LucasArts, BioWare unveil Star Wars MMO
Star Wars: The Old Republic is possibly the worst kept secret in the entire games industry.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is currently in development for the PC only, is being developed by Bioware and is set in the pre-movie universe some 300 years after the events of Knights of The Old Republic. Bioware is currently claiming that the game will feature the usual dynamic combat and immersive storytelling as well as "intelligent companion characters."
The game is still set thousands of years before Anakin 'Vader' Skywalker comes onto the scene with his frowns and teen angst, but that doesn't mean the universe seen in The Old Republic will be any safer. There's still a war raging between the Republic and the Sith Empire and players will be given a chance to choose which side to join - Jedi or Sith, though BioWare promises there are other non-force roles to play.
One of the major features of the game is that players will be able to enlist companions to work alongside them, though these allies could betray them if things go wrong.
"Traditionally, massively multiplayer online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression," said BioWare's Ray Muzyka in the official announcement.
"In Star Wars: The Old Republic, we're fusing BioWare's heritage of critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation - story."
LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez was also excited about the game, saying that KOTOR was the most critically acclaimed Star Wars game to date and that LucasArts had full faith in BioWare.
"For a long time, we've wanted to return to the franchise in a grand way, and we felt that the best setting for it was an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in the experience together," added Darrell, who is obviously trying to forget Star Wars Galaxies, LucasArts previous MMO attempt.
Maybe this PC MMO offering from LucasArts will help to calm down Randy Stude, but with a console version of the game in consideration according to EA, we wouldn't bet on it.
Are you a Star Wars nut? What's your favourite game (Hint: The correct answer is Jedi Knight II - Ed) in the series? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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Discuss in the forums ReplyI mean seriously, Jedi Outcast had some simply horrific level design. The entire Doomgiver segment could be used in a class titled "How not to design levels."
Anyway... I would rather have had KotOR 3, but a KotOR MMO might work out. It's the only era where it's reasonable to have thousands upon thousands of Jedi. It would be nice if it were more than just a big Jedi vs Sith battle, however.
Of course, a Star Wars MMO is Lucas' ultimate dream: the ability to put out a half-formed story and fleece people on a continuous basis.
Or am I just a cynic?
I love correcting you. Outcast is ACTUALLY Jedi Knight 3, not 2. It's common mistake which I love being a pedant about. The first game in the series was called Dark Forces and ran on the BUILD engine. The second game was called Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight. The third game however saw the series retroactively retitled as Dark Forces was unknown to most people, but Jedi Knight was not. Thus, the full run of the series is actually:
Jedi Knight: Dark Forces (BUILD engine)
Jedi Knight II
Jedi Knight II: Mysteries of the Sith (expansion)
Jedi Knight III: Outcast
And, by that count, we actually agree :)
Me, i want to fly big ships with big guns.... and stuff.
Sam
No, and that's the reason I will be avoiding this :p
WRONG! Sorry Joe, but wrongy wrongy wrong. You're right, the first game (Dark Forces) was simply called Dark Forces. The second game was called Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight, but most people just know it as Jedi Knight. The third game was simply called Jedi Knight 2: Outcast, or to give it it's full implied title, Dark Forces 3: Jedi Knight 2: Outcast.
Whilst you're right, it is the third game in the Dark Forces series, it's still the second Jedi Knight game, not the third. There are only two Jedi Knight games. Dark Forces 1 had nothing to do with Jedis, not a lighsaber in sight. Therefor I am afraid you fail. Epicly.
Same character, early part of the storyline = Dark Force is part of the Jedi Knight story and was thus subject to the retroactive rename. :p
now that's the ****.
if OldRepublic comes out with an easy button and becomes post-NGE SWG but with better graphic and different story.... it will die.
old-skool SWG is the best. pvp. crafting. story. area design. char progression. (almost) perfect.
<- Bria's #2 Jedi server-wide pre-NGE.
And girls with over-elaborate hair.
And aliens that speak in a variety of yells, whines, clicks and gurgles but are nevertheless perfectly understandable!
And making 70 zilion clones of yourself without ending up with 70 zilion megalomaniacs!
And ignoring glaring plotholes while racing at 1000mph through a valley in HD!
there's a lot more to do in the old republic then just waving a cathode around whilst pretending not to make the whizzing sound yourself!
i think i'll try this game, if it gets more then 3 out of the 5 points above, i'll rate it a 9
This is correct:
Dark Forces
Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight
Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Jedi Academy
Jedis should exist but it should take some effort to play them.
It ain't just Jedi who harness The Force.
Or with thousands of Sith running around it kinda ruins that Star Wars universe "rule".
Depends what Era it is played in.
If it is BEFORE Darth Bane [The one who created the Rule of Two], then of course it would ruin.
But. If it is made before Darth Bane, then it is possible, due the Sith were a race AND an Army.
Their offspring are actually the Massassi, which builded temples, like the Rogue Base in Episode 4, that later became the Yavin 4 Jedi Praxium :)
I'm getting confused with movies and stories and games jumping thousands of years...
There's a sith army and a jedi army then the sith army disappears but they're still around then someone builds a robot army followed by a clone army that turn into stormtroopers but in the meantime the sith reappear....
Bzzzzzzzzzzzz...DING! Your head is full, please get a new one.
Xir