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star wars MMO old republic


LucasArts have kindly released to the Star Wars Geekdom their full presentation of Bioware MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic.

It's twenty minutes of information about the game, including art styles and trailers.

Things are looking good, and the project is definitely in the right hands.

And although the game has only been in production for a short time, and no gameplay footage is available, the signs are good, with LucasArts looking to gain as much community feedback as possible.

You can find the full video here.
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A New Star Wars MMO Hope Announced

October 22nd 2008 11:29
star wars MMO


If you had somehow avoided the lure of WoW, were able to deny the siren-like call of Warhammer, chances are your time as a functioning member of the human race are numbered.

Through a cunning and completely unnecessary teaser campaign, the worst kept secret in gaming today has finally been revealed. The latest MMO to hit your PC (and PC only) from LucasArts and Bioware will be Star Wars: The Old Republic.


Promising a real, actual storyline (in your face Age of Conan) that will lure even those that have steadfastly refuse to become involved in your run of the mill MMO's, alongside "an innovative approach to interactive entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters," this could be the one old school role players have waited for. Not convinced? How about "fusing BioWare's heritage of critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation - story"?

Damn them. Damn then to Hoth. The title is now in developement so keep an eye out for more news soon. In the meatime the full press release can be found below.


LucasArts and BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts, today announced the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic, a story-driven massively multiplayer online PC game set in the timeframe of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic franchise.

Star Wars: The Old Republic, being developed and published by BioWare and LucasArts, represents an innovative approach to interactive entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters.

In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Old Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy.

Players can choose to play as Jedi, Sith, or a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, defining their personal story and determining their path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way, players will befriend courageous companions who will fight at their side or possibly betray them, based on the players' actions.

Players can also choose to team up with friends to battle enemies and overcome incredible challenges using dynamic Star Wars combat.

"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is the most critically acclaimed Star Wars game in LucasArts history and a preeminent example of our company's interactive storytelling heritage," said Darrell Rodriguez, President of LucasArts.

"For a long time, we've wanted to return to the franchise in a grand way, and we felt that the best setting for it was an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in the experience together. We knew that the developer capable of working with us to deliver an engrossing story with a fully-realized online world was BioWare."

"Traditionally, massively multiplayer online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of EA.

"In Star Wars: The Old Republic, we're fusing BioWare's heritage of critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation - story. At the same time, we will still deliver all the fun features and activities that fans have come to expect in a triple-A massively multiplayer online game. To top it all off, Star Wars: The Old Republic is set in a very exciting, dynamic period in the Star Wars universe."

Added Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder and Vice President Development Operations, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts Inc., "Star Wars: The Old Republic is set roughly 300 years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe that is completely unexplored in the lore. BioWare has been able to add to the Star Wars history in developing the game's story and has created an overarching narrative that players can enjoy, regardless of their play style. Our goal is to offer players an emotionally rewarding experience that combines the traditional elements of MMO gameplay with innovations in story and character development."
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Are There No More Bad Games Being Made?

October 17th 2008 05:56
fallout 3


The latest copy of PC Powerplay has reviewed a raft of new games, many of which are the big name releases for the coming holiday season. And lets face it, games that are acrsoss platforms these days are pretty much the same. Startling, these games, of which there are eleven, average out at a score of 7.9/10. It's easy to say that most of these titles are flagship IP's for the publishers, but in an age where smaller developers are being consumed by the EA's and Activision Blizzard's of the world, it seems to indicate that blockbuster titles are becoming the norm, designed with low risk and huge amounts of community feedback along the way.
Perhaps you put these remarkably high scores down to the reviews themselves... The question has been raised in the past as to the legitimacy of game reviewers scores, with many tarred with the gamespot brush, but this magazine has long had a reputation for quality and impartiality and there has been no reason to think otherwise.

