BioWare not worried about MMO competition, Jedi way cooler than orcs

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 19th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Most MMO players are already deeply entrenched within their virtual world of choice -- an irrefutable fact that makes it extremely difficult for developers to break into the online realm. Competition between MMO devs is as heated as you might expect -- though BioWare isn't too concerned about other massive titles as it continues to push its upcoming online debut, Star Wars: The Old Republic, through the development process.

BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk summarized the developer's feelings on its fellow denizens of the MMOscape with a simple comparison -- in a recent interview with Gamasutra, Zeschuk explained, "If you're betting on Jedi versus orcs, that's a good bet." From what we've seen of the game, we'd probably bet on its rich cutscenes and unprecedented capacity for MMORPG storytelling -- but, hey, Jedi are pretty great too, we guess.

Tags: bioware, jedi, mmo, mmorpg, star-wars, star-wars-the-old-republic

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mr nimblewick @ Jun 19th 2009 3:32PM

I don't really understand what is supposed to make the storytelling in this game stand out. Can anyone explain that?

Jason Statham (Aka Vegeta) @ Jun 19th 2009 3:38PM

Well until we see the actual game, I don't think anyone can tell you that.

Storm Eagle @ Jun 19th 2009 3:39PM

Each Character and Class the you play will have their own separate story with their own separate quests. So there's insane replay value and incentive to explore the other races/classes. I just hope the individuality that they instill with the story line doesn't effect the more basic elements of the MMO like raids and group quests.

Amoveo @ Jun 19th 2009 4:27PM

Its fully voice acted so that quests seem much more interesting and you have to sit through them. Players are given meaningful choices and branching dialogue paths (par for the course for Bioware, but completely insane for an MMO.) And as Storm Eagle mentioned class specific quests for a much more custom quest line.

Wes @ Jun 19th 2009 6:17PM

The dialogue options in the conversations and quests you'll have will also change your future path taken by that particular race/class.

So you could be a Jedi and go all dark-side, I hate everyone. Go suck my ....bananna and end up making a lot of enemies among the light side of the Jedi but be welcomed by the Dark Side. Alternatively, you could be the nicest Jedi that there everrrr wasssss and follow a different storyline path. As a result, you can even play the same class twice and have a different experience.

Which differs from say Wow, where my priest's 'history' is probably 'identical' to your priests history in terms of quests completed, dungeons visited, etc. The exception being the player who choose to visit no dungeons, do no quests, or skips 1-2 very minor quests of collect six bore tusks in zone a in favour of collecting six bore meats in zone b. Heck, a priests quest-history is almost identical to a warrior or any other class. As the classes only have about 20 unique one-class-only quests afaik and 3000+ shared quests.

Todd @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:14PM

This game can't possibly be better than Star Wars Galaxies. ;)

garnsr @ Jun 19th 2009 3:35PM

If they're the sort of Jedi we saw in the prequels, who can only handle retarded droids and are very easily wiped out by clones, I think orcs might actually be cooler.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 3:49PM

If it's the Jedi from Tartakovsky's insanely cool Clone Wars series, then yes Jedi are WAY cooler than Orcs.

Whose foolish idea was it to dump Tartakovsky and make Clone Wars into Shrek Wars?

Shmil @ Jun 19th 2009 4:01PM

Probably Lucas'. They really need to get Star Wars as far away from him as possible.

Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jun 19th 2009 4:08PM

Hey, it's Lucas' baby. He can shake it if he wants to.

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 19th 2009 4:18PM

"Whose foolish idea was it to dump Tartakovsky and make Clone Wars into Shrek Wars?"

You've obviously never seen the new Clone Wars series.

and for that, I weep for you

mercy @ Jun 19th 2009 4:28PM

The clone wars cartoon made Mace Windu into a badass, Revenge of the Sith cancelled it out.

