I am playing for the roleplay value. I am enjoying the game very much and I am hard to please. It is similar to any other game out there but there are some differences and there are the tools for roleplaying as you mentioned.

 Any game is going to have it's detractors. Heck, look at how much hate World of Warcraft generates...yet, look at how many people play the game. I've learned to skip the posts made by haters and griefers and look for the posts made by those who are being honest in a polite way. Also read between the lines using past experience with MMORPG's to guide you.

 I used to be caught up with all the hate and found it hard to enjoy any freakin' game after SWG. Laid it to rest...still hope for the perfect 'sandbox' game one day. I enjoy World of Warcraft even though it's very linear. Therefore I play on a pvp server to throw some uncertaintly into the picture...makes it more fun.

 LOTRO is a very fun game. Again, don't listen to the haters and griefers. Download it and try it out for free until the 24th. I was disappointed with the game at first in the beginning instance. I mean, I was very disappointed. I gave it another chance, got through the instance and into the starter area of the world and am now really liking the game alot.

 It has it's weaknesses, just like any game out there today. But, it also has its strengths...just like any game out there today. You have to try it and see if it appeals to you.

 I think there is a place for both types of game: sandbox and linear.

 Sandbox is fun because it allows you to run wild with your imagination: you want to be a rude smuggler with a penchant for danger and a quick charm for cash? Try it. Want to rid the galaxy of Rebel scum...while secretly giving away info to the Rebels for prestige and cash? Do it. Want to build a great city and forge a name for your guild that will be remembered years from now? Lead massive player controlled armies to war? Be the hated scum that player-killed his own king? DO IT!

 Linear is also fun. I understand wanting to come home from a tough day at work and wanting to just go adventure and not have to manage houses, vehicles, weapons, people etc. Watching your character improve over time and occasionally coming across another player that is about to be killed by NPC's...stepping in and saving that character from death. Bowing and moving on.

 I'm a little bit of both.  Played SWG, WoW, EQII, Vanguard, EVE, EQ, Lineage2, Asheron's Call 1+2 and a few others. My favorite Sandbox game was SWG...my favorite Linear game is probably WoW. I enjoy them both and, at one time or other, enjoyed all the others, too. I won't belittle anyone's choice in a game. If the game pleases you, COOL! If you hate it, fine....I wish anyone luck in finding the game of their dreams.

 SWG was that game for me...so many opportunities...so many player  tools for RP...so many character choices. It appealed to like-minded individuals. It was killed by those who prefer Linear type games. Therefore my quest for the perfect sandbox game goes on. Currently playing LOTRO and enjoying it very much BUT it is not a sandbox game. I'm hoping Age of Conan will be that game.

 True, I did find the NPC chat bubble option.

 Just me with the chat bubbles...like I said, it's not a game killer of course. Just a little inconvenience...but, I was spoiled by SWG.

 Downloaded on the 6th, played early morning on the 7th and was disappointed. Why? The intro movie, area and instance just wasn't exciting; combat was boring; I just was expecting so much more.

 Decided to give the game another chance. Played again later in the day on the 7th until about 3 in the morning. Anything different? Yes, I very much like the game now...and will preorder.

 I'm still unsure about endgame...other than crafting and a few tools for RP, I see no reason for playing beyond level cap. Other than waiting for expansions and a level increase. Let's see what benefits a Fellowship will gain you...I believe a Fellowship is a guild. If it's a group for quests, someone please correct me. I know of the monster thing...just not so sure about that either. What are the benefits?

 Graphics are pleasing to the eye. Lots of autumn colors. Lots of ambient sounds. Yes, there are constellations....tried to see if any star was prevalent in the northern sky, there may be but didn't notice one. The water effects are nice. Shadows are nice. Barely any lag at all. Fire effects could be better. The sky is gorgeous.

 Character graphics are very nice. My ONLY gripe is customisation is very limited...but not a game turn off.  I feel that can be remedied by MORE armor/gear sets....or allow crafters to color their wares (may be able to, not sure...just a basic woodcrafter myself). Running graphic is good, swimming graphic is nice although I couldn't get my character to go underwater (may not be any need to so no trouble there with me). Ok, two gripes. I want chat bubbles to appear over characters. I looked for an option to do so but couldn't find any. This is a little bit of a major disappointment for me. But, not enough to drive me away. (Chat bubbles ease combat and character RP alot...you don't have to keep checking the chat log + I'm spoiled on SWG).

 NPC graphics are nice. They have an option for chat bubbles...which is pleasing. The instance coming out of the starter area with an NPC helping you out was EXCELLENTLY done. I really enjoyed that part. The NPC quests are nicely written up and have had no problems with them...with a little exploration.

