Ilum revamp is coming February/March.  Makeb is coming very soon. As long as they bring new content every 6-8 weeks as they promise, the population will be steady. SSSP though if done right will bring tons of people. They work on game optimization, sometimes with mix results, but there is steady improvement imo.

Next few weeks should bring some more light about Ilum  and Makeb.

1) We don't know anything about it

2) We have no idea when it will be released

3) They need to keep appeasing their current players with content

I don't think their SSSP will be big enough or out soon enough to get many people to return.  I'm certainly going to keep an eye on it though.

Been playing the hell out of this game again. I always liked it and finally finished the BH story. (my Main). Populations are good ..for now and I've seen a shite-ton more RP on Ebon Hawk than before. Especially on Korriban. really cool.

That said. I have a sinking feeling the space update is going to be co-op?(maybe even raid-like) versions of the same game on rails. I hope I'm wrong.

I wish they'd just focus on their strengths. We all know what Bioware is good for and that's story-based content with alignment choices and voice overs. I wish they'd add new chapters to each class story, and add more Flashpoints akin to Esselles and Black Talon (ie. heavily storied/cutscenes with conversation choices). 

If they don't, then I'll be gone once again once I finish the class stories.

A complete re-write of the Space Game to create a quality standalone free flight is, in my opinion, not going to come anytime soon when the Dev base has been cut to 20%.

I also have reservations about whether the Dev team will listen to the playerbase on what should it should be, they seem to have a determination that they know best and then only change once their version has been released to a poor reception, they need some humility and common sense, listen to the people who will pay you at the beginning of the process.

Originally posted by FrodoFragins

1) We don't know anything about it

2) We have no idea when it will be released

3) They need to keep appeasing their current players with content

 

I don't think their SSSP will be big enough or out soon enough to get many people to return.  I'm certainly going to keep an eye on it though.

 

The devs have made it clear that the SSSP isn't coming anytime soon (and "soon"^TM is already a long time). All that can be said is that there is a SSSP supposedly in the works which proves to be more of a dangling carrot to appease the players who are hoping for a great space sim.

There's still a problem I can sum up in 3 words.

Abil ity delay

I don't think it is the saving grace for SWTOR. No matter what Bioware implements, it will always fail to live up to the perception of sucess that SWG's space game had, the current features of EVE, and the future potential of Star Citizen.

Bioware needs to do what none of the aforementioned seem to have much of (or planned for), which is an integration with the ground game. There shouldn't be a split between space and ground; it should be like the movies where both aspects were important at the same time in order to tell a story.

Bioware should focus on retaining the fans it has now, since the trend has been a decrease in subscribers. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool for an online medium where information travels faster and wider then a television commercial or magazine spot.

I suggest that Bioware steps back and dismisses the notion of creating a space game enhancement, but instead they should dive back in with the intent of creating an immersive Star Wars story, no matter where such adventures take players.

Originally posted by zomard100
SWTOR doesen't need to be saved, game is full with players. But i guess you never tried to play this game :)

Game was full with players when it launched, then it dropped fast within months as not much to do once reach max level.

Then F2P comes, and boosts population again, but as nothing has really been added to keep players, the population will drop again over the next few months, and permanently this time ... unless the SSSSSP gets in fast and makes the space game like STO/EVE/SWG.

The current space game in SWTOR is the biggest MMO joke - 1) It is single player ONLY in multiplayer game and 2) The missions are not varied at all, as you progress you end up getting the same missions but harder, and they are identical to both Imperial and Republic with exactly the same ship and asteroid formations and you ship follows the exact same path.

The amount of players playing the space game is mostly in the single figures.

I agree that the space missions minigame (I treat is as minigame) SWTOR has right now attract small percent of players. They posted lately on web the comparative usage of different aspects of game by players and space missions are like 2 to 3%.

SSSP if done right would definitely change this graph

Originally posted by Sevenstar61

I agree that the space missions minigame (I treat is as minigame) SWTOR has right now attract small percent of players. They posted lately on web the comparative usage of different aspects of game by players and space missions are like 2 to 3%.

SSSP if done right would definitely change this graph

 

for it to be done right however, it would have to not be any of the following;

A. Single player only

B. On rails.

C. Co-op only.

so not really going to hold breath on this one, because i really dont think they can do much with it.

Originally posted by Sevenstar61

Ilum revamp is coming February/March.  Makeb is coming very soon. As long as they bring new content every 6-8 weeks as they promise, the population will be steady. SSSP though if done right will bring tons of people. They work on game optimization, sometimes with mix results, but there is steady improvement imo.

Next few weeks should bring some more light about Ilum  and Makeb.

They do need to fix llum but they need to ask themselves why is there no pvp on other planets besides voss and tattoine, why isn't it large scale, it may improve pve but not pvp side of things as far as OPvP goes.

Best ideas. Close the servers down. Reboot the game. Cut out all the voice acting except for class specific lines. Fix ability lag. Fix pvp. Give Freebs more options. End cartel coins.

That will make tor better.

Originally posted by Paddyspub
Topic. Eaware is touting that their SSSP (Super Secret Space Program) will be a major boost for SWTOR. I dunno, they still havent fixed Illum and the laggy game engine. So many promises only to be let down in the end. Imo, I think the core game (engine, gameplay, class balance) needs a major revamp before they get totally serious about this SSSP idea.

If they push the right buttons and really make a better version of JTL than yeah, I can see people coming back, even those that might not enjoy the ground combat and just play for the Space combat (that is if they allow you to level up just through space with it's own class and everything a la JTL)

It will most likely be very similar to the trash they gave you with stories and cut scenes. Enjoy.

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