Gamescom is a games event that takes place every year in Cologne, Germany. This year they had 254,000 visitors and 505 exhibitors from 33 different countries. This will also be the last major games event before the release of TOR, and featured a fully playable version of the game, which was open to members of the public for the first time. This, combined with James Ohlen (Lead Designer) and Daniel Erickson (Lead Writer) being present to give interviews, meant we received some of the most detailed insights into the game yet. I’ve broken down some of the key things we learned into sections, to give an overall review of the event.
Class and Skill set
- There were 6 playable classes at the event (minus both Jedi classes). People were able to see the full skill trees for the basic classes, links to them can be viewed through the class discussions section of the forum.
-The full 16 advance classes were revealed and again we have links to them in the class discussions section. They were keen to point out that advance classes will be very different from each other, and create very different characters.
-Species will not be as class specific as they appear at the moment, and over time they will reveal more of which species can do what.
-Skills will be bought through class trainers, the skills are work in process and are being constantly tweaked.
-4 out of the 16 classes will have decent healing abilities to try and ensure no group is left short of a healer.
Space Combat and Ships
-Space combat was revealed along with details on some of the ships. The links to which can be again found on our forum under the relevant section.
-The space sections will not be totally optional, but the required sections will be of a fairly easy nature so as not to obstruct ground based players. For those who enjoy it additional missions will be available, of varying difficulty and tactics.
-Ships will act as a mobile base and will have crafting stations/workbenches, although details on crafting are sketchy at this time
-Ships will have some customization options, although again details are limited at this time.
-Although they will not be in the initial game, guild ships are on the agenda, and could be one of the main new things they work on post release
General
- Each class will have access to between 3-10 companion classes. From interviews they appear to be very important to the game and will have quests similar to those in Mass Effect. Companions can be lost permanently, in such instances there will be a major storyline involved.
-Companions can be used to cover any weakness in your main character, and you will be able to tailor your selection to suit the mission.
-There will be no individual customization of armour, though there will be a huge choice available. The main lightsaber colours will be available and will not be restricted
-You can replay instances/flashpoints as many times as you want, but it will be your last choice that counts for the future.
-The fast travel system works similar to other MMO’s.
-Open P v P will not be in the initial release but again is something that they are working on
-Still scheduled for Spring 2011, no date as of yet for European testing
-TOR was nominated for Best of Gamescom, and Best Online, but lost out to Gran Turismo 5 and Guild Wars 2 respectively
