Another link, this one from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/technology/electronic-arts-posts-a-loss-and-loses-big-game-subscribers.html?_r=1&src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Ftechnology%2Findex.jsonp 400,000 is a lot, but hopefully not enough to tank things. I sincerely think BioWare needs to get new planets and alternate content out for casual and solo playing as soon as humanly possible and that this would go a long way toward helping ensure what is essentially a trickle of loss (in context) from becoming more than that. My personal recommendation based on a concept introduced and generally perfected by FunCom (of all folks) is here: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=309673 Other than this, to give serious consideration to "padawan" type relationships that allow level capped players to unlock new solo content (and give unlocks to younger players outside the usual progression lines) where these two paths of quests return them to a single NPC for turnin, social points, and rewards based upon how well they execute them individually AND for continuing to progress along the "relationship path" of "master/padawan" (or whatever other partnership type of relation is needed to support non-force using classes). This, I think, would not only do wonders for new players and overall community, but it would be something that allows for alternatives to leveling content while leveling up (choice is never a bad thing).

/agreed Naboo is actually my number 1, followed by Kashyyk, Dantooine, and Mon Calamari.

My main is a 50 TK sage (was healer until roughly 46) and I currently have three alts ranging from level 11 to 25; frankly, I had the same problems with finding groups (rarely see more than 30 people on the planet at any given time) and, as a casual player leading a casual guild, gaming time is slim (thus precious) for me. Generally speaking, I just forgo the things I cannot find a group for until I'm high enough level to return and solo them. Obviously, this is not the best experience (on any count), but until a solid LFG tool shows up, it's my choice because, frankly, sitting on the fleet or at a cantina spamming /general in hope of a reply isn't my idea of fun. The issue, initially, was mostly lack of a LFG tool and now, it is exacerbated on my server (Mind Trick) by low populations during my available play times. I know BioWare is planning a LFG tool, but I think server merging may offer another option and, to be sure, consideration of lowering difficulty levels if population continues to drop should stay on the list.

Yes, indeed, thank you for a very fun time. It was really quite nice as a VERY casual player to actually be able to do all the things necessary to achieve the goodies. Heck, I got armor for myself and for Nadia (comforting look to those who do not wear light armor), I got my purdy green-black crystal, both pets, and a "Zombie Tharan" customization along with the title (this last astounded me as I didn't think I'd manage it). Lots of fun watching folks play with the infection (not to mention the general chat around it... heh) as well as helping others who didn't quite know what was happening. I even got the chance to help some Empire players take those bosses down which I especially enjoyed. Thank you again. Hella lotta fun.

