My letter to Mr. Smedley

[Leviathen]

February 21, 2006

Roger Kovessy
Mississauga, Ontario
rkovessy@rogers.com

John Smedley
President, Sony Online Entertainment

Dear Mr. Smedley.

I write this email in regards to the most recent changes to Star Wars: Galaxies. I have been an avid player of this game as well as customer of Sony Online Entertainment since March, 2004, and over the course of that time the face of Star Wars: Galaxies has significantly changed. Some of these changes were good, others necessary, but many were controversial and unwelcome. I feel the need to voice my concern over some of the more recent changes as it has affected the experience and quality of game play provided to thousands of people. This email is not intended beg for a revert back to an older system, but rather to point out what has been neglected in Star Wars: Galaxies and where possible focus could be shifted to fix these gross oversights.

My first concern is the neglect of certain professions. The latest changes altered the number of professions and the way a player progresses through these professions. Though most of the professions are still in the game, whether it be fused into another profession, such as commando, or still remains on its own, such as jedi, some were dropped all together due to their unpopularity. I believe this to be a poor choice as skills such as Creature Handler were quite popular if the entire game’s history is looked at, however, changes to these professions made them weak and undesirable, which led to their unpopularity. The concepts were sound, but small changes need to be made to ensure they still worked . It is my suggestion that some of these professions be slowly integrated back into the game, as they were very unique to Galaxies and made for a truly indescribable and enjoyable game play when done right. Being able to mount creatures such as Banthas and Dewbacks is undeniably entertaining, and really makes a person feel like they are in the Star Wars universe.

Other professions, though not completely dropped, were rendered almost useless. I cannot over emphasize enough the problems present with traders and entertainers. These two once very entertaining and fun professions are now almost useless in the new system. Ever since the removal of battle fatigue and mind wounds, there has been very little need for an Entertainer. I, myself, have never been an entertainer, however, many [;auers enjoyed having a reason to walk over to the cantina, watch the entertainers and socialize with other players. While they helped combatants, I helped them in turn by giving them experience. The symbiotic relationship, which was present in many different professions throughout the game, is now gone. No two professions rely on each other. Rather, there are two remaining professions that require the goodwill of everyone else to help them. No one needs to go to an entertainer or a trader anymore, it is all simply provided for me in the means of loot, yet traders and entertainers still need players to help further their profession. This one sided relationship is not only illogical but unnecessary. I do understand that newer players relying on merchants to provide them with equipment might have made it difficult for them to get adjusted to the game, so I provide a compromise that satisfies all party’s needs:

Problem 1: The old system of merchants made it too hard for new players.

Solution: This solution is already pretty much in place. Low level creatures drop low level loot with is usable by lower level players. This is a good system that needs to remain in place. However it still leaves other problems.

Problem 2: The old system of loot was not very useful, and it turn, was simply deleted, however, the new system of loot puts a strong disadvantage to merchants and traders, since their equipment is now seldom bought and better items can be looted.

Solution: Draw a strong line between player crafted items and lootable items. This is a solution that offers the best of both worlds with limited draw back. Items being looted off NPCs are still desirable and useable (such as a special type of armour, armour enhancements, or clothing with modifications) but other, stand items, like generic armour can only be crafted, leaving a need for merchants.

Also, a major issue with the new profession system that many players have is the lack of choice, and the inability to change professions. This was an item that made Galaxies a unique experience and set it apart from any other Massive Multiplayer Online RPG, the ability to continuously alter what your character was. If you as a player got sick of a certain profession, all you had to do was take up a new one. Currently in Galaxies, a player now must start an entirely new character if they wish to try another profession, which is extremely limiting. Generally speaking, a player does not want to start off with a clean slate if they decide their profession is not right for them, especially if they have already gotten heavily involved in a player association, or a good RP city (however, if they wish to the option was still there). Also, by always allowing players to switch between professions it gave the chance for a never ending and continually changing experience, reducing the chance of a player getting bored once they hit the maximum level. The ability to alter professions was a great part of galaxies that I believe must be reintroduced.

Finally, diversity. Though I fully understand the incredible burden it was for Sony Online Entertainment to have enough staff looking over every profession in the game, and the need for it to be simplified, I do believe that it was made too simple too quickly. Having all these options open was again, something that made Galaxies unique and great. By removing all these different choices, and going with a “leveling up” system, rather than the old “profession skill tree” system, the game now feels more generic, and just another mmorpg. Many people enjoyed Galaxies simply because it was unique and offered an experience no other game provided, but now Galaxies simply offers a ‘cookie-cutter’ game play experience that is found in many other mmorpgs.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter to you. Star Wars: Galaxies is still a good game, but now lacks some qualities that made it great. I fully understand the reasons and the need for the changes that were made, but I believe there are many suggestions included within this letter, as well as being submitted daily to your staff on the forums. With some work this game can be brought back to the level it once was.

I would like to close with a final thought. There is no going back to the way the game once was, but developers should not be scared to look at old ideas and bring them back. Small things like reintegrating battle fatigue and other small systems in a new and improved way could go very far in improving Star Wars: Galaxies.

[Lexx Yovel]

Good letter, I just finished reading it. I feel battle fatigue needs to come back. Also, I'd like the days where you had to see a medic in a hospital come back.

Creature handler needs to return, possibly fused together with bio-engineer. They could make an entirely new proffesion with those two put together, OR they could integrate it with trader (making their proffesion more exciting. THIS would help trader significantly).

[Leviathen]

Thank you Lexx, I will post his reply if I get it.

[Kurke_Aumea]

Well written.

Personally, I feel there is a lot more things they need to fix or bring back before I will ever go back to SWG.

Btw, be prepared for a "cookie-cutter" response from Mr. Smedley.

[Leviathen]

I am prepared, but it's nice to know I was able to write that.

I could have written a novel on everyting I think needs to change, but I would be surprised if he reads all of what I wrote, so there was no point. I focused on the items that bugged me the most.

[Guest]

Good letter, I just finished reading it. I feel battle fatigue needs to come back. Also, I'd like the days where you had to see a medic in a hospital come back.

Creature handler needs to return, possibly fused together with bio-engineer. They could make an entirely new proffesion with those two put together, OR they could integrate it with trader (making their proffesion more exciting. THIS would help trader significantly).

yeah they could call it bio-handler or creature-engineer lol or we could just call it a jaysont (realy cool but realy useless and a pain is backside )