Interview: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk

I really hope he was kidding... about the eyebrow thing. Just imagine, raise the wrong one and get dark side points!! *shivers*

@september_basic Watch and Learn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqflV4zsTqQ (and to anyone else, who think that it wont be an MMO or MMORPG etc.) and btw september_basic: IT IS IN DEVELOPMENT.

So you're saying mild-story 'elements' and 'squad-based tactics'. Where do you see that? Where did it come from? your mind? "They did not seek to replace these structures with those found in Dragon Age Origins, which would have been acceptable." Are you somehow involved in this game? Where do you know that from? Throw a link. What they're [trying] to make is a fourth pillar: story. Which is going to be hard, its the first MMO to show that in the gameplay. Bioware hasn't even done an MMO before, but sure they've released RPG games. So they kind of have that experience with RPG, dont you think? Or are they just completely stupid uneducated people trying to produce a game, just because you say so? I think not. Where do you get that MMOFPS from? A single video or two? We need more information mate, to state that. You cannot judge it yet with your thoughts of how its going to work out or before its even been tested by players. They're still developing SW:Tor, many things are probably coming up month after month as they are ready to talk about things. They named it MMORPG for a reason.

@september_basic "This game is a MMOFPS with squad-based tactics and mild story-game elements. It is not an MMORPG." & "...mild storyline elements extending from class and companions, and the game experience is not strongly varied from player to player." And where exactly do you know that? Where have you seen/read that from? I hope you're not one of those just trying to explain from own opinions instead of real facts. "...We spoke on the nuances in the classes next. Gamers may play the same class, but may play them very differently. At character creation, players choose to be Light or Dark, but regardless of their class and affiliation, players make decisions along their career that shift them toward the light or dark, and the powers they attain will reflect that." Fully voice-acted cinematic scenes, that has long-term impact on your character/class. With morality points gained as you go along - a picture here is shown: http://darthhater.com/2009/08/21/dissected-demo-walkthrough-video/ Picture 24 of 28. Down in the right corner. They choices you make affects your Companion characters. They can betray you, become more loyal, and love (romance) you. "This is larger than anything we've ever done," said Dallas Dickinson, Senior Content Producer. "There are already more lines of dialogue in SWTOR than all the Bioware games put together." said at an interview with MMORGP.com (It is like the dialogue in Mass Effect. I've heard)

It seems people need to learn reading comprehension skills. Bioware has already described the game they are working on. To include attributes and diverse class distinctions isn't what they're going to do. They're not working on a game that contains game-play systems like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. They're working on an FPS that has weak RPG elements within an MMO operating vehicle. They've said this much, so don't tell me I'm misjudging the game from what they've claimed themselves. Yes, Bioware might change the entire approach, forestalling release by a few months. Bioware might use the same game-play system they use for Dragon Age. Unless they pay licensing fees to Hasbro (and hence Wizards) they'll not have use of the same game-play system they used for KotR. In essence, they used Wizards' Star Wars D20 rules for KotR, rules that are very similar to the D&D rules that Wizards owns the license to. And Hasbro now owns Wizards. So if you continue to henpeck me, I'll just have to write you off as idiots. There's no way Bioware will have substantial RPG similarity in their "MMORPG" short of paying Hasbro or using Dragon Age Origins game rules. Or using a different system entirely -- anything is remotely possible.

@L-5-R I totally agree.

@september_basic I don't think its right for you to judge a game when they haven't even FREAKIN ANNOUNCED THE RELEASE DATE.

@september_basic I'm going to have to agree with Trision, Bioware just haven't given enough information to judge this already. Bioware always does a fantastic job with their games, I have very high hopes for this. And so does a lot of other people...I'm sure they won't disappoint.

@Trision Did you read the forgoing sentences in that paragraph you quote? I wasn't talking about SWORO. I was talking about MMORPG in general. "What MMORPG designers fail to do is create a massively multi-player online role-playing game. I see redundant stories with only mild variance between each. I see no real effect on the campaign story from player-based actions." "What MMORPG designers do" is written, not "what Bioware designers do" nor the ambiguous "the game designers" as mentioned earlier. I am vehement against the lack of improvement in MMORPG, a media that is largely influenced by factotum that aren't learned of predecessor games. Now, as to Star Wars the Old Republic I can only say that Bioware could do so much better. They really could. I feel sorrow about this. Anyone remember how lovely it was that Bioware included rules that other AD&D computer game designers were scared to include? Namely some rules for land ownership that are included in AD&D but many players of AD&D forget about too. Now consider that Bioware's made NO mention of using RPG attribute and skill choice rules, not even using those from DAO. This is dissapointing to me, at least. What skill choices might we have? A choice between weapon skills at most. What attributes might we have? Companions.

