T-Shirt: Available at ThinkGeek!

Amazon Link: “Chaotic Evil” T-shirt

Thank for MMO music submissions! Added some to personal playlists. Keep ‘em coming!

Today was going to be SDCC recap, but only ONE story: SWTOR

Before we dive into that, let me tell you about a few others.

NCSoft held court, showing off Guild Wars 2 a bit.
But most of GW2 stuff will probably come out when ArenaNet attends PAX Prime this year.

NCSoft primarily focused on hyping up COH’s impending metamorphosis into a F2P game
New Trailer, new powersets!

Not to be outdone by their superpowered rivals
SOE announced the release of DCUO’s Green Lantern themed power sets
Nothing to say on powers, but the announcement deserves a minute

DCUO – Fight for the Light

First – this announcement missed the window of launching alongside the movie
Critically-panned, but blockbuster success nonetheless
DCUO has a history of missing real-world tie-ins…
Valentine’s Day almost a full month late, St. Patrick’s Day several weeks late.
If you cannot launch on time, don’t plan your content around RL events
It comes across as broken promises, and no fan will forgive you forever

Themed content isn’t sole failing point.
Prior to launch, promised monthly patches. To date, no two patches have come within <4 weeks of eachother.
Also promised free content, since the game is subscription based.

Well, how much does it feel like getting the big FINGER, when SOE announced that this new content patch will cost subscribers a fee of $10 to download and use?
They even had the BALLS to call it a DLC. A DLC! FOR AN MMO!
What are those monthly subscriptions going toward, if they won’t fuel the continued development and content release for the game?!

Expansions, OK… but THIS?!
It is so big a fail, I don’t really know how to quantify it.
I guess it’s just more fail on top of the pile that SOE continues to prove themselves to be.
Every time I start to feel like they’re redeeming themselves, they go and mismanage yet another project.

I guess there’s always hope for PlanetsideNEXT, right? hahaha

TORqued: The Pre-Order Saga

The biggest news from SDCC in the world of gaming, was easily Star Wars Old Republic’s pre-order availability, and the subsequent drama that unfolded over the few days following.

In this segment I’ll be walking you thru the events that unfolded and sharing my commentary along each step of this unfortunate series of events, as well as generally looking at the game’s future.

When the pre-orders were announced, this was the first time we heard the pricing of the Collector’s Edition… a whopping $150! Considering the fact that prior CEs of MMOs typically run for only between $80 and $100, this is a pretty significant leap in monetary investment. I’ve heard people saying you could potentially auction off the figurine on eBay if you wanted to recoup some of the cost, but let’s face it – that ain’t happening. The type of person that’ll buy a CE will keep that figurine and display it proudly, so the argument is moot.

But as it turns out, so, too, was the cost. You see, within 12 hours or so of opening pre-orders to the public, almost every major online retailer had completely SOLD OUT. A Q&A with Bioware at SDCC claimed they were NOT sold out, but retailers were singing a different tune. More units were eventually released for purchase the next morning, but by that time the damage was already done – Bioware’s precious hype had just suffered one of its first instances of public backlash, as angry fans found themselves unable to spend their money on the product Bioware had gotten them so excited about.

And unfortunately, it didn’t stop there. You see, the limited supply of pre-orders was only a factor here in the States. In the rest of the world, matters were even more complicated… In addition to only being available from an extremely limited number of retailers, some of those retailers (notably GAME.co.uk) are delaying the release of pre-order registration keys to customers that purchased the game. This isn’t usually a big deal with an MMO since a registration key is pretty much have one, or don’t. But with TOR’s launch, they are employing a tiered release schedule. Details are scarce, but it involves offering pre-launch access on a first-come/first-serve basis, based solely on the order in which your pre-order keys are registered. In other words, these retailers’ inability to supply those precious pre-order keys will prevent those customers from being among the first to enjoy the game, despite being among the first to PAY for it.

And it only adds insult to injury that some international markets actually do not have pre-orders available at all. Australia most notably. And although Bioware has confirmed that there will be no IP blocks based on region, allowing players in those regions to purchase a copy from overseas, playing on an overseas server is almost guaranteed to be a lag-infested experience. Particularly on launch day when so many people will be attempting to access the same pipelines and backbones.

