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BioWare willing to change Old Republic’s free-to-play option, Preferred players getting four more character slots; “We want you to know that this is an ongoing dialogue.”

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It’s been months since we first detailed The Old Republic’s free-to-play restrictions. Free access to story content! It seemed glorious, a kind of collective major publisher madness. But post-launch free-to-players are finding that stricture is the operative word, thanks to limited quickbars, character slots and travel options.

Now BioWare say we can change, please please please give us another chance oh my god, what do you want us to do. And actually, they’ve made a pretty good start.

More pleading after the break.

“One of the most important things to us is to hear player feedback on their game experience,” says executive producer Jeff Hickman in a blog post. “Our community team truly has an ear to the ground with community concerns and discussions and we often make changes based on player feedback.

“When Game Update 1.5 hit Public Test Server (PTS), we listened to your concerns and we increased Quickbars from one to two for Free-to-Play Players, increased Warzones from three to five per week, and reduced the temporary bind on Cartel Market items.

“We want you to know that this is an ongoing dialogue,” he added, but neglected to post dialogue tree options for the community to choose from.

The first fruits of that back-and-forth are extra quickbars for Preferred players – any players who’ve made a purchase in the TOR store – introduced this week. Players who’ve already splashed on quickbar purchases will have their Cartel Coins refunded.

What’s more, Preferred Status types will be getting another four character slots in an upcoming update, bringing their total up to six. There’s no date for that yet, but Hickman promises we “won’t have to wait long”.

“Your feedback is critical to the success of TOR, and of special interest to us,” concluded Hickman. It’s good to know they’re listening, isn’t it? I know I haven’t given up on a fair, free TOR yet.

Thanks, Eurogamer.