News
BioWare's Upcoming MMO Based in KOTOR Universe
By Alex Petraglia on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM EST
A source close to BioWare confirmed to us today that the studio's upcoming untitled massively-multiplayer online RPG will be centered around the Star Wars universe, specifically that of Knights of the Old Republic, which the developer released in 2003. The game garnered critical acclaim and spawned a less-popular sequel, released by Obsidian two years later.
The game is being developed by the company's Austin studio, formed in 2006 and headed by BioWare Creative Director James Ohlen, whose past credits include the first KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur Gate's I and II.
This is not the first Star Wars-related MMORPG: Star Wars Galaxies debuted in the summer of 2003, followed by several expansions. It was generally well-received by fans and critics, but subscriber numbers plunged and never recovered after a controversial gameplay update in 2005. It's estimated that the game now has fewer than 100,000 subscribers and less than 20,000 active players.
It's currently unknown whether or not EA, which acquired BioWare last week, will act as publisher for this title, or if the studio had a previous arrangement with another publisher.
Expect the game sometime in 2009.
Editor's Note- As no media from the game has yet been made available, the screenshot above is from the first KOTOR title.
Editor's Note 2- We've gotten several emails asking about the validity of this news. The only rumors we post here at Primotech will explicitly be stated as such.
Stock tip of the day...Buy Electronic Arts, ERTS, they just bough Bioware. :metallica:
I find this idea very suspect. First, the Star Wars universe has had an MMO - and it was really messed up and not Star Wars like at all, in my view. Second with EA buying Bioware I find it very hard to believe they have a new SW MMO on the books already. I'd rather have just KOTOR 3. With the WOW juggernaut I think any MMO coming out will need to be very, very good to pull people off WOW. Maybe the TREK MMO can do it - well maybe a little at least.
The only verified aspect of the story is that they do have another Star Wars MMO on the way. I heard that on PC Gamer a few months ago and it surfaced again recently. However, it is not concrete that it is specifically a KOTOR MMO. Someone who works there says it is, but obviously it is not an official announcement. :)
Are you sure it's confirmed by Bioware that it's an MMO? I didn't exactly get that from reading the article. Star Wars yes, but maybe not an MMO. I'm guessing it's not going to be a huge MMO like SWG or WOW, but just a team shooter type game like Quake or Unreal.
A bit more on this:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181948.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1
And if you look here: http://www.lucasartsbioware.com/
They mention nothing about the specific game type.
From what I understand, first it will be an MMO for the Xbox360. If it's successful it may be ported for PC as well. Microsoft has been working to integrate 360 and PC game play. Again I think the rumor part is the fact that it is KOTOR. Lucas Art's involvement and the secrecy surrounding it seems to be what is lending more clout than doubt. But, no one knows for sure.
When you get a chance listen to the latest PC Gamer episode (PCGP Episode 105: MMO' Money) here on their site. They discuss the rumor:
http://www.pcgamerpodcast.com/
A console MMO??!? That has never worked. I'd love to see more good Star Wars games of any type (Force Unleashed looks great), but I really have my doubts about this one.
/boo There is no way a Star Wars MMO will be pulled off with WOW as powerful as it is right now. The first one failed miserably so I can't see this one working at all. Good luck, but your wasting your $$$
King Linksr
Why does it matter what platform it appears on? If it's true, I see no issues with it. Just because it's never been done before doesn't mean it's impossible. :)
Well, lets be honest here. Not everyone here has access to a console. Not to mention, the ability to upgrade the game, make patches, etc is MUCH easier on a computer. With an MMORPG, it will be much better to go via computer than Wii or Xbox360. And lets be honest, XBox306 sucks. The whole red-eye system destroyer is pretty much preventing me from buying the system. Its such a junk heap. But we aren't talking about that.
Final thing: Computers have better graphics, much better to tinker with, and patches are semi-easy. Granted, not everyone has the best computer, but WOW is doing ok.
King Linksr
There have been MMO's on consoles. A version of Everquest and Final Fantasy just to name two. Both had many limitations due to being on a console vs. a PC. Consoles have their place, but in my view just not for an MMO. Now, there is still a lot that is unknown about this combined Bioware/Lucasarts game. Until we get more info I will try and reserve judgment. But one thing I will say is that due to the huge success of WOW many companies seem to think they can make a MMO and make money at it. But honestly, I think the market can only support so much. Again, I'll wait and see what more we learn about this in the coming weeks/months.
