Star Wars: The Old Republic announced

[cheeba]

So here's a question a friend of mine asked: he went down to gamestop I think and pre-ordered. Since his version will be on disc, how does he play the game early? I can't imagine they'll be able to get the hard-copy version before the rest of the people, but I also can't imagine them mass-releasing the discs and disallowing those who pre-ordered from playing it until a certain date. So I'd guess it'd be available for download?

[Punisher]

So here's a question a friend of mine asked: he went down to gamestop I think and pre-ordered. Since his version will be on disc, how does he play the game early? I can't imagine they'll be able to get the hard-copy version before the rest of the people, but I also can't imagine them mass-releasing the discs and disallowing those who pre-ordered from playing it until a certain date. So I'd guess it'd be available for download?

This is most likely correct.... I think all MMO's have a download option regardless of if you buy the disc or not...

[Vidiot]

So here's a question a friend of mine asked: he went down to gamestop I think and pre-ordered. Since his version will be on disc, how does he play the game early? I can't imagine they'll be able to get the hard-copy version before the rest of the people, but I also can't imagine them mass-releasing the discs and disallowing those who pre-ordered from playing it until a certain date. So I'd guess it'd be available for download?

Yep, I believe there is a quote floating around that you will be able to download it well before the early start.  There is also a decent chance you might have the client from a beta weekend.

[Blackjack]

So here's a question a friend of mine asked: he went down to gamestop I think and pre-ordered. Since his version will be on disc, how does he play the game early? I can't imagine they'll be able to get the hard-copy version before the rest of the people, but I also can't imagine them mass-releasing the discs and disallowing those who pre-ordered from playing it until a certain date. So I'd guess it'd be available for download?

From the forums (maybe your pal posted?  )

http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=7646680#edit7646680

You won't need to wait for a physical copy of the game; you'll be provided with information about downloading the client before Early Access begins.

With most MMOs now it seems like the discs are generally just for show, to give you a backup, or in case you're on dialup or something.

It seems to be a 4-DVD-ROM game so should be a pretty hellacious size download.

[Vidiot]

Assuming dual layer we are looking at a ~35GB game!

[Punisher]

Don't forget the required day 1 patch of 45GB...

[CeeKay]

Assuming dual layer we are looking at a ~35GB game!

naw, Origin 2.0, which must be installed to run it, will take up 20 gigs of that 

[Blackjack]

Don't forget the required day 1 patch of 45GB...

C'mon now. Bioware isn't Flagship Studios. 

[Lockdown]

Bioware said nearly all NPC text will be voiceover, right?  Anyone know how much space that takes up in games?  Maybe a lot of the space is used by that.

[Razgon]

Bioware said nearly all NPC text will be voiceover, right?  Anyone know how much space that takes up in games?  Maybe a lot of the space is used by that.

Not nearly - its the first completely voiced over MMO game ever ever ever! Poor Bioware, that their marketing didn't get this through :-D

35 GB is what people are saying the client will be in size.

[morlac]

Bioware said nearly all NPC text will be voiceover, right?  Anyone know how much space that takes up in games?  Maybe a lot of the space is used by that.

Not nearly - its the first completely voiced over MMO game ever ever ever! Poor Bioware, that their marketing didn't get this through :-D

35 GB is what people are saying the client will be in size.

EQ2 did that years ago and yes I think it was an optional 7+gb download.  They did trickle it in though so it wasn't one giant download initially.

[Razgon]

Was every single line spoken? I didn't know that - it isnt today though, in the expansions

[morlac]

Was every single line spoken? I didn't know that

Yep, pretty sure.  Defnitly all the quest and NPC stuff.

http://www.brokentoys.org/2009/06/01/oh-come-on-its-been-five-years/

They had some heavy hitters to:  Heather Grahm, Christopher Lee.


edit: hmm it seems SWTOR will also be voicing the player characters?  Is that right? 

[Razgon]

From reading around, it seems only 50 percent of EQ2 was voiced actually. - TAKE THAT, you tank stealing rebel scum!

[TK-421]

After checking the state DMV's online vanity plate tool I have confirmed that both REBLSCM and RBLSCUM plates are available.

Now, which to choose?

[morlac]

From reading around, it seems only 50 percent of EQ2 was voiced actually. - TAKE THAT, you tank stealing rebel scum!

Hmm link?  I'm pretty sure they did it for every NPC at least around 2009 or so.  They may not have for the latest expansions but can't find any definitive  info.
Edit: I know the Fairy and kunark expansions had voice overs for the NPc's, that was the last I played.  The Sanarks sounded so snarky!  Snark, Snark.

