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[Preview] Star Wars: The Old Republic: Taking to the Sky in Galactic Starfighter

BillMurphyBillMurphy Former Managing EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 4,565

The Galactic Starfighter expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic is the most drastic change and largest update to SWTOR since the game went F2P. Our own Blake Morse was on hand for a preview event in California this week, and brought back this report on what he found.

The Galactic Starfighter update for SWToR is definitely a departure from the standard MMO set up fans of the games are accustomed to. There are still many elements from the regular game that carry over. For instance, you’ll still gain XP and be able to upgrade your main character through battles, but you’ll also be able to upgrade your ship with better parts a maneuvers as you progress. Upgrading your engines will give you different evasive moves, like a barrel roll, or a retro thruster you can break missile locks with. Primary and secondary weapons like machine gun turrets, and swarm missiles can be used to augment your arsenal. A lot of work has gone into making the ships customizable to the players personal playstyles, so even within standard combat roles, there will still be a lot of variation to playing styles. Paint jobs and engine configurations will help give everyone their own sense of space fashion.

Read more of Blake Morse's Star Wars: The Old Republic: Taking to the Sky in Galactic Starfighter.

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Comments

  • WolfClawsWolfClaws Member UncommonPosts: 638
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....
  • MMOManiacsMMOManiacs Member UncommonPosts: 191
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

  • FdzzaiglFdzzaigl Member UncommonPosts: 2,433

    Why do they need to invert the Y-axis? It's unlikely that there are many flight sim players in this game, besides, you're steering magically hovering spacefighters here, not actual planes.

    A lot more needs to be added to TOR before I will return, but it's definitely a step in the right direction!

    Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!

  • PhryPhry Member LegendaryPosts: 11,004
    Originally posted by deniromonk
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

    Wasn't Freelancer a 3 dimensional space sim? that doesnt seem to be the case with this new space pvp thing, as it doesnt give any indications, at least from the video's out so far, that it allows much in the way of '3 dimensional' movement, if any? image

  • maxima29maxima29 Member Posts: 203

    Why does it seem every time they release new content the haters come out if the woodwork.  And with each release their complaints get more and more ridiculous .  I'm not coming back until they change the y axis?   The only reason you don't play is because a small aspect of the current game y axis is not to your liking?  

     

    Im in not a huge pvp player but really looking forward to this.  

  • MMOManiacsMMOManiacs Member UncommonPosts: 191
    Originally posted by Phry
    Originally posted by deniromonk
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

    Wasn't Freelancer a 3 dimensional space sim? that doesnt seem to be the case with this new space pvp thing, as it doesnt give any indications, at least from the video's out so far, that it allows much in the way of '3 dimensional' movement, if any? image

    Of course it does. The space is no longer on rails, its literally exactly like freelancer control wise, albiet in much smaller arenas.

  • jbombardjbombard Member UncommonPosts: 599
    I'm currently playing SWTOR and right now this has my excitement level hovering around zero.  It's PvP only.  Considering the strengths of SWTOR are in the PvE components, not sure their put all the eggs in the PvP basket is going to pay off for them.
  • rodingorodingo Member RarePosts: 2,870
    Originally posted by Phry
    Originally posted by deniromonk
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

    Wasn't Freelancer a 3 dimensional space sim? that doesnt seem to be the case with this new space pvp thing, as it doesnt give any indications, at least from the video's out so far, that it allows much in the way of '3 dimensional' movement, if any? image

    Well if you look at most of the space combat in the Star Wars movies, it's mostly fought on a mostly 2 dimensional plane.  I think I remember the Millennium Falcon flying down the Y axis once in Empire, but that's about it.  Don't get me wrong, I know what you are saying, but Star Wars space combat in the movies just really wasn't like that.  The only space game that comes close to true 3 dimensional flight is Eve. Though even in that game the camera is gimble locked on the X axis which is I assume to help people not get to much of a sense of vertigo.

    "If I offended you, you needed it" -Corey Taylor

  • Dr_ShivinskiDr_Shivinski Member UncommonPosts: 311
    Originally posted by rodingo
    Originally posted by Phry
    Originally posted by deniromonk
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

    Wasn't Freelancer a 3 dimensional space sim? that doesnt seem to be the case with this new space pvp thing, as it doesnt give any indications, at least from the video's out so far, that it allows much in the way of '3 dimensional' movement, if any? image

    Well if you look at most of the space combat in the Star Wars movies, it's mostly fought on a mostly 2 dimensional plane.  I think I remember the Millennium Falcon flying down the Y axis once in Empire, but that's about it.  Don't get me wrong, I know what you are saying, but Star Wars space combat in the movies just really wasn't like that.  The only space game that comes close to true 3 dimensional flight is Eve. Though even in that game the camera is gimble locked on the X axis which is I assume to help people not get to much of a sense of vertigo.

