Commando Archive
Thread: NDA Lifted on JTL
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garvin
Thu Oct 21, 2004 3:34 pm
#1
TH just announced in the JTL forums that the NDA is lifted which means beta folks are free to talk about JTL and, if you like, post screenshots (more recent the better)...Just thought I'd mention it as I know many of you Commandos, like me, have been enjoying the Beta...
ac7
Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:09 pm
#2
I've been in beta for about 2 weeks now, and I am seriously depressed. I get horrible lag, ground and air, the graphics aren't very good, the flight combat model makes me want to go play Star Wars: Starfighter, which is very, very sad, and generally speaking, neither I nor those testers who I've been comparing data with think it is even close to being ready to release.
btw, sorry to sound so depressing, but after playing, for two weeks none the less, the expansion that was supposed to complete the game, I wish they would have left space out of the game totally.
Message Edited by ac7 on 10-21-2004 05:10 PM
HaydenCross
Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:19 pm
#3
That's depressing to hear, but I'm not exactly surprised... the beta for SWG was the same way (they basically ignored a ton of bugs that we all knew about and rushed it out the door). Hence launch was beta 4, with countless crashes, bugs, problems, and even whole characters simply deleting themselves (that happened to several people I knew from beta 2/3). I've been holding out hope that JTL would not be launched the same way but given SOE's track record, I'm not the least bit surprised to hear you say that.
I suspect we'll all be beta testing JTL on October 27... enjoy!
BravenIrish
Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:36 pm
#4
I've had mixed feelings about it...been testing it for about a month now (neglecting my TC duties---shame shame!)
I started before there was blue frogs and I had a real hard time with character creation...then I finally got one and a week or two later they wiped the server...LMAO! I also found many buggy things irritating (like not being able to land on certain planets or starports), on the flip side...It was pretty incouraging to see the effort SOE has been putting into resolving bug issues and working on joystick and gamepad compatability. Now, if this effort is put into the Combat Revamp...good things are surely to come.....eventually!
I'm hoping they can polish JTL a bit more. I'm really hoping they have a good strike team to adress any bugs that get through and hit the live servers. We all know there will at least be a few...hopefully those few will not be so gamebreaking to delay Combat Revamp.
Overall, I actually enjoyed the experiance. Being true to form...I eventually did hit one of those Blue Frogs and made a Master Commando to see if maybe something changed or maybe we got some sort of bonus to using turrets and such...no luck from what I've found. Would I recommend JTL for everyone? Actually no, but it is pretty fun and if you are like me, you'll buy it just to keep up with the Joneses and remove the wait time between planets. Not so sure it's the groundbreaking (sorry, had to throw that in there somewhere!) expansion to take SWG to the next level...but to be completely fair, it was fun and the level of focus the devs seem to put into it is incouraging.
I still think they put the wagon in front of the horse and I'd personally be more inclined to pay for the Combat Revamp now and take JTL for free sometime down the line...BUT that's not the case so hopefully they ship JTL and everyone rejoices, the devs get an "attah boy", and WE GET TO SEE THOSE DOCS! 
Slainte'
Raptor2k1
Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:37 pm
#5
During the dev fighting event I named my X-Wing Commando Avenger 1 and kicked some tail. 
http://members.cox.net/jordantaylor/JTLShots/screenShot0673.jpg
http://members.cox.net/jordantaylor/JTLShots/screenShot0674.jpg
And my personal fighter - The Raptor2k1 
http://members.cox.net/jordantaylor/JTLShots/screenShot0631.jpg
My overall impression from the beta is that it's going to be overall a lot less buggy than SWG was at release, the only two bugs I'm really having a problem with right now are NPC's with missiles (well that's more of a design flaw) and how the AI tends to randomly stop and try to act like a space turret (which is suicide for them, and annoying/immersion-detracting for me.)
Oh yeah, one more thing. I went MC the first day of beta and got a HAR from the frog. Is it just me, or did they add some green coloring to it to make it look like it actually held a big vat of acid?
