Star Wars: The Old Republic early access starts today

by Griffin McElroy on Dec 13th 2011 12:00PM

It's time to put your regimented dragon-killing schedule on hold for a while, replacing it completely with an all new Jedi-killing routine -- early access for Star Wars: The Old Republic opens up today. If you pre-ordered the game through a traditional retailer or virtually through Origin, you'll be able to hop into the game today; assuming you're lucky enough to be a part of one of the waves of entrants BioWare is letting in, periodically, until the game's official December 20 launch.

The game can't allow everyone in all at once, probably because it would crush the servers like the windpipe of a Death Star insubordinate. Persistence should win you your prize, though. Well, persistence, and a pre-order code, and a monthly subscription.

Source: EA

Tags: bioware, early-access, mmo, mmorpg, online, pc, star-wars, Star-Wars-The-Old-Republic, The-Old-Republic

Reader Comments (47)

*sits patiently waiting for the email*
If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then DFKJSDFKLDSJFKLSDJFDSKLFJ!

I pre-ordered last night...LOL!...my chances of getting in before the 15th are zilch!

@zlickrick Unfortunately I have a feeling you won't get in until the 19th... I pre-ordered on October 17th, and I doubt I'll get in until the 15th at the very earliest. I don't think this was a great move on their part.

@(Unverified) How would you have done it then?
If they let everyone in at once, the servers would crash and burn pretty much immediately, which means NOBODY gets to play.

@macnbc
Ok, so how do they plan to handle release day when more than the number of preorders are going to be logging in at once?

@penetraitor Release day will have everybody already patched up, and already placed on servers with characters created. They won't all be hitting the starter areas at the same time.

It'll be a stress test, for sure, but not nearly as bad as this.

@macnbc

Do you really think that a large enough portion of the player base is going to have the game preloaded and patched before they can even play it? What about all the people who haven't preordered?

The influx on launch day will trump the numbers playing before release many times over, I don't doubt.

Based on what I've been seeing on Twitter today, this won't be a shining example of how to launch an MMO smoothly.

The wait is going to be excruciating.

@slickie

Yeah, makes me want to keep checking my email.

so like is this game any better than WoW?
i mean whats the good and bads about it. didnt get a chance to get in beta

@shadowhowl1900 Star wars better than WoW, really? No way man. Star wars is one of the most childish games or movies ever made. It's for children, nothing more. Skyrim is a much better game than this is, and WoW will always be better than anything Lucas is involved in.

@shadowhowl1900 First of all, speaking from being in beta. Lots of good story side quests, there is a little bit of grind but nothing bear as bad as wow,. Full voice over which really draws you into the world and whats going on in it. Bioware (need I say more) star wars! And more, if you like MMOs, you all need to get this game!

@shadowhowl1900

They weren't ashamed to say it's going to be similar to WoW. Depends on what's your problem with WoW whether SWtoR is recommendable.

If you like MMORPG's, like actual ones (UO), then it's nothing interesting. As a story focused single player, semi-MMO experience it can be worth it, but might be disappointing compared to other Star Wars games.

@shadowhowl1900

As a beta tester I had a pretty good time. I like ToR a lot better than WoW. Bioware has done an excellent job at incorporating a strong story based element to a MMO.

@(Unverified)

Don't kid yourself. It's the same game with a few new features and a few more polygons. Bioware took the same path Blizzard did: Follow the example of those who came before you, polish it up, and wrap an existing franchise around it.

It's not a bad thing, but it's patently obvious to anyone with even a scrap of objectivity.

@(Unverified)

That was a reply to the first unverified lauding WoW and criticizing Star Wars, not who had a pretty good time.

@(Unverified)

Get verified! You're just confusing everyone!

Check your pre-order confirmation email. You still need to register it to your account, even if you ordered a digital copy via Origin.

Additionally, the phased early-access rollout is determined by date it was registered to your account, not when it was actually pre-ordered.

I pre-ordered mine on Origin a while ago but didn't realize I had to register it to my account until last week, so I'm sure my early access will start December 19th. :/

@macnbc That's pretty much untrue. Each server has a specific capacity and won't allow anyone else to log on, hence the queues. If they are smart they have already done some good estimation to prepare hardware; if Rift was any indication, they'll spin up servers as needed.

The worst that can happen is EA/BW get a lot of angry blogs, tweets, emails, and forum posts about the ginormous queues. The servers themselves will be fine. That was the point of the stress testing during beta.

I love getting the email that I can start playing today just as I'm about to leave for work! Luckily I had a few minutes to log in real quick and create a character so my guild could be officially "created" on the server.

@TheAngryIntern I also got the email 2 mins before leaving for work. Ah well, the evenings plans got wiped by sickness and I am in the free and clear. For the Jedi, FOR THE REPUBLIC!

@sonofman Sigh...you will be remembered...at least until I get to play, then immediately forgotten.

I pre-ordered weeks ago but still no e-mail. Why don't you love me TOR? I was going to be loyal. I was going to love you like no man before. We were going to be together forever. But then you go and do this, you backstabbing cheating W$%*@!

What's the matter, wasn't our time together in the beta special? Sure doesn't look that way to me if you don't want me inside you on launch day! I don't want sloppy seconds! Were through!

Oh God. I'm sorry, so sorry. Please take me back, take me baaaaaack. I'll be good, I promise. Just let me in.

I got in only because I ordered the Collectors. At the same time I am going to sell it when it comes and get the standard edition. The perk is I can now play the game and then come the 20th redeem the standard edition and the person who is getting the Collectors will still get all the bonuses of it. It's a win-win

@Janitor How does that work? You have to register the game with your account before you can do anything with it. I'm assuming whoever buys your CE will not be able to use it because it is tied to your account.