All of this – the limited supply of pre-orders, the international delays, unavailability of units in certain regions – has only been made even worse by the sore lack of information coming out on the subject. Sure, Bioware devs have posted responses reassuring us that it’ll all be OK, but these issues are beyond their control. This is an EA issue – this is a publisher issue. The distribution of retail units, availability of pre-order keys, even the box cost itself. These are all items way above the pay grade of the folks creating the game that everybody is so eager to get their hands on.

And it fuels a very real, larger concern I have for the game in general.

The launch of SWTOR could potentially be the biggest MMO launch, ever. Bigger than WOW, bigger than AOC or WARhammer. By current estimations, we’re looking at millions of day-one adopters. EA and Bioware are NOT MMO companies, yet. And despite being able to learn quite a bit thru observation and second-hand accounts, there really is no substitute for hands-on experience. And I think this pre-order fiasco is proof of that matter.

It worries me. And not because I’m a fan of TOR, but because this game is going to become a benchmark for the industry. It’s broken the hype barrier and managed to become what most MMO enthusiasts are coming to refer to as the “Next Big Thing.” But not like AoC or RIFT were… this time it could be real, because there are professional reputations, huge budgets and ground-breaking development revolutions at play here. If anything marrs the launch of this game, it could leave a mark on the industry as a whole for years to come. MMOs already have the unfortunate reputation for launching as buggy, unplayable messes, and it is the big launches of the past that have given it that reputation. The more hype that preceeds a particular game’s launch, the more keenly those day-one disappointments are felt, and the louder the resonate throughout the media and gamer communities across the world. And let’s face it, there has never been another MMO with this level of hype steamrolling it onward. Every speed bump, every unexplained outage, every lag spike, exploit or imbalancing “I win” button… these will initially be complained about TOR’s communities, but the sheer volume of their negativity could quickly spill over to the rest of the MMO industry, and even into gaming in general.

We’re all in this together, and I don’t think that EA or Bioware understand that. Because they are not MMO companies. Yet.

And there WILL be issues. No matter how incredibly skilled Bioware’s QA department may be, there will be situations that only arise when you get tens or hundreds of thousands of players or more, are all accessing the same servers from locations all around the world, at the same time.

So what can be done at this point? Sadly, not much. As I said previously, TOR has broken the hype barrier… it’s a beast with a life of its own, and nothing at this point will reduce the fevered pitch of anticipation that’s been built into MMO gamers around the world.

My fears may be unfounded, and I’m hoping that they are. TOR will begin beta testing weekends in September, and I’m hopeful that these are stress tests. That Bioware will really run their servers thru the wringers and weed out every last glitch and bug before it’s opened up to the general public later this year. But even then, there’s no way you can prepare yourself for MILLIONS of players to hammer on your front door the day the game finally goes live.

Can You Run It?

SDCC Videos for SWTOR:

• Day 1: 2011 Comic-Con – Star Wars The Old Republic Q&A Session – 7.21.11
• 1st Day: SWTOR Comic-con 2011 Dev Q&A @July 21 (Full)
• Day 3: 2011 Comic-Con – Star Wars The Old Republic Q&A Session – 7.23.11
• Star Wars: The Old Republic Comic-Con 2011 Full Panel – 54 Minutes
• SDCC Comic-Con 2011 Live Floor – Interview (Stephen Reid) and Gameplay
• Star Wars: The Old Republic Comic-Con 2011 Panel – Details on Mounts and Companions
• Star Wars: The Old Republic – Space Combat [HD]

TEASE OF THE WEEK

More of a follow-up to a previous story…

Several episodes ago, I mentioned that XLGames and 2KGames had partnered up to create an MMO based on one of 2kGames successful franchises.

Well, we now have a confirmation, and unfortunately it’s not the Borderlands MMOFPS that I was hoping for…

XLGames announced Civilization Online

I think… I just stopped caring.

I’m sorry, I SHOULD be excited about another strategy game entering the MMO market, but I’ve just been so underwhelmed to date. Age of Empires Online was yawnworthy, and I’m hearing reviews of End of Nations sit squarely between “meh” and “BARF.” I just don’t know that this subgenre is destined for success in the MMO market. And now a traditionally turn-based strategy game is attempting to break into the market? Color me skeptical.

