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Star Wars: The Old Republic EA's Most Expensive Project to Date
augustgrace
Member UncommonPosts: 628
"Of all the MMORPGs vying for World of Warcraft's crown, Star Wars: The Old Republic stands a pretty fair chance against Blizzard's juggernaut. But being a contender doesn't come cheap, as EA's chief financial officer Eric Brown explained in today's meeting with Wedbush Morgan Securities in New York. In fact, Brown called The Old Republic the "largest ever development project, period, in the history of the company."
According to a report on Eurogamer, Brown outlined the average cost of an EA developed game at around $30 million. MMOs, however, cost "significantly more than that," and Brown estimates that World of Warcraft specifically may have required upwards of $100 million. "That's lifetime [research and development] to actually ship it and obviously then there's maintenance subsequent to ship and expansion packs," Brown continued.
So, if World of Warcraft took $100 million to get off the ground back in 2004, how much can EA expect to spend on their Star Wars MMO? Brown didn't throw out any numbers of his own, but even if we assume The Old Republic costs the exact same amount to launch as Blizzard's game, that's still forgetting a couple key expenses: any costs associated with the Star Wars license, and, if you really wanted to be picky about it, the $620-million-plus EA spent acquiring developer Bioware and Pandemic back in 2007.
"MMOs are sizable undertakings," Brown told the audience at today's conference. We'd have to agree. "
Hopefully this ends better than WAR.
Comments
Interesting, but huge budgets does not mean that a MMORPG will work. Look at Tabula Rasa.
It's not how much money you have budgeted, but how well you use it. MMORPGs can suck budgets dry like a vampire.
Developers seem to forget MMORPGs are not only about their cool game mechanics, but managing a massive, complicated product that becomes an ongoing onilne service. Too many developers seem to ignore that and only worry about great they think their ideas are rather than paying attention to the needed nuts and bolts.
Fortunately Bioware has shown they can produce worthwhile games and that means they should have some sense about following budgets.
Yes, but huge budgets, 4-5 years of development, and the best game company in the world means that it stands a VERY large chance of being very successful.
This shows how much faith EA have in Bioware. All the best for them...
RIP Orc Choppa
Yes, if it would be truth. Bioware is tho, very generic and average dev studio since they parted the cooperation with Interplay's Black Isle. EA has a horrible nose for sensing good dev studios they buy, Bioware will be no exception.
REALITY CHECK
Yes, if it would be truth. Bioware is tho, very generic and average dev studio since they parted the cooperation with Interplay's Black Isle. EA has a horrible nose for sensing good dev studios they buy, Bioware will be no exception.
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Yes, if it would be truth. Bioware is tho, very generic and average dev studio since they parted the cooperation with Interplay's Black Isle. EA has a horrible nose for sensing good dev studios they buy, Bioware will be no exception.
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and an adv on a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
REALITY CHECK
Huge budgets and long dev time haven't helped other titles and Bioware being the best doesn't mean much when its doing something its never done before.
So that 'VERY large' chance is highly questionable.
Yes, if it would be truth. Bioware is tho, very generic and average dev studio since they parted the cooperation with Interplay's Black Isle. EA has a horrible nose for sensing good dev studios they buy, Bioware will be no exception.
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
I like opinions where people don't try to act holier than thou. However, majority disagrees with you and its always cool to hate something popular.
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
I like opinions where people don't try to act holier than thou. However, majority disagrees with you and its always cool to hate something popular.
I'm sorry, what majority? Did you actually counted all the gamers in the world and asked their opinion? All I can see are a dozen of self-proclaimed reviewers giving it high scores - right next to the Mass Effect blinking ADV on the website.
REALITY CHECK
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
I like opinions where people don't try to act holier than thou. However, majority disagrees with you and its always cool to hate something popular.
I'm sorry, what majority? Did you actually counted all the gamers in the world and asked their opinion? All I can see are a dozen of self-proclaimed reviewers giving it high scores - right next to the Mass Effect blinking ADV on the website.
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
I like opinions where people don't try to act holier than thou. However, majority disagrees with you and its always cool to hate something popular.
