MIne:

Worst kept secret there is out there is that on 10/21 Bioware and LucasArts will announce a Star Wars MMO, which will most likely be based in the KOTOR era (5,000 years BBY).

They will announce this game, which will be based on a state of the art engine, and because it's already been in development for 3 years or so will be much closer to release than the typical MMO announcement.  I speculate 2009.

With this SWGNGE immediately becomes irrelevant.  Everyone except  Badgerbanger and a handful of hardcore Smed fanbois will leave the second the doors open.  With alpha and beta likely being very close at hand, this will come fast.

The NGE will end, finally, literally the day this new MMO opens.  If not before.  LEC won't want it competing with the new one, and frankly, SWG is such a liability it wouldn't be worth maintaining even if it were profitable, which I seriously doubt that it is.

I do believe that on 10/21 we wil finally know the day (or close to the day)  that the long NGE nightmare will come to an end.

 Hmm I have most likely missed it, I usually do... But where exactly is it stated officially that they new MMO is in fact a Star Wars MMO? 

I would love a new Star Wars MMO just for the fact that SOE is lacking the balls to do a forced server migration of SWG so we could get some people to play with. NGE on it's own isn't as bad as everyone is yelling their lungs out to make everyone else think it is. It was poorly implemented which lead to low populated servers. 

And about shutting it down not to compete with the new game? How would they do that? New game is Bioware and EA as it seems, old game is SOE and LA. LA won't pull out as it isn't costing them jack and they still have a contract with SOE about just the SWG game. 

With todays trends it will most likely be a overhyped game that in the end will make everyone all whiny and squeeky becouse it wasn't "the star wars game WE wanted it to be"... Just look at AoC, War, Lotro... All these games had whining fans just after release becouse THEY didn't like how the game was made. 

Well time for bed here, you all have fun contemplating this yet to be fully announced game ^^

Originally posted by kithe

 Hmm I have most likely missed it, I usually do... But where exactly is it stated officially that they new MMO is in fact a Star Wars MMO? 

 

I would love a new Star Wars MMO just for the fact that SOE is lacking the balls to do a forced server migration of SWG so we could get some people to play with. NGE on it's own isn't as bad as everyone is yelling their lungs out to make everyone else think it is. It was poorly implemented which lead to low populated servers. 

 

And about shutting it down not to compete with the new game? How would they do that? New game is Bioware and EA as it seems, old game is SOE and LA. LA won't pull out as it isn't costing them jack and they still have a contract with SOE about just the SWG game. 

 

With todays trends it will most likely be a overhyped game that in the end will make everyone all whiny and squeeky becouse it wasn't "the star wars game WE wanted it to be"... Just look at AoC, War, Lotro... All these games had whining fans just after release becouse THEY didn't like how the game was made. 

 

Well time for bed here, you all have fun contemplating this yet to be fully announced game ^^

You haven#t missed anything. But well...there's several pointers leading people to believe the unveiled game will be Star Wars: The Old Republic. Such as registered trademarks in that name, the cooperation between LA and BioWare, the slip from EA's chief honcho, several alleged claims by ex employees, etc. etc.

It's considered the industry's worst kept secret. And it certianly has been hyped and speculated about long before any facts about it have ever surfaced. Which would fit in nicely with their announcement of revealing.."the most anticipated game...".

its kotoro, soe knows all about it. The swg devs are planning the free transfers in the beginning of '09, expect kotoro to be released late '09, maybe 9/1/09?.

Isn't this all the proof you need?

When it's already confirmed that on that day Bioware will reveal what their MMO is going to be?  What else would LUCASARTS be involved with that would be announced that would be a MMO?

Originally posted by precuorbust

Isn't this all the proof you need?

 

When it's already confirmed that on that day Bioware will reveal what their MMO is going to be?  What else would LUCASARTS be involved with that would be announced that would be a MMO?

 

Well a new StarWars MMO, that actually works well at release, and is fun and immersive, will give a lot of people something they've been longing for, for years. 
 

I expect given the choice of SWG or something like this, many StarWars fans (including current SWG players) would choose the new option.

