#1- Bioware, for all the many improvements they have made that you correctly note, remains broken on a fundamental level. They no longer put out the quality work they became legendary for. When did this happen? As soon as they were bought out by EA.

 

#2- Although rarely taken on as a passionate cause, the Cartel "gamble and hope you get the item" scheme is designed for one thing and one thing alone, to maximize the amount of cash they can get from you, their customer. Period. That mentality says it all. Nothing about their Cartel program is a microtransaction.

 

#3- EA was awarded a 10 year license. There is no way that was a free pass licence. I guarantee there were a ton of instances documented wherein they could lose that license.

 

#4- Hardcore MMO? And that worked out for Wildstar how? And they also suffered with telling players what they were going to get versus giving players memorable experience that does the branding for them.

 

#5- Everybody can bag on WoW all they want, they remain, even after all these years, the biggest show in town. There is a reason for that. As a business model, there are reasons that even after huge subscriber losses- they remain top dog.

 

#6- Disney doesnt get gaming and is only just now, warming up to out world. However, with the success of their current film, they will get the power a well done game has to deliver Disneyland: The Star Wars version to peoples computers. Over the long haul, there is no way they are going to just throw away MMO dollars. Old Republic may or may not last, but I guarantee you- a SW MMO will always be in the landscape.

 

#7- There are aspects of this game that delivers an epic SW experience, there are parts of this game that exploit players for money (not all of which are immediately obvious) in a horrible way, and there are parts of this game that are just flat out epically boring and tedious.

 

#8- It is in EVERYONES best interests, Disney's from avoiding huge development costs (launching a new MMO), Biowares to keep their jobs and ours to keep our game- for them to work these things out. So far, I see no indicator that will happen. The HK perk for subscribers, meh. A nice fun side deal, but the main event as a perk? Sigh.

 

I love their stories, Im enjoying Rishi and Revan- look forward to Fallen. Loved my Sentinel's story and am really enjoying my Smuggler's story. LOVE the stronghold although lots of a mechanics there that make me nutty. All this to say, this is LOTS AND LOTS of good things to protect and that they can feel good about and us. We'll see if they wake up, TRULY wake up to the other things.

I think that you've pretty much hit it there - what I find amazing is the complete indifference shown to their customers. They're quick enough to jump on cheats - but bugs are still in the game that have been around for months. Everyone seemed to enjoy the class based stories - but, since the initial release, they've gone (in fact it's now got to the point where we don't even have different stories for the different factions!).

 

In a way, I sort of hope that Disney takes the licence away and gives it to someone that actually wants to do a good job. Apart from anything else, it would be a warning to any other developer!

The reason why I ask is that it seems that they're not actually interested in producing an improved game...

Who cares. (statement)

 

"Star Wars: the Old Republic", as well as the main franchise, is only one piece of science-fiction. Unless you diversify your science-fiction palette, your literary and entertainment experiences will be limited. Growth comes from trying out new avenues, which you haven't considered exploring. "Star Wars: the Old Republic" provides an entertaining experience; however, the franchise's themes have been played out a million times over. "Star Wars" is literally stuck in a never-ending cycle of war.

 

Why is "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" a success? Classical conditioning. LucasFilms used psychology to lure children into the franchise. Some of those stimuli include: flashy lights, powerful music, toys, tiny species, etc... "Star Wars'" success is not because it contains science-fiction. If you take a step back for a moment, you will realize "Star Wars" is science-fiction light and fantasy heavy. Isaac Asimov, H. G, Wells, Frank Herbert, Greg Egan, Gene Roddenberry, Ronald D. More, D. C. Fontana, Michael Piller, Rick Berman, Larry Niven, Kim Stanley Robinson, Fiona Avery, Robert Cooper, and Brad Write are hardcore science-fiction writers.

 

"Star Wars: the Old Republic" will rise and fall in the same manner as every other franchise.

 

Each individual creates a subjective interpretation of the world. If you limit your world to a tiny corner, you cheat yourself an opportunity to grow. You limit your creativity and potential.

 

...and that is why we need to get past "Star Wars" and "Star Trek".

 

So, who cares.

 

Although I may like playing "Star Wars: the Old Republic", I do not hold the franchise in an iron grip.

 

"Star Wars" and "Star Trek" are not the end-all science-fiction. Our world is filled with other possibilities.

