Concrete details on the release of BioWare’s Star Wars MMO have finally surfaced. Star Wars: The Old Republic will release in North America on December 20 and Europe on December 22.

The announcement also illuminated the game’s pricing structure. Simply purchasing the game ($59.99) will net you a 30-day subscription. After that, you have several subscription options, similar to those in World of Warcraft. A one-month subscription will cost $14.99, with three-month ($42) and six-month ($78) subscriptions offering slight discounts.

BioWare’s pedigree and its successful history with the Star Wars license (Knights of the Old Republic) could drive sales this December. But with so many big, licensed MMOs going free-to-play (DC Universe Online, Star Trek Online), it will be interesting to see how long The Old Republic’s subscription model lasts.

Source: BioWare

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  • frozentundra123456 - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link

    At least they finally got the game out. As the title said, I would have preferred a single player game to tie up the plot from KOTOR 1 and 2. Seems kind of expensive to have to pay this much for the game and 14.95 per month too. Even WoW only costs 39.95 to purchase the game doesnt it?? I would probably prefer Diablo 3 to this. At least there are no subscription fees and if you want to spend money after the original purchase, you can purchase upgrades.
  • Etsp - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link

    The WoW price is deceptive. It's $39.99 before you buy the expansion packs. There are three out right now, and they are each at least $20.00 a piece.
  • frozentundra123456 - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link

    yes, that is true. However, I bet there will be expansion packs for TOR just like there are with WOW. So then you have to pay for those too.

    When you think about it, I guess 14.95 per month is not really that much, considering that people pay 50-100 per month for a phone plan, 50.00 per month for internet, etc. But if you have two or three people in the same family that want to play, it adds up.

    Personally, I just dont want to get involved in an MMO, as much as I would have liked to see a single player KOTOR 3.
  • Hays - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link

    Actually you can buy Original wow for $5, I've seen them @ Bestbuy ( expantion packs not included of course). Its just the disc with a flimsy slip over it and some shrink wrap. I'm not sure but I think you can even get the game for free, you just gotta pay for a sub.
  • Sabresiberian - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - link

    Just who is trying to deceive anyone?

    You can buy the original WoW and the first expansion for $19.99 (In case you think I'm trying to "deceive" you, I'll mention that doesn't include any taxes that might apply. Wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression, now would I?).

    To get to the current content cap, you then need to buy 2 more X-paks, and they are retail $39.99 each, U.S. Whether you can get them cheaper at a discount store, I don't know - newegg has them for a little less and you may save tax as well there.

    ;)
  • Flunk - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link

    Comparing a new game with one that's been out for 7 years with a new one doesn't make sense. Many people are totally sick of WoW at this point.

    TOR is a totally different type of MMO, with ridiculously high production values. It could very well be the biggest MMO ever made if free to play is the only workable model from now on. I hope this isn't true because a lot more can be done with the extra cash. Take a look at WoW as an example.

    I for one will gladly pay $15 a month to play an MMO, provided that it is a great experience. $15 is basically unnoticeable when I add it to my electric, phone, cable, internet, water, gas and rent bills. Maybe it will even scare some of the little kiddies away.
  • frozentundra123456 - Saturday, September 24, 2011 - link

    Sounds like you have made up your mind what the game will be like even before the full game is released. I dont really know how you can be sure that the production values will be so high.

    Personally, as I said, I refuse to play MMOs, but might give this a try if the single player experience is a great as they are saying it will be. However, I dont really see how you can integrate an outstanding single player game in an MMO. And if there is some sort of single player storyline, it must never come to any kind of conclusion, otherwise how will they keep you playing the game. But it would be interesting if they included a single player storyline that could be finished within the month of play that is included in the game, but made a different storyline for those that wanted the MMO experience and wanted to pay the monthly fee to keep playing.
  • Leonick - Sunday, September 25, 2011 - link

    Well he could have played the beta...
    There is a "singleplayer storyline", one per class, so plenty of story there. Don't know how they end them as I didn't play any character that far but a games story can end without the game ending, many RPGs have done that.
  • Flunk - Sunday, September 25, 2011 - link

    I can't comment on that for legal reasons.
  • xxsk8er101xx - Monday, September 26, 2011 - link

    You are wrong. When WoW first came out it was 50 bucks. Which is equivalent to the 60 bucks the games costs now. Inflation. Wow is also 15 a month.

    Even today the WoW costs roghly 60 bucks with all the expansions. No it's not free because you need the cd-key to add to your account plus the sub.

    It's like you all live in 1980's ....

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