eh, I don't think it will be Star Wars but I think it will be sci-fi.
Either Mass Effect universe or something completely new.
I cannot remember where I saw it, but will try to find it and link it... but I saw that they (Bioware) said that they were already in-game playing their MMO internally.
WHATEVER the BioWare mmo will be, EA now owns it and this is why I'm afraid for it:
"Rumors of the game's cancellation became prevalent in early 2004. EA confirmed the suspicions in March 2004 by announcing that Earth & Beyond was to be discontinued the following September, stating that it would refocus on other projects. Earth and Beyond estimated they had up to 400,000 subscribers early, with 650,000 at its peak, and later showing continually lesser numbers. This can easily be attributed to the lack of advertising it suffered from and the opening of Star Wars Galaxies by Sony Online Entertainment. It has also been rumored that Electronic Arts wished to put more money into The Sims Online and turn that into a big marketing success. Not surprisingly after the March statement, the figures which had already dropped to just over 20,000 saw their most dramatic decline, which eventually lead to the cessation of Earth & Beyond on September 22, 2004."
Why do I write, create, fantasize, dream and daydream about other worlds? Because I hate what humanity does with this one.
Facts: 1) BioWare now prefers it own IP's, of which it has three, Jade Empire, Mass Effect and Dragon Age. 2) Jade Empire has no known lore development beyond the original game, and there are current MMO's with a similar theme. 3) Mass Effect is XB360 exclusive for the forseeable future, and planned to be a trilogy. 4) Dragon Age has received extensive lore development over several years. Speculation: I conclude that Bioware's MMO is Dragon Age Online. SP Dragon Age could be released in 2008 while DAO is being finished and polished for 2009/2010 launch.
The MMO is not Dragon Age, Mass Effect, or anything else completely original from Bioware. For all you people who keep harping that Bioware prefers their own IP's, do a little research. Check out this sheet detailing the IP's that are now wholly owned by EA. The MMO is not one of them. Therefore, it's someone else's IP.
That certainly changes things completely. This is probably the best evidence so far that the MMO won't be Jade Empire/Dragon Age/Mass Effect. Still, it's not conclusive. Good catch though.
This...combined with the Bioware quotes...I might be convinced that this may be SW/DnD after all.
Well it could be anything really. But I doubt it will be Star Wars or D&D as those licenses are already out in the market, and to put a new one out there would just create confusion. I can't see Bioware wanting to have their MMO confused with another. Most dedicated MMO'ers would obviously know the difference, but keep in mind World of Warcraft opened the MMO door to the casual gamer and all other developers are following that example. I think it's fair to say it would be risky to assume a casual player would know the difference between SOE's Star Wars and Bioware's Star Wars.
With that in mind, I just don't think Jade Empire was the commercial success Bioware hoped it would be. This is not to say it wouldn't be a good world, but I can't see them relying on that I.P. to launch a successful and desirable MMO. Add to this the oversaturated Asian themed MMO market, and well I think it'd just get lost.
It could be Dragon Age, but I can't help but think that there's just WAY to much fantasy-based MMO's out there right now, and to do that would just come off as a me-too WoW killer type. Who knows, I mean the whole fantasy archetype works well and that genre just seems to lend it self well to an MMO environment.
Sci-fi however, still needs it's killer app. There are a few semi-successful MMO's out there with EVE, Anarchy Online, and SWG. But nothing has really skyrocketed to success. I've played Tabula Rasa, and I just don't think it has the hook that will bring in the numbers. Mass Effect the Xbox 360 experience is all about moral choices, different character types, and an explorable universe. If they are successful on the 360, they could leverage that success to the MMO market.
Well it could be anything really. But I doubt it will be Star Wars or D&D as those licenses are already out in the market, and to put a new one out there would just create confusion. I can't see Bioware wanting to have their MMO confused with another. Most dedicated MMO'ers would obviously know the difference, but keep in mind World of Warcraft opened the MMO door to the casual gamer and all other developers are following that example. I think it's fair to say it would be risky to assume a casual player would know the difference between SOE's Star Wars and Bioware's Star Wars. With that in mind, I just don't think Jade Empire was the commercial success Bioware hoped it would be. This is not to say it wouldn't be a good world, but I can't see them relying on that I.P. to launch a successful and desirable MMO. Add to this the oversaturated Asian themed MMO market, and well I think it'd just get lost. It could be Dragon Age, but I can't help but think that there's just WAY to much fantasy-based MMO's out there right now, and to do that would just come off as a me-too WoW killer type. Who knows, I mean the whole fantasy archetype works well and that genre just seems to lend it self well to an MMO environment. Sci-fi however, still needs it's killer app. There are a few semi-successful MMO's out there with EVE, Anarchy Online, and SWG. But nothing has really skyrocketed to success. I've played Tabula Rasa, and I just don't think it has the hook that will bring in the numbers. Mass Effect the Xbox 360 experience is all about moral choices, different character types, and an explorable universe. If they are successful on the 360, they could leverage that success to the MMO market. My vote goes to Mass Effect.