P.S.  Please keep Julio Torres far, far away from this new game.  His marketting of the ToOW and the NGE would really sour this new deal.  Likewise people like Nancy McIntyre.  They just said and did things that were very damaging, and likely won't be forgotten. 

As I've seen stated elsewhere, here are the scenarios:

1.   The game is released, is very good, doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, thus making it far more appealing than the broken, unfun, desolate NGE.

2. The game is released, is mediocre, but still doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, which still makes it far more appealing than the NGE.

3. The game is released, is utter crap, but at least it's utter crap that doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, which still makes it more appealing than the NGE.

I simply cannot conceive of any scenario where the two games, regardless of the quality of the new one (and come on, it's Bioware, you know that there is no way in HELL any effort of theirs will turn out a product that isn't better than the current NGE) will both exist post release of the new game.

There are two kinds of players left playing the NGE game:

1. People who play it simply because it's the only Star Wars MMO, they don't like the NGE, and will leave the instant there is a better alternative. 

2. People who would stand in line for days for "collections tokens"  that would allow them to drink out of Smed's toilet.  This is a very small but very vocal number.  And we know who they are.  Not enough of them to fill a single spaceport, though they will be there till the bitter end and will still probably be claiming that there are "more people than ever" playing the NGE.

The low population of SWG is no competition for any game, and hasn't been for almost three years. I wouldn't be surprised if LA/LEC allows it to remain on Station Pass Life Support as Station Pass 'filler'. The big advantage for the new SW game is that it is not attached to the $OE name. $OE=Kiss of Death.

I believe that the free character transfers and the inevitable server merges are proactive measures being taken for the upcoming bioware game. There is no doubt that many current SWG players will be vying for Alpha and Beta testing positions, and many will bail out of SWG when the game goes live.

Originally posted by Kazara

The low population of SWG is no competition for any game, and hasn't been for almost three years. I wouldn't be surprised if LA/LEC allows it to remain on Station Pass Life Support as Station Pass 'filler'. The big advantage for the new SW game is that it is not attached to the $OE name. $OE=Kiss of Death.

I believe that the free character transfers and the inevitable server merges are proactive measures being taken for the upcoming bioware game. There is no doubt that many current SWG players will be vying for Alpha and Beta testing positions, and many will bail out of SWG when the game goes live.

I agree. This is probably the most logical scenario.

Originally posted by Kazara

The low population of SWG is no competition for any game, and hasn't been for almost three years. I wouldn't be surprised if LA/LEC allows it to remain on Station Pass Life Support as Station Pass 'filler'. The big advantage for the new SW game is that it is not attached to the $OE name. $OE=Kiss of Death.

I believe that the free character transfers and the inevitable server merges are proactive measures being taken for the upcoming bioware game. There is no doubt that many current SWG players will be vying for Alpha and Beta testing positions, and many will bail out of SWG when the game goes live.

I suspect that this is the scenario that SOE is hoping for. But I doubt it's going to happen. Allowing SWG to continue on life support while simultaneously running a SW MMO with Bioware would seriously dilute the Star Wars IP in a way that Lucas FIlm has never allowed before, and is unlikely to allow now.

Originally posted by kithe

 Hmm I have most likely missed it, I usually do... But where exactly is it stated officially that they new MMO is in fact a Star Wars MMO? 

 

I would love a new Star Wars MMO just for the fact that SOE is lacking the balls to do a forced server migration of SWG so we could get some people to play with. NGE on it's own isn't as bad as everyone is yelling their lungs out to make everyone else think it is. It was poorly implemented which lead to low populated servers. 

 

And about shutting it down not to compete with the new game? How would they do that? New game is Bioware and EA as it seems, old game is SOE and LA. LA won't pull out as it isn't costing them jack and they still have a contract with SOE about just the SWG game. 

 

With todays trends it will most likely be a overhyped game that in the end will make everyone all whiny and squeeky becouse it wasn't "the star wars game WE wanted it to be"... Just look at AoC, War, Lotro... All these games had whining fans just after release becouse THEY didn't like how the game was made. 

