Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees (Second Expansion)

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 12:40am

IGN.com wrote:Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees
First ever details on the new expansion!
by Steve Butts

March 8, 2005 - This May George Lucas will release the sixth film in his Star Wars series, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. That same month, players of Star Wars Galaxies will be able to download a massive expansion pack that adds some of the content from the movie to the popular online roleplaying world. That same month brand new players who want to try Galaxies will be able to buy a new compilation pack that includes the original game, Jump to Lightspeed and Rage of the Wookiees.

The new expansion features the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk. There are 100 new missions for players of all types on this Wookiee homeworld. Most revolve around the Wookiees' fight for freedom from their Imperial and Trandoshan predators. The Empire is worried that the Alliance is gaining a foothold on the planet and willing to fight to prevent the population from going over to the Rebels. They've also backed a number of Trandoshan slavers who capture and sell Wookiees to buyers throughout the galaxy. Wealthy Rodians have also set up safari stations across the planet to serve as base camps for their own hunts.

Though Rebel players can make a name for themselves by fighting against the Empire on Kashyyyk, the actual Rebel presence on the planet is very limited. Imperial players will enjoy the company of other Imperials on Kashyyyk but if they find themselves helping out the Trandoshan slaver faction, they'll quickly find themselves with many powerful Wookiee enemies.

Wookiee players won't be at a natural advantage in this environment. There are different quests and conversation outcomes for Wookiee players, of course, but the team wants to create a fun experience for players of all species. The developers will start to add more Wookiee-specific content later on.

There are some new additions in space as well. Rage of the Wookiees will allow players to mine asteroids in every space zone. Asteroids will yield up raw materials that can then be sold to artisans. We're not entirely sure what types of resources you'll be able to collect but we do know that the more valuable resources will be located in more dangerous areas. Although any ship in the game can be modified to mine asteroids, there will be a new, as-yet-unnamed ship specifically for mining. The new mining ship will also double as a party ship since it can hold up to 20 players at a time.

In addition to the new mining ship, the expansion will also introduce the Jedi Starfighter II featured in the prequels. There's no information on what this ship can do but, given its reputation, we imagine it will be reserved for more experienced players. A new mount from Episode III will also be included but LucasArts isn't revealing its identity.

Fans of the films are aware that some of the characters have cybernetic body parts. Luke's hand and pretty much Darth Vader's entire body have been replaced with robotic versions. The ability to create and implant these cybernetic limbs will be included in the Rage of Wookiees expansion. Unlike the films, you won't need to have a Jedi slice off your limb in order to install a cybernetic replacement. To preserve the player's freedom of choice, the cybernetics aren't permanent; you can remove them at any time to regain your regular biological limb. Players can choose to replace one or both arms and both legs with cybernetic versions. We're not sure what specific abilities the new limbs will grant but we do know that you'll gain access to some cool combat bonuses by installing them.

Though we don't have any details yet, we also know that the new expansion pack will feature plenty of new weapons and new armor types. It will also use a new interface. We'll have more details on those features and others in the near future.

Personaly I'd say there's a list of issues a mile long that need to be fixed in SWG before SOE even think about adding another expansion.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2005-03-09 01:48am

Personaly I'd say there's a list of issues a mile long that need to be fixed in SWG before SOE even think about adding another expansion.

Yeah, that's sort of their thing. They've gotten good at it over the last year and a half.

I like how they've turned the civil war into a post-Endor power struggle because they didn't have the design sense/ability to make the factions overall equal without making them equal in every way.

At least they are actually adding some amount of content, for the longest of time the game hardly got new content nor notworthy bugfixes. But weren't cybernetics and a lot of new weapons first shown in testing screenshots way back in summer? I'm surprised they held off in adding them till now if they already had the models, considering they insist new content is always primarily an art issue. Oh well.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2005-03-09 01:50am

I could go on for hours on the horror that is SWG. However, everyone knows what they say about enough monkeys with typewriters - they did finally get something right, recently having implemented actual Civil War objectives and such, including capturable city zones and planets. Unfortunately, this doesn't even begin to compensate for the mountain of flaws, particularly those involving the Civil War.

Maybe someday I'll get back into it if they fix it enough. But until then... ugh.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 02:13am

Utsanomiko wrote:Yeah, that's sort of their thing. They've gotten good at it over the last year and a half.

Indeed, it's amazing how the Devs of SWG can turn a blind eye to damn near everything wrong with the game (The FRS, legalising "Fight Clubs", the economy, insane damage weapons, like the 5k damage Power hammer on my server, that ruin PvP, godless knows what else I can't think of right now, I'm tired) and then bring out a new expansion as if to say "Look! This is new, shinney! Ohhh! Isn't it pretty?!" and forget about the problems. It's exactly what they did with JtL, the majority wanted the Combat Revamp first, but no, JtL is intorduced that has about a weeks worth of content, IF that.

But weren't cybernetics and a lot of new weapons first shown in testing screenshots way back in summer?