Click the PDF file Darquenblade linked to a few posts above. Bioware (EA) doesn't own the IP for the MMO. If it were Mass Effect, they could have said they owned the IP without giving away that it was Mass Effect/Jade/Dragon Age. The fact that they're saying they don't own it leads me to believe it's third party.
Not conclusive that it's star wars/DnD though. And I agree it would be odd for Lucas Arts or Atari to want a competing MMO for the ones out already...but keep in mind that neither DnDO or SWG is doing very well. Also, Bioware is linked to both licenses in rather unique ways... Star Wars Online? No... Knights of the Old Republic Online? Maybe. Forgotten Realms Online? Perhaps.
Well it could be anything really. But I doubt it will be Star Wars or D&D as those licenses are already out in the market, and to put a new one out there would just create confusion. I can't see Bioware wanting to have their MMO confused with another. Most dedicated MMO'ers would obviously know the difference, but keep in mind World of Warcraft opened the MMO door to the casual gamer and all other developers are following that example. I think it's fair to say it would be risky to assume a casual player would know the difference between SOE's Star Wars and Bioware's Star Wars. With that in mind, I just don't think Jade Empire was the commercial success Bioware hoped it would be. This is not to say it wouldn't be a good world, but I can't see them relying on that I.P. to launch a successful and desirable MMO. Add to this the oversaturated Asian themed MMO market, and well I think it'd just get lost. It could be Dragon Age, but I can't help but think that there's just WAY to much fantasy-based MMO's out there right now, and to do that would just come off as a me-too WoW killer type. Who knows, I mean the whole fantasy archetype works well and that genre just seems to lend it self well to an MMO environment. Sci-fi however, still needs it's killer app. There are a few semi-successful MMO's out there with EVE, Anarchy Online, and SWG. But nothing has really skyrocketed to success. I've played Tabula Rasa, and I just don't think it has the hook that will bring in the numbers. Mass Effect the Xbox 360 experience is all about moral choices, different character types, and an explorable universe. If they are successful on the 360, they could leverage that success to the MMO market. My vote goes to Mass Effect.
As cool as mass effect could be, it's not it with a 99.9% chance. As you can see, ME is an owned IP, the MMO is not. So... what could it be?
Obviously its got to be a popular IP.... so of all the really popular IP's, which have been made into mmo's [this unfortunately includes star wars but i keep hoping for a miracle ], what's left?
SCI-FI is indeed overdone and with WoW and MANY other fantasy mmo's out there, its a harder pie to get a piece of... SCI FI, not much competition... however SCI FI market is nowhere near as large as the fantasy market but that can be due to a lack of any great SciFi mmo's.
Battlestar Galactica? Is it popular enough? What else? Hmm... hope its not HARRY *explitive deleted* potter! [...not a chance if you ask me : ]
Why do I write, create, fantasize, dream and daydream about other worlds? Because I hate what humanity does with this one.
WHATEVER the BioWare mmo will be, EA now owns it and this is why I'm afraid for it:
"Rumors of the game's cancellation became prevalent in early 2004. EA confirmed the suspicions in March 2004 by announcing that Earth & Beyond was to be discontinued the following September, stating that it would refocus on other projects. Earth and Beyond estimated they had up to 400,000 subscribers early, with 650,000 at its peak, and later showing continually lesser numbers. This can easily be attributed to the lack of advertising it suffered from and the opening of Star Wars Galaxies by Sony Online Entertainment. It has also been rumored that Electronic Arts wished to put more money into The Sims Online and turn that into a big marketing success. Not surprisingly after the March statement, the figures which had already dropped to just over 20,000 saw their most dramatic decline, which eventually lead to the cessation of Earth & Beyond on September 22, 2004."
