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First Jedi Player Unlocked In Star Wars Galaxies

Posted by simoniker on from the lightsabers-are-upon-us dept.

mr_don't writes "TheForce.net reported today that the first appearance of a Jedi Initiate has occured in the PC MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies. The allakhazam.com Star Wars Galaxies Community Pages state: 'Monika T'Sarn of the PA Combine on the Intrepid Server unlocked her force sensitive slot today. Akinom T'Sarn (her FS character) is the first player confirmed Jedi Initiate in all of Star Wars Galaxies.' Here is a pic of the new Jedi." We recently ran a story on lack of player Jedi in SWG.

9 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. How will this affect the game as a whole? by Trillian_1138 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I can think of two main possibilities for how the first force-sensitive player (note that she's not actually a Jedi yet) will affect the SW:G universe.

    The first posibility is that it attracts new users, and drives current users to play more. The idea of actually being a Jedi will once again be cool enough to increase the userbase and allow people to see past the problems in SW:G. (Note this is not a rant about SW:G. I haven't played the game. But, like ALL videogames, EVER, it does have some problems. I'm not judging or reviewing SW:G...)

    The second posibility is that it will, in the long run, piss people off. How, you ask? Others have pointed out in the past that SW:G has something no other MMORPG has had before: A specific class that is "better" than all others. EverQuest, Dark Age of Camelot, the forthcoming WarCraft MMORPG, all classes and races will be 'equal' from the standpoint that, while some are better at magic, some at melee, some at crafting, there isn't one class that is undeniably "cooler" than the others and can kick their ass. SW:G has a built-in aristocracy.

    All MMORPGs, even borderline ones like Diablo, have people who have been playing obsessivly since the game came out and, whether from cheating or simply playing the game a helluva lot, have a disgusting amount of hitpoints, armor that can survive anything, and a weapon that will defeat anything. But a force sensitive player who hasn't even gained a single level is going to be "cooler" than a master dancer. It's an interesting situation that Sony has gotten themselves into.

    (The third possibility, which I'm ignoring, is that it won't change a damn thing...)

    Personally, I think a little of both will happen. Just the posting made me look again at SW:G forums and reviews, and think that maybe I should finally take the MMORPG plunge and join up. On the other hand, I can see people getting bored with the game quicker if they've poured their time and energy into becoming a medic or dancer or whatnot, only to feel useless when a Jedi walks into the bar.

    Regardless, I DO have to compliment Sony for not allowing everyone to become a Jedi right off the bad. Because, obviously, that's what everyone would do. But regardless of the 'math' you see sometimes concerning how many Jedis there 'should' be in SW:G, obviously not every single person should be a Jedi. That would just be silly. So if Sony can keep up a ballance, and keep the game enjoyable (or, if some of the games detractors are right, make the game finally be enjoyable after another patch or two), I'll be impressed.

    -Trillian

    1. Re:How will this affect the game as a whole? by Sentry21 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Basically, you're suggesting what has happened in reality for thousands of years - getting jealous of power, and mobbing those who have it because of fear or envy.

      I find it really interesting how MMORPGs reflect our basic human natures in so many ways.

      --Dan

    2. Re:How will this affect the game as a whole? by kherr · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The second posibility is that it will, in the long run, piss people off. How, you ask? Others have pointed out in the past that SW:G has something no other MMORPG has had before: A specific class that is "better" than all others.

      There already is an element of unbalance in the game. Bounty Hunters get a vicious attack (eyeshot) that kills players dead in a hurry and there's no way to effectively heal during the fight. I've seen player imperials with two AT-STs, which have like 70% resistance to all attacks. Plus armor. Plus massive hit points. Plus each shot from an AT-ST does over 1000 damage, which is about 50% more than a player typically has when 100% healthy.

      That being said, these things don't really affect the ordinary user. If you don't join a faction or duel others you don't have to worry about these things. It's impossible to run around killing just any player in SWG. I'd say Jedi are going to be marked for death as well as sought out to join parties for missions and attacks on imperial bases. Except a force-sensitive character has to start from scratch and from what I've read can only train in Jedi skills. So you won't see a Jedi Bounty Hunter or even a Jedi Droid Engineer.

      I don't think the casual player will notice, except to maybe see some activity around a Jedi once in a while. Which is just like the universe of the movies.

    3. Re:How will this affect the game as a whole? by Allen+Varney · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "Balanced characters" is a convention, not an unbreakable natural law. In paper roleplaying games some very well regarded RPGs, such as Ars Magica, consciously abandon the principle that all character classes should be equivalent in power. (In ArM, for instance, mages totally rule, and everyone else is basically support.)

      And you know what? Players still have fun. Players still play the "inferior" character types. Because in these games it's not about maximum firepower, it's about roleplaying. You can have fine roleplaying experiences in these classes that you can't have as a top gun. So, lo and behold, these games survive.

      I could easily imagine a similar ethos prevailing in SWG.

  2. Re:Am I the only one who would have... by antin · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Well I think if you sold the only jedi in the game they might cotton on to it...

    I wonder if she actually knows how she unlocked the jedi? Like does it tell you what the successful steps were, or is it just "voila! you are now a jedi for completing an unknown series of steps"?

  3. SWG Jedi characters are here... by EvilXenu · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...and it only took, what 4 or 5 months? Sheesh. I guess that's why I bought Jedi Academy -- I was a Jedi immediately after installing the game. Talk about your instant gratification! Yep, that's me! Always taking the quick and easy way. And... and...

    <ominous voiceover>
    You... like your Father... are now.... MINE!
    </ominous voiceover>

  4. Hmmm by Goo.cc · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This sounds interesting but I can't see running Windows just to play it. As for the game, this is a milestone. Other interesting milestones should be:

    First full jedi
    First full Sith
    First combat between a Jedi and Sith

  5. Re:Yup, it's made by Verant. by the+Man+in+Black · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Maybe I'm all alone, but IMO, the appeal of the Star Wars Universe is the Jedi mythos. This is why every other Star Wars licensed game to date has allowed you to "Use the Force" in some way shape or form (even the Atari Empire Strikes Back game. Anyone else remember that?).

    THIS game on the other hand seems to want me to pay $50 + subscription fee specifically to be a supporting cast member. It wants me to be Stormtropper #3 or Rebel Infantry #9. It's 300,000 subscribers in, and now it has ONE "possible" Jedi, that now everyone in the game will be trying to kill. This just doesn't seem like my idea of a good time.

    But maybe I'm missing the appeal. Can anyone clarify for me?

    --
    El riesgo vive siempre!
  6. sad by Lepruhkawn · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I have no interest in buying a Star Wars game where becoming a Jedi is extraordinary news.

    --
    Jesus saves....And takes 1/2 damage.