I wish for a new Star Wars game, one that is different from Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Don’t get me wrong, I like SWTOR. It offers a lot of what I would wish for a new MMORPG, but it just doesn’t meet my expectations entirely. For one, I am not a fan of this cartoonish graphic style. I understand why they made that choice. Games with this particular style appeal to a larger customer base, and such graphic styles remain relevant longer because they don’t look outdated as quickly.
And yet I believe that something like that does not really fit Star Wars. I also like the TV series Star Wars: Rebels, but I just think that a different graphic style would have suited this series well. Moreover, Star Wars: Battlefront shows how cool a game set in the Star Wars universe can look, if it offers a more realistic appearance.
An MMORPG set during the time of the movies
Additionally, I am not a fan of the scenario of SWTOR. Seriously, the whole thing takes place over 3,000 years before the movies, but nothing is really fundamentally different. Shouldn’t technology have developed significantly over 3,000 years? What about evolution? The races have also not evolved during the time between the game and the movies. That seems strange to me.
Furthermore, you have to forgo all the really cool elements from the movies like the Empire with the screeching TIE Fighters. I would therefore wish for a scenario set during the time of the films. Perhaps between Episode 3 and Episode 4. Then you could also play Jedi Knights who are fleeing from the Empire. The time before the new movie Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens would also be interesting.
I also wish for the option to be able to play the game solo. When looking at SWTOR, you can’t help but feel that it actually wants to be more of a single-player RPG. And yet, other players disturb the enjoyment of this experience during the story missions.
Therefore, I would find it good to also have the option to play offline, just like the upcoming selective multiplayer RPG Shroud of the Avatar wants to offer. I have the option to experience my adventures alone and offline, but I can also go online and complete group content with others.
A few new and innovative systems, please
Furthermore, I would wish for an evolution in the genre. For example, regarding the combat system. I can’t stand this WoW-like system anymore. I want action, especially when I’m wielding a lightsaber. I don’t want to wait for the character to execute my command; I want to fight actively! And yes, that would also mean a – at least optional – first-person perspective.
Also, the UI with all the windows, numbers, bars, names, and so on disturbs me from immersing myself in the game world. Here, something new and innovative should finally be invented, with which one can play without a UI without having to give up on information. I don’t know what that could look like yet, but there must be a way.
However, it will probably be quite a while before a new Star Wars MMO is released, as they certainly don’t want to make themselves competitors. But dreaming is always allowed…
