It's Been Over a Year Now and It Feels Like This Game Still Lacks Direction

[darthmazley]

A non-gamer is someone that plays games because it's the current trend or fad. That is what "gaming" is like today. This form of entertainment has become mainstreamed and "acceptable". There was a time when gaming was not acceptable and one was looked down upon for gaming. The upside of the mainstreamining is that gamers are nolonger ostracized; the down side is that games have become too easy for gamers. Games have been dumbed down to the common demoninator. So non-gamers are fad players because "gaming is the current in thing". After the lot of these type of "gamers" leaves hopefully games will improve again. Most people are lazy imnsho, they will seek the easy path. If presented with a challenge they will complain because "it's too hard" instead of trying to figure a way around the challenge. We are seeing this reflected in how trivial games are today ( especially SWTOR ). If you are "good at SWTOR" that doesn't mean you are "good at gaming". You are just good a SWTOR, a game with is trivial by comparison to many of it's competitors.

 

Comparison to their competitors??? They r freaking easy. WoW was never really that hard once u got the mechanics down. Rift wasn't hard or hell any mmo that rips off EQ for that matter. Mmo stop being hard awhile ago its the nature of the beast. Sry that games are to "easy" for u

[translucentwolf]

Reported. Stalking in the forums is against the rules. Purposely going into other threads just in an attempt to engage in a flame war. Again, enjoy your ban.

 

Not stalking. Just replying to recent threads, my man.

 

But you go ahead and report / quote me as often as you like. I prefer fame to flame.

[Koyaanisqat]

A non-gamer is someone that plays games because it's the current trend or fad.

 

You're really self-absorbed, y'know that?

 

Games are mainstream. Everyone plays video games.

 

This isn't the 80s. Get over it. Your hobby isn't a lifestyle.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Koyaanisqat

[translucentwolf]

You're really self-absorbed, y'know that?

 

Games are mainstream. Everyone plays video games.

 

This isn't the 80s. Get over it. Your hobby isn't a lifestyle.

 

Untrue

December 18th 2011 was the day when my life changed. That is when I was granted early access to the community and ever evolving world that would change my life forever. I began my Star Wars saga and have loved every last second of it.

 

For over a year now my friends and family have been taking shots at me. They have been telling me I am obsessed with this "game". They have said it is ruining my life and the life of my family. I have apologized numerous times but that is coming to an end right now! I am done apologizing for what I love. A person wants what they want and all I want to do is play this game. Star Wars: The Old Republic makes me happy and isn't that what life is all about? For some people, family makes them happy. For other people, it's money. For me, it's Star Wars and I will apologize no more.

 

I have left my wife and daughter and moved in to my own place where I can play without interuption and guilt. This may sound extreme, but I ask you again. Isn't life about doing what makes you happy?

 

Anyways, I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been meeting all of you. My new family. I look forward to many years together as we embark on our epic Star Wars saga's. May the force be with you all.

 

Sorry. Couldn't resist

Edited March 8, 2013 by translucentwolf

[Rafaman]

Heh. Is this thread about Urale or the state of the game?

 

Look. I've been around a looong time too. No beta for me as I didn't want to spoil the launch but... you know the drill, been here since launch etc.etc. And the fact is players come and go and sometimes come back again for various reasons. That is the state of MMOs today.

 

Does this game still lack direction? Hmm... well, I think this game has more direction now than it did last April/May. Remember that? EA has fully taken over the reigns; there were layoffs; there were serious questions about the future of the game literally as a new management team was running the show and the founders of BW were on the way out. The vision and intent of what this game would be in the long run was changing. And all of the purported updates and content delivery had come to a complete stop. So... relative to those days, this game certainly doesn't not lack direction. You may not like the direction but this game has it in spades now.

 

As for the rest? Urael et al, look I get it. You are done. You have your reasons which you have stated quite clearly in my view. But really, to throw out the "no real gamer" card is not worthy of your usual arguments. I don't agree with everything you say. In fact I rarely do tbh, but there has been logic to your madness. But now... it seems bitterness is clouding your judgement. The fact that I don't believe this game is a PoS doesn't make me any less of gamer. Defending it doesn't either. I will agree to disagree with you. I guess you need to decided if these forums are of any relevance to you now.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Rafaman

[DarthTHC]

-snip-

As for the rest? Urael et al, look I get it. You are done. You have your reasons which you have stated quite clearly in my view. But really, to throw out the "no real gamer" card is not worthy of your usual arguments. I don't agree with everything you say. In fact I rarely do tbh, but there has been logic to your madness. But now... it seems bitterness is clouding your judgement. The fact that I don't believe this game is a PoS doesn't make me any less of gamer. Defending it doesn't either. I will agree to disagree with you. I guess you need to decided if these forums are of any relevance to you now.