I miss E&B
I can't really remember what made it fun, but I really like that game...
Facts: 1) BioWare now prefers it own IP's, of which it has three, Jade Empire, Mass Effect and Dragon Age. 2) Jade Empire has no known lore development beyond the original game, and there are current MMO's with a similar theme. 3) Mass Effect is XB360 exclusive for the forseeable future, and planned to be a trilogy. 4) Dragon Age has received extensive lore development over several years. Speculation: I conclude that Bioware's MMO is Dragon Age Online. SP Dragon Age could be released in 2008 while DAO is being finished and polished for 2009/2010 launch.
The MMO is not Dragon Age, Mass Effect, or anything else completely original from Bioware. For all you people who keep harping that Bioware prefers their own IP's, do a little research. Check out this sheet detailing the IP's that are now wholly owned by EA. The MMO is not one of them. Therefore, it's someone else's IP.
EAs' IPs have nothing to do with it. The mmo was already in development and apparently playable befiore EA aquired bioware. Therefore, it was based on whichever IP Bioware chose, not EA. So, again, if not one of Biowares' previous IPs, then it is an original IP.
please forgive the dumb question but what does the word metacritic mean? Its the last column on the sheet and i noticed that every Lucas Arts games that Bioware did had if not the top the second hightest one in every catagory.
please forgive the dumb question but what does the word metacritic mean? Its the last column on the sheet and i noticed that every Lucas Arts games that Bioware did had if not the top the second hightest one in every catagory.
Fairly certain it's how successful the game was based on reviews out of 100. How many/which/who's reviews, no idea. My guess is the average from many of the most trusted game reviewers.
-- The little 2 next to the Pandemic score for Battlezone II would support this as the note at the bottom mentions GameRankings.com
Why do I write, create, fantasize, dream and daydream about other worlds? Because I hate what humanity does with this one.
please forgive the dumb question but what does the word metacritic mean? Its the last column on the sheet and i noticed that every Lucas Arts games that Bioware did had if not the top the second hightest one in every catagory.
please forgive the dumb question but what does the word metacritic mean? Its the last column on the sheet and i noticed that every Lucas Arts games that Bioware did had if not the top the second hightest one in every catagory.
Fairly certain it's how successful the game was based on reviews out of 100. How many/which/who's reviews, no idea. My guess is the average from many of the most trusted game reviewers.
-- The little 2 next to the Pandemic score for Battlezone II would support this as the note at the bottom mentions GameRankings.com
so it not be smart to make a MMO based on your hightest reviwed games? It just seems like a smart bet that they are making a StarWars/KOTOR MMO.
They have done well with Lucas Arts games and there is a market for one right now
please forgive the dumb question but what does the word metacritic mean? Its the last column on the sheet and i noticed that every Lucas Arts games that Bioware did had if not the top the second hightest one in every catagory.
Fairly certain it's how successful the game was based on reviews out of 100. How many/which/who's reviews, no idea. My guess is the average from many of the most trusted game reviewers.
-- The little 2 next to the Pandemic score for Battlezone II would support this as the note at the bottom mentions GameRankings.com
so it not be smart to make a MMO based on your hightest reviwed games? It just seems like a smart bet that they are making a StarWars/KOTOR MMO.
They have done well with Lucas Arts games and there is a market for one right now
My thoughts exactly! But who knows... one day my sig will either make me look like a prophet or a bafoon! lol... that's okay... I'm just hoping for ANY great MMO from BioWare... if anyone can break the clone cycle and create an MMO I can fall for it's BioWare.
Why do I write, create, fantasize, dream and daydream about other worlds? Because I hate what humanity does with this one.
Well I asked god and he said its definately a star wars IP. he also said its gona kick ass but hes gona play AoC in the mean while.
