Development Cycle Archive

To me, these proposed changes are unsettling, not only as a gamer for years, but also as a Star Wars fan. I have played both sides in the game, both. As a rebel, I played as a commando, and like wise the equivalent with the Galactic Empire. As a rebel, we all (those that can fight at least) went against such military vehicles. The ATST from the movies and books is supposed to be a tactically advanced PILOTED machine such as a tank is in today’s army. Why don't the rebels have one? Because a rebel is a REBEL. Period. You are rebelling against the authority the Empire is supposed to have in the galaxy. The Rebels are supposed to be a small group trying to change the galaxy, NOT the super power of the game.

I first look at the statistics that was posted, and what? Rebels far exceed Imperials in this game. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Rebels are supposed to be a small group and using intelligence and tactics to get around a massive military. But this game is different. There is no massive military. The NPC intelligence level is pathetic for a Stormtrooper against even a single skilled Rebel in a wide open Imperial city. There is not enough Imperial activity in cities, in fact the large portions of the Imperial bases are provided by the players, not the game itself. Where is this massive Empire that needs defeating? I'm still looking.

As an Imperial player, you are supposed to be aiding this military machine. The movies show a contrast of the environment. Cities are full of danger and mystery, and Imperial patrols since the Empire is the galactic police force. The rebels would launch attacks; the Empire would retaliate or try to defend. The entire design of this game has gone from a role playing of Star Wars, to be a role playing of a rebel in a universe that is close to Star Wars. As an Imperial, you are merely trying to defend in this game, you can’t do much else. There are just too many Rebels to have an effective plotline and even when Imperials succeed at something, the plot still goes back to the "good old" rebellion.

I remember years ago when this game was still being designed, and delayed at every release date. What kept people going was the fact they were going to be able to do something they have always wanted in the game. We were going to have armies, being a rebel was going to be a difficult life, like the life of a Jedi. Just like the books and movies. But it isn’t that now is it. Being an Imperial is more of a risk of dying then even a Jedi in game. Imperials are supposed to be dominating, but people keep joining the Rebellion thinking its going to be a challenge (or they pretend to, and just want to think they are Han Solo).

What Imperials have done so far by beating the odds of the Rebels in this game in many areas, is to me, fantastic. I salute you hard working Imperials out there that lost your hard earned troopers to only a small band, if not one, rebel. Rebels currently have the foot hold in the game. If you are a rebel and you are whining about AT-STs, I suggest you try gaining some type of skill in combat instead of sitting in a house and making CDEF guns or growing melons. A skilled Rebel can take on anything in this game, and it’s those Rebels that Imperials have to watch out for. If you can’t take out an ATST of run from it, or even get help to defeat it, why are you calling yourselves a skilled Rebel? Your get skills then defeat it. If you are too weak, you will die. That is how things should be.

Last but not least, proposing changing soldiers is even dumber then the AT-ST concept. Last thing I recall is having a position called "Squad Leader". What does that do if your squad is a single trooper? Do you see your dog trainer using their tactics out in the real world military? Wait no... They use trained squad leaders. Id hate to think our military is run by a bunch of pet trainers, an like wise its completely brain-dead to have a creature handler be allowed to bring out more troopers then a skilled soldier with the experience and qualification. Why can’t the development team that works closely with LucasArts Entertainment Company, think about what the plotline is like, and how people who play the game, should be working towards this plot. There is no plot to this game anymore. It’s lost. The game based stories are nothing unless it lines up with the whole Star Wars concept. I’m saddened by the demise of the Empire here by the Development department. I hope some sense comes in there to satisfy more people then those 10 or so rebels who are good friends of yours and chip in on these pathetic ideals.

I switched sides to see the challenge of the Empire. I know what I went through as a Rebel, and how using efficient tactics really got things going. And many Rebels now hate me for those tactics. If you want to go against a large target, you plan, you get a group, you set out a strategy, and you attack. The enemy goes down, and you launch fireworks and drink Jawa Beer in the end. That’s the life of a good soldier. I can’t believe people are whining that AT-STS are too difficult; they have been easy targets since their launch. The Empire is cut back each day, complete with the lack of numbers, lack of good NPC assistance in cities, and now, a cut back to soldiers and the AT-ST.

What Rebels do for tactics now is just sit outside of a Starport, inside a Medical facility or the local cantina, and wait for an Imperial. That all that’s to it now for a Rebels life. They just sit there, wait for someone who is loading up or seemingly weak, and attack them before they can do anything. Just ask any Imperial who routinely goes to Theed or Coronet and gets bombarded by Rebels sitting outside, waiting for an Imperial overts to be spawned in from the Shuttleport.

I am sorry, but to me, this is one of the poorest discussions this game has come across. I am far more disappointed in weakening the Empire even more then it is then when you guys dropped vehicles, cities and mounts from the game at release. If this is what occurs, you will not only have less of a good battle going, you will have less Imperial. The game will turn into a Rebel heaven, Rebels will become bored by the lack of Imperial assaults and guess what... war becomes useless and boring. Why not increase the economy and have AT-STs repairable by mechanics? Have parts needed to repair that artisans or a profession can make similar to a vehicle. But don’t weaken a vehicle, and have it have the same pathetic stats and even worse combat efficiency. It just lowers the game in many people’s dreams then you know. If you are complaining that these things are too hard, I suggest you go out and get a game and play it. Games with no challenges don't do well in the long run and the game becomes a long dragging on event with no point in playing.