January is shaping up to be a focused, old-school month in Star Wars: The Old Republic. No experimental gimmicks, no seasonal noise — just two proven events that reward time spent actually playing the game. If you’re logging in after the holidays and wondering when it’s worth committing a few evenings, this is your roadmap. Bounty Contract Week Returns The first event of the year brings back one of SWTOR’s most replayable PvE loops. Bounty Contract Week runs from January 6 to January 13, beginning and ending at 12:00 PM GMT, and is available to characters level 15 and up. The Bounty Brokers Association once again opens its doors, offering contracts that send players across the galaxy to track down criminal targets. Each day, you can accept: These missions often take place on different planets, encouraging travel and variety rather than repetitive grinding. Completing five standard contracts unlocks Kingpin missions,…
star wars the old republic
“Betrayal and Despair” Brings a Dark New Musical Chapter to Star Wars: The Old Republic
Some updates announce features. Others quietly deepen the soul of a game.“Betrayal and Despair” falls squarely into the second category—and that’s why it matters right now. Freshly released from the worlds of Star Wars: The Old Republic, the new track underscores a truth longtime players already know: SWTOR’s storytelling still lives and dies by its music. What Was Released—and Who Created It “Betrayal and Despair” is a newly composed piece for SWTOR by Gordy Haab, Marco Valerio Antonini, and Samuel Joseph Smythe. That lineup alone sets expectations. Haab’s work has long been associated with modern Star Wars music that respects John Williams’ legacy without mimicking it. Antonini and Smythe bring a more contemporary, cinematic game-music sensibility—leaning into mood, texture, and restraint. The result is a track that doesn’t rush to impress. It sits with the moment. Where This Fits in SWTOR’s Ongoing Story Star Wars: The Old Republic takes place…
Crashed Fortress: SWTOR’s New Music Track Turns Ruin Into Momentum
A new Star Wars: The Old Republic music track has landed — and it’s one that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting. “Crashed Fortress”, composed by Gordy Haab, Marco Valerio Antonini, and Samuel Joseph Smythe, is the latest standalone piece released from SWTOR’s ongoing soundtrack output. On the surface, it’s “just” another ambient track. In practice, it’s a tightly constructed example of how SWTOR still uses music to shape player behavior, pacing, and emotional tone more than a decade into its life. If you care about how game music actually functions — not just how it sounds — this one is worth your attention. Why this track matters right now Most MMOs front-load their best musical ideas early, then coast. SWTOR has done the opposite. Recent standalone releases like Crashed Fortress suggest an intentional effort to keep the game’s sonic identity evolving alongside new environments and story beats. This…
SWTOR Releases “Tumble in Yusinduu Factory,” a New Track That Leans Into Momentum and Mood
SWTOR continues to quietly expand its soundscape — and this time, it does so with movement, tension, and a sense of controlled chaos. A new music track titled “Tumble in Yusinduu Factory” has been released from Star Wars: The Old Republic, composed by Gordy Haab, Samuel Joseph Smythe, and Yitong ET Chen. It’s the latest standalone piece to surface on YouTube, and it reinforces how deliberately SWTOR is still using music to shape moment-to-moment storytelling. Why this matters now More than a decade into its lifespan, SWTOR doesn’t need new music drops to stay functional. The fact that it keeps producing original, location-specific tracks like this one is a choice — and a telling one. “Tumble in Yusinduu Factory” isn’t background filler. It’s propulsive, reactive, and designed to push the player forward. That signals an ongoing investment in atmosphere, not just content volume. What was released The SWTOR team has…
SWTOR Developers Talk Darth Nul With Samantha Béart — and Why Galactic Threads Hits Differently
Sometimes the most revealing Star Wars conversations aren’t about plot twists or patch notes. They’re about voice, intent, and how a character finds their shape. That’s exactly what happens in a new developer sit-down video, where the Star Wars: The Old Republic team chats with Samantha Béart, the actor behind the enigmatic Darth Nul. The conversation arrives alongside Game Update 7.8, “Pursuit of Ruin,” and the release of Galactic Threads—and together, they underline why SWTOR’s storytelling still has bite in 2025. Why this matters now Update 7.8 isn’t just another content drop. It’s part of a longer arc where SWTOR has leaned into character-driven tension rather than spectacle-first storytelling. Darth Nul embodies that shift. She isn’t loud. She isn’t explained away. She lingers. Hearing the developers and Béart unpack how that presence was built gives players a clearer sense of why recent SWTOR storylines feel more deliberate—and more replayable—than they…
