Smuggler Archive
Thread: GameInformer.com snippet
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Hobbs_Nguyen
Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:31 am
#1
FYI, over the recent announcements and public decry on the forums, IGN.com and GameInformer.com have held interview with Blackman. This is a snippet from GameInformer.com's interview. Go to the site for the whole thing. I believe in the IGN interview, Blackman goes on to insult the forum community by essentially saying we're a minority and that we're a drop in the water, so to speak.
GI: What kind of message would you give to John Q. Gamer who has been playing the game since launch, sitting around as a Smuggler and looking forward to the combat revamp that’s going to increase the scope of his class? What sort of message would you give him to still stick with the game now that it’s up in the air when that sort of feature, which will enhance his experience, is going to be released?
Blackman: First I’d apologize that we were misleading at all, if that was the case, or if he was misled and had expectations for a Smuggler revamp. In terms of the Smuggler specifically, it’s something that’s definitely high on our list of priorities along with a handful of other professions. I think that he has to realize that we have a lot of things that we’re trying to do all at once and for us we have to make very, very difficult calls to prioritize all the features and updates that we want to do and that he definitely has not been forgotten, but to also hopefully enjoy all the things that we’re working on. I think again that the new Jedi path is incredibly exciting and does not exclude anybody. JTLS is going to add a whole new level of gameplay and it’s going to allow players to explore the game in kind of new ways and complete the Star Wars Galaxies experience. So I would tell him to definitely be excited about that and if he’s a Smuggler and has always dreamed of having his YT-1300 transport he’s going to have his opportunity to sort of recreate that whole Han Solo persona. I think that there are a lot of really great reasons to stick with Star Wars Galaxies and I just mentioned a few. I think that when we do roll out the combat revamp and the GCW revamp, they’re going to be very exciting and hopefully will change the face of the game in a lot of new and interesting ways. I’m really excited about the direction we’re headed in and the reassurance that I would give is that us taking the time to do things right isn’t a bad thing. Taking the time to get the community feedback, getting the community involved and making sure that we thoroughly test everything and that we understand the ramifications of the changes that we’re implementing is all a good thing. Do we wish we could do all those things faster? Definitely, that’s something that I think every developer wishes they could do. Unfortunately we don’t have a team of 300 and we’re trying to do what we can with the team size that we do have. I would hope that a lot of players would see this as a positive that we’re not rushing out or putting out revamps that could potentially change the game in ways that they’re not happy with. If we’re going to change the game dramatically we want to do it ways that they’re happy with.
GI: What kind of message would you give to John Q. Gamer who has been playing the game since launch, sitting around as a Smuggler and looking forward to the combat revamp that’s going to increase the scope of his class? What sort of message would you give him to still stick with the game now that it’s up in the air when that sort of feature, which will enhance his experience, is going to be released?
Blackman: First I’d apologize that we were misleading at all, if that was the case, or if he was misled and had expectations for a Smuggler revamp. In terms of the Smuggler specifically, it’s something that’s definitely high on our list of priorities along with a handful of other professions. I think that he has to realize that we have a lot of things that we’re trying to do all at once and for us we have to make very, very difficult calls to prioritize all the features and updates that we want to do and that he definitely has not been forgotten, but to also hopefully enjoy all the things that we’re working on. I think again that the new Jedi path is incredibly exciting and does not exclude anybody. JTLS is going to add a whole new level of gameplay and it’s going to allow players to explore the game in kind of new ways and complete the Star Wars Galaxies experience. So I would tell him to definitely be excited about that and if he’s a Smuggler and has always dreamed of having his YT-1300 transport he’s going to have his opportunity to sort of recreate that whole Han Solo persona. I think that there are a lot of really great reasons to stick with Star Wars Galaxies and I just mentioned a few. I think that when we do roll out the combat revamp and the GCW revamp, they’re going to be very exciting and hopefully will change the face of the game in a lot of new and interesting ways. I’m really excited about the direction we’re headed in and the reassurance that I would give is that us taking the time to do things right isn’t a bad thing. Taking the time to get the community feedback, getting the community involved and making sure that we thoroughly test everything and that we understand the ramifications of the changes that we’re implementing is all a good thing. Do we wish we could do all those things faster? Definitely, that’s something that I think every developer wishes they could do. Unfortunately we don’t have a team of 300 and we’re trying to do what we can with the team size that we do have. I would hope that a lot of players would see this as a positive that we’re not rushing out or putting out revamps that could potentially change the game in ways that they’re not happy with. If we’re going to change the game dramatically we want to do it ways that they’re happy with.
