Tuesday, 21 October 2008 20:00 by
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LucasArts and BioWare Reveal Star Wars: the Old Republic
Last update: 5:30 p.m. EDT Oct. 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 21, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
LucasArts and BioWare(TM), today announced the development of Star
Wars(R): The Old Republic(TM),
a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe
of the Star Wars(R): Knights of the Old
Republic(TM) franchise. Star Wars: The
Old Republic, being developed and published by BioWare
and LucasArts, represents an innovative approach to interactive
entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and
intelligent companion characters.
In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will explore an
age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between
the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Players can
choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars
roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the
light or dark side of the Force. Along the way, players will befriend
courageous companions who will fight at their side or possibly betray
them, based on the players' actions. Players
can also choose to team up with friends to battle enemies and overcome
incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat.
"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
is the most critically acclaimed Star Wars game in LucasArts
history and a preeminent example of our company's
interactive storytelling heritage," said
Darrell Rodriguez, President of LucasArts. "For
a long time, we've wanted to return to the
franchise in a grand way, and we felt that the best setting for it was
an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in
the experience together. We knew that the developer capable of working
with us to deliver an engrossing story with a fully-realized online
world was BioWare."
Dubbed Star Wars: The Old Republic, the title will allow players to
choose between Jedi and Sith Empire factions, with each having unique
classes and races. Only a PC version was confirmed in today's
announcement.
No release date was given, with BioWare stressing that the game has no release window, though a past report suggested it would launch in 2009. The studio is "definitely planning" an open beta, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk confirmed.
The story-based MMO will be set roughly 300 years after BioWare's
2004 single-player RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC,
Xbox) and the Obsidian-developed sequel, or 3500 years before the
beloved film series.
"Traditionally, massively multiplayer online
games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration
and character progression," said Dr. Ray
Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General
Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc., "In
Star Wars: The Old Republic, we're
fusing BioWare's heritage of
critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm
and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation --
story. At the same time, we will still deliver all the fun features and
activities that fans have come to expect in a triple-A massively
multiplayer online game. To top it all off, Star Wars: The Old
Republic is set in a very exciting, dynamic period in the Star
Wars universe."
Added Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development
Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc., "Star
Wars: The Old Republic is set roughly 300 years after the events
of Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe that is completely
unexplored in the lore. BioWare has been able to add to the Star Wars
history in developing the game's story and
has created an overarching narrative that players can enjoy, regardless
of their play style. Our goal is to offer players an emotionally
rewarding experience that combines the traditional elements of MMO
gameplay with innovations in story and character development."
Additional details on Star Wars: The Old Republic
features, gameplay and release date will be announced at a later time.
For more information about Star Wars: The Old Republic and
to sign up for future product updates, please visit
www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com.
