KOTOR MMO Confirmed

EA's Tom Riticello confirmed that Bioware is in fact working on a KOTOR MMO.

N. Evan Van Zelfden in Los Angeles warns, watch outWorld of Warcraft. In an interview at E3 this week, Electronic Arts chief executive John Riccitiello said that EA is working on the next version ofStar WarsgameKnights of the Old Republic, and it will most certainly have a massively multiplayer online component to it.

"We've got two of the most compelling MMOs in the industry in development," said Riccitiello. The first title, based on the Warhammer property, will launch soon. "And the one that people are dying for us to talk to them about -- in partnership with Lucas, coming out of BioWare, which is, I think, quite possibly the most anticipated game, full stop, for the industry at the point when we get closer to telling you about it."

Does Riccitiello mean the oft rumoredKnights of the Old Republic Online? "Yes," he said.

Tech Observer

Disappointing.

I am a huge Kotor fan, but I hate MMOs so disappointing is pretty much all i can say about this.

Oooh, mixed feelings mixed feelings!

No matter how much I want more KOTOR, I can't quite reconcile the sprawling storyline of the original KOTOR with an MMO format. You can't very well be a major player in the galaxy when there's a thousand other budding jedi around you. On the other hand, a jedi MMO could very well be an awesome experience. A big beautiful persistent Star Wars world is ... a dream come true for me.

Edit: What does he mean a massive multiplayer "component"? Either it is an MMO or it isn't, no? I haven't seen any other games that straddle that line...

*rumbling*.....I hear it now, that is the earth beginning to shake.

The outcry will be enormous.

Edit: What does he mean a massive multiplayer "component"? Either it is an MMO or it isn't, no? I haven't seen any other games that straddle that line...SophinaK

Perhaps something in the vein of Guild Wars.

Anyway, this is mindnumbingly disappointing. This is simply NOT Knights of the Old Republic.

Sometimes I think LucasArts is actually trying to make people hate them.

Lame. I'd much rather get a full-scale next-gen KOTOR. I don't care for MMO's. I don't have the time nor the desire for them.

This is extremely disappointing. Its like no one in charge of the KOTOR IP realized that the key to it's success was the branching dialogue, light/dark system, and the fact that you were a full blown sith lord/jedi knight. None of that is possible in an MMO. KOTOR is simply not MMO material. Yeah, you can use the theme to make an MMO, but it's just going to be a SWG clone not KOTOR. I mean, I've never heard of anyone playing through KOTOR as scoundrel and never using their force powers or lightsabers.

Hopefully this game will flop hard when it's released so EA will cut the bs and give us a proper KOTOR entry.

edit: oh, and after reading that article, PC only is confirmed:

"But EA is firmly on that path now, with a KOTOR MMO, which would sidestep the consoles owned by Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. "Increasingly, people are going to be talking about direct-to-customer in our business," said Riccitiello. "I think we'll be talking about it louder than most.""

Unbelievably disappointing. I have been waiting patiently for a real sequel to KOTOR 1 for five years, and now we learn the KOTOR brand is being turned into an MMO?

I guess we'll be waiting a little longer...

Unbelievably disappointing. I have been waiting patiently for a real sequel to KOTOR 1 for five years, and now we learn the KOTOR brand is being turned into an MMO?

I guess we'll be waiting a little longer...

Dutch_Mix

I think you're being generous there. After they complete the MMO, I think they'll take another break so the market doesn't get oversaturated with KOTOR. We'll be lucky if we see a real sequel to KOTOR this generation.

[QUOTE="Dutch_Mix"]

Unbelievably disappointing. I have been waiting patiently for a real sequel to KOTOR 1 for five years, and now we learn the KOTOR brand is being turned into an MMO?

I guess we'll be waiting a little longer...

Jbul

I think you're being generous there. After they complete the MMO, I think they'll take another break so the market doesn't get oversaturated with KOTOR. We'll be lucky if we see a real sequel to KOTOR this generation.

When we see a proper KOTOR sequel depends on how successful this MMO is. If it bombs then we'll probably see production start on a real KOTOR game shortly thereafter. If it's a megahit though then we're probably not going to see any single player KOTOR games for a looooong time.

If there's one trend in the industry that I hate more than the focus on casual games its the WoW effect. Ever since WoW proved that it was a virtual money printing machine it seems like every publisher has been rushing to turn one of their established IPs into an MMO (or create a new one from scratch) in the hopes that they'll be able to copy the success of WoW. Unfortunately what none of them seem to notice is that the vast majority of MMOs are either complete failures or barely make enough money to keep the servers running.