 

As I said in guild chat recently, this game is a work of utter brilliance with a handful of "WHAT THE F### WERE THEY THINKING WITH THAT?!?!?" thrown in for good measure.

 

Eventually, after you get enough of those "wt?" moments, you're done.

[Urael]

As for the rest? Urael et al, look I get it. You are done. You have your reasons which you have stated quite clearly in my view. But really, to throw out the "no real gamer" card is not worthy of your usual arguments. I don't agree with everything you say. In fact I rarely do tbh, but there has been logic to your madness. But now... it seems bitterness is clouding your judgement. The fact that I don't believe this game is a PoS doesn't make me any less of gamer. Defending it doesn't either. I will agree to disagree with you. I guess you need to decided if these forums are of any relevance to you now.

 

As darthmazley stated everything has been easy since the advent of WoW. WoW opened the flood gates to mainstreaming MMORPGs as just another form of entertainment. WoW has been getting consistantly easier with each expansion. SWTOR is SO easy that there really is no learning curve. That is a bad thing as it means people don't have to work to aquire what they have in the form of skills (seriously anyone that thinks this game is hard really hasn't gamed before). At one time not everyone could play games, now everyone can. I get it from a profitability point of view. I do. This is a buisness. But, that's all it is now a days. It used to be a "hobby" too. Now MMORPGs ( and games in general ) are "just another form of entertainment" and there is nothing "special" about gaming any longer. It's something that "everyone does" ( or so some claim ) and the result is the dumbing down of gaming. I for one liked the "old games" where you had to actually learn to play them and research how to play and where things were. There was something fun ( for me at least ) about all the extra time in "not playing" to get ready to play. Maybe it's the old PnP gamer in me, but, I always found that part of "gaming" as fun as the actual playing of the game. There really isn't any of that now. This is why I maintain that there really are no "gamers" to day since everyone plays games they are no longer special and that is the way I see EA treating things.

[Joonbeams]

To the "real gamers" out there now complaining, I'm calling total B.S. You came into this game honestly thinking it was going to be something other than "mainstream"? Nope. Not buying it. If you actually thought that at any point, then I question your whole "real gamer" shtick to begin with. This game, was, is, and always will be "mainstream." Knock the game for failing to deliver on promises all you want, but don't knock it for being exactly what it always set out to be.

 

FYI, here is but one example pre-launch - http://www.swtor.com/info/news/press-release/20111220:

 

"Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder, BioWare and General Manager of the BioWare Label’s MMO Business Unit, added: “The addition of story and personal choice to the MMO genre is going to fundamentally change the way people perceive MMOs moving forward, especially when it is experienced at its fullest potential with high-quality writing and voice acting. We are extremely happy with where The Old Republic stands at launch and we can’t wait to grow the game with our community to make it even better in the future.”"

[Andryah]

This is why I maintain that there really are no "gamers" to day since everyone plays games they are no longer special.

 

A) Then you must include youself in your exile list of "no gamers".

 

B) You play WoW. And you claim it to be superior to this MMO and your current go-to MMO, yet you blame it for the state of the genre.

 

I'm going to agree with Rafaman, you seem to have devolved into a cloud of bitterness, which is not the Urael I have known over the last year. I'm disappointed, because I really expected you would exit with panache and class.

[Talon_strikes]

A) Then you must include youself in your exile list of "no gamers".

 

B) You play WoW. And you claim it to be superior to this MMO and your current go-to MMO, yet you blame it for the state of the genre.

 

I'm going to agree with Rafaman, you seem to have devolved into a cloud of bitterness, which is not the Urael I have known over the last year. I'm disappointed, because I really expected you would exit with panache and class.

