I know it's a tad early as most estimates pin the game's release date to early next year but there's still lots to talk about. For those of you that don't know, The Old Republic is the third installment of the Old Republic series with the first to games being Knights of the Old Republic (released late in 2003) and Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords (released in early '05). Here's a full page on the series: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Knights_of_the_Old_Republic_%28series%29#Star_Wars:_Knights_of_the_Old_Republic
Now, after the third singleplayer game got scrapped BioWare and LucasArts are planning a massive third installment is planned. Unlike the first two, The Old Republic will be an massive multiplayer online role-playing game. Yep. However, unlike all the crud that just sprung into your minds BioWare is planning a game that is primarily focused on storytelling; much like the other KotOR games. So far, BioWare hasn't set a concrete release date but already has a full website complete with forum, videos, screenshots, designer journals, and pre-release media content. Here's that site: http://www.swtor.com/
Now, what do we want from this? After my initial three weeks of bawling I realized that an MMO might work. However, I see some obstacles that may be game-breakers unless properly handled. One of the biggest issues is that, as far as I know, most MMOs have a combat system where once a creature dies it re-spawns again after a few seconds. Not only would such a system make, say, raiding near impossible but it would completely screw up the story if your assassination target just popped up again after a few minutes. BioWare has likely thought of this but I'm not familiar enough with MMO systems to know what they could do to remedy the issue.
Another issue will likely be the replacement of the familiar KotOR party system with one NPC party member and... other people? Ewwww. Unless TOR attracts the same kind of immersive fanbase as LotRO I don't see this working towards any kind of immersion. Especially since my mental stereotype of MMO players is "ActuallyaWoman: 'hey wanna cyber? or we can party up to grind" *pukes*
I'm worried, but also excited. I'm confused, but also understanding. I'm hoping, but also dreading. I'm afraid.
Now, after the third singleplayer game got scrapped BioWare and LucasArts are planning a massive third installment is planned. Unlike the first two, The Old Republic will be an massive multiplayer online role-playing game. Yep. However, unlike all the crud that just sprung into your minds BioWare is planning a game that is primarily focused on storytelling; much like the other KotOR games. So far, BioWare hasn't set a concrete release date but already has a full website complete with forum, videos, screenshots, designer journals, and pre-release media content. Here's that site: http://www.swtor.com/
Now, what do we want from this? After my initial three weeks of bawling I realized that an MMO might work. However, I see some obstacles that may be game-breakers unless properly handled. One of the biggest issues is that, as far as I know, most MMOs have a combat system where once a creature dies it re-spawns again after a few seconds. Not only would such a system make, say, raiding near impossible but it would completely screw up the story if your assassination target just popped up again after a few minutes. BioWare has likely thought of this but I'm not familiar enough with MMO systems to know what they could do to remedy the issue.
Another issue will likely be the replacement of the familiar KotOR party system with one NPC party member and... other people? Ewwww. Unless TOR attracts the same kind of immersive fanbase as LotRO I don't see this working towards any kind of immersion. Especially since my mental stereotype of MMO players is "ActuallyaWoman: 'hey wanna cyber? or we can party up to grind" *pukes*
I'm worried, but also excited. I'm confused, but also understanding. I'm hoping, but also dreading. I'm afraid.