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Star Wars: The Old Republic News, Interviews, Media & Podcast

GameSpot Exclusive Pre-Friday Developer Dispatch Update on Companions with Q&A



GameSpot posted an interview with Game Director James Ohlen about the role and function of companions in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Mr. Ohlen reveals that companions will function similar to other classes in the game, leveling up alongside the player and unlocking skills as they progress. Additionally, he talks about a new system that will allow players to set up companion behaviors in combat beforehand, managing which abilities they do and do not use.

Along with the exclusive interview comes a second one in the form of a Developer Dispatch video on companions with the team from BioWare. Lead Writer Daniel Erickson talks about hitting the cornerstones of Star Wars with companions such as droids and aliens. Principal Lead Combat Designer Georg Zoeller shows how companions level-up and unlock new abilities just like players. These features along with their unique storyline makes them effectively more than just pets. Art Director Jeff Dobson explains how the team carefully crafted each companion to evoke some element of their story and how those stories can change. Those changes are based upon the affection system, where gifts can be given to companions opening up new conversations and quests.

Dissection of the developer dispatch is in the media gallery below. As with all of our dissections, we do not note things mentioned in prior dissections. If you find something, feel free to let us know if the comments section below and if we decide to use it - we will credit you.

Gallery: Developer Dispatch: Companions Dissection

Developer Dispatch - Companions Dissection Image 23
Developer Dispatch - Companions Dissection Image 16
Developer Dispatch - Companions Dissection Image 17
Developer Dispatch - Companions Dissection Image 18

Comments

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  • Altyrell's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 86
    #69 Altyrell Posted 9/24/2011 3:14:39 AM
    I'm surprised there isn't a Dissection of the Scene with Vette, the Sith Imperial Ship Droid, and the Sith Warrior. I mean, just seeing Vette's ass alone is worthy of a Screenshot ;)
  • SithLordOfChaos's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #67 SithLordOfChaos Posted 9/23/2011 11:17:46 PM
    Romance as a Jedi Shadow is going to be so fun. I can already hear my peers whispering behind my back that I will fall into the dark side because I'm wielding a duel-saber and have a love interest!
    BTW when did counselor's fight so dirty (throwing septic tanks does not constitute for a clean fight at all lol)
  • smugglerfrtyto's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #65 smugglerfrtyto Posted 9/23/2011 9:09:18 PM
    I loved this video, really a lot of interesting stuff. Also is it just me or have the graphics made another leap forward?
  • kingston's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #63 kingston Posted 9/23/2011 7:40:03 PM
    Speaking only for myself, I have no interest in romantic relationships with swtor companions.

    They have two purposes: leveling and crafting.
  • Craftamancer's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 87
    #60 Craftamancer Posted 9/23/2011 5:23:32 PM
    The "box" mentioned on the last screenshot of the dissection looks like a small column or pillar in the style of Greek architecture.
  • Whitering's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 113
    #59 Whitering Posted 9/23/2011 5:17:42 PM
    Well, I have to roll a Bounty Hunter I guess because Mako is too hot!
  • Takeso's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #56 Takeso Posted 9/23/2011 4:12:01 PM
    Don't know how has it not been pointed out by now... At 4:51 one can clearly see that there's a BH companion frozen in carbonite!
  • Kraxis's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 948
    #55 Kraxis Posted 9/23/2011 3:47:06 PM
    Have to say that this was one awesome video. I loved pretty much all of it. And as everyone else, Blizz is just so adorable with that little rocketlauncher... awwww. They grow up so fast. :D Really though, Blizz is just the right mix of comical, cute and awesome. He is sort of an R2 to me in terms of character. Love it.

    Love the Kaleesh helmet for Orzo the Juggernaught. I just love the Kaleesh look overall, but as a helmet it really shows a lot of esthetics that fit the Sith. While watching the movie I literally thought he was a Kaleesh, but the dissection shows it as a helmet.

    Kaliyo appears a little less... unpleasant now. Maybe they only recently thought up her romance and thought she needed to be more pleasing overall?

    Vette is becoming a real attraction to the Sith Warrior class. Her voice, her comments and her looks. I especialy like the Red and Tan looks, but the original Blue is good too. The Green is pretty bland though, but I guess if you are an evil taskmaster, having a downtrodden Vette might seem appealing.

    Charming... yes? http://imgur.com/r6WrI

  • Jawbrkr117's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #52 Jawbrkr117 Posted 9/23/2011 2:34:28 PM
    I"m really curious who the Trooper's romancing companion might be!!
  • Kraxis's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 948
    #54 Kraxis Posted 9/23/2011 3:34:28 PM
    Tanno Vik... yeeeessss.... *nods*

    Charming... yes? http://imgur.com/r6WrI

  • Violator's avatar
    Gamorrean Thug
    • Posts: 57
    #50 Violator Posted 9/23/2011 1:59:54 PM
    I so hope they have jawa tossing in this game. Would be the perfect cantina game to perform with blizz...and the new cantina jawa toss champion is...
  • thehateisstrong's avatar
    Nerf Herder
    • Posts: 21
    #45 thehateisstrong Posted 9/23/2011 1:29:32 PM
    speculation. During the romance portion of the video Kaliyo Djannis says, "Say it with me, I'm better then Temple in every possible way." The imperial agent's response is undiscernible because Daniel Erickson is talking about love triangles. Do you think that Temple is another/new companion for the agent (maybe even a possible love interest) or just an NPC? Great video. Blizz with the rpg FTW.
  • AgentOP's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 409
    #58 AgentOP Posted 9/23/2011 5:08:55 PM
    I would say it's a new companion that we have yet to be shown. I doubt it's an NPC since we don't know whether or not we'll even be able to fully romance NPCs outside of persuasive dialogue options to progress the story as certain points. That makes 3 companions we know about for the Agent...

    1. Kaliyo Djannis
    2. Scorpio
    3. "Temple?"
    4. ???
    5. ???
  • DarkRashoumon's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #51 DarkRashoumon Posted 9/23/2011 2:03:20 PM
    Yeah it sure sounds like she is talking about "Temple" as a person, if it is another Companion or a NPC..
    Well we just have too wait for release for that I guess ;D
  • Socrates's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 414
    #57 Socrates Posted 9/23/2011 4:33:26 PM
    I would guess it is another companion, as Bioware usually has at least two love interests companions so you can have your choice, or just enjoy the jealousy between them.
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