HoloNet Links #68
For the longest time, all we knew about the Free-to-Play Option was it would be coming sometime this Fall. This week BioWare has shed a little light on the Cartel Coins current subscribers have or potentially will earn at the launch of the new Free-to-Play option. There have also been some updates to the Features page, which compares what will be offered to subscribers versus those using the Free-to-Play option.
More on Free-to- Play option, Star Wars Halloween DIY & more after the Jump…
Like many of you, I would like to have a bit more information on Cartel Coins and how Free-to-Play will work. I would have even loved to have them tease an item available for purchase on the Cartel Market. Now that said, I am happy to hear about any new information from BioWare. I also found a few interesting little facts that they gave us on the features page. These refer to what unlocks for players, when a purchase is made on the Cartel Market. Look below and see what you think.
Benefits for Cartel purchases outlined under Free-to-Play features:
Preferred Status – Making a purchase will unlock access to the following features:
- The ability to run faster (Sprint) starting at Level 1.
- Cargo Hold access (Bank Slots) and higher login queue priority.
- Increased access to Chat and Secure Trading.
NOTE: Characters must be at least Level six (6) to unlock access to their ship’s Cargo Hold, full General Chat, and Secure Trading.
I like the thinking behind this idea. It gives some incentive to make a purchase. However, I don’t like them taking the Sprint ability away, even if they are using the Free-to-Play option. This was such a positive when they gave it to the community and now they yank it away, because a player is utilizing their new option of Free-to-Play. The added bank slots/cargo hold storage, adding more access to chat and more trading are great incentives. Let’s all play developer and see what we would make an incentive instead of Sprint. What are some of your ideas? Please let us know in the comment section below.
- Patch 1.5 content added to PTS
By now this is no big secret about the addition of Patch 1.5 content to the Public Test Server, which includes the quest for obtaining a new companion, HK-51. This is great news that they are getting this to the PTS soon, for one it gives more time to iron-out bugs and unforeseen glitches with addition to new systems and content. Secondly, it shows to me that BioWare is really working to keep new content coming. This has been one of the things the community has been wanting, more content and sooner.
Now a couple of issues for me, I remember from Gamescom that the new Warzone, the Ancient Hypergates was going to be added right after Terror From Beyond. I believe, in Geldarion’s article he also makes reference to no mention of this Warzone. Now I understand that in the gaming industry things change and issues arise, but if there is a reason for not including it in Patch 1.5 content, please communicate that with your community BioWare. You can avoid a lot of “hate” threads by just being upfront with the players. Yes, we gamers will still whine and sob, but if there is a real reason as to why for not including it, more of us will understand and not even think twice about it.
The other issue I have has to do with the obtaining HK-51. Honestly, I have not read any of the guides, yes there are already guides for obtaining HK-51. My issue is not exactly with the guides, but the fact the new companion was obtained in less than 24 hours!!! This was built-up to be a huge arcing story quest. It even received one of those high-priced Blur Studios trailers. I am not talking making the quest so difficult or so lengthy people just give up on it, but it should take around a week or two to obtain him. Considering once you obtain him, he will more or less be a companion for dallies or a new crafter. The companion is not Legacy bound either, so he will remain primarily on my ship until level cap is raised. What are your opinions on the new content on the PTS? Those who have completed the HK-51, please let know your opinion on the quest without too many spoilers, in the comment section below.
Star Wars Community News & Events
- SWTOR Fan Fiction
In an earlier HoloNet Links article, seems like awhile ago, I wrote about fan fiction contests that were going on in the official SWTOR forums. Looks like they are still going on! These are a bit different, but the writing is really creative and good. The way they work now, see this thread for official rules and how they want the submissions posted, each week there is at least one or two topics to write a short fan fiction story. Most of the writers have been utilizing the same character or a couple characters that they base their submissions on weekly. Below states the topics for this week.
posted 10/17/12
Xenobiology – Different species means more than different skin colors. It means different entirely different physiologies. Having friends whose bodies work so differently from your own can make things complicated, as everything from how you relax to how you dress and what your beauty rituals are (what is “lekku buffing”, anyway?). How do your characters deal with biologic differences that they encounter?
Best Day Ever – We’ve written about our characters’ worst days; now write about their best days! A day when something wonderful happened, like finally beating your nemesis, or just a day when everything went really well for them, and how they reacted.
Do you have a knack or, love for writing? Why not give this ongoing fan fiction contest a try? Seems like a great opportunity to get some feedback on your fan fiction writing…who knows the next Timothy Zahn or Drew Karpyshyn might just come from one of these writers. If you do make a submission please let us at Corellian Run Radio know, so we can check it out!
- Corellian Run Radio’s Weekly Nav Coordinates
How many of you have been busy attempting the new content on the Public Test Server that will be in Patch 1.5?
“Analysis…there is one companion for you to find in Patch 1.5 meatbag.”
Hmm speaking of HK-51, has anyone noticed the patch for this companion to be released is 1.5, let’s reverse that, it is 5.1, now drop out the period and you have 51…coincidence or chance, I don’t think so. Very clever BioWare.
While you are busy on PTS or getting your opposing faction character to “mid-level,” don’t forget to catch this week’s latest podcast and your favorite CRR weekly articles. As you read our writers’ articles and listen to the podcast, be sure to take a moment and submit your feedback and suggestions in the comment sections. We love to hear from you. Thanks and enjoy the links below.
