Rob Chestney Clarifies E3 Demo

Rob Chestney commented in this thread concerning the "Tank, healer, DPS paradigm" in an attempt to clarify some misconceptions about the demo shown at E3.

Click below to read the full post.

Hey guys,

This is a great thread and it's nice to see so many of the discussions that take place within BioWare echoed among the fans. I'm actually in the booth now helping play through these demos (as the Jedi Knight--woot!), and this thread grabbed my attention. A lot of good points have been made already here to clarify what the multiplayer demo implies and what the takeway is, but I think it's worth a few more comments:

- For the purpose of this multiplayer demo, we wanted to keep the 'team combat dynamic' simple and easy to understand. Furthermore, the Consular acts as the healer and as the 'camera' for the demo, so she isn't necessarily playing exactly as she would in a normal playthrough. We wanted her to stay back from the action to provide a wide-angle view of the entire scene. Thus, where she might have run into to strike a few blows for righteousness in a regular group battle, she has to minimize that to keep the view right.

- One of the other things to keep in mind is that these are level 8-10 level characters, and none of them have begun to train as "advanced classes". New strategies for team combat develop as characters get new skills, get higher level powers, and select specializations. Keep in mind also, that the demo is designed so that people who may not be MMO veterans can understand it also.

- There also seems to be some confusion about the primary classes being locked into primary roles. The Sith Warrior has two advanced classes; the Juggernaut and the Marauder. One is a better track for a 'tank', the other is more of a damage-dealer. The paradigm of advanced classes is designed to provide branching options so that all primary classes have at least two options for the types of role they will play in groups. Beyond that even, there are further specialization/customization options that will give characters additional variety in the types of roles they can play.

To sum up, don't assume too much from one example of four-player team combat that we're showing at E3. We hope you like the team dynamic we're showing to folks here, but we don't want you guys to read too much into it. At a later date, we'll definitely try to show you some different strategies and team dynamics so you can get a better idea of the breadth of the experience of team combat in TOR.

Eventually, we look forward to you guys getting your hands on the game to find out for yourselves!

Thanks!!

Comments

  • darthuser1742's avatar
    Nerf Herder
    • Posts: 4
    #60 darthuser1742 Posted 6/18/2010 6:25:57 PM
    Speaking of clarifications, does anyone here have the skinny on whether Chiss will be exclusive to the Imperial faction? One of the interviews (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2010-star-wars/700579?type=flv) seemed to suggest that they might be.
  • LusipherPE's avatar
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    #57 LusipherPE Posted 6/18/2010 2:37:34 PM
    We really needed clarification on the demo? I guess no one pays attention to information that's been released, or the fact that this is a demonstration of a small portion of gameplay, watered down for ease of presentation, or that there's still about a year until the game's released. Seriously, they've said NUMEROUS times that each class will be capable of fulfilling various roles-just cause you see them doing one thing in a demo doesn't mean that's the only thing they can do.

    All in all, I was hoping for a little more from E3-player ships are nice, but I would've liked to hear something more about advanced classes or how exactly companion characters are going to work (a la warlock pets or something a little more refined?). But something is alot better than nothing!
  • tfganhao's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #55 tfganhao Posted 6/18/2010 11:01:05 AM
    looks like companion page as been updated, nothing big, but still, a change.
  • LethalSharpshooter's avatar
    Spice Runner
    • Posts: 130
    #56 LethalSharpshooter Posted 6/18/2010 1:26:14 PM
    What are you talking about? What has been updated on the Companion page?
  • -Apocalypse-'s avatar
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    #59 -Apocalypse- Posted 6/18/2010 4:02:31 PM
    I can't see any change either...

    Rookie - Shards of Alderaan (Republic Justice)

  • darthuser1732's avatar
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    • Posts: 20
    #46 darthuser1732 Posted 6/18/2010 12:53:00 AM
    It's too bad DarthHater even needs to post commentary such as this. Gamers can be such arses sometimes. That said, this post spells out very clearly what was going on in the G4 live demo and should put some souls at ease. Great job as usual DH!
  • malgian's avatar
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    • Posts: 15
    #44 malgian Posted 6/18/2010 12:43:46 AM
    Hopefully they release some sort of character creator like they did for Dragon Age. Even if it's just a webpage with the skill trees on it, it'd be nice to have before launch.
  • darthuser774's avatar
    Dark Councilor
    • Posts: 620
    #37 darthuser774 Posted 6/18/2010 12:28:43 AM
    This just verifies a lot of what I've been thinking/saying.
  • Kyle1313t's avatar
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    • Posts: 10
    #35 Kyle1313t Posted 6/18/2010 12:20:50 AM
    I can't wait to see the different skills Advance Classes will give you. Hopefully they post some of those skills before the game comes out, so we can pretty much decide what we want to be beforehand. I'm guessing for Consular, one will be for healing, and the other will be for real powerful force moves. It should be fun to find out though!
  • sovietmissile's avatar
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    • Posts: 16
    #39 sovietmissile Posted 6/18/2010 12:30:27 AM
    i want a full list of all abilities by december. not too much to ask.
  • darthuser1626's avatar
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    • Posts: 6
    #42 darthuser1626 Posted 6/18/2010 12:40:23 AM
    I agree.
  • Fizl's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 66
    #61 Fizl Posted 6/19/2010 12:09:38 AM
    Its way too much to ask and a bit ridiculous. name a single game that has ever done that. Its over the top and unnecessary .
  • -Apocalypse-'s avatar
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    #58 -Apocalypse- Posted 6/18/2010 4:01:49 PM
    I actually think that both of those will be covered in the same AC. My guess is one AC is ranged dps/healing while the other is melee DPS/AOE. Same for SI I'd assume.

    Rookie - Shards of Alderaan (Republic Justice)

  • matrix2507's avatar
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    • Posts: 28
    #32 matrix2507 Posted 6/18/2010 12:16:18 AM
    very nice (and lets not lie, very needed) clarification. people were quick to jump to the gun and were thinking into it waaayyyy too much.

    gotta love the DH team, not for this very quote, but because they are doing a miraculous job on this game compared to other gaming website.

    i wonder what they will do when the game finally release. that would put an end to the very purpose of DH no ?
  • darthuser1626's avatar
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    #38 darthuser1626 Posted 6/18/2010 12:28:47 AM
    "i wonder what they will do when the game finally release. that would put an end to the very purpose of DH no ?" Havent you heard!? Darth Hater is a undercover name.. they are actually called Lucasarts. And the admins have irl force powers!. (bad)Jokes aside... You have a good point, what will happen to my favorit webbsite and the beloved DH team? Form a massive guild maybe?
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