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psychogobstopper

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  1. Revan or Meetra? Ah, a good "Sophie's Choice"-esque question, as I love both. Ultimately, I suppose I'd have to go with Meetra Surik. Revan's character arc was a perfect distillation of the good-vs-evil dynamic of Star Wars (Jedi fallen to the dark side and later redeemed), but it wasn't anything "new," per se - just really well-done and in a greatly immersive RPG. Surik, on the other hand, was something new - a Jedi returned from a partially self-imposed exile and who had to rebuild herself back up from limited Force ability to defeat Sith Lords while trying to determine exactly what she herself was and what she represented for the Jedi Order and the Force itself. If you could belong to any Era of Jedi/Sith orders, which would you belong to and why? For the Jedi, it would either be the Tales of the Jedi era or Luke's New Jedi Order. Both orders were more liberal in some attitudes (i.e., marriage / attachment; ages of apprentices; etc.) than the other orders that we've witnessed, and were also not nearly as centralized as the TOR or Prequel-era orders. As for the Sith, I'd probably choose Darth Revan's Sith Empire. Yes, Malak and Bandon - and perhaps many others - were bloodthirsty psychopaths, but Revan himself seemed to have purpose for the Empire, rather than allowing in-fighting and backstabbing to get in the way of the goal of domination and order. If you could belong to any Non-Force Sensitive order, which'd you pick and why Talon Karrde's Smugglers' Alliance. It would sort of be "the best of both worlds" - I'd be a freelance captain (so master of my own fate, and all that jazz) while also having the support of and assistance from an organized group of other spacers. If you could have ONE ship, which'd you pick? Any class. Based on the "any class" inclusion, I assume this is referring to the class ships in this game? The Corellian Defender-class Light Corvette and the X-70B Phantom are my favorite designs from the player starships (speaking from the perspective of external aesthetics, at least). Favorite Star wars animal? Oh, I have no idea... Favorite Character? Favorite movie character is Han Solo, easily. Favorite EU character is a toss-up between Anakin Solo and Corran Horn. Favorite Jedi? Favorite movie Jedi is Yoda, particularly since there's so much about his past that we don't know - nor do I want to know! Favorite EU Jedi might currently be Meetra Surik. Favorite Sith? I only have obvious, boring answers here - either Darth Revan or Darth Vader. Favorite Non-Force dude? Han Solo or Wedge Antilles. If you could change one thing in Galactic History, what would you change? The fall of Jacen Solo to the dark side and rebirth as Darth Caedus. Do you think Darth was originally intended to be Darth Vader's first name? Yes. Which blaster would you wield, if you did? Or you A Vibroblades guy? Blaster pistol, though I wouldn't be able to name a specific model. Something reliable and probably illegal. Pre-TPM or Post ROTJ? Pre-TPM, I suppose. I'm starting to feel a bit fatigued by the current Post-ROTJ EU, mainly because books are slowing down (likely to see what exactly is going to happen with the Sequel Trilogy) but also because I'm getting tired of some of the authors who keep getting used over and over. I think it's time for new blood in the EU novels, and I'm rather annoyed that the promise of the New Jedi Order series - namely, that it was time for a new generation to take the center stage - still hasn't been realized. Favorite Clone Wars episode Probably "The Gathering," because I enjoyed seeing the Jedi Younglings on an early training mission outside of the confines of the Jedi Temple. Your favorite Star Wars scene. One favorite scene, out of the entire Saga? Oh, boy... "I am a Jedi, like my father before me." Funniest moment Han's face as Lando flirts with Leia when they first arrive at Cloud City. Saddest moment "Master Skywalker, there are too many of them! What are we going to do?" followed by the snap-hiss of Anakin's igniting lightsaber... Favorite quote "I love you." "I know." - The Empire Strikes Back Favourite Actor Ewan McGregor, followed by Harrison Ford. Favourite Voice Actor James Earl Jones, of course. Favourite Lightsaber Duel Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Darth Vader on Mustafar. You can master any one Force power or technique, which would you pick? Battle Meditation, perhaps. If not Jedi or Sith, which Order of Force users would you join? I'll assume that answering Djinn Altiss's Jedi group would be cheating. As such, I'll go with the Jensaarai. They seem to have