| the big beta weekend | |
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Laziana - Jedi Instructor  |
cheers, just want to make a thread to keep track on that nifty stuff bioware threw out.
last friday I got a mail that I was selected for "a" beta weekend. additionally it said that they are partnering with external gaming sites for additional beta keys and that I shall not redeem a key from those sites - obviously those keys are for people not signed up in the testing program? Anyways, accourding to bioware this invite should have gone out to everyone who is registered for game testing, or will go out. I have gotten no further info on WHEN this big beta weekend will be, nor did I get any beta key so far. What do you guys know about the "big beta weekend" as I would like to call it? - Laz _______________ Proud owner of Buster Senatu's 200th & 300th, Muro's 370th, Maher's 2100th, Henkes' 1639th, Johauna's 400th, 666th and 900th, Sho Koon's 2000th and Kain Sol's 600th comment Download Laziana's lightsaber here! Glory to Arstozka! |
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Wolfwood - Student 
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I don't understand why people make the Graphics such a big issue. It's an MMORPG, so just think for a moment:
Bioware/Lucasarts want to reach the highest possible amount of people since they need to compete with Warcraft and all the other MMO's out there. If you make such a game, and only focus on creating the most high-end possible graphics, then only those with brand new PC's will be able to properly play your game. That's like shooting yourself in the foot before you want to run a marathon. It's about finding a balance in making your game look nice, and being able to ensure that as many people will be able to play it on as many different kinds of PC's. Simple as that really 
It's an MMORPG, you can expect beforehand that the graphics will be ok/nice, but not Superb and state-of-the-art. Take the story instead, I have yet to see an MMO that has such an insanely well-scripted storyline that persists throughout your leveling period . _______________ ~ Honor is a fool's prize. Glory is of no use to the dead ~ |
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Laziana - Jedi Instructor 
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Of course, to each its own.
There are perfectly legitimate points and opinions on why someone might not like SWTOR. And even if they just say "meh" that's ok too. I am not saying to anybody: "You're wrong, because you are!" - that's just dumb. I dunno, I had lots of fun on this weekend (especially thanks to Mike and his hilarious comments on teamspeak) and I will play the game when it is released. Maybe I do not care about alot of the complaints or negative points because I never did too much research about it. Never actively posted on the swtor forums, didn't get into too much discussion, plus: not letting the hype get to me
I think the game will suit my needs for a new SW game nicely for quite a while until the - impossible - announcement of JK4 
<3 _______________ Proud owner of Buster Senatu's 200th & 300th, Muro's 370th, Maher's 2100th, Henkes' 1639th, Johauna's 400th, 666th and 900th, Sho Koon's 2000th and Kain Sol's 600th comment Download Laziana's lightsaber here! Glory to Arstozka! |
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planK - Jedi Council 
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People who dislike SWTOR are just as entitled to their opinions as those who love it. I don't get why people argue about it because you're never going to convince each other.  |
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SaZ - Student 
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we played, we told you our opinion and you kept going at us for whatever reason. lol
screenshots and videos can never compare to the rela thing. besides if we never said opinion about things that were known... what we would talk about really. _______________ playing jk3 since 30th of january (2005), member since 1st of february. [Unofficial Master to Vision and Z�diac ] If you can make a fool of yourself infront of 300 people you can do anything - Jaiko D'kana This comment was edited by SaZ on Nov 27 2011 08:57pm. |
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Laziana - Jedi Instructor 
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Maybe I am crosseyed or totally blind, but I think it just looks like KOTOR, which is good.