Capt_Baobab
Wed Jul 21, 2004 6:56 am
#2
Hobbs_Nguyen wrote:
FYI, over the recent announcements and public decry on the forums, IGN.com and GameInformer.com have held interview with Blackman. This is a snippet from GameInformer.com's interview. Go to the site for the whole thing. I believe in the IGN interview, Blackman goes on to insult the forum community by essentially saying we're a minority and that we're a drop in the water, so to speak.
GI: What kind of message would you give to John Q. Gamer who has been playing the game since launch, sitting around as a Smuggler and looking forward to the combat revamp that’s going to increase the scope of his class? What sort of message would you give him to still stick with the game now that it’s up in the air when that sort of feature, which will enhance his experience, is going to be released?
Blackman: First I’d apologize that we were misleading at all, if that was the case, or if he was misled and had expectations for a Smuggler revamp. In terms of the Smuggler specifically, it’s something that’s definitely high on our list of priorities along with a handful of other professions. I think that he has to realize that we have a lot of things that we’re trying to do all at once and for us we have to make very, very difficult calls to prioritize all the features and updates that we want to do and that he definitely has not been forgotten, but to also hopefully enjoy all the things that we’re working on. I think again that the new Jedi path is incredibly exciting and does not exclude anybody. JTLS is going to add a whole new level of gameplay and it’s going to allow players to explore the game in kind of new ways and complete the Star Wars Galaxies experience. So I would tell him to definitely be excited about that and if he’s a Smuggler and has always dreamed of having his YT-1300 transport he’s going to have his opportunity to sort of recreate that whole Han Solo persona. I think that there are a lot of really great reasons to stick with Star Wars Galaxies and I just mentioned a few. I think that when we do roll out the combat revamp and the GCW revamp, they’re going to be very exciting and hopefully will change the face of the game in a lot of new and interesting ways. I’m really excited about the direction we’re headed in and the reassurance that I would give is that us taking the time to do things right isn’t a bad thing. Taking the time to get the community feedback, getting the community involved and making sure that we thoroughly test everything and that we understand the ramifications of the changes that we’re implementing is all a good thing. Do we wish we could do all those things faster? Definitely, that’s something that I think every developer wishes they could do. Unfortunately we don’t have a team of 300 and we’re trying to do what we can with the team size that we do have. I would hope that a lot of players would see this as a positive that we’re not rushing out or putting out revamps that could potentially change the game in ways that they’re not happy with. If we’re going to change the game dramatically we want to do it ways that they’re happy with.
lets disect this a little, shall we?
"First I’d apologize that we were misleading at all, if that was the case, or if he was misled and had expectations for a Smuggler revamp."
oh. of COURSE! its Our Fault for wanting a mildly Non-Combative Role in the SWG...
"In terms of the Smuggler specifically, it’s something that’s definitely high on our list of priorities along with a handful of other professions. "
ok.. someone wanna tell me what "other proifessions" are as broken as ours? not being harsh, but i wanna know who else is suffering...
"I think again that the new Jedi path is incredibly exciting and does not exclude anybody."
Of course it wont. Everyone is going to go Jedi, and the Smuglers will be Saberfodder.. Exciting, huh?
"So I would tell him to definitely be excited about that and if he’s a Smuggler and has always dreamed of having his YT-1300 transport he’s going to have his opportunity to sort of recreate that whole Han Solo persona."
First, How much are one of those gonna cost, and will they be Customizeable? Second, "sort of recreate"?! does this mean that we ARE going to have to hang around in bars, waiting for a whiney Farmboy, and a crazy old man to show up, and have us take them somewhere?
"Taking the time to get the community feedback, getting the community involved and making sure that we thoroughly test everything and that we understand the ramifications of the changes that we’re implementing is all a good thing."
ok.. so you'regetting the community involved? how? /looks for Greenmarine
I understand that he's helping us out in his spare time.. but c'mon.. unless they've got him in a total comunications blackout. we shoulda at least heard something by now. even if it's a lame " no, i haven't forgotten you" post...
"I would hope that a lot of players would see this as a positive that we’re not rushing out or putting out revamps that could potentially change the game in ways that they’re not happy with. If we’re going to change the game dramatically we want to do it ways that they’re happy with"
ok.. kudos for trying to please everyone all the time,but I never wanted to be a jedi, and I never will. even if i DO somehow open the FS slot, i'm gonna do nothing with it.good to know that they're trying to get things fixed. but c'mon...
