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Friday Update: Companions Update

This week's Star Wars: The Old Republic Friday Update is a Developer Blog about companions from Senior Game Designer William Wallace. This feature will be presented in two parts, with this first part discussing companion customization. The piece explains the thought process and implementation behind customizing the physical appearance of companions. It also discusses how the abilities of companions evolve during progression within the game and includes some videos that demonstrate this in action.

As a side-bar to this update, Gamespot interviewed Game Director James Ohlen. Included with the interview was a Developer Dispatch video focusing on companions. A dissection of the video is available.

Official DevTracker post follows the jump.

Update: The developer dispatch is now online at the official site. Embed is available after the jump.


DevTracker Post


Courtney Woods
William Wallace explains some recent changes to companion characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

From Minsc and Boo to Urdnot Wrex, companion characters play an integral role in all BioWare stories. The same is true for Star Wars. From Chewie to R2-D2, the heroes in the movies are often accompanied by a trusted partner.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is no different. Each character class unlocks unique companions throughout their storyline; companions that fight alongside players in battle against AI and other players in Open World PvP, aid in crafting and non-combat missions through Crew Skills, and provide commentary on environments and engage in conversations.

Read More

Gallery: Friday Update 9.23.11 Images

Mako Customization
Khem Val Customization

Comments

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  • sithapotamus's avatar
    Nerf Herder
    • Posts: 12
    #27 sithapotamus Posted 3/29/2012 7:35:31 PM

    Sith Warrior story line SPOILER...

    SPOILER....

    SPOILER...

    SPOILER...

    SPOILER..

    If you have not completed the Sith Warrior story line, then for gawd sake STOP READING NOW

    Seriously... Not joking... SPOILER in 3...2...1...

    My one companion story annoyance is with Malavai Quinn... without a doubt his betrayal was really good story telling as I was genuinely taken aback when it happened, which doesn't happen all too often in an MMO story... the fact I suddenly realised that this was what the Voss mystic warned about made it even more effective dramatically... very cinematic and a true 'light bulb above the head' moment (extra kudos to the writers for that little twist).

    But my toon is a very dark side female Sith Lord, moreover she was romatically involved with Quinn, so given the shock and outrage at being betrayed by probably the only person in the Galaxy she would have trusted, how the hell did she NOT get the option to kill him on the spot?  Just choking him was really not adiquate.  Indeed it just does not make logical storyline sense... and that is a pity.  A replacement healer should not require that much effort to tag into the story and if his predecessor had died at your hand, some rather fun dialogue option would be possible.

    Last edited by sithapotamus on 3/29/2012 7:36:52 PM
  • Frostbites's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 130
    #24 Frostbites Posted 9/24/2011 2:27:26 AM
    SO basically this was the new build.. All this slave driven abilities for the companions .. ok
  • AmoreMorte's avatar
    Gamorrean Thug
    • Posts: 39
    #23 AmoreMorte Posted 9/24/2011 1:31:49 AM
    very interesting indeed
  • WalterPeck's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #17 WalterPeck Posted 9/23/2011 9:33:12 PM
    I am kind of surprised that DH missed a new ability for Khem Val. Every time he bends over to loot an item the loin cloth doesn't cover his "fruit basket" causing immobilizing vomitting to all enemy targets for 4 seconds.
  • Jaramukhti's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 785
    #22 Jaramukhti Posted 9/23/2011 11:10:09 PM
    Your avatar says it all.
  • Altyrell's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 86
    #20 Altyrell Posted 9/23/2011 9:52:31 PM
    /facepalm is all that I can say to that
  • notro's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #15 notro Posted 9/23/2011 9:26:25 PM
    Well, I like this update a lot. What caught my eye was the armor of the smuggler while they were showing off his companion. I like the armor shown here better than the armor in the progression video. It was also neat to know that that companion is one you get early on, so we don't get Bowdaar right away.
    I can't wait to roll my Scoundrel now...
  • SithJanitor's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 66
    #14 SithJanitor Posted 9/23/2011 9:17:51 PM
    Meh....the "Posh Spice" Mako haircuts don't do it for me. I would probably go with the blonde one :)
  • nubnoodle's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #11 nubnoodle Posted 9/23/2011 8:45:33 PM
    im not sure that I like the new default Mako.
  • Vanlan's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 368
    #12 Vanlan Posted 9/23/2011 9:09:05 PM
    Ya, but with the customization option, it doesn't really mater.
  • nubnoodle's avatar
    • Posts: 0
    #26 nubnoodle Posted 9/25/2011 7:44:36 AM
    For me it does. I liked both of the older versions of Mako. I do not like the new default, nor do I like any of the alternates. This by no means ruins anything for me, I am just not as impressed with the new looks.
  • flem1's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 863
    #9 flem1 Posted 9/23/2011 8:19:34 PM
    Argh, they did the less interesting part first. Can't wait for control nitty gritty.

    I dig the goggles, but Sith cyborg Mako looks like a totally different character. (And maybe that's the character Sado wants!) :D But it looks like Inquisitors get a Hulk Khem but not a Thing Khem...

    Meanwhile it really looks like Imperials get Republic-style class companions (Vette seems a Gunslinger with a different name), while Republicans get Imperial (the Scorpion power Corso gets is definitely Bounty Hunter).
  • Altyrell's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 86
    #10 Altyrell Posted 9/23/2011 8:21:31 PM
    Yeah, but the Bounty Hunter's "Scorpion" Ability looks more better then Corso's Ability, mostly because the BH's comes from the Wrist, while Corso's awkwardly comes from the Weapon he is wielding. I mean, it might have been better if it came from a special attachment that comes from under the barrel/weapon but it comes out from the Barrel itself, which look really bad
  • Vanlan's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 368
    #13 Vanlan Posted 9/23/2011 9:10:48 PM
    I agree, but really, how often will you be looking closely enough to ever notice that? It's something they should fix, but not vital for launch.
  • keginkc's avatar
    Jawa Trader
    • Posts: 112
    #16 keginkc Posted 9/23/2011 9:26:29 PM
    Plus as a gunslinger, I'll have it turned off anyway. Maybe it'll be different for scoundrels, but the last thing I really want is Corso bringing crap right next to me in cover.

    This may not be his only BH ability either. A little birdy told me he might have access to a flame-thrower.
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