done the best at reconciling aspects of both the dark and light sides of the Force together to create a new philosophy - and despite this, became allies of Luke's New Jedi Order. The Fallanassi would be tempting, though I'd be unlikely to be accepted - or at least taught anything - since I'm male. The Aing-Tii could be a possibility. What is your favorite music track from the movies? Despite being in my least-favorite movie and accompanying some of my least-favorite scenes in the Saga, "Across the Stars" is pretty damn amazing. It also hasn't gotten as much love as "Duel of the Fates" or "Imperial March" in this thread, so I'll make it my answer here. If you were part of the Star Wars universe, who would you want as a rival and why? Jar Jar Binks, because he'd be so easy to outwit that I could use him to become an emperor. If you were part of the Star Wars universe, who would you want as an ally and why? Yoda - wise and powerful. Would you Join the Revanchists, given what we know, that Revan took Powerful Jedi to Malachor and tortured them into becoming Dark Agents? If I had only the benefit of knowledge that other Jedi had at that time, then yes, I absolutely would have joined the Revanchists. The Mandalorian invasion was a genuine threat, even though the Jedi Council would later be proven to be correct that there was a hidden danger. If the Jedi were to continue calling themselves defenders of the Republic and protectors of those who could stand for themselves, then the Jedi Order had a moral obligation to fight the Mandalorians.
  2. 1)Jedi or Sith? Jedi, though if I lived during one of the Order's highly centralized periods I would likely chafe under its strict rules and supervision. I imagine I would end up leaving the Order, at least for a time, to interact with other Force-based sects - such as the Aing-Tii, the Jensaarai, and the Zeison Sha. 2) Favorite Worlds? In-universe: Mon Calamari; Corellia; Onderon. In-game: Balmorra; Tython. 3) Type of lightsaber, Lightsaber color and fighting style? Form V seems like the most sensible to me, particularly if I could become adept in both variants. Shien would be useful when facing blaster-armed opponents, and I could switch to Djem So for lightsaber-wielding foes. I would use a single-bladed, dual-phaser lightsaber with a white color crystal. 4)Favorite Species? Wookiees; Mon Calamari; Chiss. 5)Favorite vehicle? If we're including starships, I'd say the Ebon Hawk, the Outrider, or an X-Wing starfighter. If we're only including planet-based vehicles, then either the Snowspeeder or the Basilisk war droid. 6)If you were a Jedi which master would you want? There are numerous possibilities that come to mind here: Nomi Sunrider; Arren "Kreia" Kae; Meetra Surik; Orgus Din; Satele Shan; K'Kruhk; Qui-Gon Jinn; Corran Horn; Kyle Katarn; Mara Jade Skywalker. 7)If you were a Sith which master would you want? Kel'eth Ur; Revan; Darth Gravid; Darth Vectivus. 8)If you were a Sith, then what would your "Darth" Name Be? Darth Letum. 9)Favorite Film? Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. 10)Least favorite film? This alternates between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode I: The Phantom Menace. 11)If you could write your own Star Wars novel, what would it be about? There are two thoughts that come to mind. 1) A novel focused on the life and times of Meetra Surik, ending with her return from exile at the beginning of K2: The Sith Lords. 2) A novel depicting the inner workings of either the prequel-era Old Republic; the pre-NJO New Republic; or the post-NJO Galactic Alliance. Naturally, this would be a politically-focused story. 12)Which film has your favorite soundtrack? This is a toss-up between Episode II: Attack of the Clones for "Duel of the Fates," and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back for "Imperial March." 13)Do you collect figures? No. 14)In your opinion, what is the best thing about the EU? Matthew Stover; Timothy Zahn; Michael Stackpole; Aaron Allston. The freedom to explore and expand on ideas, concepts, characters, and events that were only referenced in the movies because they peripheral to the stories in those movies. The ability to expand the universe beyond the movies. 15)In your opinion, what are the worst things about the EU? Troy Denning post-NJO; Christie Golden. The tendency to make Luke's New Jedi Order function and think more and more like the Old Order. The decision to retcon Vergere into a Sith, and the accompanying decision to have Jacen Solo fall to the Dark Side. Nearly everything post-NJO, really (excepting Paul Kemp's Jaden Korr duology and Millennium Falcon, at any rate). 16)What Does Star Wars mean to you? Adventure; hope; joy.
