While a new SW MMO would absolutely thrill me, I'm going to reserve my prediction until tomorrow morning when I drive to the BioWare Austin studio and demand they give me the sekret sauce. I will not leave until I have the sauce in hand or am forcibly removed by the APD.
On second thought, perhaps I'll just infiltrate the premises posing as a janitorial service worker or maybe even an agent of either the APD or Homeland Security. Homeland Security gets a free pass to any place they want.
EDIT: I think them listing both the MMO and the Interactive Entertainment Product as separate entities is merely a ploy.
Interesting. I think that's pretty conclusive. Now I'm even more intrigued about what the MMO is going to be. And I'm doubly intrigued by this "interactive product"... both why they keep referring to it as that and why Bioware lists it as a game.
And you'll have all the answers you could ever hope for.
I'm not interested in the job, but the fact that Bioware puts such emphasis on their writing staff fills me with all kinds of gooey happy good feeling....
"What makes my job harder is not only does all of this writing have to be high quality - something not always
demanded in our industry -"
Well said Daniel Erickson, Principle Lead Writer at Bioware Austin!
well shoot, so much for a new SW Sci Fi title guess it's back to playing Orc v. Elf MMO's
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
well shoot, so much for a new SW Sci Fi title guess it's back to playing Orc v. Elf MMO's
Why? Because theyre using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
No, I was saying in response to the pic above where it shows Bioware's/LA title separate from the MMO Game title
As for whether it would be called tales of the new republic or not. Just as posted above, I honestly don't care as long as it's done well and it brings the same, if nor more, enjoyment then when I was playing Pre CU. Because I'm honestly tired of fantasy MMO's and none of the Sci Fi MMO's out there really strike my attention.
Now when are you going to tell us what you really know Tillamook? you seem to know a lot about Bioware's MMO, so I'm suspecting you know more than you let on >.> when are you going to open your pinata full of tasty information and share?????
well shoot, so much for a new SW Sci Fi title guess it's back to playing Orc v. Elf MMO's
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
Turbine owns zero rights to D&D anything other than they are paying to use Atari's license for DDO, which they are paying WOTC/Hasbro for.
p.s. I'd highly question the "insider knowledge" of anyone who thought Turbine owned D&D lore...btw, you can't own "lore" anyways.
well shoot, so much for a new SW Sci Fi title guess it's back to playing Orc v. Elf MMO's
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
Turbine owns zero rights to D&D anything other than they are paying to use Atari's license for DDO, which they are paying WOTC/Hasbro for.
p.s. I'd highly question the "insider knowledge" of anyone who thought Turbine owned D&D lore...btw, you can't own "lore" anyways.
DDO is still far to new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.
DDO is still far to new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.
that would be fascinating commentary if it made even an ounce of sense.
ATARI currently owns the intellectual property for D&D...not Turbine. Turbine never has owned, bought, or rented it from WOTC...ATARI did. Atari joined forces with Turbine, so that Turbine could develop and Atari could publish DDO.
Just like Atari partnered with Bioware for Neverwinter Nights. (notice no Turbine involvement)
Just like Atari partnered with Troika to make Temple of Elemental Evil. (notice, no Turbine again)
Just like Atari partnered with Liquid to release Dragonshard...I think you see where I'm going with this.
Turbine is just one of the many partners that Atari has taken on to create a D&D game. Turbine owns no relationship or contract with Wizards, nor do they own anything D&D related.
DDO is still far to new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.
that would be fascinating commentary if it made even an ounce of sense.
ATARI currently owns the intellectual property for D&D...not Turbine. Turbine never has owned, bought, or rented it from WOTC...ATARI did. Atari joined forces with Turbine, so that Turbine could develop and Atari could publish DDO.
Just like Atari partnered with Bioware for Neverwinter Nights. (notice no Turbine involvement)
Just like Atari partnered with Troika to make Temple of Elemental Evil. (notice, no Turbine again)
Just like Atari partnered with Liquid to release Dragonshard...I think you see where I'm going with this.
