Given what is seems to be, I cannot believe they'd be daft enough to publicly beta test it.

If Makeb turns out to just be a new level cap then they're going to have one heck of an unsub %.

I'll be clear: if Makeb is lame then I'll just sub until I clear all the pre-Makeb content and then leave.

I've been seeing a few threads pop up requesting elaboration on this subject - will unique, class storylines ever be reintroduced? Hopefully that trend continues, and hopefully we get an answer on the subject. I've seen an encouraging amount of BioWare posts lately, but I fear that they were all simple pre-written PR posts that the community team merely sought to find a place for in existing threads rather than creating their own.

While one would like to think the recent dev posts are a waking up to reality, it's much more likely to be just outright panicked damage control.

Corporations do not suddenly do anything without some sort of crisis to trigger an immediate reaction. The good news is they are posting and enough people are now expressing their displeasure that maybe the suits will notice they are in need of major damage control and not just PR spin.

Well, here's the thing - given the layoffs, delays, etc. I can see why they are making chapter 4 a catch all.

 

However, if money is made from the F2P and bioware gets back on track, I see no reason why Bioware can't have down the line more individual class story chapters, and then more inclusive chapters for everyone. It would actually enhance the narrative if the chapters allow everyone to come together for some big event, and then go their separate ways again in their own stories, only to have another chapter or two where they are all together again - its actually very star wars.

 

However, if going forward, there will never again be individual class stories and only these larger in scope stories, then yes, I do consider it a huge and grave disappointment. Time will tell.

Oh come on this is EA we are talking about here! Do you really think that they will put that much money into creating good concent, if they see the dumped down cheaper content sells good aswell?! The answer is simply No. Thats why my sub will end after I finished Makeb once. I think I am finished *sigh*

I don't think anyone thought Bioware had the budget to continue the class quests. At least not in a (presumably) free content patch.

Well, that and on my 2 50's...

My Bounty Hunter is now one of the top Bounty Hunters in the galaxy (alone with every other player)

My IA is now freelance with no Agency to report to

Where, exactly, do we go from there? I sincerely doubt the other class quests are much different. More class stories would be like making movie sequels that can only make the original look worse and worse while being bad themselves

Well, that and on my 2 50's...

 

My Bounty Hunter is now one of the top Bounty Hunters in the galaxy (alone with every other player)

My IA is now freelance with no Agency to report to

 

Where, exactly, do we go from there? I sincerely doubt the other class quests are much different. More class stories would be like making movie sequels that can only make the original look worse and worse while being bad themselves

I could think of a few things...

1. BH- Straightforward, you get hired by various beings across the galaxy and perhaps along the way your getting into something much more deeper involving your contract and target, perhaps there are a few twists where the one who gave you the contract is actually your target.

2. Agent- Perhaps a little bit of a power play here, with the dismantle of IA perhaps the Empire and Sith are fighting for control of the remains. Maybe also uncovering a conspiracy within the Empire. (I had a much better thought if you went and became an SIS Agent)

I just dont get it. So many people think level 1-50 is the best MMO ever. Why ? Yes the story is good, but then what. Where are my MMO features. For me it´s not so set in stone what is the best leveling MMO out there. If your a singleplayer mmo´er then swtor wins. But if you enjoy RP then i´m not so sure. Imaging 4 roleplaying friends making a trooper squad. The story part of leveling will not interact well with RP.

 

Ofc roleplayers make their own story, and try no make a unique story from other roleplayers of the same class. But then what´s the point of classquests if your a roleplayer. If instead you had an extra planetary questline on each planet, then you also would have a bit more freedom where to go quest since classquests dont point you in the right direction every step of the way.

 

I know all theese singleplayer mmo´ers will object to this, but this is how i feel. The fokus was on class story, not on making a great MMO. If fokus had been on making a great MMO, and then when that had been delivered make some story, then maybe SWTOR would have had more succes.