Cr33pingParanoia @ Jun 19th 2009 4:35PM

Actually, Mace Windu was still pretty badass in Revenge of the Sith. He pretty much single-handedly kicked Palpatine's ass - even Yoda couldn't do that. The problem is he wasn't expecting Anakin's betrayal.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 4:46PM

"You've obviously never seen the new Clone Wars series."

As a giant Star Wars nerd, I am obligated to see anything related to the Force.

I went to see the Clone Wars "movie" opening day and still have nightmares about Transvestite the Hutt.

Chad, not to offend, but are you younger than 18 years old? I only ask because I think the series is not my cup of tea since it's aimed at a younger audience.

Fargus @ Jun 19th 2009 4:48PM

Agree.

@ Mercy, Not sure which movie you were watching, but Mace Windu beat the hell out of the Emperor and only lost when Anakin betrayed him. You cant get much more bad ass than that.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 4:49PM

"Actually, Mace Windu was still pretty badass in Revenge of the Sith. He pretty much single-handedly kicked Palpatine's ass "

That's debatable. If you watch closely you can clearly see Palpatine has no problem taking on Windu. It was only when Anakin arrived did he throw himself down in defeat. Some say this was to show Anakin that the Jedi were out to get him.

It makes sense too. I mean Yoda is supposed to be the most powerful Jedi, yet can barely defend himself against the Emperor. Mace wouldn't give him much trouble.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 4:57PM

Oh and lets not forget the "UNLIMITED POWAAAAH!" fiasco. If I may summon the spirit of John Madden for a minute, Here's a guy that but defeated and suddenly BAM! He hits Windu with a fucking lighting storm.

He was just playing possum the whole time.

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 19th 2009 4:57PM

"....since it's aimed at a younger audience."

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb140/megabolt7/Shadow%20Moth/facepalm.gif

http://cache.phazeddl.com/1460125/Star%20Wars%20-%20The%20Clone%20Wars%20-%20Season%2001

Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 19th 2009 5:01PM

"Oh and lets not forget the "UNLIMITED POWAAAAH!" fiasco. If I may summon the spirit of John Madden for a minute, Here's a guy that but defeated and suddenly BAM! He hits Windu with a fucking lighting storm.

He was just playing possum the whole time."

no just...........no

Of COURSE Windu got his ass handed to him after that BECAUSE ANAKIN CUT OF HIS HAND SO HE DIDNT HAVE A LIGHTSABER TO BLOCK THE EMPERORS ATTACK WITH.

Mr Khan @ Jun 19th 2009 5:15PM

The idea is that Sidious *let* Windu get him into that position, to make it look like he needed saving from the big, scary Jedi Master that Anakin never really liked anyway (since Windu advocated against Anakin from the beginning)

"I need help, please stop the Jedi"
or
"I'm killing this Jedi, help me finish him off"

Master Bruce @ Jun 19th 2009 5:20PM

Since it's Bioware, we will probably see the sort of Jedi we saw in Knight of the Old Republic. You know...ones that could actually take out clone troopers.

NaeemTHM @ Jun 19th 2009 5:22PM

What Khan said.

bongoes @ Jun 19th 2009 6:06PM

Naeem, the new Clone Wars was good you just needed to wait and be patient it took awhile but they got on a roll and had some great episodes.

LaughingTarget @ Jun 20th 2009 12:27AM

The new Clone Wars series takes wooden acting to brand new heights.

And the whole Windu-Palpatine thing, don't try and think too much about it, this is George Lucas we're talking about. At best, it was just a bunch of random scenes thrown together. At worst, he hates you all.

Lonin @ Jun 19th 2009 3:40PM

The real question is whether or not this will actually be a true MMO or a single-player/co-op game with some large hubs a la Guild Wars. They've said before that it will be a true MMO, but I have my doubts. With how much they are pushing the storyline angle and their stated plans for quests and actions having lasting and/or irreversible consequences, I have a strong feeling they are heading down the path that Guild Wars pioneered.

