The Old Republic subscription model still up in the air

subscription model — or lack thereof — is still being worked out. In a conversation with GI.biz at gamescom, LucasArts head honcho Darrel Rodriguez said the studio is considering several different MMO models reflective of the way people in other territories play.

“Yeah, we’re considering it all, absolutely,” Rodriguez-san said. “You start looking at how different communities, territories such as Asia, actually play games, and we start to consider it all – especially if we want it to be a worldwide phenomenon.”

Regardless of model, Rodriguez believes TOR will be around for a long time. He believes the IP being used for the game — as well as the game’s quality — will keep the MMO alive.

“I think the indicators are subscriptions and ongoing interest,” he said, “but just related to the IP in and of itself. So it’s a 30-year-old IP and we anticipate that the IP and the quality game that we’re making here is going to continue on for a very long time.

“We talk about the business curves of subscriptions, interest and investment it takes to make these games, but at the end of the day it’s about making a compelling offering for our consumers,” Rodriguez said.

Good point, but there is something more compelling than an MMO where players can use flashy blue things to hack limbs. It’s kittens. (Puppies are so yesterday.) We haven’t asked LucasArts if TOR has kittens, and we probably won’t. Frankly, we’re afraid the studio will quit talking to us if we ask.