Star Wars: The Old Republic Announced
LUCASARTS AND BIOWARE REVEAL STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC
OCTOBER 21, SAN FRANCISCO – LucasArts and BioWare™, a division of Electronic
Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), 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 Electronic Arts Inc., “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.”
Additional details on Star Wars: The Old Republic features, gameplay and release
date will be announced at a later time. For more information about Star Wars:
The Old Republic and to sign up for future product updates, please visit
www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com.
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About LucasArts
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of
interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems,
computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the
Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to
provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted
entertainment company.
About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld and online video games focused on
rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of
the world's best-selling titles including the award-winning Baldur's Gate™ and
Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™. Original
BioWare-created IPs include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass
Effect™. With studios in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is hard at
work on the epic fantasy RPG, Dragon Age™: Origins. In 2008, BioWare was
acquired by the world’s leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic
Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the
world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the
Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for
video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet.
Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA
SPORTS Freestyle™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67
billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage
and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and
full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
LucasArts, the LucasArts logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks
in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its
affiliates. © 2008 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. All
rights reserved.
BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered
trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S.
and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or
other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
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