The Old Republic

[Bob The Mercenary]

So...who would be interested in joining me and a few friends in the creation of a Sith guild when this thing comes out? We would also like to know if everyone would want PvE or PvP.

[Melfice]

You had me going "WHA-!? KOTOR 3!?" for a few seconds before I remember that this was that MMO thing... =/

I guess I'm more tired than I thought. Bedtime!

[Terex4]

I could be persuaded. Right now I'm torn between Imperial Agent and Sith Warrior. I'm down for either server type. PvP servers are a lot more fun when you're not level 1 with a ton of level capped people.

[Bob The Mercenary]

We'll probably go that way, and I think you would have tank position.

[POS Industries]

I could be persuaded to give it a go. Also dibs on imperial agent!

[Bob The Mercenary]

We're most likely going Sith, but you could be our arch enemy!

[POS Industries]

...but imperial agent is Sith.

[Flarecobra]

If I played, I'd probably be on the side of the republic...

Just never did go with the Sith part.

[Bob The Mercenary]

...but imperial agent is Sith.

Which I'm sure is exactly what I meant!

[POS Industries]

Which I'm sure is exactly what I meant!
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/facepalm/1300233271537.gif

[Terex4]

If I played, I'd probably be on the side of the republic...

Just never did go with the Sith part.
Something something something Dark Siiiiide
Something something something complete!

[greed]

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/facepalm/1300233271537.gif

The rare and majestic Sisko GIF, and in a Star Wars thread no less. Good show.

[Krylo]

I'm sorry. When this comes out I'm devoting all my energy to being a smuggler who does nothing but kick people in the bojangles.

As smuggler is republic, I can't help you.

[Bob The Mercenary]

You have to at least be on our server. And I kind of wanted smuggler too. :(

[Azisien]

Guild or not, it would be a good idea to pre-plan what server to play on, so NPF could become a force to be reckoned with. You know, all 10 of us.

I'm still not 100% sure if I want to play this, thinking it's just going to be standard MMO fare + Bleh Star Wars setting. On the other hand, I do have trouble saying no to Bioware. If I'm getting it, I'll be sure to play along.

[CABAL49]

I'm sorry. When this comes out I'm devoting all my energy to being a smuggler who does nothing but kick people in the bojangles.

As smuggler is republic, I can't help you.

I am still torn between smuggler and Trooper. But I would not be against being a ball kicking duo if you are up to it.

[Bob The Mercenary]

We have around ten people outside of this forum so far for the guild. I'll have details posted tonight so you can prejoin on the game website.

[RickZarber]

I think I'll probably be down too.

[Ecks]

Hell, I'll give it a go, thinking of going Inquisitor (is it still called that? I've been out of the loop for a while) for the lightning and the choking and the wanting to out-Palpatine the other wanna-be Palpatines.

That... and I'm going to miss Dark Jedi and SWG. *Sniff* she had a good run, for a flawed game...

[Bob The Mercenary]

Step 1: Register on www.swtor.com
Step 2: Find our guild at this link (http://www.swtor.com/guilds/129380/death-snu-snu) and apply and I'll tell the GM to confirm you all. And don't worry about the guild name, it's just a placeholder. We're trying to poll people for an actual useable name.

The only thing we're really missing is in the warrior area, but I think someone already mentioned they would be one. I'm going to go with imperial agent. Always liked rogues and thieves and whatnot.

I heard if you get enough people to preorder the game and apply to your guild the guild is imported before the smaller ones or something.

My username is Metamime.

[Yumil]

That... and I'm going to miss Dark Jedi and SWG. *Sniff* she had a good run, for a flawed game...

Games been dead since the CU, they just finally buried it.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Yeah, we need a good name for this guild. Anyone have any requests?

[Krylo]

Land Pirates.

Edit: This has been the name of my 'guild bank' guild in AoC, and WoW, and was the name of the legitimate guild I ran for awhile on RaiRO before quitting and handing it off to Mesden... and was the name of a group in a MUD I played a long long time ago. Can't remember if I made it in Guild Wars.

[Solid Snake]

So...who would be interested in joining me and a few friends in the creation of a Sith guild when this thing comes out?

You would be Sith, Bob.
(I'm totally going Republic.)

[POS Industries]

Land Pirates.
Seconding this.

Or Naboo Profiteers Foundation.

[Ecks]

Games been dead since the CU, they just finally buried it.

I never got to play pre-CU, and while I am disappointed that I missed out on a lot, I did enjoy my time with the game, especially once they started attempting to bring back older content into the newer system.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Okay, guild name has been changed by majority vote of the current members (excluding me). New "final" guild can be found here (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.swtor.com%2Fguilds%2F1355 12%2Fforced-entry&h=yAQA4HbDF). Just need to quit the old one and submit an app for the new one.

[RickZarber]

Ehhh. That's... kind of a terrible name?

Also, what was the point of joining the old one if we just have to rejoin this one?

Eh well, still doin' it.

[Terex4]

Sent my app, guess I'm invested in playing an Immortal Jugg now:dance:

[POS Industries]

Okay, guild name has been changed by majority vote of the current members (excluding me).
Ehhh. That's... kind of a terrible name?
Yeah, I think we might be running into a problem down the road here.

We probably should have just set up a NPF guild specifically.

[Aerozord]

ok guys I am torn.

On the one hand I HATE MMO's with a horrible passion finding it to just be tedious grind for no purpose but to get better stuff to grind with. Plus the monthly fees

On the other hand two things I love are the Bioware RPGs, and playing with you guys.

:confused: what to do :confused:

[Ecks]

DO EEET!

[Aerozord]

well if I do get it, by sounds of it we should go light side, cause seems to be more interest there then for siths

[Krylo]

Okay, guild name has been changed by majority vote of the current members (excluding me). New "final" guild can be found here (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.swtor.com%2Fguilds%2F1355 12%2Fforced-entry&h=yAQA4HbDF). Just need to quit the old one and submit an app for the new one.

All I can think of are rape jokes.

Rape jokes all day long.

[Viridis]

Okay, guild name has been changed by majority vote of the current members (excluding me). New "final" guild can be found here (http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.swtor.com%2Fguilds%2F1355 12%2Fforced-entry&h=yAQA4HbDF). Just need to quit the old one and submit an app for the new one.