The issue with MMO's is that most people can only commit the time.money to play one. The next big MMO will not only have to be comprable to WoW, it will have to blow it out of the water. Maybe this one will be able to do it, however I think the limitation here might be the Star Wars franchise. A lot of younger and casual gamers had never played previous warcraft games and came in fresh. Star Wars has a lot more stigmas attached to it.
Isn't time for the WoW subscription numbers to peak? Isn't WoW getting a little old now? A kick@$$ MMO released in 2009-2010 could dethrone it. A Star Wars MMO could do it. . .
PC Gamer magazine talked about this, they prefer PC's to consoles but they didn't seem to see a problem with a game like KOTOR being an MMO Xbox game. It was originally designed for xbox but it transitioned very well to PC. I've played it on both platforms and noticed very little difference.
I think it's obvious why most MMO's fail against WOW--everyone and their dog is playing it and it's hard to get people to stop and try something else when they love WOW so much. It's like to going to a restaurant and ordering something other than your favorite dish...it's really hard to do. From what I've heard, there's a smattering of good MMO's out there, but the world's population seems to be playing WOW. Personally, I think more people would play MMO's if there was something good being offered in the Sci-fi genera. If I ever play an MMO...A) it has to be good and B) I want aliens with lasers involved. :D
Make me a good Star Wars/Star Trek MMO...And I'll play it.
Star Trek online will definitely make me leave WoW. It's the same situation with the iPod. In the end it's probably not the best MP3 player out there, but when someone says "MP3 player" people think "iPod". To dethrone something (WoW, the iPod, Windows, etc...) that has such a huge market share the contender has to be lightyears better.
Plus a new Star Wars MMO will have to contend with the bad rep of Star Wars Galaxies.
For me the main point here with this new MMO, it's BIOWARE.. This company has done nothing but good stuff, IMO. I loved KOTOR. The Baldurs gate games were amazing. If anyone can pull off a MMO with new and inventive mechanics, it's Bioware.
I have played virtually every MMO released since Meridian 59, and this is the first one in a very long time that has be kinda excited...oh this and Warhammer online.
Duffster
Quote from: billybob476 on November 02, 2007, 05:45:36 AM
Star Trek online will definitely make me leave WoW. It's the same situation with the iPod. In the end it's probably not the best MP3 player out there, but when someone says "MP3 player" people think "iPod". To dethrone something (WoW, the iPod, Windows, etc...) that has such a huge market share the contender has to be lightyears better.
Plus a new Star Wars MMO will have to contend with the bad rep of Star Wars Galaxies.
If Star Trek Online is as good or BETTER than WOW, I'm leaving WOW forever. I'm getting sick of all the noobishness on that game and my hope is is that ST Online will keep everyone (nooby) away. Its always a hope.
As for MMO on Consoles....I have high doubts about that ever happening with current consoles, maybe next-gen.
King Linksr
Quote from: Kinglinksr on November 02, 2007, 09:23:02 AM
Quote from: billybob476 on November 02, 2007, 05:45:36 AM
Star Trek online will definitely make me leave WoW. It's the same situation with the iPod. In the end it's probably not the best MP3 player out there, but when someone says "MP3 player" people think "iPod". To dethrone something (WoW, the iPod, Windows, etc...) that has such a huge market share the contender has to be lightyears better.
Plus a new Star Wars MMO will have to contend with the bad rep of Star Wars Galaxies.
If Star Trek Online is as good or BETTER than WOW, I'm leaving WOW forever. I'm getting sick of all the noobishness on that game and my hope is is that ST Online will keep everyone (nooby) away. Its always a hope.
As for MMO on Consoles....I have high doubts about that ever happening with current consoles, maybe next-gen.
King Linksr
Be nice to noobs—we'll essentially ALL be noobies when STO starts up. If they get clickish on STO I'LL LEAVE. I can't handle the superiority complex I hear some games have. Not having it....PERIOD.
Quote from: Jen on November 02, 2007, 11:44:58 AM
Quote from: Kinglinksr on November 02, 2007, 09:23:02 AM
Quote from: billybob476 on November 02, 2007, 05:45:36 AM
Star Trek online will definitely make me leave WoW. It's the same situation with the iPod. In the end it's probably not the best MP3 player out there, but when someone says "MP3 player" people think "iPod". To dethrone something (WoW, the iPod, Windows, etc...) that has such a huge market share the contender has to be lightyears better.
Plus a new Star Wars MMO will have to contend with the bad rep of Star Wars Galaxies.
If Star Trek Online is as good or BETTER than WOW, I'm leaving WOW forever. I'm getting sick of all the noobishness on that game and my hope is is that ST Online will keep everyone (nooby) away. Its always a hope.
As for MMO on Consoles....I have high doubts about that ever happening with current consoles, maybe next-gen.
