whoo, ok i read some of the 20 odd topics on this, but decided to read no more.
Here is my opinion.
1> without the ability to import from KOTR1 or 2, there is no way to "continue" as revan or the exile. But this does not mean that they can't be in the game as members of the party, just settle out their previous story the same way that KOTR2 settled out revan's past. Although i would prefer it to be more subtle. And then let you pick them up at some point along the way.
2> someone suggested that you do not start the game as a jedi, but you can become one, similar to KOTR. But i would say something a little more static. You can become a Jedi at a particular point (although if you can become a jedi, you ought to be able to become a sith as well), but unlike KOTR with its 20 level cap, so you had to make like 2:18 Soldier/Guardian, or something like that. Have a class level cap. Like Soldier lvl 15, Guardian lvl 15, Weapon Master lvl 15. although those numbers were just pulled from the air. And i would not be opposed to having no level cap on the prestige class.
3> The return of respawning enemies! KOTR2 was virtually impossible to level up very high (unless you used one of the bugs) since once you cleared an area of enemies they were gone...for good. I think most field areas at least should have indigenous life to combat, like KOTR had.
4> But i see the game as a three tiered kind of story. You begin the game as a base class, fighting off the remaining sith forces, left from the time of KOTR2. When you become and jedi(or sith) things go more into of a rebuild the order, find lost members kind of thing, and when you reach presitge class, you go off into the far dark of space looking for revan and the exile, and what they went looking for.
5> Actually being able to find and converse (if not actually recruit) characters from the original KOTR and KOTR2. Such as speaking to bastila, or bao dur.
6> Don't rush it, i would rather get a complete long game 3 years from now, than half a game a year and a half from now.
I may think of more later, but at the moment that is it.