KOTOR PC and KOTOR II information blow-out! Everything we know, condensed for your pleasure!
Must read for all Star Wars fans...
The best-selling game Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) will soon be available for PC, complete with new content. Unfortunately, no date has been set for release, only Autumn 2003 for the PC version and perhaps a month or so after that for the XBox Live! downloadable content.
Despite the large number of stores offering pre-orders for the PC version – and as autumn gives way to winter - their release dates are in no way a reflection of anything Bioware has said.
The game hasn't gone gold yet, even though rumours are hinting that KOTOR for PC will be available at the beginning of December.
Knights of the Old Republic swept through the XBox community like a firestorm, creating instant fanatics. The characters are extremely well developed, with several developers having gone to the fan community to gather opinions and inspiration.
The storyline is equally well developed, with an amazing twist in the middle of the game.
The graphics found in the XBox version have not been hailed as the best, but they are by no means awful. It's a non-linear RPG in that you do not have a set path to follow, and your opportunity to explore the galaxy is vast. In addition, you get to choose whether or not you follow the light side or the dark side of the Force, with the most innocuous conversation choices sometimes having an impact on your path.
The first of its kind - a true Star Wars CRPG - based on the Wizard's of the Coast ‘pen and paper’ Star Wars role-player, Bioware follows the tradition of such marvellous CRPG's as the first two Baldur's Gate games and Neverwinter Nights to make for not only a highly addictive game, but to faithfully recreate the feel of the Star Wars galaxy so many know and love.
Aside from the bulk of the gameplay, the developers took the time to add several small details that increase the enjoyment of the game, such as a dark side characters' appearance changing as the dark side of the Force grows stronger within them, inter-party non-playable character (NPC) conversations, and remarkable non-party NPC interactions.
Not a true port, KOTOR was primarily intended for a PC release, but due to a number of reasons, LucasArts decided to release the XBox version first. Both the XBox version and the PC version were developed side by side, and yet independently.
As this is the case, it won't suffer from the same issues so many other ports do, such as poor PC user interface and frame rate problems.
No real details on the player interface have been released as yet, so how the controls will work is still something of a mystery. However, considering the history of Bioware and their user-friendly RPG controls, it is sure to be simple and designed for ease of play. One of the control issues the developer has mentioned is there will not be the same kind of hotkey use as was seen in Neverwinter Nights.
If played correctly, it is insanely easy to get 60 hours of gameplay from a single run-through. Starting from the basic options of running through the game as a ‘lightsider’ or ‘darksider’, male or female, three different types of initial class (soldier, scout, or scoundrel) and the widely varied NPC interactions, the replayability of the game is incredible. And while Bioware cannot officially comment on modifications for the game, modders are lined up and waiting for the PC release so they can begin creating their own worlds from KOTOR. Bioware has a reputation for obliquely supporting these innovators, all the way back to Baldur's Gate and TeamBG's mod of Tales of the Sword Coast, renamed Dark Tales of the Sword Coast.
The PC version is still being tested, but a few choice titbits have been released about the game, specifically new content and PC specs. The following information has been confirmed to us by the Live! Development Team at Bioware:
1. New lizard race – Transhodons - which we believe was referenced in one of the movies.
2. New weapons, armour, and at least one new lightsaber crystal.
3. New Space Station in orbit around Yavin, a place to make new item purchases. It will have its own landing/take-off cut-scenes.
4. Increased resolution.
5. Additional skins for the NPC’s, so you don't see the same six aliens everywhere you go.
6. Bug fixes for several glitches on the XBox version.
System requirements:
Computer: 100% DirectX 9.0b compatible computer;
Operating Systems: Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP;
CPU: Intel PIII 1 GHz or AMD Athlon 1 GHz required;
Memory: 128 MB RAM required for Windows 98, 256 MB RAM required for Windows ME/2000/XP;
Graphics Card: 32 MB OpenGL 1.4 compatible PCI or AGP 3D; HardwareAccelerator with Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L) Capability required;
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 9.0b compatible Audio Device required;
CD-ROM: Quad Speed CD-ROM drive required;
Input Device: Keyboard and mouse required;
DirectX: Microsoft DirectX 9.0b is included on CD;
Installation: 4.0 GB of free hard drive space required
Supported Chipsets at this time:
ATI Radeon 8500/9000/9200;
ATI Radeon 9500/9600/9700/9800;
NVIDIA GeForce 2/3/4 family;
NVIDIA GeForceFX family
Recommended Specifications:
CPU: 1.6 GHZ AMD or Intel processor;
Video Chipset: ATI Radeon 9200 or better, NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti or better;
RAM: 512 MB RAM
Of course, the range of supported chipsets will increase as tests continue.