SWTOR Drops “Shae vs. Heta” — A New Music Track That Carries the Weight of a Feud
SWTOR doesn’t always announce its biggest moments with fireworks. Sometimes, it lets the music speak first. That’s exactly what just happened with “Shae vs. Heta,” a newly released Star Wars: The Old Republic music track that quietly arrived on YouTube — and immediately signaled that a long-simmering Mandalorian conflict still matters. Why this matters now SWTOR has been steadily releasing new, original music outside the game client, and each drop tells us something about where the story’s emotional gravity currently sits. “Shae vs. Heta” isn’t ambient filler. It’s pointed. Personal. And titled like a confrontation that refuses to stay in the past. When a live-service MMO continues to invest in bespoke, story-driven music more than a decade in, that’s not nostalgia. That’s intent. What was released The SWTOR team has published a new standalone track titled “Shae vs. Heta” on YouTube. The music is credited to Gordy Haab, Samuel Joseph…
Best Star Wars Games Ranked by Replayability
Looking for the most replayable Star Wars games? Titles like Star Wars: The Old Republic, Knights of the Old Republic, and classic Battlefront II still stand out thanks to strong systems, player choice, and active communities. Not all Star Wars games are created equal — and even fewer are worth replaying years after release. Some titles are unforgettable the first time through, but lose their magic once the credits roll. Others keep pulling players back thanks to strong systems, player choice, mods, multiplayer modes, or ongoing content. This ranking focuses on replayability above all else. Not nostalgia alone. Not review scores. But the games that still work in 2026 — and give you a reason to return. What Makes a Star Wars Game Truly Replayable? Before ranking the games, it’s worth defining what replayability actually means in practice. A replayable Star Wars game typically offers at least one of the…
New Star Wars: The Old Republic Track “Betrayal and Despair” Arrives
A fresh piece of music from Star Wars: The Old Republic has just arrived, and it’s exactly the kind of score that underscores why this game’s soundscape stands out. The new track is titled “Betrayal and Despair,” and it was composed by Gordy Haab, Marco Valerio Antonini, and Yitong ET Chen — three names with deep ties to Star Wars music and interactive storytelling. What’s been released The track was recently posted to the official Star Wars: The Old Republic YouTube channel, giving players and fans a full listen: True to its title, the piece leans into somber themes with emotional weight and sweeping orchestration. It’s atmospheric, cinematic, and unmistakably Star Wars in tone — but crafted for the unique rhythms of an MMO. Who put it together This new track wasn’t written by a single composer, but by a trio: Together they’ve delivered a piece that reflects conflict, loss,…
SWTOR’s Executive Producer Check-In Sets the Tone for 2026
SWTOR doesn’t shout about its future. It checks in, takes stock, and keeps moving. That’s exactly what Keith Kanneg’s Q4 2025 Executive Producer letter does — a grounded look at where Star Wars: The Old Republic stands after a busy fourth quarter, and how the team is thinking about 2026. For a live MMO more than a decade old, that kind of transparency still matters. What was just released BioWare has published its Q4 2025 Executive Producer update, written by Keith Kanneg, outlining what the SWTOR team has been focused on over the past quarter and what players can expect looking ahead. This isn’t a trailer or a roadmap packed with bullet points. It’s a status report — part reflection, part direction-setting — aimed squarely at the people still logging in. What the update covers The letter looks back at SWTOR’s fourth quarter of 2025, touching on ongoing development work,…
SWTOR Quietly Drops a New Music Track — and It’s More Important Than It Looks
