@Murderdolls:

Amen!

themadman123

Bioware has been developing (and announced that they were) for some time now.

I had always thought it was going to be some form of Baldur's Gate Online.

This one came out of left field for me though.

i.roboto

@gaijira: best combo ever.

kw4k

@TeldurUK: I am a crafter too! :) ... and I am going to just wait and see what they do.

Once they get the MMO forum going I am so registering!

Naia

Well after my initial anger I really hope this will just be based on Kotor and Not the successor to the original.

deathtastic

With BioWare developing KOTOR Online and Mythic developing Warhammer, I am pretty sure I will be in MMO Paradise. And when I consider Guild Wars 2 on the horizon, I enter some kind of zen MMO transcendence.

Now one of them just has to actually release.

antialias02

GOD YES!!! AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH REPENT ALL YE SINNERS, THE END IS NIGH

LordMagnusMastah

@zegota: I think what will pull a lot of people away from WoW is Diablo 3.

Naia

EA. Bioware. You go to hell, and die.

deathtastic

@TeldurUK: But no MMOs are anywhere near successful on the level of WoW, so I don't think you can fault FFXI for that.

zegota

@photoboy: glad i'm not the only one

MistaJeff

Fuck. Yes.

zegota

YES!!!!!

zoz

I have zero interest in playing games online with other people, whether they're FPSes, RPGs or racing. Hopefully KOTOR4 will go back to what made the first one great.

photoboy

I like MMOs, I like Bioware...I like KoTOR...
But the three..combined?

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy MMOs (most notably la 'craft') but I just don't think KoTOR will suit it being developed into a MMO.
Hell, I could be wrong, but when I think of how it didn't really work for Final Fantasy XI (not saying it wasn't/was popular, because it is, just not on the same level as Warcraft), I can't help but feel this will also be a 'close, but not quite'

TeldurUK

A lot of assumptions being made here... Who's to say that Bioware will completely wow us with a formula for a MMO unlike anything we've seen before? If it is the same, it probably doesn't stand a chance, but previous comments made by the company in regards to MMO development is rather pie-in-the-sky and, if true, should be amazing.

art_zombie

...Not sure if I want a d20 MMO. I find that it's okay for single player experiences as it lengthens the experience, but its not fast-paced enough for MMOs. The alignment tracking also sounds like it could dissolve into grinding. :/ Need more info I guess...

Benjammn

Holy crap, 118 comments in like 10 minutes

nonbreakingspace

I'm not looking forward to another 'pay2play' MMO. KOTOR or not. Chances are this will be a PC only MMO. That sucks for us proud Console and Mac gamers. Bootcamp is too much of a hassle.

AssassinTRIP

Well with BioWare behind it it's bound to be better then Star Wars Galaxy's. Maybe I will try it out.

WPack911

@ReadNLearn: I meant Austin, not Dallas.

Gotta say I'm pretty excited to see what Bioware has in store. I wouldn't put it past them to completely turn MMO concepts on their head and shock everyone with something totally unexpected.

ReadNLearn

@gaijira:

Yeah, considering this was in development since the NGE almost 3 years ago, and EA just purchased BioWare.

EA bashing is so 2007, the new debil is Activision, everyone knows this.

EnigmaNemesis

@EnigmaNemesis: Agreed. I understand EA has had problems in the past, but outside of EA Sports I'm usually pretty pleased with the products I buy from them.

mjn328

@Itri: Eh, I found it unimpressive. Like I said, the gameplay was golden, but Star Wars in general is not a place I go to for a deep story. Even the original trilogy had a pretty cut and paste storyline.

0bsessions

@MantisDragon: Are you retarded? Do you seriously think SOE is worried about losing a few players in SWG? You seem to forget that SOE fans are rabid sorts that pay to play the same game for DECADES...

cable83

wow... *head explodes*

thisbeatisbadass

@ReadNLearn: No way!1! Bioware was all "we want to make a single player KoTOR III to complete the trilogy we've publicly said so many times we're planning." But evil EA was like "Nuh unh! You're gonna make a MMO cuz that will make us way more $$$! And make sure there is NO story cuz that is a waste of time! LoL!1!"

Ok enough sarcastic ranting, I just get tired of all the retarded knee-jerk EA bashing.

gaijira

I'm curious, I hope it comes out on 360!

EvilSuperSean

@0bsessions:

Sorry I meant your comment about the story being shallow in the original KOTOR. At the very least, it was better than the entire NEW trilogy.

Itri

@0bsessions:

Yeah, I have been prodding the industry for news and info, ever since the days of the NGE...

As soon as it was announced Rich Vogel was the head of the Austin studio for BioWare working on their unnamed MMO, I knew it was another Star Wars. Plus several of the other original team members are there, as well as ones from Ultima, and lots of other MMOs.

Also Bioware a year ago had an interview, saying they are having so much fun playing their MMO, that is a BLAST to play, and the graphics are amazing ... so lets hope it is true to their word.

The Force appears strong with this one.

EnigmaNemesis

@ReadNLearn: Humans are creatures of habit. Everyone's so used to EA's old tendencies of running things into the ground that they seem to find it hard to accept that they've actually been on a pretty big roll lately.

