Debate has raged long and hard in fan circles as to whether or not BioWare's upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG is a "WoW clone." Speaking on the keynote panel at the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk added a bit of fuel to that particular fire by outlining how SWTOR is treading the path laid down by the current king of the genre.
"It [World of Warcraft] is a touchstone. It has established standards, it's established how you play an MMO. Every MMO that comes out, I play and look at it. And if they break any of the WoW rules, in my book that's pretty dumb," Zeschuk said.
Zeschuk also addressed the social gaming trend, saying that triple-A projects are still alive and kicking thanks to Blizzard's success. "Bigger does work. Big has worked and frankly, WoW is the biggest. On a pure revenue basis it's probably the biggest game ever by a country mile. It generates so much revenue it's an incredible international business unto itself," he said.
Reader Comments (142)
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 5:01PM kaelidancer said
@sleepr
I guess our primary disagreement, in reading your other posts here, is the idea that WoW contains ideas that deserve to be the 'industry standard' in MMOs - I just don't feel that way. Now, to stir up the old proverbial debate, I'm a sandboxer and not a theme-parker, so it's not to say I think emulating WoW will result in a 'bad' game... but it will almost certainly result in a game that I do not want to play.
No hate! :)
Reply
I guess our primary disagreement, in reading your other posts here, is the idea that WoW contains ideas that deserve to be the 'industry standard' in MMOs - I just don't feel that way. Now, to stir up the old proverbial debate, I'm a sandboxer and not a theme-parker, so it's not to say I think emulating WoW will result in a 'bad' game... but it will almost certainly result in a game that I do not want to play.
No hate! :)
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:27AM Syesta said
/facepalm
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:34AM Pingles said
I returned to WoW for Cataclysm out of curiosity and have been stunned by the polish and innovation (yes, INNOVATION) in that game.
I know of NO other MMOs that have such a wide variety of activities in quests. Whether it's bombing runs, being shrunk or elaborate cutscenes I have tried to go back to other MMOs and been sorely disappointed.
I am hoping Bioware can make TOR the same level of interaction.
I know of NO other MMOs that have such a wide variety of activities in quests. Whether it's bombing runs, being shrunk or elaborate cutscenes I have tried to go back to other MMOs and been sorely disappointed.
I am hoping Bioware can make TOR the same level of interaction.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:40AM wigg1es said
@Pingles
Flashpoints.
As for Cataclysm, I have one word; novelty. That's all it is. After 5 years of gathering bear spleens, anything different will be exciting. But once you level that new character from 1-85 and go through all those shiny new experiences, you're left with the same game it always was - the repetitive, stagnant endgame grind, whether it be gearing or crafting or achievements, its still carrot-on-a-stick. I just couldn't bring myself to do it again.
Reply
Flashpoints.
As for Cataclysm, I have one word; novelty. That's all it is. After 5 years of gathering bear spleens, anything different will be exciting. But once you level that new character from 1-85 and go through all those shiny new experiences, you're left with the same game it always was - the repetitive, stagnant endgame grind, whether it be gearing or crafting or achievements, its still carrot-on-a-stick. I just couldn't bring myself to do it again.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:36AM Rayko said
I was just telling my son the other day you have to be wary of how a statement you make can be inferred. Regardless of all the naysayers this will be a huge hit, but GREG... that did not help your case.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:36AM (Unverified) said
I wont deny that WoW did many things initially right with their MMO...but a large part due to their success was timing (luck)....
Once the giant monolith we know as WoW garnered their 3million + subscribers it was only a matter of time that word of mouth spread to everyone else which is why it has gained so much steam in the last 4 years....
I would hate to see another big budget MMO turn into just another mindless "go through the motions" routine that WoW has become...sure that might appeal to the youth of today but personally I would be disappointed to see that from a star wars MMO.
Once the giant monolith we know as WoW garnered their 3million + subscribers it was only a matter of time that word of mouth spread to everyone else which is why it has gained so much steam in the last 4 years....
I would hate to see another big budget MMO turn into just another mindless "go through the motions" routine that WoW has become...sure that might appeal to the youth of today but personally I would be disappointed to see that from a star wars MMO.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:37AM Aquaryon said
Is everyone actually that shocked?? We all knew this already. But I guess its different when you hear them actually say it. And I wouldn't expect any less from them to copy the biggest game. Who wouldn't??
Look at all the "clones" of the iPad, or when Apple streamlined the smartphone. Or even the Wii! If someone makes something amazing, everyone wants a chunk of it.
Bioware is an absolutely amazing company, sure they might be copying WoW, but looking at their past game history, I truly believe they will nail it down. (Unlike so many other companies)
Now...
TAKE My MONEY BIOWARE! THROWING IT AT YOU!
Look at all the "clones" of the iPad, or when Apple streamlined the smartphone. Or even the Wii! If someone makes something amazing, everyone wants a chunk of it.
Bioware is an absolutely amazing company, sure they might be copying WoW, but looking at their past game history, I truly believe they will nail it down. (Unlike so many other companies)
Now...
TAKE My MONEY BIOWARE! THROWING IT AT YOU!
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 5:22PM Beltyra said
@Aquaryon
/like
The hate here is like getting pissed that Apple made the iPhone because we already had smart phones. Damn them for making something so good that obviously changed things! Now with the Android, it's crap because they added a touch screen cause the iPhone taught them those rock!
Asshats.
Reply
/like
The hate here is like getting pissed that Apple made the iPhone because we already had smart phones. Damn them for making something so good that obviously changed things! Now with the Android, it's crap because they added a touch screen cause the iPhone taught them those rock!
Asshats.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:40AM xyna031 said
ROFLING OUT LOUD
See what happen when EA got his hands to much on a Bioware project...
See what happen when EA got his hands to much on a Bioware project...
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:43AM kjhasdfjkhk said
Setting yourself up for failure. Comments like this, coupled with "we want Call of Duty's audience" makes me really fear for the future of Bioware. As much as I love the company's past games, their thirst for money and fame seems to be unquenchable as of late. It's a shame, really.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 9:51PM Nepentheia said
@kjhasdfjkhk
I agree with your concerns!
But hey, they can rename it, "Halocraft". ;-D
Reply
I agree with your concerns!
But hey, they can rename it, "Halocraft". ;-D
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:46AM Randomessa said
Well, it's nice to have it confirmed for me that I am not their audience, rather than just suspect it as I had been doing.
Posted: Feb 10th 2011 11:49AM Brockobama321 said
TOR confirmed for terrible
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