Just don't run it with group finder then.

 

Most people/groups are going to insist on using GF for the extra comms. Groups will still form outside of it, but will enter with GF.

I know that SWTOR has promised transparency in their work but I have to wonder if they are holding back really big announcements, specifically new content. It's hard to say what the pros/cons would be here. I can see them withholding because with unclear and limited information the announcement of new content will set high expectations. Failure to live up to those expectations, whether realistic or not, will hurt them. Just look at any big budget film that's been heralded about that failed in the BO because of audience expecations.

 

The financial figures are really interesting. I would love to know were I could find out more about their P/L, Cashflow, and total subscribers vs. FTP members. It does paint a long term picture.

 

One more thing, considering that BioWare, EA and LucasArts all have a big stake in this and very soon we'll be getting a new release of StarWars Films isn't fair to assume that they will be looking at doing some massive marketing around those film releases?

I'm not much for dissecting a post and answering line by line. Judging from your responses, you seem to really dislike the game. That poses the question, if you hate the current state, and the coming content so much, why stay subbed? Why not unsub and find other things to do until you get the content you really want? Maybe, they should offer $60 expansions with new content guaranteed every 4-6 months.

I stay subbed maybe because i actually want to enjoy this game and see it suceed? The potential is there, no doubt about it. After the crash and burn that was 2011 they acutally managed to turn things around and had a decent 2013. But things are changing for the worse again this year; their attempt to open up the game for even more casual audiences by dumping down content is very worrying. Especially for those customers who stayed loyal to the game the past two years and are actually enjoying a challenge.

One more thing, considering that BioWare, EA and LucasArts all have a big stake in this and very soon we'll be getting a new release of StarWars Films isn't fair to assume that they will be looking at doing some massive marketing around those film releases?

 

EA certainly will, but not necessarily for this game, considering they have "Star Wars games in development at our DICE and Visceral studios".

 

One more thing, considering that BioWare, EA and LucasArts all have a big stake in this and very soon we'll be getting a new release of StarWars Films isn't fair to assume that they will be looking at doing some massive marketing around those film releases?

 

No, because there is no way this game attracts a huge crowd after this point. They may go after SWTOR 2,and try to reset things though

As a reminder, the existing end game operations include one that is almost 2 years old, one that is over a year old, and 2 that are 9 months old.

 

I just can't get my Achievement because no-one wants to do Eternity Vault SM and Karagga's Palace anymore - same can be applied to Explosive Conflict.

 

Plus, my main char is level 55 now - he's the only one in that range I have - and doesn't get those old operations in his group finder anym,ore as well, since the group finder automatically doesn't display these as possiubilities for level 55+ anymore.

 

Which means that I'm kind of stuck with these Achievements / achievement vehicles I will probably never be able to get for this char anymore.

 

EA certainly will, but not necessarily for this game, considering they have "Star Wars games in development at our DICE and Visceral studios".

 

As far as I know, one of them is an Starfighter Online game.

Edited May 8, 2014 by AlrikFassbauer

Granted, the bulk of it is overhauling, adjusting, and adding to current content. Even the returning events and the Double currency to encourage PvP is at least something. Though, it never ceases to amaze me the people who will pay to play, but don't actually like what they are playing. Makes more sense to unsub and explore other avenues.

I'm not much for dissecting a post and answering line by line. Judging from your responses, you seem to really dislike the game. That poses the question, if you hate the current state, and the coming content so much, why stay subbed? Why not unsub and find other things to do until you get the content you really want? Maybe, they should offer $60 expansions with new content guaranteed every 4-6 months.

 

 

Classy...you quit for 14 months, come back last week, yet you're telling a guy who's been subbed and supporting this game to quit? Unreal...

Edited May 8, 2014 by TUXs

Well Bruce finally graced us with a "roadmap". It (consistent with the "summer of SWTOR" 12 & 13) had no content . Remember the Chevin event in 12 or the Cartel Market update in 13? It did little to encourage players to login and subscribe or spend money. If you take Torstatus.net as any indication of the player base, SWTOR is bleeding. Since Makeb, servers have consistently lost "players".

 

Remember : The Chevin Event was BEFORE SWTOR became F2P ... (And, sadly, BEFORE I bought the game ... )

 

Classy...you quit for 14 months, come back last week, yet you're telling a guy who's been subbed and supporting this game to quit? Unreal...

 

No, that's another game ...

Edited May 8, 2014 by AlrikFassbauer

Her/his/it's posts are logical in the skewed view of a person that enjoys a single player game. He/She/It doesn't understand that when you give the advice "if you don't like it, leave." that if enough people take that advice, he/she/it is playing the game by his/her/itself. Honestly, I don't think players like that would mind that so much because they find enjoyment playing in single player mode.

 

Single player games are dying out. Period. Face it.

 

And why ? Because online only is the ideal DRM. Just look at Steam : It's DRM as well. AND people like it !

 

The direction is clear : Games are becoming Services.

