Looks like someone snuck in ahead of everyone else! Don't even pretend you're surprised. Before today's LucasArts and BioWare press conference, IGN and Gamespot let slip Star Wars: The Old Republic -- you know, the MMO based on BioWare's massively successful Knights of the Old Republic series whose name was trademarked back in July.
What we know so far: The project originated just after KOTOR II launched in 2005. SW:TOR is reportedly the reason Electronic Arts paid $860 million to purchase BioWare and Pandemic. The MMO takes place 300 years after the first KOTOR II, which puts it about 3,500 years before the film.
You can choose between two factions, the Galactic Republic or the re-energized Sith Empire. You can also align yourself as a Dark or Light Side character in either situation. Two classes have been revealed: Jedi and Sith, both of which can use lightsabers and the Force early on. No release date, and no word on console releases.
We also happened to see the name printed on t-shirts worn by BioWare's Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk. Meanwhile, the official press conference is about to begin. Here's hoping the game has better luck than Star Wars Galaxies!
Reader Comments (66)
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:27PM (Unverified) said
o no... i will not have a life now!!! ugh hopefully a mac version! haha
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:33PM (Unverified) said
WTF why is this jedi shit early on? I mean come on do they want a 100% jedi population?! Seriously not even in fan faction is jedis so easily accesible. This better be balanced right or this will be another swg fiasco.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:33PM BananaBoat said
I was hoping for a sequel to Kotor, and not an MMO that I'll never play. Oh well, here's hoping it DOES go the way of Galaxies, so that they can get back to doing single player RPG's.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:43PM NicoloPicolo said
So "The wait is over" cool.
Release date ? "No release date"
Come on !
So now we will wait for a release date or not...
Stupid marketing...
Reply
Release date ? "No release date"
Come on !
So now we will wait for a release date or not...
Stupid marketing...
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:45PM shiftplusone said
MMO takes place 300 years after the first KOTOR II
as opposed to a 2nd or 3rd KOTOR II?
:D
Reply
as opposed to a 2nd or 3rd KOTOR II?
:D
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:49PM (Unverified) said
I wonder what twist will it be this time? Graphics aren't everything but the jump from the KOTOR engine to what was in Mass Effect, so shiny.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:52PM (Unverified) said
It's an MMO, because EA-owned Bioware chose $$$ over fanbase.There's your fucking twist.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 7:45PM johnpaul12 said
Not to sound clichéd but I really couldn't have said it any better myself.
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Posted: Oct 22nd 2008 12:11AM iofthestorm said
I guess in the prequel era it's easier to have a million jedi running around.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:56PM dogmaticatheist said
Why don't we find out more about the game before judging BioWare's intentions? It sounds like the game might play just like the old KOTOR games, but in an MMO setting. I'd be happy with that.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:12PM dogmaticatheist said
Understandable about SWG, but that was SOE's fault. BioWare has a fantastic reputation so I don't think that should be a concern here until we have evidence to believe otherwise.
Screw the Jedi, I'm all about the Sith!
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Screw the Jedi, I'm all about the Sith!
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 5:59PM (Unverified) said
Guys, an MMO can mean a lot of things. Until we see gameplay it's entirely possible that things will stick very close to KOTOR, like the combat. Fingers crossed it's a frequently updated KOTOR with co-op.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:03PM (Unverified) said
I have a feeling I'm gonna not like this game. If they only have jedi/sith, my returning dream as a lone smuggler selling spice and slicing weapons on dantooine are not gonna happen at all. And that my friends SUCKS...
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:05PM (Unverified) said
pshhhhhheww
vmmmm vmmmm
mmmmm
vmmmmm
pew pew pew
kshhh kshhh
vmm
arrghh! my arm!
Reply
vmmmm vmmmm
mmmmm
vmmmmm
pew pew pew
kshhh kshhh
vmm
arrghh! my arm!
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:15PM Hyams said
http://www.massively.com/photos/star-wars-the-old-republic-1/1111062/full/
It just doesn't look right to me...
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It just doesn't look right to me...
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:12PM Jawmuncher said
Wow Huge Disappointment, worst news of the year so far.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 11:35PM (Unverified) said
...and suddenly went silent. Because they don't give a shit.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:39PM (Unverified) said
YESSSSSS!!! I can only hope there will be a Mandalorian class
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 6:47PM TonyRockyHorror said
so we're basically getting "World of StarWarsCraft" right down to the over-saturated/cartoony, or Clone Wars look?
blargh.
Reply
blargh.
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 7:31PM mynameisjay said
I just hope its better than Star Wars Galaxies..
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 8:40PM (Unverified) said
I for one am looking forward to this. I've always been a big fan of Biowares games this looks very promising. If its like KotOR 1 and 2 I'll be pleased.
I like the look of this art style. I mean it looks good enough that you wont get sick of looking at it and it also looks like it wont take much to render or whatever meaning more content. I tried SWG and I never really liked it or got into it. But this looks like a game I'd invest alot of hours in.
Cant wait till they release a trailer or some gameplay footage.
Bring on the Old Republic.
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I like the look of this art style. I mean it looks good enough that you wont get sick of looking at it and it also looks like it wont take much to render or whatever meaning more content. I tried SWG and I never really liked it or got into it. But this looks like a game I'd invest alot of hours in.
Cant wait till they release a trailer or some gameplay footage.
Bring on the Old Republic.
Posted: Oct 21st 2008 9:20PM (Unverified) said
I seriously never understood this game's timeline--I mean, how does KOTOR take place 3,500 years before the Star Wars movies? The technology and locations all look the same. It's like they made no progress at all in 35 centuries.
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Posted: Oct 21st 2008 10:07PM (Unverified) said
how much more progress is to be made when you have laser swords, laser guns, hyperdrives, and giant space factories?
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