A few mini-quests on the Space Station have also been hinted at, but nothing that will alter the plot. Additionally, the game will be coming out on four CDs - there are no plans for a DVD release at this time, and the game will not be multiplayer, nor will it have a toolset.
And console players, don't worry: Bioware has their faithful XBox players in mind, and has no intention of cheating them out of any of the new material that's going to be included on the PC version.
The new Space Station and items will be included in the downloadable content, although it is as yet unknown if the additional skins or the transhodons will be available to Xbox users. OXM ran an unofficial claim stating that they will most likely have this downloadable content on a cover-mounted CD on their magazine a few weeks after it's been released on Live!
Finally, it's been rumoured that Obsidian is working on Knights of the Old Republic II, and that it will be set some time after the original game. Obsidian was founded by former employees of Black Isle (Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment) and Bioware, and is considered by some to be an affiliate of Bioware. The sequel is said not to have any of the characters from the first game included in it, but it may well refer to them.
One employee of Bioware has revealed that they are looking forward to seeing what Obsidian comes up with.
All in all, the PC version of Knights of the Old Republic looks to uphold the tradition of fine CRPGs Bioware is renowned for. Many who already own the XBox version are also stating their intention to buy the PC version. Available for pre-order in many locations, LucasArts is offering a pewter lightsaber letter opener with every order.
Check with retailers for availability, and to see if they are offering any incentives of their own, but please keep in mind that the release dates set by these retailers are not from Bioware. Neither Bioware nor LucasArts have stated anything definite on release dates.
Thanks go to Cat Jarret for the update. Check out his unofficial fan site here.
Despite the large number of stores offering pre-orders for the PC version – and as autumn gives way to winter - their release dates are in no way a reflection of anything Bioware has said.
The game hasn't gone gold yet, even though rumours are hinting that KOTOR for PC will be available at the beginning of December.
Knights of the Old Republic swept through the XBox community like a firestorm, creating instant fanatics. The characters are extremely well developed, with several developers having gone to the fan community to gather opinions and inspiration.
The storyline is equally well developed, with an amazing twist in the middle of the game.
The graphics found in the XBox version have not been hailed as the best, but they are by no means awful. It's a non-linear RPG in that you do not have a set path to follow, and your opportunity to explore the galaxy is vast. In addition, you get to choose whether or not you follow the light side or the dark side of the Force, with the most innocuous conversation choices sometimes having an impact on your path.
The first of its kind - a true Star Wars CRPG - based on the Wizard's of the Coast ‘pen and paper’ Star Wars role-player, Bioware follows the tradition of such marvellous CRPG's as the first two Baldur's Gate games and Neverwinter Nights to make for not only a highly addictive game, but to faithfully recreate the feel of the Star Wars galaxy so many know and love.
Aside from the bulk of the gameplay, the developers took the time to add several small details that increase the enjoyment of the game, such as a dark side characters' appearance changing as the dark side of the Force grows stronger within them, inter-party non-playable character (NPC) conversations, and remarkable non-party NPC interactions.
Not a true port, KOTOR was primarily intended for a PC release, but due to a number of reasons, LucasArts decided to release the XBox version first. Both the XBox version and the PC version were developed side by side, and yet independently.
As this is the case, it won't suffer from the same issues so many other ports do, such as poor PC user interface and frame rate problems.
No real details on the player interface have been released as yet, so how the controls will work is still something of a mystery. However, considering the history of Bioware and their user-friendly RPG controls, it is sure to be simple and designed for ease of play. One of the control issues the developer has mentioned is there will not be the same kind of hotkey use as was seen in Neverwinter Nights.