which is a relief since jade empire sucked and mass effect looks far too much a like a kotor self rip off, that looks like a FPS but isn't a FPS, anyhow
Well it could be anything really. But I doubt it will be Star Wars or D&D as those licenses are already out in the market, and to put a new one out there would just create confusion. I can't see Bioware wanting to have their MMO confused with another. Most dedicated MMO'ers would obviously know the difference, but keep in mind World of Warcraft opened the MMO door to the casual gamer and all other developers are following that example. I think it's fair to say it would be risky to assume a casual player would know the difference between SOE's Star Wars and Bioware's Star Wars. With that in mind, I just don't think Jade Empire was the commercial success Bioware hoped it would be. This is not to say it wouldn't be a good world, but I can't see them relying on that I.P. to launch a successful and desirable MMO. Add to this the oversaturated Asian themed MMO market, and well I think it'd just get lost. It could be Dragon Age, but I can't help but think that there's just WAY to much fantasy-based MMO's out there right now, and to do that would just come off as a me-too WoW killer type. Who knows, I mean the whole fantasy archetype works well and that genre just seems to lend it self well to an MMO environment. Sci-fi however, still needs it's killer app. There are a few semi-successful MMO's out there with EVE, Anarchy Online, and SWG. But nothing has really skyrocketed to success. I've played Tabula Rasa, and I just don't think it has the hook that will bring in the numbers. Mass Effect the Xbox 360 experience is all about moral choices, different character types, and an explorable universe. If they are successful on the 360, they could leverage that success to the MMO market. My vote goes to Mass Effect.
Click the PDF file Darquenblade linked to a few posts above. Bioware (EA) doesn't own the IP for the MMO. If it were Mass Effect, they could have said they owned the IP without giving away that it was Mass Effect/Jade/Dragon Age. The fact that they're saying they don't own it leads me to believe it's third party.
Not conclusive that it's star wars/DnD though. And I agree it would be odd for Lucas Arts or Atari to want a competing MMO for the ones out already...but keep in mind that neither DnDO or SWG is doing very well. Also, Bioware is linked to both licenses in rather unique ways... Star Wars Online? No... Knights of the Old Republic Online? Maybe. Forgotten Realms Online? Perhaps.
You are placing a lot of faith in a PDF that could easily be fake, or manipulated. You don't know that this PDF or it's source is reputable.
I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Bioware making an MMORPG. They have absolutely no experience in the genre and quite frankly haven't made a decent game since Baldur's Gate. What makes you guys think it will be any good?
I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Bioware making an MMORPG. They have absolutely no experience in the genre and quite frankly haven't made a decent game since Baldur's Gate. What makes you guys think it will be any good?
Ok I think it's arguable that they HAVE put out some very good games since Baldur's Gate, and I think that if Blizzard was capable of making an MMO without having any prior experience, that Bioware has a good chance of doing it too. Especially with EA's deep pockets now.
As unpopular of an opinion as it may be, I think my preference would be toward a forgotten realms based game. NOT FR as it is seen in other games, such as the console Baldur's Gate series, but rather the old Pen n Paper Forgotten Realms. It is not likely, but I think I would prefer seeing that to the other popular vote of KOTOR. Good game, yes, but I am not as much a star wars fan as I am deep fantasy. I do wish someone would put SWG out of its (And everyone elses) misery though. I do not look forward to any cookie ciutter or Me-Too MMO's but I think Bioware has the potential to break away from that. Yay for continuing a speculation thread?
To those who believe it is not a licensed IP, keep in mind that Bioware Austin hired someone to manage an IP relationship. This either means an outside IP or that Bioware plans on merchandising the MMO.
As for SOE's rights to the SW IP, I believe it requires annual renewal and LA can pull it for any reason. LA owns the license, not SOE. This could easily allow LA to liscense the KOTOR setting to Bioware for an MMO. Bioware has also been completely silent on what the MMO is. Personally I believe this is to prevent impacting sales of other games (i.e. they don't want to distract from the launch of Mass Effect or maybe they don't want to hurt the subscription base of SWG).
I doubt it is a DnD game as they began production in late 2005, too early to tell that DnD Online was going to suck. If it was DnD, Turbine has only licensed Eberron for an MMO which leaves the ability for someone else to make a Forgotten Realms MMO. The interesting thing is that Turbine kept insisting that they chose Eberron but it was later revealed in an interview that Wizards of the Coast (aka Hasbro) pushed Eberron on them. Eberron became the official campaign of DnD 3.5. Wizards is working on DnD 4.0 and the official Campaign is going to be ... Forgotten Realms. Coincidence? Wizards could have easily licensed Forgotten Realms to Bioware for an MMO without impacting Turbine's license.
I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Bioware making an MMORPG. They have absolutely no experience in the genre and quite frankly haven't made a decent game since Baldur's Gate. What makes you guys think it will be any good?
