What happens when you group up with a second person, do the choices reflect this? If not, then they are not in fact "putting the RPG back in MMORPG," and instead attempting to force an awkward half-RPG system on absolutely everyone, regardless if the players want it. Their system is in the spirit of single-player RPGs, not MMORPGs. They would be better off making a few RP servers and actually supporting those servers with features, events, etc. That would be putting the RPG in MMORPG more than this system. :P
There are two types of quests and multiple stories going on at the same time. The personal story is your class story arc. This is for you and no one else. Your choices effect your character and the story that follows.
There are open world quests and group world quests. These are for multiplayer interaction. You earn social points for group activities and winning choices in the dialogue. Also, in the group world quests. It is a one time quest per Danile Erickson. Your choices only occur once. What happens can and will be changed based on who wins the dialogue roll. So grouping will take control out of your hands and different things can happen based on your group makeup as far as classes and even crafting choices. All these things can change how a group quest chain can play out.
From what I've seen in the thread, the biggest draw for this game is the leveling procedure, and the leveling procedure is only fun if you like Star Wars and enjoy single-player games that lack a spectacular ending or any finality. This seems like such a small niche market that I'll be surprised if their subscriptions rise for more than a month rather than dramatically fall before the free time period is up.
I agree with the SW but not the SPG. This game will be like any other Thempark MMO with all the Themepark features in game. The only difference will be the way you recieve and play out quests. It will be done with the BW RPG story telling process. Nothing more than that.
This thread is incredibly depressing. To be fair, the original poster did pretty much nix any oportunity of a decent reply by saying he didn't want to do any of the usual stuff. But the replies were even more dreadful than I expecting, most of them implying leveling as being pretty much the only fun thing there is. So if I can gather anything at all from this thread, then it is to now know the developers' unmatched ability to alienate just about every MMORPG player there is. :'(
I don't agree at all. Teritorial control PvP with Objectives. At least one entire planet for PvP and another for solo PvE. Flashpoints, Warzones, Operations, Crafting and rolling an alt for each class story will be a lot of fun for many players. Just not those looking for a sandbox type of game play.
They'll likely release more content before people finish the current stuff. PvP will be terrible for people like me, but plenty will find it enjoyable enough. And hey, maybe there will be enough SP-RPG gamers to keep the money rolling in. But if this thread is anything to go by, the game will crater so hard we'll be faced with another global extinction.
I think you are wrong again, but we both just have opinions.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them? R.A.Salvatore
The word skill and video games do not belong together. Skill has nothing to do with fun. All I care about is having fun in a MMO with others. PvP can be a lot of fun regardless of the combat mechanics for the most part. But not every type of game will keep every type of player happy.
You have to know what is fun for you and stick to it. If Themepark MMO combat is not for you, don't play. But there are millions who actually like the fun factor even if you don't. So your subjective view on skill doesn't mean anything to anyone buy you.
I am looking forward to teritorial control for the harvesting of those crystals for lightsabers and blasters for my faction. But that is something I see that you don't. Like the OP title says.
See, this might be a decent post to show what fun times could be had at "end-game." Territorial control? Hopefully via killing opposing faction members! >:D
Well, the last bit of the post anyway. The first is pretty arrogant, really. You're pretty much saying that your version of "fun" is better than his version of "skill," even though they aren't mutually exclusive. Why is that so many people can't seem to have fun while being good at a game too?
I actually agree with you, but skill is different for different people. I don't think they are mutually exlusive, but twich doesn't mean skill IMO. Personally, I would like to see PvP even in a Themepark based on the use of skills in the game instead of gear. I would like to see every player equal as far as stats and see who the best player is based on use of skills and timing.
So I was reacting to a FPS skill based gamer saying he is supperior and has a supperior way to play. I just don't agree with that. But we can both be right and wrong at the same time. I understand that because it is all in the eye of the beholder.
Perhaps bright lights and shiny colors can keep you contented, but I need some real competition in my PvP. Without a complex enough system to allow for exceptional players to surpass the rest, then it comes down to random number generators. What's the fun of trash talking and friendly competition when everyone is a clone of the next guy?
We can agree to disagree on the last part. Exceptional players can and will surpass the rest even in Themepark PvP combat. If the top players have the best PvP gear. Then it will come down to who is the best player, not random number generators.