Because 1-50 has story. That's why. We can look anywhere for typical boring grindish endgame. SWTOR gives us a story makeing the character and you connect. That was one of the reasons no MMO could ever hold me... For an example WoW it is just to plain boring and I do not even start how much it pissed me off what they did to the great lore from the WC 1-3 games *sigh*

Because 1-50 has story. That's why. We can look anywhere for typical boring grindish endgame. SWTOR gives us a story makeing the character and you connect. That was one of the reasons no MMO could ever hold me... For an example WoW it is just to plain boring and I do not even start how much it pissed me off what they did to the great lore from the WC 1-3 games *sigh*

Games aren't stories. They're games. If you want to serve some game along side my story, fine, but this "game" is all story and very little game. That's been the failure here.

Games aren't stories. They're games. If you want to serve some game along side my story, fine, but this "game" is all story and very little game. That's been the failure here.

I have to disagree, there are times in playing the "game" that took me either so long or got side tracked with various side missions that I forgot what "story" was going on. I remember a dialogue option coming up a couple of times with "do I know you?" and then I realize oh yeah like 30 hours ago you were a villain or 2 weeks ago I did a side mission that saved you type thing. Its not ALL story in fact I would argue that its pretty minimal in story, frankly if voice acting is such a burden then go back to text and cut scenes cause seriously I get thrown into stuff and no real idea why at times. Perhaps I missed what ever setup led to getting the mission but often I run into a mission giver that gives me a mission and there is no real "story" leading to it. I did however get the holovid on fleet telling me a nice lead into the Black Hole missions that was nice, more of that please. Then let me spend hours brutalizing MOBS and hearing HK exclaim "You are dead already just lay down!"

I have to disagree, there are times in playing the "game" that took me either so long or got side tracked with various side missions that I forgot what "story" was going on. I remember a dialogue option coming up a couple of times with "do I know you?" and then I realize oh yeah like 30 hours ago you were a villain or 2 weeks ago I did a side mission that saved you type thing. Its not ALL story in fact I would argue that its pretty minimal in story, frankly if voice acting is such a burden then go back to text and cut scenes cause seriously I get thrown into stuff and no real idea why at times. Perhaps I missed what ever setup led to getting the mission but often I run into a mission giver that gives me a mission and there is no real "story" leading to it. I did however get the holovid on fleet telling me a nice lead into the Black Hole missions that was nice, more of that please. Then let me spend hours brutalizing MOBS and hearing HK exclaim "You are dead already just lay down!"

Games aren't stories. Pouring all their resources into making eight single player RPGs is why this is a bad MMO.

Because 1-50 has story. That's why. We can look anywhere for typical boring grindish endgame. SWTOR gives us a story makeing the character and you connect. That was one of the reasons no MMO could ever hold me... For an example WoW it is just to plain boring and I do not even start how much it pissed me off what they did to the great lore from the WC 1-3 games *sigh*

WOW's story was just plain bad or non-existent. And to be fair the Warcraft storyline wasn't so different as a bunch of other RTS games there at the time. Although Warcraft 3 kept my attention right up until I got into the night elves campaign.

So the storyline will be generalised? I wouldnt be surprised if EA punted out DLC with little to no referrence of the players current story, they are that blatant about their RIP OFFs.

Without strong story this game will fade away because lets face it thats all swtor ever had, i'll finish what toons i have going up to 50 and then hit the road again, unsubbing before they start rubbing their grubby hands again...

The devs have already mentioned that we will be able to use 3 companions in the future at some point..

They've said this? Do you happen to have a link to it? I'd love to be able to take Havoc Squad through some FPs.

Come on, the class stories ended anyway.

They obviously can't afford to continue them, so this will have to do. That's fine, I can deal with that.

I find the lack of a yellow post in this tread... disturbing.

I would hope they'd continue in a proper expansion down the line.

They've said this? Do you happen to have a link to it? I'd love to be able to take Havoc Squad through some FPs.

No, they never said that. Sorry.

I dont think anyone will be surprised given how the first year went, and the lack of class story updates.

A shame really, even if understandable

Wonder how much had to change considering they had a lot of the writing pre done for the story,

Nice to see you still alive and kicking Darka!

You would have thought that perhaps they would have had those stories written and already recorded for the first official boxed expansion, well before the launch even occurred. Creating the scenes, worlds as content would have come after the game was live. At least that's what I thought when they said this was KOTOR 3,4,5 etc...

