A good post. I agree many of the proposed suggestions would create 'depth' to the game that doesn't exist, especially more social features. It's like reading cliff notes with all the main points, or reading the full story of a fantastic classic. Some prefer only the highlights, some want more 'depth'. We're all different and there are games that are marketed toward each segment of the population. I'm hoping this game does more than fine tune Illum and the operations. I think those are important and should be fine tuned, but there is room for more in this game.

I'm a female and I agree with a previous poster, it's not so rare anymore. There are five or six females in my guild. That's about 10% female, but I remember the early days of my gaming life where I'd be the only girl . I've seen other guilds with higher female populations and I've seen one or two female only guilds. But, many guys do roll female toons. Many of our male guild members have female toons. I joked the other day and told them I'm rolling a guy toon just to boost the number of male avatars in our rp events. They told me I'm not allowed to call him I'machic.

Guilds can create 'auxilliary' guilds, or second guilds, but they are still one guild through their website, forums, or other avenues they have set up to facilitate a community between all members.

Has anyone summarized the ideas put forth to involve the rest of the community at some level in this summit? I've seen: 1) Webcast (informational only) 2) Live webchat sessions 3) Surveys (could be during the summit and after) 4) Player elected parliament to be established (this would be after the summit, of course) What other things could they do to involve the individuals of the community in this summit?

I have to disagree with your last statement. The goals might be the same, but the methods of achieving them are different. A survey allows for you to provide feedback at length about a variety of topics. It's a very useful tool and one that should be utilized often. The questions are static and a survey typically does not allow for generation of new ideas on a spur of the moment basis. Survey responses are analyzed, categorized and sometimes a very clinical response to the surveys results can then be obtained. What it does not do is create a discussion. A discussion is back and forth communication. An exchange of information at a dynamic pace. It allows for greater creativity. It allows for John Que to say, 'wait a minute, we might be able to do that,' or for John Que to explain in depth and visually perhaps why something cannot be done, or any number of possibilities. Both are useful, both should be utilized to the fullest, but imho, discussion trumps survey in any situation.

I think it's a great idea and look forward to hearing how it went! Contrary to some of the opinions here, it makes sense for them to hold it AFTER the game is live. Our guild has been gaming together almost 10 years, and this guild for this game was up and running almost two years prior to launch. I have pages of 'members' who SWORE they were going to play, but have gone MIA, prior even to the open betas. The best way to receive valuable feedback from a segment of your consumer base is to identify and interact with your consumer base who is actually consuming your item. Yes, yes, I know you are the most avid star wars fan ever and had forums built the day they announced the game. So did many others. There is no way to accurately gauge your true player base and meet with them to discuss anything, until there IS a true player base. It also makes sense to choose 'representatives', and the best representatives for the masses are the guild leaders. If you disagree, explain how you would choose 'representatives' from millions of people? Who can provide not only 'individual' feedback, but 'collective' feedback from more than one viewpoint? If you're saying a lottery system accomplishes this, I fail to see the logic. Individuals would provide feedback from one viewpoint, theirs. Guild leaders have collective viewpoints, have heard various complaints and ideas from more than one person and can provide much more in terms of quality than an individual member. The only part of this that makes me say, 'that sucks' is the lack of compensation. BW should cover the costs.

Yes, a normal sit animation would be fantastic! And chat bubbles.

I have no info to add, but I think it's a fantastic thread. Great job.

Great thread. I agree with almost every point listed. It's as if they said 'well, games have crafting, let's add crafting!' But the system as it stands is pointless. I'm a 400 Synthweaver and I have to beat my guild members over the head to take any armor. There is no need for my profession at the moment. Raid gear, pvp gear, and commendation gear make my services unneeded. Let's hope whoever is in charge of crafting pays attention to the thread.