Summer of SWTOR Update

[Loc_n_lol]

And if its not, then im scared. Im already pulling aggro off all the tanks on my Assault Vanguard, the Bolsterizer on the fleet gave me +10% damage on everything, and 2.8 is giving me +35% DoT damage and +2% crit chance...

 

Tanks will never hold aggro off me ever again!

 

That's because the bolsterizer boosts your armor and weapon ratings to 186 (regardless of expertise) so that your PvP weapons can stay competitive with the top PvE weapons. This is only for warzones though, this will be a slightly re-tuned bolster. The bolster that exists in Kuat and on Ilum is already not exactly the same as the one in warzones.

 

Besides, if everyone gets bolsterized to 186, the tanks will also generate a lot more threat.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Loc_n_lol

[tanerb]

I guess this is the best they can do with 3 developers. Maybe they are waiting for Dragon Age to be released, so they can move some people to start working on a new Op.

[mandoforlife]

This is the first time I've ever looked at the "Andryah works for Bioware!'' nonsense and thought maybe it could be possible.

 

Conspiracy theories abound.

[tanerb]

This is the first time I've ever looked at the "Andryah works for Bioware!'' nonsense and thought maybe it could be possible.

 

Dude, please don't quote her. I never read her posts anymore, just seeing them make me vomit.

[Icebergy]

Dude, please don't quote her. I never read her posts anymore, just seeing them make me vomit.

 

Normally I find her posts logical, and often agree with them. But this time...? What I quoted was the most ridiculous nonsense I have ever seen her post.

[AGSThomas]

Normally I find her posts logical, and often agree with them. But this time...? What I quoted was the most ridiculous nonsense I have ever seen her post.

 

Her/his/it's posts are logical in the skewed view of a person that enjoys a single player game. He/She/It doesn't understand that when you give the advice "if you don't like it, leave." that if enough people take that advice, he/she/it is playing the game by his/her/itself. Honestly, I don't think players like that would mind that so much because they find enjoyment playing in single player mode.

[Icestar]

Since I have no desire to play Wildstar, it should go rather well.

 

I have no intention to play Wildstar either, I did think though that they would do something more exciting then pulling slot machines

[Superman_AZ]

I have no intention to play Wildstar either, I did think though that they would do something more exciting then pulling slot machines

 

Hi again everyone!

 

I’m here to provide an updated look at the upcoming Summer of SWTOR in light of our recent Galactic Strongholds announcements. The biggest changes to our Summer plans outside of Galactic Strongholds are Game Update 2.8. Here’s a look at the next four months including that update (and not including the May 4th, May 11th, and July 15th rewards deadlines already mentioned in Galactic Strongholds letter):

 

Game Update 2.8: on June 10th

• Nar Shaddaa Casino.
  
• Double Fleet Requisition, Warzone Comms, and Credits from PvP matches.
  
• Groupfinder Operations Overhaul.
  
• Nightmare Mode Dread Palace.
  
• Nightmare Dread Fortress update.
  
• Two New Starfighter Variants will be available to pilots on both sides of the conflict.
  
• The usual host of additional features, including some graphics improvements and class balance changes.

 

Events! We will be running every one* of our major recurring events over the period between 2.8 and 2.9. Events include:

• Double XP Weekend
  
• Gree Event
  
• Bounty Contract Week

*Except the Rakghoul Resurgence. Obviously, the Rakghoul plague was completely eliminated the last time, and the galaxy is absolutely safe from another outbreak. Right?

 

 

Looks like a LOT more than just pulling slot machines.

[Icestar]

Looks like a LOT more than just pulling slot machines.

 

What I see is recycled content, I do not count that sorry

[tanerb]

Even tough bolstered SM ops looks like a good idea, it will hurt those players in the long term, just as KDY did. I see those guys in 50 or 55 HM FPs , they are just bad because they never learn to play their class. Now, you are giving these guys the opportunity to play SM with bosses hitting with wet noodles. Fine they get the achievement, then how will these guys move to HM? Next will you bolster HM Ops too?

Also, by that you are making gear grinding obsolete which will hurt you big time in 6months.

