In a significant shake-up within the gaming world, BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic is reportedly being handed over to third-party studio Broadsword Online Games. This shift comes as BioWare, acclaimed for its single-player RPGs such as Dragon Age and Mass Effect, refocuses its resources on these flagship franchises.
EA is said to be on the brink of finalizing an agreement with Broadsword Online Games, a studio known for its expertise in online, community-driven experiences and currently managing legacy MMORPGs like Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot. Under the agreement, the development and operation of Star Wars: The Old Republic would transition from BioWare to Broadsword.
The Old Republic’s core development team, currently consisting of 70 to 80 individuals, is expected to undergo significant changes. More than half of the team will reportedly move to Broadsword, while the remaining members will have the opportunity to seek other roles within EA or may face layoffs.
Despite these changes, fans of The Old Republic can expect continued content updates. EA will maintain its role as the game’s publisher, and upcoming patches and new PvP seasons are still on the horizon.
Launched in December 2011, The Old Republic transitioned to a free-to-play model within its first year after a substantial drop-off in subscriptions. Despite this initial turbulence, the game has seen steady success over the years, with regular updates and numerous expansions. By 2019, it had generated nearly $1 billion in lifetime revenue.
The Old Republic has maintained a passionate and dedicated community, which continues to grow. The game still holds significant relevance within the Star Wars universe and is acknowledged as a potential setting by Lucasfilm.
As BioWare turns its focus towards its single-player content, this transition could offer The Old Republic a fresh direction and opportunities for growth under the guidance of Broadsword. The future of the game seems promising, with EA expressing their intent to provide the best opportunities for the game and its community to evolve and grow.