"The voiceover will be comprised of more than 130 hours of dialog and approximately 1.5 million words (the equivalent of more than 65 feature films worth of content).  After launch, SOE will continue to add new voiceover content whenever new quests are added to the game. "

[ydejin]

edit: hmm it seems SWTOR will also be voicing the player characters?  Is that right?  

Yes.  Player characters are all voiced.  For example, Jennifer Hale (female Shepherd in Mass Effect) is the actress doing the female Trooper.

You can hear half the character voices on the recently posted Join the Fight Comicon trailer (half because they don't play voices for both genders).  Full voicing for player character for all dialog.

[morlac]

Thanks for the links, that is pretty cool.

[ydejin]

Thanks for the links, that is pretty cool.

Here are some more showing off the voice talent:

• Smuggler Class Trailer
  
• Trooper Class Trailer
  
• Jedi Knight Class Trailer
  
• Sith Warrior Class Trailer
  
• Sith Inquisitor Class Trailer
  
• Bounty Hunter Class Trailer
  
• Imperial Agent Class Trailer
  
  

AFAIK the Jedi Consular Trailer has not been released yet.  I particularly like the voicing on the Smuggler (male), Sith Warrior (male), Sith Inquisitor (female), and Jedi Knight (female).  Bounty Hunter (male) seems solid as does the Imperial Agent (male).  I don't like the Jedi Knight (male) -- see previously linked Join the Fight trailer for a short sample.  I really like Jennifer Hale in ME, but didn't really like her in the Trooper Trailer -- could be I'm more bothered by the incongruous sight of a rather thin female trooper carrying around massive weaponry which looks way too big for her (particularly that big gun at the end) and that's shading my opinion of the voice.  I haven't heard the other gender options well enough to evaluate.

Here are some more nifty trailers (although these don't have any voice acting):

• Jedi Knight Progression Trailer
  
• Bounty Hunter Progression Trailer
  
• Bounty Hunter Armor Progression Trailer
  
• Sith Warrior Progression Trailer
  
• Trooper Progression Trailer
  
  

I think that's it for Class Progression Trailers -- more to come, no doubt.  Also AFAIK the Bounty Hunter was the only one who got an Armor Progression Trailer, which came out over a year ago before they talked about advanced classes -- I included it mostly because I think it's a nifty trailer  

[Edit] Oops, Trooper Class Trailer was not actually linked to the Progression Trailer -- now fixed.

[Teggy]

So I was thinking - I know they have this concept where you can be a "light side" sith, but based on the story, so far, Jedi is good and Sith is bad. In terms of say WoW, you found out as the SP games went on that the Horde had been used by outside forces and maybe they weren't so bad after all, and in Rift things are not black and white. But have the Sith ever been portrayed as anything but bad guys?

[CeeKay]

So I was thinking - I know they have this concept where you can be a "light side" sith, but based on the story, so far, Jedi is good and Sith is bad. In terms of say WoW, you found out as the SP games went on that the Horde had been used by outside forces and maybe they weren't so bad after all, and in Rift things are not black and white. But have the Sith ever been portrayed as anything but bad guys?

in a way- the actual Sith were a race enslaved by Dark Jedi, who became 'Lords of the Dance Sith'.

[Razgon]

To complicate things, there are two kinds of "Sith" actually. There's the Sith race, which was driven into exile a long time ago, and then there are the "Sith" Jedi who is more of a...eh..gang than anything else.

The Sith race isn't necessarily evil, but were enslaved by dark jedi back in the day, who are the REAL evil Sith.

I assume the Sith you can play here ,are Dark Jedi's, so I think no, there are no good Sith in TOR

:-)

Edit: DAmn you Sixgun Ceekay - One day I'll be faster...one day!

[Jag]

So I was thinking - I know they have this concept where you can be a "light side" sith, but based on the story, so far, Jedi is good and Sith is bad. In terms of say WoW, you found out as the SP games went on that the Horde had been used by outside forces and maybe they weren't so bad after all, and in Rift things are not black and white. But have the Sith ever been portrayed as anything but bad guys?

in a way- the actual Sith were a race enslaved by Dark Jedi, who became 'Lords of the Dance Sith'.

The Sith (race) were also leftys (the evil hand, natch), which will be hardcoded into the gameplay for people playing them. So start practicing your left hand with FPS.

[Teggy]

So...it would seem that if you were a "light side Sith" you would want to rebel against the Empire? But it doesn't seem like that will be allowed.

I'm thinking I am going to start with a Jedi Consular. As luck would have it, that's the only class they don't have a video for and there also isn't full progression info for it on the web site.  

I guess it will depend on what people are doing with guilds.

[Blackjack]

So...it would seem that if you were a "light side Sith" you would want to rebel against the Empire? But it doesn't seem like that will be allowed.

