Star Wars: The Old Republic Going Free to Play

Last month, BioWare’s MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic, which has been losing subscribers hand over fist, made it so that the game would be free to play for the first 15 levels of the game, similar to what WoW did earlier this year. That move didn’t seem to help too much, because SWTOR was still losing subscribers. Now BioWare is just making the game free to play this fall.

Well, okay, not entirely free to play. This fall, players will be able to play for the first 50 levels of their characters for free. But there will be a few restrictions. The game will be rolling out some higher level content and new features to game. Players will be able to access these features by just buying them or through a subscription service.

Players who use the subscription service will not only get access to all the new content and features, but they will also get monthly deposits of Cartel Coins, a new in game currency that will also be introduced this fall. Cartel Coins will be used to purchase in game items and features “that will enhance the gameplay experience.” Free players will also be able to get Cartel Coins. Just not as much or as often as the paying players.

But that’s not all. This month, to prepare for the addition of the free to play option, SWTOR‘s price will drop to $14.99 US and come with a month of free subscription time.

You can check out the full press release here.