Showing posts with label SWG Thought of the Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SWG Thought of the Day. Show all posts

Saturday, September 5, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Graphically Speaking


I recently had the opportunity to purchase a new laptop; one that was a fairly huge upgrade from my previous rig. After loading up SWG, I turned to the Options panel and cranked up the graphic settings to see what was still possible. For being a six year old game, the graphics still look quite amazing. Kudos to the original designers for making a game that has stood up to the test of time.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Good

Good, to be honest. Jedi wear armor. That's how it's supposed to be. Now, time to get the rest of the Jedi canon in order to make the most of the profession.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Thoughts of the Day



It's time to catch up on a few thoughts all at once. I feel that to be blunt and hardline is the way to do it. There are numerous issues floating around on the official forums as a result of the recent Fan Faire announcements regarding SWG and its direction. Not surprisingly, a few older issues were drummed up as well since it's "Welcome Back a Whiner Month".

There really ought to be some sort of collection reward for the paying subscribers as we survive these free veteran months. But I nearly digress. Let's have at it, shall we?

Zombies

Stupid. Yes. Stupid. But cross-promotion is good. Assuming that there will be some adequate cross-promotions. But content is indeed content, and anything is better then nothing. At least a starving man would say so upon receiving a loaf of undead bread. And face it, battling such monstrosities during the Autumn months is far better then playing trick-or-treat for Jabba.

And no topic of what "should" or "should not" be included in SWG would be complete without bringing up February's debacle of equippable wings. And so...

Wings

Stupid. Very. Defend them if you want by referencing angels from the moon of Iego (I think), or Geonosians or how people in Star Wars would put on costumes much as we here on Earth might. But the fact remains that these are Ewok wings. EWOK wings. See, Ewoks... well, they don't have wings.

It was a poor idea then, and it's a poor idea now. But let's all just get over it. What's done is done. Rather then cry about the past, let's try to formulate a lesson to help improve the future.

Chronicle System

This has the potential to deliver some of the most immersive, canonical and enjoyable Star Wars content in all of the six years of SWG. I'm rather looking forward to seeing this in action and hope that the developers don't slap on their infamous time and/or money sinks in order to help produce a chronicle. Set free the creativity and empower those who are willing. And please, for the love of all that's holy, test this thing from one side to the other and ensure that the ability to exploit it in any way, shape, or form is squeezed out before the system is rolled out, only to be partially rolled back and dumbed down because of a few jacktards.

GCW

Is it here yet? No? Good. Seriously, let's take a little time and get it right. It's been far too long, so waiting a few months to ensure an exciting system isn't too much to ask for. And let there be continued updates going forward. Evolve the GCW and allow players to have direct control over the direction of the war. If we're going to be stuck in this time period, it will be necessary to ignore some canon. Establish exactly what that entails so that we can get on with some meaningful GCW.

And for those who say Star Wars isn't only about the GCW. You're wrong. Sorry, but you are. You and your toons may choose to not partake, but that doesn't mean the GCW is not the central story element to this era of the genre. Everyone will get updates and content regardless of their preferred style of play, but the GCW should always be the top priority going forward. It's the game we all signed on for. It's the name on the box (or he digital download).

Free Month for Veterans

Okay. Go ahead. Get it out of your system. Zombies. Flying Ewoks. Broken voice chat. Lag. Empty servers. Full servers. TCG loot. Still no GCW. Zombies again.

Look, either subscribe and learn to play, or just stop wasting everyone's time - yours included - and go find something else to obsess over.

Friday Features

Just be quiet about them already. That is all.

Oh Yeah... TCG Loot

They haven't affected my gameplay at all. Still. Eight months back, I said it would. I helped with the leading of the charge on the forums; raging against the loot. Rah! Go team! Win!

I was wrong. It's a sideshow and a money grab. I really could care less about it. Well, that's not entirely true. I'd like to see some of the code re-used for non-TCG systems, such as the Nuna egg-laying mechanic. Or the house pets in general. Wouldn't it be nice if Engineers could make droid greeters, too?

But then, the TCG would be grabbing less money.

No Expansions

Good. And bad. The publicity would be nice, but getting all this free content is a pretty good deal. You know what... scratch all that. I'd gladly pay for it if it meant bigger and better things for SWG. New subscribers, new game systems, new adventures. Where's my checkbook? My credit card?

All things being equal - and I know it's not - a SWG expansion would completely kick tail.

Starsider Lag

Upgrade your rig and stay away from Eisley. Starsider population is not even a fraction of what it was five and a half years ago.