I'm not surprised. He's disappointed. Who wouldn't be? I guess he just wants to leave by making some sort of mark! But in all seriousness, I kinda get where he's coming from. Sure he's going to WoW even though he's blaming it for the state the genre is currently in, but for him the grass is greener over there.

 

Also, take note that Urael defended the game zealously pre-1.4. Just disappointing because it's all EAWare's fault for trying to make a quick profit with the game, I believe. EAWare is losing a player who used to be extremely dedicated to this game. It's their fault. Not his.

Edited March 8, 2013 by HomicidalWhales

[Koyaanisqat]

As darthmazley stated everything has been easy since the advent of WoW. WoW opened the flood gates to mainstreaming MMORPGs as just another form of entertainment. WoW has been getting consistantly easier with each expansion. SWTOR is SO easy that there really is no learning curve. That is a bad thing as it means people don't have to work to aquire what they have in the form of skills (seriously anyone that thinks this game is hard really hasn't gamed before). At one time not everyone could play games, now everyone can. I get it from a profitability point of view. I do. This is a buisness. But, that's all it is now a days. It used to be a "hobby" too. Now MMORPGs ( and games in general ) are "just another form of entertainment" and there is nothing "special" about gaming any longer. It's something that "everyone does" ( or so some claim ) and the result is the dumbing down of gaming. I for one liked the "old games" where you had to actually learn to play them and research how to play and where things were. There was something fun ( for me at least ) about all the extra time in "not playing" to get ready to play. Maybe it's the old PnP gamer in me, but, I always found that part of "gaming" as fun as the actual playing of the game. There really isn't any of that now. This is why I maintain that there really are no "gamers" to day since everyone plays games they are no longer special and that is the way I see EA treating things.

 

[Urael]

A) Then you must include youself in your exile list of "no gamers"

 

I do. "Class of Nerds" that were gamers no longer really exists with mainstreamining.

 

B) You play WoW. And you claim it to be superior to this MMO and your current go-to MMO, yet you blame it for the state of the genre.

 

Oh, I assure you I suck at WoW. I stand in the fire and go afk during raids and in battle grounds and pretty much do nothing but fish all day and dink beer.

 

I'm going to agree with Rafaman, you seem to have devolved into a cloud of bitterness, which is not the Urael I have known over the last year. I'm disappointed, because I really expected you would exit with panache and class.

 

Bitter? Cynical and Jaded more likely. Hurt? Maybe. I feel like Obi-wan on Mustafar screaming at Anakin. I wanted this to be my last MMORPG. Foolish, most definately. I was fooled by $oE and now EA. That doesn't leave many places left to go to. Blizzard irks me to no end but, they have never ever jerked me around compaired to $oE and EA.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Urael

[Urael]

I'm not surprised. He's disappointed. Who wouldn't be? I guess he just wants to leave by making some sort of mark! But in all seriousness, I kinda get where he's coming from. Sure he's going to WoW even though he's blaming it for the state the genre is currently in, but for him the grass is greener over there.

 

I am going back to WoW because that is where all my friends, family, co-workers, long time gamer friends and many that I knew from here that went back to WoW, currently reside. I will try The Repopulation when it comes out and definately when the Pre-CU SWG project is finished I will go back there.

 

Also, take note that Urael defended the game zealously pre-1.4. Just disappointing because it's all EAWare's fault for trying to make a quick profit with the game, I believe. EAWare is losing a player who used to be extremely dedicated to this game. It's their fault. Not his.

 

Thank you for this comment.

[translucentwolf]

I will try The Repopulation when it comes out and definately when the Pre-CU SWG project is finished I will go back there.

 

For the love of Padme, go now. Just go. You don't want to be here. We don't want you here. Hang it up.

[Talon_strikes]

For the love of Padme, go now. Just go. You don't want to be here. We don't want you here. Hang it up.

I believe he has the right to use up the rest of the sub days he has. It therefore, makes him entitled to post here until otherwise.

[Gaff]

The reason I never play PvE in MMOs is because of everyone beating up on one big boss (or some times even an average sized, humanoid boss..). It doesn't feel very heroic, or fun. It's a constant reminder to me insignifigance to the game world. That's not good!

