14 DAY TRIAL // Star Wars: The Old Republic, the MMORPG released by BioWare more than a year ago, is now receiving its first full-fledged expansion, in the form of the Rise of the Hutt Cartel, as well as game update 2.0 (aka Scum and Villainy).
Star Wars: The Old Republic came out in December of 2011 and didn't result in the success BioWare, EA, or LucasArts had hoped for, so the online game went free-to-play in November of last year.
Now, the title is getting ready to receive its first full-fledged expansion, in the form of the Rise of the Hutt Cartel.
While the DLC is set to appear officially on April 14, those who pre-ordered it can experience the add-on starting today, April 9.
Alongside the expansion, which brings plenty of major changes, like a new planet called Makeb or an increased level cap, Game Update 2.0: Scum and Villainy is also being rolled out.
Check out the official details below, via the SWTOR blog.
Rise of the Hutt Cartel
- All Classes can now reach Level 55! - New Planet: Makeb! The Republic has won victories on Corellia and elsewhere, but the Empire hasn't given up their campaign for dominance and battles are still being fought across the galaxy. With no end to the war in sight, new forces are rising up to seize the opportunity to profit from the chaos on the idyllic world of Makeb, the Hutt Cartel have been quietly laboring away on something big, making both the Empire and the Republic wary of a third organization entering the war. Members of both the Empire and the Republic who are level 50 or above should expect a holoterminal transmission aboard their personal star ships with further information on Makeb and the Hutt Cartel. - New Feature: Macrobinoculars! Both the Empire and the Republic have cleared a new piece of equipment for use in the field. Explore Makeb to uncover exciting new technology that unlocks valuable objects and additional story-driven missions. Imperial players, level 53 and above, can acquire their Macrobinoculars from T4-M7 in the Sith Sanctum on Dromund Kaas. Republic players, level 53 and above, can receive their Macrobinoculars from M3-8Z, located in the Senate Plaza on Coruscant. - New Feature: Seeker Droid! A new piece of technology has both Republic and Imperial treasure hunters flocking to unlikely sites on planets across the galaxy. By using these Seeker Droids, players can uncover highly desirable hidden items, treasures, and unique artifacts! Seeker Droids are available to all characters who are level 50 and above. Imperial players can retrieve their Seeker Droid from Z1-3C in the Sith Sanctum on Dromund Kaas. Republic players can pick up their Seeker Droid from BB-6G to at the Senate Plaza on Coruscant.
Game Update 2.0 Highlights - New Operation: Scum and Villainy! Scum and Villainy is a new Operation which takes place on the seedy Outer Rim world of Darvannis, where mysterious forces are gathering an army of warlords and mercenaries. This Operation is available at level 55 in four difficulty modes, and it contains seven bosses with lockouts. It can be accessed from the Ziost Shadow or the Gav Daragon on the Imperial and Republic Fleets. - New Feature: Achievements! The Legacy System has expanded to include Legacy Achievements, which recognize important accomplishments and milestones across all characters in your Legacy. - New Hard Mode Flashpoints! Hard Mode is now available for the following Flashpoints at level 55: Athiss, Cademimu, Hammer Station, Mandalorian Raiders. - New Feature: Priority Mission Terminal! The Daily Mission Terminal on the Fleet has been replaced by the Priority Mission Terminal. The Priority Mission Terminal provides daily, weekly, and introductory missions for high-priority activities such as Flashpoints, Group Finder, Warzones, and other repeatable content. - New Tier of Gear! New, more powerful gear is available from Flashpoints, Operations, and Warzones at level 55! Additionally, many commendation types have been consolidated and simplified. See the Items section for more details. - Players who are in a guild will now receive a 5% bonus to all experience gained!
The Rise of the Hutt Cartel expansion costs $19.99/€19.99 for regular free players while those with active subscriptions can get it for just $9.99/€9.99.