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BioWare/ LucasArts MMO
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Author:  iJasonT [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  BioWare/ LucasArts MMO
So I've been reading a bit about the new BioWare project. Is it true that the SOE license is up in 2009?

Clearly SWG is on the decline according to this http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/78437

If LA was to move to a new developer for a SW property, Bioware would make for an interesting choice. This is a project I plan to follow rather closely. While I've been a fan of the KotOR I must say I have not been a HUGE fan; namely because I am not much of a single player gamer. Though if the KotOR MMO does become a reality I will make it a point to play through both games in detail.
Author:  Tetran [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
People have been saying that SOE would be losing the license every Feb since the NGE happened. Someone who claimed to be in-the-know came up with that date and I guess after enough repeating became "fact".

I'm sure it's up every year, but SWG is still making money. They have no dev staff other than some wet behind the ears interns they cycle through for experience, no marketing to speak of, and only have infrastructure expenses (I'm sure hardware has long been paid for). It's on auto-pilot, and as long as it's making a profit, however small it may be, it's still profit and Sony is in desperate need of that.

As soon as a new SW licensed MMO comes out, I'd bet the farm that any agreement SOE and LA have require it to shut down as to avoid direct competition. So in the meantime, it's making money with little investment to keep it going.
Author:  iJasonT [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
which is, I guess, my point. the Bioware MMO would not come out for another 18 months. At that point the 'auto-piloted' SWG could reasonable be turned off.
Author:  Aranarth [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
This pretty much confirms a KOTOR MMO, doesn't it?

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/vi ... KOTOR-MMOG

My worry is Lucas Arts is going to have way too much control and you are going to get a WoW clone in a Star Wars Universe wrapper.

Everyone has to emulate the 800 lb gorilla it seems..............
Author:  Dragon Fire [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
A lot of what was really good about SWG was the sandbox style of gameplay... the open worlds, skill allocation methods and profession diversity and economy.

I see Bioware as good at storyline which isn't what really drives MMORPG's

It will be interesting to see where this all goes in terms of is this going to be just another hack and slash your way to lvl 100 MMORPG? or will it have a greater depth.

There also has to be some realization that SW doesn't sell to younger crowds like it use to...and MMORPG's especially don't necessary do so well with the Under-18 crowds... So for a franchise that has often dumbed down its products to appeal to younger audiences it will be interesting...
Author:  Tetran [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sandbox games don't make the Wow-money. Is that because one hasn't been developed yet to such a state of polish that it works, or that we're a world of impatient (or as doctors called it, ADD) spazoids who can't sit still long enough to enjoy a world simulator and need everything NOW NOW NOW?

Bioware are great story tellers which is why I don't have much hope for this game. I'm predicting a good game of hand-holding, directed story-arc content to get from level 1-X. Oh, and at the end you can pvp after you've blasted through the 'content'. And I'm sure we'll be saddled with another loot driven economy.

I just don't think there are any studios left with balls big enough to stray from the cookie cutter design. Those that do don't have the finances for their message to get out of their garage, or to put the polish on the game (roma victor).
Author:  X2-PB [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:21 am ]
Post subject: 
Being controversial here, I think Bioware would make a good MMO. It might not necessarily be what everyone wants from an MMO, but I'm sure there would be a lot of polish put into it. I'll talk more on this point later, don't really have time to say more than this at the moment.
Author:  iJasonT [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tetran wrote:

Bioware are great story tellers which is why I don't have much hope for this game. I'm predicting a good game of hand-holding, directed story-arc content to get from level 1-X. Oh, and at the end you can pvp after you've blasted through the 'content'. And I'm sure we'll be saddled with another loot driven economy.



Isn't this exactly what WoW is? It is solid story telling, limited sandbox and you PVP at the end.

I agree that SWG's greatest strength was the sandbox, crafting (yeah I said it) and even the markets. Hell I didn't even mind the quest generated hunt/kill/escort.

One thing that keeps be from being a hardore wow player is that fact that if I'm not questing, leveling or pvping there isn't much to do. I love the open aspect of SWG. The housing, the minerals, the familiar settings.

I know we are not talking about SWG2 here, but just knowing that I was in the cantina or heading to Corellia, or Endor made those familiar connections into lore that really allowed me to 'be in' the game rather than just 'playing' the game.
Author:  iJasonT [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is a great quote
Quote:
Knights of the Old Republic, originally launched in 2003 as a stand-alone RPG, maintains virtually all elements of the Star Wars universe but is set 4000 years prior to the events detailed in the movies, thereby allowing the creators to bypass the George Lucas' increasingly crappy, juvenile stories.
Author:  Tetran [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
iJasonT wrote:
Isn't this exactly what WoW is? It is solid story telling, limited sandbox and you PVP at the end.