@Janitor

Are you being wrong on purpose? Pre-ordering the CE has nothing to do with how early you got into early access. What matters is when you did your pre-order. So try to get a refund on your CE, but good luck with that, since you only bought it for the wrong reasons.

Also, you spent $150 just so you could play a few days early, a full $90 more than cost of a regular edition? Was the extra few days of access worth nearly triple the price of the regular game that you wasted since even pre-ordering the regular version would've got you into early access?

I think I can safely call you an idiot, especially with the uppity attitude you're using in your post.

@StrangeDNA i only registered the early access. i can't register the code for the first free month until i receive the game. the CE isn't tied to my account, only the early access is. it's separate

@RogueJedi86 ok. you obviously are a troll and have no life. i already sold the CE to someone so that does not matter, at all. Is this your life? complaining and bitching to people you don't know online and trying to make fun of them? how is the basement going? how is your love life? i mean really. you make it a point to log onto a forum and talk smack to people you don't know and tell them they are wrong and degrade them when it is actually the opposite. the CE is sold, the person who bought it will have the code for the one month after they create their account. seriously, grow up. respond back with whatever you have. i'm taking the high road...you idiot.

@Janitor

The early access code redeems all features associated with the key you purchased. For example, I log in and see that stupid crystal cause I pre-ordered Standard, but my buddy got Digital Deluxe and his show that mount plus other crap.

Version specific CD-Keys are the norm, I don't think you'll be able to unregister your CE edition key from your account and sell it.

I dont plan on buying game but I will watch the storyline cinematics on youtube = )

In case people don't realize, the earlier you pre-ordered, the earlier you get into Early Access. So if you pre-ordered back in July when pre-orders were announced, you'll be playing today. But if you pre-ordered last night, you'll probably get in the last day(19th) before release(20th).

@RogueJedi86 Actually per my post above, the actual language is pre-orders registered to your account. Yes, even if you pre-ordered the game digitally via Origin, you still have to register the game to your account.

Because it's too hard for EA to do that for you since EA = BW account...

@RogueJedi86

To be fair, they state in my purchase details that you get 5 days early access at a minimum, for pre-order. Granted that may shift if there are technical problems, but people getting in today are the exception.

@RogueJedi86 Everyoen is supposed to be in by the 15th. They're letting in a wave of people ever 30 mins to an hour. The eariler you registered your code the sooner you get in. I got in on the first wave but then I pre ordered and registered my code with in 6 hours of it going on sale on Amazon in July (7 am in the morning est).

@zlickrick

It said "up to", meaning you are not guaranteed five days early access. It only meant at most five days, which was moved to seven last week or so. It means that so long as you get a single minute prior to December 20, they upheld the promise.

I swear, either the advent of the Internet has destroyed reading comprehension or a basic literacy test needs to go along with an ISP account

had no luck getting into the beta due to overpopulation so I'm guessing my luck will continue with the "early access if you're lucky enough to try and log in when we aren't overpopulated"

@iceveiled You shouldn't have an issue..all the servers as of 3pm est are still Light with a few at Standard. They're sorted by Type and Time Zone and population not to mention they spread the big pre registered guilds out and they've started with all the servers up and running instead of some of the disaster attempts by other games to simply release one or two servers at a time.

I preordered from Gamestop at the end of August. Never got a preorder code. In emails with them now. I WANT MY EARLY ACCESS!

@StormEagle Gamestop employee here. We ran out of codes for awhile, but EA sent us more a few days ago. Just go to your store, tell them you didn't get the code, and they can print up a new one for you.

I have never been selected for a Beta test or Early Access my entire life, and I suspect this will be no different.

@zlickrick You don't get selected for Early Access you have to Pre order the Game and register a Game Code that would of been given to you by the retailer.

@(Unverified)

woooooosh!

I played the beta for two weekends, loved it.

I also got early access to the game earlier today (I ordered from ShopTo). However, I'm actually too busy at the moment to play it. Won't be able to touch the game until after Christmas.

Get ready for the biggest lag fest in history of mmos. Good luck and may the force be with you all.

@SaintV

So I take it you didn't participate in the early days of EverQuest then huh?

WoW with lightsabers. Same game, different motif.

@dogmaticatheist

And WoW is Everquest with...........what? It has all the same kinds of weapons. What now?

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic early access starts today

Reader Comments (47)

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:06PM gtakiller0914 said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:06PM zlickrick said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:12PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:18PM macnbc said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:38PM penetraitor said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:14PM macnbc said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 10:30PM Chareth Cutestory said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:12PM slickie said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:17PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:15PM shadowhowl1900 said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:29PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:33PM SoCHobbit said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:58PM Kyrx said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:23PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:09PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:11PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 10:32PM Chareth Cutestory said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:17PM StrangeDNA said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:44PM StrangeDNA said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:21PM TheAngryIntern said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:30PM SoCHobbit said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:35PM SoCHobbit said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 12:38PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:27PM Janitor said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:40PM StrangeDNA said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:46PM RogueJedi86 said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:47PM Janitor said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:11PM Janitor said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:24PM zlickrick said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:39PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:41PM RogueJedi86 said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:51PM StrangeDNA said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:27PM zlickrick said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:00PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 8:31PM LaughingTarget said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 1:45PM iceveiled said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:03PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:17PM StormEagle said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:46PM JGGiant915 said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:26PM zlickrick said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:58PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:15PM zlickrick said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 2:42PM Cube said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 3:26PM SaintV said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 5:48PM NathanAllen said

Posted: Dec 13th 2011 6:14PM dogmaticatheist said

Posted: Dec 14th 2011 5:08AM RogueJedi86 said

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