 

Well time for bed here, you all have fun contemplating this yet to be fully announced game ^^

Denial is NOT a river.
You sound just like those guys over on the offical forums. Your game WILL BE CANCELED get ready.

Why else does SOE allow afk grinding and exploits? Here's a hint..they know the end is near.

Originally posted by precuorbust

As I've seen stated elsewhere, here are the scenarios:

1.   The game is released, is very good, doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, thus making it far more appealing than the broken, unfun, desolate NGE.

2. The game is released, is mediocre, but still doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, which still makes it far more appealing than the NGE.

3. The game is released, is utter crap, but at least it's utter crap that doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, which still makes it more appealing than the NGE.

I simply cannot conceive of any scenario where the two games, regardless of the quality of the new one (and come on, it's Bioware, you know that there is no way in HELL any effort of theirs will turn out a product that isn't better than the current NGE) will both exist post release of the new game.

There are two kinds of players left playing the NGE game:

1. People who play it simply because it's the only Star Wars MMO, they don't like the NGE, and will leave the instant there is a better alternative. 

2. People who would stand in line for days for "collections tokens"  that would allow them to drink out of Smed's toilet.  This is a very small but very vocal number.  And we know who they are.  Not enough of them to fill a single spaceport, though they will be there till the bitter end and will still probably be claiming that there are "more people than ever" playing the NGE.

 

 

Really not looking to start an argument here, but there is at least a third kind of player:

3. People who enjoy the NGE as is.

I know.  Might be hard to believe.  But then again some people think Pauly Shore is funny and who am I to say he's not?

Originally posted by talanisen

Originally posted by Kazara

The low population of SWG is no competition for any game, and hasn't been for almost three years. I wouldn't be surprised if LA/LEC allows it to remain on Station Pass Life Support as Station Pass 'filler'. The big advantage for the new SW game is that it is not attached to the $OE name. $OE=Kiss of Death.

I believe that the free character transfers and the inevitable server merges are proactive measures being taken for the upcoming bioware game. There is no doubt that many current SWG players will be vying for Alpha and Beta testing positions, and many will bail out of SWG when the game goes live.

 

I suspect that this is the scenario that SOE is hoping for. But I doubt it's going to happen. Allowing SWG to continue on life support while simultaneously running a SW MMO with Bioware would seriously dilute the Star Wars IP in a way that Lucas FIlm has never allowed before, and is unlikely to allow now.

Exactly what I think.  LEC might make an exception were the NGE game actually making a lot of money, but we all know that it's barely breaking even by now if even that.  The exodus to the Bioware game will make that even worse. 

Indeed, recall that awhile back it leaked out that LEC and SOE had renegotiated their deal, and the license fee (rumored to be over $5m a year) was greatly reduced or dropped completely so that the NGE could at least operate on it's own revenue.

There is simply no incentive there for LEC to allow the NGE to remain open, and they will probably terminate SOE's rights as soon as they can.  Without expansions to sell at retail nor much of anything in fees/revenue sharing LEC is literally making nothing off the NGE these days.  I suspect the only reason why they adjusted their fee structure (if this indeed happened) was to keep the thing viable for SOE to run on life support mode until the Bioware game was ready, thinking at least that they'd retain something of a customer base that would transfer to the new game, instead of being forced to someone else's before it was out.

I like all the back peddling people have done and I expect lots more to come. Some of the things I've heard over the years

"BioWare isn't making an MMO"

"BioWare will never work with LEC again."

"BioWare isn't working on an MMO with Lucas Arts"

"The MMO will be Dragon Age"

"It's gonna be a Balders gate MMO"

"It's just a rumor and untrue"

"BioWare isn't making a Star Wars MMO with Lucas Arts"

"They would never make another Star Wars MMO because SOE already has one."

"It's gonna suck."

"It's not gonna have sandbox elements"

"It's gonna suck and it's gonna bring more people to SWG"

I'm sure I could find more if I searched.

Originally posted by tillamook

I like all the back peddling people have done and I expect lots more to come. Some of the things I've heard over the years

"BioWare isn't making an MMO"

"BioWare will never work with LEC again."