Who cares. (statement)

 

"Star Wars: the Old Republic", as well as the main franchise, is only one piece of science-fiction. Unless you diversify your science-fiction palette, your literary and entertainment experiences will be limited. Growth comes from trying out new avenues, which you haven't considered exploring. "Star Wars: the Old Republic" provides an entertaining experience; however, the franchise's themes have been played out a million times over. "Star Wars" is literally stuck in a never-ending cycle of war.

 

Why is "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" a success? Classical conditioning. LucasFilms used psychology to lure children into the franchise. Some of those stimuli include: flashy lights, powerful music, toys, tiny species, etc... "Star Wars'" success is not because it contains science-fiction. If you take a step back for a moment, you will realize "Star Wars" is science-fiction light and fantasy heavy. Isaac Asimov, H. G, Wells, Frank Herbert, Greg Egan, Gene Roddenberry, Ronald D. More, D. C. Fontana, Michael Piller, Rick Berman, Larry Niven, Kim Stanley Robinson, Fiona Avery, Robert Cooper, and Brad Write are hardcore science-fiction writers.

 

"Star Wars: the Old Republic" will rise and fall in the same manner as every other franchise.

 

Each individual creates a subjective interpretation of the world. If you limit your world to a tiny corner, you cheat yourself an opportunity to grow. You limit your creativity and potential.

 

...and that is why we need to get past "Star Wars" and "Star Trek".

 

So, who cares.

 

Although I may like playing "Star Wars: the Old Republic", I do not hold the franchise in an iron grip.

 

"Star Wars" and "Star Trek" are not the end-all science-fiction. Our world is filled with other possibilities.

 

I care and I'm sure many others do as well. You don't speak for anyone but yourself.

I care and I'm sure many others do as well. You don't speak for anyone but yourself.

Who cares. Period.

Who cares. Period.

 

Same could say about you. Who cares what you think user # 6.8 million.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Skaara

That report is a batch of double talk, there's is zero solid evidence that SWTOR is unproftiable, reduced amounts of profitability is a given but actually losing them money. That's a huge stretch

 

Read it again. Nothing is saying that SWTOR is unprofitable. It is saying that for the last 2.5 years the game was experiencing declining profits compared to what it had through March 31st, 2013. And it states in the first paragraph of 'Looking Back: Most Recent Quarterly Reports' this:

Hopefully you’re still with me, I promise we’re almost finished. There is some silver lining in the two quarterly reports since that fiscal year 2015 annual report. The rate of decline in revenue has stopped accelerating it seems because SWTOR is no longer being cited for declining revenue year-over-year in the middle six months of calendar year 2015. However, the game was also not listed as having increasing year-over-year revenue in either quarter. This means that Star Wars: The Old Republic is only experiencing the same revenue decline as last year, not continuing to accelerate the rate of decline as it had over of the prior 24 months.

 

TL/DR: Profits are down, game is not unprofitable. How anyone can read anything other than that leads me to the conclusion they have a limited understanding of financial/fiscal subjects.

Read it again. Nothing is saying that SWTOR is unprofitable. It is saying that for the last 2.5 years the game was experiencing declining profits compared to what it had through March 31st, 2013. And it states in the first paragraph of 'Looking Back: Most Recent Quarterly Reports' this:

 

 

TL/DR: Profits are down, game is not unprofitable. How anyone can read anything other than that leads me to the conclusion they have a limited understanding of financial/fiscal subjects.

"Star Wars: the Old Republic" seemed to have hit a slow and steady decline in revenue. Even though BioWare is not seeing a drastic swing, they are noticing that the game is gradually losing revenue.

 

Again, not every "Star Wars" game, movie, or tv-series is a success.

 

Virtually every franchise has its ups and downs.

 

Bioware, possible another company, will just make another game.

 

I have given up on "Star Wars: the Old Republic".

 

Disney's biggest mistake was to put all of their eggs in one basket.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Linyivee

Same could say about you. Who cares what you think user # 6.8 million.

We are just dollar signs to these people.

 

Don't fool yourself.

"Star Wars: the Old Republic" seemed to have hit a slow and steady decline in revenue. Even though BioWare is not seeing a drastic swing, they are noticing that the game is gradually losing revenue.

 

Again, not every "Star Wars" game, movie, or tv-series is a success.

 

Virtually every franchise has its ups and downs.

 

Bioware, possible another company, will just make another game.

 

I have given up on "Star Wars: the Old Republic".

 

Disney's biggest mistake was to put all of their eggs in one basket.

