BioWare MMORPG confirmed as KOTOR 3?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 23, 2007 1:37 am GMT

Source: Little-known game-news site Primotechnology.com. What we heard: In March 2006, veteran Canadian developer BioWare announced it was opening a satellite studio in Austin, Texas to prep a mysterious massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Within minutes of the announcement, rumors...

Source: Little-known game-news site Primotechnology.com.

What we heard: In March 2006, veteran Canadian developer BioWare announced it was opening a satellite studio in Austin, Texas to prep a mysterious massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Within minutes of the announcement, rumors were already flying that the top-secret project was the third installment in the award-winning Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series.

Such speculation was fueled further by the fact that lead designer James Ohlen performed the same duties on the original KOTOR, and several senior members of the studio worked on the Star Wars MMORPG Star Wars: Galaxies. Also, right around the time of the BioWare announcement, Star Wars license holder LucasArts confirmed that it was approached by developers about an all-new Star Wars MMORPG, but declined to elaborate.

However, rumors of a KOTOR MMORPG petered out, thanks to BioWare's successful attempts to keep virtually every detail about the game under wraps. However, now the rumors are back thanks to Primotechnology's claims, which are the first to directly cite a source with knowledge of BioWare Austin's inner workings.

"A source close to BioWare confirmed to us today that the studio's upcoming untitled massively-multiplayer online RPG will be centered around the Star Wars universe, specifically that of Knights of the Old Republic, which the developer released in 2003," read the report. Primotechnology went on to point out that the popularity of Star Wars: Galaxies--which was released in 2003 and drastically revised in 2005--is waning. "It's estimated that the game now has fewer than 100,000 subscribers and less than 20,000 active players," said the site without sourcing the numbers.

The official story: In a recent interview, BioWare co-CEOs Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk steadfastly refused to comment on their MMORPG's subject matter (although they did say it was already in playable form). LucasArts followed suit. "LucasArts doesn't comment on rumors or speculation," said the PR rep tasked with handling the publisher's MMORPG efforts.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that anything's been officially confirmed. And with only Primotechnology's word to go on, there's not enough for a concrete call either way. One thing is for certain, though: A KOTOR MMORPG would be huge. Besides being the stuff of nerd fantasies, the game would have a good chance of stealing away weary World of Warcraft players by offering both a sci-fi MMORPG alternative and BioWare's impeccable pedigree.

It's also worth noting that when Electronic Arts bought BioWare/Pandemic for $860 million earlier this month, it cited the BioWare MMORPG as one of the three main motivators for the deal. Ironically, such an arrangement could see EA developing a game for sometime-rival LucasArts--which it dwarfs in size--to publish.

680 Comments

  • NYGFAN23

    Posted May 27, 2009 3:32 pm GMT

    i agree that mmorpg is crap i mean why would you ruin a good game bioware? why!!!!!!
    Yoda rulezzzz

  • niknak1188

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 1:16 pm GMT

    NOOOO!!!! MMORPG=CRAP! MAKE IT A RPG PLEASE!!! READ COMMENTS NO ONE WANTS A MMO, STICK WITH WHAT WORKS!!!

  • To_ThE_FuLLesT

    Posted Feb 25, 2009 1:20 pm GMT

    PLz DONT DONT do this...you will ruine game plz dont do it...i know its all about money,but have some respect to fans plz...im telling you last time from fans all over the world DONT DO IT!PLZ!!! Rpg yes!MMO NO! MMO=lost,crushed,ruined game!

