Well, to be frank isnt the current system abused? Que with 4 people, get to the end boss, kick the other three, invite your friends in to finish it off? I think there is abuse no matter how it is done...but in this case a companion is a poor substitute for a player. It would only be a stop gap to allow players to complete the mission. Besides, one player, under the current system could not summon enough companions to complete. There would need to be at least two players, and that would still be pretty tough.

I am not against dyes being sold in the market, on the contrary...anything that can generate revenue is a good thing. But, aside from black/black and white/white dyes, i think its likely the other dyes do not generate a huge amount of revenue. I would request that all current dyes that are not black/black and white/white be made available as crafted dyes. You can keep all current dyes in the market, but all except the two mentioned should be craftable IMO. Thank you for reading.

I think that folks should require four folks to start a mission. After that, however, if a player has to drop out or is kicked for some reason a player should be able to summon his or her companion to finish the mission.

I have Shea. Its a great companion and certainly convenient for new character creations. I would like to see other players have a chance to get this companion. I would prefer that players have to requalify, as they did before, but if it needs to be Cartel Market, so be it.

I would like to add my suggestion to this list. I suggest a subscriber rewards program that rewarded players for total sub time, non-contiguous. Here is the general gist. SWG had a great program for subscriber rewards IMO, and I think a similar system would do well here. The idea is to reward subs for total amount of time they played, but I would change it up a bit....I would set it for total amount of time SUBSCRIBED. First, you would need to be subscribed to receive the rewards, and you could only collect the reward on one server, one character. Second, it would be set up in tiers....every 90 days of subscription, the days/months would have no need to be contiguous. All items would be bound to legacy (with noted exceptions), so they can not be sold or traded. 90 - 100cc 180 - low demand armor set (bronze) 270 - low demand speeder (bronze) 360 - transfer token 450 - 250cc 540 - medium demand armor set (silver) 630 - medium demand speeder (silver) 720 - 5 character slots 810 - 500cc 900 - high demand armor set (gold) 990 - high demand speeder (gold) 1080 - rename token 1170 - 1000cc 1260 - rare armor set (platinum) 1350 - rare demand speeder (platinum) 1440 - level up token 1530 - 2000cc 1620 - Legacy XP bonus armor set 1710 - rare animal and droid companion 1800 - white/white and black/black dye 1890 - 3000cc 1980 - 5 ultra rare weapons 2070 - code for 30 days sub time (can be given to friend) 2160 - 100 percent XP boost legacy implant 2250 - code for 90 days sub and 2400 coins (can be given to friend), exclusive mount and title This is just a general example of what you could offer, you could go more conservative, but IMO those that have been subbed this entire time deserve special rewards.

Thanks. Ill offer some responses to posts later, I already updated the OP.

I think it is pretty likely most folks would not care about a reskin, or even a rename (though a rename is more problematic), especially if it meant that they had access to the mission, which IMO is likely the most desired part of the promotion.

If I might make a suggestion.... Extend Double XP week to a month long deal and put out the word.

I went ahead and added an option "E" to the list based on your suggestion.

Better gear, even if it is not needed, is one of the end goals a player can pursue in any MMO, and has been a staple for MMOs for years. It makes sense that players would continue to pursue character improvement through gear even if they are casual players. The alternative forms of play in this game are not as robust as in other games. Therefore they tend to fall by the wayside over the priorities of better gear and more credits to buy items from the GTN.

Thanks for your replies, I will compile a list later and add it to the OP, and respond to a few posts. Thanks again.

Boy, I step away for a few moments and you guys are already forming up battle lines..... So, here is where I stand as far as the suggestions based on some input from the opposing view...most of what has been suggested in some form by both sides. 1) First option Reskinned version of HK-55 and mission is offered to playerbase with the same requirements in place for both. 2) Second option Regular version of HK-55 and mission is offered under same terms. 3) Third option HK-51 offered instead of 55, mission is also offered under same terms. 4) Fourth option An entirely different companion is offered with new mission and similar terms. 5) Fifth opion Choose one of the four options above but change original terms to offer in cartel market or in game vendor. And then rewards for players that have already completed prior event... a) HK-55 level one legacy XP boost armor set is offered, set has one primary mod installed like DvL event armor, 50 percent XP boost. Set allows you to look exactly like HK. b) Special title c) Token to collect unique companion d) Nothing e) New customization for HK-55 Now, I would ask that folks would choose their primary choice and their secondary choice and post it here. Please post your primary and secondary choice by choosing a NUMBER and letter, like 2b or 2d. You can choose one or more options for either if wish....in the case of option 5, choose the primary one you want, add a 5 to remove prior terms, and then choose one of the letters...something like 15d Remember that you can also choose mutiple options you support, like 23cd My choice is 1ab

