New MMO from Bioware to be set in the KotOR Univer

[Revan Jast]

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.

www.primotechnology.com/2007/10/19/biowares-upcoming-mmo-based-in-kotor-universe/

[λ]

Well, to say the least, I feel differently about the aforementioned game. A MMORPG version of Knights of the Old Republic (Kot0R) would lack almost everything that made the series enjoyable, and thus I would never buy into it while there is still a change that a good, single-player Kot0R III was under consideration. In fact, even if they never manufactured the third installment, I would still not buy the MMORPG - as it would quickly turn into an underage "n0ob" cesspit. Not only would it likely feature real-time combat, as opposed to the masterfully done turn-based system in Kot0R I and The Sith Lords (TSL), but it would also have to surrender, or mutilate, the plot to make it into an endless story-arc reminiscent of the horrendous World of Warcraft (WoW). I would never buy WoW, and I will probably never buy a MMORPG that requires a monthly fee - something that rules out everything except Guild Wars and, possibly, Hellgate London. BioWare spokesman Matt Atwood has already said "...what you're seeing on the net is purely that, rumor and speculation," so I am not sure that Bioware owns the rights to Kot0R, for I believe they sold the development of the franchise to Obsidian Entertainment.

[Force_Flow]

Good points. I don't think it should be turned into a MMORPG. Everything's better the way Bioware made it, minus the graphics. Obsidian had good graphics, a nice storyline, and so and so. If KotOR is turned into a MMORPG, then I'd just have to read up on the 'net and check out the spoilers.

[Jedi Joe]

It seems like a good idea, but I'm still looking to get Galaxies.

[λ]

jedijoe said:

It seems like a good idea, but I'm still looking to get Galaxies.

Don't, Galaxies is dieing a slow and painful death...