I assume you mean the entire BG series. NWN, KOTOR and JE are all great games (KOTOR II and NWN 2 were not made by Bioware) so I dissagree with your assesment and I believe game sales do also. As to not having experience what they do have experience in is making a quality product and holding it back until it's ready. Sound a lot like Blizzard when they came out with WoW and wether you play it or not, WoW's numbers speaks volumes.
Well it could be anything really. But I doubt it will be Star Wars or D&D as those licenses are already out in the market, and to put a new one out there would just create confusion. I can't see Bioware wanting to have their MMO confused with another. Most dedicated MMO'ers would obviously know the difference, but keep in mind World of Warcraft opened the MMO door to the casual gamer and all other developers are following that example. I think it's fair to say it would be risky to assume a casual player would know the difference between SOE's Star Wars and Bioware's Star Wars. With that in mind, I just don't think Jade Empire was the commercial success Bioware hoped it would be. This is not to say it wouldn't be a good world, but I can't see them relying on that I.P. to launch a successful and desirable MMO. Add to this the oversaturated Asian themed MMO market, and well I think it'd just get lost. It could be Dragon Age, but I can't help but think that there's just WAY to much fantasy-based MMO's out there right now, and to do that would just come off as a me-too WoW killer type. Who knows, I mean the whole fantasy archetype works well and that genre just seems to lend it self well to an MMO environment. Sci-fi however, still needs it's killer app. There are a few semi-successful MMO's out there with EVE, Anarchy Online, and SWG. But nothing has really skyrocketed to success. I've played Tabula Rasa, and I just don't think it has the hook that will bring in the numbers. Mass Effect the Xbox 360 experience is all about moral choices, different character types, and an explorable universe. If they are successful on the 360, they could leverage that success to the MMO market. My vote goes to Mass Effect.
Click the PDF file Darquenblade linked to a few posts above. Bioware (EA) doesn't own the IP for the MMO. If it were Mass Effect, they could have said they owned the IP without giving away that it was Mass Effect/Jade/Dragon Age. The fact that they're saying they don't own it leads me to believe it's third party.
Not conclusive that it's star wars/DnD though. And I agree it would be odd for Lucas Arts or Atari to want a competing MMO for the ones out already...but keep in mind that neither DnDO or SWG is doing very well. Also, Bioware is linked to both licenses in rather unique ways... Star Wars Online? No... Knights of the Old Republic Online? Maybe. Forgotten Realms Online? Perhaps.
You are placing a lot of faith in a PDF that could easily be fake, or manipulated. You don't know that this PDF or it's source is reputable.
It's hosted by Thomson Financial. If it's fake then someone there is going to lose his job no doubt.
1. D+D 4.0 is a complete rework of the rules, they have been streamlined for faster combat and to be more usable with computer games.
2. D+D rules books have never sold anywhere near the amount of copies that the Video games have, or the Drizzt and Dragonlance novels. This has given the Computer Gamer generation its view of d+d in Bioware's eyes mostly.
3. Turbine only is liceanced for 3.5 and Eberron. Forgotten realms is the flagship campaign however and 4.0 rules will be up for grabs. Forgotten realms would draw in a much greater audience and Bioware produces good games unlike the pieces of crap no one pays for from Turbine.(They flop on Asherons call and use the same damn engine and use big Liceanses to draw people to play the piece of crap again)
4. Bioware hired 6 world creators that where selected based on a Neverwinter nights one modules completeion.
D+D sees Everquest and World of Warcraft make the real money, Wizards and Hasboro want a piece of that action. Eberron flopped because of Turbine. Forgotten realms MMO would be a huge hit if created by Bioware and they have real use of all the charcaters, and places we have read about or played with in the past.
Possible NPC's
Eleminster(If he doesn't die in the spellplague when Mystra dies to explain the complete changes in magif for 4.0), Drizzit(we knew he is alive from the Orc King), Cadderly, Jara'axle, Tosun, Lady Aliestriel, ect ect
All I can say is I hope its sci-fi or some other new genre. Fantasy mmo's are a dime a dozen now... that market is oversaturated. Whereas how many decent sci-fi mmo's are out there? Lots of potential market space there.
From a business standpoint it'd make more sense to go with where there's the biggest potential market... I think.
I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Bioware making an MMORPG. They have absolutely no experience in the genre and quite frankly haven't made a decent game since Baldur's Gate. What makes you guys think it will be any good?
Comments
I got it!
Speed Racer MMO! rofl
eh, I don't think it will be Star Wars but I think it will be sci-fi.
