The player community wants BioWare to address the shutdown rumors

[Isnogut]

Could someone explain to me why in peoples mind "ending developement" means "shutting down"? Because in my mind it doesn't. It means maintenance mode, and that can go on for years, and probably will as long as SWTOR makes profit, which it does. We know we are in maintenance mode when there are no patches coming, and only thing that happens is server maintenance every other week. It takes one employer to keep the game in maintenance, probably not even working full-time in one game. We know from datamining that there is still content coming, so I don't think we are in for the maintenance mode this year. Why do you people have to blow everything out of proportion?

I selected this post to quote, because most of the people here don't get why it is so important for SWTOR.

It's not about shutting down or "maintenance mode". Either way SWTOR is dead without any new content. Since it is focused on story developent, not gaining new story will shorten the life of the game dramatically.

 

How long can SWTOR survive only on Flashpoints, Operations and PVP? Or let me put this in another question: What does SWTOR different in Raiding, Groupcontent and PVP that is standing out from the MMO market?

Exactly, nothing! The only thing that is something very special is the story driven content. Without this, SWTOR is just a standard MMO with nothing outstanding. By that I mean mechanics, gameplay mechanics, graphics, GUI, gameplay modes. Anything in here, we already have seen in other MMO's even more specialised in some way.

 

So basically, no new story content equals SWTOR is pretty soon dead.

 

 

------------------------

Anyhow, if this is true, than this could mean, EA is really going to lose the Star Wars franchise. Several Star Wars games, which were in production, were either stopped, or the production studios were shut down. Also starting Star Wars projects were all stopped.

This may be exactly why I always warned about the anti Lockbox petitions. People should be afraid to get what they are asking for. Disney is clearly not happy about the negative feedback EA is generating. It is not about Disney being the friendly Mouse Company, but the realisation that Disney don't need and don't want that kind of publicity for one of their biggest franchises. In their calculation, stopping the Star Wars EA deal is healthier, than letting EA handle this issue.

 

So, we are now most likely at that point where the petitioners got what they wanted. ...But what about the active players, who actually love SWTOR? Well, bad luck, or? So, basically we got boned by some activists, who had to run their mouth before thinking the consequences through.

[Isnogut]

^^ This. That's exactly what I'm thinking too. Say there are issues...game dies...say it's fine, and if they go under, we call them liars. It's a no win atm. We just have to dig our heels in and keep at them to say how important the game is to us, here and on all social media, with hashtags for Disney, EA, Bioware, Gaming, Star Wars, LucasArts, so that the message touches as many important people as possible.

Sadly another message was quite clear and obiously Disney reacted to that. The anti Lockbox petition.

[Gebrakstkasten]

just sign the game over to a company that could manage and develop the game properly.

Yes, change the management.

[Qouivandes]

I am not certain that even Disney understands what makes Star Wars Star Wars. EA certainly doesnt and I had high hopes for BF and when that was dashed, BF2. i have bought neither. I dont even know if Bioware knows, either.

 

with that said, i do find enjoyment when i do log on and play. Granted, i have to find things to enjoy and I avoid the areas i do not. After being laid up during the holidays sick it gave me a chance to actually evaluate this game and the results are not very promising. what they are good at is stringing folks along. carrot on the stick. unfortunately, im not interested in veggies.

[Holocron]

I am not certain that even Disney understands what makes Star Wars Star Wars. EA certainly doesnt and I had high hopes for BF and when that was dashed, BF2. i have bought neither. I dont even know if Bioware knows, either.

 

with that said, i do find enjoyment when i do log on and play. Granted, i have to find things to enjoy and I avoid the areas i do not. After being laid up during the holidays sick it gave me a chance to actually evaluate this game and the results are not very promising. what they are good at is stringing folks along. carrot on the stick. unfortunately, im not interested in veggies.

 

In house Disney doesn't, and that's why we see them outsource the material like with the movies and games. But even though they don't internally understand what a SW mmo game could do, I believe they would outsource it to a company that is willing and able.

[Renata_Roselli]

Disney should drop EA and pick up Kakao Games.