Yup. That's what I'm thinking the KOTOR game will mimic and why I'm not real stoked about it. I really hope it takes a different approach and adds more sandbox elements.

I also fear a multiplatform MMO which pretty much means a streamlined interface and simple game play to accommodate the consoles.

Let's hope for the best though.
Author:  iJasonT [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
agree, multiplatform would be bad - very bad.
Author:  iJasonT [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lest we forget, this game, in the end, will be exactly what LucasArts dictates it to be. :x

http://macenstein.com/default/archives/1559
Author:  Dragon Fire [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
iJasonT wrote:
Lest we forget, this game, in the end, will be exactly what LucasArts dictates it to be. :x

http://macenstein.com/default/archives/1559


crap should have d/l that for my Ipod touch...isaber is still available however
Author:  Aranarth [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 5:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
iJasonT wrote:
Lest we forget, this game, in the end, will be exactly what LucasArts dictates it to be. :x



Thats my fear.
Author:  Cyrus Rex [ Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Dragon Fire wrote:
A lot of what was really good about SWG was the sandbox style of gameplay... the open worlds, skill allocation methods and profession diversity and economy.


That is what I loved about SWG. Your character could become whatever you want. You could start out as a miner, become a bounty hunter, then change your wicked ways and join the alliance. There is a lot of character progression and story that can be created with an open skill systems. That is one of the things I like about Eve and it is one of the things that interests me about the Agency.

I like WoW a lot mostly because it is so polished. Its early beta was more playable that SWG year 1. But I am let down by WoW’s weak crafting and the fact that to be a great tailor you must also be a great fighter. I don’t believe crafting should depend of fighting. I like more of a sand box. Like others have said above, I am not sure developers will give us a game like that anymore.
Author:  Acritus [ Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm looking forward to see how they go with this game. I would love to see the sandbox style of SWG, I really miss that, but most will then consider it a niche mmo.

Also looking forward to seeing how Bioware does in creating a virtual world.
Author:  Deak Almar [ Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Wonder if they would make an MMO to go along with the clone wars series? or more KOTOR genre.

Could always hound my brother for info seeing that he works there :?
Author:  Master Gui-Jan [ Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Deak Almar wrote:
Wonder if they would make an MMO to go along with the clone wars series? or more KOTOR genre.

Could always hound my brother for info seeing that he works there :?

Hm.......

Why in the world would we want to get information from somebody who works there? ;)

Ask him, dang you! :twisted:
Author:  Orbital [ Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:26 am ]
Post subject: 
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=198467
Author:  Master Gui-Jan [ Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:56 am ]
Post subject: 
An announcement soon would be nice.

If there is any truth to that article, or the many rumors floating around, that Bioware has been working on this title for almost 2 years, then I would honestly expect them to Announce it, most likely opening the forums at the same time, and probably have a closed Beta begin in the first Quarter, or early second Quarter of 2009.
Author:  iJasonT [ Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Master Gui-Jan wrote:
An announcement soon would be nice.

If there is any truth to that article, or the many rumors floating around, that Bioware has been working on this title for almost 2 years, then I would honestly expect them to Announce it, most likely opening the forums at the same time, and probably have a closed Beta begin in the first Quarter, or early second Quarter of 2009.


All of the would be awesome :)
Author:  Tetran [ Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Here's a little taste

http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x? ... #img126848
Author:  Angelus [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
New article on this title at IGN:
http://pc.ign.com/articles/922/922115p1.html

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Author:  Jamal Kaine [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
a new Star Wars MMO is in our future boys and girls, isn't it exciting!!!

check out the official site at http://www.swtor.com/

One of the things mentioned a lot was choices and how those choices will have lasting effects on your character. Now, I do not think they will be permanent but the idea of making "evil" decisions and having to deal with the outcome sounds very interesting especially in the MMO space.

I will be keeping an eye on this title.
Author:  Aranarth [ Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
The gamespot article:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6199726.ht ... es;title;1

I am not 100% sure but from what I have read, I see another WoW/EQ clone.

I think I posted earlier that was my fear. I just can't play another fed ex/ level up and raid game.
Author:  Aranarth [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:25 am ]
Post subject: 
X2-PB wrote:
Being controversial here, I think Bioware would make a good MMO. It might not necessarily be what everyone wants from an MMO, but I'm sure there would be a lot of polish put into it. I'll talk more on this point later, don't really have time to say more than this at the moment.


