Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) continues to evolve in exciting ways as 2024 progresses. Following the success of Game Update 7.5.1 earlier this year, developers are now gearing up for the much-anticipated Game Update 7.6, titled Galactic Threads. This update promises to bring new content, exciting rewards, and technical advancements like a native Mac launcher. Here’s a detailed look at everything coming up for SWTOR players.
Recap: Game Update 7.5.1 – The Greatest Bounty
Before diving into 7.6, it’s worth looking back at Game Update 7.5.1, which launched on August 20, 2024. This update, titled The Greatest Bounty, introduced Galactic Season 7 (GS7), offering players a unique Bounty Hunter-themed experience. GS7 encouraged players to take part in the Bounty Contract in-game event, which also featured the return of the Dark vs. Light world bosses, a fan-favorite addition.
In addition to Galactic Seasons, 7.5.1 introduced two new weekly Date Night Missions featuring Vette (Sith Warrior companion) and Aric Jorgan (Republic Trooper companion), providing additional story content for long-time players to enjoy.
Moreover, a collaboration with Lucasfilm Games brought in cosmetics inspired by The Acolyte series and Star Wars: Visions, enriching the Cartel Market with visually stunning items. These ranged from Deadly Outcast Armor to powerful Star Wars-themed weapons.
SWTOR also introduced its Twitch Drops campaign post-7.5.1, offering players rewards like the Orlean Voidstream mount for tuning in to four hours of SWTOR content on Twitch, with more Drops planned for the future.
Game Update 7.5.1b: More Cartel Market Offerings
September 10, 2024, saw the release of Update 7.5.1b, which included bug fixes and even more offerings in the Cartel Market. The standout items from this update included the Corporate Security Outfit and a visually striking teal/orange dye module, inspired by hit Disney+ series Andor and Ahsoka.
In late July, players were also treated to the Master the Fight: Firebolt Edition bundle, which packed a lot of value. For $150, it included:
- 5,500 Cartel Coins
- 180 days of subscription (with 600 Cartel Coins monthly)
- A unique Vectron 240R Firebolt Mount
- Red/Black Metallic dye sets…
This bundle is still available until September 23, 2024, offering a fantastic opportunity for players to pick up extra coins and exclusive items.
What’s New in Game Update 7.6: Galactic Threads
Looking forward, SWTOR’s Game Update 7.6 is packed with fresh content and technical upgrades. Executive Producer Keith Kanneg provided some exciting teases about what’s coming later this year:
- New Content Type: While details are still under wraps, developers have hinted at a brand-new type of content set to debut in 7.6. Fans can expect more information via a teaser video in mid-October, followed by a deeper dive in November during the full reveal livestream. Players are already speculating about what this new content could entail, with excitement building around potential innovations in gameplay.
- New Lair Boss: Another major addition in 7.6 is the introduction of a new lair boss, a feature that will certainly appeal to PvE enthusiasts. This boss is expected to offer a tough challenge and enticing rewards for teams that can master its mechanics.
- Art Modernization: SWTOR’s development team is also hard at work updating the game’s visuals. From improved textures to lighting enhancements, Galactic Threads will usher in an era of art modernization aimed at refreshing the game’s look and feel while maintaining smooth performance.
Native Mac Launcher: A Game-Changing Announcement
One of the most exciting revelations in the lead-up to 7.6 is the introduction of a native Mac launcher for SWTOR. Historically, Mac players have had to rely on workarounds like Bootcamp to play the game. However, this new development will allow Mac users to enjoy SWTOR natively.
Key details about the Mac launcher include:
- Internal Testing: The team has been conducting extensive tests on late-model Macs to ensure smooth performance. External testing is expected to begin soon, with more details coming in the weeks ahead.
- Seamless Integration: The Mac launcher will use the same servers as the current live game, meaning all progress, characters, and account data will carry over without issue.
This move aligns with SWTOR’s broader strategy to make the game accessible to new audiences and expand to new platforms, following its earlier integration with Steam and re-entry into the APAC region.
Final Thoughts
SWTOR’s Game Update 7.6 promises to be one of the most significant releases of 2024. With exciting new content, a fresh lair boss, graphical updates, and the introduction of a native Mac client, it’s clear the development team is committed to keeping the game fresh and accessible for both veteran players and newcomers alike. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months as Galactic Threads takes shape, bringing a whole new layer of depth to the galaxy far, far away!
