CUEmu - Thread Posts

SmugglinZane

Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:42 pm

First I want to make a disclaimer to everyone. I'm not trying to bash anyone. I think we've gotten a little too confused around here about the difference between complaining and derogatory flaming. With that being said here goes...

For informational purposes I am a neutral Master Smuggler, Master Weaponsmith, 4433 Smuggler Alliance Privateer. Yavin Station missions are described as story specific missions for ALL pilots.

So I log on today and decide, having finished the Talus Station missions (Tusk Cat Run is a duty mission), decided to check out the other missions available with the last patch. I look through the additions and choose Yavin Station. When I get there I receive a mission to track down an executive. I find his location to complete it, then proceed to the next mission rescuing him. Once I'm done with that I get the choice of 3 more missions or to land. Now what's this... "I'm looking for some special work". Oh hell yeah, more smuggling, even though I don't get the cargo. So I pick up a package in Yavin space and deliver it to Naboo space, dispatching impediments along the way, to finish the mission. I return to Yavin station and there's no more "special work" available so I decide I'm done with missions there.

Then I have another thought. Most of my friends are neutral, NON Smuggler, Smuggler Alliance Privateers. I wonder if they can do these missions that are identical to the non duty Talus Station mission. So I send one of them an email and wait patiently. A few hours later he comes on, knocks out the first 2 Yavin Station missions, and receives the same "special work" choice. Then he sends me 2 tells. "Well he probably won't let me take the missions." "Hehe... he gave me this mission... delivery of a package."

Now that leaves me here. Disgruntled and posting. I continue to post that I am in support of delaying attention to the Smuggler profession in order to further the game through the CU. I continue to get slapped in the face by SOE for having this attitude by them giving the one Smuggler specific ability that should be in game to all players regardless of where they invest their skill points.

It is obvious to me that JFreeman's description of the difference between a Smuggler and smuggling has now become the one thing that caused us all to demand an explanation in the first place. As they continue to implement more content for JTL, they have shown no aversion to continuing this slight of our profession. If they continue in this manner, then there are two very likely outcomes of an eventual profession revamp. The decision to make Smuggler content ground based only, even though it will be contrary to their previous statements of Smuggler being a space based profession, or the implementation of Smuggler missions similar to current Smuggler Alliance missions will cause either the community to cry out for access to them or the devs allowing them to do it in the first place in order to avoid that outcry.

In closing, I'd like to restate my position as well as what I would like to see from SOE. I will continue to wait patiently and support the continued delay of the Smuggler Revamp in favor of the CU as long as the following occurs:

We are given immediate attention following the CU development and not placed in line behind other professions and profession fixes.

The skills and abilities that should have been given to Smugglers since the conception of the game are not distributed to non Smuggler players regardless of the package they present it in. If the Smuggler Alliance is their excuse, then they should not have implemented the Smuggler Alliance. The opinion that the Smuggler Alliance also needs "hired guns" should continue to be developed and the dev team needs to leave the smuggling mission for the Smugglers and their revamp if need be.

Finally I would appreciate it if SOE would further clarify their position regarding Smugglers and smuggling. We've played their game. Many have been patient and supporting. We bought into JFreeman's definitions, and laid back for the proof. Now the proof is out there, and the truth in that proof is disturbing to me. I sincerely hope that one of the "lurkers" around here can pass this along to the people that need to see it. Patience is not only a virtue, but a finite entity. It's obvious that it continues to wear out for many while waiting for a revamp, and will further degrade if they continue to disregard the players who have been Smugglers waiting to smuggle since they began this game (over a year ago for many).

Zane

Regarding the 2 STs in the Theed Palace. So far it seems that anyone who belongs to a neutral pilot faction (Privateers) is called a Smuggler. Although this is very annoying, it is more than likely due to a lack of imagination, as well as a certain amount of respect for us, rather than passing our title out to others. Still, I did submit a bug report regarding it.

Message Edited by SmugglinZane on 12-03-2004 11:53 PM

Message Edited by SmugglinZane on 12-03-2004 11:54 PM

Message Edited by SmugglinZane on 12-04-2004 02:31 PM

Message Edited by SmugglinZane on 12-04-2004 03:01 PM

Message Edited by SmugglinZane on 12-04-2004 03:14 PM

"Jedi claims of being "broken" are like saying "But my TV isn't widescreen! It's broken! My TV can't show high-def pictures in 1080i, it can only do 720i! It's broken!" Meanwhile, crafters are saying "We'd really like to have a TV that's larger than 12" and gets more than 4 channels and doesn't constantly lose vertical control", and entertainers are saying "Can we get some color instead of this B&W piece of junk?" And smugglers? We're listening to radio programs of "The Shadow" and "The Abbot and Costello Comedy Hour" and hearing FDR's Fireside Chats. We don't even HAVE a damn TV, much less a broken one or a "broken" one by Jedi standards. I'd LOVE to be as "broken" as they are." - The Legendary Solo4114

JohnnyBravoRPD

Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:58 pm

#2

Great post ! 5*'s for you

________________________________________________________

Tazix Dustrider - Smuggler? - I give up already !!!

