Commando Archive

These are some observations and conclusions that effect our position on this message board.

Fact 1) The devs will not delete or edit posts that are on the right track out of fear that too much info is being put out.

Supporting fact A) There are dozens of theories that pop up every week.

Conclusion from supporting fact A) If the correct path were to be posted, it would be lost to most in the noise to signal ratio.

Supporting fact B) If the devs deleted a post, they would be acknowledging its accuracy.

Supporting sub fact B1) The message could easily be posted again.

Supporting sub fact B2) The only prevention for 1B2 would be if the poster were banned.

Supporting sub fact B3) No subscriber has ever been banned from any MMO community for figuring out a part of the game and sharing the information. This is even true when the info is presented as a blatant spoiler. See Everquest.allakhazam.com for evidence.

Exceeption Ba) If the theory were posted in a manner which violates SoE forums use policies, the thread could be locked, the post could be deleted, and the poster could be banned.

Conclusion from supporting fact B) The devs will not delete a post, whether accurate or not.

Supporting fact C) The devs cannot edit a post because the original poster would notice and repost. See 1B1 and 1B2.

Supporting sub fact C1) If a post were edited, it would be read, and chances are it already would have been read several times.

Conclusion from supporting sub fact C1) An edited post is more highly visible and attracts more attention than a deleted post, even if reposted. This would defeat the purpose of editing the post.

Note: See exception Ba

Conclusion from supporting fact C) Posts will not be edited, even if they are accurate.

Supporting fact D) Complexity of the path.

Supporting sub fact D1) The devs have stated that even if one person determines exactly what they did to unlock the slot, the same process will not work for others.

Rational Limitation Clause: In a system defined by finite value ranges, not every experience can be unique. Eventually, two paths will be identical.

It can be assumed that there are finite ranges in SWG because these ranges exist in any program. A variable type in code defines each variable in a program. By defining the variable type, a range for the possible variable values is chosen using the following formula:

For signed variables: [2 ^ (x – 1)] - 1 to (-2) ^ (x – 1)

For unsigned variables: 0 to [2 ^ (x – 1)] - 1

Where x = 8 * z and z = the number of bytes allocated to a variable type

Note this formula does not apply for non-integral variable types, such as Float or String, however limitations are imposed on the range of values that may be stored for those variable types, as well.

Conclusion from supporting fact D) Rational limitation dictates that a miniscule percentage of the population would successfully recreate an identical investigation environment, and reproduce the steps posted with the end result being an opened FS slot. Rational limitation does not guarantee anyone would successfully do this.

Fact 2) The devs WANT us to unlock the slot, and eventually produce a working recipe others may follow for the same results.

Supporting fact A) It was stated by the devs that a recipe would eventually be available. It goes without saying that someone will eventually succeed in unlocking the slot.

Supporting fact B) If a developer wishes for nobody to experience content, it will not be included with the program.

Supporting sub fact B1) Development takes time.

Supporting sub fact B2) Development requires work.

Supporting sub fact B3) Development costs money.

Conclusion from supporting fact A and B) If they didn't want it to happen, it wouldn't. Game design principles dictate a need for natural progression. The ratio of progression to action, or the time scale involved are variable.

Fact 3) The developers will not drastically change the system to halt our progress, though they may make minor changes to slow us down.

Supporting fact A) To completely change the system would require the code to be rewritten, which the devs will not do.

Supporting sub fact A1) Computer games are programs. Programs break down to code. If the code doesn't exist, the game, game element, procedure, or basically the instruction set does not exist.

Supporting sub fact A3) See supporting sub facts 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3

Supporting fact B) Minor changes could be made in existing code to alter the path enough that it becomes more difficult to complete, or simply changes.

Supporting sub fact B1) Programs are made of functions, which operate by manipulating variables.

Supporting sub fact B2) By altering the assigned value or the algorythm which interprets the value of a variable in code, moderate to drastic changes in the system or system behavior could be produced with a requirement of minimal work, time, and cost.

Supporting sub fact C) By introducing a completely new system, the devs would be creating a need for additional testing, which would be difficult and time consuming to complete in a live MMO without accidentally exposing elements of the system.

Supporting sub fact C1) Every system is susceptible to bugs and glitches. The more complex, and the newer a system is, the more prone to glitches or failure the system is, proportionally.

Fact 4) Although the devs themselves will not drop hints, there are “inside tips” that occur on rare occasion.

Supporting fact A) The developers are bound by contract with SoE and Lucas Arts not to reveal information regarding the FSCS and Jedi.

Supporting fact B) If the system is too difficult, they will be forced to change it. This is verified by a dev quote.

Supporting sub fact B1) Changing the system would require more time, work, and money than having the system currently in place prove successful.

Supporting fact C) In a system which nobody knows where to begin, the chances of it being successfully completed or figured out are incredibly slim. Guaranteeing the system has no successful participants or is never figured out will increase the likelihood of having to change it.

Supporting fact D) Though a roadmap will never be created by the devs, occasional tips may be dropped by CSRs with authorization to do so. These tips inspire their recipients to continue seeking the path, which in turn jump starts the community’s seeking of the path.

Supporting sub fact D1) CSRs DO know the path. If they did not, then the one play character they are allowed would possibly unlock the FSCS, and become a jedi down the road. If this occurred, it would be interpreted as favoritism toward SoE staff over customers. The consequences would not be immediate or devastating in the player community, but the long term damage to Public Relations would be costly. The only way to prevent this is to tell them how to do it, and then forbid them from doing so.

Okay, okay. You don't need to show me your dipolma; I believe you.

Seriously, all that is going to take a while to digest.

um... ok

Nice way to turn simple ideas into a complicated mess. How about the short version?

For the short version, only read the bold text

The rest is simply support for the facts.

I respect you and all Meyree and all the things you've contributed but don't you think you may be going just a <i>little</i> bit overboard this time?

Your brain is going to melt if you keep this up.

Well, since pretty much everything I post gets flamed, this time I presented all my arguments supporting my statements from the get-go 8) Much more simple this way, actually.

The ability to create a logical fact sheet relating to the developer's methods regarding creating, hiding, and revealing the path to become force sensitive is insignificant compared to the power of the Force.