Star Wars: The Old Republic
News, coverage and analysis tracking Star Wars: The Old Republic across the outlets.
Latest coverage
10 Games like World of Warcraft that'll take over your time next
This 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 Interviews
Studio 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 down
Former 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 Reboot
James 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 - GameHaunt
Amazon 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 BioWare
James 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 zones
This 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 world
This 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 Events
Star 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 veterans
Arcanaut 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 promotion
Star 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 Announced
Lucasfilm 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.
The Daily Grind: Who’s the best robot in an MMORPG?
This article discusses the prevalence and appeal of robots within Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs). It highlights examples from Star Wars Galaxies, Star Wars: The Old Republic, City of Heroes, and WildStar, posing the question of which robot character is the best in the genre.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars in your pocket
ArenaNet 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.
Evening Gatherings and Events
Star Wars: The Old Republic is celebrating May 4th with in-game events. Players can participate in special activities and promotions tied to the Star Wars holiday.
Roadmaps and Plans
Total War: Warhammer 40,000 will feature destructible terrain elements, allowing players to alter the environment during gameplay. Separately, Star Wars: The Old Republic is set to receive Game Update 7.9, titled 'Legacy'.