 

The issue here is whether or not EA will pull the plug if SWTOR continues this trend and not showing an increase in profitability. To most corporations declining profits is akin to losing money, especially when they do a comparative analysis to past profit reports over a few yearly fiscal reports. Shrinking profits doesn't bode well for any product line.

TL/DR: Profits are down, game is not unprofitable. How anyone can read anything other than that leads me to the conclusion they have a limited understanding of financial/fiscal subjects.

 

Another key component of the article is this:

 

None of this means that SWTOR is losing money necessarily. There’s less money coming in the door, but if you also cut expenditures you can remain profitable with less revenue.

 

This is correct, of course, and we already know there have been reductions in staff, which does help with the expenditure part and can, from a business bottom-line perspective, make the game "profitable." Speaking just to various public announcements, some people have been reassigned to other games (George Smith) while others have quit (Jesse Sky). Having worked there as a contract-based quality assurance and test specialist, I can tell you (without stating specific names or positions that have not been made public) that various people from different roles have been removed from those roles.

 

The positive to this is less expenditure on staff and staffing related resources. Now, the downside, as we've seen, is less ability to fix bugs and the continued accretion of technical debt with new bugs. The recent event glitches are a perfect example. The people who worked on event scripting and who had the most knowledge of it are now gone. This can be rectified, of course, but we've seen the immediate impact.

 

So the short-term profitability from reduced expenditure can lead to longer-term unprofitability if they don't turn around perception of their game. And that turnaround will have to be demonstrable to long-time players ... but if they get new players, it will take them awhile to be impacted by as many bugs as there are. Meaning, newer players may stay subbed longer even as longer-time players abandon. It's a complicated equation with a lot of assumptions and interrelated variables.

Edited December 23, 2015 by JeffNyman

Another key component of the article is this:

 

None of this means that SWTOR is losing money necessarily. There’s less money coming in the door, but if you also cut expenditures you can remain profitable with less revenue.

 

This is correct, of course, and we already know there have been reductions in staff, which does help with the expenditure part and can, from a business bottom-line perspective, make the game "profitable." Speaking just to various public announcements, some people have been reassigned to other games (George Smith) while others have quit (Jesse Sky). Having worked there as a contract-based quality assurance and test specialist, I can tell you (without stating specific names or positions that have not been made public) that various people from different roles have been removed from those roles.

 

The positive to this is less expenditure on staff and staffing related resources. Now, the downside, as we've seen, is less ability to fix bugs and the continued accretion of technical debt with new bugs. The recent event glitches are a perfect example. The people who worked on event scripting and who had the most knowledge of it are now gone. This can be rectified, of course, but we've seen the immediate impact.

 

So the short-term profitability from reduced expenditure can lead to longer-term unprofitability if they don't turn around perception of their game. And that turnaround will have to be demonstrable to long-time players ... but if they get new players, it will take them awhile to be impacted by as many bugs as there are. Meaning, newer players may stay subbed longer even as longer-time players abandon. It's a complicated equation with a lot of assumptions and interrelated variables.

 

Let me see if I got this right. Basically they cut staff because the current model and current subs was unprofitable. Therefore the design direction of the game completely changed to correlate with man power and the hope that the movie would bring in new subs to retain. So if they can't get as many players that are quitting to support the new model than the we are looking at more cuts and less staff until the game is no longer profitable and they pull the plug. If they succeed and they get enough people they will declare the new model successful and no extra money will ever be invested as the game is profitable enough and it wouldn't warrant any extra funds regardless of how much it makes. So no matter what happens we are hosed on end game.

 

So the absolute best case scenario is the status quo. Feel free to correct me if I'm reading this wrong.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Skaara

The reason why I ask is that it seems that they're not actually interested in producing an improved game...

 

They've dumbed down much of the content.

 

They started with 8 story lines which reduced to 2 (one for each faction) and now, with 4.0, has just the single story line no matter what class you are or which faction you're with.

 

The patches are invariably buggy (not only the new content either - the patches seem to always either break things that used to work or reintroduce bugs that were previously fixed - GTN is a good example, it gets broken every time there's a new patch).

 

They make bizarre decisions - for instance giving us one very long chapter to go through, which I defy any to repeat for more than 4 or 5 alts without going completely nuts, and then take away the ability for characters to fly to the new area unless they have completed the 4.0 content but don't put the new vendors on the fleet...

