Friday Update: Hoth Revealed, Blood of the Empire, and Fan Friday

As previewed yesterday, BioWare's Sean Dahlberg announced Hoth as the thirteenth playable planet for Star Wars: The Old Republic:

Along time ago in a galaxy far away...

Thirty years ago to the day, Star Wars: Episode IV The Empire Strikes Back opened in movie theaters, forever changing the cinematic landscape. Bursting with action-packed battles, fast paced dialogue, and characters faced with complex choices, the echoes of this landmark film are still felt today. From toys, to fashion, to punk rock, its influence is everywhere. The Empire Strikes Back has not only changed how we relate to our favorite movies, but has made a lasting contribution to our very culture.

To commemorate this monumental continuation of the Star Wars story, we are proud to reveal the ice world of Hoth -- the latest explorable planet in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Access the HoloNet to learn more about the pivotal battles in the history of Hoth -- and to understand why both the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire are interested in the planet. Check out this video to see Hoth's brutal blizzards and unique wildlife. Don't forget to visit the Media Section for never-before-seen screenshots, wallpaper, and concept art showing this barren, desolate landscape.


Plus, the third issue of Blood of the Empire webcomic is available, which contains a first glimpse of the Emperor (or possibly something else):

The third issue of Blood of the Empire chronicles two formidable confrontations--one between Teneb Kel and his former master, Lord Calypho, and another between Teneb Kel and the Dark Council! And what plans do the Emperor and his mysterious apprentice have in store for Teneb? The mission to determine the future of the galaxy begins here.

Check out the latest issue of Blood of the Empire now!


UPDATE: A late Fan Friday was added to this week's update. It includes the usual community artwork, as well as the Bounty Hunter screenshots from the recent European press event. This week's Developer Corner is a short dialogue video showing the depth-of-field effect in action. There are also a few new avatars to choose from on the official forums.

Welcome to Fan Friday! Today we're giving you a look at some inspiring creations from the Star Wars: The Old Republic community and sharing an inside look at some work-in-progress content from the Development Team.

In addition, we'll be following up on the Electronic Arts European Press Showcase held in London last week, as well as releasing the latest series of official polls and avatars.


Aurebesh translations for Hoth's HoloNet page after the jump.
Subtitle: Icy Graveyard
Left, Vertical: Watch Out For Wampas
Vertical, Right Side of Planet: Umbra Encrypter (Credit to Tyber, Imperialles, and Xicer9. Hat tip to SinisterSamurai.)
Vertical Between Boxes: Chiss Secret Base (Thanks r2d2arm)
Horizontal, Text Box: Captain Valon

Comments

  • #28 Xavier
    Also, Darth Marr??? Visas Marr apparently had some descendants.
  • #31 JediCosmin
    If the Exile wasn't canonically female, we could have said that she was with the Exile before he left, but that notion falls :P
  • #33 chronium
    But she could have hooked up with Revan since they did go out and search for him.
  • #35 JediCosmin
    From what I understood, the Exile left alone with T3 and the Ebon Hawk. The others were left behind to ressurect the Jedi Order and rebuild the Republic.
  • #36 Infamous
    a Sith name doesn't neccesarily mean lineage. We don't see Darth Papatine or Darth Skywalker
  • #30 chronium
    Woot CHISS!!! nice find, That totally makes sense as well because the most common Chiss planet we see in the EU is a Ice Planet.
  • #25 Xavier
    I just think this is more evidence Andeddu is the Emperor. the IA blog, he is the progenitor of the Darth title. It would then only make sense that he gave the Darth title to Revan and Malak. Now add on this essence transfer ability, which Andeddu did know. The evidence keeps on mounting.
  • #26 chronium
    I personally suspect that the Emperor was born when the force was first discovered and they'll reveal him when they finally reach the last timeline video.
  • #29 Xavier
    That would make him like 25,000 years old and would predate the Force Wars on Tython. I'm not sure about that one.
  • #32 chronium
    Over 32,800 years old to be more precise.
  • #37 Xavier
    Here's my case for Andeddu, you're thoughts?


    1) None of the previous Sith Lords (Ludo Kressh, Shar Dakhon, Marka Ragnos, Freedon Nadd, Naga Sadow et al) used the Darth title. Andeddu is said to be the progenitor of it.

    2) Nothing is known of when he fled to Prakith and his death is stated as thousands of years before 1,000 BBY. So, he could've been alive during the Great Hyperspace War. Survived, fled to Dromund Kaas.