Either Mass Effect universe or something completely new.
I cannot remember where I saw it, but will try to find it and link it... but I saw that they (Bioware) said that they were already in-game playing their MMO internally.
WHATEVER the BioWare mmo will be, EA now owns it and this is why I'm afraid for it:
"Rumors of the game's cancellation became prevalent in early 2004. EA confirmed the suspicions in March 2004 by announcing that Earth & Beyond was to be discontinued the following September, stating that it would refocus on other projects. Earth and Beyond estimated they had up to 400,000 subscribers early, with 650,000 at its peak, and later showing continually lesser numbers. This can easily be attributed to the lack of advertising it suffered from and the opening of Star Wars Galaxies by Sony Online Entertainment. It has also been rumored that Electronic Arts wished to put more money into The Sims Online and turn that into a big marketing success. Not surprisingly after the March statement, the figures which had already dropped to just over 20,000 saw their most dramatic decline, which eventually lead to the cessation of Earth & Beyond on September 22, 2004."
BOYCOTTING EA / ORIGIN going forward.
The MMO is not Dragon Age, Mass Effect, or anything else completely original from Bioware. For all you people who keep harping that Bioware prefers their own IP's, do a little research. Check out this sheet detailing the IP's that are now wholly owned by EA. The MMO is not one of them. Therefore, it's someone else's IP.
library.corporate-ir.net/library/88/881/88189/items/264618/EAPres.pdf
That certainly changes things completely. This is probably the best evidence so far that the MMO won't be Jade Empire/Dragon Age/Mass Effect. Still, it's not conclusive. Good catch though.
This...combined with the Bioware quotes...I might be convinced that this may be SW/DnD after all.
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Life sucks, buy a helmet.
Well it could be anything really. But I doubt it will be Star Wars or D&D as those licenses are already out in the market, and to put a new one out there would just create confusion. I can't see Bioware wanting to have their MMO confused with another. Most dedicated MMO'ers would obviously know the difference, but keep in mind World of Warcraft opened the MMO door to the casual gamer and all other developers are following that example. I think it's fair to say it would be risky to assume a casual player would know the difference between SOE's Star Wars and Bioware's Star Wars.
With that in mind, I just don't think Jade Empire was the commercial success Bioware hoped it would be. This is not to say it wouldn't be a good world, but I can't see them relying on that I.P. to launch a successful and desirable MMO. Add to this the oversaturated Asian themed MMO market, and well I think it'd just get lost.
It could be Dragon Age, but I can't help but think that there's just WAY to much fantasy-based MMO's out there right now, and to do that would just come off as a me-too WoW killer type. Who knows, I mean the whole fantasy archetype works well and that genre just seems to lend it self well to an MMO environment.
Sci-fi however, still needs it's killer app. There are a few semi-successful MMO's out there with EVE, Anarchy Online, and SWG. But nothing has really skyrocketed to success. I've played Tabula Rasa, and I just don't think it has the hook that will bring in the numbers. Mass Effect the Xbox 360 experience is all about moral choices, different character types, and an explorable universe. If they are successful on the 360, they could leverage that success to the MMO market.
My vote goes to Mass Effect.
Click the PDF file Darquenblade linked to a few posts above. Bioware (EA) doesn't own the IP for the MMO. If it were Mass Effect, they could have said they owned the IP without giving away that it was Mass Effect/Jade/Dragon Age. The fact that they're saying they don't own it leads me to believe it's third party.
Not conclusive that it's star wars/DnD though. And I agree it would be odd for Lucas Arts or Atari to want a competing MMO for the ones out already...but keep in mind that neither DnDO or SWG is doing very well. Also, Bioware is linked to both licenses in rather unique ways... Star Wars Online? No... Knights of the Old Republic Online? Maybe. Forgotten Realms Online? Perhaps.
----------
Life sucks, buy a helmet.
Obviously its got to be a popular IP.... so of all the really popular IP's, which have been made into mmo's [this unfortunately includes star wars but i keep hoping for a miracle ], what's left?
SCI-FI is indeed overdone and with WoW and MANY other fantasy mmo's out there, its a harder pie to get a piece of... SCI FI, not much competition... however SCI FI market is nowhere near as large as the fantasy market but that can be due to a lack of any great SciFi mmo's.
Battlestar Galactica? Is it popular enough? What else? Hmm... hope its not HARRY *explitive deleted* potter! [...not a chance if you ask me : ]
BOYCOTTING EA / ORIGIN going forward.