[Hazevamp]

The Story is at a good point to stop. With their "always escalating" writing, there really is nowhere to go once you're the emperor of an entire third faction.

 

I agree with this. Our characters can't go any place but down from there. I personally have no desire to go back to sitting on some dark council listening to Acina after ruling my own empire. Especially knowing that Darth Nox is far more powerful than her in general. I even think it would have been a good idea to make us create a brand new character for any new expansions if they wanted to go back to the Imp vs Pub. But yeah, I'm okay with the game ending at KotET.

[Sith-Viscera]

The phrase "The only game in town" comes to mind.

 

I like Bioware products. Always have. I was bummed with the end of ME3, and Andromeda but... ME3 was otherwise ok. I enjoyed the multiplayer a bit. And Andromeda isn't *that bad*. It's worth a few hours of my time.

 

Pretty sure Anthem will be ok too. Personally, I'm hoping for integrated voice chat, so I won't have to bother setting up discord or teamspeak, etc. when doing multiplayer content with friends.

 

I haven't played Anthem yet, but I will give it a shot, before saying 'Anthem is this or that'.

 

Also, Casey Hudson *rocks* and he's back on board. If only they could get the Two Doctors to return, all would be well with the world.

 

If this is how Bioware phases out their old MMO game there is no way in hell i will ever play another of theirs MMOs just so they can do it again 5 years from now with another New mmo of theirs.

When this SWTOR bites it because of this phase, i am done... 6 years is just not long enough to call this game a total success. I can accept 8 or more, then i feel like it accomplished a decent and successful RUN. After that then i would play another of their mmos, but only if it goes down like that.

[translucentwolf]

If this is how Bioware phases out their old MMO game there is no way in hell i will ever play another of theirs MMOs just so they can do it again 5 years from now with another New mmo of theirs.

When this SWTOR bites it because of this phase, i am done... 6 years is just not long enough to call this game a total success. I can accept 8 or more, then i feel like it accomplished a decent and successful RUN. After that then i would play another of their mmos, but only if it goes down like that.

 

So, paying a monthly sub for 6 years and ending means you'll never play another Bioware game. But paying the sub for 8 years makes you happy.

 

Let me get my waders on. It's gettin' deep up in here.

[Skummy]

No one wants to play your destiny knockoff lololololol

[olagatonjedi]

If they addressed every shutdown story or thread, they would never get anything done.

[Renata_Roselli]

If they addressed every shutdown story or thread, they would never get anything done.

 

So basically like how they get nothing done even before these threads?

Edited January 27, 2018 by Renata_Roselli

[olagatonjedi]

So basically like how they get nothing done even before these threads?

You are welcome to feel that the entire world they have created is nothing, but you likely wont be taken seriously.

[ArdeliaAgain]

In house Disney doesn't, and that's why we see them outsource the material like with the movies and games. But even though they don't internally understand what a SW mmo game could do, I believe they would outsource it to a company that is willing and able.

 

Addressing all of the Disney angles (not just your post)...

 

Disney has a pretty horrible track record when it comes to video game tie-ins to their IPs, in particular the IPs that they purchased. As you said, they outsource all of that, and their tendency is to treat video games as just another part of an overall IP revenue stream (lumped in with toys, books, music, etc).....the result usually being whoever can leverage, market, and monetize that IP the most efficiently is given the license, not necessarily the studio who's going to develop the better game.

 

The easiest example was their immediate elimination of LucasArts as a developer immediately after they buyout, and the subsequent awarding of so many projects to EA.

 

I know to some extent it's the devil we know vs. the devil we don't, but I hardly consider Disney a trustworthy custodian in all this....they certainly know what the IP is worth, but they don't understand gamers worth a damn, and see no reason to figure us out.

[scardera]

That might be overstating it a tad, but I can tell you I'll be gone by Monday...regardless what they say.

 

Well at least it gets the thread a bump right

 

Im out foo my HM raiding team is almost all gone nothing exciting is coming to the game and when rumor like this start to float around its never a good sign

[translucentwolf]

Mr Musco, please do this before the weekend or the damage will be irreparable. This is probably the most urgent response to a thread you will ever need to give.

