First of all, wow at yet another rumor based thread.
More importantly though, of all the reasons why Bioware's MMO wouldn't be a Star Wars MMO...I'm sorry, but as someone with 20 years in the business world I fail to see why "they wouldn't want two Star Wars MMO's"
they don't want to compete with....themselves? All the people may leave SWG...and join their other MMO? LucasArts has absolutely nothing to lose from having 1 MMO or 10 MMO's based on their license if there's a finite number of SW MMO customers...guess what...they're still playing their game.
wtf part of my thread is rumor? if nothing else im trying to debunk all the rumors. and what MMO has ever had two of the same kind out running from two different companies? like i said think before you guys open your mouths.
Didn't get to read all the posts yet...(have to get to work) but just a point of order.... While Warhammer Online is coming out next year, a license was granted to another company to develop another Warhammer Online game...only based on the Warhammer 40K universe.... so it too involves similar concepts and a different time period.
So while we might not have a situation that you described currently, we will soon....so that's not a terrific argument for saying that Bioware can't be developing a game on KOTOR. (though I agree...I don't believe they are....)
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
If anyone thinks* LucasArts is going to let EA publish a Bioware developed SW MMO...they're equally crazy.
that I agree with. And no sadly I dont have a copy of the contract. All I was stating was the whole idea that it could be KOTOR was nothing more than complete rumor and speculation and that all these other post should stop (even though I know its not going to happen). I was putting in my .02 about a subject matter on a newer and fresh thread because quite frankly I dont want to read all however many pages there are on this matter already on the different threads. And if my Ideas About LA were wrong I apologize. however there is still no fact about this mystery MMO and thats all it is. Also I dont want this thread to become a speculation thread like so many of the others IF anyone has hard facts to contribute then do so.
True and false. The unofficial word from what I have been able to piece together is that SOE originally had a 3-year contract with LA for SWG. In March 2005 that contract was extended for another 3(?) years. If there is a new Star Wars MMO in the works - I can see LA pulling the plug on SWG at the end of the contract.
So say for a second it is KOTOR, would LA and EA both have publishing rights? or would EA be moved to the developer part of the deal now that they own BioWare and BioWare just gets erased from memory? (I'm using speculation to get down to how this would work out I still hold firm to the idea its not KOTOR but I'm using it as an example.)
Obviously it would be like this:
Developed by BioWare, a division of EA Games and published by LucasArts.
Star Wars is a licensed trademark of LucasFilm LTD. Star Wars: <whatever it's called> is (c) 2009 LucasArts/EA Games
Maybe not exact words, but should be close enough.
If anyone thinks* LucasArts is going to let EA publish a Bioware developed SW MMO...they're equally crazy.
that I agree with. And no sadly I dont have a copy of the contract. All I was stating was the whole idea that it could be KOTOR was nothing more than complete rumor and speculation and that all these other post should stop (even though I know its not going to happen). I was putting in my .02 about a subject matter on a newer and fresh thread because quite frankly I dont want to read all however many pages there are on this matter already on the different threads. And if my Ideas About LA were wrong I apologize. however there is still no fact about this mystery MMO and thats all it is. Also I dont want this thread to become a speculation thread like so many of the others IF anyone has hard facts to contribute then do so.
True and false. The unofficial word from what I have been able to piece together is that SOE originally had a 3-year contract with LA for SWG. In March 2005 that contract was extended for another 3(?) years. If there is a new Star Wars MMO in the works - I can see LA pulling the plug on SWG at the end of the contract.
This would fit a 2009 time line, but I'm sure they would modify a new agreement to allow another Title in under the SW IP. If anyone pulls out, which I doubt would happen, it may be $OE.
I Reject your Reality and Substitute it with My Own!
Obviously it would be like this: Developed by BioWare, a division of EA Games and published by LucasArts. Star Wars is a licensed trademark of LucasFilm LTD. Star Wars: <whatever it's called> is (c) 2009 LucasArts/EA Games
Maybe not exact words, but should be close enough.
Again man, EA bought Bioware so that they could publish the games that Bioware develops
why in the world would they then select one of the miniscule number of IP's that a competitor like Lucasarts owns to base their MMO on??? Why would they select an IP that they'd have to give up their publishing position to a competitor???
