Seems like a common practice and one of the key reason I'm leaving this game.

Sorry to see you go as well. Alas my time has come and I am leaving as well. I wish you the best of luck in your future Endeavors. May the force be with you.

Hey fellow SWTOR friends and gamers. This is going to be a lengthy post so I’ll put a TL,DR in each section at the end. I’ve been playing this game for years and have loved every second of it through the good and the bad times, thank you BW for all the great memories. Now as the years have gone on I’ve tried to be as objective as possible and commend the game when it does things right but also highlight what can be improved and what is wrong. There’s time when I’ve definitely faltered in this but I’ve always tried my best. However the time has finally come where I need to step back and leave the game for at least a year and most likely permanently. It’s now come to the point where I don’t find myself enjoying the game and logging in out of guilt for the sub I’ve paid. Suffice to say I’ve changed to the point where I don’t think the game suits me anymore and that’s ok because I’ve actually been enjoying spending my time on various other hobbies. Plus now that I’ve graduated from med school I’ve got the USMLE to prepare for and I’m excited for my life ahead of me. Now onto the feedback topics and please keep in mind anything I say in this post is just my opinion. 1. KOTFE. I’ve got very mixed feelings about KOTFE. This is my spoiler free view on it. I loved the beginning chapters 1-9 and enjoyed playing it on at least 3 characters, it got harder for me to do it on my other alts because of all the alliance stuff and I’m a person who like doing things completely. What I came to have mixed feelings about was the chapters that followed. I didn’t enjoy chapters 10-12 and thought the gameplay and story was underwhelming on many fronts. Chapters 13-14 though I thought were more fun and enjoyable and I found myself feeling nostalgic ad remembered the things about SWTOR storytelling that I love. I thought chapter 15 was too predictable and bland but better than 10-12. Finally I though chapter 16 was alright but could have been executed a lot better I felt out of my element and oblivious to the storytelling in general. TL;DR: KOTFE chapters 1-9 loved. Chapters 10-12 terrible. Chapters 13-14 great and amazing. Chapters 15-16 underwhelming and left a lot to be desired. Overall I don’t feel very invested in it. 2. Light Vs. Dark Event. This event is great for new players and honestly this event could have been the best one for all players if it had been executed properly. When it launched I was a strong critic of it because of the design but it brought the population up temporarily but now that seems to have also faded. The event should have allowed all characters to engage in the event by creating new tiers and requirements for those who’ve done all the content already. In the end I felt that this event led me away further from the game then towards it. I didn’t want to do the same content I’ve done for years again. One great thing though about it was the Dark vs. Light packs they gave as incentive and I honestly think that not having everything that is shiny exclusive to the Cartel Market is a great thing so good job BW. I brought in several of my friends who are new to the game to try it out because of this. In the end I thought this event could’ve been the one to unite new and old players alike in droves but ended up being executed poorly. in a lot of ways. TL;DR: L vs. D was great for new players. However it made me and maybe other vets feel isolated towards the event. Packs as rewards was great. Overall poor design and execution and it could’ve had a lot of potential. 3. Group Content. I think this section is pretty self-explanatory. This game needs more group content. I have no problem with KOTFE being the focus but to me it seems group content took a major hit in 4.0. We need new OPS, Flashpoints, Daily Areas, More Heroics 2+, and Warzones along with class balance. My guild has decreased significantly and rarely anyone is doing group content most log in do the new chapter and log out which is their prerogative. However, in my opinion this game needs long term repeatable content because even new players become vets and you need content that they can play over and over to get them to come back. There needs to be a clear release schedule for group content in KOTET. A lot of people were left lingering and never given an honest answer to OPS and other things except things like we are working on group stuff Soon™. I think the game lost a lot of goodwill with folks over stuff like this nobody likes to be strung along if they aren’t going to get the content they want. TL;DR: Need more group content. Guilds need help retaining players long term. Be honest with your players about group content it’s the right thing to do. 4. Cartel Market. I’ve always had mixed feelings about the cartel market but ultimately I’ve always appreciated that it’s there for cosmetic and not required to play the game. However how much a person enjoys a game depends a lot on how many nice things they have or can get. It's not the existence of the Cartel Market that is a problem, it just seems like EA never wants to give any money back to the game to invest in gameplay and group content. The Cartel