Here is my source for the no new MMO bits this year; ""I want to be really clear to our fans out there who are deep MMO fans. We're not forgetting about that part of the game either," said Hickman. "We just have a focus right now on the story. We're doing lots of stuff around flashpoints and operations and raid bosses and PvP and that stuff. But it's all about story this year." Link - http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/15/8736559/star-wars-old-republic-knights-of-the-fallen-empire-expansion Now, I freely admit I may be reading a little into it.... but it was said.

And you people don't really read the posts do you. You assume that skimming gives you the entire scope of what was said. They were clear none were coming with the expansion at launch, and not planned for the remainder of the year. That is not an assumption, it is a statement of fact. They said they continue to work on those aspects of the game. However, as I mentioned, there is no information on when or if it will be in 2016 that these will resurface... I assume it will be in 2016. However, there is a huge difference between 1st quarter and 4th quarter... we are currently in second quarter 2015... so if it is 2nd quarter 2016 we're looking at 9 months to a year before any new flashpoint/pvp/operation. Longer if it is not until 3rd or 4th quarter.

Really, couldn't infer I meant New MMO Bits? But I'll edit to be more clear.

I thought it could be similar to Ziost... once you complete the initial Ziost story, you can't go back to the planet in the pre-destruction era... I figured a similar mechanic could be done for the existing planets in game... pre-fall (before you awake from carbonite) would no longer be accessible... the change doesn't have to be significant (maybe empty bases or what not). again... not exactly sure how to place the existing planets in the current time line of the story into the future point we will be at.

At no point did I say there wouldn't be MMO Bits, or that they would be removed... so I am not understanding your point. Not sure where the confusion is, tbh. I am interested and happy there is new story coming, I would like to know when new MMO bits are coming.

Level cap is going to 65 with the launch of this expansion. My assumption is that we will reach level cap sometime during the content available at launch). There are no new "MMO Bits" planned for this year, and (specifically) no released information on when (or if ) we will see them in 2016 (huge difference between 1st quarter 2016, and 4th quarter 2016 in my mind waiting on the MMO Bits.

I've been kicking these thoughts around in my head since the announcement... Preface: I enjoy pretty much everything the game has to offer... I Raid, FPs, PvP (badly), enjoy story, follow side quests, special missions (ala Seeker Droid/Binoc), craft, and even enjoy occassional GSF missions... etc etc etc. I have at least one of each class leveled (not advanced class, just class) and each role (although you don't want me to tank, unless you enjoy high repair bills ). The Good: New Episodic Story Line BW does story well... and I am glad to see a refocus. I am excited that the it is episodic, and there will be content released over time. Plan is for 15 chapters as of now (iirc). I am intrigued by the story line. Older Operations Being Retuned As I said, I raid... I am very excited to see this being done. In my experience, there were few running the older ops (EV, KP, EC) and they have always been my favorites. Running them at level cap was ridiculously easy. The Bad: No "MMO Bits" (aka Group Content) for the time being -- Edit: No NEW "MMO Bits" I get it, resources are finite... and from the looks of things... the story is going to be fantastic. That being said, I think the decision to ignore group content in the coming expansion is a mistake. Given the episodic nature of the expansion... and they have committed to releasing new chapters monthly (I think I read that some where)... point is content takes longer to create than it does to consume... I feel there will be more demand for story before they actually get to the "MMO Bits", especially since it is a single story arc where there is limited (available "powers") differences when leveling each class. Rather I believe they should have included at least 1 PvP map 2 non-story related flashpoints, and 1 operation. Even if doing these things meant releasing 6 chapters at launch instead of 9. They should also set some sort of equation (every 3 chapters = flashpoint, every 6 chapters = operation 12 = PvP map... or something along those lines. I get the need for story, I do... and I am not begrudging anyone who wants it... However, I do think they could have cut back on the initial release a bit to allow for the addition of a couple "MMO Bits". This would have the secondary benefit of extending the story (time wise). New Story is Single Player Only (Personal Phases) While I enjoy story, I also play an MMO to run with friends. I have happily been a players' "healer companion" while they are running their story line missions. I understood that, in those conversations, I was a spectator. It was their story, and their decisions were the ones that mattered and I was good with that.... I feel less inclined to work on my healer/tank My main, in every MMO I play is a healer... without exception. However, in Single Player RPG... that doesn't make a ton of sense, it is generally geared towards DPSing your way through. I have leveled healers and tanks in this game, and know (from my experience) it is best to just focus on DPS while doing the solo story, and switch to heal/tank for group content (at the pace we level now, that would be when you hit level cap). There is no planned group content for this expansion... the story is single player only... meaning, I'll spend more time DPS'ing than the need for healing. Guild Content/Conquest doesn't fit the new story/timeline I just can not picture the "place" for a guild or guildship in the expansion. There is a leap forward in time, the Empire and Republic have all but fallen... "you" are the only one to .... Yet, I have a Flagship with other Outlanders? Visiting existing planets, out of context? Similar to my issue with guilds/flagships etc... it was stated that we will be able to visit the existing planets. This, to me, creates a paradox... if the Republic and Empire have all but fallen, are we really going to go to these bases/planets and still see them fighting eachother? Bases, Fleet, etc? "MMO Bits" This term has bothered me since it was uttered. It makes me concerned about the future of the MMO aspect, in general, for this game. I took it as dismissive, and a bit insulting... language is a powerful tool... perhaps better wording choices should have been made. Yes, I do realize that they have stated that they are still working on those aspects, that there will be a future blog post on this (which I do not feel can come soon enough), but see my concern above regarding finite resources. Just one player's take...

