Console versions of Star Wars: The Old Republic being considered
by Justin McElroy 
{ Oct 22nd 2008 at 10:56AM }
More specifically, Electronic Arts exec Frank Gibeau said, "We're definitely looking at the opportunity to bring the MMO experience to console, without question." So, we hope that answers your question: EA definitely, maybe, kind of could bring The Old Republic to consoles. Maybe.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Obie @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:08AM
Last time I checked KOTOR was a bigger hit on consoles.
But if the want monthly subscription fees they can GTFO.
Geist @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:04PM
Having to pay monthly subscriptions for an MMO? WHAT AN OUTRAGE!
Haggard @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:08AM
If they could do this and do it well, there's such a massive market that they'll be surfing banknotes by the end of the year.
tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:15AM
That game's ugly as hell even for MMO standards. Do not want Bioware, just focus on Mass Effect 2
Eric @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:16AM
I hope those graphics are just beta because have you seen the size of those lightsabers my god there huge. Why does it have to look cartoony after mass effect we should have some amazing graphics from bioware.
Avoli @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:46AM
Because it's on PC, and since people will buy the cheapest thing possible they have to be considered. Where I work, I hear people all the time asking if a Compaq laptop will run like Mass Effect, GoW, etc. I mentally bitch slap them.
Haggard @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:52AM
My friend is convinced his PC is more powerful than mine because I was modest and said "yeah, those aren't bad specs". He's running integrated Intel graphics.
Duke @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:01PM
I don't think it looks that bad for a pre-alpha build. Besides, MMO's suck people in for reasons beyond graphics, and this title will draw people even if it looks like crap to those of us used to ME or GoW images. I would be willing to play it if it comes to consoles.
Dirty @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:46PM
At least if it was on consoles (which happen to have pretty standardized hardware) you could push the graphics.
Having low PC requirements increases the install base of potential customers, which is why it wont look anything like mass effect.
Rollins @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:16AM
I'm not sure how well WAR would work on consoles. Targeting in the game is already annoying enough with a keyboard/mouse. That and how do you select between as many abilities as one has to manage in an MMO using a keyboard/mouse? I'm not familiar with how FFXI handled it, admittedly.
koehler83 @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:24AM
The same way as every other RPG in console history: With a menu system.
The way FFXI deals with 1-click commands is with a fully customizable macro system. One which could be thoroughly streamlined for any MMO on the market. There is absolutely no need for a mouse in any MMO I've played, yet it's completely impossible to eliminate the use of the mouse in every MMO I've played except FFXI.
FFXI's only real step up in terms of console integration is a D-Pad select system. Press L on the pad to select the nearest target left of your character. Press R on the pad to select the nearest target right of your character. Up and Down on the pad scroll through the party/alliance list. Elegant and simple.
Nevers @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:39AM
"Elegant and simple" Totally... I really have to agree, although when that damnable stupid D-pad refuses to acknowledge your thumbs existence when you're doing that BCNM, gets a little crazy....
Just got my G1 finished - good times. On to 55 now
I hope this MMO comes to consoles.. if it doesn't, my humble opinion will fall and I might not choose to piss on their gums should their teeth ever catch fire....
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:33AM
do want!
Tank @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:35AM
All images and movies that were shown at the Announcement events were pre-alpha. So even though it's an MMO, I can imagine Bioware and Lucas Arts will be working to improve the visuals so that they good great and they run on a wide variety of systems.
zeppfreak89 @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:40AM
screw consoles! Mac version please!
Ghostbuddy @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:40AM
Seriously? Both old republics were hits on the Xbox.
I honestly can't believe they would even consider NOT making an Xbox port.
This is the most dissapointing news since...Well since it was announced Bioware was working on a Old Republic MMO and not Old republic 3.
Geist @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:09PM
Different genres, different play styles. All the Final Fantasy titles were mega hits on consoles, but that all fizzled with Final Fantasy XI, which sold much better on the PC.
I can't even imagine chatting while in an MMO on a console, not counting guildspeak/raidspeak with mics.
Batzarro @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:46PM
If I ever hear someone on a mic say they "Lolled" i'll hang up my controller right there.
RogueJedi86 @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:23PM
"Seriously? Both old republics were hits on the Xbox."
