Friday Update: Choose Your Side video, SWTOR Peripherals info
There are two updates to the SWTOR official site this week. The first is another video in the Choose Your Side series, which sees the BioWare developers debate the merits between two different classes and which would win in a duel to the death. Check out the video below.
In addition to that, the officially licensed peripherals for Star Wars: The Old Republic are now up for pre-order. You will be able to get your hands on the mouse, mouse mat and headset from Razer later this month. The keyboard, which includes the customizable LCD keypad, won’t be available until mid January. More info at the Razer Store.
Choose Your Side: Imperial Agent vs. Jedi Consular
In the latest entry of our series “Choose Your Side,” members of the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ team plead their cases for two iconic Star Wars™ classes, highlighting the many skills and abilities that set each class apart. This time around, Senior Writer Alexander Freed and Designer Ken Dilks argue in favor of the stealthy Imperial Agent, while Writer Jo Berry and Designer Jason Attard speak on behalf of the Force-wielding Jedi Consular. (Official Forums)
The Old Republic Peripherals Available For Pre-Order
During E3 2011 we announced that BioWare and LucasArts had partnered with Razer, the world’s leading provider of high-end gaming products, to create a line of premium PC peripherals based on Star Wars™: The Old Republic™. Now, as the game approaches its December 20th launch date, we’re excited to inform you that Razer has begun taking pre-orders for each of these incredible products!
To see all of these items for yourself you can head over to Razer’s Star Wars: The Old Republic products page, and you can pre-order these items right now through Razer’s Official Store! (Official Forums)
Friday Update: Imperial Agent Character Progression, Revan novel preview
The Friday Update this week gives us a new trailer in the form of the Imperial Agent’s character and armor progression. Take a look at how the Agent’s abilities and armor sets change as he levels up and chooses an advanced class.
Additionally, there is another preview of the upcoming novel Revan available. Previously, chapter 1 was available to read online; now chapters 3 and 11 are also available to read before it comes out. Revan is released November 15 and you can pre-order at Amazon.
Imperial Agent Character Progression
As you progress in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, your character will gain experience, growing more powerful and discovering new skills while also acquiring more advanced gear.
Through cunning, stealth, and ruthless tactics, the Imperial Agent has no shortage of ways to complete his objectives. Even so, as the complexity and importance of his missions increase, the Agent will have to acquire new skills and equipment to help him combat the ever-growing threat to the Empire. This video shows you a sampling of the many different armors and abilities the Imperial Agent can obtain as he travels the galaxy. (Official Forums)
Exclusive Preview: ‘Revan’ Novel
On November 15th, fans of Star Wars™ will finally learn the answers surrounding the mystery of what became of the redeemed Jedi Revan after the events of the first Knights of the Old Republic™. Drew Karpyshyn’s Revan picks up immediately after the events of the game, and follows the former Sith Lord as he travels beyond the Outer Rim to confront a danger that he can’t quiet remember, yet cannot forget.
To prepare you for the release of Revan, we are excited to present you with an exclusive look at chapters three and eleven of the book! (Official Forums)
Class Focus: Imperial Agent
With a release date of December 20th in full view, I thought it would be wise to prepare ourselves for The Old Republic’s launch. So for the next eight weekends we will focus on each of the selectable classes in The Old Republic. Hopefully this will give you, as well as myself, more insight on which class fits best for you and maybe get those creative juices flowing. We don’t want to see Revan’s everywhere we go.
Fact Sheet:
- Species: Human, Chiss, Cyborg, Zabrak, Rattataki
- Starting Planet: Hutta
- Combat Type: Ranged
- Weaponry: Sniper Rifle, Blaster Rifle, Energy Blade
- Armor: Light/Medium
- Ship: X-70b Phantom
- Famous Agents: Zam Wessel, Grand Moff Tarkin
Summary
The Assassin of the Empire the Imperial Agent relies heavily on stealth, cunning and long range devastation. Masters of infiltration, deception and sabotage; any time the Empire requires a little behind-the-scenes action the Imperial Agent is the obvious choice. Lighter state-of-the-art mesh armor provides the agent with a stout defense without hindering their movement and flexibility, while their stealth upgrades and long range sniper rifle allow them to strike without ever being noticed. Read more»
Assassin, Saboteur, The Empire’s Secret Weapon
We already knew the Imperial Agent was the next official class in The Old Republic, first from some leaked images, and then from an official confirmation last week on the official community forums. This week the official site made it, well, even more official, adding a holonet entry for the class as well as all new concept art and wallpapers. Learn all about the newest playable class now!
Friday Updates – Developer Blog, Threat of Peace, and Class Reveal
This week Senior Writer Drew Karpyshyn, who you may be familiar with as the lead writer of the original Knights of the Old Republic, blogs about what went in to writing the Jedi Knight class. Check out the entire blog to read what he has to say.
We are also treated to the latest episode of Threat of Peace this week, as the third chapter begins with issue 19. Followers of the webcomic may be pleased to know that it will be published as a graphic novel. Look forward to that in May 2010. In the meantime, check out the latest episode now.
Lastly, a relatively surprising reveal is given to us this week as the Imperial Agent class is officially confirmed, just one week after learning about the Jedi Knight class.
For those of you who may have attended or read reviews from the Electronic Arts European Press Tour that happened earlier this week, you already know the answer to this. It’s the Imperial Agent!
The Imperial Agent is heavily inspired by several classic Star Wars characters such as Zam Wessel and Grand Moff Tarkin. Imperial Agents work behind the scenes to get the work of the Empire done. Specializing in high-tech gear, the Imperial Agent always has the right tools at the right time. They use abilities of subversion and subterfuge to infiltrate and assassinate enemies of the Sith Empire with deadly efficiency. Players who choose to be Imperial Agents in The Old Republic (TOR) will see the underbelly of the Empire in a whole new light.
Look forward to screenshots to be added to the site later today!
UPDATE: Check out the screenshots below or in our gallery!
Threat of Peace Hints at Imperial Agent Class?
Responding to fan speculation from the newest episode of Threat of Peace, developer Rob Chestney has responded on the official forums with some interesting insight.
The weapon in question here is actually a supercharged Imperial vibroblade. It’s shorter than the traditional vibroblade–designed for one-shot stealth attacks. The blade’s powercell releases one massive jolt of energy when the weapon hits its target, rendering it largely useless afterward, but usually, of course, the target is in pretty much the same state.
Will you get to wield these weapons in the game? I can neither confirm nor deny that. Suffice to say, if you do, don’t bother trying it against Baras. Electricity is practically running through his veins in the first place. You don’t want to wind up like the would-be assassin the comic. Maybe if you try two? (Source)
SW:TOR blog DarthHater has gone in-depth with the latest ToP issue plus the above developer posting and put together pretty convincing evidence that an upcoming announcement could be the Imperial Agent class. Check out everything he has to say at the DarthHater blog.
