Combining grouping and story is actually a good thing and should have been done more in planet quests before.

 

On planetary quests maybe, but not FP's where it becomes nothing but "Spacebar plz...plz press spacebar, press the spacebarzzzzzzzzz plzzzzzzzzz for God's sake!!!!'

 

Also you are expecting a bit too much from Bioware. Their stories were always cliche and those are not the KOTOR times. People go away, new people move in. You won`t find this OMG complex great fantastic breathtaking story in swtor. The story is cool and I am excited but your expectation bar is way too high.

 

It is incorrect to believe we should lower our expectations just because the company has different people. Companies like Activision and Electronic Arts bank on getting you to settle on lower expectations. As long as you keep buying after they lower the bar they'll keep lowering the bar until you stop buying.

 

In all fairness to us and the development staff we should raise expectations and be vocal when the company fails to meet those expectations. And in this case, for SWTOR I think individualized story content should be the most focused aspect of the game because everyone likes it. Not everyone likes PVP, or Flashpoints, or Operations.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Drachehexe

On planetary quests maybe, but not FP's where it becomes nothing but "Spacebar plz...plz press spacebar, press the spacebarzzzzzzzzz plzzzzzzzzz for God's sake!!!!'

 

 

 

It is incorrect to believe we should lower our expectations just because the company has different people. Companies like Activision and Electronic Arts bank on getting you to settle on lower expectations. As long as you keep buying after they lower the bar they'll keep lowering the bar until you stop buying.

 

In all fairness to us and the development staff we should raise expectations and be vocal when the company fails to meet those expectations. And in this case, for SWTOR I think individualized story content should be the most focused aspect of the game because everyone likes it. Not everyone likes PVP, or Flashpoints, or Operations.

 

Well for flashpoints only after the first time. The first time you experience the story. Bioware perhaps just should more indicate the story arcs and make flashpoints only available once you complete certain story arc.

 

You are right with what you said about the story. Actually this is a very good mindset because only trough criticism quality can be ensured so I agree with what you said. Thing is that some people seem to want something out of th story I haven´t seen in the class stories as well. Many class stories were mediocre. Only the Jedi Knight, the Sith Warrior and the Agent stood out but the rest was...average. Also the crew is much smaller unfortunately so wanting those super damm exciting, breathtaking and amazing storylines will just lead to dissapointment. I am not to not criticize, I criticize the game a lot for a lot of aspects and I still enjoy it.

I also hope for a good story and maybe some minor class specific content so I am there with you.

 

Problem is just that the story happens in cutscenes and once those cutscenes are over the story aspect is gone. Bioware needs to find a way to incorporate the story outside the cutscenes so that everything we experienced in those cutscenes isn`t forgotten once we leave them.

2.10 is less than 2.9. Try 2.9_

 

Ehh, no, 10 is larger than 9, if I remember my first class math. You would probably do well to remember your reading lessons, as you probably read 2.10 as 2.1.0, which is completely different.

 

Eric confirmed on stream yesterday that there will be 2.9 (Strongholds) without class changes, then 2.10 (two point ten, NOT two point one point zero) with class changes in early September, with next big expansion (3.0, that is three point zero) soon after that which would bring big changes in classes (because probably level cap increase, etc).

Ehh, no, 10 is larger than 9, if I remember my first class math. You would probably do well to remember your reading lessons, as you probably read 2.10 as 2.1.0, which is completely different.

 

Eric confirmed on stream yesterday that there will be 2.9 (Strongholds) without class changes, then 2.10 (two point ten, NOT two point one point zero) with class changes in early September, with next big expansion (3.0, that is three point zero) soon after that which would bring big changes in classes (because probably level cap increase, etc).

 

Sorry my mistake for some reason, I was thinking the decimal system instead of numerical order, which makes a lot more sense. Ignore the fool.

Honestly this "Part I now, Part II later, and Part III even later is BORING. A bit of story and two flashpoints now, and then...wait. Horrible distribution. Better to release it all at once than bits and pieces now and more bits and pieces later. It might be different if each bit was a good length but the length of this bit is just 2 flashpoints and 5 minutes of dialogue. About an hour of content at most.

 

This, combined with the total lameness of the casino crap, SWTOR is absolutely boring right now.

 

Its really the same issue as the Operations difficulty levels. They release them one at a time when they should be released all at once and then claim they are giving us new content at an acceptable rate.