  3. Based on the job description (cached link - the position may now be filled, as it no longer appears on the EA Careers website), it is likely that the position refers to mobile development of some sort related to SWTOR. However, EA is also looking for a Community Manager of mobile games to be based in Austin, and the job description for this position specifically calls out a title that BioWare Austin doesn't handle. The Austin studio may be expanding beyond purely SWTOR.
  4. Khaimera provided a full list via the Wookiepedia link, so I'll pull some personal recommendations from each era. Old Republic Era TOR: Revan TOR: Deceived Darth Bane Trilogy None of the four TOR books are "required" reading, but I included the two that feel the most important for someone interested in expanding the game's story and background. I haven't read Annihilation yet, so can't speak to that one. Rise of the Empire Era Darth Plagueis Rogue Planet Republic Commando series Shatterpoint Yoda: Dark Rendezvous The Dark Lord Trilogy The Han Solo Trilogy The Lando Calrissian Adventures The Han Solo Adventures The RC series includes Imperial Commando: 501st as its final entry. I only include Rogue Planet on this list on the assumption that you intend to eventually read the New Jedi Order series. The Dark Lord Trilogy consists of Labyrinth of Evil, the Revenge of the Sith novelization, and Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. The last three entries on the above list are not exactly in chronological order, as events in one trilogy often overlap events in another. For example, I would read the Calrissian books after reading the first two books in the Solo Trilogy. The third book in the Solo Trilogy includes an interlude where I would read the Solo Adventures, then return to and finish the Trilogy. Rebellion Era Splinter of the Mind's Eye Shadows of the Empire The Truce at Bakura I included Splinter mainly for historical reasons; it was the very first SW novel, and so I think is worth reading for that reason alone. Truce starts very shortly after the Battle of Endor. There is a new trilogy being published right now called Empire and Rebellion. Each book focuses on one of the Big Three - Razor's Edge is Leia and is out now; Honor Among Thieves is Han and will be out next year; and the Luke book is currently untitled and I'm not sure if it has a release date set yet. I'm not sure about Timothy Zahn's novels in this period (or in the preceding era, for that matter) for a simple reason - I haven't read them yet. I do know they include characters and explore background that was first mentioned in his Thrawn Trilogy (the start of the modern Expanded Universe from a publication standpoint), but since I haven't read these works set earlier in the timeline I'm not sure if I would recommend working backwards from Thrawn Trilogy to them or not. Perhaps someone else will have a useful suggestion. New Republic Era Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor X-Wing series The Courtship of Princess Leia Thrawn Trilogy I, Jedi Hand of Thrawn Duology Young Jedi Knights Survivor's Quest Most of the books in this period could also be referred to as "the Bantam era," as that was the publishing house that produced most of the works in this era. The X-Wing series works its way throughout most of this time period, as you can see from the Wookiepedia timeline. The YJK series is surprisingly good for a young adults line; I would read the first six books at the least, but can't recommend the remaining entries because I haven't read them. This list is rather short compared to the timeline because I don't have fond memories of most of the novels. New Jedi Order Era The New Jedi Order series I would genuinely recommend stopping with The Unifying Force. It's nearly a perfect closing chapter for the saga. Most of the books that have been released in the Legacy Era are very disappointing, as far as I'm concerned. If, however, you insist on continuing... Legacy Era Crosscurrent Riptide Millennium Falcon I cannot in good conscience recommend the Dark Nest Trilogy, the Legacy of the Force series, or the Fate of the Jedi series, though I will grant that there are some elements in each of those that I like. The overall product, however, is not of high quality in my opinion, and I particularly found Crucible to be a lackluster "last hurrah" for the Big Three. I could also attempt to provide a recommended list of comics, if you'd like. The Legacy series in particular is a stand out, and the X-Wing comics are a lot of fun and are a nice tie-in to the books.
