Latest Badfeeling Podcast with Bioware Devs

It seems they also don’t like to punish people for cheating in the first place. It really made me mad when Musco said that in the Podcast. They prefer not to ban people, just encourage better behaviour. (Totally hippy, let me give you a hug, crap)

Here’s a more in-depth post I made in the pvp section about it,

Quote:
People who play SWTOR for a year or more are a small minority of the player base, former players who return for a few months when there is new content and totally new players that play for a few months are the vast majority
Speaks enough by itself about the state of the game. Always "nice" to hear that PvE content is in that state in their eyes....well duh if you only do TWO FLASHPOINTS FOR 9 MONTHS...Great job...

It's not the lack of content that's the bother. Most people just aren't interested in doing these things, therefore it wouldn't be sensible to focus on them at the expense of PvP. There are hardly any guilds that actively pursue both HM Operations and MM flashpoints *and don't just keep to themselves if they do.* I've been fighting tooth and nail since January for a guild to do these things with. Being one of the few people actually interested in these things, I am like a black sheep.

So they're right. PvE content will only give small bursts of activity. I find myself queuing for PvP often because that is really the only thing people actively engage in.

I figured I was the minority, but my take on swtor is the pve is boring as hell and the only thing that keeps me actively playing is the pvp.

I didn't mind the FPs back when I first started the game, I have fond memories of Black Talon and Hammer Station, but once I got to 30-40 level the FPs got longer and I just couldn't get into the dungeons/FPs.

Once they made it so heal stations were in them, and all classes could queue, I lost all interest in FPs. Kuat was awful in my mind.

Anyway, I think they ought to focus on PVP and stories. Stories are what BW has been masterful at, and PVP is repeatable content that only requires focus on balance and the occasional addition of abilities and repeatable maps.

Nothing about 6.0 ? That's the only reason I'd even bother opening that link. PVP ? yeah yeah.... PVE ? Yeah yeah... got it. But what about 6.0 ?

So, just curious from the replies I'm seeing here, what would it take to get more players to stick around/bring players back? And I don't mean just, "more content". Like, what specifically needs to change?

Speaking as someone who was a Founder (I pre-ordered) and played for a couple years, then have played on and off (with very lengthy breaks in between) what brings me back is that I just love this universe.

Personally I plan to stick around this time as long as there is enough shinies to keep me occupied. I'm not big on PvP, but I enjoy both PvE and non-combat content like story, housing, achievements, etc...

If I were to venture a guess as to most cost-efficient ways to keep people I would focus on 3 main points:

1) Regular updates- have a set expectation of new content every month or X period of time, even if it's small additions. FFXIV does this and sometimes the additions are a small as 1 new fight (no dungeon or real content leading up to it) and some new housing items. The goal here is not so much to just "add more content" considering they are against resource limitations, it's to create a routine of people planning to log back in and be active to capitalize on new content. Adding more decorations to crafting will go a long way as well since you have to be active both to craft, and to sell the items if you want to profit. I'm hoping the new Decor Vendor is a step in this direction.

2)More community activity - Forums are pretty dead, do small contests to encourage forum involvement for novelty items in game. Could be something as simple as a designated minion you can only win through contests. League of Legends (LOL) used to do that stuff all the time with a specific skin for a character being only obtainable through such events. It's the only reason I ever got active on the forums around there and it got me to stick around much longer than I would have otherwise.) Also just more posts from staff members. People LOVE feeling like they have an impact on games they care about, if they think they can bend the ear of someone "important" they'll stick around just for that. Hell, a dedicated weekly/monthly/whatever Q & A has worked well for sites I've been on in the past.

3)Keep up with the PTS - Basically the same point as the final note above, people want to feel like they helped or made a difference. Giving people access to the test service and a chance to voice their opinions and hear a response (even if their suggestions aren't implemented most of the time) does a lot for the good will of the community.

IMHO for those who don't dig PvP/raids:

1. More story. New segments/chapters. Regularly. I know that people didn't care for the monthly chapters but I would keep subscribing for that.

2. More companion conversations/activities.

3. Different quests for the recurring events like the Gree and Rakghoul Plague. There's only so many times you can do the same quests before you're bored.

4. More/different planetary quests and side quests. If they made a whole new series of dailies or bonus series on planets like Tatooine or Voss, I'd go back there in a flash.

More diverse story content with multiple ways to play through it (side quests to make the planets come alive would go a long way here). Take the story arc and create a standard solo version of it. Then create a group/flashpoint version of it where the opponents are tougher. Then create an Operations version of it for larger groups and drop in a few exceptional opponents (bosses). Finally create a PVP version of it where you advance your story by winning several different "warzones" where the opposition is other players rather than NPCs. Something for everyone and multiple ways to experience the content along with a lot of efficiency in using the models you have created.

I am in no way supporting their current low pace of new content.... but the above statement in blue can and is said about most MMOs. Even the great and powerful WoW suffers this same phenomena. Today's MMO players in many cases game-hop... following whatever MMO has the newest content release.

Now.. is it worse in SWTOR then other MMOs... I'm sure it is worse then some and less worse then others. So there is nothing objective to be gained by worshiping the statement made. They are actually being truthful.. rather then blowing smoke about sub rates.