1st FREE Trial For TOR Is Upon Us

I did not think I would see any thing close to a free trial of SWTOR any time soon, well as soon as this anyway. My best guess would of been the back-end of the year but heck here it is.

Every subbed player can invite 3 friends to a one week test run of the game, so not exactly an open invite but this is as close as it gets without having the name tag.

Guild Summit Starts Today

Representatives of over 150 guilds from around the world will be coming to Austin, Texas to take part in BioWare’s inaugural Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Guild Summit. During the summit, guild members will have the opportunity to speak with the development team, and see a preview of what the future holds for the game.
When the Guild Summit was announced, we received thousands of applications from passionate fans who were willing to travel from all parts of the globe to take part. While we were humbled by the overwhelming response, we couldn’t accept every application for space reasons. However, we don’t want any of you to miss out on the details either. That’s why we are excited to announce that portions of the Star Wars: The Old Republic Guild Summit will be streamed live!
On Monday, March 5th, we will be hosting a livestream of the Guild Summit, which you’ll be able to watch by visiting www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/GuildSummit. Here’s our full schedule of events for the livestream:

• 10:00AM CST (4PM GMT) – Welcome and Introductions
• 10:30AM CST (4:30PM GMT) – State of the Game and Game Update 1.2 Presentation
• Break (Livestream offline from 11:00am to 2:00pm)
• 2:00PM CST (8:00PM GMT) – Operations and Flashpoints Discussion
• 2:45PM CST (8:45PM GMT) – Player vs. Player Discussion
• 3:30PM CST (9:30PM GMT) – Legacy Presentation
• 4:00PM CST (10:00PM GMT) – Economy and Crew Skills Discussion
• 4:30PM CST (10:30PM GMT) – Roleplayer's Discussion
• 5:00PM CST (11:00PM GMT) – Guild Features Discussion
• 5:30PM CST (11:30PM GMT) – User Interface Presentation
• 6:00PM CST (12:00AM GMT) - ...And The Rest

Throughout the day you will be able to not only watch each of these discussions, you’ll also be able to take part in them. We’ll be taking questions from the livestream throughout the event, although we will have to limit the number of questions answered for time. You can also discuss the Guild Summit on Twitter using the hashtag #SWTORSummit, and we’ve created a Guild Summit Forum for you to discuss each of the sessions with other viewers.
If you’re unable to watch these livestreams on the day, we’ll be providing recorded versions of each presentation and discussion after the event.

TOR Is Evolving

One month out and we hear SWTOR is going from strength to strength.

 

The first bit is a free title of Founder. This title is given to those that have payed for continued subs to the game before March 19th.
I do not use titles of any kind in-game as I find them too messy, yet maybe a year or two on I may display this one as it will let other know you were there in the beginning.



Coming Up in STAR WARS: The Old Republic






This is the big news this week. The future of what to expect in the coming months with TOR. Guild banks, a PvP ranking, new content/warzones and UI customization all the things that are very important for any mmo.

And can you believe it that we are gaining such a major update so soon after launch ?

May it long continue, TOR is already my most liked MMO to-date. Sure its not perfect and yes there are more that one or two things that need addressing. But all in all all of those things do not subtract from how fun this game is to play. And at the end of the day that is why we as gamers play games.

Its The Last Pre-TOR Friday Update

This is the very last Friday update before SWTOR starts to admit players into the early access and this week we first have the last progression video which just happens to be the Sith Inquisitor.



So thats it we now have all the classes, with only days left till most of us get to play the game for real this came right down to the wire.
I guess everyone knew this was coming as it was the only one left, yet I was still hoping for a time line video which would of been the icing on the cake for me.

Yet who knows they maybe holding time lines back for a reason. They could be a great way to lead up to new content in the future i.e flashpoints. But what ever the reason we are still missing mass on the time line videos and it must be over a year ago the last one graced our screens.

Community News

 

TOR has also given us a brand-new feature on the forums on community news - a BioWare run blog of sorts. Where news can be put to the masses in a more efficient and speedy way. 

