Star Wars MMO Hints at Microtransaction-based Future

One characteristic that sets most Eastern-developed MMOs from their Western counterparts is the microtransaction-based model, which throws away monthly subscription fees and instead allows the players to pay for certain virtual items while enjoying the main game for free. But, as of late, many Western studios have shed the monthly reminder of reality, such as Sony Online Entertainment with their release of Station Cash, where players of Everquest may purchase a bevy of in-game items, and Electronic Art’s recent comments on the next Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic, hints at a future where players could be nickel and dime’d to death.

EA CEO John Riccitiello, via Shacknews, took us for a spin when he said during a conference call that the Star Wars MMO would be microtransaction-based, only to have the company retract it, saying that “No statements have been made about the Star Wars business models.” Whether the publishing giant will opt for it or not remains to be seen, but the whole exchange has us here at GotGame wondering. Is a microtransaction system the way to go?

The straight answer is it depends on how well the companies are able to handle it, specifically the balance of power between characters that have these purchased items compared to ones who don’t. Do these items boost in-game stats, or are they just fun little pieces of clothing to dress your avatars and knickknacks for them to play with when they’re not slaying the newest dungeon boss? Yet this train of thought raises another issue; either the items create an unfair advantage on the battlefield, or they’re just useless, virtual novelties we paid for with actual money. And the question isn’t if microtransactions can work, since Second Life dispels any doubts, but if this will topple monthly subscriptions as the mainstream method of choice. Perhaps, it’s all in how the companies advertise it. “Free to play” sounds a lot better than “pay-as-you-go;” that is, if you don’t mind the lying.

Star Wars Galaxies Emulation Project to launch playable test server Q1 2009

Playable Test Center

In order to thoroughly test out all aspects of the game, we feel that we are finally at a point in development where we can announce our intentions for a “playable” test center.

What is going to happen to the current TC (Nova)?

The current Test Center (TC:Nova) will run much like it does now. Blue Frogs will still be present to give items and train professions that are in need of immediate testing. New features will be added straight from the SVN to TC:Nova. This saves you the time of having to grind your profession and allows you to test new content immediately. Testers who want to test out new features and play around in a less serious atmosphere will still want to play on TC:Nova. On occasion, TC:Nova may experience database wipes in order to ensure testing and stability.

What is going to be on the new TC (Sun Crusher)?

The new “playable” Test Center (TC:SC) will be a separate and new server. TC:SC will only be updated with new features once we are fairly certain they are 100% stable and tested on TC:Nova. TC:SC will have no blue frogs or @GM commands for players. You are meant to grind your profession, much as you will in the final release of the game. This helps ensure that there will be fewer bugs on TC:SC, and that all levels of game play are tested equally. Since testers will no doubt spend a lot of time leveling their characters on TC:SC, we will make every effort to ensure that we do not wipe the database, unless it is absolutely needed. Testers who want a feel of what the final game will be like, and are looking for something to simply “play” will want to play on TC:SC.

When can we expect these changes to go live?

As long as we continue to receive enough community support and donations to support two servers, while still saving enough for future goals, you should see the server go live sometime in Q1 2009. In order to ensure the best game play possible, we still have a few features that we would like to finish up before starting the playable server. These features, such as crafting and player housing, are in their finishing stages and should be ready and stable in the coming months.

Official Server Plans

We have been bombarded with this question as long as the project has existed. “Is SWGEmu going to host an official server?” We have always deflected this question with non-committal responses. Today we make the official announcement that SWGEmu WILL be hosting a server called “Sun Crusher“. Sun Crusher will start out as the “Playable Test Center” and when the official release is ready, then it will be wiped and become the SWGEmu LIVE Server.

After long discussions and debates, we want to make sure that the community can count on SWGEmu to be a pillar in the SWG Emulation scene. Does this mean that SWGEmu wants to force out or hurt the communities? Absolutely not! In fact, we will be setting up numerical standards for servers to become “Official” sponsored servers. Standards would include things such as user base, server hardware, server bandwidth and connection, so we can ensure the entire user base a central place to come and see reliable servers with their specialties. Each server will have their own play style and new features, and keeping information about them in a central location will benefit everyone’s population.

Knowing what inquiries will abound from this post, an ambiguous statement will be the answer for the inevitable onslaught of the question “Will SWGEmu implement X new feature, or balance X something”. The answer to this is maybe. Our #1 commitment is releasing a fully functional, identical SWG (with bug fixes) emulator. This “vanilla” release will be maintained by SWGEmu for the foreseeable future. That said, the majority, if not all, of the SWGEmu developers are excited to take pre-cu and fulfill the potential that SOE never got around to doing.

How To: Make Star Wars Origami

Blockbuster Video Top 10 game rentals list per platform

The most popular game rentals according to Blockbuster Video Canada for the period ending Dec. 21, 2008

Playstation 3

1. Prince of Persia

2. Call of Duty: World at War

3. Resistance 2

4. Fallout 3

5. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

6. Far Cry 2

7. Need for Speed: Undercover

8. James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace

9. Mirror’s Edge

10. Little Big Planet

Playstation 2

1. Call of Duty: World at War – Final Fronts

2. Need for Speed: Undercover

3. NHL 09

4. Guitar Hero: World Tour

5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

6. LEGO Batman

7. WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009

8. Shaun White Snowboard

9. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

10. Sonic Unleashed

Xbox 360

1. Gears of War 2

2. Prince of Persia

3. Fallout 3

4. Call of Duty: World at War

5. Left 4 Dead

6. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

7. Far Cry 2

8. Fable II

9. Need for Speed: Undercover

10. Saints Row 2

Wii

1. Wii Music

2. Animal Crossing: City Folk

3. Shaun White Snowboard

4. NHL 2K9

5. Clone Wars: The Animated Series

6. Mario Party 8

7. Need for Speed: Undercover

8. Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party

9. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

10. Call of Duty: World at War

Source: Blockbuster

Amazing: 60,000-Piece Lego Star Wars Hoth Diorama Features LEDs, Footprints

Not only is this Lego Star Wars diorama of the ice world Hoth fun to look at, it’s got some gadgety goodness inside too. Oh, and footprints. Tons of tiny minifig footprints.

As the headline says, the 5′X10′ diorama is comprised of 60,000 Lego bricks. It cost creator Mark Borlase about $3,000 and four years of construction time to complete.

There’s also the 50 LED lights that illuminate the Echo Base hangar and bacta tank with a soothing blue. Motorized AT-AT wenches and a fully operational hanger door top off this gorgeous pile of eye candy.

And according to the block heads over at Brothers Brick the diorama also won the recent “Star Wars building challenge” and was featured in the official LEGO Magazine.

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