Turbine is just one of the many partners that Atari has taken on to create a D&D game. Turbine owns no relationship or contract with Wizards, nor do they own anything D&D related.
Hope that clears it up for you.
Wizards owns the D&D IP and deals out the licenses, unless you are a dev I'm just gonna say you are wrong. If you a just trying to be right so you can win the argument that BW is making a D&D MMO then just go to another thread, this isn’t related to D&D.
So, you've now said Turbine owns D&D...wrong. WOTC owns the D&D IP (sort of right, as they actually own it for everything else, but not for the discussion at hand)...so wrong.
so again, I'm disagreeing because you made a completely false statement...which is normally why people disagree.
So, you've now said Turbine owns D&D...wrong. WOTC owns the D&D IP (sort of right, as they actually own it for everything else, but not for the discussion at hand)...so wrong.
so again, I'm disagreeing because you made a completely false statement...which is normally why people disagree.
huh? I just said Wizards owns it. What I said is why would they allow another company to make an MMO based on D&D lore when there is already one that is pretty new? DDO.
huh? I just said Wizards owns it. What I said is why would they allow another company to make an MMO based on D&D lore when there is already one that is pretty new? DDO.
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
huh? I just said Wizards owns it. What I said is why would they allow another company to make an MMO based on D&D lore when there is already one that is pretty new? DDO.
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
huh? I just said Wizards owns it. What I said is why would they allow another company to make an MMO based on D&D lore when there is already one that is pretty new? DDO.
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
It isn't Wizard's choice though. They have nothing to do with it. They Licensed the D&D name to Atari for PC Games.
huh? I just said Wizards owns it. What I said is why would they allow another company to make an MMO based on D&D lore when there is already one that is pretty new? DDO.
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
It isn't Wizard's choice though. They have nothing to do with it. They Licensed the D&D name to Atari for PC Games.
Wouldn't be too sure of that. Usually companies that license out their IPs make a point about retaining quality control oversight in the contract. Notice WotC is still listed on every D&D game because they own the rights ultimately. I'm not familiar with the agreement between Atari and WotC though.
I didn't read how this topic came up but I'm going to assume it has something to do with someone wanting Bioware to do a DnD MMO. The guy in charge of the licensing of the IP has already confirmed that they aren't working with Bioware on any DnD titles so...not much point discussing it.
EDIT:
Originally posted by tillamook
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
Originally posted by tillamook
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
Wizards of the Coast owns the intellectual property (I.P.) known as Dungeons & Dragons in all its forms. Atari is the licensed publisher of all PC and console games for D&D.
Turbine was the development studio that developed D&D Online (which, by the way, is set in the Eberron campaign setting) while BioWare was the developer of Baldur's Gate series and Neverwinter Nights (both are Forgotten Realms campaign setting). D&D Online was published by Atari and Neverwinter Nights by Infogrames before it was bought out by Atari. The expansions for NWN were published by Atari. Baldur's Gate was, I believe, published by Interplay who was the publisher after SSI.
With the upcoming DragonLance animated movie (yes, a release date has been set according to DragonLance co-creator and co-author Margaret Weis) -- it's possible there's a DragonLance-based MMO on the way (no official information has been released, of course).
Also, keep in mind, D&D 4.0 was announced and will be released THIS coming late spring/early summer. Perhaps they're looking to create any one of the popular settings into an MMO using the new 4.0 rules system... Greyhawk, Eberron, Forgotten Realms, DragonLance and Ravenloft are the most popular (it's doubtful they would do anything with Spelljammer, Dark Sun, Mystra, or any of the other nearly-forgotten settings).
Also, note, the Wizards of the Coast job website has been hiring up not just people to oversee game design for computers... but also GUI designers and a lot more. True, they have an upcoming computer-converted PnP system (for GMs/DMs and players to play PnP online) they revealed at GenCon Indy 2007... but it seems like they've been hiring up a lot more staff than what that fairly simple system would entail.