Don't think cybernetics were shown, but recently (a month or two ago I think) we were given pictures of the new weapons and armor that's going to be added in the Combat Update. I've read some beta stuff for the CU and while it should have some good effects on PvP (i.e. it's not all about attacking the mind bar anymore), it's going to make grinding and loot hunting three times as hard.

JediNeophyte wrote:recently having implemented actual Civil War objectives and such, including capturable city zones and planets. Unfortunately, this doesn't even begin to compensate for the mountain of flaws, particularly those involving the Civil War.

The new GCW stuff is a joke, it all depends on who can find the most remote place on the 3 planets that the ocupation system is on and place a crap load of bases there. And don't get me started on NPCs who "guard" cites. It never matters, the only thing that matters in the GCW is the Jedi, try walking armound PvP enabled in Coronet/Theed/Bestine, within 5 minutes you'll have about 5 or 6 or the oppsoing factions Jedi hunting you down, it's like bloody KotOR!

[/rant]

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2005-03-09 03:40am

Figures. Oh well... I still have memories.

Good times.

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2005-03-09 11:06am

All the problems with the uber weapons and 80+% armor will hopefully be gone in the CURB coming to us sometime this year. Then we can deal with a whole other group of problems and bugs. As for more content... well I think everyone is for more content.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 12:29pm

I don't see how it'll fix the uber "Legendary/Exceptional" loot weapons, when people get a decent drop they stick an Anti-Decay Kit on it now, so they never lose condition.

The problems with 80% resist (90% with the right slice) armor are being fixed, simply because armor overal is reciving one big nerf. From what I've read, armor no longer have %age resists, due to the weapon vs armor system getting a complete overhaul.

I'm still pretty skeptical about what the end result will be from the CURB, because at the moment, it just seems to be one big nerf, armor, crafted weapons, buffs, defenses in professions, Jedi, all are being nerfed.

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2005-03-09 01:02pm

It might be a nerf, but it's definitely needed. I couldn't believe the anti-decay kit was even considered in the first place. It certainly affects the weaponsmiths. And yes I hate the uber weapons, but they'll fall the the nerf as well.

As for PvP, that has been a joke for far too long. I know my hopes are riding way too high on the CURB to fix PvP, but something has to be done. I remember way back when PvP was cool at the beginning because no one had access to the uber armors or weapons.

Just curious, what server are you on Dorsk?

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 01:19pm

I'm on Chimaera Euro, you? We've got a 5k max damage PH on my server, it's an absolute PvP killer, and guess what, it's got an ADK on it.

I've got sooo many peeves with PvP, the fact that it all comes down to Jedi, CMs, Mind damage, "Legendary/Exceptional" weapons, Fire DoTs, and so on, it's just insane.

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2005-03-09 01:30pm

Oh yeah I can't stand PvP anymore. The arguement between "carebears" and "griefers" has gotten way out of control and now the player base has lost sight on what needs to be fixed.

Jedi... damn don't get me started on that. Being Jedi just killed the game in my opinion. They are too powerful among the non-force users that it's insane. I won't even go into how that killed the timeline.

In truth, this game should have been played during the KOTOR era. Jedi and Sith battling it out while Mandalorians and Republic troopers fight it out for control of the Galaxy.

Oh yeah... I'm on Kettemoor. I like my server for the most part, but we have problems like everyone else. So far I haven't seen or heard of the Ultra Uber weapons like that PW. The owner of that thing might as well have Death's Scythe.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 01:49pm

Apparently one of the Jedi Knights managed to survive 2 head hit 3s from the PH, but only after eating Synthasteak.

Yea, too many Jedi (even though I'm one), I like the BH view of Jedi "SOE hand out glow sticks like it's nothing, yet getting Mandolorian armor is a real challenge".

Kettemoor's a good server from what I've seen, I had an alt on their at one point. Trouble with Euro-Chim is that it's the most popular Euro server, so every whingey little European kid joins it and the flaming and utter crap that goes on is unbelievible, one Imp Jedi heavy guild went to the town of Reb Jedi heavy guild and placed those new actor bot things calling them "E-bay Padawan", "Fight Club Ref" and stuff, just because the Rebs were filling the Light council faster than the Imps were filling the Dark council, although I guess we're lucky that there are no Fight Clubs on Euro-Chim.

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2005-03-09 02:03pm

I haven't seen this Fight Club mentality you're talking about. Care to tell me a little about it?

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 02:08pm

Oh godless, you've not seen the Lowca Fight Club video?!

It's disgusting. To gain FRS xp, you get a bunch of Master BHs of the opposite faction, make them overt and line them up on a roof of a guildhall and make it private, the Knights are up there with them and they just kill them all while a doc runs round rezing them so they can be killed again and again. And Tiggs posted that it was LEGAL a few weeks ago!

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2005-03-09 02:16pm

DAMN! That just shows the weaknesses in the Jedi system. I can't believe that was deemed legal and not an exploit. Can you point me to a link of the vid if you haev it handy?

