For quite some time now, it has been known that Bioware is currently working on an MMORPG in the Austin studios they formed for just such a purpose. Recently, the Bioware devs have been candid (to a limited extent) about the project, stating in interviews that they currently have “a playable build” and are enjoying it immensely around the Bioware Austin offices.

This studio was formed in 2006, shortly after Star Wars Galaxies was blindsided with the “New Game Enhancements”, or NGE, a move that changed quite a few of the core gameplay elements drastically, which led to a mass uproar and numerous account cancellations.

The rumor (for close to two years now) was that Bioware was working on a Knights of the Old Republic MMO project. Neither Bioware nor Lucasarts has been willing to confirm or deny these rumors, but when the studio was formed, quite a few of the developers that worked on KOTOR wound up on the MMORPG team, along with more than a few of the developers that worked on SWG “pre-NGE”.

In order to help dampen these rumor-fueled fires, Lucasarts and Bioware have now issued a joint press release stating that “they have entered into an agreement to create an interactive entertainment product.”

With all the evidence that has mounted before, coupled with this news, I believe the conclusion is inescapable…

It’s Zak McKraken Online!!!

Seriously, all the hopes and dreams are pointing to a KOTOR Online product from Bioware and LA. The dev team makeup, the timing of the Bioware Austin studio forming, and the fact that the potential release window for the MMO could fall somewhere around the new Star Wars television show that Lucas is producing, thus maximizing the publicity and allowing the two products to form some synergy.

Lucas knows how to leverage the popularity of his IP’s…games timed with movies timed with action figures timed with novels timed with condoms…well, you get the idea.

However, before you get too wrapped up in the KOTOR Online idea, remember…Lucas has a new Indiana Jones movie coming to theaters…can someone tell me why it couldn’t be Indy Online?

You have to admit…it would make sense, if in fact this entire thing actually is related to the MMORPG from Bioware.

I’m still rooting for Zak, though…