The Death of the Class Story - Chapter 4: Rise of the Hutt Cartel

[Orlesian]

This makes me really sad and not wanting to spend as much time as I do now. Guess I will only pick a few favorites and stick with them...

[CelCawdro]

Translation: We are abandoning Personal Class Stories (they don't make enough money and we can't find a way to sell them in the CM Store).

 

Best part of SWTOR was those personal stories. Since other MMORPGs are adopting VO, personal stories were the only thing that made SWTOR "different".

 

Not to mention that a lot of these "personal villains" are a lot more dangerous (and relevant) than the Hutts. It will be a real diminishing of authority for a few of the characters, too. My only hope, and again, probably baseless, is that each of the classes at the very least receives a narrative framework instead of simply picking up Chapter 4 at a mission box.

[Urael]

Not to mention that a lot of these "personal villains" are a lot more dangerous (and relevant) than the Hutts. It will be a real diminishing of authority for a few of the characters, too. My only hope, and again, probably baseless, is that each of the classes at the very least receives a narrative framework instead of simply picking up Chapter 4 at a mission box.

 

Meh one can hope given some of the writters are still here (like Hall Hood). I still question this direction given BW (prior to the Dr.s leaving) always maintained that they had much of the stories already written beyond chapter 3. If this is true why not just develop these stories? BW also maintained that much of the VO for those "future chapters" was done ahead of time so it wouldn't be so much a matter of "assembling the team" again as someone above described. Again what gives? If the stories are written and have already been voiced, why not? I know I am synical but, I really do think it has to do with no CM Store value. The new creedo for SWTOR (more and more) is "If it can't be sold in the CM Store, it's not worth developing."

[CelCawdro]

Meh one can hope given some of the writters are still here (like Hall Hood). I still question this direction given BW (prior to the Dr.s leaving) always maintained that they had much of the stories already written beyond chapter 3. If this is true why not just develop these stories? BW also maintained that much of the VO for those "future chapters" was done ahead of time so it wouldn't be so much a matter of "assembling the team" again as someone above described. Again what gives? If the stories are written and have already been voiced, why not? I know I am synical but, I really do think it has to do with no CM Store value. The new creedo for SWTOR (more and more) is "If it can't be sold in the CM Store, it's not worth developing."

 

That's the only reasonable supposition at this time. New stories would not have appeal for everyone, and they do not have repeated value for the people that they do appeal to. Mix that in with the obvious cost, and the result in BioWare abandonning the one feature that made it truly unique - the very thing that a lot of players kept playing for through all these exoduses (exodi?) and overhauls.

Edited March 25, 2013 by CelCawdro

[Costello]

You really have to question Bioware and who are making the decisions over there.

 

Whenever people are asked what do they like about TOR class Story and that this is Star Wars are two of the most popular answers. So in recent updates we have moved into a Tron style world and now they are sc****** the Class story. Do they hate the player base that much that whatever the players say they like they go in the opposite direction.

 

Secondly the devs have gone on about replaying the game and seeing the other class stories. Its been their idea of replay value of the MMO. So come the Hutt Cartel and the new level cap they remove this replayability from the game, they offer maybe an Imperial and a Republic story and that's it. That's if they are that different, good chance it will be this same boss the same Hutts with stories that overlap so much its going to get dull fast on the second play through.

 

Not to mention the class story ended often with many answers, such as the fate of significant players, what the hell the Agent is ment to be doing now and what do you do now you are on the council. While I hate to be melodramatic but this looks like the end of TOR, maybe its been on life support for a while but with the move from Class story to generic planet story (many of which people are happy to skip hence the levelling frenzy during double xp weekends) pretty much puts the boot in. So far we have seen no consequences to our actions in so far as the game goes, the talk of having choices having meaning in ROTH is foolish given the story is not personal to the player and nothing will change on the planet no matter what choices I make. From the looks of things the fourth pillar is all but crumbling and TOR becomes a generic MMO with very little to add. Companions have become mute pets and the combat and abilities despite the hype are more button mashing than dynamic lightsaber duels.

[Hizoka]

keep in mind there is no more Bioware... that is noting but a name EA puts on things. THe guys who made Bioware and worked for Bioware when they were the best RPG game company are gone.

 

This game is now controled by EA and "Bioware" is gone. EA has always wanted a wow clone and dreamed of it making the moeny wow does... However WoW clones will not make moeny if people want wow they will play wow. You MUST do something different to make money. The issue with EA is they make games to make money, they don't make a great game that makes tons of money because its great.

 

the big wigs at EA just don't understand that great games make money... they just throw out shot hoping to make money... that is why there is a new madden every year and nothing has changed with them since the 90s.

[Urael]

keep in mind there is no more Bioware... that is noting but a name EA puts on things. THe guys who made Bioware and worked for Bioware when they were the best RPG game company are gone.

 

This game is now controled by EA and "Bioware" is gone. EA has always wanted a wow clone and dreamed of it making the moeny wow does... However WoW clones will not make moeny if people want wow they will play wow. You MUST do something different to make money. The issue with EA is they make games to make money, they don't make a great game that makes tons of money because its great.

