I have been subscribing to SWTOR and have multiple characters of different races. So, if I have a lvl 50 True Sith character, does that mean I still have to pay a subscription to continue to play him or can I choose the Free option and still play him?

Often, I've heard massive complaints that storytelling in videogames tend to focus more on, for lack of a better word, the romantic aspects of a game. However, when said character interaction is considered a selling point of the game, do you believe that TOR did it well? Personally, I think certain romances are better done than others. For example, I thought the interaction between a male smuggler and Akaavi was better than I expected. I also thought romantic interactions with Vector, Doc, Kira, Corso, Jorgan and Quinn had enough momentum to go on their own. Personally, I thought some of the weaker romantic arcs were from Torian, Andronikos, Nadia and Iresso. What's your personal opinion?

The most common complaint I've heard about the game, storywise, is that the classes are too 'Sue-ish' in nature. When looking up the definition, I found this "A Mary Sue (sometimes just Sue), in literary criticism and particularly in fanfiction, is a fictional character with overly idealized and hackneyed mannerisms, lacking noteworthy flaws, and primarily functioning as a wish-fulfillment fantasy for the author or reader. It is generally accepted as a character whose positive aspects overwhelm their other traits until they become one-dimensional." Why do people say that the class characters are Sue-ish? In my opinion, each of the classes starts out as a nobody and has to work their way up to become a character of merit. What's your opinion?

I've heard the news on F2P and honestly, I'm a bit sad at this point. Was I wrong for wanting this to succeed? I like Bioware games. Even when things got weird, even after DA2, even after ME3's ending, even then, I like the style of game they produce. Was I wrong for wanting a simple game? Was I wrong for trading graphics for story? Was I wrong for wanting, yes I admit, dating sim elements? I like the game. I like the companions (well, most of them). I paid for a very specific experience and I got it. Was I wrong for that?

I've been reading a lot of things about various movies and such and wondered about the less than heroic character taking main stage over say the idealist. For example, I was remembering a film a while back "POTC:4 On Stranger Tides" and that the main complaint of that Jack shouldn't be the main character since he has to be in the background in order to be an effective comic relief. However, in SW:TOR, the smuggler is clearly the MC while Corso Riggs acts more like the Will Turner or idealist of the group while the smuggler continues to get witty lines, get the girl/guy, look good while doing it, etc. Do you think it was ultimately effective in the narrative?

I would like to thank Bioware for coming through with the character transfers. I really enjoy being able to play with the community with a previously established character. However, I can't help but see now we have a handful of full servers alongside many light servers. Doesn't this look a bit... counterproductive? Why would they still have light among the full? Would it not be possible/more presentable to close off these servers? I am not looking to criticize, only to ask a question.

Often, the Bioware Corporation has prided and promoted itself for its “Character development” and “Attention to character”. However, playing such releases as “The Old Republic “and “Dragon Age 2”, I can say emphasis is being placed on all the wrong traits. While Bioware claims that this is character development, I say it is a rather cheap attempt in order to gain more attention and sales from a broader audience. The ‘traits’ Bioware is so deadly focused upon are not those of a complete character arc, but rather pronouncing traits more in common of an idealized male or female. In other words, they are wish fulfillment characters. For example, take a look at this profile of Corso Riggs, a starter companion for SW:TOR. Notice how some phrases are coined: “old-fashioned chivalry” “ray of sunshine” “soft spot for damsels in distress”. Does this sound like a character fit for a space opera, or rather a character meant to cater to a female audience? Now, I won’t say that his morality is questioned, however, said morality is never questioned enough. Other characters, such as Torian Cadera, have their arcs eliminated by their recruitment, rather than giving said character to expand on. This puts their role on the party and in the game. “What about Dragon Age 2? Those characters have complete arcs!” While true, Dragon Age 2’s romanceable characters emphases traits that are either half-thought out or do things that are impractical for a regular person. For example, Merrill chooses to restore a mirror that essentially puts her entire clan at risk. Hawke, at a certain point, can either help or refuse to help Merrill in this task, gaining her favor or distain. However, such act almost has very little to do with the overarching conflict and is solely focused on her character. That’s not to say that romances shouldn’t be implemented, but should be supplements to an already strongly established character and rather adds to their arc, rather than replacing it altogether. For example, I believe Kira Carsen from The Old Republic is a fine example of this. Her struggle with darkness is complex. She clearly has a jaded view of the world, but reacts positively whenever the MC responds with a helpful tone. It adds to her background, and the romance is simply there, adding to an already established arc. In short, I’d rather see a well-developed complete arc of a character that isn’t romanceable anyday over a romanceable, wish-fufilling character that puts emphasis on all the wrong traits. I welcome all arguments, counter-arguments, opinions and debates.

I'm a bit confused on what stance the game wants me to take on the Killiks. When saving a daughter from the Killik Hive Mind, it's considered a DarkSide choice. But when saying they are less than sentient or posing the idea they are dangerous, it is a dark side choice. But, when i'm playing an Imperial Agent So, are the Killiks, a race of hive-minded insects who kidnap people, considered evil or not?

Having played the smuggler storyline, I think one of my favorite characters is the Mandalorian Akaavi Spar. However, I was wondering if you considered her one of those rather cliche 'I'm so tough, I don't need a man' sort of feminist that seems to off-put a lot of people. To me, I don't think that's necessarily the case: I see her first as a really angry Mandalorian and she never needs to assert herself, because you already find her intimidating. To me, the only aspect I didn't like was her bringing up her dead lover, as it may be interpreted that she's open for the Male Smuggler rebound romance, but even in that aspect, she never seems desperate. What's your opinion?

But took WoW a long time to go F2P. ToR has only been out for 4 months. That doesn't seem all that successful to me.

How do you feel about this? Personally, I'm disappointed that the game hasn't been doing that well to the point where they have to do more free trials, but hopefully this will bring in more fans.

Still waiting...

I'm asking this more for MMO veterans and fellow Bioware players. How did you find the class stories and how varied they were? Personally, I think the SW had the best variation Other stories, while they were not as varied, I still found interesting like the Smuggler storyline. What did you guys think?

I've been rolling Smuggler and liking the story a lot. I've been pursuing the Risha dialogue tree and pretty much knew that I wasn't going to see Dubrillion by the end. However, I felt that Risha had enough to her character to get a clear view of the political situation on said planet and hope to have an expansion that shows her getting the crown and restoring the Drayen Dynasty. But then I remembered this sounded exactly like DA2's Sebastian's arc. And the DLC for that ended up being cancelled. To be fair, I find Risha a far more engaging character (That and she doesn't propose a 'chaste' romance) and hope to see her arc completed. But with all that's been going on, would it even be possible? Is Dubrillion a far-off never, ever land the same as Starkhaven?

Hi, I was playing PvP and finally reached lvl 50 w/ my Sentinel. I brought the Recruit gear as I was told explicitly but my HP comes to a meager 10195, while my teammates are at much higher rates. How do I increase my HP? Thank you for humoring this lowly noob.