A rough translation
of an article in the latest edition of German gaming mag, Gamestar
Magazine, revealed details on the distribution of Operation (raid) loot
in Star Wars: The Old Republic. More specifically, that each player will
receive their own loot container upon downing a raid boss.


The resulting discussion prompted BioWare's Stephen Reid to chime in, offering some clarification and confirming the report (along with the requisite "this is in testing" caveat!):

Loot containers' (name is still a work in progress!) do indeed exist
and are designed to alleviate the frustration some feel around
high-level loot drops.

As it's currently implemented, at the end of a key encounter within an
Operation, upon looting a high-level opponent, everyone in the
Operations group will get an individual container which has a chance to
give you a random piece of loot that's specific to your class. It could
be part of an armor set, a weapon, and so on. If you don't get loot,
you'll get commendations which can be used to purchase gear.

Please note, this feature is currently in Game Testing and may well be modified before launch.

Additional details on Operations were found in the latest edition of PC Gamer UK, brought to us by the folks at DarthHater:

• 
  The items that do not drop for you (or do not appear in your loot
  bag) from boss kills can all be bought from the commendation vendor.
  
• 
  To access new flashpoints you have to clear beginner ones.
  
• 
  There will be no pre-raid armor grind. You will enter low-level raids in the armor you finished your story in.
  
• 
  Loot bags can contain upgrades for weapons and armor.
  
• 
  SWTOR's landscapes have had a graphical overhaul.
  

Visit the official Star Wars: The Old Republic website for additional information on the title.