Agreed. I'm not too bothered about the development of such a game per se, as I have no interest at all in playing a franchised MMO*, but I am a bit worried about the possible impact on lore, general flavour, and fanbase expectations for future games.
(*It seems to me that most MMOs based upon existing IPs succeed only in "cheapening" their predecessors- much in the same way other people might feel a good book is "ruined" by a poorly executed - if well intentioned - film adaption. I may sound petty saying this, but it's my honest opinion.)
The impact it will have on the lore. I fear that, too. This will be the first MMO I'll buy, and I'll do it because it is set in a world familiar to me. I've never played an MMO and liked it. It seems this kind of games aren't for me.
I agree. That's how things are, most of the time.