Darth Hater

Thank you Darth Hater crew for taking the time from your day at pax to bring us this video presentation. So many questions answered....some many more comes to mind to be asked. Glad you had a great time.

Why does it seem like no one has asked 2 really good, and slightly important questions with Q&A's? Those are, of course:

1) Will there be Same-Gender Romances or will the Romances only involve the Players and the Companions/NPC's of the Opposite Gender, meaning Male Player and Female Companion/NPC's & Female Players and Male Companions/NPC's

2) Will the Sith Force Using Players be restricted to Red and Purple Lightsabers or will they be able to use any of the available Colors including Blue and Green, and vice verse will the Jedi Players be able to use Red (& Purple) Lightsabers.

http://swtor.com/sites/all/files/en/classes/jedi-knight/ss1_800x450.jpg Here's a Jedi Knight using a purple saber from the Holonet update page. There's precedence with Windu using a purple saber, of course. As far as the iconic colors (blue, green) being used by Sith and red by the Jedi... I think that might end up falling in line with the whole "If Jedi were using Force Lightning, that might come up in a conversation" bit. I know a crystal color isn't the same as using an inherently Dark Side power, but I know BioWare is pretty set on holding things that are "iconic".

As far as the same-gender romances, you're right, someone needs to ask that. It's only right to have it in the game as in other BioWare games.

Bio's current position is that the Asari aren't a particular gender and therefore the Mass Effect series doesn't have same sex romance.

From this I would guess that TOR doesn't either.

@abner - However, the Lightsaber Colors aren't the same as Force Abilities, because there isn't really anything that would restrict the Colors. Not to mention, it would really screw those that would like to RP their Sith with Blue/Green Lightsabers and Jedi with Red.

@Fiem - Yes, however both KOTOR 1 and 2 has SGRA's, plus 5 - 6 Star Wars Books has 2 Gay Mandalorians in it. Therefore from that, it is a good guess that TOR would have SGRA's as well.

No, KOTOR has an abortive not-really-there one (Juhani), and KOTOR2 has nothing *but* abortive romances (because that's what Avellone -- not at Bio -- does). And again, the ME clarification/retcon postdates both these and Dragon Age (which has two unmistakably same sex options in it). Trust me, the Dragon Age same sex romance fans are freaking out because the ME thing reads like revised company policy on the matter.

The books really have nothing to do with Bio.

Jade Empire has same-sex romances, too.

@Altyrell - I agree there isn't anything really that would keep the saber colors restricted, and I personally would be fine with them not, especially as you said for the RPers. The thing is, they've been clear that just because you go Dark as a Jedi doesn't mean you're a Sith now, and the opposite is true. I'm preparing for the couple of iconic colors to be restricted to the same faction because, from what I can read from BioWare's thoughts, it would be a conversation starter as a Jedi to be flaunting around your red saber when it's notoriously Sith.

Maybe there will be some options if you loot a saber with your desired color from a boss, not sure. Hell, we're still not even sure if you'll be able to customize the crystals in a saber once you get it.

Hate to say this, but both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 have SGRA's in them... if you're a female character. You can defend that the Asari, as a race, don't have specific "gender" types. However, biologically, they're all female. As the female character, you can get involved with Liara, but you can seduce other female characters as well (I don't recommend Ashley... doesn't end well). In Mass Effect 2, you can even build up a relationship with Tali'zora! Not that you can "get physical" or anything, but the SGRA is there.

Granted, on the flip side of the coin, there is no chance of any Yaoi action in either iteration of the Mass Effect series. I, personally, see that as a bias -- whether it's on an American culture basis or a company policy decision (I doubt the latter). I know several gay men who play the game and are a bit disappointed that the lesbians and bisexuals get some love, but not them. (Most of them had a thing for Kaiden, go fig.)

This game will spread worldwide. If the USA thinks that they provide a cultural example to the rest of the world, then they are sorely mistaken. The rest of the world laughs at the puritanical idiocy of American society as a whole. Therefore, there SHOULD be both male/male and female/female SGRA's in the game to show respect for the audience as a whole, not a marginal minority, if they have romance story arcs at all.

[This is gonna start a flame war... I just know it... *braces for impact*]

I am pretty pleased with all the higher-level armor sets that were shown (even if the IA is catching a lot of flack on the DH forums). The Trooper and Bounty Hunter armors in particular had me drooling.

I've got one question :
what song were people singing when there was trouble with video ?
Anybody know ? If yes, drop a link :)
Thanks

the opening story of Episode 1 The Phantom Menace....Weird Al parody song of bye bye miss american pie... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGahRlD3Scw&feature=related

Saga begins by wierd al

Overall comments on the videos.

Daniel Erickson is funny and should do more talking about the game. The space combat joke, the joke about how things not going your way is one of the horrifying risks of socializing, etc.

Christine and Dickinson should not talk about the game in front of people. Ever. Especially together. My personal favorite part was when someone shouted out "You are not funny!" during their presentation.

Running animation needs some work. Obviously this is still an early build, and hopefully they're aware of that. But when someone's running around with a weapon out, their entire upper body should not remain stationary.

Yes, lightsaber construction scene was awesome. Can't wait for similar moments like that for each class on the origin worlds.

Hooray for confirmation (however unnecessary as it might have been) that KOTOR 2's story will be concluded as well.

The group play looks really fun, and so does the group dialog. I'm going to make a pact with my friends that the first time we play through stuff, we never pre-agree on a decision. Was also nice to see, however limited, the use of some companions in the group.

Here's to hoping there's another multiplayer demo sometime soon. Also, can't wait for the inevitable negativity when BioWare puts together these gameplay clips (sans the multiplayer demo) as a Friday update on the site, even though people that aren't die-hards like us won't see it until then.

Pretty much. Dallas/Blane love all the hard work so far but leave the public speaking/jokes to Erickson.

I agree with everything - except that I enjoyed Blaine & Dallas' presentation. What can I say, I still love my frat boy humor. I can see why some people might not respond to them, though. Personal preferences, and all that. To me, Blaine & Dallas seem like cool guys to hang with, just having a beer or a smoke.

Daniel Erickson seems like the kind of guy who could keep you riveted for an hour or more. The dude is awesome. I envy people who get to speak with him about the game, one on one. There are times when he doesn't say much more than anyone else about the inner workings of the game, but the way he discusses what he can speak about, you sort of forget that he isn't telling you anything you haven't heard before.

While I do enjoy Blaine & Dallas' style of presentation, I will be the first to admit that I would love to have Daniel Erickson speak on the game for an extended amount of time at a future panel. He just has a way of relating all things SWTOR to people better than anyone else on the BioWare team.

Perfect scenario (for me, personally): Blaine, Dallas, & Daniel - clown (Blaine), straight man (Dallas), pragmatist (Daniel).