The actual list of games looks like this:

Fallout 3 : 9
Far Cry 2 : 10
Warhammer Online : 7
Dead Space : 7
Crysis: Warhead : 7
Civilisation 4 : 8
Brothers In Arms HH: 8
Mercs 4 WIF : 7
Pro Evolution 9 : 7
X2 : 8
Falcon 4 : 9

Production values in games are at Hollywood levels now, with professional writers and directors involved. Gameplay mechanics are being improved through the boot camp of expos, media and community events held showing early builds of their games. It's a smart system, allowing hard core fans the opportunity to let the developers know where they are doing well or screwing up and giving them the chance to fix it before launch. And a system that seems to be resulting in monotonously predictable review scores.
The upside is that we are getting higher quality product, it's becoming gamers paradise. The downside... Too many to choose from? Or is it the new ways in which games are selling and marketing themselves through DLC and micro transactions? Like those changes or not, the fact is that consistancy seems to be the word of the season, with something of quality for every genre fan. And in the year to come there can only be more of the same, as developers get to grips with console technology and the emerging engines.

And the reason for the picture? I suppose it's because the moral of the story is that we can now pretty much have our cake and eat it too.

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StarCraft II: Buy 3, Get 1

October 13th 2008 05:56
starcraft 2 II


Starcraft, one of the most fanatically played games in the history of gaming, and the title that almost brought an entire Asian nation to its knees, has incurred the fury of its legions of fans through the developers announcement that the title will in fact be released in three seperate parts


[ Click here to read more ]
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Microsoft Tokyo Game Show Booth List

October 8th 2008 03:19
tokyo game show


Microsoft has announced their list of games to be shown at the Tokyo Game Show.... It's looking like a fun place to be


[ Click here to read more ]
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fracture lucasarts xbox


Our predictions for Fracture are, thankfully, still looking hopeful thanks to the early review of Fracture from Kotaku


[ Click here to read more ]
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star wars mmo


The Force is strong with this one... This one being the day of the 21st October. The date has been textured in as the launch of a new LucasArts and Bioware joint proejct, considered by most to be the much anticipated and often spoken of Star Wars MMO


[ Click here to read more ]
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dead space


EA are letting you choose which console will be the better for the upcoming space horror shooter Dead Space


[ Click here to read more ]
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PS3 Left For Dead By Valve

September 24th 2008 05:30
valve


Valve are among the most respected and successful game developers of recent history. With a string of uber-successful titles franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and in the future the highly anticipated Left 4 Dead. Add to that what is arguably the most used and reliable digital distribution system, Steam, and you have a very desirable business partner


[ Click here to read more ]
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Fallout MMO Hot On The Heels Of Fallout 3?

September 24th 2008 00:17
fallout 3 MMO

The pre-release hype machine is building Fallout 3 to almost unachievable proportions, with any possibility of more Pip-goodness being lapped up like water for a thirsty canine companion. Interplay has supplied one more ration for Fallout starved fans with the hint at a Fallout MMO currently being worked on at their new Orange County office.

[ Click here to read more ]
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quantum of solace


Bond. James Bond. I am a fan, always have been. I've even dabbled in a Martini or two based on nothing more than that they are the drink of choice in the movies. They're good by the way


[ Click here to read more ]
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Fallout 3 The Weapons: Video Montage

September 23rd 2008 06:15
fallout 3 guns weapons


This may be the only video that could replace the simple yet entrancing appeal of a model in a bikini firing a machine gun, Fallout 3 and its weapons in a glorious montage


[ Click here to read more ]
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AMD 'Fusion' To Solve PC Gaming Problems

September 18th 2008 23:56
fusion utility AMD


Let's face it - with the amount of slightly suspicious websites we visit each day in our quest for internet entertainment, the quantity of dodgy cookies, programs and viral crap that buries itself in your operating system will eventually bring your uber gaming rig to its knees


[ Click here to read more ]
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fracture


It looks crazily hectic and a load of laughs. Check out the world mangling fun of Fracture mutliplayer in the clip below


[ Click here to read more ]
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