SWTOR Deja Vu

I am not a fortune teller, but I can read the writing on the wall.  I can see SWTOR following the same launch as WAR did.  At least close enough that it reminds me of the nightmare launch a few years ago.

A few hours into the launch, and already over a hundred servers.  Most of the servers are currently at a medium population.  They are supposedly leaving room for all those who aren't playing early game access.  Does this sound familiar?  I can remember WAR saying the same thing.

Unfortunately WAR kept saying don't worry the populations will pick up as more, and more people pick up the game.  It never happened.  Most servers were ghost towns.  The same thing can happen with SWTOR by spreading the servers too thin.

I know they are trying to keep from having queues for the servers, but it could really backfire.  As a few days go by, and people leave for higher population servers it will leave some servers underpopulated. How long will it take SWTOR to take action?  WAR waited forever, and by that time it was too late.

Feel free to comment, and join the interactive discussion on Google +.

Kleenex Sales Will Skyrocket On SWTOR Launch

I am sure Kleenex is gearing up for the SWTOR launch. There are going to be so many tears shed on early game access up to the official launch of SWTOR they won't be able to keep it stocked on the shelves.  I am buying some Kleenex stock on the 12th because it is going to shoot to the sky.

Why am I thinking this?  Well I could mention many things, but today let's focus on one of their latest announcements.  Do they even know when early access is going to start?  It has been the 15th for weeks, and now it is announced as starting the 13th.

How many players are going to be pissed if they requested time off from work starting the 15th, and now it has been switched to the 13th?  It sounds like SWTOR is already hitting the panic button.  I got a good laugh at the official website today announcing the new date.  Check out the screenshot.  One part says 7 days, and another says 5 days for early access.

Another interesting part of this letter is that if you don't redeem your actual product code by the 20th you will be shut off from playing until you do.  I feel sorry for anyone who ordered a copy to be shipped.  This is the busiest shipping time of the year.  How pissed are you going to be if it gets delayed, and shows up on the 26th?

I bet you are thinking it will never happen.  I say think again.  All you have to do is look back at the Warhammer Online launch which did the same thing. Unfortunately Best Buy screwed it all up, and anyone who preordered from them couldn't play on launch day. I think it took a whole weekend, and a few days before players got access back.

It caused so many problems.  By the time they received their codes the servers were locked that their friends were on so either their friends had to reroll, or a week or two later they cloned several of the servers.  The problem is no one wanted to leave because they liked the high population.  It was a joke, and started the early demise of the Warhammer Launch.  If SWTOR sticks to this plan I am not a fortune teller, but I see similar things happening.

I also have to laugh at if you tested this last weekend you don't have to reinstall, but will have to patch on whenever you log in.  Who is going to do this when you can uninstall, and pre install the game client now?  You would have to be crazy to wait to try to download it, and possibly deal with corrupted files, and stuff if your beta client is all fubared. Why take the risk?

Please feel free to comment, and join the interactive discussion on Google +.

Taking Advantage of SWTOR Huttball

What you didn't know there was an advantage you can get in SWTOR Huttball?  After seeing Jewel's rant in Google + it started making me think.  You know what happens when I start thinking right?  What is this advantage that players will use all about?  Is it really an advantage?  Would players actually do this, and risk being banned?

Did you read Jewel's post yet?  If not make sure you do before continuing reading on how I see something that can easily be taken advantage of.  Don't worry this isn't NDA breaking news because everyone knows how SWTOR Huttball works.  Okay so let's get to the juicy details.

Bioware decided it would be really cool if you accidentally score a goal for the other team by taking the huttball back to your own base.  I understand how Jewel made the mistake.  It makes sense that yellow should go with yellow, but instead yellow goes to purple, and purple goes to yellow. Confused yet?

Everyone knows that PvP players find the quickest, and fastest way to score honor, renown, or whatever they end up calling the grind to earn pvp gear.  Look at AV in World of Warcraft these days.  You actually get yelled at if you stop, and actually fight someone.  It is all about who can kill the boss the fastest for the quickest honor.  The same thing with Warhammer Online renown.  Players soon realized it was easier to flip opposite zones, and not fight each other for the fastest renown.

This leads me to how the same thing will happen in SWTOR Huttball.  The first few weeks everyone will think it is fun, and go around killing each other. Three weeks later players will want to score as fast as possible, and do anything to make it happen. Bioware is setting this up to make it too easy.

First of all you are going to be able to fight against your same faction.  Everyone wants their faction to be the best geared so this is where the conspiracy begins.  Simply by allowing the same faction to fight each other will cause intentional losing for quick wins, and pvp reward points or whatever SWTOR decides to call it.  It happened in WoW arenas, and so why wouldn't it happen on SWTOR? A large guild ends up fighting against each other in premades, and gear everyone up by doing quick wins.

