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

[kevlarto]

I agree, I too think RotHC was well underway long before launch...which makes me wonder - how many programmers do they actually have working on "projects"? I'd really like to know how many "teams" they have - Events, PvP, Ops, FPs, Daily's, Space (...), SSP. Do they share the same art department? Does the Cartel Market take time away from the art department or is there a separate CM team?

 

As far as direction, I don't know how you can claim it's still the same?! We started off with story story story...that's certainly not the direction the game has continued in, as we've gone over a year with no additional class story at all, nor will there be one in RotHC.

 

I love this game, but I tend to agree that there's a massive lack of direction, lack of focus and a lack of coordination amongst teams.

 

They sure give me the perception that the teams are not very large, let us not forget 2 rounds of layoff's and restucture, put a lot of projects either on the back burner or slowed them way down, I feel the lack of direction, it's like they are grabbing a straws to see where the money is, and if they had kept the game growing and improving at a steady pace, the money would have been here for them.

[Eldriq]

Another QQ thread with a dash of you all suck added. Gotta love it when someone says if you don't like what I like then you all are just less than me. LOL. Good riddance while you are gone I would hope you look for your common decency

 

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[Talon_strikes]

Another QQ thread with a dash of you all suck added. Gotta love it when someone says if you don't like what I like then you all are just less than me. LOL. Good riddance while you are gone I would hope you look for your common decency

 

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Something tells me you can't read.

 

My suggestion for you is to go back to the OP and reread it. Please.

Edited March 9, 2013 by HomicidalWhales

[Talon_strikes]

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.

I'm not sure if I can look at Makeb with the expectations you have for it. For me, it's more and improved PvP. A lot of my buddies and I are waiting to see how Makeb will change PvP in any way (if it happens to). Except, I can understand what you said about them choosing Makeb over another existing planet; such as Kashyyyk.

 

As for the expectation of content being released, they don't have to release it every 2 to 4 weeks. That's a completely unrealistic time frame to give patches to be released. My only quarrel is with the game right now is that it lacks direction. Sure, the FTP conversion happened and so did the 2 rounds of layoffs and so did the rush of previous patches to fix things, but it's disappointing to see that the "FTP hype stage" has run its course and they really haven't been doing much PvE- or PvP-wise. The latest event was nothing but again, lackluster and like a Section X 2.0. Not bother trying to clear for me, since I PvP and I don't do dailies—especially for items that are really worthless. Makeb is coming soon, but I'm still worried because I have a feeling of it being cleared pretty quickly. Many of the planets we do have are very linear and aren't very amazing to explore. Same thing might happen with Makeb.

[Urael]

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!

 

Meh ... I think I need a hit of salmon to hold me over. As far as the WoW thing, if most of whom you know is playing that game then it becomes a "home" of sorts. WoW has it's problems but it is a "holding point" or a "home" while "the game" realizes itself. Meh .. if $oE didn't burn me so bad with SWG I may have gone back to EQ1.

 

Thanks for thinking I am funny. Go easy on Andryah. While we never totally agreed s/he is always fun to debate with ( unlike some others who shall go nameless but have exhibetted their lack of style in this thread and others ).

 

Game aside, I will miss you and all who I have debated with on these forums.

 

Do I want SWTOR to fail? No. I do not. I want EA to freaking wake up and grow a heart. I don't want to see SWTOR end up like all the other EA MMORPGs ( Ao, AoC, TSW, WAR, etc ... maintenance mode ). I love Star Wars. As I said, I wanted this to be my "last MMORPG". Yeah, I said I quit forever, emotional .. agreed. Will I return? Who knows. I can assure you that it will not be this year. I will monitor the game of course because there are those here that I care about, but, I will no longer champion the cause of SWTOR or EA and actively suggest that others avoid this game until it matures (if ever).

 

As HW said, I have some time left to play the general forums mini-games, so I am exercising my rights as a former subscriber to "run out the clock". I have a few days left, not much, mid week next week will be the end. Until then I will comment. I hope in some way that Eric and crew reads these posts and maybe even takes some of what was said here to heart . I hope that SWTOR improves, becomes a player in the MMRPG space and maybe even becomes a worthy rivial to the front runner. It is Star Wars. It is freaking Star Wars! That is why I wish I could stay but, I just can no longer handle the frustrations that go with the current incarnation of the game. If I want to deal with all the crap that comes with WoW, well I will just play WoW. Perhaps SWTOR will become it's own entity one day.

