Last year I briefly investigated writing a PHD thesis on transmedia storytelling focusing on Star Wars. The singular narrative of the expanded universe, spread across every medium imaginable, is unique in media. For all the faults, no other franchise has woven its universe together as well.
I didn’t pursue the idea, which I’m now thankful for as the Sequel Trilogy looks set to destroy it. I suspect many elements of the Expanded Universe will be discarded over the coming years. Yet, for now, even the smallest elements still count towards the whole.
This has caused problems before. But nothing has occurred on the scale as The Old Republic, which increasingly looks set to become Star Wars’ first cross media flop. As it careens towards cancellation, it will leave a massive hole in the universe.
For those who don’t play, during The Old Republic the galaxy is split the galaxy in two, pitting a Sith Empire against The Republic. Players can roll either side, with the conflict between them the focus of the game.
Clearly the only outcome is victory for The Republic. It’s fundamental to the franchise. To fit in with the established universe, the following conditions must be met at the end of the project:
- The Sith are destroyed and forced from the galaxy.
- The Republic enters a period of peace
- Planets allied to the Sith Empire are brought back into the Republic
Put bluntly, this just isn’t possible. Whatever the story, there will still be countless Imperial characters, planets and locations required for the Sith player side of the game right until the final server is switched off. More problematic is that during the final hours, most NPCs will still be acting as if the Empire is strong and mighty, as they are scripted to do so.
At the very least, The Old Republic will require a wrap-up story to explain how a half the galaxy fundamentally changes and an Empire is struck off the map. I suspect it’s a story needing a span of books or an ongoing comic series. It would feel cheap otherwise.
The question is whether Lucasfilm Licensing will commission such a series that is fundamentally based on a franchise flop. Narratively it has to happen. But commercially is another story.
Delusions Of Grandeur 