Star Wars enthusiasts are taking to the courts to voice their displeasure over an unfulfilled promise associated with the RPG, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, as reported by TheGamer.
Originally introduced to gaming aficionados in 2004, the title has been cherished by many. Recently, it was treated to a Nintendo Switch port, igniting enthusiasm in its longstanding fan base.
The re-release’s allure heightened when the announcement trailer for the Switch port included the Restored Content Mod as a DLC offering. On PCs, this mod already reinstates many parts of the game that were previously discarded and addresses multiple game glitches. However, despite prior affirmations, the DLC isn’t making its way to the Switch. This unexpected pivot has, unsurprisingly, not sat well with players.
An order of ardent gamers has now initiated legal proceedings against the port’s developers, Aspyr Media, and Saber Interactive, citing their deep disappointment. The heart of the grievance is the lack of the anticipated Restored Content DLC. Some assert that their decision to buy was predominantly influenced by the DLC promise. The said lawsuit further emphasizes that since the DLC’s release was promised, the developers are bound to offer refunds to players, especially those who haven’t engaged with the game in anticipation of the DLC’s arrival.
Documentation supporting the lawsuit details the disenchantment of one player: “Plaintiff felt completely duped and was upset because he had relied on Defendants’ representations that the Restored Content DLC would be released for KOTOR.”
The developers’ gesture of offering the game’s Steam version, where the modification is accessible with no additional costs, has not been universally accepted. With no clarity on Aspyr’s intent regarding refunds, the gaming community remains poised for their official statement.
Understanding the depth of this debacle requires a glimpse into the game’s history. Knights of the Old Republic II, while celebrated now, had a challenging birth. The sequel, helmed by Obsidian, was hurriedly pieced together, leading to a rewritten narrative to accommodate tight launch deadlines. The genuine ending, partially available in a fan mod, was touted to finally grace the Switch as an official DLC – a promise now broken.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2’s journey has been a roller-coaster. Its initial introduction was heralded, but a the rapid developmental pace led to an amputated narrative. However, undeterred fans culled and refined the missing content, resulting in the lauded Restored Content Mod. This was the mod players eagerly expected on their Switch consoles.
The resounding sentiment is that the mod doesn’t merely add content; it stitches together fragmented narratives and it offers comprehensive character arcs, making motivations clear, and paving the way for an enriched gaming experience. To many, it’s the definitive mode of playing.
The announcement of its arrival on the Switch set expectations high. The game’s marketing suggested that this would indeed be the complete experience that players had been waiting for. The disappointment is then understandable after it was understood that the DLC wasn’t coming.
When a title as cherished as Knights of the Old Republic II is involved, stakes are exceptionally high. As Aspyr and Saber Interactive approach their October 4 deadline to address the lawsuit, fans worldwide remain hopeful, albeit wary.
Speaking of Star Wars, Saber Interactive is reportedly working on an unannounced Star Wars game. It’s believed this is the remake of Knights of the Old Republic on the PlayStation 5 that reportedly switched hands from Aspyr Media last year.