0bsessions

GREAT! 12-year olds make GREAT jedy characters, and have LOTS of depth. It's so friggin' great to see how MMORPGs are the new eastern cRPGS!

YEAH!

The fastest way to kill some franchise's backstory and lore is making a MMO.

Well I guess I'll wait 'till they make Kotor 3

Fulgurator

I hope they have some complex crafting along and carry along the current SWG's housing / city system. SWG's house-decorating system was awesome. The ability to build your own city really gave an intimate feel, and currently, I can't find any MMO that gives me the same feelings pre-CU (even CU) SWG gave me.

I look forward to this and hope that it will be done right. They sure seem like they've a lot of pressure to "do things right", considering there are many depressed SWG ex/players out there.

Naia

@qizarate:
I wouldn't mind seeing it like that

@Itri:

True but I was really hoping for a continuation of story. I'm not a huge fan of MMO's I find them boring.

Majpain007

From what I understand, this has been in development for years. I first heard about it several years ago when my dad of all people told me that Bioware was hiring in Edmonton for some sort of Star Wars MMO. Kind of funny that was leaked ages ago but didn't seem to hit until more recently. I live in Calgary by the way, so Edmonton where Bioware is headquartered is close-ish. Although I have since heard that this project is being worked on in Dallas.

So my point here is that those saying EA is going to screw this up blah blah blah should realize it was in development long before EA had Bioware. Plus, with the way EA has been going I think they will improve the game. Yup, you read that right, I'm not an EA hater and never have been. Novel huh?

ReadNLearn

@Phantom6612: Dragon Age will be done soon enough.

Azures

@Itri: I'm not exactly clear what you're trying to get across here...

0bsessions

@Majpain007:

well fuck you too. You haven't even seen anything yet, how the hell can you judge this game? That's just immature.

Itri

this sucks hard. I was looking forward to KOTOR3 something with a story not some crapy MMo....this is not my day btw the iphone sucks (mine is broken) :(

invictus2006

@Azures: I agree. Though I could see Obsidian making KotOR 3 more than Bioware. But, hey, they are making this game, so making a single player game too may not be much of a stretch.

Though, Bioware may be a bit busy with Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2. *shrugs*

Phantom6612

Hmm this might get me to migrate from WoW.

Pornosaur

@0bsessions: I totally agree. It would be perfect if we had KoTOR 3 and then an MMO based on the IP, but even if not, this is the perfect era an MMO. There would be no need for an incredibly limiting Jedi system because the order is being put back together, so there would be many Jedi running around as learners. It would also be interesting to avoid the usual one vs one aspect of MMOS. Have Mandalorians, the oft mentioned True Sith, The Republic, The Exchange, this piece of Star Wars history is filled with possibilities.

until.december

@0bsessions:

...wow.

Itri

OMG YES! So yeah my life is over when this game comes out.

technical_ta

There isn't even so much as a screenshot and already the Kotakuites are simultaneously decrying it as destroying a beloved franchise and hailing it as the savior of gaming everywhere.

I can has old Kotaku pleez?

baberg

@EnigmaNemesis: I wasn't aware Vogel was involved. This really ups my anticipation. I absolutely loved the original Star Wars Galaxies build. It was the perfect MMO for me.

0bsessions

@Candlejack:

Star Wars Galaxies was Ultima Online with SW art. A lot of the SWG team came from Ultima Online originally.

I seriously doubt Kotor Online would go anywhere near that same path. It is two different situations. I suspect it would be more like some of the Star Wars console games in gameplay, than SWG.

Jas49

@Azures:

Exactly ... I am sure KOTOR 3 will be made, and possibly come out before this MMO ... also triggering people to want to play the MMO after finishing KOTOR 3.

Perfected marketing strategy for those who will grave more.

EnigmaNemesis

@Archaotic:

EA doesnt control Lucas Arts, which controls Star Wars. And since this has been in development for well over 3 years now, EA will just be playing a distribution and marketing role more than likely.

Not to mention, EA has been doing pretty damn good lately with coming up with games people want to play. And hearing their boss talk, they seem like a company that wants to return to their roots ... and that is great for gamers if they remember the 80's.

EnigmaNemesis

@Azures: Exactly! A lot of people seem to be jumping the gun here.

Just because they're making an MMO set in the same universe doesn't mean they won't finish the trilogy off. That seems incredibly unlikely to me.

0bsessions

@Darlan: Ooops, will *never pay a monthly fee.

Darlan

Mixed feelings on this. On one hand, I'd like to see KOTOR 3, on the other hand a KOTOR MMO sounds amazing. it might be the first MMO I ever play.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Tyber_Zann: Also, preorder bonus MUST consist of HK-47 droid, complete with 'meatbag' remarks. Thanks.

Tyber_Zann

Too bad, I love KOTOR but will pay a monthly fee for a game. Good for those who love MMOs, though, Bioware sure knows their stuff.

Darlan

@Majpain007:

It would be really cool if they incorporated that aspect into it, considering the amount of dialogue in a standard mmo it would be a very difficult task, especially if they accounted for things like alignment and such.