 

This week we get 3 updates on the new format -

 

 Welcome to the STAR Wars: The Old Republic Community Blog! 

 

Be Part of the Launch on 12.20.2011! 

 

Early Game Access starting December 13th; details on emails and more 

 

 

 

Still nothing on guilds or server but  we still have time.

 

4 days and counting.... 

Download TOR Now For Early Access - 13th Dec

Thats right people early access will begin in  6 days time. BioWare have just released the latest details on the game and oh joy it starts 2 days earlier than everyone expected.

Bring it on !!!





Early Game Access* for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ is only a few days away! Starting December 13, 2011, The Old Republic will begin emailing invitations to start your Early Game Access. Invitations will be sent throughout the Early Game Access period offering rolling access to the game in the order in which you redeemed your Pre-Order Code, so be sure to check your email inbox!

Friday Update - Beta For All

 

This is the the update everyone has been hoping for. This Friday every follower of TOR has will have had an e-mail saying they will be getting a weekend beta test in the next few weeks.

Anyone that has signed up for beta testing before 11/11/2011 will at some point be getting some much needed hands on game time.
The main object is to stress test the server and give the many followers of the game a quick joy-ride.

Those that register after 11/11 are still eligible to test TOR by gaining beta keys that have been given out to some of the media site.

You can find all the details and the site giving out code here.



Choose Your Side: Inquisitor vs. Trooper

EU Invite Come And Gone

 General beta invite started last night for the EU followers of TOR.

General Game Testing Invites are now being sent to EU testers.

Sent Nov. 10: General Game Testing Invites

• Who was invited: Testers from all European launch countries (see list here)
• What was sent: General Game Testing Invites
• Server locations: EU servers
• Invite status: All invites have now been sent. E-mails can take some time to be sent, so please check your www.swtor.com/tester page to be sure!

And as 20 minutes ago if you have not received an invite or you do not see your status updated on the tester page your out of luck for this round.

  Rockjaw Stephen Reid

All EU #SWTOR invites for this round have been sent. Thread updated as promised: bit.ly/sHqHcq

So thats it until the next invite go out. With time running out testing opportunity's are slipping away.

Friday Update - Voidstar And Warzone

This weeks update is the PvP warzone Voidstar.

 Its an assault type scenario like those found in Unreal Tournament. Two side one attacking the other defending a number of game or checkpoints if you will.

Once a checkpoint has been taken from the attacking team a everyone moves to the next checkpoint.

Now I do have to admit I live this type of game-play in UT and most are very entertaining with fast combat and ever changing objective.
Jet not all maps where that way some just down right sucked .

I've played mmo's in the past that had this very same thing. Mostly the checkpoints where castle games, walls and keeps. Get a little bit of this wrong and it can change a great game mechanic into a dead horse in seconds.

Unlike capture the flag scenarios which can run without much of a hitch assault maps can be totally screwed when just one part of the puzzle is lacking.

Its a very bold move to this type of play in TOR and I'm sure BioWare has put a lot of thought into the voidstar and how it plays.
This short clip shows us the smallest glimpse of what to expect.

Friday Update - OH BioWare You Tease !!!

Not happy with trolling e-mails BioWare has shown off a short glimpse of my soon to be CE box goodies.





All I can think of now (and have for some time) is it wont be long before I can run rampant in TOR none stop.

But teasing aside its nice to get a quick look at the items that come with the box. Not that I will care for them for some time as I live that Star Wars dream inside the game. Only another 59 days to go - early access.

Friday Update - Signs Of War Trailer And More

I did not think I would enjoy anther trailer with out some punted Jawa appearing somewhere with in the video. I'm somewhat pleased to say I enjoyed this one without the need to see Blizz getting shot off into the distance.

I can only hope that this is some how linked to in-game footage for these are the type of PvP battles that everyone I'm sure would want to be part of.

Web Page Update.