Market makes a ton of money and saved the game back when subs had dropped like flies, but in the end I feel it’s taken too much of emphasis out of playing the game and investing into the cartel market instead. A good game can market both its game and its cosmetic shop, not at the expense of one or the other. Because of this a lot of times things that need to be fixed and added like new content never get done. However, BW says they have more than one team working on several things and while I don’t disagree with that it is self-evident that they are throwing in the majority of effort into the CM. If BW doesn’t invest its money back into the game then players like myself won’t want to invest in it either. TL;DR: EA and BW need to use CM as a means to enhance the game and not make it feel like the game itself. I find myself putting too much time into GTN and CM ever since group content took a hit. A game needs money I get that but there is a way where you can have a both parts of your game flourish but it takes effort and commitment. 5. Stealth Nerfs. This is one of my major reasons for quitting this game. As a player I understand that things get nerfed, now that may annoy me like other people but I get things change in games so you’ve got to adapt. My problem though is stealth nerfs and this has happened too many times for me now for this to be acceptable. Recent examples of this are Heroics and Treasure Hunting. For the love of all that is holy please just announce before what you’re going to nerf. Be honest with me and I and I can take it at face value now I may criticize the decision but at least being honest buys you goodwill and you need that in any gaming community. So please put out your plans for nerfs ahead of time so they can be discussed before and not feel like a kick in the tenders. You’ll probably get angry people anyways but at least you’re being honest. In the end you’ve got to find a way to get people to buy into your dev decisions. TL;DR: Don’t stealth nerf and be honest with your players beforehand. Give people a chance beforehand to discuss nerfs and your reasoning for the decisions you make. A good example of this is how you describe class balance changes in patch notes. 6. Communication. This has been one of the many things that has been in recent decline. During 4.0 there was a lot of times where I felt communication was better than before. However it now seems that it’s gotten worse in a lot of ways. First of all I want to thank Eric and Tait for everything they’ve done for us through the years, I love you guys. A lot of times people go after them but I know their hands are tied in several ways but they are the ones who go to bat for us and relay the problems and desires we have. One of the best things that happened this year was Eric’s live stream it was one of the most fun and engaging events and the fact Eric and Tait were answering questions throughout was a great step I the right direction. There needs to be more of this communication both light hearted and serious and not things like soon we promise, just talk to your players in general. It was nice seeing that Eric and Tait are goofy and hilarious and enjoy things we do as a gamer. However in terms of plans laid out and execution this has been abysmal in many ways and I blame the management for this. You’ve got to be able to get up in front of your player base and tell them things honestly. Yes there going to be people who do and say stupid things but being a professional means taking things head on. BW has struggled with this and this has got to improve like immediately please stop going into your shell when the criticism gets heavy you can make things better only by talking things through. TL;DR: Communication takes one step forward and 3 steps back usually. This needs to improve ASAP. Talk to your players in general and engage in dialogue with them. Have more live steams like Eric’s KOTFE marathon. Be honest and upfront with players and don’t go in a shell when things get rough. 7. Farewell to all my friends and fellow gamers. This is the hardest part for me to write because the best part of this game for me has always been this game’s community. I’ve made and met some of the best people in SWTOR and I cherish everything I’ve shared with them. A lot of my friends here are the reason I’ll miss playing the game when I’m gone. I’ve been posting a lot less since I knew I was leaving. I know I’ve gotten into heated debates with some people on here about some topics. If I’ve ever said anything wrong or insulting I apologize and ask for forgiveness. I’ve learned over time that my passion is sometimes a little too much and that sometimes it gets the best of me. I want to end by thanking all the people who have made my experience in swtor better by having the pleasure of getting to know them over time. From the white knights to the fence sitters and dark knights you are all wonderful and make these forums an awesome place. Special Thank you to: Codedrago, Lunafox, Peter, Tux, Max, IanArgent, Andryah, Menace, CrazyCT, XiamaraSimi, Ikinai, Thoronmir, DieAlteHexe, AlienEyeTX, Rolodome, casirabit, Holocron, DarthEnrique, Theeko, BrotherJohn, MiguelGx, PorsaLindahl, lightSaberAddiCt, TheSeventhJedi, Dulfy, and anyone else I may have missed. I love you all farewell and may the force be with you, forever and always.