When we are talking about graphics, please explain somthing to me. Because I do not comprehend what is going on. Here is the deal: There have been dozens of screenshots and fullhd movies. Everyone knew what is was going to look like. If the art style kills it for you, why even bother downloading the client in the first place? Why bother spending a part of the weekend testing it? Why taking up a place in the wait queue when you are gonna hate it for the graphics anyway? The graphics and the artstyle were two of the few things that were crystal clear from the very beginning, since the first screenshots you could get some direction. Why complain about them NOW? PLEASE enlighten me, because obviously I fail to see the point. But haters gonna hate, I presume. Btw: I do not think this game is perfect, I was never hyping it, I was never an MMO fanatic - but from what I have seen and experienced it seems like a very enjoyable gaming experience. And that is the ONLY thing that counts for me: Enjoying the game. You are free to tear my comment apart and bash me as you please. Go on! <3 Laz _______________ Proud owner of Buster Senatu's 200th & 300th, Muro's 370th, Maher's 2100th, Henkes' 1639th, Johauna's 400th, 666th and 900th, Sho Koon's 2000th and Kain Sol's 600th comment Download Laziana's lightsaber here! Glory to Arstozka! |
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Alex Dkana - Staff 
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Quote: well for me the game looked more like clone wars tv series lol
it is an ok looking game for that style. The colour palette is similar but it's nowhere near angular enough in style really. The character models just look like improved KotOR style ones to me (well, some of the body options are stupid, but other than that). _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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SaZ - Student 
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well for me the game looked more like clone wars tv series lol
it is an ok looking game for that style. _______________ playing jk3 since 30th of january (2005), member since 1st of february. [Unofficial Master to Vision and Z�diac ] If you can make a fool of yourself infront of 300 people you can do anything - Jaiko D'kana This comment was edited by SaZ on Nov 27 2011 08:05pm. |
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R2D2 - Staff 
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I think a lot of people expect photo-realistic graphics that are a common style for single player games. Alex and Tallepyon have already explained the influence for the style.
The environments in SWTOR are quite amazing and breathtaking for a MMO, and the game can run on moderate to below average PCs. A few graphic options are still not in the game yet, like AA, as well, so keep that in mind. _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist |
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Alex Dkana - Staff 
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Quote:
Quote:
Well, frankly, KOTOR seems much prettier than whole SWTOR. It's the style, which is totally unappealing for me in SWTOR.
TOR has the exact same style as KOTOR does. This. I see things wrongly compared to comic book or anime art styles far too often thesedays. It happened with DA2 as well. We all know TOR might now have the best graphics out there but it was never going to. It has perfectly serviceable graphics that outclass plenty of other MMOs out there; and an art style that is most certainly grounded in reality, no crazy big eyes or other exaggerations and plenty of familiarity for KotOR players. At one point the weapons were looking boxy and overly large but even that has changed for release. It just feels like we're seeing two completely different games. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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Monteeeeeee - Nugget 
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here is screenshot i took at 1920x1080 on highest settings, bare in mind AA isnt included in the beta build and im sure ultra settings will come with retail or more tweaking to allow better gfx
CLICK _______________ If you add me to MSN, tell me who you are
Best Movie Character EVER!! This comment was edited by Monteeeeeee on Nov 27 2011 07:59pm. |
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Tallepyon - Student 
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Quote: Well, frankly, KOTOR seems much prettier than whole SWTOR. It's the style, which is totally unappealing for me in SWTOR.
TOR has the exact same style as KOTOR does. |
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†Johauna Darkrider†- Student 
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Well, frankly, KOTOR seems much prettier than whole SWTOR. It's the style, which is totally unappealing for me in SWTOR. Heck, JKA looks much nicer, especially if I add the fact that some people created such awesome models for the game, making them look semi-realistic (given how old Q3 engine is).
No, graphics is not everything, but frankly, SWTOR's comics style is killing even the last part of the game for me. Just look at the ridiculously looking combat, characters and just.. meh.  _______________ Johauna's Bio | When I am GRANDMASTER...! | StarCraft II Protoss Learner | Wannabe GrandMaster Leaguer | How to NOT play StarCraft II Specialist |
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SaZ - Student
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Quote: Playing through Hutta and saying there is no nice scenery to look at etc. Hutta isn't a pretty place.
well ive seen dromund kass, hutta, imperial stuff connecting those two, starting area of jedi. i mean after games released in past few years i can really say - nothing to look at in swtor. heck that screenshot of kotor 1 looks as good if not better. _______________ playing jk3 since 30th of january (2005), member since 1st of february. [Unofficial Master to Vision and Z�diac ] If you can make a fool of yourself infront of 300 people you can do anything - Jaiko D'kana This comment was edited by SaZ on Nov 27 2011 05:47pm. |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Quote: Frankl,y the game looks as if it was at least 8 years old.
