@EA_Jesse, @CG_JohnSalera
I'd like to come at this update from a different perspective, and I really hope it merits some consideration.
This game is rated 9+ in the App Store. Why?
Simple, Star Wars has a unique, nearly universal appeal because of the simplicity at its heart: good vs evil, in the shape of the light and dark side of the force. This central conflict resounded with young and old audiences in 1977, and still does in the newest incarnation.
Watching my 9 year old daughter become immersed in the new story, at approximately the same age as I did with the original, was a splendid moment. Watching her become a Star Wars nerd, has been fun.
She, just as we all did, was drawn to the simplistic dichotomy in the conflict, and happily for her, the new hero was actually a heroine. Rey's appeal to her is heartwarming, knowing she has the same draw as Luke and Han did for me.
As a blooming Star Wars nerd, it didn't take long for her to spell out a clear power hierarchy of the franchise: Jedi > Sith > blasters > droids > Jar Jar.
When she found SWGOH, I played along to offer guidance, but I too enjoyed the game, I'm a fan after all, and we've enjoyed collecting and promoting our favorites together.
She, of course, plays at a much different level than I, and certainly different than the P2P crowd. She's been upset at the failed Lando Twitter event, and the grind to get Rey. But she's independent, and wants to get there as much on her own as possible.
When she settled in after this update, she was despondent, and summed it up succinctly, "It's like they don't want you to win. I'm never going to get Rey or anybody else now, or level them up. Why don't they want you to get characters and have fun?"
I like the game, and I understand why so many can devote so much time and money to it, I suppose I put a few too many hours in myself. I'm not as crestfallen as she is, but I certainly am not excited by the "balancing" in the update.
However, I'm really disappointed that a game with as universal appeal as Star Wars, rated to include children, centered on such an essentially simple conflict, is now straying so far from being a fun, role play for fans.
If a nine year old can spot the disincentivizations of this new update (and freemium model in general), I'm sure developers can too, as long as the enjoyment of being an engaged fan is still a central concern for the game.
Should you build a game that targets the paying players at the top? Sure.
Should you remember that your connection to the franchise brings players of all sorts and ages? Absolutely.
It's an RPG, and I agree with my kid, you're stretching the fun and simple appeal of Star Wars too thin.
Build it for fans and the fans will play and stay. Built it for players, and well, I think we see where that's leading.
I'm pretty sure you've lost one young Star Wars fan here, but I hope you keep fans, not just top tier players, in mind when balancing the game. And let them play, and let them win - it's a game.
EA Staff (Retired)