If you're sitting in the EA boardroom right now and suggested that you'd be summarily fired.
EA already owns one of the biggest IPs in the world right now...that still doesn't have an MMO...and personally I'd bank on it being this MMO.
First of all, wow at yet another rumor based thread.
More importantly though, of all the reasons why Bioware's MMO wouldn't be a Star Wars MMO...I'm sorry, but as someone with 20 years in the business world I fail to see why "they wouldn't want two Star Wars MMO's"
they don't want to compete with....themselves? All the people may leave SWG...and join their other MMO? LucasArts has absolutely nothing to lose from having 1 MMO or 10 MMO's based on their license if there's a finite number of SW MMO customers...guess what...they're still playing their game.
So....spending the money developing 10 mmos to attract the same fanbase as the one you currently have out is a sound business move?
20 years business experience? lol
------------------------------ "Everything is awesome. Fundamentally."
So....spending the money developing 10 mmos to attract the same fanbase as the one you currently have out is a sound business move? 20 years business experience? lol
LucasArts doesn't spend a penny to develop MMOs...guess why...they're not the developer.
I'd like to point out that Vincenz is a smart dude.
I work in IP (for real, not just for this thread) and I find it highly unlikely that EA and LA would be sharing publishing rights on this. It doesn't really make any sense at all - it's simply a poor business decision for these two monolithic publishing giants.
Further, you're speculating that Bioware began KOTOR online KNOWING that SWG was going to be out of business by 2009 - indeed, investing millions of dollars in prediction based five years in the future. Seems unlikely - they couldn't have known that SWG wouldn't possibly make a turnaround.
Harry Potter seems *way* more likely. It fits the current trend, it's the ONLY IP big enough to take down World of Warcraft (Harry Potter has way more fans at the moment,) its release would fit the Potter hype - The last movie will likely be released around 2009/2010. Also, EA ALREADY OWNS IT.
Also, it hasn't been done before. Bioware is best known for edgy decisions - doing something that has already been done before doesn't sound like them. Also, they've admitted they dislike working with Lucas Arts.
I'd like to further reiterate - as I have been for three days - that Lucas Arts is a game publisher. So is Electronic Arts. This is a huge clash of interests - Bioware is not worth so much that Lucas Arts would take the pay cut in having to negotiate the incredibly horrible deal of having dual publishers. There likely will be another Star Wars MMO someday, because that franchise isn't going anywhere... but why in the world would Bioware develop it? If this were a few months ago, before we know Bioware was being bought by EA.. I would agree that this is likely KOTOR... but not anymore.
Also, as for Bioware's silence - they have the defining moment of the next five years of game design coming up in less than a month with MASS EFFECT being released. If that trilogy is going to succeed they need all attention focused on it.
LOL but at the moment its more realistic than KOTOR by EA and LA because at this time no contract currently exist between EA and LA that has be publicly known (and to be honest two publishers like them WILL never work together for the pay cut, it doesnt make good business) and BioWare has been working on this MMO since 2005 as stated on their website. so Hogwarts Online? or possibly another IP that EA already owns? but from what we know right now, is that LA and EA havent joined forces publicly thus KOTOR (AT THIS TIME) isnt the MMO.
I'd like to point out that Vincenz is a smart dude. I work in IP (for real, not just for this thread) and I find it highly unlikely that EA and LA would be sharing publishing rights on this. It doesn't really make any sense at all - it's simply a poor business decision for these two monolithic publishing giants. Further, you're speculating that Bioware began KOTOR online KNOWING that SWG was going to be out of business by 2009 - indeed, investing millions of dollars in prediction based five years in the future. Seems unlikely - they couldn't have known that SWG wouldn't possibly make a turnaround. Harry Potter seems *way* more likely. It fits the current trend, it's the ONLY IP big enough to take down World of Warcraft (Harry Potter has way more fans at the moment,) its release would fit the Potter hype - The last movie will likely be released around 2009/2010. Also, EA ALREADY OWNS IT. Also, it hasn't been done before. Bioware is best known for edgy decisions - doing something that has already been done before doesn't sound like them. Also, they've admitted they dislike working with Lucas Arts. I'd like to further reiterate - as I have been for three days - that Lucas Arts is a game publisher. So is Electronic Arts. This is a huge clash of interests - Bioware is not worth so much that Lucas Arts would take the pay cut in having to negotiate the incredibly horrible deal of having dual publishers. There likely will be another Star Wars MMO someday, because that franchise isn't going anywhere... but why in the world would Bioware develop it? If this were a few months ago, before we know Bioware was being bought by EA.. I would agree that this is likely KOTOR... but not anymore.