Problem is just that the story happens in cutscenes and once those cutscenes are over the story aspect is gone. Bioware needs to find a way to incorporate the story outside the cutscenes so that everything we experienced in those cutscenes isn`t forgotten once we leave them.

Right it's easier to lead the people to the desired mood in books, or movies.

 

Then, for example, I find too many of the class cutscene too long. Their length don't suit that well 2014 fast paced MMO game play, especially group play. Also they kill the pace of the action, which I'm not sure is a good thing.

 

I would vote for more cut scene but much briefer ones. Still, until tested to some extend, I would not bet it would be that much better nor worse either.

 

However if they keep putting story away from being one of the main element of the game, they'd better start making the other parts, as least as good in others MMO. And so far, even with the latest additions GSF and strongholds, they aren't.

So, as usual: People complain about lack of dev posts and information. Then a dev posts information. Then the people complain about the dev's information.

 

Sometimes, people are just ridiculous.

 

I appreciate any dev post, no matter if I agree or disagree with what is written.

 

So, from me, here is a thank you:

 

Thank you.

 

P. S. You hardheads here amongst us should really start to understand that the majority of the players is not like you. They didn't play 300 days in total. They don't have 16 level 55 alts, all fully geared and augmented. The majority of players didn't notice that there is a story arc with the two latest flashpoints. That's how most players are: They don't even find the quest givers. For these players we need dev information posts. And so we got. If only one player got the hint now, it is a win:win.

As Bruce has mentioned, Forged Alliances is a three-part story. But that doesn’t mean that Part III will be the end – these flashpoints lead directly into our next major story expansion, our largest since Rise of the Hutt Cartel. While we don’t plan to require that you play the flashpoints before jumping into that expansion, it’s by far the best way to experience the storyline, so don’t miss out!.

 

I'm really excited about a new expansion. But...

Please tell me that you will be able to complete the flashpoints in a solo mode. Because even if the storyline is the reason I'm there, I don't want to have to group, tried it, hated it, so flashpoints requiring me to group are a no-go. When I see all the new content being mainly flashpoint, I get a bit frustrated because I will once more miss out on the new content. Can't there be an option to do flashpoints solo or grouping if you like to group by changing the level required to do it if you're alone? Would that be that hard to implement? There's already the flashpoints for 2 after all! Why should people who are here for the story and not for the mmo experience be that restricted?

Edited July 26, 2014 by lanawinst

I'm really excited about a new expansion. But...

Please tell me that you will be able to complete the flashpoints in a solo mode. Because even if the storyline is the reason I'm there, I don't want to have to group, tried it, hated it, so flashpoints requiring me to group are a no-go. When I see all the new content being mainly flashpoint, I get a bit frustrated because I will once more miss out on the new content. Can't there be an option to do flashpoints solo or grouping if you like to group by changing the level required to do it if you're alone? Would that be that hard to implement? There's already the flashpoints for 2 after all! Why should people who are here for the story and not for the mmo experience be that restricted?

 

Sorry but if you don´t like to group than you are in the wrong game. It`s an MMO. Wheter you like it or not at some point you should try to group with other people. That`s how MMOs work.

Sorry but if you don´t like to group than you are in the wrong game. It`s an MMO. Wheter you like it or not at some point you should try to group with other people. That`s how MMOs work.

 

I’m a bit used to hear “you don’t like MMOS, don’t play MMOs” by now, but I’ll explain anyway.

 

Sure, I dislike the MMO format. It is no surprise that I’ve never played any MMO other than SWTOR. Because I personally dislike everything that an MMO stands for: you have to be online, you can’t save, your playground is invaded by everyone else, and totally breaks immersion with all the spawning and stuff,… And I knew that SWTOR being an MMO, it would have these features. So I could answer you, well, yeah. I can understand why you don’t get why I complain about grouping on a MMO.

 

Now, you’re telling me that I’m in the wrong game, which I’m pretty sure I’m not.

 

I’m in the right game, just playing it differently than you. Some people just like to duel in PVP, and space-bar through the class stories, or do it just for the loot and xp. Are they in the wrong game too?

 

Whatever the form and the genre of the game you’ll play, it comes down to the things you expect/need out of it to enjoy it. And if the positive outweighs the negative, there’s a high probability that you’ll end up enjoying it, even if it is in a genre or format that you don’t normally like. For SWTOR, it came down to this: Is the storyline good? Well, Bioware. Plus this game is the closest thing that you can find that allows me to roleplay in a Star Wars universe without being an action-thingy. Plus class storylines. So yep. Does the storyline requires me to use PVP, warzones, and flashpoints to make sense? Nope. Can I go through the whole story without paying any attention to the multiplayer stuff? Yes!