DrevenStrobe

Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:59 pm

#3

/agree

Note the link in my sig...

Not much more to say...

Dreven Strobe (Colonel) ~~Tristyn Strobe~~

TKM / Master Pistoleer / Master Smuggler / ~~Master Merchant~~

Imp FP Broker: 130c/FP Starsider ~~Imp FP Broker: 130c/FP~~

Smuggler 'til the end...and then some.

"Everything I tell you is a lie. The truth is always bigger than the words we use to describe it."

Squatch

Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:23 pm

#4

Hear Hear!!

/raises glasss

/waits for a answer

Miek
Master Smuggler
Imperial Colonel
Lunatic Parade

Always selling faction at off peak hours

LM

Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:14 pm

#5

Holy cow, Zane, five stars for you!

The one thing I do not agree with is this: I NEVER bought into JFreemans "(s)muggling" vs. "(S)muggling" explanation -- and I have not met anyone who did -- but I think that infamous post was due to the fact that he was on the spot and had to deal with the aftermath of SOE Management's lack of vision regarding Smugglers and their role in the game (and I do not hold a grudge against him for it -- I blame Management for this debacle, which we DID try to stop in JTL beta).

Otherwise -- good job expressing the frustration and patience we have all had with regard to the way the Smuggler profession has been a) neglected, b) mismanaged and c) nerfed -- sometimes with faint and once with NO explanation whatsoever from SOE -- the latter being the spice downer nerf of at least six months ago that was NOT DOCUMENTED, did NOT appear in the release notes and which was NEVER COMMENTED ON by SOE.

The answer to our understandable, curious, respectful, polite and absolutely NUMEROUS repeated queries regarding this change ("Was this a BUG due to changes made to something else?" or "Is this change something that made Spices 'work as we intended'?") was given to our correspondent at the time (Caylin) but he was FORBIDDEN by SOE to tell us. Imagine that! LOL!

Let me ask you all -- what kind of sense does that make? A change made to one of our biggest sources of income -- and it was the final deathblow to that source of income. How disrespectful can a company be of its customers? It makes NO sense to me whatsoever to keep this a secret. It is bizarre behavior to say the least. This to me epitomizes the dysfunction of SOE with regard to how it communicates with its player base -- and specifically, the Smuggler player base. It is... pretty twisted, to put it as kindly as possible. No wonder some of us have reached the end of our patience and have lashed out.

Ah well anyway, I digress. This will make an interesting study some day -- the things a game company will do and not do, and what the paying customers will actually put up with. LOL. And I include myself in the "paying customers putting up with it" category. Hmmm... You know, I have been thinking about writing an article about this whole smuggler experience with SOE. From a psychological point of view, it is simply fascinating... *raises eyebrow in Spock-like fashion*

Lylak Moon

Lilac Moon

__________________________________________________________

There are no functional Smugglers in SWG; even Han cannot Smuggle.

Smuggler History
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

SmugglinZane

Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:20 pm

#6

I got someone in game that's going to check on who exactly the STs call smugglers. I'll edit my first post when I get a response from him (probably tomorrow as I'm about to log).

"Jedi claims of being "broken" are like saying "But my TV isn't widescreen! It's broken! My TV can't show high-def pictures in 1080i, it can only do 720i! It's broken!" Meanwhile, crafters are saying "We'd really like to have a TV that's larger than 12" and gets more than 4 channels and doesn't constantly lose vertical control", and entertainers are saying "Can we get some color instead of this B&W piece of junk?" And smugglers? We're listening to radio programs of "The Shadow" and "The Abbot and Costello Comedy Hour" and hearing FDR's Fireside Chats. We don't even HAVE a damn TV, much less a broken one or a "broken" one by Jedi standards. I'd LOVE to be as "broken" as they are." - The Legendary Solo4114

HeYoU

Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:25 pm

#7

I don't have JTl(yet) and the stormeis just say I don't look like much of a pilot.

Nimic Merok: Master Smuggler [Naritus]

North Ska'bre: Master Creature Handler, Master Rifleman, Master Scout [Radiant]

Spice available upon request....if the price is right. Always ready to slice your gear...for a price....