Lol. 8 year old RPG. The graphics aren't Mass Effect level but they are nowhere near that bad. Some of the environments are gorgeous and it certainly evokes the KotOR-style SW vibe for me, a lifelong Star Wars fan for what that's worth. Why are graphics so important? JK1 has terrible graphics by todays standards but it still feels like Star Wars. Everything about the game has either been designed with KotOR in mind or the movies. Some stuff has quite clearly taken inspiration from the EU as a whole, and a number of details and references have impressed me even early on in the game. Most fans I've spoken to are more concerned that it lacks creativity with the art design, such as having Troops with Clone-esque armor and triangle shaped space ships etc. Frankly I was surprised at how often playing TOR felt like playing KotOR. If the skills weren't (at times) so 'MMOish' the illusion may have been complete. The gameplay just feels like a BioWare game, more Dragon Age/KotOR than Mass Effect perhaps, and with certain animation issues that have plagued their games but still different to WoW certainly. In fact I've even found the Jedi classes feel different to the typical MMO melee characters, they definitely feel the most familiar but playing as my Jedi never felt the same as playing as my Paladin in WoW (for example). _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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R2D2 - Staff 
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Quote: Seriously, given all the hype about the game, everywhere... it is such a letdown, that it makes Star Wars fan like me sad. And I mean it. I am really sad to see a Star Wars game of supposedly new generation to be such letdown. Frankl,y the game looks as if it was at least 8 years old.
PS: I'm not hater of MMO's... I am WoW hater & hater of unfitting style of graphics the game has chosen, totally killing any story & Star Wars vibe for me. Just look at the characters, they look like friggin action figures, not like Jedi (or any other class, on that matter), the graphics are flat and it all looks unnatural, as if just skinned on. What about the environment art? How far did you actually get in the game? _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist |
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†Johauna Darkrider†- Student
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Seriously, given all the hype about the game, everywhere... it is such a letdown, that it makes Star Wars fan like me sad. And I mean it. I am really sad to see a Star Wars game of supposedly new generation to be such letdown. Frankl,y the game looks as if it was at least 8 years old.
PS: I'm not hater of MMO's... I am WoW hater & hater of unfitting style of graphics the game has chosen, totally killing any story & Star Wars vibe for me. Just look at the characters, they look like friggin action figures, not like Jedi (or any other class, on that matter), the graphics are flat and it all looks unnatural, as if just skinned on. _______________ Johauna's Bio | When I am GRANDMASTER...! | StarCraft II Protoss Learner | Wannabe GrandMaster Leaguer | How to NOT play StarCraft II Specialist |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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Quote: I'm not playing the beta but what's character appearance customisation like? I've heard it's quite limited which is annoying considering the huge scale of the game
The criticism of it is overblown, but still valid. The races are the most disappointing aspect for me, there are plenty of races in the game which turn up as NPCs wearing the same armor as the player etc. and it's hard to see a reason why more of them aren't playable. Other that I don't think it's that bad. Better than most MMOs but not as good as SWG. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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R2D2 - Staff
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Quote: I'm not playing the beta but what's character appearance customisation like? I've heard it's quite limited which is annoying considering the huge scale of the game
I don't see how this can stop someone from playing the game, but yes, it is limited in terms of species and body types. All of the species are quite humanoid, not branching off into the unique Star Wars species, the closest unique one being the Twi'lek. There are 4 main body types: Skinny/small, Average, Tall/buff, and Tall/Fat. The first and last look a little silly, especially the last one. I think it is fine to have it as an option, but more variance in body type would be nice. Unfortunately, due to the way Bioware makes each armor piece custom per body type, I don't really see this happening. As for the customization options after you get past those two options, they are good enough and on par with most MMOs, perhaps with more options than some of the popular ones. _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist |
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Eica - Student 
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I'm not playing the beta but what's character appearance customisation like? I've heard it's quite limited which is annoying considering the huge scale of the game _______________ Former padawan of RoseRed |
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Alex Dkana - Staff
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It's also important to remember you are judging it by the beginners area really. To be fair most of the issues posted below are more than fair, albeit some being opinions etc. but there are a few things which I would say you need to play more of the game to have a full idea of.