  5. During the Clone Wars, the GAR encompassed four levels of Jedi ranks - High Jedi Generals, who sat on the Jedi Council; Senior Jedi Generals, typically Masters; Jedi Generals, a mix of Masters and Knights; and Jedi Commanders, all Padawans. Regiments and higher divisions were always led by Jedi, though battalions and lower divisions could be commanded by others. You can read more about the organization of the GAR here, and those lower divisions are the ones you'd want to focus on to see if non-clones and non-Jedi served in command capacities. I don't think it was a common practice, however, at least not until after the Declaration of the New Order. As The Clone Wars shows, however, non-clones were often in command positions onboard starships in the Republic Navy.
  6. The empire in this game -- Vitiate's Empire -- is the "true" empire. It's the rebuilt remnants of Naga Sadow's empire that was defeated in the Great Hyperspace War.
  7. The next Sith Empire was formed by a fallen Jedi following the Order's Fourth Great Schism. During the course of the New Sith Wars, the New Sith Empire and the Sith Brotherhood of Darkness were both destroyed. Following the war, Darth Bane secretly reformed the Sith Order to follow his "Rule of Two." I suppose that Darth Krayt's One Sith could be said to be a return, in a manner of speaking, of this Empire. However, I would consider the Lost Tribe of Sith to more accurately be the heir of this Empire's legacy. It was, after all, an unintended off-shoot of the "original" Sith Empire that would later become Vitiate's Empire (the empire in this game, to be clear).
  8. This project is the prime example as to why Disney needs to let Dark Horse keep the SW comics license, instead of letting the contract lapse and turning it over to Marvel. Marvel would never put out as awesome and out-there SW comics project as this.
  9. I can, and will. LucasArts told Obsidian they only had fourteen to sixteen months in which to develop the sequel - a timeframe that caused BioWare to say "no" to developing the game themselves. Obsidian was a brand-new studio, with less than ten people on staff, and the people who worked on TSL freely admit that they were in over their heads. And yet, for not being fully prepared to take on the endeavor that is a big RPG, Obsidian did pretty damn well. Avellone certainly crated a story that's a great deal more mature and thought-provoking than SW tales usually are. KOTOR 1 was a nearly-perfect distillation of SW storytelling, but at the end of the day it was merely yet another example of a classic good versus evil tale. KOTOR 2's story, on the other hand, was great deal more boldy, one that sought to examine and deconstruct that classic structure and call into question everything that it represents. Nope. The only remotely "grey Jedi" in KOTOR 2 was Kreia - who was also a Sith and who wanted to eradicate both Jedi and Sith, and destroy the Force itself. KOTOR 1, on the other hand, presented Jolee Bindo, who self-described as a "grey Jedi" and who thought he could walk a path somewhere between Jedi and Sith. Even if there were "grey Jedi" in KOTOR 2, the game never presented such a mindset as the only acceptable path, or as an absolute truth. KOTOR 2's entire point was to question assumptions - the assumptions of the Jedi, those of the Sith, and those of anyone who opposed or supported either of those two dichotomies. You seem to be having difficulty in differentiating the beliefs of characters and opinions of creators. Yes, Obsidian has made a name for themselves by working on licensed games, rather than original IPs. But that's hardly unique to Obsidian, nor is it something over which to condemn them. Hell, at least five of those games - KOTOR 2, Neverwinter Nights 2 and its expansions, and Fallout: New Vegas - have all been critically acclaimed. Yes, their games are typically rough around the edges and have issues, but that's what happens when most of the games the company has worked on were developed on short timetables. I highly doubt that Obsidian could have raised nearly $4 million on Kickstarter for their first original IP if there weren't plenty of people around who believe in the company, its vision and goals, and its ability to develop on the same. I've never seen Avellone claim that he barely knew Star Wars when he started work on KOTOR 2. On the contrary, I've heard him express that he had been a fan and became one again because of the KOTOR games. See here: What you've said about starting the story for KOTOR 2 is, however, partially true - but that wasn't Avellone's fault, because work on KOTOR 2 started before KOTOR 1 even shipped. Can't really expect someone to be intimately familiar with a story that they don't have access to. After playing and finishing KOTOR 1, he realized that the story they were initially working on had to change. I have, and I recognize your username. You all did amazing work on that. And anyone in this thread who hasn't heard of TSLRCM go read the original Eurogamer article that was referenced by the link in the opening post, and then should go take a look at TSLRCM.
