Broadsword
Broadsword business and news from across the web.- MMO Week in Review: EverQuest risingThis week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
- Antique MMORPG Ultima Online just released a brand-new summer event called MoonveilThe classic MMORPG Ultima Online has launched its new summer event, Moonveil, on July 1st. This marks the first year for the event, which involves a pilgrimage across Britannia with opportunities to earn exclusive rewards. The event is detailed in a developer newsletter and a video walkthrough.
- ‘We are now fully focused on developing content for 8.0,’ says SWTOR bossBroadsword's Keith Kanneg announced that Star Wars The Old Republic is now fully focused on developing content for update 8.0, with the first Public Test Server phase planned for the coming weeks. This phase will include the first boss of a new Operation and level 85 for select classes. Galactic Season 10 will conclude at the end of July.
- Ultima creator Richard Garriott now claims he could regain the series’ copyright by next yearUltima creator Richard Garriott claims he may regain the copyright for the series from Electronic Arts by 2027, citing a 35-year rule in copyright law. While EA currently operates Ultima Online, Garriott expressed past frustrations with the company's handling of potential revivals. This news comes amidst EA filing new trademarks for the Ultima series.
- Star Wars The Old Republic puts out a cinematic trailer for its latest update (two weeks after launch)Star Wars: The Old Republic has released a cinematic trailer for its Legacy Reborn update, which launched two weeks prior. The trailer focuses on the narrative elements of the patch, referencing the conclusion of the Legacy of the Sith storyline and featuring Darth Malgus. The late release has drawn confusion and criticism from players on social media.
- 29-year-old MMORPG Ultima Online has stealth-increased the price of its sub in some regionsBroadsword, under Electronic Arts, has stealthily increased the subscription price for the 29-year-old MMORPG Ultima Online in several regions including Germany, Spain, the UK, and Brazil. The price hikes were not officially announced, leading to player frustration, with some European players now paying significantly more than their American counterparts.
- Star Wars The Old Republic’s GU 7.9 Legacy Reborn goes live today to cap off Legacy of the SithBroadsword has released the GU 7.9 Legacy Reborn update for Star Wars The Old Republic, serving as the conclusion to the Legacy of the Sith expansion. The update includes a new story arc involving Darth Jadus and Heta Kol, the start of PvP Season 10, and various gameplay tweaks. French and German voice localization for the new content is still forthcoming.
- SWTOR delays GU 7.9 Legacy Reborn over ‘issues’ as Broadsword is ‘now targeting early June’Broadsword, the studio behind Star Wars The Old Republic, has delayed the 7.9 Legacy Reborn patch from its planned late May release to early June due to unresolved issues found during final testing. The update will conclude the Legacy of the Sith storyline, launch PvP season 10, and update the Dantooine dynamic encounter mission.
- Brazilian players can no longer play SWTOR without submitting to an intrusive age verification processElectronic Arts and Broadsword are implementing a new age verification process for Star Wars: The Old Republic players in Brazil to comply with the Digital ECA Law. Starting May 28th, Brazilian players must verify their age on the SWTOR website to continue playing or making purchases. Players using Steam will also need to complete this verification through the official website.
- Ultima Online’s brand-new shroom-centric Spritelight holiday event has arrived for springUltima Online has launched its latest major update, the Spritelight holiday event, which centers around mushroom harvesting and preservation. The event introduces new truffle hogs, shroom-related tools, and various rewards including decorations, titles, and unique items. The update also includes a PvP balance pass, new wooden weapons, and an update to the Clean Up Britannia rewards system, with another event, Moonveil, planned for July.
Star Wars: The Old Republic's original director hadn't played a single MMO before launching its development studio: 'How the hell did they trust me with this much money?'James Ohlen, the original director of BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic, revealed he had no prior MMO experience when development began. He discussed regrets about the game's launch content and a denied proposal to rename it Star Wars: The New Republic.- Star Wars The Old Republic celebrates May the 4th with a Mandalorian and Grogu promotionStar Wars: The Old Republic is celebrating May the 4th with a promotion tied to the upcoming "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" movie. The event includes discounts, a double XP event, a free minipet, and a special mount for subscribers inspired by the Razor Crest. Developer Broadsword also announced upcoming updates 7.9 and 8.0, which will add more story content and quality-of-life improvements.
- MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars in your pocketArenaNet announced a mobile port of Guild Wars Reforged with cross-progression, coinciding with the game's 21st anniversary. This week also saw Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.5, Pearl Abyss selling EVE Online studio CCP Games to its management, and Star Wars The Old Republic revealing the planet Ryloth for its 8.0 update.
- Star Wars The Old Republic will add Twi’lek planet Ryloth, new skills, and a level-cap bump in 8.0Broadsword has announced details for Star Wars The Old Republic's upcoming 8.0 update, which will introduce the Twi'lek planet Ryloth, new abilities for all disciplines, and increase the level cap to 85. The update aims to kick off a new era for the game's story and will begin testing on the Public Test Server this summer, with a phased rollout throughout 2026. Additionally, update 7.9, Legacy Reborn, is set to launch in late May, concluding the Legacy of the Sith storyline and including various quality-of-life improvements.
- MMO Week in Review: Evercold, Aion 2, and EQ LegendsThis week in the MMORPG genre saw the reveal of Final Fantasy XIV's 'Evercold' expansion for January 2027, alongside confirmations for Aion 2's global launch this year. Several other titles like Embers of the Uncrowned, RF Online Next, Palia, EverQuest Legends, and Loftia also had significant updates or beta launches.
- Classic MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot is lifting a bunch of restrictions on free-to-play accounts in its latest updateBroadsword has significantly reduced restrictions on free-to-play accounts in the classic MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot. Players on Endless Conquest accounts can now access all races and classes, and the grace period for unsubscribed accounts to become Endless Conquest has been shortened. The update also includes extensions to the realm rank system and various quality-of-life improvements.
- 28-year-old Ultima Online begins testing a brand-new mushroom event, craftables, and rewardsThe 28-year-old MMORPG Ultima Online is introducing a new seasonal event called "Spritelight" with its upcoming Publish 123 update. This event involves players harvesting magical mushrooms for rewards, and also includes new craftables, truffle resources, and expanded content for PvP and PvE encounters. The patch is currently in testing on the test server.
- SWTOR vaguely teases its much-hyped 8.0 update and shows off its impending DirectX 12 migrationBroadsword has provided a new update on Star Wars The Old Republic's upcoming content, including teases for update 8.0 and the ongoing migration to DirectX 12. The developer confirmed that the UI is the last major feature to be completed for the DirectX 12 upgrade, which aims to preserve the game's health and enable future content development.
- MMO Week in Review: The clock strikes MidnightThis week's MMO news roundup covers the early access launch of World of Warcraft: Midnight, BitCraft entering its second early access phase, and Gamigo reviving Gloria Victis. The article also touches on layoffs at Corepunk, Discord's postponed age verification rollout, and various updates and issues across numerous other MMO titles.