Datink_Nieleft

Sat Dec 04, 2004 5:07 am

#8

Yes. A well thought out, NON flame post. You've presented your facts as well as the sentiments of our profession well.

As I read through, I could sense you were greatly holding back your frustration. I commend you for not letting it murk up the point

you were trying to get across.

5 Stars for being a "Rogue Scholar" if you will

GostNDajtink
Original Smuggler
My bowels are loose and I'm a little gamey Want some toast?

maxtheusher

Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:06 am

#9

Zane I'd be interested in knowing that last part as well... just another thing to make us mad? 5 stars for you.

As for the Smuggling v. smuggling issue, /pointsdownatSig. First time I read that I said, "you're kidding me, right? they get smuggling missions and we don't and that's how you justify it?" Personally I'm less upset now that Ground Smugglers have some access to smuggling missions, however that DOES NOT make up for the fact that everyone else can do them.

Also, You forgot choice number 3 for the revamp

They change our name to Pirate and make everyone have to be Smuggler's Alliance to "smuggle."

But now let's look at all this from a different point of view (you know, like obi wan does). These "s"muggling missions are not smuggling. They're more like carrying an imaginary ball through a gauntlet. You don't sneak past anyone, you blast your way through it. You don't actually have an item of value on you, they just say you do. Perhaps, perhaps, this is the difference between "s"muggling and "S"muggling. Maybe, when we get smuggling missions, we'll be able to sneak past people, or if we fail to do that, talk our way out of that, or failing that, run away, then failing that fight.
Maybe we will have an item in our inventory, with the ability to keep the item rather than finishing it. Or destroy the item if things get a little to hot. Maybe we will get our revamp and laugh at the poor chumps doing "s"muggling missions. At least that's what I'd do if given the reins right now. But well, I guess we have to wait and see.

大胆框

赏金猎人

动性交你 SOE

WranglerDekar

Sat Dec 04, 2004 8:51 am

#10

I think we're all outraged that the us real smuggler who've been doing our "job" for months *many over a year* are now downplayed by the Smuggling Alliance...its horrible to say the least.

Ya sometimes get to thinking "what in teh world were they thinking...adding smugglers to the game when we have REAL ones...not these rag tag alliance punks"

Well I'm gonna stay a Smuggler for life. I've been with it for 14 months now and not turning back! 5 STARS FOR ALL THE REAL SMUGGLERS!!!!

Bloodfin - Shiver
Tempest - Wrangler
Valcyn - Teby

Cisco-Kid

Sat Dec 04, 2004 10:11 am

#11

WranglerDekar wrote:

I think we're all outraged that the us real smuggler who've been doing our "job" for months *many over a year* are now downplayed by the Smuggling Alliance...its horrible to say the least.

Ya sometimes get to thinking "what in teh world were they thinking...adding smugglers to the game when we have REAL ones...not these rag tag alliance punks"

Well I'm gonna stay a Smuggler for life. I've been with it for 14 months now and not turning back! 5 STARS FOR ALL THE REAL SMUGGLERS!!!!

Yes! Yes! That's the team spirit!

....Back to my hole...

-Cisco

David665

Sat Dec 04, 2004 10:35 am

#12

I'm a Smuggler that went Smugglers Alliance in hopes that I an actually smuggle something.

SmugglinZane

Sat Dec 04, 2004 12:29 pm

#13

I have confirmed that being a Smuggler is not the trigger for the Stormtrooper addressing you as a smuggler. It is being a Privateer Smuggler Alliance Pilot. I have had a Smuggler Alliance Pilot speak to them and a Master Smuggler, ImperialInquisition Squadron Pilot speak with them. The Master TKA of the Smuggler Alliance was called a smuggler, and the Master Smuggler was not. This is unacceptable. Wes, lurkers, and anyone else who can forward this on to the JTL devs, enough is enough. We have been told that we will be the only SMUGGLERS in this game and that the Smuggler Alliance will only be an ORGANIZATION.

Zane

"Jedi claims of being "broken" are like saying "But my TV isn't widescreen! It's broken! My TV can't show high-def pictures in 1080i, it can only do 720i! It's broken!" Meanwhile, crafters are saying "We'd really like to have a TV that's larger than 12" and gets more than 4 channels and doesn't constantly lose vertical control", and entertainers are saying "Can we get some color instead of this B&W piece of junk?" And smugglers? We're listening to radio programs of "The Shadow" and "The Abbot and Costello Comedy Hour" and hearing FDR's Fireside Chats. We don't even HAVE a damn TV, much less a broken one or a "broken" one by Jedi standards. I'd LOVE to be as "broken" as they are." - The Legendary Solo4114

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