Apparently not. “We didn’t set out to kill WoW,” says producer Jake Sully Neri at a hands on event for the new BioWare developed Star Wars MMORPG. A bit underwhelming if you ask me. If the Star Wars franchise, with its hordes of rabid fans frothing at the mouth to once again hear those iconic lightsaber “RRUANGHHH”’s aren’t aiming to topple what is responsible for zombifying more people than TV ever did – or a plague ever could – then who else will?

Even more horrifying is that Star Wars: The Old Republic is probably going to be a really good game, with depth and wit. BioWare has never disappointed there before. Even more exciting is the fact that BioWare is developing this MMORPG so that it is not force-heavy. That is, they are making classes such as the Republic Trooper actually fun and rewarding to play so that players actually get a diverse Star Wars universe, instead of some massive Jedi vs. Sith affair, with red and green lightsabers in boring abundance. BioWare have come out on record and said that they are focusing more on the story, rather than gimmicks. Every line of dialogue will be voiced, including the player’s own character’s. Remember Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic? That, but on an epic scale.

It’s rather a shame that The Old Republic isn’t being marketed more aggressively, particularly at the Warcrafters. People really only ever have time to spend playing one MMORPG – especially if it is paid. Who are they hoping to snatch up, between WoW and Eve Online? Age of Conan tried that, Aion tried that and look at them now. Minimal player bases and both actually pretty decent games.

Even worse is Guild Wars 2 is poised to come out – with it’s unique free-of-charge pocketed-massively-multiplayer system. That is, instances are created every time you leave a lobby level. That was popular, mainly because it simulated the MMO experience at no extra cost outside of buying the game.

Who are BioWare targeting, then, as their audience? As I mentioned, there are legions of Star Wars fans, but those who don’t play MMO’s already aren’t likely to get into it. Those who do play MMO’s already probably play WoW.

I leave you with the 2009 E3 trailer – still every bit as exciting today as it was then, still every bit as mouth-watering, as appetite-whetting. It’s just disappointing to hear that BioWare isn’t going for the kill, but merely a scrape to the middle left toe of the WoW dominion.

-HS

Tags: game, MMORPG, Star Wars, The Old Republic, World of Warcraft
Posted in Blog