    Try the 'X' series of games, X Rebirth just released today. Try Star Conflict, and even Freelancer had 3d movement. 

    As a veteran and still active player of EVE I take offense at you saying that it comes the closest to true 3d flight. Since really we are just playing in submarines in an underwater environment without the water effects. (Not even close to the spaceflight simulations of other games.)

  • maxima29maxima29 Member Posts: 203
    Originally posted by Dr_Shivinski
    Originally posted by rodingo
    Originally posted by Phry
    Originally posted by deniromonk
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

    Wasn't Freelancer a 3 dimensional space sim? that doesnt seem to be the case with this new space pvp thing, as it doesnt give any indications, at least from the video's out so far, that it allows much in the way of '3 dimensional' movement, if any? image

    Well if you look at most of the space combat in the Star Wars movies, it's mostly fought on a mostly 2 dimensional plane.  I think I remember the Millennium Falcon flying down the Y axis once in Empire, but that's about it.  Don't get me wrong, I know what you are saying, but Star Wars space combat in the movies just really wasn't like that.  The only space game that comes close to true 3 dimensional flight is Eve. Though even in that game the camera is gimble locked on the X axis which is I assume to help people not get to much of a sense of vertigo.

    Try the 'X' series of games, X Rebirth just released today. Try Star Conflict, and even Freelancer had 3d movement. 

    As a veteran and still active player of EVE I take offense at you saying that it comes the closest to true 3d flight. Since really we are just playing in submarines in an underwater environment without the water effects. (Not even close to the spaceflight simulations of other games.)

     

    Ok being offended by comments about a video game is a little extreme.  I know eve players are different breed but when you start admitting about being offended about another players views it may be time to take a break.  
  • rodingorodingo Member RarePosts: 2,870
    Originally posted by Dr_Shivinski
    Originally posted by rodingo
    Originally posted by Phry
    Originally posted by deniromonk
    Originally posted by WolfClaws
    I have little hope as 2 years have passed, and they STILL have not inverted the Y axis for the space portion of the game....

    Its the same controls as Freelancer...

    Wasn't Freelancer a 3 dimensional space sim? that doesnt seem to be the case with this new space pvp thing, as it doesnt give any indications, at least from the video's out so far, that it allows much in the way of '3 dimensional' movement, if any? image

    Well if you look at most of the space combat in the Star Wars movies, it's mostly fought on a mostly 2 dimensional plane.  I think I remember the Millennium Falcon flying down the Y axis once in Empire, but that's about it.  Don't get me wrong, I know what you are saying, but Star Wars space combat in the movies just really wasn't like that.  The only space game that comes close to true 3 dimensional flight is Eve. Though even in that game the camera is gimble locked on the X axis which is I assume to help people not get to much of a sense of vertigo.

    Try the 'X' series of games, X Rebirth just released today. Try Star Conflict, and even Freelancer had 3d movement. 

    As a veteran and still active player of EVE I take offense at you saying that it comes the closest to true 3d flight. Since really we are just playing in submarines in an underwater environment without the water effects. (Not even close to the spaceflight simulations of other games.)

    It looks like you completely missed my point.  I highlighted it for you for easy pickens.  Also I don't care if I offended you with an observation.  If that's all it takes, then read my signature.  If I insert a "One of the..." instead of "The" in the sentence, "The only space game that comes close to true 3 dimensional flight is Eve.", would that turn your frown upside down?

     

    "If I offended you, you needed it" -Corey Taylor

  • ReklawReklaw Member UncommonPosts: 6,495

    Originally posted by Blake Morse

    "During the demo I definitely found myself using the gunship to take out long-range targets with my chargeable bolt rifle then finding a cliff or meteor to hide behind before repeating the process."

     

     

    Reading this it seems you do have complete freedom where to fly? Because it wasn't clear to me how much freedom a player has. Might have missed it somewhere. Because I thought it was fairly similar to how the flight paths with just a little manouver area done in the orginal space game of SWtOR.

     

  • iJustWantiJustWant Member Posts: 81
    That this space combat will not be like riding on rails, my opinion of this game has gone from "meh" to "maybe".

    image
  • Joseph_KerrJoseph_Kerr Member RarePosts: 1,113
    I wonder if the space pve will evolve with these new mechanics...
  • mari3kmari3k Member Posts: 135
    epic

    Step in the arena and break the wall down

  • WildscrapperWildscrapper Member Posts: 15
    Like that video, looks good.

