Third Star Wars: The Old Republic novel title revealed

Today’s announcement of the third Old Republic novel’s title has got fans all in a flutter as the single greatest mystery in the Knights of the Old Republic franchise has returned with a vengeance. All of this over a one-word title. But it’s not just any word. The next chapter to the thrilling series has a whopper of a title: Revan.

Star Wars: The Old Republic – Revan, written by Drew Karpyshyn (Principle Writer for BioWare, Senior Writer for Knights of the Old Republic, and the author of the Darth Bane novels), is scheduled for an October release and has the promise of tying together the upcoming MMO to the game that started it all.

According to Karpyshyn, the mystery of Revan’s departure is “probably the number one question I’m asked on my website. I’m glad the story is finally being told, and I’m ecstatic that I’m the one who gets to tell it.”

He also says that Revan promises to feature characters from KOTOR, as well. ”Canderous, T3-M4, the Exile and Bastila Shan all have significant roles to play in the novel (along with some significant characters who appear in Star Wars: The Old Republic).”

As exciting as this is, it could also mean sad news for fans of the franchise, especially those who played the game as a dark side or female Revan. According the Q&A with Karpyshyn on SW:TOR’s website:

“Obviously this wouldn’t have worked for a book with Revan as the main character, so I decided to focus on certain universally established elements from the KOTOR games while also reinforcing previously established canon from the greater Star Wars universe, such as Revan being male and choosing the light side/redemption ending of the game.

However, by coloring in these details I was also able to delve much deeper into the character than we did when Revan was the “blank slate” of the games. It was a difficult decision, but I feel the payoff was worth it. Fans want to know what happened to Revan after KOTOR, and now they’ll finally get to see that story.”

The KOTOR fan in me is highly optimistic. Revan’s departure has been a mystery looming over the franchise since Knights of the Old Republic II with fans coming up with their own theories as to where Revan went. And the fact that it’s being written by one of the original writers of KOTOR gives this a more authentic feel, that this truly is Revan’s story and all our questions will (finally?) be answered.

That said, the Female Revan/Carth Onasi shipper in me is screaming, “Why are you doing this terrible thing?!”

KOTOR fans will have to sit and wait until Revan is released on October 18. In the meantime, check out the full Q&A on the official SW:TOR website! And don’t forgot to read my preview of The Old Republic from Celebration V.

[via SW:TOR]