14 DAY TRIAL // BioWare has posted more details on how players can get early access into its upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO, highlighting that those who already pre-ordered the game need to enter their code on its website to be included in the early start event.
Star Wars: The Old Republic saw massive details appear last weekend, with BioWare, its developer, confirming that it's going to be released on December 20, in North America, and December 22, in Europe.
Before that, however, the studio, alongside the game's publisher, Electronic Arts, will allow people early access into the game. As you can imagine, lots of Star Wars fans wanted more details on how that's going to work.
Thankfully for them, The Old Republic community manager Stephen Reid explained on the game's forums that the procedure hasn't really changed since the pre-orders for the online title started. Basically, all those who pre-purchase the game need to enter the code they receive on the website of the game and, depending on when they do that, they'll receive early access.
"Nothing has actually changed since we announced pre-order access in July," Reid said. "Everyone who pre-orders Star Wars: The Old Republic and redeems their pre-order code will get Early Game Access. Those who do this will be able to download the game client and play the game ahead of the release date."
Although BioWare now knows when the game is going to be released in North America and Europe, the early access still doesn't have a concrete launch date.
"While we aren't ready to talk about the exact timing of when Early Game Access starts (that depends on a number of factors including Game Testing and pre-order numbers), we'll announce that before the start date. Our planning accounts for allowing people to download the client before the Early Game Access start date, too. However, when you actually gain admittance to Early Game Access will be determined in a first-come, first-served manner dependent on when you redeemed your pre-order code."
Reid also highlights that offering Star Wars: The Old Republic early access allows BioWare to ramp up the number of servers and detect any potential issues that could severely affect the actual launch of the game.
Expect more details about The Old Republic and its release details in the near future.