New details indicate that more content will soon be available as "free to play" within Star Wars: The Old Republic. The early signal is that the differences between "subscription" and "free to play" based features will be coming this fall. A press release as well as several new pages on the official site explain some of the details and break down the differences between what is included with each type of play option.
UPDATE: According to a document released for the upcoming EA Earnings call, the free to play model will become available this November:
STAR WARS®: The Old Republic™ will move to a more accessible two-tiered pricing
model in November. Players can chose between a $14.99 premium monthly
subscription and a free-to-play model with some restrictions on content and advanced
features. Players will be able to purchase upgrades with in-game currency.
Update 2: A letter from Jeff Hickman is available on the official site.
More details and the full press release are contained after the jump.
Press Release
EA Expands Award-Winning MMO Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ with Free-to-Play Option This Fall
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
Rewards
Rewards available to subscription based players can be found on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic rewards page. A new currency called Cartel Coins is being introduced and can be used to purchase in-game rewards. Past and current subscribers will earn Cartel Coins based upon length of subscription and for active subscriptions going forward. The page includes the option for players to vote on their favorite among three new rewards - Rancor Holoreplica, Carbonite Hibernation Capsule, or Party Jawa. There is also a sneak peek at a few items that may be available for purchase using the new currency - a Kowakian Monkey Lizard pet, Sith Meditation Throne, and the Lost Helm of Darth Nihilus.
Features
A full comparison chart showing what is available for free and what is only available to subscription paying players can be found on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic features page. The new free to play option will open up the full 50 levels of class story content to players. However, non-subscription players will only be allowed "limited access" to several other features such as character creation choices, Warzones, Flashpoints, Space Missions, and travel features. Non-subscription players will also have no access to Operations and "Extremely Limied Access" to the Galactic Trade Network. It remains to be seen what exactly these limitations entail.
FAQ
The official site also has an FAQ section available answering many questions about the new free to play model. Head over to the official site to view the FAQ in its entirety. A few of the more interesting answers are below:
Q: What are Cartel Coins?
A: Cartel Coins will be the new in-game virtual currency used for the Cartel Market. Cartel Coins may be used to purchase specialty items that allow you to customize and equip your character cosmetically. With Cartel Coins you will be able to purchase in-game items including customizable gear and convenience features that will enhance the game play experience. Cartel Coins will also be available for purchase from our website in various price packs.
Q: I bought the game, but have let my subscription lapse. What happens if I want to come back now?
A: Coming back now is a great idea, because we’ve created special rewards just for lapsed subscribers who have decided to return now, rather than waiting until fall. As a former player, you will earn rewards as soon as you reactivate your account both for the current and prior paid months of your subscription. Rewards will be paid to you in Cartel Coins, which you will be able to use in our Cartel Market to purchase new gear, consumables, and specialty items that allow you to customize your gameplay experience.
Q: If the Free-to-Play option is not available until the fall, what are the benefits to buying the game now?
A: If you join The Old Republic now, you will start earning Cartel Coins for every month you are subscriber. In addition, in August we will be launching new content and plan to provide more frequent Game Updates going forward.
Q: What happens if I decide to change from being a subscription player to a Free-to-Play member? What will happen to my credits, inventory, bank items, and characters?
A: Your account will automatically be downgraded and it will operate under the Free player restrictions. You will need to choose what items to keep with you within the restriction levels of the free access. Furthermore, you will be able to see, but not use, your excess credits, inventory slots, bank tabs, and extra characters.
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Posted 8/1/2012 10:56:49 AMI really wanted to like this game, but after three 50s in 4 months I ended up leaving. I mean I really really wanted to like it and keep it as my goto game, I actually bought several game cards so I am paid through november. I hope they do the f2p right, it may help, but I doubt it. I agree with those that have said that the update that is coming out will be the last one with any real substance. Look at STO's stance that they are not going to put out any more featured episodes and just emphasize what people make in the foundry.
It is good for the company in f2p, because they make gobs of money. It is bad for the player, since the game is then designed to sqeeze as much money as possible out of them.
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Posted 8/1/2012 11:16:03 AMUnless the game is design around B2P like GW2, or even PS2.
You buy the game and you effing play it 100% like everyone else. If you want a "aviator's glass" fine, open the shop window and have fun.
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Posted 8/1/2012 6:12:34 AMWell, the way I look at it is this, LOTRO has been "free to play" for a while now and it's not doing too bad. And before anyone follows that with 'Well, LOTRO has this and that !', that game has been around a while, while we've only been here for 7 months.