1. Should be 65 if you have access to KOTFE. 2. Get a referral from someone before your sub runs out so you can unlock the 3rd crew skill. 3. Any transaction over 350k requires escrow. 4. As long as you equip them to your toons before your sub runs out you'll be good otherwise get Artifact Authorization preferably the account unlock off the Cartel Market. 5. Yes unlocked species are permanent if you've bought them from the CM or have gotten past level 50 with the toon who is that species. So you can create new toons with species you've unlocked. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Tux's statement is true Eric and Tait are probably the only guys in our corner and who actually relay our problems and concerns. The problem is the management of this game is atrocious and the lack of budget and support it gets from EA is even more so.

"5 months. 5 total items. 55% off… Count down to #SWTOR5 beginning August 2! AUGUST FEATURED ITEM: STAY TUNED UPCOMING SALE: AUGUST 2 – 9 (9AM PT – 9AM PT) This is your chance to collect iconic items in the Cartel Market. Check back each month to see what’s on sale!" I wonder what they will be putting up on sale and if this sale will be once a month for the rest of the year? Link to Cartel Sale.

EXACTLY THIS!!! However this will fly over some people's heads here.

No they don't honestly quit spewing more lies and BS stop being a fraud. Honeslty in my opinion treasure hunting isn't worth the time or effort when there is plenty of better way to earn credits. The most blatant one is grinding heroics I can make about 1.2 million alone just doing Tatooine and belsavis heroics and the bonuses payout just fine. Not to mention what makes treasure hunting even more mute is the alliance crates the heroics award. You can get decorations, mounts, Legendary rank 6 gifts, and armor pieces not to mention data crystal and glowing crystals which can be used towards more gifts and exotic isotopes. Why would anyone want to waste their time on TH when heroics offer way more. I honestly don't have a dog in this fight because I do more diplomacy and slicing and get way better stuff from that. You're unhealthy obsession with this is getting ridiculous and yes you are credit spammer so obviously your business has been down.

They'll get around it if and when they feel like it plain, simple, and COLD truth. Give it a rest already we know your business is going down the drain. You know what's also a record the amount you think most people or BW actually gives a crap. Sell your credits and spam better otherwise your business model sucks and you should look for another job Mezarkan/Rozaran/Akostt or whatever fraud you are.

Well Stated OP and I agree with your sentiment.

I agree that group finder and the queuing system needs to be improved tremendously. However, I disagree with Depths of Manaan being impossible without a tank because I've done it on my MM sniper multiple times. Snipers in my opinion have some really good dcd's especially ballistic shield so using that wisely makes alot of difference. Also I was the one who would press the Kolto stations while kiting the adds and have 2 of the other dps kill the adds and 1 focus on Ortuno who is really honestly the only hard part of the FP it's highly tedious but doable. Dulfy's guide is pretty solid on this for reference: Depths of Manaan.

I'd be open to increasing the the difficulty according to the level of the planets meaning the farther down the planet is story wise the harder those heroics should be. Just don't take away the incentive to do the heroics they were useless before 4.0 imho but KOTFE actually made them relevant. I also think imo alot of inflation is due to the exploits that were left unchecked for months. Making credits legitimately shouldn't be too hard I don't want this game to feel like a second job.

Oh I did read the OP and despite the fact it could've been worded better I still understood it. I'll do you a solid and translate for you since you didn't understand what they were trying to communicate. Don't worry this explanation is on the house. In case you still don't get it the OP thinks KOTFE is trash and their Livestreams are a waste as well. Now please don't act like you don't understand that translation.

LOL fair point but I'd seen from past posts them hurl attacks at people who were criticizing the game. Oh believe me I've read them but they're at least well articulated. Maybe that's what I like about you. That and your meme game is strong.