/rant
Syzygy-Gorath
Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:04 am
#3
Squad Leader, Ranger, Commando, Dancer, Musician, to a lesser degree Tailor, Image Designer, Pikeman, Creature Handler…need I go on? The fact is, a lot of professions are very, very broken. Does that mean Smugglers should have to keep being pushed off in having their concerns and issues addressed? Not at all. It just means SOE has done a pisspoor job in design and implementation, and they don't have the manpower to fix it. Unfortunately, without a serious hierarchical overhaul, this is going to continue to be a problem.
Capt_Baobab wrote:
"In terms of the Smuggler specifically, it’s something that’s definitely high on our list of priorities along with a handful of other professions. "
ok.. someone wanna tell me what "other proifessions" are as broken as ours? not being harsh, but i wanna know who else is suffering...
kingflab
Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:20 am
#4
qute "In terms of the Smuggler specifically, it’s something that’s definitely high on our list of priorities along with a handful of other professions. "
ok.. someone wanna tell me what "other proifessions" are as broken as ours? not being harsh, but i wanna know who else is suffering... quote
I have two characters, one smuggler (don't really use that much) and one bounty hunter, and i do agree thats your proffesion is ultimatly broken, but beleive me us Bh's have it just as bad.
As for the rest of the article thats just one way of saying "sorry we cant update your proffesion for another year, as we only have a team of 20 and we need 19 to update the jedi proffesion."
IndySWG
Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:01 am
#6
sigh...why do they assume we all want to give up smuggler for jedi and we should be excited for that chance now!?
I wanna play my smuggler.
Why do they imply they are delaying "to get things right" when they are only delaying "to get JTL out"?!
Why do they take away the development team for the game we are paying for now....to develop a game they are going to try and sell us later?!
none of this makes me feel any better...at all.
(edited for type-o)
Message Edited by IndySWG on 07-21-2004 11:02 AM
NickHeel
Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:22 am
#7
I was also under the impression, since it was boasted and "advertised" so much, that the developement of Jump to Lightspeed would not, in any way, effect the advancement, developement, or staff resource after the initial set up of teams.
Now they're saying "ok...we can plan alllll this out for you and tell you when it's gonna happen. BUT, we're gonna cancel that and fill the hole with Jedi! Jedi! Jedi! Isn't that fun? Oh, and we need more people on JtL so we're putting everyone on that and letting the game you're playing now rot."
I work and Sam's Club adn we just recently opened a new club a hundred feet away. They were taking our cashiers, cart guys, and maintainance guys from the current functioning store and having them help the people that were supposed to be (and could and would) getting the new club done by January because they wanted it done early. Meanwhile, the old Club went to **edit**...literally. Someone went into our bathroom and smeared human excrement all over the walls. Then they asked me to go clean it in my good clothes. When I told them "no, paper towels aren't going to clean that. And in the time you could show me which cleaners to use, you could have it done." Needless to say, i got wrote up.
But it's the same problem really. There's an obvious thing that "You have a project to run here, and you promised that the new project wouldn't interfere with the current one that EvERYONE still uses." And when you say that, the inside people say"Are you over at the new project? Do you know what's going on? No, so shut up and let us do our job." Any more, I don't take anything the Devs say to heart....EVERYTHING they say is just spin.
JeepJedi
Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:57 am
#8
I'm almost a master smuggler and almost a master commando...
Don't get much more borked than that!
Of the 2, I feel commando is more broken, but I play that sidemore often... so don't kill me for my opinion.
This interview is not going over too well methinks.
WedgeStarkiller
Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:07 am
#9
I must say that I'm impressed with the interviewer here and his obvious knowledge of the issues that the game is facing right now.
The problem though is that the Jedi patches will stop the hologrinding and the effect it was having, but it also completely broke the GCW. The bounty hunter skill point change made that worse. I've been resigned to the idea that JTL will be the last hope for the game since it has not been fun to play in a while now. I expect that once JTL comes out most of us will be in space all the time and the delays to the ground game won't be so important. If JTL doesn't work either then we'll be stuck with a nothing. I'm glad that the devs are spending their time to make JTL as good as possible, but it would be nice if they fixed the one we were actually playing.
kojiryu
Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:33 am
#10
" I think it’s also important to note that our path for Force sensitivity allows you to become Force sensitive and gain some skills that improve your current skills without necessarily becoming a Jedi. If you want to you can start down and explore your own Force sensitivity without ever picking up a light saber or becoming a Jedi knight or becoming involved in what we call the Force Ranking System. That’s something that’s overlooked and it’s very, very cool that a Marksman can become a better Marksman if he wants to explore more of his Force sensitivity. That goes across the board. We tried to include in all the major professions some sort of bonuses, so there are crafting bonuses scouting bonuses, and combat bonuses. So for me that really does add a whole new element and we’ve talked about this in the in-development pages that the dynamic of the Force sensitive features encourages players to work together to kind of solve these quests"
this sounds really interesting, I have no desire to be a jedi, but if I can use the force to be better at somthing I *want* to do, like being a smuggler... sounds good.
this sounds really interesting, I have no desire to be a jedi, but if I can use the force to be better at somthing I *want* to do, like being a smuggler... sounds good.