There are so many variables there... but personally, I do like the concept of a Star Wars MMORPG by BioWare. I thought they did an excellent job with the original Knights of the Old Republic. Though, I'm quite surprised BioWare would work with another company's intellectual property -- they had made a previous announcement that they were wanting to stick to their own IPs. (That was followed by Jade Empire and now Mass Effect.) Perhaps the joint venture with Pandemic Studios or the much more recent EA buyout has triggered a change in that (though, this BioWare MMO -- with offices in Austin, Texas, was announced quite a ways back... even before the Pandemic joint venture, if memory serves me right). Speaking of that joint venture... did anyone notice that U2 frontman Bono was on the board of directors for that? For some reason that struck me as odd... never figured him to be fond of games -- figured he might think himself too cool for that *grin*. If he's a gamer, my respect factor for him went up a notch.
Back to Star Wars... I have to say Star Wars Galaxies was excellent the first year... then around the time of the Jump to Lightspeed expansion it lost its luster. When the combat system was redesigned, that game was dead to me. If anyone can revitalize the Star Wars MMO franchise... it's BioWare.
All I know is that when this BioWare MMO (whatever it is) is released... look out World of Warcraft. Blizzard has nothing on BioWare in my opinion. I prefer more in-depth storytelling. That's something BioWare normally delivers with class.
I do agree that the request of an NWN module by BioWare to test its writers is merely that and is not intended to infer that they're creating a D&D game in Austin, Texas.
BioWare has applicants for ALL of their titles (including Mass Effect, which is quite far from D&D) to create NWN modules to show their abilities.
Anyone who has ever bothered to pay attention to how BioWare does things over the past few years would realize that they use the NWN toolset in the development of all their games.
They use it as a prototyping tool to quickly plot out the story, etc. They are using it for the MMO, they are using it for Dragon Age, and they used it during Mass Effect's development as well.
Originally posted by Chokra Wizards of the Coast owns the intellectual property (I.P.) known as Dungeons & Dragons in all its forms. Atari is the licensed publisher of all PC and console games for D&D.
Turbine was the development studio that developed D&D Online (which, by the way, is set in the Eberron campaign setting) while BioWare was the developer of Baldur's Gate series and Neverwinter Nights (both are Forgotten Realms campaign setting). D&D Online was published by Atari and Neverwinter Nights by Infogrames before it was bought out by Atari. The expansions for NWN were published by Atari. Baldur's Gate was, I believe, published by Interplay who was the publisher after SSI.
With the upcoming DragonLance animated movie (yes, a release date has been set according to DragonLance co-creator and co-author Margaret Weis) -- it's possible there's a DragonLance-based MMO on the way (no official information has been released, of course).
Also, keep in mind, D&D 4.0 was announced and will be released THIS coming late spring/early summer. Perhaps they're looking to create any one of the popular settings into an MMO using the new 4.0 rules system... Greyhawk, Eberron, Forgotten Realms, DragonLance and Ravenloft are the most popular (it's doubtful they would do anything with Spelljammer, Dark Sun, Mystra, or any of the other nearly-forgotten settings).
Also, note, the Wizards of the Coast job website has been hiring up not just people to oversee game design for computers... but also GUI designers and a lot more. True, they have an upcoming computer-converted PnP system (for GMs/DMs and players to play PnP online) they revealed at GenCon Indy 2007... but it seems like they've been hiring up a lot more staff than what that fairly simple system would entail.
There are so many variables there... but personally, I do like the concept of a Star Wars MMORPG by BioWare. I thought they did an excellent job with the original Knights of the Old Republic. Though, I'm quite surprised BioWare would work with another company's intellectual property -- they had made a previous announcement that they were wanting to stick to their own IPs. (That was followed by Jade Empire and now Mass Effect.) Perhaps the joint venture with Pandemic Studios or the much more recent EA buyout has triggered a change in that (though, this BioWare MMO -- with offices in Austin, Texas, was announced quite a ways back... even before the Pandemic joint venture, if memory serves me right). Speaking of that joint venture... did anyone notice that U2 frontman Bono was on the board of directors for that? For some reason that struck me as odd... never figured him to be fond of games -- figured he might think himself too cool for that *grin*. If he's a gamer, my respect factor for him went up a notch.