 

the big wigs at EA just don't understand that great games make money... they just throw out shot hoping to make money... that is why there is a new madden every year and nothing has changed with them since the 90s.

 

I read on these forums somewhere that F2P + Store is much akin to "reality TV". Since "the masses" eat it up and it's less expensive to produce than normal Television programs, reality programs actually make more money. I guess that same mentality is extended to the "content" ( and yes EA views EVERYTHING in the CM Store as content) in the CM Store.

[Stryklone]

A year ago the answer to "What to do at endgame?" was "Roll an alt. We have 8 different stories." Now 8 is 2.

The company does seem intent on rubbing out all strokes of uniqueness.

[CelCawdro]

A year ago the answer to "What to do at endgame?" was "Roll an alt. We have 8 different stories." Now 8 is 2.

The company does seem intent on rubbing out all strokes of uniqueness.

 

Precisely. I play SW:TOR for the few things that differentiate it from the norm of the genre, not for the ways in which it clings to the status quo. Sadly, EA is fine with a conveyer belt of customers coming in and out, as long as they drop a few bucks on the Cartel Market. Player retention be damned, let alone throwing a bone to those customers that stuck with SW:TOR during the content drought and transition time.

[Stryklone]

Precisely. I play SW:TOR for the few things that differentiate it from the norm ...

 

It is EA's right to steer the game in any direction they wish but this direction doesn't fit what's enjoyable for me. In a few months I'll be escorting a new player through the class story and then - with no bad wishes to anyone - we'll both bow out at 50.

[CelCawdro]

It is EA's right to steer the game in any direction they wish but this direction doesn't fit what's enjoyable for me. In a few months I'll be escorting a new player through the class story and then - with no bad wishes to anyone - we'll both bow out at 50.

 

Exactly. It's an enjoyable game, don't get me wrong. It's just disheartening that the most enjoyable and unique content was available at launch and has never, and will never, be expanded upon.

Edited March 25, 2013 by CelCawdro

[Hakkology]

I believe this was the direction they should have started with. Game would be a lot cheaper. I'd make 4 stories, 1 for knight+consular, 1 for trooper+smuggler, 1 for warrior+inquisitor, 1 for bounty hunter and agent. Same story, different motivation with different lines.

 

I would be fine doing the same story with all the other class quests as long as i get my own lines playing my own class, saying what i want. As long as i got to participate in the story with my own character, i considered that a win.

 

Perfect decision, and i hope to see more of it.

[turjake]

Oh great, I can just subscribe to 30 days every significant expansion and play all the content I want to play in this game. Then I can take my money to some more interesting game (non EA) for the rest of the year. Thank you EA, you have saved my time a lot.

[maxetius]

Oh great, I can just subscribe to 30 days every significant expansion and play all the content I want to play in this game. Then I can take my money to some more interesting game (non EA) for the rest of the year. Thank you EA, you have saved my time a lot.

 

 

This. Thanks EA! Seriously you guys saved me money. I'll take my Knight through Makeb content and then unsub until the next big content update/expansion.

 

Cheers!

 

 

Oh and to the guy that said 'with F2P they're making money and can one day continue the class stories' EA does not and has never reinvested profits into a game. I'm sorry.

[BenjaminminU]

Pushing story as a selling point of the game and then not continuing it is stupid, I'm only interested in the personal stories of my characters. What is the point if they fail to commit to their promise to continue these stories? I'm not interested in a general planetary story for each faction as it doesn't show any progression of the character...

[CelCawdro]

Pushing story as a selling point of the game and then not continuing it is stupid, I'm only interested in the personal stories of my characters. What is the point if they fail to commit to their promise to continue these stories? I'm not interested in a general planetary story for each faction as it doesn't show any progression of the character...

 

Exactly.

 

I'm not saying that Makeb won't have a good story. It just might be the best story content in the game, structurally. But without that personal focus, the draw is greatly diminished. Personally, I can't stand the Hutts. And without spoiling, there are adversaries in a few stories that are more menacing and more powerful that are still out there to be dealt with. It seems extremely out of character for some classes to ignore these threats to instead focus on a generalized, and less personally significant, one.

Edited March 25, 2013 by CelCawdro

[Vorok]

Personally, I hope this is more an interlude. You always get bad chapters in books that are there to set the scene for the rest of the book a filler if you will. Now i know EA and the biggest Money Grabbing, Fun Snubbing Company in existence. Now I don't really follow what the dev's say because half the time they give you roundabout answers never a straight one. So all I hope is that Makeb and ROTH is a Builder for whats to come. Maybe even establish The Hutt Cartel as a major player in the war which then sparks off the Story arc's of each Faction into its on story line again. Or maybe EA have decided Screw Everyone Take money and Get out. But im holding onto hope that maybe someone in EAware has a heart to speak up and say why don't we try class story's again because look at all the people we had when it was there and now look.

But either Way, Buy it play it and wait. All you can do is hope and pray.

[saremun]

hmmm what do you really want to be after becoming a Darth/Master? i don't think there is a way to extend it even more tbh, would be cool though.