Syzygy-Gorath
Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:39 am
#11
kojiryu wrote:
" I think it’s also important to note that our path for Force sensitivity allows you to become Force sensitive and gain some skills that improve your current skills without necessarily becoming a Jedi. If you want to you can start down and explore your own Force sensitivity without ever picking up a light saber or becoming a Jedi knight or becoming involved in what we call the Force Ranking System. That’s something that’s overlooked and it’s very, very cool that a Marksman can become a better Marksman if he wants to explore more of his Force sensitivity. That goes across the board. We tried to include in all the major professions some sort of bonuses, so there are crafting bonuses scouting bonuses, and combat bonuses. So for me that really does add a whole new element and we’ve talked about this in the in-development pages that the dynamic of the Force sensitive features encourages players to work together to kind of solve these quests"
this sounds really interesting, I have no desire to be a jedi, but if I can use the force to be better at somthing I *want* to do, like being a smuggler... sounds good.
That depends on how you define being a smuggler. The Force Sensitivities will give you added defenses (Melee Defense and Ranged Defense,) added weapon speed, added weapon accuracy, better experimental and assembly success, better repair skills, better vehicle handling skills, better creature harvesting/knowledge skills, better INJURY treatment skills, better surveying skills, and persuaion and luck, which I have not been able to determine a real use for. Other than the ranged speed/accuracy and range/melee defense, none of these sensitivities will help with Smuggler, and even those are fairly generic bonuses.
In other words, join the club with the entertainers—Smugglers got shafted for FS skills.
Capt_Baobab
Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:12 pm
#12
Squad Leader, Ranger, Commando, Dancer, Musician, to a lesser degree Tailor, Image Designer, Pikeman, Creature Handler…need I go on? The fact is, a lot of professions are very, very broken. Does that mean Smugglers should have to keep being pushed off in having their concerns and issues addressed? Not at all. It just means SOE has done a pisspoor job in design and implementation, and they don't have the manpower to fix it. Unfortunately, without a serious hierarchical overhaul, this is going to continue to be a problem.
ahh... so why don't we get together with them, and kvetch in unison? might get some attention then, no?
ahh... so why don't we get together with them, and kvetch in unison? might get some attention then, no?
Syzygy-Gorath
Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:19 pm
#13
Capt_Baobab wrote:
Squad Leader, Ranger, Commando, Dancer, Musician, to a lesser degree Tailor, Image Designer, Pikeman, Creature Handler…need I go on? The fact is, a lot of professions are very, very broken. Does that mean Smugglers should have to keep being pushed off in having their concerns and issues addressed? Not at all. It just means SOE has done a pisspoor job in design and implementation, and they don't have the manpower to fix it. Unfortunately, without a serious hierarchical overhaul, this is going to continue to be a problem.
ahh... so why don't we get together with them, and kvetch in unison? might get some attention then, no?
Yes, well, the problem with that, you see, is that Image Designers are as broken as they are because they got some developer attention. To be honest, I'm not really sure that having changes made is a good thing. 
As far as the rest goes, Dancers and Musicians (and to an extent Entertainers) have presented a united, unhappy front…and have only just recently even seen a suggestion that there may be a fix in the works. Squad Leaders, Commandos, and Rangers have been throwing out ideas—in some cases interprofessional ones, a la the SL/Commando dual cert weaponry—that has been entirely ignored. Tailors begged for new items, only to be given limited use schematics that actually made gameplay worse for many of them. Creature Handlers…well, in theory they'll be in line with combat once the CB rolls around. Lucky them. Pikemen…well, what can one really say about Pikemen?
As far as the rest goes, Dancers and Musicians (and to an extent Entertainers) have presented a united, unhappy front…and have only just recently even seen a suggestion that there may be a fix in the works. Squad Leaders, Commandos, and Rangers have been throwing out ideas—in some cases interprofessional ones, a la the SL/Commando dual cert weaponry—that has been entirely ignored. Tailors begged for new items, only to be given limited use schematics that actually made gameplay worse for many of them. Creature Handlers…well, in theory they'll be in line with combat once the CB rolls around. Lucky them. Pikemen…well, what can one really say about Pikemen?The upshot is, the lucky ones are the ones that haven't gotten responses to their concerns…because those that have are, for the most part, worse off than they were before.
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