Back to Star Wars... I have to say Star Wars Galaxies was excellent the first year... then around the time of the Jump to Lightspeed expansion it lost its luster. When the combat system was redesigned, that game was dead to me. If anyone can revitalize the Star Wars MMO franchise... it's BioWare.
All I know is that when this BioWare MMO (whatever it is) is released... look out World of Warcraft. Blizzard has nothing on BioWare in my opinion. I prefer more in-depth storytelling. That's something BioWare normally delivers with class.
Wow! having gotten sick of fantasy MMORPG's... but having loved all the dragonlance novels, I might actually give a dragonlance MMO a try just to see if it's any good and if it does justice to the world created by weiss and hickman
Comments
If that is true then we can put the KoToR Online rumors to bed!
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
While a new SW MMO would absolutely thrill me, I'm going to reserve my prediction until tomorrow morning when I drive to the BioWare Austin studio and demand they give me the sekret sauce. I will not leave until I have the sauce in hand or am forcibly removed by the APD.
On second thought, perhaps I'll just infiltrate the premises posing as a janitorial service worker or maybe even an agent of either the APD or Homeland Security. Homeland Security gets a free pass to any place they want.
EDIT: I think them listing both the MMO and the Interactive Entertainment Product as separate entities is merely a ploy.
Interesting. I think that's pretty conclusive. Now I'm even more intrigued about what the MMO is going to be. And I'm doubly intrigued by this "interactive product"... both why they keep referring to it as that and why Bioware lists it as a game.
----------
Life sucks, buy a helmet.
Score this job:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2007/11/12#1194900480
And you'll have all the answers you could ever hope for.
I'm not interested in the job, but the fact that Bioware puts such emphasis on their writing staff fills me with all kinds of gooey happy good feeling....
"What makes my job harder is not only does all of this writing have to be high quality - something not always
demanded in our industry -"
Well said Daniel Erickson, Principle Lead Writer at Bioware Austin!
----------
Life sucks, buy a helmet.
well shoot, so much for a new SW Sci Fi title
guess it's back to playing Orc v. Elf MMO's 
What if it's called
"Star Wars: Tales Of The New Republic Online"
or
"Star Wars: The New Republic Online"
and not even related to KOTOR
I wouldn't care, just so long as they "get it right." That is my single, solitary concern if this MMO is, in fact, going to be a SW license.
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
No, I was saying in response to the pic above where it shows Bioware's/LA title separate from the MMO Game title
As for whether it would be called tales of the new republic or not. Just as posted above, I honestly don't care as long as it's done well and it brings the same, if nor more, enjoyment then when I was playing Pre CU. Because I'm honestly tired of fantasy MMO's and none of the Sci Fi MMO's out there really strike my attention.
Now when are you going to tell us what you really know Tillamook? you seem to know a lot about Bioware's MMO, so I'm suspecting you know more than you let on >.> when are you going to open your pinata full of tasty information and share?????
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
Turbine owns zero rights to D&D anything other than they are paying to use Atari's license for DDO, which they are paying WOTC/Hasbro for.
p.s. I'd highly question the "insider knowledge" of anyone who thought Turbine owned D&D lore...btw, you can't own "lore" anyways.
so bioware started making their MMO (or announced it any way) on march 13, '06.
Bioware and Lucas arts teamed up in Oct or '07.
I guess that means no kotor mmo.
too bad. I was kinda hopeful there for a bit.
We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.
Why? Because they’re using NWN as the required platform for a writing abilities test? It means nothing, Turbine has all rights to D&D lore atm, plus NWN is a great platform to use for the applicant process. Module builders are usually great story writers; if you can write a great NWN module to show off your skills then you may be able to write a good story for an mmo.
