BioWare MMO to launch 2010/2011 : CEO of EA

DeaconX

http://www.totalvideogames.com/news/EA/BioWare_MMO_Due_In_2010_13373_5665_0.htm

"Comments by EA's John Riccitello suggest that BioWare's MMO is being funded by EA and is due in 2010/11...

EA has seemingly admitted involvement in BioWare's mystery MMO project (now strongly believed to be a KOTOR 3 MMO), which suggests that both LucasArts and EA will pool their efforts in publishing the highly anticipated MMO project from the Austin, Texas based developer.



At a recent stock conference with investors, EA's CEO John Riccitello was referring to a list of 15 new intellectual properties in the publisher's pipeline when he let this slip:



"It's giving us strong new entries in online. For example, we're funding the MMO in Austin, which is helping us a lot." He went on to state that the MMO is slated for fiscal 2010/11 (i.e. between April 1st 2010 and March 31st 2011).



We've done a lot of head scratching and can't think of any other MMO projects that he might be referring to in Austin, or any other EA studios in that part of Texas other than BioWare.



It's now becoming one of the worst kept secrets in gaming that BioWare's MMO project is based on the Knights of the Old Republic universe. When over 100 hundred LucasArts staff were made redundant earlier this month, whistle blowers leaked a number of unannounced projects under the LucasArts umbrella, one of which was a KOTOR 3 MMO under development at BioWare.



LucasArts, EA, and BioWare all working on a KOTOR MMO together - who'da thunk it?"

Sunrider

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Originally posted by DeaconX

It's now becoming one of the worst kept secrets in gaming that BioWare's MMO project is based on the Knights of the Old Republic universe. When over 100 hundred LucasArts staff were made redundant earlier this month, whistle blowers leaked a number of unannounced projects under the LucasArts umbrella, one of which was a KOTOR 3 MMO under development at BioWare.

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Not that i don't hope for a good game with lots of possibilities... but you'll have to excuse me if my loins aren't quivering in anticipation... it just seems like there are A LOT of people and writers and bloggers and websites out there that are placing their beliefs in rumors and hearsay. I'm half tempted to try to get a hold of these people and tell them I worked for LA and that its a KOTOR MMO just to see if they bite on it.

Anymore theres so many rumors and websites that have made claims that turn out to not be true that i just dont want to sit here, awake at night, tossing and turning, over something that may or may not be true.

Darth_Pete

It's THAT far away? So 2-3 years more waiting?

netboyz

Originally posted by Darth_Pete


It's THAT far away? So 2-3 years more waiting?

 

Of course!  Development is being headed up by Gordon Walton and Rich Vogel, two guys notorious for delayed production.

observer

They are not working on KOTOR 3.  It was already stated by their devs in their forums.  I can't find the link now, but someone posted it here a couple of days ago.

Kyleran

Well, it might be a World of KOTOR MMORPG, not quite sure why many people include the "3" when describing it.

WOW was the spiritual successor to several previous games but they didn't come out of the gate calling it Warcraft 2 or something like that.

This would be the first iteration of the KOTOR universe in an MMO and probably would rely on its predecessors for the lore only.

 

Elikal

2011? Whoa... wtf?

Arndur

I doubt its true that the LA workers spilled the beans. Even if fired they most likely had signed a nda that still applied to them.

Sunrider

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Originally posted by Arndur
I doubt its true that the LA workers spilled the beans. Even if fired they most likely had signed a nda that still applied to them.

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yeah, but unless lucas feels like taking ALL his disgruntled employees to court because they announced it anonymously then it doesnt matter. besides, like i've said multiple times... it would be so easy to spread rumors on the net.

For those of you who believe everything you read on the web... well if that's the case i have a great idea that has lots of profit potential but i need financial backing to help it take off. i cant tell you anything about it tho.

just send cash or blank checks.

JackDonkey

Well that mmo just became a wait for free trial instead of a buy on release day and set aside money for a new computer, screw star wars.

jmd10222

To be honest I just want a good Sci-Fi MMO. I dont care if its KOTOR, Star Trek, Warhammer 40k ect. I just want something other than a rehash of what has been done.

Reklaw

Originally posted by Elikal


2011? Whoa... wtf?

 

Hmmm it could be what i am saying for months which is that i keep saying for a MMORPG to really become good we have to wait atleast 3/5 years as tech become availeble to produce the many things many of us veteran players would like, so maybe Bioware is the company that will bring us just that.

As every game i see coming within the next 1/2 years will NOT be much different then we already see and know, due to tech limitations that cuts both sides of the coin, that of the developer aswell the players.

And after playing and still playing Mass Effect i am glad to take their time for their MMORPG, cause i am sure nobody into MMORPG would want such a linear type of game. And yes MassEffect is one of the most recent very linear type of games, it's awesome FOR A ISNGLE PLAYER GAME but i have yet to see something that i feel will work into a MMORPG from games that came from Bioware, still i do hope one day a company will be able to produce a great MMORPG, and like i said seeing BW is talking their time they MIGHT be the one. Only time will tell.

xenogias

Just keep in mind the devs said its NOT KOTOR3. They didnt deny it could be set in the KOTOR universe (as someone already said). Do I really care? Nope to far away to care atm.

Lobotomist

L.A worker spilled beans and said Bioware is working on KOTOR3 , not KOTOR-the-MMO

IF , and very big IF, Bioware MMO will be set in SW universe , it will not be set in OLD REPUBLIC.

but in CLONE WARS period.

