EA reiterates H2 2011 SWTOR launch claims

Publisher EA has once again stated that long-awaited MMO title Star Wars: The Old Republic will be out before the end of the year.

Back in January MCV reported that EA was targeting a September release for the game. BioWare’s loyal fanbase were up in arms about the claims, insistent, as they were, that the game would be out in the first half of the year.

That transpired not to be the case.

Still, things looked even worse for fans when in May the game was removed from EA’s release schedule altogether, prompting fears that it could slip to 2012.

Not so, according to BioWare co-founder and EA senior VP Ray Muzyka.

We are targeting Star Wars: The Old Republic to be one of the biggest launches in the 2nd half of 2011,” he said.

He added that the company will deliberately limit supplies of the game at launch in an effort to ensure smooth online play for those who do take the plunge.

Our teams at BioWare and EA, along with our partners at LucasArts, are laser-focused on creating a high quality game, but just as importantly, they are resolute in delivering a high quality service,” he added.

We are taking all of the necessary steps to make sure The Old Republic has a thriving community built on a stable online foundation from day one, including limiting supply at launch to ensure that players easily transition into the servers.”
Aside from the boxed versions at retail, the three different digital SKUs of the game can now be pre-ordered exclusively through EA’s digital portal Origin.

The standard edition costs 44.99 and includes 30 days free game time. The Digital Deluxe Edition, with an RRP of 59.99, adds five virtual items.

Finally, the deluxe Collector’s Edition adds more in-game items, a Darth Malgus statue, Jedi Master Gnost Dural’s journal, the game’s soundtrack, a security key and galaxy map. The price? 129.99.