Star Wars: The Old Republic

[Matt]

LUCASARTS AND BIOWARE REVEAL STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC

OCTOBER 21, SAN FRANCISCO – LucasArts and BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), 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 www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com.

http://www.swtor.com/

[knashdx]

Star Wars' answer to World of Warcraft. They have a POTC & Stargate version of this too.


Pass.

[Phrubruh]

What happen to Star Wars Galaxies?

[Jesse James]

It sucked, and was poorly run/dismal from the start.   I think Galaxies hasn't been anything in the realm of a "hit" to LA.

This sounds interesting, and they picked an era where Jedi were running rampant because that means they don't have that OT "limitation" of only so many Jedi...  Makes sense, and it's still STar Wars, but really I've never gotten the appeal of these games that much.  I guess I just figure they take too much time to "get into".

[Phrubruh]

So no dancing wookiees right?

[Jayson]

A pretty kick ass trailer for this was launched recently. Check it.

[Ryan]

A pretty kick ass trailer for this was launched recently. Check it.

OH. MY. GOD...

 

That looks better than the prequels. It is time for me to upgrade the computer...

[Darth_Anton]

That was very cool.

[jedipurge]

HOLY CRAP that 2 min snipet was better then the entirtey of the prequels.

[Jesse James]

Wow that might be worth getting a new computer.   

[iFett]

Sweet!   

Is this not coming to PS3 or xBox?  I could never get KOTOR to work on my PC a couple years ago.

[Jesse James]

I'm assuming not, as this is an MMORPG ala World of Warcraft and things, which I don't think work on consoles very well at all.

You should get KOTOR for X-Box if you haven't already iFett.  Outstanding game.  So fun to immerse yourself into it.  I've still not played KOTOR2 but am looking forward to it since we got a Nihilus figure.  I'm just lazy about gaming.

[iFett]

You should get KOTOR for X-Box if you haven't already iFett.  Outstanding game.  So fun to immerse yourself into it.  I've still not played KOTOR2 but am looking forward to it since we got a Nihilus figure.  I'm just lazy about gaming.

Oh I'm very lazy on gaming too.  Been playing Resident Evil 4 on and off again for the past 2 months (I only get around to playing on Sundays for a couple hours)  Hell - I still have my Dreamcast and N64 hooked up even though I haven't played them in years.  I need to toss those puppies.

I tried to pick up a used Xbox a few months ago when Game Crazy was running a deal with the console and three used games for $60.  Thought it was a pretty good deal as I only wanted the system for KOTOR 1 & 2, and maybe Halo 2 but all of the employees and other customers started laughing at me and told me not to buy because they claimed the system and those games are just pure trash. 

I've heard totally different about those games from several people since then, so I have to find the time to track one down even though they're out of stock and Gamestop isn't selling them out of their stores anymore - only online apparently.   

[Ryan]

I've still not played KOTOR2 but am looking forward to it since we got a Nihilus figure.  I'm just lazy about gaming.

Don't look forward to it that much or you'll be severely disappointed...

[Matt_Fury]

The trailer looks awesome!  Too bad this is going to be an MMORPG.  I'd prefer another KOTOR type RPG.