I miss E&B
I can't really remember what made it fun, but I really like that game...
The MMO is not Dragon Age, Mass Effect, or anything else completely original from Bioware. For all you people who keep harping that Bioware prefers their own IP's, do a little research. Check out this sheet detailing the IP's that are now wholly owned by EA. The MMO is not one of them. Therefore, it's someone else's IP.
library.corporate-ir.net/library/88/881/88189/items/264618/EAPres.pdf
EAs' IPs have nothing to do with it. The mmo was already in development and apparently playable befiore EA aquired bioware. Therefore, it was based on whichever IP Bioware chose, not EA. So, again, if not one of Biowares' previous IPs, then it is an original IP.
please forgive the dumb question but what does the word metacritic mean? Its the last column on the sheet and i noticed that every Lucas Arts games that Bioware did had if not the top the second hightest one in every catagory.
Fairly certain it's how successful the game was based on reviews out of 100. How many/which/who's reviews, no idea. My guess is the average from many of the most trusted game reviewers.
-- The little 2 next to the Pandemic score for Battlezone II would support this as the note at the bottom mentions GameRankings.com
BOYCOTTING EA / ORIGIN going forward.
Google is your friend: http://www.metacritic.com/
Fairly certain it's how successful the game was based on reviews out of 100. How many/which/who's reviews, no idea. My guess is the average from many of the most trusted game reviewers.
-- The little 2 next to the Pandemic score for Battlezone II would support this as the note at the bottom mentions GameRankings.com
so it not be smart to make a MMO based on your hightest reviwed games? It just seems like a smart bet that they are making a StarWars/KOTOR MMO.They have done well with Lucas Arts games and there is a market for one right now
Fairly certain it's how successful the game was based on reviews out of 100. How many/which/who's reviews, no idea. My guess is the average from many of the most trusted game reviewers.
-- The little 2 next to the Pandemic score for Battlezone II would support this as the note at the bottom mentions GameRankings.com
so it not be smart to make a MMO based on your hightest reviwed games? It just seems like a smart bet that they are making a StarWars/KOTOR MMO.They have done well with Lucas Arts games and there is a market for one right now
My thoughts exactly! But who knows... one day my sig will either make me look like a prophet or a bafoon! lol... that's okay... I'm just hoping for ANY great MMO from BioWare... if anyone can break the clone cycle and create an MMO I can fall for it's BioWare.
BOYCOTTING EA / ORIGIN going forward.
Well I asked god and he said its definately a star wars IP. he also said its gona kick ass but hes gona play AoC in the mean while.
which is a relief since jade empire sucked and mass effect looks far too much a like a kotor self rip off, that looks like a FPS but isn't a FPS, anyhow
My blog:
Click the PDF file Darquenblade linked to a few posts above. Bioware (EA) doesn't own the IP for the MMO. If it were Mass Effect, they could have said they owned the IP without giving away that it was Mass Effect/Jade/Dragon Age. The fact that they're saying they don't own it leads me to believe it's third party.
Not conclusive that it's star wars/DnD though. And I agree it would be odd for Lucas Arts or Atari to want a competing MMO for the ones out already...but keep in mind that neither DnDO or SWG is doing very well. Also, Bioware is linked to both licenses in rather unique ways... Star Wars Online? No... Knights of the Old Republic Online? Maybe. Forgotten Realms Online? Perhaps.
You are placing a lot of faith in a PDF that could easily be fake, or manipulated. You don't know that this PDF or it's source is reputable.
I don't understand why everyone is so excited about Bioware making an MMORPG. They have absolutely no experience in the genre and quite frankly haven't made a decent game since Baldur's Gate. What makes you guys think it will be any good?
Ok I think it's arguable that they HAVE put out some very good games since Baldur's Gate, and I think that if Blizzard was capable of making an MMO without having any prior experience, that Bioware has a good chance of doing it too. Especially with EA's deep pockets now.
As unpopular of an opinion as it may be, I think my preference would be toward a forgotten realms based game. NOT FR as it is seen in other games, such as the console Baldur's Gate series, but rather the old Pen n Paper Forgotten Realms. It is not likely, but I think I would prefer seeing that to the other popular vote of KOTOR. Good game, yes, but I am not as much a star wars fan as I am deep fantasy. I do wish someone would put SWG out of its (And everyone elses) misery though. I do not look forward to any cookie ciutter or Me-Too MMO's but I think Bioware has the potential to break away from that. Yay for continuing a speculation thread?