Secondly they could make it easier by using the tool that Bioware implemented by being able to score a goal in your own base for the other team.  It could make it real easy to finish games, and rack up the pvp points by completing matches of Huttball in five minutes or less.

I am not sure they really thought about this when trying to keep communities together by having no cross server queuing.  I think it may backfire big time.  It will be interesting to see what happens a few weeks after launch.  Do you think this will happen?  Do you think Bioware should fix it before launch?

Feel free to comment, and join the interactive discussion on Google +

SWTOR Should Lift The NDA

I understand the point of a NDA to a certain point.  When does it just seem stupid to still have it in place?  I feel that way about the SWTOR NDA right now.  Is it really still necessary?

The next wave of beta testers will start testing on 11-11-11.  It is the biggest wave of testers to date.  It will include hundreds of thousands.  Just let that sink in for a minute.  Hundreds of Thousands.

By now everyone has tested, heard about the game at work from someone who tested, a friend who tested, your fourth cousin who tested, and yet SWTOR still has a NDA.

I doubt anything I could write these days could sway anyone's decision on buying the game.  Is there really anything in the game that really hasn't been posted by Bioware?

All that is left is peoples opinions from beta, and you don't think players have talked on vent, secret circles, ICQ, or whatever?

Just lift the stupid NDA.

Feel free to comment, and join the interactive discussion on Google +.

Bolstering In SWTOR PvP

I have to admit that I haven't followed SWTOR real closely, but the bolstering mechanic has me a little nervous.  I see many uneven matches in the Warzone.  Who is going to want a bolstered player on their team?  It leaves many questions in my mind on how it is all going to work.  I found this gem explaining bolstering.

Q: How will the Bolster system work? – Kelremar

A: If after a time the Warzone matchmaking system has not found a match of players of the same level range, then it will start up a ‘bolstered match’ where players of varying levels will have their stats bolstered to within 20% of each other. Therefore, player skill disparity withstanding, the lowest level player will be 80% as effective as the highest level player in the match.

If it is 80% of the top players than that is going to be a huge difference.  If someone gets bolstered ten levels does that just mean their health, and mana will increase?  What about your spells, and damage?  Is his weapons, and armor going to be ten levels lower?  What if everyone is max level, and one guy is 10 levels from max, and gets bolstered?  Will he really be competitive?  Will he gain any spells that maybe he hasn't trained yet being ten levels lower?

How is a bolstered player going to play?  Are they going to be inexperienced, and cost your team a victory?  I just don't see how any competitive pvper is going to be happy with this.

I remember in the early days of World of Warcraft you could queue up for Warsong Gulch with a ten level disparity.  It caused so much anger.  All the 60's would belittle the person, and tell them to leave and go do some PvE.  I know many times even one lower level player meant the difference from winning, and losing. Eventually Blizzard changed it to 60's only queueing after all the griping on the official forums for months.

This could also be interpreted that if everyone is level 40, and you are 50 that you could be lowered to level 48 to try to make it more competitive.  Once again if it was me playing I would be pissed off if all of a sudden my health, and mana was cut down to make the match more fair.

SWTOR PvP vs GW2 PvP

Which is better pvp?  Is it SWTOR, or GW2?  After watching many matches during my visit to PAX I have decided on a winner.  I like many aspects of each one, but clearly only one can be my Winner.

SWTOR

VS

GW2

Did you watch the videos?  What do you think?  Which one seems like pvp will be more fun SWTOR or GW2?  

I like the setting of SWTOR.  It is more than just a big open space with a flag.  It reminds of Unreal Tournament where you can shoot players from above, hop down, take a lift, and etc.  It opens up the pvp more where you have to be more aware of your complete surroundings.  Of course they added fire traps, and acid which kill you almost instantly.  It definitely adds to the strategy.  Do you take your chances to run across the fire trap, and hope it doesn't go off, or do you wait?  The only problem when waiting is it gives players a chance to knock you down to the bottom, or kill you, and steal the ball.  Eventually after going up ramps, dodging acid pools, and fire pits you make it across the score line.

The downfalls of SWTOR is I think the graphics are not that exciting.  I guess maybe I am not a big fan of the light sabers, and stuff.  It just doesn't have the eye candy in my opinion.  

I love the graphics of GW2.  I think the spell, and character animations are simply amazing.  I like how they color code the teams instead of just making names red.  It makes it real easy to see your allies, and your enemies.  The PvP matches I saw seemed like take a control point, and the more control points you own the more points you gain.  You definitely have some pretty good fights up, and around the control point areas.

The downfalls of GW2 is it seems mostly ground level.  There are no strategic stand on a higher level, and shoot someone below.  There are no other mechanics except getting the control points so it becomes  a zergfest in a way.  I didn't really see many off control point battles so alot of downtime running to control points to fight.