Edited May 8, 2014 by tanerb

[Superman_AZ]

What I see is recycled content, I do not count that sorry

 

Granted, the bulk of it is overhauling, adjusting, and adding to current content. Even the returning events and the Double currency to encourage PvP is at least something. Though, it never ceases to amaze me the people who will pay to play, but don't actually like what they are playing. Makes more sense to unsub and explore other avenues.

[Lecto]

Just a few thoughts on my part:

 

Nar Shaddaa Casino. For the first time, players are invited to the casinos on Nar Shaddaa to try their luck on the slot machines. Credits can be used to purchase tokens, which in turn can be used on slot machines. Lucky winners will receive certificates that can be traded in for unique rewards that will only be distributed during the Nar Shaddaa Nightlife event. This event will run from June 10th to August 19th.

 

This should not be an event, but rather a permanent staple of the game. SWTOR needs more stuff like this, things people can do just to waist time -- mini-games. Although, I do think you should put a daily area in down there too so when when broke players spend all their cash in the Casinos they can actually get off planet! Instead of just slot machines...there needs to be multi-player card games of some type (or multiple) that you can also spend tokens at!! What happens on nar-shadda stays on nar-shadda -- sin & vice baby!!

 

Groupfinder Operations Overhaul. Story Mode Operations will be more accessible to endgame players (levels 50 – 55). The Operations section in the GroupFinder window will list available Operations on a pre-determined schedule, rotating in different Operations every few days. Players who meet the level requirement of the Operation will be Bolstered, removing the requirement for endgame gear. Rewards have also been improved, making this a great opportunity for players to earn Ultimate Commendations and experience new content. These operations will also be for 16-man mode to ensure faster queue times (both 8 and 16 man need 2 tanks and that is typically the gating factor). 16-man is also more forgiving to mistakes and should increase the chances of a successful group.

 

This on the other hand I'm not sure about at all.....I'm all for putting the different OPs in GF (It's always bugged me that they weren't there before). Bolster though...we're back to bolster again!?! This single element devastated the PvP community (speaking of, has anyone looked into server mergers for PvP servers?), well that & how the devs killed 8man ranked (which seems like they may come back given the presence of ranked terminals in 8man WZs). I understand that this will make access easier for new players, but it pretty much kills the whole point of having Arkanian (162/69) lvl gear. Also, why are OPs rotating? I think this is silly.....just put all the choices up there & keep them there!!

 

Events! We will be running every one* of our major recurring events over the period between 2.8 and 2.9. Events include:

 

Double XP Weekend

Gree Event

Bounty Contract Week

 

*Except the Rakghoul Resurgence. Obviously, the Rakghoul plague was completely eliminated the last time, and the galaxy is absolutely safe from another outbreak. Right?

 

Awesome news!! The Rakghoul event better come back....it was a lot of run !!

[AMightyKnight]

Looks like a LOT more than just pulling slot machines.

Does it?

 

•Nar Shaddaa Casino.

[/Quote] If i want to gamble i could do it in a real world casino or actually code my own gambling app. Not what im looking for in a MMO at all an honestly, i find it strange to introduce gambling in a game aimed at teens.

 

•Double Fleet Requisition, Warzone Comms, and Credits from PvP matches.

l[/Quote] Thats very nice but i 'm sitting on millions upon millions of credits and all my GSF ships i actually want to play are already maxed. Also this is not Content, just because i can get increased rewards i wont be playing stuff i dont like.

 

•Groupfinder Operations Overhaul. [/Quote] Again not content, also why should i care? I never do stroymode operations and i'm certainly not going to pug it with the group finder. And why would i care about increased comms if i'm already sitting on three BIS toons?

 

•Nightmare Mode Dread Palace.[/Quote] Actually the only thing in this patch they can call content with a straight face. Five bosses to be exact which i can do once a week with my raidgroup (which will fall apart before this since many are leaving for Wildstar). Also this time Nightmare Mode is pretty much a joke compared to what they did in Asation and Darvannis. Except the last phase of Brontes maybe, but its hard to get people to care if they brun through everything before that.

 

•Nightmare Dread Fortress update. [/Quote] Update as in actual removal of content? I dont have a problem with the title, but its just mindblowing to reduce the difficulty back to pretty much hardmode levels and only leaving the mechanics in. It took them six month to come up with this Nightmare Mode and they effectively kill it after a two month event. Only Bioware...

