Sony to lose the “force”?

Strong is the rumor about this parting of ways. Happened this all supposedly did when… opps, I’m going all Yoda here.

Seriously, rumors has been going around that LucasArts, holder of all Star Wars rights, has been talking with Cryptic Studios, home to MMORPG City of Heroes, and Canada based BioWare, maker of the action RPG Jade Empire, regarding GalaxiesÂ’ license.

Star Wars: Galaxies has been highly controversial after Sony Online Entertainment was accused of completely overhauling the MMORPG’s combat system in Spring 2005. SOE drew even more criticism last November when it implemented various new game enhancements that were “allegedly” buggy and caused the elimination of several character classes.

Despite these, both SOE and LucasArts downplayed the rumors with the latter, thru a representative, saying that both companies “have no plans to ‘sunset’ Star Wars Galaxies”. Adding that the game may have had its problems, but abandoning it is not an option. However, the LucasArts rep. bared the possibility that another Star Wars MMORPG may be in the works — with other developers.

The official denials offered no abate to the rumors, there is still much talk of all not being well between SOE and LucasArts. A source claims that “over half of the [SOE Austin] coders and artists are scrambling for the lifeboats” because “they all seem to know they will be losing SWG.” Remember that Raph Koster, chief creative officer, just resigned from the company, citing the reason “to pursue development interests outside of the company.” Adding fuel to a fire is such an understatement.

I wonder which side is the Republic and which is the Empire.
Strong is the rumor about this parting of ways. Happened this all supposedly did when… opps, I’m going all Yoda here.

Seriously, rumors has been going around that LucasArts, holder of all Star Wars rights, has been talking with Cryptic Studios, home to MMORPG City of Heroes, and Canada based BioWare, maker of the action RPG Jade Empire, regarding GalaxiesÂ’ license.

Star Wars: Galaxies has been highly controversial after Sony Online Entertainment was accused of completely overhauling the MMORPG’s combat system in Spring 2005. SOE drew even more criticism last November when it implemented various new game enhancements that were “allegedly” buggy and caused the elimination of several character classes.

Despite these, both SOE and LucasArts downplayed the rumors with the latter, thru a representative, saying that both companies “have no plans to ‘sunset’ Star Wars Galaxies”. Adding that the game may have had its problems, but abandoning it is not an option. However, the LucasArts rep. bared the possibility that another Star Wars MMORPG may be in the works — with other developers.

The official denials offered no abate to the rumors, there is still much talk of all not being well between SOE and LucasArts. A source claims that “over half of the [SOE Austin] coders and artists are scrambling for the lifeboats” because “they all seem to know they will be losing SWG.” Remember that Raph Koster, chief creative officer, just resigned from the company, citing the reason “to pursue development interests outside of the company.” Adding fuel to a fire is such an understatement.

I wonder which side is the Republic and which is the Empire.