Here's a link (http://www.swtor.com/guilds/135512/forced-entry) that doesn't go through Facebook for some crazy reason.

[Azisien]

All I can think of are rape jokes.

Rape jokes all day long.

Really glad I wasn't alone on this.

[Aerozord]

there was something else I wanted to know

Now while I love just BSing with you guys and messing around. This is a RPG, a bioware RPG, so I normally come into it with a more role player mindset. I'm not constantly in character, but I play with what would make sense for my avatar more then anything. Like I wouldn't have a nice chat with an opposing faction unless there was a good enough reason, like temporary alliance, or so I can lull them into a false sense of security and gut them like trout. Usual stuff

What about everyone else, whats your playstyle?

[Bob The Mercenary]

Krylo, we have no problem going PvP.

Also I'm pretty sure they had rape jokes in mind from the get go.

[CABAL49]

Actually, does this mean we have a release date?

[Ramary]

Actually, does this mean we have a release date?

EA wants it to be out by the holiday, however it has no official date yet, and they are already doing pre-orders.

This is actually a fairly bad sign, usually of a publisher trying to get the game out regardless of the Dev being happy with the game or not.

I hate to be the wet blanket(oh who am I kidding, when it comes to hyped games I relish this) but TOR looks like a disaster in the making to me. There is not a single gameplay video I have seen or Dev quote I read that convinces me otherwise.

I suggest everyone wait till the game has been out a bit (Why buy a MMO on launch anyway, especially when EA is charging EXTRA for pre-orders.)

[Bob The Mercenary]

Member count is going to be at around twenty by launch. Can't freaking wait to get started.

[Ramary]

Bumping this thread because it seems life is a bit cruel.

I said in this thread before that I did not think it would be any good, and I still think that, yet I am the one who got a beta invite.

In 2 or so hours servers go up, and I can play till the weekend is over, so I am gonna go in it with an open mind for you guys' sake and tell you if I still think it is gonna be bad, and what I liked about it if anything.

Don't tell EA.

EDIT: After all the story bits, I see the first quest area and see more players then actually killable targets, so I just stopped there, ill try again later.

One thing I hate already though...

I decide to go redshirt (trooper) first, and I make a big balding fat guy around his 40s, yet the game PRESUMES you are some hotshot young rookie, and you are given a voice of like an 18 year old punk no matter what you make. It kinda prevents me from role playing say, a middle aged guy who joined the conflict because of the desperate times, and he must fight both age and other people with guns to go though his trials in combat and save Christmas.

EDIT2: This is apparently a stress test beta, so more then usual are invited, which explains that issue, but it also has the side effect of making it kinda unplayable for me, so I may not just bother with it. I can't play test shit if my role is to be a dummy to test server load.

[Sithdarth]

So apparently the NDA has been lifted and I'm free to talk about my game play experiences from this weekends Beta. I must say that so far the game it pretty good. Although I've only gone Jedi so far. Amazingly the whole conversation system seems to work a lot like the single player games. I even managed to flirt my way into a one night stand with a Twi'lek matriarch which ended up helping me out in the end. Which brings me to the point that the story in this game is pretty damn good. I feel more like I'm playing say Mass Effect or KOTOR II instead of an MMO which is just awesome. I never really got into the story behind WoW but The Old Republic has totally got me hooked.

One of the best parts is that class specific quest areas are unique to prevent other players from messing with you but I guess everyone knew this much already. It works wonderfully in practice. You also get to build your own crew and have your own spaceship basically just like any other KOTOR game. So far its actually been fairly easy to complete the quests solo. I just got my companion which so far seems to have made things even easier. The attack animations for the Jedi powers are also pretty good. In fact the whole game looks really nice as a whole. In short, I really can't wait for December now.

[Aerozord]

are non-combat focused builds effective? Bioware is typically good that, while you often still have to fight, that dialog and other skills can give you an edge. Like hacking defenses to aid you, or convincing NPCs to help you in a fight. Or is it like all MMOs and at the end of the day your DOT is all that matters.

[Sithdarth]

It does seem mainly combat based. Though there are crew skills (essentially crafting and gathering skills) that are all about hacking and diplomacy and stuff. Although that one night stand I had with the Twi'lek matriarch did seem to turn out to be important. It kept her from completely betraying me and allowed me to convince her to turn herself in. Of course I was only in the beginning area for Jedi so things might change.

[POS Industries]

are non-combat focused builds effective? Bioware is typically good that, while you often still have to fight, that dialog and other skills can give you an edge. Like hacking defenses to aid you, or convincing NPCs to help you in a fight. Or is it like all MMOs and at the end of the day your DOT is all that matters.
It's pretty much your standard MMO in that regard. In fact, the only major difference between WoW and TOR is that TOR doesn't have an autoattack. The only times you'll have opportunities like you're interested in are if the mission involves it. So, if you don't like WoW's gameplay, odds are you won't like this game, either.

However, as far as being WoW with lightsabers, it's pretty good at it. Even basic fetch quests and the like try to be as engaging as possible with the conversation feature, I've seen worse pet AI than TOR offers with the companions, and the scenery isn't horrible, though I personally would have expected better. With the exception of throwing in the requisite BioWare conversation system, the game does nothing to excel past the MMO standard, but it doesn't fall below the standard, either.

What Ramary said about the story missions is true, though. What you may envision for your character in a role-playing sense is likely not going to be the role they will be playing in their missions. You are playing the generic BioWare protagonist and you have your opportunities to choose what they say or do in generic BioWare protagonist fashion. Role-playing anything else will have to take place in the same manner as any other MMO RPing, but at the very least BioWare has put in place items you can acquire to play dress up for your character for little to no other practical reason but to RP in cantinas and whatnot.

Combat builds are rather interesting, though. Each faction has eight base classes, and at level 10 each base class is able to become one of two advanced classes, and each advanced class has three talent trees to build from allowing them to fill nearly any role you would want to play, with some exceptions, such as a smuggler or imperial agent can never tank and a jedi knight or sith warrior can never heal, but otherwise everything is up for grabs. I had a blast with a sith assassin tank during the last game build, for example.

