Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

SWTOR: Don’t Think I’m a Clone Now

By

On October 20, 2011

In Gaming, SWTOR

I have been following along all the reviews of SWTOR as it makes its circuit to all of the gaming and geek conventions. Knowing what I know from being in the beta it’s fun to see what speculation and theories people craft from the morsels of details they glean from short demos and time boxed test drives.

I really don’t get some of these impressions and comments that are suppose to be taken in the context of “negative reviews”. Some are claiming the story is poor. How can one make that assertion from a short test drive. I have been playing the beta since April. I have tried nearly every class and a couple classes I have played through their starting zone a couple of times. I can tell you that the story is NOT weak! Don’t believe these half wit neophytes that know nothing about the lore. The character stories for all the classes are rich and engaging. All the quests and the dialog is extremely well written. Granted there are some dull quests, but the dulls ones are the ones not linked to the story, they are just XP fodder.

Don’t believe the critics that say the story is weak, it’s simply not true!

Ok, now that I have that out of my system, let’s talk about the thing I keep seeing more and more as a negative mark against SWTOR. Some critics are calling it a WoW clone.

Now I’m not saying it is a WoW clone, but for the sake of argument let’s say they’re right … But why is that a bad thing?? WoW is six years old and still has over 10 million subscribers. If you are going to model yourself off of something, why not pick the one with the best results? I understand wanting to differentiate yourself but that may now always guarantee great success. I mean, look at all the other MMOs released recently where that approach has worked …

So here is my reason why it’s not a WoW clone. Yes, you start at 1 and level, chronologically, up to 50 by picking up a quest and completing a quest. Yes, you get talent trees and you have gathering and crafting professions. That’s about all they have in common and in my opinion (with the possible exception of talent trees) those similarities exist because they are basic MMO mechanics. By the way, the fact that you have class specific quests throughout the leveling experience differentiates this game enough from the questing mechanic in WoW.

Professions barely qualifies because the process of crafting is very different in SWTOR. The work is done while you are questing. You don’t have to stand at a forge for 15 minutes with 25 cloth bracers queued up. You put your companion to the task and you go out and quest some more. Also, I think the third type of profession, mission, is quite interesting and can be very useful for leveling and increasing your dark/light side points.

Ok, so time to end this rant. SWTOR is not a clone of WoW. It shares a few basic mechanics but it has plenty of its own “special modifications” to make it unique.

Cheers!

Biggs On: Outspoken Celebrities

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On October 18, 2011

In Biggs On, General Cogitation

I swear not a week goes by when some celebrity gets it into their tiny mind that the world apparently needs to hear their latest opinion or political theory. It’s so aggregating!

You are paid to act or sing, that’s it!

I’m not saying celebrities are not allowed to have opinions or political theories, I just don’t want to hear you force it on us during film festivals, talk show interviews or awards ceremonies. I use to watch the Oscars religiously but I stopped because the risk of some self-appointed political pundit spewing their opinion makes me feel physically ill.

I don’t know what pisses me off more:

  • when a celebrity I truly loath, like Susan “Die In A Fire” Sarandon, does it or
  • when it’s a celebrity whom I kind of liked (such as Hank Williams Jr)

I think it depends on how egregious the comments were. For example Susan Sarandon recently referred to the pope as a nazi. I am so angry that I have no desire to ever see another movie, tv show, awards show, interview, charity event, anything that is linked to her ever again! I do find some joy in the fact that she is catching a lot of heat for making that statement; and I would say that her comments will affect her career but … what career???

That’s the thing I don’t get. I would think that the more extreme celebrities take their nonsense the greater chance it could negatively impact their career and popularity. I think it’s fine if they want to express themselves on Facebook, or Google+ or twitter (but even on those sites you have to be careful how you phrase things). I just don’t want to turn on Fox News, or some awards show, or Jimmy Kimmel and have to listen to their dribble.