x-posting from a similar thread: Hm. Well, if I were BioWare, this is what I would do: 1. Script and run a debuff that removes Rakghoul Plague from every player in the game (after all, the event IS over, right?), 2. Figure out some kind of compromise for folks who (whatever the reason) didn't make it to the Jawa on time (You have no idea how hard it was to type that without doing some kind of "get me to the church on time" joke); perhaps a scientist with interest in the recent plague asking for samples of DNA at the respective fleets? 3. Set a hard deadline on how long that compromise NPC will be present and in-game mail players stating that once this scientist's research and case report on the recent plague is complete, they are no longer interested in hearing about it ever, again, from anyone (heck, this could be an interesting conversation itself). I think the in-game mail likely would be the best way to ensure that anyone who logged in has a reasonable chance to discover/hear about it; to be sure, it is certainly both logical and reasonable that you would have done everything but hand them a pocket scientist to try and accomplish it. As much in-game mail as players get for quests, I cannot quite understand why they didn't get one for event start as well as deadline for finish... but that's just me. (Yes, I can see the "surprise and delight factor" of the unannounced happenstance event beginning... but day two or so, there's really no reason that couldn't be worked in.) I also think that all the second-guessing and baiting in the world won't overturn the simple reality that was demonstrated by the following conversations happening pretty much non-stop/repeatedly through the week I was doing the event myself: [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] ***? What is this mass of green exploding people? /1 It's the Rakghoul Plague event. Check the forums or the official site for information. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] Orly? What is it? /1 It's an event involving a major outbreak of plague. Get infected, suffer the sickness, die from it, receive Rakghoul DNA; collect and turn it in for rewards to a wee lil Jawa NE of Thorozan outpost on Tatooine. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] What can you get? /1 Well, armor (social, light), collectible crystals, pets, "zombie" customizations for a companion, and of course, legacy as well as regular experience and credits. There are also dailies. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] Cool! Where do I pick up the dailies? /1 Tatooine. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] Thanks! [1 - General:] [Random Person #2] Um. Someone just blew up on me as I logged in. What's happening? /me sighs (Rounds of this conversation snipped both because you can safely infer it as well as I'm too darn tired to type more.) To wit, some folks don't do forums or, if they do, they only "lurk" and only then in class areas. Some folks don't like reading long posts (Actually, most people don't really "read" online at all, they "scan"; http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html - as true today as it was in 1997). Most folks turn to the players online and the general chat... it's no surprise to me that many didn't see the various announcements. Why would it be... I don't make the mistake of thinking everyone acts and thinks (or should act or think) the way I do. Assumptions and accusations and projections of ill intent and craven mercenary interests aside, think a moment how you would feel if you missed it (whether it was for lack of attention or not) and then, really, ask yourself, "Would I want folks to act like I'm stupid when all I really want is to enjoy it, too?" I have no more DNA. I actually destroyed a stack because the vendors don't buy it, I had everything I wanted from the Jawa, and it was taking up space that Grade 6 mats need. Yes, I read the forums and announcements and launcher (I'm an egghead that way). Yes, I get it that some folks rather like the notion of others missing out because it heightens their own sense of specialness for not missing out. All that said, I can't see insisting that others miss out just to keep some "specialness" that demands an inference of superiority that you and I both know doesn't inherently exist. (That means it's manufactured, you know, like... in a game.) Finally, it doesn't seem to me that BioWare is a company that necessarily buys into "someone must miss out for someone else to have status". There's plenty of places for that in this game and they're made especially for that.... this doesn't have to be another one of those. C'mon, BioWare... let 'em turn in DNA over a weekend or something. It's not that much and it would really mean a lot to a lot of folks.

Indeed; but as you read through this thread, you see it quite clearly. Still more of it on the stickied thread here: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=418771

Just popping in with another, probably "meaningless" example of why a lot of folks just don't bother with PvP these days: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=430146&page=16 (puts on the "old geezer" voice) Back in the day, this kind of behavior would have had your own faction showing up to stomp your butt into the ground and protect the opposing faction while they turned in. Why? Well, because this kind of stuff just isn't what PvP is about; this kind of stuff is what being a ******* is about, pure and simple. (takes off "old geezer voice") Of course, that's not possible today because most faction-based PvP doesn't allow you to PvP your own faction. Frankly, I wish they did... maybe this kind of behavior would see the good, old fashioned community stomping it deserves.

