SWG: Flowing with the Force for 7 years! pt 2

What is your favorite memory of SWG?

Sorceress: My favorite moment? Hmmm. That's a hard one. I love space. I guess. When I launched in space the first time, that was my favorite moment. I have had a lot of favorite moments though. When I first launched into space, I realized then that this was not a regular game. Space is one of the things that really makes SWG unique, because no other game has anything like it. The ability to customize your ships, as well as the new space enhancements I think brought a lot to space.

Jason: Man, and I thought the questions would get easier! Lets see. My favorite memory of SWG is all roleplay-related, and while there are a couple that come close, the favorite memory would be sitting on Endor with another player known as Xija. It was basically a weekend retreat of sorts. We had both gone out there ICly, turned off our comms, and spent the entirety of the trip camping and hunting wildlife. There were even a few hours where we scoured the forest for the Gorax . And it all culminated in sitting by the campfire under Endor's starry night.

Melkin: My favorite experience would have to be a period of RP time we called "The Spice Wars". We had multiple guilds in a guild war with established rules to keep a small bit of order and add tension to the gameplay at seeing everyone attackable. Multiple guilds were producing spice and selling it on the market, trying to see who could grab and hold the most territory while making a profit. Lots of different fights happened with it across multiple cities including Melkin, making arrangements for the Empire to crack down on his biggest rival.

Kamis: My favorite so far is the Liberation of Mandalore plotline, although nothing is going on with it.

Milyna: Five or six years ago, Darth Vader was giving a speech, back in a time where there seemed to be much more GM interaction. After the speech, I approached him with an idea, shyly, of course, and RPing the fact he is known for a temper. I suggested creating a new order in the Empire: Fashion Police because Black was so 5 minutes ago. Perhaps out of character, Vader laughed and entertained the conversation a few minutes. In the end my character made the comment "You need a good woman by your side to succeed," and I woke up at a Med Center. I still laugh about it.

What do see for SWG's future?

Sorceress: Hmmmm. I try not to be a prognosticator, but I think the developers need to focus on this game's strengths. Enough with the bug squashing. Time to put that aside and focus on new content that will bring new and old people back to the game. That is what we really need.

Jason: With the Dev team we have now? I see nothing but good things for SWG's future. While I can't say for certain how long it's going to last with two other Star Wars MMOs on the horizon. The experience you get from SWG I don't think can really be rivaled or recreated on any other platform or game. It's really one of the last true sandbox games, and I see at least a few more years in its lifespan.

Kamis: For me, when TOR comes out, it seems like it will die. Most of the players will be going to TOR if SOE doesn't bring out some major updates or expansions and not just releasing TCG loot.

Melkin: I think it'll take another population hit when TOR comes out. Depending on what TOR provides for the roleplay community will really determine in my mind whether SWG is able to sustain itself or not. I don't want to say that SWG is doomed, but unless they're releasing some bigger content or expansions, I can see it going by the wayside in the next two years.

Milyna: I see it ending eventually, as the game does have some limitations: a stale timeline, graphics. The general aspect of quests is interesting, but it's also boring after a while. The dynamics are truly great with SWG, but only for its time. Eventually, like many games, it becomes harder to even find the game to buy. People see new games on the shelves. People leave SWG save for the few die-hards, or those who find some aspect so appealing they won't leave because no other game has that aspect. But SOE also has to turn a profit, and eventually there just won't be enough player interest to keep it profitable. It's just how the gaming market is. So without some advances like graphics, timeline advancement for the RPers...eventually like all games it will go away and be a fond memory. SOE / SWG has truly done something very amazing though; not many MMOs survive this long. They are obviously doing something right.

Idylia: I can see SWG still having a thriving RP community, but probably only if TOR doesn't provide much for their roleplayers. I think a lot of the reason that SWG is still around is that it's the only Star Wars MMO out. But another one competing with it will definitely put up a challenge for SWG.

Thank you to Sorceress, Milyna, Melkin, Kamis, Jason, Idylia, and Evolet. You have given me wonderful insight into why this game is still going strong. Perhaps, the readers of this article should do as Massively's Justin Olivetti did and give SWG another try. Until then: May the Force be with you!