I know there are many of you with strong opinions against EA but hear me out! On the surface, when you hear the name EA, you immediately think of annual iterations and watered down, mainstreamed products for mass marketing appeal. Delve deeper than that and look at the Developers under EA's canon.
DICE - That's right, the Swedish developer behind the Battlefield series. Now tell me that they wouldn't be able to re-invent the Battlefront franchise or even better it!?
Bioware - The guys frickin made KOTOR and then went on to Mass Effect! I know they've made some missteps in recent years, especially with the Dragon Age series but a lot of key personnel are still at the company and I have faith they can re-invent themselves again for the better. KOTOR3 is no longer a hopeful wish, it's a very real possibility.
Obviously there is going to be a load of rubbish that comes out with the Star Wars label slap dash on top of it but Disney giving the Star Wars license to EA just makes so much sense. Whether you loathe them or not, they have some very good development teams under them.
For those crying over Lucas Arts, when was the last time these guys actually made a good game? They haven't in years. Don't get me wrong, I respect their legacy and their contributions to gaming. Their run in the nineties with point and click adventures helped define the genre. But from a business perspective Disney would of looked at it and gone, "Well 1313 looks good but how are you going to make us money before then?". I'm sorry if this offends you but EA taking the license was a good outcome, considering the state of franchise in recent years.
Matt
I often don't know much about the business side of gaming, but in this instance, as far as the little I do know, I'm with you. Mostly.
I can live with mostly haha!
KOTOR 3 would make me sell my unborn first born child.
I can appreciate the baby black market when KOTOR3 is involved.
As unscrupulous as EA can be, not all its' games suck and it has some great studios. I'd love to see an official KOTOR 3!
People are quick to judge them. They represent corporate America after all!
"Obviously there is going to be a load of rubbish that comes out with the Star Wars label slap dash"
I had to quote this line, though my response is not really directed at you. I see a lot of people on various sites cry about this and how Star Wars games will be crap now. I'm not sure if people didn't keep score or not, but Lucas Arts had its own share of crap over the years. At times, it seems like for every 1 awesome Star Wars game, about 4 were absolute junk. I'm especially looking at you PS1 Episode 1 eras.
People are quick too jump at EA over anything. Sometimes people just have to sit back and wait!
I personally think that EA puts out quality games, at times.
I loved Army of Two: Devil's Cartel, but I wasn't about Dead Space 3. I honestly think though that the Star Wars games are in need of a fresh set of minds so they can continue to move forward.
Fingers Crossed!
I'm with ya man, here's hoping!
I'm in a "wait and see" phase on this. I'm very hopeful but trying not to get my hopes up as such. I do really want KOTOR3
I can appreciate 'cautious optimism'