EA Takes Responsibility for Star Wars: The Old Republic from LucasArts

harvest151

Article courtesy of dailygame.net 11/10/10

 

Queue the Imperial March, because we've got some late-breaking news from the world of Star Wars The Old Republic: mega-publisher Electronic Arts has assumed most of the publishing responsibilities from LucasArts for publishing the upcoming Star Wars MMO.

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Before you think it's evil, nefarious and a sign of the Dark Side rising up in the publishing world, please keep in mind that such a transfer of power was bound to happen once BioWare officially became an EA partner/studio. BioWare is developing Star Wars: The Old Republic, so having the developer's "owner" take more control over the project makes total sense. But yes, it still seems odd to have a Star Wars game come from a company other than LucasArts.

With this new agreement, certain publishing, marketing and distribution responsibilities previously designated to LucasArts will shift to EA so all publishing, marketing and distribution responsibilities "can be centralized for efficiency." Lucasfilm will continue to be a "key partner" on the game, collaborating on its design and marketing, and of course acting as a licensor of the property.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

For those unfamiliar with the game, Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of the most highly anticipated videogames of 2011, as it is trying to break new ground in the genre by building on the traditional MMO model of combat, exploration and character progression through the addition of a compelling narrative. 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 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. Should be fun -- especially with BioWare at the helm.

immodium

Dont care. I just want it to be fun.

alakram

Originally posted by immodium

Dont care. I just want it to be fun.

That my opinion too, I just want it to be fun a nicely developed. In the other hand, it makes perfect sense for EA to publish it as they are bioware owner's.

Nazgol

Makes sense. Other then helping with sound did Lucas Arts really do anything on this title?

Clywd

Does that mean that LucasArts is fleeing from the project, or does that mean that EA thinks their profit will be higher when they buy out LucasArts?

Fdzzaigl

Originally posted by Clywd

Does that mean that LucasArts is fleeing from the project, or does that mean that EA thinks their profit will be higher when they buy out LucasArts?

No.

This has to do with publishing and advertising, not with the game development itself.

The likely reason is that it costs less to advertise in this way: LA does not have in-house advertising and has to hire outside contractors while EA does have in-house advertisements and buys a lot of ad space anyway.

So it is cheaper to let this be handled by EA.

Then there's of course the customer support and such.

I think they're right when saying this is better handled under 1 roof, otherwise you have to deal with the whole bureaucratic mess when working between two different companies.

Elikal

Great... so it went from the hands of the devil to beelzebub. Wow. XD

I wonder what to read from it, tho. Is EA so confident in their product to be TEH UBER, or is LucasArts getting cold feet and "the rats leave the sinking ship"?

I wonder.

Anubisan

DOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!

The sky is falling!! The game is fail!!

</sarcasm>

TUX426

Originally posted by Fdzzaigl

I think they're right when saying this is better handled under 1 roof, otherwise you have to deal with the whole bureaucratic mess when working between two different companies.

My feelings exactly. The less people (companies) involved, the better.