10/12 Operation: Information – Rise of the Nerfs by Ghoztt
10/15 Community Checkpoint featuring Transcendence by Jason Taylor
10/16 My Two Credits: Terror From Beyond by Maer
10/17 Tactical Strike: Opinions on PVP Changes…Or Lack Thereof by Geldarion
10/17 Episode 77: HK-51 Arriving Soon – podcast
Corellian Run Radio’s Youtube channel
Corellian Run Radio’s Facebook group
- Star Wars Halloween DIY
Yes, ladies and gentlemen it is getting to be that time of the year…time for the ghosts, goblins to all emerge and of course all the Jack-O-Lanterns to be carved. On StarWars.com there is a great do it yourself guide for making a Stormtrooper carved pumpkin by Jennifer Landa, to make all the neighbors jealous. It has been a long while since I have carved a pumpkin, but with these instructions and Stormtrooper design from ThinkGeek.com you will be able to do it. Now kids, be sure you have a parent or an adult help, since there is actual carving involved. Parents, if you do not wish to carve the pumpkin, you can always use the pattern and let the kids use markers, or paint to make the Star Wars Stormtrooper come to life! If you make a Stormtrooper pumpkin or any Star Wars themed pumpkin please submit your pics to our Facebook group page or send to our email at corellianrun@gmail.com.
- Want to have your server event or guild highlighted on CRR website?
Do you have a server event or guild you would like to have mentioned or highlighted? Please send us an email at corellianrun@gmail.com or email me at jason@corellianrun.com. In the emails, please include the details for the event and/or guild, any possible links where people can sign up or get out more information. We would love to highlight your event or guild on Community Checkpoint!
- Upcoming Server Events:
Speaking of servers events there are a few upcoming events this weekend and the next week or so. Below are also listed some reoccurring events you might want to find out more details and take part in.
[The Red Eclipse] Spark Of Insanity World PvP Event (18/10/2012): “Starting Thursday 18th October Spark of Insanity will once again be running world PVP on this servers, any of you that know us from Nightmare Lands will be aware we ran World PVP on our server.”
[Jedi Convenant] Extra Life Event!!!!!!!: “Hello Jedi Covenant. I am Batmace with the Legion of Shadows. On Oct 20th members of this guild and myself will be doing Extra Life and wanted to see if other players on this guild would like to give a helping hand. If you do not know this event, it’s a yearly event to help raise money for the Children’s Hospital Network by simply PLAYING VIDEO GAMES! For 24 hours show your support. LoS will be having competitions throughout the night to include FP, Warzones, ect.”
[The Ebon Hawk] Reckoner’s 4v4 3v3 2v2 1v1 Tournament 50K Entry fee: “This event will happen Saturday October 20th 5PM est. Winner of each tournament will will win the entry fee that each player pays for.”
[Prophecy of the Five] <Firestorm> Will be hosting a war on ilum.: “Firestorm will be hosting a war on ilum. I have not set a date yet however im thinking either Sat the 10/20 or Friday the 10/26. I will have more details later with an official post but wanted to get some ideas first and gauge the interest level.”
[The Ebon Hawk] Pax’s Server-Wide 3-v-3 Team Tournament Oct 27th: “Pax Imperius (Empire) and Pax Dominus (Republic) will be hosting a server-wide tournament at the Outlaw’s Den on Tatooine. We encourage spectators, and all are welcome to attend. We do ask that a cease-fire be observed during, and in proximity of, the event. When: Saturday, October 27th, 2200 (10pm) EST.”
- Reoccurring Server Events:
[Jung Ma] RP Social – Saturdays at 10pm EST: “I wanted to let everyone know that Jen’jidai hosts a social RP scheduled weekly at 10:00 PM EST every Saturday on Nar Shaddaa, at the Lower Promenade Cantina. Though this started as a guild activity, it is open-invitation and we would love to see others attend.”
[Jung Ma] Alpha Company RP-Patrol Schedule: In order to encourage free-form RP (both cross faction and same faction) we are beginning to do an RP Patrol Mon-Thurs every week at the following times and locations. I will update the list as it changes. Monday: Tatooine 8:00PM EST. Tuesday: Hoth 8:00PM EST. Wednesday: Alderaan 8:00PM EST. Thursday: Belsavis 8:00PM EST.”
[Jung Ma] Ranked Warzone Nights — MON/WED @ 8PM-12AM EST: “I am calling for all guilds to queue for ranked warzones every Monday and Wednesday evening from 8PM EST to 12AM EST!”
[Jung Ma] Weekly Event: The Jundland Swoop Race!: “Dates: Tuesday night, weekly. Time: 9pm EST. Organizer: Joro, Republic Trooper.”
[Prophecy of the Five] Weekly PvP Event Schedule! (World PvP): “This event schedule does not begin until Saturday, October 20th, 2012 which will begin with the Third Saturday of the month. This is a list of the weekly PvP Event schedule for Open World PvP. This will be every Saturday Night at 8:00pm Eastern Time. On certain months that have Five Saturdays, the fifth Saturday will be off.”
That is it for this week’s HoloNet Links. Please leave us your thoughts or suggestions in the comment section below.
If you have a particular link, story, video, or topic related to SWTOR we would love to hear about it! You can send those us here at Corellian Run Radio and we can place it in a future article. Just email us the links and/or the details for the event at corellianrun@gmail.com, or you can also leave any link suggestions in the comments below, or in Corellian Run Radio’s Facebook group. Thanks and see you all next week!
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