Star wars: The old republic

[Nicho]

How's early access going to work if Im getting my game from game?

[Voss]

At some point (_probably_ around 10-12 days now) they'll send you a link to a download client. You'll be able to install everything, and the launcher will even work, but once everything is installed the 'play' button on the launcher will be greyed out. Based on when you registered your preorder code with them on their website, you'll be given access some time between the 15th and the 20th. At that point, the played button will be 'unlocked' and you'll be in.

This is how they handled the stress test anyway, and seems to match up with the email they've sent out about early access. You did register your preorder code, right?

[Nicho]

Yeh ive been playing the beta so have the client downloaded. Haven't actually bought the game though, just the preorder pack from game ( which contained the early access code) i would have thought id need a product code to play the game aswell which i won't get till 20th when game starts selling it or do you think they'll just give me early access then ask for the product code on the 20th?

[Voss]

Product codes are for verifying cds/dvds- its just matching 'serial numbers' that are encoded on the disc against a master list of codes that were checked off at the shipping facility, and 'locking' it to whoever installs it first so the same cd can't be passed around for multiple installs. I'm sure there will be one when the actual game shows up, but I don't think it matters much. All they want is the initial cash and to get you on a subscription plan. The physical discs are pretty much irrelevant to playing the game, just a convient way around download times, and as physical advertisements in stores.

Honestly, if you never install the game off the discs (which if you download the client for early access, you won't), the product code may never come up. The preorder code should give you early access, unlock the 30 days of initial time on the 20th (both of these should be cancelled if you return the game), and you'll be prompted to set up a subscription and told you won't be charged until your initial 30 days are up.

I suppose there is a small chance we'll have to do something with discs, product codes and the like on the 20th, but really with all the relevant stuff happening online, and current technology, such a thing is completely unnecessary.

[Kiro]

Finally got the chance to test the beta and I have to say, it's absolutely brilliant.
As an MMORPG newb, I really don't like being forced into an archetype (dps, tank et al), so I'm getting killed a lot as a Jedi Knight, since healing is a little....non-existent?

[Voss]

I'm not following you all that well. Not sure how not wanting a party role leads to dead Jedi.

As for healing, everyone has quick out of combat healing. In combat, in solo content, it shouldn't be necessary all that often, though its easy to wander into heroic areas and be outmatched. The game did seem to get harder in the mid levels (20+) at least from my experience in the beta, but then I was skipping lots of stuff at that stage just to see more planets, and was a bit under leveled

[Yodhrin]

Damn you, George "Neckfat" Lucas, why can't I stop giving you money?

So yeah, I caved and preordered, at least I managed to restrain myself enough that I didn't waste more than a hundred quid on the CE. I'm still a little peeved that they removed the melee specialisation from the Inquisitor, but I can manage.

Oh, and to clarify a few subjects being discussed above; you can download the game client already, just go to the Account section, and click the Redeem Code link, and if you've already redeemed a preorder code, there should be a button to download it.

Your preorder code will NOT activate your account on launch day, and there is no "grace" period for those with early access - at 12.01am in whatever yank timezone the game goes live, you must enter a product code from your box/digital download, or your access to the game stops until you do. Europe appears to come off best from this arrangement, as they've moved the Euro retail date up to the 15th, while Americans are still stuck on the 20th.

[Cohinor]

Preorder starts are now from the 13.12.2012 on. They moved it forward again.

cheers
cohinor

[Kiro]

I'm not following you all that well. Not sure how not wanting a party role leads to dead Jedi.

As for healing, everyone has quick out of combat healing. In combat, in solo content, it shouldn't be necessary all that often, though its easy to wander into heroic areas and be outmatched. The game did seem to get harder in the mid levels (20+) at least from my experience in the beta, but then I was skipping lots of stuff at that stage just to see more planets, and was a bit under leveled

Because I'm given to understanding that if I wanted a character that could effectively heal in combat, I would have to be a spellcaster type. It's just a gaming trend in general I dislike, not something limited to Old Republic.

[SPYDER68]

Because I'm given to understanding that if I wanted a character that could effectively heal in combat, I would have to be a spellcaster type. It's just a gaming trend in general I dislike, not something limited to Old Republic.

This is incorrect in swtor.

Bounty Hunter - Mercenary - healing tree (Heavy armor DD in others)
Trooper - Commando - Healing tree same as above

Imperial Agent, Operative - healing tree
Smuggler - Scrapper or w/e - healing tree


There are 4 healers in that game that dont play like a spellcaster.

They can all heal as good.

If you roll a tank class or pure DD, you dont get heals.

[Arkley]

I'm pre-ordered, loaded up and raring to go ..

[Voss]

Because I'm given to understanding that if I wanted a character that could effectively heal in combat, I would have to be a spellcaster type. It's just a gaming trend in general I dislike, not something limited to Old Republic.

