Game is in desperate need of more social options/activities.

[RiledRodian]

Just a preface, I'm only level 15 in the game, so perhaps I just haven't gotten that far in, so if I mention something that's already in the game just call me out on it.

 

So far I think this game's fantastic. I'm level 15 as an Imperial Agent and level 10 as a Jedi Knight on two separate RP-centric servers. The community is supportive and usually mature, the gameplay is fun, the worlds are interesting, and the story content is superb.

 

What irks me though, is some easy fix items that should have been in the game at launch, that seem to remove the social aspect of an MMO. Social activites, whether they are strong guild/clan support, better constructed rest zones, mini games, Roleplaying events, etc, are the backbone of an MMO in my view. They build a community which far outlasts any content a developer can produce. Its concerning that Bioware has seem to ignored that aspect entirely.

So here's my little list of what Bioware really needs to add to vitalize the social aspects of MMOs.

 

Player Housing

The game is already heavily instanced, and full of worlds teeming with towering condos and luxury apartments (Coruscant and Dromand Kaas namely.) It seems odd then that there really is no player housing. Sure you have your personal ship, but its not really something thats furnished and yours, it's just another static location. These give players and RPers places to go, it provides a good money sink for players interested in expressing themselves, and grounds you in the world.

 

Interactive Environments

Anybody else find it odd that you can go into a Cantina, but can only stand around unless you wish to sit on the floor? You already put so much life into your characters, how much more drawn into the world would you be if you could lean on a wall, sit in a chair, or rest over a bar top?

 

Mini games!

Bioware, what are you doing? You have a well constructed mini game already, with art assets and rule sets, that can be played against NPCs and PCs alike, and produce items that are an easy money sink for players to dive into. Pazaak. come on, seriously?

 

Chat Bubbles

It can get really confusing to figure out who's talking to whom in the world when resting at a location. Chat Bubbles are a standard in most MMO's, and seems like an odd exclusion for a game like this.

 

Character Profiles

Again, a weird exclusion. There's really no way of looking at other people's characters except for glancing encounters. You really miss the opportunity to support competition and community growth by not having some type of profile sheet. You could have medals and achievements to display (another way to add longevity to a game,) roleplayers have a way to outline their characters bios, and guilds can present their information in a clear way.

 

Changing Nametag colors

I was really confused the first time I joined up with a group in a heroic area, to find that they still had the solid "star wars blue" colored name tags floating above their craniums. SWG and Anarchy Online changed their colors depending on whether they were friends, in a specific chat, or part of a group, and that was in 2003. An odd exclusion

[weezdajuice]

"sitting is not heroic" - Bioware

[RiledRodian]

"sitting is not heroic" - Bioware

 

 

Did they actually say that? If so, counterpoint -

 

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cocktail-party-physics/files/2011/11/435_hanshotfirst.jpg

[Rialth]

I do agree with many of the things you have in your list. But all of these features can be added at a later date and are not necessary for the game to advance at this time.

 

If you read the title of many threads over the last few days this game is only "desperately in need" of a forum wipe.

[SnoggyMack]

Space combat is a mini-game. So that's one thing you can check off your list.

[Darren_Kitlor]

Speeder / Swoop Racing has been suggested:

http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=102665

 

Imagine being able to participate, bet on, or just watch a fun race.