Unranked arena pvp is too dependent on matchmaking. Too many times I have joined an unranked match in which it was 3v4 or 2v4 or with 3 healers and 1 damage dealer. The only thing that keeps me from leaving unranked arena matches is some decency, but I've seen others leave upon realizing that they joined an arena pvp match. I wish there was a match-making filter that allows you to select if you want to do 4v4, 8v8 or both. I understand that this can skew the player populations making the problem worse, but right now its a horrible experience as well. What do you think?

Looks very promising, I can't wait to try it. Gunship all the way!

Very nice. I can't wait to read to the rest of the dev blog till this goes live. I'm very excited about the PvP space combat. Keep it up!

As long as PVP space combat is a big priority on their list and stays like that, then I would be fine with PvE space combat with a similar game mechanism. For now, the focus should be on the PvP space combat system.

Great news. I've been waiting for this since launch. Thank you. The space missions have been fun (I hope this will stay btw), but this really what I hoped for. I really like those bigger battles in pvp, although at times it can be unpractical (with long waiting time) 12 vs 12 seems really cool. Can't wait.

Very nice teaser, I can't wait either!

Since it seems that in patch 2.4 Arena PVP will be introduced I was wondering if this systems is solely accessible for premade pvp groups or that a system similar to the flashpoint GF matchmaking system will also be introduced? I'm a bit worried that pvp content in patch 2.4 is a lot focused on ranked (or grouped) pvp and I haven't seen much that is also available for solo (or pug) pvp players. Thanks for doing this!

Again, those are some valid points, but the way I see it this problem can't be solved by rewarding players who don't desert Wz matches and an extra medal is not enough to keep those players who do leave Wz matches. I think it could be possible to distinguish ppl who disconnect from wz matches from ppl who click the leave que button. And maybe a punishment or debuff which goes directly in effect is a bit too harsh. But for example a debuff which goes in effect after you have left ≥ 2 Wz in 24 hr time period. And this debuff for example would result in 15% decrease in obtained valor for a maximum of 5 Wz matches or 24 hr period. An alternative punishment system could be a certain amount of credit cost for leaving a Wz for a second time in a 24 hr period (after a warning after first desertion). I think this or a similar system is more effective than rewarding ppl who may not even tend to leave wz matches a lot, because with this type of a system you discourage desertion as a routine behaviour. I also think the addition of some sort of currency for not deserting wz matches makes this thing much too complex. EDIT: And of course such a system should only be implemented in combination with other improvements, otherwise this system, as some have mentioned, would make more ppl dislike pvp altogether in this game.

I also think that doing Wz and wz related dailies should atleast also provide enough credits to support progress in pvp and maintenance of gear and what not. But with patch 2.4 coming in August is it not better to wait what that will bring? Maybe some of the issues adressed here will also be resolved.

I understand your point and a lot of the reasons you summed up are very reasonable. But at the same time I think those issues are not all the reasons why ppl quit. Some quit since they only want to fnish the win 2 Wz dailies or realise it's not an instant win. The points you have summed up can be resolved by refining the current pvp system with for example the option of excluding certain warzones or making it impossible to the X Wz more than 2 times in a row, etc, etc. But if you want to implement something to prevent "desertion" I don't this can be resolved by providing that subpopulation of pvp players 1 medal extra. I don't think that is enough as a reward for defeat or not making progress in dailies, etc. So if you want to implement such a thing at all I think some sort of "punishment" or debuff would be more effective, maybe not appropriate but atleast more effective in preventing "desertion".

I'm not one who tends to flame or criticise a lot, but this seems rather ridiculous. So this would mean that a part of the game will decay since some bugs will never be fixed?

Yea I have noticed this as well for quite some time. ToFN used to be a server in which most pvp matches were won by imperials. This is personally for me the main reason why I play republic classes for pvp. But now it seems Republic win most of the battles. Has there been a population shift since the expansion?

Nice and well written pvp etiquette post, good job! One of the things I see a lot in Wz is that ppl often leave caps or pylon's unattended. Good to see it mentioned here.

I also find this phenomenon problematic. Some players immediately leave the Wz after seeing the group they are in. These players give your team a (temporary) disadvantage. I have also been thinking about ways to solve this problem. But unfortunately I don't think most of those players will stay because of 1 additional medal. I think it more has to do with bonus rewards to exp and valor for winning, dailies and other players in the team. Rather than rewarding players who stay I think "punishing" people who leave would better. But ofcourse this could promote medal farming instead of actual pvp.

I bought it the same day it was announced. I have been playing the game since launch and it has never bored me like other mmorpg's did after an extended period. I knew Makeb was earlier reported to be included in an update, but I realise times have changed. The gaming market has changed since the creation of this game, and I see this change of direction as a consequence of that change. I personally do not understand the people nowadays who seem to make a lot of effort stating what they are not going to do, while they could have used their time and energy in other manners or places. I also do not understand the hypes these days. People expect too much of brands and companies, at time X they praise it to the heavens and at time Y curse everything it has done so far and plans to do in the future. If you get so stressed out in your spare time I advise you to do more or other things. I personally try to see things from realistic point of view, for me the cost of this expansion are little compared to other things in life. I hope to be surprised and amazed by it's content, that's all.