The time has come for E3 2010. Video game producers will try and sell their product–or the idea of their product since they’re not released yet–and show people why they should be excited about their game. As followers of Star Wars: The Old Republic, we have been waiting for this day since last year’s E3. Last year, we got the amazing Deceived cinematic trailer. We also learned that they were going to be making the game fully voiced.
We learned a lot of great things, but that was last year. A lot has changed in one year. Specifically, the release date for TOR has been narrowed down. Because we now know that the release date is targeted for Spring of 2011, this could be the last E3 that TOR gets to have. While the game might not come out then and they might have another E3, since the target is Spring, we can imagine that this will be their big display of what the game has to offer. Therefore, we can expect to see some great footage of the game. However, there will also be things that, despite people’s hopes, will not be seen.
What to Expect at E3
To begin with, we know that there will be a trailer. Chances are, that trailer will appear later today–specifically around 7:00 PM EST–because of that timer on the SWTOR.com homepage. The reason we can conclude this–and it’s not confirmed, but it’s pretty obvious I’d say–is because of the logo. That logo is of Havoc Squad, the confirmed squad that all of the trooper class starts out in. Since this trailer shows some hefty trooper action, we can hopefully connect the dots that the trailer is today. If not, and I’m wrong, then we’re going to get something else today at 7:00 PM. Regardless, what we will see in this trailer is how Darth Malgus got his mask. We’ll see troopers in action. As you remember from last year’s Deceived trailer, Blur makes an amazing trailer.
We can expect to see extended game play footage. While they’ve shown some footage in the past, now that the game has been in development for so many years, they’re bound to have a lot of available footage to show what the game is going to be like. Chances are, they’ll allow people to play the game for some time to get used to the controls. It wouldn’t surprise me if they set up a series of computers so that multiple people could try it.
Some of the game play footage that we can expect to see is how the companions interact with the player. More importantly, we can expect to see how the different classes fight each other. I know how a Jedi vs. a Sith will fight. But, how will a smuggler fight against a Sith Warrior? We can expect to see a lot of that type of footage. Some are even suggesting that they might show footage of all eight classes grouped together fighting each other. That’ll prove to be rather interesting, I’d say.
Races will finally be explained. They’ve been slipping out bits and pieces of information about different races in the game. We know that there will be Chiss. We know there will be Twi’lek. We know these things. Chances are, BioWare will explain their rationale for the races that they’ve chosen and, more importantly, what future races will be there. No, you will not be allowed to play as a Wookiee. George Lucas has already made it clear that no Wookiee will ever be a Jedi, so that erases the chances of playing as one. But, there will be races.
Going hand in hand with game play footage, one of the things we might see is some of what the PvP will look like. While it’s not a guarantee, many people are dying to understand the PvP of the game. Therefore, we might see some footage and game play of what PvP might look like. This, though, I can’t say for certain. It’d be nice, but it might not make it in there.
Travel, though, does have a possibility of appearing at E3. In a Gamespot exclusive, a particular quote stands out. Gamespot had the privilige of playing some pre-E3 game play. The quote suggests firmly that there will be space travel in The Old Republic.
This one was a Han Solo-like ship captain who lands her Millennium Falcon-esque ship on Ord Mantell to drop off a weapon shipment to the Republic fort. Gamespot.
Because this is actual game play footage, I feel that this firmly backs up the idea that there will be space travel. And it makes sense. This is Star Wars! Hello!
What Not to Expect at E3
Unfortunately, there are going to be things that we’re unable to get access to at E3. And, while many people will really want to know about it, it’s just not likely to pop up. While it would be cool if I was wrong, there’s little reason for them to reveal this information.
To begin with, there will be no discussion of beta other than a “we’re hoping to have a beta around fall” in some passing interview. There’s never been a “Beta Announcement” before at E3; at least, not to my knowledge. And there’s no reason to. BioWare is going to get a whole bunch of new people to their site. They only want those that are actually committed to do beta. Therefore, when they do announce a beta, it’s going to be to the community, not to the entire world. I’ve been a member on the SWTOR forum since December of 2008. Wouldn’t it make more sense to ask me to do a beta than some random person? I’ve been invested in the game for a while. While I might not get picked personally, that’s a pretty simple to understand mentality to have.
Another thing we might not see is end of game content. While they have a good idea of what’s going to happen, I just don’t think it’s done. With a year to go before the game comes out and E3 here now, chances are they worked hard on middle of the game content and beginning of the game content. They get all of that out of the way now so they can focus on the end of the game content leading up to beta. So, as much as people want to know what’s going to happen at the end of the game or after, I don’t see that being revealed just yet.
Finally, don’t expect to find out what type of payment system they’re going to have. While I’ve heard whispers of micro-transactions, that’s not likely. Regardless, that’ll probably be a press release at some point in the future or at a separate EA conference. I can’t imagine BioWare or EA taking the time to talk about the payment structure, especially with the game still so far away.
In the end, there is a lot to expect at E3 and a lot that probably won’t make it. This list isn’t extensive and it might not even be true. But, I can see no reason why the things not to expect would pop up. If I’m wrong, that’s cool. But, with so many things more important, we can anticipate a great E3 and some awesome Star Wars: The Old Republic news.
Stay tuned to TORUniverse.com as we update as news come out from E3. Subscribe to our newsletter on the right sidebar to get emails sent to you when there is something new. Consider following us on Twitter. And as always, please feel free to chime in with an opinion right in our comments.
