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[RotBot]

It's not really min maxing. Star Wars is pretty black and white with moral decisions, unfortunately. This isn't a Mass Effect or Witcher where you can easily have Gray morals.

By min-maxing, I mean always choosing one side to maximize your alignment even though you would personally prefer to occasionally choose the other side from a role-playing context. And a lot of the side quests I've played haven't been obviously black or white.

The sliding scale alignment system in TOR discourages actual role-playing in the fully-voiced quests that Bioware spent however many extra millions of dollars on. Mass Effect's Paragon/Renegade system was better in this respect.

 

[Moaradin]

By min-maxing, I mean always choosing one side to maximize your alignment even though you would personally prefer to occasionally choose the other side from a role-playing context. And a lot of the side quests I've played haven't been obviously black or white.

The sliding scale alignment system in TOR discourages actual role-playing in the fully-voiced quests that Bioware spent however many extra millions of dollars on. Mass Effect's Paragon/Renegade system was better in this respect.

But there is no advantage of being light side or dark side, where min-maxing is concerned anyways.

 

[CzarTim]

By min-maxing, I mean always choosing one side to maximize your alignment even though you would personally prefer to occasionally choose the other side from a role-playing context. And a lot of the side quests I've played haven't been obviously black or white.

The sliding scale alignment system in TOR discourages actual role-playing in the fully-voiced quests that Bioware spent however many extra millions of dollars on. Mass Effect's Paragon/Renegade system was better in this respect.

I actually found this to be true this weekend. I kept choosing the evil option to maximize my DS points when there were several times I didn't want to. For launch I won't be doing this.

Also, as typical in BW games, there were several times I disagreed with what they cansidered the "right" or "wrong" choice.

 

[Allard]

Have they talked much about what they want to add after the game launches? I know of a couple things they had to put in the back burner but Haven't heard of an update on it recently. For instance I know they wanted to make guild ships possible, and obviously new raids/dungeons etc.

I enjoyed what I got to play, and I feel there is enough 'content' to last me for several months but what I really want to see is the general direction they are thinking of taking the game for the future. Will our ships get expanded or have possible upgrades? Will space travel actually show up besides the mini-game that's currently implemented, how will new story arcs show up or will we just have to wait till the next expansion to get any more 'class' quests or missions? Will there be other side content other then the space ship mini-game or PvP/Raids? Etc.

I have heard enough and seen enough of what it wants to be out launch, but now I want to see where they intend to go with it from here. Constant updates, and new content packages are what make some MMO's so awesome, the constantly expanding universe, the fact that we haven't heard a thing yet on where we are going from here is bit off putting (personally), although I am sure they have plans.

 

[Emitan]

I still don't know if I want to be Light or Dark side. I wish I could see end game Smuggler equipment for all the alignments.

 

[Moaradin]

Also, as typical in BW games, there were several times I disagreed with what they cansidered the "right" or "wrong" choice.

Yea, but that is actually intentional. The "right" or "wrong" choice is dependent on point of view. The side quest on Tython with the

Spoiler

Jedi Lovers where you get Dark Side points for letting them continue in secret or Light Side for turning them in. It's based on what the Jedi Code says is right or wrong.

 

[Emitan]

Yea, but that is actually intentional. The "right" or "wrong" choice is dependent on point of view. The side quest on Tython with the

Spoiler

Jedi Lovers where you get Dark Side points for letting them continue in secret or Light Side for turning them in. It's based on what the Jedi Code says is right or wrong.

Spoiler

Well for a Jedi it makes sense for following the Jedi Code to be Light Side. The Jedi Code and way of life basically spells out what is Light. I thin the Jedi are crazy religious freaks, though.

 

[cametall]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

 

[CzarTim]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

100% agree. Even if it was just an option.

 

[Emitan]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

And then people would bitch and moan that they picked the wrong thing and the have 50 Dark Side points besmirching an otherwise perfect record. I'm 90% sure you can turn off the indicators in the options menu.

 

[Moaradin]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

I think you can actually turn that off in the options. I always just use my number keys for that, never actually click on it.

 

[RotBot]

100% agree. Even if it was just an option.

There is an option in the UI settings to disable the Light Side/Dark Side indicator. Or you could use your number keys instead of hovering over the choices with your mouse.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Well holy shit, I didn't know you could hover over the choices and see what the result is. A few times on my Sith Warrior I got Light Side points without meaning to. I saw the option to turn off the indicators, but I thought it referred to the huge, half-screen thing that pops up after you make the choice.

 

[daoster]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

Not that it would matter...almost all light side options are upper right and all dark side will be lower right...damn you Bioware

 

[Emitan]

Not that it would matter...almost all light side options are upper right and all dark side will be lower right...damn you Bioware

Not really. They actually mix them up a fair amount. Not enough, though. That's what I hate about the Mass Effect dialog wheel. Everything is formulaic and cut and dry.

 

[mxgt]

I hope you can turn off smart camera when running in the retail build. I don't want my camera to snap back behind me when I'm running, please

 

[CzarTim]

I think you can actually turn that off in the options. I always just use my number keys for that, never actually click on it.