 

Now that may work for fantasy titles where you're fighting big monsters and such and that is fine. I could see it being viable story to need so many people to take down some of those big baddies, like a dragon (though I still reside on the player = heroic side of things). In Star Wars however.. that just doesn't do! I was really hoping for the hero vs many approach instead of the many heroes vs one and it didn't happen. That was a blatant lie as seen in the above video and it probably disappoints me more than anything else they've said and not lived up to. Of course it probably would have taken more innovation than they were willing to spend time on to make a hero vs many approach interesting and challenging.. and a different combat mechanic than the traditional one.

[CosmicKat]

For the love of Padme, go now. Just go. You don't want to be here. We don't want you here. Hang it up.

 

Says you. I like the Big U. He's funny and often correct. Except about WoW. Maybe he hit his head at some point?

 

Here's the point form version of why people like Urael leaving is bad...

 

- Developers ignored the input/wants/requests of the veteran MMO players to lure the mainstream.

- The mainstream gamers never showed up, perhaps because they don't exist.

- The veteran MMO players did show up.

- The veteran MMO players continued to offer input/wants/requests, these have been almost entirely ignored.

- The veteran MMO players are giving up waiting/hoping that the reality of the situation (that the mainstream has no interest in any MMO, but gamers do) sinks into the brains of developers.

- More lost revenue.

- More focus on CM crap to replace said lost revenue.

- Every subscriber leaving this game is shortening the amount of time this game will exist.

 

Oh... and also...

 

With every Urael we lose from these boards, Andryah will have one less person to attack with Bizzarro-world logic... You might be next! You try to sleep at night trying to decipher how someone can spin losing 75% of subscribers in 3 months as both a good thing and normal! How losing 90% of servers is good thing! How giving away the game is both good and part of the plan all along!... It's madness I tell you.... Madness!

[Arkerus]

Another armchair developer, who knows nothing about project management or project leadership, posts how he thinks the game lacks direction.

 

We've had steady updates for the last 6 months. Direction is right on track. I don't care if its not YOUR direction. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to play.

 

Too many people in this forum confuse "direction" with what "they want" in an MMO.

[Andryah]

We've had steady updates for the last 6 months. Direction is right on track. I don't care if its not YOUR direction. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to play.

 

/Agree.

 

Too many people in this forum confuse "direction" with what "they want" in an MMO.

 

/Agree.

 

It does always puzzle me that people operate with such a narrow perspective. In the end, a big part of playing an MMO is trusting the developer team to assimilate/assess feedback (from a wide range of channels) and then decide what steps and directions to take their MMO to appeal to the broadest set of player tastes/desires. No MMO can be everything to eveyone. As players, we play within the developer's MMO universe, not vice versa. If you are not enjoying yourself... that's fine.... find what you do enjoy and go enjoy it.

 

Personally, I don't expect MMOs to conform to my personal desires. It's unrealistic. I take them as they are offered. I currently play three different MMOs, in whatever rotation pleases my mood of the moment. This one gets the lion's share of my time and has for months now... because I enjoy it and I am pleased with both the direction and progress of the game.

Edited March 9, 2013 by Andryah

[DarthOvertone]

They lost me. CE owner, 1st day of early access, and Star Wars Fan since 1977. This game is a PoS period. Lack luster and unchallenging. So broken in so many ways ( as I have detailed elsewhere ). It "had so much potential" but, it was rushed to market by a greedy holding company that is only concerned with short term profits. Sure it will continue to get the casuals and "non-gamers" of today that pose as gamers but, anyone worth their salt will stay away from SWTOR and play a game that is more challenging, less bug ridden, and has a company that actually cares about their product enough to put out a quality product and not just something to suck in the newbs and posers and fleece them of their cash.

 

This sounds like the butthurt rant of a scorned lover. hehe

 

Best of luck to you dude, but I guarantee that you will be back. It's not even like you are really leaving, you will just be "Preferred". In fact, I don't truly believe you are taking off unless you give me your stuff.

 

Either way, I hope you have fun doing whatever you end up doing. It's too bad you let BW get under your skin.

 

 

Hehe, yeah, Urael was a hardcore fanboy. Now he's gone.

 

But he's not gone. He will just be "Preferred." I guarantee you he will login again and jump on his toons. I know because I've tried to ragequit this game myself and just keep coming back.

