Check out the second issue of Blood of the Empire: Act 3: Burn the Future. The Star Wars: The Old Republic online comic. BioWare and LucasArts have once again teamed up with Dark Horse to create this original comic series published entirely online. Blood of the Empire features a new perspective and strong character-driven story written by BioWare’s Senior Writer Alexander Freed and published by Dark Horse. In the second issue of Act 3, a battle between Republic and Imperial fleets rages over Korriban as Teneb Kel chases down his foe. The fate of the Sith homeworld and the Children of the Emperor is in the hands of one young acolyte and his slave--but duty and patriotism aren't the only forces guiding them...

Check out this clip of the second issue:

We have added this issue to our galleries, you can read it here, or read the official release here.

The official website has released another Fan Friday. This is another great installment of Fan Friday. I really do enjoy these a lot. Check out this weeks huge update for yourself. Welcome to this month’s Fan Friday where we get to show off some great creations made by Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ fans. Also, be sure to check out the Developer Corner for a preview at what’s coming next for Advanced Classes.

Community Creations:
Fan Art: Take a look at these awesome Chibis made by Wraloa Craubo. Community member Kiuas has enthusiastically been creating character portraits for people that submit their character details via the forum thread Now Taking Requests. The unique style of these illustrations is outstanding! Check out some of Kromnz latest creations! This beautiful piece of art that can be seen in the forum thread a Jedi reading sketch. Kromnz created a second Star Wars themed illustration titled Three Deadly Siths.

Fan Video: Community member Tukor created a remix video using video footage, concept art, and images from The Old Republic website. Visit the thread My SWTOR Remix on the community forums or check out the video on YouTube.

Roleplay: In the art of storytelling, several community members got together in the roleplaying thread The Battle of Ord Mantell. Stretching through the month of July, they put a large amount of time and dedication into this thread.

Advanced Classes: The main goal of the Advanced Class System is to allow you to customize your character according to your play style. So far, we’ve announced the Advanced Classes for the Sith Warrior and Jedi Knight. Today we’re letting you in on the names and specializations of the remaining Advanced Classes! Please be aware that since the specific class details are still under development, the information provided below may be subject to change.

1) Trooper 
  a) Commando: Heavy Blaster Cannon, Grenades, Ranged DPS.
  b) Vanguard: Blaster Rifle, Energy Shields and Defense, Tank
2) Smuggler:
  a)Scoundrel: Blaster 'Shot Gun', Stealth / Medicine, Burst ranged damage or Healing
  b) Gunslinger: Dual Pistols, Quickdraw / Fast Attacks, Ranged DPS
3) Jedi Knight:
  a) Jedi Sentinel: Dual Wield Saber, Saber fighting specialist, Melee DPS
  b)Jedi Guardian: Single Saber / Heavy Armor, Leadership / Party Buffs, Tank
4) Jedi Consular: 
  a) Jedi Shadow: Double Bladed Saber, Stealth, Burst melee damage
  b) Jedi Wizard: Single Saber, Powerful Telekinesis / Healing, Ranged Control / Damage or Healing
5) Bounty Hunter:
  a) Powertech: Flamethrower, Defense / Energy Shields, Tank
  b) Mercenary: Dual Wield Guns, Missiles, Ranged DPS
6) Imperial Agent:
  a) Operative: Blaster Rifle / Energy Blade, Stealth, Burst Ranged damage
  b) Sniper: Sniper Rifle, Cover, Ambush, Orbital Strikes, Ranged DPS
7) Sith Warrior:
  a) Sith Juggernaut: Single Saber / Heavy Armor, Fear and Darkside Auras, Tank
  b) Sith Marauder: Dual Wield Sabers / Armor, Saber fighting specialist, Melee DPS
8) Sith Inquisitor:
  a) Sith Sorcerer: Single Saber, Force Lightning / Force Drain, Ranged DPS or Healer
  b) Sith Assassin: Double Bladed Saber, Stealth, Burst Melee DPS

Concept Art: Check out this concept art image from the Dev. Team:

Events: We’re here at GamesCom! Attendees are getting an explosive look at Star Wars: The Old Republic with our first worldwide consumer hands-on event. With special VIP opportunities for community members that reserved their spot early, we plan on having more than 7,000 people try out the game! PAX is just around the corner! Visit the Events page for more details on how you can get your hands on Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Avatars: To commemorate the update of the Jedi Knight Class page, we’re presenting the Miraluka and T7-O1 avatars. We’re also bringing you some more Timeline edition avatars to sport in your profile.

