What we can do about the state of TSL

[Dehumanizer]

As we know, a lot of content, especially at the end of the game, was removed from KOTOR2, and replaced with a much worse and more vague ending. If you haven't seen it yet, see this thread: http://forums.obsidianent.com/index.php?showtopic=29764 . Even Gamespy has mentioned it; see http://www.gamespy.com/articles/588/588057p1.html?fromint=1 .

 

Also, the game is quite buggy at the moment, much more than the first KOTOR was at release. The problems with ATI cards (try getting through Dantooine) are, IMHO, inexcusable.

 

While I believe there will be a patch or two, eventually, in order to fix the worst bugs, the removed content should certainly be re-added to the game. Not only because it's frustrating to go through an engrossing game with fascinating characters to get an "ok, let's put all the toys back in the box" rushed ending, but because it represents the worst about the current state of the industry - a game which could be marvelous, but which isn't, because the suits in charge ordered the game released in time for Christmas, no matter how unfinished it was. This isn't Obsidian's fault, IMHO, but Lucasarts'. Bioware could delay KOTOR until it was ready, but this is Obsidian's first game, so they probably had no voice in the matter.

 

So, I believe it's time to do something. But what? I have a couple of suggestions - they may help, or not, but they surely can't make things worse. This is not simply about TSL (although each of us would do anything to have the game as it was meant to be), but about not putting up with rushed Christmas releases any more.

 

Suggestions:

 

1- sign the online petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/kotor2/ . It will probably make little to no difference, but it's easy and quick, and maybe they'll listen if they see a huge number of signatures.

 

2- email Lucasarts themselves, asking for a finished game. Be calm and polite, not rude, but say that the game *really* needs to be finished, that it will be a stain on Lucasarts' reputation in the future if it's not. Say how it may affect your purchases of LA products in the future. Say that Obsidian has created a work of art which will be remember as one of LA's best products ever (and affect future sales), if only it is finished.

 

3- snail mailing LA would probably be even better, as it's very easy to filter a huge number of email messages before they reach anyone who matters. You can find contacts for Lucasarts here: http://www.lucasarts.com/contact/

 

4- any more suggestions?