Bioware’s big Star Wars MMO title goes free-to-play this fall. Star Wars: The Old Republic will be free-to-play for all players up to level 50, which is the base max level anyway. There will be “certain restrictions” for the free-to-play players unless they make individual purchases or start a subscription. The eight iconic classes will still be available to all players.
“Players want flexibility and choice. The subscription-only model presented a major barrier of a lot of people who wanted to become part of The Old Republic universe,” said Matthew Bromberg, GM of Bioware Austin. Those current and former players will also find additional benefits. BioWare will be increasing the frequency of game content updates, with the first of many new releases coming in August. In addition, current subscribers will receive Cartel Coin grants and qualify for access to special in-game items. Even former players who re-activate now will qualify for special benefits.
The most noticeable part that is not restricted will be the story mode for each class, which may just be the perfect hook to get the free-to-play people to pay a little bit for some of the limited content.
To celebrate the announcement, EA is putting Star Wars: The Old Republic on sale in August for $14.99 USD, including one-month of free subscription.
I am so very happy for this
This is fantastic. The best thing about SWTOR was the story, and I played a bunch during beta, but opted out of yet another monthly fee for an mmo that didn’t feel complete. I would be more willing to buy the game and play it free or purchase odds and ends that I feel give my game more value, than be forced to pay a fee for a game that, in this case, felt incomplete.