Release Date Announced

Liastnir

Liastnir

Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
Just in case anyone sees this before twitter or the official forums. The release date was dropped this morning, 12/20. I wonder if Best Buy is going to catch any flack for scooping Bioware by 12 hours.

Subscription information was also released (same scheme as for WoW it looks like) but nothing on early access.

CJ

Unknown Person

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
Link to official article
BioWare and LucasArts are pleased to announce that Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ will launch on December 20, 2011 in North America and on December 22, 2011 in the European Launch Territories! The announcement was first made by BioWare co-founders Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk during their keynote address at the 2011 Eurogamer Expo in London, England. Speaking to a packed room of press and fans alike, Dr. Muzyka acknowledged the weight of the moment and the patience of the fans.

“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.”
Each copy of Star Wars: The Old Republic will come with 30 days of subscription time, after which you have the option to continue playing with one of the following monthly subscription fees:

1 Month Subscription: $14.99 (£8.99/€12.99)
3 Month Subscription: $13.99 per month (one-time charge of $41.97/£25.17/€35.97)
6 Month Subscription: $12.99 per month (one-time charge of $77.94/£46.14/€65.94)
Those who have pre-ordered the game and entered their pre-order code on StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com are eligible for Early Game Access. If you haven’t yet reserved your copy of the game, be sure to visit our Pre-Order page and secure your place in the Old Republic now!

We want to thank you for your continued passion, dedication and support. Though one part of this incredible journey is coming to an end, we are confident that you all share our excitement for this new beginning. Be sure to check back to StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com as well as our Twitter and Facebook pages for all the latest news and updates on Star Wars: The Old Republic.

It's nice to have an official release date :)
Seannewboy

Seannewboy

Im sure you already know but . . .

September 24 2011
the Launch date is now set as 12/20/2011.
Paul

Warwidow

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
yep got my email at 815 this morning was going to post once I was at work:)
Rolando Castillo

Virgo59

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
Pleasantly surprised that the monthly sub fee stayed at $14.99

Thought if any upcoming MMO was going to break the 14.99 ceiling it was going to be SWTOR. Glad to see that wasn't the case.

I guess the next question would be if lifetime subs will be offered.
Seannewboy

Seannewboy

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
I would doubt it since they intend for this to be a 20+year game.
Will Tubbert

MarkNine

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
Quote by Virgo59
Pleasantly surprised that the monthly sub fee stayed at $14.99.


I'm a little surprised that they are sticking with the WoW model as WoW is one of the few dinosaurs left that are sticking to the monthly subscription model. Nearly everything else has moved to the F2P model. It will be interesting to see how long the subscription model will last, or if they can get away with keeping it indefinitely.

SW:TORs biggest future competition, Guild Wars 2, won't be charging a subscription at all and is, at this time, boasting truly revolutionary MMO game play. SW:TOR will (theoretically) be polished, and have the added gloss of a story focus, but from what I've seen of the gameplay, it's purely derivative of the WoW/EQ button-mash-power-chain model of gameplay. Hell, even the skill tree is ripped right out of WoW. Blizzard took a good lesson that we've seen in Bastion and coming in Guild Wars 2. They are going into Diablo 3 with the ability to swap "specs" on the fly for truly unlimited experimentation. You are never locked into something for too long if it turns out it isn't working for you.

But that personal opinion rant aside, of course I am pre-ordered and eagerly awaiting the Early Access info. I won't be surprised, but will be a little disappointed, if it's simply a matter of starting Saturday, December 17th like every other Early Access I've ever bee part of.
Edited September 24 2011 by MarkNine
Nick

Nikku

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
I know that this is the only feasible time they could launch it in 2011 - November and early December would have been too risky with the other high-profile game launches - but it's annoying for me as I won't be able to play during the holiday period. Oh well, see you all in January!

Oh, I'm with DakonKor on the WoW-copying though. As far as I can see SWTOR is a big WoW clone with a few extra features tacked on. It looks great and there's a reason WoW remains popular, but once GW2 comes out I'll likely cancel my sub, so it would be nice if there's a F2P option at that stage.

NavyIC1

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
nothing like it happening during the holiday break. almost a month of constant play before college classes start up again.
Rolando Castillo

Virgo59

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
Unfortunately all of my vacation time will be spent in Mid-November when I move to my new place. But releasing it over the holidays will give me some off-time to enjoy it. And to quote Martha Stewart, "that is a good thing." :)
Chris Mello

Bonisagus

Re: Im sure you already know but . . .

September 24 2011
YAY! I just hope the having is worth more than the wanting or at least as good.
Patrick

Van

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
Got the email and yeppers this is some awesome news. I hope I pre ordered earlier enough to be in the first wave but not to worried about it.

It will be here before we know it! Woot!!
JT

Varel

Re: Release Date Announced

September 24 2011
I can't wait..... just saying

Per Stephen Reid's Twitter Feed:

Timing on Early Game Access for #SWTOR will be announced closer to launch. It'll be a number of days - not just a weekend.
Edited September 24 2011 by Varel
Jared Rose

Jared

Re: Release Date Announced

September 25 2011
Merry Freaking Christmas!!!!

I'm so excited.
Liastnir

Liastnir

Re: Release Date Announced

September 25 2011
Virgo59: No lifetime subscriptions per Stephen Reid via twitter earlier.

CJ
David

Daividov

Re: Release Date Announced

September 25 2011
Yeah I got my Best Buy email hours before the official email came out :) I pre-ordered day 1 so I am stoked about the go live and will be on vacation the week between Christmas and New Years, I am sure you can guess what I will be doing during that time hehe.
Cannot wait to explore with you all... May The Force Be With You all!
Liastnir

Liastnir

Re: Release Date Announced

September 25 2011
I'd really like to know the story with Best Buy. I suspect BB jumped the gun and I wonder if there are some unpleasant e-mails going back and forth haha.
David

Daividov

Re: Release Date Announced

September 25 2011
I bet your right - LOL
Nic

nniicc

Re: Release Date Announced

September 25 2011
Quote by Liastnir
I'd really like to know the story with Best Buy. I suspect BB jumped the gun and I wonder if there are some unpleasant e-mails going back and forth haha.


Some shop spilled the beans too when pre-order started. They should have learned not to inform anyone before the official announcement. On the other hand al lot of shops have invented a lot of release dates, so nobody thought it was the real thing this time. I don't think anyone was expecting the release date already.

Unknown Person

Re: Release Date Announced

September 26 2011
OMG Finally!

I wonder if I can get a couple days off from work, that's supposed to be a blackout time for time off. I remember and interview with Adam Sessler and the producer of SWTOR from G4 this year at E3 and they asked him when they could expect the release date and he replied; "this year." Cuttin it a little close fellas but fine, I'm so bringing my laptop to Christmas dinner at my Mom's this year lol.