Hmm. Didn't see it when I looked. But I'll try again.

 

[Yaska]

Removed the screenshot I posted earlier (didn't wanna start a debate about graphics, just wanted to show the lightsaber colour), also the settings were something of medium or so, as the ingame settings didn't really work for me.

 

[Last Hearth]

You definitely can turn it off, I did that in the latest beta.

 

[J-Rzez]

I still don't know if I want to be Light or Dark side. I wish I could see end game Smuggler equipment for all the alignments.

Same here. I kind of envisioned it from the vids of class progression they've done and I suppose the Gunslinger for example looked very "western" with hat and trench coat in earthtones as light-side. Then if you went "dark side" you'd look more like an undertaker in black and red tones. That'd be my guess at least.

Also, I know they plan on patching the current version, but I think I'd rather do a complete clean install of the game, that's how I always was. Question is, how are they handling the "pre-order and early start" in this? Their site's still down to me so I can't find the info. Are we going to "pre-load" the game 2 days before the early start?

I'm still trying to decide if I want to go DD or physical copy. DD is nice and I won't have to stand outside in the freezing cold for it, but I'm genuinely interested in the types of people that are going to show up there lol.

 

[krameriffic]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

I would agree with this if they also did away with the god awful conversation wheel. Seriously, fuck Bioware and Mass Effect for bringing that thing into every one of their games. In Dragon Age Origins (and their RPGs before it), you could see the whole dialog lines before you chose them and you could understand exactly what you were saying and if it was good or evil. With the wheel, you get a three word summary of what you're going to say and it's often nothing like what your character actually says.

 

[Moaradin]

I prefer the wheel to be honest. I find it fun to pick something but still be surprised with what my character says =/

 

[DimmuBurgerKing]

I kind of like the "Western" look for Gunslingers.

Kinda reminds me of Firefly. :3

 

[Last Hearth]

The dialogue wheel is essential to protagonist voice-overs.

If all the protagonist does is read the line that you selected, it's anticlimatic and boring. With the wheel even if you picked the type of response, you're still interested in what he/she actually says. I would like for them to adopt the Dragon Age 2 dialogue wheel though, where next to the response there is a symbol for the tone of the response. But at this point I think it's top late to go back and properly tag everyone possible responsible.

 

[Won]

There some really good answers in the dialogue wheel and it always sucks not hearing that line after choosing it. Especially if all I get is one of the recycled lines they reuse over and over. :/

 

[Hari Seldon]

Man I missed the convo about light side/ dark side points. Actually that is really bugging me. There is absolutely zero benefit to actually roleplaying a character that is neutral. It is either all LS or all DS to get any benefit. That is kind of annoying, but what makes it really annoying is that it subtracts from each other. So if you have 500 DS points and 100 LS points, you have 400 DS points. So there is going to be tremendous pressure on people in group quests to go all LS or DS depending on Republic/Empire.

They need to incorporate the LS/DS stuff into the story, or failing that, create a benefit for being fairly neutral.

Edit: And I guess they will be.

http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/121/1210987p1.html

 

[Giolon]

Man I missed the convo about light side/ dark side points. Actually that is really bugging me. There is absolutely zero benefit to actually roleplaying a character that is neutral. It is either all LS or all DS to get any benefit. That is kind of annoying, but what makes it really annoying is that it subtracts from each other. So if you have 500 DS points and 100 LS points, you have 400 DS points. So there is going to be tremendous pressure on people in group quests to go all LS or DS depending on Republic/Empire.
They need to incorporate the LS/DS stuff into the story, or failing that, create a benefit for being fairly neutral.

When you're in a group, you always get the the LS/DS value for the option that you personally chose, not the value of the person who won the conversation roll. However, some quests can play out differently whether Light or Dark was chosen and you'll be stuck with that outcome, even though you got the points for the other option. I even encountered a quest on the Sith side where someone who had taken Dark and someone who had taken Light on the previous step of the quest (while not grouped together) ended up with different, incompatible quests, and so had to do them individually (or with others who had chosen the same option).

Also, Bioware has promised Neutral gear post-launch. At the moment, the only benefit for being neutral is that you can use all lightsaber crystal colors (Light is forbidden from Red, Dark is forbidden from Green/Blue in the last two builds).

 

[Hari Seldon]

When you're in a group, you always get the the LS/DS value for the option that you personally chose, not the value of the person who won the conversation roll.

Ah cool, I didn't know that.

 

[RotBot]

When your force alignment no longer meets the gear requirements of what you're currently wearing, do you instantly lose the gear stat bonuses, or do they stay as long as you don't remove it?

 

[Emitan]

Guys, GUYS. Maybe this isn't new, but I haven't played a Smuggler in months and they have a new, better dance now.

 

[Ricker]

Do you guys know what's the plan for the people who pre-ordered the retail version of the game for the headstart?...the Gamestop I pre-ordered from told me they will not sell the game on the 15th,so I will have to download the digital version and input the retail code around the 20th to keep playing?...kinda like what Rift did?

