Rumor: SOE to launch casual browser MMO for Clone Wars
by James Egan 
Sep 4th 2009 at 5:30PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, Browser, Casual, Rumors
We're chalking this one up as a rumor for now, but word has it that Sony Online Entertainment is developing another Star Wars MMO property, a casual browser game specifically based on the Clone Wars IP. The info comes from Ten Ton Hammer's Cody Bye, who writes: "Ten Ton Hammer has learned from an inside source that Sony Online Entertainment has once again partnered with LucasArts to do another Star Wars MMO. While we have not yet learned the title of the upcoming game, it sounds like SOE is planning to use the browser-based Free Realms engine to power the game, and the game's setting will be the Clone Wars."
Massively has not heard anything yet to corroborate this as fact, but let's face it -- this was just too juicy to ignore. If we hear more on this while we're at PAX and Dragon*Con, we'll be sure to let you know.
[Via Shacknews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Draccan said on 5:35PM 9-04-2009
god ... the heresy
haven't they learned???
what an insult to the SWG community
Reply
Wjowski said on 10:00PM 9-04-2009
Yeah! All five of them!
CCon99 said on 5:38PM 9-04-2009
Makes sense, they already ruined the Original Trilogy Era, why not ruin the Clone War Era too.
Reply
Darkdust said on 5:41PM 9-04-2009
That's not an insult to SWG players...
/me scratches his head.
I think this would rock. Free Realms manages somehow to be fun to play, and Clone Wars shoots for a similar demographic, I think.
Reply
Satn said on 5:54PM 9-04-2009
Great, now i'm gonna be that creepy older guy playing kid-targeted MMOs
Reply
NT_ said on 6:01PM 9-04-2009
LOL! I do believe you have many predecessors playing Free Realms (for reasons which I can't quite understand).
BaronJuJu said on 6:21PM 9-04-2009
So thats why Free Realms had those "light wand" gifts earlier this summer. First thinkg my kid said was "looks like a lightsabre".
I say go for it SOE. Not much more Lucas could do to ruin the great "Clone Wars" like the two TV series and the movie hasn't done.
Reply
Chris said on 7:04PM 9-04-2009
While Free Realms may be targeted at a younger demographic that doesn't mean the game isn't fun. It is. And, I kid you not, it's fun for all ages. :)
If the team behind Free Realms is behind this Star Wars property then it could be quite good. If it's the team behind SWG? Not bloody likely, grab yer pitchfork.
Reply
JJ said on 12:52PM 9-05-2009
If the team behind FreeRealms is behind it, expect an MMO that feels like it was developed by a team who has no experience in MMO development. Broken chat, Broken friends lists, stealth nerfs to XP, money without any comments on it, and other various horrible examples. The game is geared towards younger players, that doesn't mean it should be horribly produced.
Jack said on 9:19PM 9-04-2009
Hit in the face for Bioware as well! They where thinking they where making the new Star Wars MMO! Also we did not hear any numbers of the Free Realm subs for a long time ..... And I wonder how much really active subs they have and how many are just people opening a account. I know I did sign-up for Free Realm played it like 6 hours and never look at it again!
Reply
maxi said on 10:02PM 9-04-2009
Time to email Lucas art and tell them to stop this madness, they ruined the franchise enough.. Put the PC's down you done enough damage.
Reply
Dblade said on 12:17AM 9-05-2009
blah blah blah star wars galaxies NGE blah blah blah.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, it's going to be interesting how it plays out, if true. Can the market support three unique star wars MMO's?
Reply
torak said on 1:18AM 9-05-2009
"blah blah blah star wars galaxies NGE blah blah blah." - DBlade
LoL, no lie there...it's funny how when anyone brings up the EQ3 subject, or the EQ's in general for that matter, SOE is suddenly better then sliced bread...
Anyway, Clones Wars is awesome, all of my kids are really into it and if it is anything like FreeRealms you can bet we will be playing it.
Reply
Venekor said on 3:59AM 9-05-2009
What are you on about? The Clone was has shitty animation, bad storylines and some of the worst voice acting I've seen. It just kills the Star Wars name some more and the only reason kids love it is cause they get given crap to watch all day so they know no better.
Frigging go watch a Disney film or a Pixar film and see the amazing writing and detail on all the animations. They just feel so alive and appeal to adults but at the same time having something there for kids.
All the crap new movies and the Clone Wars will be known for is ruining Star Wars.
Dblade said on 4:28AM 9-05-2009
I guess you never heard of droids or ewoks.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088510/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088515/
If the franchise could survive those, two more made-for tv movies featuring ewoks again, and a christmas special, let alone cameos on the muppet show, it can survive the clone wars.
torak said on 4:29AM 9-05-2009
You forgot to add "In my opinion" to your little rant.
warfarian said on 6:24AM 9-05-2009
Not to disagree with using the examples of Disney and Pixar films (with FILM being the example). You are a bit wrong...ok a lot wrong. Have you ever seen the horrible spin offs from Disney/Pixar films that were on television? Buzz Lightyear of Star Command? The Legend of Tarzan? Hercules: The Animated Series? The Emperor" New School?
The Clone Wars cartoon is not that bad, considering the the film source.
Just for the record, and in my humble half-ass opinion...
All the crap movies and The Clone Wars did not ruin Star Wars for some people...
Mr. Lucas did that.
Wjowski said on 4:47PM 9-05-2009
To hell with you. The first Clone Wars cartoon was awesome.
ax42 said on 4:56AM 9-05-2009
How do you make an MMO any more casual than that farce The Old Republic. A glorified singleplayergame with a monthly fee
Reply
warfarian said on 8:17AM 9-05-2009
Since you have broken the NDA to double secret probation alpha for The Old Republic, I would love to hear more of this intelligent and wise insight ax42.
Perhaps you can tell me if there will be playable droids in the game?