Unfortunately the test for that build ended and everything got deleted and I haven't had it in me to start over with something else since then.

[Sithdarth]

Probably the most hilarious thing is that I have subconsciously decided to take every conversation option that has [Flirt] in front of it. Thereby pretty much on night standing my way across the galaxy despite my decidedly light side bent. Which while an interesting thing to RP has essentially no impact on the story.

[Aerozord]

technically what I dont like about MMOs is I dont see a point to it. Now not talking about a meta plot. Fact is everything your character does is completely pointless. No matter how many mobs you kill they will still plague a town, no matter how many times you kill a boss they will respawn. You completely lack a method of shaping the world around you.

I want a game that I can influence even in a small way. To do something with those weapons and armor beyond using them to get better weapons and armor

[Ramary]

EVE online sounds like it might be for you...but I personally find it boring as all hell.

[Aerozord]

EVE online sounds like it might be for you...but I personally find it boring as all hell.

I was considering it back when I came up with my Illuminati scheme to actually form a tyrannical fascist empire to force player made laws and politics into the game. Posted it on here awhile ago, but never motivated enough to recruit for the plan.

[Azisien]

Seems pretty solid. I probably won't get it though. However polished the conventional MMO fare gets, it's still conventional, and that's either boring or overly addictive for me. Two bad things.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

If you get enoguh levels as jedi they send you a real lightsaber.

[Jagos]

EVE online sounds like it might be for you...but I personally find it boring as all hell.

Also, Rift makes it that the game is pretty unique for your character. Your name is ingrained when rifts appear. I just can't stand the subscription model for the game, though it looks pretty good.

[Arcanum]

technically what I dont like about MMOs is I dont see a point to it. Now not talking about a meta plot. Fact is everything your character does is completely pointless. No matter how many mobs you kill they will still plague a town, no matter how many times you kill a boss they will respawn. You completely lack a method of shaping the world around you.

I want a game that I can influence even in a small way. To do something with those weapons and armor beyond using them to get better weapons and armor

Keep an eye on Guild Wars 2 with its dynamic quests. Saving a village from being attacked actually keeps it safe for a while, and failing to save it means that village is now an enemy outpost.

[Ecks]

So I'm enjoying my weekend beta so far, getting further along than I did last time. I will definitely be playing this SOMETIME, presumably when I can afford it.

[Krylo]

Keep an eye on Guild Wars 2 with its dynamic quests. Saving a village from being attacked actually keeps it safe for a while, and failing to save it means that village is now an enemy outpost.
Rift already does this.

Also: I'm apparently also in this beta thing this time. Rolled a smuggler. It is the best thing.

High points:
NPC: "We won't be wasting their time! We have some credits! We can pay them! We need a hired gun... like you!"
Me: "Did somebody say creditsssssssss?"

Also like ninety percent of the dialogue options.

And then there's the fact that I can put a bomb on someone that explodes the next time they take damage. . . and kick them in the balls immediately afterward. For an exploding nut shot.

Best. Class. Ever.

The dynamic dialogue in groups is pretty nice/interesting as well, and I had a lot of fun grouping up for a few heroic quests and a flashpoint.

[synkr0nized]

Rift already does this.


I think it was in Wired that I read an article (it was a brief thing, more like an at-a-glance style entry than a full-fledged article) that compared how Rift and GW 2 handled players' interactions with the world and tried to keep the world responsive and immersive. I saw neat things on both sides and tended toward agreeing with their conclusion (slight "win" for GW2 overall), but there are definitely some similar themes that I think are great for connecting the players to the game world.

It will be interesting to see if GW2 lives up to the idea.
Do enemy factions that open rifts near one another also fight, or is it solely NPC vs. PC? I love when even NPCs don't get along. It made for some fun missions in GW, though those are certainly far more scripted.

This is not a post about Star Wars. Oops.

[Krylo]

Do enemy factions that open rifts near one another also fight, or is it solely NPC vs. PC? I love when even NPCs don't get along. It made for some fun missions in GW, though those are certainly far more scripted.

They do. Occasionally two opposing rifts will open next to each other and one rift will close the other without any players doing anything, or it'll just turn into a massive free for all if players are in the middle of it. Invasion forces tend to get side tracked by rifts from other elements as well.

[Ecks]

Rift already does this.

Also: I'm apparently also in this beta thing this time. Rolled a smuggler. It is the best thing.

High points:
NPC: "We won't be wasting their time! We have some credits! We can pay them! We need a hired gun... like you!"
Me: "Did somebody say creditsssssssss?"

Also like ninety percent of the dialogue options.

And then there's the fact that I can put a bomb on someone that explodes the next time they take damage. . . and kick them in the balls immediately afterward. For an exploding nut shot.

Best. Class. Ever.

The dynamic dialogue in groups is pretty nice/interesting as well, and I had a lot of fun grouping up for a few heroic quests and a flashpoint.

Son of a bitch! I knew I should've rolled a smuggler.

Dialogue options are pretty good, I especially loved Bounty Hunter and Sith Warrior for that, they are full of fun dialogue.

Took my Consular up to 17 before I called it quits. Sprint helps alleviate the massive amount of time it takes to get anywhere on foot, but I found the Force Speed ability rather useless. 150% movement speed for... 2 seconds?

[Krylo]

Female Trooper is voiced by Jennifer Hale. And she does it exactly like Commander Shepard.

[Ecks]

Female Trooper is voiced by Jennifer Hale. And she does it exactly like Commander Shepard.

OHGODSYES

I thought I recognized her voice. Agent's is rather sexy with or without the Imperial accent.

Beta's over now. Guess we all just sit around and twiddle our thumbs waiting for December 20 to roll around (unless you preordered, then you get access on the 15th).

[Lost in Time]

So, I just pre-ordered it. I feel so dirty. One, for paying the stupid pre-order fee. And two, because I'm getting sucked into MMO's again, and a subscription one at that!

But oh my god this game just played to cool during the beta. I really have no idea what class I want to roll because each one is so gripping in either the play style or story side. I'm thinking of siding Sith just so I don't I can be a dick if I wanted too with less consequences.

[Azisien]

So, I just pre-ordered it. I feel so dirty. One, for paying the stupid pre-order fee. And two, because I'm getting sucked into MMO's again, and a subscription one at that!

