Humor and romance are two things you don't often associated with an MMO character class, but those are two qualities BioWare is focusing on for the Smuggler class in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Senior writer Hal Hood talks about creating the Smuggler class in the latest developer diary on the Star Wars: The Old Republic website, demonstrating the completely different approach that BioWare is taking in crafting the game's story. They want dramatic moments, romantic encounters, and a charming rogue to crack a joke at the worst possible moment, which as charming rogues knows, is the best possible moment.
Of all the stories in our game, the Smuggler ones are specifically written with an emphasis on humor and romance. If you're playing this class, you get to say the funniest things (usually at the least appropriate times), and are always on the lookout for people who find charming rogues irresistible. You'll be flirting with or laughing at the most exciting personalities in the galaxy: crime lords, gamblers, Bounty Hunters, senators, nobles, spies, Jedi and even Sith.
Ladies and gentlemen, I do believe I've found my Star Wars: The Old Republic class.
Not only are the Smugglers dashing adventurers, they even come with a posse. All this and a posse?
The most successful Smugglers surround themselves with trusty companions who are handy with a blaster when deals go sour. Han Solo had Chewbacca as backup, and Smugglers in our game will have their pick of several memorable sidekicks.
It really seems like BioWare is striking all the right chords, delivering what fans truly crave...their own place in the Star Wars universe. When I was a child, I dreamt of growing up to be Han Solo.
The Old Republic is the first Star Wars video game to let players truly live the dream of being Han Solo or Lando Calrissian. Other games have let you engage in a bit of smuggling for profit or simulate "scoundrels" as a collection of stat bonuses, but none come close to delivering the humor, romance and just plain fun of being a wisecracking Smuggler who triumphs against all odds. Every member of The Old Republic team is committed to crafting the defining rendition of the Smuggler archetype.
I love these guys.
Developer Blog: Creating the Smuggler [Star Wars: The Old Republic]