BioWare details SWTOR Companions

Star Wars: The Old Republic uses an Affection system for Companion Characters "loosely" based on the one used in Dragon Age.

This allows some Companion Characters to be "twisted" to the darkside while others can be "redeemed". And some companions can gain strength and independence while others can be beaten into subservience.

Affection will be altered through conversations, events and gifts.

"While travelling the galaxy, your Companion Characters will provide commentary, information on plots and directions to points of interest - all from their own unique perspectives. Companion Characters may act as your conscience, and try to influence your decisions. In turn, you will influence them, and change how they develop as the story progresses," read a BioWare post on IGN.

"Based on your choices, some Companions will become your closest friends, others may become your lovers, and a few may even become your enemies!"

Every class has their own set of Companion Characters to compliment their abilities. Tank classes, for instance, won't be offered tank companions.

Your first Companion joins the story early-on, but soon you'll have enough allies that squads will have to be thought-out depending on the mission at hand.

How much direct control you'll have over Companions remains a hazy issue. The post mentions "activating" Companion abilities, and reveals that by altering Companion equipment you can effectively change their behaviour.

Companion Characters also have stories of their own than can be explored through various quests offering different rewards.

Examples of Companions given were an "honourable princess" and a "roguish pirate". Hmm, sounds familiar.

"With Star Wars: The Old Republic we had to solve for the fact that this is the first BioWare (MMO)RPG that is entirely real-time," concluded lead designer Josh Ohlen. "All of our previous RPGs allow the player to pause the game. We have had to approach how a player controls his companion much differently than before."

Star Wars: The Old Republic will be released sometime next year. And we're still anxious to find out more about the "(MMO)" side of the game.

Head into our SWTOR gamepage below for the story so far.