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SWTOR News
7/23/10 11:34 AM -
Friday Update: Fan Friday 
by sado
, posted July 23rd, 2010 at 11:34 AM
This week's friday update is a Fan Friday which includes some nice screens of Cathars, new avatars, new polls, and fan art from the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ community:

Sean Dahlberg said:
Take a look at the incredible creations were spotlighting from the Star Wars The Old Republic Community and check out the Developer Corner to see new content the team wants to share with you!

[Read more]

More after the jump.
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SWTOR News
7/16/10 10:37 AM -
Friday Update: Music & Sounds of The Old Republic, Blood of The Empire 7 
by Dover
, posted July 16th, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Sean Dahlberg, Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Community Manager, posted in the official forum today, giving us a heads up about three new pieces of content for this Friday. This massive update includes a Developer Dispatch, a Developer Blog, and a new issue of the Blood of the Empire webcomic.

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SWTOR News
7/9/10 12:36 PM -
Friday Update: Game Testing Starts, Comic-Con Kick Off & Upcoming Conventions 
by emlaeh
, posted July 9th, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Sean Dahlberg, Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Community Manager, officially announced the start of game testing today:

Game Testing for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ is underway! Those selected to test will gain access to the game and be able to provide valuable feedback to help us tune particular areas of gameplay and begin the process of balancing and tweaking our content.

Game Testing is an on-going process being rolled out in several phases. These phases began with smaller, more focused tests with community members from North America, and later will expand to other territories. Users selected for the test program will be notified via email with more information on accessing the Game Testing Portal. If you've not been chosen yet, you may be selected in the next wave!

If you haven't signed up already, its definitely not too late! If you're not already a member of the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ community, click here to become one today! Be sure to check the box to indicate you are interested in becoming a tester. If you're already a member, go to the Game Testing Portal to begin the sign up process. Note that you must be at least 18 years of age to accept the Game Tester Agreement.

Please keep in mind that there are no guarantees that you will be selected once you have completed the sign-up process. For more information about testing Star Wars: The Old Republic, take time to read the Game Testing FAQ.

Were looking forward to your help in making Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ a success!
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SWTOR News
7/2/10 3:17 PM -
Friday Update: E3 Multiplayer Demo 
by emlaeh
, posted July 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 PM
This week's friday update is the E3 Multiplayer Game Play Demo:

Sean Dahlberg said:
During E3 we gave live demos of multiplayer game play in The Old Republic™ for the press. Now we want to share the demo with the community! This demo shows how a diverse group of players use their abilities to complement one another in battle.

Commander Narlock readies his troops for an Imperial assault. As he does, all four Republic classes; a Jedi Consular, Jedi Knight, Smuggler, and Trooper join together to assist in fighting off the attack. Watch as each player does his or her part to take on the enemies, and beat the Imperial Troopers and Imperial Breach Droids.

See how group combat will be a thrilling part of The Old Republic in this Multiplayer Game Play Demo.

The downloadable and localized versions will be available next week.

Sean Dahlberg gives further insight about the video:

Sean Dahlberg said:
This is indeed another take of what happened during E3. In here you have Brian Arndt as the Smuggler, Rob Chestney as the Trooper, Cory as the Jedi Knight, and I played the Jedi Consular.

This was something shown during E3 on G4 but we wanted to give you a version that had no cuts from start to finish, where you got to hear the VO, and saw the same setup tackled in a slightly different way.

Working Dissection after the jump.

Last Updated: July 3 @ 1:22 PM EST
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SWTOR News
6/25/10 7:40 PM -
Friday Update: Blood of the Empire Act 2 Issue 2 
by sado
, posted June 25th, 2010 at 7:40 PM
Today's long awaited Star Wars: The Old Republic™ update is Blood of the Empire Act 2 Issue 2:

Sean Dahlberg said:
In the sixth issue of Blood of the Empire™, Teneb Kel fights for his life as Lenico Colony Blue collapses around him. The Emperor's apprentice has proven vastly more powerful than anyone realized--it will take all Teneb's skills and resources to survive, let alone complete his mission. But can he rely on his closest ally in his moment of need, or will he face betrayal?

Check out the latest issue of Blood of the Empire now!

Mentions of Ambria, Glitterflies, and more information about the Emperor abound in this issue.

Update: Chino alerted us to a website that appears to have Act 2 Issue 3 online already. To us it looks legit. SWTOR-Station has the comic translated into English for those interested in reading it. Hat tip to DarthAgony for the heads up on the translation.
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SWTOR News
6/11/10 10:04 AM -
Friday Update: Jedi Civil War Timeline 
by sado
, posted June 11th, 2010 at 10:04 AM
This week's Star Wars: The Old Republic update is the Jedi Civil War Timeline:

One of the greatest threats to the Republic preceding the Great War arose approximately three hundred years before when the Sith Lords Darth Revan and Darth Malak began the Jedi Civil War. Jedi Master Gnost-Durals historical investigation steps back to this era, and he examines new evidence which reshapes the Orders understanding of the events surrounding Revans fall and his ultimate fate.

