Star Wars: The Old Republic Special Editions announced

BioWare announced its various special editions and goodies for Star Wars: The Old Republic today. The most expensive version will cost you $150, but comes with plenty of swag and an exclusive store.

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BioWare announced the not one, not two, but three retail editions of Star Wars: The Old Republic today, to tickle your fancy. They range from $60 to a whopping $150, but the middle tier digital version is an Origin exclusive. So what fan service can you expect for your money?

The Standard Edition includes the game and 30 days of online for $59.99. For $79.99, the Digital Deluxe Edition throws in five virtual items: the Flare Gun, Training Droid, personal HoloDancer, HoloCam, and STAP vehicle. Big spenders can get the Collector's Edition for $149.99, which includes a Darth Malgus statue from Gentle Giant, a journal of Jedi Master Gnost Dural from Chronicle Books, a soundtrack CD, security key and a map of the galaxy. You'll also get all the virtual items from the digital copy, plus access to the Collector's Store, an in-game store exclusive to CE owners.

On top of the bonus content, pre-ordering the game from Origin grants a redemption code to unlock early access to the game, along with an in-game color stone for your weapon. The company is also opening up "beta test weekends" starting in September, offering limited time, closed beta access.

"We are targeting Star Wars: The Old Republic to be one of the biggest launches of holiday 2011," said BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka in the announcement. "Our teams at BioWare and EA, along with our partners at LucasArts, are laser-focused on creating a high quality game, but just as importantly, they are resolute in delivering a high quality service. We are taking all of the necessary steps to make sure The Old Republic has a thriving community built on a stable online foundation from day one, including limiting supply at launch to ensure that players easily transition into the servers. So whether you're waiting to join the Empire or the Republic, pre-order now to ensure you can enter the galaxy at launch!"

What's otherwise a fairly standard PR line seems a little less so when you reach the point that Muzyka references intentionally holding back supply. Network stability is important, and MMOs have a history of launch troubles, but that's also the point of beta tests. It's hard not to think of this at least partially as a sales tactic, and the fan base might not take kindly to artificial scarcity.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    July 21, 2011 7:45 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Star Wars: The Old Republic Special Editions announced.

    BioWare announced its various special editions and goodies for Star Wars: The Old Republic today. The most expensive version will cost you $150, but comes with plenty of swag and an exclusive store.

    • reply
      July 21, 2011 8:52 AM

      Who pre-orders a game that doesn't have a release date?

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        July 21, 2011 8:54 AM

        Someone who wants into the beta that they announced (today) is starting in September.

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          July 21, 2011 8:58 AM

          Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think pre-ordering gets you into the beta weekends. They get you early access, which iirc is 6 days before official launch.

          according to the press release, These weekend play sessions will be open to selected players worldwide, not everyone who pre-ordered.

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            July 21, 2011 1:28 PM

            You are correct as far as the information I gather.

            This move by EA/Bioware is totally new and unheard of. The pricing of the game is also very ridiculous.

            I guess I'll wait until they actually give more information and things actually start making sense, then I'll preorder.

      • reply
        July 21, 2011 8:54 AM

        who pays $150 for a video game?

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          July 21, 2011 9:42 AM

          The same people that spent $200 for life-time subs for Champions-Online and Star Trek Online.

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            July 21, 2011 9:44 AM

            Don't forget Hellgate.

          • reply
            July 21, 2011 9:45 AM

            or lotro?

            How much was the halo collectors again?

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            July 21, 2011 9:47 AM

            Pshh! The people who bought lifetimes subs are super special. SUPER SPECIAL. Like a butterfly. $150 for a collectors edition is low ball. Why yes I did get them both. No, I don't regret it. Yes I probably didn't get my money's worth from CO.

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              July 21, 2011 10:06 AM

              Nobody got their money's worth from CO. I was only ever in the Beta and I didn't get my money's worth.

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          July 21, 2011 9:44 AM

          I don't want to even talk about what I've spent on World of Tanks so far....

        • reply
          July 21, 2011 11:38 AM

          Not me. Never. Nope. I am sorely tempted to pay $150 for a video game...

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          July 21, 2011 3:25 PM

          People who have jobs.

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          July 21, 2011 3:50 PM

          people like me who complain about games being 59.99 and then claim they will all be 79.99 in 5 years

      • reply
        July 21, 2011 9:00 AM

        On amazon it says available Dec. 31, but perhaps thats a placeholder?

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        July 21, 2011 9:00 AM

        ask the guy who had his receipt from his original duke forever preorder 10 fucking years ago

      • reply
        July 21, 2011 9:08 AM

        Did WoW have a release date during alpha / beta testing?

      • reply
        July 21, 2011 9:24 AM

        It's gonna be announced today.

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          July 21, 2011 9:26 AM

          I really don't think it is - @rockjaw just said that they never promised that the release date and early order would happen at the same time.

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        July 21, 2011 9:32 AM

        I do because Amazon doesn't charge until it ships and because I buy a lot from Amazon I'm always going to be ordering ahead of some important date so why not order as soon as it becomes available to order?

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        July 21, 2011 4:01 PM

        Duke Nukem fans?

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      July 21, 2011 10:58 AM

      I ordered mine at Midnight. I think the reason why they have no correct release date, is that they need a Big Announcement for the TOR Panel at SDCC at 3:30 today.

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      July 21, 2011 11:04 AM

      I'd have already pre-ordered by now if it were on Steam.

      No idea how well ORIGIN will hold up, so I might just wait and buy it retail. FUCK why can't it be on Steam.

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        July 21, 2011 12:08 PM

        Don't wait too long if you plan on doing Early Start.

        The order in which you redeem your Pre-order Code is the order in which you will gain Early Game Access before the game’s official release.

    • reply
      July 21, 2011 11:17 AM

      [deleted]

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      July 21, 2011 11:20 AM

      I am finding it very hard to try and justify to myself, getting the collectors edition. It just doesn't seem worth it for $150

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        July 21, 2011 11:41 AM

        The mini-statue of Darth Malgus is made by Gentle Giant, their quality is among the best. I'd say that statue along is worth anywhere between $50-$75 by itself.

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        July 21, 2011 1:12 PM

        In the event that the game doesn't fully live up to the SW experience, I'm still looking at you SWG, you could always crank up the game soundtrack while playing wow, rift, guild wars2, etc. :)

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      July 21, 2011 4:01 PM

      Well Origin, and Amazon are sold out of the CE, I haven't checked any of the other sites yet.

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      July 23, 2011 12:16 AM

      Hard to bear forking out £129 for a game that is totally unproven, how do we know it's even gonna be any good?

      Don't fancy having a hundred odd quid turkey sat on me computer desk. Fuck it, special items or no, I'm waiting for the review/beta.

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