Darth Hater

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Friday Update: Ilum

This week's update is a planetary one by the name of Ilum. Those who are familiar with the EU should recognize the name as it has been featured in Star Wars: Clone Wars, Star Wars: Empire at War, and the Jedi Quest comic series to name a few. For more info on the background of Ilum, check out the Wookieepedia entry. Relevant information about the planet including an Aurebesh Holonet Translation, Screenshots, and Concept Art can be found after the jump:


With the final outcome of the war between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic still undecided, the icy planet Ilum sits squarely in the cross-hairs. The crystals that grow here in abundance are the source of incredible power and possibility. Jedi and Sith alike have long sought them for their Lightsabers, but the ramifications may go much deeper.

Recently the Empire launched a major assault against the Jedi on Ilum, destroyed the Orders sanctuaries, and initiated an ambitious operation of unknown intent. With its forces already spread thin, the Republic has been unable to strike back in such a remote region, but what price might they pay for losing this valuable resource?

Access the HoloNet to learn more about Ilum. Check out this video to see images of the icy terrain, as well as the crystals themselves. Also, dont forget to visit the media section for never-before-seen screenshots, concept art, and wallpapers showing the scene from every angle.
Aurebesh Translation




Screenshots


Jedi have been making pilgrimages to Ilum for many years to acquire crystals for their Lightsabers.


In the aftermath of a recent battle, an underground Republic operations center is left in disarray.


Jedi use this remote encampment for staging missions into the crystal caves of Ilum.


Imperial operations on Ilum are fortified against both air assaults and ground-based attacks.








Concept Art


These temporary dwellings established by the Jedi require a high-powered generator to keep them warm enough for habitation.


An Imperial fort on Ilum is dwarfed by the frozen stalagmites that jut up from the planet's surface.


Environment conditions on Ilum are extremely harsh; prolonged exposure means certain death.


Ilum's thin atmosphere provides little cover for military activities; most operations are conducted at night.

Comments

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  • AgentOP's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 409
    #73 AgentOP Posted 10/11/2010 7:30:09 PM
    I love that IIum made it in-game. It's basically a clean slate planet for Bioware because there's very little written about the planet. Certainly not anything during this time period. I can't wait to see what the crystal caves will look like on my computer!
  • CornbreadChrist's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #70 CornbreadChrist Posted 10/10/2010 7:35:51 PM
    Yeah, I got pretty excited when I saw the three Sith Walkers patrolling in formation. The continued use of vehicles interests me.
  • Altyrell's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 86
    #63 Altyrell Posted 10/10/2010 2:27:34 AM
    The Picture that has the "Imperial operations on Ilum are fortified against both air assaults and ground-based attacks." for a Caption. I thought that that was the Trooper's Ship
  • Altyrell's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 86
    #64 Altyrell Posted 10/10/2010 3:07:06 AM
    Nvm, I just realized that it is smaller then the Ship that supposedly belongs to the Trooper. But it does seem like it has the shape of it
  • Siros's avatar
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    • Posts: 717
    #62 Siros Posted 10/9/2010 3:16:22 PM
    Every planet means more content, sand/ forest/ ice cream... I don't care as long as the story is good.
  • EarinShaad's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 227
    #60 EarinShaad Posted 10/9/2010 10:26:44 AM
    Darth Malguss master plan? THAT seems interesting. I wonder what the empire is really doing on this planet. Maybe another little hint at some hidden Rakata knowledge on several worlds? Or are they using the crystals to power something a bit more dangerous than a lightsaber? :)
    My Imperial Agent will be sure to get in on the mission!
  • Aalok's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #57 Aalok Posted 10/9/2010 2:25:43 AM
    Looks darker than I expected. I expected it to be more, well, illuminated. Perhaps it is from within the caves. Can't wait to venture there and pick the crystal that calls to me

    "The crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the Force."
  • Vanlan's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 368
    #48 Vanlan Posted 10/8/2010 7:38:25 PM
    Are screen shots 4 (The one with the yellow landed ship) and 7 (the one just before the concept art) of the same location? They are clearly at different times but a lot of the features are there.
  • abner_ford's avatar
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    • Posts: 655
    #47 abner_ford Posted 10/8/2010 7:35:54 PM
    I'm extremely (and pleasantly) surprised about the inclusion of Ilum. I was hoping it would be a planet in KOTOR 3 (which I still wish was made in addition to this game, but whatever), but I'll take it in this game. I'm not even playing a Force-user, yet I'm really excited to see what they do with the planet. It should be interesting to see the intrigue unfold as to what the Empire's motives are here.

    It was also great seeing the last shot in the video with the wide angle of a ground battle going on.
  • LocarionStorm's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #42 LocarionStorm Posted 10/8/2010 7:05:00 PM
    I'm a fan and not a fan at the same time of the slightly different, darker look they created for the planet compared to the representation of this planet in the past. It seems to be a solid addition to the planet list.
  • Vastori's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 98
    #39 Vastori Posted 10/8/2010 6:46:41 PM
    Maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see here, but looking closely at the screenshot that has the ship on the platform in the Imperial fortification, I see a couple of interesting things.

    In the background on the right, I see three turreted walkers, possible assault vehicles?

    Again in the background but upper middle this time, I see a ship with distinctive Sith lines to it. There are three 'orbs' that appear to be dropping from it. The general shape of the ship, the orbs and the crater on the ground below the ship suggest a bomber to me.

    Looking further back, to the cliffs, I see another fortification. Not much detail here, except the different turret type, two barrel instead of the four barrel in the foreground. Possible Republic fortification?

    I may jumping to conclusions here, but I think this is a PvP warzone.
  • Vanlan's avatar
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    • Posts: 368
    #43 Vanlan Posted 10/8/2010 7:10:27 PM
    That seems absurdly close for 2 opposing fortifications. That does look like a sith bomber flying between them, but if it is, why isn't one of those turrets firing on it? Why bomb the ground between them in the first place?

    Also, notice that there aren't any walls around where the yellow ship is parked. That isn't a fortification, it's just a landing pad with AA cannons.

    Anyone know what that symbol on the yellow ships wing is?
  • CornbreadChrist's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #69 CornbreadChrist Posted 10/10/2010 7:33:08 PM
    I'm not sure what the symbol on the yellow ship is. Perhaps it's Darth Malgus's ship. There's no way to know at this point. It kind of looks like the symbol for infinity though.
  • Vastori's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 98
    #54 Vastori Posted 10/8/2010 9:11:37 PM
    Perhaps. I guess I'm looking at it from a game play standpoint. Yeah they're close, but for the sake of PvP game play with a base attack, objective, or capture the flag style of play, the run has to quick enough to be feasible, but long enough to be challenging.

    Additionally, I was viewing the bomber as a scripted part of the instance, one that flies over every so often, drops bombs that explode but don't do damage to the player characters. Flavor to give a sense of battle. Same with the walkers maybe?

    We could be looking at just the far right portion of the instanced warzone too.

    Yes, I'm most likely seeing what I want to see, but I can't help thinking that I recognize certain elements in the screenshot that point to a PvP warzone.

  • chronium's avatar
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    • Posts: 1580
    #52 chronium Posted 10/8/2010 8:32:58 PM
    Yeah it's not 2 different facilities it's one big facility. As for the bomber it might not actually bombing it could be dropping mines in case they lose the facility or sensor probes. Or he could be just doing some target practice because a activated bomb would be glowing wouldn't it.
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