OotiniCast – A Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) podcast

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In this week’s show we talk about Game Update 5.2: The War for Iokath and Patch 5.2.1, along with the #SWTORPrime offer available for Twitch Prime subscribers.

1. Introduction

2. Tip of the week

Thanks to Dekion for his impromptu tip from the show’s live chat during its recording!

Please send your tips to ootinicast@gmail.com by next Wednesday for a chance to win a Taunfawn or M8-3R droid code, courtesy of BioWare, and an OotiniCast-provided Cartel Market pack from the latest shipment.

3. Holofeed

• The “Build Your Legacy” trailer is a new promo for SWTOR.
• Running until 15 May is an offer for Twitch Prime subscribers.
• Game Update 5.2: The War for Iokath was deployed a week later than originally expect, followed by Patch 5.2.1 (somewhat delayed but made it a few hours later than intended) which fixed some of the issues it introduced.
• The storyline introduced with Game Update 5.2 “will continue in the future”.
• The new Galaxy Map is explained in this post.
• Eric Musco clarified some intended limitations on changing faction while on Iokath.
• The CEO of Disney discussed Carrie Fisher’s role in Episode 8, and revealed some details about the Han Solo origin movie.

4. Force Feedback

You can download Xacter’s most awesome Heroics spreadsheet here.

Johnny (Born to eat bacon) referred us to “Princess Leia’s Stolen Death Star Plans”, an awesome Star Wars paraody/homage video.

Ivilon believes that Rey’s look from the upcoming Episode 8 “The Last Jedi” is very Old Republic, and looks a lot like Bastila Shan.

However, Evan believes that while Daisy Ridely has the face for it, the outfit is totally different.

5. Outro

On the show this week were Chill (@BrandonLStarr, twitch.tv/chillswtor), Teo (@jasonetheridge), Blay (@Blachloch) and Illeva (@IllevaGaming, twitch.tv/illeva).

Information about our guilds on The Harbinger, Ootini Knights (Republic) and Ootini Rage (Empire), can be found here.

You can email questions and comments about the show to ootinicast@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter via @OotiniCast. Check out our website, ootinicast.com, which has links to our presence on Google+ and Facebook. You can subscribe to us on iTunes, and listen to us on Stitcher and Spreaker. We record the show live every Wednesday at 4:30pm Pacific, goto ootinicast.com/live to find out how to join in!

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We discuss all things Game Update 5.2: The War for Iokath which is coming next week! Then our guest Snave has much to say (all positive!) on the topic of those who complain about pre-made groups in warzones.

1. Introduction

2. Tip of the week

Congratulations to this week’s winner, Vas’rod!

Here’s the new Revan Statue that Vas’rod spotted:

Please send your tips to ootinicast@gmail.com by next Wednesday for a chance to win a Taunfawn or M8-3R droid code, courtesy of BioWare, and an OotiniCast-provided Cartel Market pack from the latest shipment.

3. Holofeed

• (Details to come!)

4. The Academy

This week Swtorista talks about character transfers: where to transfer, and tips about transferring.

5. Force Feedback

AhnNu Rie posted this rather awesome animated GIF:

The Bad Feeling Podcast’s competition details from Preferred-til-newops:

Here’s the rather disturbing image found by LiebeAroha:

6. Sarlacc Digest

Snave gives players a more constructive option when faced with pre-made groups in warzones that doesn’t involve complaining on the forums.

7. Outro

On the show this week were Chill (@BrandonLStarr, twitch.tv/chillswtor), Teo (@jasonetheridge) and Snave (@snave1208, twitch.tv/snave1208).

Information about our guilds on The Harbinger, Ootini Knights (Republic) and Ootini Rage (Empire), can be found here.

You can email questions and comments about the show to ootinicast@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter via @OotiniCast. Check out our website, ootinicast.com, which has links to our presence on Google+ and Facebook. You can subscribe to us on iTunes, and listen to us on Stitcher and Spreaker. We record the show live every Wednesday at 4:30pm Pacific, goto ootinicast.com/live to find out how to join in!

