Star Wars: The Old Republic, an enduring space-themed MMORPG, is undergoing a change in studios. EA has confirmed that the game’s development and operation will be transferred from BioWare to Broadsword Online Games, a third-party studio renowned for its ongoing work on classic MMOs like Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot. Broadsword was founded by Rob Denton, a former BioWare executive and the creator of Mythic Entertainment. EA will continue to serve as the game’s publisher, while BioWare will shift its focus exclusively to the upcoming Mass Effect and Dragon Age games, both of which have only received limited updates since their initial announcements.
“After nearly 12 years since its launch, Star Wars: The Old Republic remains a resounding success and continues to grow its dedicated and passionate community. We are immensely proud of the team’s accomplishments, and we believe that the game’s future, as well as its community, shines brightly,” stated EA, the publisher, in a prepared statement (via IGN). “We are currently evaluating how best to provide the game and the team with the opportunity to grow and evolve, which includes discussions with Broadsword, a boutique studio specializing in delivering online, community-driven experiences.” The IGN report reveals that approximately 70–80 individuals are currently employed on Star Wars: The Old Republic, with over half of them expected to transition to Broadsword. The remaining employees will either seek positions elsewhere within EA or potentially be let go.
Star Wars: The Old Republic was launched in 2011 as a response to Blizzard’s World of Warcraft, immersing players in the vast Star Wars universe and allowing them to assume roles such as Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunter, and other iconic personas. The game received acclaim for its distinct world-building, which wove narratives set 3,000 years before the events of the original films, in addition to offering hundreds of hours of gameplay. Unfortunately, it faced challenges in maintaining a steady player base, eventually transitioning to a free-to-play model, with BioWare reducing the frequency of content updates. The most recent expansion, Legacy of the Sith, debuted last year, and the upcoming patch 7.3 is set to be released soon.
Another Star Wars game that recently experienced a shake-up in its development is the long-awaited remake of Knights of the Old Republic by Aspyr Media. Following a ‘finalized’ internal demo showcase that left partners Sony and Lucasfilm unsatisfied, the project was taken over by Saber Interactive’s Eastern European studio. Aspyr, the original creators of the 2003 version of KOTOR, faced consequences as two key employees were fired last year. Development was subsequently put on pause and handed over to the new studio. The remake was first unveiled during the 2021 PlayStation Showcase through a cinematic trailer, with plans for a late 2022 release.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
