Earlier this month, Electronic Arts (EA) officially announced that they were in discussions to transfer the development of the long-running MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic, from its creators, BioWare, to an external studio. Today, BioWare has confirmed that Broadsword Online Games will be taking over development responsibilities for the game. However, not all roles from the original team will be transitioning to the new studio.
Partnership with Broadsword
In an announcement post from BioWare’s general manager, Gary McKay, it was revealed that the decision to transfer development was made to provide the game and its team with the best opportunity to grow and evolve. While EA will continue to be the publisher of SWTOR, the development responsibilities will now be handled by Broadsword, a boutique studio known for its expertise in managing online games.
Challenges and Staff Transition
McKay acknowledged that any significant change comes with its own set of challenges. One of the challenges in this transition is that not all members of the current team will be able to move to Broadsword. Although BioWare did not provide specific numbers, they stated that affected staff members would be given the opportunity to find new roles within EA.
Broadsword’s Background and Future Updates
Broadsword Online Games was founded by former developers from Mythic Entertainment, another MMO studio that was once operated by EA. Broadsword is responsible for the ongoing development of other MMOs, such as Ultima Online and Mythic’s own Dark Age Of Camelot. With the transfer of development responsibilities, Broadsword will now be responsible for updating The Old Republic with new story content and improvements.
The Old Republic originally launched 12 years ago, combining MMO mechanics with BioWare’s signature single-player storytelling. Over time, the game shifted its focus to prioritize the latter, allowing players to experience the MMO elements while also enjoying a solo gameplay experience, although some combat grind may still be present.
In summary, BioWare has confirmed that Broadsword Online Games will be taking over the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic. While this transfer presents challenges, the decision was made to provide the game and its team with opportunities for growth and evolution. Not all current team members will be transitioning to Broadsword, but those affected will have the chance to find new roles within EA. Broadsword, a boutique studio with expertise in managing online games, will continue to update The Old Republic with new story content and improvements, ensuring the game’s continued success in the MMO genre.
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