The multi-million dollar question that's been on every Star Wars: The Old Republic fan's lips can be summed up in one word: When? While we still don't know a precise date, we may be a step or two closer to finding out today.
SWTOR fansite Darth Hater combed through a recent EA Q&A session with investors to pull a few pertinent details from CFO Eric Brown. When asked about the launch date for The Old Republic, Brown replied, "We haven't given a street date yet. We won't do so for some time, possibly at our next upcoming earnings call towards the end of October." This earnings call will take place on October 25th.
EA also continues to stand by its backup plan of a launch delay if SWTOR isn't ready, giving the title room to possibly slip from holiday 2011 to early 2012. Brown explained the conditions that would trigger such a slip: "We did hold out a slight possibility that it could slip to our March quarter. And the factors that would cause a slip is, for example, us not being completely satisfied with the scalability testing, and wanting to tune it for several extra weeks."
[Update: SWTOR's Stephen Reid has posted on the forums urging fans not to read too much between the lines of investor calls. "We are still very much aiming to ship in the holiday 2011 window (AKA, before the end of the year)," he says.]
[Update#2: The transcript was actually done by Darth Hater, which Ask a Jedi copied and pasted. The correct source is now linked.]
Reader Comments (83)
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:34PM Slomoshun said
I have no problems with this.
Make the game good, idc how long it takes.
Make the game good, idc how long it takes.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 11:27PM Vagrant Zero said
@Slomoshun It needs the time. I think March would be enough time for them to really bring it up to release standards.
Reply
Posted: Sep 21st 2011 7:49AM Icemasta said
@Slomoshun
To quote Shigeru Miyamoto(guy who created mario bros/legend of zelda/donkey kong/etc...../video game producer legend):
"A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever".
Although we live in a different age where bad games can be patched, it won't change the general critics of the game to be immortalized at release. If a game is bad at release, regardless of all the efforts the company puts behind making it better, it will be called a bad game. Example, FFXIV and WAR both have received tons of patch to make the game better, but regardless of the fact that both games are now good (for FFXIV it's relative) it won't change the public's opinion that they are bad games.
Reply
To quote Shigeru Miyamoto(guy who created mario bros/legend of zelda/donkey kong/etc...../video game producer legend):
"A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever".
Although we live in a different age where bad games can be patched, it won't change the general critics of the game to be immortalized at release. If a game is bad at release, regardless of all the efforts the company puts behind making it better, it will be called a bad game. Example, FFXIV and WAR both have received tons of patch to make the game better, but regardless of the fact that both games are now good (for FFXIV it's relative) it won't change the public's opinion that they are bad games.
Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:00AM (Unverified) said
@Slomoshun
QFT, I really liked Mass Effect 2 because of the polish on that game. People forget that Mass Effect 2 slipped from xmas to Jan release. The game was great because of the polish.
Reply
QFT, I really liked Mass Effect 2 because of the polish on that game. People forget that Mass Effect 2 slipped from xmas to Jan release. The game was great because of the polish.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:36PM Mtor said
Unless they have a time machine and can launch this game in 2006, I don't think it matters when it comes out. Dated looking WoW clone is dated.
I'm thinking F2P in a year or less.
I'm thinking F2P in a year or less.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:51PM Mtor said
@Slomoshun
This is from one of the co-founders of Bioware:
"It [World of Warcraft] is a touchstone. It has established standards, it's established how you play an MMO. Every MMO that comes out, I play and look at it. And if they break any of the WoW rules, in my book that's pretty dumb."
So yeah, TOR is a straight up WoW clone. And Bioware agrees with me. Even the epic gear in TOR is purple. kek.
Reply
This is from one of the co-founders of Bioware:
"It [World of Warcraft] is a touchstone. It has established standards, it's established how you play an MMO. Every MMO that comes out, I play and look at it. And if they break any of the WoW rules, in my book that's pretty dumb."
