SWTOR Roadmap Q&A | Developer Live Stream 3rd October 2017

Overview, notes and full video archive of the Dev Stream

Before we start this article, let me introduce to you the 2 latest major announcements from Bioware regarding the game’s future:

ROADMAP Q&A

Not much new information was revealed today that was not announced in the above links. I discussed with you in depth the new features, the changes, server merges and upcoming new content.

Here are a few fresh Q&A from the show:

The New York Cantina was teased to have arguably the best swag Bioware have given away on these events up to date.
Reminder: 24th October – long maintenance. 8th November – another long maintenance. Both in order or Bioware to put in place the new hardware that will support the server merges.
The GSF match will be a Team Death Match game.
Command Crates will be changed retroactively with 5.6 – old ones you have not opened yet, will also drop Unassembled Components after the Game Update goes live.
The United Forces Promotions include Complete any 3 PvE or PvP activities to get Darth Hexid Companion. The mini pet will be yours if you just show up and log in.
Changes are coming to Augments and the crafting processes related to them. New Blog post will share more details about how those will happen.
Name changing after the server merges will work based on character level and activity (time played) – the winner will get to keep their original name. Regardless of how active you are, if you are not a Subscriber and someone else is, they will get to keep their name and you will lose yours.
If you have 2 characters from 2 different servers coming to the same one and both have lvl 50 Legacy with equal experience earned, the system will choose randomly which Legacy to remain active. This is NOT verified yet. Musco shared his expectations, while trying to answer one of the hot questions today.
Charles Boyd announced a few companion names that are due to return soon (past SWTOR 5.6, though). Currently in progress are Corso, Dark Jaessa, Vector, Mako, Scourge, Andronikos, Ashaara and a couple more.
After the server merges GSH will transfer fully decorated – all of them, even if they are of the same type. If you go over the limit for any of the decorations, the system will allow you to place them as they were on your previous server, but you wont be able to add more.
Bioware is working on a “safe way” for Role Players to be able to organize and enjoy their unique events on the new servers.
The naming of Hot Prospect server is Musco’s fault. Serious, though. Check out the full archived video below. He told a nice funny story about it :)
Bioware is looking to put new models for server transfers and potentially lower the prices after United Forces (server merges) happens. There might be a few days up to a week of downtime for server transfers after the merge.
There wont not be an Open PTS for the new PvP map most likely. Closed PTS will probably happen, though.
The introduction of the new Augments system will not trigger another class balancing process. Also no changes are currently planned for old content in regards to the better and higher tier of Augments they are releasing.
The fight against the credit farmers continues. With higher populations on the new servers, Bioware expects the bots’ activities to drop down dramatically.
Charles refused to share any teasers about the mysterious planet we will visit in 5.6.
GSF update includes extensive ship balance changes “in every possible way”.
Not certain yet how the server max character slots will change, but likely there will be changes to the numbers (currently: 52 per server in total, 12 for Subscriber without unlocking any extra slot).
The rough part of class changes ends with 5.5. Next will follow a series of smaller tweaks.
With 5.5 the cap for max Strongholds will be moved up to 10. The max Conquest bonus will cap at 150%, but it will be calculated slightly differently.
United Forces will not affect anything in your bank, inventory, mail etc. These are the rules for Server Transfers and they will remain the same, but for the Server Merges none of these will apply.
Bioware still has no answer and solution to the lag-out issue in 16-man Operatons.

Keith Kanneg appeared on camera at the end of the show for a bit. He shared that he’s currently on his 12th Command Rank 300 character and his currently favorite activity is… surprise, surprise – the Daily Areas!

SWTOR Cantina Event in New York Announced!

The shirt the devs were wearing on the stream together with the 2 black ones (the ones I got, you’ve seen them on other older Dev streams too) will also be a part of the gifts visitors will receive.

Redeem your SWTOR New York Cantina 2017 Korrealis Viceroy Speeder

Timothy Zath will be the special guest of the New York Cantina. Who better to describe and explain the nature of the Chiss than the Creator himself!