When we see a proper KOTOR sequel depends on how successful this MMO is. If it bombs then we'll probably see production start on a real KOTOR game shortly thereafter. If it's a megahit though then we're probably not going to see any single player KOTOR games for a looooong time.

gameguy6700

Hopefully that'll be the result if it bombs.... I'd hate to think this bombing could lead to the KOTOR franchise being retired altogether.

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"]

When we see a proper KOTOR sequel depends on how successful this MMO is. If it bombs then we'll probably see production start on a real KOTOR game shortly thereafter. If it's a megahit though then we're probably not going to see any single player KOTOR games for a looooong time.

SophinaK

Hopefully that'll be the result if it bombs.... I'd hate to think this bombing could lead to the KOTOR franchise being retired altogether.

Yeah, that's another possibility. However, I don't think that would happen since KOTOR has proven its a successful single player franchise. If it bombs as an MMO then hopefully EA/Lucas Arts/whoever the hell now owns the KOTOR IP will realize that it bombed because they tried to make a single player game into an MMO....hopefully.

Anyway, this is mindnumbingly disappointing. This is simply NOT Knights of the Old Republic.

Sometimes I think LucasArts is actually trying to make people hate them.UpInFlames

Boy do I agree with that! It makes Castlevania being turned into a fighter look like free beer and pizza. This is worse than just disappointment to me -- my heart is literally broken.

[QUOTE="Jbul"][QUOTE="Dutch_Mix"]

Unbelievably disappointing. I have been waiting patiently for a real sequel to KOTOR 1 for five years, and now we learn the KOTOR brand is being turned into an MMO?

I guess we'll be waiting a little longer...

gameguy6700

I think you're being generous there. After they complete the MMO, I think they'll take another break so the market doesn't get oversaturated with KOTOR. We'll be lucky if we see a real sequel to KOTOR this generation.

When we see a proper KOTOR sequel depends on how successful this MMO is. If it bombs then we'll probably see production start on a real KOTOR game shortly thereafter. If it's a megahit though then we're probably not going to see any single player KOTOR games for a looooong time.

If there's one trend in the industry that I hate more than the focus on casual games its the WoW effect. Ever since WoW proved that it was a virtual money printing machine it seems like every publisher has been rushing to turn one of their established IPs into an MMO (or create a new one from scratch) in the hopes that they'll be able to copy the success of WoW. Unfortunately what none of them seem to notice is that the vast majority of MMOs are either complete failures or barely make enough money to keep the servers running.

I doubt the MMO will have much, if any, impact on whether we see a singleplayer KOTOR. Lucasarts has pretty much tapped out the current Star Wars timeline, we're probably going to start seeing a lot more of the Old Republic especially if the MMO is a big hit.

As for publishers jumping on the WOW bandwagon... the "me too" mentality is pretty much a staple of business practices.

jeez...I don't understand why gamers are so quick to judge. I am going to be a bit more optimistic here. It's Bioware, its Star Wars, and its an MMO. Now that combo can be pretty good. I liked SWG until they screwed the original formula where when you bought the game you could become a jedi right off the bat, which was ridiculous cuz I had gotten to be jedi and I took a long time to becoming one and then boom some newb become a jedi.

From that perspective I'm glad they are trying something new here again and hopefully they learned their lessons of SWG to give it a second shot. If I were to guess what period they have it, I would say during the Jedi Civil War.

jeez...I don't understand why gamers are so quick to judge. I am going to be a bit more optimistic here. It's Bioware, its Star Wars, and its an MMO.Kiprusoff

The last part there is why we are so quick to judge. Many of us simply aren't interested in an MMO. I am sure Bioware could make the best danged MMORPG ever, but that wouldn't interest someone who isn't interested in MMOs. Add to that the fact that what won fans over was KOTOR's original single-player formula. We're still waiting for a real KOTOR game, so why wouldn't this be a disappointment?

I don't mind if MMO fans are excited. But it's not a crazy thing to judge the situation for what it is against our preferences. That's all we're doing.

I'll probably give the two week demo a try. However, like so many other I am disappointed. I'd rather see Knights of the Old Republic 3 than an MMO.

Hopefully they will take a few things out of the Guild Wars play book. Two of the biggest things about MMO's that I dispise are the endless kill quota quests and loot drop collection quests. The worst of the two are loot drop collection quests. Guild Wars has very very few of these types of quests. Hopefully Bioware will do the same.

The only thing that would make me stoked about this is if it's free-to-play. But obviously, it won't be so that's why I think I'll let this one pass.

