Sun, Sep 25, 2011 | 08:08 BST
Star Wars: The Old Republic gets release date and pricing
BioWare has confirmed that EA MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic will release on December 20 in the US and December 22 in Europe, and has finally announced subscription fees.
The news came out of a Eurogamer Expo session, and additional information has appeared on the game’s official site.
The game was first announced in 2008 and had been on track for release in EA’s current financial year.
Said BioWare head Ray Muzyka: “This is an incredible moment for everyone at BioWare and our partners at LucasArts who have dedicated their lives to build this extraordinary game. We appreciate the patience from the millions of fans who have been waiting for the game’s release.”
News of a firm date will thrill fans. There’s been constant dodging on the subject of launch from both EA and BioWare, with director James Ohlen saying in August that a date wouldn’t be given until the studio and publisher were sure the release would be a “bug-free experience”.
He added: “I’ve been on this project for six years: I want it to live up to the expectations.”
Pricing has also been confirmed. The game will cost $14.99/£8.99/€12.99 for one month; $13.99 per month (a one-off charge of $41.97/£25.17/€35.97) for three months; and $12.99 per month (a one-off charge of $77.94/£46.14/€65.94) for six months of play.
The game comes with 30 days of play-time.
The Old Republic has been the subject of intense press coverage throughout its development, with speculation most recently emerging that this will be the last great subs-based MMO.
Beta issues have dogged the title in the last few months, with weekend testing announced at PAX last month.
Analysts have predicted the game will move 3 million units in its first year, although pre-orders have been strictly limited, presumably to stop a day one rush.
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Posted in: EA, Eurogamer Expo 2011, MMO, PC
Tags: bioware, release date, Star Wars The Old Republic, star wars: the old republic release date, swtor, TOR
56 comments
Older Comments
#51
Talkar
25/09/11, 3:09 pm
#50
I dunno, it could have changed. The account Blizz gave me was back in january for playing StarCraft 2, (i know, weird reward), so it is very possible it is a different system from what it was years ago x)
#52
Phoenixblight
25/09/11, 4:04 pm
@51
Its still the same system. You buy the game you get 30 days off there is no forcing of buying a month of service. I helped a friend on the game 4 months ago as he was researching what was the draw of them game and he had buy the battle chest of the game and received 30 days off.
#53
DSB
25/09/11, 5:22 pm
Is this good or bad?
It looks to me like they’re desperate to hit the xmas market. I hope they haven’t sacrificed the final polish for it. That’s never going to be a smart trade for an MMO.
#54
Phoenixblight
25/09/11, 5:25 pm
@53
They had mentioned in investment calls and interviews that they were aiming for Holiday 2011 well that would definitely be Holiday 2011. You are just a cynic about every single thing.
#55
Talkar
25/09/11, 5:49 pm
#53
If they are as desperate as you are saying they are (which they shouldn’t be with setting preorder records and everything), why would they choose the 22nd as a release date instead of the beginning of december?
#56
viralshag
26/09/11, 10:22 am
It’s so sad that people just want this to fail. And I don’t think that’s an unfair comment to make. Normally they will come back with the “oh, just because I have a different opinion” and I would accept that but people are just making pointless comments with no explanation.
“They have copied the WoW formula.” – No, they have copied the MMO formula. An MMO with an action bar! Say it isn’t so!
“They haven’t brought anything new.” – So apart from story, interactive story at that, in depth companions and potentially good or bad space combat, what more do you want? What else do you expect from a “new innovative MMO?”
“It looks bad!” – No it doesn’t, having seen it up close on a screen it actually looks pretty great. Going the more “realistic” route will leave the game looking outdated in no less than 2-4 years, if that. Not to mention the fact that with their chosen art style, it will be much easier to create bright and colourful visuals. Rift, as good as it is, looks pretty bland and that’s the other option to compare it with.
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