So yeah, TOR is a straight up WoW clone. And Bioware agrees with me. Even the epic gear in TOR is purple. kek.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:53PM freaparn said
@Mtor
Eh, it'll do fine. They've taken WoW's frame and polished it, added some decent new ideas, and thrown light sabers all over the damn place. Star Wars fans will get it for that reason alone, and WoW refugees will find it a comfortable alternative to Azeroth.
Reply
Eh, it'll do fine. They've taken WoW's frame and polished it, added some decent new ideas, and thrown light sabers all over the damn place. Star Wars fans will get it for that reason alone, and WoW refugees will find it a comfortable alternative to Azeroth.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 9:11PM Verc said
@Mtor
WoW wasn't the first mmo, but it is the most sucessful, as crappy as it is and it's been around for a while. It is where the bar of comparisons is set. Is it more accessible that WoW? Is it as fun to level as WoW? All of those question are asked now and will be a year after release.
You should watch the "Simpsons Did it" episode of south park. At the time (maybe even now) it is the bar. More so than family guy. My 65 year old dad knows who Bart is and no idea about stewie.
The game is ready and the devs are having fun trolling you guys. Honestly if it keeps you away, one less person running around on the server come launch day (whenever that is).
Reply
WoW wasn't the first mmo, but it is the most sucessful, as crappy as it is and it's been around for a while. It is where the bar of comparisons is set. Is it more accessible that WoW? Is it as fun to level as WoW? All of those question are asked now and will be a year after release.
You should watch the "Simpsons Did it" episode of south park. At the time (maybe even now) it is the bar. More so than family guy. My 65 year old dad knows who Bart is and no idea about stewie.
The game is ready and the devs are having fun trolling you guys. Honestly if it keeps you away, one less person running around on the server come launch day (whenever that is).
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 9:43PM geoff0011 said
@Slomoshun
It's fine for you to be excited about the game, and if you wish to spend your time with it, that's fine. But don't be so defensive about the statements Mtor made. The game is a WoW clone. The press knows it, every beta tester knows it, and Bioware, as stated above, fully acknowledges it. If you haven't grinded your life away in WoW already, you'll probably really enjoy this game. If you have, and have tried every other major "competitor" MMO, you're going to be disappointed in this game, unless your love for Star Wars is big enough to fill the disappointment of the game itself. I was disappointed, and my hope now lies soley in Guild Wars 2. Others have hope for the Secret World, but I don't see any success coming out of that game, most likely another FunCom flop. I hope you can find joy out of this game however.
Reply
It's fine for you to be excited about the game, and if you wish to spend your time with it, that's fine. But don't be so defensive about the statements Mtor made. The game is a WoW clone. The press knows it, every beta tester knows it, and Bioware, as stated above, fully acknowledges it. If you haven't grinded your life away in WoW already, you'll probably really enjoy this game. If you have, and have tried every other major "competitor" MMO, you're going to be disappointed in this game, unless your love for Star Wars is big enough to fill the disappointment of the game itself. I was disappointed, and my hope now lies soley in Guild Wars 2. Others have hope for the Secret World, but I don't see any success coming out of that game, most likely another FunCom flop. I hope you can find joy out of this game however.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 10:25PM Slomoshun said
@Mtor
OFC it's going to play a lot like WoW, but that's not what you said..at all.
You said "Dated looking WoW Clone" Which tells me you didn't watch anything but a crappy beta video on youtube. Not only does it look better than WoW but it has a bunch of interface and design upgrades that imo make WoW look stupid.
Do research before speak. Especially when you have a negative comment..You don't want to look like an idiot just because you're a hater. You could actually look smart if you had some valid arguments.
Reply
OFC it's going to play a lot like WoW, but that's not what you said..at all.
You said "Dated looking WoW Clone" Which tells me you didn't watch anything but a crappy beta video on youtube. Not only does it look better than WoW but it has a bunch of interface and design upgrades that imo make WoW look stupid.
Do research before speak. Especially when you have a negative comment..You don't want to look like an idiot just because you're a hater. You could actually look smart if you had some valid arguments.
