Star Wars: The Old Republic
News, coverage and analysis tracking Star Wars: The Old Republic across the outlets.- 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.
First Batch of Voice Performer Guests Announced for ANIME Impulse Bay Area 2026ANIME Impulse Bay Area 2026 has announced its initial lineup of voice performer guests, including Alain Mesa, Samantha Béart, and Barrett Leddy. Mesa is known for roles in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Bleach, while Béart gained recognition for Baldur's Gate 3. Leddy has voiced characters in various Yu-Gi-Oh! series and LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest. The convention will also feature VTubers and additional guests will be revealed later.- The Daily Grind: What was the biggest missed opportunity for your MMO’s development?Former Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer James Ohlen revealed he proposed a top-down redesign to make the MMORPG more like Knights of the Old Republic, but EA's board rejected the idea. This article discusses significant missed opportunities in the development of the MMORPG genre, inviting reader contributions on potential redesigns, course corrections, or hiring decisions that could have altered outcomes.
- A former SWTOR lead once proposed a top-down revamp that was shot down by EAFormer Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer James Ohlen proposed a significant reboot of the MMORPG, titled Star Wars: The New Republic, which would have shifted the game's timeline. The proposal was ultimately rejected by Electronic Arts' board of directors, who were hesitant to invest further after the initial $300 million development cost.
10 Games like World of Warcraft that'll take over your time nextThis article lists 10 MMORPGs and RPGs that capture the essence of World of Warcraft, offering similar exploration, character customization, and progression. The list includes titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Path of Exile, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Final Fantasy 14, and Guild Wars 2, catering to various player preferences from story-driven experiences to more relaxed, sandbox gameplay.
Star Wars: The Old Republic lead told BioWare bosses "I hate massive multiplayer games" before agreeing to run the MMO and becoming a "highly paid, completely useless person"James Ohlen, a lead developer at BioWare, revealed he disliked massively multiplayer online games but was tasked with directing Star Wars: The Old Republic. He previously worked on other BioWare titles like Baldur's Gate and Mass Effect.- Morning InterviewsStudio head James Ohlen discusses his departure from the sci-fi RPG Exodus mid-development, citing EA's handling of his Star Wars: The Old Republic reboot at BioWare as a significant factor. He describes the experience as the 'beginning of the end' for his time at the studio.
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.
BioWare had a plan to reboot Star Wars: The Old Republic and make it more KOTOR like, but EA's board of directors shut it downFormer BioWare lead designer James Ohlen revealed a plan to reboot Star Wars: The Old Republic into a more KOTOR-like experience called 'The New Republic'. Despite convincing Lucasfilm executives Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni, as well as EA's Patrick Söderlund, the project was ultimately rejected by EA's board of directors due to concerns over the original game's high budget.- Star Wars: The Old Republic Director James Ohlen Discusses BioWare Exit After EA Killed New Republic RebootJames Ohlen, former director of Star Wars: The Old Republic, discussed his departure from BioWare in 2018. His exit followed the cancellation of a new reboot for the game by publisher Electronic Arts.
Amazon Cancels Lord of the Rings MMORPG - GameHauntAmazon Games has cancelled its Lord of the Rings MMORPG, ending a partnership with Embracer Group due to high technical costs and a strategic pivot away from massive online worlds. This marks Amazon's second failed attempt at a Tolkien-based MMO. The company is still working on a smaller, single-player Middle-earth game, potentially developed by Warhorse Studios, while its other MMO, New World, is scheduled to shut down on October 31, 2027.
'It nearly killed me': Why studio head James Ohlen left sci-fi RPG Exodus mid-development—and why EA crushing his Star Wars: The Old Republic reboot was the 'beginning of the end' at BioWareJames Ohlen, a veteran designer behind Baldur's Gate 2 and Knights of the Old Republic, discusses his departure from Archetype Entertainment's RPG Exodus, citing the immense pressure of studio leadership. He also reflects on his time at BioWare, detailing how EA's rejection of his Star Wars: The New Republic reboot plan marked the 'beginning of the end' for his career there.- The Daily Grind: Where is the line between an expansion and a DLC in MMOs?This article discusses the distinction between MMORPG expansions and DLC, using Star Wars: The Old Republic as an example of content that feels more like DLC despite being labeled an expansion. The author questions where players draw the line between these content types and how genre conventions are evolving.
- Perfect Ten: 10 amazing MMO starter zonesThis article ranks ten of the best starting zones in MMORPGs, highlighting areas that offer polish, unique themes, and engaging introductions to their respective worlds. Featured games include World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, Fallout 76, and Final Fantasy XIV, among others.
- One Shots: Swiping right at the end of the worldThis week's One Shots column features community screenshots from various MMORPGs, including a romantic scene with a mannequin in Fallout 76, a character preparing for Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion, and a player cleaning a dirt floor in World of Warcraft. The article also highlights an NPC smith animation in FFXIV and a player's return to Star Wars: The Old Republic due to a World of Warcraft patch.
- Evening Gatherings and EventsStar Wars: The Old Republic is featuring its Galactic Seasons event with new objectives available from May 5 to June 8. This in-game event offers players specific tasks to complete for rewards.
- Massively OP Podcast Episode 564: Evercold or everwarmer?The MassivelyOP Podcast episode 564 covers recent MMORPG news, including Final Fantasy XIV's 'Evercold' expansion announcement for 2027, Guild Wars Reforged receiving a mobile port, and Aion 2's westward release window. Other topics include new MMOs from Nexon, Palia's upcoming mount expansion, SWTOR's future updates, LOTRO's housing, Conan Exiles Enhanced edition, and the sale of EVE Online back to CCP Games.
Star Wars Fate Of The Old Republic devs are mostly ex-BioWare and KOTOR veteransArcanaut Studios has revealed more about its upcoming Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights Of The Old Republic. The development team is largely comprised of former BioWare veterans who worked on the original KOTOR and other acclaimed RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. Director Casey Hudson founded Arcanaut Studios last year, and the game is expected to release before 2030.- 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.
Star Wars Day Is On Its Way, Here's Everything Lucasfilm Has AnnouncedLucasfilm Games has announced several new titles and collaborations to celebrate Star Wars Day. These include the racing game Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a Monopoly crossover, and updates for mobile titles like Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. Additionally, characters like Luke Skywalker are being added to Brawlhalla, and discounts are available for games such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.