 

Stick with this game if you have the patience but, keep EA in check and honest and do NOT fall for all their short term profit crap. Make them make a game for the long term.

Edited March 9, 2013 by Urael

[Talon_strikes]

Meh ... I think I need a hit of salmon to hold me over. As far as the WoW thing, if most of whom you know is playing that game then it becomes a "home" of sorts. WoW has it's problems but it is a "holding point" or a "home" while "the game" realizes itself. Meh .. if $oE didn't burn me so bad with SWG I may have gone back to EQ1.

 

Thanks for thinking I am funny. Go easy on Andryah. While we never totally agreed s/he is always fun to debate with ( unlike some others who shall go nameless but have exhibetted their lack of style in this thread and others ).

 

Game aside, I will miss you and all who I have debated with on these forums.

 

Do I want SWTOR to fail? No. I do not. I want EA to freaking wake up and grow a heart. I don't want to see SWTOR end up like all the other EA MMORPGs ( Ao, AoC, TSW, WAR, etc ... maintenance mode ). I love Star Wars. As I said, I wanted this to be my "last MMORPG". Yeah, I said I quit forever, emotional .. agreed. Will I return? Who knows. I can assure you that it will not be this year. I will monitor the game of course because there are those here that I care about, but, I will no longer champion the cause of SWTOR or EA and actively suggest that others avoid this game until it matures (if ever).

 

As HW said, I have some time left to play the general forums mini-games, so I am exercising my rights as a former subscriber to "run out the clock". I have a few days left, not much, mid week next week will be the end. Until then I will comment. I hope in some way that Eric and crew reads these posts and maybe even takes some of what was said here to heart . I hope that SWTOR improves, becomes a player in the MMRPG space and maybe even becomes a worthy rivial to the front runner. It is Star Wars. It is freaking Star Wars! That is why I wish I could stay but, I just can no longer handle the frustrations that go with the current incarnation of the game. If I want to deal with all the crap that comes with WoW, well I will just play WoW. Perhaps SWTOR will become it's own entity one day.

 

Stick with this game if you have the patience but, keep EA in check and honest and do NOT fall for all their short term profit crap. Make them make a game for the long term.

A good way to end ties to this... "sinking ship"(?).

 

 

And if you say the game's stuck in maintenance mode, I couldn't agree less. Really, the only direction I see this game heading is milking players with the CM.

[Blackardin]

I was having a discussion about this with two of my buddies in-game. What the title says is what it feels like to me. I mean, sure FTP has definitely improved this game by a lot but there are still areas that are lackluster; that this game has missed the mark in some areas, and by a long shot in others. I'm really not sure how to structure this thread, but I'll try my best and see what constructive criticism I can put in.

 

 

This argument can be made regarding any MMO. This is what MMOs are.

 

If you attempt to play it as a single player, without a guild or group of friends, seeking only gear and credits, you will be disappointed in any MMO.

 

The joy in these games is doing all that you note.....with friends and guildmates. It is that freind-play that enhances all aspects of the game including doing heroics, world bosses, raid nights. Without my guild, I would not even be here.

[Blackardin]

A good way to end ties to this... "sinking ship"(?).

 

 

And if you say the game's stuck in maintenance mode, I couldn't agree less. Really, the only direction I see this game heading is milking players with the CM.

 

I don't believe the CM, especially packs, will continue to do so. That is a short term, stop-gap method of earning fast revenue. it is what they do with that revenue that will dictate the path of this game. Distribution will yield quick results for a short time, and lead to finality. Reinvestment and development along with the Cartel Market will provide for the ongoing production of this particular game, and if done cleverly allow it to finally reach its full potential.....and yield them substantial profits.

[MurQueL]

I haven't read the entirety of this thread, but I'd like to say that, even though I still enjoy this game in general terms, it does feel like no one's in the pilot's seat...

I'm guessing in the end it's just a matter of "we have these many subscribers = how much we give a frik". Not saying anything you already know, but, yeah...

[SentinelDranoel]

Hm. When I first saw the title I thought: Yet another complaint thread.

Unfortunately, the OP is perfectly right, even though my preference is much less the end game content... I've just stopped thinking about it and accepted it as a given. But I was deeply disappointed when I was invited in the last few betas and saw what their heroic combat truly was. When I first tried out end game PvE and started fighting SOAs legs it didn't make it much better. It's a shame. Unfortunately it's also the only Star Wars MMO out there as well.

