Another Friday, Another SWTOR Update

Make that several updates. I have a feeling we’ll be getting more and more news about Star Wars: The Old Republic, at least from now until E3. My insides are already trembling with anticipation, wondering what Bioware could reveal there in June. Or maybe that’s just my stomach growling, was too busy working to eat lunch today.

This week’s biggest update, of course, is another tab revealed in the holonet record: Inhabitants! Looks like here’s where they’re going to feature the droids, creatures and humanoids of the game. I’m trying to reign in my excitement, however, as the way it looks now, the list of entries read more like a bestiary of critters, though it’s not stopping people from hoping that at least the Trandoshan will be a playable race.

Bossk says, make our race playable plz, kthxbai.

We also have updates to the Biographies page, with the additions of Darth Malgus (Empire), The Mandalore (Independent), and General Garza (Republic). For some reason, General Garza’s appearance and description remind me of President Allison Taylor from 24, especially with the shenanigans the latter is up to in the series right now.

Finally, Darth Malgus, or better known as the guy who led the devastating siege on the Jedi Temple during the sacking of Coruscant in the Deceived trailer,  is getting his very own novel detailing his Jedi-killing exploits. It’s not going on sale until December, but I know I’ll probably read it, as long as there’s a Kindle edition available.

By the way, have you ever wondered what those weird little symbols across some of the holonet records are? It’s Aurebesh, the writing system or alphabet used to represent the Basic language in the Star Wars universe. Ever the stickler for details, Bioware has included little messages on their pages written in Aurebesh, and fans on the forums have compiled all of them, translated, on a nifty little site called The Holonet Project. I’ve been checking it for a while now, and it’s a great resource for those who are interested in getting some extra hints (or humor) from the holonet entries.

For example, one of the lines in the Salky Hound entry reads: “Beware of dog.”

Oh, Bioware.

Why So Hideous?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do find it quite fugly…but then again, no one has ever described a manta ray as cute and cuddly either, but that doesn’t make them any less awesome! And that’s what this new Maelstrom Class fleet escort skin reminds me of — a giant manta ray, albeit with clipped fins, surfing through the dark depths of space.

The irony, of course, is that manta rays are actually quite harmless.

I was surprised to see it as a new addition to the C-Store today, considering it was supposed to be the Cruiser variant “Nomad” that was to be added. But apparently, the latter’s design hit a snag with the higher-ups at CBS and had to be delayed, so they pushed the Maelstrom (which had been approved) out instead. An unfortunate turn of events for those who were looking forward to the Nomad, but good for fleet escort captains like me who were itching to give their starships a new facelift. So I took what Cryptic points I had left, made the purchase, and went on to give the U.S.S. Taiga a new look.

It certainly is an intimidating looking ship, made even more daunting by the fact it’s now armed to the teeth with the new high-end weaponry I’ve equipped. I guess doing those daily missions paid off, but I still have a lot more Marks to farm before I can buy everything I need to get to where I want to be.

Other notable things contained in the Season One – Update One that went live yesterday include a Difficulty Slider as well as a death penalty in the form of an Injury System. More thoughts on those at a later date, when I get the chance to play around a little in-game.