion.
I don't see this being a WoW killer, as the only people they'll need to worry about hemorrhaging (beyond the normal retention concerns) are people who like Star Wars More than Warcraft, and sure those people exist, but all their MMO pals are already playing wow, so it's not cut and dry. I think it will do quite well to begin with though, staying power is another story but that can be said of every new MMO released.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 5:44PM Draugdraugr said
@Draugdraugr
Just to add to my graphics comment, I mean in terms of current gen graphics, I understand they aren't going for high graphic fidelity and a stylized art direction so they can increase the range of systems it runs on.
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Just to add to my graphics comment, I mean in terms of current gen graphics, I understand they aren't going for high graphic fidelity and a stylized art direction so they can increase the range of systems it runs on.
Posted: Jul 6th 2010 2:40AM Draugdraugr said
@jynxycat
I agree the story will be fine, I just wonder if there will be enough to carry the MMO beyond the story plus a few months. I think a lot of it will depend on how things go with content updates and expansions.
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I agree the story will be fine, I just wonder if there will be enough to carry the MMO beyond the story plus a few months. I think a lot of it will depend on how things go with content updates and expansions.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 5:56PM Otimus said
I just hope this doesn't use the ass-backwards fighting mechanics MMO's like WoW use.
I just think it's so frustratingly stupid to think that a battle will be fought with a couple of "tank" characters only being beat on, while everyone else pummels on the same guy.
It defies all gaming logic, all battle logic, and is just plain stupid looking.
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I just think it's so frustratingly stupid to think that a battle will be fought with a couple of "tank" characters only being beat on, while everyone else pummels on the same guy.
It defies all gaming logic, all battle logic, and is just plain stupid looking.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 6:11PM RogueJedi86 said
@Otimus
If you're criticizing how bosses always focus on the tank and don't attack the healers or anything, then I present to you this article by one of the lead designers for TOR:
http://www.zenofdesign.com/2005/05/31/you-dont-want-realistic-ai/
Basically they could easily make AI that always goes for the healers first, followed by the squishiest dps, with tanks last. The problem is that every fight would be impossible if they did that. Good luck on that fight, your healer always dies in the first 5 seconds, followed by the rest of the group easily without the healer.
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If you're criticizing how bosses always focus on the tank and don't attack the healers or anything, then I present to you this article by one of the lead designers for TOR:
http://www.zenofdesign.com/2005/05/31/you-dont-want-realistic-ai/
Basically they could easily make AI that always goes for the healers first, followed by the squishiest dps, with tanks last. The problem is that every fight would be impossible if they did that. Good luck on that fight, your healer always dies in the first 5 seconds, followed by the rest of the group easily without the healer.
Posted: Jul 5th 2010 6:59AM Otimus said
@RogueJedi86
The real solution to this would to just have dungeons with
1) Multiple paths that multiple groups go down
2) Have more to do in a dungeon than frigging fighting
In WoW, mostly all it is, in raids, is endless gauntlets of people pummeling on an enemy. It's frigging absurd looking, and stupid.
About the actual AI focusing on things, and such, that isn't needed so much as having AI that is more random.
All fighting in WoW amounts to is knowing when to do what, when what happens. You practically can control everything with add-ons telling you when what will happen, how long it'll last, and what you should do.
It's scripted in the most extreme, and worst way possible.
Plus, if you added that random element, you'd greatly cut down on the bafoons who demand you know every god damned fight before you do it.
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The real solution to this would to just have dungeons with
1) Multiple paths that multiple groups go down
2) Have more to do in a dungeon than frigging fighting
In WoW, mostly all it is, in raids, is endless gauntlets of people pummeling on an enemy. It's frigging absurd looking, and stupid.
About the actual AI focusing on things, and such, that isn't needed so much as having AI that is more random.
All fighting in WoW amounts to is knowing when to do what, when what happens. You practically can control everything with add-ons telling you when what will happen, how long it'll last, and what you should do.
It's scripted in the most extreme, and worst way possible.
Plus, if you added that random element, you'd greatly cut down on the bafoons who demand you know every god damned fight before you do it.