Now that would be interesting...as opposed to picking a 'good' or 'bad' character from the outset your actions should affect your alignment. Like reputation in WOW but relating to your main faction, and in such a way that it allows you to actively switch sides, like good old kyle katarn.

I'd way prefer a 'force user' class as opposed to seperate jedi and sith characters...it makes sense for all force users to start at the jedi temple with about half falling to the sith, this would work equally well with other potential classes. Would be nice to see an MMO where your main alignment isn't set in stone, could make for some interesting/annoying treachery and backstabbing.

qizarate

Wow, lots of MMO fans here.

Wolfers

Yeah, nothing like impersonalizing one of the most personal single-player experiences to date. But you get so much more money when everyone who WOULD buy the single-player game is paying a monthly fee!!

Rot in hell, EA. Eat shit and die. And then shit yourself after you die like everyone does.

That said, I'll give it a try ONLY because it's Bioware. Fingers crossed for a prequel set during the Mandalorian Wars (that would be cool... you could be Jedi and use the force or Mandalorian and have access to a massive wealth of war tech). I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope this isn't the follow up to 2 or the conclusion of Revan's story. KOTOR 3 needs to be a single player game. NEEDS TO.

MistaJeff

@Archaotic:

I think a lot of MMO companies are starting to realize, they cant duplicate WoW, for the sake people can just still play WoW.

They have to try new and exciting things. Like I said, I will hold my reservations, but I think BioWare, if anyone, can pull it off.

Not to mention, Rich Vogel, who was with the original SWG launch, is head of the BioWare Austin studio for this game. Which spiked the original rumors 3 years ago. We will see.

EnigmaNemesis

As in the words of Darth Vader, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Seriously though, I was hoping for KOTOR 3, where I wouldn't have to pay a monthly fee.

Nat495

@Azures:
I'm not saying it's a definitive (or even credible) source, but it's reason to be worried, especially with EA's control of BioWare.

Archaotic

@FLYmeatwad:

This is from the developers from the original game. Of course it will be great, I think they know what they are doing...

Itri

omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg, i think i just got laid

Topchickenz

@UltimateIdiot: It works pretty easily, which is the big reason I applaud them making one set in the KotoR era. One of Star Wars Galaxies' biggest initial problems was that people hated the lengthy and unintuitive path to being a Jedi. After they altered that, people complained that it was a contradiction of the continuity, as Jedi were supposed to be all but extinct in that era.

In the KotoR era, the galaxy is crawling with Jedi, and depending how deep into the era they go, there were many Sith at times, too. It fits the story canonically AND fanservice-wise.

0bsessions

Damn.....

Cmdr.Trehugr

I wouldn't write off an official Kotor 3 because of this news though. The MMO would be made in Austin while the sequel would be made in Calgary.

Azures

Well it was either this announcement or World of Starcraft that would get to me.

Ok, who do I give my credit card information to? SOE isn't touching this, right? I'll even give a hefty tip for that.

Tyber_Zann

"Any idea of platform/s? " In the sixth paragraph of the portfolio article, it suggest EA may "sidestep" consoles altogether... which would suck balls.

Kid-A

Hallelujah! I think I'll be a Sith, or a Bounty Hunter...maybe a Sith Bounty Hunter...

gaijira

Cool. $50 bucks saved. Kotor III single player RPG would have been a must buy. Kotor III MMO? Would be hard to care any less. (I would, however, agree that it would be a far better timeframe for a Star Wars MMO, since there were a lot more Jedi running around (well, other than actually DURING kotor II) so letting any player that wants to be a Jedi actually BE a Jedi would work out fine. While I realize that a successfully MMO is a license to print cash, so it makes complete sense for EA, I happen to be completely and totally uninterested in them myself.)

GnatB

:|

McKenney

@Archaotic: Is a "disgruntled" employee honestly a credible source?

Bioware would never put something like that out regardless. Their standards are much higher than that.

Azures

@Rexter: I have to agree. I was wanting a single player game to tie up the first two games. Silly me I was hoping i could use my save files. MMOs mean nothing to me.

MyopicRaiderfan

Awesome, just awesome. KOTOR had a better story than the new Trilogy.

Strangelove

@EnigmaNemesis:
Understandable. Personally, I'm just pissed it's not single player, because now we won't see the end of the trilogy.

Or if we do, it'll be WoWified and every single major character will be made into a raid boss just to justify having high-end content. I'm still pissed at Blizzard for that.

Archaotic

@Archaotic:

Considering when your laid off you tend to not talk up who laid you off, I am not worried.

I will hold my reservations for when I see it ... after all, it is BioWare.

EnigmaNemesis

This just turned my shitty work day into a day full of win. Thank god for this, now we can all wait in anticipation for the next year and a half for the MMO that has a great chance to dethrone WoW.

In short, woot.

nukednova

Even though I'm going to miss the epic kotor singleplayer, I can't wait for this.

Radz

I'm not a huge MMO person, honestly. I played the original Phantasy Star Online for a bit and loved it, though I played the single player offering through as well. If there was an Animal Crossing MMO, I would probably be all over that too.