Hm. Well, if I were BioWare, this is what I would do: 1. Script and run a debuff that removes Rakghoul Plague from every player in the game (after all, the event IS over, right?), 2. Figure out some kind of compromise for folks who (whatever the reason) didn't make it to the Jawa on time (You have no idea how hard it was to type that without doing some kind of "get me to the church on time" joke); perhaps a scientist with interest in the recent plague asking for samples of DNA at the respective fleets? 3. Set a hard deadline on how long that compromise NPC will be present and in-game mail players stating that once this scientist's research and case report on the recent plague is complete, they are no longer interested in hearing about it ever, again, from anyone (heck, this could be an interesting conversation itself). I think the in-game mail likely would be the best way to ensure that anyone who logged in has a reasonable chance to discover/hear about it; to be sure, it is certainly both logical and reasonable that you would have done everything but hand them a pocket scientist to try and accomplish it. As much in-game mail as players get for quests, I cannot quite understand why they didn't get one for event start as well as deadline for finish... but that's just me. (Yes, I can see the "surprise and delight factor" of the unannounced happenstance event beginning... but day two or so, there's really no reason that couldn't be worked in.) I also think that all the second-guessing and baiting in the world won't overturn the simple reality that was demonstrated by the following conversations happening pretty much non-stop/repeatedly through the week I was doing the event myself: [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] ***? What is this mass of green exploding people? /1 It's the Rakghoul Plague event. Check the forums or the official site for information. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] Orly? What is it? /1 It's an event involving a major outbreak of plague. Get infected, suffer the sickness, die from it, receive Rakghoul DNA; collect and turn it in for rewards to a wee lil Jawa NE of Thorozan outpost on Tatooine. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] What can you get? /1 Well, armor (social, light), collectible crystals, pets, "zombie" customizations for a companion, and of course, legacy as well as regular experience and credits. There are also dailies. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] Cool! Where do I pick up the dailies? /1 Tatooine. [1 - General:] [Random Person #1] Thanks! [1 - General:] [Random Person #2] Um. Someone just blew up on me as I logged in. What's happening? /me sighs (Rounds of this conversation snipped both because you can safely infer it as well as I'm too darn tired to type more.) To wit, some folks don't do forums or, if they do, they only "lurk" and only then in class areas. Some folks don't like reading long posts (Actually, most people don't really "read" online at all, they "scan"; http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html - as true today as it was in 1997). Most folks turn to the players online and the general chat... it's no surprise to me that many didn't see the various announcements. Why would it be... I don't make the mistake of thinking everyone acts and thinks (or should act or think) the way I do. Assumptions and accusations and projections of ill intent and craven mercenary interests aside, think a moment how you would feel if you missed it (whether it was for lack of attention or not) and then, really, ask yourself, "Would I want folks to act like I'm stupid when all I really want is to enjoy it, too?" I have no more DNA. I actually destroyed a stack because the vendors don't buy it, I had everything I wanted from the Jawa, and it was taking up space that Grade 6 mats need. Yes, I read the forums and announcements and launcher (I'm an egghead that way). Yes, I get it that some folks rather like the notion of others missing out because it heightens their own sense of specialness for not missing out. All that said, I can't see insisting that others miss out just to keep some "specialness" that demands an inference of superiority that you and I both know doesn't inherently exist. (That means it's manufactured, you know, like... in a game.) Finally, it doesn't seem to me that BioWare is a company that necessarily buys into "someone must miss out for someone else to have status". There's plenty of places for that in this game and they're made especially for that.... this doesn't have to be another one of those. C'mon, BioWare... let 'em turn in DNA over a weekend or something. It's not that much and it would really mean a lot to a lot of folks.

My suggestion is to bank it for the future. I'm willing to bet there will be some use for it again.

If you have a level 50 guardian or juggernaut, I believe this is actually intended as part of the legacy benefit; you get the level 50 buff of your legacy-unloched character(s) ... each level 50 buff. If your alt is republic, but your legacy unlock character is empire, you get the republic equivalent, hence the level 50 guardian Might buff. (This is my understanding of things; I admit it could be incorrect OR you might be getting the buff when you do not yet have a level 50 guardian or juggernaut. If so, ignore this. )

http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=4103707#edit4103707 Hmm, and what does THIS mean?

I don't know; generally, when it is stated an event is ending on a specific date, the NPCs/vendors associated end then as well unless specifically stated otherwise (e.g., festival events, holiday events, etc). That said, I do hope that it may be possible for people who have not yet decided what they wish to purchase to have a few days (at least) beyond that to do so. THAT said... I wouldn't count on it. (Seriously, don't; at the moment, logic says the event ends and "ends" in this context means all related elements go away until it returns... if it returns.)

That would be because it isn't. There is only one place that is actually event-based PvP for this event and that's the bantha boss located smack in the middle of Outlaw's Den. The rest of the event, in its entirety, is located in PvE territory; with only consensual PvP allowed. I think the part you're missing is that "consensual" means "both parties consent to PvP"; in context, this means both are willingly flagged. Obviously, using an exploit to force-flag a non-flagged player is not "consensual" by ANY definition.

Actually, your logic is flawed; "if it were real" the authorities would be called, they would respond, and the lawbreakers (in this case, exploitative PvPers) would be carted off to jail and justice. Which, essentially, is what this thread seems to be trying to accomplish. Thanks for playing.

I haven't been in yet, but there was not a new quest (to my knowledge) for a wrist item, so I assume the chest/belt choice is the last new unlocked daily.

