Have you got a source for he was never meant to die? Fact is, he did die, Bringing him back is not "righting a wrong". It is simply lazy. He should have stayed dead.

You'll have to look for it yourself but it was an interview with the original Developers.

He wasn't meant to die.

They changed the False Emperor mechanic because of a glitch.

It was a wrong righted.

I have a suggestion. Give all level 70 characters a quest which says,""Running the Alliance has exhausted you. Go to your starship and take a nap". You click on your bed in your ship. Cutscene of you laying down. Screen goes blank. Next scene: your character wakes up screaming. Your companions come running to make sure you are not being murdered.. You realize you just woke up from a nightmare.

 

Nothing from Shadow of Revan onward actually happened.

Bob Newhart show !

I remember that !

[/animated emote ROFL]

Very nice !

So, there are 3 reasons I have faith in Keith, from a story perspective.

 

1. Majority of fans hated Zakuul and wanted to get back to Imp vs Rep. We're getting Onslaught.
   
2. Darth Malgus was never meant to die in the original False Emperor. The original dev team stated they always intended to bring him back (before EA fired or ran off all the Class Story advocate devs), and Malgus was brought back under Keith's direction, righting a wrong.
   

 

But from a story standpoint, I am seeing things that lead me to believe this game is going in the right direction. They may integrate class story into the main one (which is fine - better than nothing), but it would be good to use companions to define your characters further through your adventures with them, as per vanilla.

 

 

That said, I fully support a pass to fix companions. I love the environmental dialogue, and miss it.

1. I don't think we can authoritatively say the "Majority of fans hated Zakuul and wanted to get back to Imp vs Rep". Some people loved it and the rest disliked it for many reasons, only one of which was the desire to get back to Imp vs. Rep. conflict. I, for one, couldn't care less if the the story is 3rd faction or Imp vs Rep as long as it is a good story that flows from older content. Which is wasn't and it didn't.

Keith was promoted when Iokath launched, so the 3 story flashpoints and all of the 2 minute wonder reunions were under his watch. None of that was good story content. Bits and pieces are good, but not the sum total. JUS was too short to know if it was a step in the right direction. There were too many flaws with it that may or may not be eliminated with Oslaught.

In short, with the little bit of story we've gotten since he was in charge, none of it has led me to believe he is going to tighten the ship on the retconning and the continuity errors and the over-dependence on hand-waving and suspension of disbelief. I see nothing that shows he understands the importance of our old companions, let alone has enough awareness to keep their personalities consistent with vanilla. And while moving back to the old conflict might be a good move, the handling of it so far has been flat out bad.

2. I'm indifferent to Malgus being brought back. It would have been a more interesting plot twist if they hadn't already brought back Revan and then Vitiate. Now it seems more like bankrupt creativity than any attempt to return the story to it's roots. They might have great, interesting plans for him in Onslaugh, but that is mere speculation at this point. I think if Kieth cared to do right by the original story he wouldn't have killed off most of the remaining interesting vanilla NPCs with a flick of the wrist in Nathema. That scene felt like they were just trying to kill off our interest in the past while claiming it was a nod to it.

3. Since I don't know what 3 was supposed to be, I can't say if it would give me the same optimism it gave you. I read all of the Reddit posts and haven't seen any giving leaks about future story, let alone any mention of them bringing more class elements into the story.

Malgus does have a Big Following here most likely the biggest in the game so I'm sure that's the main reason BW is bringing him back. Simply "Click Bait" same as the Movie's, TV shows and Music. Overall I do like Malgus being back and I'll bet his return has already sparked others to think better of Onslaught and possibly some to come back. I *Have read about the tech problems with the "Malgus over the edge" issues off and on over the years so his "Return" I would go along with, its Just "After" such a long time and especially now it really seems Disconnected to his past, a Lure to draw many back and out of range to a game that's completely shifted away (Zakuul) from its beginning and now is trying to "Fit Back In".

I *Certainly *Hope they don't Ruin Malgus's character with this and looking at other characters I cant say I have alot of Faith, just a Truckload of Hope. Taking orders from Malgus (servant) would spark alot of what many here have said they *Didn't want (Lessening of Character) in Joining the factions and having Malgus "Follow Us" would deeply Reduce Malgus considering his image at the beginning and still now (Mostly). The game mechanics would still be the same its just a matter of Wording, Semantics. Discussing Op's one on one is good, the Admin giving Choices we choose which we do (Aric/Kaylio Decision CH 12) That is Equal to.. and Commanders Do. Make. Decisions.

Using terms like "We'll Both Go" sounds much better then "You Follow me" or "You will go to" (either direction, its an Insult to character).

