SWTOR.com also gives us a peak inside the newly released book The Art and Making of Star Wars: The Old Republic.
MMOCrunch.com offers up beta test first impressions from a non-Star Wars fan point of view. Here's an excerpt from the conclusion:
"Can I recommend it? Yes ? provisionally.
I began frustrated, and wanting to get to the action rather than sit here watching cutscene after cutscene, but after a while, I suddenly realized ? this MMO is a single player game that you can play with lots of people. The story is the whole point of playing. The cutscenes became less annoying after that hit me, so while I can recommend this game wholeheartedly, I do have to say that you should skip this game if you don?t want story. If you want the kind of game that I normally look for ? more sandbox than themepark, with challenging gameplay ? and if you don?t want story and cutscenes interrupting your play, you?re better off giving this game a pass.
But if you like a game with a good story, I can recommend it wholeheartedly. If you like Dragon Age, I can recommend this game hands down. It?s already been said, but it really is a lot like Dragon Age: Origins with lightsabers."
PCGamer.com reports that last weekend's TOR beta testers logged more than a million hours of game time in a two day period.
Kotaku.com ponders what class to choose in a Star Wars: The Old Republic beta test.
In a couple of conflicting articles, IBTimes.com cites the cinematic feel of The Old Republic as an advantage in their impending battle with World of Warcraft, while Gamespy.com lists a few concerns with the game.
And finally, Dr. Greg Zeschuk announced yesterday on the SWTOR.com forums that beta testing non disclosure requirements have been lifted:
"As of now, the non disclosure portion of our Game Testing Agreement is officially lifted. While all players must still accept the Game Testing Agreement, from this point on testers may now freely talk about their experiences this past weekend in the game, as well as post screenshots and gameplay videos of their testing experiences. We encourage you to come join us on the official Star Wars?: The Old Republic? Forums to share your experiences!
The Star Wars: The Old Republic community site will have a copy of this message on the forums and it will also appear in the Patcher. Players may not talk about nor reprint posts from our testing forums as they are still fully covered by the confidentiality portions of our Game Testing Agreement. And all players who want to participate in the upcoming Beta Test Weekends still have to accept all terms of the Game Testing Agreement. So, other than that, free feel to talk about and share your experiences in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
My thanks go out to everyone who has beta tested and continues to beta test the game. It has been with your help and feedback that Star Wars: The Old Republic is where it is today. We really appreciate your efforts.
May the Force be with you!
Greg Zeschuk VP, Electronic Arts, BioWare Austin, General Manager"
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