To those who believe it is not a licensed IP, keep in mind that Bioware Austin hired someone to manage an IP relationship. This either means an outside IP or that Bioware plans on merchandising the MMO.
As for SOE's rights to the SW IP, I believe it requires annual renewal and LA can pull it for any reason. LA owns the license, not SOE. This could easily allow LA to liscense the KOTOR setting to Bioware for an MMO. Bioware has also been completely silent on what the MMO is. Personally I believe this is to prevent impacting sales of other games (i.e. they don't want to distract from the launch of Mass Effect or maybe they don't want to hurt the subscription base of SWG).
I doubt it is a DnD game as they began production in late 2005, too early to tell that DnD Online was going to suck. If it was DnD, Turbine has only licensed Eberron for an MMO which leaves the ability for someone else to make a Forgotten Realms MMO. The interesting thing is that Turbine kept insisting that they chose Eberron but it was later revealed in an interview that Wizards of the Coast (aka Hasbro) pushed Eberron on them. Eberron became the official campaign of DnD 3.5. Wizards is working on DnD 4.0 and the official Campaign is going to be ... Forgotten Realms. Coincidence? Wizards could have easily licensed Forgotten Realms to Bioware for an MMO without impacting Turbine's license.
My money is on KOTOR.
I assume you mean the entire BG series. NWN, KOTOR and JE are all great games (KOTOR II and NWN 2 were not made by Bioware) so I dissagree with your assesment and I believe game sales do also. As to not having experience what they do have experience in is making a quality product and holding it back until it's ready. Sound a lot like Blizzard when they came out with WoW and wether you play it or not, WoW's numbers speaks volumes.
Click the PDF file Darquenblade linked to a few posts above. Bioware (EA) doesn't own the IP for the MMO. If it were Mass Effect, they could have said they owned the IP without giving away that it was Mass Effect/Jade/Dragon Age. The fact that they're saying they don't own it leads me to believe it's third party.
Not conclusive that it's star wars/DnD though. And I agree it would be odd for Lucas Arts or Atari to want a competing MMO for the ones out already...but keep in mind that neither DnDO or SWG is doing very well. Also, Bioware is linked to both licenses in rather unique ways... Star Wars Online? No... Knights of the Old Republic Online? Maybe. Forgotten Realms Online? Perhaps.
You are placing a lot of faith in a PDF that could easily be fake, or manipulated. You don't know that this PDF or it's source is reputable.
It's hosted by Thomson Financial. If it's fake then someone there is going to lose his job no doubt.(In other words, it's probably not fake)
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Life sucks, buy a helmet.
1. D+D 4.0 is a complete rework of the rules, they have been streamlined for faster combat and to be more usable with computer games.
2. D+D rules books have never sold anywhere near the amount of copies that the Video games have, or the Drizzt and Dragonlance novels. This has given the Computer Gamer generation its view of d+d in Bioware's eyes mostly.
3. Turbine only is liceanced for 3.5 and Eberron. Forgotten realms is the flagship campaign however and 4.0 rules will be up for grabs. Forgotten realms would draw in a much greater audience and Bioware produces good games unlike the pieces of crap no one pays for from Turbine.(They flop on Asherons call and use the same damn engine and use big Liceanses to draw people to play the piece of crap again)
4. Bioware hired 6 world creators that where selected based on a Neverwinter nights one modules completeion.
D+D sees Everquest and World of Warcraft make the real money, Wizards and Hasboro want a piece of that action. Eberron flopped because of Turbine. Forgotten realms MMO would be a huge hit if created by Bioware and they have real use of all the charcaters, and places we have read about or played with in the past.
Possible NPC's
Eleminster(If he doesn't die in the spellplague when Mystra dies to explain the complete changes in magif for 4.0), Drizzit(we knew he is alive from the Orc King), Cadderly, Jara'axle, Tosun, Lady Aliestriel, ect ect
All I can say is I hope its sci-fi or some other new genre. Fantasy mmo's are a dime a dozen now... that market is oversaturated. Whereas how many decent sci-fi mmo's are out there? Lots of potential market space there.
From a business standpoint it'd make more sense to go with where there's the biggest potential market... I think.
Blizzard had no experience making an MMORPG.