And with the dark/light system as well as same Advanced Classes having different builds based on different abilities. You can have the same class look very different and play very different. But obviously this will have to be seen after launch.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them? R.A.Salvatore
im afraid that's basically all there is for this game, the things you mentioned are the things this game will have only so once you do them is all you gonna be doing over and over and over. the question is, would it be enough to keep you paying a month subs fee for long?
What happens when you group up with a second person, do the choices reflect this? If not, then they are not in fact "putting the RPG back in MMORPG," and instead attempting to force an awkward half-RPG system on absolutely everyone, regardless if the players want it. Their system is in the spirit of single-player RPGs, not MMORPGs. They would be better off making a few RP servers and actually supporting those servers with features, events, etc. That would be putting the RPG in MMORPG more than this system. :P
There are two types of quests and multiple stories going on at the same time. The personal story is your class story arc. This is for you and no one else. Your choices effect your character and the story that follows.
There are open world quests and group world quests. These are for multiplayer interaction. You earn social points for group activities and winning choices in the dialogue. Also, in the group world quests. It is a one time quest per Danile Erickson. Your choices only occur once. What happens can and will be changed based on who wins the dialogue roll. So grouping will take control out of your hands and different things can happen based on your group makeup as far as classes and even crafting choices. All these things can change how a group quest chain can play out.
From what I've seen in the thread, the biggest draw for this game is the leveling procedure, and the leveling procedure is only fun if you like Star Wars and enjoy single-player games that lack a spectacular ending or any finality. This seems like such a small niche market that I'll be surprised if their subscriptions rise for more than a month rather than dramatically fall before the free time period is up.
I agree with the SW but not the SPG. This game will be like any other Thempark MMO with all the Themepark features in game. The only difference will be the way you recieve and play out quests. It will be done with the BW RPG story telling process. Nothing more than that.
This thread is incredibly depressing. To be fair, the original poster did pretty much nix any oportunity of a decent reply by saying he didn't want to do any of the usual stuff. But the replies were even more dreadful than I expecting, most of them implying leveling as being pretty much the only fun thing there is. So if I can gather anything at all from this thread, then it is to now know the developers' unmatched ability to alienate just about every MMORPG player there is. :'(
I don't agree at all. Teritorial control PvP with Objectives. At least one entire planet for PvP and another for solo PvE. Flashpoints, Warzones, Operations, Crafting and rolling an alt for each class story will be a lot of fun for many players. Just not those looking for a sandbox type of game play.
They'll likely release more content before people finish the current stuff. PvP will be terrible for people like me, but plenty will find it enjoyable enough. And hey, maybe there will be enough SP-RPG gamers to keep the money rolling in. But if this thread is anything to go by, the game will crater so hard we'll be faced with another global extinction.
I think you are wrong again, but we both just have opinions.
Bleh, I really dislike this "write inside the quote" bandwagon nonsense. Bleh.
To be clear, I have no intention of playing this game. The Star Wars movies are lame, and I'm not much for having a few dialog choices laid before me with no option to write in my own. If I am to role play, I want full control, and this game will not allow that.
That isn't to say your post wasn't worth writing; many people will gain more from that post alone than the entire thread. I can appreciate that on its own.
And to expand upon that, I'll ask another question I'd want to hear the answer to, were I a potential subscriber: How much do your choices in quests effect your character? I hear "story" a lot, but are there effect to your characters looks, abilities, stats, etc?
Thanks for the info mang, and I'll be rooting for the success of this horrid looking MMO.
For me the single largest draw is that it's not the typical fantasy environment. I'm hoping for "fresh".
Ken Fisher - Semi retired old fart Network Administrator, now working in Network Security. I don't Forum PVP. If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident. When I don't understand, I ask. Such is not intended as criticism.
Bleh, I really dislike this "write inside the quote" bandwagon nonsense. Bleh.
To be clear, I have no intention of playing this game. The Star Wars movies are lame, and I'm not much for having a few dialog choices laid before me with no option to write in my own. If I am to role play, I want full control, and this game will not allow that.
That isn't to say your post wasn't worth writing; many people will gain more from that post alone than the entire thread. I can appreciate that on its own.
And to expand upon that, I'll ask another question I'd want to hear the answer to, were I a potential subscriber: How much do your choices in quests effect your character? I hear "story" a lot, but are there effect to your characters looks, abilities, stats, etc?
Thanks for the info mang, and I'll be rooting for the success of this horrid looking MMO.
Yes, as you make dark or light choices, your points add up to dark and light. Based on your points you have different ranks like Dark 1, Dark 2, 3, 4 or Light 1, 2, 3, 4, you can equip different gear and will not be able to use others.