Don't give orders, Give Options.

Also as Big a name as Malgus has he still should NOT over shadow our Companions. Whether they openly protest, agree with or simply text "Highly Agree's with" or "Greatly Disagree's with" their Input Should be a part of the story This is "BioWare" and "SWTOR" afterall. Some Vanilla Companions *May be more suited to one mission over the others (Cheaper for BW and better then running with some cardboard whoever) plus it does get our comps started back live again in the game. Over the course of missions it would be each of the five Vanilla companions gets their turn.

1. I don't think we can authoritatively say the "Majority of fans hated Zakuul and wanted to get back to Imp vs Rep". Some people loved it and the rest disliked it for many reasons, only one of which was the desire to get back to Imp vs. Rep. conflict. I, for one, couldn't care less if the the story is 3rd faction or Imp vs Rep as long as it is a good story that flows from older content. Which is wasn't and it didn't.

 

Keith was promoted when Iokath launched, so the 3 story flashpoints and all of the 2 minute wonder reunions were under his watch. None of that was good story content. Bits and pieces are good, but not the sum total. JUS was too short to know if it was a step in the right direction. There were too many flaws with it that may or may not be eliminated with Oslaught.

 

In short, with the little bit of story we've gotten since he was in charge, none of it has led me to believe he is going to tighten the ship on the retconning and the continuity errors and the over-dependence on hand-waving and suspension of disbelief. I see nothing that shows he understands the importance of our old companions, let alone has enough awareness to keep their personalities consistent with vanilla. And while moving back to the old conflict might be a good move, the handling of it so far has been flat out bad.

 

2. I'm indifferent to Malgus being brought back. It would have been a more interesting plot twist if they hadn't already brought back Revan and then Vitiate. Now it seems more like bankrupt creativity than any attempt to return the story to it's roots. They might have great, interesting plans for him in Onslaugh, but that is mere speculation at this point. I think if Kieth cared to do right by the original story he wouldn't have killed off most of the remaining interesting vanilla NPCs with a flick of the wrist in Nathema. That scene felt like they were just trying to kill off our interest in the past while claiming it was a nod to it.

 

3. Since I don't know what 3 was supposed to be, I can't say if it would give me the same optimism it gave you. I read all of the Reddit posts and haven't seen any giving leaks about future story, let alone any mention of them bringing more class elements into the story.

IMO... there are elements of this that are very accurate ... but then comes to some conclusions that are still somewhat up for grabs.

1. You are right about some people liking KotFE / ET and some disliked it. And I also agree that it is getting back to Rep vs Empire is a good idea but could also be seen as a matter of opinion.

JUS was at least a good step in the right direction. How effective it was is also a matter of opinion to a degree. There were some good points. But the devs absolutely by passed an opportunity to begin demonstrating exactly what OP is looking for: more interaction with companions. But instead of a good opportunity for better companion interaction we received a few cut scenes and a couple of brief reunions.

It should be noted that the brief reunions were already present on Iokath. IMO the reunion between the trooper and Elara Dorne was pitiful ... assuming that the u-tube play back of that is accurate.

More to the point: was that reunion already in the works ? I'm not trying to be overly critical but the "short reunions" have become a matter of concern. And since those reunions (as short as they were) ... ZIPPO ... nothing !

One good piece that was released: Hearts and Minds . IMO that was well done

To that end OP seems to be indicating that what we once had needs to be returned.. ( and I think expanded even further)..

2. As for Malgus.. Hey ... it's Star Wars. No biggie either way. It still fits. Some will like it ... some wont. IMO... it's cool either way !

3. The idea of optimism with the new director .. we will see soon enough. I have no intention of pilling the wood up until I see what shakes out with the launch of 6.0 That said... If there are any plans already slated to release some more good teaser stuff like Hearts and Minds... that would be a good idea.

IMO... there are elements of this that are very accurate ... but then comes to some conclusions that are still somewhat up for grabs.

 

1. You are right about some people liking KotFE / ET and some disliked it. And I also agree that it is getting back to Rep vs Empire is a good idea but could also be seen as a matter of opinion.

 

JUS was at least a good step in the right direction. How effective it was is also a matter of opinion to a degree. There were some good points. But the devs absolutely by passed an opportunity to begin demonstrating exactly what OP is looking for: more interaction with companions. But instead of a good opportunity for better companion interaction we received a few cut scenes and a couple of brief reunions.

 

It should be noted that the brief reunions were already present on Iokath. IMO the reunion between the trooper and Elara Dorne was pitiful ... assuming that the u-tube play back of that is accurate.