Glad I am not alone. I haven't pre-ordered yet, but it is scary that after one weekend playing for maybe 2 hours total, I now feel the tug to buy the game.

However, the thing keeping me away was the community while I was playing. Man, did they ever suck.

[synkr0nized]

I was informed tonight that my desire to play a Mass Effect-style character [e.g. infiltrator] in an MMO may be sated by this game. Any truth in that, you beta folks?
This is a little funnier to me given the comment about Jennifer Hale being a VA.

[Krylo]

I didn't play the Sith Infiltrator, so I can't really be sure on that, unfortunately. I know the smuggler (the republic counter to the infiltrator) gets cover mechanics, and that the infiltrator gets sniper rifles at least. But I'm not really sure how they work for that class.

And, unrelated to all that, if there's going to be a number of us playing we should decide on a server so we can play together from time to time or whatever.

I suggest 'The Hot Prospect', assuming they keep most of the beta servers for launch. Mostly because the name amuses me.

[Gregness]

On the one hand, I've been interested in this game ever since the first cinematic trailer years ago.

On the other, I want to finish my degree at some point.

What's a guy to do?

[CABAL49]

I now have funds, so I can now afford it, but I want to play lightside and many of my friends have fallen.

[Azisien]

I will not get this at launch, but I wholly recommend NPF coordinate servers if at all possible. I would like to have at least a mild acquaintance when I do get the game. Which is probably 2-3 months after launch. Backlog is too large for an MMO right now, even a Bioware one.

Also Light vs. Dark side shouldn't matter, or rather we shouldn't care, as long as server is same. We can even gank each other!

[Ramary]

I suggest people wait anyway.

I think the game could is gonna be quite crappy from what I played of it, but even if it felt golden if MMO launches taught me anything is that it is best NOT to play a MMO at launch. Azisien has the right idea of waiting 2-3 months. Plus it launches like 5 days away from Christmas, it screams of being rushed out in time for Christmas....as in right before it.

[Krylo]

I suggest people wait anyway.

I think the game could is gonna be quite crappy from what I played of it, All you said you played of it was logging in as a trooper, walking outside and noticing there's tons of people during the stress test and quitting after getting slightly annoyed that Bioware didn't try to write a different story for every possible character someone might want to roleplay, and instead tried to make them all 'believable' hero backstories?

Plus it launches like 5 days away from Christmas, it screams of being rushed out in time for Christmas....as in right before it.
It's been having its release pushed back for like a year, and as someone who actually PLAYED the beta, there's pretty much no bugs at all. I experienced one crash to desktop after playing for like 7 hours (trying to get as much time in during the one weekend as I could to check things out), and three lag spikes, with no other lag, during the entire experience. Everything ran perfectly smooth, all abilities did what they were meant to do, and combat was quick and exciting, while dialogue trees were fun.


There was nothing that felt unfinished.

Basic gameplay is pretty basic MMOish, but they keep it feeling a little fresh by balancing it to have a player able to take on 4-5 enemies at a time, and with the enemies linked so you can't just pull one, each dying quickly. The net result is the same in difficulty and time taken per encounter but it FEELS more heroic and exciting due to being outnumbered in any given gunfight.

The quests, are, again, pretty basic MMO fare, go here, kill x of these and/or get y of those, but the dialogue system mixes that up a bit and makes each quest feel a bit more personal and exciting than the sterile dialogue boxes of other MMOs, where your only options are accept or reject, instead of accept but demand payment ahead of time, accept but be kind of a jerk about it, accept graciously, or reject, each with custom dialogue based on class.

I have no doubt launch will have problems with server loads and what not, but that has nothing to do with how well prepared the game was for release.

If you played more than what you had expressed earlier and came to different conclusions, feel free to post them, but you're not really giving any, substantiated, reasons for your opinion at this point.

[Ramary]

No I did play more of it, but not much.

I switched to the agent after that, but only got to...level 5? I just don't like the game cause it does not seem to do anything different. All it is doing is trying to meld single player story experience with MMO game play. I just think that alone is a flawed premise since a single player story, especially with Bioware lately, is about YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN XXXXX which is a crappy way to do a MMO story since everyone else is THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN XXXXX. I have a perfect example what I mean, but it is a massive spoiler.

The Jedi Knight storyline ends with every Jedi Knight, every single one individually, killing the Sith emperor. You know how quickly this loses it's grandiose when you realize everyone else did it. At least with something like WOW when you kill the big bad, you need a bunch of people helping you, which fits the MMO mold much better. This just does not gel with me. Also I wish the video I saw was still on youtube, because how the Emperor dies is hilarious, he literately just runs into your lightsabre like a dumbass, and he was suppose to be cunning enough to avoid being offed by usurpers FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

It might become a case of people wanting just a single player game (like it is advetised at times) being annoyed by the other people taking their kills, and a bunch of MMO guys who just want the phat epixs being annoyed by all the dialogue choices. I know there will be plenty of people who do want a story and the epixs, I just don't see this being able to pull the huge numbers it needs and keep for its subscription based model.

There are also a few other things that piss me off, namely that you can flirt with NPCs. In a MMO. It sounds hilariously sad to me, I don't know.

There are some things I do like, like even though I don't have much choice in the dialogue, it is the usual Bioware well written dialogue, and on that note voice acting is also still pretty good from what I saw.

When I said the game is gonna be crappy, I meant the game seems crappy to me.

EDIT: OH, ONE MORE THING I ACTUALLY DID LIKE. I like how you still have lightside and darkside scales, and it is independent if you are Republic or Empire. I think that adds a nice bit of amorality to Star Wars, which is usually very Black and White

[Krylo]

I see it more as KotoR except instead of hauling Carth around you can haul your friend Jake and his Jedi Warrior along.

[Azisien]

Well Ramary, even the developers have said, they are not trying to re-invent the wheel with SWTOR. They are trying to steal market share from WoW/Rift. Based on what I saw, they probably will.

While I am not their ideal subscriber, there were people I interacted with in the beta that were. People that literally just wanted a game that played like WoW, but with freshness. Or as Krylo said, "pretty basic MMO."