Star Wars: The Old Republic doesn’t usually make a big show out of music releases. That’s why today’s official upload of “Landing Zones” to the game’s YouTube channel stands out. Not because it’s flashy.Because it’s deliberate. After more than a decade, SWTOR is still commissioning and spotlighting brand-new Star Wars music—and choosing to present it outside the game client says a lot about where the MMO is right now. What just happened Broadsword and the SWTOR team have published “Landing Zones,” a newly composed music track, on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic YouTube channel. The track is credited to Gordy Haab, Samuel Joseph Smythe, and Yitong ET Chen, three composers closely associated with modern Star Wars game music. This is not archival audio, a remix, or a repurposed film cue. It’s original material written specifically for SWTOR. The upload appears as part of SWTOR’s growing official music presence…
Star Wars: The Old Republic Went Free-to-Play 13 Years Ago Today — A Turning Point That Saved the Galaxy
Thirteen years ago today, Star Wars: The Old Republic made one of the most important pivots in MMO history. On November 15, 2012, BioWare officially launched SWTOR’s Free-to-Play option worldwide—opening the galaxy to millions of new players and reshaping the future of the game forever. It wasn’t just a business model change.It was a lifeline.It was a rebirth.It was the moment SWTOR found its identity. Let’s take a look back at the day the MMORPG changed course and how that decision continues to shape the game in 2025. The Announcement That Transformed SWTOR The original message—short and almost casual—landed with the force of a thermal detonator: “Today we are excited to announce that the global launch date of the The Old Republic Free-to-Play option will be November 15, 2012. This release will be simultaneous across all territories and countries SWTOR is available.” At the time, SWTOR was less than a…
Star Wars: The Old Republic – Game Update 7.8 Coming Soon to the Public Test Server
The Force stirs once again in Star Wars: The Old Republic. The developers have confirmed that Game Update 7.8 is nearly ready for testing — and it’s coming soon to the Public Test Server (PTS). That means players will soon get their first hands-on look at the next major chapter in SWTOR’s ongoing story, along with new gameplay updates and a few surprises lurking on Dantooine. The official teaser video, shared on YouTube, gives us our first glimpse of what’s next: What’s in SWTOR Game Update 7.8? While details are still emerging, we already know that Update 7.8 will build upon the events introduced earlier this year. Players can expect a mix of new story missions, dynamic world updates, and quality-of-life improvements that continue to modernize the game for its new era under Broadsword. Some of the confirmed highlights include: The developers have also hinted at a developer livestream coming…
SWTOR Update Brings GDW Weaponcarrier Mount and New Subscriber Login Token Event
The Old Republic is showing serious love to its subscribers this fall. Beginning September 9, 2025, SWTOR launched a brand-new Subscriber Login Event with two major highlights: the exclusive GDW Weaponcarrier Mount and the chance to rack up Subscriber Login Tokens to exchange for a treasure chest of rewards. Here’s everything you need to know before diving in. A Mount for Simply Showing Up From September 9 to October 14, active subscribers will automatically unlock the GDW Weaponcarrier Mount just by logging in. That’s it. No grinding, no event grind checklist—just hop into the game and claim your prize. It’s only around for a limited window, though, so make sure you log in before mid-October if you want this exclusive ride for your collection. Subscriber Login Event: Tokens That Pay Off The bigger feature of this update is the Subscriber Login Tokens system, running from September 9 through December 9….
Secrets of The Old Republic: Hidden Easter Eggs and Rare Discoveries in SWTOR
Even if you’ve quested across the galaxy far, far away for years, Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) still has surprises up its sleeve. This beloved MMO is packed with hidden secrets, Easter eggs, and rare goodies waiting to be uncovered by curious players. From secret mounts to obscure questlines, the game’s developers have tucked away plenty of fun nods and hidden gems. In this article, we’ll unearth some of the coolest SWTOR hidden secrets, shine a light on SWTOR rare items, and reveal a few cheeky SWTOR Easter eggs – along with tips on how you can find them yourself. Grab your macrobinoculars and let’s go exploring! Hidden Easter Eggs and Clever References in SWTOR SWTOR is overflowing with Easter eggs and clever references to Star Wars lore and pop culture. The developers clearly had a blast sprinkling these details throughout the game. Some you might catch on your…
Roleplaying in SWTOR: How to Create a Unique Character and Build Immersive Stories
