HoloNet Links #18
Some big news, concerning the game, was released today. The first part of Guild Phase 3 is going on now! In dev notes, we look at what is going on and what your guild needs to have for Phase 3 done prior to launch. A smaller little “tidbit” from Stephen Reid, talks about news concerning Early Game Access will be released “quite soon.” Georg Zoeller also fills us in more on some of benefits in-game for Republic Gunslingers and Imperial Snipers. Not everything is serious news, on a lighter note we take a look at a heartwarming story of a flower girl and Yoda.
Now as we make the calculations with the nav computer and prepare for the Jump, sit back and get ready for this week’s HoloNet Links.
More dev news, links, fun & much more after the Jump…
Dev notes
- Hot tidbits
AlysonBridge News and Announcements -> Finalize Your Guild Now
Last month we expanded our Pre-Launch Guild Program with the implementation of Phase 2: Alignment, where guilds could designate other guilds as allies or adversaries. Now, as Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ moves ever-closer to launch, we are excited to announce that we have initiated the first part of Phase 3: Deployment!
Phase 3: Deployment will see any guild that meets the pre-designated criteria be transferred into the game for launch. Before we begin this process, though, we want to give all of you who are in guilds the opportunity to make sure your guild meets the following requirement for transfer:
- Four members of the guild must have pre-ordered the game and redeemed their Pre-Order Code at the Code Redemption Center.
(NOTE: We have removed the additional requirement for the guild leader to log in to the website and verify that their guild remains active and wants to be imported.)
DavidBass General Discussion -> Server types and PvP rulesets
There will be four different server types in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Here’s how they work generally, and details on how we’re dealing with roleplaying (RP) servers:
PvE (Player vs Environment) – Players will have to manually flag themselves if they wish to engage in PvP outside of designated Warzones and Open World PvP areas.
PvP (Player vs Player) – Players are automatically flagged for PvP outside of the designated ‘safe’ areas (such as Origin Worlds, Capital Worlds, and the Republic/Imperial Fleets; see below for more info).
RP-PvE – Players are encouraged to roleplay and act ‘in-character’ while playing on an RP-PvE server. Players must manually flag themselves if they wish to engage in PvP outside of designated Warzones and Open World PvP areas.
RP-PvP – Players are encouraged to roleplay and act ‘in-character’ while playing on an RP-PvP server. Players are automatically flagged for PvP outside of the designated ‘safe’ areas (such as Origin Worlds, Capital Worlds, and the Republic/Imperial Fleets; see below for more info).
The pre-launch Guild Headquarters currently allows you to select between three different server types for your guild: PvE, PvP, and RP, which will determine your server placement during Phase 3: Deployment. During Deployment, we will be placing all eligible guilds that select ‘RP’ onto RP-PvE servers by default. If a guild wishes to exist on an RP-PvP server, they will need to create their guild manually on a new server once they reach their Capital World (Dromund Kaas or Coruscant) and create their guild.
The decision to make RP-PvP servers an option for players was made recently, which is why the choice was not available in the Guild Headquarters to start with. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes, but we hope you are as excited as we are to be able to choose this option for your guild in the game at launch.
PvP server rulesets
We also wanted to expand on what the PvP server ruleset means in The Old Republic. The obvious overarching rule is that in general, if you see a player of the opposite faction, you may immediately engage them in combat.
The exception to this rule is sanctuaries, which are large areas where PvP may not take place, regardless of whether you are flagged or unflagged for PvP. Examples of this are the Origin Worlds (Tython, Ord Mantell, Hutta, and Korriban), the Capital Worlds for both sides (Dromund Kaas and Coruscant), and the Republic/Imperial Fleets.
Hopefully this post helps inform your decision as to which server type you’d like to play on at launch. If you haven’t already, create a guild on the Guild Headquarters so that you can get placed on a server before the game launches!
StephenReid General Discussion -> Early Access Speculation Thread
We’ll be giving everyone an update on Early Game Access quite soon.
- Georg’s Goodies
This week Georg has much more to say than last week. He really makes some mentions about things built into game mechanics for Snipers and Gunslingers. Georg also lets you know exactly what will happen to a Sage Consular going against a close melee class, no punches pulled.
GeorgZoeller Imperial Agent -> Sniper Range 30-35m?
Snipers (and Gunslingers) have a range of 35 meters for most of their abilities, which is the longest range class for player abilities available. Troopers for examples have a maximum range of 30 meters on their long range abilities.
GeorgZoeller Imperial Agent -> Sniper Range 30-35m?
Quote: Originally Posted by RustyDiodes
Why does the sniper carry a huge rifle with a scope, if a pistol has the same range?
Because Gunslingers are trained to shoot with their pistol to great range, while the Sniper is trained to use technology that allows for great range shots.
But honestly, and you already knew this, it’s about gameplay, not realism.