King Linksr
Be nice to noobs—we'll essentially ALL be noobies when STO starts up. If they get clickish on STO I'LL LEAVE. I can't handle the superiority complex I hear some games have. Not having it....PERIOD.
You summed up how I feel as well Jen. I have not played much MMO, but am really interested in a Star Trek/Star Wars one. I had played a little bit of Star Wars Galaxies, but never really felt like I was in the Star Wars Universe so quit. If Bioware can capture that, then I am very interested. Since WOW has been going for a few years now, I dont really want to start now, I would prefer to start fresh with a new game, and a Universe I have some familiarity with.
Ok, I'm going to rephrase what I said. What I meant by noob is how I refer to all noobs:
1. Your some 10 year old trying to act like a 20 year old by cursing like a sailor or etc.
2. Noobs spam in the general chat stuff like Murloc and I or 300 Murlocs or etc.
3. You leech off of everyone in your guild so that you can "upgrade your equipment" when really you don't need any armor upgrades and just scamming us.
4. umm......I could go on, but this is the baisic.
In other words, if your like ppl on this forum, I do NOT consider you a noob. Thats how I classify it. I probably shouldn't have said noob in my first post. I apologize if I hurt feelings here.
King Linksr
:D I wasn't hurt by that comment King, I'm just saying that I don't go for the "Powning" that seems to be rampant on SWG and WOW. I listen to the Podcast called: Star Wars Galaxies With Yivvits And Mr Bubble (they're entertaining even for those who don't play SWG)—they're more into quests and role playing...I think that's what I'd like to do too.
KOTOR as an MMO has alot of potential and it is awesome to see Bioware with the license again (they farmed it out to another developer for KOTOR II and it showed). If anyone can revitalize the MMO as a genre it's this company.
I share a few concerns about the Xbox 360 as a platform for an MMO, but with the right support it could work. Voice chat is pretty great on the 360 and everyone who plays on Xbox live has access to a microphone so the whole keyboard thing is rendered pretty obsolete. I hope they do something new with the MMO in general, because every one I have played, from EQ to WOW to LOTRO has been nothing but a glorified grind on the same freaking mobs for hours and hours on end. WoW was really the closest I have come to an experience I would call unique, with the hundreds and hundreds of soloable quests and activities, and the real feeling that you only have to group when you want to. Thats what I'm hoping for in a KOTOR MMO. And Pazzak! Lots of Pazzak! I'll kick all your asses! :) :) :)
I always skipped the Pazzak games. I hated that part. I'm just not into those sort of games....my Nana is a card shark and I guess I played too many card games with her when I was little. :)
But I think they should add it to the game. It's just one more thing that makes the game unique.
Quote from: Jen on November 05, 2007, 10:54:33 AM
I always skipped the Pazzak games. I hated that part. I'm just not into those sort of games....my Nana is a card shark and I guess I played too many card games with her when I was little. :)
But I think they should add it to the game. It's just one more thing that makes the game unique.
Ha ha I know lots of people that did the same thing. I loved Pazaak though, it was probably my favorite part of both games.
I always skip things like that in RPGs. Pazzak, all the card games in Final Fantasy, any gambling stuff...I've just never been into it.
Pazaak took me a little while to figure out but once I got the hang of it I found it to be just an awful lot of fun. I got really into customizing my deck and finding the rare cards, and at least in the first game it was very easy to build a deck that totally dominated everyone I came across in the game. I guess part of the reason I liked it was because it was pretty simple but challenging, reminded me of Blackjack which I love to play, and the way it integrated into the KOTOR made it fun a rewarding if you got good at it, but still completely optional. It definitely added significantly to my enjoyment of that game. I'm sure it would be in the MMO if they ever make it, it would be an absolute must.
Quote from: Jen on November 03, 2007, 04:22:51 PM
:D I wasn't hurt by that comment King, I'm just saying that I don't go for the "Powning" that seems to be rampant on SWG and WOW. I listen to the Podcast called: Star Wars Galaxies With Yivvits And Mr Bubble (they're entertaining even for those who don't play SWG)—they're more into quests and role playing...I think that's what I'd like to do too.
I'm glad. I don't have problems with going back to being a noob or being surrounded by gaming noobs. I DO have problems with personality noobs. *As stated above*
I'm personally looking forward to Star Trek MMO and hope they do something unique. If its good enough, I'll probably switch to them. Maybe I can avoid problems that I have with WOW, but we'll see. Of course, this Star Trek MMO BETTER WORK, or I'm losing all hope in seeing a new good Star Trek game. I haven't seen one in years...
King Linksr