A new report indicates that the development and operation of the MMOStar Wars: The Old Republicwill be moved from BioWare to Broadsword Online Games. This move allows the former to focus onsingle-player franchises such asDragon AgeandMass Effect.
Star Wars: The Old Republicis a longstanding MMORPG that has continued to be updated regularly after 11 years. The game is currently available as a free-to-play experience for most of its life cycle, and it has become popular amongStar Warsfans.The game is currently handled by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. Additionally, it has retained a stable player base even after the companies mentioned earlier faced some complications with their other properties.
RELATED:Former BioWare Writer Says AI Results In ‘Soulless Dialogue’
Interestingly, it seems likeStar Wars: The Old Republicis going to have a change in developers, as found in a recent report. It’s stated that Broadsword Online Games will be in charge of the project, with sources familiar with the matter saying that it has signed a letter of intent alongside Electronic Arts to see the developer takingBioWare’s mantle to provide new updates for the MMO. EA addressed the report shortly after it was published, stating that it’s “evaluating how we give the game and the team the best opportunity to grow and evolve, which includes conversations with Broadsword, a boutique studio that specializes in delivering online, community-driven experiences. Our goal is to do what is best for the game and its players.”
Some players might be familiar withBroadsword Online Games as it has developed and maintained niche MMOssuch asUltima OnlineandDark Age of Camelot. The company was founded by Rob Denton, a former BioWare VP that left the company in 2013 and has worked onStar Wars: The Old Republicbefore. This means Broadsword might be more familiar with the MMO it will be tasked with maintaining than other developers in the industry. It should be worth noting that the report also stated that the deal between EA and Broadsword is aimed to be finalized this month. Should the deal go through, it’s expected that more than half of the 70-80 people in the core team forStar Wars: The Old Republicwill be moved to Broadsword while the remaining staff will look for new roles at EA or face layoffs.
According to the report, the reason behind the deal is within BioWare itself, as the game developer will focus all of its resources on its single-player offerings, including properties such asDragon AgeandMass Effect. The former is currently making waves in the gaming community asDragon Age: Dreadwolf is rumored to target a 2024release window. Some BioWare fans are also expecting an announcement to be made during this year’s Summer Game Fest.