While I would love to see additions on your list OP... I have to ask; do you read the same forums I do? Story content is in high demand, solo content (up to and including Solo Ops) is in high demand. It may not be what I, or obviously you, want... but that isn't to say the demand isn't there.

At the end of the day, this is a game... an evolving one at that. Some of the questions posed; Dailies for gearing; meh, it ill get you gear to start the next expansion. Stronghold Decorating; Sure, if you enjoy that type of thing... I don't think strongholds are going away. Companion Affection; if you are into crafting, sure ... still several months before the release. Want to see their stories and convos.. then absolutely... couldn't care less, then don't bother. Leveling Alts; again, why not... your character will be moved into the new story... if you want to do that story as a sith inquisitor, or a merc, or a consular, etc etc etc

Oh I think there will be MMO'esque additions (FP's and Operations for example), and I think potentially that will be cross-faction (although I somehow doubt it).

and if a frog had wings... it wouldn't bump its *** hopping... They aren't going to give TOO many details beyond what has already been said in interviews and such.

I don't think they are merging factions... You'll be an Imperial OR Republic Veteran of the war... the existing FP/Ops will be you basically reminiscing about the war (essentially), back when there was an Empire and a Republic. KOFE is a single player campaign set in the future of where we are today... the existing story line will be the past... and you may relive your past... but its not getting a ton of attention (other than retuning it for the new level cap).

Funny you mention Mass Effect; BW made reference to that exact game in the post release review on IGN. http://www.ign.com/videos/2015/06/15/star-wars-the-old-republic-knights-of-the-fallen-empire-reactions-ign-live-e3-2015 About the 6 minute-ish mark they start talking about the new game.

With the intent to push the player centric story (I read this as less about teaming (which they have basically said... FP's, Ops, PvP still going to get developed as MMOesque additions (my words)... but "we're focusing on story this year". The new expansion will be a single player RPG (ala KOTOR3). Guilds will be social constructs only (Chat system, shared bank, shared stonghold, etc...) Since we will be in carbonite for years, and the Empire/Republic have all but collapsed... I think; A) Your "faction" will not change. You are a Republic or Imperial Veteran of the Galactic War B) This will be solely Single Player Campaign (you'll see other people running around... but as set dressing essentially. You may be able to team (although I expect a lot of "personal" phases). C) The existing 1-60 content is there as optional for "deeper immersion" or background on who your character was prior to being frozen in carbonite, but updating that is not going to happen save what they have already stated (retuning the ops/fps to make them all part of "Elder Game"). Which I expect will essentially be your character reliving events of the past since those FP's and Operations would be (from a story perspective) totally out of context with the time period your character is inm and don't fit the current state of the Republic/Empire). Do I think there will be new flashpoints and Ops... I do... but not right away... maybe a flashpoint or two at some of the chapter endings (every 2-3, and an operation at every 5-10 chapters)... just my guess. I honestly wouldn't be surprised that planets will also be instanced depending on where you are in the story (i.e. pre carbonite/post carbonite) similar to Ziost Once you completed the initial story arc, you can't get back to pre-destroyed ziost. ... if the Empire/Republic have fallen ... I am pretty sure that every existing planet would need to undergo some changes during your slumber.

Two weeks until the event Some FAQ: Q: Is there an entry fee? A: No; honestly the event grew out of a proposed guild event. We aren't doing this to make credits, we simply wanted to do something fun. Q: Do I need to have a teammate, or can I go solo? A: 2 Member Teams are required. If you have difficulty finding a team mate; I recommend you post here that you are LFG Q: How do you know who wins? A: As teams (complete teams) arrive at all location it will be noted which teams arrive first based on order in chat window. The coordinators will record the teams position at each location. However, the order in which they arrive at the final location is the determining factor on who wins. Q: How are the prizes distributed? A: Where possible the prizes will be distributed via trade immediately following the event. Prizes will be divided and each player receiving half of the total prize amount. If a player does not have the ability to trade (F2P), their portion of the prize will be mailed to them. We will break down any credit amount into smaller chunks (no less 100,000 credits) to avoid any issues with credit cap (i.e. if your prize is 250,000; we will send you 3 in game mails (2x 100,000 and 1 x 50,000). Q: Will there be hints? A: Yes; each destination clue will be given as a webpage address. That webpage will provide hint links, that will direct you (after a waiting period) to the hint. Some puzzles will have multiple hints. However, all clues can be deciphered without hints, and you are welcome to use the web, or for help from anyone you wish. Please note; event organizers will only provide you with the clue web link, no additional information will be given by the organizers. Q: Is this an official game event? A: No, BW/EA is in no way involved, other than providing the game in which to hold the event. This is a player/guild sponsored event only.