  • hughami

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 6:30 pm GMT

    i just still cant beleive they screwed us over like this. i mean seriously i cant play online my parents wont let me (laugh all ya want). even if i could i wouldnt waste my time or money on some crap like a mmo, theyve ruined the deep rich and personal story that was a huge part in kotors 1 and 2. and now its just gonna be random a-holes running around killing eachother for no reason. thanks bioware......really screwed the pooch on this one. i aint getting near your blasphemus game. kotor was great as a rpg and shouldve stayed that way, it was all going great but then you decided to ruin it. i bet this is the reason its taken so long right, making a huge mmo instead of focusing on a deep, detailed, and incredible sequel! real slap in the face/

  • hughami

    Posted Feb 23, 2009 6:20 pm GMT

    i hope an rpg kotor 3 comes out for 360. not everyone plays online. consoles are easier and rpg's are more deep and you dont have to worry about weirdos like you do in online games. ive waited years for kotor 3 and instead the only option is a mmo on the pc. such a huge disappointing let down. if bioware was smart theyd do a console version, there are more console star wars gamers than there are online pc ones.

  • KnucklesMcDink

    Posted Jan 29, 2009 9:44 am GMT

    All these negative Nancy's complaining about this interesting change.
    I say Science bless Bioware and because I've loved almost every game they've made for me, and I am a huge fan of the Star Wars universe,not only will I buy the mmorpg, but I will play the piss out of that thing.
    I'm sad to see so many people being turned off by a game that they know absolutly nothing about.
    As gamers we should be anxious to see what this game will be. God knows I absolutly adored (and I'm not alone) The first two KotoR's, some of the best single player rpgs I've ever played, just the thought of continuing that story in any way has me antsy.
    So yes, I am excited, any true gamer would be.

  • splatorian

    Posted Jan 23, 2009 1:40 pm GMT

    Well, it is happening. It's old news. So you won't buy it. Neither will I. I am an RPG player, not a MMORPG player. I am not convertible. And I am not alone. Solo gamers are legion. Because of this news, I will never, ever, buy a BioWare game again. I'm just tired of being left out in the cold by the companies I used to support. Don't want to make products for me? Fine. Bye. I already said goodbye to Wizards of the Coast. Fallout 3's awfulness turned me off of Bethesda. And now Bioware. My hobbies, I guess, can no longer my hobbies. Maybe I'll take up painting.

  • Sarmsboss

    Posted Jan 19, 2009 9:25 pm GMT

    why mmo why!

    gay...i wont friggin buy it if it happens.....im ashamed bioware.....ashamed!!!!!

    if they do make it i wont be a fan of them anymore!

  • AqUaBlaDe123

    Posted Jan 8, 2009 3:14 pm GMT

    im so sad that everyone i knew in #1 is dead in number 2 i thought that number 1 was the best

  • 10shua

    Posted Dec 30, 2008 7:34 am GMT

    Don't knock it, till you tried it. This is Bioware people! the guys who made KOTOR 1! I have faith that the KOTOR MMO will be great. But it would break my heart to see KOTOR 3 tossed out the window. They can do this MMO if they want, but atleast do a KOTOR 3!

  • LostSoul1974

    Posted Sep 24, 2008 8:36 am GMT

    Would love more info on this......

  • ajj299

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 10:49 pm GMT

    Bioware has a lot on their plate right now with ME. (planning on 2 more sequels before 360's time is up + downloadable content) Also a Sonic the Hedgehog rpg, and Dragon Age. I don't see a new Kotor or Kotor mmo in the near future. But knowing BioWare for the company that never disappoints. ( or hasn't so far except for appointing obsidian for Kotor 2. Although, it wasn't obsidian's fault because they weren't given a fair chance i digress.) I believe BioWare will release a single player rpg Kotor (being Kotor 3) then release a Kotor mmo soon after giving players fulfillment in completing the Kotor trilogy and leaving it open to allow there own adventures to continue ( possibly allowing players to port their characters from Kotor 3 into the mmo giving them a chance to "play on.") Just my two cents and view of a smart (in my opinion) BioWare company tactic.

  • Bobusamma

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 4:46 pm GMT

    Mother suck monkey, they have stuffed the pooch with the big thirteen. Kotor was and should remain an rpg only!!! MMO'ing it, is going to ruin a good storyline by handing control over to the mendicants. I don't wanna play a game with 50 lord Revans, and Maser Revens, and Revan the Sith, and Bastilla spelled 20 different ways... D@ml\l the money whoring bastaldos.