Also, as for Bioware's silence - they have the defining moment of the next five years of game design coming up in less than a month with MASS EFFECT being released. If that trilogy is going to succeed they need all attention focused on it.
But as another former SWG player, I can say that this is one group of people who do not deserve to be disappointed again...so I'd rather try and quell some rumors and hope for the best
p.s. Just for the record, if an MMO came out of Bioware quality set in the Harry Potter world, I'd definitely check it out myself!
But as another former SWG player, I can say that this is one group of people who do not deserve to be disappointed again...so I'd rather try and quell some rumors and hope for the best
p.s. Just for the record, if an MMO came out of Bioware quality set in the Harry Potter world, I'd definitely check it out myself!
You do right.
I think it's about time that BioWare came out with an official statement though. You're right about the fact that the SWG players that were let down once really don't need to be let down again.
I've seen a few kotor online signatures springing up recently on these boards and I honestly hope you guys are right, I really do, but Vincenz here is the voice of reason and really should be listened to.
As for EA publishing Bioware's MMO, that wouldn't necessarily be the case. EA is buying Bioware and all of Bioware's existing contracts. If Bioware has already signed a publishing deal with a non-EA company, EAwill have to honor the contract, or buy the contract out.
Is this shown some where that EA is going to honor or buy all contracts because that would be interesting.
They have to either honor Bioware's contracts, or buy the contracts out. Contracts don't become void due to one party being bought by a third party, unless the contract specifically says so. Any pre-existing contracts Bioware had will still be valid after the EA deal is finished.
It isn't something that EA is going to announce, since it is going to be required of them. If they were planning on canceling Bioware's contracts, they would announce it and pay whatever penalties the contracts call for, or fight paying the penalties in court.
As for EA publishing Bioware's MMO, that wouldn't necessarily be the case. EA is buying Bioware and all of Bioware's existing contracts. If Bioware has already signed a publishing deal with a non-EA company, EAwill have to honor the contract, or buy the contract out.
Is this shown some where that EA is going to honor or buy all contracts because that would be interesting.
They have to either honor Bioware's contracts, or buy the contracts out. Contracts don't become void due to one party being bought by a third party, unless the contract specifically says so. Any pre-existing contracts Bioware had will still be valid after the EA deal is finished.
It isn't something that EA is going to announce, since it is going to be required of them. If they were planning on canceling Bioware's contracts, they would announce it and pay whatever penalties the contracts call for, or fight paying the penalties in court.
It's kind of a moot point anyways, since EA knew via their CEO who used to own Bioware's parent company what the IP of the MMO was. With that information, there's no way that EA would then buy Bioware and claim that an MMO they weren't even going to be able to publish, was a main reason for doing it.
Again...EA wouldn't have ANY interest in buying Bioware based on an MMO that LucasArts would be publishing.
My point was not about who published blizzard. It was, what company would not like a percentage of income from warcraft or rather a game with the size potential?
As for EA publishing Bioware's MMO, that wouldn't necessarily be the case. EA is buying Bioware and all of Bioware's existing contracts. If Bioware has already signed a publishing deal with a non-EA company, EAwill have to honor the contract, or buy the contract out.
Is this shown some where that EA is going to honor or buy all contracts because that would be interesting.
They have to either honor Bioware's contracts, or buy the contracts out. Contracts don't become void due to one party being bought by a third party, unless the contract specifically says so. Any pre-existing contracts Bioware had will still be valid after the EA deal is finished.
It isn't something that EA is going to announce, since it is going to be required of them. If they were planning on canceling Bioware's contracts, they would announce it and pay whatever penalties the contracts call for, or fight paying the penalties in court.
Case in point, Mass Effect, a Bioware IP prior to the buyout, is still going to be published as an Xbox360 exclusive by Microsoft, not by EA.