Right, I understand that*, I was just confused by your statement that the existence of archetypes meant your Jedi was dying.

*though as Spyder points out, only the Jedi Knight and Sith Warrior can't do in combat healing at all.

I'm still a little peeved that they removed the melee specialisation from the Inquisitor, but I can manage.

Inquisitor has a melee specialization, still: the assassin

Your preorder code will NOT activate your account on launch day, and there is no "grace" period for those with early access - at 12.01am in whatever yank timezone the game goes live, you must enter a product code from your box/digital download, or your access to the game stops until you do. Europe appears to come off best from this arrangement, as they've moved the Euro retail date up to the 15th, while Americans are still stuck on the 20th.

The grace period is the early access period- from whatever date you are assigned (based on when you registered your preorder) to 10pm EST on the 19th.

[Kiro]

Right, I understand that*, I was just confused by your statement that the existence of archetypes meant your Jedi was dying.

*though as Spyder points out, only the Jedi Knight and Sith Warrior can't do in combat healing at all.

I know, but it's the iconic Jedi Knight that's the selling point for me

I also have to join the confusion bandwagon in regards to release date/early access/launch codes: if I pop down to my local Game to pre-order, am I right in assuming I'll get my early access code then and there at the till, but the physical disc will ship on/for release day?

[Voss]

I know, but it's the iconic Jedi Knight that's the selling point for me

Ok. But based on my beta experiences, the lack of in-combat healing isn't really a problem- you simply don't need it (and its not something the 'iconic jedi knight' ever did).

I also have to join the confusion bandwagon in regards to release date/early access/launch codes: if I pop down to my local Game to pre-order, am I right in assuming I'll get my early access code then and there at the till, but the physical disc will ship on/for release day?

Yes. Unless you get an idiot at the till who doesn't grasp the concept of the preorder code. Though at this stage, I'm not sure how much early access you'll get. Registering 5 days before the early access starts (they've moved it up to the 13th) really puts you at the back of the queue- if you're really lucky, you'll get most of the weekend, but don't count on it.

[eldargal]

I pre-ordered a CE in July, I hope that gets me in sooner rather than later. Downloading the client now. I've been waiting six years for a decent Star Wars mmo, after they destroyed SWG with that apalling NGE.

[Voss]

I'd expect July gets you in the first day or two. Hopefully the 'you get access on <day> at <time>' emails go out tomorrow.

[Lt.Bradford]

Anyone who go the CE is apparently day one.

[Voss]

Just in case anyone is wondering, here are the official blurbs on preorder codes, early game access and normal game access:

Early Game Access* will begin on December 13th at 7:00AM EST, 2011 and ends on December 19th, 2011 at 10:01PM EST. During this time, we will be emailing invitations to join Early Game Access based on the order in which you redeemed your Pre-Order Code. Pre-load the game client now, so you're ready to play when your Early Game Access invitation arrives. Note that download time can vary and may take awhile.

*Customers who redeem their Pre-Order Code at the Code Redemption Center prior to launch will be able to pre-load the Star Wars: The Old Republic Game Client before the official Game launch. Pre-loading the Game does not grant you access to the Game. Pre-Ordering the Game only allows you access to the Early Game Access period and your Color Crystal. Early Game Access may be up to 7 days. The length of your Early Game Access depends on the date and order in which you redeemed your Pre-Order Code. In order to continue playing the Game after the Early Game Access period, you must redeem your official Game Product Registration Code at the Code Redemption Center.

So I was wrong earlier, there is also a registration code in the box that needs to be enter before you can sub up and play after the early access period. I'd be worried, since I chose free shipping from amazon over the holiday, but I'll be 2000 miles away from my computer for most of that week anyway.

[Arkley]

I pre-ordered a CE in July, I hope that gets me in sooner rather than later. Downloading the client now. I've been waiting six years for a decent Star Wars mmo, after they destroyed SWG with that apalling NGE.

You should be banned for talking about the NGE :P

Man it killed SWG for me too .

[Yodhrin]

Inquisitor has a melee specialization, still: the assassin


The grace period is the early access period- from whatever date you are assigned (based on when you registered your preorder) to 10pm EST on the 19th.

Yes, but the Sorcerer no longer has a melee spec - previously you could build a reasonable single-saber melee-force hybrid character by investing mostly in the shared skill tree, with the remainder in Lightning. Then they completely changed the focus of the shared tree, so now the Sorcerer's lightsaber is essentially a blaster bolt bat/stat stick. Basically, I wanted Count Dooku(decent one-handed saber duelist, some force powers), and now I can't have that.

And when I use the term "grace period", I'm not talking about early access, that's early access. Originally, the community manager chap stated that those who had early access would be given a few days after the 20th before they would have to put in their product key, to allow for physical boxed preorders to arrive through the post. They've now decided that they're not doing that afterall, so if launch arrives and your game doesn't, you're locked out until it does.