Not too long ago in a very near galaxy (this one, in fact), a Star Wars game came out with big dreams.
BioWare’s massively multiplayer online role-playing game The Old Republic is now 5 years old, originally releasing for PC on December 20, 2011. It’s celebrating with digital rewards available from in-game vendors until January 16. The Old Republic came out with a lot of anticipation in 2011, with some thinking it could be the first MMO to topple Blizzard’s World of Warcraft. The Old Republic never reached that level, but a steady stream of new story-focused content and the addition of a free-to-play model has helped the game remain relevant.
The in-game goodies available from the anniversary vendors include a series of posters that you can display in your stronghold (The Old Republic’s player housing) and the Senya HoloStatue, which allows you to train your class abilities no matter where you are. Players who have been paid subscribers to the game since its launch are also receiving an in-game statue as a thank you from BioWare.
“My work on this game would not be as rewarding or as humbling, and definitely not as challenging (!) were it not for all of you and your commitment over the years,” The Old Republic producer Ben Irving noted in a blog post sent to GamesBeat. “Building a game that evolves over time and continues to grow along with the community is a rare experience and one that I will be grateful for being a part of for my entire life.”
The Old Republic released its sixth expansion, Knights of the Eternal Throne, on December 2. Starting with the fifth expansion, Knights of the Fallen Empire, BioWare has emphasized episodic, single-player content as a way to stand out in an MMO market that focuses more on multiplayer offerings.