Although waiting it out is probably the best solution. I am damn sure this is exactly what EA/Bioware/LA wants. If they are making a KOTOR MMO, who could ask for more attention then millions of MMO/SW fans arguing over whether or not the upcoming MMO is going to be KOTOR. I mean this will spread like wild fire once Bioware's Secret MMO is announced. Regardless of what the game actually is, it will be big news. Now if it is based in the Star Wars universe, then they've already built a huge following with all the people that just wanted to say "I knew it" and if it isn't Star Wars related, it has the "I told you so!" crowd. Either way they have more people talking about their game then they would have otherwise!
_________________________________
Currently Playing: Eve-Online On the Backburner: EQ2 Retired: EQ, DAoC, WW2Online RIP: AC2 Tried: Ryzom, Roma Victor, RoM, KH2, Forsaken World, AO, AoC, APB Quit: SWG PRE-CU(Radiant/Starsider), WoW
So it is licenced, eh? Well, they still own FalloutOnline.com, as I've been obnoxiously mentioning for years, but whatever the case, I'm impressed that they've been able to keep a licence acquisition secret for so long. Normally when someone buys rights to an IP you hear about it well before you ever hear about what kind of project it will be used for.
Unless the following occcurred...
Bioware begins working on a top secret MMO, with an IP actually owned by EA. High level executive John Riccitiello for EA is obviously heavily involved in this project.
John Riccitiello leaves EA and forms Elevation Partners...which then buys Bioware and Pandemic in 2005, obviously John would be aware of all the inside details of the EA/Bioware joint venture at this point and it would be in his interest to keep it quiet.
John Riccitiello then leaves Elevation Partners to rejoin EA as their CEO...and immediately they buy Bioware from Elevation Partners.
The license, the developer, and the producer are all one giant entity now.
Now, the only question remains...what license does EA own that would be considered a highly viable MMO?
One answer: Harry Potter.
The only problem with this is that EA just bought bioware. I don't think the deal for EA to buy Elevation was in the works for nearly two years.
Keeping the licensing of the ip secret lends credibility to KOTOR or some other Star Wars MMO.
However, in keeping it a secret the MMO could still be GoBots or My Little Pony, which the Bioware mods have confirmed many times.
Actually, my time line is 100% accurate on the movements of Riccitiello and the MMO during this period.
For additional proof of it NOT being KOTOR look no further than that. Riccitiello, the current EA CEO, is well aware of what the MMO is and what IP it's based on.
Would he be interested in buying Bioware if that IP was the property of another publisher???
I've been following this pretty closely, and a Harry Potter MMO isn't something that had occurred to me but... It seems much more likely than a KOTOR mmo - especially given that Lucas Arts and EA are competitors, and it is unlikely that Lucas Arts would license their IP to a rival publisher.
Fire & Ice actually seems most likely to me. It's the sort of edgy IP that Bioware might pick... but Harry Potter has a larger fanbase even than Star Wars, now. It is arguably the hottest IP out there, and it will continue to be hot for at least 4 more years as the last few movies are released.
Some people have said that this seems unlikely because Rowlings wouldn't license her creations.. That's nonsense - there are a dozen HP games out already. The universe is ripe for expansion and the books make passing mention of dozens of locations.. three different magic schools at least, so you're not limited to Hogwarts.. the class system is already in place, just look at the different specialties of magic shown in the schools (Some transform, some make potions, some use offensive magic, some heal, some use dark magic...)
Regardless of who does it, I think a harry potter MMO is pretty much inevitable. Might as well be Bioware.
The only problem with this is that EA just bought bioware. I don't think the deal for EA to buy Elevation was in the works for nearly two years.
Keeping the licensing of the ip secret lends credibility to KOTOR or some other Star Wars MMO. However, in keeping it a secret the MMO could still be GoBots or My Little Pony, which the Bioware mods have confirmed many times.
Two years for an acquisition like this is not unusual. All parties would be kept under confidentiality agreements, which is why you never hear about mergers and acquisitions until the minute they happen. Bioware may have been up for sale for many years - and the first few years of Bioware designing their MMO may have been preparing an engine, game mechanics, etc...
