Home Gaming EA is now the home of Star Wars

EA is now the home of Star Wars

2 min read
61

UNLIMITED SEQUELS!

It has not been a good time to be a fan of Star Wars video games. The last really decent title in the franchise, The Force Unleashed was released way back in 2008, before everything starting smelling like Bantha poodoo. And then the new owners of Lucasarts, Disney, decided to make the game division of that company one with the Force. So are Star Wars games dead? Nope! They’ve got a new home now, with the EA Empire.

Electronic Arts has managed to snag a hell of an exclusive, as the home of annual football (American and European) will now be developing and publishing games set in a galaxy far, far away for Disney. Current EA studios DICE (Battlefield) and Visceral (Dead Space) will be in charge of new entries for the franchise, while Bioware will continue in some capacity as well.

While EA will be making games for the “core gaming audience” according to Kotaku, Disney will instead work on creating new mobile and social game experiences using that license to print money.

“This agreement demonstrates our commitment to creating quality game experiences that drive the popularity of the Star Wars franchise for years to come,” Disney co-president John Pleasants said in a statement.

Collaborating with one of the world’s premier game developers will allow us to bring an amazing portfolio of new Star Wars titles to our fans around the world.

“Every developer dreams of creating games for the Star Wars universe,” said EA Labels president Frank Gibeau in a statement. “Three of our top studios will fulfill that dream, crafting epic adventures for Star Wars fans. DICE and Visceral will produce new games, joining the BioWare team which continues to develop for the Star Wars franchise. The new experiences we create may borrow from films, but the games will be entirely original with all new stories and gameplay.”

And you know what? This makes me happy. What this deal means, is that there will be more Star Wars games in the future at least. And they won’t be handled by Disney directly, because when it comes to game development, I’d rather eat my own face than play one of their games again.

Sure, there’s going to be some criticism towards the always-online practices of this publisher, or the need for sequels, but dammit…I’m just happy that the franchise is finally being thawed out of carbonite for this next step in the saga.

At this point, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a new Knights of the Old Republic emerge, or the revival of Star Wars Battlefront 3 with DICE behind the wheels of that land-speeder. As for those other Lucasarts properties, such as Indiana Jones and Grim Fandango? Don’t expect to see an EA label on them anytime soon. The deal signed is for Star Wars games only.

What’s your opinion on this then? A smart move, or does the dark side of game development cloud your vision of the future? And will it be as good as Aussie Star Wars?

Last Updated: May 7, 2013

61 Comments

  1. LOL unlimited sequels

    Reply

    • loftie

      May 7, 2013 at 11:18

      and DLC’s, and DRM’s, and bug’s.

      It’s all about the money, money, money,
      We just want your money, money, money.
      We just wanna make the moooney,
      Forget about the price tag.
      Ain’t about the (ha!) ca-clients ca-clients.
      Ain’t about the (yeah!) ba-bling ba-bling,
      Wanna make the moooney,
      Forget about the price tag.

      Reply

    • Johan Fourie

      May 7, 2013 at 12:26

      Such a sad state of affairs, but fret not! I come with a humble gift to ease the pain.

      http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/ie10/

      Reply

      • Marc O Polo

        May 7, 2013 at 17:22

        i would rather pay for my own pizza’s thanks!!!

        Reply

  2. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    May 7, 2013 at 10:38

    I’m just terrified that it’s in EA’s hands. They have a lot of experience behind them but their recent performance has left a lot to be desired. Specifically the fact that they love to give their consumers the finger. Now I have to deal with that in my Star Wars games as well?

    I am in 2 minds here. Very happy that there will be more games…. Very scared that they will simply be cash cows for EA and nothing more 🙁

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      May 7, 2013 at 10:40

      You mean like COD, but just changing the skins and background?

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        May 7, 2013 at 10:42

        Well, if by COD you mean yearly releases then yes. I am terrified it will just become a yearly copy/paste thing.

        Look, I can imagine Star Wars looking great in the Frostbite engine. But I don’t want generic shooters only. I really hope they can do some other things like a new KOTOR or even a new Pod Racing game.

        What I don’t want is a yearly Star Wars shooter. It would kill the games for me.

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          May 7, 2013 at 11:20

          Doubtfull there will be yearly releases from the same IPs, but you can expect more red blue and green type endings.
          brace yourself for fantastic games, with heinous drawbacks.
          pretty keen for some frostbite battlefront though

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Achievement

          May 7, 2013 at 11:40

          New KOTOR, I’m right there with you buddy.

          New Republic Commando too pleeeeeeze

          Reply

          • Brady miaau

            May 7, 2013 at 12:22

            New SINGLE PLAYER KOTOR, yeah baby (thanks OVG)

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 7, 2013 at 12:23

            Yebo, one that is completed, not half asses (yeah looking at you, K2!)