Battlefields and "Non-Combatants"

Yeah, battlefields are open to anyone. But if you're a crafter, just stay out. Seriously. If you didn't PvP with your toon before because of your profession, don't start with battlefields now. The idea isn't to win shiny toys and badges or other treasures. The idea is to win. Either contribute to the success in a meaningful way, or get out of there and let someone else have a chance. Go wait your turn for the forthcoming GCW system. I'll be over here waiting with you, if you'd like.

Development Plan

I'm happy to see one. Engineers are getting some love. Chronicles will be exciting. The zombies will fill in some space. And then there's the (hopefully start of many) GCW update(s). It actually feels like the game is alive and well; certainly not in maintenance mode. The sky isn't falling at all. How about that?

That's about all I have for now. Just a raw, blunt, and highly-opinionated rant. Nothing more. The game is doing alright, all things considered. Seriously though, I'm just going to go ahead and say almost everything hinges on the GCW update(s). Yes, I'll lump on the pressue and try to frame this off as the most important thing to hit the game since the NGE.

It either works as a functional and meaningful GCW system, or it will turn out to be the fix for lag.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Time Sinks Aren't Challenging


We subscribe to SWG not only for the entertainment, but also the challenge. I've found that the crafting and merchant system, when coupled together, presents a unique challenge that I cannot find in any other game of its kind. The task of creating a product line and finding a way to turn a profit is complex and rewarding. If only there was a way to translate this feeling into other areas of the game.

Anything that is a time sink will simply force players to find AFK ways to achieve the ends. While I personally have only used AFK harvesting, one might suggest that this is even too much. If I were told that I could solve a series of mental challenges over the course of, say, an hour (all of which are somewhat immersive and relavent to the concept of harvesting resources), instead of parking my toon down on a high yield and triggering a macro, then I would leap at the chance.

The same should hold true for the acquisition of junk and collection items. Why should it be a long, tedious, boring and... AFK... session to acquire a stack of software modules? Better that I visit, for instance, a medical center and speak with one of the technicians on duty. They offer to sell me a few, or send me on an errand or two. "I've a few extra modules, sure. But say... you look like a capable fighter. Mind helping me out with some trouble I'm in with Borvo?"

And wouldn't it just make sense to visit Tosche Station to pick up some power converters?

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Real World SWG Economy


It's been suggested that the economy is completely broken in SWG, but I would ask in return: "By what standard is it failing to live up to?"

Certainly by real world standards the economy is a complete failure. If only the real world worked like SWG. Imagine if you will...

An employee has received his walking papers due to downsizing of his company. What is he to do? The real question is... "What would his toon do?"

So he marches over to the Accounting department and picks up a stack of outgoing mail. "I'm going to deliver this for you."

Looking up from her computer screen, the Accounts Payable manager nods. "Sure. I'll pay you 2,000 dollars to do so. If you return, we'll have more."

"Sounds good. Which direction?"

"Three cubicles to the east. Here, why not take another stack of papers to the fourth door down. I will pay you 1,800 dollars for that."

The employee nods and smiles, grabbing up the stacks of mail. "Two deliveries to the east! And I didn't even have to refresh."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. I'll be back."

The manager goes back to her computer screen. "There will be more stacks of mail when you return. And of course, you will be paid."

Upon arriving at the the destination, he finds the receptionist handing a stack of money to the lanky DBA that was laid off yesterday. The receptionist takes off her headset. "It appears you are working for someone else. Would you rather work for me?"

The DBA fans his money. "Dude... 3,000 dollars. Repeatable quest. Wanna group up?"

SWG's economy is working as intended; like it... or not.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Baby Steps


If one could stand here, with absolute conviction, and say that gone are the days of the massive overhauls of a single profession that eats up a quarter of the year for developer time, consumes an entire release and precedes the reams of bitching for the remainder of the year, then I would reward such a person with no less then my undying respect, a tip of the hat, and a chicken salad sandwich.

If Spy has taught us one thing, it's that we haven't learned anything from the numerous times before where a profession was given an unnessarily powerful overhaul. Believe it or not, there was once a time when Droid Engineers were given some love and became the flavor of the moment. (I believe it either followed or led into a similar overhaul of chefs who were some of the richest crafters in the game for a few weeks.)

That's not to say Engineers currently need tiny updates; let's fix that profession and move on. There. Is it done yet? How about now? It should have been completed by the end of this paragraph. Ridiculous.

Moving on, now that Engineers are fixed (finished?) (Aren't they?) (Is this thing on?). I heard tell that Medics feel that their DPS is a little low. For the love of all that's holy, don't give them twenty new heals, a new weapon, mega-buffs, and enough firepower to make them out-damage a commando. Here's a thought... just give them a 5% increase on their DPS. Just for a few weeks. And then we can see how that shakes out.

