In a brand-new Developer Dispatch blog video, the Star Wars: The Old Republic team unveils a behind-the-scenes look at the eagerly-anticipated Republic Trooper class. The video showcases a variety of materials including concept art, CGI animation and interviews with the designers, highlighting the various development stages of the playable class.

"Let's face it, Storm Troopers die a lot," Lead Combat Designer Damion Schubert said in the video. "That's what they exist to do. We wanted [something] bigger and more heroic than that." Schubert and the rest of the team explain the principle ideas and goals they had in designing the Trooper, which can roughly be categorized as an arms-based soldier class.

Learn more after the jump...

The video features in-game footage as well as behind-the-scenes material, such as motion-capture methods and animation production. The combat style of the Republic Trooper is described in brief detail, primarily as a ranged attack unit with melee capabilities. The primary weapons seen in the video are rifle-based, although there are a few cuts of the Trooper brandishing heavy weapons. Designers explain that technology is also an important aspect of the class, referring to the Trooper's equipment and squad communication abilities.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is an upcoming MMO in development by BioWare and LucasArts, which takes place 3,500 years before the reign of Darth Vader (and 300 years after Knights of the Old Republic). For more info, check out our Star Wars: The Old Republic Gamelist page.