Quote:
BTC 303 Three hundred years before the Sacking of Coruscant, two prominent Jedi Knights pursued enemy forces into Deep Space at the conclusion of the Mandalorian Wars. When the two Jedi, Revan and Malak, returned to Republic space, they had fallen to the dark side. As Sith Lords, Revan and Malak began searching the galaxy for a powerful ancient artifact known as the Star Forge. During their dark campaign, however, Malaks ambitions grew and eventually drove him to betray Revan, sparking the bloody Jedi Civil War. Though Revan was ultimately redeemed and restored peace to the galaxy, he disappeared afterward in search of a great darkness in Deep Space. Through his investigation, Master Gnost-Dural now confirms that this great darkness is the Sith Empire the Jedi Order battles today.

Watch the latest Timeline holorecord, The Jedi Civil War, narrated by actor Lance Henriksen.

You can also download a high resolution version of this video.

Highlights after the jump.
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SWTOR News
5/21/10 10:20 AM -
Friday Update: Hoth Revealed, Blood of the Empire, and Fan Friday 
by Ascendant
, posted May 21st, 2010 at 10:20 AM
As previewed yesterday, BioWare's Sean Dahlberg announced Hoth as the thirteenth playable planet for Star Wars: The Old Republic:

Along time ago in a galaxy far away...

Thirty years ago to the day, Star Wars: Episode IV The Empire Strikes Back opened in movie theaters, forever changing the cinematic landscape. Bursting with action-packed battles, fast paced dialogue, and characters faced with complex choices, the echoes of this landmark film are still felt today. From toys, to fashion, to punk rock, its influence is everywhere. The Empire Strikes Back has not only changed how we relate to our favorite movies, but has made a lasting contribution to our very culture.

To commemorate this monumental continuation of the Star Wars story, we are proud to reveal the ice world of Hoth -- the latest explorable planet in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Access the HoloNet to learn more about the pivotal battles in the history of Hoth -- and to understand why both the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire are interested in the planet. Check out this video to see Hoth's brutal blizzards and unique wildlife. Don't forget to visit the Media Section for never-before-seen screenshots, wallpaper, and concept art showing this barren, desolate landscape.

Plus, the third issue of Blood of the Empire webcomic is available, which contains a first glimpse of the Emperor (or possibly something else):

The third issue of Blood of the Empire chronicles two formidable confrontations--one between Teneb Kel and his former master, Lord Calypho, and another between Teneb Kel and the Dark Council! And what plans do the Emperor and his mysterious apprentice have in store for Teneb? The mission to determine the future of the galaxy begins here.

Check out the latest issue of Blood of the Empire now!

UPDATE: A late Fan Friday was added to this week's update. It includes the usual community artwork, as well as the Bounty Hunter screenshots from the recent European press event. This week's Developer Corner is a short dialogue video showing the depth-of-field effect in action. There are also a few new avatars to choose from on the official forums.

Welcome to Fan Friday! Today we're giving you a look at some inspiring creations from the Star Wars: The Old Republic community and sharing an inside look at some work-in-progress content from the Development Team.

In addition, we'll be following up on the Electronic Arts European Press Showcase held in London last week, as well as releasing the latest series of official polls and avatars.

Aurebesh translations for Hoth's HoloNet page after the jump.
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SWTOR News
5/14/10 10:08 AM -
Friday Update: Creating Worlds and Advanced Classes 
by sado
, posted May 14th, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Sean Dahlberg sends word of this week's updates:

Principal Lead Writer Daniel Erickson talks about creating the world of Voss in Star Wars: The Old Republic!

In the latest developer blog, "Creating Worlds," Daniel Erickson goes into detail about the process behind creating Voss. He includes some of his notes collected during the process and expands on the sheer amount of documentation that is generated for each of the worlds created for the game.

In addition to the new developer blog, the Game Systems section of the official website has been launched. The Advanced Class System is the first entry in this new section.

Today we are revealing a new area of the website called Game Systems. This area talks about various features from a gamer's perspective. Our first section in this new area discusses the Advanced Class System.

The Advanced Class System grants you access to unique skills and abilities, and is designed to allow you the flexibility to customize your characters to fit your play style. For example, all Smugglers are lucky, opportunistic swindlers. But, do you want to be the kind of Smuggler that sneaks into the middle of a firefight and quickly blasts away at an opponent from point-blank range? Or do you want to be the kind that keeps to the outskirts of the battle, strategically picking your targets from a distance?

These are just some of the meaningful choices that the Advanced Class System offers you to personalize and advance your character in Star Wars: The Old Republic!

