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Lore Update: Hoth

BioWare recently announced Hoth as the 13th planet in Star Wars: The Old Republic. This iconic planet is seen in multiple forms of media, including Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Galaxies, and many other Star Wars titles. Hoth is a long standing fan-favorite, and an appearance in The Old Republic offers players the opportunity to learn a great deal about this mysterious ice coated world.


History

Hoth is located in the barely traversed Anoat sector in the Outer Rim Territories. Its existence was known as early as 4000 BBY. The surface of Hoth is primarily a frozen mass covering a planet-wide ocean that is only broken by a few mountain ranges and volcanic vents being pushed up by its molten core. With an average planetary temperature of -61 degrees, the planet is only able to maintain a very minimal amount of natural flora and fauna. Major species include the carnivorous wampa, omnivorous tauntaun, and herbivorous Hoth hogs, with a few lesser known species filling in the food chain.



At first glance, the remote planet does not appear to have any strategic value, however a huge battle between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire was fought in orbit above Hoth. The confrontation saw the destruction the most advanced and powerful warships of the era, including many prototypes. So great was the carnage that large amounts of wreckage rained down on Hoth's surface. With neither side capable of mounting an immediate recovery operation, this wreckage remained locked in the frozen wastes. With the chaos of the events surrounding the Treaty of Coruscant, many pirates and scavengers began to comb through the wreckage. These salvage teams were part of a pirate confederation that used the opportunity to create their own pirate fleet and an army of droids and mercenaries to ensure the success of their operation.



With an uneasy peace declared between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire, both sides decided to recover the wreckage of their once proud warships. The pirates saw their chance at power slipping away, with neither side wanting their ship building secrets to be exposed, and skirmishes broke out. No faction is willing to give an inch of Hoth's barren wasteland.

Speculation

One of the Aurebesh messages on the Holonet page for Hoth is translated as "Umbra Encrypter." Umbra is Latin for shadow and could imply an encryption code that is being used for off-world communication. Combined with other Aurebesh that translates to "Chiss Secret Base" and "Captain Valon," we see a great deal about the story players will discover on planet. The secret base in particular implies players will encounter the Chiss on Hoth. Their purpose on Hoth could be to observe the Sith and Republic salvage efforts; perhaps the Chiss even want to stake a claim of their own. This would provide a good starting point for the story on Hoth, and create a backdrop for the missions or quests that players will complete there.



Some of the text on the Holonet indicates that Hoth, like many of the revealed planets in The Old Republic, has an underlying conflict that may serve as a basis for PvP gameplay. One line says, "...skirmishes have broken out often, and now both superpowers have become entrenched..." This implies more than just the scattered presence of a few salvage teams. The two sides are firmly committed to their respective efforts on Hoth due to the many technological secrets at stake. Since the information does not indicate that either side has an advantage, it may show that the battle for Hoth is at a virtual stalemate and that player influence is going to be required to break it. The HoloNet video shows a turret and a possible shield generator, adding fuel to this speculation as we have seen these types of emplacements on other worlds in camps bearing the banners of their respective allegiances.

Hoth is a barren wasteland of ice and snow that has become an icon among fans. The lack of pre-TOR lore regarding Hoth provides BioWare with a blank slate to dream up mysteries for players to explore. However, a blank slate does not mean a blank world, and BioWare is certain to add variety to what is at first glance a world without variety. The solitude that Hoth's icy landscape once offered is now shattered by war and cries for power and glory. Soon it will be each player's duty to contribute to their respective side on this desolate world.

Comments

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  • HarryTruman's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #23 HarryTruman Posted 6/3/2010 5:21:51 PM
    Even though Hoth was host to (in my opinion) the coolest battle sequence in Star Wars, including it as an explorable MMO planet fails to capture what made it interesting. What made Hoth cool was the looming threat of the Empire and giant AT-AT's. Remove that and you just have "ice planet." Even if they're just doing this planet for nostalgia's sake, it doesn't make a lot of sense. It would be like doing Endor without the Ewoks.

    The problem with including planets like Tatooine and Hoth is that they were *supposed* to be quiet, backwoods places in the Galaxy. That's why the Rebels hide out in places like this, because they weren't a part of the regular goings-on of the Galaxy.

    Then again, I may be judging it too harshly. It could very well be that the developers wanted to have an ice-themed zone and it made more sense to use what's already in the SW universe.
  • edgesarmy's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 73
    #21 edgesarmy Posted 6/2/2010 12:44:22 AM
    Nice article. You have summarized all the revealed information well and have added some insightful speculation. IMO Hoth is cool for two reasons: the first is that Hoth is an ice world and snow lends itself to breathtaking visuals. The second is that Hoth is setup well for some large scale battleground style PVP. Hoth is also setup to be a darkhorse contender for objective based PVP raiding (think the escape from Hoth in ESB.)
  • Keshrin's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #20 Keshrin Posted 6/1/2010 11:19:55 PM
    Well the way I look at it is of the 13 planets revealed so far only 4 are seen in the 6 films. Coruscant, Alderaan, Hoth, and Tattooine.....so I have no problem with Hoth being in the game for whatever reason...even if that reason is simply to give some players something familiar and to feed the fans who want some of the iconic planets from the films. So far the majority of the planets are either totally new, relatively unknown or only known to those who have played KOTOR so to me BW is doing a good job of keeping the planets fresh and familiar....nice balance imo.

