The Digital Continuum: Star Wars mystery developer

In the last couple of weeks, a lot has changed in the future outlook for upcoming massively games over the next few years. Marvel Universe Online is officially canceled, but in its place rises Champions Online like a shining beacon for fans of the superhero MMO -- although there is always the chance that Marvel could continue to pursue MUO with another developer.

However, the change I'm most curious about involves the Star Wars IP, which according to rumors is definitely being developed, but not by Sony Online Entertainment or Bioware. If true, that changes a lot of things. It partly changes Bioware's upcoming massively game into something else entirely. However, the biggest change is that a Star Wars MMO is coming, but from somebody we haven't thought of yet. After the many woes of Star Wars Galaxies and the later success World of Warcraft has seen financially -- Lucas Arts wouldn't want this done in any way other than impeccably well.

So then, who have they chosen?

Star Wars is a big property. So big in fact that some people think it's the only game with a shot at toppling the house that Blizzard built. Yet who exactly could be developing such a game? This week, I'm going to take a look at a few possibilities ranging from the fairly believable to the extremely improbable.

There's always a chance that an as-of-yet announced developer is creating the newest Star Wars MMO, in which case this entire thing is an exercise in a guessing game. But I've always had fun playing the guessing game, it's a good way to pass some time if nothing else. So won't you indulge with me while I consider the following possible developers of our future in a galaxy far, far away?

Carbine Studios

A bit of a long shot, Carbine Studios was only officially announced by NCsoft on Oct. 4th 2007 but seems to have been around since 2005. We can only assume that Carbine has been working on their first title up until this point. Which would mean a late 2009 to early 2010 release date is a possibility -- the perfect time-frame for a Star Wars bonanza with the live television show set to start up next year.

One thing that speaks strongly for Carbine as the developer of the next Star Wars MMO is their core people. You're looking at a team that consists of Kevin Beardslee, former lead developer on World of Warcraft. Tim Cain, who was lead programmer and designer on the original Fallout. Also, Jeremy Gaffney -- Carbine's executive producer -- was previously working the same position on City of Heroes. He was also a co-founder of Turbine, Inc and heavily involved in the development of Asheron's Call. So if Lucas Arts did look into Carbine, I'm sure they took note of the team of people involved with the studio.

While this is all great and good, plenty of developers have core members from previously successful games only to deliver a flawed title in the end. Also, while having some star members on their team, Carbine has no track record as-of-yet -- which is probably the biggest hit against it getting a Star Wars IP at the end of the day. My guess is that an original IP is most likely in the works rather than a Star Wars game.

Turbine, Inc

As far as a track record is concerned, Turbine, Inc has shown plenty of competence at adapting large properties into massively games. Dungeons and Dragons Online may have its issues, but for better or worse Turbine stayed true to the essence of the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop license. This might not have worked so well for DDO, but when Turbine launched Lord of the Rings Online last year they proved they had learned from their past projects. The world of Middle-earth comes alive in LotRO with some vivid imagery and storytelling. Lore, visuals, musical score and lots of little touches give the game a very strong personality all its own.

Aside from the aesthetics, Turbine has been getting better at figuring out class and combat mechanics in properties that don't make it easy to deliver them in a way everyone can agree upon. In LotRO, there aren't many wizards or mages, so Hunters play the roll of ranged DPS quite well. Minstrel's play their instruments to heal and buff their allies in battle -- everything fits in the lore, while making the game fun and unique for Tolkienists and ringers alike.

Over the last year, the game has been getting balance tweaks and content additions quite regularly and is in an even better state than it was at launch. It has become clear that Turbine listens to its fans and sticks with its games to ensure improvements are made.

It could be argued that Turbine has always done fantasy, but that's not really a reason for them not to do a Star Wars IP. In fact, since Star Wars is essentially fantasy coated in a hard, candy sci-fi shell it makes perfect sense -- so that argument is certainly flawed. I think that there's a strong chance an established and experienced developer like Turbine could score the license rights to a Star Wars MMO, permitted they didn't have anything else on their plate if the offer came up. If Turbine were to end up with the Star Wars license, the game should be in good hands.

Blizzard Entertainment

Now I'll admit, this is quite the long shot. However it's been said that the only franchise strong enough to achieve (or even exceed) WoW numbers is Star Wars. Given the fact that Blizzard faces the same challenge as any other developer in making a new MMO right now, it seems plausible that they would consider it. And if you were Lucas Arts wouldn't you want to strongest bet in making your massively game a huge hit?

Granted, Blizzard has always liked to keep to their own creations. So the likelihood of a supernova announcement of this caliber is pretty thin, but if it did happen -- If the next Star Wars MMO was announced as being developed by Blizzard Entertainment...

Well, that's what you call the beginning of the end of all our real world lives.