Droid Engineer Archive

What the hell are we anyway? And what is it we do? Of all the classes ours it one of the most undefined. We all know our class isnt fleshed out to enough to demonstrate its potential, but where and when will we be satisfied, and what is the ultimate image of our class. We are what we are today, but will we become something entirely different in the future.

The same can be said for all classes however. This is a persistent world, thats based on change, of all online games this one is the most tactile. Optimistically speaking, change is progress, and progress is whats being sold to us. For 12.99 or so a month you too can experience the satisfaction of accivement. Progress measured in numbers and ability, so apparent and structured it doubles as entertianment. Everything in this game is one or another form of progression, some based on numerical values, others require personal value, but the reward is ultimatly satisfaction. The perpetual carrot on a stick, everyday we ger another bite, but its still not ours. Real life progress isnt as apparent, or even there sometimes, which is why these sort of games are so popular. But just how far will we progress? Of coarse this isnt really a valid question, granted the limitless nature of both game design and future expansion. But there are limiting factors implyed by this very design that instill a sence of fatalism.Were will we end up in the long run? Where will other classes wind? And what will become of the game itself?

Back to my inital questions. Obviously we're droid engineers and we build droids. But the role of our droids are changing and latently is the role of our class. We need change, and a lot of it. In addition to the myriad of bugs that have plauged this class since beta, our limited role in the game is by far the mostresponsible for our discontent.A week ago we had 5 practical modules, this wastheextent of ourpurpose, ofthose 5only 2 functions, medical and crafting stations, were theonly functions which saw extensive practicality,and even those were non essential.The proposed changes are welcome and appriciated, and we should show our appreciation for the attention where getting albeit late, and a drop on a hotstone.But these changes lead me to question, just what are webecomeing.

The additional droid functions including combateach provide an additional role for out class, cumulatively they provide a whole new role for us. Some will welcome this role become attracted to it, others will disdain it and leave the profession. With all these wonderful new ideas and proposals something is bound to be picked up and soon, hopefully soon, become practice. But what will this be. What will a droid engineer be like in August? And next March? And will we be happy with it? Will we be able to say that the effort and contributions we made, the expenditure of so much energy and time(Really thats what this is) be worth it all.

This is not a call to stop proposing new options, this is arequest to step back a minute and look at the bigger picture. Add all the concepts of what we are and what we will become, our hopes and the developers intention. Do they match up to what you see yourself as? What will the role of droids be, combator utility or both? What will the average joe say it should he be asked what a droid does, what is our image? These are the big questions we have to ask. And come up with an statement, saying were tired of saying what we want, here is a statement saying this is what we are and what we should be. And this concept is what we should stick to. How powerful will our droids be, and how use full our modules? What do we want to do? Really want to do?

The newest combat proposal which has gained alot of favor detracts from what we already are pure crafters. However my compliments go to the creator(s), this is by far the most viable option ive ever seen, and probably what we will see. My apprehension regards the people who go that route DE 0040, in order to take advantage of combat droids. In Theory they are still our customers, yet they are just a stones throw from becomeing self sufficient, by takeing on blueprints which isnt to hard a task or to high on skill point requirements. We've lost those customers, provided schematics for combat droids are in that columb. They can make there own quality combat droids, the experimentation in refinement makes them able to hammer outnear top qualitydroids aswell. My fears are the field will be just as competitive and narrow before, dabblers will not bereliable consumers. And whats to stop them from going to MDE if they can make profit on the side of combat? We just invited a whole new batch of competitors. This concept is alittle to "in your own back yard" for me to be comfortable with.

Not to mention the whole newimage this brings us, suddenly were an alternative to creature handler, and thats just what well be seen as.You have to look at the latent functions of this proposal before you can be comfortable with it. Theres cons to this as there is to everything. I would rather see a complete droid handler profession, those of you who know me know im not at all fond of that concept either. We are suppliers, do we want to be suppliers and consumers at the same time?

I recognize the need for a viable introduction of combat droids, but i wish to do so in a way retains our structure, and the structure of the game.

Regarding droid utility: life mimics art, and vice versa. Droids or Robots are reality. Not in the star wars sence, thats all make believe. But robotics and AI are elements of our society. We have to look at the role they play in real life to determine what they should do in the game aswell, as they do forso many other things right now. Droids assist in automotive construction, maintenance, and all sorts of other things that are to tedious, difficult or time consuming to do manually. They can even entertain us as Aibo does, or that trumpet playing honda robot. Look to life for new ideas. Furthermore, lookto wherever someone is doing something utterly tedious. where life can be made easier is where our new functions should be found.

Its essential that we figure out what we want before we ask for it. In short: combat droids. Thats been our request since day 1. But theres a lot more we need in order to maximize our potential. And we have to know what we need, in order to get it. Or be disapointed when the developers chose for us. Theresmuch more to our profession....

Tarne Monter from Elderhome, Naboo, Ahazi
Vendor "Tarne's Droids" in the Merchant Tent at 5680 4451 Naboo
Master Droid Engineer and Master Artisan
Smuggler 0/2/0/0

Kadaara, Naboo, TC
Marksman 0/0/3/0