I think there are "good" themepark games out there. I think LOTRO is a good example.

But personally after playing SWG Pre-CU, and now EVE, I just can't play those kind of games. And I tried EQ2, and WoW. And I was heavily invovled pre Release with LOTRO. Hell I was around at the beginning with Turbine when they still called it Middle Earth Online after Vivendi gave it to them after Sierra crashed and burned it.

I was so involved, I got a special invite from Turbine to test Alpha-2, almost a month before the beta. I tried REALLY hard to like that game because Im a Tolkien geek ;) Played Alpha-2, thru beta-3 (I believe), August thru November 2006. I uninstalled the client and never went back.

And its a good game, its got a lot of interesting things to set it apart from WoW, but in the end its a level up, button smashing themepark game. I just can't get into those anymore.

Thats just me personally. I know a lot of you played WoW and enjoyed it. So you won't see me bashing those games, they just aren't my cup of tea.

I keep hoping SOMEONE will break the mold. Until then I think Ill stick it out in EVE.
Author:  GodOfGophers [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:08 am ]
Post subject: 
I hear you Aranarth on how MMOs are and where the big ones are going.

However, I think it's unlikely that any big company will try and break that mold. WOW has established the way things go. It's too hard for a big company to get money to make a game any other way.

I think that the most likely source of any large scale MMO to break out of this style will be Blizzard itself.
Author:  Azzameen85 [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:48 am ]
Post subject: 
From what I can read on the articles and the small texts explaning pictures is that it is going to be class based.
So there's a chance a bunch of people playing a jedi's all over again.

But then again this is 3.500 BBY so the canon can be slacked off - and just to mention that the era picked out is scarsely written about in EU.

But I do hope they'll have a relatively open economy and good crafting side, that is no selling to NPC's as in SW:G (Had over 500.000 creds through a 4 hour space grinding in SW:G)

Space doesn't seems to mentioned anywhere (haven't read all so don't hold me up)
but I hope they pretty much built upon JtLS, expanding the space areas, introducing space corridors
(more hyperjumps - preferebly in deepspace, uninhabited systems and such - the farther away, which makes space piracy possible)

and instead of a block of space with planet as background make a pseudo system including the star, the planet and nebulaes, asteroidbelts and more as actual celestial bodies...
That would allow the use of capitalships and tactics based on the space they're fighting in.
*imagening escaping a sith squadron og fighters into an asteroidbelt.*
let me dream....

At any rate it is also mentioned that certain planets are controlled/alligned to one faction.
Presuming it is a little like SW:G at this point those planets can shift allegience/side by having one faction completing a certain amount of missions.
Building upon that if a planet has a certain amount of points from one faction attempting to overtake the planet an instance could occur with jedi fighting sith of the control of the planet.

Alternatively planetary allignment shifts could be done by episodic content. building upon an unwritten chapter in EU and add it in....

I think I just lost myself for a second...

Wishful thinking but if anyone knows some guy at Bioware please make him take a look here....
Author:  Tetran [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Granted, it's a press release, the game's not in alpha, and we don't have a lot to go on but speculation based on what we take away from snippets of interviews and transcripts then contort their meanings to our personal beliefs. But, I'm not excited. And never really was, unfortunately. Like Aranath, it's hard to go back to the farm after Paris.

Games in general, to me, are too simpified, dumbed down, and not entertaining for the long haul. I just can't go back to simple level based, linear progression. Sure, you can be light or dark, but is that the only impact you'll have in the game world? Will it end up being the style or color of your robe being the thing that defines you? Does it make you stand out in a world of like-characters? Is that enough?

I, and many others, want to shape the worlds, change them, personalize them, and govern them. Not read a scripted Choose Your Own Adventure Book. Not a week goes by without someone asking me to come back to WoW. I can't - the game simply bores me to tears anymore because it lacks depth and meaning to me, and I do not feel rewarded for my time in it. LotRO is an awesome game - that I can not get into at all. It has great atmosphere, graphics, music, and gameplay, but I've already played that "game" a million times, and don't need eto pay $15/mo to do it again.

