Star Wars is perhaps the most beloved sci-fi property in all fiction. Its characters are iconic, and the story that unfolds in a galaxy far, far away is one that is known across the globe thanks to the film series leading to numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. In video games, the franchise has been fortunate enough to receive several stellar titles. There is a smattering of Star Wars games already in development for the Disney-owned IP, with many offering unique selling points.
However, BioWare is not currently announced to be a developer working on Star Wars projects. The Edmonton-based company is known for creating high-budget role-playing games, with the likes of Mass Effect and Dragon Age at the center of its legacy. With other games already taking players to the Star Wars galaxy, giving BioWare another chance at the IP could be a great way to restore the company's reputation and offer players something worthy of the lofty franchise.
BioWare's Work on KOTOR
Of all the Star Wars games out there, Knights of the Old Republic - an RPG developed by BioWare before the company created Mass Effect - is still considered one of the best. It released in 2003 on the original Xbox, and though it would come to other systems down the line, it was one of Microsoft's powerhouse exclusives. Its story was strong, with a twist that left players shocked by the events that unfolded.
Knights of the Old Republic wasn't afraid to use Star Wars' deep lore to flesh out its narrative. Players create their character and continue along the main quest, but it is later revealed the protagonist is actually Sith Lord Darth Revan. Without his memories following a betrayal by his apprentice, Darth Malak, Revan is retrained to be a Jedi, hoping that his dark history would be left in the rearview. It's a story that left a huge impression on fans, and as BioWare showed its capability to craft great stories with more subsequent games, getting back into the Star Wars ecosystem would likely please fans again.
Mass Effect is Sci-Fi Royalty
After leaning heavily on Star Wars lore to tell a great story in Knights of the Old Republic, BioWare proved it could forge something all its own in 2007 with Mass Effect. What would start as a refined RPG with an unspectacular story ended up being one of the finest science-fiction game properties of all time, even rivaling Star Wars in worldbuilding and character development. Its sequel is considered by many to be one of the PS3 and Xbox 360's best games, as it broadened the horizons of the first in gameplay, storytelling, and action.
Mass Effect shows BioWare at its best, and there are few companies that better understand how to craft a memorable sci-fi experience. Commander Shepard's Paragon/Renegade personality choices are surely inspired by the Jedi and Sith divide from KOTOR, and the unlikely crew they assemble is new and innovative, while clearly inspired by those present in the Star Wars saga. If Knights of the Old Republic never existed and BioWare had found success with just Mass Effect, giving the developer the Star Wars IP would have been a no-brainer.
Star Wars' Expanding Galaxy
For years, fans have been asking BioWare to return to the Star Wars property, especially now that the franchise is bigger than ever. Since the release of Knights of the Old Republic in 2003, there have been six live-action films, several new Disney+ TV shows, and countless video games that center events all across the galaxy far, far away. Each brings a new flavor to the franchise, and lore that could be utilized further.
Star Wars has changed significantly over the last 20 years, and BioWare's decorated past puts it in the best position to create something fresh and exciting with this new material. Knights of the Old Republic showed what the developer can do when Star Wars lore was just a fraction of the size, and in doing so it became one of the series' most beloved titles. Whether it be an action-RPG focused on Grand Admiral Thrawn's fight for power, or an R-2 Series droid looking to get back home from the far reaches of space, there is so much BioWare could take advantage of it.
BioWare Has a Reputation to Restore
There was a time when BioWare had critical and commercial praise from each new release. With Mass Effect and Dragon Age, the developer had two of the most revered role-playing franchises of the seventh generation. However, though the company started the PS4/Xbox One era well with Dragon Age: Inquisition, it fell as 2017's Mass Effect: Andromeda failed to reach the franchise's lofty heights. The damage was heightened by the arrival of Anthem in 2019.
Fans of the company are hoping it can return to its glory days, and BioWare wants to rebuild its shattered reputation, so it would benefit from working with more properties it is familiar with. Star Wars has had its own share of criticism in recent years, and partnering the Disney-owned franchise with a developer that knows it well could restore faith among fans.