"Knights of the Fallen Empire" officially announced

[Corvinius]

A bit more about the "Empire & Republic defeated" which is implicated in the Cinematic trailer:

James Ohlen:
“I don’t want to do spoilers, but I can say that the defeat of the Empire and Republic don’t come instantaneously - it takes a period of time for it to occur.” Ohlen went on to explain that he liked to look at the current game in a similar way to Episode I, II and III of the films, with IV, V and VI being similar the phase they’re entering now. “So you had the wars and everything that happened before, and then some time has passed, and then this is a new era, with new heroes and new villains. But the player is that figure that bridges both gaps. He’s almost like an Obi Wan, except he’s an Obi Wan that doesn’t die! [laughs] It’s that kind of feel.”

Full interview here:

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game ... lling.html

[Raiah]

Maybe he should have used the original trilogy and the new trilogy (ep 7-9) as an example instead. Between the original trilogy and the prologue we have roughly 20 years, in that time the Empire gained complete control (heck, they had more or less complete control by the time of Rebels so that's 10?), anyone who knows about Jedi think they are just old stories and if you bring up the force that's either tricks or an ancient religion (even applies to people who should have been alive at the time).

I get the point he's making but the prequel to original trilogy transition is probably the worst example possible due to how badly thought out it was. Granted, there is a difference between political takeover and military invasion... I really hope they put a bit more thought in to it than the writers of the prequels did

“Yes, for sure. If you have multiple characters, I’m pretty sure you’re going to want to play through Knights of the Fallen Empire multiple times, just to see how it all rolls out depending on your choice.”

We'll see... While I hope there are choices that really impact the way you play through the story, in the end it has to end up at pretty much the same state, being and MMO.

Really wish they'd stop talking for a moment and actually show us something.

[Raiah]

Well, this is good news, they're "very actively" looking in to legacy datacrons.

As always, this is not a guarantee that it will make it in, but the team is hard at work to make it happen.

http://www.swtor.com/community/showthre ... dit8377250

[Corvinius]

Yup.

Would be good to not need to do the same hoops and jumps for all your alts.

[Raiah]

More stuff datamined. This time som companion details, all subject to change of course. Also, minor spoiler warning I guess.

https://torcommunity.com/database/updat ... ons-in-4-0

Companies as they are now will become followers, followers are combat companions and can craft things. You'll also have contact, these might be available for combat (depending on the contact it seems, or there'll be a third category) but not crafting.

Some old companions will be returning in the story and can be recruited that way. These companions might become available for other classes than their original ones.

Curiously these story companions, at least the ones listed, are not what I would have expected, most are what I'd say are less popular companions which seems odd.

There will be a terminal that can be used to return companions not returned through the story, these will be considered 'non-canon', don't expect new dialogue I guess.

More robot companions as well as some creature companions as well as companion gifts specifically for these types.

Companions stats will be based on your influence (affection), not gear, gear will become cosmetic. (Hope this applies pre lvl60, nice to be able to use all companions without hearing them which is quite expensive, always meant I used just a few,)

All companions appear to be able to fill all roles. This is actually a returning feature, beta builds as late as half a year before release had combat kits which change companion abilities letting them fill different roles. Role will be selected from a drops own. Very possible this just isn't fully implemented and companions still have some role limitations.

[Corvinius]

Hmmm - we will see.

Does not fit with some in game screenshots from some other infos where it shows that you can marry your old romance options.

There was a screenshot from Doc marrying a female Jedi PC.

Also there were some of the old voices of Doc and especially Vette contacted for some new voice records.

Plus indeed the info is conflicting in itself:

Some comps are listed as "Terminal only non-canon" comps while also showing that they are normal extension Comps.

It's a bit too messy in my opinion.

I will wait for confirmed info.

Having your old romance options cut would be a letdown in atmosphere.

But then as they do a relaunch of the story it might be a needed cut.

Still I would not be too thrilled to miss so many "old companions" which certainly played a vital role in the building of the characters...

[Raiah]

No doubt still work in progress. I've seen a lot of people go "oh, of course they cut everyone with an actual voice from story to cheap out and just go with aliens". But I doubt it.

1. It'd be incredibly stupid to skip all the popular companions.
2. It's not like they would hire someone to do the voice exclusively for a single companion. Most voice actors of companion, even player character, did other voices in the main game as well.

[Raiah]

Endgame PvP and PvE gear stats for Fallen Empire if anyone wants to have a look.
https://torcommunity.com/database/updat ... -game-gear
https://torcommunity.com/database/updat ... -game-gear

No models available yet though, not even correct icons so far.

[Lisszia]

For achievement and decoration collectors:

We wanted to pass on a heads up about some Achievements which will be coming out of the game with Game Update 4.0.

Category: Citizens of Makeb

Mass Exodus
Hero of the Citizens of Makeb
Making the Connection


Category: Makeb Imperial Forces

Contain and Control
Hero of the Makeb Imperial Forces
Well Connected

All players who complete Making the Connection and/or Well Connected achievements before they are removed will be receiving a Makeb Gazebo decoration in the mail around the time Game Update 4.0 launches. If you don’t have those achievements but you are looking to get them before they are retired, now is the time! We’ll see you all on Makeb.

What is being removed is the Makeb [Staged] Weekly Missions. In there place, we are putting new Weekly Missions which will contain largely the same content they do now, except presented in a way that is more consistent with the other Planetary Weekly Missions.

[Raiah]

Livestream confirmed that Kira returns, in other words, we have confirmation that the datamined companions were not complete. Not a big surprise, no way they would take away every single fan favourite.

Also not surprised that Lana Beniko becomes a full companion, but I do like it.