Deaf ears. Many of us scorned Bioware when this game was released. Poor content, no attention to detail, missing features, disappointing space integration, major game-breaking and minor bugs that really hurt the game play, poor performance, and a very on-the-rails sense of gameplay. After months, they finally release "unfinished" content like the Legacy system which was promised to be so much more then it is. Then they make major cuts to their development team in Austin and clearly turn SWTOR into a mediocre cash cow with no intent to be much more. Four years later it has had two minor content releases and one actual expansion which I finished in 24 hours. I mean, the game is so unbearably easy now I receive no enjoyment or sense of accomplishment. What none of you really see is what happens behind the scenes. In 2008 EA made a major shift with it's development studios and reorganized everything. They set up Bioware in Austin, TX to be the front for SWTOR under the direction of Gordon Walton and Richard Vogel. It's pretty clear that they had a very unique idea for this game, and that turned into a dumbed-down, single-player/MMO hybrid game with content that went skin-deep backed by the god-awful Hero Engine, which I can only attribute to the strong hand of Electronic Arts. Many would say, "well the Bioware "gods" Muzyka and Zeschuk were co-producing blah blah they know story blah blah" - WRONG. They were thousands of miles away in Edmonton, overseeing production of Dragon Age 2 (huge flop), and Mass Effect 3 (endings anyone?) I mean, they literally retired in 2012 because they couldn't take the fan hate anymore. It's no wonder Walton left Bioware before the game was even released, and Vogel 6 months afterwards. There's a great article about Walton and his experiences with big, giant companies like EA here: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-04-12-gordon-walton-publishers-see-devs-as-replaceable-meat-puppets It gives great insight into how companies like EA are typical corporate enterprises only interested in generating revenue rather then satisfying gamers (SW Battlefront anyone?). I mean, I guess we already know this, but it's interesting to see a big developer give their take on it. All of our gripes and cries are ignored for the most part. This game is far past a point of reconciliation, while I think KotFE was a move in the right direction, it was compounded by a ruined companion system, senselessly easy game play and so on and so forth.

Last time I played was Hutt Cartel, so subbed for KotFE, gained 10 levels in 24 hours of doing some SoR quests, and basically facerolled the KotFE content in a day. Why did they make this game ridiculously easy? I mean, it wasn't overly difficult back in Vanilla days, but at least I used a medpack once in awhile. Looks like it's back to F2P for me until all the remaining chapters are out Brilliant plan Bioware.

They really goofed up the armor dyes. The prices for dyes are outrageous on the GCM, and the "rarity" factor is stupid. People should just be able to customize their armors without going broke, otherwise in my opinion the entire thing is pointless.

To start, relics are broken and unfair. Allowing players who are more committed to light or dark to have better stats advantages then those who choose to balance light and dark, or intentionally remain neutral is ridiculous. The entire purpose and system of relics is silly and needs to change. Allow class-based relics that are not based on light/dark to fill the void. Then, Suggestion 1: Create a simple perks system that gives players certain inherent bonuses for being light, dark or neutral and combine this with level requirements. Therefore, a level 55 who is considered Neutral (+/- 500 light/dark) gains equal, but different bonuses then one who is Light V or Dark V at level 55. This would prevent players from gaining powerful perks early on in their adventures before they reach certain thresholds in light and dark. In addition, you have legacy unlocks for Light, Dark & Neutral. Suggestion 2: Or combine this with the talent tree system. Frankly, the talent trees are too cookie-cut from MMOs like WoW and need a unique touch. Working in the above mentioned perks system into the talent trees will allow players to customize their characters abilities and bonuses from talents, based on their level and light/dark/neutral status. It will also give the SWTOR talent system a special flair. On a side note, either do something with light/dark for companions or remove the bar from the companion screen! It looks out of place and sloppy.

What's realistic about going into a customization booth and changing your race instantly? Seems like an easy way out to me. Crappy, instanced player housing sounds right up Bioware's alley!

Here's the thing, they are working with a skeleton crew in Austin in terms of designers and developers. It took them awhile to release Makeb, which by all accounts was pretty light content-wise. To make detailed class stories is a lot of work, and Bioware simply didn't build the game in a way that is easy for them to do this. So as they mentioned they are going to be working on "quality of life" changes to the game, meaning more attention on bugs and other issues before expanding the content again. I imagine the class stories will be touched on in the next expansion, which will probably be 1-2 years from now.

I remember being overly excited, hyping this game up on the forums, and then being sorely disappointed in it's release. Why do I still play? After a long hiatus, and some lowered expectations, I can play this game casually on my new rig while I wait for newer and better games.

They cut the development team on this game down to bare bones. They were barely able to squeeze out the Cartel DLC, never mind fix outstanding bugs that have been around since beta. I am at the final chapter of the Bounty Hunter quest line and the bugs are atrocious. There is also still long outstanding content promised to be released with no update. Fact is, the Revan Chestpiece is one item on a very long list of bugs.

Just watched the Insider video on this, and he says you can change your race. What the hell?? That makes no sense.

You must be doing something wrong if people are constantly blaming you.

Most of the "major content patches" you refer to were to add things that were missing from the game at launch - such as the Legacy system, and fixing major bugs and issues. They don't get awards for having some extra content thrown in over a year and a half, and there are still far outstanding issues from Beta that are yet to be resolved.

It seems as though there are a total of 5 developers working on this game. It takes months and months for the slightest update to content, and there are still outstanding bugs from Beta still in this game. I can't believe they charged any money for this DLC "expansion". Every day I am reminded of some lazy approach they took to something in this game... what a shame, so many of us are on the fence and barely playing this only because it's Star Wars. They need to put all their chips in and make some serious changes if they hope to compete with next-gen MMOs.

Bioware's elite team of developers have been hard at work since launch to bring you this exciting feature.

Valid points OP, but some of them are misguided. The fact is you cannot have an MMO and individually effect the entire world, it's just not possible, and any games that have tried this failed miserably. The fact is everything you might do on the Republic side would be countered on the Imperial side, and vice versa. Having said that, they still dropped the ball on a lot of story elements that were definitely possible to include, so you're half right on that point.

Before we begin, I am well aware of the limitations behind Hero Engine and the models that were created but honestly hiding behind the Engine as an excuse for a silly-looking game is lame. When you watch the opening cinematics, you get that "Wow!" effect and wonder if your conflict would be anywhere as epic. Sadly, it's not even close, and ultimately it comes down to the atrocious character models and lack of diversity. Even on max PC settings I groan at the sight of those NPCs with ridiculous mustaches, completely white bland faces and weird bodies. Bioware's own studio, now 6-7 years ago did a better job with the original Mass Effect then this game in that respect. Comparison: http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m304/Capricorn_44/swtorvsme_zps6b18978a.jpg Again, I am aware of the difference in engines and limitations but the average PC is twice as powerful today so that is really no excuse. So ultimately, here's the suggestion: Better more realistic bodies, more customization for new characters, improve complexion and detail for character faces, etc. Ultimately, make it look worthy of the awesome cutscenes. Good day.