The post SWTOR Backlash | MMOrgue 11 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/2148/your-ground-combat-ideas-stoked-39/ Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:13:47 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=2148 We asked you what changes you would make to ground combat in Star Trek Online, and you told us! We feature your ideas, plus update you on the new rank structure announced recently, update you on the completion of the SOL system in game, and share our hair-brained C-Store conspiracy!

The post YOUR Ground Combat Ideas | STOked 39 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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We asked you what changes you would make to ground combat in Star Trek Online, and you told us! We feature your ideas, plus update you on the new rank structure announced recently, update you on the completion of the SOL system in game, and share our hair-brained C-Store conspiracy!

All that and more, in this week’s episode of STOked!

Direct Download Links HD Video | Large Video | iPod Video | MP3 Audio | OGG Audio | OGG Video | YouTube

[ad#shownotes]

Our STOked App:

Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked plus bonus content on the go!

NEWS:

New Rank Structure announced: https://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=2761417&postcount=550

    * Only affects RA/BG and above.

    * dstahl:  “After Level 65 it will be assumed that you will be in control of a fleet…”

Sol System Planets?  https://forums.startrekonline.com/showpost.php?p=2761424&postcount=55
    * Maps are done, but nothing to do in them so they aren’t released.

    * Klingons will have a mission to attack Utopia Planetia Shipyards, as one of their Season 2 missions.

    * Pic:  https://forums.startrekonline.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3980&d=1276716744

Pre-Order Bonus Items have landed on the C-Store

    * We thought it’d blow over quickly… it hasn’t.

    * Central Arguments:  

• “Exclusives” are no longer “Exclusive” — but this happens all the time in the gaming industry 
• Some are given more value than others (Costume Packs = 280pts, Classic Constitution = 800pts)
• Many items not available (Automated Defense Turret, Red Matter Capacitor, and more)
• Just too damn many items on the C-Store!  Stop ‘bleeding’ your customers!

    * Other ideas… gearing up to go F2P, building up the store while they do this? (Discussion Idea)

Cryptic’s “Mini-E3” picture extravaganza: https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=162261&page=37
One more …  Fluidic Space:  https://forums.startrekonline.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3982&d=1276721912

MAIL:

Your suggestions to improve Ground Combat

Denis Klaus:  

• First Person Shooter Mode:  https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=157643&highlight=First+Person+View
• Enable this as an OPTION to make ground combat more hands-on feeling
• Re-work targeting so it is more like mouse-aim, but with an MMO ease 
• (pic: https://www.imagebanana.com/img/1tzv8udl/GameClient2010061520190055.jpg)

Mac:  

• Re-work kit powers so that they can have secondary special effects (eg, Gas attack + Plasma grenade = bigger explosion)

    

Rikturscale:

• Offer enemies a chance to surrender.  Allow enemy capture to give Fed Diplomatic XP (and a Klingon equivalent?)
• Check on your prisoners in the brig, with the possibility of opening new missions via questioning them (Genesis type content?)

plunkett:  

• Bleeds/Poisons/Debuffs should have a more noticable impact on combat (giving you a reason to use “cure” kits/consumables)

Darren_Kitlor:
https://forums.startrekonline.com/showthread.php?t=153841

Ideas/Feedback for — 

• Camera Control Improvements
• Weapon Combos that expand the simplistic “Expose/Exploit” system 
• Also includes options for non-healers to assist teammates with certain weapons (by curing debuffs/holds/etc)
• Further expanded into a “situational attack” category, whereby every weapon type has a chance to have a special function, in a specific circumstance.

COMMON SUGGESTIONS:

• Cover System:  (pic – https://www.unigamesity.com/wp-content/uploads//2009/08/the-smuggler.jpg)
• Modular/Custom Kits:  Crafted based on a point system, so you have the option of a couple high-level skills, or many low-level skills, or a combo.
• Increase fatality of each shot, but drastically increase miss % (and add miss animations, please)
• Separate Ground-based XP Pool, with a re-worked skill tree.

DOWNLOAD:

The post YOUR Ground Combat Ideas | STOked 39 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/1544/klingon-controversy-stoked-s1-e16/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:40:11 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=1544 We discuss the community's reaction to recent Klingon press, finalized pre-order information and the updated Ships of the Line pages. Plus we drop some Closed Beta information in your face and bring you current on all the latest STO news from around the web - from Klingons and PvP to voice-overs and videos.

