SWTOR goes to a free-to-play galaxy far, far away this fall

Written by Brandon Hofer on August 02, 2012

News: Star Wars: The Old Republic will be F2P up to level 50 with certain restrictions this fall.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is going free-to-play this fall, according to an announcement by developer BioWare. The F2P option will allow SWTOR players to access each of the eight iconic Star Wars character class storylines, all the way up to level 50, with certain restrictions. Unlimited 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.?

Beginning this fall, there will be two different ways to play Star Wars: The Old Republic. Here's the breakdown of the SWTOR Subscription vs. F2P:

SWTOR 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.

SWTOR 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, including one month free of subscription. What do you think about SWTOR giving players a F2P option?