STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ - Navigating the Latest Updates and Galactic Adventures
Since its launch, STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ has continued to captivate players with its rich storytelling, immersive gameplay, and dynamic universe. As of now, the game maintains a steady average player count of 3,009, reflecting a dedicated community eager to explore the galaxy far, far away. With the recent rollout of Game Update 7.2.1 and the previous 7.1.1 patch, BioWare has introduced a host of new features, seasonal events, and quality-of-life improvements that enhance both the PvE and PvP experiences. In this article, we delve into the highlights of these updates, examining how they shape the evolving landscape of the game.
Game Update 7.2.1: Piercing the Veil and Galactic Season 4
The latest major patch, 7.2.1, launched with several exciting additions, chief among them being the commencement of PvP Season 2: Piercing the Veil, which began on March 28th. This new PvP season introduces revamped PvP medals and fresh rewards, providing competitive players with new goals and incentives to test their skills in arenas and warzones. The changes aim to balance the competitive environment and reward dedication, making PvP more engaging and rewarding than ever before.
Alongside PvP enhancements, Galactic Season 4 titled A Passage of Peace also kicked off with this update. Players are introduced to Amity, a compelling Force user on a pilgrimage, who guides them through the new Messengers of the Cold Moon reputation track. This reputation system offers a variety of new rewards, including the highly anticipated Mek-Sha Hideout Stronghold. The addition of this stronghold enriches the player housing experience, giving players a unique and atmospheric base of operations to customize and showcase.
Credit Economy Initiative and Technical Improvements
One of the critical challenges in MMORPGs is managing in-game economies to prevent inflation and maintain balance. The 7.2.1 update marks the beginning of BioWare’s Credit Economy Initiative, a series of measures aimed at addressing economic inflation within the game. While the full scope of these changes is ongoing, the initial adjustments are designed to stabilize credit flow and ensure that the in-game economy remains healthy and rewarding for all players.
From a technical standpoint, 7.2.1 introduces the much-anticipated 64-bit game client, now available to all players. This upgrade allows the game to utilize more system memory, improving performance, stability, and compatibility with modern hardware. However, players should be prepared for a larger download, approximately 35 GB, due to the inclusion of this new client. Other technical improvements include the game launching in full screen windowed mode by default, removal of the “Very Low” graphic preset, and better GPU utilization for laptop users. Additionally, the frame rate limiter bug has been fixed, allowing players to set their desired maximum FPS through graphics settings.
Quality of Life and Gameplay Enhancements
Beyond major features, 7.2.1 brings numerous quality-of-life improvements that refine the overall gameplay experience. For example, the “Critical Rate” for Crew Skills tasks now properly upgrades when unlocking the “Legacy of Crafting” perks, improving crafting efficiency. The Companion influence circle bar has been fixed to progress correctly and display accurate points, ensuring players can track their companions’ development more easily.
Cosmetic and interface tweaks have also been addressed. Helmets no longer reappear in cinematics when the “hide helmet” option is enabled, preserving immersion. Additionally, excess credits that push players over the credit cap will now remain safely in the mail, preventing loss of hard-earned currency. Players simply need to close and reopen their mail to see the updated amounts.
Other notable adjustments include the removal of XP rewards from Operations Profiteer guild perks, as XP is no longer relevant to Operations content, and the Warzone Training Dummy now only appears if the corresponding perk is unlocked. These changes help streamline gameplay and remove outdated or redundant mechanics.
Looking Back: Highlights from Game Update 7.1.1
While 7.2.1 brings fresh content and improvements, it builds upon the foundation laid by the previous patch, 7.1.1. This update introduced Galactic Season 3: Luck of the Draw, which launched alongside a new reputation track featuring PH4-LNX, the Croupier Droid. Players could progress through the Gambling Authority and Management Entity reputation, unlocking new rewards and challenges.
The Feast of Prosperity 2022 event was another highlight, running from November 1st to 29th, offering festive rewards such as the Gourmand’s Favorite Weapon Set, Duuba and Gaboorga Transport Skiffs, and the Feast Holo-Toy. This seasonal event added a celebratory atmosphere and unique collectibles to the game.
Outfitter improvements were also a welcome addition, doubling the number of outfit slots from 16 to 32 and allowing players to name and favorite their outfits. This enhancement gave players greater flexibility and personalization options for their characters’ appearances.
Balance changes, passive mod redesigns, and quality-of-life improvements were implemented to fine-tune gameplay across all classes. Two new Tactical items were added to vendor supplies on each Fleet, expanding tactical options for players. Additionally, the inflow of Daily Resource Matrices was increased, making these valuable crafting materials easier to obtain.
Lastly, the Manaan Daily Area became an invadable planet with new Conquest Objectives, adding fresh PvP opportunities and dynamic gameplay elements. The introduction of a Collector’s Edition Vendor Access item on the Cartel Market also allowed all players to access exclusive vendor content, enhancing the in-game economy and variety.
Conclusion: A Galaxy of Opportunities Awaits
With the release of Game Update 7.2.1 and the groundwork laid by 7.1.1, STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ continues to evolve, offering players new adventures, challenges, and improvements. Whether you are a PvP enthusiast eager to dive into Season 2’s competitive battles, a lore-lover exploring Galactic Season 4’s narrative, or a crafter looking forward to economic adjustments and quality-of-life tweaks, there is something for everyone in this thriving MMORPG.
As the game embraces technological upgrades like the 64-bit client and addresses long-standing gameplay issues, the future looks bright for the galaxy’s most beloved Star Wars online experience. For players both new and veteran, now is an excellent time to jump back in, explore the Mek-Sha Hideout, and join Amity on her pilgrimage through the cold reaches of the galaxy.