 

Lol at the attacking SOA's leg part. Sad but true for me as well. A bunch of jedi fighting a Hutt in a machine made by Dr. Robotnik is not epic to me at all. It seems that this is where the game is going, every few months another Operation or Warzone is released. At least preferred status lets me play through the story.

[Blackardin]

Lol at the attacking SOA's leg part. Sad but true for me as well. A bunch of jedi fighting a Hutt in a machine made by Dr. Robotnik is not epic to me at all. It seems that this is where the game is going, every few months another Operation or Warzone is released. At least preferred status lets me play through the story.

 

As a Raid tank that has done everything from Everquest, to DAoC, to Wow, and here, all I ever see of a raid boss is his legs (and a vast and expansive array of fireworks from my team). That is normal for any MMO, which is why I'm honestly questioning exactly why people are thinking that this is a shortcoming of this particular game when all of this is standard for any MMO.

[Talon_strikes]

I don't believe the CM, especially packs, will continue to do so. That is a short term, stop-gap method of earning fast revenue. it is what they do with that revenue that will dictate the path of this game. Distribution will yield quick results for a short time, and lead to finality. Reinvestment and development along with the Cartel Market will provide for the ongoing production of this particular game, and if done cleverly allow it to finally reach its full potential.....and yield them substantial profits.

With EA practically owning BioWare, it seems to me what they do with the revenue they earn from the CM won't be very good for the game.

 

As a Raid tank that has done everything from Everquest, to DAoC, to Wow, and here, all I ever see of a raid boss is his legs (and a vast and expansive array of fireworks from my team). That is normal for any MMO, which is why I'm honestly questioning exactly why people are thinking that this is a shortcoming of this particular game when all of this is standard for any MMO.

The only problem I have here is that the Operations and PvE in general is too easy. It's nothing but a complete joke. They either need to shell out content at a much quicker pace for PvE so players aren't stuck farming the same Ops in the same difficulties for months, or they need to make the Operations a lot bigger and a lot more difficult. Oh, and probably focus on the players' feelings on feeling "heroic".

[Drew_Braxton]

I heard the new operation is a 7 boss one which hopefully will take some time to beat. I remember "the game that dare speak it's name" in the vanilla days and it got repetitive and boring as well. There were other achievements outside of dungeons and raids though that let's you work on other stuff to break the monotony, hopefully, some of that will be coming our way. The reputation thing seems a small step in that direction. Game is still new compared to it's older competitors though so I'm hopeful and still, even after over a year, like the game.

[Koyaanisqat]

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.

 

It certainly makes him entitled alright.

[chuixupu]

They sure give me the perception that the teams are not very large, let us not forget 2 rounds of layoff's and restucture, put a lot of projects either on the back burner or slowed them way down, I feel the lack of direction, it's like they are grabbing a straws to see where the money is, and if they had kept the game growing and improving at a steady pace, the money would have been here for them.

 

To put it in perspective, the SWTOR development team was about 650 people at it's peak. Even WoW's is reportedly more like 150.

[CosmicKat]

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.

 

Oh, I have nothing against Andryah or anyone else. It was just a tongue in cheek way of contrasting Urael's usual witty and/or cynical posts against Andryah's hyper-positive ones.

 

The whole "if you don't like it, just leave" mentality does nobody any good. Whether somebody is Capt. Positive or Capt. Negative, to EA we're nothing more than $15/month.

[Talon_strikes]

Oh, I have nothing against Andryah or anyone else. It was just a tongue in cheek way of contrasting Urael's usual witty and/or cynical posts against Andryah's hyper-positive ones.

LOL!

 

The whole "if you don't like it, just leave" mentality does nobody any good. Whether somebody is Capt. Positive or Capt. Negative, to EA we're nothing more than $15/month.

QFT. QFT.

[AshlaBoga]

I don't think the game lacks direction, I think the direction isn't necessarily a good one.

 

I like raiding. And don't get me wrong new Operations aren't a bad thing, but making the only new content CM gear and Operations isn't a good idea.

 

Making Nightmare modes more challenging (EV/KP vs EC) was a good idea, it means that instead of getting the timed NiM run title less than two months after my first SM clear (KP) I still don't have "Warstalker" (must get title before 2.0, but real life is evil, evil I tell you).

