In the midst of GamesCom, Stephen Reid and Gabe Amataneglo did a brief Q&A via twitter.. it actually took like 2 days to finish.. but, here’s the entirety of the Q&A.
Are purple lightsabers limited to the Sith? #GabeQ
To @Phantys No purple lightsabers are not limited to the Sith. – gabe
Will we be able to test in-game guild functions during the beta weekends #GabeQ #SWTOR
To @Att1cusPh1nch – yes you will be able to test Guild functions, it is part of the reason we want guilds in testing. – Stephen
I was wondering if the loot bags for defeated bosses are a operation only thing, or are they included for flashpoints as well? #GabeQ
Hey @MarkAM93 – we’re considering the possibility of loot containers for Flashpoints, but no final decision yet – gabe
Is your team designing hard-mode operations with more of a challenge in mind or more towards accessibility for all? #GabeQ
Hey @internet_champs Operations in ‘hard mode’ will require proper co-ordination and team work from all group members! – Gabe
How long do you need to wait until repeating an Operation? One week like other multiplayer games? Thanks #GabeQ
The length of time for an Op lockout will be on a case-by-case basis, but Eternity Vault is currently 1 week. -Gabe
#GabeQ How does BW look upon players killing quest npc’s to block pve players on pve servers?Hi @slambit – Players cannot kill other players’ mission-giving NPCs.
Are Operations only limited to normal mode and hard mode or will there be more than two difficulties? #GabeQ
Hey @joshuajamesbh – yes, we’re in the process of working on additional difficulty modes for Operations.
@Rockjaw #GabeQ Could you provide detail regarding whatever PvP advancement system is in place?Hi @Berkilak – quick answer – we have a Valor Rank system, players earn valor in PvP to rank up. Higher ranks unlock stuff. – gabe
#GabeQ Will we see a pre-launch character creation tool like Bioware did with Dragon Age:Origins?
hi @Bel_Garan – a pre-launch character creator is not currently planned. – Stephen
The game is released in limited numbers.Is this generally limited or more per area?I.E Having 90% of US playing, 10% rest of world. #GabeQ
@Xuijing Varies by area, but we can’t talk about specific numbers. Nowhere near the ratio you’re suggesting. -Stephen
#GabeQ With the beta weekends in September will the European contingent be gaining access beta at the same time as those in the USA ?
Hey @MrWarlock_ EU folk will be playing in September, however large scale ramp will happen in US first, then EU close after. -S
#GabeQ – Hi! Any chance you’ll change the animation of the Project ability? Any form of telekinetic mumbo would be more appealing…
Hi @libchh – Check today’s Huttball video update carefully. Like, frame by frame. ;) – Stephen
@Rockjaw when you design Operations, what are your main inspirations behind the content. From a functional & artistic perspective?#GabeQ
hi @DHCatalan – our main inspirations are the original trilogy (with a KotoR flair!) – gabe
@Rockjaw #GabeQ will Operation of 16 people give more/better reward than the Operation with 8 people
hi @mantas91 – there will be more rewards for 16 players than 8 -pretty much double- but ‘better’ is reserved for hard modes. – gabe
@Rockjaw #GabeQ we have heard about difficulties on operations but will there be any difficulties on the endgame flashpoints?
Hey there @NiklasABerndt — Yes, there will be a ‘hard mode’ for some early level Flashpoints which sets them to level 50. – Gabe
@Rockjaw Can you use the Agent’s orbital strike indoors? #GabeQ
Hello @DarthRobotik – yes, the Agent’s Orbital Strike currently works indoors. We’re looking into alternative VFX too. – Gabe
#GabeQ Will Ops groups scale from the 4-man comps ie. 8-man Ops=2 tanks-2 healers-4 dps, 16-man Ops = 4 tanks-4 healers-8 dps?
Hey there @alexshawftw … roughly, the answer is yes, but Op group comp can be somewhat flexible. — Gabe
@Rockjaw Outside of battlegrounds what PvP opportunities are there on PvE servers if you flag for PvP? Is it most areas? #GabeQ
G’day @TwoTORGamers If you flag for PvP on a PvE server, then you can fight other flagged players in most areas. More on this soon! -gabe