Although waiting it out is probably the best solution. I am damn sure this is exactly what EA/Bioware/LA wants. If they are making a KOTOR MMO, who could ask for more attention then millions of MMO/SW fans arguing over whether or not the upcoming MMO is going to be KOTOR. I mean this will spread like wild fire once Bioware's Secret MMO is announced. Regardless of what the game actually is, it will be big news. Now if it is based in the Star Wars universe, then they've already built a huge following with all the people that just wanted to say "I knew it" and if it isn't Star Wars related, it has the "I told you so!" crowd. Either way they have more people talking about their game then they would have otherwise!
Heck yeah, all this debate and rumor and insanity is free advertising for Bioware and EA.
I think though that if it IS Star Wars (ala KOTOR) it will be a much better reaction.
Probably more people wil be happy the rumors were true and it is KOTOR then if it's another IP
I love how some are like "it CAN'T be this because_____" or "Companies don't do this_____", etc, etc.
None of us know how long EA and Bioware negotiated the buyout, I seriously doubt it was done in a matter of a week or so. I imagine it took some time to agree and settle.
The new MMO could be KOTOR, it could by Hary Potter, it could be something all-together different. I would tend to believe this...
Bioware knows that the percieved opinion is that the new MMO is KOTOR. This has been rumored since their announcement of Bioware: Austin and is even more popularly believed now. Bioware knows that most people FEEL it is going to be KOTOR, they know that most people WANT it to be KOTOR. So if you are Bioware, and you want the public to be happy with your MMO concept, would you let so many sources and people falsely believe something they desire so much?
I think Bioware would be a LOT better off having denied the game being KOTOR if it's not. They easily could have come out and said "The new MMO we are developing is NOT KOTOR, however, we are not yet ready to comment on the IP past that"... That 1 little statement would have ended all of this debate about KOTOR and kept them from disappointing thousands of fans when they finally do announce it.
They have kept silent and still remain silent. I don't see how it is advantageous for them to do so if there isn't a good chance that it is KOTOR. But once again, that is just my opinion. I don't claim to have any inside information or working knowledge of their transactions.
I think Bioware would be a LOT better off having denied the game being KOTOR if it's not. They easily could have come out and said "The new MMO we are developing is NOT KOTOR, however, we are not yet ready to comment on the IP past that"... That 1 little statement would have ended all of this...
The word you're looking for at the end there isn't debate...it's BUZZ.
And unless Bioware or EA have suddenly become remarkably stupid, ending the BUZZ about a future project isn't something any company would do...false rumors or not.
Also, I sincerely doubt this is some sort of viral marketing on Bioware's part - they clearly want to keep this MMO a secret simply because of the amount of speculation people do on a game's alpha and beta stages. I would imagine they are keeping this quiet because of Bioware's big release of Mass Effect being right around the corner.
A big reason this probably isn't intentional viral marketing... the game's release is too far away for it to do any good. We're talking about a game that's looking at a release date of 2-3 YEARS from now. This would not be the right time to start up the hype, especially with their biggest project to date coming out in a month. If anything, I would think Bioware would want attention taken away from their MMO for the time being - at least until Mass Effect drops.
Yep M, and in fact, if nothing else, they know that all this KOTOR hype hitting right now...regardless of how inaccurate...may have people clicking over to that Bioware website trying to find out more...and slamming straight into Mass Effect...
The IP could still be anything. With all of the competition between EA and LA that everyone talks about being the reason that it's not Star Wars based it would seem like LA would come out and say that it's NOT a Star Wars MMO.
The IP could still be anything. With all of the competition between EA and LA that everyone talks about being the reason that it's not Star Wars based it would seem like LA would come out and say that it's NOT a Star Wars MMO.
Well they kinda did. The recent interview with LA stated "there are no plans for a sequel to SWG." Now to argue what defines a sequel
The IP could still be anything. With all of the competition between EA and LA that everyone talks about being the reason that it's not Star Wars based it would seem like LA would come out and say that it's NOT a Star Wars MMO.
Why would they do that?
1. They're getting a buzz about KOTOR...and all press is good press.
2. They're getting hundreds of thousands of dollars of market research...FOR FREE...about what the reception would be for one if they ever did do it.
All they have to say when all is said and done is "we never said there would be a KOTOR MMO, and in fact stated there wasn't any Star Wars MMO in the works"
The IP could still be anything. With all of the competition between EA and LA that everyone talks about being the reason that it's not Star Wars based it would seem like LA would come out and say that it's NOT a Star Wars MMO.