But who knows, maybe it's really worth paying $15 a month to play it. I doubt it will be a competition to WoW. Console RPGs don't tend to do well. Even if there is a PC version, there are just so many MMOs out there. Which do you choose?

I think this was a bad move. I feel they should make a next-gen KOTOR 3 first, then do a MMO.

[QUOTE="gameguy6700"][QUOTE="Jbul"][QUOTE="Dutch_Mix"]

Unbelievably disappointing. I have been waiting patiently for a real sequel to KOTOR 1 for five years, and now we learn the KOTOR brand is being turned into an MMO?

I guess we'll be waiting a little longer...

H3LLRaiseR

I think you're being generous there. After they complete the MMO, I think they'll take another break so the market doesn't get oversaturated with KOTOR. We'll be lucky if we see a real sequel to KOTOR this generation.

When we see a proper KOTOR sequel depends on how successful this MMO is. If it bombs then we'll probably see production start on a real KOTOR game shortly thereafter. If it's a megahit though then we're probably not going to see any single player KOTOR games for a looooong time.

If there's one trend in the industry that I hate more than the focus on casual games its the WoW effect. Ever since WoW proved that it was a virtual money printing machine it seems like every publisher has been rushing to turn one of their established IPs into an MMO (or create a new one from scratch) in the hopes that they'll be able to copy the success of WoW. Unfortunately what none of them seem to notice is that the vast majority of MMOs are either complete failures or barely make enough money to keep the servers running.

I doubt the MMO will have much, if any, impact on whether we see a singleplayer KOTOR. Lucasarts has pretty much tapped out the current Star Wars timeline, we're probably going to start seeing a lot more of the Old Republic especially if the MMO is a big hit.

As for publishers jumping on the WOW bandwagon... the "me too" mentality is pretty much a staple of business practices.

I don't dispute that the "me too" mentality is common. I'm just saying that I hate it in the case of MMOs since it's starting to ruin good franchises. It's very hard to make a good MMO and a company half-assing it just so they can have their try at MMO gold isn't going to make a good much less successful game. Even devs that put their all into it usually end up with a mediocre game thanks to the paradox of MMOs: For an MMO to be good you need a huge playerbase and to get a huge playerbase you need a good MMO.

Anyway, I do think that the MMO will have an impact on future KOTOR games. Publishers don't like to have their franchises competing with themselves, and Lucas Arts has a strict policy about spacing out how many "major" Star Wars titles they produce (one per year). Does a KOTOR MMO preclude any KOTOR single player games from being released? No. But it does delay their development and release by quite a bit. LA isn't going to want to have KOTOR 3 competing against KOTOR Online, at least not until the playerbase is at a level they like. And then you have to factor in expansion packs which, assuming KOTORO becomes even half as popular as WoW, would probably satisify LA's one major SW release for that year. Personally I don't think we're going to see KOTOR 3 now until next gen. If it were EA who owned the KOTOR license I'd be more optimistic since they always try to milk their franchises for every cent they're worth, but LA is different and will probably wait 2-3 years before allowing KOTOR 3 to be released.

The only thing that would make me stoked about this is if it's free-to-play. But obviously, it won't be so that's why I think I'll let this one pass.

But who knows, maybe it's really worth paying $15 a month to play it. I doubt it will be a competition to WoW. Console RPGs don't tend to do well. Even if there is a PC version, there are just so many MMOs out there. Which do you choose?

I think this was a bad move. I feel they should make a next-gen KOTOR 3 first, then do a MMO.

ASK_Story

I wish it was free to play too, but we both know it's not going to happen. :(

They really need to differentiate themselves from the competitors and make a great Star Wars-based MMO that is worth the monthly fee they're going to be charging.

Can they do it? Sure, it's BioWare. They can probably pull it off. But will KOTOR fans care?

I don't dispute that the "me too" mentality is common. I'm just saying that I hate it in the case of MMOs since it's starting to ruin good franchises. It's very hard to make a good MMO and a company half-assing it just so they can have their try at MMO gold isn't going to make a good much less successful game. Even devs that put their all into it usually end up with a mediocre game thanks to the paradox of MMOs: For an MMO to be good you need a huge playerbase and to get a huge playerbase you need a good MMO.gameguy6700

Which franchises are you talking about? I can only think of two major game franchises that have "become" MMOs, and neither is ruined. Square is still spitting out single player FFs and considering Blizzard's 8+ year release cycles, I don't think anyone can be sure we would've had WC4 by now.