GeorgZoeller Imperial Agent -> Sniper gameplay theorycrafting (PvP)
Quote: Originally Posted by SamoRn
From what I’ve read and i can’t remember the source off the top of my head the sniper’s cover is a counter for force leap, as it cannot be used on us in cover. As far as dancing in and out of the range of the sniper’s abilities it’s a double edge sword because if in cover i believe snipers take little or no damage from ranged attacks. Eventually your healers going to run out of mana/energy/force points etc, leaving you the opportunity to burn them down. Also remember were going to have at least 1 stun or cc ability to help keep whoever were fighting within range for a bit longer.
Remember snipers crit a lot and do huge burst damage!
Correct. Cover protects from Force Leap, being pulled via grapple, etc.
Using Entrench (An ability increasing the effectiveness of cover temporarily) will also make the Agent immune to any other kind of control (CC),. They become an unmovable object that cannot be charged, pushed, lifted, frozen, Force choked or in any other way incapacitated.
I have some mixed feelings about these game mechanics for Gunslingers and Snipers. If they have longer range than other classes and a cover system that prevents them from being damaged or able to be pulled from cover, it seems from my limited point of view that it might be a little unbalanced. I cannot wait to hear more on this as changes are being made before and at launch how all this works counter to the other classes.
GeorgZoeller Jedi Consular -> How will the sage fair against up close melee characters?
You’ll die.
To elaborate on this: If you try to outdamage any of the melee DPS classes at close range. 2 lightsabers > 1 lightsaber; Heavy Armor > light armor; Tons of powerful melee moves > small number of melee moves.
Sure, most of your abilities will still work close range, but you have a distinct advantage when they are at range, so you’re going to have to make sure these guys don’t make it into melee range or, if they make it, don’t make it with enough health or stay there long enough to get their really powerful attacks off.
So have these comments from Georg changed your thoughts about trying the Sniper and Gunslinger classes? Let us know what you think in the comments below or in our forums.
Star Wars Community News & Events
- Corellian Run Radio’s Weekly Nav Coordinates
Dealing with fall gloomy days and can’t think of something to do or maybe just been busy running around to various festivals or parties… Well if you missed anything don’t worry a bit, Corellian Run Radio has you covered! Just below we have all the top stories just a click away.
10/27 Revan Teaser at Random House Books by Kathy
10/27 IGN Flashpoint Preview: Esseless, The Hammer by Kathy
10/28 IGN: Exploring Worlds in SWTOR by Kathy
10/28 Gamespy Preview by Kathy
10/28 Warzones Overview by Carla
10/29 Phanton Menace 3D by Kathy
10/29 IGN: Morality, the Gear, the Grind by Kathy
10/29 EA’s Origin Signs Warner Bros., Capcom, THQ by Kathy
10/30 Star Wars Cybernetics approaching reality? by Jason Taylor
10/31 Fan Site Summit II, Nov 6-8 by Kathy
11/01 Guild Checkpoint featuring Condemned by Jason Taylor
11/01 Daniel Erickson on Sith Inquisitor by Kathy
11/02 What David Bass by Kathy
11/03 David Bass Comments on Fansite Communication, Virtual Meeting by Kathy
- Other Star Wars News
In Offbeat Bride, yes a man can find enjoyment reading an article in this publication, but I digress. This past month, Offbeat Bride had an article that was touching and fit right in with the Star Wars community. What do you do when the flower girl is having trouble getting over being shy and needs a bit of coaxing to come out of hiding? Well her aunt had the solution…a Yoda backpack, just like Luke had in Empire Strikes Back. Not only did the flower girl come out of hiding she was so attached to having Yoda right there in the backpack, she proudly walked down the aisle with Yoda “coaching” her along. Never mind the girl had autism, we all have times when we all need something or someone to helps get through our fears, and for this girl Yoda did just that. Here is a picture from the article, of the girl and her friend/teacher Yoda. Check out the article by Megan Finely, to help bring a smile to your face.
- Facebook Image of the Week
This week’s image takes us back to Coruscant, again this time to the Senate. We see the beautiful architecture and lavish interiors of this governing body of the Republic.
- Star Wars Music Video
This week we have another fan created Star Wars music video. The unique thing on this video is that it takes us through the saga and has us “Turn Back the Clock.” It takes the viewer on an epic journey back the the beginning of the conflict we will be a part of in The Old Republic. I really enjoyed the narration, even if the voice was a bit rough. The video is well edited and makes use of music and footage from all the movies, scenes from the Clone Wars TV series and also parts from the cinematic trailers by Blur Studios. Nicely done by ChaserofTheDawn. Enjoy it in HD to get the full effect 🙂 Let us know what you thought of it in our comments below.
That’s all this week from the HoloNet Links at Corellian Run Radio. I would love to hear from you all. Let me know what you liked or disliked or what topics you would like me to cover. I encourage you to send me any interesting, funny, or thought provoking Star Wars Old Republic link, via email at jason@corellianrun.com, or join us in the CRR forums, or in our Facebook group. See you next week!