    However if I even get a small tiny hint of the fresh smell of pine trees from the forest moon of Endor and not Kashyyyk then we will have a civil uprising that makes the Great War look like a little league soccer game.
  • Posiden's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #22 Posiden Posted 6/2/2010 1:37:00 AM
    Exactly. Its more like only 3 planets from the film so far since the overall film time was what 2 scenes? When its blown up in Episode 4 and that scene with the Organa's in Episode 3. I see a few more iconic planets making the cut.
  • ArcherAvatar's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #15 ArcherAvatar Posted 6/1/2010 3:38:13 PM
    Excellent article Zen. Between this and the previous podcast I've become very intrigued with this planet. When I first saw the reveal, I have to admitt I was less than enthusiastic - picturing a barren world with not much of interest. After listening to Dover speak about his interest in the planet, and now reading this article, I've started looking at this much more differently.

    I'm reminded somewhat of my reaction to the Tatooine reveal. There were a number of folks on the official forums that were rather negative, or at least non-plussed, by it, but I was extremely excited about the "secret weapons R&D" labs rumored to be hidden underground there.

    I'm now looking at Hoth in much the same light. Although the face it shows the galaxy may be barren and nearly lifeless, there is much taking place beneath the surface so to speak. "Umbra Encrypter" very tantalizing.
  • Jaswar's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #13 Jaswar Posted 6/1/2010 1:41:12 PM
    I believe Bioware went back and forth about this planet. Should we do it, should we not do it? It may have been part of the contract between Bioware and Lucasarts in predevelopment of the game. OK you can create new worlds but certain ones must be ingame for the fanboys.

    I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised about of how much content and backstory will be there. I remember the Developers Diary about Voss and how much went into the creating that world. They said all of the planets were developed in the same fashion. I also recall from an interview with one of Bioware's lead writers that it took them a full year of just writing this game out even before it went into production. So from what we know as a community, is that there are working very hard to deliver a wonderful experience for all of us.

    I believe Hoth is gonna be jam packed full of content and that we are gonna be happy Star Wars Campers there.
  • Elkesai's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 229
    #16 Elkesai Posted 6/1/2010 5:48:19 PM
    Though Hoth will undoubtedly be made interesting and fun, the simple fact is that I find the use of this particular planet just plain dumb. No one can logically shoot back at me with the story they've created for the place, since the same story could've been used for any world. It's a matter of how ridiculous it is that out of the billions of worlds in the galaxy, this stuff happens to be happening on a planet that was comfortably devoid of history.

    It is indeed in the game to give warm fuzzies to those who are comfortable with the familiar, and who embrace loved things, no matter how completely illogical the placement is.

    However, I know I'll have fun there, and the only thing that will give me pause is the cringe that will automatically appear on my face when I hear the name Hoth while playing.
  • Jaswar's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #17 Jaswar Posted 6/1/2010 8:47:47 PM
    I was thinking along the same thoughts as yours. I really believed they covered "the Hoth" factor when they revealed Belsavis planet to us. I figured the Icy world there would be the Hoth factor.. so the fanboys can have a hoth like place to explore. Oh well.....now we have to Icy worlds to check out.
  • Aisor's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #12 Aisor Posted 6/1/2010 10:45:35 AM
    I hope we can use this planet to upgrade our personal ships as well as to deliver stuff to the empire/republic.
    I wonder how they are making the zones for Hoth, as from the movies, it was a barren place full of nothing, and thats why the republic went there in the first place. Now we have fallen space ships on the planet but even with that I dont see much to do in there. Lets see what BioWare can make of it.
  • bioni's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #11 bioni Posted 6/1/2010 9:20:33 AM
    My smuggler is gonna steal some nice high-tech parts for me spaceship ^^
  • Posiden's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #10 Posiden Posted 6/1/2010 5:47:49 AM
    Leave it to BioWare to make a backwater ice covered wasteland of a planet seem incredibly interesting.
  • Shas_Zaret's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #18 Shas_Zaret Posted 6/1/2010 10:24:14 PM
    I know, those bastards!
  • Veowyn's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #9 Veowyn Posted 6/1/2010 5:12:54 AM
    Lol, the first thought I had when seeing the planets section of the Holonet was none other than: I hope I can go to Hoth. But this may have just been a left over knee jerk reaction that followed the initial euphoria of finally seeing a SW game that has some drawing power. I will say it seems they are hitting the mark. Time and again these game reveals are giving me butterflies. They are truly hitting the nerve in the right spot. Keep the Buzzz coming. And thank you Darth Hatter for my most visited site for the last 8 months.
  • Loekii's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #4 Loekii Posted 6/1/2010 2:48:26 AM
    Imo, it sounds that while Chiss will be in the game, they will not be a player race -- rather will be a themed race encounter on Hoth.
  • chronium's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 1575
    #5 chronium Posted 6/1/2010 2:54:56 AM
    Since the Chiss are a isolationist species it never would have made sense for them to be a playable race in the first place.
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