Bioware creating a KOTOR MMO?!

Jen · October 30, 2007, 02:23:09 PM

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.

Bryancd · October 30, 2007, 04:51:26 PM

Stock tip of the day...Buy Electronic Arts, ERTS, they just bough Bioware. :metallica:

Rico · October 31, 2007, 10:11:32 AM

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.

Jen · October 31, 2007, 11:05:57 AM

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. :)

Rico · October 31, 2007, 11:16:24 AM

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.

Jen · October 31, 2007, 11:26:23 AM

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/

Rico · October 31, 2007, 01:43:07 PM

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.

KingIsaacLinksr · October 31, 2007, 02:09:42 PM

/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

Jen · October 31, 2007, 04:33:12 PM

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. :)

KingIsaacLinksr · October 31, 2007, 06:00:50 PM

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

Rico · October 31, 2007, 07:55:40 PM

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.

billybob476 · November 01, 2007, 05:21:17 AM

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.

PepperDude · November 01, 2007, 11:18:30 AM

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. . .

Jen · November 02, 2007, 05:15:01 AM

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.

billybob476 · 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.