That being said, yeah, consolidate on the same server! That was what this thread was originally about anyway, right?

[Ramary]

They are trying to steal market share from WoW/Rift.

If that is the case, they picked the perfect time to do it. Blizzard has been shooting themselves in the foot with the changes they are making with WOW, and making Kung Fu Panda the next expansion did not help their case at all.

[POS Industries]

My favorite part is that Blizzard's kung fu pandas predate Kung Fu Panda by several years, but nobody actually played a Warcraft game before WoW.

[Ramary]

I know the Pandarians. They have always been the Easter egg race. That is the problem. It is like making Legend of Zelda: Quest of Error.

[BitVyper]

Pretty sure the Quest of Error would be fantastic. I mean, the only characterization we have for him is that he believes fire can solve anything. What kind of struggles in his life brought him to that conclusion? I want to know.

[POS Industries]

Legend of Zelda: Quest of Error.
shutupandtakemyrupees.jpg

[Loyal]

shutupandtakemyrupees.jpg

Case in point - MoP will be a roaring success.

[Aerozord]

he believes fire can solve anything.

because it is the one undeniable fact of life!

[Ecks]

So what server is everyone descending upon? When i get my sub I'd like to find you all. Post your character names n such when launch comes around, I may not start directly at launch myself.

[Ramary]

I'm sure someone will look on the server list on launch day and post here declaring it NPF LAND.

[Krylo]

So what server is everyone descending upon? When i get my sub I'd like to find you all.

I suggest 'The Hot Prospect', assuming they keep most of the beta servers for launch. Mostly because the name amuses me.

No one else has said anything since.

Post your character names n such when launch comes around Will do, boss.

[BitVyper]

because it is the one undeniable fact of life!

I know! He's obviously attained enlightenment. I want to see how he got there.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Legend of Zelda: Quest of Error.

http://localhostr.com/file/aXSAdMX/1322019744266.gif

[Ramary]

Whelp, I guess it is time to sell my brilliant pitch to Nintendo.

That they will shoot down cause Link is not the PC.

[Krylo]

They made a game where Tingle was the player character.

[POS Industries]

Well, they've been advertising the main character as Zelda on the front of the box for like 25 years so I don't see why shit always has to be about Link anyway.

[Ramary]

They made a game where Tingle was the player character.

Yes, and it was dull, oddly enough with TINGLE of all people.

There was this one game, two actually, where Zelda was the playable character. We don't speak of these games.

[Sithdarth]

Post your character names n such when launch comes around

You see I've got a dilemma now. I've been using the same username forever and it seems like that isn't going to be possible anymore. I heard rumblings that Darth is going to be flagged. Even if it isn't going light side with my usual name is going to get me a lot of negative attention. Going Dark side with my usual name is probably going to get me even more negative attention. So now I have to do the thing I've always hated. I've got to come up with a name I like.

[BitVyper]

Sithdarf
Sarthdith
Dithsarth
Sardithth

[Sithdarth]

Yeah all of those are objectively terrible. The really sad thing as I never even thought about it until I fired up the beta and went to enter in a name for my character. I was about to start typing and then my brain went, "Shit, you can't name a Jedi Knight that" and then I hit the random name button until something somewhat decent came out.

[Azisien]

What's wrong with Quantum Hobo?

[POS Industries]

Hob Quantum, smuggler extraordinaire.

[Ramary]

Hob Quantum, smuggler extraordinaire.

I vote this.

[Sithdarth]

That might work for my smuggler alt but I'm definitely rolling Jedi Knight as my main and not because I'm hung on Jedi. Wow has emphatically taught me that I'm am a kickass tank. It's what I'm good at so I tend to stick to the class best suited for that role.

[Geminex]

Had Thirst
Hath Dirts
Hast Third
Shat Third
Hats Third
Hat Thirds
Rad Shh Tit
Drat Shh It
Drat Shh Ti
Dart Shh It
Dart Shh Ti

I suggest "Hat Thirds"

"Shh! Rad Tits" is gonna be the name of my band.

[Azisien]

Varying on blindness of my early-access friends and the likeliness of Bioware/EA bringing back beta server names for launch:

The Hot Prospect doesn't seem to be a launch server.

[Sithdarth]

Couldn't find it myself. I'd suggest a realm but I won't have time to play until tomorrow night at the very earliest.

[Azisien]

I'm not joining early access or launch but if NPF finds a new, actual server to consolidate on I will pass it along to whoever I might be playing with.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Got my invite yesterday. I'll be on Dreshdae Cantina regardless.

[Ecks]

So Dreshdae Cantina then? Is that a good starting off point?

[Azisien]

As good as any, though I'm going PvP I dunno about everybody else.

[Krylo]

Got my invite yesterday. I'll be on Dreshdae Cantina regardless.
Works for me. You republic or Sith?
As good as any, though I'm going PvP I dunno about everybody else.
Well then we'll just have to have two servers, as Dreshdae is PvE.

Edit: They're turning on more servers as early start progresses and they let more people in, which is why not all the beta servers were up it seems (and still aren't). They're trying to control population to keep it at a high/healthy level on each server while minimizing queues.

[Azisien]

Well then we'll just have to have two servers, as Dreshdae is PvE.

Mo' like, PvB, Player versus Boredom. I am not actually hardcore with PvP on MMOs or anything really, but I like having the option there. And there's certainly an appreciation for ganking/being ganked to a certain level.

Besides, if Bioware makes on their promise and adds Guild Capital Ships, I want to be able to ram my Star Destroyer all up into your Moon Base. :aaa:

[Bob The Mercenary]

Works for me. You republic or Sith?

Giving a Sith Imperial Agent a shot. You going to be friend or foe?

[CABAL49]

My irl friends are playing on Rubat, but I see no reason I can't make another character. Especially since most people on NPF want to play Empire anyways.

[Krylo]

Giving a Sith Imperial Agent a shot. You going to be friend or foe?
I've made a smuggler already, but I would like a sith warrior as well.
Mo' like, PvB, Player versus Boredom. I am not actually hardcore with PvP on MMOs or anything really, but I like having the option there. And there's certainly an appreciation for ganking/being ganked to a certain level.

