Star Wars: The Old Republic

    // January 20th, 2010 // View Comments // Technology


    If you only knew the power of the Dark Side…


    In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past thirty years, this is the plea Darth Vader makes to Jedi-son Luke Skywalker before he reveals the famous truth: Luke, I am your father.


    Since its debut in 1977, the space opera franchise has arguably produced the largest fandom (Star Trek fans may disagree here) known to man. Books, comic books, television series, video games, geek-ridden conventions abound with Jedi Knights of disconcerting shapes and sizes – it’s definitely possible, though not particularly healthy, to live vicariously through this nonexistent intergalactic universe.


    Some of the most critically acclaimed Star Wars games to date are those of the famous Jedi Knight series. Gamers were given the opportunity to step into the virtual shoes of their favorite Jedi Knight/Sith Warrior and duel it out, one-on-one style, with an arch enemy halfway across the galaxy. Pretty cool if you ask me. Unfortunately, subsequent LucasArts games haven’t received much support in the Star Wars fandom. Force Unleashed, in particular, was regrettably dull and unmistakably narrow. But LucasArts no doubt made a considerable chunk of change with the game, and it looks like they’ve finally realized their time and money might be better invested in other online arenas. Enter The Old Republic.


    LucasArts – in collaboration with BioWare – is finally bringing us a Star Wars massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG for short). For the first time ever thousands of Star Wars diehards can unite to share their galactic fantasies in one communal server. It’s World of Warcraft for the pomos! This cinematic trailer should give you a nice taste – albeit glorified – of what’s to come.



    According to the promo website, you may: “Choose to be a Jedi, a sith, or from a variety of other classic Star Wars roles, and make decisions which define your personal story and determine your path down the light or dark side of the Force.” Sounds like a wet dream for the ‘real life’ Jedi Knights. Or maybe only for the Sith Warriors? Apparently the game takes place during a time when the Sith Empire was preparing a gargantuan attack against the Republic and its infamous Jedi guardians, thousands of years before the age of Darth Vader. Simply put – in this game, at least – it might just pay to be evil. (Don’t get any big ideas, you Sith Warriors.) The question on everyone’s mind is whether or not The Old Republic will rival World of Warcraft in terms of gameplay. Check out these screenshots; they certainly look promising.



    Earlier this past week LucasArts revealed the game’s long-awaited release date: Spring of 2011. In the mean time we’ll have to settle for ogling at the various promos available on The Old Republic website. Perhaps, in Spring of 2011, we will finally come to know the power of the dark side. Until that day, may the force be with you all.

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