Star Wars: The Old Republic fan update and some thoughts about the Latest WoW Xpack

So... It's no secret that I plan MMOs from time to time and one that I have been really excited about is the new Bioware Star Wars game. Just the other day, this video was sent out to fans that signed up for email updates.



Not a whole lot of really new info here, but some videos of some early pre-production was shown. I have to say, for a pre-production stuff, it looks pretty good. The details aren't really there yet and the armor looks like plastic, but this isn't even close to being finished. There was some discussion about the companion characters and what they plan to do with those. Overall, an interesting watch.

Now... As I said on the previous episode, I finally broke down and bought the latest WoW expansion. I really, really thought that I had it beat and wasn't going to buy it. Unfortunately, when I am bored, all bets are off.

The two things I will take away from this expansion are a wider variety of gameplay and a more in depth storytelling. With the new class, you start off in a new area and there are lots of new things. Firstly, this starting area changes as you go through the story. So every time you teleport to the starter area, things will be a little different. So, you'll see towns in ruins after you helped destroy them and things of that nature. This is a great step towards what Ryan and I have talked about in previous episodes about cause and effect, and there being consequences for your actions in game. It's not very big and I have only seen it put into play in the new starting area, but it's cool to see them take this step. I am not shocked to see that it was Blizzard were the people to push this out there first.

You will also find yourself doing things that aren't just you playing your character and grinding out your level. You steal horses, you shoot cannons and you even fly a dragon into battle shooting fireballs at the armies below you. It's nice to see this variety starting to pop up in the game. I hope they continue to add stuff like this. The mini-game feel to it all really helps break up what can really be a boring and repetitive game.

So, overall, I have to say the Lich King is a great expansion. New Profession, New Class, New lands and a new experience. Good job Blizzard.