If it's too much, dial it back to 3% and try again. Not enough? Why not kick it up a notch or two. Imagine that! Have the devs learned this at long last? I think so, and for that I applaud them. But I'll believe it when I see it.

And they may still not get a chicken salad sandwich. There's just not enough to go around, and I'd rather keep the devs hungry and working then fed and complacent.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Holiday Madness!


Another real life holiday, another in-game event. Enough is enough, really. Sure, it's nice that we've got something new to do, if only for 24 hours. (And for what it's worth, I like the exclusivity; the small window of opportunity.) But just once... no, actually I mean more then once; quite often; and at no set interval... I'd like to see some in-game events that have absolutely nothing to do with real life holidays and absolutely everything to do with the fantasy world of Star Wars.

Not one to sit back and and make wild demands only, I present a few ideas to chew on.
  • AT-ATs march on Anchorhead. Double GCW rewards for Special Forces, plenty of combatant opportunities including specific missions for both varieties of GCW involvement.
  • Geonosians attempt to gather DNA samples from Rancors near the Science Outpost on Dathomir. The Witches aren't none too pleased leading to a battleground between the two. Choose a side!
  • Valarian gathers her loyalists together to blow up Jabba's spaceport facility. They set charges and then steal into space. Jabba, meanwhile, calls on his best smugglers to intercept them in the orbit around Tatooine.
  • The Queen of Naboo hires entertainers to perform at a Theater on Theed. The audience will have different demands depending upon the time of day. Those successful shall receive temporary items that color the entertainer hologram performers.
  • The Rebels are in dire need of supplies. Crafters need to gather specific resources, craft items needed by the Alliance Requisition branch of the Rebellion and find a way to deliver the goods to any one of numerous random rendezvous points.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Loyalty Repaid?


The veteran reward system falls short of its intended design of rewarding players for their continued loyalty since they don't disqualify non-paid months. So just what does SOE do to thank players for their loyalty? Should they even?

SOE is a for-profit company, so their desire to maximize their revenue is to be expected. I do find it disconcerting that they have deviated from their original business plan and model in regards to Star Wars Galaxies in order to achieve the maximum bottom line.

At some time, within the last decade, SOE and LA sat together and hashed out a plan to make a really cool and complex MMO based on the Star Wars intellectual property. With dollar signs blinking in their eyes, they went to work and delivered on that plan. Say what you will about the original release, it generated interest and subscriptions.

Combat Upgrades, NGEs, ill-advised implementations of Jedi, and the like could not truly bring the game to its knees despite those who persistently duck for cover from falling skies. The reason that SWG has been able to weather the storms that SOE inflicted could be attributed to the fact that said changes were at least within the realm of the original business plan: Make a Star Wars MMO.

I do not need SOE to reward me with gifts for my loyalty. I do not expect them to personally address all of my needs and wants for my toons. I do not expect them to grant me free playtime, additional slots, or fancy titles.

But I do need SOE to return to the business plan that brought me to their doorstep in the first place. Make a Star Wars MMO about life in the galaxy post-Battle of Yavin. The Rebellion has proven that they are a capable force. The Galaxy is at war. The Empire is divided.

Deliver this to me and you shall continue to have my loyalty.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Matters of Complexity


Reminded of Dotanuki's statement that a schematic gifted to a newer player would result in confusion of what to do; how they would not know to take it to a trader, I find myself suggesting that we take a two-fold approach to the matter of some much needed complexity.

First, implement tools and systems that offer education to these player and secondly, stop making this game so simple that a child could succeed simply by logging in. Free gifts and rewards are nice from time to time, but let us work for it for once.

As our very own poll recently showed, many players would enjoy penalties for death. That fact alone helps underscore a desire to have a complex, dangerous and thought provoking game that does not simply offer praise for left clicking a mouse.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Listen While You Work


I've got to give credit where credit is due: the current SWG development team has proven to have their ear to the ground and their thumb on the pulse of the subscribers. My only regret to this situation is that the voice of those players who do not frequent the forums will largely be falling upon deaf ears since they have no "forum" (figuratively speaking, of course) to state their collective case.

Otherwise, as the latest change in policy regarding 90 day inactive citizens goes and how rewards such as the sarlacc function, the devs are paying attention to the needs and wants of the players. I think they'll come to find that players, by and large, are not a group looking for free handouts, but are looking for a fair challenge with rewards appropriate to the time and effort invested in those challenges.