Besides, if Bioware makes on their promise and adds Guild Capital Ships, I want to be able to ram my Star Destroyer all up into your Moon Base. :aaa:

I pretty much feel the same way, though I prefer to have my first character on a PvE, for the most part so I can figure out what I'm doing without being shot in the head a bunch.

[Sithdarth]

I went Jedi Knight. Look up Garret.

[Azisien]

For PvP, I got a few buds on Port Nowhere, and since I haven't seen any folks mention a PvP server yet, I'll be hitting up there first.

...In a month.

[RickZarber]

I started a Jedi Knight on another PVE server (because a IRL friend was on that one) and played to lvl 10 last night. But I'll definitely be making an Empire character on Dreshdae at some point soon. May even join the PVP server at some point. I'm digging this game so far.

[Ecks]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to wait on setting up a sub myself. Getting the retail game is gonna be costly enough as it is so it'll have to wait.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Started playing. I'm Drone.

[Krylo]

Republic: Sinasis, Smuggler (Gunslinger).
Empire: Kharmasis, Sith Warrior (Marauder).

Apparently it's fully possible to two man the first instance if you've got the right companions and people (namely a tanky companion and a healer).

Speaking of, they are both level 12 and more than willing to do Esseles/Black Talon again. My Marauder especially. Did it with another Marauder and didn't get any useful gear for myself.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Holy crap this game is the best thing.

[Sithdarth]

Huh. I totally soloed the first Jedi starting area instance. Of course it helps to be a tank.

[CABAL49]

Bioware did a great job on the Smuggler quests. I keep having to stop and do other quests cause I focus on it.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Republic: Sinasis, Smuggler (Gunslinger).
Empire: Kharmasis, Sith Warrior (Marauder).

Which server are you on? For some reason it keeps saying you don't exist.

[Krylo]

Dreshdae Cantina.

[CABAL49]

This happened fast so I couldn't get a good picture, but interesting bug. He was literally half a foot. 7844

[Sithdarth]

That's happened to me more than once. Though for me they are usually like 4 inches tall max.

[Ecks]

That was a recurring bug during the beta. I imagine it's something to do with the fact that it's a character frequently involved in handheld holo transmissions.

Wonder why they never got around to fixing it...

[Krylo]

It's a feature.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Our guild's up to around 15 members now, I'm really liking it. Nice and diverse. Most of us know each other either through forums or real life.

[Krylo]

Was playing my smuggler last night.

Got my ship.

I can only express how this turn of events, and the following space missions made me feel in one way:

<3

[Japan]

Currently tanking the startup screen. 7 more gigs and I can finally prove to the universe that you can shoot a blaster rifle straight even with those stupid helmets.

[CABAL49]

I really should make a character on the server you all play on. Have you thought about organizing crafting skills?

[Ecks]

Well, if just about everyone's going for jedi, the only skills to really pay attention to are artifice, archaeology, and treasure hunting.

Dunno bout the rest.

[IHateMakingNames]

In a few weeks I'll be getting into this game. Hope you guys are all established by then.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeestarshipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeee.............

[Japan]

Dreshdae Cantina, just rolled a trooper named Zoam. Hit me up if you see me on.

[Krylo]

Well, if just about everyone's going for jedi, the only skills to really pay attention to are artifice, archaeology, and treasure hunting.

Dunno bout the rest.

Nah. Artifice makes lightsabers, crystals (which are good for anyone, as they go in blasters too), hilts, and some other stuff. It doesn't make enhancements (which go in most armor, lightsabers, etc.), mods (same), or actual jedi armor (that's synthweaving). It also doesn't create ear pieces (cybertech) or implants (biotech).

[Ecks]

Doh I knew I should've experimented with the crafting skills more. I'll have to remember the bits about synthweaving and whichever ones do enhancements and mods (aren't those armormech and armstech?)

[Krylo]

Mods is cybertech, enhancements may be armormech I'm not entirely sure. Armstech does barrels for blasters and various non-lightsaber weapons.

[Solid Snake]

So, as someone who loved KOTOR and KOTOR2 but who may never play Old Republic due to a long-standing aversion to all MMOs: How's the game?

[CABAL49]

So, as someone who loved KOTOR and KOTOR2 but who may never play Old Republic due to a long-standing aversion to all MMOs: How's the game?

I just got Bowdar today. Bowdar is a Wookie that has the power of making living things dead while being awesome about it. I also like how all my companions like me trying to bang everything. Flora, fauna, fire, rocks painted to look like God.

The story line is great so far and getting to walk on Taris again was pretty cool. Most of the game you can do by yourself, the exception being Flashpoints and Heroic missions. Granted I have only played as a smuggler, but the Smuggler quests are very fun. Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a swift kick to the balls, as many a Sith have learned.

[Azisien]

So I......got it. Early. Haven't installed yet, but I'll probably be on earlier than expected.

PvE server: Dreshdae Cantina
PvP server: Port Nowhere

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

Gotta hand it to Bioware, tarro blood is everything I like to hate in an antagonist. It brings me joy to be a thorn in his side. He is egotistical in the extreme, backstabbing, conniving, and most importantly: believable.

Well played, bioware. Well played. I will take great enjoyment when I can shove an incindiary rocket up his cornhole.

[Japan]

So do you guys have a guild and whatnot yet? I'm playing republic side mainly but I rolled a Sith Warrior named Fuhn'ka too. I'd be interested in any kind of group stuff.

[Lost in Time]

I just got to play it for real the first time today. I'm playing on Port Nowhere as a Bounty Hunter named Saryn. I'm really enjoyed it actually, even though I've barely touched anything that could be resembled as multiplayer yet. The story is more than engaging enough yet. I'm sure the plot would be even more fun if my main objective wasn't just "Kill things to make money."

I'm going to have to run a Jedi or something on another server. Good thing this game was made for altoholics.

[Krylo]

So do you guys have a guild and whatnot yet? I'm playing republic side mainly but I rolled a Sith Warrior named Fuhn'ka too. I'd be interested in any kind of group stuff.On Sith side it's Forced Entry and you should get ahold of Drone (bob's character) to see about joining. It's a guild for some other places and friends he knows too blah blah blah.