 

I just wonder whether they signed some sort of agreement with Lucasarts that meant that the game has to keep being developed for a certain time, but that they have little or no actual interest in the product.

 

Are there any other (hopefully non EA) MMORPGs in the offing?

 

No, they have no obligations whatsoever. They already shut one of their MMOs before - see Warhammer Online which was also published by EA.

I'll issue my standard disclaimer: I used to work there (contact test basis); it's why I have to post here under my real name; it's why I'm only allowed to blog about it sporadically (i.e., here); I have to be careful about internal details, etc, etc, yadda, yadda.

 

Let me see if I got this right. Basically they cut staff because the current model and current subs was unprofitable.

 

Well, there were a lot of factors. Some people just left of their own accord. But the most recent departures (voluntary and otherwise) were certainly due to declining confidence -- regardless of current profitability or possible future lack thereof. And that "regardless of" is a key qualifier there.

 

A lot of this goes back to historical context as well. There was a lot of debate internally as to whether a KOTOR 3 (i.e., single player RPG) was the way to go or an MMO that would essentially be KOTOR 3+4+5+etc. But strident -- and executive-level -- voices were saying MMO was the path to take. This was largely to sustain the planned-for expenditure of the game, what with all the content and voice acting that was planned for. Also keep in mind that no one then knew the future: that Disney was going to revitalize the Star Wars franchise.

 

So now here we are present day. the complicated market that is MMOs, a fan base of Star Wars that would likely have responded better to a single player RPG, and a franchise that is starting up again -- but in a different era. So you have the refocus on story and (largely) single player elements (KotFE). Thus do you have less of a need for group content teams and raid designers. Thus some staff reassignments. Plus the focus on a new Star Wars game (Battlefront) that is more in line with current films as well as the re-focusing on the Visceral Star Wars RPG. There's also been more and more scuttlebutt about "1313" coming back to life.

 

Therefore the design direction of the game completely changed to correlate with man power and the hope that the movie would bring in new subs to retain.

 

To be honest, I don't think they really considered the movie helping this game too much. They certainly didn't go out of their way to promote the game via the movie in any sort of social media. Yes, it's a different era and whatnot but let's face it: people tend to gobble up Star Wars. Contrary to the belief by some, there were no licensing issues that would have prevented EA from latching on to the Disney train and using the film to promote the game. In fact, there were some initial plans for this that tied in with the theme of "Every generation needs a story."

 

All this said, the disconnect of the Star Wars era was perceived as a problem, hence Battlefront and hence more information about a new RPG.

 

Also, keep in mind, the technical debt by the time the movie was coming out for this game was huge. It's no secret internally that the foundation was weak from a coding perspective. KotFE essentially changed large segments of the code base and thus many core dynamics which -- as we've seen -- have led to a lot of core bugs (missions that were completed, but are indicated as not having been; quest givers that sometimes simply don't show up; etc).

 

My only point here being that promoting a game that was already having a lot of issues may have been considered more risky than not particularly when that new player base would be encountering an existing player base that was already a bit disenfranchised. At least the more public elements of it (Reddit, Facebook, these forums).

 

So if they can't get as many players that are quitting to support the new model than the we are looking at more cuts and less staff until the game is no longer profitable and they pull the plug.

 

That's a possible scenario, yes. The recent "rewards" and the stream certainly left no doubt in too many people's minds I think: this was not "rewards". This was "retention." They need people to stay subscribed. Even if they get no more subscribers, they need what they currently have. This was a bit of a desperation move, in my view. They even got some lead writers to tweet out various comments that, in retrospect, most people agree were misleading at best, fraudulent at worst.

 

If they succeed and they get enough people they will declare the new model successful and no extra money will ever be invested as the game is profitable enough and it wouldn't warrant any extra funds regardless of how much it makes. So no matter what happens we are hosed on end game.

 

I can't say for sure but the writing is certainly there that KotFE is an experiment that "better work." (Imagine me as an EA executive stating that during internal meetings.)

 

None of us can fail to notice how spread out the chapters are, right? I don't think anyone imagines they haven't already had the storyline in place for this. So it's not like much of this content isn't already done. In fact, without getting into too much detail, the ideas for KotFE have been swirling far longer than its announcement. Some of the ideas from the concept were discussed very early in the game's formation based on the book Fatal Alliance, which was a bit of a trial run to see how people responded to an Empire-Republic team up. So my point here is that the "spreading out" is not to give time for development, but rather to retain subscribers (and thus revenue) until further decisions can be made.

