LucasArts/Verant's massively multiplayer version of Star Wars, announced this month, will draw on gameplay aspects that made Verant's first game, EverQuest, a success. But to draw in a more mainstream audience, beginners are promised an intimidation-free environment.Thanks to SWVault (see link above) for letting me steal their news for the 3rd time.
Simon Jeffery, recently appointed president of LucasArts, talks with MCV about the work-in-progress.
"Practically all of the massively multiplayer online games at the moment are 'men in tights' games, and Star Wars has the real opportunity to expand online gaming to a more casual gamer," Jeffery says. "I think there's a high degree of intimidation to entry in online gaming. A lot of casual gamers are just put off by the fact that there's newbie-bashing and you have to be pretty hardcore to just know what's going on."
There will be opportunities for players to hack and slash their way to the next level, Jeffery says, but LucasArts will emphasize the nonviolent aspects of the game. "We want people to be able to go in there and have an experience that might have no killing whatever, where level increasing is gained by doing good, or simply being a successful trader or a good spy."
While gameplay might take a slightly different slant from that of EverQuest or Ultima Online, the business model will be the same, in that the game will be purchased at retail and there will be a monthly subscription to play. Pricing hasn't been finalized, although Jeffery agrees that right now, $10 per month (the price of the three current multiplayer leaders) is a mass-market-friendly price.
Additionally, players will not be able to adopt core Star Wars characters, but will be able to become one of several races, possibly including droids, Jeffery says. Core Star Wars characters will appear in the game, but interactions with them will be at an NPC level.
LucasArts is looking to ship the game around fall 2001
I would like to start off by saying that it has been a great run. The Jedi Knight Archives in it's life got more hits than most sites can only dream of. I estimate that between all the different counters we went through and all the times we reset them, we got around 400,000+ hits. Our reasons for closing it down, not enough time. Lately you have seen that we are only updating 1-2 times a week. It is pointless, in my opinion, to keep a site open that is not updated regularly. Second, Jedi Knight is in it's final stage. There are fewer and fewer players these days, meaning fewer and fewer visitors. Morriar and I would like to thank you all for submitting all your files etc. and using our resources to fulfill your Jedi Knight needs. It's great knowing that we go down in history with the largest collection of Jedi Knight levels online.....While I certainly don't agree with his claim that JK is dying (Massassi is getting more and more hits everyday), it's a shame to see them go..
P.S. You will probably see us around.........
I would like to start off by saying that it has been a great run. The Jedi Knight Archives in it's life got more hits than most sites can only dream of. I estimate that between all the different counters we went through and all the times we reset them, we got around 400,000+ hits. Our reasons for closing it down, not enough time. Lately you have seen that we are only updating 1-2 times a week. It is pointless, in my opinion, to keep a site open that is not updated regularly...Head over to the site for the rest of his farewell address, and while you're there have a last look at the vast repository that gave the site its name. Many thanks to Hebedee for sending in the news.
The Gundam Wing has just moved to Jedi Nights. They're working on a TC based on the Jap'anime show (Gundam). When complete, it will be: "an advanced, realistic RPG just like the anime show. Where you'll be able to drive vehicles, fly and battle gundams, or do missions on foot."