@september_basic "I see no real effect on the campaign story from player-based actions." How is this possible when you haven't even played through the story? It seems to me like you are trying review the game before it's even finished.

they better take their time on this, i want the eyebrows to work perfectly.

@Trision Don't be silly. Game descriptions proliferate. The game designers are probably NOT deceiving us as to how they have crafted game-play. Given descriptions of game-play on the game's own website and from interviews and reviews, the game has tactics, mild storyline elements extending from class and companions, and the game experience is not strongly varied from player to player. What MMORPG designers fail to do is create a massively multi-player online role-playing game. I see redundant stories with only mild variance between each. I see no real effect on the campaign story from player-based actions. I see that game designers are choosing the laziest and stupidest designs over intelligent and interesting designs. This appears to be what game designers are willing to provide strangers as entertainment for money. Now please consider what games that game designers might be providing to their families and friends, their significant others. Better than what we see? Probably! Are many others going to get on their Christmas list? Probably not.

I keep seeing the same inane posts everywhere this game shows up. First There will be a monthly fee. because unlike normal none mmo games. They never stop producing new content. Even on Xbox live you gota pay for new content. Its how they feed there family's, or in an mmo case pay for huge server farms to get you a stable server to play on. seriously... And the art and animation is beautiful. I bet half the people posting otherwise have no Idea the work behind creating a seamless 3D world, let alone one populated with 100's of players all the time. I doubt anyone has a computer that can run an mmo with graphics up to there naive expectations. Bioware has a flair for there art. and they've never failed. I salute them. and can't wait to play it.

@september_basic: How do you know this game is "a MMOFPS with squad-based tactics and mild story-game elements"? Have you even played the game? Probably not.

lol he was asked what was his favorite and he managed to list almost all of the current games they have out.. this company is going downhill since EA purchased them.. SWTOR is gonna be a big fail.. from any gameplay footage I have seen tor looks horrible, thats why they always show that rendered sceen.. sadly lots of people think it is going to look and play like that.. haha

Bioware is largely past her prime. I rue that she did not seek to renew a license to use Star Wars RPG rules and so cannot use RPG structures they used in prior Star Wars games. They did not seek to replace these structures with those found in Dragon Age Origins, which would have been acceptable. This game is a MMOFPS with squad-based tactics and mild story-game elements. It is not an MMORPG.

pissed that they are turning one of my favorite RPGs into an mmo >= (

Turning to sh*t, eh what? This is BioWare buddy.

They'd better take their time on this one. I don't want this game turning to $hit like The Force Unleashed.

name a better game, your lieing

Dr. Greg .... jade empire II would be nice . motion-sensing in RPG wont work this gen . But I think the Doc was being sarcastic

@niceshadesnick: That's my point.

@TheReaper180: how can anyone make a game and not play it all the time?

@TheDarkDestroyr: I'm pretty sure they'll charge do you expect it to be free. I highly doubt it as sad as that makes me. :(

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@gawthy: The reason they haven't made a BG game is because they no longer have control of the rights to make ANYTHING that is within the BG universe.

I wonder if you will need to pay monthly like world of warcraft?

what would be sweet is a G0D D@MN release date for swtor!!!

@Caml10: You wouldn't believe how many developers say that about the game they are making.

Didn't Atari or someone make a failed forehead-motion-sensing peripheral way back? It was called a mind reader or something to that effect... Aside from that: "I can't tell you, except for that we get to play it all the time." Man I love those guys.

Dragon Age DEPLOYED. I've already burned all of my Sunday yesterday, GLUED to the task of becoming an Arcane Warrior :) REALLY enjoying this game so far. ... anyone know how I can unlock the bottom lip and nose-flare achievements in Project Eyebrow?

TheHappyCamper was spot on and would like to c another baulders gate and any star wars games that look good

The Old Republic and WoW are totally different. >_>

@Neogenic Former street-fighter now competing in MMA/UFC.

Who is Kimbo Slice??

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im still waiting for the god damn lightsaber simulator.

"Project Eyebrow". Hahaha, sweet.

I'll second Malscyllis' comment. Great interview, good questions. Dr. Greg Zeschuk seems really personable, humble, and knowlegeable. I know I cannot wait for Mass Effect 2, and i am enjoying the hell outta Dragon Age: Origings. Only thing: Is there anyone out there playing a Bioware game and thinking, "Man, this game blows without motion sensing."?

Gamespot, tell Bioware i love them :)