And the Winner Is......

This is a tough decision.  In my heart I want GW2 to be my game, but after watching all these pvp matches from both I have to say SWTOR got the PvP right in their Wafronts.  It was so convincing that it made me preorder the game after saying for months I was going to pass on SWTOR.  They won me over with the PvP.  

Pax 2011 Game Wrap Up

After spending three days at PAX I have come up with my list of games to buy, or play.  The list may surprise a few because just like last year I found some great games that are probably not even on any players radar. I will be doing more detailed posts of the games in the next few weeks, but I wanted you to know what games impressed me the most.  Be sure to follow the links in the post for some gameplay videos I took at PAX.  You can find all 50+ of my PAX gameplay videos on my Youtube channel.

Of course Skyrim tops my list.  I saw it on G4 at E3, and now seeing it in person I really want to play this game.  The graphics are simply amazing, and breathtaking.

My next favorite game from PAX is Guildwars 2.  Of course no one knows when it is coming out, but it is definitely the best MMORPG coming out in the future that I have seen.  The PvP seems really good from what I could see from the few matches I saw in the Alienware booth.

This next game came out of nowhere to get me excited about Warhammer Online again with Wrath of Heroes.  I went to the panel, and I can't wait for the closed beta.  Luckily anyone at the panel gets the first shot at closed beta.  I just think the 6v6v6 in first person is going to blow League of Legends out of the water.  Who is going to be able to resist actually finally getting to play a Skaven, or a Dryad? Over 25 heroes in development right now.   I am sure all the classes players have wanted in WAR will be in Wrath of Heroes.

A game out of the blue that caught my eye was Orcs Must Die.  It is just a fast action shoot them up game killing Orcs.  I thought the game really looked fun when you just wanted to play a game, and kill stuff.

Another sleeper hit for me was Tribes Ascend.  I never played the original, but the game seems pretty fun from watching people play it at PAX.

One more surprise game that was just fast actioned shoot them up game was Shoot Many Robots.  The basic objective of the game is to kill anything that moves.  It reminds me of why I love Android games so much, and I see this game as a fun diversion when I need a break from other games.

SWTOR is growing on me a little bit.  Mostly because of the pvp.  Will I be able to grind out levels to make it to the pvp aspect of the game?  I am a little nervous with all the Star Wars fan boys that the playerbase may have tons of horrible players.  I saw so many players that sucked at pvp playing SWTOR that it may just make me rage if I get in a Warfront with a bunch of idiots.

I saw Choplifter, and it sent chills up my spine.  I remember playing that game as a kid.  I don't even remember if it was a Commodore 64 game, Atari, or what.  My eyes just lit up when I saw they made the game with 3d graphics.  Why don't they do that with other old popular classic games?

Some good runner ups would be Smite, and Twisted Metal 2.

A game I thought was cool, but not really a game for me was Rocksmith.  It is similar to Guitar Hero, but you use your real electric guitar.  They guarantee you will be playing songs, and learn how to play the guitar in just two weeks.  I just think that would be so cool, but I am not really a rocker, or metal type person.

I also saw many games that to me are just boring, but the graphics were very nice, and I am sure many players will enjoy the games. Most of them were FPS type games.  They all just seem the same to me.  You have Counterstrike Global Offensive, Resistance 3, Starhawk, Uncharted 3, Blacklight Retribution, Firefall, and more.

I also have a small list of games I thought were pretty bad at PAX. Some of the duds for me were World of Tanks, Rusty Hearts, Wildstar, and a few others.

SWTOR Officially Falls Off My To Buy List

I keep hearing voices in my head.  Oh wait.  It is part of the game in SWTOR.  I just don't understand how so many bloggers, and game magazines can hype up a game that will be 99% voice.  After reading another glowing review about how great the voice stuff in SWTOR is in PCGamer I just want to puke.

I already hate reading quest text, and now I will be forced to listen to the whole thing.  I am not a whole story, or lore buff.  If I want to know about it I will watch all twenty of the Star Wars movies again.   How is this going to work in guilds that use vent?  I think it will drive players crazy.  You won't be able to talk in vent, and play the game at the same time.

I know personally I already hate the sound in most games, and turn it way down, or off depending on what it is.  Do they really think it immerses a player more?  I really don't see a NPC talking to me feeling like the person is talking to me in real life.  SWTOR really seems to think it will.  I tried playing DA:O, and after about five minutes I logged off, and never played the game again.

Players don't want to listen to NPC's.  Times are changing.  Do you spend much time talking on the phone these days?  It is about texting, and SWTOR will soon find out the millions and millions they spent on the voice acting in the game will prove to be the biggest waste of money ever.

