The Old Republic: First Thoughts

Much against everyone’s advice my better judgement, I’ve been rethinking my stance on the KOTOR MMORPG. This is mostly due to Master Devwi’s epic post at EUcantina compiling all the known facts about the forthcoming game.

Rather than use my own words to illustrate what it was that has made me change my mind I thought, like a second rate hack, I’d simply re-post the stand out ideas that really made an impact on me from Master Devwi’s article.

So, without further ado:

• It will be a good game for KOTOR fans who don’t play MMOs.
• You can have companion characters.
• Companions will have their own stories and quests.
• If you start in the Sith Empire, you can eventually become a Sith Lord, or you can be good. (my emphasis)
• If it’s in the movies, you should be able to do it in the game.
• “It’s not just about the Jedi Knights.”
• The good/evil mechanic has a gray area.
• BioWare: “you can play on your own, but we’re going to encourage you to be social; we’re not going to force grouping, but we aim to encourage.” (my emphasis)
• BioWare is trying to humanize the Sith Empire.
• Even though the leaders may be bad, not all members of the Sith Empire are.
• As a Sith, you can decide whether you uphold Sith values or change things from within.
• BioWare: “we’re focused on making a heroic game, so even if you’re not a Jedi, you’re the best representation of that class.”
• Characters from KOTOR may show up (at least, those that can live for more than 300 years… HK-47, maybe?).
• “Story gives meaning.”
• “You can’t have Han Solo without Chewbacca” (referring to companion characters).
• They are trying to bring story to the online space.
• BioWare doesn’t want people coming in and dressing up in crazy outfits, ruining the “Star Wars” experience.
• BioWare wants to make the story interesting for everyone.  Even players who usually just to rush through games and don’t care about story.