Why would they do that?
1. They're getting a buzz about KOTOR...and all press is good press.
2. They're getting hundreds of thousands of dollars of market research...FOR FREE...about what the reception would be for one if they ever did do it.
All they have to say when all is said and done is "we never said there would be a KOTOR MMO, and in fact stated there wasn't any Star Wars MMO in the works"
I'm say that if it is NOT a Star Wars MMO. Buzz about a game that doesn't exist would not create good press.
The IP could still be anything. With all of the competition between EA and LA that everyone talks about being the reason that it's not Star Wars based it would seem like LA would come out and say that it's NOT a Star Wars MMO.
Well they kinda did. The recent interview with LA stated "there are no plans for a sequel to SWG." Now to argue what defines a sequel
The fact that he said sequel and that they are not working on SWG2 has caused more speculation. it would have been much easier to say that there are no other Star Wars MMOs in the works at this time.
Comments
Although waiting it out is probably the best solution. I am damn sure this is exactly what EA/Bioware/LA wants. If they are making a KOTOR MMO, who could ask for more attention then millions of MMO/SW fans arguing over whether or not the upcoming MMO is going to be KOTOR. I mean this will spread like wild fire once Bioware's Secret MMO is announced. Regardless of what the game actually is, it will be big news. Now if it is based in the Star Wars universe, then they've already built a huge following with all the people that just wanted to say "I knew it" and if it isn't Star Wars related, it has the "I told you so!" crowd. Either way they have more people talking about their game then they would have otherwise!
_________________________________
Currently Playing: Eve-Online
On the Backburner: EQ2
Retired: EQ, DAoC, WW2Online
RIP: AC2
Tried: Ryzom, Roma Victor, RoM, KH2, Forsaken World, AO, AoC, APB
Quit: SWG PRE-CU(Radiant/Starsider), WoW
Achiever 47% / Explorer 40% / Killer 87% / Socializer 27%
Unless the following occcurred...
Bioware begins working on a top secret MMO, with an IP actually owned by EA. High level executive John Riccitiello for EA is obviously heavily involved in this project.
John Riccitiello leaves EA and forms Elevation Partners...which then buys Bioware and Pandemic in 2005, obviously John would be aware of all the inside details of the EA/Bioware joint venture at this point and it would be in his interest to keep it quiet.
John Riccitiello then leaves Elevation Partners to rejoin EA as their CEO...and immediately they buy Bioware from Elevation Partners.
The license, the developer, and the producer are all one giant entity now.
Now, the only question remains...what license does EA own that would be considered a highly viable MMO?
One answer: Harry Potter.
The only problem with this is that EA just bought bioware. I don't think the deal for EA to buy Elevation was in the works for nearly two years.
Keeping the licensing of the ip secret lends credibility to KOTOR or some other Star Wars MMO.
However, in keeping it a secret the MMO could still be GoBots or My Little Pony, which the Bioware mods have confirmed many times.
I don't claim to be right, I'm just posting.
Actually, my time line is 100% accurate on the movements of Riccitiello and the MMO during this period.
For additional proof of it NOT being KOTOR look no further than that. Riccitiello, the current EA CEO, is well aware of what the MMO is and what IP it's based on.
Would he be interested in buying Bioware if that IP was the property of another publisher???
Simple answer=no.
I've been following this pretty closely, and a Harry Potter MMO isn't something that had occurred to me but... It seems much more likely than a KOTOR mmo - especially given that Lucas Arts and EA are competitors, and it is unlikely that Lucas Arts would license their IP to a rival publisher.
Fire & Ice actually seems most likely to me. It's the sort of edgy IP that Bioware might pick... but Harry Potter has a larger fanbase even than Star Wars, now. It is arguably the hottest IP out there, and it will continue to be hot for at least 4 more years as the last few movies are released.
Some people have said that this seems unlikely because Rowlings wouldn't license her creations.. That's nonsense - there are a dozen HP games out already. The universe is ripe for expansion and the books make passing mention of dozens of locations.. three different magic schools at least, so you're not limited to Hogwarts.. the class system is already in place, just look at the different specialties of magic shown in the schools (Some transform, some make potions, some use offensive magic, some heal, some use dark magic...)
Regardless of who does it, I think a harry potter MMO is pretty much inevitable. Might as well be Bioware.