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All kinds of news this week, including the change to Command Crates at Tiers 1-3, scrapping the plan to add another 100 Command Ranks, and how the new Tier 4 Command Crates will work.

1. Introduction

Here is Chill’s new character, Chillwidow:

2. Tip of the week

Congratulations to this week’s winner, Cole! Thanks to Zen, Dekion and Niraga for entering.

Please send your tips to ootinicast@gmail.com by next Wednesday for a chance to win a Taunfawn or M8-3R droid code, courtesy of BioWare, and an OotiniCast-provided Cartel Market pack from the latest shipment.

3. Holofeed

• The authentication servers were temporarily unavailable on Saturday night due to their redundant backup not coming online.
• The Fractured Uprising’s CXP return has been severely nerfed as of Game Update 5.1.2, in a change that was supposed to be made in Game Update 5.2. There are more nerfs planned in Game Update 5.2, including the first two chapters of KotFE.
• The Unstable Arbiter’s Lightsaber is available for direct purchase from the Cartel Market for a limited time only.
• In Game Update 5.2, the Command Crates returned each time you rank up in Tiers 1, 2 and 3 will change such that the probability of getting a better (rarer) item increases as you rank up through each tier.
• Command Crates obtained prior to Game Update 5.2 but still unopened will retain the current item probabilities. Crates obtained after Game Update 5.2 will “remember” the rank at which they were obtained, which determines the item probabilities.
• The plan to add another 100 Command Ranks has been dropped; instead, Tier 4 Command Crates will replace the current Tier 3 Command Crates returned at Command Rank 300 (the current and future cap).
• The 100% CXP boost purchasable with Command Tokens will work at Command Rank 300 after Game Update 5.2.
• Specific slot items will drop from every Operation boss after Game Update 5.2.
• Star Wars Rebels will get a season 4.
• We discuss five fun facts about lightsabers!
• Mark Hamill recalls an example of some truly terrible George Lucas dialogue.

4. Outro

On the show this week were Chill (@BrandonLStarr, twitch.tv/chillswtor), Teo (@jasonetheridge), Synwulf and Ducky.

Information about our guilds on The Harbinger, Ootini Knights (Republic) and Ootini Rage (Empire), can be found here.

You can email questions and comments about the show to ootinicast@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter via @OotiniCast. Check out our website, ootinicast.com, which has links to our presence on Google+ and Facebook. You can subscribe to us on iTunes, and listen to us on Stitcher and Spreaker. We record the show live every Wednesday at 4:30pm Pacific, goto ootinicast.com/live to find out how to join in!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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We cover some news, and then go over what Charles Boyd revealed in BioWare’s first Facebook livecast. We then discuss gaming as a way of dealing with depression and anxiety.

1. Introduction

2. Tip of the week

Congratulations to this week’s winner, Ammiziva! Thanks to Nautic for entering.

Please send your tips to ootinicast@gmail.com by next Wednesday for a chance to win a Taunfawn or M8-3R droid code, courtesy of BioWare, and an OotiniCast-provided Cartel Market pack from the latest shipment.

3. Holofeed

• In Game Update 5.1.2 coming on 28 February, the White Acute Module will be purchaseable for subscribers and non-subscribers. It will allow the 2.5x bonus to leveling XP (pre-70) that is currently in place to be disabled.
• After Game Update 5.2, while the CXP bonus event will be over, the rate at which players gain CXP will be higher than it was prior to the event starting in Game Update 5.1.1.
• If you encounter an error saying “This application has encountered an unspecified error. Please try this patch again.”, restart the launcher or delete the BitRaider folder.
• It seems there are bots or players using cheats rife on Zakuul, farming all the mats! Eric reminds us what to do if we encounter characters exhibiting suspicious behaviour.
• BioWare have tried their first Facebook livecast with “SWTOR Live: The Evolving Story” (also available on YouTube), with Eric Musco posing questions about the SWTOR story to Charles Boyd.
• An article claims that a tweet (subsequently deleted) from Pablo Hidalogo of the Star Wars story group indicates that there will never be an Old Republic movie, as being asked for in this petition.
• The novel Thrawn tells the backstory of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who was recently returned to canon in Star Wars Rebels.