 

As far as end game, I think what we've seen recently has shown that EA / BW has at least less faith than they did that the game can sustain itself as a full-on MMO. There's clearly a focus on the single-player component (even if it's still situated in a multiplayer context) and there's certainly been a converging of the story lines into one story. That said: they did leave themselves room to reshape that, such as with the alliance system.

 

So, assuming I didn't already bore you to tears, I can only end with a weak: I don't know. Based on what I do know and I think what many of us suspect: EA is in a wait-and-see mode. The KotFE "experiment" is ongoing and takes them well into next year. That, combined with a possible resurgence of "anything Star Wars", combined with non-related but popular titles (like Mass Effect 4 that are already siphoning assets from this game), is likely going to help EA determine where to spend their resources.

Edited December 23, 2015 by JeffNyman

Based on what I do know and I think what many of us suspect: EA is in a wait-and-see mode. The KotFE "experiment" is ongoing and takes them well into next year. That, combined with a possible resurgence of "anything Star Wars", combined with non-related but popular titles (like Mass Effect 4 that are already siphoning assets from this game), is likely going to help EA determine where to spend their resources.

 

This. It is all about watching how community and playerbase fluxuate after this change. This is also reason why they didnt announce any plans for future pve content except only story and possible one pvp map (that has been in developemnt long ago). A lot staff has moved on to new projects or left Bioware completely. They know that thats bad but you will never tell bad news to community unless its game shutdown.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Divona

Stuff ....

 

Well I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. I really do. Your post just pretty much confirms what I already thought and I can now leave with no regrets knowing the game is over for me. If this is really the best it's ever going to be then there is no place here for me anymore. Thank you for taking this time.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Skaara

This. It is all about watching how community and playerbase fluxuate after this change. This is also reason why they didnt announce any plans for future pve content except only story and possible one pvp map (that has been in developemnt long ago). A lot staff has moved on to new projects or left Bioware completely. They know that thats bad but you will never tell bad news to community unless its game shutdown.

 

They are also in one big catch 22 here. They rely on subscribers not just due to the monthly sub, but the stated fact that subscribers spend significantly more on the CM than F2P types.

 

Given the mistrust of BW and EAs motives that is now creeping into the minds of some of the games longest standing defenders, why would anyone carry on investing extra cash into a game, that may well close down, next week, next month or next year? Any money spent is likely to have no longterm benefit to the players.

 

I do not think that we will get adequate warning over the games demise either, to do so would simply cut their revenue streams even more, but, can you imagine the day the game closes, people could have bought 14k CCs and boom, gone in the flick of a switch. Amusing for EA, not so much for the out of pocket player.

I do not think that we will get adequate warning over the games demise either, to do so would simply cut their revenue streams even more, but, can you imagine the day the game closes, people could have bought 14k CCs and boom, gone in the flick of a switch. Amusing for EA, not so much for the out of pocket player.

 

Yes thats business ABC here by not informing customers if drastic change announcement is about to happen. I know this myself from past playing other MMO's that changed business model just to survive. I saw that coming half year or so before it really happened. It still amuses me back then when community (forum) didnt belive that could happen.

I think Bioware is now at a point where staff count is so thin that there are not many options left.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Divona

No, they have no obligations whatsoever. They already shut one of their MMOs before - see Warhammer Online which was also published by EA.

 

From your post, I take it that Lucasarts/Disney licenced Warhammer then....

I been a player since launch, their is ups and downs but all games have them especially MMOs. I came back after a year gone a week ago and I'm enjoying the game even more with all the new expansions and content. Now I always was a subscriber, but I can see why some people may get tired playing constant and notice the drops in new content more. My question though is if revenue is the problem and cut backs are key to longer life, could they skrink servers. Maybe make one larger server on east coast and another on west, while doing similar to EU. I know this may cause problems, but you could lengthen life of game by saving money. That's just a thought I had or am I completely out of the loop and maybe that can't be done or may cost more money in the long run? Edited December 23, 2015 by Tornerre

I been a player since launch, their is ups and downs but all games have them especially MMOs. I came back after a year gone a week ago and I'm enjoying the game even more with all the new expansions and content. Now I always was a subscriber, but I can see why some people may get tired playing constant and notice the drops in new content more. My question though is if revenue is the problem and cut backs are key to longer life, could they skrink servers. Maybe make one large on east coast and another on west, while doing similar to EU. I know this may cause problems, but you could length life of game by saving money. That's just a thought I had or am I completely out of the loop and maybe that can't be done or may cost more money in the long run?

