New Free-to-Play Option Will Open Up the Critically-Acclaimed MMO
from BioWare and LucasArts to Millions of Additional Star Wars™ Fans and
Gamers Worldwide
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
BioWare™, a Label of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), announced today that
it will be expanding the story-driven, massively multiplayer online game Star
Wars™: The Old Republic™ by adding a new Free-to-Play option this
fall. This option will give players access to each of the eight iconic Star
Wars character class storylines, all the way up to level 50, with
certain restrictions*. Unlimited game access, including new higher-level
game content and new features, will be made available through individual
purchases or through a subscription option.
"Players want flexibility and choice. The subscription-only model
presented a major barrier for a lot of people who wanted to become part
of The Old Republic™ universe," said Matthew Bromberg, GM of BioWare
Austin.
Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer of Star Wars: The Old Republic
added, "Since launch, we've been listening to feedback from our fans and
adding new content and refining The Old Republic at a breakneck pace. We
believe we are in a position to help improve the service even more, not
only by continuing to add new content, but also by expanding the game to
many more Star Wars fans, increasing the populations on worlds
and the vibrancy of the community."
Starting this fall, there will be two different ways to play Star Wars:
The Old Republic:
-
Subscription — A service designed for players who want
unrestricted access to all the game features via ongoing subscription
or by redeeming a Game Time Card. In addition to gaining access to all
game content as our current subscribers do now, subscribers will
receive ongoing monthly grants of Cartel Coins, the new virtual
currency that will be introduced later this fall. Cartel Coins can be
used to purchase valuable in-game items including customizable gear
and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience.
-
Free-To-Play — The first 50 levels will be Free-to-Play, with
restrictions on access to new content and advanced player features.
Some restrictions can be "unlocked" with Cartel Coins.
As the first step towards adding the new Free-to-Play option this fall, Star
Wars: The Old Republic will go on sale in August for $14.99 USD,
including one-month of free subscription.
Current and former players will also find additional benefits as part of
this program. 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. To learn more about
these rewards, please visit www.StarWarstheOldRepublic.com/FREE.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of the most critically
acclaimed MMOs of all time, having won MSNBC's "Game of the Year" award
in 2011, "Editor's Choice" awards from IGN, PC Gamer and "Best MMO of
2011" awards from Game Informer, GameSpy, AOL Massively, Ten Ton Hammer
and more. The game is set thousands of years before the classic Star
Wars movies, with the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire locked in
the middle of an epic, galactic war. Players choose one of eight iconic Star
Wars character classes, including the Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular,
Smuggler, Trooper, Sith Warrior, Sith Inquisitor, Bounty Hunter and
Imperial Agent, becoming the hero or villain of their own personal Star
Wars saga.
For more information on Star Wars: The Old Republic, please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/FREE,
follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/swtor
or "Like" Star Wars: The Old Republic on Facebook at http://facebook.com/starwarstheoldrepublic.
For additional press assets, please visit http://info.ea.com.
*ACCEPTANCE OF END USER ACCESS AND LICENSE AGREEMENT ('EUALA'),
PERSISTENT INTERNET CONNECTION, AND ACCOUNT REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO
PLAY. MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRES REGISTRATION WITH
ONE-TIME USE SERIAL CODE. SERIAL CODE IS NON-TRANSFERABLE ONCE USED.
PAID SUBSCRIPTION, VALID AND ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHOD OR PAID GAME TIME
CARD (IF AVAILABLE) REQUIRED TO ACCESS GAMEPLAY. PAYMENT METHOD AGE
RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. SWTOR ONLINE SERVICE MAY BE DISCONTINUED AFTER
30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON WWW.SWTOR.COM.
SEE EUALA FOR DETAILS. AGREEMENT TO SHARE ACCOUNT INFORMATION WITH
LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. ('LUCASFILM') IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS
GAMEPLAY. GAME INTENDED FOR PLAY ONLY WITHIN NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE AND
CERTAIN OTHER TERRITORIES. PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE AVAILABLE
AT WWW.SWTOR.COM.
ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO PLAY THE GAME APPLY AT ALL TIMES. THE FIRST
30 DAYS OF SUBSCRIPTION ARE INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE
PRODUCT. SUBSCRIPTIONS MAY BE CANCELLED AT ANY TIME. SEE WWW.SWTOR.COM
FOR DETAILS.
WARNING: PEOPLE WHO HAVE PHOTOSENSITIVE SEIZURES (A SEIZURE REPORTEDLY
INDUCED BY FLASHING LIGHTS OR PATTERNS), OR OTHER SYMPTOMS FROM BEING
PHOTOSENSITIVE, SHOULD NOT PLAY THIS GAME WITHOUT FIRST SEEING A DOCTOR
About LucasArts
Founded in 1982 by filmmaker George Lucas, LucasArts is a leading
publisher and developer of interactive entertainment. With development
facilities in San Francisco and Singapore, LucasArts leverages the
global skills, technology and resources of the Lucasfilm family of
companies -- including visual effects leader Industrial Light & Magic,
Lucasfilm Animation and Skywalker Sound -- in addition to strategic
partnerships with best-in-class external partners, to further the
boundaries of game development. LucasArts is dedicated to delivering
deeply immersive, visually spectacular and engaging experiences that
inspire and amaze generations.
About BioWare
The BioWare Label is a division of EA which crafts high quality
multiplatform role-playing, MMO and strategy games, focused on
emotionally engaging, rich stories with unforgettable characters and
vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the
world's most critically acclaimed titles and franchises, including Baldur's
Gate™, Neverwinter Nights™, Star Wars®: Knights of
the Old Republic™, Jade Empire™, Mass Effect™ and Dragon
Age™. BioWare currently operates in eight locations across the
world, including Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec, Canada),
Austin (Texas), Fairfax (Virginia), San Francisco (California), Los
Angeles (California), Sacramento (California) and Galway (Ireland).
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive
entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services
for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones,
tablets and social networks. EA has more than 220 million registered
players and operates in 75 countries.
In fiscal 2012, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.1 billion.
Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a
portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such
as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and
Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.
LucasArts, the LucasArts logo, STAR WARS and related
properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries
of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © 2012 Lucasfilm Entertainment
Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
EA, Bioware, The Sims and Need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic
Arts Inc. Battlefield is a trademark of EA Digital Illusions CE AB.
BioWare Mass Effect, Jade Empire and Dragon Age are trademarks of EA
International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. Madden, NFL and FIFA are
trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission.
Electronic Arts
Alana Logan, 512-287-7732
Sr. Publicist
alogan@ea.com
Andrew
Wong, 650-628-2781
Director of PR
anwong@ea.com
Source: Electronic Arts
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