The SWTOR web page has got a new lick of paint with the addition of Game Systems. This brings in a new feature that is the operations. The page looks more user friendly and has a slicker cleaner feel to it.


Other stuff.

This Fridays update gave us the news that 20-12-11 would be the new global release date for TOR for all the EU players as well as the US. We also get a small heads up for the Paris Games Week.
This happens in just a weeks time and kicks off on the 21st of Oct.


The next event is a month away and that is DREAMHACK, on Nov 24th. No other dates have been pegged for this year as yet. So these two could reap lots of information and may be your last chance to test run the game before that all important launch. 

20.11.2011 NA 22.11.2011 EU Release date

At long long last just a little over 3 years from the announcement TOR has a a release date.


BioWare and LucasArts are pleased to announce that Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ will launch on December 20, 2011 in North America and on December 22, 2011 in the European Launch Territories! The announcement was first made by BioWare co-founders Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk during their keynote address at the 2011 Eurogamer Expo in London, England. Speaking to a packed room of press and fans alike, Dr. Muzyka acknowledged the weight of the moment and the patience of the fans.

“This is an incredible moment for everyone at BioWare and our partners at LucasArts who have dedicated their lives to build this extraordinary game. We appreciate the patience from the millions of fans who have been waiting for the game’s release.”

Each copy of Star Wars: The Old Republic will come with 30 days of subscription time, after which you have the option to continue playing with one of the following monthly subscription fees:

• 1 Month Subscription: $14.99 (£8.99/€12.99)
• 3 Month Subscription: $13.99 per month (one-time charge of $41.97/£25.17/€35.97)
• 6 Month Subscription: $12.99 per month (one-time charge of $77.94/£46.14/€65.94)

Those who have pre-ordered the game and entered their pre-order code on StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com are eligible for Early Game Access. If you haven’t yet reserved your copy of the game, be sure to visit our Pre-Order page and secure your place in the Old Republic now!
We want to thank you for your continued passion, dedication and support. Though one part of this incredible journey is coming to an end, we are confident that you all share our excitement for this new beginning. Be sure to check back to StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com as well as our Twitter and Facebook pages for all the latest news and updates on Star Wars: The Old Republic.


So that's it, cancel your plans for now your time at this time of the holiday season has been fully booked.

The sub plan is on par with that of WOW's which many thought would be the case. Glad to see BioWare just rolled out the MMO norm on this one as anything more would of turned off a heap of potential players.

Now all that's left to do is book my holidays at work and I'm set. See you all in-game soon :)

Friday Update - The BioWare Bus

It's seems that lately that updates on TOR are like buses, you wait ages for one then 3 turn up at the same time. Though truth be told you only needed one of them and the other two just ain't going your way.

Well it's something new at least BioWare has left it's ground-hog-day that was GamesCon behind and moved forward.



The Smuggler Character Progression Video has to be one of the coolest around you do get the feeling that this class is going to be loads of fun to play. Being that he is going to be in way over his head for most if not all his game-play time.
It's going to be very compelling to play this class as your likely to be kept on your toes constantly trying to outwit the Sith.

When Is It The Right Time To Talk Star Wars ?

Real Fears Mount For Late EU Launch

As always I spend my day scanning websites/twitter and a few vent channels for the latest news around TOR. With GamesCon running this is a minute by minute process, it just so happens this is how the whole late EU launch started.

Stephen Reid Twitter account @Rockjaw asked for some questions using the hash-tag #GabeQ.

It was here I posted a question.

@MrWarlock_ Mick Johnson

#GabeQ With the beta weekends in September will the European contingent be gaining access beta at the same time as those in the USA ?

Sneaky Crew Skills Update

BioWare in the past have been known to make a huge fuss over the slightest and smallest detail and call it an update when it comes to TOR.

Yet they revealed the rest of the crew skills and it's slipped under the radar with not many people noticing. I say not many, but my good friend SWTORCRAFTER from SWTOR Life found this gem as he did his daily pass of the crew skills page to find they have updated the page fully.

