Is BioWare making a KOTOR Online? Has Mass Effect developed a strong enough intellectual property to warrant the type of fanboy following it would need to compete with the likes of WoW and Blizzard? Or is a brand new property in the works that will blow our minds? At this points, noone knows the truth of the matter, but many speculate that a KOTOR MMO has been in the works for quite some time.

     Much of the speculation swirling around the possibility stems from the train wreck that Star Wars Galaxies has turned out to be. When the game was first announced and over the course of it's develpment life cycle, many fans thought that SWG was the next bit thing in the MMO market. When Star Wars Galaxies first released, the initial signs were that they were right. Sony Online Entertainment however went through a series of absolutely ridiculous changes to the game that ruined the play experience for many of us that had followed the game from the start. I like many others were not satisfied with the combat re-design and wanted nothing to do with the game at that point. 

    With the mass exodus of the majority of the population during the combat re-design, many of us fealt our dreams of smuggling like Han Solo or being a bounty hunter like Boba Fett were lost forever. So when BioWare announced that they were working on a secret yet to be announced MMO, all of the Knight of the Old Republic and Star Wars fans rejoiced. KOTOR is one of BioWares strongest intellectual properties and everyone hates SWG so much at this point that much of the hype over the project is probably just that, hype. I personally believe that BioWare has a much stronger IP for an MMO type world.

    I think Mass Effect Online could be the next big thing. There is no proof yet as to what game they may or may not be making and this is just an opinion like every other report you've read. 

* Let me get this off my chest now. They have purchased countless domains much like other game companies. I don't follow domain names as a sign of what games are to come. Anytime a company has an idea, whether they are going to make it or not, it just makes sense to buy the domain. Why pay $1000s of dollars later on for something they can buy and reserve now for $9.99. It's good business practice, not hot news. So stop reporting every domain someone purchases. *

    Let's talk about what is so great about Mass Effect. First off, as we consider this, let's take into account both the Mass Effect Xbox 360 Game and the Mass Effect : Revelations Book that has been written. If you have not yet read the book, I highly reccomend it as it is a great read and will really introduce the world and it's possibilities to those of you who aren't yet willing to shell out the $60 for the game. I warn you though, once you read the book, you will buy the game and once you buy the game, you will be begging for this article to be correct. 

     Mass Effect has a living, breathing, believable, wonderous world to set an online game environment in. BioWare put emense amounts of time and energy into creating the backstory and history of the world that Mass Effect takes place in. They have also already developed an MMO Style class structure with the Soldiers, Biotics, and Technicians which then break down into composite classes like the Vanguard which is half soldier, half biotic, all destruction (Yeah, that's my favorite). The Vanguard is honestly a makeshift Jedi in a world where Jedi don't exist. They have the elite Spectres, which are basically total badasses designated by the Citadel (a multi-race govt.) to be above the law, as well as Bounty Hunters, Militaries, and other interesting guild/rank structures they could use for farther develpment. Mass Effect also has countless planets, solar systems, and Galaxies to explore by use of the space travel and mass relay system they have developed. All of these aspects by the way have been developed in great detail between the game and the novel. 

    When you combine all of these factors, you get one of the most intriguing worlds I have ever stepped foot in. I like many others who have played and read Mass Effect, just crave more experiences with the characters and world they have created. That is not to say that KOTOR does not have it's merits. Does Star Wars have Classes, a glactic civil war, planets, and all of the other things? Yes. Has Star Wars been played out? Not quite yet. Would the inevitable TV shows currently in the works peak interest? Yes they most deffinately would. Can all of the Star Wars fans like me who were burnt on Star Wars Galaxies afford to give them another chance only to have our hopes and dreams crushed once again? Hell to the No. I am fed up with Star Wars and when it comes to MMO's I have played everything from UO to Tabula Rasa, Vanguard, EQ 1 and 2, you name it, i've played it. I want something new, something fresh, and something unique. I honestly believe that Mass Effect can offer up that experience.

    What do you think? Leave your comments and let me know. Do you think Mass Effect is as good as I do? Do you hate Mass Effect? Were you burnt by SWG and want SOE's blood or do you still play it now even after the massacre? Let me know what you think!