They have said, but have no specifics, that Dark and Light will lead to different skills as well. They wanted to have your characters looks change as well, but last I read it will be post launch.
Your choices do alter your next chapter in your story and effect your quests down the line somewhere. One example they have shown is a sith you either kill or spare as a jedi. He then joins the Jedi order later as you level and you meet him again if you spare him. If you killed him, that will never happen. Also the Bounty Hunter goes to different planets in chapter two based on chapter one choices. So the same class may end up on different planets based on their storyline.
Different gamers like different games. It is good to know what you like or don't. So I will say thanks for the discussion and have fun in the game you like to play.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them? R.A.Salvatore
Originally posted by artemisentr4 We can agree to disagree on the last part. Exceptional players can and will surpass the rest even in Themepark PvP combat. If the top players have the best PvP gear. Then it will come down to who is the best player, not random number generators.
The underlined part can easily be rephrased: "Then it will come down to who has the most skill, not random number generators." As you can see, we're on the same page here. Cease fire!
Skill, for me, is pretty simple. All I require is that a system be complicated enough so that some people can surpass others. In context, however, a certain "skill cap" is generally implied. I don't just want some people to have the ability to be better than others, I want some people to have the ability to be way better than others.
Twitch-based combat is definitely skill-based; it's just a different genre of skill. There is quite a bit of luck involved in FPS games, but there is enough strategy and mind games possible that I have a healthy respect for them. I do have to block out the stereotypical twelve year old screaming over vent in order to keep that respect though. :P
I don't think this post will add a lot to the conversation, but I have to say my gaming group and I were moderatly excited about a Star Wars MMO 2.0 for awhile.
But news of Guild Wars 2 and other games trying different mechanics other than a bunch of recorded dialogue on top of the same ol' content design really took the force out of this one. (Pun intended.)
If it launches and by patch 2 all of my expectations are proven wrong I'll pick it up.
I mean I know we can't always expect software developers to reinvent the wheel with every new game, but I'm older now and with this economy I can't justify throwing 14.99 a month at a liner RPG even if there's other people running around in it.
Dynamic content means more to me now and it just seems to be the future of the genre.
I used to play MMOs like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
Maybe this interview with James Ohlen will help you get a little excited over SWTOR CLICK?
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
Thats what this game is about. lol. Its a single player RPG you can play with other people online.
Endgame it turns into the standard MMO. Expansions will be more singleplayer and some more 'MMO' elements.
Then again sadly most MMOs of today are like that.
I'm afraid you're right about that, and it's dissapointing. It goes completely against the whole idea of the MMO. Talk about a giant step backwards. This game is really starting to sound like another WAR. More polished, for sure, but still completely missing the boat.
I hope you're wrong, because otherwise there's no real reason to pay a sub for this game over the mountain of single player games coming out with MMO-features imbeded in them (and no monthly fee).
Maybe this interview with James Ohlen will help you get a little excited over SWTOR CLICK?
Nice vid, thanks for the link. Nothing really new, but the cinematic was pretty badass.
It's nice to go over old stuff that maybe you missed or forgot since there's so much out there, I love this mission walk through CLICK it gives an excellent look at combat and flashpoints.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
This game isn't for you, it wasn't designed with you in mind, it won't cater to you and it certainly won't turn into this sandbox-esque game that you seem to desire.
This game is gonna be about the story, the journey and for those who desire more, a themepark endgame.
OP: Please read the above:
A just to add ... End Game is something bad designers implement.... Anyone who truly designs for longevity should have more in the game than just kill NPCs. So as you reach elevated levels , land ownership politics and general outside of the box thinking.
Yea okay. Which you wont see in Swtor so Im not sure what you're saying here. End game in Swtor as far as I know, consists of PvP, raids I guess, and crafting. The same EXACT stuff you've been doing before in other games once you hit cap. The most rewarding thing you can do when you reach end game, as far as I can tell, is to roll an alt and start over.
Outside the box thinking has nothing to do with Swtor. But thats just my opinion so far.
I think this is the funny thing, everyone is saying - but SWTOR is not about the endgame it is about the journey, but from what I can tell they still have a cap, they still have an endgame. Rolling an alt is not a game mechanic. I'm not saying people are not going to do it, but eventually that's not going to cut it for players.
The thing that I find most interesting is that if SWTOR is about the journey why are they not talking about - oh yeah we plan to update that whole journey part of the game as more and more people hit level cap so they can still have something to do instead of the traditional endgame. Instead they are pimping raids and PvP for endgame, so for a game that is not about endgame there seems to be a lot of time and design put into endgame.
