Robert,

Nice article. But it really misses the point of why so many are upset with
the NGE.

Sure, the NGE may be (or become) fun as the devs have a chance to tweak and
fix it. And of course, ANYTHING will begin to look better once you become
familiar with it. And as a company, I do see why SOE/LA feel this is their
best option in competing with WoW. All that may be true, but it doesn't
justify the manner in which SOE/LA treated their veteran players via the
implementation of the NGE. It could have been done very differently.

SOE/LA basically want a WoW-like playerbase and realized they would not get
it via the current game and the current players. They basically were
willing to sacrifice current players for the fortunes that a "new" player
base could bring them. The NGE launch was done in a way NOT to accommodate
veteran players or support them in their transition into the NGE... it was
done in a way that sought to control rioting among the veterans. Its no
coincidence that it happened after ToOW was released. The two week prep
period was also intentional because it forced players to "try" the game by
making sure the majority of players have time left on their subscription to
play the NGE out of curiosity. They launched the NGE in a way that served
THEM and not the veterans.

Writing an article about the "new" SWG as a means of countering veteran
player anger is actually kind of pointless. I mean, of course the game is
going to be enjoyable after the bugs are worked out and it is developed
further. Of course, players will begin to enjoy it once they become
familiar with it. The game has no where else to go but UP (literally). But
that doesn't address the real issue. Heck, its like trying to console and
comfort a rape victim by telling her what a nice and fun guy her attacker
really is. It may be true but it does nothing to address her feelings of
violation and abuse. Our trust in SOE/LA was violated regardless of how fun
the game is or will be.

Here is my challenge to you...

If you really want to reach the disgruntled veteran players and present some
reason for their return then write an article addressing the issue of their
treatment by SOE/LA. They don't want to hear about how fun the game is
becoming (that may just anger them). Address the issue of why they should
trust SOE/LA after this ordeal. Thats an article I'd really like to read.
Unfortunately, it's one that no one will write because there is no
justification for it.

So, SOE/LA and columnists like yourself will keep hiding behind the "this
game is fun" party line thinking that is all that really matters in the end.
The point you miss is that "having" fun requires a minimal level of
respectful treatment. With that gone, the game could be as entertaining as
hell but I still wouldn't have fun playing it.

Mike

Well Mike;

Merry Christmas to you as well, I hope you are doing well, I am am hoping Santa brought you what you wanted.

First I need to make two things clear as a bell. First off this article was my peronal feelings towards the NGE as a responce to many a person asking me what I thought of it. Secondly, hiding is not an option when it comes to Journalism, for those that hide behind anything as a Journalist they are just puppets and I can guarentee you there is no one with thier hand in the seat of my pants and I know I am too young for a proctology exam. I am studying what you have written to me reading your comments and I appricite any comment I get on any article but I have to say I am confused by this quote;

"If you really want to reach the disgruntled veteran players and present some
reason for their return then write an article addressing the issue of their
treatment by SOE/LA. They don't want to hear about how fun the game is
becoming (that may just anger them). Address the issue of why they should
trust SOE/LA after this ordeal.

Forgive me if I am wrong but what you want me to do is be your puppet and instead of saying that this game still in my personal opinion has potential to be a really great game, you want me to say SOE/LEC are SOB's and dirty dogs and should not be allowed to live because they took a multi-billion dollar gamble, that no other company has had the guts to do, even though SOE/LEC stated they were aware of this sort of gamble and the result would be not good for either side, reveamp an entire game system in it's prime and attempt to make it a better experience for players?

Then you did mention and I will requote;

"Address the issue of why they should trust SOE/LA after this ordeal. Thats an article I'd really like to read." Unfortunatly, it's one that no one will write because there is no justification for it."

I do agree there is no justification for it cuz when all the vet players broke free and let loose, it was all out mayhem, some used thier smarts, formed groups and worked together as small teams while the rest just went rogue and talked the talk and trolled the SOE forums just wanting to look like they could walk the walk and poke thier two cents in where ever they could trying to use word power and force a major corporation to bend to thier demands.

Here is my challenge to you good sir. You tell me what it is exactly that upset everyone with the NGE (remember you are speaking on behalf of every vet player disgruntled with the NGE myself included) and I will give you what you deserve, a full fledged non cut interview right here on SWG WarCry so you can tell the disgruntled side of the story instead of just spits, rants, raves and confusion like I have seen on the SOE boards and in some of the Gaming News Tabloids. Remember it's so easy to run to a site that sells games or a site that supports games and say it all but, I want you to come back to me with what SOE/LEC has done, show me the cold hard facts, proove them, and be in the postiion of delegated athority to do so, and you will have yourself a revelation of The Dark Side.

A wise man once said "Let a well lead pack of hungry wolves invade a town it is shear disaster and mass murder but the wolves will be well fed and content but, remove a dominant leader and watch them devour each other in dire confusion and death.

Robert Bloodraven Greene
News Staff
SWG WarCry