That said...the original KOTOR is one of my favorite games ever. If they make an MMO that is more than just level grinding and picking up gear constantly, I may have to look into it.

mjn328

@qizarate:
It was mentioned a few weeks ago when the Lucasarts layoffs were being talked about, but I don't have a link, no. One of the disgruntled LA employees roasted the game, saying it was just Galaxies all over again.

Archaotic

"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened."
-obi wan
not sure how a million jedi running around is going to work, but i guess time will tell

UltimateIdiot

A KOTOR MMO is the only MMO that I wouldn't mind paying a monthly fee for.

Noks415

@Archaotic: Did you play the same KotoR, I did? I mean, I loved the game and all, but for the gameplay and environments, both of which can easily be replicated in MMO form. The story was honestly pretty shallow. Other than the Revan reveal, there really wasn't much of anything compelling or original in there.

0bsessions

I'm tired of the people saying that "EA ends KotOR". The MMO was in production before EA bought Bioware and EA isn't even the publisher for this game. They may have a hand in it, but I'm still going to hope that Bioware remains autonomous and is allowed to create games under their own schedule.

I also hope that they try and do something different with the MMO formula to make this game more compelling than most others. I'm not going to be negative like some people are; I plan to keep watch on this and see what develops--it might turn out good. I have faith in Bioware.

Don't go calling this the "third installment". Its an MMO, which, in my opinion, has little to do with the single player games besides sharing an interesting time frame. Its possible that a KotOR 3 will never come, but I'm going to hope that Lucasarts understands that it has itself a great series and they would benefit greatly by continuing it. Though if KotOR 3 does get made, I wont be surprised if Obsidian was tagged to make it.

Phantom6612

I'd be a LOT more excited if the cynic in me didn't point out the fact that we won't see this for 2-3 years minimum :-/

knouri

So anyone want to take a guess how this is going to go down? Is multiple choice dialogue still going to be in it?

Majpain007

Perhaps there will be a KotOR 3 next E3.

Okari

@RedRaptor:
Really though.

That game screams MMO potential.
Planets, deep stories, races, etc...

One day... One day.

Terrorsaur.

huge, huge news we have here. imagine the possibilities. as long as they make it well and as enjoyable as the first, i will welcome this with open arms. if this will require a monthly charge, this will no doubt be the first MMO i will willingly throw money at

kw4k

You all hear that? That was the sound of SOE shitting themselves.

MantisDragon

@A Pimp Named DaveR: Unlikely, considering Star Wars Galaxies came out close to a year and a half before World of Warcraft.

0bsessions

eh I'll try it out.

If I set my expectations low I cant be disappointed right?

CCCombobreaker

I think this is pretty much awesome in every way imaginable. My friend talked about how awesome SWG was before they ruined it and I've yearned for a day when what he talks about comes back.

Knowing Bioware (and the resources that EA could pour into this game) I have high hopes for this and expect it to be pretty much...awesome.

jihadjoe343

@Archaotic:

Can you supply a reference for this? I don't mean to be snarky, i'm genuinely curious.

qizarate

I kind of wanted just another regular kotor :(

Drizko

@Candlejack: Believe it or not, Star Wars Galaxies actually started out incredibly strongly. It was a quality online gaming experience that had a great community and a surprisingly enjoyable lack of horrible level grind. The combat upgrade hurt it a bit, but a lot of that was overreaction. Then came the New Game Enhancement and that pretty much killed off what was left of the fanbase.

The KotoR MMO will have the benefit of SoE not being able to run it into the ground.

0bsessions

Damn, for such uneventful conferences, I'm amazed all this really crazy awesome important revealing is happening through stupid low-key interviews via accidental confirmation.

DaveKap

Just cry @FLYmeatwad:

Oh, it will, don't you worry.

alex74447

I personally have faith that bioware will bring something unique to MMO gameplay, even if it's just a matter of evolving existing concepts. I have hope that there'll be a big emphasis on RPing, with the exception of EVE i've never played an MMO where the community and the atmosphere worked in tandem to make me want to RP. Now Bioware have some of the most talented writers in the industry, if someone can do it they can.

qizarate

Well worst fucking move ever.

Again

Fuck you Bioware.

Majpain007

"Watch out WoW, you just might have some serious competition here."

.... which is what we thought when Star Wars: Galaxies came out, too. I'll be waiting and seeing.

A Pimp Named DaveR

Crap.
Crap Crap.
Crap Crap Crap.

Well, there goes finishing the trilogy. Not happy about this news at all.

CelticMutt

@RedRaptor: hah...that, i mightve been down for.

TheIrishNinja

@EnigmaNemesis:
Considering a lot of the laid-off Lucasarts workers have been saying that the game is basically 'Galaxies with a new skin over it', I would be worried if I were you.

Archaotic

YES!!!

:-)

Yep, that smiley face just sums it up. Kind of happy to the point where I am getting speechless, so yeah, that smiley face explains it, lol.

:-)

Naia

really should learn my lesson form AoC about not over hyping MMO's, but with BioWare behind this, I feel tentatively excited...

Fert

A good franchise destroyed by EA, made into something stupid.

Mr.DuckSauce

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

Ok back to maturity!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

I have failed!

Lets hope it is done right!