 

SWTOR may not be great, but the majority of other MMOs out there are garbage too, have just as many bugs, don't listen to their community either, and aren't Sci-Fi. About the only game I play regularly that I keep going back to is BF3, and that's not an MMO. GW2 sux, LOTRO sux, WoW sux, Planetside 2 sux, AoC sux, WH sux, Aion sux. Trust me, I've tried most of them.

 

About the only MMO still worth a d*mn is Rift, but that's not Sci-Fi.

[xorcist]

About the only MMO still worth a d*mn is Rift, but that's not Sci-Fi.

 

Correction.

Its worth something to you.

I played it, and got really really tired of it quick. No sir, I don't like it. To me, it belongs in a place along with some other MMO titles right along side of a steaming cow pie. To me, the only thing this MMO has going for it is Lightsabers. Notice I didn't say Star Wars. Because that feeling in this game is barely even noticeable to me. Makes me wonder sometimes why they approve certain elements for release if it doesn't look, feel or sound like anything you would find in a Star Wars universe.

Edited March 9, 2013 by xorcist

[Kubernetic]

Not sure. Didn't really occur to me. I mean, EAWare still has a lot more things to deliver other than some random planet that they really haven't been releasing lots of info on. I would have pre-ordered it, but couldn't during the time.

 

And saying they've taken a "minor detour" is an understatement.

 

Think about it for a moment, though. Why release a planet that fans are clamoring for, only to open up the forums to rage and strife over how this tree wasn't in the right place, or this tree wasn't even supposed to be on Dagobah, or this animal belongs on Dantooine, not this planet, etc.

 

By creating a new property, they avoid all that. I fully understand why they made Makeb instead of another planet. And I'm excited to see this environment they've built.

 

And I think if you examine all of the assets that had to be created, the storylines, the voiceovers and production, I think I can safely say this was well in progress at least in writing and planning/sketching phases by the time the game launched, or at least a few short months after.

 

I don't understand how people think they can just whip this stuff up in a week or two, especially in the midst of all of the rush to fix certain elements last year, along with the entire F2P conversion. I understand some of you think you've been slighted by BioWare before, but you really seem to be completely off base by this point.

Edited March 9, 2013 by Kubernetic

[Rafaman]

With every Urael we lose from these boards, Andryah will have one less person to attack with Bizzarro-world logic... You might be next! You try to sleep at night trying to decipher how someone can spin losing 75% of subscribers in 3 months as both a good thing and normal! How losing 90% of servers is good thing! How giving away the game is both good and part of the plan all along!... It's madness I tell you.... Madness!

 

You need get over your obsession with Andryah. You bring the name up a lot. He/She is not the only one you know. We the "mad" come in many versions and guises much to your chagrin I suppose. But we aren't infecting people with the Rakghoul plague.

 

Nevertheless, festering bitterness serves no one. Being critical is one thing. Calling the game a PoS and those who do happen to enjoy it not real gamers is another. Mind you, I don't find it particularly insulting but it certainly isn't constructive. So... if you aren't happy you should leave. No biggie. See you at the next launch of that mythical MMO that is going to change the world of gaming forever.

[Andryah]

I don't understand how people think they can just whip this stuff up in a week or two, especially in the midst of all of the rush to fix certain elements last year, along with the entire F2P conversion. I understand some of you think you've been slighted by BioWare before, but you really seem to be completely off base by this point.

 

I blame the folks running the handful of huge world wide fast food companies. They have conditioned the populace to have things "nao" (as in... it was already pre-cooked and waiting for you to order before you realized you were even hungry) and to have things "your way" even though you really only have the option of pickle or no_pickle.

 

Now for a little prophecy: I predict that once MakeB goes live... the forums will be awash with people complaining that it's "too big!!!.... we need faster speeders NAO!!"

Edited March 9, 2013 by Andryah

[Arkerus]

I blame the folks running the handful of huge world wide fast food companies. They have conditioned the populace to have things "nao" (as in... it was already pre-cooked and waiting for you to order before you realized you were even hungry) and to have things "your way" even though you really only have the option of pickle or no_pickle.

 

Now for a little prophecy: I predict that once MakeB goes live... the forums will be awash with people complaining that it's "too big!!!.... we need faster speeders NAO!!"

 

Once Makeb goes live the same people will be complaining because its not the exact formula they are used to. Something will be different and they will complain. Prepare yourself for the onslaught of armchair developers.

Edited March 9, 2013 by Arkerus