This week we have some fun discussing some post drama shenanigans with Aneu, GM of VotF and AGM Evoex of LotD. Along with our discussion about the ascendance of Blackgate and the downfall of Sea of Sorrows we discuss the future of the game and touch a little on ArcheAge.
Round one of the Gree event is almost over. Tonight when maintenance occurs the event will be over until the Devs bring it back. We have been told this is a reoccurring event, so fear not young Jedi.
Yesterday, BioWare provided some much-needed information as to what we’ll be seeing in Game Update 1.7 with the galactic reputation feature the team revealed a couple of weeks ago. There will be four reputation organizations to start with in Game Update 1.7: The Voss, The Gree Enclave, Republic Hyperspace Armada/Imperial First Mobile Fleet (Heroic Space Missions reward reputation for these), and two separate factions for Section X.
“The Reputation track for each organization is divided into six ranks – Outsider, Newcomer, Friend, Hero, Champion, and Legend. You will start with no rank at all, but as you earn Reputation Points, your rank will increase. When you’ve earned the top rank in a particular organization (i.e. Legend), you will no longer earn Reputation Points with that particular organization. You will have become a living legend among those represented by that organization; an avatar of their cause.
As your Reputation Rank increases, new rewards will become available to you. Throughout the galaxy, you will find Reputation Vendors associated with each organization. Special rewards with Reputation Rank requirements can be purchased from these vendors. Items and equipment with a Reputation Rank requirement can only be purchased, used, or equipped if you meet or exceed the rank requirement.”
Galactic reputation will be an account-wide feature that isn’t restricted by whether your characters are Republic or Imperial. Reputation will be gained by using special trophies that will be offered as mission completion rewards. These trophies will have a weekly cap attached to how many a player can use (earning trophies will not have a cap). For more information, please see the full developer blog.
A new preview has been posted on the official homepage that gives a look at the upcoming game Update 1.7: Return of the Gree.
Check out the rest of the information over on the official site.
BioWare released an information page with details about what we’ll be seeing in Game Update 1.7, which is being called Return of the Gree. Yep, the Gree are back, and with them, the ice-covered planet of Ilum is making a return in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Ilum will be returning as a contested area where players can gain exclusive items and battle a powerful opponent who awaits them. The area will be part of a recurring event. The details of this event will be forthcoming, but from the sounds of it, certain parts will unlock and continue to unlock during the next year. And yes, Free-to-Play players will have access to the event.
A new addition to the Legacy system is also coming in Game Update 1.7. Ever wanted to earn galactic reputation with certain factions throughout the galaxy? Now’s your chance. The prestige system will be an alternative method of character progression and will be tied to the Legacy system so players can enjoy earning reputation across multiple characters.
For more information as well as some nifty screenshots BioWare released, check out the full Game Update 1.7 information page.
Yesterday, Jeff Hickman tackled a few hard-hitting subjects in SWTOR’s second official State of the Game blog. He addressed the lack of different types of endgame activities and mentioned that BioWare will focus on endgame more in 2013, introducing new Flashpoints, Operations, difficulty modes, PvP areas, and improved endgame itemization. We’ll also, of course, be seeing Rise of the Hutt Cartel, which promises a solid chunk of story and endgame content. Ilum will also be making a return in the near future.
Other notable topics included the announcement that players will finally be able to copy their live characters to the Public Test Server sometime early this year, and some big news for fans of BioWare’s same-gender content– yes, we’ll finally have same-gender options to look forward to! Jeff Hickman made an apology to the community regarding the lack of SGR (same-gender romance) news, which was good to see, considering the company’s noticeable silence on the matter. He also was happy to announce that Makeb NPCs will have some same-gender romance options, and that the team is working on expanding the options farther in the future.
A few details about Game Update 1.7 were also hinted at, including the return of The Gree Enclave and the promise of a new PvP area that might just be Ilum (he was pretty vague, but the hints point in that direction). For the full State of the Game blog, check out the official site.
Big news was announced yesterday from BioWare! In Spring 2013, Star Wars: The Old Republic will see its first digital expansion, which is being called Rise of the Hutt Cartel. This expansion will include the new planet Makeb and 5 additional levels of fully-voiced story to play through.
Rise of the Hutt Cartel is now available for pre-order, and current subscribers will get a discounted price on the expansion. All pre-orderers will receive 5 days of early access time, and Free-to-Play players who pre-order will automatically be upgraded to Preferred Player status. For more information, please see the official announcement page.
Later in the day, there were some important forum updates having to do with the announcement. Keep reading to find out more.