  • cultivi

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 6:44 pm GMT

    For some reason Diablo doesn't appeal to me as much as a KOTOR online. And the first couple of sites are already up. The kotor online wiki and www.kotor3mmo.com

  • luno-gamer

    Posted Jul 12, 2008 9:17 pm GMT

    I'm really confused about all of this...I really don't know what to think about it. I do think the KOTOR story needs to be wrapped up...it has too many loose ends to turn into a MMORPG this early in the series. But you also have to remember that Star Wars Galaxies Pre-CU was AMAZING! That WAS the MMORPG gamers dreamed of playing. MMO based on the star wars universe. The people loved it! Until it was ruined.. Nothing can be done about SWG to bring it back to life today, but they could bring a newer and better star wars MMO into play to make up for all of the dissapointment SWG showed...But, as much as I love MMORPG's, I think I want to see at least one more single player RPG in the KOTOR series to wrap up the story. I'll try not to worry about it too much though. Bioware has yet to dissapoint...I trust in their better judgement.

  • aggiepunk

    Posted Jul 10, 2008 6:04 pm GMT

    so it KOTOR 3 going to be an RPG roleplaying games like the first 2? man i hope so

  • GaryHass

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 10:41 pm GMT

    Oh yeah if they are making KOTOR 3 they will prob use the same thing they used for mass effect wichwould be great and icant wait for it

  • GaryHass

    Posted Jul 2, 2008 10:39 pm GMT

    ok i agree with chrisivx on some things but any KOTOR game will be good for me even if its a MMO. i know alot of u guys thin that a KOTOR MMO will suck and be not succesfull just like SWG but with bioware at work with it it would be better than WOW but again i agree with chrisivx that they should wait and finish the kotor story before going MMO

  • blaberer6

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 4:23 am GMT

    not so good to pay to play, but its nice if it is mmorpg.

  • xtreme_chief

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 2:42 am GMT

    It would better as single player.

  • Ethan26

    Posted Jun 15, 2008 12:32 pm GMT

    The KOTOR titles are some of my favorite games and I, for one, am not to big for MMORPGs so I realy hope they don't do a MMO for KOTOR 3. I thingk i'm speaking for most people when I say that it is the plot in KOTOR that keeps us playing and without the cool light/dark plot that you take the games would not be the same. So an MMO would be a BAD IDEA!!!!

  • victoria_wolf

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:06 am GMT

    yay and i hope it is not a crappy mmorpg. it better be a mutiplayer XD

  • mark_unix

    Posted Jun 10, 2008 12:27 am GMT

    yup a kotor mmo would be SO HUGE THAT NO REAL KOTOR FAN WOULD ACTUALLY BUY IT!!!....
    gigantic misstep if they did make it into a lame ass monthly fee crapware title...

  • Lingsweiler

    Posted May 29, 2008 6:36 pm GMT

    Really someone tell me what mmorpg stands for. Sorry about the wtf. Also whataver Bioware does they wont disapoint.

  • sexymichelle

    Posted May 29, 2008 2:34 pm GMT

    OMG... this is the worst possible news... Not everyone likes MMORPGS!!! Taking one of the best games of all time and turning it into $$$ for EA. EA is nothing but money grubbing big business. BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • markimsoad

    Posted May 10, 2008 12:02 am GMT

    awesome... great news!!!