Polls: We want to know! You can find these polls in the Surveys and Polls section of the website.

1) Have you played Knights of the Old Republic™ (KOTOR)?
2)Which feature are you most looking forward to in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™?

Head over and check out the entire official article, with all the links here.

What a great information release today. The Starwars: The Old Republic official site has released a brand new holonet section: Starships. We have the official release of the first two Starships in The Old Republic. Quote: Specifications on some of the galaxy’s most advanced personal starships are now accessible on the HoloNet. Whether you’re looking to dominate the galaxy in the name of the Empire or rescue it from darkness as part of the Republic, you won’t get very far without a starship. In Star Wars™: The Old Republic™, your starship will be your base of operations, and it might even be your best friend. Ship models are specially designed to match the needs and tastes of each of the class types, so even though all the starships are outfitted for traveling the galaxy, each has its own character.

Check out this screenshot from the Dev. Team:

We have updated our concept art and screenshots galleries with the new images. You can check out the official article here. And make sure you check out the holonet section on the official site here.

The official site has released a little information about the Starwars Celebration V that happened today. An update to this posting: ( Sean Dahlberg posted this on the official forums last night. For all you Starwars fans that are in or around the Oralando Fla. area, you may want to stop in to this event. Quote from the official forums: Star Wars™ Celebration V is the place to see everything Star Wars, including The Old Republic. It’s taking place in Orlando, FL from August 12th to the 15th. Check out The Art and Writing of Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ panel on Friday, August 13th from 2PM to 3PM, and Saturday, August 14th from 4PM to 5PM at the Digital Stage (Valencia A). Drew Karpyshyn (Principal Writer, BioWare), Hall Hood (Senior Writer, BioWare), Arnie Jorgensen (Lead Concept Artist, BioWare) and Clint Young (Senior Concept Artist (Environments), BioWare) will be discussing what goes into creating the art and story in Star Wars: The Old Republic, the upcoming story-driven massively-multiplayer online role-playing game in development by BioWare and LucasArts.

As an added bonus, Clint and Arnie will be creating an entirely original piece of concept art live during the panel, giving attendees a rare and exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. Don’t miss your chance to hear first-hand from the developers! Also, to relax from all the craziness, we’re putting together a community event to celebrate our love of Star Wars with you. Meet The Old Republic developers Friday, August 13th and Saturday, August 14th from 5PM to 7PM at the Hoth Bar inside the convention center! )

UPDATE: Check out the original piece of concept art done live by Clint during the The Art and Writing of Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ panel today at STAR WARS Celebration V!

Very nice piece of art. We have added this to our concept art gallery.

This is a huge update today. We have new information that was released today on Advanced Classes, Known Associates, and more screenshots of the Playable Species: The Miraluka. Lets start with the Advanced Classes. Quote from the Official Site: As part of our ongoing class updates, we are thrilled to confirm the Advanced Classes for the valiant Jedi Knight – Guardian and Sentinel! Whether you want to defend the weak and inspire your allies to amazing feats as a Guardian or learn the art of using two Lightsabers simultaneously to create an intricate web of damage as a Sentinel, the Advanced Class system in Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ will help you customize your character.

First check out this video clip of the Jedi Knight:

Next check out this screenshot of the Jedi Knight Guardian:

And now a screenshot of the Jedi Knight Sentinel:

Also released today was one of the known associates of the Jedi Knight, the T7-01 Astromech Driod. You can check it out yourself in the biographies section on the official site here. You can check out the official article here.

Last we have some more screenshots of the playable species the Miraluka. Check out this screenshot from the Dev. Team:

We have added these to our screenshots gallery.

Check out the ninth issue of the Star Wars: The Old Republic online comic, Blood of the Empire. BioWare and LucasArts have once again teamed up with Dark Horse to create this original comic series published entirely online. Blood of the Empire features a new perspective and strong character-driven story written by BioWare’s Senior Writer Alexander Freed and published by Dark Horse. It's the beginning of the end in the ninth issue of Blood of the Empire™. Teneb Kel awakens from his vision with a new understanding of the danger he faces--but is there still time to stop Exal Kressh's plot against the Emperor from coming to fruition? And meanwhile, what's going on with Maggot and the Jedi Padawan...?

Check out this clip of the comic:

We have added this issue to our galleries, you can read it here, or read the official release here.