Roleplaying in Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) can transform the game into a collaborative storytelling adventure. Instead of just grinding quests, you get to become your character – crafting a persona, mingling with other players’ characters, and creating your own tales in the Star Wars universe. This SWTOR roleplay guide will walk you through developing a compelling character, choosing the right server for roleplay, and diving into player-driven events to build immersive stories (all while keeping things fun and friendly). Choosing an RP-Friendly SWTOR Server Back in the day, there were official “RP servers” labeled in-game – but after a major server merge in 2017, those labels disappeared. Roleplayers have since flocked to a few unofficial hubs. Star Forge (North America) is widely considered the main Star Wars: The Old Republic RP server for English-speaking players, inheriting the community of the former Ebon Hawk RP server. If you’re in…
SWTOR Galactic Seasons 8: Updated Objectives for July 2025
Star Wars: The Old Republic is kicking off July with a packed schedule of Galactic Seasons 8: Rising Powers objectives. With Game Update 7.6.1 now live, players can dive into a new batch of PvE, PvP, and narrative-driven challenges to unlock juicy seasonal rewards. If you’re aiming to max out your track before time runs out, now’s the time to plan your assault on the galaxy. Here’s your full breakdown of the Galactic Seasons objectives from July 1 to July 28. 🗓️ Week 17: July 1 – July 7 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives (Complete 7 of 11): 🗓️ Week 18: July 8 – July 14 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives: 🗓️ Week 19: July 15 – July 21 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives: 🗓️ Week 20: July 22 – July 28 Daily Objective: Weekly Objectives: Galactic Seasons July Strategy Tips Final Words from the War Table This month’s Galactic Seasons update is…
SWTOR Galactic Seasons Objectives (June 3 – June 30): What to Do, Where to Go, and Who to Punch
Ready to conquer the galaxy one checklist at a time? Great, because Star Wars: The Old Republic just rolled out the latest batch of objectives for Galactic Season 8: “Rising Powers.” Whether you’re a conquest completionist, a flashpoint fanatic, or someone who still thinks Seeker Droids are fun (bless you), there’s something to grind for between June 3 and June 30. Buckle up, because the next four weeks are stacked—and no, you can’t just AFK on the fleet and hope it all completes itself. Week 13 (June 3 – June 9): Artifacts, Agents, and Aggressive Turrets Start things off strong by racking up 25,000 Conquest Points daily. For Weekly objectives, you’re chasing 200k points and knocking out 7 out of 11 rotating tasks, so pick your battles wisely. Week 14 (June 10 – June 16): World Bosses, GSI Contracts, and Explosive Chaos Week 14 serves up another buffet of objectives—with…
SWTOR In-Game Events for June 2025: Bounties, Bikes, and Blaster Fire
June in Star Wars: The Old Republic isn’t just hot because of Tatooine’s twin suns—it’s burning with in-game events that are here to stir up mayhem, mount envy, and more reputation farming than you can shake a blaster at. If you’re looking to earn flashy armor, ride like a maniac, or just shoot people for credits (all in the name of justice, of course), this month’s calendar has you covered. Let’s break it down, swoop gang style. 🔫 Bounty Contract Week (June 10–16): Your Inner Mercenary Wants In Level Requirement: 15+Start & End Time: June 10–16, begins and ends at 12:00PM GMT The Bounty Brokers Association is officially back in business. Think of it as the Star Wars version of gig economy crime-fighting—freelancers welcome, no questions asked, just results expected. For one week only, both seasoned hunters and trigger-happy newbies can take on daily contracts to bring down various underworld…
SWTOR’s Ranked PvP Rewards Now Available for Cartel Coins – Broadsword Shakes the Arena
Well, well, well—looks like Broadsword just dropped a loot bomb straight into the PvP warzone. As of this week, some of Star Wars: The Old Republic’s Ranked PvP rewards are now being sold for Cartel Coins, the game’s premium currency. That’s right—items once exclusively earned through sweat, blood, and extremely salty team chat are now just a few clicks (and a few credits) away in the Cartel Market. So, what’s happening here? A reward structure once tightly linked to elite PvP achievements has now been… monetized. Depending on where you stand—casual PvPer, hardcore grinder, or credits-rich collector—this could either be the best news since bolster balancing or the final boss-level betrayal. Let’s break it all down. What’s Being Sold: PvP Bling, Mounts, and More The first wave of Ranked PvP rewards hitting the Cartel Market includes: These were originally tied to high-tier competitive performance in SWTOR’s now-defunct Ranked PvP seasons….