My Biggest Disappointment At PAX

One of the games I was most excited about seeing left me very disappointed.  Why was it my biggest disappointment at PAX?  I actually felt numb when in the booth playing.  There was absolutely nothing that made me say here is my money for my preorder right now.

What game could be that high on my list, and than completely drop off?  Actually it is one of the most anticipated mmorpg's coming out in the near future.  It is SWTOR.  I know they say they are bringing innovative stuff to the genre, but I didn't really feel it.

I hate the whole questing, and lore in the game as it is, and to have to listen to it makes it so much worse.  Yeah it sounded cool when I first heard about it, but I really don't care how I am in the situation I am in.  Just tell me what to go kill, or who to go visit.

I wasn't real impressed with the booth.  They were back in the corner near the mens restroom.  No real front and center stage like another game coming out around the same time whose booth was spetacular.  All the stations were running with small monitors, and seriously the booth lacked the awe factor.

If you looked around everywhere else games were flaunting huge 50+ inch monitors, 3d monitors, and once I was at the SWTOR booth I felt like I was visiting the dollar store.  It felt like I was watching myself play on a 17 inch monitor.  I am sure it was bigger, but compared to all the other games it really was lackluster.

I really didn't feel anything when I played the game.  It felt like SWG's with better graphics.  My feelings could change, but right now I don't see myself buying the game at release.

Related articles about SWTOR 

• PAX: SWTOR Presentation Video (darthhater.com)
• Darth Hater Episode 51 - PAX Ahoy (darthhater.com)
• My Top Five Games From PAX (wasdstomp.com)
• Was PAX A Success? (wasdstomp.com)

SWTOR On Rails

SWTOR keeps falling lower, and lower on my to play list.  A recent article in a German magazine explaining space combat in SWTOR is leaving me quite disappointed.

The space combat will be on rails, or by the explanation it will be a Tunnel shooter.  What does this mean?  It means space combat is going to feel like you are on a rollercoaster.  You will be on it basically for the ride shooting stuff as it comes toward you.   It will be no different than playing a single player game.

You won't be taking your space ship, and exploring space, and flying anywhere you please.  I don't see how this is exciting at all.  Insert your gold coin, and enjoy your five minute carnival ride.

The real deal killer for me with space combat is no pvp.  Of course they add a little blurp at the end that says they may add pvp at a later date, but how is that going to be possible with space combat being on rails? 

Related articles

• SWTOR space combat akin to "tunnel shooters" (vg247.com)
• Space combat has been confirmed for SWTOR! (massively.com)
• The Passion of SWTOR (scarybooster.com)

I Got My SWTOR Beta Invite Last Night

I still can hardly believe I was accepted into the SWTOR beta. I figured it was just a phishing email. I checked, and re-checked. Was I dreaming? I had to pinch myself just to make sure.

After updating all my adware/spyware, and virus protection I proceeded to follow the download link. It started downloading swtor.beta.exe.

It finally finished downloading this morning, and I double-clicked on it. The SWTOR beta started installing. After the install I double clicked the SWTOR icon on my desktop, and the game loaded right up to the character creation screen.

I created my first character named Dawg a bounty hunter.

I am not allowed to say anything else because of the NDA, but I hope other bloggers, and readers received their SWTOR beta invites too.

EA Loses $82 Million will Warhammer Online Survive?

Today EA posted their third quarter results.  They show a loss of 82 million dollars.  How long will EA keep losing money?  How will they return to be profitable again?  How much money is Warhammer Online losing, or making every quarter?

Every time I see EA posting losses it worries me.  What is going to make them just decide one day they are closing Warhammer Online?  Is it Warhammer Online that is causing the losses?

I would hate for Warhammer Online to totally disappear, but if they keep posting million dollar losses every quarter they will do what it takes to cut their losses.

Unfortunately even with some current updates to Warhammer Online I am not sure it isn't already in maintenance mode, or will be very soon.  It doesn't really sound like Warhammer Online is part of EA's future income stream.

EA also announced all title releases for 2011.  No mention of any Warhammer Online expansions.  A MMORPG can't just keep going without content updates, and expansions.

Another thing I noticed is SWTOR isn't even mentioned as being released in 2011.  Is it possible for EA to pull the plug on it even though it is so highly anticipated?

Jedi Consular and Sith Inquisitor revealed for SWTOR

The Jedi Consular, and Sith Inquisitor classes were revealed today for Star Wars: The Old Republic.   I really can't wait for this game to be released.   Also a teaser for another Planet being revealed next week.

Welcome to WASDstomp

Welcome to my new general gaming blog.  I decided with my interest in so many new games it would be better to have a general gaming blog instead of a single game niche blog.  I look forward to talking about Aion, Warhammer, World of Warcraft, SWTOR, and other games too.