So....spending the money developing 10 mmos to attract the same fanbase as the one you currently have out is a sound business move? 20 years business experience? lol
LucasArts doesn't spend a penny to develop MMOs...guess why...they're not the developer.
First day? lol.
One of the major roles of a publisher is to bankroll the project's development. In fact, that and distribution are the publisher's main reasons for being involved. You may think SOE fully funded SWG's development...but I somehow doubt it. Not that I agree with the person you quoted...I think making a new Star Wars MMO is in LucasArts best interests Bioware or no. SWG is done, stick a fork in it.
Originally posted by Vincenz
Obviously it would be like this: Developed by BioWare, a division of EA Games and published by LucasArts. Star Wars is a licensed trademark of LucasFilm LTD. Star Wars: <whatever it's called> is (c) 2009 LucasArts/EA Games
Maybe not exact words, but should be close enough.
Again man, EA bought Bioware so that they could publish the games that Bioware develops
why in the world would they then select one of the miniscule number of IP's that a competitor like Lucasarts owns to base their MMO on??? Why would they select an IP that they'd have to give up their publishing position to a competitor???
If you're sitting in the EA boardroom right now and suggested that you'd be summarily fired.
EA already owns one of the biggest IPs in the world right now...that still doesn't have an MMO...and personally I'd bank on it being this MMO.
Welcome to Harry Potter Online.
Wish I could agree with you, but you're conveniently ignoring some things
1) You don't know EA's motivation for buying Bioware. Besides the fact that they fail to list themselves as publishing the MMO on the disclosure (which would have been a foregone conclusion according to you). Why in the world wouldn't they list themselves as the publisher? Why keep it TBA? How do you know that EA wouldn't be willing to forgo publishing the game? It seems to me if they knew the project already had a publisher and they still bought it that they probably considered not being the publisher and thought that was an equitable risk.
2) Bioware has been in development for this MMO for nearly 2 years, and the game was already in a playable state when EA announced the purchase. It doesn't matter what EA would choose to base the MMO on, because they weren't in the room when that went down (unless Bioware licensed the Harry Potter IP from EA to begin with, which I find as unlikely as Blizzard going bankrupt).
3) Harry Potter would be a god awful MMORPG. It doesn't fit Bioware's history at all, and regardless of how you feel about EA, I doubt they spent 800 million dollars on Bioware to get them to make a crappy Harry Potter game (MMO or not). How do you reconcile Bioware's statements about staying true to the their traditional storytelling style with an IP as restrictive as Harry Potter??
I hope to god you were joking about the Harry Potter thing, I usually have a good sense of humor but I'm a little touchy when it comes to Bioware
But as another former SWG player, I can say that this is one group of people who do not deserve to be disappointed again...so I'd rather try and quell some rumors and hope for the best
p.s. Just for the record, if an MMO came out of Bioware quality set in the Harry Potter world, I'd definitely check it out myself!
You do right.
I think it's about time that BioWare came out with an official statement though. You're right about the fact that the SWG players that were let down once really don't need to be let down again.
I've seen a few kotor online signatures springing up recently on these boards and I honestly hope you guys are right, I really do, but Vincenz here is the voice of reason and really should be listened to.
We won't hear anything till after Mass Effect is released, that's my opinion. An official news release on Bioware's MMORPG will hurt the hype and press they are building towards the release of Mass Effect.
If it were a KOTOR MMORPG, it'd be huge news and really, really, really take the spotlight off of Mass Effect.
Mass Effect, they have stated, is part 1 of a 3 part series. They would NOT risk stealing the thunder away from Mass Effect by releasing any official news about their upcoming MMORPG this close to the release of Mass Effect.
Yes, my sig is wishful thinking.. I know... but I hope once Mass Effect is out, gets amazing reviews (it's going to be incredible, gauranteed) they'll make the official announcement as to what their MMO is.
Obviously it would be like this: Developed by BioWare, a division of EA Games and published by LucasArts. Star Wars is a licensed trademark of LucasFilm LTD. Star Wars: <whatever it's called> is (c) 2009 LucasArts/EA Games
Maybe not exact words, but should be close enough.
Again man, EA bought Bioware so that they could publish the games that Bioware develops
why in the world would they then select one of the miniscule number of IP's that a competitor like Lucasarts owns to base their MMO on??? Why would they select an IP that they'd have to give up their publishing position to a competitor???
