Sometimes that video games industry can move at a sensibly slow pace. Back in October 2007, for example, Bioware and LucasArts announced that they were teaming up to produce, "an interactive entertainment product". What with the companies already having produced 2003's Knights of the Old Republic, no one felt too dull by suggesting another Star Wars' based RPG.
EA's purchase of Bioware - post the latter's Mass Effect success - earlier in October of '07 had cast some doubt on the Bioware/LucasArts combo. However, in February of this year, a KOTOR slide popped up in an EA presentation - the relevance of which was ambiguously dealt with by the company.
Well, we can all relax now, as LucasArts and Bioware have confirmed they are working on an MMO with Star Wars relevance. They have in fact confirmed, "the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic, a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic franchise."
Phew! The official line is that, "In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Players can choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way, players will befriend courageous companions who will fight at their side or possibly betray them, based on the players’ actions. Players can also choose to team up with friends to battle enemies and overcome incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat."
There follows an entire tree's worth of the usual PR flannel, which we will compress:
The blurb from Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc (bloody hell!) includes, "Traditionally", "three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression", "fusing", "heritage", "critically-acclaimed", "storytelling", "amazing pedigree", "brand-new fourth pillar", "story", "deliver all the fun features","exciting", "dynamic".
The flannel from Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc (Crikey!) is a little more explanatory telling us that the game , "is set roughly 300 years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe that is completely unexplored in the lore.
"BioWare has been able to add to the Star Wars history in developing the game’s story and has created an overarching narrative that players can enjoy, regardless of their play style. Our goal is to offer players an emotionally rewarding experience that combines the traditional elements of MMO gameplay with innovations in story and character development.”
No release date has been announced. Check out all the images at our dedicated Star Wars: The Old Republic page.
EA's purchase of Bioware - post the latter's Mass Effect success - earlier in October of '07 had cast some doubt on the Bioware/LucasArts combo. However, in February of this year, a KOTOR slide popped up in an EA presentation - the relevance of which was ambiguously dealt with by the company.
Well, we can all relax now, as LucasArts and Bioware have confirmed they are working on an MMO with Star Wars relevance. They have in fact confirmed, "the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic, a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic franchise."
Phew! The official line is that, "In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Players can choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way, players will befriend courageous companions who will fight at their side or possibly betray them, based on the players’ actions. Players can also choose to team up with friends to battle enemies and overcome incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat."
There follows an entire tree's worth of the usual PR flannel, which we will compress:
The blurb from Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc (bloody hell!) includes, "Traditionally", "three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression", "fusing", "heritage", "critically-acclaimed", "storytelling", "amazing pedigree", "brand-new fourth pillar", "story", "deliver all the fun features","exciting", "dynamic".
The flannel from Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc (Crikey!) is a little more explanatory telling us that the game , "is set roughly 300 years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe that is completely unexplored in the lore.
"BioWare has been able to add to the Star Wars history in developing the game’s story and has created an overarching narrative that players can enjoy, regardless of their play style. Our goal is to offer players an emotionally rewarding experience that combines the traditional elements of MMO gameplay with innovations in story and character development.”
No release date has been announced. Check out all the images at our dedicated Star Wars: The Old Republic page.
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Comments
SuperSaiyan4 22 Oct 2008 11:07
1/1
I was seriously hoping for a KOTOR 3 and we end up with this, the only thing that puts me off MMO's is a monthly subscription and knowing EA it will be a rip off no doubt. £3 a month is my budget but bet it will be more than double that plus the cost of the game at £40.