Damned if they Do, Damned if they Don't

Please highlight the portion in the TOS where it says I agree to come the forum or miss out on important game update information. I actually read TOSs before I sign them and I don't recall any such BS in this one or any other game's TOS/TOU/EULA.

Also, statistics have shown that only about 10-15% of any gaming population will visit its forum, so 15% (at most) of SWTOR's gaming population knew that the changes were going to be made. That's not a proper announcement by any means, and if it WAS viewed as an appropriate one, they would have advertised the mistype in the speeder piloting purchase the same way. They didn't. They put that right on the launcher that everyone has to look at to get into the game.

21 days for the stuff from the newest pack, I believe.

Almost TWO MONTHS for the Trailblazer items that were significantly changed - and there is no advertisement art for this set, so let's hear someone justify why that had to be changed to please some group.

Just want to thank BW for fixing these and getting them looking as intended.

This EUALA may be modified by EA at any time. You can view the EUALA at any time by visiting www.swtor.com. We may notify you of modifications: (a) before you play the Game; and/or (b) via a specific notice on www.swtor.com (the "Website"). All modifications will take effect thirty (30) days after their announcement. In any event, you agree to check the Website and review this EUALA periodically to familiarize yourself with any modifications that may occur. If you do not agree with any future modifications to this EUALA, or are unable to continue to remain in compliance with the same, you must cease your use of the Software and of the Game. You may terminate this EUALA in accordance with Section 5. Your continued use of the Software and play of the Game after a modification of the EUALA will be deemed as your acceptance of any modified terms.

I would like to point out that if you were buying cartel packs for the Phantom chestpiece and gloves and ended up with it, not looking as it did on the artwork for the cartel pack, it was unbound and you were able to sell it on the GTN.

If you purchased the Phantom chestpiece and gloves on the GTN having previewed them on the model viewer the intention would be to equip them as soon as possible. These players have bound items that are now effectively useless.

That is not exactly a fair fix to an issue that was hardly lighting up the forums. I'm pretty angry about it, more about what it hints at reelating to 'trobleshooting processes' in company than a rather minor character appearance issue. That said, people care greatly about the appearence of their characters and spend vast amounts of time and money getting the look they desire.

I can't help but wonder why the cartel artpack artwork wasn't changed as fast as possible... maybe an hour or two with a decent artist in photoshop with ingame model shots. Rather than letting the issue bubble away with more and more sets being sold over the GTN based on the preview looks and not the cartel artwork.

Having seen the number of threads sprouting up over this I think those unhappy are in the majority.

This backlash is startling and unnecessary. BioWare certainly is damned if they do, damned if they don't. They made the right decision and it backfired.

Yes the in-game appearance did not match the advertisement. But BioWare served ample notice that this was a bug and it was going to be changed. Yet players ignored it and bought it anyway (which is their own fault).

I have more confidence in BioWare now then I ever have. They stuck to their word, and did right in a bad situation.

Agreed

Their fix was very inelegant. People liked the way those outfits looked mainly because they were unique. No other items in the game looked like them. I.e, no unnecessary accessories or shoulderpads. What they should have done is to be humble, apologize for the false advertisement and then make amends by releasing the advertised gear in another fashion, not force a change on players who liked the items the way they were.

I for one never heard that it was a bug. I browse these forums often enough and I do try to keep an eye out for Bioware's posts, but nowhere did I see them saying that this was a bug. I just thought they messed up with the picture, first time I got the spymaster's gear, and didn't think much more of it.

They can make announcements in the launcher. Seeing as this subject involves real money, it feels like they should have, if they intended to change it.

Funny. Did you read Bioware's first post about this subject? They said it was unintentional. Then they said they were going to investigate. It's as if they are not conscious about their decision. I have a lot less confidence in Bioware these days. They could have gotten those advertised items in to the game and keep the old items as well, making everyone happy. But instead they do this and fumble with an answer. Ugh.

Really - it seems to me that BW screwed up BOTH times.

First, they failed to make the in game items match the advertisements. The correct solution to this would have been to IMMEDIATELY post a notice as to this screw up in a place where folks will actually notice it, then change the items ASAP rather than waiting for weeks. A single post in a thread on the forum DOES NOT count as a reasonable notification.

Then, weeks, if not months later, they introduce changes not only to the items that did not match concept art but to other items that where never shown in the concept art.

The only reason BW is "damned if they do and damned if they don't" is because they screwed up and then failed to deal with the issue properly and in a timely manner. Thus their solution is JUST as a bad as the initial problem - if not worse, considering that the in game appearance pane has been the STANDARD for judging actual in game looks since the release.

What I personally don't get is why are they not using the launcher window to inform people of such things.
Really, it's the easiest way to let people know of known bugs that are being looked into and they would save themselves from a world of QQ.
No one could say they didn't see it then.