There was also an update to the official pre-order page that mentions the length for early game access at officially “up to 5-days” based on when you registered your pre-order code.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Put on your tin foil hat folks – you’re in for a looooong ride!

<Begins to sing slurring>

18 bottles of beer on the wall.. 18 bottles of beer.. Take one down, pass it around.. 17 bottles of beer on the wall!

<Ends singing>

We are just over halfway through 2011 and we officially have 18 Friday’s left in the year for BioWare to release information on Star Wars: The Old Republic.  This is my “speculation” into what we may see in some of these Friday Updates and I don’t believe we will be using all 18…

September 2 - PAX Recap (Convention Video(s) of Fans & Booth, Huttball, Eternity Vault, Open World PvP, etc.) & Details on Beta Weekends
September 9 - Smuggler, Imperial Agent OR Sith Inquisitor Armor Progression Video (SR Already confirmed Jedi Consular was not next) (3 of 4 Remaining)
September 16 - Fan Friday | Studio Insider
September 23 - EUROGAMER EXPO Reveals (Smuggler, Imperial Agent, Jedi Consular OR Sith Inquisitor Armor Progression Video, EU Beta Weekends Start, Guild Phase 2 Begins*)  (2 of 4 Remaining)
September 30 - Fan Friday | US & EU Beta Weekends Restart
October 7 - Imperial Agent, Jedi Consular OR Sith Inquisitor Armor Progression Video  (2 of 4 Remaining)
October 14 - New York Comic Con Reveals (Release Date, Last HoloNet tab “Legacy System”**)
October 21 - Fan Friday | Studio Insider
October 28 - Smuggler, Imperial Agent, Jedi Consular OR Sith Inquisitor Armor Progression Video (Last Video), Early Access Details & Announcement of Beta Weekends Ending Oct. 30th
November 4 - Developers Blog/Dispatch: Advanced Class Tree’s, Website Update: Advanced Class Skill Tree “Calculators” & Guild Phase 3 Begins
Tuesday, November 8 - Early Access Begins!***
Tuesday, November 15- Star Wars: The Old Republic is Released!

Updated 09/23/2011:

• Moved  ”Website Update: Advanced Class Skill Tree “Calculators”" from Oct 21st to Nov 4th.
• Replaced Developers Blog on Sep. 30th with Fan Friday | US & EU Beta Weekends Restart.
• Moved Early Access Details from Oct 14th to Oct 28th.
• Moved “Guild Phase 3 Begins” from Oct. 28th to Nov. 4th.
• Moved “Announcement of Beta Weekends Ending Oct. 23rd” from Oct. 14th to Oct. 28th and changed the end date from the 23rd to 30th.

*Guild Phase 2 could likely happen the week before with the Fan Friday | Studio Insider OR on Wednesday (September 21) before the EUROGAMER EXPO. (Am I good or what!)
**The  ”rumored” Legacy system could likely be included in a content patch after the release of the software as hinted at the Sunday PAX Panel by Daniel Erickson when saying they were already working on the first content patch.
***A 7-day staggered release would allow for approximately 250K people per day for a total of 1.75m pre-orders.  If there are more than 2m pre-orders Early Access could be extended additional days +/- delaying the retail release to November 22. 

Article Summary (Credit EMHologram)

- Bioware manages to differentiate the Jedi starting area from the Agent starting area.
- Bioware has done an impressive job of replicating the lifestyle of a secret agent.
- There are still a lot of kill-and-deliver quests, but there was usually a more in-depth class quest which added more meaning to the area.
-Example: “When I was sent to sabotage the power factory…, I ran into a small outpost of downtrodden locals. If I was headed into the facility anyways, why not earn a few extra credits by stealing some power generators and stomping a few bad-guy faces for ‘em”
-”Tales of TOR’s focus on story have not been exaggerated: it’s immediately apparent that this is a BioWare game. ”
-Kaliyo reminds the reviewer of Morrigan: “dark, sexy and disapproving of everything I did”
-Cover activated by holding Shift. This highlights cover locations; you can tap R to roll into the one you’re looking at.
-Cover is NOT a flat percent-damage reduction. If you’re behind it when someone shoots at you, it misses completely. If you’re shooting, you’re going to get hit. Cover degrades as it gets shot, and some abilities are designed specifically to shoot over cover or knock you out of it.
-Cover-exclusive abilities (like Snipe- “a high damage ability with a long cast time”, Suppressive Fire- “a channeled spray-and-pray technique that hits all targets in front of you randomly”, and Explosive Probe- “Sends a small probe to the target that explodes the next time they’re hit”).
-”Fighting is all about rhythm”
-”Solo Conversation” mode, which allows players to enter conversations alone, even when grouped.
-Kaas City is interesting- “it takes a very interesting twist that involves rival Sith Lords, terrorist cells plotting to destroy the city and a cult of Revanites”
-Crew Skills- Archeology (Gathering skill, able to mine crystal nodes and three rotating missions that the writer could send their companion on- example is a dead Sarlacc), Underworld Trading (spices), and Treasure Hunters (previously announced).

Find out more about the Imperial Agent Skill Trees and PvP by pressing the Read More button.Impressions

-Overall, very positive experience- “I’m thrilled. My enthusiasm for TOR is completely renewed”
-”Companions are the key to enhancing TOR’s roleplaying experience”
-”The RPG side of TOR reminds me of Dragon Age: Origins… and the game’s PvP system feels like an upgraded version of Warhammer Onlines”
-”I’m starting to believe that BioWare can pull off this massive undertaking- the most hyped and biggest-budget MMO of all time- and if they do, just about everyone will have a compelling reason to play it”

Agent Skill Trees

Sniper
-Marksmanship- cover-based, “take out your enemies from a safe distance”
-Ability- Snap shot- Rolling into cover makes your next snipe instant cast.
-Engineering- “This one’s all about controlling pet probes”
-Ability- Detonate probes- Blows up all probes.

