Star Wars: The Old Republic European Packshot

Star Wars: The Old Republic, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by EA, is now available for purchase in North America. The game was released on Dec 15 in Europe.

At a development cost rumored to be over $135 million, The Old Republic may be the most expensive video game ever created.

The story takes place about 3500 years before the events of the films. Players will have the option of joining either of the two fractions, The Sith and the Galactic Republic. Although each faction is led by a benevolent or malevolent leader, it is emphasized that an individual member may possess a morality at any point along the light/dark spectrum. The project’s key focus is to differentiate between the player’s faction and morality. For instance, a member with ties to the Galactic Republic may belong to the Dark Side while attempting to achieve their own ends, which may be misaligned or dissimilar from the Republic’s vision.

Players will also have access to several planets,including Korriban, Ord Mantell, Nal Hutta, Tython, Coruscant, Balmorra, Alderaan, Tatooine, Dromund Kaas, Taris, Belsavis, Voss, Hoth,  Corellia, Ilum and Quesh, and the moon Nar Shaddaa. Every player will receive their own starship, which was announced at E3 2010.

This is the fourth game set in the Star Wars Universe. Previous games are Knights of the Old Republic, Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and Knights of the Old Republic 3 (cancelled).

Star Wars saga spawned six films:

• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), originally Star Wars
• Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of The Jedi (1983)
• Star Warse Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of The Clones (2002)
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

The saga introduced many iconic characters like: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammil), Obi-Wan (Alec Guinness, Ewan McGregor), Princes Leia (Carrie Fisher), Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2D2, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca and Padme (Natalie Portman).

Enjoy!