The post Klingon Controversy | STOked S1 E16 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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STOked Season 1 Episode 16: We discuss the community’s reaction to recent Klingon press, finalized pre-order information and the updated Ships of the Line pages. Plus we drop some Closed Beta information in your face and bring you current on all the latest STO news from around the web – from Klingons and PvP to voice-overs and videos.

THEN another heaping helping of beautiful screenshots to cap off the episode!

Our STOked App:

Grab the STOked iPhone/iPod App and download STOked plus bonus content on the go!

FEATURE:

Klingon explosion after our last episode STOked.

NEWS:
Zinc Confirms new “Transwarp” ability in STO that returns you to the main star base instantly:

Beta Note: Transwarp power that takes you right to Earth Space Dock probably _shouldn’t_ work for the Klingon faction…

— Craig Zinkievich (@CrypticZinc) December 16, 2009

Complete Pre-Order FAQ and Info @ Cryptic.com
https://www.startrekonline.com/preorder-faq
https://www.startrekonline.com/retail
and
https://www.startrekonline.com/exclusives

BETA INFO:

* Battle damage meshes are in-game!
* Leaked videos on YouTube!

Fed:

Klingons:

ARTICLES:

startrekonline.com — Klingon Info
https://startrekonline.com/node/777

New Ship Listing @ Cryptic
https://www.startrekonline.com/ships-index

Jack Emmert goes to bat for Klingons @ MMORPG.com
https://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/352/feature/3847/Star-Trek-Online-Jack-Emmert-Talks-Klingons.html

* They have a full set of skills, their own bridge officers, their own ships, their own territory, their own advancement and their own missions.
* There is PvE content, it only lacks the depth of the Fed’s content. (random encounters)

Character Creation – Rock Paper Shotgun
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/12/18/star-trek-online-characters-creatored/

* Good pictures
* Explanation of facial morphology on pre-set races

Character Creation – ZAM.com
https://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20862

* More great character creation pictures

Craig Zincievich interview – Thirteen1 magazine
https://www.thirteen1.com/Issues/13131209/mag.php

* You’ll experience references to well-known characters, but their likeness rights are “sticky and expensive” so you won’t meet them.

“What We Know So Far” – ZAM.com
https://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20942

* Rehash of details on the game so far. Good source to point new folks, but no new information.

A Three Hour Tour, Inside Beta – MMORPG.com
https://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/352/feature/3846/Star-Trek-Online-Inside-Beta-A-Three-Hour-Tour.html

VIDEOS:

Behind the Scenes: Zachary Quinto voiceover session (IGN.com)
https://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/14270158/star-trek-online/videos/startrekonline_trl_btsquinto_121509.html;jsessionid=1i7ejag11k8w8

Veil of Space, Part 1: “Into the Lion’s Den”

* Lots of interior shots. Bridges & transporter rooms.
* Lots of Klingon ship shots at the end.
* Finally some high quality voice-over work!

SCREENSHOTS:

Lots of great shots at TrekMovie
https://trekmovie.com/2009/12/15/sto-update-new-trailers-screenshots-deluxe-digital-edition-details-more/

Klingon with Bat’leth:

Klingon Bird-of-Prey:

Outside the Klingon High Council:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/startrekonline/4193684826/sizes/o/ (note the scar on the face)

Klingon Bat’leth battle:


AMAZON LINKS:

Star Trek TOS Season 3 Blu-Ray or DVD	Star Trek Online Pre-Order Standard Edition	Star Trek Online Pre-Order Collectors Edition

The post Klingon Controversy | STOked S1 E16 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

]]> https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/1290/stoked-season-1-episode-4/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:42:16 +0000 https://original.jupiterbroadcasting.net/?p=1290 Highlights from Cryptic's IRC Dev Chat, Pre-Order Details and CONTROVERSY, We discuss the Discovery Class, and last Friday's new screenshot! Plus Twitter feeds us a mind-blowing insight!

The post STOked Season 1 Episode 4 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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This week on STOked:

• Highlights from Cryptic’s IRC Dev Chat!

• Pre-Order Details and CONTROVERSY!

• We discuss the Discovery Class, and last Friday’s new screenshot!

• Twitter feeds us a mind-blowing insight!

• AND SO MUCH MORE!

• Pre-Order Star Trek Online Here: https://bit.ly/smB4e

• Our Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/4GriS

The post STOked Season 1 Episode 4 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

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