I hate comparing SWTOR to an older MMO, but hopefully I can use this as an example for an idea that could be a potentially fun idea.
Blizzard has a service where you can pay a fee and switch factions in WoW. I did it once and it was fun to switch things up a bit.
What if Bioware created a service where you would pay and be able to switch sides? However, instead of it simply happening automatically, it would open up a quest line that finishes with you on the opposite faction?
Both sides have classes that are identical (Jedi Kinght/Sith Warrior, Counsular/Inquisitor, Smuggler/Agent, Trooper/Bounty Hunter) and have identical talent trees. So once you pay for this service, one of eight respective quest lines can activate. The eight questlines are:
A Jedi knight/Counsular becoming a Sith Warrior/Inquisitor and vice versa
A Smuggler enrolling as an Agent, or an Agent leaving the Empire and becoming a Smuggler.
A Bounty Hunter who enrolls as a Trooper or a Trooper who leaves the Republic and goes for hire as a Bounty Hunter.
Once you complete the quest line, then the actual faction change takes place.
This opens up huge windows for repeated game play. You might already have a Sith Warrior, but what would be different in the world around you if you were a converted Jedi Knight who went to the Dark Side? I could see myself raising two Jedi Knights if that was possible.
Yes, there will be issues. Such as different voice actors in classes or beginning the story line in your new faction. I'm sure there are tons more, but hey wouldn't this be awesome?
