SW:TOR Gets Firm Release Date, Subscription Pricing
BioWare and LucasArts announced over the weekend that Star Wars: The Old Republic will arrive in time to be included on Santa's list.

While we haven't seen anything official from EA and BioWare here in the States, EA France revealed during the Eurogamer Expo in London over the weekend that Star Wars: The Old Republic will launch in North America on December 20 and in Europe on December 22.
"This is an incredible moment for everyone at BioWare and our partners at LucasArts who have dedicated their lives to building this extraordinary game," said Bioware co-founder Ray Muzyka. "We appreciate the patience from the millions of fans who have been waiting for the game's release."
The announcement also revealed three subscription payment methods for the upcoming MMOG: €12.99/$14.99 for a single month, €35.97/$41.97 for three months or €65.94/$77.94 for a full half-year subscription. And as with most MMOGs, access to the game will be free for the first thirty days. Those who pre-ordered the game will get exclusive in-game content and early access although the exact date for the sneak-peek is currently unknown.
As previously reported, Star Wars: The Old Republic will arrive in limited quantities and in three editions: Standard ($60), the Digital Deluxe Edition ($80) and the Collector's Edition ($150). Here's more on each:
Star Wars: The Old Republic Collector's Edition
The Collector's Edition includes a host of virtual in-game and physical items for the ultimate Star Wars fan. Physical items include a Darth Malgus Statue from Gentle Giant, the journal of Jedi Master Gnost Dural from Chronicle Books, The Music of The Old Republic soundtrack, a security key and a map of the in-game Star Wars galaxy. Virtual items include a Flare Gun, Training Droid, personal HoloDancer, HoloCam, the STAP vehicle and access to the Collector's Store, an in-game store with new in-game items exclusively for owners of the Collector's Edition. The Collector's Edition will also include 30 days of game time and has an MSRP of $149.99 (USD) at participating retailers.
Star Wars: The Old Republic Digital Deluxe Edition
The Digital Deluxe Edition has an MSRP of $79.99 (USD) and includes 30 days of game time and five virtual items, including the Flare Gun, Training Droid, personal HoloDancer, HoloCam and the STAP vehicle.
Star Wars: The Old Republic Standard Edition
The base edition of the game is available at retailers and online for an MSRP of $59.99 (USD) and includes 30 days of game time.
We'll post the official North American press release here if it goes live today, so stay tuned.
Hi. My name is spectrewind. I was thinking about buying this game. It's based on Star Wars, probably one of the highest grossing, money making IPs of all time, if not thee highest. I expected to play it for free, and not pay monthly for what will probably be the greatest thing since sliced bread (of mmo's). I know there's a lot of back end support needed like customer service, game masters available to help and resolve in-game issues, and run events. I figured they were all volunteers. It's too bad I would have to pay for what should be good and timely service.
The released the news worldwide.
We'll see if Bioware can pull a rabbit out of its hat with this game. I smell EA's stench all over it!
Because there are idiots who buy them = profit.
A buddy of mine wanted to buy a CE from Origins the other day, but they were sold out..
I got my e-mail on Friday
Hey that's not very nice.
You are correct in that it is excessive for what is going to amount to a collection of 1s and 0s. I like it and have always been happy to support Bioware (and even more, Black Isle Studios, if any of those guys are still around) since Baldur's Gate, Tales of the Sword Coast, Baldur's Gate II Shadows of Amn, and Throne of Bhaal.
Too bad. I was thinking of buying. Not now...
Wait 1-2 years--most, if not all games will be free-to-play by then.
Hi. My name is spectrewind. I was thinking about buying this game. It's based on Star Wars, probably one of the highest grossing, money making IPs of all time, if not thee highest. I expected to play it for free, and not pay monthly for what will probably be the greatest thing since sliced bread (of mmo's). I know there's a lot of back end support needed like customer service, game masters available to help and resolve in-game issues, and run events. I figured they were all volunteers. It's too bad I would have to pay for what should be good and timely service.
My name is Clonazepam. I'm a narcissistic forum troll.
Idiots, I think not. Reading 101...Collectors Edition. Collectors buy them because it has special value to them. Since this is the first Collectors Edition for a Star Wars game, it is more valuable. I bought TWO of the Collectors Editions. One for me because I am a huge fan and Collector. The second one I sold on Ebay for $400 USD. That profit paid for my Collectors Edition and my subscription fees for the game.
Whether it has special value to them doesn't matter. From an economic standpoint, they're being stupid. You yourself have preyed on that stupidity by charging someone over 2x it's retail price.
You do realize that for the most part subscription games are actually the least expensive.
Most F2P games require you to buy things essential for higher end game play and I read a statistic, I think was in PC Gamer, may have been Maximum PC, that on average someone paid more per month on a F2P game than a sub game.
Honestly, I think Arenanet doesn't get enough credit for making Guild Wars a F2P game that requires no essential gameplay items to be purchased with real money. The most essential thing a player may need to buy with GW is bank space. But things like the skill packs can easily be obtained in game for free and the other things are pure vanity.
So I have no problem with Star Wars or any other game having a subscription fee. It generally tends to be least expensive and offers a level playing field for all players.
No, it isn't. However, when I tell people they're stupid for smoking or investing in high risk companies, that's not nice either.
Special value is relative to the buyer. You may collect Corvettes while someone else collects comic books. Cost of a unique item like this gains value over time. Hence a good investment. Are far as preying, the item was bid on from $200 to the final value of $400. There was demand from people that want this item. Will it be worth $400 in ten years, IDK. Either way, it is a hobby and provides joy regardless of the expense.