The enduring MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic, celebrating over a decade of active gameplay, continues its ambitious graphical modernization. This ongoing effort, explained by Executive Producer Keith Kanneg, is crucial for sustaining regular game updates.
Recent visual enhancements have significantly improved planetary landscapes and character textures. The game's longevity, exceeding even many single-player titles in terms of playtime, is a testament to its engaging narrative and dedicated player base.
Kanneg's recent community letter detailed the reasons behind this graphical overhaul. The modernization is vital for updating the game's underlying technology, allowing for continued content releases. Improvements are evident in locations like Hutta, Tython, Korriban, and Hoth, revitalizing even the oldest areas. Furthermore, Update 7.6 showcased enhanced character facial textures, resulting in more realistic appearances in various lighting conditions and cutscenes.
Beyond the visual upgrades, Kanneg also highlighted new cosmetic items inspired by the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew series, available via the in-game Cartel Market. Subscribers received a complimentary mount based on a speeder bike from the show.
Despite shifts in development (from BioWare to Broadsword Online Games) and changes in its canonical status, Star Wars: The Old Republic remains a vibrant online world, consistently incorporating elements from the latest Star Wars media.
