Okay this info isnt all 1st hand like my initial post so dont chop my head off if it isnt true. Here goes...

Its been talked about at a buffet and the hotel pool that Bioware employees were seen around SOE's studio in Austin. Apparently they were led around by some senior SOE employees. The Bioware employees included Vogel (sp?). One person said a joke about Vogel going to the "dark side" was made while there.

Many who've interviewed have been comparing notes around the hotel. Some people said that they were asked about relocating to Edmonton or Australia.

The interviews end friday so Im hoping to have more info by then.

Also...

everyone there thinks that Bioware is hiring a lot more than 25 people. Thinking is at least a hundred and not all will be located in Austin. Edmonton and Australia have been mentioned to some in interviews.

Some think 2 projects are in the works, others think just one big one.

Remember folks, this isnt 1st hand but just stuff being talked about with many there

---

Originally posted by Mordah
They were probably just touring SOE so they could see what NOT to do.

---

Hahaha, well said!

---

Originally posted by Rups
No offense, but the touring of companies by other companies is pretty common. But we can all hope that there just may be a siver lining out there.

---

---

Originally posted by Bob_Blawblaw

---

Originally posted by Rups
No offense, but the touring of companies by other companies is pretty common. But we can all hope that there just may be a siver lining out there.

---

Um, no it isn't. Not in the games industry. Games companies tend to be ridiculously jealous when it comes to guarding IP.

---

Bob_Blawblaw is correct. Though it's even more broad than that.

You don't really give your competitors a tour of your facilities. It works that way in the music industry as well. A record label will have publishers over to their offices, treat them to lunches, etc in hoping for some love when it comes to rates. However, a record label will NOT have another competing record label over to their office. (Unless a buyout/merger is imminent)

I'd imagine it's the same in the gaming industry. Similar principles involved.

---

Originally posted by Torchwood
Problem is, why would a company take over a outdated game. A game with as much bad press, problems, and such? Graphics, engine, gameplay, all subpar. It would be easier to make a new one rather then saddle yourself with swg.

---

Exactly...

Nothing is gonna happen with SWG, it's going to continue as it has with LA managing it and SOE doing their development whims.

---

Originally posted by Torchwood
Problem is, why would a company take over a outdated game.  A game with as much bad press, problems, and such?  Graphics, engine, gameplay, all subpar.  It would be easier to make a new one rather then saddle yourself with swg.

---

Here is a couple of possible reason why another company would take over SWG.

1. It part of a bigger deal [For example if the rumors are true about Bioware working on SWG2 or another star wars game then part of the agreement may be for them to fix the Pre-cu SWG {which most people liked} plus they could update some of the game mechanics]. Also, keep im mind that even though there were a few probelms with the original SWG it was still way better than the current SWG.

2. In Addition, keep in mind if SWG2 does comes out in a couple of years it may face some stiff competition around that time period with Star Trek Online and Stargate-SG1 [both mmorpgs] coming out about then. So they are going to need to decent player base willing to play it and since SOE screwed up SWG it has gotten a lot of bad press. So if LA is smart they would seek a developer to bring what most of the player base wants, which is the Pre-CU SWG but with fixes and modification to it. All in order to maintian a good player base who would be willing to play SWG2, without having to worrie about a negative view of the pervious game.

Anyhow thats my thoughts,

Tauceti

---

Originally posted by Tauceti

---

Originally posted by Torchwood
Problem is, why would a company take over a outdated game.  A game with as much bad press, problems, and such?  Graphics, engine, gameplay, all subpar.  It would be easier to make a new one rather then saddle yourself with swg.

---

Here is a couple of possible reason why another company would take over SWG.

1. It part of a bigger deal [For example if the rumors are true about Bioware working on SWG2 or another star wars game then part of the agreement may be for them to fix the Pre-cu SWG {which most people liked} plus they could update some of the game mechanics]. Also, keep im mind that even though there were a few probelms with the original SWG it was still way better than the current SWG.

2. In Addition, keep in mind if SWG2 does comes out in a couple of years it may face some stiff competition around that time period with Star Trek Online and Stargate-SG1 [both mmorpgs] coming out about then. So they are going to need to decent player base willing to play it and since SOE screwed up SWG it has gotten a lot of bad press. So if LA is smart they would seek a developer to bring what most of the player base wants, which is the Pre-CU SWG but with fixes and modification to it. All in order to maintian a good player base who would be willing to play SWG2, without having to worrie about a negative view of the pervious game.

Anyhow thats my thoughts,

Tauceti

---