BioWare Is Officially Handing Off Development Of Star Wars: The Old Republic

BioWare has announced that studio Broadsword will undertake active development of the long-running MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. The current content plans for the MMO remain in place.

In a prepared statement, BioWare's general manager Adam McKay emphasized that the MMO has been a huge success. He said, "It’s the longest-running live service Star Wars game ever and we’re enormously proud of the work the team has done in creating, expanding, and maintaining this incredible game." He added that, "[the change] means that players will continue to enjoy the SWTOR they know and love." In addition to previously announced plans, SWTOR will be receiving further updates that have not yet been revealed.

The majority of the current SWTOR team will continue to work on the MMO under Broadsword. However, not every role has been invited to move. McKay said, "This is the hardest part of this transition, and these decisions were not made lightly. We are of course doing everything we can to support the affected team members, who have an opportunity to find new roles within EA."

A report earlier in June indicated that BioWare and Broadsword were in the process of closing a deal, which was expected to finalize by the end of the month. Broadsword primarily works on online games, including Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot. Its founder and president, Rob Denton, worked on SWTOR as it launched. EA will remain the game's publisher.