  10. In addition to the above method of "withdrawing," the Chiss Ascendancy began projecting its political and military power into the Unknown Regions, away from what is typically the "explored" territory with which the Republic (and, later, the Galactic Empire) concerned itself. If I recall correctly, some Chiss encountered post-Thrawn (or possibly I'm thinking of Jagged Fel) occasionally referenced threats in the Unknown Regions that they had kept in check, without the Republic/Empire ever finding out they even existed.
  11. First, the word is canon, not cannon. No one here is claiming that the Expanded Universe is a weapon that fires heavy projectiles. Second, the tiered canon approach was not "just created by fans." It was instituted by employees of the Lucasfilm empire (Lucasfilm, Lucas Licensing, Lucas Books, etc.) whose responsibilities included continuity tracking and reference keeping. Those two corrections aside, I do think it was a mistake that Lucasfilm ever decided to apply the term "canon" to the Expanded Universe. It has led to a great deal of confusion, frustration, and uncertainty among the SW fandom over the years, all of which could and should have been avoided. EU stories don't need to be "canon" to be good, enjoyable stories, so tying them to some "level of canonicity" was a profound error in judgement. There a few quotes cited on Wookiepedia's Canon entry that I think sum up exactly how Lucasfilm should always have handled the EU: Those "certain tenets" should be obvious, and would be the ones that any tie-in material for any modern multimedia franchise tends to follow -- the tie-in material adheres as best as it possibly can to what is produced by the license holders, rather than the licensed material ever being perceived as supplementary. That means that the licensed material stays in continuity with the (live-action and/or animation) produced works, but it never gets confused as to being "canon." Lucas' Star Trek example is a good one, in fact. Star Trek novels, comics, games, etc., are not expected by fans to be "canon," but that doesn't stop those materials from providing excellent stories and staying consistent (i.e., in continuity with) the various television series and movies. TLDR version: I agree that declaring anything EU-related "canon" was a mistake that never should have been made, and any fans who hold tightly to that concept should re-evaluate why they feel they need those stories to have such a label.
  12. Since there were Sith Jee'dai long before the Dark Jedi Exiles were alive, I imagine that what the Sith called "magic," "alchemy," and "sorcery" was indeed the Force.
  13. We already have ample precedent to make informed assumptions about which outcomes will and will not be "canon." In games where there have been choices between light and dark side, the light side outcomes have always been the canon ones.
  14. Not every Jedi is necessarily going to be proficiently trained to wield two lightsabers at once.
  15. The void between galaxies is an immense distance that would be impossible for most species or factions to traverse. Only a small number of extra-galactic species have been known to have made the voyage to the GFFA. Considering how much of the GFFA was unexplored (by the standards of the Republic, at any rate), there was no need for the Sith to flee the entire galaxy after the Great Hyperspace War. There was plenty of galactic territory left, as one can see from the example of the rebuilt Empire in this game's time period.
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