Let's hope we can get through this small list of upcoming updates and then move on to giving this game a strong direction, one that will steer it well into the future despite any so called competition that might arise.

Monday, February 23, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Six Years Ago


Six years ago, when this game was still in beta, did any of you conceive that we would today be having discussions about flying ewoks, equippable wings, heart-shaped arrows, chocolate fountains, trading card games, Jedi in armor, or overpowered spies?

I thought not. There seems to be a significant problem.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Here We Go Again


Just when you forgot what it felt like to complain about the loot cards in the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game, the second expansion for this money grab has been announced. While technically called "Galactic Hunters" it offers a new mount that looks more like something from World of Warcraft.

For your viewing pleasure, I present to you... The Swift Kick in the Face of Armorsmiths, Beast Masters and those Who Love Star Wars...

Ferocious, no? These herbivorous creatures now look ready to eat you! Imagine, if you will, how many night elves shall fall to their knees, trembling in fear when this armored beast storms their way wearing the Spiked Slippers of Doom!

Seriously, SOE: Have you even seen Star Wars?

As this is the first released image of the new loot, it's obviously the one that SOE is the most proud of. That does not bode well for what will follow.

So here we go again: injecting new content into the game that should be made by crafters... and now beast masters as well. All the while, the crafting community is largely forgotten (though a big thumbs up is due for the new schematics that structures crafters shall receive for the player city updates!).

Like the comfort of an old pair of shoes, it's now time to put on our "angry" and go rage against SOE for yet again choosing the money grab rather then developing the game that we signed up to play.

"How we doin'?"

"Same as always."

"That bad, huh?"

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Adept Response


I think it's magnificent that AdeptStrain is so very active on the forums, gathering feedback and really delivering on many of the requests (appearance tab, female eye fix, looking into incap animation twitch, overhead map requests, etc.); not to mention staying on top of issues and bugs that pop up. But I am a little concerned that some of the larger issues - at least by the quantity or virtual volume of the related posts - are being left to their own devices. That is not meant to take anything away from the excellent job AS has been doing, but more of a reflection on the hierarchy at SOE as they choose when to choose.

The "under wraps" development project that Dotanuki has referenced had better be a home run. They would be wise not to toy around with their audience. Money is a commodity and competition shall continue to grow in ferocity. It's not "rocket surgery". We speak; they take notes. Let's see how they respond as 2009's shadow continues to grow longer.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Winged Ewoks


So the Festival of Love is here at last. I realize that the holiday events are quite popular amongst some players. I can respect and accept nearly any gameplay style that one might be able to conjure. But SWG has not only jumped the shark, but it's gone ahead and cleared the next beach over to.
It's not bad enough that Ewoks are considered cute and fun, despite being blatant cannibals in Episode VI if not for the timely divine intervention by our favorite protocol droid, but now they've been reduced to winged cherubs that float behind us and ensure that bocatts don't get all rowdy.

Poor. Poor. Very, very poor. All that's needed is equal development time on things that DO appear in movies, or the expanded universe, even. How about some Rebels escaping Hoth into space, or even finding safe locales on Hoth to hide until a rescue ship can come by. What about a criminal faction? How about combat vehicles? AT-ATs? TIE Fighter fly-bys? Honest to gosh mine fields. Imperial checkpoints where not even an influence over the weak-minded will save you.

Or lets tone it down a bit and go for some new dances; new songs. How about new schematics? Or adding deconstructible traits to existing gear. Finishing Engineer expertise? Mounts that can be colored? Reducing Jedi visibility by figuring ways to adhere to canon yet still allow people to play them?

If we're going to go all pink and fuzzy, let's hear it for the hoojibs! Let's hear it for anything canonical (or non-canonical IF it's fun) as long as it gets as much development time as these holiday events that, fun or not - take your pick, are starting to become the only real content added in the core game.

Poor. Very, very poor.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Spies Like... Who?



After months and months of the entire SWG community asking for updates to their respective professions - especially engineers who have been really given the Death Star shaft - we finally get the Spy update that is so desperately needed.

And if that last statement didn't drip with enough sarcasm for you, well I did try to temper it a little to try to stay as objective as possible.

That said, at least it wasn't a Jedi update or there might have been a riot.

All that out of the way, objectivity and reduced sarcasm is now thrown out the hatch.

Seriously, did Spies really need this level of attention when Engineers, Entertainers, Politicians and Pilots (why not?) need so much attention it's ridiculous. Not to mention smugglers who have tired of delivering pizza. Let's lump in Bounty Hunters, too. Weren't they "Blixtev'd" within the past year or so? Hell, the Scientist NPCs have been "creature handled" into oblivion.