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 02:28pm

I'll have a quick search for it, haven't got it right now.

The FRS system was a joke even before fight clubs, first you could get FRS xp for killing regular plyaers, but that led to Jedi gank squads everywhere ruining PvP further so they changed it to only Master BHs and other Jedi give FRS xp. Though, just because regular players don't FRS xp doesn't stop Jedi ganking them.

before the new BH tef system, Knights would pay BHs to track padawans for them so they could kill them for FRS xp, now they only easy way for FRS xp is Fight Clubbing. *sigh*

Macross · Post by **Macross** » 2005-03-09 02:41pm

Supposedly this new Expansion is to go into Beta testing at the same time as the Combat Upgrade.

At least now the Wookiee population can no longer say that the Devs dont give them anything!

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-03-09 02:49pm

It's hard to even comprehend the level of mismanagement at SOE unless you played Galaxies from release and persevered through a year or so of torment.

Working in a software dev organization, I'm fairly familiar with all the signs of mismanagement, and SWG takes them all to unimaginable extremes. They can't make a decision and stick to it, they have little or no idea what their customers actually want, if they announce a timetable for something they fail miserably to meet that timetable, to the point that their credibility is now nonexistent.

Great art, great sound, and absolutely horrible gameplay. I started the game with 50-odd players who had been waiting years for game release (I joined that group pretty late in the process, thankfully) and our city ultimately grew to over 100 buildings .... but the failure to fix bugs, add content, and figure out what the hell they wanted the Civil War and PvP to be about just trashed everyone's enthusiasm and our city went ghost-town within nine months of its founding.

A project with great potential that was never realized, and I can't imagine it ever will be with the scale of ineptitude the management team demonstrated. The LAST thing this game needs is more expansions.

Post by **RogueIce** » 2005-03-09 04:00pm

So, two questions from someone who hasn't played but it interested:

How do you become a Jedi? Chance?

With the expansions, do you have to buy them to keep playing? Or what?

And I guess third: what do you get to do with the JtL ships and such? I remember hearing you wouldn't be commanding fleets of ISDs.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2005-03-09 04:21pm

RogueIce wrote:How do you become a Jedi? Chance?

Firstly you have to "become glowy" which is basicly getting a few badges of the game, master a couple of profession, visit certains Points Of Interest and complete certain quest parks, you then gain access to "the Village of Aurilia" where you have to do quest (one can only be done every 3 weeks) doing these quests allows you to train in Force Sensetive skills, you need to echange normal types of xp for Force Sensetive xp (this requires HUGE amounts of grinding, depending on what type of FS xp you need), once you have 24 FS skills (6 branches) you have to do one last quest, then you start the Padawan trials, which are fairly easy, then you become a Jedi and the real grind begins. It's a dumb system because it allows an infinite amount Jedi per server, hence SWG being compaired to KotOR.

With the expansions, do you have to buy them to keep playing? Or what?

No, don't have to, JtL is the only one right now, it has a tiny amount of content and is basicly used for making traveling easier.

And I guess third: what do you get to do with the JtL ships and such? I remember hearing you wouldn't be commanding fleets of ISDs.

Well, after master either Imperial, Rebel or Freelance pilot profession, there's not much to do, you can PvP in space, but it's pointlss as no one can survive more than 1 or 2 hits from eachothers weapons.

You can destroy an ISD solo (stupidly easy) if you want, or a Rebel space station if you're an Imp.

Brother-Captain Gaius · Post by **Brother-Captain Gaius** » 2005-03-09 05:09pm

RogueIce wrote:So, two questions from someone who hasn't played but it interested

Run, run now! Save thyself from eternal damnation and do not let thyself be tempted, lest thy soul be forever cursed by the daemons within!

desertjedi · Post by **desertjedi** » 2005-03-09 05:26pm

It's not THAT bad, but there are significant flaws in the game, combat and Jedi systems being the main culprits. Content wise, things are getting better, slowly but surely. I've stuck through it since early beta and I've enjoyed the experience.

Macross · Post by **Macross** » 2005-03-09 10:33pm

RogueIce wrote:So, two questions from someone who hasn't played but it interested:

How do you become a Jedi? Chance?

With the expansions, do you have to buy them to keep playing? Or what?

And I guess third: what do you get to do with the JtL ships and such? I remember hearing you wouldn't be commanding fleets of ISDs.

You have to earn badges and that raises your force sensativity status. Once you become force sensative you are sent to a secret village where you do quests to unlock Force Sensative Skill branches, there are 16 branches in all. Once you complete six branches and complete a final quest, you become a Jedi.

No you dont have to buy the expansion to keep playing, the exapnsion just add new content. Rage of Wookies you will have to buy, while the Combat Upgrade will be a free update.

JTL deals with starfighters and small transports. Like the X-Wing and the YT-1300. Capital ships are in the game, but are currently unavailable to fly.