 

More to the point: was that reunion already in the works ? I'm not trying to be overly critical but the "short reunions" have become a matter of concern. And since those reunions (as short as they were) ... ZIPPO ... nothing !

 

One good piece that was released: Hearts and Minds . IMO that was well done

 

To that end OP seems to be indicating that what we once had needs to be returned.. ( and I think expanded even further)..

 

2. As for Malgus.. Hey ... it's Star Wars. No biggie either way. It still fits. Some will like it ... some wont. IMO... it's cool either way !

 

3. The idea of optimism with the new director .. we will see soon enough. I have no intention of pilling the wood up until I see what shakes out with the launch of 6.0 That said... If there are any plans already slated to release some more good teaser stuff like Hearts and Minds... that would be a good idea.

The reunions on Iokath were well incorporated into that overall story, though. Quinn and Dorne appeared for all eight classes, and were in several scenes (depending on one's allegiance there). They were also written in-character, particularly Dorne, IMHO. Dorne will not stay with a trooper who sides Empire, and doesn't mince words about it. Quinn's death appeared to be nothing more than fan service, but aside from that, Quinn and Dorne actually had more screen time than any other returned companions since KOTFE, as scary as that sounds. They also sent letters after Umbara.

Raina Temple's return in Copero, as well as her reason for being absent, also made sense IMHO.

But the two-minute wonders have numerous continuity flaws, characters not recognizing people they should know, characters behaving in absolutely brainless ways (ie, Andronikos claiming he didn't know who was in charge of the Alliance?), time inconsistencies, conflict with what Ranos and Hexid said earlier, etc. Those characters aren't incorporated into the main story at all.

The hypothesis I would support, and it's all conjecture, is that the Iokath and Copero reunions with Dorne, Quinn and Temple were perhaps salvaged from material that was meant for KOTET's scrapped chapters, while the two minute wonders were more hastily written later on to compensate and find a way to bring back companions. They had the air of, "here, fine, the companions are back, happy now?"

I think it's a fair point that companions and our characters' relationships with NPCs have not been a point of major attention for them, considering that they haven't even incorporated companions into scenes where they would be relevant (Exhibit A: Koth not reacting to the Gravestone's fate or even appearing silently in that flashpoint). They also chose to kill off those 20 NPCs in one fell swoop on Nathema, including some that were very beloved and had been requested fairly often and others that were key story figures.

But where I think I differ in my opinion from the OP is that I don't think there's any evidence that the devs have changed their tune or we can expect tons more interactions with companions. At this point I think it's reasonable to expect/worry that any companions will be ignored at best and killed off in whatever bloodbath they script next, given past experience.

3. The idea of optimism with the new director .. we will see soon enough. I have no intention of pilling the wood up until I see what shakes out with the launch of 6.0 That said... If there are any plans already slated to release some more good teaser stuff like Hearts and Minds... that would be a good idea.

I'm with you on Hearts and Minds being well done. I enjoyed the little subtleties of it and the being able to tell some fun story without a combat break every other minute.

You'll have to look for it yourself but it was an interview with the original Developers.

 

He wasn't meant to die.

 

They changed the False Emperor mechanic because of a glitch.

 

It was a wrong righted.

I looked for a source. The only ones I can find are quotes by you. Ones from 2015 where you were saying exactly the same thing and other people refuting what you were saying. So unless you have a better source then it's just wishful thinking.

Hearts and Minds is best on a republic saboteur. You make a fool of yourself in the interview but its funny.

Imperial saboteur not as good but still funny.

I looked for a source. The only ones I can find are quotes by you. Ones from 2015 where you were saying exactly the same thing and other people refuting what you were saying. So unless you have a better source then it's just wishful thinking.

Tried to find it as well, but hey, you know what?

Wishful thinking or not, Malgus is back and any tantrum you have isn't going to change that.

(Although I really wish I could find the article I read back then - it was from one of the writers of false emperor who was let go after the first Dev purge by EA).

Hearts and Minds is best on a republic saboteur. You make a fool of yourself in the interview but its funny.

Imperial saboteur not as good but still funny.

Sorry, but I disagree. Nothing is as hilariously cringe-worthy as "EM-PIRE! EM-PIRE! EM-PIRE!"

I think we are loosing focus here!

Companions are bricked ... or AKA .. turned into blocks of wood.

We need to get companions back to a more integral part of the game ... again.

We need to be able to choose our companions again when accepting missions ... again !

IMO.. companions "bricked" is not coming ... it is already HERE ! JUS is proof of that !

Regardless of who is running things: companions need to make a come back.. and if anything allowed to expand from where they were prior to Forged Alliances !