On Republic there's no guild. See if you can get ahold of Sinasis, though (my Smuggler) and we could start one for Republic NPFers/Friends of/whatever. I think Sith's character is named Garret on the Repub side and a Jedi Knight (I never catch him on, though). I'm shit at recruiting though, and there's not THAT many of us, so there's that to deal with if we go that route.

Also, there's some stupidity currently where you can't friend offline people so be aware of that.

[Sithdarth]

Yeah its Garret and my sleep scheduled has gone a bit crazy. Also Minecraft.

[Japan]

Ok I didn't know the inability to find people who are offline was a glitch. I looked up Sinasis and got squat.

I'll keep an eye out for you guys and we can see about making a republic guild. Again my guy is a (currently) level 13 trooper named Zoam so don't be shy about sending me a tell or some mail or something.

[Ecks]

Keep the thread informed, I'd like the info when I finally get my sub running, and I'm sure other forumites would like to meet up in game.

[CABAL49]

Finally made a character on Draeshde. Of course you gents had to pick the busiest server. Made a Sith Warrior cause of all the Empire people here. Look up Cabalon.

Edit: Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck Madalorians.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Killed two world bosses over the past week and posted the videos.

http://youtu.be/vx8xp9BQCRc
http://youtu.be/EBMKgvSdIDA

I am now hopelessly addicted.

Also, I have a corporation of three separate guilds going. Kind of a brotherhood to do instances and such.

[Kim]

http://i.imgur.com/rilzW.jpg

Haha woooooooow. What the fuck.

http://i.imgur.com/1J98e.jpg

[POS Industries]

You know, I don't like to throw around the term "biodrone" loosely, but man are those two guys in the second image working real hard to fit the definition.

[BitVyper]

http://i.imgur.com/rilzW.jpg

Haha woooooooow. What the fuck.

Something I found on google:

“Well, the people on bioware fourm are saying he is actually banned for doing a “flip” exploit on the planet. not because he was low level and farming high level nodes. which makes a lot of sense to me. the flip exploit: from what i understand, when the control of the zone is changed from one faction to another, all the gathering nodes respawn. so if you have someone from the other team to cooperate and flip it back and forth, you would have infinite money. the reason why bioware mentioned he is there at low level is most likely to emphasis the fact he is exploiting there isn’t enough high level player to fight for the control of the zone yet. so he is also exploiting this fact by going there at low level. i think this makes the most sense. as stupid and unreasonable as EA support is, to be banned for playing the game different is too much.”

Of course, that points to a design flaw in the game, really.

Others are suggesting the email is a hoax.

[Kim]

Yeah, heard about that afterwards. If the email isn't a hoax, they're still punishing people for taking advantage of their game being broken, which is dumb.

[POS Industries]

Quite frankly, I'm more concerned with the monitoring of private conversations that is supposedly going on, and will continue to hold off on purchasing the game until I feel comfortable that they are not, in fact, doing so.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Quite frankly, I'm more concerned with the monitoring of private conversations that is supposedly going on, and will continue to hold off on purchasing the game until I feel comfortable that they are not, in fact, doing so.

It probably is going on. I know it was with WoW and wouldn't be out of the ordinary if swtor was also doing it. While I was playing WoW years ago I used to make some really crude jokes and received two warning emails from Blizzard to cut it out. This was in party chat and in whispers.

[POS Industries]

It probably is going on. I know it was with WoW and wouldn't be out of the ordinary if swtor was also doing it. While I was playing WoW years ago I used to make some really crude jokes and received two warning emails from Blizzard to cut it out. This was in party chat and in whispers.
That's odd because I've typed some absolutely grotesque shit into party chat and whispers for years in WoW and never even received so much as a how do you do from Blizzard.

[Marc v4.0]

I don't talk to anyone anyway, because other people always shit up my MMOs

[Azisien]

That's odd because I've typed some absolutely grotesque shit into party chat and whispers for years in WoW and never even received so much as a how do you do from Blizzard.

Anec...dotes??? I've sworn in TOR and heard nothing, sworn in WoW and heard nothing. It's luck of the draw. Those emails above are the unlucky ones caught by mods.

[POS Industries]

Anec...dotes??? I've sworn in TOR and heard nothing, sworn in WoW and heard nothing. It's luck of the draw. Those emails above are the unlucky ones caught by mods.
Caught by mods who were reading their private conversations?

There should be a zero percent chance of that happening. If that is also a thing that happens to people in WoW, then I'm glad I've long since stopped playing that, as well.

[Azisien]

Caught by mods who were reading their private conversations?

There should be a zero percent chance of that happening. If that is also a thing that happens to people in WoW, then I'm glad I've long since stopped playing that, as well.

Nah, I get that bit. It's one of those situations where I don't really care if its happening. It's their game and I'm graced with the privilege to play on it, so it doesn't bug me that they police whatever the game rating/TOS requires. Perfectly acceptable grounds for avoiding it though.

[POS Industries]

If they were letting you play for free, then they would be gracing you with a privilege. As it stands, you are paying them for a service. To me, invading my privacy and punishing me for the contents (assuming, of course, that they break no laws) is not something that I wish to give a company 60 bucks up front followed by another 15 every month to do.

It's a shitty way to run a business.

[synkr0nized]

Well, leaving aside bad moderating practices in an MMO, at least they can advertise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wjf_lWxqyI).

[CABAL49]

Well, leaving aside bad moderating practices in an MMO, at least they can advertise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wjf_lWxqyI).

No real fighting? Fucking pussies.

[Japan]

Zoam the Vanguard trooper is now level 26, and sorely disappointed that he has never received the conversation option "Fuck your turbolasers."

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

Quite frankly, I'm more concerned with the monitoring of private conversations that is supposedly going on, and will continue to hold off on purchasing the game until I feel comfortable that they are not, in fact, doing so.

I see this a lot in just about any mmo and it strikes me as silly. Kinda invalidated by the Terms of Use agreement. Yes, I'm one of those wacky people who read terms of use, rules of conduct, privacy policy, and all that good stuff. Pretty cut and dry stuff.


10. Public Communication (http://www.swtor.com/legalnotices/termsofservice)

You understand, acknowledge and agree that any Content you contribute to TOR Services is not confidential and may be viewed and used by anyone accessing the TOR Services. You are solely responsible for your Content and may be held liable for Content that you post.