Posted: Jul 5th 2010 5:42PM jynxycat said
@Otimus: Trial of the Crusader has a fight that behaves like a PVP battle.
The AI opponents generally go for the cloth wearers first, and it works pretty well.
It's honestly not that fun of a fight, as it's just a giant cluster F of action, with no real rhyme or reason.
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The AI opponents generally go for the cloth wearers first, and it works pretty well.
It's honestly not that fun of a fight, as it's just a giant cluster F of action, with no real rhyme or reason.
Posted: Jul 5th 2010 10:52PM HelixSky said
@RogueJedi86
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
There needs to be a redesign of the basic classes in MMORPGs. You can't design all the pieces of a puzzle but one, and then hide behind the fact that you have no freedom to change the shape of the last piece. The game should start with realistic AI and then you design your characters so that they can deal with it.
I was super hyped for The Old Republic but now I see that gamplay wise it is just like the many, many other MMORPGs I have played before. As far as combat is concerned, TOR is bringing nothing new to the table.
Guild Wars 2 is coming out around the same time and they are trying to shake things up a bit. I was torn between which to try but was leaning towards TOR. Now after seeing this video, GW2 if my favorite of the two.
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If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
There needs to be a redesign of the basic classes in MMORPGs. You can't design all the pieces of a puzzle but one, and then hide behind the fact that you have no freedom to change the shape of the last piece. The game should start with realistic AI and then you design your characters so that they can deal with it.
I was super hyped for The Old Republic but now I see that gamplay wise it is just like the many, many other MMORPGs I have played before. As far as combat is concerned, TOR is bringing nothing new to the table.
Guild Wars 2 is coming out around the same time and they are trying to shake things up a bit. I was torn between which to try but was leaning towards TOR. Now after seeing this video, GW2 if my favorite of the two.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 6:25PM (Unverified) said
The game's art style still really turns me off. It's kinda disgusting, actually, the way the characters are proportioned and textured.
It's weird that the video showcases "multiplayer" in an MMO. I'm figuring out that this is an "MMO" in the same sense that Guild Wars is; that is to say, not really an MMO. Which is, on the one hand, great--I LOVE KoTOR and always wanted more of it (which is where Mass Effect came in and absolutely stole the show), but on the other hand, it looks to me like it's got all the foibles, quirks and feel of an MMO still, and that only brings the game down from what it could have been if it were really going for a Mass Effect-level experience all-around. And all this is coming from someone who plays Warcraft every day.
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It's weird that the video showcases "multiplayer" in an MMO. I'm figuring out that this is an "MMO" in the same sense that Guild Wars is; that is to say, not really an MMO. Which is, on the one hand, great--I LOVE KoTOR and always wanted more of it (which is where Mass Effect came in and absolutely stole the show), but on the other hand, it looks to me like it's got all the foibles, quirks and feel of an MMO still, and that only brings the game down from what it could have been if it were really going for a Mass Effect-level experience all-around. And all this is coming from someone who plays Warcraft every day.
Posted: Jul 4th 2010 7:00PM Even Adder said
It seems like the consular is your run of the mill healer with a decorative lightsaber.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 7:10PM DerickDBrown said
I liked it a lot. I'm going to give this a good shot.
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Posted: Jul 4th 2010 10:00PM RogueJedi86 said
@LegendaryFluffy
And if they made KotOR3, you'd just want a KotOR4, and etc. Remeber all the people who wanted Warcraft 4 instead of WoW? Did they ever get what they wanted?
And in case you want TOR to fail, realize that if TOR fails, LucasArts will likely see more value in this era and not make another game in this era, meaning you'd certainly never see a retroactive KotOR4.
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And if they made KotOR3, you'd just want a KotOR4, and etc. Remeber all the people who wanted Warcraft 4 instead of WoW? Did they ever get what they wanted?
And in case you want TOR to fail, realize that if TOR fails, LucasArts will likely see more value in this era and not make another game in this era, meaning you'd certainly never see a retroactive KotOR4.
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