The game publisher allows us to play their games.

 

Please note that there is often some kind of disparity between Developers and Publishers - but this line is blurring, because Publishers are more and more developing their own games in-house, thus locking outside Developers and Indioes effectively out - simply because the bigger the publisher is, the better the quality the Publisher is usually able to provide ... For example in terms of graphics ...

 

The market has already begun to monopolize ... Games are no more "games", but "tools to generate profits" ...

...Looking forward to the Casino event, but not sure why it is time limited.

 

So yeah, the first time I ran through the Casino I was quite surprised that nothing worked there. SWG had casinos over 10 years ago and EA LOVES credit sinks. I always thought that the Casinos would serve as a great way to get players to congregate somewhere else besides the fleets.

Single player games are dying out. Period. Face it.

 

And why ? Because online only is the ideal DRM. Just look at Steam : It's DRM as well. AND people like it !

 

The direction is clear : Games are becoming Services.

The game publisher allows us to play their games.

 

Please note that there is often some kind of disparity between Developers and Publishers - but this line is blurring, because Publishers are more and more developing their own games in-house, thus locking outside Developers and Indioes effectively out - simply because the bigger the publisher is, the better the quality the Publisher is usually able to provide ... For example in terms of graphics ...

 

The market has already begun to monopolize ... Games are no more "games", but "tools to generate profits" ...

 

Exactly, that's the main reason they added offline mode to Simcity...oh, uh, yeah.

Ewoks are, for all intents and purposes, mini-pandas. Face it.

 

Ewoks were not designed by BioWare

Classy...you quit for 14 months, come back last week, yet you're telling a guy who's been subbed and supporting this game to quit? Unreal...

 

We've all told people they should unsub if they are that unhappy with the game. I thought I was being both logical and reasonable when trying to discuss it from every angle. The person just felt the need to continue to bash the game and the content as it was being provided. I didn't say leave for good. I said unsub and wait for content you are happy with. You can still play for free and express your concerns over lack of content and timeliness as a preferred. It just makes sense. People who take that out of context are either too mad, too one-sided, or just too stubborn to listen to other points of view.

I stay subbed maybe because i actually want to enjoy this game and see it suceed? The potential is there, no doubt about it. After the crash and burn that was 2011 they acutally managed to turn things around and had a decent 2013. But things are changing for the worse again this year; their attempt to open up the game for even more casual audiences by dumping down content is very worrying. Especially for those customers who stayed loyal to the game the past two years and are actually enjoying a challenge.

 

You can still play and see it succeed as a preferred member if you think your money is being wasted waiting for content, but that is neither here nor there. I get it, wanting to see the game live up to its potential is the mantra of every true gamer. The drawback is, we whip ourselves into a frenzy over so many little things, we end up resenting the game after years of playing, and then end up feeling betrayed simply because we were not heard.

 

On more than one occasion, I got bent outta shape about changes that were made to satisfy hardcore raiders who rushed content and unsubbed til the next patch, while in the meantime, loyal paying players like myself would get the nerf end of the stick to accommodate some raiders. So, when I see someone hating the game, I remind them there is a F2P option which they could use until things go their way. But if it makes you mad no matter what happens, it is usually time for a break.

 

People need to be more clear if they hate the game, or just hate the timing. With some of these posters, it is tough to tell.

We've all told people they should unsub if they are that unhappy with the game.

No, we all haven't.

Ewoks were not designed by BioWare

 

Who said they were?

 

No, we all haven't.

 

Some people will only be happy when they log onto the game and they're the only person logged in the whole freaking server, I reckon.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Darth_Wicked

I would recommend Wildstar or FFXIV ARR. They are not StarWars ;however, they have a lot of content and a lot of transparency. Unlike SWTOR, they also have challenging content. Although, FFXIV ARR is much more friendly to the "casual" player.

 

For now I stay with SWTOR, somehow I still believe in this game

Edited May 8, 2014 by Icestar

Some people will only be happy when they log onto the game and they're the only person logged in the whole freaking server, I reckon.

 

I hope you didn't mean me...?! I encourage players to stay, I think suggesting players quit is the most counter productive thing you can do if you like this game, which presumably we all do. Players are my content - for PvP, PvE and GSF. Even the ones I disagree with contribute to this game positively.

No.

 

I had this on another post but I think it applies here as well.

 

TL;DR EA/Bioware know that SWTOR was a bad investment. It makes more sense to make a console game rather than put resources into SWTOR. Once it makes financial sense, they will shut down the game (probably after year 7 or 8).

 

I said something last week about how 2.8 on the PTS was a joke. Tait told me that more was coming but he did not want to steal Bruce's "thunder".

 

Well Bruce finally graced us with a "roadmap". It (consistent with the "summer of SWTOR" 12 & 13) had no content . Remember the Chevin event in 12 or the Cartel Market update in 13? It did little to encourage players to login and subscribe or spend money. If you take Torstatus.net as any indication of the player base, SWTOR is bleeding. Since Makeb, servers have consistently lost "players".