I'm thinking I am going to start with a Jedi Consular. As luck would have it, that's the only class they don't have a video for and there also isn't full progression info for it on the web site.  

I guess it will depend on what people are doing with guilds.

That lastest trailer includes footage of the Consular (at the 54-second mark):
http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110722

I seem to recall the PAX demo videos also covered it a bit, you might have to search a bit to find those.

[Vidiot]

So...it would seem that if you were a "light side Sith" you would want to rebel against the Empire? But it doesn't seem like that will be allowed.

I'm thinking I am going to start with a Jedi Consular. As luck would have it, that's the only class they don't have a video for and there also isn't full progression info for it on the web site.  

I guess it will depend on what people are doing with guilds.

Maybe...  I'm sure there are plenty people gung-ho for the empire that don't consider themselves "evil".  As a Sith you might dislike the extreme stance your masters take but otherwise think the Empire is a great idea and good for the common people.

[Teggy]

So...it would seem that if you were a "light side Sith" you would want to rebel against the Empire? But it doesn't seem like that will be allowed.

I'm thinking I am going to start with a Jedi Consular. As luck would have it, that's the only class they don't have a video for and there also isn't full progression info for it on the web site. 

I guess it will depend on what people are doing with guilds.

Maybe...  I'm sure there are plenty people gung-ho for the empire that don't consider themselves "evil".  As a Sith you might dislike the extreme stance your masters take but otherwise think the Empire is a great idea and good for the common people.

Reg: And what have the Sith ever given us in return?

Vidiot: The evaporator systems.

Reg: Oh yeah, yeah they gave us that. Yeah. That's true.

Masked rebel: And the sanitation!

Vidiot: Oh yes... sanitation, Reg, you remember what the city used to be like.

Reg: All right, I'll grant you that the aqueduct and the sanitation are two things that the Sith have done...

Matthias: And the spaceports...

Reg: (sharply) Well yes obviously the spaceports... the spaceports go without saying. But apart from the evaporator systems, the sanitation and the spaceports...

[Arclight]

Well I'm in. Just pre-ordered the Deluxe Digital edition. Nice little "extras" they gave as well.
I think an Agent just might be my first character I'll invest time into...

...........We are in dire need of a triple-A mmo that knocks our socks off.............

[Razgon]

Aye, Imperial Agent on an RP server for me as well..gotta love the erotic rp that one can whip up with an Imperial Agent...

[Arclight]

Aye, Imperial Agent on an RP server for me as well..gotta love the erotic rp that one can whip up with an Imperial Agent...

Let me know what server and we'll join up to tag-team those rebellious scum into oblivion.

[Isgrimnur]

Aye, Imperial Agent on an RP server for me as well..gotta love the erotic rp that one can whip up with an Imperial Agent...

Let me know what server and we'll join up to tag-team those rebellious scum into oblivion.

Just what the Empire needs to win: A Devil's three-way. 

[Razgon]

hehe :-D

I really do think an Imperial agent seems like awesome fun - And since everyone and their dog will be playing force users, I think we could have great fun, and get all the good gear ;-)

[Teggy]

hehe :-D

I really do think an Imperial agent seems like awesome fun - And since everyone and their dog will be playing force users, I think we could have great fun, and get all the good gear ;-)

Jedi Teggy says: This is not the gear you're looking for...
Agent Razgon says: This is not the gear I am looking for...

[Razgon]

/geek
Well, you'll have to see me first to make that mind trick thing work....Where I was? Oh right behind....where was I now? With Ceiling cat, looking down at you when you think you are alone...

/Geek off

Yes, I think I'll be a sneaky imperial agent and rat out on you all!

[Arclight]

I'll be so far away from your mind tricks as to make them futile, calmly placing a red-dot on your forehead.

[Blackjack]

I just wanna know if an Imperial Agent is a glass-jawed blaster type, or if he can reasonably well take care of himself/herself.

[CeeKay]

I just want to play my Jedi Ewok.

[Vindel]

I just want to play my Jedi Ewok.

Is that you Mr. Lucas? 

[Razgon]

I just wanna know if an Imperial Agent is a glass-jawed blaster type, or if he can reasonably well take care of himself/herself.

If I know my MMO's (And, I'm an MMO Whore, so I just might ;-) ), everty class is perfectly able to solo - As I see it, the Agent is a rogue kinda class, invisibility, lots of gadgets, stuns I guess and so on - And of course, being able to call in Imperial Stormtroopers ;-)

[cheeba]

In this last beta test build, the beta testers are saying imperial agent sniper is the biggest damage dealer. Some were also saying it had a great story. I'm up in the air whether I want to play the agent or bounty hunter with my 2nd character.