Were Spies broken? Breaking? Broke? Dotanuki plays a Spy, right? Smedley? I'd suggest George Lucas is a Master Spy when he logs on, but I am now 100% convinced that there is an elaborate plan set into constant motion that keeps him completely oblivious to the existence of Star Wars Galaxies.

That would explain why there aren't any retail boxes on store shelves: George may wander into a Best Buy and inquire as to what it is that he's seeing. To which Rick McCallum (because you know he would be pushing the shopping cart) would respond "I'll destroy them all for you George. Or buy them all for you. Or build a pyramid of them. Command me, Lord!"

Hey spies need some love as much as the next profession. Except, it doesn't look much like there is going to BE a next profession to receive said love (and with the Festival of Love around the corner, too. Holiday spirit, my arse.) Seems that SOE would rather release a new expertise tree - Droid Commander - before rounding up all the needs and wants of the existing professions and at least throwing them a bone or two.

Where's that promised continued development on space? The promised new structure schematic colors? Have we already forgotten to push for the rest of the Invisible Items for our Appearance Tab? And just where is the Gameplay Senator? If we find him, do we find the missing NPC scientists at the same time?

Makes you wonder.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Galloping Ghosts!



Shouldn't there be at least one mount that's faster then at least one vehicle not named (something like) hover chair or mechno chair? Obi's Episode 3 Boga did a fine good job galloping along with Grievous' vehicle on Utapau.



I'll take a wild stab and guess that each of the six movies - and maybe the Clone Wars animated flick as well - showed creatures used as mounts. (Though I might lose that bet when it comes to Return of the Jedi if I run through it in my mind.)

Speed up the mounts - at least when they're galloping.

Monday, January 26, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Gifts Done Right


SOE is listening, or at least they guessed right for once. The latest gift to players is the All Powerful Sarlacc. Well, at least a miniaturized version. The item is a decorative one that animates and looks well done -at least for what it is.

But here's the kicker: active subscribers will see that their sarlacc does something that sarlaccs gifted to returning vets do not. Follow the link and learn more (or don't) but like it or not it's a trend that should continue. Catering to the subscribers is good business! Those who don't pay might be lured in by the good customer service and value added. Just the way capitalism intended.

Now all we need to do is fix the fact that Veteran Reward months are counted even if not paid for. Baby steps, taken first by baby sarlaccs.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Temporary Enemy Flags


Temporary Enemy Flags (TEFs) were an interesting way to make the galaxy feel real and dangerous. If you felt you were ill-prepared to handle the consequences, you either prepared yourself, played it uber-safe, or sat this one out.

The problem is, the system was used to grief players (big surprise there!) and the concept was removed from the game - likely to never return.

Very unfortunate. It would have been better if we could have just removed the griefers. Then we'd have a rather engaging Galactic Civil War as well as player-run cities that were defendable by the militia.

Now we have to play romper room because of a very few number of morons who ruined the game by taking advantage of a system that was not perfect in execution, but very original and interesting in concept.

Friday, January 16, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Jedi Armor


Does it really upset non-Jedi gameplay and immersion so much that appearance-only armor might be considered for Jedi? People really do obsess about this profession to an unhealthy degree. Seriously, what difference does it make if Jedi are afforded the same customization options that are available to others; that were available to them prior to being forced into a staring profession?

And for those who want to flip it around and say that the non-Jedi should be allowed to wear Jedi robes? Pfft. Go ahead! Why should Jedi be the only ones who look ridiculously out of place when they wear them?

A compromise would be to create Jedi-specific, non-statted armor; pieces that might echo those worn by Jedi in the Clone Wars cartoon or in the other media (Star Wars Legacy?). But of course, if Jedi get any sort of treatment the native revolt and will either fight to block such an feature or demand they they get these new non-effect armor pieces as well.

If everyone spent half as much time worrying about their own profession rather then the trivial matters pertaining to Jedi requests, the game would run far smoother.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

SWG Thought of the Day: Somewhat Like Old Times


With the Free Character Transfer Service in full swing, and the new Appearance Tab, the servers are buzzing with excitement and activity. Some of the shops I've visited have had multiple customers browsing the wares and even interacting. I've also seen transferees fitting into their new homes, recognizing old faces that came with them, and making new friends.

This isn't the "Cure All" for what SWG needs, but damn if it isn't a step in the right direction. In just two days SOE has given us new levels of customization and then turned around and helped bring the community closer together via the transfers.

If they can just nail the Player City update, we'll have a re-energized population ready to take this game back in a positive direction. Well done, SOE. Well done!