Don’t dilly dally or you might find everyone is gone by Monday

 

If he doesn't answer by Monday, do you promise to go away? Please?

[TrixxieTriss]

If he doesn't answer by Monday, do you promise to go away? Please?

 

No, I’ll stay just to annoy you

[Lettixio]

No one wants to play your destiny knockoff lololololol

This.

 

Anyone who is a Star Wars fan will NOT want to go and play some crappy Destiny wannabe.

 

I feel as if Keith's response with the "road map" was to say hey.. the lights are still on over here.

 

I wish they'd be honest about their intentions. I wish they would put the effort into maintaining the game but it's been nothing but bread crumbs for a long time now, I give up. It's false hope.

[Celise]

I'm guessing Bioware has their hands tied right now. They can't exactly confirm there's issues before they know it's definitely happening, that could kill the game over a possibility that may not come to pass. Same goes for saying everything's fine, if they don't know that for sure that could lead to problems down the line if they turn around and end development.

 

The report said it was still up in the air, so my guess is we won't hear anything one way or the other until they actually know what's happening. Before that, I imagine we're going to get the best they can do, which is making the assumption the game is still going to be in development and making plans accordingly. Basically, business as usual until they have confirmation that things are changing one way or the other.

 

i've been keeping a lower profile when it comes to this, there is little point debating it until there is more to go on and that means a roadmap, when that is out in the open, it makes it either easier to make a point that swtor isn't dead... yet. or that the ultimate point is made by zion a few days ago, the game is done.

 

one way or the other there is nothing more to add until then.

[Jatello]

Well if this turns out to be the case and SWTOR is coming a close, you really have got to ask yourself: are you that surprised?

 

End of the day, none of us know what is going on for sure, and whether Bioware or EA will confirm what's going on anytime soon is another matter. But you've gotta look at the whole picture of the game since its beginnings.

 

From day 1, quite frankly, SWTOR has always been "the game that was almost the blockbuster...but not quite". The main issue its had is bugs bugs bugs. Granted every game has them, especially MMOs, but check out some of the games that have run alongside SWTOR and the newer ones that have come out recently, Elder Scrolls, LOTR, WoW, and even some titles from EA themselves (Battlefront), they've been far more stable than SWTOR has ever been. None of course have been without their failings...but frankly, SWTOR sadly, has been plagued with what I can only describe as debilitating bugs, bugs which simply ruin the gaming experience. Now granted, all of those above games i've mentioned above have suffered similar bugs, but no where even close to as many or as often. SWTOR never had the developers or the investment needed to fix them, and these problems have followed it in every patch, expansion and update they've ever introduced to it.

Then there comes the business side of it, as with most games, the player base has dwindled. If you think about all of the content released since Vanilla...what has there been really? Reality is, every single release has been complete-able in 2 hours or less on a single character aside from FPs and Ops and so on, and until the most recent releases, Ops had become something of a neglected showpiece. The sheer lack of new Ops coming out removed the need for guilds almost completely, and in all MMOs, fewer guild inevitably = fewer players, and fewer players means less money coming in. Lets face it, most people like playing with other people, especially in end-game content like Ops. When that becomes less easy to do...the attraction to pay is far less. And we all know: less money coming in means less of a business case to keep something running. Especially in the gaming business which is at best cut-throat lol.

Ask yourself this: what honestly has there been to attract new players, keep new players or bring old ones back? If you can complete the newer content in such a short time and there's no meaningful Ops coming out anymore; even the latest ones only have 1 or 2 bosses. Just no value for money in paying a subscription for most. I still pay mine as I enjoy the game, but in the scheme of things there arn't many out there who feel the same. Lettixio above hit the nail on the head, it really has been breadcrumbs for a while now...for years frankly.