  • ninja_nick118

    Posted Apr 27, 2008 11:53 am GMT

    Hmm okay let me just say, that 1 and 2 ARE MY FAVOURITE VIDEO GAMES OF ALL TIME, even more than elder scrolls IV, this is because i just loved them and i adore star wars...okay i also like mmorpgs i played WOW, but i just don't like the sound of this being an MMORPG i hope it works and isnt just another repetetive online game and every1 is just a jedi running about...boring!! it might have been better to just create a 3rd single player and take advantage of next gen console technology hmmm

  • ninja_nick118

    Posted Apr 27, 2008 11:53 am GMT

    Hmm okay let me just say, that 1 and 2 ARE MY FAVOURITE VIDEO GAMES OF ALL TIME, even more than elder scrolls IV, this is because i just loved them and i adore star wars...okay i also like mmorpgs i played WOW, but i just don't like the sound of this being an MMORPG i hope it works and isnt just another repetetive online game and every1 is just a jedi running about...boring!! it might have been better to just create a 3rd single player and take advantage of next gen console technology hmmm

  • robley

    Posted Apr 21, 2008 4:23 pm GMT

    Please be true

  • The_SithGod

    Posted Mar 30, 2008 9:50 am GMT

    Really hope its not just a rumor dont want to be disapointed again like Republic Comando 2 or Star wars battle front 3

  • macks360

    Posted Mar 28, 2008 4:18 pm GMT

    NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought and completed the two kotors in 2006 and both were perfect But an MMO would completely ruin the series!!!Star wars MMOs have already been made and failed miserably!!!!!!!

  • DrunkPrince

    Posted Mar 15, 2008 12:29 pm GMT

    And something else. Personal i dont think that they will bring out onother mmrpg couse they have one star war and itsn not going in sales as they want.Will they risk for a second 'lost'. maybe they will add multiplayer but i dont think this one will be mmrpg.

  • TheCrimsonLord

    Posted Mar 13, 2008 8:20 am GMT

    ...Aw, man. They're going to ruin KotoR with an MMO? I mean I loved the combat, and story, and pretty much every thing of the first two (first one mainly) but on a MMO? It'll suck harder than Galaxies.

  • DrunkPrince

    Posted Mar 10, 2008 3:04 pm GMT

    I dont think that L.A. must bring out a kotor in mmrpg. they will destroy every great thing of the game. Kotor must be a s.player game like the other 2. Kotor is a great game but in mmrpg i think will faint weak.

  • bradmasterofff

    Posted Mar 6, 2008 5:20 pm GMT

    I like mmorpgs a lot and i do like the single playerness of kotor
    so I'm twisted on which to root for

    in addition to this I"m not a big fan of EA servers like in BF 2142

    So I'm going to sit back (nothing else to do...) and hope for the best

    Plus there is always the fact that bioware is awesome so we should rely on that at least..

  • The-Joint

    Posted Mar 1, 2008 1:08 pm GMT

    i bet this is going to be like a sims star wars, really gay

  • Slayer_Chris

    Posted Feb 25, 2008 5:33 am GMT

    I hope its not an MMORPG game i hope its an RPG game like the other ones

  • Habast

    Posted Feb 23, 2008 1:17 pm GMT

    if its an mmorpg i'll of lost my last shred of respect for bioware, mmorpg's discust me! i hope it's on a console...

  • Saber_Samurai

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 10:33 pm GMT

    I just spent the better part of 2 hours trying to find anything and everything I can find on this mystery MMO Bioware is making and I think it will not be a few things. First it won't be a new IP. They are going to build up an already existing title. Second, it's not going to be Mass Effect as that IP is too new. Third, it's not going to be KotOR 3. I think it WILL be Star Wars set around the KotOR timeframe but not KotOR 3. Their alliance with Lucas Arts only strengthens this because what other titles would they make a grand MMO to? Indiana Jones? Not. Bladerunner? Don't think so becasue that movie, which is good, has had little more than a cult following. All signs point to a galaxy far far away to me. And as for them making a run of the mill grind fest you just have to keep one thing in mind here. IT'S GOING TO BE MADE BY BIOWARE! And it isn't going to be like SWG is or was. They said they are focusing on making the game very story driven so all ye nay sayers have faith. I think this will be one of the shining jewels in this decade of gaming. Be it Star Wars or not...