Rules of Conduct (http://www.swtor.com/legalnotices/rulesofconduct): Disrupt the flow of chat with vulgar language...

Also, given the vast size of the log files that are built up in a single day it is unlikely that someone is just sittin' there reading conversations, responses, counter-arguments, etc. Can bet dollars to donuts that log aggregation tools are set up to monitor certain keywords, frequency, channel, etc. and infractions are dealt with accordingly on a case by case basis. There's simply too damn much to sift through and in an ideal world every infraction would be dealt with. But it isn't ideal, so while some may slide by others may get caught. Just the the poop rolls down hill.

Hell. Giving a notice is completely optional too, really.

16. Termination of TOR Services and Accounts. (http://www.swtor.com/legalnotices/rulesofconduct)

BioWare may terminate any TOR Service at any time by giving you notice of such termination within the time period specified when you joined the particular TOR Service, or if no time period for notice of termination was specified, then within thirty (30) days of the date such notice is posted on the applicable TOR Service.

BioWare may also terminate your Account(s) (and access to all related entitlements) for violation of this Terms of Service, breaking the Rules of Conduct, illegal or improper use of your Account, or illegal or improper use of TOR Services, products, BioWare's or LucasArts Intellectual Property. BioWare may issue you a warning, or BioWare may immediately terminate any and all Accounts that you have established. You acknowledge that BioWare is not required to provide you notice before terminating your Account(s), but it may choose to do so.

Not to sound like a dick, but it is all there clear as a bell. Other than the slight differences from game to game this is pretty much cut and paste stuff for any mmo. Just seems like because EA and SWTOR's newness it is..odd that things are being enforced? Maybe a little heavyhanded? Iono, I'd rather see things enforced instead of lax.

[BitVyper]

Aside from all the standard problems with ToS agreements, you can't really play the game you bought until you agree to the ToS, which makes it pretty much a form of coercion. Pretty much all you're doing is proving once again that ToS agreements are big piles of horseshit (also of questionable legality). Everyone already knew that, and it doesn't make monitoring private conversations and banning people based on swearing in those conversations any more ethical.

[Arcanum]

And in "hahaha this game is broken" news:

vun5geNHA5M

Apparently dancing interrupts your opponents attacks because they are just so damn impressed by your dance skills. Though according to the video description it was only tested on boss type enemies and a sniper npc or something.

[Krylo]

That's not a glitch. It's a feature.

Working as intended.

[Japan]

Yes, I believe that is what you call "getting served."

Also, as a long time player of WoW I must admit that I actually appreciate the overly stern approach to moderation they are apparently taking. I'm sure anyone who's spent longer than 5 minutes in global trade chat on any North American WoW server can attest to the unfiltered horror that is the MMO community.

Also, from now on I will refer to all 70s style porn 'staches as "Commander Tavus"

[Krylo]

Funks and I joined a guild on Republic side on Dreshdae. Blood sweat and the force or some shit I don't know.

Anyway, it's a thing that has been done 'cause we could never find any of the few of you who claimed to have republic there, so if you're on find Sinasis, Zoam, Falna, Melisha, or fuck I dunno pretty much anyone in the guild can invite I think.

I obviously pay oodles of attention to what I'm doing.

[stefan]

vun5geNHA5M


nice to see that bioware is still having trouble making a dance animation that doesn't look utterly retarded.

[Japan]

I'd be willing to start a new endgame pve focused guild at some future date if there's enough interest. Krylo and I are nearing the 40s and I suspect we'll be level capped in a week or so. My character is a tank and I hear endgame right now is pretty much easy mode so if you're into getting sweet loots for the republic hit me up.

The guild we're in right now is pretty much a "social casual" guild from what I can tell, which is pretty much mmo speak for let me see how much free shit I can get from these noobs pretending I'm a woman. (or maybe I'm just cynical.)

[CABAL49]

can get from these noobs pretending I'm a woman. (or maybe I'm just cynical.)

If you all played on the Server my main characters were on I'd give you all kinds of free shit. The other day I gave away a full set of Grade 4 ship stuff and some purple mods I made. Things I can make a pretty penny off of in GTN.

But I will get around to working on a character with you kids. NPF strikes as one!

[Japan]

Just finished building my new pc, installing all my games now, should be up and operational by tomorrow.

[RickZarber]

So I took a break from my main guy on the Shii-Cho server and have finally rolled some characters on Dreshdae Cantina. I dunno if they ever made it so you can friend people who aren't online, but if not, well, good luck catching my sporadic-playin' ass. I will keep my eyes open for you all though.

Empire: Zarber (easy to remember, eh?), Sith Warrior
Republic: Noyce, Jedi Knight (though I'm playing this guy as a Dark Jedi... it's actually more fun to be a dick as this guy than as a Sith, I think...)

[Ramary]

To save a long story, I have come in possession of the old republic, as well as 90 days of game time. Did we ever decide on a server we are playing on, or are we just all over the bloody place.

[Krylo]

Dreshdae Cantina.

Both Republic and Empire. On Empire try to find Drone to get into Bob's guild, on Republic try to find Zoam or Sinasis.

Unrelated: Hit fifty with my smuggler, and had someone ask me for help with the level 50 class quest for Jedi Knight. Long story short I kicked the Sith Emperor in the bojangles. Also solo'd him 'cause the Jedi Knight died right at the start of the battle.

[Ramary]

Thaaaaaaaaaaaank you.

[Krylo]

...I can not NOT read that in the voice of the guy with the flying shop from Skyward Sword.

[Ramary]

...I can not NOT read that in the voice of the guy with the flying shop from Skyward Sword.

NOW I CAN'T ETHER.

[Ramary]

Okay having trouble actually finding when one of you guys are on, just in case, I am on republic side with the name I always have, Ramary.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Then I shall be murdering you shortly.

[Bob The Mercenary]

Just hit 50 today and I'm in an awesome laid back raiding guild if any of you are still playing.

[Krylo]

I've been 50 on my smuggler for about a month or so, haven't logged on for about half that time just 'cause I've been super tired and haven't wanted to deal with MMO people.

[CABAL49]

I play regularly, but I still haven't made a character on your server.