Message Edited by Raptor2k1 on 10-21-2004 06:38 PM
StarNick
Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:50 pm
#6
Yes, at the dev event...I was there in my TIE (for once, im a rebel by heart...) rooting for Kyeran on the sidelines
I also agree w/ the stopping and acting like a turret....it seems to be a bug, as when you try to match speed, most of the times your speed doesn't go down to 0...even though the enemy ship totally stopped in space. Plus, Im still a bit pissed at the high mass stuff for components...gonna be hell fitting everything in my a-wing....fortunately at least, most of the ships are around 60-250k mass (500k mass MP ships not included)...only the very bottom tiers won't really be useable with high lvl stuff...(first 2 really...)
deedabug
Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:41 pm
#7
I am not into flaming in these posts - but i am forced to agree. From a half full perspective - at best - I was really disappointed with the beta. I know, hard to believe negativity coming from my mouth, But it truly was a disappointment. The Lag was terrible, especially when on my cool flash speeder - I had to walk to get anywhere (walking - I know - imagine that). Now it was cool flying with all the visuals but seemed rather chaotic. I thought the Ithorian race was bad ass - this was very cool.
I think this games most prominant feature is that those of you who are thirsty for something new to do - and will probably make trillions doing stuff in space - will at best make more room for me on the ground. I prefer ground action - with maybe an occasional space trip to Disneyland. I do think it will help the game immensely by giving more paths for people to follow. I think there will be space-Farers, and i think there will be Ground-faring peeps.
All in all i think there needed to be a lower rating than 4, but at least i get a cool new land speeder thing. Am I wrong but doesnt it look like something Flash Gordon or the thundercats would use - I LOVE IT!!!!
Sorry - not to be a flamer - but ill be sticking to ground - just love the flamer too darn much!
aeuralis
Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:50 pm
#8
To me, JTL just means that i will not be waiting for shuttles anymore.
I want it to launch so i can find out about the "Upgrade".
Cpl_Fisher
Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:28 pm
#9
So, the real question is, when is the NDA going to be lifted on combat docs?
Ryubushi
Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:46 pm
#10
Raptor2k1 wrote:
During the dev fighting event I named my X-Wing Commando Avenger 1 and kicked some tail.
Hahahaha! Way to show pride!
But you know, they're probably going to think we're overpowered now and nerf us again. 
Kalano
Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:54 pm
#11
For those who are depressed with the JTL, the beta is still going on. There been hugh amounts of bugs crushed and destroyed. You got to remember this is going to be not always great and fun the whole time. Yeah, several times i was ready to shoot my monitor and strangle the mouse to death. But that is part of the testing.
I have had a blast playing. Yeah, i been stuck on missions for awhile do to tweaking the game. but there is still more time to fix things. As for the lag, i am really laggy on the ground only. Main reason, i have a POS for a pc. That might be a big problem for some of you that had lag on beta. The devs add some testing data collectors that do case lag, and the more people, the more lag.
For those who are waiting. Don't just listen to the negative comments. I have a blast playing my starter ship. I had a blast creating new ships. There has been major sweeping changes the last 2 weeks. So a lot of people are upset because of the changes, but it is necessary for beta. The game can't be a cake walk, but not impossible for joe normal either. I think they are close to getting it perfected. No, it won't be instant bug free. Beta can't find and squash every last bug. High amount of people get them out of the hiding, besides, sometimes bugs have multiple sources and we don't catch them all.
Oh, and you don't have to wait for shuttles to go to starport to starport. there is hyperdrive.
ShugFlurry
Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:03 pm
#12
Hell, as a MWS and Shock Trooper im annoyed that WS have nothing to do with Jtl. No making weapons or anything 
. Wish the had got WS to make weapons parts for Shipwrights to make into Ship weapons. Same with AS but i guess it was not to be
. Wish the had got WS to make weapons parts for Shipwrights to make into Ship weapons. Same with AS but i guess it was not to be
Warmaker01
Fri Oct 22, 2004 1:35 am
#13
JTL was somewhat of a disappointment. Here's my Pro's and Con's:
+ You can get a full TIE Pilot outfit within the first 5-6 missions (IIRC).
