LucasArts and BioWare Reveal Star Wars: The Old Republic

[alexp999]

LucasArts and BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts Inc., today announced 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. Star Wars: The Old Republic, being developed and published by BioWare and LucasArts, represents an innovative approach to interactive entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters.

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.


"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is the most critically acclaimed Star Wars game in LucasArts history and a preeminent example of our company’s interactive storytelling heritage," said Darrell Rodriguez, President of LucasArts. "For a long time, we’ve long 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. We knew that the developer capable of working with us to deliver an engrossing story with a fully-realized online world was BioWare."

"Traditionally, massively multiplayer online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc., "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. At the same time, we will still deliver all the fun features and activities that fans have come to expect in a AAA massively multiplayer online game. To top it all off, Star Wars: The Old Republic is set in a very exciting, dynamic period in the Star Wars universe."

Added Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc., "Star Wars: The Old Republic 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."

Additional details on Star Wars: The Old Republic features, gameplay and release date will be announced at a later time. For more information about Star Wars: The Old Republic and to sign up for future product updates, please visit StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com.

Source: swtor.com

[Eternal]

Oooohh! Sounds juicy. Especially with Bioware involved.

[WarEagleAU]

Sweet. I personally think Lucas could have done more with Episode 1 detailing the sith and how they came about

[Duffman]

sounds awesome. I think the Star Wars Universe would make a good mmo.

The books delve more into the origins of the Sith. They didn't just come about in the Episode 1 era. More like revived.

[Frick]

It's good that it takes place in this time I think.. The Kotor storylines was more interesting than the movies imo.

I would really prefer a Kotor 3 though. If Bioware deliver, it will be good, and they're yet to make a bad game, so I have my hopes up.

[freakshow]

ooh i been waiting for somthing like this i love kotor woot woot

[Darkrealms]

Originally Posted by freakshow

ooh i been waiting for somthing like this i love kotor woot woot

I loved KOTOR the first one, the second I wasn't as thrilled with.

This could be nice.

[farlex85]

This is going to be a tough one to pull off, hopefully Bioware is up to the task. Jedi spamming could be prevalent. It's going to be difficult to make a compelling story of a good Jedi in the empire, and if they revert back to the same point and click tactics of most MMO's in combat (and KOTR) it will get old before it can pick up steam (to me anyway). But use the force Bioware, use your feelings. Don't let the dark side of video gaming (repetitive rip-off, same old story, same old dance) grab hold.