The Force Shifts: The Future of Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO is reportedly switching studios to allow Bioware to focus on its original titles The move is expected to bring new developments to the game and enhance its already impressive reputation
According to a recent report, BioWare will be handing over the reins of the popular MMORPG, Star Wars: The Old Republic, to Broadsword Online Games. This strategic move will allow BioWare to shift their focus towards developing their renowned single-player franchises including Dragon Age and Mass Effect. With over a decade of regular updates, Star Wars: The Old Republic has gained a loyal following among fans of the Star Wars franchise. Despite some challenges faced by its parent companies, BioWare and Electronic Arts, the game has maintained a stable player base throughout its lifespan, which currently includes a free-to-play option.
It has been reported that Star Wars: The Old Republic will undergo a change in developers. Broadsword Online Games is set to take over the project and provide new updates for the MMO, taking over from BioWare. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Broadsword has signed a letter of intent with Electronic Arts. EA has responded to the report by stating that they are "evaluating how we give the game and the team the best opportunity to grow and evolve." They have also mentioned that they are in conversation with Broadsword, a studio that specializes in delivering online, community-driven experiences. EA's ultimate goal is to do what is best for the game and its players.
Broadsword Online Games, known for developing and maintaining niche MMOs like Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot, may have an advantage in maintaining Star Wars: The Old Republic, as the company's founder, Rob Denton, is a former BioWare VP who worked on the game before. The deal between EA and Broadsword is expected to be finalized this month, and if it goes through, more than half of the core team for Star Wars: The Old Republic will be moved to Broadsword, while the remaining staff will look for new roles at EA or face layoffs. The reason behind the deal is reportedly BioWare's focus on its single-player offerings, such as Dragon Age and Mass Effect, with rumors of a 2024 release for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and potential announcements during this year's Summer Game Fest.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is available on PC.
Source: IGN