 

So again I ask, when you think about the game as a whole, after Vanilla: what followed really? What was there to keep players interested and coming back and keep paying? What efforts were there that actually showed real improvement in terms of maintenance to really improve the game play experience and deal with the bug plague? The answer: very little, I wish it weren't the case but you compare it to some of the other bigger MMOs out there and you see when an expansion comes along or even a patch, the content tends to be far larger, especially in terms of end-game content such as ops, raids, etc. SWTOR never really competed with other titles after Vanilla, and for me thats really sad cos I loved KOTOR 1 and 2 and SWTOR was basically KOTOR 3... and to see it diminish and fizzle as it has over the past few years has been pretty awful to watch

 

So once more I ask: IF and I do say IF this is true and SWTOR is coming to a grisly end... are you really that surprised?

Edited January 28, 2018 by Jatello

[Cawyden]

Well we know we will get some kind of content this year. Will it be enough? That depends on the player and everyone must decide for him or herself.

 

Keith is very likely not in the position to go and post and tell us that this game will definitely not shut down this year or soon (whatever soon might be).

 

First of all he might not be allowed to do that.

 

Then I guess he might not really know - after all it is EAs decision. This can happen anytime this or the next years when they see that the game isn't profitable (enough) for them anymore. So while Keith and the team go on with their plans for the game based on the budget they have this isn't a guarantee that the game will live to see this content being implemented.

 

And I think they have become very careful regarding the information they post - with good reason. Every word and sentence will be analysed, interpreted and can possibly lead to more negativity if they are not careful about the wording.

 

That being said - I think some more information about what is at least planned to come would be helpful. They have to plan content some months (I think they said a year) ahead. If EA decides to close the game before the content gets live than this is it but it would help to get players more invested.

 

And I do think they need to improve the communication - I think in the past we had more streams and information about what is going on. Even if its only a lets play stream from Musco (which can be very entertaining) with some give aways maybe would be nice. Just to get the impression they are still there.

 

So for me personally - I will continue supporting the game with my monthly sub and maybe once in a while buying from the cartel market stuff I like and that I don't have yet. I still have fun to play this game.

 

That doesn't mean that I am not worried about the health of this game - if enough players leave it will make them less money and it might lead EA to the decision that the game isn't worth keeping alive anymore. But I hope they can pull through.

[Themanthatisi]

The "rumors" were probably based on "leaks" purposely put out there to expedite the shutdown of the game sooner, rather than later. In this way, EA nor Bioware will get blamed directly, and can blame the loss of subs instead for the game being shut down.

 

What we all already knew, is the game WILL shut down, what we never knew, and still do not know, is when. That fact was there from launch day until now....

 

Enjoy what you have, many people are playing currently on a fresh Star Wars high from the latest movie. I am a founder, I have amazing memories of this game, no matter its faults, it always had an upside and it was always Star Wars.

 

Pay what you are willing to pay to enjoy what is here or what is left....

 

[scardera]

If he doesn't answer by Monday, do you promise to go away? Please?

 

why do you want players to go away you realise if players leave the game will die right? in fact he is already dying but a slow rate

[livingdeadjedi]

If it did shutdown, I would find something else, or ask BW for a 3d modelling job for my loyalty LOL This will be the first game that I myself have played with micro transactions that has done so. Had a few go with subs, but after the £4000 pounds or more I spent on micro transactions over the past few years. It will feel like BW is taking away a lot of stuff I brought even if it is virtual. Like taking away my figure collection in real life. What's worst is people might buy the packs a month before shut down. Basically the amount of money spent on this is a lot lot lot more than any other sub MMO from the old days, like Star Wars Galaxies. We bought a lot of the stuff for quite a bit of money. While there is probably something in the small print that all purchases are just on rent till BW stop the game, still have to wonder how many people will have spent a small fortune. It's like owning a ton of movies on Amazon PRime, then Amazon go bust meaning you lose all those films.

[RTCBrad]

Agreed would be nice to see someone address this....

 

Problem is the game is dying because they are killing it, lack of investment/development.

 

Back in the Dread Masters arc, were getting entire raids at the same rate we are now getting 1 boss. They should be developing more galaxy wide story arcs that involve raids and etc.

Edited January 28, 2018 by RTCBrad