Fan Friday is Fan Game-Play Footage Friday

Really really interesting stuff today.  Not your usual marketing PR piece or a armor progression piece.  Or before someone complains again - the consular info everyone feels they deserve.  Today was a run through of a republic flashpoint.  We see republic troops trying to save their ship and a key diplomat (whom we assume has a deeper story) from that evil Empire.  

During the week of San Diego Comic-Con, a select number of people had the opportunity to play through ‘The Esseles,’ a Flashpoint that Republic heroes will be able to experience for themselves early in their hero’s journey. In the Flashpoint, players must group together to protect a high-ranking diplomat and fend off Imperial boarding parties.

Again we really enjoyed this one.  Getting to see actual game play footage is always a plus.  For the first time I did not think the characters looked stiff (from their PR pieces).  Game play looks fun and enjoyable.  I do have some concerns about characters getting a foot away from their target and just shooting.  Something I never enjoyed in other MMOs.

And in addition Greg Zoeller had even more information for inquiring minds on healing and Advanced Classes:

The Esseles is one of the two earliest Flashpoints in the game, players will be roughly between level 8 and 12 when playing it.
Healing abilities are introduced when you pick your Advanced Class, which in this video, the characters did not have. You can definitely get your Advanced Class before doing the Flashpoint (in fact, many players in testing make that choice), but it's not required.
That's the simple reason why there is no healing shown in the video. That doesn't mean we don't have content for those who want to heal; in fact when I overheard the team practicing for GamesCom/PAX demos I'm sure I heard the cry "MEDIC!" more than a few times.

So thats all for Fan Friday.  We're sorry we did not post something sooner.  It's been a long day for TalesFromTOR.

Party for 4. Please

What makes the right party size?  A question asked by those with keen minds or just the usual interest in comparing SWTOR to other games that go WoW in the night.  Well Greg Zoeller has the answer for you:

Because we are Star Wars: The Old Republic, and we are our own game 

• Our game is designed from the ground up around the group size of four.

• We have a higher level of hybridization in all classes.

• We have companions that are capable of substituting a missing role in a flashpoint group.

• Everyone can revive other players, not just healers.

• We have a higher percentage of tanks in the overall population.

• All our classes can fill at least two roles.

• Most of our advanced classes can fill two roles.

• We're very gradually introducing roles in the game.

• We always have 4 members in a group, even if there are only two players (although I doubt most players would be able to do a flashpoint that way).

• There are 4 classes (on each side), which makes for a perfect iconic party.

• AT-ATs have 4 legs!

So, while everyone knows [insert 50 facts about a very different game], we know that 4 was the perfect number for our game and we didn't think much about 5.

I actually think this is a great decision.  With a lot of the classes being able to play similar roles.  healing, tanking, and 'DPS', there coule be less of a need on that one tank class in the game or the one healing class in the game.  In addition players don't have to worry about being a healer and not being able to kill targets with a companion at their side that can help.

The smaller the group the faster it will be to get it going.  This could be a great move by BioWare.  We just have to wait and see later in the year.