As Star Wars: The Old Republic's release date looms larger on the calendar, BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk are starting to be seen with increasing frequency on the PR circuit. The latest sighting comes courtesy of The Gaming Liberty, and the dynamic doctor duo offers up some interesting commentary on SWTOR and the logic behind setting up BioWare's new customer service center in Ireland rather than Canada or the U.S.
There's a "fair, reasonable tax and regulatory structure the government here [in Ireland] has provided for us which creates an entrepreneurial environment [...] which is a big bonus," Muzyka explains.
The interview also touches on lore inspirations for both The Old Republic and the classic single-player Knights of the Old Republic RPG, as well as the team's confidence in its new massively multiplayer product. "One of the most common things we're already hearing is that people seem to find it hard to go back to other MMOs once they play The Old Republic," Muzyka said.
Reader Comments (200)
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 10:28AM Crovak said
@Seare
Most likely a bit of both to be honest. But however you dish it up it is repulsive. From the original comments that started coming out at the panels during ComicCon, the tone of responses from key individuals in the company on the official forums, and other comments like, and this is not an exact quote without looking it up but "Testers just think they are helping, after all we would not be good game designers if we could not figure this stuff out on our own." Like I said not an exact quote but a totally fair representation of the statement. Now this is only one guy and I am sure DOES NOT represent the company attitude. But the comment certainly did nothing to build relationship, and if it does represent the prevailing company attitude, oh my they will have a rocky road before them.
Reply
Most likely a bit of both to be honest. But however you dish it up it is repulsive. From the original comments that started coming out at the panels during ComicCon, the tone of responses from key individuals in the company on the official forums, and other comments like, and this is not an exact quote without looking it up but "Testers just think they are helping, after all we would not be good game designers if we could not figure this stuff out on our own." Like I said not an exact quote but a totally fair representation of the statement. Now this is only one guy and I am sure DOES NOT represent the company attitude. But the comment certainly did nothing to build relationship, and if it does represent the prevailing company attitude, oh my they will have a rocky road before them.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 10:00AM Seare said
Hate to burst the haters' bubble, but I'm a beta tester and the claim by the Dr.'s is absolutely true for me. TOR is awesome and I can not and will not go back to any other MMO. As a matter of fact, I'm having a hard time pulling myself away from TOR to buy and play Batman: Arkham City.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 10:28AM swtoryeah said
Well as someone who is a swtor tester all i can say is, it's very true. I cant play anything else because 1 i'm a star wars fan 2 it's the best mmo i ever played.This much i can say without breaking the nda.And i just have to ad, trolls/morons who say this game will fail-go back to wow and play before mommy comes home and turns off dadys pc because you have to eat dinner :)
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 10:52AM ElfLove said
Ugh this is getting into hive mind territory now. Really this is getting a little creepy, and disturbing.
If any thing I think I'm going to be sticking to the two MMOs that I currently play, (CO and EQ2), until this all blows over.
I'm gonna preserve my free will. >_>
If any thing I think I'm going to be sticking to the two MMOs that I currently play, (CO and EQ2), until this all blows over.
I'm gonna preserve my free will. >_>
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 10:59AM EuchridEucrow said
@badr
Very well said and echoes my thoughts exactly.
Very well said and echoes my thoughts exactly.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 11:04AM (Unverified) said
ToR is absolutely incredible and BioWare reminds me of pre-Activision Blizzard.
They make quality products.
They make quality products.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 11:18AM (Unverified) said
I will tell you that I have been playing RIFT since release and have had no intention or urge to go back to WoW since this is actually the 3rd time I would have quit WoW. Most of us are looking for a good game that gets away from the old boring game WoW has turned into.
For me the RIFT soul system has given me a fresh approach to classes and given me lots of flexibility on playing different styles.
For me the RIFT soul system has given me a fresh approach to classes and given me lots of flexibility on playing different styles.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 11:40AM SiML said
'BioWare says gamers find it hard to go back to other MMOs after playing SWTOR'
Oh really? - My wallet says otherwise!, especially with so many existing and upcoming MMOs on the hybrid freemium model.
Oh really? - My wallet says otherwise!, especially with so many existing and upcoming MMOs on the hybrid freemium model.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 4:30AM LuciDream said
@JayDay Well we all know know they always take the best comments from their beta testers and glorify them as the only true, they all do that without exception.
Does it make it true? very hardly, you probably would know that if you have tested more than one mmo.
Reply
Does it make it true? very hardly, you probably would know that if you have tested more than one mmo.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 12:05PM (Unverified) said
Im in it and I agree I haven't been playing anything else and don't want too.
But keep hating haters!!
But keep hating haters!!
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 1:51PM SaintV said
Really because when my beta tme was over I quickly deleted that nonsense off my pc. This is just an act of creating hype and desperation as others have mentioned. Mark my words, this will be the worst launch in mmo history.
Posted: Oct 19th 2011 3:26AM (Unverified) said
@SaintV
Considering that they are already approaching 700,000 preorders with 2 months to go before release, I think I will pass on marking your words that it will be the worst launch in mmo history.
Reply
Considering that they are already approaching 700,000 preorders with 2 months to go before release, I think I will pass on marking your words that it will be the worst launch in mmo history.
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 3:03PM Masync9 said
Yup from what I have seen in the beta forums - I have coworkers that were each in the beta at different stages. Serious withdrawal symptoms : )
Hopefully Xmas will come early this year...
Hopefully Xmas will come early this year...
Posted: Oct 18th 2011 3:18PM LuciDream said
I just don't believe the guy a second, first because he talk about their awesome replayability in their games, their awesome character customization when you can see the clone effect was never so obvious for reasons unique to Swtor, you can really shape your avatar when they have hard coded class that are rip off from fantasy mmo in a SW setting, and so on and so on. Yes sure the story aspect, well if you are a Bioware ME fan boy maybe, but the fact is, the dialogue aspect of Bioware rpg is a very downgraded version of any kind of mmo rp. I don't know the rp you could find in UO for exemple. So yes sure from someone being used to play single player rpg, it must be awesome, i mean isn't what it was for all of us the first time? But from a mmo vet perspective? His statement is just arrogant and almost stupid. The rp delivered by NPC compared by the one you can find in a rp centric mmo would be ridiculous at best, and that's why we play mmo rather than solo rpg isn't it?