EnigmaNemesis

@Elly:
I don't think it's really possible to do a story to the caliber of KotOR's in the MMO format, since you have to account for multiple players, character creation, etc. If there are story events, the player will only observe them, which makes it entirely pointless.

They should've just kept it single player. I suppose Riccitiello needs a new solid gold jet though, so more blood for the blood god.

Archaotic

This just might maybe might convert me to MMOs. BioWare you crafty mutha uckers.

sisedi

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

alex74447

@Archaotic: Some MMOs have successfully integrated a story (FFXI, Guild Wars, etc.) but I echo the sentiment about grinding. I'm not sure I have the time anymore to dig through these games to get to the meat. That said, this has SERIOUS potential.

Elly

Nice... this will be awesome! Now only if they can do it right, then we will have a winner!

Myst3r1o

Star Wars! Hooray!

Bioware! Hooray

MMO! Hooray?

thefais

Am i the only one who wants a singleplayer KoToR? Im fed up with MMO's...

Rexter

Excited. No word on where it's going yet? I hope I can play it on a console.

chuffhoncho

WTB BETA SIGN UP!

S3RV0

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!!

Aetherium

I am SHOCKED at this announcement. This has come as a COMPLETE AND UTTER SURPRISE!

....oh lord, I can't keep typing that seriously...but it's the only thing LucasArts has done that's made me smile for a long time. So I'll just hope they don't screw it all up.

Rebochan

DAMN IT! I am trying to stop playing MMO's. This is NOT going to help.

Baboon

Rejoice!

DigitalHero

I hope this or Warhammer dethrone WoW

WoW is a sickness that needs to be dealt with

Murderdolls

Well if you can go good / evil from a neutral start, that's damn appealing. Friends from early levels become enemies at higher ones?

Juicy.

Ishmae1

Time to replay the first 2, for old time's sake.

lammy742

It was with a heavy heart that I sent this tip in. KotOR is pretty much the only Western RPG I've ever played that's captivated me in any way, and now we have an MMO sequel.

Good bye, story. You'll be replaced by grinding and repetitive tasks, and idiots will shell out $15 a month for it over and over again.

Archaotic

No Mass Effect MMO? Damn it all.

RedRaptor

Any idea of platform/s?

Krondonian

Watch out World of Warcraft, you just might have some serious competition here.

Not if it turns out like Star Wars Galaxies...

On a serious note; I'm not thrilled by a KotOR MMO. Considering the success of the single player games, and how good they truly were, I find that going in this direction is a waste of potential.

(You guessed it, I'm not a fan of MMO unless one blows my mind which has yet to happen)

Candlejack

@FLYmeatwad: Drugs. You are on drugs, good sir.

KotoR is MUCH better suited for the MMO treatment than the original saga era ever was.

This is the best news I've heard all day.

0bsessions

Please make this the most EPIC MMO ever. I can't remember the last game they made that was crap. I am waiting and I will continue to way for YEARS probably.

ghnvt

I am excited.
It's official.

Kreepman

Heh, i tipped this from RPS but 5 minutes ago ^_^

qizarate

The sound of hundreds of blizzard devs cried out in terror.

Azures

Well Holy Shit.

TheSpiller

Hm. I like the idea, but... I probably won't have the time to really get into it.

Still... I'll try to find a way. The first KOTOR was one of the best games last generation and the second, despite its disappointments (and lack of ending) was still great.

2NinjasTapedTogether

Any Star Wars MMO is better than Sony's Star Wars Galaxies. >_>

大漢中

AMAZING!

soviet_

Darn it...there goes another beloved franchise. I really can't imagine the magic of the first KotOR games, which rested in the fleshed out and deep single player, will transfer over to MMO form all that well.

FLYmeatwad

@Archaotic:

I'm not going to bother to read any other comment, because you are as right as right can be.

It's a shame really. I don't want to see KOTOR's story raped like Warcraft's was.

Kenninator

@FLYmeatwad: Dude. Bioware handled the first KOTOR and supervised the second KOTOR. Shut your pie hole and have some faith, man.

NKato

@otimus:

Star Wars isn't universally popular?

Although I agree, when you have Warcraft in your name, you're at least promised every person in South Korea will buy your game.

SG_Mahonay

"New and exciting" ideas aren't going to kill WoW.
If that were the case, WoW, a cobbled together collection of old ideas, would have failed right from the start.

WoW works on name recognition, and the general stupidity of everyone out there. (Oh yes, I play WoW too! But it's neither original, unique, or anything of the like)

To kill WoW, you'd need something universally popular across many countries, that already has sold in the 10's of millions on it's own, before converting to an MMO.

otimus

@baberg: Seconded.

On topic: Give me lightsaber throw! (or Boomerang is it should be refered) Also, I need a finger waving motion for Force Persuasion.

[As Obi-Wan --> with finger wave] "This is not the MMO you are looking to trash" [/As Obi-Wan --> with finger wave]

Canuckssleepinthenude

Well so much for figuring out what happens in the story.

Fuck this shit.

TK423

Come out for the 360, please?

SG_Mahonay

BOO! Just what we don't need! Another MMO! (No offense meant to those who like MMO's). I'm sure the game will do good (and be good), but wheres the epic KOTOR 3 Single Player that would beat out the last two!