  • NAT3

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 5:39 pm GMT

    i was hoping for a new kotor

  • Michael_747

    Posted Feb 6, 2008 2:06 pm GMT

    SWG was truly unique in many ways. The option to go into space in large spaceships, exploring the whole universe of SW, cities build and run by players and a huge "complex" economy and crafting system.
    Most was lost in the "enhancements" the dev teams unfortunately decided to make, the NGE in particular. Players left, cities died out. The crafting and characters were dumbed down and the competition, classes and skill meant nothing anymore.

    Still today many of those features the game initially had are far ahead of any other mmorpg outthere to my knowledge.

    I'd love to see a new mmorpg set in the Star Wars universe. The KOTOR serie is all that remind me of the great game SWG once was, and it's the one game that shows its possible to make properly. Also as a mmorpg.

    I'd give anything to hear the hizz of my lightsaber again, after years of playing and "grinding" to become a force sensitive. Anything to rally up behind the counsil of my city, my guild, to once again declare war on enemy cities - rushing into those cities seeing lightsabers light up while blaser shots fly across the screen from all sides. To step into my own house again and the rewards from old quests and raids. To stand at my crafting station once more to make the weapons know all over the galaxy.

    KOTOR has the real SW feel about it. To see that in a nonlinear mmorpg, an entire galaxy at your feet for you to explore. "Real" enemies in other players. That would simply be awesome !

    **** got carried away i think)

  • TrissOfRedwall

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 1:01 pm GMT

    Yey! I hope its kotor3! If not i might get angry.....

  • Commander-Thor

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 1:28 pm GMT

    What I think people need to realise is that just because a MMORPG is being released in the same time frame as the first two KOTOR games doesn't make it the next sequel - it'd be like calling Star Wars Galaxies the sequel to Jedi Knight II - the first two games were too successful to not be followed by a similar RPG, cause trying to get a story worthy of the first two games into a MMORPG would be tough, so I'm sure a normal one will be made. They're just milking the cash cow by making a online game in the same time - which if done properly should be great

  • donatosantoli

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 7:45 pm GMT

    now to add to my info some comments : OBSIDIAN MADE THE 2ND 1
    trust in bioware they made the FREATEST GAME EVER dont expect anything from a lower end gaming company all for bioware all for kotor and all for LA WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!Go kotor yet again......

  • comanderdailey

    Posted Jan 27, 2008 9:18 pm GMT

    I dont want KotOR to be a MMORPG,but they should make it so that SWG has the same controls and settings.I am going to stop with the MMO after I try Tabula Rasa.

  • Sv3n1z0

    Posted Jan 25, 2008 5:16 am GMT

    The first KOTOR was the best game ever made. Second KOTOR didn't suck, but it was never even near the epic of the first one.

    Now for the 3d one, I like(not love) MMO's. I like RPG as well. But the last KOTOR turned out, eehhh, dissapointing. So why not change it completely?
    I used to play Runescape and I've always wanted to try out WoW but my computer wouldn't handle it. I am about to buy 360 so I pray to god that this game will (even) come and if it does I hope it goes to 360 as well. PLEASE MAKE THIS GAME MMO OR NOT. 360 FTW!

  • secher_nbiw

    Posted Jan 21, 2008 10:38 pm GMT

    No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no! Keep these stupid MMORPGs on PCs. Leave this game solo, there are enough MM or MP games out here. Dont these idiot game designers realise that not everyone wants to associate with the online community?

  • yourruler2

    Posted Jan 18, 2008 7:46 pm GMT

    plz god don't let this mess the already perfect serise up. galaxis was stupid and this game should remain solo

  • nickske1

    Posted Jan 18, 2008 9:05 am GMT

    This can be good: Playing with other jedi's or siths will be very good I think, Maybe there is then a dark side 'clan' and a light side 'clan'. But the normal rpg's (KOTOR and KOTOR II) have that great story lines, and mods and stuff like that.
    Good luck BioWare! Don't screw it please.

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