SWTOR is getting its first digital expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic this spring. Rise of the Hutt Cartel will raise the level cap to 55, includes all new story-based missions, and introduces the new planet of Makeb for players to explore. The personal Star Wars saga will feature the same fully-voiced conversations that the original game launched with and will allow players to uncover the nefarious plans of the Hutt Cartel.

Rise of the Hutt Cartel is set for a spring 2013 release and players can begin pre-ordering now. If you pre-order by January 7, you will receive 5 days early access. The expansion is priced at $9.99 for subscribers and $19.99 for anyone else.

Source: http://www.swtor.com/rothc

Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.6 is live on all servers, and it was time for me to come back to SWTOR to check out the recent changes. Over the last couple of days, I explored the new Section X Dailies area, completed my HK-51 companion quest, tried the new Ancient Hypergates PvP warzone and explored the new Cartel Market Store. All in all I enjoyed myself quite a bit and will probably continue to play for at least the next month.

However in a few months my subscription will expire and I am seriously considering the free-to-play option. This does not mean I will not pay to play, its just I don't want to pay a subscription during my absences from SWTOR as I play or try other games. This is why over the last few days I have looked very hard to make sure I am ready for my subscription to expire. Here is what I have learned so far.

As a current subscriber I have been given 2350 cartel coins thus far and will receive 600 per month until my subscription expires in February (3550 total cartel coins). However before that happens I want to make sure I unlock some of the more annoying restrictions:

• Authorization: Artifact Equipment (1200) (You need this to wear any good gear)
• Customization Control: Display Titles (100) (I think you need this to display Darth title)
• Customization Control: Unify Colors(350)
• Customization Control: Hide Head Slot (350)

Optionally I may need to unlock the following depending on my future needs

• Access Authorization: Section X (600)
• Authorization: Event Equipment Requisition (175)
• Unlock: Inventory Module (175)

This means that at a minimum I will need 2000 cartel points for my must haves, leaving me with 1550 cartel coins I can use on optional purchases or weekly Operations/Flashpoints/Warzone passes (240 each).

However I recently found out that you can purchase some of these unlocks at the galactic trade network (auction house) from other players. Honestly I have not seen this in other f2p titles and I find this very interesting. Since I will be limited to having only a maximum of 350K credits as a Preferred player (somewhere between f2p and subscribed player) I will have to spend some of my extra credits anyways. So far I managed to purchase Authorization: Artifact Equipment and I have seen both Authorization: Section X and Unlock: Inventory Module for reasonable prices.

This means I can potentially end up with 2750 cartel coins to use on weekly passes for Operations/Warzones or Flashpoint (240 each) allowing me to say do operations for 11 weeks before I pay anymore money.

What happens after I run out of cartel coins? Its very likely that for the vast majority of the year the 3 flashpoints/warzones per week will be sufficient for me. However once a while I get in the mood to go back to SWTOR hard for a month or 2 and I can always re-subscribe for that short period. I can also buy 2400 cartel coins for $19.99. This would allow me to purchase an additional 10 weekly unlocks for Flashpoints/Warzones/Operations.

The biggest issue with going f2p is what happens next, will I have to unlock access to the next expansion or new content, I am guessing yes. This happens allot in other f2p titles like Dungeons & Dragons Online or Lord of the Rings Online. f2p players have to either re-sub to get the new content or buy access to it (often for a large price). This usually splits the server populations between those who have access to free or early content and those that subscribe and have access to everything. I am not saying that we should get everything for free, however I want to make sure that f2p or buy what you want game play style is feasible in this game beyond the 1-50 content.

Star Wars: The Old Republic Update 1.5 is now live. Now players can experience the complete story-lines of all eight Star Wars classes, all the way to level 50 for free. Also with Update 1.5 comes a new Section X,area to explore, a new long awaited HK-51 Companion character and Explosive Conflic Operation (Raid) Nightmare Mode.

I am currently in the process of completing my HK-51 companion and will be posting a video guide as soon as I complete the quests.

Source: http://www.swtor.com/info/news/press-release/20121115

I am very excited about the Star Wars: The Old Republic Free-to-Play launch on November 15th. I am not only counting on seeing some of my old friends come back to SWTOR, I am also hoping to see some new players give this great game a chance.

