FAQ

What is Star Wars™: The Old Republic™?
Star Wars: The Old Republic represents a new approach to online entertainment, featuring immersive storytelling, dynamic combat, and groundbreaking companion characters. The game takes place in the Star Wars™ galaxy approximately three hundred years after the events of Star Wars™: Knights of the Old Republic™.

Is this a MMORPG?
Yes, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a MMORPG, or “massively multiplayer online roleplaying game”. Star Wars: The Old Republic will allow thousands of players to explore, adventure, and fight in a single game session.

Can I play alone?
While there are some tasks that cannot be completed without the cooperation of others, the majority of the game can be accomplished by playing alone.

Who is BioWare?
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's best-selling titles including the award-winning Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars™: Knights of the Old Republic™. Original BioWare-created IPs include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year[*], Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy RPG, Dragon Age™: Origins as well as several other unannounced projects. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by one of the world’s leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com

Who is LucasArts?
LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

How does Star Wars: The Old Republic differ from other MMO titles?
Star Wars: The Old Republic will be similar to other MMOs but with several key innovations. Traditionally MMOs are built on three pillars; Exploration, Combat, and Progression. We at BioWare and LucasArts believe there is a fourth pillar: Story. Our mission is to create the best story-driven games in the world. We believe that the compelling, interactive storylines in Star Wars: The Old Republic are a significant innovation to MMOs and will offer an entertainment experience unlike any other.

What Species and Classes can I play as?
Currently known classes are :
 * Empire : Bounty Hunter / Imperial Agent / Sith Inquisitor / Sith Warrior.
 * Republic : Jedi Knight / Jedi Consular / Smuggler / Trooper.

A more comprehensive list of the playable races found in game, can be found here. The main classes page can be found here.

Will I be able to travel to other worlds?
Yes, you will be able to travel to many of the planets featured in the Star Wars movies and in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. There will also be a number of new planets and star systems to explore.

Will I be able to play on the Light or Dark side of the Force?
Yes, during character selection you will align with the Republic or the Sith Empire. In addition, throughout the game you will also be faced with many decisions which can change your path down the Light or Dark side of the Force.

When does Star Wars: The Old Republic take place in relation to the movies?
Star Wars: The Old Republic takes place more than 3,500 years before the rise of Darth Vader. The most powerful Sith Empire in history has emerged from deep space to attack the Republic and its legendary Jedi guardians. After decades of war, a tenuous truce has been established between the Sith Empire and the Republic, but events occurring in the game are leading the galaxy back to an all-out war.

How does Star Wars: The Old Republic relate to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic?
Star Wars: The Old Republic takes place approximately three hundred years after the events of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). At the conclusion of the Jedi Civil War in KOTOR, Revan disappeared into unknown space in search of a great threat to the Republic, an expanding Sith Empire led by a mysterious Emperor who planned vengeance for his ancient Jedi enemies. Revan never returned from unknown space, but the Sith Empire did, kicking off a war with the Republic that lasted for decades. Now, despite the uneasy truce created by the Treaty of Coruscant, the tension among the divided star systems is threatening to once again tear the galaxy apart.

Will I see any characters from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic?
Given that it is approximately 300 years since the events of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, many of the characters have passed away. However, their legacy does live on as many of their descendants will be part of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Some droids can last a long time as well.

When will Star Wars: The Old Republic be released?
The release date for Star Wars: The Old Republic has been announced to be December 20, 2011 in Northern America, and December 22, 2011 in the European Launch Territories.

How can I get into the Beta Test?
We have not yet scheduled the Beta Test for Star Wars: The Old Republic. We recommend subscribing to the newsletter or keeping an eye on the official website so you can be one of the first informed when this information is released.

Will Star Wars: The Old Republic be released in multiple countries?
Star Wars: The Old Republic will be released simultaneously in various countries of the world and the service will be localized in several languages. More details on this will be released at a later date

How much will it cost to play Star Wars: The Old Republic?
Pricing for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be determined and announced at a later date.

What will the game be rated?
Star Wars: The Old Republic has been rated by the ESRB. The current rating is "T".

What are the system requirements for Star Wars: The Old Republic?
System requirements are up on SWTOR.com.

What is the Star Wars: The Old Republic newsletter?
Approximately every four to eight weeks the Community Team will send out an email to all members of the community who have subscribed to the Star Wars: The Old Republic newsletter. The newsletter will bring you the latest updates on the progress being made to the game. In addition to highlighting announcements made since the last edition, the newsletter may sometimes contain sneak peeks of information not yet made public.