Gear from content, not from market!

Pretty much, this is my only MMO. It's only the Bioware pedigree that brought me here. That being said the MMO elitism is ********. Good looking items should be accessible to the average player, either through the cash shop or through the game, it shouldn't be locked behind content that only a certain amount of players will do, whether that be space missions, mini-games, Ops, etc. There's a difference between having a few interesting things as rewards for doing those things and locking all the best stuff away in those modes. One is a nice reward, the other is toxic elitism.

Cute, you old MMO gamers yelling about the changing markets always amuse me. Welcome, to the world of tomorrow!

You know, for some people this game isn't a competition. They're here to enjoy the sights and enjoy working together with friends. Is there really anything inherently wrong with someone jumping to level 50 and breezing through the questing content with friends, or even just jumping to 50 and playing FPs? I mean you could make an issue that by doing that they don't learn the skills of the class well over the slower learning curve, but a sharper learning curve doesn't mean they can't learn how to play.

This might shock you, but earning **** in a video game doesn't mean anything.

Then dont remove the items from the cartel market but give us a chance to get them from other places. If people want to buy it let them, if people want to craft it let them and if people would prefer to kill 52,000 sand people for it let them.

It's because the game took a Hickman to the knee.

I think that's the main point of this thread. Good looking items should be accessible both ways. Not just Operations, not just cash shop. I don't think people are suggesting the cool new stuff be locked up so only the elite players can get it. The problem is none of the cool new stuff was released in-game.

The last time we got a new color crystal in game was purple-black, yet the packs have released 3 new colors and given access to white again. No love for in-game?

Dozens of new pets and mounts released in the packs. Cool lightsaber hilts with effects, weapons with lasers, etc. (nothing like this in-game). Dozens of new armor sets (granted, most of them recolors). The last time a new gear model was released for PvP/PvE sets was ... April? Elite War Hero and Dreadguard are just recolors, sadly.

I am perfectly fine with casual players getting cool looking content via a cash shop. I just ALSO want a way to get stuff like that in game via achievements, quests, drops, etc.

Yeah I think white crystals are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to the cartel market. This item was available in game, was then removed from the game and then added to the cartel market. Wow, I don't think I fully understood what a dick move that was until I wrote it out just now.

Well considering most people are ************ that gear isn't exclusive enough or saying it should have a month long quest chain there are quite a few elitists. I have no problem with the idea that gear should be obtainable in game, I actually agree with that. I just think the cartel market is the lesser of two evils.

Generally, insinuating violence isn't a bright idea. I'm not exactly beyond debate here, dude. If you can construct a well-developed argument for your side I'm open to it. If it's the usual ******** founded in elitism and wanting things to be "exclusive" then no, I'm probably not going to agree to that.

Whilst I'd agree that content should be available both in the CM and in-game, I'd argue that it already is.

I've purchased coins - started playing a guardian and wanted the valiant set, so bought it. However, last night I purchased a devastator's lightsaber for 3000 creds and a cyan blue end crystal for 70000. Is that not having gear from the CM available through means already in the game? There will always be people selling this stuff on the GTN - use them.

The problem is the point of origin is the cartel market. People want the option to craft, drop or quest for the gear as well.

I can understand that, but (in my opinion) its just arguing semantics. You have an item you want, you gather resources/credits/kill enemies, click some buttons and end up with that item.

The problem (for me) is that isn't fun. Sure, semantically, it works. But all MMOs boil down to the same thing, keeping you playing and paying. Carrot on a stick. The good MMOs are better at masking that, the bad MMOs people stop playing.

Considering doing certain in-game activities for some new cool stuff is fun. Getting a group together, struggling to do some difficult content, mastering it finally -- the rewards have a good adventure attached to them! I can think back on the memorable event of obtaining item X or Y after some in-game achievement.

Choosing to grind dailies, or do other sources of the best ways to earn credits over and over just so you can buy new stuff from a market is not really fun to me. There's no anticipation or adventure attached to it.

Sure, the end result is the same -- I get an item. But the method really does matter. The first way keeps me playing, the second is meh. The first way masks the carrot on the stick with enough fun, the second way makes me wonder why I'm buying this carrot again?