 

SWTOR IS a MMO, but it also had enough features that allowed me to play it as if it were (almost) a single player game. So all I’m asking is, why restrict the story to group content now when it obviously wasn’t the case before. And if it’s going to be a trend, and if it is, isn’t there a way to make it available to everyone by changing the leveling access depending on the number of person that enter the flashpoint ?

Edited July 26, 2014 by lanawinst

Sorry but if you don´t like to group than you are in the wrong game. It`s an MMO. Wheter you like it or not at some point you should try to group with other people. That`s how MMOs work.

There has to be content for every type of players, hardcore, casual, PvE, PvP, solo, socialization, fluff, epeen.

 

 

Every type of player is in fact a mix of all the above with different patterns. In the end lanawinst, as a paying customer, has the exact same rights as you or I have.

BioWare made sure since the beginning of the game that it could be soloed and that the story (initially), did not require group play to unfold. Grouped based content, story wise, has always be designed as a topping.

 

Although due to the disaster of the former management team, the game did not meet the expectations.

That's why they are moving story to shared content only, instead of doing it for all the classes as it's way cheaper to do so.

 

To be totally honest here, pretty sure Charles Boyd would be more than happy to write down hundreds of hours of nicely laid class story, instead of being stuck with these very thin FP ones.

 

Finally I'd suggest you to show some respect to people expectations because, whatever you think, without them and their $$$ the game would have sunk long time ago.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Deewe

There has to be content for every type of players, hardcore, casual, PvE, PvP, solo, socialization, fluff, epeen.

 

 

Every type of player is in fact a mix of all the above with different patterns. In the end lanawinst, as a paying customer, has the exact same rights as you or I have.

BioWare made sure since the beginning of the game that it could be soloed and that the story (initially), did not require group play to unfold. Grouped based content, story wise, has always be designed as a topping.

 

Although due to the disaster of the former management team, the game did not meet the expectations.

That's why they are moving story to shared content only, instead of doing it for all the classes as it's way cheaper to do so.

 

To be totally honest here, pretty sure Charles Boyd would be more than happy to write down hundreds of hours of nicely laid class story, instead of being stuck with these very thin FP ones.

 

Finally I'd suggest you to show some respect to people expectations because, whatever you think, without them and their $$$ the game would have sunk long time ago.

 

To be honest, MMOs are about doing stuff together. If you do not want other people to play on your playground, MMOs are probably going to be awful for you. That is just how it is, you do not go to FPS expecting a rich replayable story and strong characters. SWTOR is probably one of the most solo-friendly MMOs in existence. And it is not like story arcs needing groups are anything new in here either, good 3/4 of the Dread Masters arc were Operation content ,ad that was a story arc that was with us since launch.

 

And while more class story would be great, it would simply be consumed in matter of few hours, while taking many, many months to build. What I would be fine with seeing is "universal" content with some small variations based on class (I have suggested it here many times, using Marvel's Avengers movies as an analogy (try to look it up, I am too tired to write it out again )

To be honest, MMOs are about doing stuff together. If you do not want other people to play on your playground, MMOs are probably going to be awful for you. That is just how it is, you do not go to FPS expecting a rich replayable story and strong characters. SWTOR is probably one of the most solo-friendly MMOs in existence. And it is not like story arcs needing groups are anything new in here either, good 3/4 of the Dread Masters arc were Operation content ,ad that was a story arc that was with us since launch.

 

And while more class story would be great, it would simply be consumed in matter of few hours, while taking many, many months to build. What I would be fine with seeing is "universal" content with some small variations based on class (I have suggested it here many times, using Marvel's Avengers movies as an analogy (try to look it up, I am too tired to write it out again )

Most MMO yes but SWTOR design was centered on story and especially single player one.

Alas, we all know they don't have the budget anymore to support that view though.

 

Then mostly all MMO have the same flaw: they are supposed to make players group but at the same time they have a huge entry barrier being levels. If a player is not in an other's level range he can't enjoy the combat content with this person.

 

Top that with to schedules, loading times, time sinks, gear level and then you'll find out it's far from convenient to actually be able to group in MMO at all.

 

No wonder most players tend to rush through the levels until they hit the cap and can now group with everyone.