"BioWare isn't working on an MMO with Lucas Arts"

"The MMO will be Dragon Age"

"It's gonna be a Balders gate MMO"

"It's just a rumor and untrue"

"BioWare isn't making a Star Wars MMO with Lucas Arts"

"They would never make another Star Wars MMO because SOE already has one."

"It's gonna suck."

"It's not gonna have sandbox elements"

"It's gonna suck and it's gonna bring more people to SWG"

I'm sure I could find more if I searched.

I hope these people don't bet on horse races.

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by precuorbust

As I've seen stated elsewhere, here are the scenarios:

1.   The game is released, is very good, doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, thus making it far more appealing than the broken, unfun, desolate NGE.

2. The game is released, is mediocre, but still doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, which still makes it far more appealing than the NGE.

3. The game is released, is utter crap, but at least it's utter crap that doesn't have SOE stench associated with it, which still makes it more appealing than the NGE.

I simply cannot conceive of any scenario where the two games, regardless of the quality of the new one (and come on, it's Bioware, you know that there is no way in HELL any effort of theirs will turn out a product that isn't better than the current NGE) will both exist post release of the new game.

There are two kinds of players left playing the NGE game:

1. People who play it simply because it's the only Star Wars MMO, they don't like the NGE, and will leave the instant there is a better alternative. 

2. People who would stand in line for days for "collections tokens"  that would allow them to drink out of Smed's toilet.  This is a very small but very vocal number.  And we know who they are.  Not enough of them to fill a single spaceport, though they will be there till the bitter end and will still probably be claiming that there are "more people than ever" playing the NGE.

 

 

Really not looking to start an argument here, but there is at least a third kind of player:

3. People who enjoy the NGE as is.

I know.  Might be hard to believe.  But then again some people think Pauly Shore is funny and who am I to say he's not?

Idk i play SWG now not because i dont  particularly like it but because its the only mmo i can play GCW era  stuff (even though its horrible done only mods keep me in this game atm) . If the new MMO Is KOTOR i hope its not based only on Jedi i would love for it to be a preGCW or post ROTJ MMO but tht will only be in dreams (hopefully not)

Nonetheless if its just lightsabers then i rather stay in SWG  fr the time being until a better MMO come out.

Lol i worte too much lol ill leave it to basics:

SWG sucks I know this

SWG only has my subscription becaus eof the SW part.

If BIOWARE makes a better SW game where i feel immersed in that universe then tschuess gtfo SWG.

Bioware will announce the KoToR online game. NGE will merge servers and shore up the remaining players and ride out the year until the release. Once KoToR is made live, SWG's subs will grow too small for LA to ignore, Bioware will want to be the only SW mmo on the block and so the license will be discreetly revoked. SOE will claim it will be cutting the game to focus on their newer games. LA will thank SOE for running a historic mmo and helping pave the way to the next generation of gaming. 

Bioware, on the other hand, will then run the game with an iron fist and anger their playerbase with every update. This will not deter them though because they have evidence that the SW mmo playerbase is long suffering and nigh on fanatical with its need to be immersed in the setting.

Even further into the future, I see me writing a similar post in another forum called KoToR Online, KoToR Vet Refuge.

Originally posted by kefkah

Bioware will announce the KoToR online game. NGE will merge servers and shore up the remaining players and ride out the year until the release. Once KoToR is made live, SWG's subs will grow too small for LA to ignore, Bioware will want to be the only SW mmo on the block and so the license will be discreetly revoked. SOE will claim it will be cutting the game to focus on their newer games. LA will thank SOE for running a historic mmo and helping pave the way to the next generation of gaming. 

Bioware, on the other hand, will then run the game with an iron fist and anger their playerbase with every update. This will not deter them though because they have evidence that the SW mmo playerbase is long suffering and nigh on fanatical with its need to be immersed in the setting.

Even further into the future, I see me writing a similar post in another forum called KoToR Online, KoToR Vet Refuge.

 

ROFL! This is the best prediction by far!