Amazon_Chris

:\ This news doesn't really make me happy even though I've been wanting a new KOTOR game. I'd rather have another singleplayer game that's more awesome than the first one >_<
If this turns into another pay monthly to play game... I'll pass.

Ghar

Well...count me as being incredibly disappointed, especially if this is going to act as the conclusion to the KotOR storyarch.

LaneWinree

@art_zombie: These assumptions are based on the following points:

1. Bioware's track record. Not exactly hit or miss, includes often genre-defining RPG titles.

2. Star Wars Galaxies. 'doesn't stand a chance'? Do you have any idea how many people played SWG even though they knew it sucked? Bioware would have to screw this up on a legendary level to even come close to failing, market-wise.

3. Worlds of Starcraft. Or Starcraft Online or whatever, doesn't exist yet. Until it does, there is a huge gap in the scifi MMO niche. No other scifi franchise besides Star Wars or Starcraft is gonna draw WoW-sized numbers, (Star Trek is a possible but unlikely exception.)

gaijira

Sweet, that is pretty awesome. Wonder how it's going to work O_o. PvE or PvP or something entirely new, hmmm.

Well we will see!

Nice BioWare, we knew it all along :P

Chaospluto

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeetness!

xMindPrintsx

Was really rooting for KotOR III since it's one of my favorite game series, but at least we are getting something. I just hope KotOR III isn't too many decades away. Hoping this will distance itself from the other grindfests and go the more story focused route like Funcom kinda tried to do with AoC. Maybe some of the fired Lucasarts people can find work at bioware?

NorthernAvengeR

Dissapointed. We'll probably have to wait until the third expansion to find out where the fuck Revan went.

Wizzard

WTF EA! KOTOR is a single player experience with a deep story. MMO and KOTOR don't go together. Maybe set it in same universe but use different name!

neo177117

ugh, I'm sorry to say but this doesn't make me for one happy, I liked the story of KOTOR and KOTOR 2 and what made it even more special was that I didn't have to deal with anyone else but myself. I just have had bad experience's with MMO's chiefly EQ, WoW and this knew MMO AoC...not saying any of them are (saving my ass from getting flamed) but I dunno the whole singular experience might get ruined by jackasses going around in bright shiny armor telling me I suck...dunno how that pleases anyone but it doesn't please me at all.

themule

@deviantCharles: Reserving judgment? What, until it comes out or something? What're you, insane? You have to form a permanent opinion right now, right as you hear this news. And it has to be a binary opinion, none of this gray area crap, you have to think it's either an electronic blowjob with a side of lottery ticket win, or wish every member of EA and Bioware's families are murdered with rusty hacksaws.

gaijira

@Fulgurator: Yeah I mean it sure turned out horribly for the Warcraft Universe.

Remake the same dam game every 2 years and slap a $60 price tag on it?

Or put that money in to constantly improving one game with thousands if not millions of people interacting with it and making it what it is?

Patient

The New Hope

PipTheLip

I'm reserving judgment (but am totally celebrating in the inside.)

deviantCharles

I'll be fine as long as if there is no monthly fee and if it is for consoles

Foreign-Contaminant

Haven't played an MMO since I quit World of Warcraft. That will change when this game comes out. Oh yes, that will change.

SWG, you broke my heart. KOTORMMO, if you break my heart too, I will kill you in your face.

mitsoxfan

@Kenninator: It's BIOWARE, you numbnuts. They haven't screwed up stories...hello? Mass Effect, anyone? The story in that was excellent.

NKato

@SG_Mahonay: An MMORPG, for the 360? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH-*deep breath*-AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA.

No.

The 360 has been a very poor purveyor of MMO's (PSU, FFXI are games based on old-generation tech), and does not have the power, built-in drive capacity or capabilities to run a next-generation MMORPG. If anything, KOTOR Online will be PC only.

NKato

Wow, I was completely excited about Bioware doing another KOTOR... But an MMO? No Thanks!

thezman

Not even Bioware can change the fact that MMOs are meant to be time sinks.

Grind for 10 lvls to get a screw for the hilt of your lightsabre

Grind for 20 lvls to get the crystal of your lightsabre

Oops, crafting failed, your dex is too low. Start quest over and gather more parts.

It's a motherfucking trap! /Ackbar.

Sheky

Stay informed about the game at: [kotor.mmolab.com]

Wargath

I seriously must be the only disappointed person on this thread. I have never cared for the Star Wars franchise. I was praying it would be some kind of new IP...

ThisCharmingMan

@SG_Mahonay:

Star Wars is.. But I have my doubts as to that many people being willing to go into a Star Wars MMO.

If that were the case, Galaxy would be huge, because, man, trust me, MMO players are willing to look over almost any fault, of any kind. People DON'T, at least 9 times out of 10, mmos for gameplay.

otimus

Hmmm... although I've watched the Star Wars trilogy, I'm not a great fan of the franchise. Though of course we all know Bioware knows how to make fantastic RPGs why didn't they go went a new IP? I mean, say if they'd went with a Mass Effect MMORPG?!?! Now'd that would be truely amazing. However since it's based on Star Wars, sorry, but you can officially count me out.