Actually, you make a solid point here, albeit that it is not the one you thought you made. Originally, PvP was about military and tactical skill; the "reward" was the status and reputation (i.e., your own folks acknowledging you had 'the mad skillz' and the opponent(s) acknowledging it as well by anything from immediately vacating an area when you were in it to running like rabbits to generally choosing not to engage you because... well... the outcome was all but predictable). The "risks" were about what you would imagine; players who were up and coming would seek you out to "prove themselves", blood feuds and nemesis statuses were the conversations in the community, and grudging respect or embittered dislike were about as far as things went. Today, it's generally about psychological terror and predation; with the general mindset of "a kill is a kill" (blow a raspberry at the concept of "skill") and the players who are of the "old school variety" as above mentioned often get lumped in because it is harder and harder to stand out as "being different" when you're an intermittent exception in the ocean of common uncouthness. The "risks" today are quite minimal because the community of PvP players is just as fractured as ever; there is little to no community enforcement of standard, no commonly accepted "rules of engagement", no foundation of "a code". It's basically, "if a target comes along, you must gank it". (Insert Devo-esque music here) Most PvPers seem to think they are somehow "different" or "special" because they can come up with creative (i.e. exploitative) ways to flag and then, gank people who obviously have no interest in PvP. This is just rationalized idiocy and frankly, deserves nothing but derision. There are still exceptions to the rule. In fact, I spent about an hour last night with roughly fifteen examples of it. We were awaiting the arrival of the pod to trigger the sarlacc boss and in rolled a bunch of flagged Empire players. Naturally, my first thought was, "Well, no AoE and we're probably in for another "drag to reset" competition to try and keep our place as "those who were here first". I explained to the ones standing around that this was my fourth try and the event ends on the 24th; also, that if they would be kind enough to allow us the boss for being here first, I'd happily return and help them kill it when it respawned. (after all, I still helped the Empire players even after they reset the boss out from under me repeatedly... best way I know to ensure there's one less competitor in future, right?) This group remained with us, allowed their flags to drop, the pod showed up, we triggered, they helped us kill it, and, for a moment, it was actually "like it used to be".... just players being a community and not consumed by self-interest and a willingness to run over anyone who happened to get in the way. Forgive me if I happen to prefer this perspective and mindset; it's a funny quirk of mine that I actually prefer the idea of community and cooperation and yes, actually, both were once very, very common in PvP environments, contrary to what is obviously today's popular opinion otherwise. To the Empire players of Mind Trick who were on Tatootine last night, solid salute, mad props, and much respect... you definitely represent your faction and PvP on the whole better than most manage these days.

Let's just say I choose my battles wisely; the key word (ironically enough) being "choose". Capiche?

Actually, as a consular highly attuned to the light side of the force, it isn't.

Yes, because code is sentient and should know better, while most players who do this obviously either lack sentience or just wish they had a logical argument for their intrusive (and usually exploitative) choices.

Since they didn't release until 2004, how precisely do you see that relevant to the point? Edit to add: Since their MMO has been in development since 2009 and, at last report, has less than 60 on staff to finish and deliver it, let's just say I see even less reason to think the reference has any relevancy. Feel free to concisely demonstrate how/where this may be an erroneous conclusion.

You do realize that the MMO as a genre started because of roleplayers, right? From Dungeons and Dragons (1974) to MUDS - http://www.livinginternet.com/d/di_major.htm (1978) to Meridian 59 - http://www.meridian59.com/ (1995) to Ultima Online - http://www.uoherald.com/ (1997) to EverQuest 1 - http://everquest.station.sony.com/ (1999) And so forth... so, um, sorry, but you're just flat out wrong on every count, not the least of which is that you should be thanking these PvE players because they're the reason you can "get your gank on" in an MMO at all.

The only thing missing was a title for blowing up 1,000 times. (grin) Hm. Though, on second thought, I think I passed that mark by quite a bit. =/ p.s.: Your companions CAN wear this armor... I initially thought they could not as it has a social level on it, but I was able to put it on Tharan, so apparently they can (I do hope this is not a bug!).

Ends the 24th. Yesterday was your last day to start and still be able to get all pieces. (There are boots, legs, gloves, helmet, chest, and belt; the chest/belt are together on an either/or choice for turning, hence the extra day required to get both). As for high res screenshots... yeah, yeah, yeah, when I get time AND remember that (whaddawant, it was late, I was tired!)

It is a progressive daily unlock for each piece; this means that you have to find/complete the new daily to get the next piece. A fairly good walkthrough may be found here: http://dulfy.net/2012/04/16/rakghoul-pandemic-dynamic-event-guideupdated-daily

Community is based upon cultural rules that are community enforced; this is what has been lost and it is why PvP and PvE are increasingly mutually exclusive. I miss it, too.