Yes, no official modding. But the client and the network code are not created with any level of security. The Hero engine actually could detect and undo hacks on the fly - but that would cost some computing power it eats up like no tomorrow already.

The Mods deleted, I'd guess about 3k posts from the general forum regarding this issue, probably more. At least Ilum got another fix attempt within 2 days of a failed fix.

Since when is copying a set of database entry a problem? Okay, they might run into naming issues, but that is a nobrainer since you could generate random names for all chars being copied. Using the PTS costs money unless you have unlimited, unthrottled high speed internet. You have to download the PTS client to test the changes.

Sometimes it takes a second or two to actually be active, but it should help against white damage like rifle shot.

Once you figure out how to correctly jump with one char, switch to another body type and/or gender. Start again at zero.

No, I did not get what I looked at in beta and the ads and paid for based on that. Check the videos and screenshots made in beta. Look what the game does look like since we paid for it. It was fun for a couple of weeks.

So the whole patch is about Ilum. It is fully separate from the other planets, and instanced a bit too. And EA has to bring down all the servers to patch this. Sounds logical to me, since the selling point for the hero engine system was the ability to change things on the go.

There are quest NPC in the fleet station and the transitional airlock that send you down to the plant surface to the next quest NPC. You can't just go ahead and remove those!

A proper testing environment would require a couple of things: - Easy access - 20GB per test build are not easy access - Information about what is being changed so it can be tested before it goes life (EA Patch notes = finished implementation) - Access to the chars and the equipment needed for testing - Proper tools - There is not even a combat log available in this game. Fraps is not the most comfortable tool for parsing damage, you know. - Proper feedback tools for the testers - Communication between Devs and testers I got my name (real and/or chars) in a couple of games and expansion's credentials over the years. I met Devs from a couple of MMO in person, and I have been invited to game studios on the studio's cost twice as a thank you for my testing. I know there are a couple of people I tested with in other games playing SWTOR who did the same, and who do not care about noodling around on the PTR for EA because EA has shown repeatedly that they do not care.

The nodes might be impossible to fix without a total redesign of the instancing part of the engine. *shrug*

It looked cool over a couple of beer, in DDO.

But if you want to test endgame content changes, you need a char able to reach that content, with the correct equipment to do so.

I usually spend at least have my time on a game's test servers. No access to characters at needed levels, no combat log, no nothing, on top of a download worth about 30 Euro where I live, and a company that ignores all feedback for months and not communicating with the testers at all keeps me from even trying here. Check how your parties and your voting system works in your country before telling us if it makes sense to vote or not. If your powers have the ability to change the are votes are counted in on the fly, or suddenly ignore citizens outside the country voting by mail, that certainly does not speak of a strong democratic tradition.

The game is working with high-res textures all the time. It is just scaling them down so it wont fry our systems.

Err, that was one of the key features the engine was praised and chosen for.

I had a housemate working editing movies and TV series. Once you heard a sentence or a phone repeating 500 times, you know what the money was spent on.

EAware never cared for what the testers pointed out, and mocked us publically in a lovely interview. No premade chars, no char copying, another 20GB download keeps a lot of people away from the PTR.

I had a peek in beta and decided that it looks and feels good enough for me. Since it has been paid, it does not look as good, so I did not get what I paid for. It was fun for a month and a bit. But with the current flashing causing migraine for my GF, and this being the second time with this game, I wont resub.

Headshot is the same in ranged. That makes it 2 abilities that are kinda useless unless you're still on your way to 50.

Watcher 2 SCNR

Since there is barely any difference in the fps between low and the old medium, it should not matter much.

Migraine inducing UI elements are fantastic. As this is the second time you got flashing stuff running, that makes the decision quite easy not to spend another Eurocent on any EABioware products any time soon. You can stuff your poll where the sun does not shine.

... and you did not download another 20GB for PTR client and level a char to 50 over there to test the level 50 thingies.

It looks as if I have misplaced my irony tags. Sorry!

BioWare is just as much history as is Westwood Studios. EA/Origin is EA's way of distribution, and that's the whole story.