The Old Republic - Multiboxing Speculation

[Gomotron]

I am really looking forward to this game, but call me a Negative Nancy, to me this project has the stink of Star Trek Online.

I really hope I am wrong.

[Multibocks]

I didnt know that its release was so soon. I was thinking next year.

[Kaelika]

I am really looking forward to this game, but call me a Negative Nancy, to me this project has the stink of Star Trek Online.

I really hope I am wrong.

Disclaimer: Note that a great deal of this is subjective, so bear that in mind. In addition, I'm referring to Star Trek Online as it was at launch. I haven't played it since that point, so I can't speak for its current version, nor do I believe it's germane to the point here since we're discussing the state of The Old Republic when it launches, presumably.

Considering the fact that that the main draw of The Old Republic (for me and many others, if you read the official forums) is the fully voiced Bioware-style storyline that I, as a KotOR fan, would love to see implemented (successfully) in an online game, it's really a bit unfair to juxtapose it with Star Trek Online, which had little in the way of fully voiced, engaging multiple outcome plots from what I recall. Much of Star Trek Online's gameplay was space-centric, too. What ground based combat existed was clunky and stupefyingly simplistic from my perspective, although I'm not the only person who has voiced that sentiment from what I've heard from others on various forums and in the game when I played. What I have observed of TOR's footage so far (recent builds, anyway) looks to transcend STO's combat greatly in terms of complexity and implementation.

(There will be three chapters for each class in TOR, with the first chapter ostensibly being longer than the original KotOR. I don't know what they used as a benchmark for the playthrough time on KotOR, but, regardless, that sounds pretty long considering we have eight base classes. As I said, this is the main enticement of the game for me.)

Starship combat in STO felt very insular due to the zoning limitations, and since the vast majority of my time was spent in space, this was extremely detrimental to my overall enjoyment. Sector space completely negated the intrigue and mystique of space "exploration" as it was presented in the television series. Of course, then Cryptic added "exploration" missions, which turned out to just be random grinding/collection quests that were rehashing the same graphics from other missions with just a slight adjustment, such as the layout of the map or the color hue of the geometry. It didn't feel as if I was exploring at all.

I quit at level twenty six, so I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about STO could offer a better overview of the game's abysmal launch state, but everything I've seen from TOR contravenes the notion that it will be in as dire a state as STO was at launch (there is beta footage floating about as well). Rift would even be a better comparison in terms of gameplay mechanics, but neither Rift nor Star Trek Online had fully voiced over quests and a main story that you follow, which is what I'm counting on to contrast TOR with its competitors.

Combat in TOR is not groundbreaking, I admit, based on the footage I've seen, but I'm hoping Bioware can take what they have and polish it extensively so that we don't have a buggy release. (Although feedback from fans who played it recently seems to be on an overall positive note.)

Granted, Bioware had the opportunity to showcase content they wanted people to see, so I will concede that point. Still, there were commentators who played the game offering complaints, and those are worth a read, certainly, as well. I'm not blind to the game's faults. I'm simply hoping for the best. I'm a little disappointed that there will be no swimming in the game at launch and the lack of a day/night cycle, just as two examples.)

You could make the argument that space combat in TOR will be severely lacking (and I wouldn't contend that point, personally, as it's single player at the moment), but it's not mandatory in relation to your primary quest line, from what I understand. It's completely optional.

Also, if you are looking for more detailed answers about The Old Republic, I would suggest you look here for all available knowledge compiled on the game to this point. (Regularly updated.)

If you want a game to revolutionize many of the pivotal staples of the MMO industry (the "trinity" and associated combat mechanics), I concur that The Old Republic probably won't give you what you're looking for; however, in my case, I'd like a solid Bioware-style presentation translated into an MMO environment (that it's Star Wars makes it even more appealing to me personally) so I can enjoy a more cinematic experience with some of my fellow Star Wars fans (and good friends).

Am I purporting this to be THE industry changing MMORPG that people have been waiting for? Not by a long shot. I haven't played it personally, so I certainly don't have the authority or desire to make such a ludicrous claim. With that said, while I typically like sandbox games, this might be the one theme park style MMO that I'll actually derive some enjoyment from if Bioware succeeds in adhering to their promises ("if" being the operative term here). Like many people who have weathered the spate of banal mediocrity that we call "launch" for numerous MMO releases over the years (I started playing in 2003 with Star Wars Galaxies), I, too, have become jaded and cynical.

Right now I'm not even playing an MMO, as I mentioned in an earlier post. If this one doesn't finally appeal to me, I might be on an extended hiatus from the MMO industry in general. If this game isn't multiboxer-friendly, that would serve as a deterrent, too, I admit, as I don't think I can last in an MMO game where I can't dual-box at the very least.

[Mosg2]

I know it's anecdotal, but my experience with the people at the TOR site so far makes me think that 80%+ of their customer base just want a sand-box Star Wars MMO to play around in. Even if it was just WoW with Lightsabers and more realistic graphics... It would dominate.

Me, I'll probably be running 4x Sith Inquisitors. They have a tank and a healer/ranged dps spec so they work out perfectly as a 4x while still being able to start on the same planet.

[pinotnoir]

I plan on solo playing that game before I drop money on multiple accounts. It looks really cool. I hope its not lame.

[Viryll]

Its NOTHING like star trek online like someone said they were worried about. I plan on 4x sith inquisitors too, I think it will be boxable. I really have lots more fun questing and leveling than I ever did in Rift, WoW, or any mmo, even in its pre-release state.

[ZooljinX]

I will waint untill there is a macro system that makes it bearable, for me RIFT was a tad to much for me to box with the looting and quest acceptig etc, as long as we get a /follow /assist /target etc, we'll see what happens.

I would box Bounty hunters i think, that would be awsome!

[Mercbeast]

What I can say is, there is no reason to 4 box this game. Two boxing is all you need. Companions take the role of a player so 2 characters + 2 companions is optimal.

From what I have heard, companions are awesome. They are so much more than pets from normal MMO's and they literally are on par with the capabilities of your average player. You can gear them out and what not.

For this reason I am only planning to two box it.

[Crum1515]

What I can say is, there is no reason to 4 box this game. Two boxing is all you need. Companions take the role of a player so 2 characters + 2 companions is optimal.

From what I have heard, companions are awesome. They are so much more than pets from normal MMO's and they literally are on par with the capabilities of your average player. You can gear them out and what not.

For this reason I am only planning to two box it.

They have stated that they are not going to allow companions in raids, and are on the fence about letting them into flashpoints and warfronts. Their stance is they do not want you to replace humans with your companions.

I think that you are right that it is not required to 4-box the game, you could get by with 2 or 3 as well. It will be a toss up with only boxing 2 and getting more automation and less management or boxing 4 and having more utility or damage or healing whatHaveYou with having the 4 accounts.

(source - it is a loooooooooooong read) http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=275690

[Mercbeast]

They have stated that they are not going to allow companions in raids, and are on the fence about letting them into flashpoints and warfronts. Their stance is they do not want you to replace humans with your companions.

I think that you are right that it is not required to 4-box the game, you could get by with 2 or 3 as well. It will be a toss up with only boxing 2 and getting more automation and less management or boxing 4 and having more utility or damage or healing whatHaveYou with having the 4 accounts.

(source - it is a loooooooooooong read) http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=275690

Friend says companions work in flashpoints. Companions do not work in battlegrounds. World PvP zones have yet to be tested so who knows.

Raids are already small enough I don't really see the point to taking up 50% or 25% of the slots with 4 characters.