Ricksterlau

Let's a take a great game and try and cash in on an MMO. Completely stopping possibly the best trilogy ever made in video games. I really hope this is just one game and the trilogy will be completed. If not I will do everything I can do not ever buy another bioware game again. I'm truly disappointed.

Please don't leave the Single Player RPG gamers out there.

Tuffgong4

looks sweet. maybe this time a star wars mmo that doesnt suck nuts (heres looking at u galaxies)

maraxusofk

March 13, 2006. Penny Arcade totally calls it.

[www.penny-arcade.com]

they win again.

man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.

KOTOR is not suitable for MMO status, this will fail and fail hard.

Scubs

I loved both previous KOTOR games (hated the rushjob ending on the sequel), and I'd give this a shot, but only if it heads to the consoles.

PC gaming, once a cornerstone of my gaming diet in my younger days just isn't as comfortable as gaming on my couch, in front of an HDTV, yelling at my buddies via headest. I suppose we could be downing monsters in WoW, but many of us switched to Macs and it's tough to convince casuals to hop on the WoW bandwagon with such a geek factor associated with it.

KOTOR MMO could be cool though, and I'm still keeping a candle burning for AoC being sweet when it heads to the 360.

Jonaconda

Oh god. Bioware doing MMO? When that happens I forsee a massive time-suck.

The dark side looms...

sir_carrot

@thor79:

Lucas Arts is the publisher. Which is that much obvious.

[www.lucasartsbioware.com]

EA will just probably provide some support and distribution.

EnigmaNemesis

meh....EA? yuck. Bioware needs to find a new publisher.

thor79

I'm so excited for this. When playing Kotor I always thought that would work as an MMO.

What they need to do is set up a way for Players to direct events that directly influence the world. This could be done by directing NPCs and have you actions affect the Quests of other PCs, rather than simply letting people observe events.

That and keep the Graphics keeping the Star Wars Worlds Fantastic.

AtomiskX

Anyone who thinks for a minute about whining needs to consider 2 things.

1. Did you play SWG when it first came out/beta? Past that your experience on SW's MMO potential is irrelevant thanks to SOE meddling.

2. Try and remember the feeling of playing KOTOR. Since I loved SWG as I was a beta tester and the community was great, I merge the two memmories, but feel free to use your own favorite MMO memory.

If you don't splooge your pants you are impotent.

As for this "confirmation:..... Well, I told the Kotaku boys this a good year ago. I gave them lots of very valid info that if pursued might have gotten us at least a screenshot for the trouble by now.

But I hold no ill will toward Bioware for their secrecy. In fact, on the off chance one of them is reading this, I'd like to say that when btime for beta comes they need people like me, if not I myself. People who played SWG beta, had the greatest of fun despite a complete lack of story, and then watched SOE. People like me have an uncomfortably vast knowledge of every little mistake SOE made, and we remember what was truly fun about SWG, despite that at that time not even a single Jedi existed.

So I hope your first beta testers aren't random idiots or even industry people. I honestly and detachedly believe it takes a long term SWG user to truly understand what and what not to do in a Star Wars MMO.

Yes, I am beggining for a beta key. But I also happen to be right. If nothing else, I deserve it for having to deal with Haden Blackman.

[/whore]

Bobby McPresscott

Well there goes KOTOR series as we know and love it, I'm going to say right now that it will be worse than SW:G (which wasn't that bad...at first) since EA is dipping it into their crap vats.

KevanB

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK I WILL BE SAD IF NOT ON 360. I WILL KILL MYSELF. JESUS FUCK.

el.sand.bag

I'm unhappy with this announcement.

JokesJokes

@Archaotic: I totally agree.
Color me disappointed, as of now, im considering this to be a very, very bad move : (

random_dude

I will definitely give KOTOR a try and put the WoW account in mothballs for a bit when that gets released. Hope they don't screw it up. The original KOTOR was one of my favorite gaming experiences I have ever had.

lionkitten

@KevanB:

Yeah, considering it has been in development for 3 years, and EA just only recently purchased BioWare.

But of course ... all EA games suck!

/sigh

EnigmaNemesis

@TK423:

*Sigh* People will never learn.

Itri

So this'll be out right around the time the WH40k mmo is due, 'm guessing...

belo

The KotOR games are counted amongst my absolute favourites.

I have never played an MMO and have no desire to do so.

I'm really, really hoping the fact I don't see the words 'KotOR III' anywhere, only 'Next KotOR', means something. Because I want that damn single-player epic finished.

Caddon

Hopefully they take a note from FFXI and throw in dashes of single-player type story progression cutscenes; and thus leave that KOTOR Single Player feel into the game...

Regardless, KOTOR felt like an MMO to me whenever I played it.

expansionsss

Happiness. Yes, pure and simple.

ShinyNew

"Watch out World of Warcraft, you just might have some serious competition here."

You're going to bet on an EA title over a Blizzard title? I don't think so. Maybe when hell freezes over - although blizzard already has a game about that, and it's awesome.

iLov3

In the words of Spider-Ham--

"Homina homina homina!"

tk.

Boooooo! Do not want an MMORPG

Tyrannical

Not surprising at all.