4. The Academy

Swtorista tells us all about Galactic command: how it works, and how to get endgame gear at level 70!

5. Force Feedback

Blachloch (Blay) wore his Ootini Rage shirt when he joined us for Episode 300, saying “There can only be one t-shirt tonight”:

To which Ironweakness responded “There is another…”:

The following picture is from the YouTube recording of Episode 116, in which Teo experienced a temporary (?) madness and donned a cap. Backwards.

The article by Greg Street (Ghostcrawler) that was sent to us by Count Looku can be found here.

6. Sarlacc Digest

Our guest LiebeAroha discusses experiencing both depression and anxiety, and how gaming can provide a most helpful escape and even treatment for her illnesses. She provided the following information about her condition:

Depression research

• Depression/depressed often used colloquially to a moment in time or a more temporary reaction
• Classified through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  • Dysthymic Disorder (DD)
  • Bipolar Disorder (BD)
• Each diagnosis is defined by a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria that identify the presence of a particular condition
• There is no good evidence that each threshold separates the different diagnoses into distinct user groups

Major Depressive Disorder

• “Presence of at least one discrete and distressing/impairing period of depression, formally referred to as a major depressive episode (MDE)”
• Must experience at least five symptoms of depression that are a change from the individual’s prior state and functioning
• This MUST include a disturbance of mood – depressed mood or anhedonia. Depressed mood must be observable by others and must be present most of the day nearly every day, and anhedonia is a near complete loss or serious decrease in feelings of pleasure derived from one’s activities
• Changes to circadian rhythms also present

Dysthymic disorder

• Chronic mood disorder
• Mood may be noticeable to others
• For diagnosis, two of the following must be present:
  • Appetite problems (overeating or poor appetite)
  • Sleep difficulties (insomnia or hypersomnia)
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Low self-esteem
  • Cognitive problems (difficulty making decisions or with concentration
  • Feelings of hopelessness
• Major difference between MDD and DD is the length of time symptoms persist (2 weeks vs 2 years)

Bipolar disorder

• Doesn’t always have a depressive episode
• Must have a manic episode, which is a persistently elevated mood

Manifestations

• Depressive disorders are classed as unipolar disorders
• It is possible to have abatements of symptoms
• There can be a family history
• MDEs occurring in unipolar depression are often reactions to stressors

The “Soft” Spectrum of Depressive Disorders

These include bipolar 2, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, cyclothymic disorder, and rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD

• A depressive cycle that is tied to menstrual cycles

Minor Depressive Disorder

• Same length as long as those required for an MDE (2 weeks) however there are fewer symptoms

Recurrent Brief Depressive Disorder

• Repeated periods of depressive symptoms, two or more of which fulfill the symptom threshold, but not the duration threshold (i.e., 2 weeks) for an MDE
• The episodes must last at least 2 days (but less than 2 weeks), and they must recur at least once per months for a period of 12 consecutive months

The Spectrum of Depressive Disorder Categories

Depression is a spectrum, rather than a specific condition. The following are the most common along the spectrum, along with their symptoms:

• Early-onset bipolar disorder
• Melencholia
  • often occurs with MDD, experiences of anhedonia as well as three symptoms from among the following:
    • diurnal variation of mood (mood is worse in the morning than in the afternoon or evening);
    • Considerable psycomotor agitation or retardation;
    • Early morning wakening (i.e., awakening hours before one’s scheduled morning wakening and being unable to go back to sleep);
    • Significant appetite or weight loss;
    • Excessive or inappropriate guilt;
    • and distinct quality of the depressed mood (i.e., experienced as qualitatively different from a normal feeling of grief or sadness that follows a loss),
• Atypical depression
  • The person can react positively to positive stimuli; as well as at least two of the following: weight or appetite increase, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis (feeling heavy or weighed down), and sensitivity to interpersonal rejection),
• Catatonic depression
  • This can apply to a multitude of diagnoses, including bipolar, major depressive disorder and minor depressive disorders
  • Requires two of the following five symptoms: motoric immobility, excessive motor activity that appears to be purposeless, extreme negativism (defined by resistance to instructions, mutism, or maintenance of a rigid posture), peculiar movements, and echolalia or echopraxia (senseless repetition of a word or phrase spoken by someone else or imitation of others’ movements)
• psychotic features
  • Characterised by delusional thinking
• Postpartum depression
  • Depression occurring within 4 weeks of childbirth
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
  • Depressive symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  • Defined by recurrent depressive episodes (meeting criteria for either major or minor depressive episodes that have a clear seasonal pattern.