 

•Two New Starfighter Variants will be available to pilots on both sides of the conflict.

[/Quote] Right, more gunships is exactly what GSF needs right know. Actually it will end the same like with all the other new ships classes; pretty much nobody will bother to fly them. How about new maps, game modes and PvE content in GSF? But wait, they abandoned it allready and moved the team to work on Strongholds, they even killed the stealth ships.

 

•The usual host of additional features, including some graphics improvements and class balance changes.

[/Quote] lets not open the class balance can of worms shall we?

 

Events! [/Quote] Yeah nice. I maxed all of them. I'll get some legacy offhands from the Gree event, but the rest? I dont pay them every month for old, recycled content.

How about a small op with 5 bosses? Or how about Nightmare Flashpoints???

Edited May 8, 2014 by AMightyKnight

[Superman_AZ]

Does it?

 

I dont pay them every month for old, recycled content.

How about a small op with 5 bosses? Or how about Nightmare Flashpoints???

 

I'm not much for dissecting a post and answering line by line. Judging from your responses, you seem to really dislike the game. That poses the question, if you hate the current state, and the coming content so much, why stay subbed? Why not unsub and find other things to do until you get the content you really want? Maybe, they should offer $60 expansions with new content guaranteed every 4-6 months.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Superman_AZ

[tanerb]

I'm not much for dissecting a post and answering line by line. Judging from your responses, you seem to really dislike the game. That poses the question, if you hate the current state, and the coming content so much, why stay subbed? Why not unsub and find other things to do until you get the content you really want? Maybe, they should offer $60 expansions with new content guaranteed every 4-6 months.

 

Dude you came back last week from WoW. At least wait a month or so before telling people to unsub.

[Superman_AZ]

Dude you came back last week from WoW. At least wait a month or so before telling people to unsub.

 

I really don't want anyone to unsub, unless of course they have bad attitudes and just love to complain. Then I would encourage them to unsub and go play WoW.

[ZETA_SCORPII]

I'm not much for dissecting a post and answering line by line. Judging from your responses, you seem to really dislike the game. That poses the question, if you hate the current state, and the coming content so much, why stay subbed? Why not unsub and find other things to do until you get the content you really want? Maybe, they should offer $60 expansions with new content guaranteed every 4-6 months.

 

We already pay for expansions when we drop $60 for hypercrates.

[NeoIshamael]

We already pay for expansions when we drop $60 for hypercrates.

 

No.

 

I had this on another post but I think it applies here as well.

 

TL;DR EA/Bioware know that SWTOR was a bad investment. It makes more sense to make a console game rather than put resources into SWTOR. Once it makes financial sense, they will shut down the game (probably after year 7 or 8).

 

I said something last week about how 2.8 on the PTS was a joke. Tait told me that more was coming but he did not want to steal Bruce's "thunder".

 

Well Bruce finally graced us with a "roadmap". It (consistent with the "summer of SWTOR" 12 & 13) had no content . Remember the Chevin event in 12 or the Cartel Market update in 13? It did little to encourage players to login and subscribe or spend money. If you take Torstatus.net as any indication of the player base, SWTOR is bleeding. Since Makeb, servers have consistently lost "players".

 

Judging by the forums, many players are upset about the direction of the game. I can only speak for myself but this game has relatively little to do except sit around on the fleet. This is not to say that players playing "catch up" cannot find enjoyment. It simply means that for SWTOR veterans the game has become stale. SWTOR has a lot of people leaving or not logging in and not enough "new players".

 

I think Bioware and its producer, Bruce, are primarily responsible. Bioware has been a "day late and a dollar short" with a majority of game features. Group finder, barber shop, UI customization, inventory sorting, and so on are all examples. It takes them months to do what should be done in weeks. However, here is the real reason why SWTOR failed and will continue to be in maintenance mode.

