I don't really think it's that convoluted at all. If I'm tripping over myself explaining it, then that's on me, sure. The best thing I can think to suggest is look up a video of someone doing the Esseles and/or Black Talon Flashpoints with a group in SWTOR. It'll maybe take a handful of minutes to get what I'm talking about. It's a system that already exists in another game- another game with companions that have approval ratings to track, even- and allows for everyone to be engaged during multiplayer content.
And yes, my main complaint is the engagement. The idea of using it to support the "Face" was a throwaway line that was maybe a minor positive, but barely even close to being my main point. In fact, my main point is the exact opposite that the face should be talking all the time, because that's how me and my friend end up doing it most of the time, and it's boring as sin sometimes. The only point I was trying to make about encouraging the face is that, if everyone agreed to it, a group could choose to allow the face to step in instead of losing a persuasion check because of a conversation ambush. They could also choose not to, and to let the scene play out however it does. That was it.
My main point is that everyone should have the opportunity to engage in any conversation at any time instead of taking a backseat to watching another player for entire scenes at a time. As far as how companion approval would work, whoever wins the dialogue initiative check would get the approval and disapproval that their option earned without altering the relationship status of any of the other party members.
The only reason why it sounds so complicated is because I'm also describing all the under-the-hood stuff that would be going on. As far as how it would look in gameplay. at least the way I theorize it- y'know how it is now when a player picks an option to suggest during conversation, and there's a little popup of what their suggesting is? Put a number beside that suggestion. If that option has the biggest number, that's the option that goes through. Honestly, pretty straightforward.