Maybe this is how they fleshed it out but lack the resources to push it out in a big expansion, or they're seeing if the clients will be more satisfied with a trickling effect, releasing content is smaller "cheap" mini-packs.

If we get Makeb, then 6 months later we get another content purchase for more character story and op content, then we can safely predict how content is going to come out. Regardless, the overall content trickle will still come in at a $40 price point if they release 4 content packs that equate a whole expansion.

It's not bad and the point of doing it would be because we are already at year one with no major expansion. It does allow for a catch up window, but also creates a snowball effect if they can't catch up.

Either way, we have no transparency from Bioware on their plans or what we can expect over the next year.

This is all speculation of course.

Hey guys i just found this thing on this web site:

http://www.pcgaming-forum.com/showthread.php?20712-Chapter-4-ROTHC-will-it-have-class-story.

Hi everyone - I asked Jeff Hickman for some clarification for you on whether Makeb will feature an extension of class stories. Here's the info:

"The intent for Rise of the Hutt Cartel is to continue your character's story, but envisioned as part of the ongoing struggle of the Empire vs. the Republic. There are lots of great moments for you to enjoy, and it will be shared as two clear storylines. No class specific storylines are included, though I know you guys are going to love what RotHC has to offer."

We hope this helps clarify!

so there you have it no class history

I expect that about a year from now, we'll be looking at something like:

"Imperial Agent - Chapter 4" 1500 cartel coins

"Jedi Knight - Chapter 4" 1500 cartel coins

"Republic Chapter 4 Pack" 5500 cartel coins

"Complete Chapter 4 Ultimate Pack" 9000 cartel coins

The good thing about the cartel store is that we genuinely can put our money on the stuff we actually want to have in the game. We don't just cough up $15 a month and the devs get to spend that on producing whatever crap *they* want to produce -- when we pay for the stuff we want, and *only* for the stuff we want, then the game will be a reflection of our wants.

I hold out hope that, considering how many people say that class story is the strongest aspect of SWTOR, that more people will be willing to pay for it than for stupid cosmetic crap.

How unfortunate:

•Where does the development team stand with regards to individual class stories? Are these still a priority for upcoming content?

 

Great question. The way you choose to overcome your own personal villains is a crucial part of what defines your character, and once you’ve gotten closure on your personal story, you’re ready to be a key player in the larger conflicts that threaten the Empire and the Republic. Moving forward, we’re focusing on those stories – conflicts that decide the fate of the entire Galaxy and demand the attention of other living legends like yourself. You can still put your personal touch on these stories, and you’ll develop relationships just like before, but now the stakes are higher, and the experience can be shared with your friends.

How unfortunate:

 

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Nice necro.

And that dev answer is clearly spin for, "All of the writers responsible for the class stories have moved on to greener pastures."

Nice necro.

 

And that dev answer is clearly spin for, "All of the writers responsible for the class stories have moved on to greener pastures."

Two months is hardly a necro, particularly on an issue which has now reached its resolution.

The way you choose to overcome your own personal villains is a crucial part of what defines your character, and once you’ve gotten closure on your personal story, you’re ready to be a key player in the larger conflicts that threaten the Empire and the Republic. Moving forward, we’re focusing on those stories – conflicts that decide the fate of the entire Galaxy and demand the attention of other living legends like yourself. You can still put your personal touch on these stories, and you’ll develop relationships just like before, but now the stakes are higher, and the experience can be shared with your friends.

Translation: We are abandoning Personal Class Stories (they don't make enough money and we can't find a way to sell them in the CM Store).

Best part of SWTOR was those personal stories. Since other MMORPGs are adopting VO, personal stories were the only thing that made SWTOR "different".

Definitely unfortunate, but hardly unexpected, even within this thread. This has always been the problem with TOR's model: getting the whole gang back together in terms of voice actors, writers, etc. in terms of expanded class stories for expansions would simply never have been in the cards, unless they were printing their own money. They aren't.

It's quite possible - I'm certainly hopeful - that ROTHC will have cool and interesting stuff in it, but by and large I'm not expecting all that much. With all due respect to the man, Hickman's not the guy you bring in for development of crazy-awesome new MMO stuff, he's the maintenance mode specialist.