Ostriig on 15/12/2008 at 21:08
Looks like I'm in the necromantic business today...
Kotaku link to a (
http://kotaku.com/5108965/a-first-look-at-star-wars-the-old-republic-mmo) "first look" at the new Star Wars MMO. Of note is the suggestion that, according to those interviewed, this new MMO would be unlike any previous ones in that it will focus on creating meaningful choices conducive to character development and on a captivating narrative structure. Now where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, Guild Wars and Age of Conan. YMMV I guess, but mine fell short of the "yes, it really has a captivating narrative" mark in both cases. Even more on the "meaningful choices" one. Also noteworthy might be the crummy graphics, which, to optimists, might give hope that BioWare are really focusing on content rather than visuals. Not being an optimist myself, and having been recently disappointed yet again with the MMO scene, I'll stick with the "crummy graphics and that's all there is to it" for now. I'm more than open to the devs proving me wrong, of course.
And since I've already linked to Kotaku, I'll do so again in the hopes of maybe raining on some more parades this fine day - (
http://kotaku.com/5106091/star-wars-old-republic-mmo-to-be-microtransaction+based) Star Wars Old Republic MMO To Be "Microtransaction-Based". And as much as above mentioned optimists might rejoice at the alluring "no monthly fees" other half of the matter, I still regard it as more of a siren song.
Quote Posted by Kotaku
To us, that sounds less like "pay as you go", more like "pay as you go for new GIANT LIGHTSABERS".
Now add the fact that we're talking about
EA here...
Edit:RPS link to the same video, and point out something that, to my discredit, didn't properly register with me when I watched on my own:
Quote Posted by RPS
There's also a closer look at the visual style of the game, which they're calling “stylised realism”.
So you can call it that if you prefer. I, for one, don't.
Aerothorn on 15/12/2008 at 22:31
Quote Posted by Ostriig
Of note is the suggestion that, according to those interviewed, this new MMO would be unlike any previous ones in that it will focus on creating meaningful choices conducive to character development and on a captivating narrative structure.
I'm highly skeptical. To me, BioWare has NEVER been able to create "meaningful choices" - it's always blatant good/evil stuff, not the more complex decisions seen in something like Deus Ex. As far as a "captivating narrative," I found Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 enjoyable enough, but NWN and KOTOR both had plots constructed from the Big Book of Game Cliches. Jade Empire I couldn't even get more than a few hours into. Mass Effect was a stronger effort, but at the end of the day it was still filled with generic archetypical characters and a shitty antagonist. KOTOR 2 had a compelling narrative (being, in effect, Planescape: Torment-lite) but that wasn't made by Bioware.
Zygoptera on 15/12/2008 at 22:44
Not microtransaction based, according to the LucasArts PR dude on qt3. Riccitiello does not actually have any control whatsoever over the pricing model as LucasArts is the publisher, not EA
I'm utterly unimpressed by everything about this title.
Ostriig on 13/6/2009 at 13:07
What, no necromancy warning anymore?
Quote Posted by Zygoptera
I'm utterly unimpressed by everything about this title.
Yeah, I've been pretty much of the same opinion so far. But, finally, I have found one thing to impress me - (
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-star-wars/49936) this new, pretty teaser trailer.
Andarthiel on 13/6/2009 at 13:21
Yea, that's a pretty sweet looking trailer. I just hope this MMO will have no subscription fees(The Guild Wars no fees system works and it's awesome).
EvaUnit02 on 13/6/2009 at 13:38
Quote Posted by Andarthiel
I just hope this MMO will have no subscription fees.
HAHAHAHA
JediKorenchkin on 13/6/2009 at 22:12
A bit overdone on the slow motion, but decent trailer.
I would have liked to see some gameplay, though.
polytourist97 on 14/6/2009 at 05:23
Quote Posted by Andarthiel
The Guild Wars no fees system works and it's awesome
Yeah, I agree Andarthiel, if they decide to go with a non-subscription pricing scheme like Guild Wars that would pretty much sell it for me on the spot.
EvaUnit02 on 16/6/2009 at 12:58
*Watches the link*
Seriously,
that is the fabled E3 09 trailer that every man and his dog on most forums seem to be stroking off to - a
pre-rendered Full Motion Video cutscene?
Oh CHRIST, they do this with EVERY MMO that comes out. Age of Conan, Warhammer Online... it's never a representation of the actual game. ARGH, when will people learn?
DDL on 16/6/2009 at 13:07
In-game footage for MMOs would generally be a mash of incredibly confusing HUD icons and MULTICOLOURED NUMBERZZZ everywhere.
I imagine it's quite difficult to pitch MMO footage in a gripping way for people who aren't actually playing. For FPSs or whatever, "that big monster is about to shoot you" can be quite dramatic.
"OMG HE'S PROCCING DEF-UP AND HoT BUFFS" is less dramatic.
(I'm not saying this excuses it, incidentally, but hopefully you get the idea)