Here's to hoping that I'm wrong. It would be far less interesting, in my opinion, if they go the MMO-lite approach.

Snowblind @ Jun 19th 2009 4:00PM

personally I consider Guild Wars to be much more interesting than most MMO's. I think if this game follows the same kind of story telling approach as the KotOR games, but allows you to team up with massive amounts of players for certain story points (and raids, etc) then it could be really great.

But I'd much rather play with just one or two friends, rather than random people.

WorfoSAUR @ Jun 19th 2009 4:54PM

Playing with massive amounts of other people can be very fun at times, however, I prefer the NPC filled worlds of Oblivion and Fallout to actual MMOs. They eliminate the scum of the internets.

Cal @ Jun 19th 2009 5:47PM

Personally I far preferred Guild Wars' structure and gameplay to WoW, WAR and the like

Wince @ Jun 19th 2009 4:10PM

"Jedi way cooler than orcs"

Agreed!

G3ORGE @ Jun 19th 2009 4:13PM

that's what she said

Spartan_458 @ Jun 19th 2009 10:03PM

The Old Republic >>>>> WoW

I'm so much more interested in a Star Wars MMO than a generic MMORPG, even if it is the original. WoW has never appealed to me, especially the $15 a month subscription fee. I'm glad BioWare is making what seems to be a really good game instead of just trying to copy WoW.

emperorzeroxx @ Jun 19th 2009 4:12PM

I agree Jedi are cooler than orcs, however even cooler would be to have JEDI ORCS.... maan that would awesome.

Buckshot @ Jun 19th 2009 4:15PM

May the Thrall be with you...

The Dark Wayne @ Jun 19th 2009 4:24PM

On the subject of people being deeply enthralled with MMOs being a problem, me and my entire Ulduar clearing WoW guild will be quitting to form the baddest bounty hunter guild this side of the corellian trade spine

Nate @ Jun 19th 2009 5:13PM

I wanted to be Bounty Hunter, but I don't want to be on the Sith Empire. Guess I'm going Smuggler.

Otis @ Jun 19th 2009 4:44PM

My worry =
Will this be another painfully terrible MMO with easy-mode click-and-auto-fight grind-friendly brain-dead-AI gameplay?

If so, you can count me out.

MMORPG = most dead end genre ATM. and WoW is practically making it so much harder to make a decent one, when it's the most successful, and has absolutely the worst parts of MMOs prominently in it, so every dang person wants to copy it :/

Powerlord @ Jun 19th 2009 4:57PM

I may sound like I'm repeating myself, but doesn't Bioware realize that the entire point of MMOs isn't to play online, but to play online WITH FRIENDS?

Well, friends and/or acquaintances, but I've found it's more enjoyable with friends.

Seriously, "each class will have its own quests" sounds good UNTIL you consider what that actually means: Rather than having one goal that, say, a group of 5 people can do together, you have 5 goals that you complete one at a time.

Master Bruce @ Jun 19th 2009 5:18PM

There is that, but you probably still get XP for helping your friends with their quest.

Mr Khan @ Jun 19th 2009 5:16PM

It's hard to worry when the Force is with you.

Stranger @ Jun 19th 2009 6:07PM

Jedi's may indeed be cooler than orcs, but NOTHING looks cool with that Clone Wars-esque art style. Yuck.

bongoes @ Jun 19th 2009 6:08PM

Did we really need Bioware to tell us Jedi are cooler than orcs? I thought it was common knowledge.

Cr4sh Dummy @ Jun 19th 2009 7:51PM

I would totally bet on the Jedi! Come on no one actually thinks a bunch of boorish lackeys can take on sentients who have an affinity with the all powerful force, do they?

Seriously though, I think Bioware can tap into a market that other MMOs can't touch. I'm already interested in the game because it's a joint Bioware and Lucas Arts project that undertakes a game in an already popular universe. Knights of the Old Republic was an extremely successful game that was lucrative to both Bioware and Lucas Arts.