EA is going to be publishing and developing new Star Wars games with DICE (Battlefield 3), Visceral (Dead Space), and BioWare (Mass Effect, Knights of the Old Republic). I, perhaps like you, read the news and responded with a groan. But how many of us did the same thing when Disney purchased Star Wars and all of LucasArts? As of now Nerd-King J.J. Abrams is directing, and filming doesn’t begin until 2014. They’re playing it smart and taking their time. But will EA?
Truthfully, I want to be as optimistic about this whole thing as possible. Star Wars games don’t come out every day. Visceral and BioWare have proven their chops at delivering compelling action games set in deep space. But EA has proven that they’ll do anything to make money, even at the cost of the user experience. Can we trust them with the world’s most precious cultural myth?
The answer is yes. We have to.
Gamers are fickle and developers know that, which is why EA has given Star Wars to three AAA developers who put a lot of attention into creating unforgettable experiences. THREE OF THEM!! And with the even broader appeal of Star Wars being what it is, they know the attention of the public on this series of developments will be tenfold, especially given EA’s public reputation. The news is full of train wrecks, and people, gamers and non-gamers alike, love reading about ’em.
The next generation of gaming is just around the corner. Let’s just hope suns of Tattooine are reaching their dawn rather than setting.
My experience with Star Wars games personally always was, its either the greatest thing in the world, or a huddled mass of disappointment. Most end up being disappointing I would say, but I think having one publisher in charge of a game series might limit the competition between companies to deliver a better experience. EA’s weakness is laziness and hubris when they have little at stake. Where I once looked forward to a possible KOTOR 3, The Old Republic and Biowares slide into mediocrity makes me really uninterested at the idea. I know its negative but I am much less optimistic.
Bad news!