If you're sitting in the EA boardroom right now and suggested that you'd be summarily fired.
EA already owns one of the biggest IPs in the world right now...that still doesn't have an MMO...and personally I'd bank on it being this MMO.
Welcome to Harry Potter Online.
Because the deal was already signed before EA bought the company. EA is required by law to honor the contract, unless the other party agrees to let them out of it. EA is still going to earn all the money Bioware was going to earn from the deal, and the folks in charge of EA seem to feel that it is a substantial amount. Bioware has been working on their MMO for a couple years already, it would be insane for EA to demand they change the IP so they could be the publisher.
The IP of Bioware's MMO was already set prior to EA buying the company. If it is a Star Wars MMO, LucasArts will be the publisher and Bioware the developer. LucasArts would make the same amount of money they would have if EA had not bought Bioware, and EA would get the money that would have gone to Bioware before EA bought them.
Fine use of MSPaint for your sig, OP. Also, remember that the publishers PAY LucasArts for the rights to the Star Wars label. They receive upwards of $1,000,000 per month from SOE to keep the game going, not to mention a percentage of each game sold. For them, it's a win-win situation. In reality, Lucas Arts has very little to do with most of the games they have under their name.
All you really have to do is follow the money and follow Riccitello.
He's a high level exec at EA and suddenly decides...about the same time as Bioware starts their MMO with an unspecified IP...to leave and create a company called Elevator who's first action is to buy Bioware.
What information could he have garnered at EA that would make him so dead set on buying Bioware? Certainly the knowlege that Bioware's mysterious MMO being started at the exact same time was using a hugely popular property of EA.
Fast forward a couple years and here we are...
Riccitello now sells Elevator (and of course Bioware) back to EA and rejoins them as their new CEO.
Now, if you look at the list of IP's owned by EA, only one stands out as a superstar...Harry Potter. Which now is all neat and tidy in one package through those maneuvers, producer, developer, and IP all under one roof with one guy leading the train...the guy who did all of this.
However, if you still really want to believe that EA and LucasArts can work out some sort of deal to work together feel free to fantasize...but it ain't gonna happen, and it wouldn't make an ounce o sense for EA to agree to it or to even be interested in Bioware's MMO.
and p.s. As far as Producer/Developer relationships when you're talking about IP's and licenses such as D&D or Star Wars...yeah, the developer is basically footing all the bills on a gamble that just those names will be enough to make the project work, and since the producer holds them, the producer puts forward next to nothing.
Comments
wtf part of my thread is rumor? if nothing else im trying to debunk all the rumors. and what MMO has ever had two of the same kind out running from two different companies? like i said think before you guys open your mouths.
Didn't get to read all the posts yet...(have to get to work) but just a point of order.... While Warhammer Online is coming out next year, a license was granted to another company to develop another Warhammer Online game...only based on the Warhammer 40K universe.... so it too involves similar concepts and a different time period.So while we might not have a situation that you described currently, we will soon....so that's not a terrific argument for saying that Bioware can't be developing a game on KOTOR. (though I agree...I don't believe they are....)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
that I agree with. And no sadly I dont have a copy of the contract. All I was stating was the whole idea that it could be KOTOR was nothing more than complete rumor and speculation and that all these other post should stop (even though I know its not going to happen). I was putting in my .02 about a subject matter on a newer and fresh thread because quite frankly I dont want to read all however many pages there are on this matter already on the different threads. And if my Ideas About LA were wrong I apologize. however there is still no fact about this mystery MMO and thats all it is. Also I dont want this thread to become a speculation thread like so many of the others IF anyone has hard facts to contribute then do so.
True and false. The unofficial word from what I have been able to piece together is that SOE originally had a 3-year contract with LA for SWG. In March 2005 that contract was extended for another 3(?) years. If there is a new Star Wars MMO in the works - I can see LA pulling the plug on SWG at the end of the contract.
Obviously it would be like this:
Developed by BioWare, a division of EA Games and published by LucasArts.