Playing through Hutta and saying there is no nice scenery to look at etc. Hutta isn't a pretty place. Whether it has a Star Wars feel or not is rather subjective, but it certainly feels like SW to me. Almost too much so in some cases, I would have preferred it to be even more different personally. I still find the complaint 'it's a WoW clone/reskin' incredibly lazy. Go into detail! Have you played any other MMOs? There are plenty out there with the WoW style of gameplay. It's like picking up CoD and saying "it's a Halo 1 reskin". Maybe that has plenty of truth in it, but it just provides no insight in my opinion. From what I have played TOR has as much, if not more, in common with MMOs such as LotRO and Warhammer. Both of which played off the style Warcraft perfected but what did you really expect? TOR has never claimed to break new ground here, just change things up a bit - which it has. GW2 is very similar, it has changed even more stuff up, but you can still see the core WoW inspired gameplay underneath it all. I find the melee combat surprisingly fluid, but underpowered against ranged players in PVP. The ranged combat meanwhile really helps distance the game from some of the other MMOs out there, particularly the Trooper and BH or non-cover builds for the Smugg and IA. Cover is okay but it still needs work and can be clumsy. It adds some nice variety though. I think one area GW2 has it beaten hands down currently (and really, I expected this) is the skills. TOR isn't bad, but it is dated and here in particular the WoW comparisons are valid. It doesn't take long for some classes to have enough skills to have to start worrying about how to fit them all on their bars etc. It doesn't feel very clean. This could easily be seen as preferential to some players who prefer this style though. Oh and lastly, in regards to something Saz said about side quests, as with almost any RPG it is important to stay leveled to what the game is balanced for. The side quests tend to be well placed and don't ask you to go out of your way. On top of the fact you should want to do some of them anyway (or why play) once you are past the beginner world you get new xp options to bolster your story missions such as warzones. I never felt like I had to grind just to complete the story. At the end of the day it is unlikely this will appeal to anyone who hates MMOs prior to this, but it will draw in people who were on the fence thanks to it's brilliant use of VA and so far unsurpassed storylines. For me it does more than enough stuff new or in a fresh manner that it keeps things interesting, and considering the likelihood of strong post-release support betting against this getting 4/5 years minimum is foolhardy. _______________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield | Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken | Rhaiko D'kana - SWTOR EU Guild Co-Founder | Is it what the teacher, teaches? Or what the student learns? A Dkana |
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SaZ - Student
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Quote: Sucks that some people aren't enjoying the beta, or the idea of SWTOR. MMO's aren't for everyone.
I, for one, have been having an awesome time. It's my kinda game! well id say i *sort of* enjoyed the beta, wouldnt have played almost 10 hours straight otherwise. i also like mmos (not so much now, most of them being the same thing) A LOT, but... you got that right - i dont like the idea of swtor. considering how the best thing is voice acting and storytelling they should have done a singleplayer game lol. maybe with coop option. i see however that many players might enjoy this, it has a lot of content after all, but 5 years of subscription model? i doubt it. a year or two? ofcourse. you really cant bet that during next 5 years mmo market wont change. i mean in last two or so years it changed more than in 10 years before that lol. _______________ playing jk3 since 30th of january (2005), member since 1st of february. [Unofficial Master to Vision and Z�diac ] If you can make a fool of yourself infront of 300 people you can do anything - Jaiko D'kana This comment was edited by SaZ on Nov 27 2011 12:05pm. |
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planK - Jedi Council 
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Sucks that some people aren't enjoying the beta, or the idea of SWTOR. MMO's aren't for everyone.
I, for one, have been having an awesome time. It's my kinda game! |
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R2D2 - Staff
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Quote: I've played the game a bit and it's as horrible as I expected. Saz covered most points, so I won't go there - I'd just like to add that this is, as I expected, a WoW reskin. Horrible gameplay, even worse presentation. The only strong point is the voiceacting and story focus, but that alone will not keep a game running for more than a year. Subscriptions are totally unjustified, as I thought they would be. Once the hype dies down, you will see a lot of people share my opinion on this.
How much did you play? Class? Level? Any group content? _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist |
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Masta - Jedi Council 
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No thanks, I don't gamble. _______________ Find out more about the Jedi Academy Aurochs here and more about Masta here! Married to Kain. |
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Monteeeeeee - Nugget 
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I Guarantee this game will last 5+ years on a subscription base, end game is what keeps the players and this has an end game comparable to wow.
So if you want a bet ( a game on steam ) or something i'll take the bet, of course we have to wait a year but im confident _______________ If you add me to MSN, tell me who you are
Best Movie Character EVER!! |
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