So what does November 15th mean to you as a player? Well if you are already a SWTOR subscriber you will now get a slew of Cartel Coins, a new currency that will allow you to buy some cool cosmetic or faster leveling items. You should see way more players on your server, which should mean faster queue times, and hopefully faster content releases (every 2 months)

If you are a new or returning player, you will get a chance to start or complete your character story by getting free access to level 1-50 content and a good portion of the end game. There are some criticized restrictions such as limited hot-bars, inventory and bank space, however similarly to other free-to-play offerings you can remove all of these restrictions with a small investment in the Cartel Store, and remain a free player long term

Although there are many critics of SWTOR in my opinion many of the original issues with the game have been resolved and it is still a very solid game. Perhaps SWTOR could not compete with other subscription MMOs such as World of Warcraft however it is a solid offering when compared to other free-to-play titles such as Dungeons & Dragons Online, Everquest II and Lord of the Rings Online

So regardless if you are a returning player, or have never left, I hope you all join me in SWTOR for our next epic adventure together.

I recently had some time to go through some of my old videos I captured. Here is the last fight with Revan in The Foundry Flashpoint set to music, enjoy

There is now more clear information about what does free-to-play really mean for Star Wars: The Old Republic. We always knew that free players will be limited in the number of Warzones and Flashpoints they can complete. However we now know the magic number is Three.

Free to Play players will be limited to:

• 3 Warzones
• 3 Flashpoints
• 3 Space Missions
• No Operations

We now also know that you will also be able to purchase week long unlocks to remove the limit of Flashpoints Space Missions, Operations and Warzones. As expected there will be other limitations such as in limited field revives, limited cargo hold, limited character creation options. However the one limitation that is raising some eyebrows is the limit on equipping purple items. Although many people think this is a typo, I believe this will probably be a one time purchase license.

I personally will most likely switch to the free-to-play model, as World of Warcraft is currently taking up most of my gaming time. Even right now I usually don't do more than 3 Flashpoints per week. The one thing that I will miss most is Operations however I think I will have enough Cartel points saved up to allow me to unlock access whenever I get the itch to face Soa. I am really hoping that I will be able to unlock Eternity Vault with Cartel points, having the option to buy the content rather than rent it. This model works quite well in games such as Dungeons & Dragons Online or Lord of the Rights Online.

To check out the updated free-to-play chart visit: http://www.swtor.com/free/features

After months of previews, hints, and general teasing from Bioware the long awaited HK-51 companion is finally available for preview on SWTOR public test server along with Game Update 1.5.

Although most players are super excited about finally getting this new companion as well as Bioware actually keeping its promise on releasing new content every 6 weeks, many players are asking "Where is the new Warzone?" which was promised for 1.5. Still this is a very positive news for Star Wars: The Old Republic and most players are very delighted to get this iconic companion from the original KOTOR games.

Getting HK 51 will not be easy. You will need to complete a quest to get 7 HK components. The last 2 parts are found in lvl 50 FlashPoints. You will also need an opposite faction alt, level 15 should be enough. Here is the list of the component locations:

• Outlaw's Den - Tatooine
• Endar Spire - Taris
• Jedi Temple - Coruscant
• Dark Temple - Dromund Kaas
• Ambria Fury - Hoth
• False Emperor FlashPoint
• Maelstrom Prison/The Foundry FlashPoint- Hard Mode

You can find a full guide at: Duffy.net

Star Wars The Old Republic Update 1.4 is now live on all servers. The Update features a new Operation (Raid) called Terror from Beyond, new PvP gear, some new features (fixes) to the group finder, companion customization features and face emotes.

I think many players are excited about this update, the new operation should be fun, however it was not added to the group finder so you can only complete it by using pre-made groups. The Group Finder fixes should help quite a bit, as you are now returned to the same place you queued from after the Flashpoint/Operation is completed. The improved starter PvP gear should help things however it does not address the issue of having to spend a ton of credits augmenting your gear before you can compete.

Also the companion customization features (match armor to chest) feature is going to be fun.

Source: www.swtor.com

Bioware has released a Developer Dispatch discussing the new SWTOR Operation coming soon in Game Update 1.4.

In "Terror from Beyond", you will be called upon to face a mysterious new threat that has emerged from one of the most obscure places in the galaxy: the Gree planet of Asation. The Gree have been safeguarding ancient technologies on the planet for centuries, but seemingly on its own one of the technologies, called a "Hypergate" has been activated. Terrible creatures have begun emerging from this Hypergate, and the Gree fear the worst is yet to come. You must travel to Asation, close the Hypergate, and defeat whatever evil it has unleashed. Get ready to face the most challenging enemy yet. A true Terror From Beyond!

A new world event called Grand Acquisitions Race is live in SWTOR right now. it is hosted by Chevins and starts in Nar Shaddda promenade. A detailed guide on the event can be found at:

The world event rewards include a new speeder, pet, social gear and some very nice ranged weapons

http://dulfy.net/2012/08/13/swtor-live-event-chevin-grand-acquisitions-race-coverage/