It will link with the hype of new series, which just so happen is 3d animated , and will fit perfectly for vanilla MMO for masses - alike WOW

Teiraa

Nothing surprising. Some people expected it for 2011 already quite a while ago:

http://www.massively.com/2007/10/11/ea-buys-bioware-their-mmo-delayed/

mehhem

Shit 2-3 years more?  Hopefully its actually next gen. 

Thunderous

Originally posted by Arndur


I doubt its true that the LA workers spilled the beans. Even if fired they most likely had signed a nda that still applied to them.

 

Prove it.  Prove who spilled the beans.  Sue them when they have no jobs.  See my point?  As long as the statements were made anonymously, how can LA prove anything and win a suit against anyone?

JestorRodo

 I posted this story over on the SWG vets forum.  I pointed out that yes 2 to 3 years is a long time but since this MMO is going to be the next SW MMO you don't want them to rush it . None of us wants to be paying monthly subs for a beta test level product like SWG.

 I wonder what happen to the popular rumor about a new MMO to coincide with the new series in the fall of 2009. This MMO was going to be inhouse at LA with help from an unnamed company.  All should be reveled when George Lucas starts running around in August promoting "The Clone Wars".

 

 

 

jinxit

Originally posted by Lobotomist


L.A worker spilled beans and said Bioware is working on KOTOR3 , not KOTOR-the-MMO
IF , and very big IF, Bioware MMO will be set in SW universe , it will not be set in OLD REPUBLIC.
but in CLONE WARS period.
It will link with the hype of new series, which just so happen is 3d animated , and will fit perfectly for vanilla MMO for masses - alike WOW

 

Even worse than a WoW type game would be a Pirates of the Carribbean type game *shudders*

But i cant take this latest snippet of insight into EA's current/future projects as a clue into what bioware are up to, there are a brave few other game developers in Austin connected with EA and i think they could be talking about cryptics current projects rather than biowares.

bobfish

BioWare have already publically denied they are working on Kotor3 though it's possible their MMO is set in the Kotor universe it is not the third game in the series. Though given their statements on the matter and the timing of other Star Wars media, clone wars would appear to be the much better setting for it.

Godliest

Hopefully they'll keep their promise, although the most likely launch date when 2010/2011 is mentioned is probably 1 or 2 years later. Hopefully it will be worth the waiting though.

Jupsto

NUTS. I knew kotoro by next year was too good to be true. Now we have to wait 2010 or 2011

Ozmodan

Pretty hard to get excited about whatever they are working on even if it is Kotor based.  Remember Bioware has never done a MMO and we all know the horrible design decisions that Lucas Arts imposed on SWG.  If this is a joint developement you can write this game off now.  LA wants a MMOFPS game and that is NOT what the MMO playerbase wants.

Put levels, restrictive classes and a loot based game here and you can write this game off before it even hits the ether.

uncus

Somebody above mentioned hoping whatever it is, that it be a "next generation" MMO.  What makes an MMO "next gen?"  With the Sci-fi channel supposedly creating an MMO that influences a TV show, I began to wonder about the timing here...

Release "Clone Wars" cartoon - sets up the backstory

Release MMO - whatever happens in the game becomes the next week's [month's?] episode of the cartoon

The question that comes to mind is:  How much would that PO the second, third and fourth tier characters - the ones who aren't in the TV show because they aren't uber enough?  While it would be great to see Guild X rid planet Y of all Empirical presence, how slighted would all other guilds feel?  How could they make it so that everyone feels that they were "on TV!"?

Just tossing the idea out there...

Fishermage

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Originally posted by Sunrider
Originally posted by Arndur
I doubt its true that the LA workers spilled the beans. Even if fired they most likely had signed a nda that still applied to them.

yeah, but unless lucas feels like taking ALL his disgruntled employees to court because they announced it anonymously then it doesnt matter. besides, like i've said multiple times... it would be so easy to spread rumors on the net.

For those of you who believe everything you read on the web... well if that's the case i have a great idea that has lots of profit potential but i need financial backing to help it take off. i cant tell you anything about it tho.

just send cash or blank checks.

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Sure, may I have a varifiable address, what state you are incorporated in, and a reference number that proves that.

There are verifiable ways to do business on the net and quite a bit of cash is being made that way every day.

JestorRodo

Originally posted by uncus


Somebody above mentioned hoping whatever it is, that it be a "next generation" MMO.  What makes an MMO "next gen?"  With the Sci-fi channel supposedly creating an MMO that influences a TV show, I began to wonder about the timing here...
Release "Clone Wars" cartoon - sets up the backstory
Release MMO - whatever happens in the game becomes the next week's [month's?] episode of the cartoon
The question that comes to mind is:  How much would that PO the second, third and fourth tier characters - the ones who aren't in the TV show because they aren't uber enough?  While it would be great to see Guild X rid planet Y of all Empirical presence, how slighted would all other guilds feel?  How could they make it so that everyone feels that they were "on TV!"?
Just tossing the idea out there...

 

  There is a Clone wars game coming out based on the movie and TV series but its not an MMO and its only for the Wii and DS.  

 The Sci FI mmo is to run concurrent with a related TV series but not until 2010 and my best guess is that its not going to be Star Wars. Big reason is that  the Sci-fi channel is a cable/sat channel . Lucas would want this on a major broadcast network  (best guess is Fox since the movies are all 20th Century FOX ) and related - the Sci-fi channel is not HD at this time. I am sure that the next Star Wars live series will be in HD.

As I have already put out there myself ,  all will be revealed by August when Big George makes the rounds about "The Clone Wars". Since he will have our ears at that time I am sure he will throw us a bone about the Next SW MMO.