 AI is about the same as any game out there...but it is fun. When creatures see they are about to get their butt kicked, they will run. Some creatures will chase you if you run. Some creatures will snip at you as you run past but won't chase you. Flocks of birds rising from trees at approach.

 All in all....yes, the same thing but done in a fun way. I think the game is worth it and have preordered. Oh, and so far I ran into only one jerk...but, I think he was a child trying to be cool on the chat log. Everyone else is friendly.

 Suvroc, you are so right. All I heard from everyone in my guild was how much potential the game has.

 I heard the same things...more faction: Imp, Reb, Hutt, Jabba and Nym faction with Imps and Rebs battling it out, Hutt, Jabba and Nym fighting it out. Interior housing for Jabba faction at Jabbas palace; Interior housing for Nym faction at Nyms fortress; planetary control with worthwhile bonuses for said faction.

 I've tried all sorts of games and cannot get into them...they have no endgame. SWG was the only game where I didn't master an Elite profession for a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGG time, because it wasn't that important to me. It was a goal, but it wasn't the grind. Too much other player created stuff going on.

 EQ2, WoW, Vanguard, EVE, Lineage2, FF....nothing there for me anymore.

 CLASSIC!

 Thanks for the laugh, Foodoo

 I think all he is asking is , yes, when you do hit top level, is there anything in the game to keep you playing?

 Many MMORPG's out there have a very limited endgame to it. Hit max level and then do the special quests in groups over and over again until you get the great loot to be able to kill better and faster when you do the same quest again with another group.

 Are there things to do besides just quests to level up. Such as guild stuff, tools to provide player intrigue. Is dropped loot better than crafted loot? Is there a reason for someone to run a business as a crafter and be happy doing so? Or is everyone able to craft their own stuff.

 I'm looking at getting this game myself, but with the disappointment of so many games out there, I fear this may be another let-down. I hope not...I will definitely give it a chance.

 I would really want to come back but Jedi would have to be redone in a different way, or you'd still have hordes doing the Jedi shuffle and the economy thereby affected.

 So, yes if no Jedi.

 I agree, Metatronic.

 You said you played on Naritus? I was on Naritus from day 1 of launch until NGE. Name was Y'rab Dran'ya. Who were you? Always hoping to see good friends from those days long lost.

 I started on day 1 of launch and played up until NGE.

 I had no problems with the buffs, they should have just minimalized them...they were too strong.

 I started out trying to become a master Pikeman but ended up going Bounty Hunter due to roleplaying with other great people in the guild CRX on Naritus. I still remember all the good times. I played just on Tatooine for about a month before I finally left for Theed...a friend of my good friend had just mastered Entertainer-musician and was going to throw a celebration at the Theed Cantina. What a great time.

 Then there was the wedding at the Theed Palace I presided over...hordes of people showed up and the wedding speech I planned out fit into the mood of SWG perfectly. I remember spying on another guild...I remember catching a spy in our guild, he should have made sure I wasn't on the other side of the wall before he started giving secrets to our enemies.

 The game had so much potential. They should have made a Jabba faction, a Hutt faction and a Nym faction with just as much importance as Reb and Imp factions. They should have made Jabbas palace the home base for the faction with expandable living spaces beneath the Palace. Same with Nym and the Hutt faction. They should have allowed Master Entertainers buy the npc cantinas and be able to control them...access wise and drink/food wise etc. Same with medical centers for docs.

 They should have made an option to have underground player cities. Bounties on players with high costs. Flying craft on the planets for players. Made NPC's tougher. Expanded the GCW to give special guild loot. Kept the ability to have 2 pets out or 2 droids out or 2 npc's out to help you fight.

 But, nope...instead we got NGE.

 I really hope R. Koster can give us what we dream of. It doesn't have to be SWG but something Sci Fi with the freedom to be what we want to be.

 Played on Naritus server since day 1.

Name was Y'rab Dran'ya.

Master BH/Carb

Quit a while after CU-had a great time in the guild CRX with some good friends whom I will prolly never hear from again. It sux. Stupid SOE.

 Shadow, I think it's very good of you to ask out of respect for the parents of the child. Many on here, I see, wouldn't give a damn about the parents. In fact they would make fun of them and think they go to church to get molested. How wise of them, eh?

 Nice! I don't currently play the game but I have in the past. Adding avatars into the game and being able to walk around and meet people in the Stations would definitely bring me back to the game.

 This game has a lot of potential and would have me quickly back in the fold with avatars and hopes for future ability to walk around in your ship.