 

SWTOR:

NPV $120,238,250.36

EAA $22,537,940.71

 

MASS EFFECT 3:

NPV $43,238,347.11

EAA $24,913,523.81

 

NET PRESENT VALUE and EQUIVALENT ANNUAL ANNUITY. Using sales figures for Mass Effect 3 and SWTOR factoring in depreciation, royalities, operating expenses and so on SWTOR was a bad investment. EA/Bioware cannot abandon the game until during its 5th year due to the cost (thats assuming $250,000,000). Even if SWTOR lasts 8 years and revenues only decline 10% per year, Mass Effect 3 was still a better investment.

 

So the choice for EA/Bioware is simple. They pull resources from SWTOR to use on "box" games. They can milk players for as long as they can to get to the point where they can shut down the game.

Edited May 8, 2014 by NeoIshamael

[HiddenPalm]

The casino slot machines, sounds pretty hot to me. It's not clear if it's one game or multiple mini-games. I'm going to assume that Pazaak is coming very, very soon as there are Pazaak tables ever where, which has been a VERY serious tease these last few years. On top of that my favorite SWTOR news site, SWTORStrategies has been lubricating the tease with multiple articles about Pazaak like these:

 

How stuff works: Pazaak (2010)

http://www.swtorstrategies.com...

 

Sabacc, futur mini game in TOR? new pazaak? (2011)

http://www.swtorstrategies.com...

 

Want to Play Pazaak for Yourself? (2012)

http://www.swtorstrategies.com...

 

Playing Pazaak on your Android Mobile and one day in SWTOR (2012)

http://www.swtorstrategies.com...

 

Often when SWTOR developers go on Twitch they get trolled by fans who want to bring up Pazaak as the Devs talk about important PVP updates, lol. There must be endless posts about it at the SWTOR forums. I still play Absolute Pazaak regularly on the mobile and I have even twitched Pazaak Cantina under the game title "Star Wars The Old Republic" while the devs are on Twitch. I think the fans got the message out pretty clear.

 

What ever the delay is I am sure it's because they want it to come out Pazfect, which is a good thing. Star Wars Galaxies had mini games which was a good idea but they were very poorly executed and designed, no one played them. Palm Pilots and Coleco Vision had better card games.

 

World of Warcraft has Hearthstone as their card game and it gets allot of viewers on Twitch. Which doesnt mean much as most games which run on low end computers are the ones that ussually get on the front page of Twitch like WOW, LOL, DOTA2, Minecraft, Pokeman, DayZ, etc. As more and more people get new computers SWTOR is getting more people to play it on Twitch. I am sure the devs know even more than I do how important it is to make Pazaak significantly more appealing than Heartstone. I've seen Heartstone, it is not that hard for Bioware to crush it. Especially with Pazaak and Holochess.

 

I can picture Holochess having multiple themes besides the one we all have seen in Episode IV, like Ancient Tython Monsters (from Dawn of the Jedi), Ewoks vs Jawas, Tatooine Beasts vs Hoth Beasts, and even a Starfighter theme.

 

Regarding the slot machine rewards. It's only for an event? I'm not too happy about that. I think we pretty much all wanted those minigames implemented permanently. The Hutts agree, and so do their Bounty Hunters. Unless .... this is some kind of marketing idea to prepare us for Pazaak and Holochess.

 

On graphic improvements, that is always a great thing. I just wish there was more detail. And keep them coming. I just recently made some commitments to this game that is going to make me stick around for years to come.

Edited May 8, 2014 by HiddenPalm

[ZETA_SCORPII]

No.

 

I had this on another post but I think it applies here as well.

 

TL;DR EA/Bioware know that SWTOR was a bad investment. It makes more sense to make a console game rather than put resources into SWTOR. Once it makes financial sense, they will shut down the game (probably after year 7 or 8).

 

I said something last week about how 2.8 on the PTS was a joke. Tait told me that more was coming but he did not want to steal Bruce's "thunder".

 

Well Bruce finally graced us with a "roadmap". It (consistent with the "summer of SWTOR" 12 & 13) had no content . Remember the Chevin event in 12 or the Cartel Market update in 13? It did little to encourage players to login and subscribe or spend money. If you take Torstatus.net as any indication of the player base, SWTOR is bleeding. Since Makeb, servers have consistently lost "players".

 

Judging by the forums, many players are upset about the direction of the game. I can only speak for myself but this game has relatively little to do except sit around on the fleet. This is not to say that players playing "catch up" cannot find enjoyment. It simply means that for SWTOR veterans the game has become stale. SWTOR has a lot of people leaving or not logging in and not enough "new players".