Star Wars is a licensed trademark of LucasFilm LTD. Star Wars: <whatever it's called> is (c) 2009 LucasArts/EA Games
Maybe not exact words, but should be close enough.
that I agree with. And no sadly I dont have a copy of the contract. All I was stating was the whole idea that it could be KOTOR was nothing more than complete rumor and speculation and that all these other post should stop (even though I know its not going to happen). I was putting in my .02 about a subject matter on a newer and fresh thread because quite frankly I dont want to read all however many pages there are on this matter already on the different threads. And if my Ideas About LA were wrong I apologize. however there is still no fact about this mystery MMO and thats all it is. Also I dont want this thread to become a speculation thread like so many of the others IF anyone has hard facts to contribute then do so.
True and false. The unofficial word from what I have been able to piece together is that SOE originally had a 3-year contract with LA for SWG. In March 2005 that contract was extended for another 3(?) years. If there is a new Star Wars MMO in the works - I can see LA pulling the plug on SWG at the end of the contract.
This would fit a 2009 time line, but I'm sure they would modify a new agreement to allow another Title in under the SW IP. If anyone pulls out, which I doubt would happen, it may be $OE.
I Reject your Reality and Substitute it with My Own!
Again man, EA bought Bioware so that they could publish the games that Bioware develops
why in the world would they then select one of the miniscule number of IP's that a competitor like Lucasarts owns to base their MMO on??? Why would they select an IP that they'd have to give up their publishing position to a competitor???
If you're sitting in the EA boardroom right now and suggested that you'd be summarily fired.
EA already owns one of the biggest IPs in the world right now...that still doesn't have an MMO...and personally I'd bank on it being this MMO.
Welcome to Harry Potter Online.
So....spending the money developing 10 mmos to attract the same fanbase as the one you currently have out is a sound business move?
20 years business experience? lol
------------------------------
"Everything is awesome. Fundamentally."
LucasArts doesn't spend a penny to develop MMOs...guess why...they're not the developer.
First day? lol.
...
I just sicked up in my mouth a little bit...
I'd like to point out that Vincenz is a smart dude.
I work in IP (for real, not just for this thread) and I find it highly unlikely that EA and LA would be sharing publishing rights on this. It doesn't really make any sense at all - it's simply a poor business decision for these two monolithic publishing giants.
Further, you're speculating that Bioware began KOTOR online KNOWING that SWG was going to be out of business by 2009 - indeed, investing millions of dollars in prediction based five years in the future. Seems unlikely - they couldn't have known that SWG wouldn't possibly make a turnaround.
Harry Potter seems *way* more likely. It fits the current trend, it's the ONLY IP big enough to take down World of Warcraft (Harry Potter has way more fans at the moment,) its release would fit the Potter hype - The last movie will likely be released around 2009/2010. Also, EA ALREADY OWNS IT.
Also, it hasn't been done before. Bioware is best known for edgy decisions - doing something that has already been done before doesn't sound like them. Also, they've admitted they dislike working with Lucas Arts.
I'd like to further reiterate - as I have been for three days - that Lucas Arts is a game publisher. So is Electronic Arts. This is a huge clash of interests - Bioware is not worth so much that Lucas Arts would take the pay cut in having to negotiate the incredibly horrible deal of having dual publishers. There likely will be another Star Wars MMO someday, because that franchise isn't going anywhere... but why in the world would Bioware develop it? If this were a few months ago, before we know Bioware was being bought by EA.. I would agree that this is likely KOTOR... but not anymore.
Also, as for Bioware's silence - they have the defining moment of the next five years of game design coming up in less than a month with MASS EFFECT being released. If that trilogy is going to succeed they need all attention focused on it.
I just sicked up in my mouth a little bit...
LOL but at the moment its more realistic than KOTOR by EA and LA because at this time no contract currently exist between EA and LA that has be publicly known (and to be honest two publishers like them WILL never work together for the pay cut, it doesnt make good business) and BioWare has been working on this MMO since 2005 as stated on their website. so Hogwarts Online? or possibly another IP that EA already owns? but from what we know right now, is that LA and EA havent joined forces publicly thus KOTOR (AT THIS TIME) isnt the MMO.
Well said.
Harry Potter Online... The thought had never entered my innocent little mind.
I have to say though you've pretty much got me convinced that the likely hood of HPO is far greater than a Star Wars MMO.
Curse you and your truths and logic!
Sometimes you just have to hope that you're wrong.