I'm sorry, what majority? Did you actually counted all the gamers in the world and asked their opinion? All I can see are a dozen of self-proclaimed reviewers giving it high scores - right next to the Mass Effect blinking ADV on the website.
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
However what you've mention is single player rpg. If their mmo goes down the road of a single player mmo, than imo, it will not do too well...
RIP Orc Choppa
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
I like opinions where people don't try to act holier than thou. However, majority disagrees with you and its always cool to hate something popular.
I'm sorry, what majority? Did you actually counted all the gamers in the world and asked their opinion? All I can see are a dozen of self-proclaimed reviewers giving it high scores - right next to the Mass Effect blinking ADV on the website.
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
However what you've mention is single player rpg. If their mmo goes down the road of a single player mmo, than imo, it will not do too well...
That is all speculation at this point. But we were talking about Bioware in general.
Whether you personally feel their games aren't that great has nothing to do with what I said. You said they were an average developer as if it were a fact, there is so much to contradict that statement, I figured it best you just look for yourself.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Let us summarize Bioware's skills:
All of this makes a good shooter. Nothing that makes a good MMORPG or even an RPG, IMO.
[Mod Edit]
REALITY CHECK
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Let us summarize Bioware's skills:
All of this makes a good shooter. Nothing that makes a good MMORPG or even an RPG.
And you know all this because you already played SWTOR? how do you know about the following features? any links to prove what you are saying? especially linear corridors, in ability to jump, loading screen at every corner and generic areas etc? if not i would call bull s**** on this yet again.
Its funny that you have REALITY CHECK in bold in your signature. hahahah!!
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
I like opinions where people don't try to act holier than thou. However, majority disagrees with you and its always cool to hate something popular.
I'm sorry, what majority? Did you actually counted all the gamers in the world and asked their opinion? All I can see are a dozen of self-proclaimed reviewers giving it high scores - right next to the Mass Effect blinking ADV on the website.
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Very true Biowares games sold "thru the roof". They deliver good games and the numbers back them up and thier track record shows it. That fact is undeniable. Bioware knows how to put a story in with the game which has been lacking in many games for so long. Whats he gonna do now? Dis Square Enix because it will be cool to hate on FF games? LOL These people never cease to amaze me.
Putting WOW in its place will not be easy, but there is the small chance this game could do it, but we'll see.
(BBBBBWWWAAAAHHHHH raises quad plunger salute to Bioware!)
All my opinions are just that..opinions. If you like my opinions..coolness.If you dont like my opinion....I really dont care.
Playing: ESO, WOT, Smite, and Marvel Heroes
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Let us summarize Bioware's skills:
All of this makes a good shooter. Nothing that makes a good MMORPG or even an RPG.
Moron, have you actually looked at any of TOR's video's. Everything you pointed out is flat out incorrect.
Nooooooo it can't be, after all its Thillian with REALITY CHECK in his signature. Sorry but i find this guy just too funny!!
Let us summarize Bioware's skills:
All of this makes a good shooter. Nothing that makes a good MMORPG or even an RPG.
I completely disagree, I think their games offer very good RPG game-play. Because the characters within their worlds have true character and personalities. My favorite RPG of all time was Shenmue. That game was completely played on a rail much like bioware RPGS.
Open worlds are great for what they offer, I've yet to play a single one with interesting characters, simply because all of the development resources are put to use building the world. There's little time left for making characters and stories that have life within them. Look at Oblivion great game play uninteresting story and world.
Biowares gameplay may not be as open or interesting as Bethesdas. However their stories and characters have as much work put into them, as bethesda puts into their use of choices within their worlds. It's give and take when it comes to crafting an interesting game. Both of these companies excel at that IMO
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
And you know all this because you already played SWTOR? how do you know about the following features? any links to prove what you are saying? especially linear corridors, in ability to jump, loading screen at every corner and generic areas etc? if not i would call bull s**** on this yet again.
Its funny that you have REALITY CHECK in bold in your signature. hahahah!!
The six points I mentioned are the main features of all their games so far, so it's ease to assume that's their actual expertise. It surely ain't dialogues, or story, or persistent world, or combat, or crafting, or exploration...