TF2Soldier914

Finally Star Wars will get the proper MMO treatment from Bioware. SW: Galaxies wasn't that awful its first two years out, but it wasn't that great either. I wanted so much more from that game.

goldsoundzzz

Here today we mourn the end of Thorax's productivity. With the relatively sparse number of Wii games coming out, plus the unkown release dates for Spore and God of War, it looked like he might actually be able to finish a few more articles a week, and at least move on to another college.

With the advent of this game, it's all cheeto stains low life from here. RIP.

Thorax

Booo...

The first two games were great because of their deep narrative; good storylines and MMOs don't mix.

:-(

TheCakeIsALie

well shit. I will not be playing this.

If it's a side game that's fine, but this should not replace an actual follow up to this glorious single player RPG with a great story. I want a legitimate sequel

WordMan

I don't know...I have a good amount of faith in Bioware. Something tells me they know what they're doing.

Spoony Bard

I'm not a big fan of MMOs, so I won't be playing this, but I'm sure it will be very good, if Bioware does their usual thing. I hope that this isn't the ONLY direction they take KOTOR in, though... I want a single-player sequel!

Spiffyness

Maybe single player mode will be salvation?

Eienhander

Major disappointment to me. I'd much rather see a true sequel than this.

If there will be a sequel released before the MMO is completed, I hope the story is concluded in a fully satisfying BioWare manner, and not to simply encourage an open-ended MMO realm.

Not happy.

Arttemis

that's a weird change?? Well hope it's as good as the first two were, a MMO is a big change but sounds fun.

Assassin_Kensei

Half of what made KoTOR good was the dialog system. That would be kind of lame in an MMO setting though.

dowingba

The first one was awesome though. No re playability.

kRaSh32

Yawn.

A prediction;
Hype machine launches huge speculation, huge insurgence of initial players, population will dwindle by end of first 3 weeks, servers go offline within 18 months. See: AOC, EQ:OA, etc.

/shrug

kRaSh32

I was just hoping for a regular KOTOR, but this could be good, if done correctly.

Bioware just may hook me onto MMO's...

FoxyGaz

FUCK YOU BIOWARE!!!

fl3tcher

@NovaBlack: It IS the worst move ever! KotoR is one of the best if not the best wrpgs to come into existence but all MMOs = fail when it comes to story and KotoR was made BECAUSE of its awesome story and character development.

GLaDOS

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I hate you EA. I hate you so much.

GLaDOS

@MajPain

care to explain your little outburst?

nice if you actually said WHY this was the worst move ever.

NovaBlack

*PLEASE* say this is pc only. PLEASE.

lol pc gaming needs a kick up the ass right now n this could do it!

NovaBlack

Damn...Such a beautiful gameworld will be inhabited by 13 year old dolts. Please, single player Kotor3.

Zorba

I've been an ardent, ardent opponent of evolving the Old Republic franchise into a massively-mutliplayer context. I've yelled from the hills how truly tragic it would be for the splendor and the ingenuity of the Old Republic story to be allowed to devolve into a series of random encounters, level grinding, and armour hording. As such, this announcement saddens me.

I am the first to admit that I've never thorougly played an massively multiplayer online role playing game. Tried City of Villains. Just couldn't do it. I understand that the timeline, and the openness and freedom lends itself nicely to the MMO standards. But to deny fans a true and proper ending to two beloved video games just seems, well, mean.

Rambling, yes, I know. But Knights of the Old Republic, is the first game I remember caring about. Games until then, to me at least, were distractions, and fun. Knights... changed it all for me. It was that game for me. The one that took me from games as a distraction, to games as an art. As a medium for story-telling and engrossment. And I can only hope that BioWare or Obsidian will allow us a proper ending to Revan & Co.

MykalBloom

MMO? sigh..

nitram100

Admittedly, KOTOR has a lot of potential as an MMO, but this announcement disappoints me personally as I find MMOs too time consuming. I'd much rather prefer a single player game.

RejuvenationX

I love the people who get all high and mighty about how MMOs don't have any story and people who pay monthly subscriptions are wasting their money - they've obviously just never tried/enjoyed one themselves. A good MMO is an extremely cheap way to game all year round, actually.

If this is totally official, I'm going to have to find a copy of KotOR 2 and play it - never did as I heard it was buggy and the ending was broken.

Kazzahdrane

Well that sure brings a tear to my eye.
And to be clear, that would be a tear of sadness.
I'm not saying that they can't make a good MMO, but I know what the whole MMO genre is like and it isnt remotely what I wanted out of the kotor franchise.

It looks like we are stuck with the one good kotor game for a good while yet.

kovac

Well EA just messed up a great game :p I don't mind if they made a new game that was based on the same engine but KOTOR was a great single player game and I don't see the point in changing it so much for the third installment. Not to mention MMORPG have there own problems so it's kind of like a side step.

Does this mean it won't be out on 360 too? I loved the XBox ones and don't want to miss out just cos they wanted to mess it aruond.

Llost

I've always had a strong distaste for MMOs in general. But since this is BioWare i might give it a try, maybe; as long as it doesn't have a ridiculous monthly fee.

string_theory