        • Brady miaau

          May 7, 2013 at 12:21

          Yeah, pretty much what I meant

          Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 7, 2013 at 10:52

      Prepare for super-premium pricing.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        May 7, 2013 at 10:57

        GAH! Don’t say that!

        Reply

    • umar bastra

      May 7, 2013 at 10:53

      Hello Itachi-Sama

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        May 7, 2013 at 10:57

        Lol. Hi

        Reply

        • umar bastra

          May 7, 2013 at 11:04

          How’s your eye doing? has the bleeding stopped? I know during cold weather your eye starts acting up … well hope you are in good spirits and hope your brother stops acting like a douche bag 🙂

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            May 7, 2013 at 11:09

            Yeah, it’s alright. Had to fend off one of my own crows. They sometimes get besides themselves and go for the eyes. But it’s all good.

            Yeah, my brother is a little spoilt. I blame myself for always being there for him early in life and not letting him learn for himself

          • umar bastra

            May 7, 2013 at 11:20

            Damn crows. Well at least you made for it by having him hate you. He seems much stronger. but still a bit whiny, well good luck with Sasuke-kun. hope you guys find love again :p

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            May 7, 2013 at 11:41

            Thanks. Let’s hope that happens before this summoning Jutsu wears off

  3. umar bastra

    May 7, 2013 at 10:49

    Ea will give a literal meaning to

    Star Wars: Attack of the CLONES

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Achievement

      May 7, 2013 at 11:38

      Oh you clever man you!

      Reply

  4. Sargon

    May 7, 2013 at 10:49

    EA do not exist. EA do not exist. EA do not exist.
    *opens eyes*

    Damnit!?#@#! It didn’t work. This article is still here.

    Reply

  5. Rince da Ref Lvl2

    May 7, 2013 at 11:01

    So… Always online microtransactions to keep your lightsaber standing, err, erect?

    Reply

    • Lourens Jordaan

      May 7, 2013 at 11:04

      I see your swartch is as big as mine, let’s see how you handle it.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        May 7, 2013 at 11:12

        “We’ve been jammed sir!”

        “Rasberry! Lonestar!”

        Reply

        • Lourens Jordaan

          May 7, 2013 at 11:17

          I said fire a shot across her nose not up it!

          Reply

      • Rince da Ref Lvl2

        May 7, 2013 at 11:20

        Hahaha!

        Reply

    • Unavengedavo

      May 7, 2013 at 11:17

      Nope, all you need is a storm trooper 😛

      Reply

      • Rince da Ref Lvl2

        May 7, 2013 at 11:20

        yeah, but you have to pay for those extra oranges…

        Reply

        • Unavengedavo

          May 7, 2013 at 11:37

          And the hand sanitiser is part of DLC?

          Reply

  6. Trevor Davies

    May 7, 2013 at 11:03

    I wonder how long it will take before EA start announcing development of new Star Wars titles. It’s one of those situations where you hope for the best but expect the worst.

    Reply

  7. Gremoire

    May 7, 2013 at 11:17

    Oh, shit. There goes the planet, umm… I mean galaxy, far, far away

    Reply

  8. Skoobaz

    May 7, 2013 at 11:22

    “Comb The Desert!” ( for moar cashhhh! )

    Reply

  9. Michael Lewis

    May 7, 2013 at 11:27

    We need some 1313 up in this beeyotch!

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Achievement

      May 7, 2013 at 11:36

      WOOOOT

      Reply

  10. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 7, 2013 at 12:26

    Star Wars SUCKS!!!
    Star Trek is for WINNERS!!!

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 7, 2013 at 12:49

      Get back under your bridge or be burnt with fire!

      Reply

      • OVG OfflineVideoGamer

        May 7, 2013 at 12:58

        Shields up Mr Sulu!!!

        We have an orphaned franchise that is about to have all organs and limbs sold on the black market via Micro Transactions ON OUR STARBOARD!!!

        Or is that a dying star?… of death… with Mickey Mouse ears?… FIRE!!!

        Reply

        • Trevor Davies

          May 7, 2013 at 13:14

          You can only fire if you’re online!

          Reply

          • OVG OfflineVideoGamer

            May 7, 2013 at 13:18

            😉

  11. Jonah Cash

    May 7, 2013 at 12:38

    Sooooooo: A Star wars game every 11 months or so????? With new light saber movement steady control and better feet representation in the second instalment????

    Reply

  12. Kyle

    May 7, 2013 at 16:12

    I can’t wait to have to buy a season pass to use a lightsaber in-game. or pay micro-transactions for every tiny bit of extra content. My wallet was getting a little heavy, and this is exactly what I need.

    Reply

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