Game Guides Archive

All you see here on the forums nowadays are threads about people who are leaving the game for other MMORPGs. They sit and list all the problems with this game but don't take time to look at the positives. I mean, no MMORPG out there is perfect... and not a single one ever will be. It's the great thing about massive-multiplayer games such as these. As long as the client database stays large enough, there will always be new additions, expansions, and content to keep the normal players busy (and by normal I mean casual players... this game isn't meant to be power played).

Making a MMO Star Wars games is a great undertaking. It's amazing just looking at how much they have accomplished so far. I mean, sure it may have taken a little while for some of the bugs to get worked out and some much anticipated content to be released; but it's the same case with any other game in this genre on the market today. Luckily, a large part of the SWG gaming community has patience. Those who don't have already left SWG.

I remember the my anticipation in getting this game. I remember hearing about it years ago, and being utterly excited. I read all the articles and ideas revolving around the game and totally immersed myself in the world of Star Wars Galaxies. It became one of those games that you anticipated so much that you didn't even care if it was good or bad, you just wanted to play it. (*cough Halo 2 cough cough*). And even though I don't play enough to become a Jedi... or start my own guild/city... I can still find ways to keep this game fun.

For the most part, I don't power play in any shape or form. To me (and most of the SWG community) it is one of the leading factors in the decay of this game. The amount of content in this game just doesn't match-up with someone who plays that much. If you really wanted, you could master all the professions, get you're badges... and even sprint down the path to becoming a Jedi in under a month if you wanted. If you invest enough time, you can accomplish alot in SWG. I've seen it myself. But where's all the fun in that? Sure... you could be the first Jedi, but I'm pretty sure you won't be. Rumor has it that Jedi's aren't even all that cracked up to be... we've got TKM's over on Sunrunner that'll solo lone knights. I'm sure everybody aspired to be a Jedi at some point in their SWG journey... whether it be the first time they heard of the game or the first time they saw someone flippin' around their lightsaber in Coronet... but there ARE other ways to enjoy the game.

1) I begin with not complaining about bugs. No matter how annoying a bug may be to me, I always keep in mind that the same bug is probably happening to dozens if not hundreds of others across all of the combined servers. Perhaps it's just my mindset, but those sorts of things don't annoy me. Scooting across the floor... or being attacked by a thug I need to speak with to complete a mission. It's all stuff that can be worked around and dealt with. You can save alot of time by not complaining about every little thing here on the forums. And if you do have a major problem with some bug in the game, try submitting a request for help politely without bashing the DEVs and calling them lazy. Despite what you might think or know, the DEVs work their asses off every day to keep this game running and to adding more things. This game has reached far beyond what most MMORPGs may ever dream of... and that's something to be thankful of.

2) Another big factor to the fun of SWG is roleplaying. I dunno how many people are into the RPing aspect of the game, but it really adds alot. There's a handful of professions that are just calling to be roleplayed... such as Bounty Hunter, Smuggler... any Artisan profession, Entertainer, etc. You get to meet lots of other people in you're community and just enjoy the game as a whole. It gives you something to look forward to each and every day, so that the game isn't just the same ole' boring grind every time you log on.

3) Get involved in the GCW. Rather than complain about not having Scout Trooper Armor or purchaseable AT-ATs, just get out and enjoy the GCW while it changes and expands. Picking out the problems with the GCW won't get them solved any faster. The DEVs are well aware of what can and should be changed about the GCW, and it's most likely on their long long loooooong list of things to do for the game. Like I stated earlier, they are constantly adding more to this game and are very busy... so they can't pay attention to each individual detail. Not with the expansion coming out and all the new patches that have to be released. But anyways, getting into the GCW can be worth it. If you're with a guild or city, get all you're active PvPers together and get into some trouble at the nearest opposing faction's city. Make a name for yourselves on your server as the ruthless Imperial group that took out that one cities base, or the heroic Rebel team that prevented the destruction on Naboo's largest Rebel base. Spice things up a bit. Maybe declare war on you're worst enemy so that you see battle all the time. Perhaps, buy some factional bases and turn you're once Secret Rebel Hideout into a fully operational base. Just be creative and get involved with you're friends and community.

4) Explore. I agree with many others that the addition of vehicles and Player City Shuttleports, the thrill of exploration is mostly gone. Why walk to the Force Crystal Caves when you can pay a measly 250 credits and get their in a fraction of the time? It really makes common sense to just go the easy route, especially when you're pressed for time. But I for one miss the old days where you had to run everywhere and where each and every trip was an adventure. Running from Rancors, scouting out the Ewok Tree Villages on Endor, maybe even visiting Queen Amidala's Retreat. It was all a blast back then. But now, the only exploring is done if you're going to get badges, and that doesn't even require that much exploration. It tells you exactly where you need to go. If you're looking to add an extra thrill to the game... try getting a group of you're friends and going hunting like you used to. Push pause on you're whole Jedi-Grinding-Solo-Group agenda and go have some fun. I bet you haven't cleared out the Tusken Caves for awhile... or even gone to check out what's cooking in the Agrilat Swamps lately...

