Star Wars fans should be happy to know that LucasArts and BioWare have made an official announcement on the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic this week, promising an innovative approach that combines storytelling with dynamic combat and intelligent companion characters, in a massive multiplayer online PC game.

The developers have also released a few details on the game: the action takes place in the timeframe of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, thousands of years before the rise of the Darth Vader. Players will be able to play wither as Jedi, or Sith, as well as a lot more classic Star Wars roles.

Furthermore, their journey will be filled with a lot of challenges, but they will have their companions by their side. But careful, as the story might turn against them, and the companions might betray them as well. A friend’s help will surely come in handy.

“For a long time, we’ve long wanted to return to the franchise in a grand way, and we felt that the best setting for it was an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in the experience together,” said Darrel Rodriguez, President of LucasArts.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was a massive success for LucasArts, and the new story promises much more than that.

As Dr. Ray Muzyka, BioWare Co-Founder and General Manager explained, multiplayer online games usually rely in three major elements: combat, exploration and character progression, but Star Wars: The Old Republic bring a new element to the table: story.

The developers promised game players an interactive and exciting experience 300 years before the events in Knights of the Old Republic, a timeframe they say players will enjoy exploring.