LOL..sorry hoob
But as another former SWG player, I can say that this is one group of people who do not deserve to be disappointed again...so I'd rather try and quell some rumors and hope for the best
p.s. Just for the record, if an MMO came out of Bioware quality set in the Harry Potter world, I'd definitely check it out myself!
You do right.
I think it's about time that BioWare came out with an official statement though. You're right about the fact that the SWG players that were let down once really don't need to be let down again.
I've seen a few kotor online signatures springing up recently on these boards and I honestly hope you guys are right, I really do, but Vincenz here is the voice of reason and really should be listened to.
Is this shown some where that EA is going to honor or buy all contracts because that would be interesting.
They have to either honor Bioware's contracts, or buy the contracts out. Contracts don't become void due to one party being bought by a third party, unless the contract specifically says so. Any pre-existing contracts Bioware had will still be valid after the EA deal is finished.
It isn't something that EA is going to announce, since it is going to be required of them. If they were planning on canceling Bioware's contracts, they would announce it and pay whatever penalties the contracts call for, or fight paying the penalties in court.
Is this shown some where that EA is going to honor or buy all contracts because that would be interesting.
They have to either honor Bioware's contracts, or buy the contracts out. Contracts don't become void due to one party being bought by a third party, unless the contract specifically says so. Any pre-existing contracts Bioware had will still be valid after the EA deal is finished.
It isn't something that EA is going to announce, since it is going to be required of them. If they were planning on canceling Bioware's contracts, they would announce it and pay whatever penalties the contracts call for, or fight paying the penalties in court.
It's kind of a moot point anyways, since EA knew via their CEO who used to own Bioware's parent company what the IP of the MMO was. With that information, there's no way that EA would then buy Bioware and claim that an MMO they weren't even going to be able to publish, was a main reason for doing it.
Again...EA wouldn't have ANY interest in buying Bioware based on an MMO that LucasArts would be publishing.
My point was not about who published blizzard. It was, what company would not like a percentage of income from warcraft or rather a game with the size potential?
Is this shown some where that EA is going to honor or buy all contracts because that would be interesting.
They have to either honor Bioware's contracts, or buy the contracts out. Contracts don't become void due to one party being bought by a third party, unless the contract specifically says so. Any pre-existing contracts Bioware had will still be valid after the EA deal is finished.
It isn't something that EA is going to announce, since it is going to be required of them. If they were planning on canceling Bioware's contracts, they would announce it and pay whatever penalties the contracts call for, or fight paying the penalties in court.
Case in point, Mass Effect, a Bioware IP prior to the buyout, is still going to be published as an Xbox360 exclusive by Microsoft, not by EA.
LucasArts doesn't spend a penny to develop MMOs...guess why...they're not the developer.
First day? lol.
One of the major roles of a publisher is to bankroll the project's development. In fact, that and distribution are the publisher's main reasons for being involved. You may think SOE fully funded SWG's development...but I somehow doubt it. Not that I agree with the person you quoted...I think making a new Star Wars MMO is in LucasArts best interests Bioware or no. SWG is done, stick a fork in it.
Again man, EA bought Bioware so that they could publish the games that Bioware develops
why in the world would they then select one of the miniscule number of IP's that a competitor like Lucasarts owns to base their MMO on??? Why would they select an IP that they'd have to give up their publishing position to a competitor???
If you're sitting in the EA boardroom right now and suggested that you'd be summarily fired.
EA already owns one of the biggest IPs in the world right now...that still doesn't have an MMO...and personally I'd bank on it being this MMO.
Welcome to Harry Potter Online.
Wish I could agree with you, but you're conveniently ignoring some things
1) You don't know EA's motivation for buying Bioware. Besides the fact that they fail to list themselves as publishing the MMO on the disclosure (which would have been a foregone conclusion according to you). Why in the world wouldn't they list themselves as the publisher? Why keep it TBA? How do you know that EA wouldn't be willing to forgo publishing the game? It seems to me if they knew the project already had a publisher and they still bought it that they probably considered not being the publisher and thought that was an equitable risk.
2) Bioware has been in development for this MMO for nearly 2 years, and the game was already in a playable state when EA announced the purchase. It doesn't matter what EA would choose to base the MMO on, because they weren't in the room when that went down (unless Bioware licensed the Harry Potter IP from EA to begin with, which I find as unlikely as Blizzard going bankrupt).