5) Plan. What do you see yourself doing in the future of SWG? Do you want to eventually start you're own guild, or maybe even city? Do you dream of making the largest and most powerful Imperial Outpost in the galaxy? These sorts of things can act as a drive for you to keep playing the game, and achieving more with you're character. Maybe you want to strike fear into the hearts of citizens when they hear you're name, or perhaps become heroic for taking down the bases in that one despicable Imperial City. It's all up to you, but everybody has a future... regardless of if they know what it is or not. Think about post-expansion days... will you maybe sign up to be a factional pilot? Or maybe continue working for Jabba and stay as a privateer... there are countless oppurtunities!

There are many other options I could list here... and I apologize right now if none of these sound appealing to you. But these are the sort of things I see people do everyday. The same people that have the time of their lives playing this game and don't so a single sign of remorse in paying that fee per month to play. I for one have already resubscribed to this game twice. It always draws me back because it's always changing. Take my advice right now. If you don't like how the game is now... delete you're account and come back in a few months. It will be an entirely different game by then... and hopefully you'll find some elements you can truly relate with. But until thenfolks... have fun... quit complaining ... and may the Force be with you.

- Split Infinity -

TKM / Smuggler

Rebel Sympathist

- Sunrunner -

[ Split Infinity ]

Sounded nice but then I woke up.

Problem is I've gone exploring recently like te old days. However I didnt see a single person around as they all have quit. Also there were no mobs as SOE's servers cant handle the loads from player cities or influx of players on one planet (see yavin-geno or Dantooine). Traveling across planets one used to see tons of mobs everywhere... now nothing. SOE wont even acknowledge this has occurred and players dont notice (for the most part) because most vets are gone. Only a few players remain to complain or recall the days when it was quite common for a giant Faambaa to wonder into Kadaara or see a pack of Mountain Dewbacks 50m from Espa's gates.

I went to the Gungan Sacred place and guess what... the dam place is still broken since launch. How hard would it to be for SOE to fix some text and add a decent reward for this ? The few missions I was able to crawl through gave me a lousy 50 credit reward for traveling 5k m to shoot something. Pathetic...

I then tried to go see my friend's new shop on Corellia but oops another bug. For some reason the waypoint I saved didnt show up in my datapad (yes there was room and yes I tried saving again). 3 days later it showed up sheesh. This bug is very old and appears for no apparent reason then reappears months later.

I then went to a cantina to play music and socialize. A friend stopped in to get a mind buff. As usual, when attempting it using a Nalargon instrument I have to quickly target and direct performance to him and then quickly target my nalargon back (otherwise i stop playing). Of course it didnt work as usual so I had to play an instrument I dont want to so my friend can get his buffs.

I then went out to my harvesters to check on them. One had stopped for some reason even though it had plenty of power and maintenance. The other one decided to start pulling another resource I didnt choose for it. And 2 wouldnt let me access the contents no matter how long I held the radial command open (even after logging). I didnt get into those two until a csr helped me 2 days later.

I then went out to the Village and spent an hr trying to figure out (along with many others) who I would talk to for the Luck Quest. Nobody knew and everyone was afraid to try because they didnt want to guess the wrong one and be forced to wait 12 more weeks to try again. I finally got the right npc and did the so-called quest in under an hr. I'd hardly call go survey this, survey that, repeat 8 times and done a quest. My reward was a survey tool that does 3 resources instead of one. Woopie, I get to save 2 spaces now.

I stopped by my old favorite hunting area on Yavin and its also broken now. The woolamander Harrowers now only spawn once per day so no chance to make some cash on loot. Also my favorite dungeon, the kliknik temple spawn only once per day so I didnt get to enjoy that content either. My only choice for Yavin since all the mobs are nonexistent now is the Geno cave. I went there and immediately left not wanting to fight 4 jedi knights for loot rights. sigh

And finally I recall all the broken promises from SOE. Remember those monthly (3) story arcs ? Those were fun to do and actually gave a player repeated fun as he'd do it, then help a friend, and sometimes even help a stranger who hired him. I really miss those quests. SOE promised us this would be an ongoing event, what happened ? Also whatever happened to the planetary Loot revamp ? They started it by fixing the Loot on Tatooine and Dantooine. That was nice as I repeated all the old quests on each planet and ended up with a museum of loot to show off. Then SOE for some reason never touched another planet again and lord knows places like dathomir really need loot revamped.

This is just my recent experiences with the game. Dang it, Im really trying hard to love the game but SOE is making it difficult. The temptation to try something else (WoW, EQ2) is very high.

Thunderbolt