Actually, you could very well be wrong on this point. The Legacy System, which we know nothing about currently, could very well rturn rerolling into a game mechanic.
At best the Legacy system will offer incentives to roll an alt, that still doesn't make it a game mechanic. It still doesn't solve the problem that after X number of play throughs (where X will range from 1-8 depending on the person) there will be nothing to offer to continue the journey aside from endgame.
Like I said, if this game is about the journey and not a traditional themepark MMO, then why are they not talking about adding more to that journey right away? Instead they have offered up the traditional MMO fair of raids and PvP for endgame. Yes SWTOR has a story (or 8) in it, but don't fool yourself into thinking this isn't a themepark MMO with the point of the game ending in raids and PvP.
I'm sure eventually you'll see more story added here or there, but you will also see more raids and PvP options added as well. This is a traditional themepark MMO with a twist. If you like that great, but don't try and pretend it isn't going to have a huge focus on endgame. In fact, if you want proof of that look at the fact that the best gear and crafting materials will all come from Raids or PvP, just like games like WoW.
The main concern for me is the fact that once I "consume" the content and reach endgame all I will be doing is Operations (Raids) since that's the focus of this MMORPG as it seems. I will skip the warzones (battlegrounds) cuz I am battlemaster in WOW and after having the best PvP gear and all achivements, doing endless warzones/battlegrounds without a point is simply not fun at all.
So back to Operations. The biggest problem with a themepark designed MMORPG's is they cannot be played whenever you want to play them at endgame. When I kill the bosses and let's say I wanna play the game during the day when my guild is not raiding I can't do crap with my character.
And at the end when I get my full "tier" PvE gear I will have to repeat the bosses without purpose until the next content comes and of course my "tier" gear might give some slight edge, but developers will ensure all that tier gear gets easily accessable within few weeks, where I've spent months getting. And then of course after 1-2 years the expansion comes and forcing me again to dump $ or quit the game basically. All they will release is extra class/race with more of the same content with level gap increased. REALLY??
Like I said I don't wanna be a stereotype, but why would Bioware invest so much $ in endgame formula that fails to hype me?
Tell me there will be more in this MMORPG than what I stated above. Tell me that my journey and expeirence in it won't be meaningless and unimportant.
I like to play a MMORPG that matters. Where my choices impact the world, the playerbase, the world. Where my actions are risky and rewarding. Where there is strong conflict and some war if that's the theme. WOW failed to make this happen since Horde vs Alliance doesn't exist, yet you got 2 opposite factions.
You post, think and write like a player who is trapped in the WOW box.
You totally fail to look at the possibility that just because a game is an MMO does not mean it has to operate like the dumbest and most popularist one out - WOW.
However your are probably not that far off the mark as SWTOR is WOW reskinned in space - yep this MMO is going to be for the little kiddies that got bored of WOW and wanted some pew-pew but with the same shitty EQ clone carebare game at its core.
That's the paradox of the genre, and it's why "it's about the journey" can never really be true. You can play until you're sick of the game and then call it a "journey" if you like - but it most likely won't be exactly when the story is finished, or you can play the "journey" until the endgame and then go on another "journey" which is until you're sick of the endgame.
Neither "journey" will feel like an enclosed and fully worthwhile experience. Singleplayer games can do that, because they end. MMOs can't.
So, it's a matter of asking yourself how much time it's worth spending on a journey which can never truly end, and which won't ever bring real closure.
In this case, with SWTOR, it's a journey that will seem extremely familiar in terms of the gameplay - but might have enough story to make up for the familiar feeling. Personally, I doubt it will manage to entertain me for long - but I'm curious enough to get it and try it for a few weeks.
There isn't much to this game. Just some voice overs/story. It's all hype and won't live up to it like all the other games. Why solo for so many levels? It's an MMO.
There isn't much to this game. Just some voice overs/story. It's all hype and won't live up to it like all the other games. Why solo for so many levels? It's an MMO.
If you're expecting WoW, don't play this game, because you won't like it
What will probably happen if you play this is you will rush through all the quests and realize you CAN'T go back and choose a different path, or different conversation.
People who are hyped about this game are generally people who have played Bioware games. And they've ALWAYS delivered and been number one.
There isn't much to this game. Just some voice overs/story. It's all hype and won't live up to it like all the other games. Why solo for so many levels? It's an MMO.