I hope new info and original concepts are introduced later as to not give away all the goods now, but from what we saw yesterday, I don't see anything new. Sure, there are companions now, but is that what an MMORPG needs? More tools to play as a single player game? Meh.
Author:  iJasonT [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
http://www.swtor.com/user/register/complete

look at the graphics. They realyy are taking a page from the WoW play book here.
Author:  Angelus [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
From the IGN article I posted:
Quote:
The solution is to give each class its own story arc. While it means the writers have to create a lot more content, it also pays tribute to the fact that "not everybody's fantasy was to be Luke." There's plenty of opportunity to tell equally interesting stories for other possible character types like smugglers, bounty hunters, politicians and moisture farmers. Okay, well, maybe not so much with the moisture farmers, but those other possibilities seem like they'd have experiences that are every bit as exciting as you'd get as a Jedi.


I actually like the sounds of that. Slightly hints at an open-ended pre-CU SWG and WoW.
Author:  X2-PB [ Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aranarth wrote:
I keep hoping SOMEONE will break the mold.
Well, I have a few ideas, where that's concerned. Just don't quite have the leverage to get them made! The other trouble is that people that try to break the mould aren't mainstream. Take Roma Victor, for example, that's being made by six guys out of an office in Brighton (UK, South Coast). People's complaints with it are that they aren't making it fast enough and that it lacks polish. Not surprising for such a small outfit, but the game itself is a very different idea.


Going back to Bioware, anyone played Mass Effect? From what I read, there was a lot more to that than just dark and light. Give these guys a chance. It'll probably be more of the same, but it could not be. And, by getting involved, we could help with that. (Going with the glass half full mentality here!)


And if all else fails, when I'm a millionaire....... !
Author:  Aranarth [ Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:51 am ]
Post subject: 
I think Tetran is my long lost secret twin because thats basically exactly how I feel. :lol:

There are some darn good themepark games out there but how many dam times do I have to play it for Petes sake?

BUT

I did read the IGN articles last night and Im going to keep an open mind.

In the meantime, Im going to keep praying for more and more progress on the SWG Emulator.................
Author:  Arindel [ Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:18 am ]
Post subject: 
I lost track on Darkfall. Any of you guys keep up with it.

Rather than level-based it was skill-based and seemed to have some simplied/interresting components that could make the game fun.

I agree with the fact that I'd liek to take part i na game where I could change the map if that was my choice or just be a solider in the greater war or just a guy putting together a living off all the ensuing chaos :)
Author:  Tetran [ Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aranarth wrote:
I think Tetran is my long lost secret twin because thats basically exactly how I feel. :lol:



lol


I know the game will be fun, but for how long? I'm sure it will be a quality game as well. My frustration is derived from disappointment in the gaming industry in general. They're killing themselves slowly
Author:  Aranarth [ Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:09 am ]
Post subject: 
Tetran wrote:
Aranarth wrote:
I think Tetran is my long lost secret twin because thats basically exactly how I feel. :lol:



lol


I know the game will be fun, but for how long? I'm sure it will be a quality game as well. My frustration is derived from disappointment in the gaming industry in general. They're killing themselves slowly


Ya

As some of you may know, Im a Civ Addict. Ive got close to 15000 posts at a Civ Forum. Well they have an other games forum, and I got into this huge arguement with this guy who thinks LOTRO is the next best thing since sliced bread.

I didn't slam the game or anything. But basically tried the arguement that its the same old thing hence the relatively low subscribtion numbers. (150K to 200K) despite the fact that its Lord of the Rings and should be pulling in a huge audience.

And I tried the we can't anyone make a decent skills based sandbox game anymore, and basically his response is everyone expects a themepark.

My real fear is that what the general public expects, and that's what the general public wants, so that's what we are going to get from now on.
Author:  GodOfGophers [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Civfanatics?

I think a lot of people would like to see a really good sandbox game but it's also fair to say that most of those same people like games like WOW. At least, I know I do.
Author:  Aranarth [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Apolyton

Although I have close to 3000 posts at CFC.

Don't get me wrong, nothing is wrong per se with WoW.

Im just wondering how many times I have to play that same game over and over again in a different wrapper. With a few different tweaks here and there?
Author:  iJasonT [ Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
BTW there is an awesome article in the months PC Gamer on KOTOR MMO. 5 pages of amazing goodness. Highly recommend reading it :)
Author:  GodOfGophers [ Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:01 am ]
Post subject: 
Here's a link the an article I saw on Massively talking about how the fees for the game will work.

Apparently, the MMO won't be subscription based, but will generate revenue from micropayments.

There's not a lot of details available but here's the link
http://www.massively.com/2008/12/09/star-wars-the-old-republic-to-be-microtransaction-based/

I find myself very weary of something like this...
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