Greetings, SWTOR enthusiasts! Today we are bringing you the latest update on our beloved game. BioWare has finally broken its silence and shared some exciting news about the future of Star Wars: The Old Republic. In a recent statement, Keith Kanneg, also known as Papa Keith, shed light on the upcoming changes and addressed some common questions from the community. Let's dive into the details!

• Navigating the Shift to a Third-Party Studio
• The Future of SWTOR
• Relocation of the Development Team
• SWTOR's Future Development
• Creative Freedom and Stifling Influence
• Account and Cartel Coin Details
• EA's Role as the Publisher
• Migrating Servers to the Cloud
• A New Beginning

↖ Navigating the Shift to a Third-Party Studio

BioWare is currently undergoing a transition as they shift the development team of SWTOR to a third-party studio. They appreciate the patience of the players as they work through these changes. Despite the transition, the focus remains on delivering quality content and modernizing the game.

↖ The Future of SWTOR

Rest assured. Players will experience minimal disruptions with this shift. You can continue playing the game as usual, and the loltank.com platform and forums will remain online to provide news, updates, and support. The EA support page and in-game tools will still be available for assistance.

↖ Relocation of the Development Team

Although there have been concerns about the development team moving out of Austin, BioWare clarifies that they are already a remote team with members working from various locations across the United States and beyond. The physical presence of BioWare in Austin will be maintained, and new office space will be secured. This move aims to accommodate future projects such as Mass Effect and Dragon Age.

↖ SWTOR's Future Development

Contrary to speculations, SWTOR is not heading into maintenance mode. BioWare is actively working on plans for additional story content and modernization initiatives. Notably, they have already upgraded the game to 64-bit and are in the process of migrating the service to the cloud. More content and technical updates are also on the horizon.

↖ Creative Freedom and Stifling Influence

Moving to a third-party studio provides BioWare with newfound creative freedom. This opens up exciting possibilities for the development team. It is worth noting that the perception of creative constraints in the past was not solely due to EA's involvement. Internal decision-making within BioWare has also influenced the prioritization of projects, with Mass Effect and Dragon Age taking precedence. SWTOR, unfortunately, was often seen as a lower priority.

↖ Account and Cartel Coin Details

The shift to a third-party studio will not affect player accounts or their existing purchases. Everything will remain the same, ensuring a seamless transition for players.

↖ EA's Role as the Publisher

With EA continuing as the publisher, BioWare retains control over the development and direction of the game. EA's role primarily involves providing publishing support and player assistance.

↖ Migrating Servers to the Cloud

BioWare intends to proceed with the migration of SWTOR's servers to the cloud, despite the need to reassess timelines. Additionally, they are evaluating options for an APAC server.

↖ A New Beginning

Keith reassures the community that this shift marks a new beginning for BioWare and SWTOR. While there are several ongoing processes and discussions, the team remains committed to delivering updates and exciting content. They plan to release Game Update 7.3.1 and 7.4, with a focus on the story, in 2023. On the technical side, improvements like enhanced integrations with Steam and an update to DirectX 12 are also in progress.

Conclusion:

BioWare's announcement brings both relief and anticipation for the future of SWTOR. While uncertainties still exist, it is essential to remain positive and patient as the transition unfolds. The dedication of the development team and their focus on delivering quality content should inspire confidence among players. Remember to stay tuned for further updates and enjoy the latest Game Update 7.3. Let's continue to support SWTOR and embrace this new chapter in its journey.