This Week’s Geek Release: Ho-Ho-MMO Edition

If you had plans to spend time with the family this holiday season, think again. Before you open a present, light a candle, bake a cookie, or spin a dreidel, Bioware and EA would like a word with you. You see, there’s this game. Nothing major, just an MMORPG nearly four years and $135 million in the making that stands to rival the likes of online juggernauts such as World of Warcraft. We thought that might get your attention. Today marks the official launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic and fans of the films and gamers alike have been waiting anxiously for its arrival. The game has been running for quite some time in beta form and unlocked over the weekend for preorder customers. Long queue times have plagued the early days but every MMO is not without its growing pains. Buyers beware; this looks to be a massive timesink. Just when you managed to kick that WoW habit cold turkey, Bioware seems fit to pull you back in. The idea is simple, really. Take the storytelling chops for which Bioware is known, harken back to the glory days of the company’s Knights of the Old Republic series on Xbox, and set it online with the addictive hooks of WoW. After last week’s ending of Star Wars: Galaxies (let’s be honest, it’s amazing to think it lasted as long as it did), the PC world is primed for a quality Star Wars MMO and the Old Republic fits the bill. If you’ve never played an MMO and balk at the monthly subscription fee, don’t worry. Every copy comes with a one free month so there’s good reason to try it if you’re already a little interested. For the rest of you MMO vets out there, if the prospect of setting up a raid on Tattooine gets you all hot and bothered, you’re no doubt already setting up an Origin account to get started.