Both KotORs were also on PC, so it's not like KotOR ain't been PC before. Plus it's an MMO. It and RTS are genres you tend to stick with PC when you wanna do them well.
SparhawkJC @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:42AM
For all the people complaining about the graphics, the screenshots are from pre-alpha. The game is no where close to being done so there is still a ton of work to be done.
I for one am looking forward to this title, being a huge KOTOR fan and MMO player. The way they describe the companions and storylines makes it sound like Guild Wars.
I would prefer them to only focus on a PC/Mac version instead of wasting time on consoles. If this is a traditional RPG with monthly fees I doubt that it would even be worth spending developing costs and time on consoles. While I don't have the numbers on me I highly doubt a large number of Final Fantasy XI players use their ps2 or 360 to play. Also I'm not sure people would want to pay an extra monthly fee on top of Live.
On top of that judging by the amount of people whining about WAR's technical bugs (which actually aren't that bad compared to other launches), launching on three different platforms with their own respective technical problems seems like a logistical nightmare. Not to mention there hasn't been a peep out of Funcom even though they planned for a 360 version of AoC.
Metal Geario 360 @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:07PM
Your right, 'specially when it comes to XBL. For those of us that have been down this "road". There WILL be a monthly fee for any MMO that goes to XBL.*Unless its an MS product maybe?.
Other than that Keyboard-mouse for the win.
Dirty @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:59AM
The wait is...... far from over.
jynxycat @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:20PM
The hotfixes/patches would have to go through microsoft, which would cause headaches for the rest of the community.
Look how many MMOs are on PC. Look how many are on console.
There's a reason there somewhere.
OMGOMG @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:40PM
Dear Bioware,
I usually appreciate developers for not resting on their laurels and trying something new. But you guys? WHY? I'm so torn right now.
I get the feeling now that you made Mass Effect merely to shut us console owners up. Yes, that was a fucking awesome game, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "Dude, imagine if this was Star Wars!" If this game doesn't come out on consoles, it would be very disappointing. The majority of people who played the KOTOR franchise were console owners. It seems like you're potentially losing many potential sales if you don't make a console version of the game.
But, I can't hate you. You're going bold here, when you could easily have just made another Mass Effect or a copy of KOTOR with better graphics.
In conclusion, I love and hate you.
Sincerely,
OMGOMG
RogueJedi86 @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:19PM
"The majority of people who played the KOTOR franchise were console owners."
That same majority of KotOR players are also PC owners. We commentors are proof of that. :) Most gamers have PCs, so making an MMO sequel for PC isn't really a problem.
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:48PM
I hope they are doing more than simply considering a console port of this game. I thought when the speculation of this title was rampant it was a shoe in on the 360 and would probably also make the ps3. The architecture is there on consoles and I would gladly pay some form of a monthly fee if the game was properly supported and had free updates.
They can't have it both ways. They can't charge for playing online and charge for various smaller DLC. I have no problem paying for extensive expansion packs but not both DLC and a monthly service charge.
Darkseid @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:18PM
On console, on PC, on Mac, on whatever...
IT STILL AINT KOTOR 3....so who gives a s***!
Ridgecity @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:22PM
So this is like a "Boom!" but without the excitement.
Ashkental @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:56PM
It would be so awesome to play warhammer online on my ps3.... please EA... PLEASSSEEEE
umm....hello??? @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:01PM
much as I love StarWars, the MMO subscription fee would definitely make me not buy the game.
Teh Bonerer @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:26PM
last time EA ported a good game over to a console, we all know what happened there, ill pass.
t_m @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:05AM
i don't think it was the lack of console support that annoyed everyone... it was turning it into an MMO.
KotOR 1&2 both sold well on PCs too... which means PC owners are just as annoyed... about not getting KotOR3.
darth_bane007 @ Oct 25th 2008 2:29PM
I am extremely disappointed with this announcement. MMO lovers have plenty of options, including Galaxies, while KOTOR as a RPG was unique and had tons of replay value for a one time purchase price. LucasArts is going to sacrificing a huge portion of the KOTOR fans to build this MMO if it doesn't also release some version as KOTOR III RPG on the consoles or PC