This new section gives a summary of the concept behind the Advanced Classes and emphasizes how important choosing an Advanced Class will be in defining a player's character.

Images and things of note after the jump.
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SWTOR News
4/30/10 10:27 AM -
Friday Update: Inhabitants Launch & New Biographies 
by emlaeh
, posted April 30th, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Sean Dahlberg alerted us to a new tab on the HoloNet: Inhabitants.

If you've been waiting for information about the colorful creatures, species, and droids that populate the galaxy, make sure to check out our new HoloNet expansion - Inhabitants! In this section you can find new information and media about the galactic inhabitants that will entertain and challenge you in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Inhabitants will be updated regularly, so be sure to check back often to get the latest updates and information!

Darth Hater consensus speculation is none of the described Inhabitants are playable so far, including both Humanoids.

Plus, we were informed about three more characters we may see in game:

We've expanded the Biographies section of the HoloNet to include more of the exciting figures you will meet in Star Wars: The Old Republic!

This update includes profiles of three of the most influential people in The Old Republic era: Galactic Republic Special Forces commander, General Garza; the fierce warrior and sole ruler of the Mandalorians, Mandalore; and the star of the Deceived cinematic trailer, the ruthless Darth Malgus!

This is just the second in a series of regular updates to the Biographies section so be sure to check back regularly!

Aurebesh translations and dissections after the jump (keep checking back; we're updating this on the fly).
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SWTOR News
4/22/10 2:27 PM -
Fatal Alliance Cover Revealed, New Vid Doc Tomorrow? 
by emlaeh
, posted April 22nd, 2010 at 2:27 PM
The Star Wars: The Old Republic Fatal Alliance cover image definitely sparked our interest at STARWARS.com:


The site also states the scheduled release date for the Sean Williams novel is July 20, 2010.

In other news, the official SWTOR Twitter hinted we might see a new video documentary in tomorrow's update:

Can anyone remember when exactly it was we posted our last Video Documentary for The Old Republic? #starwars

Although some of us mistakenly thought it was Return to Taris because we think the Developer Dispatches are indeed documentaries, the correct answer is Video Documentary #3 -- released on July 17, 2009.
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SWTOR News
4/16/10 10:13 AM -
Friday Update: Peace for the Republic Timeline Video 
by Ascendant
, posted April 16th, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Today's update is the seventh entry in the Timeline series, entitled "Peace for the Republic?"

The centuries immediately preceding the Great War were thought to be one of the most peaceful eras in Republic history. As he dives deeper into the galaxys history, Master Gnost-Dural discovers new evidence that suggests the dark influence of the Sith Empire was seeping into the Republic even then. Gnost-Durals latest report isolates one historical incident which suggests there was a Sith Lord pulling strings within the ranks of the Jedi decades before the war even began.

BTC 103 - More than a century before the Sacking of Coruscant, two Jedi scholars embarked on a journey which became one of most inexplicable mysteries of its time. Young Jedi Knight Eison Gynt joined his Master in a mission to investigate the Ancient Sith Temple of Yavin 4. On Yavin, the pair was attacked by the native Massassi and driven into the Tomb of Naga Sadow where a powerful force of darkness emerged. Gynts Master returned to Coruscant wounded and half-insane, remorseful that young Eison Gynt had been killed in the chaos. Years later, however, Gynt returned from Yavin on his own and attacked his former Master. Gynt was killed and all assumed that he had been tainted by the darkness on Yavin 4 and returned to Coruscant for revenge. Nonetheless, the truth, as Master Gnost-Dural has discovered, may have been far more sinister.

Watch the latest Timeline holorecord, Peace for the Republic?, narrated by actor Lance Henriksen.

You can also download a high resolution version of this video.

There are several interesting references to note in this edition of the timeline. The Sith temples of Yavin IV feature predominantly and Naga Sadow is also a key player in this timeline entry. There is also intriguing artwork of the Star Forge in the parting shot.
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SWTOR News
4/2/10 9:59 AM -
Friday Update: Damion Schubert on Community 
by sado
, posted April 2nd, 2010 at 9:59 AM
Sean Dahlberg sends word of today's Star Wars: The Old Republic friday update:

Principal Lead Systems Designer Damion Schubert talks about designing systems for a MMORPG!

Massively multiplayer games are not new. The first true massively multiplayer game was a text-only virtual world called MUD, put together by Richard Bartle and Roy Trubshaw in 1978. This little window of dizzying text descriptions was a far cry visually from the seductively lush 3D virtual worlds of today, but it was enough. Enough to get the genre started, and enough to get armchair designers across the world to imagine the possibilities, and debate philosophical matters of game design. One of these questions, still asked today, is whether or not massively multiplayer environments should strive to be games or to be worlds.

Highlights of the Developer Blog after the jump.
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