[CelCawdro]

Personally, I hope this is more an interlude. You always get bad chapters in books that are there to set the scene for the rest of the book a filler if you will. Now i know EA and the biggest Money Grabbing, Fun Snubbing Company in existence. Now I don't really follow what the dev's say because half the time they give you roundabout answers never a straight one. So all I hope is that Makeb and ROTH is a Builder for whats to come. Maybe even establish The Hutt Cartel as a major player in the war which then sparks off the Story arc's of each Faction into its on story line again. Or maybe EA have decided Screw Everyone Take money and Get out. But im holding onto hope that maybe someone in EAware has a heart to speak up and say why don't we try class story's again because look at all the people we had when it was there and now look.

But either Way, Buy it play it and wait. All you can do is hope and pray.

 

They were quite clear with their intent, going forward.

•Where does the development team stand with regards to individual class stories? Are these still a priority for upcoming content?

 

Great question. The way you choose to overcome your own personal villains is a crucial part of what defines your character, and once you’ve gotten closure on your personal story, you’re ready to be a key player in the larger conflicts that threaten the Empire and the Republic. Moving forward, we’re focusing on those stories – conflicts that decide the fate of the entire Galaxy and demand the attention of other living legends like yourself. You can still put your personal touch on these stories, and you’ll develop relationships just like before, but now the stakes are higher, and the experience can be shared with your friends.

Not a lot of room for interpretation. Class stories, as we know them, are gone. Generalized content is the only thing in the cards.

[Andryah]

I'm not saying that Makeb won't have a good story. It just might be the best story content in the game, structurally. But without that personal focus, the draw is greatly diminished.

 

Perhaps for some players.

 

Personally, I don't care, as long as the story arcs are well done, make sense and integrate to the end of the class story arcs. We got 50 levels of class specific story arc... at which point our characters are all grown up and so it kind of makes sense that the class stories converge at the first expansion and level cap increase.

 

I'm fine with it. I don't need a Harry Potter style story franchise.

Edited March 25, 2013 by Andryah

[CelCawdro]

hmmm what do you really want to be after becoming a Darth/Master? i don't think there is a way to extend it even more tbh, would be cool though.

 

Considering that, before the good doctors left and before the game went free-to-play, the developers expressed every intent to move forward with separate class stories (even going as far to say that the stories are plotted out a couple chapters in advance of implementation, there was quite a bit to go forward with. Obi-wan's story did not end when he became a Master, the original trilogy exists even though Anakin became a Darth, we see what happens to Han even after he leaves the Imperial military. The classes we were given provide even stronger motivations to continue, I would argue. The Warrior are Knight, especially. Then again, others were a bit too open-ended, like the Smuggler and Agent stories.

[Vorok]

They were quite clear with their intent, going forward.Not a lot of room for interpretation. Class stories, as we know them, are gone. Generalized content is the only thing in the cards.[/color][/Q]

 

I understand that but again what dev's say and do are SOMETIMES not always the same maybe they will build the story's again but most likely not as those 'Golden Days' are over. Lets be honest with the amount of money they pumped into it and the state of the game on release it was always going to be a hit or miss. If it did well and the game was actually in a state where it didn't seem rushed in part or some parts were paced well and then just came to nothing. I think the problem was they built the game around the story not the story around the game. I mean Spoiler for Sith Warrior.

 

The part with Quinn and you don't kill him was of course ment to have the choice to kill him but they choose not to have it in the game but the story of course would have had the choice to kill him

 

[CelCawdro]

Perhaps for some players.

 

Personally, I don't care, as long as the story arcs are well done, make sense and integrate to the end of the class story arcs. We got 50 levels of class specific story arc... at which point our characters are all grown up and so it kind of makes sense that the class stories converge at the first expansion and level cap increase.

 

I'm fine with it. I don't need a Harry Potter style story franchise.

 

Interesting stance for you to take, granted that you once called this very outcome "doom and gloom."

It's pointless to speculate based on incomplete information. It serves no purpose other then to get people worked up on rumor and speculation. If that is your goal.. then please proceed onward.

 

Personally, I take a wait and see on MMO content. When/if an MMO takes content in a direction I do not like, at that time I will evaluate and make a personal decision if I want to continue playing. I really do not need you spoon feeding me doom and gloom speculations.

[Lyriel]

Not a lot of room for interpretation. Class stories, as we know them, are gone. Generalized content is the only thing in the cards.

 

I haz a sad . For me, the personalized feeling was exactly what set this (and other Bioware games) apart. While I hope you're wrong and that they will revisit this decision, I also don't see much wiggle room in that answer.

[CelCawdro]

I haz a sad . For me, the personalized feeling was exactly what set this (and other Bioware games) apart. While I hope you're wrong and that they will revisit this decision, I also don't see much wiggle room in that answer.

 

At the very least, I'll hold out a small hope for class story bookends. For example,

the Emperor's Wrath should have a briefing with the Emperor's Hands, explaining why a mission to stop the Hutts would be relevant to the goals of the Emperor himself.

Edited March 25, 2013 by CelCawdro