BioWare’s free-to-play MMORPGStar Wars: The Old Republichas just released a major update that upgrades the game to a 64-bit client, a leap that has serious implications for the game’s future in terms of performance and content. As usual, the update also includes plenty of balance changes as well as a rather controversial change toStar Wars: The Old Republic’seconomy.
Like most MMORPGs that last more than a decade,Star Wars: The Old Republichas been showing its age in recent years despite many overhauls and improvements. Most recently,SWTOR’sLegacy of the Sithexpansioncompletely reworked the game’s UI and switched to a “combat styles” system so that players could essentially switch to any class that shares their weapon type, be they Republic or Sith. The game has seen countless other changes such as multiple iterations of its talent trees, reworks to Galactic Seasons, and plenty of balance changes, but the aging technology beneath it all has persistently held the game back.
RELATED:Star Wars: The Old Republic Finally Transitioning to 64-bit Code
The game’s new 7.2.1 update aims to change that by introducing the incredibly ambitious 64-bit client that has been on the game’s Public Test Server for several months. This is a significant step forward, as the 64-bit client allows the game to access practically unlimited memory in comparison to a 32-bit client’s limit of a measly 4GB of RAM.SWTORhas had to design its environments and encounters around this limitation, so the 64-bit upgrade enables the game’s developers to create far more complex scenes using more detailed assets. The upgrade also opens the door for other technological possibilities, asThe Elder Scrolls Onlinealso usesSWTOR’s HeroEngine and its 64-bit upgrade paved the way forNvidia’s DLSSwhich brought serious performance gains.
In addition to the major client upgrade, today’sSWTORupdatekicks off Season 4 of Galactic Seasons which rewards plenty of goodies including a new player stronghold on Mek-Sha. PvP Season 2 has also begun and is accompanied by some adjustments that should make earning objective-based medals easier during matches. One change to the game’s credit economy has caused a stir in the community, however, with Quick Travel now incurring a credit cost of up to 5,000 credits. Although the move is meant to counter the game’s rampant inflation, some players argue that it only serves to hurt newer players while barely affecting billionaire veterans.
Despite being an MMORPG,SWTORis packed with single-player-friendly story content featuring fully-voiced dialogue and branching storylines for each of its eight origin stories.Star Warsfans looking to kill time while waiting forStar Wars Jedi: Survivor’s releasecan find plenty to do here at the unbeatable price of free.