3) Harry Potter would be a god awful MMORPG. It doesn't fit Bioware's history at all, and regardless of how you feel about EA, I doubt they spent 800 million dollars on Bioware to get them to make a crappy Harry Potter game (MMO or not). How do you reconcile Bioware's statements about staying true to the their traditional storytelling style with an IP as restrictive as Harry Potter??
I hope to god you were joking about the Harry Potter thing, I usually have a good sense of humor but I'm a little touchy when it comes to Bioware
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Life sucks, buy a helmet.
You do right.
I think it's about time that BioWare came out with an official statement though. You're right about the fact that the SWG players that were let down once really don't need to be let down again.
I've seen a few kotor online signatures springing up recently on these boards and I honestly hope you guys are right, I really do, but Vincenz here is the voice of reason and really should be listened to.
We won't hear anything till after Mass Effect is released, that's my opinion. An official news release on Bioware's MMORPG will hurt the hype and press they are building towards the release of Mass Effect.
If it were a KOTOR MMORPG, it'd be huge news and really, really, really take the spotlight off of Mass Effect.
Mass Effect, they have stated, is part 1 of a 3 part series. They would NOT risk stealing the thunder away from Mass Effect by releasing any official news about their upcoming MMORPG this close to the release of Mass Effect.
Yes, my sig is wishful thinking.. I know... but I hope once Mass Effect is out, gets amazing reviews (it's going to be incredible, gauranteed) they'll make the official announcement as to what their MMO is.
Again man, EA bought Bioware so that they could publish the games that Bioware develops
why in the world would they then select one of the miniscule number of IP's that a competitor like Lucasarts owns to base their MMO on??? Why would they select an IP that they'd have to give up their publishing position to a competitor???
If you're sitting in the EA boardroom right now and suggested that you'd be summarily fired.
EA already owns one of the biggest IPs in the world right now...that still doesn't have an MMO...and personally I'd bank on it being this MMO.
Welcome to Harry Potter Online.
Because the deal was already signed before EA bought the company. EA is required by law to honor the contract, unless the other party agrees to let them out of it. EA is still going to earn all the money Bioware was going to earn from the deal, and the folks in charge of EA seem to feel that it is a substantial amount. Bioware has been working on their MMO for a couple years already, it would be insane for EA to demand they change the IP so they could be the publisher.
The IP of Bioware's MMO was already set prior to EA buying the company. If it is a Star Wars MMO, LucasArts will be the publisher and Bioware the developer. LucasArts would make the same amount of money they would have if EA had not bought Bioware, and EA would get the money that would have gone to Bioware before EA bought them.
Fine use of MSPaint for your sig, OP. Also, remember that the publishers PAY LucasArts for the rights to the Star Wars label. They receive upwards of $1,000,000 per month from SOE to keep the game going, not to mention a percentage of each game sold. For them, it's a win-win situation. In reality, Lucas Arts has very little to do with most of the games they have under their name.
All you really have to do is follow the money and follow Riccitello.
He's a high level exec at EA and suddenly decides...about the same time as Bioware starts their MMO with an unspecified IP...to leave and create a company called Elevator who's first action is to buy Bioware.
What information could he have garnered at EA that would make him so dead set on buying Bioware? Certainly the knowlege that Bioware's mysterious MMO being started at the exact same time was using a hugely popular property of EA.
Fast forward a couple years and here we are...
Riccitello now sells Elevator (and of course Bioware) back to EA and rejoins them as their new CEO.
Now, if you look at the list of IP's owned by EA, only one stands out as a superstar...Harry Potter. Which now is all neat and tidy in one package through those maneuvers, producer, developer, and IP all under one roof with one guy leading the train...the guy who did all of this.
However, if you still really want to believe that EA and LucasArts can work out some sort of deal to work together feel free to fantasize...but it ain't gonna happen, and it wouldn't make an ounce o sense for EA to agree to it or to even be interested in Bioware's MMO.
and p.s. As far as Producer/Developer relationships when you're talking about IP's and licenses such as D&D or Star Wars...yeah, the developer is basically footing all the bills on a gamble that just those names will be enough to make the project work, and since the producer holds them, the producer puts forward next to nothing.