I hope that someone is developing the game, whether or not its being done in quiet or openly. I have seen many games disappear in the past, only to return years later, slightly different. SSI's gold box series, starting off in Pool of Radiance comes to mind. Years later Pools of Radiance is released. Not the same game or system by far, but done well(at least, I enjoyed it).
As far as things that I would like to see in KOTOR3(and yes, 1 & 2 were popular games, selling many copies, so I expect that 3 will come in time):
I like alot of what I have read by other posts. I personally like the system as it is, dont wish to see it moved into a real-time or first person perspective game. I like the ideas of different cloak choices, hooded or not, different colors/styles available during play. Not quite sure about how customized they can become, but you could choose some color/style at character creation, when you create the sex, body types, heads, etc.
Choice of race for the main character, within reason. I dont really want a ewok character, but Humans, Cereans, Sullustans, Twi'Leks, are some options. Heck, maybe even Miraluka to stretch things, if wanted.
The size of the galaxy is important as well. Someone in another post mentioned the ability of traveling to different locales on the same world, which is a good thought. I.E, Mos Eisley and Anchorhead on Tatooine. But everyone likes the options to change the game as they move along. I would like a high number of worlds to go to. Tatooine, Nal Hutta, Kiosk, Coruscant, Alderan, Dantooine, Sullust, Yavin, the more the better, especially if there is a chance to change the outcome of the game of options during the game if the ending is limited to 2-3 last stage outcomes.
I like the Ebon Hawk, but would be well suited to see more ship choices. Perhaps starting the game off in a tiny ship, and having the ability to upgrade to a small or medium sized vessel as you progress. Maybe you need to upgrade the size of your vessel before you attain too many followers. Sure, 2 or 3 may work on a tiny ship, but you would need a small or medium ship before you got a dozen.
I like the idea of Reputation. As you start the game, you arent well known, but as you progress, your reputation can proceed you. I also like the ability to gain influence with your followers, leading them down the paths of the LS or DS. In KOTOR 1, your influence didnt really reflect as much as in 2.
As for LS/DS powers you are able to choose/learn as time goes on. Luke Skywalker basically started off in Ep4 as a Force Adept, he didnt really receive much training from Obi-wan, but did eventually reach padawan level training and so forth, reaching Jedi Knight by the time he got to Tatooine during Ep6. He had learned the abilities of the Force as he progressed, and did call upon the DS from time to time. He used Force Grip on the Gammoreans inside Jabba's Palace. He was LS(or so we are lead to believe), but his attitude depicted somewhat of a neutral standing character. Anyone that has played has learned that Force Storm is useful, but for a LS character, it should be harder to call upon, or inflict less damage then a DS character.
I like the relationship aspect myself. The chance to fall in love or have others fall for you as the adventure progresses. It goes against the Jedi Code, in which "There is no emotion", but few followed the code strictly, and the games are a reflection of that. I liked falling in love with Bastila in 1, and the Handmaiden/Vistas in 2 had different relation outcomes, which is fine. Or Atton and whomever if you chose to play as a female.
Given that the galaxy is a large place, filled with millions, I would like to see different follower options. Perhaps the ability to dismiss group members, if they arent an essential part to whatever plot is planned. Having 9 or so is fine, but maybe allowing you to recruit different people on different planets or cities, and if you dont like Atton, because he whines so much, you can always dismiss him from your group and find another to replace him.
Per earlier in travel options, extra worlds to travel to, that are not essential to the completion of the game would be nice. You could go to Nar Shadaa if you wish, but going there is not required to finish the game. If you choose to go anyways, there are little missions, mini-quests for experience or treasure, but overall its not essential to the outcome.
As far as becoming a Sith/Jedi goes, if you choose not to become a force user by the end of the game, its an option, but ultimately, the big/bad is going to be a pain to kill or convert. I liked the thought of starting off the game at a Sith or Jedi Temple, but am not opposed to starting off as a Fringer, Scout or Noble.
If the game plans to come to the PC and Xbox360, we have Harddrives on both. I'm all for a large expansion to this installment. Make it a partial install, on 2 DVD's for either system. I've always preferred games that take longer then 1 week of playing to complete. Quality is preferred to quantity of course. As long as the storyline and RP aspect are good, I have little problem. Adaptive storyline to how we accomplish our tasks, fullfill our missions, would be a plus. If events are altered slightly because we went to Coruscant or Korriban first, if we choose to fall in love with Bastila or T3, maybe the outcomes would change to some degree.
Does the game continue the saga from 1&2, or does 3 preceed the others? As long as the developers make it a game of equal proportions, I'm game. I'm even up for a Saga or Trilogy from a different era, set in the same play style as KOTOR. Give us a similiar game set in the era of the Vong invasion.
On a last note: I'm not very programmer litterate, not quite sure what can and cant be done these days. But once upon a time, there was a game called Dungeon Master, which started on the Atari ST computer system. Fairly large game, played in Real-time, 3rd person perspective. A dungeon-crawler. Decent graphics, good play, and all packed on a 3.5" floppy. What point is the DVD, if it isnt used for its full capabilities?
Markaela