SW: TOR article redux

So I've done a little rewriting and a little expanding on the last entry I posted here. I hope all zero people who read this don't mind.
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So, I've talked about Star Wars: the Old Republic before (back when it was but a twinkle in Bioware's eye). In the time since the earliest rumors, the game has been officially announced, which is kind of an important detail. Not only that, but some early screenshots have even been released, and if that’s not enough for you, there is even some recent behind-the-scenes video, though it primarily features the same several screenshots and video clips repeatedly in lieu of a wealth of content. Amidst all this commotion, as the hype train slowly ramps up toward full-speed, I’ve noticed one thing:

My enthusiasm for this game is gradually trickling away.

I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m burned out on MMOs or if it’s genuinely because of what little I’ve seen or heard of this game in particular. Whatever it is, I'm beginning to assume that it was a bad idea, and will only lead to inevitable disappointment. I hope I'm wrong. I hope this is the MMO that can topple the WoW giant, with innovative gameplay, engaging plots, georgeous scenery, and a lively social element. I hope it is fun, exciting, and a new experience in both online gaming and the Star Wars universe. Most of all, I hope this doesn’t ruin Star Wars for me.

The move from a self-contained single-player experience to a massively multiplayer online one is a long and arduous journey. Bioware has proven that they can meld Star Wars and gaming with impressive results. They’ve proven that they can craft an immersive game setting with a complex, cohesive mythology. What they haven’t proven, however, is talent in marrying those qualities into an environment that allows many people to interact with each other and become a part of the continuity. Frankly, I’m not quite ready to expand the list of memorably Star Wars heroes to include “xXForceDudeXx” and “BanthaBanger69.”

Now, obviously any MMO has these issues. In fact, there’s already been a Star Wars-themed MMO (in fact, I’m sure there are still a few people playing Star Wars Galaxies. It’s possible!), so there’s a precedent here. It’s hard to say where this game will end up. Bioware’s presence is always encouraging, but few MMOs have stood up to WoW and lived to tell the tale.

The main thing WoW has going for it, though, is accessibility. It runs on low-end computers, is available for both PC and Mac, and is relatively easy to jump into (and far easier to get hooked on, if some of my friends and acquaintances are any indication). I played the game for a little while, years ago, but never got into it (lucky for me, and lucky for my wallet and my free time). To its credit, its simple design and intricate details make for some very nice low-end visuals.

What Bioware has to contend with is this accessibility. Star Wars is a global franchise, so they’ll have no trouble being recognized. However, they’ve always had grand aspirations for this game, which brings up several questions. To what degree are they willing to sacrifice accessibility to make the game they’re dreaming of? Will people flock to it? Will character customization be more extensive than KotoR? As extensive as Mass Effect? Can my buddies and I take a break and explore a planet? Can I waste all my credits at the local cantina wishing I was more than a washed-up scoundrel? Will this rash ever truly go away?

Star Wars: The Old Republic is still a long time from being released. However, with news that Activision-Blizzard is hard at work building a new, non-WoW MMO, what fate awaits Bioware? Will they have two mega-hit MMOs to contend with, or need they worry more about their own game being too ambitious? By the time the game comes out, will people still care? In my own experience over the past couple years, I’ve started several MMOs with great enthusiasm only to soon dig through to the same boring core experience. Wash, rinse, ding, repeat.

Maybe this will be the game to change all that, but if wishes were fishes, I’d have a pretty kick-ass aquarium by now.