+ Factional Ships from the movies are represented: TIE Fighters, TIE Interceptors, TIE Advanced, Y-Wing, B-Wing, X-Wings.
+ Sorosuub Luxury Yacht (Veteran Reward) is quite nice.
+ Pilot Professions do not use your normal Skill Point pool. So, if you maxed your SPs out already, no need to worry. You can still be an Ace Imperial / Alliance / Privateer Pilot.
+ Shipwright is a good profession to play with from what I've seen in the Beta.
+ Tailors, Armorsmiths, Droid Engineers have new things to do. Droid Engineers have components that directly tie into some of Shipwright's components. Architects are required to make the Personal Starcraft Crafting Stations.
+ Ithorians and Sullustans are brought in. I like the Ithorians more. Ever since KOTOR, I acquired a soft spot for these aliens.
- The game really does nothing to add to the GCW in space. It's actually worse, IMO. Neutrals can fly factional craft with no repurcussions. Naturally since it's a space expansion, it adds nothing to the ground GCW.
- Once you hit Master/Ace pilot whatever, some of the cooler, lower tier fighters/craft are completely useless. I would very much love to fly a TIE Fighter or TIE Interceptor at Imperial Pilot Ace, but the higher level components eat up so much mass that there is too much compromise to make these "more agile fighters" competetive compared to the Master level certs.
- The flight model has improved but still has some serious problems. For those that weren't in the Beta, the flight model was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy out of wack. You want an idea on how annoying it was to fight? Set your hand on one side of your monitor. Now, move your hand back and forth, side to side for several minutes. That is how your targetting cursor/movement/starcraft acted when you tried to chase down a target. Like I said, it changed for the better, but there still needs some fixing.
- Differentiation between starfighters needs to be more pronounced, specifically their roles. Right now, it's all about mass.
- Loot items drop at such a frequent rate that your backpack will fill up in the timespan of a buff session if you're in combat continuously. Loot items are ready to use starfighter components that a player can stuff into his craft for an upgrade. These loot components are so superior to a Master Shipwright's crafted components that I wondered what the purpose of Shipwright was other than starcraft chassis production. The devs drastically lowered the rate of loot drops to help the Shipwrights out, but the whining eventually resulted and the rate drop was brought back to its ridiculous amount. You can make some credits from selling beginner/Level 1 components for players who are starting, but that will stop when there's more and more Lv.1 loot components floating around, even hand me downs from their buddies.
- Shipwright is a VERY expensive profession to master. This isn't really a hit against the expansion, but this is a FYI for those interested. If you're a crafter currently and plan on becoming a shipwright, you better have those Heavy Harvesters working as of last week digging up lots and lots (did I say lots?) of resources, namely steels. If you don't have access to lots of resources, well, you better have a big bank account.
- Borked missions. Some of them were insanely hard. I have no problem with difficult missions in the game, but when these missions prevent you from getting the next pilot skill box even if I have more than enough XPs, that's annoying as hell.
- I have to see if they fixed it yet, but TIEs can't shoot green bolts if using Blaster weaponry. Ions shoot blue (fine with that), Disruptors shoot purple (fine with that). But all blasters shoot stinking Rebel red bolts, even if equipped on TIEs. There are certain blaster loot components that allow the trademark TIE's green bolts, but why must a TIE Pilot rely on a random loot drop to shoot the green blasts like he should have? The starter TIE doesn't have the problem. It's when you get into the crafted TIEs is where you run into this problem.
- EDIT TO ADD: I couldn't believe that I saw a Trade Federation Droid Fighter flying around (an NPC). More prequel ****.
More to add later.
Message Edited by Warmaker01 on 10-22-2004 02:01 AM
"If they can be fooled, they can be killed."
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