Friday, August 12, 2011

Fan Friday is Fan Arts and Craft Day

Woah! What's this.... Art's and Crafts! Hell yeah!!  Before we dive into this weeks update....

HEY TOR FANS! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET A HOME RUN EVERY FRIDAY!!!

So back to our update.  It was great to get an update that will only add to our rotating wallpaper in Windows7.  The bonus for us was in the form of some very talented artists that are following TOR.

With each Fan Friday, we feature creations from some of the clever members of the Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ community. This time around we’re shining the spotlight on some of the incredible artwork done by our fans.

Good old Alyson Bridge.  We think she does a smashing job putting up the Friday updates.  And then in dealing with the abuse of some fans.  We have to be honest here - we enjoyed this update.  We did not expect much today at all given the amount of content that has come out in the last few weeks.  If anything the last few weeks have been great.

So for those that want to update their PC's with some amazing work.  Check out some great fan work of Tatoonie by Alliant.  Our favorite:



If you felt the need to avoid using your PC until the game comes out and want to just update your iphone.  Alliant has a great selection of backgrounds. Our favorite:




And if that is not enough for you!!!  BioWare themselves added three great wallpapers from their 'Return' trailer. 




So while nothing earth shocking in information given the amount in art that we have received is equally impressive. 

Be patient TOR fans! 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wednesday Wonder Land

Like every Wednesday before this Wednesday a screen shot was bestowed upon the community*.  And this Wednesday was of course no different.  BioWare released this beauty today.

The planet Voss is steeped in war between its native species, the Voss and Gormak.
I am a big fan of this shot.  Something about it.... the planet in the backdrop.  It looks pretty dang amazing.

Good job BioWare.  Hopefully this is some sort of indication of what we will see on Friday.  PvP anyone?

Darth Malgus - Made To Order

Rebelscum.com: San Diego Comic-Con 2011



More from #SDCC!  Rebelscum has a selection of impressive pictures of the Darth Malgus statue that will be included in the CE package of the game.  Retail $150.  You can also get two shots of the $80 Shae Vizla statue.  From what we can tell this Shae statue is very hard to acquire.  As in you can't right now...

But take a look at Malgus.  Not bad at all...

Monday, August 8, 2011

Fan Friday Follow-up: Picture Perfect

Just in case you wanted more from the impressive Consular Fan Friday from last week.  We are posting the screen shots released from BioWare.  Most people usually click right past these.  And while we looked at them we just could not find any love or time for the green skin jedi's that graced this set:



 Honestly... why Mirialans!!?  We wanted Rodians!!! 

Saturday, August 6, 2011

The $150 Battle - Malgus vs Alduin!

Malgus The Jedi Eater?
So what does $150 get you in the game world today?  How about three cases of Bawls (we recommend the G33k B33r) or perhaps a new gaming headset?  Turtle Beach maybe? The EarForce set can cost at or above $150.  But if you spend time following The Old Republic and some of the other games coming out this year you have a pretty good idea of what $150 will get you.

So how does Malgus stack up against the most recent announcement from Bethesda?

Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim™ will be available for Xbox 360, PS3, and Games for Windows and can be pre-ordered now through participating retailers in North America, Europe and Australia. Like the regular release of the game, the Collector’s Edition will be available on 11.11.11

Their announcement included an impressive $150 Collectors Edition which includes the following items:

  • Alduin Statue: Created in conjunction with the IP Factory, this collector’s only statue stands 12” tall and is made of high quality PVC. Modeled from actual in-game 3D digital files, it showcases Alduin, the World Eater. He stands perched atop one the game’s many dragon walls that teach the player the lethal language of dragons.
  • ‘The Art of Skyrim’ Official Art Book: Featuring over 200 pages of striking, full-color illustrations, sketches and models, this stunning 9 3/8” x 12 1/8” coffee table book showcases the characters, creatures, environments, and weaponry of Skyrim. With a foreword by game director Todd Howard and commentary from Bethesda Game Studios artists, readers will be guided through the game’s iconic visual style.
  • ‘The Making of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ DVD This documentary DVD contains exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage, including interviews with the Bethesda Game Studios team as they take you from concept to creation and provide insights into the story, gameplay, setting, legacy of the Elder Scrolls franchise, and much more.


Alduin the Dragon is a World Eater --- OUCH!
"Most Impressive" Bethesda.  Most Impressive, indeed.  So how does this compare to the Darth Malgus Stomping CE from BioWare?