Turbine owns zero rights to D&D anything other than they are paying to use Atari's license for DDO, which they are paying WOTC/Hasbro for.
p.s. I'd highly question the "insider knowledge" of anyone who thought Turbine owned D&D lore...btw, you can't own "lore" anyways.
DDO is still far to new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.
that would be fascinating commentary if it made even an ounce of sense.
ATARI currently owns the intellectual property for D&D...not Turbine. Turbine never has owned, bought, or rented it from WOTC...ATARI did. Atari joined forces with Turbine, so that Turbine could develop and Atari could publish DDO.
Just like Atari partnered with Bioware for Neverwinter Nights. (notice no Turbine involvement)
Just like Atari partnered with Troika to make Temple of Elemental Evil. (notice, no Turbine again)
Just like Atari partnered with Liquid to release Dragonshard...I think you see where I'm going with this.
Turbine is just one of the many partners that Atari has taken on to create a D&D game. Turbine owns no relationship or contract with Wizards, nor do they own anything D&D related.
Hope that clears it up for you.
that would be fascinating commentary if it made even an ounce of sense.
ATARI currently owns the intellectual property for D&D...not Turbine. Turbine never has owned, bought, or rented it from WOTC...ATARI did. Atari joined forces with Turbine, so that Turbine could develop and Atari could publish DDO.
Just like Atari partnered with Bioware for Neverwinter Nights. (notice no Turbine involvement)
Just like Atari partnered with Troika to make Temple of Elemental Evil. (notice, no Turbine again)
Just like Atari partnered with Liquid to release Dragonshard...I think you see where I'm going with this.
Turbine is just one of the many partners that Atari has taken on to create a D&D game. Turbine owns no relationship or contract with Wizards, nor do they own anything D&D related.
Hope that clears it up for you.
Wizards owns the D&D IP and deals out the licenses, unless you are a dev I'm just gonna say you are wrong. If you a just trying to be right so you can win the argument that BW is making a D&D MMO then just go to another thread, this isn’t related to D&D.
You sir, should make up your mind...
as your quote on the previous page states:
"Turbine has all rights to D&D lore"
Which is why I have been disagreeing with you.
And actually, Atari owns the D&D IP for the next 10 years...as they renewed it
http://gamernode.com/News/3347-Atari-renews-DD-gaming-contract-till-2017/index.html
So, you've now said Turbine owns D&D...wrong. WOTC owns the D&D IP (sort of right, as they actually own it for everything else, but not for the discussion at hand)...so wrong.
so again, I'm disagreeing because you made a completely false statement...which is normally why people disagree.
You sir, should make up your mind...
as your quote on the previous page states:
"Turbine has all rights to D&D lore"
Which is why I have been disagreeing with you.
And actually, Atari owns the D&D IP for the next 10 years...as they renewed it
http://gamernode.com/News/3347-Atari-renews-DD-gaming-contract-till-2017/index.html
So, you've now said Turbine owns D&D...wrong. WOTC owns the D&D IP (sort of right, as they actually own it for everything else, but not for the discussion at hand)...so wrong.
so again, I'm disagreeing because you made a completely false statement...which is normally why people disagree.
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
It isn't Wizard's choice though. They have nothing to do with it. They Licensed the D&D name to Atari for PC Games.
War Beta Tester
LOL...and the minute you start claiming you didn't say something that I can read one page back is the minute I stop arguing.
You said Turbine owns D&D lore...on the previous page...are you really sure people can't hit the button and read it???
I said “DDO is still far too new for Wizards to jump ship on Turbine.” No where in there did I say Turbine owns DDO. Do you just like to argue? If so have fun arguing with yourself.
It isn't Wizard's choice though. They have nothing to do with it. They Licensed the D&D name to Atari for PC Games.
