Somehow, Knights Of The Old Republic Has Returned!

Millions suddenly cried out in joy today as rumors circulated that that a new Knights of the Old Republic game is in the works.

As we noted earlier this month, Lucasfilm Games is now the label that handles licenscing for all Lucasfilm-related IP, and they’re wasting no time in making an impression. As reported by IGN, Star Wars insider Bespin Bulletin disclosed recently on the B.O.B Podcast that Lucasfilm Games’ most high-profile upcoming project is a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic reboot. The kicker?

The new game is not being developed by Electronic Arts or BioWare.

Who is BioWare?

Bioware is the developer of the original Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic game. Now considered a classic that is beloved by Star Wars fans and gamers alike, KotOR was BioWare’s first hit. In addition to their work on KotOR, they’re well-known for the Mass Effect and  Dragon Age franchises. Though nearly 20 years old, KotOR is still perhaps their most noteworthy game.

Set approximately 4,000 years before the events of The Skywalker Saga, KotOR (as it has become known) tells the tale of a Jedi Knight traveling the galaxy to stop Darth Malak from unleashing a Sith fleet that threatens to overrun the unsuspecting Galactic Republic. Released in 2003, KotOR is generally considered the best Star Wars game ever made and has garnered widespread acclaim for its plot twist at the end.

 

So how do fans feel about this upcoming game not being developed by BioWare?

It’s a mixed bag.

That we’re even hearing substantial rumors about another KotOR is astounding. When Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, they effectively purged nearly all non-film Star Wars productions from canon. This included beloved stories like Shadows of the Empire and the Dark Apprentice series. While elements of KotOR‘s story have appeared elsewhere in canon, most fans assumed we’d never hear any more from that storyline. But in 2019 hope was renewed when Kathleen Kennedy was asked about Knights of the Old Republic at Star Wars Celebration (skip to the 1:29 mark):

At the time, Kennedy’s comments were dismissed as fan service, but now? Where there’s smoke, there may be fire.

Why Not BioWare?

BioWare has been busy enough with their own upcoming slate that includes Dragon Age 4 and the recently unveiled Mass Effect game – there’s likely little room to squeeze in a massive Star Wars game. So if not BioWare and not Electronic Arts, then who will be developing this new KotOR?

The clue we need to unraveling this mystery may be under our noses.

RELATED: Katee Sackhoff Didn’t Know About Luke Until We Did

The director of the first KotOR game, Casey Hudson, along with colleague Mark Darrah, recently announced their departure from BioWare. Coincidence that these two senior members of the BioWare team left in the same month? Coincidence that neither of them have announced their next project? Neither is obligated to let us all know what they’re up to, but one wonders…

What do you think of the announcement that Star Wars may be revisiting the KotOR franchise?

Drop a comment below or find us on Twitter at @LRM_Exclusive.

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