    3) We know he knew the secrets of essence transfer, so we know while on Dromund Kaas he could've survived the 1,300 years to rebuild the Sith and invade the Republic.

    4) We know Revan and Malak found the Emperor and he sent them back as a vanguard to assault the Republic. We also know the Emperor gave Revan and Malak the Darth title. Ergo, if Andeddu was the title's progenitor, and nobody saw it in the known galaxy before Revan and Malak, then Andeddu gave the title to Revan and Malak and he is the Emperor.

    5) When the Imperial Agent Dev Blog came out, it said; "The Imperial Agent, on a mission for the Emperor; XXXXX XXXXXXX." Note, that is five characters than seven characters. Darth Andeddu fits. None of the other big names I listed above does. The only other name in Star Wars lore that does is Darth Karnage. Which is name that has never been used and only appears once, on the blog of Leland Chee, Keeper of the Holocron and director of Star Wars continuity. So, it could be Karnage as they would have a blank slate to work with but...

    6) ...In the dev blog about Voss, Daniel Erickson talks about how, BioWare would prefer to take little known parts of Star Wars lore and expand upon them. He said something to the effect of, "Let's fill up the lore we already have. No reason to create new stuff to clutter up the Galaxy if we don't have to." Now, they aren't afraid to make up new things however, Voss isn't the only planet they've done this with. Take, Balmorra, Belsavis, Ord Mantell and others. These are all planets that have just snipits in the lore. BioWare has taken them and given them a real place in the lore.
  • #43 Poysun
    Issue with the theory is that the Emperor is NOT a lord during, between, or before the GHW. But becomes the emperor in the wakes of the GHW. Also the Emperor was shown in the comic, and looks nothing of that of Andeddu who looks near ghastly because of the Sith Art of immortality. The whole white cloth appeareance also goes against Andeddu. Andeddu was a Sith Lord when Sith were bad ass. They were like the medieval of the SW Galaxy. Andeddu is in there some place, but personally the biggest and BEST case is some one we've never heard before. We've seen him now, but we in no way know who the emperor is.
  • #47 chronium
    Well with 5 we don't know the Darth name of the other major players that doesn't necessarily rule them out.
  • #48 Xavier
    Well,
    It has been pointed out that the artwork above the throne in the comic looks like Andeddu's belt. Also, He looks ghastly in his own form sure. But if he has been transferring his essence from body to body, and has recently transferred in to a new body, that body would not yet be ravaged. Or, he could be using the Sith Masking ability to change his appearance. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mask_(Sith_Alchemy)

    We've had a few mentions of Sith Alchemy already, why not one more.

    I acknowledge that it still could be someone new. But, the more I see the less Ithink so.

    Chronium,
    Those major players I listed, didn't have one. It's not that we don't know it, they didn't use the Darth title.
  • #22 Jaswar
    I kinda wish there were not any leaks on Weds or Thurs before the friday's update ...kinda takes the excitement out of the updates, but ohh well, i know thats just impossible. The new webcomic is great though. It was a nice reveal to see a sith style ship similar in scope to the Ebon Hawk from the Kotor games. Also the toon talking to his co-pilot to set a course to a new system.(another" chewie is my companion character co-pilot" hint )

    I cant wait until they finally reveal in screenshots the types of ships/vehicles that we can acquire in TOR. My belief is that our ships will also double up for our homes as well. Because we are all gonna be Lightspeeding all over the galaxy. It would be great to bring our guildmates with us, as well as, our loot/gear that may be needed for the different planets/encounters. From the Hoth screenshots all I see is "extreme weather gear being worn" yes another hint at different styles of gear for different locations.

    I also believe that we will have many unique areas in the ship to do different things very similar in scope to the inside of the Ebon Hawk. From a crafting room, locker room area and weapons storage, Inventory to our own personal bacta tank healing area.

    I also believe that our ships will have alot of customization as well. Weapon/ship/cockpit and engine upgrades as an example. I hope there is alot of creativity going into this area of the game. I know im just throwing it all out there, but there just WAY to many hints, from screenshots, the Smuggler's Class, Chewie is my Co-Pilot t-shirt. Literally pages and pages of ships all over the place that we have seen tons of interaction with lately.

    The Hoth Information that we also got for today's update included that there is a wealth of ship technology on the planets surface scattered all over the place. Maybe this is another hint at possible technical plans for "Guild Space Ship designs? Possible crafting expertise tree??

    This is going to be a huge reveal......
  • To post a comment, please login or register a new account.