'Star Wars: The Old Republic' coming December

(All rights reserved - EA / LucasArts / BioWare)

Star Wars' juggernaut online adventure The Old Republic is to launch in North America on December 20 and in European regions on December 22.

Speaking during a presentation at the Eurogamer Expo on September 24, BioWare founders Ray Myzyka and Greg Zeschuk confirmed the massively multiplayer game's 2011 launch date.

Pricing is on a par with the paid subscriptions of World of Warcraft, Rift and EVE: $14.99 (£8.99/€12.99) for one month, $13.99 per month in a batch of three, falling to $12.99 per month if bought in a six-month block.

Many other games in the Massively Multiplayer Online genre have been dropping their compulsory charges.

DC Universe Online is the latest to announce plans to join the likes of Lord of the Rings Online, Star Trek Online and Age of Conan in offering free play alongside premium memberships.

The previous Star Wars MMO, Star Wars Galaxies, will close on December 15 with a "galaxy-ending in-game event."

swtor.com