 

I think Bioware and its producer, Bruce, are primarily responsible. Bioware has been a "day late and a dollar short" with a majority of game features. Group finder, barber shop, UI customization, inventory sorting, and so on are all examples. It takes them months to do what should be done in weeks. However, here is the real reason why SWTOR failed and will continue to be in maintenance mode.

 

SWTOR:

NPV $120,238,250.36

EAA $22,537,940.71

 

MASS EFFECT 3:

NPV $43,238,347.11

EAA $24,913,523.81

 

NET PRESENT VALUE and EQUIVALENT ANNUAL ANNUITY. Using sales figures for Mass Effect 3 and SWTOR factoring in depreciation, royalities, operating expenses and so on SWTOR was a bad investment. EA/Bioware cannot abandon the game until during its 5th year due to the cost (thats assuming $250,000,000). Even if SWTOR lasts 8 years and revenues only decline 10% per year, Mass Effect 3 was still a better investment.

 

So the choice for EA/Bioware is simple. They pull resources from SWTOR to use on "box" games. They can milk players for as long as they can to get to the point where they can shut down the game.

What I meant was that the $60ish we drop on crates should already be going towards epic expansions.

[Icestar]

Granted, the bulk of it is overhauling, adjusting, and adding to current content. Even the returning events and the Double currency to encourage PvP is at least something. Though, it never ceases to amaze me the people who will pay to play, but don't actually like what they are playing. Makes more sense to unsub and explore other avenues.

 

That is exactly what happens if the new content dry out, people move on.

 

I have max rep with all the returning events and all the mainhand/offhands I can need and still got +50 gree tokens on my chars. Double exp means nothing either since i have 22 characters where 20 of them has completed the story, the other two I keep around below level 50 IF any content gets released that can only be explored below that level.

 

I hoped for something that would motivate me to play during the summer, now I am not so sure.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Icestar

[Tsillah]

I am glad 16 man sm ops are coming to the gf. Not sure about the bolster function but it's better than having completely undergeared people I suppose.

 

It will make it a lot easier to make pugs. I am not sure if I read it in there but I assume it will come with the travel function that directly teleports you into the ops so that will be nice as well.

[NeoIshamael]

What I meant was that the $60ish we drop on crates should already be going towards epic expansions.

 

All I was saying is that it does not make sense from a capital budgeting standpoint to make any more significant cash outlays into the game.

[NoFishing]

The thing is, BW actually did a good job when it came to realeasing ops the past years. One operation every six months is just right, but 10 bosses for probably more than a year until after the level cap raise is just embarrassing IMO.

 

Agreed with everything you said, but wanted to add to this.

 

10 bosses in one shot is more than we never saw before. DF+DP was a pretty huge amount of content. So I'd be perfectly content to give them a bit of leeway to the next operation. Ten months before would have been long, but justifiable. It would mean a new op coming in August, which while still a bit out, is close enough to encourage people to stay active in their guilds and raid teams. Twelve months though would be a REALLY long time to make us wait. And 14? Completely unacceptable. And Andryah, 14 is exactly what we are looking at right now. Unless you think there is an actual probability of the Makeb-like expansion coming in October, which I wouldn't put my money on.

 

So I think Andryah is right. This game does not cater to PvPers. Or raiders. Or role players. Or...wait, who is left to cater to? I guess solo players only here for the class stories, which can be experienced without spending a dime, and those that want to play Space Barbie Doll House.

[NeoIshamael]

That is exactly what happens if the new content dry out, people move on.

 

I have max rep with all the returning events and all the mainhand/offhands I can need and still got +50 gree tokens on my chars. Double exp means nothing either since i have 22 characters where 20 of them has completed the story, the other two I keep around below level 50 IF any content gets released that can only be explored below that level.

 

I hoped for something that would motivate me to play during the summer, now I am not so sure.

 

I would recommend Wildstar or FFXIV ARR. They are not StarWars ;however, they have a lot of content and a lot of transparency. Unlike SWTOR, they also have challenging content. Although, FFXIV ARR is much more friendly to the "casual" player.