 

Well, "server" doesn't necessarily equate to "box" - I don't know how they have it set up - there could be several virtual servers on one "box" - and one "box" could actually be several physical items.

To me, writing is on the wall. I understand for some people It is difficult to accept this but looking at what's going on in the last one month it is clear that we are on borrowed time. They let major people go. Even game breaking bugs are not fixed and support does not exist anymore, even Eric and Tait does not care to post. this is just too much to address with holiday laziness. Employees must be demoralized with all this as well.

 

My prediction is we will be shut down after story is done. Until then minimum support.

Edited December 23, 2015 by tanerb

From your post, I take it that Lucasarts/Disney licenced Warhammer then....

 

I take it from your post that you believe Lucas Arts/Disney have a motive in this game beyond the existing license. There connection with this game is tenuous at best and if it consistently loses money for EA, it'll be gone and Disney won't do a thing about it. Nor will they 'mandate' any changes if they feel the game is under performing. In fact the people in charge of the Star wars franchise are thinking about episodes 8 and 9 atm and have likely never given more than a passing thought to EA and its Star Wars themed mmo.

I take it from your post that you believe Lucas Arts/Disney have a motive in this game beyond the existing license. There connection with this game is tenuous at best and if it consistently loses money for EA, it'll be gone and Disney won't do a thing about it. Nor will they 'mandate' any changes if they feel the game is under performing. In fact the people in charge of the Star wars franchise are thinking about episodes 8 and 9 atm and have likely never given more than a passing thought to EA and its Star Wars themed mmo.

 

You honestly believe that LucasArts or Disney would happily take money from a software house without keeping control over the most profitable IP in the world? Their legal team would have nailed BW/EA down about what they could and couldn't do. My worry is that the owners of the franchise have told EA that they *have* to have a certain number of titles going - or that, having started a MMO, that they have to keep it going for a minimum time. In which case, having lost all interest in doing anything with it, they're likely to do as little as possible just to keep it ticking over (which sorta seems to be where we are now).

My worry is that the owners of the franchise have told EA that they *have* to have a certain number of titles going - or that, having started a MMO, that they have to keep it going for a minimum time. In which case, having lost all interest in doing anything with it, they're likely to do as little as possible just to keep it ticking over (which sorta seems to be where we are now).

 

I sincerely doubt that. As a publicly traded company, EA's ultimate responsibility is to its stockholders. IMO, this is somewhat of an advantage for us. The advantage is that we have some transparency in how the game is doing financially. You might say, well the disadvantage is that many (most?) of their choices will be financially motivated. ANY game company needs to make money (be profitable) and the fact that its publicly traded or not doesn't REDUCE its need for profitability.

 

Therefore, the only thing they HAVE to do is keep their shareholders happy and fulfill any contractual obligations. I'm sure all the contracts had to be revised once Disney bought the IP, and I sincerely doubt Disney would say you have to keep game X going for such and such time, even if that comes into direct conflict with your duty to shareholders (i.e. running the game when it is in the red.)

 

I would agree with other posters above me that say EA is in a wait and see mode. The lack of any development leadership response to NiM-lootgate, Companion-gate, Rakghoul-gate, and now Bounty-gate, is the proof in the pudding. Feb 2016 will be the key. If we get signs that SWTOR is no longer losing revenue, that the doubling-down on story-based chapters and cop-out text conversations (sorry, homage to KOTOR conversation choices) has worked, then perhaps we will start to see some more investment in content.

 

I like KOTFE. I personally think its replayable. I love the story. I'm enjoying doing old operations with my guildies that are now gear-tier relevant. I enjoy teaching flashpoint fight mechanics (and rarely operations in GF groups) to new players. I still like GSF and ground PVP and decorating my stronghold and trying new outfits for my sage who sadly never quite has the right look. I'm grateful there's a new PVP map coming in just a couple of months. But after four years, closed beta status, and thousands of hard earned dollars I am not liking NiM-lootgate, Companion-gate, Rakghoul-gate, Bounty-gate, and the lack of top-level apologies saying:

 

"Mea culpa, we know we did wrong. It is poor form to have two broken events right during the release of the most highly anticipated movie in years. We know we can do better, here's how we're going to make 2016 better, and not just with the already once delayed chapters you know are coming and the companion we said couldn't come back in the story but decided to bring back anyway."