    Everyone i talk to is by default a moron so the only valid opinion is mine.joking

  • SamhaelSamhael Member RarePosts: 1,534
    Originally posted by jbombard
    I'm currently playing SWTOR and right now this has my excitement level hovering around zero.  It's PvP only.  Considering the strengths of SWTOR are in the PvE components, not sure their put all the eggs in the PvP basket is going to pay off for them.

    I'm right there with you. I had resubbed prior to the announcement and was checking out the content on the other side and seeing what had changed... I had originally canceled 3 months after launch when we ran out of stuff to do.  Not much had really changed as far as I could tell but I was ok with just seeing content I hadn't seen before. But the announcement that it was PvP only just told me that they were spending what little development effort they had in a direction that was wasted (as SWTOR has never been known for its "strong PvP"). So I canceled and was back out before my month was up. 

  • SamhaelSamhael Member RarePosts: 1,534
    Originally posted by jbombard
    I'm currently playing SWTOR and right now this has my excitement level hovering around zero.  It's PvP only.  Considering the strengths of SWTOR are in the PvE components, not sure their put all the eggs in the PvP basket is going to pay off for them.

    I'm right there with you. I had resubbed prior to the announcement and was checking out the content on the other side and seeing what had changed... I had originally canceled 3 months after launch when we ran out of stuff to do.  Not much had really changed as far as I could tell but I was ok with just seeing content I hadn't seen before. But the announcement that it was PvP only just told me that they were spending what little development effort they had in a direction that was wasted (as SWTOR has never been known for its "strong PvP"). So I canceled and was back out before my month was up. 

  • BelgaraathBelgaraath Member UncommonPosts: 3,204
    This looks somewhat interesting to me. I may resub to try it out and maybe even get my level 48 which has been on hold for over a year to end level...depends on how I progress with all the other things Im playing :-)

    There Is Always Hope!

  • jtcgsjtcgs Member Posts: 1,777
    A PvE centered game design, yet focusing heavily on PvP...makes perfect sense!

    “I hope we shall crush...in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country." ~Thomes Jefferson

  • PyukPyuk Member UncommonPosts: 762
    Originally posted by maxima29

    Why does it seem every time they release new content the haters come out if the woodwork.  And with each release their complaints get more and more ridiculous .  I'm not coming back until they change the y axis?   The only reason you don't play is because a small aspect of the current game y axis is not to your liking?  

     

    Im in not a huge pvp player but really looking forward to this.  

    I'm not coming back until they find a way to remotely massage my toes! Lazy devs!

    I make spreadsheets at work - I don't want to make them for the games I play.

  • GovernatorGovernator Member UncommonPosts: 7

    I am one of those people that barely ever does PVP.  I will dabble now and then, but its generally not my thing.  However, when it comes to space battles, there is no way that an AI can give you the frantic dog-fighting feel and rush that a player can.  I enjoy SWTOR for what it is and am looking forward to this expansion even more after reading about all of the different types of ships, weapons, companions, and modifications that can be done in Galactic Starfighter.

    One thing that people haven't really touched on is that in this mode, you can take on a different role than your normal Advanced Class could.  So if you are a DPS class, you can choose to mix things up and try Scout, etc.  

  • FrodoFraginsFrodoFragins Member EpicPosts: 6,050
    Is it really that hard to implement XWing vs. Tie Fighter style missions in this game?  You know, something that would make this game stand out from the crowd and would have helped them at launch immeasurably.
  • tinywulftinywulf Member Posts: 106
    I think it looks fun, we already have pve space missions in game, time for some pvp dogfighting.
  • PhryPhry Member LegendaryPosts: 11,004
    Originally posted by FrodoFragins
    Is it really that hard to implement XWing vs. Tie Fighter style missions in this game?  You know, something that would make this game stand out from the crowd and would have helped them at launch immeasurably.

    apparently it is, even if Sony managed to do it however many years ago it was that Jump to lightspeed was out, hopefully though they (Bioware)  are now taking a step in the right direction, although i have to wonder how much of the limitations are due to them being restricted by the games engine, maybe Sony would be willing to sell Bioware some code, their not using it anymore after all for all the faults SWG had, JTLS was exceptionally good. And its not like there is licensing issues, as last i heard EA pretty much can do whatever they like with Star Wars now.

    Although i wouldn't blame Sony for not playing ball given how things panned out with LA. image

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