 

Judging by the forums, many players are upset about the direction of the game. I can only speak for myself but this game has relatively little to do except sit around on the fleet. This is not to say that players playing "catch up" cannot find enjoyment. It simply means that for SWTOR veterans the game has become stale. SWTOR has a lot of people leaving or not logging in and not enough "new players".

 

I think Bioware and its producer, Bruce, are primarily responsible. Bioware has been a "day late and a dollar short" with a majority of game features. Group finder, barber shop, UI customization, inventory sorting, and so on are all examples. It takes them months to do what should be done in weeks. However, here is the real reason why SWTOR failed and will continue to be in maintenance mode.

 

SWTOR:

NPV $120,238,250.36

EAA $22,537,940.71

 

MASS EFFECT 3:

NPV $43,238,347.11

EAA $24,913,523.81

 

NET PRESENT VALUE and EQUIVALENT ANNUAL ANNUITY. Using sales figures for Mass Effect 3 and SWTOR factoring in depreciation, royalities, operating expenses and so on SWTOR was a bad investment. EA/Bioware cannot abandon the game until during its 5th year due to the cost (thats assuming $250,000,000). Even if SWTOR lasts 8 years and revenues only decline 10% per year, Mass Effect 3 was still a better investment.

 

So the choice for EA/Bioware is simple. They pull resources from SWTOR to use on "box" games. They can milk players for as long as they can to get to the point where they can shut down the game.

 

 

Hold on now, unless you've got some secret insider information, you're doing this all without taking into account EA's costs of development for anything, MMOs or singleplayer games.

 

Second, you don't know what the subscription revenue is for TOR, and only have a one year estimate for f2p.

 

With pure guesswork I can model TOR in a variety of different lights compared to their other games.

Who said they were?

 

 

 

Some people will only be happy when they log onto the game and they're the only person logged in the whole freaking server, I reckon.

 

Is it so wrong that I want to be King of SWTOR?

You can still play and see it succeed as a preferred member if you think your money is being wasted waiting for content, but that is neither here nor there. I get it, wanting to see the game live up to its potential is the mantra of every true gamer. The drawback is, we whip ourselves into a frenzy over so many little things, we end up resenting the game after years of playing, and then end up feeling betrayed simply because we were not heard.

 

On more than one occasion, I got bent outta shape about changes that were made to satisfy hardcore raiders who rushed content and unsubbed til the next patch, while in the meantime, loyal paying players like myself would get the nerf end of the stick to accommodate some raiders. So, when I see someone hating the game, I remind them there is a F2P option which they could use until things go their way. But if it makes you mad no matter what happens, it is usually time for a break.

 

People need to be more clear if they hate the game, or just hate the timing. With some of these posters, it is tough to tell.

Yeah yeah if you criticize the rout the developers are taking with the game and point out the lack of actual content in an game update, pretty much the only answers you'll get from a certain crowd are - 'if you dont like it, its time for a break / if you hate the game, go way'.

Fascinating approach as, but how about we discuss the actual issue? Whether and why i personally stay subbed or not wont influence the groute the game is taking in any way.

Edited May 8, 2014 by AMightyKnight

I hope you didn't mean me...?! I encourage players to stay, I think suggesting players quit is the most counter productive thing you can do if you like this game, which presumably we all do. Players are my content - for PvP, PvE and GSF. Even the ones I disagree with contribute to this game positively.

 

Not at all.

 

I mean those who actively encourage other people to leave, even when they voice their concerns in an educated and polite fashion. When people do the latter, it's because they usually care enough for the game to do it.

 

Is it so wrong that I want to be King of SWTOR?

 

Even a King needs subjects to be considered a "King".

Edited May 8, 2014 by Darth_Wicked

Not at all.

 

I mean those who actively encourage other people to leave, even when they voice their concerns in an educated and polite fashion. When people do the latter, it's because they usually care enough for the game to do it.

 

 

 

Even a King needs subjects to be considered a "King".

 

Unless you are the King of nothingness...

Yeah yeah if you criticize the rout the developers are taking with the game and point out the lack of actual content in an game update, pretty much the only answers you'll get from a certain crowd are - 'if you dont like it, its time for a break / if you hate the game, go way'.

Fascinating approach as, but how about we discuss the actual issue? Whether and why i personally stay subbed or not wont influence the groute the game is taking in any way.

 

Very well then, let's discuss the issue. If you were able to sit down across the table from BW Devs tomorrow morning, and propose changes to the game, what would they be?

No, we all haven't.

 

Well then, my apologies and I retract my previous statement. I am all for constructive feedback, and even from time to time, a legitimate complaint made in frustration. But when the same people, beat the same drums, and get the same response (none), maybe it is time for a new tactic, or a pause from the situation. I hate the idea of any game losing good people. The jerks are always free to leave imo. But when good people are never given things that make sense in the game, or for the good of the people supporting the game, what else is there to do?