Two years for an acquisition like this is not unusual. All parties would be kept under confidentiality agreements, which is why you never hear about mergers and acquisitions until the minute they happen. Bioware may have been up for sale for many years - and the first few years of Bioware designing their MMO may have been preparing an engine, game mechanics, etc...
Oh, they're licensed all right...to EA
I think though that if it IS Star Wars (ala KOTOR) it will be a much better reaction.
Probably more people wil be happy the rumors were true and it is KOTOR then if it's another IP
I love how some are like "it CAN'T be this because_____" or "Companies don't do this_____", etc, etc.
None of us know how long EA and Bioware negotiated the buyout, I seriously doubt it was done in a matter of a week or so. I imagine it took some time to agree and settle.
The new MMO could be KOTOR, it could by Hary Potter, it could be something all-together different. I would tend to believe this...
Bioware knows that the percieved opinion is that the new MMO is KOTOR. This has been rumored since their announcement of Bioware: Austin and is even more popularly believed now. Bioware knows that most people FEEL it is going to be KOTOR, they know that most people WANT it to be KOTOR. So if you are Bioware, and you want the public to be happy with your MMO concept, would you let so many sources and people falsely believe something they desire so much?
I think Bioware would be a LOT better off having denied the game being KOTOR if it's not. They easily could have come out and said "The new MMO we are developing is NOT KOTOR, however, we are not yet ready to comment on the IP past that"... That 1 little statement would have ended all of this debate about KOTOR and kept them from disappointing thousands of fans when they finally do announce it.
They have kept silent and still remain silent. I don't see how it is advantageous for them to do so if there isn't a good chance that it is KOTOR. But once again, that is just my opinion. I don't claim to have any inside information or working knowledge of their transactions.
The word you're looking for at the end there isn't debate...it's BUZZ.
And unless Bioware or EA have suddenly become remarkably stupid, ending the BUZZ about a future project isn't something any company would do...false rumors or not.
Also, I sincerely doubt this is some sort of viral marketing on Bioware's part - they clearly want to keep this MMO a secret simply because of the amount of speculation people do on a game's alpha and beta stages. I would imagine they are keeping this quiet because of Bioware's big release of Mass Effect being right around the corner.
A big reason this probably isn't intentional viral marketing... the game's release is too far away for it to do any good. We're talking about a game that's looking at a release date of 2-3 YEARS from now. This would not be the right time to start up the hype, especially with their biggest project to date coming out in a month. If anything, I would think Bioware would want attention taken away from their MMO for the time being - at least until Mass Effect drops.
Yep M, and in fact, if nothing else, they know that all this KOTOR hype hitting right now...regardless of how inaccurate...may have people clicking over to that Bioware website trying to find out more...and slamming straight into Mass Effect...
Which they certainly wouldn't be opposed to
The IP could still be anything. With all of the competition between EA and LA that everyone talks about being the reason that it's not Star Wars based it would seem like LA would come out and say that it's NOT a Star Wars MMO.
I don't claim to be right, I'm just posting.
Well they kinda did. The recent interview with LA stated "there are no plans for a sequel to SWG." Now to argue what defines a sequel
Why would they do that?
1. They're getting a buzz about KOTOR...and all press is good press.
2. They're getting hundreds of thousands of dollars of market research...FOR FREE...about what the reception would be for one if they ever did do it.
All they have to say when all is said and done is "we never said there would be a KOTOR MMO, and in fact stated there wasn't any Star Wars MMO in the works"
Why would they do that?
1. They're getting a buzz about KOTOR...and all press is good press.
2. They're getting hundreds of thousands of dollars of market research...FOR FREE...about what the reception would be for one if they ever did do it.
All they have to say when all is said and done is "we never said there would be a KOTOR MMO, and in fact stated there wasn't any Star Wars MMO in the works"
I'm say that if it is NOT a Star Wars MMO. Buzz about a game that doesn't exist would not create good press.I don't claim to be right, I'm just posting.
Well they kinda did. The recent interview with LA stated "there are no plans for a sequel to SWG." Now to argue what defines a sequel
The fact that he said sequel and that they are not working on SWG2 has caused more speculation. it would have been much easier to say that there are no other Star Wars MMOs in the works at this time.
I don't claim to be right, I'm just posting.