SOE making casual Star Wars MMO?

By Oli Welsh Published 7 September, 2009

Uses Free Realms engine, rumours say.

Ten Ton Hammer is quoting an "inside source" as saying that Sony Online Entertainment is making a casual, browser-based Star Wars MMO.

It seems the rumoured game will use the engine that powers SOE's recent free-to-play game Free Realms, and share a setting with the cartoon Clone Wars film, TV series and games.

If the reports are true, the new game would be the third massively multiplayer Star Wars title, sitting alongside BioWare's forthcoming Old Republic and SOE's own, long-running Galaxies.

Free Realms launched in May this year and quickly amassed 4 million registered users. It features slick streaming technology that allows it to launch from a browser after a very short download, despite being a fully 3D and quite graphically rich game. The gameplay is a blend of simplified MMO combat and addictive mini-games, and the business model mixes low-cost subscriptions and micro-transactions. Read our Free Realms review for more information.

SOE is currently working on a PS3 version of Free Realms - as it is with all its current projects - so if the rumoured Star Wars development turns out to be real, PS3 and PC versions would be entirely possible.

We've approached SOE for comment. More when we have it.

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About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (16) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dizzy #1 3 years ago

    Errr??? wouldn't that be suicide after the new Bioware one? Or will it be free realms with new skins and different SW locations?

  • Bodd #2 3 years ago

    An experienced MMO developer like SOE, with an A-list licence like Star Wars? How could this be anything other than a massive success?
    Edited by Bodd at 07/09/09 @ 13:40

  • Razzajazz #3 3 years ago

    SOE must really be bricking it about The Old Republic....

  • ZuluHero #4 3 years ago

    nah they won't be. They're just jumping on the Bandwagon. Besides, the Free Realms style won't appeal to die-hard MMO vets. I like it though :)

  • Sunyavadin #5 3 years ago

    An experienced MMO developer like SOE, with an A-list licence like Star Wars? How could this be anything other that a massive success?

    I'll see your sarcasm sir, and raise you a round of mocking laughter.

    This game's really going to be "good"...
    Good for a laugh, that is.
    Edited by Sunyavadin at 07/09/09 @ 11:23

  • curtlikesmeat #6 3 years ago

    Surely the Bioware release will see the closing of servers on Galaxies?

  • DFawkes #7 3 years ago

    I love Free Realms. I love Star Wars. If this turned out to be true, I'd love the game. But it does seem a strange time to release given Old Republic, which I'll also love.

  • makeamazing #8 3 years ago

    This will be a Star Wars Clone wars style game imho.. so its not the same audience as Biowares game. :)

  • r4z0rbl4d3 #9 3 years ago

    SOE fucked up Star Wars Galaxies so no thanks.

  • Razorus #10 3 years ago

    I didn't even read the article. Why? Because I want KOTOR 3. Separately. I still don't understand why Bioware are alienating a massive audience by claiming TOR is KOTOR 3,4,5 etc. I'm sorry, but no. I want another SW RPG on my 360. Had the first 2 games on Xbox, I'm not going to get a new PC and pay to play to carry on a story.

  • ZuluHero #11 3 years ago

    I still rant and rave about Shenmue 3. But no matter how much I do so, how much I complain on forums, or how much I throw my toys from the pram it isn't going to make it happen is it?

    Unfortuntaly this is the form they chose to do the '3rd' KOTOR in, and you either have to get with the times and play a great game or miss out.

    Besides this is about a totally different Star Wars MMO - NOT The Old Republic, but then if you'd read the article (rather than just assuming and going off on one) you'd know that already.
    Edited by ZuluHero at 07/09/09 @ 15:02

  • zippie151 #12 3 years ago

    yeah but guys this will most likely be a "casual" MMO like free realms kinda is no? Whereas I'm assuming Bioware's will be more hardcore requiring much more time and effort. So in theory this isn't that bad an idea although SOE have been rather hit and miss with past projects so...

  • dominalien #13 3 years ago

    How will this work? Flash? Another browser plugin? I wonder, as ever in the interest of multiplatform compatibility.

  • hiddenranbir #14 3 years ago

    I still don't understand why Bioware are alienating a massive audience

    Because they want to attract an even bigger audience. MMOs are the fashion these days.


    Actually, I wonder. Are the number of MMOs in development at their highest since the introduction of Ultima Online?

  • Lemming81 #15 3 years ago

    I see trouble ahead here...

    SOE must have some control over their SW contract still or this wouldnt be happening. Dio you think the Lucas ranch would potentially allow the fracturing of his customers between two games like this? Whether one is 'casual' or not is irrelevant.

  • Quixz #16 2 years ago

    Getting them kids hooked early..