I personally would love to see more folks get the XP armor. I love it...its great when starting new characters, its legacy bound, has one armor mod in it, and I mod it as I level, then drop in low level mods and pull them out to clear lower mods when i am finished with it. Ive leveled 3 characters with it and it provides a nice boost with one of the XP boosts.

Unless you believe me to be an exception, I think this is a rather poor judgement of my motives. I think my posts, as well as my entire post history stands in contradiction to your contention.....assuming I am included in this block judgement. I will not speak to others motives in this respect. I will only say that I do not think it is unfair to state that some folks have selfish reasons for making suggestions, and would even go so far as to say that that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes folks will try and hide their true intentions, but I think it is pretty obvious to anyone. Again, just because someone is focusing on their own needs and or desires does not mean what they say has no merit...even if I dont agree with the opinion. Discourse tends to fuel growth, where consensus tends to restrain it.

Ok, fair enough...so, we are looking at best scenario is reskinned and new mission, second best is reskinned and current mission. Also I like the idea of having both reward systems....I think for something like this a block sub like in the past would be best, and set a non-continuous sub reward system to really draw in the holdouts. In a content drought like we have at present both items could serve to put butts in seats, so to speak. So, moving forward I will make sure to include the best case and second best case above when talking specifically about this content. I appreciate your input on the matter.

I came at this a few ways in my mind, but one thing kept popping up, and eventually dominated my thoughts above all other points.... ...I'm not sure your definition of "pay to win" is the correct one.

Ok, the thread is devolving again. Lets try and move forward, table the "exclusivity" argument for now in favor of finding some alternatives in the discussion. I am not abandoning the idea of offering Hk-55 and the mission again, just looking at some alternatives that might be better for all involved. My goal is to find something popular that will draw back new players but will take little to no work to implement, and frankly I don't really care WHAT that is, as long as it works. So, moving forward....The HK-55 reskin and rename....would it be ok to include the mission as well, as long as the droid in the mission is also reskinned (and perhaps renamed)? Also, of a block contiguous subscription requirement and a reward based system that is non-contiguous but instead rewards at milestones, which one seems more appealing? Finally, does anyone have any suggestions as to current game characters that may be interesting as offered companions? I mentioned Malgus and Orgus Din as blue glowies, perhaps there are others that may interest folks?

So as I assumed there isnt much story there...so it is really just a matter of curiosity and access to the mats perhaps. Well, if I had my way this is what I would do with respect to these missions.... 1) Offer a "KDY" non trinity mode that is very easy as a "training" version of sorts, naturally with much lower rewards. 2) Restore direct armor drop rewards to hard modes, as well as components to choose what armor piece you want. 3) Remove mats, or add mats to the KDY mode. Putting the mats behind a wall like this was not wise IMO. I think this would cover all the bases and give candy to everyone involved.

Ill answer your other posts later, as I think we are making progress there, but I wanted to answer this one right away. Yes, it would be retroactive. Any and all players, former players and current would be eligible for this systems rewards depending on how long they have subbed. I feel, personally, that this would be a huge draw to former players AND would encourage folks to sub and stay subbed. As to the mention of not really wanting reskins posted by other folks, I would like to comment on that. I am of the opinion that a reskin would work to draw back former players IF it included the original mission as well. The voice over would be the same....it would essentially be HK-55 in new duds. Part of the rebuild lets say. I might even change the appearance of the secondary droid in the mission as well the name. IMO this provides two things... Access to a HK droid that is much easier than the original grind AND the new droid and access to the prior mission AS WELL AS a way to retain exclusivity for those that have it currently. The question then becomes this....in order to satisfy those that already qualified, do we put the original requirements in place? That is what I would prefer, since it would encourage folks to sub and stay subbed.

