Earlier this month, legendary developer BioWare and partner LucasArts sent invitations to members of the press, beckoning them to “attend the official unveiling of the game that’s been rumored about for years.” The title in question is set to be unveiled Oct. 21, and speculation is that it will be a massively multiplayer online installment of the popular Knights of the Old Republic franchise.

Talk of a new Star Wars-based MMO began in the relatively early stages of the ill-fated Star Wars Galaxies, the MMO from developer Sony Online Entertainment. The title saw multiple updates that drastically changed the nature of game play, which, in turn, caused many players to hang up their blasters.

Since then, BioWare — acquired by Electronic Arts in early 2008 — has made several very important moves.

First came a new development studio. In March 2006, BioWare unveiled BioWare Austin, a new studio created in large part to manage the secretive MMO.

Second, the upcoming title was revealed to utilize Complex Event Processing, a technology created by Massachusetts-based company StreamBase Systems, Inc. While this news did not point to a Star Wars title specifically, few would doubt a new BioWare title’s ability to draw crowds, and Complex Event Processing will allow BioWare Austin to monitor and affect the game world in real-time, despite the large number of potential players.

With 270,000 copies of the first “Knights of the Old Republic” flying off the shelves within two weeks of its release and the increased popularity of MMOs in a post-”World of Warcraft” world, “large numbers” could turn out to be a bit of an understatement.

Third, files from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show LucasFilm acquiring trademarks for several new video game licenses, including the rumored title of the MMO in question: “Star Wars: The Old Republic.”

Fourth — and most vital: It’s actually been confirmed. At this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, Electronic Arts Chief Executive John Riccitiello made brief mention of a game “that people are dying for us to talk to them about.” When asked if this mystery title was an online installment of the KotOR franchise, Riccitiello answered plainly: “Yes.”

So, is the announcement on Oct. 21 going to finally reveal a new “Star Wars” MMO? Um… Is Darth Vader the undeniable badass sith of the Galactic Empire? Yeah. I rest my case. Bet money on it.

— Sophie Prell is a junior in pre-journalism and mass communication from Alta