Why would you solo for so many levels?
You don't have to solo, you can group and quest as well and converse wtih NPC's as a full group, everyone choosing their own response.
It's about the journey, not the destination. Thats why each class has its own storylines. Perhaps you shouldn't rush to endgame?
Single player RPG's are for that. Not MMORPG's.
Any RPG should be about the journey, not the destination, regardless if it's an MMO or a single player game. Why even bother leveling otherwise? Might as well just start your character capped so you can get right to the most boring stuff the game has to offer and spin your wheels repeating it for months.
It's about the journey, not the destination. Thats why each class has its own storylines. Perhaps you shouldn't rush to endgame?
Single player RPG's are for that. Not MMORPG's.
Any RPG should be about the journey, not the destination, regardless if it's an MMO or a single player game. Why even bother leveling otherwise? Might as well just start your character capped so you can get right to the most boring stuff the game has to offer and spin your wheels repeating for months.
Precisely. Which is why it's very jarring that a 2011+ MMO would stick to the archaic concept of having level 1 to level cap essentially be filler at it's fundamental level.
"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
Comments
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them?
R.A.Salvatore
We can agree to disagree on the last part. Exceptional players can and will surpass the rest even in Themepark PvP combat. If the top players have the best PvP gear. Then it will come down to who is the best player, not random number generators.
And with the dark/light system as well as same Advanced Classes having different builds based on different abilities. You can have the same class look very different and play very different. But obviously this will have to be seen after launch.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them?
R.A.Salvatore
im afraid that's basically all there is for this game, the things you mentioned are the things this game will have only so once you do them is all you gonna be doing over and over and over. the question is, would it be enough to keep you paying a month subs fee for long?
i don't think so.
Bleh, I really dislike this "write inside the quote" bandwagon nonsense. Bleh.
To be clear, I have no intention of playing this game. The Star Wars movies are lame, and I'm not much for having a few dialog choices laid before me with no option to write in my own. If I am to role play, I want full control, and this game will not allow that.
That isn't to say your post wasn't worth writing; many people will gain more from that post alone than the entire thread. I can appreciate that on its own.
And to expand upon that, I'll ask another question I'd want to hear the answer to, were I a potential subscriber: How much do your choices in quests effect your character? I hear "story" a lot, but are there effect to your characters looks, abilities, stats, etc?
Thanks for the info mang, and I'll be rooting for the success of this horrid looking MMO.
Sarcasm is not a crime!
More TOR flamebait, lolololololololololololololololololololololol. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, moving on now.
For me the single largest draw is that it's not the typical fantasy environment. I'm hoping for "fresh".
Yes, as you make dark or light choices, your points add up to dark and light. Based on your points you have different ranks like Dark 1, Dark 2, 3, 4 or Light 1, 2, 3, 4, you can equip different gear and will not be able to use others.
They have said, but have no specifics, that Dark and Light will lead to different skills as well. They wanted to have your characters looks change as well, but last I read it will be post launch.
Your choices do alter your next chapter in your story and effect your quests down the line somewhere. One example they have shown is a sith you either kill or spare as a jedi. He then joins the Jedi order later as you level and you meet him again if you spare him. If you killed him, that will never happen. Also the Bounty Hunter goes to different planets in chapter two based on chapter one choices. So the same class may end up on different planets based on their storyline.
Different gamers like different games. It is good to know what you like or don't. So I will say thanks for the discussion and have fun in the game you like to play.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them?
R.A.Salvatore
The underlined part can easily be rephrased: "Then it will come down to who has the most skill, not random number generators."
As you can see, we're on the same page here. Cease fire!
Skill, for me, is pretty simple. All I require is that a system be complicated enough so that some people can surpass others. In context, however, a certain "skill cap" is generally implied. I don't just want some people to have the ability to be better than others, I want some people to have the ability to be way better than others.
Twitch-based combat is definitely skill-based; it's just a different genre of skill. There is quite a bit of luck involved in FPS games, but there is enough strategy and mind games possible that I have a healthy respect for them. I do have to block out the stereotypical twelve year old screaming over vent in order to keep that respect though. :P
Sarcasm is not a crime!
I don't think this post will add a lot to the conversation, but I have to say my gaming group and I were moderatly excited about a Star Wars MMO 2.0 for awhile.
But news of Guild Wars 2 and other games trying different mechanics other than a bunch of recorded dialogue on top of the same ol' content design really took the force out of this one. (Pun intended.)