SWTOR Game Update 7.7 “Dynamic Worlds” Patch Notes – The Ultimate Breakdown
Patch notes aren’t usually thrilling. They’re often walls of text that make most eyes glaze over faster than a Jedi mind trick. But SWTOR Update 7.7? This one’s got substance, sparkle, and space drama. The “Dynamic Worlds” update brings some of the most impactful changes the game has seen in recent memory—and yes, we combed through the whole thing so you don’t have to. Whether you’re chasing high-end gear, PvPing in style, or just wondering why your companion finally resummons properly, here’s everything you need to know from the official Game Update 7.7 Patch Notes. Dynamic Encounters Expanded: More Planets, More Mayhem The Dynamic Encounters system that debuted in 7.6 is back—but this time it’s expanding its galactic footprint. Update 7.7 adds encounters to: These spontaneous events now pop up across more starter and capital worlds, bringing a layer of chaos (and loot) to otherwise familiar territories. Bug fixes have…
SWTOR Game Update 7.7 “Dynamic Worlds” Is Live – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The latest galactic shakeup in Star Wars: The Old Republic has landed, and it’s not pulling any punches. Game Update 7.7, “Dynamic Worlds,” is now live, and it’s bringing a hyperspace-load of new features, content, and tweaks to shake up your journey through the galaxy. Whether you’re slicing your way through enemies on Tython or trying to win some high-stakes PvP duels on Onderon, there’s something in this patch for every class, faction, and credit-hungry adventurer. Let’s unpack everything from the new dynamic encounters to the latest PvP season, and find out why this might be one of the most ambitious updates in recent SWTOR history. New Dynamic Encounters: More Planets, More Problems (in a Good Way) Dynamic Encounters were introduced in Update 7.6, but 7.7 takes the system to new heights. These are spontaneous, immersive events designed to pull you into the action as you explore the galaxy. Previously…
SWTOR’s Master the Fight: Storm I Edition Bundle Is Here – And It’s Loaded With Goodies
There are new ways to conquer the galaxy — and now, you can do it while looking sharper, riding faster, and stacking Cartel Coins like a true galactic powerhouse. The Master the Fight: Storm I Edition bundle has officially landed in Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), and it brings enough gear, mounts, and shiny new toys to make even a Sith Lord pause mid-lightning attack to admire it. Priced at $99.99 USD, this limited-time offer is packed with value, bonus currency, and a ride so fast it might just make your Force leap feel unnecessary. Let’s break down everything included and why this might be the perfect time to join (or rejoin) the galactic fight. What’s Included in the Master the Fight: Storm I Edition Bundle? The Master the Fight: Storm I Edition isn’t just a random bundle of digital goodies tossed together like a Jawa garage sale. This…
SWTOR Q1 2025 Executive Producer Letter Recap: Celebration, Mounts, Raids & Future Updates
The latest Star Wars: The Old Republic Executive Producer Letter has landed—and it’s packed tighter than a Jawa sandcrawler during Life Day. From shiny new Twitch drops and character upgrades to incoming Star Wars Celebration 2025 content, the dev team is clearly in hyperdrive mode. Here’s a full breakdown of everything you need to know from the Q1 2025 update—including what’s already in-game, what’s about to hit the Public Test Server (PTS), and how you can score some free loot without lifting anything heavier than a login key. 🎮 Galactic Season 8: Rising Powers Is Live First off, Game Update 7.6.1 introduced the latest Galactic Season: Rising Powers. This season adds a twist with Uprising buffs, giving those often-overlooked encounters a fresh coat of relevance. Featured Rewards Include: It’s not every day you get to fly around like a fancy diplomat while swinging a saber. But now, you can. With…
Romance, Roleplay, and Republic Credits: Date Night in Star Wars: The Old Republic
There’s a new feature in Star Wars: The Old Republic that’s turning heads faster than a Jedi spinning in a lightsaber duel. BioWare has decided it’s time for players to stop saving the galaxy for five minutes and maybe take someone special out for a nice Corellian dinner. Yes, Date Night is officially canon… or at least canon-adjacent, depending on how seriously you take your MMO storylines. This quirky addition, detailed in Thumbsticks’ full article, brings romance front and center, with a healthy side of awkwardness and enough emotional XP to level up your feelings. What Is the Date Night Feature in SWTOR? Introduced in the 7.4.1 update, Date Night is a new mission type tailored for players who’ve locked in romantic relationships with their companions. If you’ve previously chosen to pursue a love interest during your galactic travels, you’ll now get to engage in personal story-driven scenes where the…