Wouldn't be too sure of that. Usually companies that license out their IPs make a point about retaining quality control oversight in the contract. Notice WotC is still listed on every D&D game because they own the rights ultimately. I'm not familiar with the agreement between Atari and WotC though.
I didn't read how this topic came up but I'm going to assume it has something to do with someone wanting Bioware to do a DnD MMO. The guy in charge of the licensing of the IP has already confirmed that they aren't working with Bioware on any DnD titles so...not much point discussing it.
EDIT:
----------
Life sucks, buy a helmet.
Wizards of the Coast owns the intellectual property (I.P.) known as Dungeons & Dragons in all its forms. Atari is the licensed publisher of all PC and console games for D&D.
Turbine was the development studio that developed D&D Online (which, by the way, is set in the Eberron campaign setting) while BioWare was the developer of Baldur's Gate series and Neverwinter Nights (both are Forgotten Realms campaign setting). D&D Online was published by Atari and Neverwinter Nights by Infogrames before it was bought out by Atari. The expansions for NWN were published by Atari. Baldur's Gate was, I believe, published by Interplay who was the publisher after SSI.
With the upcoming DragonLance animated movie (yes, a release date has been set according to DragonLance co-creator and co-author Margaret Weis) -- it's possible there's a DragonLance-based MMO on the way (no official information has been released, of course).
Also, keep in mind, D&D 4.0 was announced and will be released THIS coming late spring/early summer. Perhaps they're looking to create any one of the popular settings into an MMO using the new 4.0 rules system... Greyhawk, Eberron, Forgotten Realms, DragonLance and Ravenloft are the most popular (it's doubtful they would do anything with Spelljammer, Dark Sun, Mystra, or any of the other nearly-forgotten settings).
Also, note, the Wizards of the Coast job website has been hiring up not just people to oversee game design for computers... but also GUI designers and a lot more. True, they have an upcoming computer-converted PnP system (for GMs/DMs and players to play PnP online) they revealed at GenCon Indy 2007... but it seems like they've been hiring up a lot more staff than what that fairly simple system would entail.
There are so many variables there... but personally, I do like the concept of a Star Wars MMORPG by BioWare. I thought they did an excellent job with the original Knights of the Old Republic. Though, I'm quite surprised BioWare would work with another company's intellectual property -- they had made a previous announcement that they were wanting to stick to their own IPs. (That was followed by Jade Empire and now Mass Effect.) Perhaps the joint venture with Pandemic Studios or the much more recent EA buyout has triggered a change in that (though, this BioWare MMO -- with offices in Austin, Texas, was announced quite a ways back... even before the Pandemic joint venture, if memory serves me right). Speaking of that joint venture... did anyone notice that U2 frontman Bono was on the board of directors for that? For some reason that struck me as odd... never figured him to be fond of games -- figured he might think himself too cool for that *grin*. If he's a gamer, my respect factor for him went up a notch.
Back to Star Wars... I have to say Star Wars Galaxies was excellent the first year... then around the time of the Jump to Lightspeed expansion it lost its luster. When the combat system was redesigned, that game was dead to me. If anyone can revitalize the Star Wars MMO franchise... it's BioWare.
All I know is that when this BioWare MMO (whatever it is) is released... look out World of Warcraft. Blizzard has nothing on BioWare in my opinion. I prefer more in-depth storytelling. That's something BioWare normally delivers with class.
Chokra Broodslayer
I do agree that the request of an NWN module by BioWare to test its writers is merely that and is not intended to infer that they're creating a D&D game in Austin, Texas.
BioWare has applicants for ALL of their titles (including Mass Effect, which is quite far from D&D) to create NWN modules to show their abilities.
Chokra Broodslayer
Anyone who has ever bothered to pay attention to how BioWare does things over the past few years would realize that they use the NWN toolset in the development of all their games.
They use it as a prototyping tool to quickly plot out the story, etc. They are using it for the MMO, they are using it for Dragon Age, and they used it during Mass Effect's development as well.