Well, I think it is a silly premise to stick to personal identification. Perhaps it was novel at the time, but now it is likely moot. One way they could allow players to play as alternate races is simply offer them as holographic disguises (not blue glowie mind you). You could activate some kind of device, or plug something in that would turn you into a Jawa, or Trandoshian, Wookie, etc. All cutscenes would cause you to revert back to your original state. Something like this could be fun for players, RPrs and would still avoid interference in the "we understand and accept them because we look like humans" problem.

It could be done with a God droid and some kind of bolster perhaps. I might put prerequisites in place, however, and remove some of the rewards. I would probably be ok with materials that dropped, but the gear rewards that drop (or should drop but do not because of Command changes, that is another topic) should not be available to solo players. I am interested in promoting solo mode for these missions so folks could experience the story, as it would provide more story content to many folks that have never experienced it. I would question, however, whether it would be something that would be interesting enough to entice players to return.

There is also another option, and perhaps this content could be worked into it. I suggested a subscriber rewards program that rewarded players for total sub time, non-contiguous. Here is the general gist. SWG had a great program for subscriber rewards IMO, and I think a similar system would do well here. The idea was to reward subs for total amount of time they played, but I would change it up a bit....I would set it for total amount of time SUBSCRIBED. First, you would need to be subscribed to receive the rewards, and you could only collect the reward on one server, one character. Second, it would be set up in tiers....every 90 days of subscription, the days/months would have no need to be contiguous. All items would be bound to legacy (with noted exceptions), so they can not be sold or traded. 90 - 100cc 180 - low demand armor set (bronze) 270 - low demand speeder (bronze) 360 - transfer token 450 - 250cc 540 - medium demand armor set (silver) 630 - medium demand speeder (silver) 720 - 5 character slots 810 - 500cc 900 - high demand armor set (gold) 990 - high demand speeder (gold) 1080 - rename token 1170 - 1000cc 1260 - rare armor set (platinum) 1350 - rare demand speeder (platinum) 1440 - level up token 1530 - 2000cc 1620 - Legacy XP bonus armor set 1710 - rare animal and droid companion 1800 - white/white and black/black dye 1890 - 3000cc 1980 - 5 ultra rare weapons 2070 - code for 30 days sub time (can be given to friend) 2160 - 100 percent XP boost legacy implant 2250 - code for 90 days sub and 2400 coins (can be given to friend), exclusive mount and title This is just a general example of what they could offer, they could go more conservative, but IMO those that have been subbed this entire time deserve special rewards.

Do you think that allowing F2P and preferred players a place in the forum to post would be enticing to prior players? It may be a good option for current players, but I am not sure it would be something that would bring players back.

So, what we have so far (I still have to go back into the thread to find more) would be.... 1) Reduce gear costs by 1/3, keep UC rates the same 2) Major pass over all content and increase CXP gain in all areas across the board so that it is commensurate with time and difficulty 3) Completion of Gods from the Machine with a NiM version 4) Keep the bonuses after GC 300 intact

Ok, what do you think, from the past items would be the most popular overall to former players. I was thinking the 50 percent XP set from the DvL event. Do you think that would be a popular item? It certainly doesn't have to be a companion, but I think access to the mission would be important...unless there is another piece of candy you think would be even more desirable. If we get back to HK-55, what I am understanding is that you would be ok with a reskin...I would do some kind of "camouflage" type of color scheme, call it "HK-59" or something. I was also playing with another idea...another friend of mine pointed out that Malgus was pretty popular, and to his knowledge there are no force ghost companions in the game...so what about access to either a force ghost Malgus or force ghost Orgas Din (I think that was his name). Might even have some tie in with Shea and Vette for Malgus, and T7 or Orgas. This option is less desirable because it would require a bit more work, and I would prefer to focus on something already in the game. The preference would be something that was VERY popular, meeting the following criteria in order from best to worst.... 1) Assets that already exist in game, require very little work to offer again. 2) Assets that would require a bit of work to offer again, like perhaps some kind of reskin. 3) Assets that currently do not exist, but would take a small amount of work to provide.