HoloNet Links #69
This past week has been a very interesting week in the world of SWTOR. From some typical forum uproars to new fears, concerns etc. over the first bit of real details about BioWare’s Free-to-Play option coming, seemingly sooner than later. On the 23rd of October, BioWare brought the Public Test Server back up to have players get their first look and help test the new Cartel Market. After players on PTS got a quick glimpse, for about a day and then they brought it down for the next phase that started yesterday.
Testing F2P on PTS, Star Wars eyewear & more after the Jump…
I have been very curious about the Cartel Market, since I read about it being added to the PTS. So after feeling a bit better yesterday, I started downloading the new version of the PTS. After it downloaded, I found out that now everyone on PTS was considered a non-subscriber and subject to the Free-to-Play option restrictions. I decided to pretend I had never played before and created a totally new character on the testing server. I must admit if I hadn’t played before and knew the species restrictions, character creation was still a good experience and I felt eager to see the next steps. The intro story remains the same and just as great, but just after is where I felt F2P players got less than they should. This is when I started adjusting my controls, and wanting to load my UI interface setting. Yes, I know they won’t have an interface setting to load, but here is where it matters…F2P players only get one quickbar! That is right, if you play this game on the Free-to-Play Option, you will only have one quickbar to play the game. Now, you can buy each quickbar through the Cartel Market. I understand the idea of players getting the game for free and all 8 class stories for free and that is a lot, but I defy anyone to play this game 1-50 with one quickbar and be effective. Trust me, I love this game and plan to play it for a good long while, but does not giving players all the UI, even those playing for free, convince or persuade them to think about subscribing or spending one real dollar in the Cartel Market? If you are not on the PTS, I would urge you to try it and see what you think. BioWare needs feedback on issues like this and other things, before the Free-to-Play option goes live.
- Cartel Market is on PTS
By now, many of you have been hearing about the Free-to-Play option along with the coming of the Cartel Market. Currently the Cartel Market is on the Public Test Server for people to test and see some of the items being offered by the new marketplace. While some of the things that currently “need” to be purchased are not exactly my idea of a Free-to-Play option, there are many items that I do find very interesting. My current gameplay has been slowed due to some health issues, but I managed to get in a couple hours today testing the new version of the PTS, which has everyone under the guidelines that are currently for those going the Free-to-Play option. The icon for the Cartel Market is the big yellow “coin-like” symbol. Clicking on this icon opens up the store. This is nice to have access to the store anywhere in the game. On the left side it clearly lists the different categories of items able to be purchased. In each one there are more items to look through, as you click the arrows to go to the next page or go back one page. By clicking on an item you can see it in a preview window and below that is an area to read more details. If it is a piece of armor or adaptive clothing you can preview the items just as you can in-game, by holding Ctrl and left click. There are many things that need to be tested with not only the Free-to-Play option, but the workings of the Cartel Market. I urge you to download the PTS and see what you think of the Cartel Market.
- SWTOR Companions 101
There is the next installment of SWTOR Companions 101 on the official site. This time the companion spotlight shines on the female Jedi companion, Kira Carsen. She is one of the companions you will find on your travels, if you choose the class of the Jedi Knight. The article does a great job of highlighting Kira and describing her personality. Now, be warned the article does contain spoilers for those who have yet to meet this companion. Without giving away too many spoilers, I found Kira, to be a very unique and fun companion. Unique in that while she knows the teachings of the Jedi Order, she is not completely above bending a few rules here and there. To place her in the framework of other female Star Wars women, I would say she is very much like that of Leia and even Bastilla – from Knights of the Old Republic. Like them she is a strong woman and can hold her own in any fight, but she also has a caring side, once you can get past the layers of barriers they put up to protect themselves from heartache. I mention Bastilla, because like her, Kira knows what it is to wield the Dark Side, as well as not shy from seeking companionship. I urge you to read through the article and find out more about Kira, but better yet, get into the game and roll a Jedi Knight character and learn firsthand about this companion in the SWTOR Universe.
Star Wars Community News & Events
- Corellian Run Radio’s Weekly Nav Coordinates
While you are busy checking how the Cartel Market will work on PTS, remember to take a break 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.
10/19 Operation: Information – The Writhing Horror Hard Mode by Ghoztt
10/22 Community Checkpoint featuring Crimson Shadow Legion by Jason Taylor
10/22 Episode 78: Free To Play, Is It For You? – podcast
10/23 My Two Credits: Free-to-Play by Maer
Corellian Run Radio’s Youtube channel
Corellian Run Radio’s Facebook group
- More Star Wars Halloween ideas
Last week we saw how to make a Stormtrooper Jack-O-Lantern. Now with less than a week till Halloween, here are a few more tips and links to help make your Halloween a bit more “Star Warsy.” Okay, so we have a pumpkin ready with the help of last week’s tips. So how many have a costume? If not don’t worry about spending lots of money, we can figure out a costume for next to nothing with simply a printer or those of us with a bit more skill, with sewing etc. can improve upon just a mask. Speaking of masks, I came across several links to various Star Wars themed masks.
Mask link one – Stormtrooper
Mask link two – Darth Vader
Mask link three – Princess Leia, Yoda, and Wicket
*Be sure to download and follow instructions for Mask links two and three
Here is a short video for those better at sewing and want to make a Jedi or Sith costume
Now that we have a better handle on the costumes, how about some party ideas for treats and even some games. Hey, nobody is too old for games and everyone loves some good eats! Although this article from GeekMom website is a few years older, Jennifer D offers some great tips for some great food and party ideas for Halloween. Is there something you do for Halloween or plan on doing for Halloween with a Star Wars flair? If so we would love to hear about it in our comment section below.
image via katiecandraw.com
- Star Wars Eyewear is coming!
Yes, you heard correctly, the Star Wars license will now also be featured on exclusive eyewear. As of right now, there is not much information other than they are proposed to be coming out sometime in Autumn 2012. The reason for lack of too much information is my lack of knowledge of the Japanese language. The company, Aigan, starts the page, dedicated to the Star Wars eyewear, with the very memorable “crawl” and Star Wars music. You then can see the different styles by clicking on one of the silhouettes. Each of the pages, associated with the silhouettes, shows the different styles of eyewear, based upon classic Star Wars characters…R2-D2, Stormtroopers, Luke Skywalker, the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader and the fan favorite bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Each style has a distinct style and flair that clearly identifies it with the character and the iconic movies. Whether or not these amazing styles of eyewear make it to the states is anyone’s guess, but if they do this writer will be getting a pair…hmm now which style is the only question. I want to thank @VadersGirl26 for posting this link on her Facebook page.
- 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!
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 to 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!