Who is likely to experience depression?

• Sometimes referred to as the common cold of psychopathology
• Rates of depression depend on the definition of depression used
• From studies done, it appears that less than 10% of the population suffer from depression for a short period of time over their lifetime, and a much smaller proportion suffer depression for extended periods of time

Durbin, C. E. (2014). Depression 101 (N. S. Hale Ed.). New Yourk: Springer Publishing Company.

7. Outro

On the show this week were Chill (@BrandonLStarr, twitch.tv/chillswtor), Teo (@jasonetheridge) and Liebearoha (@charmed_chloe).

Information about our guilds on The Harbinger, Ootini Knights (Republic) and Ootini Rage (Empire), can be found here.

You can email questions and comments about the show to ootinicast@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter via @OotiniCast. Check out our website, ootinicast.com, which has links to our presence on Google+ and Facebook. You can subscribe to us on iTunes, and listen to us on Stitcher and Spreaker. We record the show live every Wednesday at 4:30pm Pacific, goto ootinicast.com/live to find out how to join in!

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A few things happening in SWTOR this week, including another exploit that was very quickly dealt with, some followup from last week’s livestream, and requesting players apply to join the Closed PTS for Game Update 5.2. We also discuss Electronic Arts quarterly earnings call, in which SWTOR got no mention at all, but did announce a new BioWare IP!

1. Introduction

2. Tip of the week

Congratulations to this week’s winner, Keeg!

Please send your tips to ootinicast@gmail.com by next Tuesday for a chance to win a Taunfawn or M8-3R droid code, courtesy of BioWare, and an OotiniCast-provided Cartel Market pack from the latest shipment.

3. Holofeed

• The SWTOR servers were abruptly taken down to deal with a new exploit. Action will be taken against those who abused the exploit. BioWare is considering offering a reward or some other incentive for players to report exploits rather than use them.
• The new Operation coming in Game Update 5.2 will have both 8-man and 16-man modes.
• Weeky missions may be introduced, to supplement the existing dailies.
• The faction choice players must make in the new Game Update 5.2 story arc will not impact Companions already in your Alliance.
• Further changes to Galactic Command are coming in Game Update 5.1.1 (next week) and Game Update 5.1.2 (late February). More about that in next week’s show.
• Instructions are available for how to apply for access to the Closed PTS for Game Update 5.2.
• Electronic Arts had their Q3 2017 earnings conference call this week (press release, slides [PDF}, transcript [PDF]).
• We use Google Trends as a proxy for SWTOR’s popularity to determine if KotFE’s success was due to the expansion itself, or the halo effect of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, now that we also have KotET’s release in the timeline.

4. Force Feedback

Blay believes that he has identified who the title of Episode 8 is referring to:

“Luke Skywalker has vanished. In his absence, the sinister FIRST ORDER has risen from the ashes of the Empire and will not rest until Skywalker, the last Jedi, has been destroyed.”

Jason says that the mobile game Galaxy of Heroes is now just teasing us, given its non-canon-establishing position:

5. Outro

On the show this week were Chill (@BrandonLStarr, twitch.tv/chillswtor), Teo (@jasonetheridge), Fyonha (@GamrGrlNextDoor) and Andrew (@SWTOREconomics, swtoreconomics.com).

Information about our guilds on The Harbinger, Ootini Knights (Republic) and Ootini Rage (Empire), can be found here.

You can email questions and comments about the show to ootinicast@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter via @OotiniCast. Check out our website, ootinicast.com, which has links to our presence on Google+ and Facebook. You can subscribe to us on iTunes, and listen to us on Stitcher and Spreaker. We record the show live every Wednesday at 4:30pm Pacific, goto ootinicast.com/live to find out how to join in!