 

[Giolon]

Guys, GUYS. Maybe this isn't new, but I haven't played a Smuggler in months and they have a new, better dance now.

Smugglers don't have a better dance. Twi'leks have a better dance as their racial ability (there's actually two random dances in there).

 

[HarryDemeanor]

Do you guys know what's the plan for the people who pre-ordered the retail version of the game for the headstart?...the Gamestop I pre-ordered from told me they will not sell the game on the 15th,so I will have to download the digital version and input the retail code around the 20th to keep playing?...kinda like what Rift did?

If you received a preorder code from GameStop you have to apply that to your account to get into the Early Access between the 15th and launch day. They'll send out e-mails closer to Early Access stating when you can log in (they're doing staggered waves that depend on when you applied the pre-order code.) They'll let you download the client beforehand though.

 

[JWong]

I think, and BW would never do this, they should remove the Light and Dark icons during conversations so it isn't so obvious on some of the choices which leads to which alignment.

This would probably piss off the Jedi who want to go 100% Light, beginning in the starting area,

Spoiler

the two "lovers" on Tython quest

.

You know what I do? I press ESC if I choose the wrong thing.

I do it all the time, and it works great. It's a feature since they had it in the tips screen (that's where I heard of it). It also helps you switch your companion if you're working on a specific companion. I always swap out for Vette since I was trying to boost hers all the way, and she likes light side choices.

 

[LowParry]

They better let me have a relationship with the Jawa companion.

 

[Emitan]

Smugglers don't have a better dance. Twi'leks have a better dance as their racial ability (there's actually two random dances in there).

I'm talking about /dance, not the racial.

Also, this build I'm playing has better textures than the one from the weekend. Either that or Ord Mantell has always looked good.

 

[Anoregon]

They better let me have a relationship with the Jawa companion.

"Best bro in the universe" is definitely a relationship. If you mean romantic though, no.

 

[border]

Do you guys know what's the plan for the people who pre-ordered the retail version of the game for the headstart?...the Gamestop I pre-ordered from told me they will not sell the game on the 15th,so I will have to download the digital version and input the retail code around the 20th to keep playing?...kinda like what Rift did?

How early you get in is based on when you pre-ordered. Pre-orders started nearly 4-5 months ago. At this point I doubt you'll really get in anywhere near the 15th.

That said, just order it from Amazon or something....why fuck around with Gamestop?

 

[LowParry]

I'm talking about /dance, not the racial.

Also, this build I'm playing has better textures than the one from the weekend. Either that or Ord Mantell has always looked good.

Wait, you're playing now?

 

[Giolon]

I'm talking about /dance, not the racial.

Also, this build I'm playing has better textures than the one from the weekend. Either that or Ord Mantell has always looked good.

Really? As of Sunday it was the same crappy Carlton dance it's always been.

Is the Friends & Family group playing the new build already?

 

[Emitan]

Really? As of Sunday it was the same crappy Carlton dance it's always been.

Is the Friends & Family group playing the new build already?

Yeah. They've kept it open. I guess this is for last minute bug crunching. Release is so close I doubt the Early Access release will be any different.

 

[markot]

>_< Jawa companion?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rWXODqFo3Z0#t=354s

Now I have to get it >_> WHY CANT I PLAY A JAWA?!

Also does that mean I have to play a bounty hunter to get the Jawa companion >.<?

 

[LowParry]

Also does that mean I have to play a bounty hunter to get the Jawa companion >.<?

Yes.

And Billy! Give us some screenshot comparisons with texture settings please!

 

[markot]

Why cant I play as this

 

[Sax Russel]

Yeah. They've kept it open. I guess this is for last minute bug crunching. Release is so close I doubt the Early Access release will be any different.

Us mere mortal, but still non-weekend testers got patched, but our servers don't come back up til "later this week", so I'm not really sure how much more testing they plan to get in before early access starts. Getting pretty close!

 

[Giolon]

Yeah. They've kept it open. I guess this is for last minute bug crunching. Release is so close I doubt the Early Access release will be any different.

Intense Jealousy! They said the general testers would be let back in within the week. I can't wait.

 

[Measley]

Why cant I play as this

http://www.hotrodacc.com/swtor/comp/Blizz/blizz_1.jpg

Heh, yeah good old Blitz.

Bounty Hunters get the best companions.

 

[erragal]

Why cant I play as this

Because Bioware needs their Pandas to lure people in for expansion 4.

Although it will be FAR more effective. An army of jawa will be created.

Edit: I'm pretty happy with IA companions, not quite a jawa but the healer one has a neat surprise and you get the HK style droid.

 

[DimmuBurgerKing]

They better let me have a relationship with the Jawa companion.

WTF kind of screwed up Loli fan would want that? lol

 

[JWong]

Because Bioware needs their Pandas to lure people in for expansion 4.

Although it will be FAR more effective. An army of jawa will be created.

Edit: I'm pretty happy with IA companions, not quite a jawa but the healer one has a neat surprise and you get the HK style droid.

Got Ewoks!