Above: The Force is strong in this one

It shows up during the “Legacy” system section, which actually didn’t include any new information per se, but it did include what looked to us like a Miraluka (the blind, Republic-only race) Sith Warrior (a class that only the Sith Empire can play). Sure, it could, technically, have been a Jedi using a red lightsaber and wearing dark armor, but we didn’t think BioWare would throw something like that in the video to confuse people.

Turns out we were right. After checking with BioWare’s Daniel Erickson, we received confirmation that the guy in question was “definitely a Miraluka Sith.” While that’s not confirmation that it’s tied into the Legacy system (and Erickson wasn’t able to go into additional details), the fact that it showed up during that section of the video essentially confirms it anyway.

This is huge news for the game, and the first solid, non-cosmetic information we’ve gotten on the Legacy system. Being able to unlock different faction’s races to play on either side was rumored in the past, but this is the first we’ve actually seen it in action. The ability to play as a Miraluka Sith, a Chiss Smuggler, or a Mirialan Bounty Hunter definitely adds some fun replayability to the game, and we’re really excited to find out more.

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Flashpoints and Operations

In terms of content, the largest addition in Rise of the Rakghouls is the new level 50 Flashpoint and Operation. The Flashpoint is called “Kaon Under Siege,” and it’s focused on level 50 players exclusively (with a normal and hard mode available). Kaon is the first of a two-part story arc, with Republic and Imperial players racing to eliminate a rakghoul outbreak while attempting to forge an allegiance with the Tion Hegemony for their side.

Amatangelo told us that Kaon Under Siege would have an emphasis on story, fitting more in line with the instanced missions like Black Talon than Hammer Station, and that, moving forward, BioWare would be focusing more on the story-based Flashpoints based on the community’s response.

The Operation, which is made for either eight or 16 players, is called Karagga’s Palace, and is a continuation of one of the Operations that shipped with the game. Players will be going head-to-head with the Hutt Cartel, eventually confronting Karagga the Hutt himself and answering, once and for all, what fighting a Hutt is like (the answer, in case your wondering, involves a massive robot). “One of my favorite bits is the reaction shot in the cinematic,” Amatangelo said, “where Karagga is coming onto the scene. It does a reverse shot of the player and the jaw sort of drops as a shadow looms over you as you’re looking up. It’s pretty funny.”

Player-versus-player combat

Amatangelo said that the team was pleasantly surprised by how popular the game’s PvP was, with over half of the population actively participating in player-versus-player combat. This revelation has led to BioWare speeding up some of the plans it had for PvP. “It was so exciting for me, I just had a grin from ear-to-ear,” he said. “It helped me convince my bosses to get more traction going in those directions.”

The 1.1 update lays the groundwork for some of the future additions to the PvP, including a separate Warzone bracket for level 50 players and some changes to Ilum, the end-game PvP planet. There are also some other changes in the January 17 update to Hoth and Voss, with the shuttle room in Dorn Base Command Center on Hoth being changed to a non-contested territory and Ka on Voss being made into a PvP Sanctuary.

Past Rise of the Rakghouls

After going through all of the enhancements in Rise of the Rakghouls we talked a little about future updates, including the content patch following 1.1. Currently scheduled for a March release date, 1.2 (as we’re guessing it will be called) will add new Flashpoints, Operations, WarZones, and new game systems. It also may see the beginnings of the Legacy system updates, something that may help the end-game dramatically. While Amatangelo couldn’t actually confirm a date for Legacy upgrades he did say that BioWare would be adding them in the “near future.” Other wants, like UI customization, are also in the pipeline, as are some changes for Warzones that make us excited (awarding medals for scoring points in Huttball? Yes please!).

Bug fixes, changes, and patch notes

But, as we said in our review, there’s work to be done in The Old Republic besides throwing new content on top of the pile. There are balance issues, content problems, and bugs that need to be fixed. To see how large of a chunk patch 1.1 took out of the game’s problems click over to the next page for the full patch notes, taken right from the Public Test Server. They might change by the time they go live, but it should at least give you a good idea of what updates are coming your way…

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“Since we’re an online game we are going to continue building on the game for years to come,” wrote game director James Ohlen. “Not only are we launching one of the largest and most impressive games ever created, but we’re also excited about the prospect of continuing to work on the game so that you, the fans, will always have something heroic and amazing to enjoy.”

Above: Two evil red laser-katana are better than one

Future additions include new Operations, Flashpoints, space combat missions, and solo content; as well as new Warzones and challenges for PvP play. For guildees, BioWare is planning to roll out Guild Capital Ships, Guild Banks, and continuous Guild enhancements, so as to support what the studio believes to be one of the most crucial elements to The Old Republic’s popularity and longevity.

On the topic of longevity, BioWare will also be expanding its Legacy System. That is, beyond the ability to add a last name to a character, future patches will let players unlock unique powers, items and other perks based on their progress.

Seeing as Star Wars: The Old Republic isn’t even out yet (unless you were invited to the early access), it could be a while before intergalactic adventurers see any of these plans come to fruition. Still, it’s nice to know they’re coming, and it was a smart move on EA and BioWare’s part to advertise future features this close to the game’s release. For more details on what’s in store for Star Wars: The Old Republic, check out the full post.

The post BioWare talks post-launch plans for Star Wars: The Old Republic appeared first on Game News.

Voidstar is an objective based PvP map in which teams of eight will take turns attacking and defending the data core on an abandoned ship thought to contain the schematics to a new and powerful weapon. In the event both sides are successful in breaching the core during their respective turns, the winning side will be determined by which team was better at performing its objectives.

This is the third ‘Warzone’ scheduled to launch with Star Wars: Old Republic. The others include Huttball, a PvP outing wherein two teams face-off in a deadly game of space-rugby on the Smuggler’s Moon of Nar Shaddaa; and Alderaan, an instance in which Empire and Republic players compete for control over laser cannons on the surface of the familiar Star Wars locale. More details on all three PvP events are now available on BioWare’s site.

Star Wars: The Old Republic brings the intergalactic war to PCs on December 20^th, 2011.

Oct 31, 2011

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The feature was revealed during an after-hours meet and greet between BioWare reps and Star Wars: The Old Republic fans at Eurogamer Expo 2011. When asked by a reporter from Darth Hater to verify reports that achievements would not be included with the game, lead writer Daniel Erickson explained:

“Not correct. Achievements have made ship, in fact. They’re not going to be the achievements, the crazy achievements that you have to place everywhere that are like, ‘Hey if you drink six beers and fart in a cantina’ – those are not going the achievements to go in. Version one of the achievement system (will) go in – which is actually doing big, heroic stuff – because there’s a ton of great optional content in The Old Republic, like, ‘Hey, I went to every world and kicked the world boss’s ass.’ Those kinds of achievements. That’s going to be the level one system.”

Erickson added future achievements will reward repeat visits and some of the more traditional tasks, noting, “People need reasons to go back to planets and run around and do that other stuff, so that will come second.”

Not everyone is motivated by make-believe points and badges, but for some achievements are an incentive to branch out and experience parts of the game they would have never considered. Let us know if you’ll be gunning after intergalactic bragging rights when Star Wars: The Old Republic launches December 20th in North America, and December 22th in Europe.

Sep 28, 2011

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