Posted: Sep 21st 2011 2:50AM avaloner said
@geoff0011
So how is GW2 anyless a WOW clone then SWtor Iv yet to see anything origanal in that games hype that does not exsist in some form or other in WOW or any other MMO for that matter. Sure, like any decent game they add their own spin to things and I personaly have nothing against this. GW2 is a clone just with slight genetical diffrances. Same as SWtor.
Also on that note why don't people like you rage about CODMW being a clone? all first person shotter since quake are clones and even quake is arguably a doom/wolf3d clone. So big deal if a game shares similar features to another game. If they add their own spice and provide a decent world to play in then more power to them.
PS: YOUR POST IS A CLONE SO GTFO!!!
Reply
So how is GW2 anyless a WOW clone then SWtor Iv yet to see anything origanal in that games hype that does not exsist in some form or other in WOW or any other MMO for that matter. Sure, like any decent game they add their own spin to things and I personaly have nothing against this. GW2 is a clone just with slight genetical diffrances. Same as SWtor.
Also on that note why don't people like you rage about CODMW being a clone? all first person shotter since quake are clones and even quake is arguably a doom/wolf3d clone. So big deal if a game shares similar features to another game. If they add their own spice and provide a decent world to play in then more power to them.
PS: YOUR POST IS A CLONE SO GTFO!!!
Posted: Sep 21st 2011 10:06AM Emolition said
@Mtor
Only "wow" clone I know about is Alganon they use same graphic same menus even same trainers as wow but free to play.
Wouldnt call the all the mmos that get the tag "wow clone" rather call it mmo clone then. Wow is same as everquest didnt see anything really diffrent in wow when I played it unless raiding was new thing that didnt exist in eq for I dont do big group things prefer solo play.
Reply
Only "wow" clone I know about is Alganon they use same graphic same menus even same trainers as wow but free to play.
Wouldnt call the all the mmos that get the tag "wow clone" rather call it mmo clone then. Wow is same as everquest didnt see anything really diffrent in wow when I played it unless raiding was new thing that didnt exist in eq for I dont do big group things prefer solo play.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:39PM (Unverified) said
I say keep it in beta for as long as it needs to ensure the game is great on day 1. Delay it for a year if you must, life will go on. I already have pre-ordered the CE, but I'm pretty concerned about so many ideas being on the "wall of crazy" instead of not in game.
I read too many negative reviews of the beta, it's having an affect on me honestly.
I read too many negative reviews of the beta, it's having an affect on me honestly.
Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:29AM Space Cobra said
@(Unverified)
It is easier for someone to succumb to the urge/feeling of posting something negative than to post a positive post out of the blue. This is true in life. If you felt slighted in some way, easier to be pro-active about it. If the service was good, you enjoyed the food, or whatever, most people tend to walk away happily. Sure, you will have people tell their friends, but again, the one with an axe to grind makes themselves known than a contented person.
Reply
It is easier for someone to succumb to the urge/feeling of posting something negative than to post a positive post out of the blue. This is true in life. If you felt slighted in some way, easier to be pro-active about it. If the service was good, you enjoyed the food, or whatever, most people tend to walk away happily. Sure, you will have people tell their friends, but again, the one with an axe to grind makes themselves known than a contented person.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:50PM stamps79 said
If the game is not ready for this year, I would be happy to play it early next year.
Posted: Sep 20th 2011 8:59PM Juicer said
I participated in one of the first beta's nearly a year ago. From sounds of recent beta it hasnt come far. I honestly dont care when its released, its really not even on my radar. I may try it to see how far its progressed next year however I think people are building this game up to be a WoW killer. Pretty optimistic for a single player online game.
I think fans of KOTOR will enjoy this title but many will be disappointed by how limited the actual multiplay portion of this game is. I think they should take their time to release this game as it relies so much on story driven progression. No one would pay for an unfinished single player game even with the starwars IP.
I think fans of KOTOR will enjoy this title but many will be disappointed by how limited the actual multiplay portion of this game is. I think they should take their time to release this game as it relies so much on story driven progression. No one would pay for an unfinished single player game even with the starwars IP.
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