 

SWG mitigated this very issue to some point PRE-CU as there were no such thing as level in game and also groups could be as big as 20.

 

As such, in 2014, saying MMO is supposed to be focused on group content is a way off. Guess everyone would be quite surprised how grouped vs solo play time distribution is in the top 5 MMOs.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Deewe

I'm really excited about a new expansion. But...

Please tell me that you will be able to complete the flashpoints in a solo mode. Because even if the storyline is the reason I'm there, I don't want to have to group, tried it, hated it, so flashpoints requiring me to group are a no-go. When I see all the new content being mainly flashpoint, I get a bit frustrated because I will once more miss out on the new content. Can't there be an option to do flashpoints solo or grouping if you like to group by changing the level required to do it if you're alone? Would that be that hard to implement? There's already the flashpoints for 2 after all! Why should people who are here for the story and not for the mmo experience be that restricted?

 

If you happen to be on the Progenitor, I would be willing to group up for flashpoints for just the story. No talking, no nothing.

I would like to see more story for single player people. I have no problem with ops or flash points, but I would like to see the single player the core story expandanded more. I have three classes that are over 50 and doing dailies get boring. However I've been playing since the start and it is still a young game and still trying to find its way.

If you happen to be on the Progenitor, I would be willing to group up for flashpoints for just the story. No talking, no nothing.

You have any toons on Jedi Convenant? You can talk, and have all the Sith cookies you can Force Choke down.

I would like to see more story for single player people. I have no problem with ops or flash points, but I would like to see the single player the core story expandanded more. I have three classes that are over 50 and doing dailies get boring. However I've been playing since the start and it is still a young game and still trying to find its way.

 

I would say that will come in 3.0, taking place on Rakata Prime and finally kicking the Forged Alliances story into full action.

I think it's funny that even the lead writer receives mail, and doesn't check it either.

Id also like to see more solo story content. Tired of having people nag about spacebar while I'm doing a story for the first time. Also its a pain watching the same cutscene for the bizillionth time if other people are. There's a reason most mmos separate story and class content most want to play our way and don't care about others experience. Edited July 29, 2014 by Tellenn

ok lets answer the question that needs to be asked, will the new expansion be solely flash points like the 3 part story is centered around flash points?.i think it would only be flash points. no new daily quests, no new weapons. just flash points, which will probably be all done by next summer. story part 1 has been out for for monthes now and story part 3 will probably be seen in april 2015. this manaan flashpoint is already seen in the vids, for the rest of the year we can expect new flash points, and probably a little manaan station like the size cz198 to hold them.

ok lets answer the question that needs to be asked, will the new expansion be solely flash points like the 3 part story is centered around flash points?.i think it would only be flash points. no new daily quests, no new weapons. just flash points, which will probably be all done by next summer. story part 1 has been out for for monthes now and story part 3 will probably be seen in april 2015. this manaan flashpoint is already seen in the vids, for the rest of the year we can expect new flash points, and probably a little manaan station like the size cz198 to hold them.

 

Forged Alliances seem to serve as a lead up to 3.0, which will be a whole new planet (looks like Lehon/Rakata Prime), and 3.0 is coming in late autumn/early winter this year.

 

I hope this answered your question, if there ever was one in that mess of words...

What an absolute shame.

 

LETS TALK BIOWARE: Made one of the most horrendously broken games i've witnessed? CHECK! Takes our money and giggles without a shred of concern to fixing bugs? CHECK! Takes about six months to make a new endgame storyline which turned out to be horrendously buggy AND only two FPs long? CHECK.

 

What a joke.

What an absolute shame.

 

LETS TALK BIOWARE: Made one of the most horrendously broken games i've witnessed? CHECK! Takes our money and giggles without a shred of concern to fixing bugs? CHECK! Takes about six months to make a new endgame storyline which turned out to be horrendously buggy AND only two FPs long? CHECK.

 

What a joke.

 

/facepalm. We got a new planet, confirmed. It's on the PTS if you care to look.

/facepalm. We got a new planet, confirmed. It's on the PTS if you care to look.

 

Hardly a planet. More like another fleet level but you need to spend 2500 credits to get there - and it's not even a daily area.

 

But yeah, the guy overreacted.

Hardly a planet. More like another fleet level but you need to spend 2500 credits to get there - and it's not even a daily area.

 

But yeah, the guy overreacted.

 

So? It's pretty. I would use it as my main base of operations if there were GTN, GB, and gear vendor access there.