Anyway, I do think that the MMO will have an impact on future KOTOR games. Publishers don't like to have their franchises competing with themselves, and Lucas Arts has a strict policy about spacing out how many "major" Star Wars titles they produce (one per year). Does a KOTOR MMO preclude any KOTOR single player games from being released? No. But it does delay their development and release by quite a bit. LA isn't going to want to have KOTOR 3 competing against KOTOR Online, at least not until the playerbase is at a level they like. And then you have to factor in expansion packs which, assuming KOTORO becomes even half as popular as WoW, would probably satisify LA's one major SW release for that year. Personally I don't think we're going to see KOTOR 3 now until next gen. If it were EA who owned the KOTOR license I'd be more optimistic since they always try to milk their franchises for every cent they're worth, but LA is different and will probably wait 2-3 years before allowing KOTOR 3 to be released.

Are you being serious? If so, there's no way we're talking about the same Lucas Arts. Here's their release schedule from last gen:

2003 - Star Wars Galaxies, KOTOR, Rogue Squadron 3 and Jedi Academy.

2004 - KOTOR 2, Battlefront, and an expansion to SWG.

2005 - Revenge of the Sith, Battlefront 2, Lego star Wars, and another expansion to SWG.

So yeah, I wouldn't worry about Lucas Arts' ability to milk star wars.

People naysaying the KOTOR MMO are just disgruntled fanboys that are stuck in the past with their obsolete and outdated gameplay methods. Luckily Bioware and EA are here to bring innovation to a dying franchise.

I'm very disappointed. Another amazing franchise turns into a superficial, pay monthly, grind fest level up get all the cool items chore. I heard all the rumors but was hoping this wouldn't happen. To hell with the gamer, let's turn it into a cash cow. I now officially hate what online has brought to gaming. For all of it's benefits, it's drawbacks outweigh them by far.

Damnit to hell.

its just heartbreaking that they are using KotOR name to sell...

instead they could have made just a Star Wars MMORPG with a new name. it wont have strong story or choices that will change the end because there will be no end, so it wonthave KotOR's story depth and beauty. It will just probably have its mechanics and thats it KotOR name to sell a new MMORPG...

yes i would like to play a Star Wars MMORPG, it would be awesome to duel with lightsaber just like Jedi Academy but i'm against to be fooled with names...

People naysaying the KOTOR MMO are just disgruntled fanboys that are stuck in the past with their obsolete and outdated gameplay methods. Luckily Bioware and EA are here to bring innovation to a dying franchise.

Alaris83

[QUOTE="SophinaK"]Edit: What does he mean a massive multiplayer "component"? Either it is an MMO or it isn't, no? I haven't seen any other games that straddle that line...UpInFlames

Perhaps something in the vein of Guild Wars.

Anyway, this is mindnumbingly disappointing. This is simply NOT Knights of the Old Republic.

Sometimes I think LucasArts is actually trying to make people hate them.

Ditto. What are they thinking?

Then again I've always wanted to play pre-SOE Galaxies which I unfortunately missed and if this gives me a second chance I'd still be happy. It just won't be KotOR.

People naysaying the KOTOR MMO are just disgruntled fanboys that are stuck in the past with their obsolete and outdated gameplay methods. Luckily Bioware and EA are here to bring innovation to a dying franchise.

Alaris83

Indeed, dying after two games with a whole host of fans crying and begging for more. We're not exactly talking about Sonic the Hedgehog here.

It's okay to like MMOs, but let's not be silly.

People naysaying the KOTOR MMO are just disgruntled fanboys that are stuck in the past with their obsolete and outdated gameplay methods. Luckily Bioware and EA are here to bring innovation to a dying franchise.

Alaris83

what a load of BS. kotor MMO is about as cutting edge as making shadowrun into an FPS. its a lazy way out that will alienate the real fans for a chance to whore out to the latest craze.

So does this mean we will never get all the questions answered from KOTOR 1 and 2? Isn't this a little redundant after SW galaxies?

You know what? I am actually excited about this. I LOOOVE KOTOR/KOTOR 2 and I am usually not a huge fan of MMO's. But right before Star Wars: Galaxies turned to crap, I was really fascinated about the game. I was going to buy it but unfortunatly missed that boat.

Hopefully the KOTOR MMO will be the redeeming Star Wars MMO that Galaxies fans have been dying for and perhaps Star Wars fans in general. I'm pretty psyched.

Is it possible that it'll have the single-player adventure that we've seen in the last two games in addition to a separate MMO mode?Angry_Beaver

I doubt it, but Age of Conan did this. So you never know.

I wonder, is this EA's idea and the influences coming from the Bioware/EA merger, or is it LucasArts idea?

Or is it BioWare that wanted to do this?

But maybe all three agreed to this. I don't know. But it sure is upsetting a lot of KotOR fans.