If it launches and by patch 2 all of my expectations are proven wrong I'll pick it up.
I mean I know we can't always expect software developers to reinvent the wheel with every new game, but I'm older now and with this economy I can't justify throwing 14.99 a month at a liner RPG even if there's other people running around in it.
Dynamic content means more to me now and it just seems to be the future of the genre.
I used to play MMOs like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
Thats what this game is about. lol. Its a single player RPG you can play with other people online.
Endgame it turns into the standard MMO. Expansions will be more singleplayer and some more 'MMO' elements.
Then again sadly most MMOs of today are like that.
Maybe this interview with James Ohlen will help you get a little excited over SWTOR CLICK?
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
I'm afraid you're right about that, and it's dissapointing. It goes completely against the whole idea of the MMO. Talk about a giant step backwards. This game is really starting to sound like another WAR. More polished, for sure, but still completely missing the boat.
I hope you're wrong, because otherwise there's no real reason to pay a sub for this game over the mountain of single player games coming out with MMO-features imbeded in them (and no monthly fee).
Nice vid, thanks for the link. Nothing really new, but the cinematic was pretty badass.
It's nice to go over old stuff that maybe you missed or forgot since there's so much out there, I love this mission walk through CLICK it gives an excellent look at combat and flashpoints.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
At best the Legacy system will offer incentives to roll an alt, that still doesn't make it a game mechanic. It still doesn't solve the problem that after X number of play throughs (where X will range from 1-8 depending on the person) there will be nothing to offer to continue the journey aside from endgame.
Like I said, if this game is about the journey and not a traditional themepark MMO, then why are they not talking about adding more to that journey right away? Instead they have offered up the traditional MMO fair of raids and PvP for endgame. Yes SWTOR has a story (or 8) in it, but don't fool yourself into thinking this isn't a themepark MMO with the point of the game ending in raids and PvP.
I'm sure eventually you'll see more story added here or there, but you will also see more raids and PvP options added as well. This is a traditional themepark MMO with a twist. If you like that great, but don't try and pretend it isn't going to have a huge focus on endgame. In fact, if you want proof of that look at the fact that the best gear and crafting materials will all come from Raids or PvP, just like games like WoW.
You post, think and write like a player who is trapped in the WOW box.
You totally fail to look at the possibility that just because a game is an MMO does not mean it has to operate like the dumbest and most popularist one out - WOW.
However your are probably not that far off the mark as SWTOR is WOW reskinned in space - yep this MMO is going to be for the little kiddies that got bored of WOW and wanted some pew-pew but with the same shitty EQ clone carebare game at its core.
The thing about real journeys is that they end.
MMOs don't end.
That's the paradox of the genre, and it's why "it's about the journey" can never really be true. You can play until you're sick of the game and then call it a "journey" if you like - but it most likely won't be exactly when the story is finished, or you can play the "journey" until the endgame and then go on another "journey" which is until you're sick of the endgame.
Neither "journey" will feel like an enclosed and fully worthwhile experience. Singleplayer games can do that, because they end. MMOs can't.
So, it's a matter of asking yourself how much time it's worth spending on a journey which can never truly end, and which won't ever bring real closure.
In this case, with SWTOR, it's a journey that will seem extremely familiar in terms of the gameplay - but might have enough story to make up for the familiar feeling. Personally, I doubt it will manage to entertain me for long - but I'm curious enough to get it and try it for a few weeks.
There isn't much to this game. Just some voice overs/story. It's all hype and won't live up to it like all the other games. Why solo for so many levels? It's an MMO.
Why would you solo for so many levels?
If you're expecting WoW, don't play this game, because you won't like it
What will probably happen if you play this is you will rush through all the quests and realize you CAN'T go back and choose a different path, or different conversation.
People who are hyped about this game are generally people who have played Bioware games. And they've ALWAYS delivered and been number one.
You don't have to solo, you can group and quest as well and converse wtih NPC's as a full group, everyone choosing their own response.
Any RPG should be about the journey, not the destination, regardless if it's an MMO or a single player game. Why even bother leveling otherwise? Might as well just start your character capped so you can get right to the most boring stuff the game has to offer and spin your wheels repeating it for months.
Precisely. Which is why it's very jarring that a 2011+ MMO would stick to the archaic concept of having level 1 to level cap essentially be filler at it's fundamental level.
"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
I need to take this advice more.
If you believe that, then do everyone a favor and avoid SWTOR at all costs. It's definitely not for you.