It has been reported that Electronic Arts (EA) plans to transfer the development and ongoing operations of SWTOR to a third-party studio named Broadsword Games. This announcement signifies the end of Bioware's involvement as the game's developer. While the deal has not been finalized yet, it has been confirmed by Keith Kanneg, the Bioware game director. In this article, we will explore what this means for the future of SWTOR and the potential implications for players.

 

• Uncertain Transition Period
• Implications for SWTOR

 

↖ Uncertain Transition Period

Although the letter of intent has been signed, indicating an agreement in principle, notably, the deal has not yet become a binding contract. The deal is expected to be finalized this month. Until then, there remains a level of uncertainty surrounding the transition. However, considering the confirmation from Bioware's game director and EA's acknowledgement of the development shift, the talks are indeed taking place.

 

↖ Implications for SWTOR

Workforce Changes:

With the transition to Broadsword Games, approximately half of the current SWTOR development team may join the new studio. Unfortunately, the remaining Bioware team members may face job losses or potentially be absorbed into other EA projects. While this situation is undoubtedly challenging for the affected individuals, the hope is that they will find smooth transitions to their next endeavours.

 

Broadsword Games:

The new developer, Broadsword Games, was founded by Rob Denton, a co-founder of Mythic Entertainment, known for games like Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Broadsword currently operates two MMOs, Dark Age of Camelot and Ultima Online, and has a team of around 23 individuals. The addition of Bioware's former team members would substantially increase their resources, which could have a positive impact on SWTOR.

 

Maintenance Mode:

Speculation suggests that SWTOR will enter a maintenance mode under the management of Broadsword Games. This means that while the game might not receive significant new expansions, it is likely to continue receiving smaller patches and bug fixes. The focus could shift towards stabilizing the game's current state rather than introducing major content updates.

 

Future Prospects:

The transition to a new developer and EA's loss of exclusive rights to the Star Wars IP might limit the possibilities for future SWTOR-related projects. The chances of seeing a sequel or another Star Wars MMO in the near future appear slim. However, the game could still enjoy an extended lifespan, much like Dark Age of Camelot and Ultima Online, which have maintained their player base over multiple decades.

 

It's important to remember that the deal has yet to be finalized, and there may still be surprises along the way. Until then, players can continue to enjoy SWTOR and make the most of the remaining months under Bioware's development while eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the game's evolution.

 

Conclusion:

The news of Bioware's departure as the developer of SWTOR and the potential shift to Broadsword Games has generated mixed feelings among the player base. While it's natural to feel uncertain about the game's future, there are both positive and negative implications to consider. The transition period may be challenging for the affected developers, but the infusion of new resources into Broadsword Games could potentially result in a more focused approach to bug fixes and class balancing. SWTOR may not see grand expansions in the future, but the game is expected to continue in a maintenance mode, ensuring its presence for years to come.