Rumor - BioWare MMOG based on KOTOR

[Trimethicon]

BioWare’s Upcoming MMO Based in KOTOR Universe : Primotech

A source close to BioWare confirmed to us today that the studio’s upcoming untitled massively-multiplayer online RPG will be centered around the Star Wars universe, specifically that of Knights of the Old Republic, which the developer released in 2003. The game garnered critical acclaim and spawned a less-popular sequel, released by Obsidian two years later.

The game is being developed by the company’s Austin studio, formed in 2006 and headed by BioWare Creative Director James Ohlen, whose past credits include the first KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur Gate’s I and II.

This is not the first Star Wars-related MMORPG: Star Wars Galaxies debuted in the summer of 2003, followed by several expansions. It was generally well-received by fans and critics, but subscriber numbers plunged and never recovered after a controversial gameplay update in 2005. It’s estimated that the game now has fewer than 100,000 subscribers and less than 20,000 active players.

It’s currently unknown whether or not EA, which acquired BioWare last week, will act as publisher for this title, or if the studio had a previous arrangement with another publisher.

Expect the game sometime in 2009.

[Drac]

Sounds nice, but 2009 is a long way off, lots of MMO announcements never make it to market.

I'm still waiting for Marvel Online....

[Deadfyre]

Anyone remeber a supposed mmorpg called 'Dawn' Back in the day. That company swindled hundreds of thousands of people into thinking they would do a mmorpg, only to do a RTS game.

[zero]

The problem with SWG was that everyone wanted to be a Jedi. But the setting didn't allow for thousands of Jedi running around, a problem which led to the 2005 update which subsequently ruined the game.

At least with the KOTOR setting, thousands of Jedi and Dark Jedi are justified, so the main hurdle is already dealt with!

[Corpeces]

Not even gonna sweat about it until middle of 2008

[doggsley]

oh man that sounds ace!!! KOTOR series rocked!

[Falcolas]

I really hope they pull this off. It would be a blast!