Category: Star Wars The Old Republic

SWTOR To Go Free To Play

SWTOR Free to Play

SWTOR will be going free-to-play this coming fall. Players who opt to go the F2P route will have access to each class’s full storyline all the way up to Level 50, options such as race, warzones (PVP arenas), flashpoints (group dungeons), and space missions will be restricted – although not unavailable (not quite clear yet as to what this means). There still remains the $15 a month subscription that now comes with added benefits (actually not much added, basically remaining the same as they are now).  Check this chart out for a comparison. They will also be adding something called the Cartel Market that will allow people to buy vanity and convenience items with Cartel Coins – which will be purchasable with real life cash. The heads at Bioware are hoping that dropping the $15 a month it takes to play SWTOR might entice and hook new players to journey through the galaxy. Thanks to Morgan in the forums for the tip, more info about what exactly “limited access” means will be coming out soon, until then check the Press Release.

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Star Wars the Old Republic to go F2P?

SWTOR F2P

Probably not the most shocking news to hit the MMO scene, but surprisingly soon for even the naysayers, SWTOR Lead Designer Emmanuel Lusinchi said BioWare will be flexible to adapt to the rapidly changing MMO market — even if that means going F2P. In an interview with GamesTM (the article has recently been removed) Lusinchi said:

“The MMO market is very dynamic and we need to be dynamic as well,” he says. “Unless people are happy with what they have, they are constantly demanding updates, new modes and situations. So we are looking at free-to-play but I can’t tell you in much detail. We have to be flexible and adapt to what is going on.”

Would you consider SWTOR a flop if it were to go free-to-play before it’s first anniversary? If it does, I certainly hope it sticks to free-to-play, not pay-to-win.

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SWTOR: Legacy System Now Live

SWTOR Legacy System

The new Legacy System is a pretty unique addition to SWTOR that a lot of players have really been looking forward to and with the 1.2 patch live, that means we get to see what all the fuss is about.

The Legacy System allows players to create a family tree of characters. Once your character has completed their Chapter 1 storyline, they will be able to choose a Legacy “Last Name.” This Legacy last name must be unique and is shared across all characters on that server.  Once you have unlocked your Legacy, any and all characters on that server will now contribute to that player’s Legacy Experience Points. Much like normal xp, when you reach certain Legacy thresholds, you will increase your Legacy Level. These levels unlock various rewards.

By completing all the Chapter 2 quests you will unlock your classes buff on all other alts. You will also unlock class specific emotes. Completing Chapter 3 with your character will unlock that classes special ability to all classes to be used during Heroic moment. These unlocks have no legacy requirement. Here is a list of class buffs and special abilities you will be able to unlock:

  • Imperial agent – Coordination Buff – Legacy Orbital Strike ability
  • Bounty Hunter – Hunter Boon Buff- Legacy Flamethrower ability
  • Sith Inquisitor – Mark of Power Buff – Legacy Lightning Storm ability
  • Sith Warrior – Unnataural Strength Buff – Legacy Force Choke ability
  • Jedi Consular – Force Valor Buff – Legacy Project ability
  • Jedi Knight – Force Might Buff – Legacy Force Sweep ability
  • Smuggler – Lucky Shots Buff – Legacy Dirty Kick ability
  • Trooper – Fortification Buff – Legacy Sticky Grenade ability

Some of the bonuses can get insanely expensive: A Ship Mailbox requires Legacy Level 10 and costs 500,000 credits.. Rocket Boost which provides an intense speed burst for a short time requires Legacy Level 8 and 2,000,000 credits! SWTOR needed a good money sink though and I feel like this gives enough incentive to players to invest their time and credits into it. For a fairly good list of Legacy rewards and bonuses check out this post on SWTOR Daily Quests.

 

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