[Mod Edit]
REALITY CHECK
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Let us summarize Bioware's skills:
All of this makes a good shooter. Nothing that makes a good MMORPG or even an RPG.
OK, you can take your Spock ears off and put down that Triquarter now we know your a Star Wars hater, lol It's alright we don't judge you, hehe.
And you know all this because you already played SWTOR? how do you know about the following features? any links to prove what you are saying? especially linear corridors, in ability to jump, loading screen at every corner and generic areas etc? if not i would call bull s**** on this yet again.
Its funny that you have REALITY CHECK in bold in your signature. hahahah!!
Before making a fool of yourself again, re-read what I wrote and think about it. The six points I mentioned are the main features of all their games so far, so it's ease to assume that's their actual expertise. It surely ain't dialogues, or story, or persistent world, or combat, or crafting, or exploration...
So what? FF games are similar. You gonna put down Square Enix also? All those things you mentioned DONT MAKE A BAD GAME.....get over yourself.
(BBBBWWWAAAAAHHHH dances with Twilek Dancer!)
All my opinions are just that..opinions. If you like my opinions..coolness.If you dont like my opinion....I really dont care.
Playing: ESO, WOT, Smite, and Marvel Heroes
And you know all this because you already played SWTOR? how do you know about the following features? any links to prove what you are saying? especially linear corridors, in ability to jump, loading screen at every corner and generic areas etc? if not i would call bull s**** on this yet again.
Its funny that you have REALITY CHECK in bold in your signature. hahahah!!
Before making a fool of yourself again, re-read what I wrote and think about it. The six points I mentioned are the main features of all their games so far, so it's ease to assume that's their actual expertise. It surely ain't dialogues, or story, or persistent world, or combat, or crafting, or exploration...
So i am a fool because i refuse to indulge in hyperbola and speculation but you are smart because you ASSUME everything?
Okkkk!! REALITY CHECK indeed.
The number of sales of BIoware games speaks for itself. If general population was as average in their taste for games(in your opinion ofcourse) they would know better after playing one or two BIOWARE titles.
Let us summarize Bioware's skills:
All of this makes a good shooter. Nothing that makes a good MMORPG or even an RPG.
Just sticking my head in and have found it interesting lately that some players have dissatisfaction with not being able to jump in-game. I am assuming that is what that "inability to Jump" means. But then I havent found the game-play value or entertainment necessity to jump. Its like another saying "inability to blink". Whatever on that point.
Bioware is a studio that is incapable of making an RPG some might say? Alrighty then, again. Lets folow the logic on that unsubstantiated point. . .Down with Bioware! . . . because they brought us Baldurs Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Starwars KTOR, Mass Effect, Dragon Age. . .oh wait. . .those are great RPG's.
History has demonstrated that Bioware makes a good, if not great RPG. Seems like Bioware might me in a similar position as Blizzard was before they brought the market WoW. All they have to do is deliver, and we'll see from there.
Striving for Silver Stars since Gold is so effeminate.
Yes, if it would be truth. Bioware is tho, very generic and average dev studio since they parted the cooperation with Interplay's Black Isle. EA has a horrible nose for sensing good dev studios they buy, Bioware will be no exception.
Check their review Scores across the board, both player and professional. Then say what you just did.
The day when I seriously start taking "reviews" or popularity into consideration, will be the day when sun turns into supernova and scorch the earth.
There is nothing good about mass hysteria. If you played one of the Bioware's games, you've played them all, they all follow the same plot generic template. Then they pay Martin Sheen to do the voice acting, and an adv on a couple of gaming websites, and the success is ensured - at least for the absent minded.
If the sun went supernova, it would do far more than scorch the earth. However, the earth would be scorched long before that, as the sun would expand.
[Mod Edit]
THE Rooster Nash
Before making a fool of yourself again, re-read what I wrote and think about it. The six points I mentioned are the main features of all their games so far, so it's ease to assume that's their actual expertise. It surely ain't dialogues, or story, or persistent world, or combat, or crafting, or exploration...
Not that it's some huge issue, but they've already confirmed that you will be able to jump in TOR.
THE Rooster Nash