Operative
-Concealment- “Stealth and daggers”
-Ability- Waylay- Detonates flash bomb and charge at a distant enemy, attacking them instantly and boosting next attack by 20%.
-Medic- “favorite playstyle”, heals allies with probes and bact-syringe guns.
-Ability- Kolto Probe- Sends healing droid to target and stacks up to three times, like the Lifebloom spell for WoW’s Druid.

Both
-Lethality- Adds venoms to melee and blaster attacks.
-Ability- Seeker Probes- Sends out probes to target, poisoning everyone around them.

PvP

Combat
-Tanks guard allies and taunt enemies to reduce their damage output on anyone other than the tank
-No player collision
-Deflected damage, taunted enemies, and other effects will be shown visually
-When players are crowd-controlled, their resolve bar fills up. Once it maxes out, player is immune to CC.
-Pace of combat is manageable- no instant kills or burst damage.
-Cover mechanic combined with medic agent is very fun and unique.
-No companions in PvP.

Rewards
-Valor identical to Warhammer’s Renown, an alternate PvP levelling system.
-Badge system similar to Halo: Reach rewards for streaks of success.
-Healing and damage absorption is tracked in the match stats to promote and reward tanks and healers.
-Players can “commend” favorite teamates to give them bonus rewards.
-Seperate PvP gear sets while leveling and at max level.

Ships

-Main Room- Contains central computer and Holocom for both players and NPCs.
-Medical Bay- Bacta tank and bed.
-Escape Hatch- Unkown use in space combat.
-Captain’s Quarters- No fish tank. 
-Cockpit- contains galactic map.
-Engine Room- Shiny equipment, but no interaction so far.
-Mission Terminal- Contains quests that encourage you to do activities taht you haven’t tried in a while, such as PvP.
-Companions- each have their own section of the ship

This week’s update delivers information about the Sith Empire’s Imperial Agent class.

Alyson Bridge said:

The Imperial Agent class delivers an experience unlike any other in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, and this week, we’re excited to share new details that highlight what makes the Agent so unique.

Learn about the Agent’s Advanced Classes and the combat tactics they rely on. Specialize as a Sniper and leverage distance and concealment to get an edge on your enemies, or master stealth, surprise, and combat medicine to become a versatile and deadly Operative.

In addition, check out the following updates for more intel on the Imperial Agent class:

• If you’re looking for a companion with attitude, visit the Biographies section to read about the Agent’s dangerously charming Rattataki companion, Kaliyo.
• Aliens are incredibly rare among the ranks of Imperial Intelligence, but if that sounds like your kind of character, be sure to inspect the new Chiss Inhabitants page for information on this enigmatic species.
• The Imperial Agent’s sleek starship is one of the most unique models in the galaxy. Check out the X-70B Phantom-Class Prototype in the starships section to get a tour.

Last but not least, watch the new class gameplay video to get a look at the Agent in action!

Gamescom is the largest trade fair and event highlight for interactive games and entertainment. In other words, it’s like a European version of E3… but bigger.  GamesCon takes place in Cologne, Germany at the Koelnmesse – a huge exhibition center.

BioWare’s new MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic will be featured at GamesCon and is currently nominated for the Best of GamesCon and Best Online Game Awards.

Recent Developments

• Gamespot Video Interview Daniel Erickson (Added 8/19/10)
• Gameplay Footage Confirming Zabrak Trooper
• Star Wars Combat Video
• Interview with James Ohlen (source: Darthhater.com)
• Advanced Classes Revealed in Press Presentation (Updated 8/21/10)
  • Imperial Agent
    • Operative: Blaster Rifle or Energy Blade; Stealth; Burst Range DPS.
    • Sniper: Sniper Rifle; Cover, Ambush, Orbital Strikes; Ranged DPS.
  • Sith Inquisitor
    • Sorcerer: Force Lightning / Force Drain; Single-Bladed Lightsaber; Ranged DPS or Healer.
    • Assassin: Double-Bladed Lightsaber; Stealth; Burst Melee DPS.
  • Bounty Hunter
    • Powertech: Flamethrower; Defense/Energy Shields; Tank.
    • Mercenary:  Dual Wield Guns; Missiles; Ranged DPS
  • Jedi Counsular
    • Shadow: Double-Bladed Lightsaber; Stealth; Burst Melee DPS.
    • Wizard: Powerful Telekinesis/Healing; Single-Bladed Lightsaber; Ranged Control / Damage or Healing.
  • Jedi Knight
    • Sentinel: Dual Lightsabers; Saber fighting specialist; Melee DPS.
    • Guardian: Single Lightsaber; Heavy Armor; Leadership/Party Buffs; Tank
  • Trooper
    • Commando: Heavy Blaster Cannon; Grenades; Ranged DPS.
    • Vanguard: Blaster Rifle; Energy Shields and Defense; Tank.
  • Smuggler
    • Scoundrel: Blaster ‘Shot Gun’; Stealth/Medicine; Burst ranged damage or Healing.
    • Gunslinger: Dual Pistols; Quickdraw/Fast Attacks; Ranged DPS.
  • Sith Warrior
    • Juggernaut: Single Saber/Heavy Armor; Fear and Darkside Auras; Tank.
    • Marauder: Dual Wield Sabers/Armor; Saber fighting specialist; Melee DPS.
• New Screenshots (source: Darthhater.com)

New Screenshots (Click Read More)




GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 1



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 2



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 3



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 4



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 5



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 6



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 7



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 8



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 9



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 10



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 11



GamesCon 2010: Gameplay Screenshot 12