For me I would have thought this would be a huge update on it's own. Yet nothing on the site lets you know that this update has slipped in. This is kind of strange from a site that has an update on walls.

Yet I'm glad to have this update out of the way now and we can focus on something else.

Friday Update - Huttbaal and Pax info

 Huttball is the latest warzone to be released by TOR. This is a basic capture-the-flag with a nice twist. Adding the passing feature with this game type opens up so many different tactical approaches it makes your head spin. 
So looking forward to giving this a try and I can see it being heaps of fun.



Aslo we get info on next weeks Pax event with the almost ever present meat and great that comes along with TOR little outings you can get all you need here. 

Friday's News From GamesCon

Watch live streaming video from biowaretv at livestream.com

GamesCon Video Footage - Thursday

The first day real did not have much in the way of Q&A though we do have a fair bit of video footage from the event check it out below.

SWTOR Guild Testing Has Begun

Finally guilds will will have a change to work together in TOR, and test the game in an organized manner.


David Bass has just made a post on the forums announcing that a few guilds have already invited and more are on the way Good luck to you all and be sure to test and have fun doing it.

We are very pleased to announce the start of Guild Testing for STAR WARS: The Old Republic! This program will allow guilds to be considered as a whole for inclusion in the Game Testing Program, allowing us to gather important data regarding how guilds play The Old Republic, as well as how organized groups deal with various mechanics and systems in the game. The program is already underway, as we’ve invited the first wave of guilds into testing, however we’ll be adding more over the coming weeks alongside the general Game Testing invites.

How do I sign my guild up for Guild Testing?

All you need to do in order to have your guild considered for Guild Testing is to have an active guild with at least 10 members registered in our Guild Headquarters. We also recommend creating a recruitment thread on our forums, but please make sure you are following the Recruitment Guidelines we’ve set forward. Guilds that spam recruitment messages after multiple warnings, for example, will not be considered for Guild Testing.

How are guilds selected for Guild Testing?

In general, guild testing is done randomly from all eligible guilds (that is, those with at least 10 registered members in the Guild Headquarters). Throughout the program, we will be looking to let in both large and small guilds, so as long as your guild meets the minimum requirement, you have an equal chance of being invited to testing. In addition, we may, at our discretion, choose a few select guilds that are active and helpful in the community, since we could use that sort of helpfulness in-game and on the Testing Forums. Note that this will be done in rare circumstances, in order to reward our dedicated community members. Please do not contact any BioWare staff requesting access to Guild Testing, or else your guild may be removed from consideration.

How do I know if my guild has been selected for Guild Testing?

Guild leaders will be contacted directly with detailed instructions when their guild gets selected for testing. It'll be their job to pass the appropriate information to the rest of their guild in order for everyone to be sent testing invites.

What is involved in Guild Testing?

Guild Testing works the same way as Game Testing does, however by being invited as a guild, you gain the advantage of being in the same testing group and being on the same server, allowing for more coordination amongst the guild for testing group content. You’ll still be a part of the general Game Testing population as well, and will have access to the general testing forums as everyone else does.

Are European guilds eligible for Guild Testing?

European Guild Testing will begin at the same time the European Testing Program begins in the near future.


If you have any other questions about the program, feel free to post in this thread or email us at guilds@swtor.com. Again, please do not contact us asking for Guild Testing consideration or your guild may not be considered for testing.

Friday Update - Fan Friday

Fan Fridays are some of the more unpopular update that come along, and this time round is one if not the weakest Fan Friday updateI can remember.

With the time frame before the beta weekends in September this should be a time of great worry. Because this should be the time we get some good solid information on what TOR has to offer as we progress through the game.

This being said we have to look at the weeks ahead, we are getting GamesCon this coming week August 18 – 21 and the following week we get Pax 26 – 28
 

I am really hoping that we get a massive influx of not new info but info that we can finally put to bed stuff like crafting or skill trees. 

The next event being smack in the middle of game testing weekends in September 22-25. We should get what we have been longing for in the way of info.