 

But as excited as stuff like the Dread Entity, NiM TFB, NiM S&V make me, I really really would like some new mission series.

 

Rakghoul Plague was THE MOST FUN I HAVE HAD IN SWTOR TO DATE.

 

Chevin event? Not as much, but still really enjoyed it (especially the speeder that suddenly appeared out of nowhere - "aaah! Falling! Ah- Oh, well this is nice).

 

Gree Event: Legacy Lightsabers. 'Nuff said. But I also really liked the Grey Secant, it was an awesome ship.

 

HK-51: Done it on 2 toons and doing it on a 3rd (mixing Datacron hunts with part hunts). Will probably NOT do it on a 4th toon. But really enjoyed it the first time around.

 

My 2nd favourite mission series in swtor wasn't really a mission - it was that Magenta crystal mystery. Solving that was really fun (273.16 anyone?)

 

That's the kind of stuff that separates SWTOR from TERA or Lineage.

 

P.S: I really do like new Operations so don't stop making those, but consider increasing the new mission content.

[Arkerus]

Oh, I have nothing against Andryah or anyone else. It was just a tongue in cheek way of contrasting Urael's usual witty and/or cynical posts against Andryah's hyper-positive ones.

 

The whole "if you don't like it, just leave" mentality does nobody any good. Whether somebody is Capt. Positive or Capt. Negative, to EA we're nothing more than $15/month.

 

 

Don't like something? Don't pay for it. That's real life. Get over it.

 

Anyway, in regards to Andryah, she (assuming) posts more facts in the forum than most posters can stomach. While her outlook may be positive she nails it when it comes to facts, proof, links, etc.

 

Most doom and gloom BS that people post here is wasted space. For example. Someone tried to prove a few days ago that bioware was in the red on this game. A few pages later we politely explained how that's now even really possible.

 

Don't like the game, don't play it. But if you don't have the facts, don't post like you do.

[CosmicKat]

Don't like something? Don't pay for it. That's real life. Get over it.

 

Anyway, in regards to Andryah, she (assuming) posts more facts in the forum than most posters can stomach. While her outlook may be positive she nails it when it comes to facts, proof, links, etc.

 

Most doom and gloom BS that people post here is wasted space. For example. Someone tried to prove a few days ago that bioware was in the red on this game. A few pages later we politely explained how that's now even really possible.

 

Don't like the game, don't play it. But if you don't have the facts, don't post like you do.

 

"Facts" can be easily spun, manipulated, or selectively chosen to prove anything you want.

 

Example:

Fact: TOR showed nothing but normal trends by losing most of its customer base in a few months post-luanch.

Also fact: The established trends come entirely from a string of games that have "bombed".

[Arkerus]

"Facts" can be easily spun, manipulated, or selectively chosen to prove anything you want.

 

Example:

Fact: TOR showed nothing but normal trends by losing most of its customer base in a few months post-luanch.

Also fact: The established trends come entirely from a string of games that have "bombed".

 

Im talking hard data, not talking points. I'm not referring to popular opinion or trends. There is a difference. Folks like Andryah and I use real data, not talking points.

[Talon_strikes]

Im talking hard data, not talking points. I'm not referring to popular opinion or trends. There is a difference. Folks like Andryah and I use real data, not talking points.

I thought Andryah just used big words!

[HakkaP]

Nowhere they said swtor or any other mmo is a life long experience that will never end. After you play a game for 15 months many hours per day, how can you expect it to be difficult? How hard would you think FIFA football games would be against AI after that time? How can you expect a game to have a never ending exitement?

[dorpen]

I haven't read the entirety of this thread, but I'd like to say that, even though I still enjoy this game in general terms, it does feel like no one's in the pilot's seat...

I'm guessing in the end it's just a matter of "we have these many subscribers = how much we give a frik". Not saying anything you already know, but, yeah...

 

Such is the life of being owned by EA and not meeting their outrageous expectations.

[Talon_strikes]

Nowhere they said swtor or any other mmo is a life long experience that will never end. After you play a game for 15 months many hours per day, how can you expect it to be difficult? How hard would you think FIFA football games would be against AI after that time? How can you expect a game to have a never ending exitement?

Each instance whether PvP or PvE was difficult the first time around, of moderate difficulty the second time around, but just a complete joke the third time around. This game's difficulty became a complete joke one month after release.