What is Star Wars: The Old Republic?
Star Wars: The Old Republic of “Tor” is a new Star Wars roleplaying game by BioWare, that will feature immersive storytelling, intense combat, companions and will be fully voiced.
The game takes place in the Star Wars galaxy approximately three hundred years after the events of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Is this an MMO?
Yes, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a “massively multiplayer online game” that will allow thousands of players to explore, adventure, and fight in a single game session.
What’s the difference in The Old Republic compared to other MMO’s?
Star Wars: The Old Republic will be similar to other games but with several key innovations.
Traditionally MMOs are built on three pillars; Exploration, Combat, and Progression. BioWare and LucasArts has added a fourth pillar called Story.
The Old Republic is also the first MMO that will be fully voiced.
When does Star Wars: The Old Republic take place, compared to the movies?
Star Wars: The Old Republic takes place more than 3,500 years before the rise of Darth Vader.
The most powerful Sith Empire in history has emerged from deep space to attack the Republic and its legendary Jedi guardians. After decades of war, a tenuous truce has been established between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic, but events occurring in the game are leading the galaxy back to an all-out war.
What classes can I play as?
There are a total of eight classes. Four on each side.
In the Galactic Republic you can play as: Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular, Trooper and as a Smuggler
Joining the Sith Empire you can play as: Sith Warrior, Sith Inquisitor, Bounty Hunter or Imperial Agent
At some point in the game/story, each class will have to choose what direction to evolve their character. As an example, the Jedi Consular can choose to become a healing or combat class and the Smuggler can specialize in dualguns or go for stealth. There will be two options for each class.
What species can I play as?
Other than human, nothing is known about species at the moment, but chances are, there will be several to choose from.
Can I be good or evil?
Yes, your character will evolve depending on your choices in the story. If you choose to, you can become an evil Jedi Knight or a good Sith Warrior, but you cant change all the way to the other side.
The choices you make will form you character all the way through the game. Here is an example of one of the choices you will have to make.
Will there be planets to travel to?
Yes, there will be a number of different planets that you can travel to and explore. You can go to Coruscant, a planet that is covered by sprawling kilometers-high skyscrapers and cities, go to Tython where to Jedi Order originated or go to Hutta that is now a pollution filled planet.
Will there be space combat?
Yes. Space combat is an alternative gameplay experience to the primary game of storytelling, questing, and ground-based combat. In space combat, you fly your personal ship to various “hot spots” on your galaxy map. From there, you will blast your way through asteroid fields, enemy fighters, frigates, destroyers, and a variety of other obstacles that will evoke memories of some of the great Star Wars™ space battles.
Can I play alone or with my friends?
Star Wars: The Old Republic can be played alone or you can group up with your friends. You also have the option to get a computer controlled companion, that will fight by your side if you wish.
The majority of the game can be accomplished by playing alone.
Companions? What is this?
A companion is a computer controlled character that groups up with you and helps you fight. They can’t be controlled, but you can equip them with weapons and armor as you like.
There will be different type of companions in the game and they can be influenced and become good or evil, but be carefull, they will also leave you, if they don’t like the choices you make.
How much will it cost to play Star Wars: The Old Republic?
Pricing for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be determined and announced at a later date, but you can expect it to be around the same price as for other MMO’s
Cool, where can I get this game?
You can’t at the moment, as the game is still under development but the release is aimed for Spring 2011. Untill then you can sign up for beta here and keep watching the official site for more news.