If played correctly, it is insanely easy to get 60 hours of gameplay from a single run-through. Starting from the basic options of running through the game as a ‘lightsider’ or ‘darksider’, male or female, three different types of initial class (soldier, scout, or scoundrel) and the widely varied NPC interactions, the replayability of the game is incredible. And while Bioware cannot officially comment on modifications for the game, modders are lined up and waiting for the PC release so they can begin creating their own worlds from KOTOR. Bioware has a reputation for obliquely supporting these innovators, all the way back to Baldur's Gate and TeamBG's mod of Tales of the Sword Coast, renamed Dark Tales of the Sword Coast.
The PC version is still being tested, but a few choice titbits have been released about the game, specifically new content and PC specs. The following information has been confirmed to us by the Live! Development Team at Bioware:
1. New lizard race – Transhodons - which we believe was referenced in one of the movies.
2. New weapons, armour, and at least one new lightsaber crystal.
3. New Space Station in orbit around Yavin, a place to make new item purchases. It will have its own landing/take-off cut-scenes.
4. Increased resolution.
5. Additional skins for the NPC’s, so you don't see the same six aliens everywhere you go.
6. Bug fixes for several glitches on the XBox version.
System requirements:
Computer: 100% DirectX 9.0b compatible computer;
Operating Systems: Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP;
CPU: Intel PIII 1 GHz or AMD Athlon 1 GHz required;
Memory: 128 MB RAM required for Windows 98, 256 MB RAM required for Windows ME/2000/XP;
Graphics Card: 32 MB OpenGL 1.4 compatible PCI or AGP 3D; HardwareAccelerator with Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L) Capability required;
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 9.0b compatible Audio Device required;
CD-ROM: Quad Speed CD-ROM drive required;
Input Device: Keyboard and mouse required;
DirectX: Microsoft DirectX 9.0b is included on CD;
Installation: 4.0 GB of free hard drive space required
Supported Chipsets at this time:
ATI Radeon 8500/9000/9200;
ATI Radeon 9500/9600/9700/9800;
NVIDIA GeForce 2/3/4 family;
NVIDIA GeForceFX family
Recommended Specifications:
CPU: 1.6 GHZ AMD or Intel processor;
Video Chipset: ATI Radeon 9200 or better, NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti or better;
RAM: 512 MB RAM
Of course, the range of supported chipsets will increase as tests continue.
A few mini-quests on the Space Station have also been hinted at, but nothing that will alter the plot. Additionally, the game will be coming out on four CDs - there are no plans for a DVD release at this time, and the game will not be multiplayer, nor will it have a toolset.
And console players, don't worry: Bioware has their faithful XBox players in mind, and has no intention of cheating them out of any of the new material that's going to be included on the PC version.
The new Space Station and items will be included in the downloadable content, although it is as yet unknown if the additional skins or the transhodons will be available to Xbox users. OXM ran an unofficial claim stating that they will most likely have this downloadable content on a cover-mounted CD on their magazine a few weeks after it's been released on Live!
Finally, it's been rumoured that Obsidian is working on Knights of the Old Republic II, and that it will be set some time after the original game. Obsidian was founded by former employees of Black Isle (Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment) and Bioware, and is considered by some to be an affiliate of Bioware. The sequel is said not to have any of the characters from the first game included in it, but it may well refer to them.
One employee of Bioware has revealed that they are looking forward to seeing what Obsidian comes up with.
All in all, the PC version of Knights of the Old Republic looks to uphold the tradition of fine CRPGs Bioware is renowned for. Many who already own the XBox version are also stating their intention to buy the PC version. Available for pre-order in many locations, LucasArts is offering a pewter lightsaber letter opener with every order.
Check with retailers for availability, and to see if they are offering any incentives of their own, but please keep in mind that the release dates set by these retailers are not from Bioware. Neither Bioware nor LucasArts have stated anything definite on release dates.
Thanks go to Cat Jarret for the update. Check out his unofficial fan site here.
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