For $150 over in the BioWare camp you receive the following along with a cool box:


  • Exclusive Gentle Giant Darth Malgus statue
  • Game disks collectible metal case
  • The Journal of Master Gnost-Dural as annotated by Satele Shan
  • The Old Republic galaxy map
  • Custom Security Authentication Key
  • Music of Star Wars: The Old Republic CD
  • High-quality Collector's Edition box


Ignoring some of the fluff from marketing and the digital in-game items.  First we wanted to compare the actual substance.  Which leaves us with the the following:

  • Exclusive Gentle Giant Darth Malgus statue
  • The Journal of Master Gnost-Dural as annotated by Satele Shan
  • The Old Republic galaxy map
  • Custom Security Authentication Key
  • Music of Star Wars: The Old Republic CD

Both statues probably range from $80 to $100 at retail.  The books in each associated package could retail for $15 to $30 depending on their quality.  Both items are perfect for either fan.  Now each CE goes down its own path with additional content.

Bethesda offers up a DVD about the making of their game.  For those paying attention at E3 the game looks very impressive.  But how interested are people in a making of DVD?  And how often will you watch this DVD?  BioWare has opted to include the standard sound track, galaxy map, and Security Device.  Other then the size of the map we don't have many details.  If its comparable to say a Blizzard map included in one of their CE's it may not be bad at all.  The sound track - yes most will only listen to a few times but its always been a nice touch from other CEs.  And the security device will save others an additional purchase plus shipping.

Looking at the bigger picture and ignoring that this is a Fan Site for The Old Republic we have to tip our hats to BioWare.  As far as substance goes they're on par with a few minor additional items.  BioWare has also added in a collection of digital items as well.  Some of these items seem.... soft but still server as additional content.  And the 'Making of DVD' does not seem like an item we would be interested in.  Overall - both sets of fans should be very happy.  I want an Alduin standing over my Malgus!  Just not eating him...

Skyrim CE Information:  Bethesda Blog
SWTOR CE Information: SWTOR.com
Additional info from Shacknews.com



Friday, August 5, 2011

Fan Friday Is Fan Librarian Day!


Finally! The news 60% of the republic based players have been begging for!! The new Jedi Consular information has been released.  And we have to admit - we did not see this coming at all.  How else can you top off an epic 13 minute segment of game play footage?

I come In Peace...

Well BioWare had the answer....

The Republic fans can finally relax and stop accusing BioWare of hating the Republic side.  People have been actually posted those very insane comments.  CRAZY!

BioWare have once again outdone themselves this week.  And what has been a quiet week with a lackluster Facebook Wednesday.  So kudos to the guys that never sleep and feel the pressure of LucasArts and EA sitting in their backyard staring at them.

In addition to the class video we picked up some new/existing tidbits:

  • Meet Qyzen Fess, a mighty Trandoshan hunter who joins the Consular’s cause
  • Find out more about the mystical Mirialan, wise Force-sensitives who often become Jedi Consulars
  • Take a tour of the Jedi Starship, the Corellian Defender-Class Light Corvette; it’s perfect for diplomatic missions, but well-equipped for combat if negotiations go sour.


This is a great Fan Friday update for the Republic and SWTOR.  I bet BioWare hates the empire now...

Update:  HD version can be found here.  Thank you BioWare.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Two TOR Gamers: SDCC Coverage





We're POD picky here at TalesFromTOR.  Very picky!  We've tried a ton over the last year or so.  Off and on with some PODS just to give them a fair shake down.  However we have started looking forward to 'Two TOR Gamers'.   It's a youtube only based pod which goes against our preferred method.  But that should give you an indication of how much we like these guys. 


The POD features two gamers from the guild Beskar.  The two hosts Blur and Blueneko bring to the show great energy and excitement.  In fact their energy and excitement for the game is probably the primary reason we enjoy their podcast.  It's not just a review of the big news its a review of the big news with energy and excitement from that fan prospective. It's a very colorful view point instead of the over analyse conducted by other podcasts.  


Their most recent show covers #SDCC.  Blueneko and her husband made it onsite and found themselves in a position to talk to the  BioWare team.  It's a great show with a huge focus on the warzones and flashpoints people could play. 


Our only draw back to this pod is again its only on Youtube.  They also break it down into parts instead of being one long stream.  Some minor drawbacks but well worth the listen.  


Contact Info:
You can follow Beskar on twitter.  Or visit the Beskar website.
You can follow TwoTORGamers on twitter.  And their youtube site.
You can also email them at twotorgamers <> gmail.com