SWTOR: Nearly There

By

On October 16, 2011

In Biggs On, MMO Times

A few weeks ago a new build was deployed which wiped out all of our characters, but two new servers were added. There is now a PvE, PvP and a server with high level pre-mades characters.

While the pre-mades were enticing, I decided to create a Jedi Knight on the PvE server and try out tanking (NOTE: I will be going Sith when the game goes live, thus why I am playing Jedi while in the beta).

This new build is much, much better. In fact the changes in this build have put the game much closer to completion, in my opinion. All the NPCs are fully voiced, which is great because the best feature of the game is the excellent voice acting and the writing. The responses are both humorous and witty which really helps add depth and a sense of RP to the game. Most of the bugs are quest bugs and UI glitches. I have experienced very little lag and framerate issues, although there are some (people in public chat channels) that have claimed to experience heavy lag.

Oh, have I mentioned how incredible the music is? In case I haven’t, its awesome! Definitely one of my favorite parts of the game.

Based on the issues that remain, I think TOR will definitely make its December 20th launch date.

To Those Crazy Enough To Change The World

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On October 7, 2011

In Apple, General Cogitation, Technology

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

Apple, the computer industry and the world lost a great man this week.

I was not the biggest Apple fan. In fact, for a long time I despised Apple, but I admired Steve Jobs. The innovation and creativity he brought to the world and the industry has made him a legend. I’m a born again fan, much like a born again Christian but I don’t belong among the ranks of the true Apple fanboys.

Industry leaders, fans and professionals in the computer industry have been calling Steve Jobs a modern day Thomas Edison. Yes, I agree. I personally believe the influence his ideas and products has had on the world has truly had the same impact as the discoveries and inventions of other legends like Edison, Einstein and Marconi. His products have not only changed the way the world communicates and shares data but has also broken down borders and united the world.

I mourn his passing because I have had a recent personal experience of losing my wife’s uncle to neuroendocrine tumors. I hope, now that NET has taken the lives of two great men, that there will be an increased public awareness.

Rest In Peace, Steve Jobs. The world has lost a visionary, a mentor and a legend and you will be terribly missed!

The Countdown Has Begun

By

On September 24, 2011

In General Cogitation

I am so excited I can hardly type. Bioware has finally announced a release date for Star Wars: The Old Republic!

December 20, 2011

The long awaited, most highly anticipated MMO of all time (yes, I went there) will be out before Christmas of this year! I have started the countdown on this website.

The pricing structure should look pretty familiar:

  • 1 Month Subscription: $14.99
  • 3 Month Subscription: $13.99 per month (one-time charge of $41.97)
  • 6 Month Subscription: $12.99 per month (one-time charge of $77.94)

Here is the link to the official announcement on the SWTOR website: http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20110924

The Fuzzy Wedding

By

On September 19, 2011

In General Cogitation

This past weekend I attended the wedding of a very good friend of mine; a guy I have known for about 17 years. It was Fuzzy that got me into computers, Linux and programming. We have worked together, we have lived together, we created Mayhem and Chaos together (there is a double meaning there that only Fuzzy, if you are reading this, would get).

When I received the invitation to attend the wedding, the RSVP card was in the mail the next day, I really couldn’t wait. I had never met the girl that “grepped” Fuzzy, I had only spoken with her on the phone, but every person I asked said she is awesome. I am beside myself in regret because I didn’t get the opportunity to get to know her more as they were growing together, but I hope to get to know her more as they grow together in marriage. She must be pretty special to have captured the admiration of not only Fuzzy but also his family and friends, because they too are very special people.

As I am writing this they are on their honeymoon now (a honeymoon that is eerily similar to my own; you know what they say about great minds) so while they may not read this I still speak honest and true. I wish them both all the happiness life has to offer and, although I know we are 300 miles apart, I hope to be there if they ever need me.

Congrats and God Bless Erin and Adam!

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