KOTOR MMO confirmed by Electronic Arts

by Kyle Horner Jul 17th 2008 at 2:17PM

We've had plenty of speculation -- lots and lots of it -- but now we've got confirmation from Electronic Arts chief executive John Riccitiello that Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is indeed getting a massively multiplayer online iteration. Portfolio.com has the story.

The article quotes Riccitiello as saying, "... the one that people are dying for us to talk to them about -- in partnership with Lucas, coming out of BioWare, which is, I think, quite possibly the most anticipated game, full stop, for the industry at the point when we get closer to telling you about it." When directly asked if this was confirmation of Knights of the Old Republic Online, the executive said simply, "yes".

You can commence the freaking out now.

Tags: bioware, breaking, e3, e308, ea, eletronic-arts, kotor, kotor-mmo, kotoro, portfolio, star-wars, swtor

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Nadril said on 2:30PM 7-17-2008

Bioware has an incredible chance here to make something amazing. Especially in regards to the KoTOR universe there were (IIRC) a ton of jedis during that time. It really makes the most sense when making a star wars MMO.

I'm thinking about PvP too, could be pretty damn awesome. Instead of just choosing the dark side or light side it would be based off of who you fight. If you start letting your power get to your head, and start killing off people your character will become increasingly evil. Think of the KoTOR system just a bit more advanced hopefully.

I do hope they incorporate PvP though, because the universe is one of the best to have it. Bounty Hunters, jedis running around, ton of conflict...

Bioware has a lot on their hands though, but I'm positive they can pull it off.

F0rd said on 2:40PM 7-17-2008

well, assuming that in the KoTORO universe everybody wouldn't HAVE to be a jedi, there would need to be some fairly extensive reworking of the balance in the game. Getting one-shotted by a jedi who can deflect your every attack seems a little... extreme.

Unless everybody has to be a jedi, but then there's not much you can do with your character to make him or her unique beyond a purely superfcial level. There are only so many force powers that the developers can throw in to a game, and there are going to be certain builds everyone will want.

Nadril said on 2:43PM 7-17-2008

I thought they did a pretty good job of balancing it in KoTOR.

Arkanaloth said on 2:40PM 7-17-2008

all I have to say is....

"Damn, it's about time!"

Vanifae said on 2:44PM 7-17-2008

Wow, I am so excited about this... this could be huge here.

Craig Withers said on 2:47PM 7-17-2008

In associated news - my head just exploded from all the awesome in the air.

MalkavianLogic said on 3:06PM 7-17-2008

Still a little skeptical, with the old republic Bioware's got a lot of wiggle room in regards to setting. But honestly, i've been burned before by SoE with a Star Wars mmo. I have to sympathize with F0rd's sentiment I'm interested to see how they'll balance out a game where everyone's going to want to roll a Jedi anyways based on their ultimate badassedness. Should I choose the gunfighter or the ninja/samurai with a laser sword? It's gonna be up to bioware to validate the gunfighter option as I can see the vast majority of people with laser swords.

Kyle Horner said on 3:20PM 7-17-2008

Easy solution: Make all the classes bad-ass.

Ghen said on 5:00PM 7-17-2008

Give gunfighters acrobatics too.

Kyle Horner said on 6:44PM 7-17-2008

An example would be Wookies. Let players roll a badass Wookie character/class that's not a Jedi (they can't be them anyhow) and you've got a great start.

wouldzey said on 3:11PM 7-17-2008

If its true then its the best news since SWG was first announced hehe.

Gabriel said on 3:20PM 7-17-2008

yes....yes....YES!!! Can't wait!

BookhouseBoy said on 3:39PM 7-17-2008

If Bioware can do with KOTOR and the MMO format what they did with KOTOR and the traditional RPG format... THIS would be your WoW killer, except...

...they are probably going to produce a game with fairly modern PC requirements, right ? That is still the thing that WoW has going for it. As long as new MMOs have higher requirements than WoW, they won't be able to reach as many people...

...but regardless, this should be an awesome game. Anyone who hasn't yet played KOTOR at least, should definitely do so. (II: Sith Lords is okay too, although they didn't really make any great improvements).

George said on 3:48PM 7-17-2008

About freaking time. SWG is dead now. I see mass abandoning of the game as this gets ramped up.

Bioware + Star Wars MMO = Hot and Cold Running Awesomeness!

Bioware will not and has not over promised in the past. Unlike Mythc's recent /epic fail.

Since Jedi everywhere is cannon in this time period, this will make bank and keep the holders on continuity happy.

I'm happy the cat is finally out of the bag. Gets everyone so hung up on the NGE a chance to finally move on with their lives and focus on something positive for a change.

Go Bioware GO!

CrazyKinux said on 4:02PM 7-17-2008

If there is one bunch of guys who can pull this off successfully its BIOWARE. This is great news for all true SW fans. The folks at EA are also likely excited, but for very different reasons.

CrazyKinux
http://www.crazykinux.com/

Michael J Rollins said on 5:22PM 7-17-2008

It's about time.

lord_drucifer said on 2:35PM 7-18-2008

I think it's about time. SWG turned in to Jedi Every where, this time at least they should be every where.

Of course SOE better keep their grubby mits off it.

thebibelot said on 5:06PM 7-17-2008

A KotOR MMO!? SERIOUSLY!?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME! =D

*Freaks out*

And the news comes out right when I finished KotOR II for the second time. =P

If it's a tenth as good as the original, it'll be the greatest MMO ever conceived by human brains.

Lethality said on 5:29PM 7-17-2008

This is awesome news.

The Old Republic was a time when there were lots of Jedi and lots of Sith around... so that should take care of that problem.

But the problem is, the Jedi "class" by definition is overpowered... Not sure how they would balance this out with other normal classes.

I am actually one of the oddballs who never liked playing a Jedi and using the force powers... I prefer the Han Solo type of smuggler/rogue/swashbuckler with a BLASTER!