Like I said before, I still LOVE this game and can't wait to get a freakin dancing Jawa, but it makes me wonder one thing. There seem to be so many people, and not just here, who are very negative of the game. And that's fine, maybe the game didn't turn out the way you thought it would and so on. But, why are those people still here ? I played DC Universe online, it was fun for a while, but after a short time I realized I didn't like it. Quit the game, uninstalled, end of story. I'll never understand why anyone would continue to talk about a game they don't like and keep involved in the community, there's a LOT of other games out there, go give another one a shot. /positivity rant over
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Posted 8/1/2012 8:39:30 AMI see where you come from... BUT, players tend to get some really emotional attachments with the game/companies they like and SWTOR was supposed to be the "WoW-Killer" or at least a huge triple A MMO.
So many people loves SWTOR (EA fans (lol), BW fans, Star Wars fans, etc...), and a lot of people hate it (WoW fans, GW fans, Trolls, RIFT fans, etc...).
When human beings are disappointed with something he had strong emotional ties... well, they simply go mad bro!!
xD
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Posted 8/1/2012 4:06:56 PMit's cathartic my friend. when you committed to a long sub and expected/hoped to be playing a superior game based on a terrific IP that you've loved for 30+years, only to get mediocrity, is a real punch in the gut.
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Posted 8/2/2012 7:23:45 AMI suppose the problem lies with the term "WoW killer". SWTOR's success could only be measured in toppling WoW from it's lofty perch. When it didn't do that, people went on the attack. I played WoW as well, but quit right when BC came out, I had seen enough. Star Wars is my main attraction, and this game has it, plus add in the fact that I'm a "casual" (gasp!) player who has only 1 main character and a handful of alts, the game has a lot of life left in it for me.
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Posted 8/1/2012 1:26:54 AMThis hurts my soul. This game has a lot of potential, and hardworking devs that didnt have enough time to hammer out the kinks in their own system. I really, truly hope this turns out to be a boon for SWTOR and not EA placing it on it's deathbed to milk it of any remaining cash before killing it.
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Posted 7/31/2012 8:26:00 PMI hate to keep snarking, but another thought came up.
TOR revolves around story. Everything has a story, even the excuse for faction vs. faction warzones that became our glorious Huttball.
So what is the story excuse for TOR going Free To Play? The F2P currency will be Cartel Coins, for use on a Cartel Market. What are these Cartel Coins in-universe? Something tied to the Hutts? People who keep paying a monthly fee will get a set amount of Cartel Coins a month. Who is mailing them these Coins? And how do they know in-universe that someone is paying a monthly fee? Does paying a monthly fee elevate players to a special status in-universe as well? Basically free to play just destroys lore. There is no way it can be justified without breaking the fourth wall and explaining it in meta terms.
TOR's story is taking one for the team in this foolhardy venture towards F2P. How much more of a hit will TOR's story take down this slippery slope?
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Posted 7/31/2012 9:27:34 PMI will try to make it simple:
EA's is in the house since the first round of layoffs. The plan is to make it F2P and try to squeeze as much money as possible from players's wallets for a few more years and then shutdown SWTOR. Plain and simple man, I am sorry. The good devs are gone, the ones left behind will work to build a good cash shop and deliver some of the old BS: FP/Ops/WZ and that is it. The good old (really old...) End Game Content.
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Posted 7/31/2012 8:08:49 PMSo I got all this bag space and creds that I earned, but coming back to a game and choose to F2P I lose it all? Ya this F2P model will not bring back any old subs.
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Posted 7/31/2012 7:46:30 PMAwesome, I like the new stuff. I'll continue to sub and support this game that I love to play. Compared to a lot of other peoples gloom and doom statements, my question would appear rather mundane but, the Heroes Banner that CE people get and the rancor holo, I wonder if we'll be able to decorate our ships with them. I hope so, I'd love to be able to customize my ship much like LOTRO housing.
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Posted 7/31/2012 5:04:14 PMAnother WoW-killer bites the dust.
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Posted 8/2/2012 11:40:30 AMcan't out-wow, WoW. when will they ever learn?
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Posted 7/31/2012 3:56:59 PMits still going to have the same issue f2p or subbed. That is incompetent dev team and just overall bad game design. Gw2 will remove the pvp'rs as will other future mmo's.
F2p as nice as it may seem even free the game isnt worth playing that much. I remember when they gave me that free week for 1.3 i logged in 1 time and meh even with full servers all there is to do the same dam warzones and no open world pvp sure i can gank people on the corellia dailies but thats not really open world pvp.
Until james/gabe go its going to be a pos free or not.
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Posted 7/31/2012 3:50:57 PMI only care about the story and the story is going to be free.
Making raids the only exclusive part of the deal would suggest that is the most attractive part of the game and I'm not sure how true that is.