/Salute Kefkah

Originally posted by kefkah

Bioware will announce the KoToR online game. NGE will merge servers and shore up the remaining players and ride out the year until the release. Once KoToR is made live, SWG's subs will grow too small for LA to ignore, Bioware will want to be the only SW mmo on the block and so the license will be discreetly revoked. SOE will claim it will be cutting the game to focus on their newer games. LA will thank SOE for running a historic mmo and helping pave the way to the next generation of gaming. 

Bioware, on the other hand, will then run the game with an iron fist and anger their playerbase with every update. This will not deter them though because they have evidence that the SW mmo playerbase is long suffering and nigh on fanatical with its need to be immersed in the setting.

Even further into the future, I see me writing a similar post in another forum called KoToR Online, KoToR Vet Refuge.

 

HAHAHAHA!  xD

My prediction, if the BioWare/LEC game is indeed a new Star Wars based MMO, is that SOE goes into overdrive to assure everyone that SWG is in no danger of shutting down.  There will likely be an appearance by whoever is the LEC SWG producer nowdays making a post assuring everyone that they have no plans to cancel SWG.  I also predict that within six months of the new game's launch, the SWG servers and subscriptions will be low enough that SOE and LEC begin negotiating shutting down SWG.

I think the intent will be to have both games live at the same time, but that SWG won't maintain a base level of players to remain viable very long after the new game offers an alternative.  The only thing SWG currently has going for it is its tangential connections to Star Wars.  The intent won't be for the new game to finally put SWG out of its misery, but that will be practical result.

Originally posted by tillamook

I like all the back peddling people have done and I expect lots more to come. Some of the things I've heard over the years

"BioWare isn't making an MMO"

"BioWare will never work with LEC again."

"BioWare isn't working on an MMO with Lucas Arts"

"The MMO will be Dragon Age"

"It's gonna be a Balders gate MMO"

"It's just a rumor and untrue"

"BioWare isn't making a Star Wars MMO with Lucas Arts"

"They would never make another Star Wars MMO because SOE already has one."

"It's gonna suck."

"It's not gonna have sandbox elements"

"It's gonna suck and it's gonna bring more people to SWG"

I'm sure I could find more if I searched.

I actually will be pleasantly surprised if it DOES have much in the way of sandbox elements. That certainly does not seem to be the industry trend.

Bioware isn't stupid.  There will definitey be sandbox elements, maybe not what we once had, but  stuff Bioware does tends to...  work...

I wouldn't doubt that BioWare's MMO will have some (slight) sandbox elements, but I don't see the game having a ton of them.  From what has been said by the folks at BioWare, the main focus of their MMO will be to deliver a strong story directed game, one that is similar to their single player MMOs.  Hopefully they include significan choices that have an impact on the outcome of the stories, which is one of the main draws to thir post Baldur's Gate games (every post Baldur's Gate game had some sort of moral choices that affected the outcome of the story, even if the KotOR choices were little more than agreeing with the developer's worldview gave you light side points, while disagreeing, even if the choice had no real evilness to it, gave dark side points).

I really hope that if choices are included, they are more involved than rude response is evil, nice respinse is good (or the Mass Effect allignment system).

Originally posted by Obee

I wouldn't doubt that BioWare's MMO will have some (slight) sandbox elements, but I don't see the game having a ton of them.  From what has been said by the folks at BioWare, the main focus of their MMO will be to deliver a strong story directed game, one that is similar to their single player MMOs.  Hopefully they include significan choices that have an impact on the outcome of the stories, which is one of the main draws to thir post Baldur's Gate games (every post Baldur's Gate game had some sort of moral choices that affected the outcome of the story, even if the KotOR choices were little more than agreeing with the developer's worldview gave you light side points, while disagreeing, even if the choice had no real evilness to it, gave dark side points).

I really hope that if choices are included, they are more involved than rude response is evil, nice respinse is good (or the Mass Effect allignment system).

 

 

I agree.  I don't think it will be a "sandbox".  I'm basically hoping for 3 things.  A template system, a good crafting system, and quests that are engaging.
 

If the game is fun to play, and isn't a grindfest, I'll be incredibly happy.